Hot Today

Wise Bread articles that are hot today.

Could the last person to leave America please turn out the light.

I don’t know about you, but I’m more than a little worried by recent economic events. First Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, then Lehman Brothers, and now an $85 billion loan to AIG. So

Surviving a financial panic -- lessons from the past

Financial panics used to be quite ordinary. In the century or two prior to the great depression, there was a panic every 15 or 20 years. Since the great depression we haven't had

8 Things a Frugal Woman Should Always Carry

It's a spendy world out there. Before you leave the house, make sure you've got these frugal tools with you.

What to Buy (and Avoid Buying) in September

Autumn leaves will be falling soon and these are the deals you should rake up — as well as the over-priced stuff you should leave on the shelves.

Book review: Game Over

Stephen Leeb's new book makes that case that we're running into resource limits on every front--energy, metals, water--and that this problem is going to affect everything we do. T

Choosing Local Businesses

The big-box stores might have everything you want at what seems to be a better price, but there are good reasons why you should buy local.

Need cheap or free construction materials? Go to a demolished housing development.

Amidst the financial crisis, many home builders around the country have run out of financing. Last week a bank decided to completely level 16 completed and partially built homes i

Carnival of Personal Finance #205: Pay it Forward Edition

Wikipedia tells us that the expression "pay it forward" is used to describe the concept of asking that a good turn be repaid by having it done to others instead. More specifically,

14 Great Dishes You Can Make in the Microwave

Your microwave really can do more than pop popcorn and nuke leftovers. Challenge your appliance with these delicious, easy, and (of course) quick recipes.

Flashback Friday: 45 Life Lessons You'd Give to Your Younger Self

If only you could go back in time, here's everything you'd tell your younger self.

The 5 Best Home Theater Projectors

For the ultimate home viewing experience, a projector is the way to go. Check out our recommendations for best buys.

Booking Got Bumped? Your Vacation Cancellation Recourse

What happens if the vendors of your vacation package change your plans? Here are some guidelines for what you can do.

Are You Being Ripped off at the Gas Station?

Is the amount of gas you are pumping - and paying for - really the amount of gas that ends up in your tank? Here's a quick and easy test to make sure you are getting your money's w

Best Money Tips: 5 Ways You're Overpaying for Health Care

Today we found articles on ways you’re spending too much on health care, how to optimize your workspace, and why sales tax holidays are not as great as they sound.

10 Ways to Improve Yourself for $100 or Less

Stuck in a rut? You can makeover your career, your finances, and your life for less than $100!

Learn good financial habits from your parents. Or not.

One of the big advantages that children of the middle-class and wealthy have is that they grow up in a household where a huge amount of financial knowledge is embedded in its day-t

Being Healthy Can Have Big Cash Rewards

I recently became a member of my wife’s gym. I had always hesitated, being a frugal person I preferred to work out at home with a few weights and some exercise DVDs. But, when I di

$4,000, $8,000, or Even $453,500 in 5 Years: A Low-Risk Investment Plan

If you're saving for a new car or a down payment on a house, you can boost your return in the short-term with little risk.

How to Make 8 Trending Halloween Costumes on the Cheap

Just two weekends until Halloween! That's plenty of time to put together one or two of these clever, trendy costumes.

10 Surprising Things You Can Rent

In the long run, renting costs more. But if a short term fling is your thing, you can probably rent it — whatever "it" is.