As editor of the Consumer Action Handbook , I was sickened to hear about car title loans, a form of predatory lending, because they prey on the most vulnerable and desperate consumers. In a title loan, a consumer in need of quick cash, will use their car title as collateral for a short term loan. No job or postdated checks required. ...

WASHINGTON (AP) - Car shoppers running into shortages of certain vehicles at dealerships will still be able to use the Cash for Clunkers program to reserve the car of their choice, the Obama administration said Thursday. The Transportation Department said consumers who want to purchase a new vehicle not available on a dealer lot would still be eligible for the car ...

A BW senior correspondent details his quest to repair his retirement portfolio and get his family's finances in order It could have been worse. At the end of February—a year and change since my wife and I had shifted our money to professional wealth management advisers—our equity holdings were down 48% for the 16 months they had managed it. But our ...

DES MOINES (AP) — With economic pressures mounting, you may think reducing your 401(k) contribution is an easy way to add money to your paycheck. But before you do, consider how it will increase your tax bill. Many people have become so focused on the recent losses of 30% or more in their account balances that they've forgotten a primary benefit ...

We all have our little fears: The frayed wire on the coffee maker. That knocking noise from the left-rear tire. The zombies staggering around in the backyard. For investors, one of the biggest fears today is inflation — a period of rising prices. Inflation erodes the buying power of your money at home and abroad. In a worst-case scenario, it can ...

Today's managers are charged with getting the most out of workers no matter what. But the reality is that many managers must coax top performances from their employees while working with a minimal budget that may require salary freezes; cuts in benefits, bonuses or perks; reductions in hours; or even layoffs. If you're faced with a less-than-optimal budget situation, follow these ...

When we asked Monster readers what they’d be most likely to splurge on if they got a big salary bump -- a new car, wardrobe or home entertainment technology -- the car topped the list with 51 percent of the votes, followed by the wardrobe with 30 percent and the home entertainment center at 18 percent. But quite a few readers ...

Taxes are overwhelming and complicated. There is form after form and it gets tough to keep them all straight. The most painful part, however, is seeing the toll it takes on you wallet. TurboTax, Military.com and GovCentral have brought you expert financial advice to make your taxes as painless as possible and hopefully save a lot of money in the process. ...

Although the 2008 tax return season isn't quite over, it's already time to think about your 2009 returns. For example, there are tax changes in the federal economic stimulus package. And the recession has dramatically altered the financial situation of many workers. Here are some things to consider this year as you plan ahead: • Check your paycheck: New federal law ...

WASHINGTON — Researchers say people are more susceptible to investment scams such as Ponzi and pyramid schemes after going through adverse life events — a job loss, foreclosure or some other financial hardship. So it's not surprising that many experts think the nation's deepening economic crisis is creating a whole new universe of potential scam victims every day. In fact, ...

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama signed into law Tuesday the largest government economic rescue plan in the nation's history, a $787 billion package of spending, tax cuts and tax credits that's designed to help pull the nation out of what's becoming the worst downturn since the Great Depression. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes everything from money to refurbish public ...

Happy New Year to you all and thank you for all you do to make our country great. You are all so appreciated. I’ve been asked write up a 2009 housing prediction, but this is nearly impossible to do with significant accuracy. But, I’ll take out the crystal ball and do my best so you can know what this housing expert ...

How well are America's workers prepared for financial uncertainties and for the eventuality of retirement? In their own estimation, millions of employees haven't found a secure path to a bright future, whether that future begins in a retirement 40 years from now or at the end of the month, when the bills come due. Those are the disturbing findings of a ...

With all the doom and gloom over housing, you might be surprised to know that this is a fantastic time to get a mortgage. Not if you have poor credit, to be sure. But you can get a great deal on a 30-year, fixed-rate, conforming loan these days if you have a solid FICO score, a manageable debt burden, and proof ...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ - New rules adopted by the Office of Thrift Supervision today will help protect consumers from certain abusive credit card lending practices that can result in excessive fees and interest rate charges. The rules were developed in conjunction with the Federal Reserve Board and National Credit Union Administration, which are expected to adopt the same regulations later ...

As the economy weakens and prices soar on everything from gas to groceries, Americans are looking for quick ways to cut their expenses and hold on to more cash. Fortunately there are plenty of ways to chop your spending without a lot of time or hassle. Some of these cuts will save you just a few dollars, while others can net ...

There's nothing like a little hard-won experience. Personal finance expert Lynnette Khalfani got out of $100,000 in credit-card debt in three years. Now the author of books like "Zero Debt: The Ultimate Guide to Financial Freedom," she writes and speaks about how others can follow her example. BusinessWeek's Ben Steverman recently spoke to Khalfani about the "bling-bling lifestyle" that leads young ...

The global credit crisis and flat-lining domestic economy could make this one of the most challenging times to be looking for a job in recent history. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of unemployed increased to 11,000, and the December 2008 unemployment rate hit 7.2 percent - the highest level in sixteen years. In the financial services industry ...

It's hard enough to job hunt in a thriving economy, but now, even the heartiest job seeker may be inclined to roll over and catch a few more z's rather than hit the streets. Don't quit looking before you start. Job hunting requires you to pull out all the stops and take the basics to a new level. You truly have ...

This article offers general information on legal and financial matters relating to employment. For specific information relating to your situation, please consult an attorney, financial planner or appropriate government agency. Now that you've lost your job, you need to hurry up and find a new one, right? Wrong. You've got to buck up and tie up loose ends with your ex-employer ...