Even if you’ve done your own financial planning for years, in this current period of financial instability, as investments and retirement funds tank and the stock market swings wildly from one day to the next, you may want to consider the help of a professional financial planner.

Here, from The Sacramento Bee, are five pointers to help you (more…)

Popularity: 5% [?]

A recent monthly performance report issued by discount mega-retailer Target is showing that, in the ongoing economic downturn, more of the company’s customers have stopped making the monthly payments on their Target-branded credit cards. Not just that, reports the Minneapolis Star Tribune, but those customers who are making payments are paying smaller amounts (more…)

Popularity: 5% [?]

In a troubled economy, as college tuition continues to rise while the sinking stock market wipes out years of investment gains, it can be more important than ever for you to find more ways to save for your child’s college education â€” especially when current studies show that parents are woefully unprepared to handle the costs of college. A recent survey conducted by major investment firm Fidelity Investments â€” its second annual College Savings Indicator â€” revealed that parents today are projected to meet just 21 percent of their child’s total college costs.

But put money into a dedicated college savings account while your kids are still young, and you could accumulate tens of thousands of dollars in nontaxable college funds (more…)

Popularity: 7% [?]

Three out-of-state debt relief companies that were providing credit counseling services to consumers in Idaho without a state license have agreed to refund their former Idaho customers almost $400,000 (more…)

Popularity: 3% [?]

As a growing number of cash-strapped consumers fall behind on their monthly credit card payments, credit card issuers are abruptly lowering credit limits on many customers’ cards, in some cases by more than 50 percent.

The consumers currently most at risk of getting their credit limits cut, reports The New York Times, are those who (more…)

Popularity: 15% [?]

In the midst of a global financial and solvency crisis that’s left U.S. banks largely unwilling to extend loans or credit to many individuals, small businesses, or even other banks, 62 percent of credit card companies are reducing their customers’ credit card limits, often suddenly and without notice, (more…)

Popularity: 5% [?]

Feeding your family is expensive.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average American family of four spends $8,513 a year on groceries. That’s an average of $709 a month.

And with food prices rising at the fastest rate since 1990, you’re spending even more these days to buy the same amount of food.

By following just a few simple tips, though, you can cut back on food costs and make your grocery budget stretch a little further without having to give up your favorite meals and snacks. (more…)

Popularity: 5% [?]

When you’re deeply in debt, it’s easy to become so overwhelmed by your financial mess that you start to go into denial about just how much you owe: You stop looking at your credit card and bank statements, you don’t answer the phone anymore so you don’t have to deal with debt collectors, you leave your bills unopened because you know (more…)

Popularity: 3% [?]

The seventh and last defendant implicated in the Federal Trade Commission‘s largest case of credit counseling fraud has pleaded guilty to deceiving consumers who paid a for-profit company that was acting as a nonprofit organization for credit counseling services, according to a Newsday.com article (“Last Defendant Pleads Guilty in Credit Card Debt Scam,” Sept. 13, 2008). (more…)

Popularity: 8% [?]

Many Americans are overwhelmed with debt, some are barely keeping their heads above water, and others are just looking for practical solutions to weather the current economy.

From CNNMoney.com, here are some things you should know about money, debt, and how to manage your finances to help you live within your means.

(more…)

Popularity: 4% [?]