One of the simplest methods to reduce your bills is to call your service provider and ask for a lower rate. It doesn’t always work, but there’s no harm in asking — and if you can convince the rep you speak with that you’re considering canceling, there’s a pretty good chance that they’ll be able [...]

I opened up a can of worms with a friend a while back: every month, rain or shine, she puts away money for her daughter’s college education. It’s the first place she puts any portion of her pay check. It’s great that she’s really devoted to a savings goal — but lately there have been [...]

Insurance is a way to hedge your bets — to get someone else to cover the risks of every day life. Your car insurance covers the risks you face on the road. Your health insurance limits the risks you face in the event of illness or injury. But with a little more knowledge about your [...]

Mint.com provides a great suite of tools for managing your money, from tracking spending to building budgets. This week, the site announced the release of Financial Fitness, a new system within the site that provides customized tips to help users pay off debt, save money and even improve their credit scores. The tips are based [...]

If you’re setting aside savings for a college fund, there are a few tax advantaged accounts that work similarly to retirement accounts. Deciding between them is a little more complicated than choosing between a 401(k) and an IRA, though. Both 529 College Savings Plans and Coverdell Education Savings Accounts can be attractive options for saving [...]

There are days that even a dedication to coupons isn’t enough to keep your grocery budget where you can easily afford it. There are steps you can take beyond the basics, like meal planning, though that can help you cut your food budget. A little thinking outside the box can be enough to move you [...]