Hot Today

Wise Bread articles that are hot today.

Healthy, frugal eating

Every so often, I get hit in the face with two facts.  First, Americans (even poor Americans) are unbelievably rich.  Second, Americans (as a group) utterly lack a cultural traditi

6 Ways to Haggle Your Way to Cheaper Rent

If you love the apartment, but not the price, learn how to negotiate with the landlord and find the price that's right for both of you.

6 Solid Online Resources to Help You Find a Job

When job searching, those who have access to the best tools can keep their advantage in a tough market. Here are my favorite 6 online resources designed to help you find a job.

Best Kids Eat Free Restaurants

Knock dollars and cents off your tab by eating at one of these restaurants where kids score their meals for free.

Who Pays For the Bridesmaid Dresses When . . . ?

Figuring out who pays for the bridesmaids' dresses is tough, but depending on the situation, the rules are clear. Try this cheatsheet and good luck!

How to Tell If Someone Is Lying (Other Than the Long Nose)

Most of the time we trust other people to tell the truth, but sometimes something doesn't seem right. Here's how to tell if someone is fibbing.

Do a Background Check Before Hiring Your Financial Advisor

Are you looking to hire a financial advisor but worried they might be next Madoff. Before doing so, be sure to do a background check to see if you can find any clues that might pre

Why I Choose to Rent Instead of Buy

Some say that homeownership is the smarter financial move, but for many folks, renting is just the better call.

7 Times You Should Choose Private School Over Public

Private school will crimp even the healthiest family budget. When does leaving public school for private make sense?

Grocery Shopping and the 4-Minute Mile: How to Challenge Yourself

Spending less on groceries is like running a faster mile — to improve, you must challenge yourself. Here's how to perform better in any pursuit.

6 Surprising Ways to Maximize Your Savings at Home Depot

The big box hardware and supply stores already offer big discounts over smaller stores. Learn how to save even more with some smart shopping.

How to Do a One-Month Spending Freeze

If you want to jump-start your financial goals, a spending freeze might be just what you need. Here's how to make it happen — and even have fun while doing it.

13 Ways to Make Money From Valentine's Day

Instead of spending your precious dollars on a Valentine's Day gift, why not earn some by offering something precious to the lovestruck?

These 5 Famous Animals Earned More Than You

Learning just how much money these celebrity animals make will both impress you and depress you.

Do you know how to use a parking meter? Serious question.

I thought I knew the answer to that. Admittedly, I’ve only been driving for seven years and rarely park in downtown Denver, where most of our parking meters are located. But I had

15 Personal Finance Calculators Everyone Should Use

Personal finance is best handled with numbers — accurate numbers. These great online calculators have you covered, no math skills required.

How to Spot Lousy Investment Advisers

"Superior" investment advice is a pretty rare thing. So rare, most of the time it's really just lousy.

4 Times When Bundling Insurance Doesn't Make Sense

"Bundling" is a buzzworthy term in the insurance world. But, sometimes, you're better off keeping your policies separate.

Speeding through your mortgage

Now that many of you have crunched the numbers for accelerating your mortgage payoff, I think you are ready for a quick lesson on speeding through your mortgage. Now, I am not sayi

How to Spot Counterfeit Money

Have you ever gotten a bill where something seemed a little off? Ever wished you could quickly check to see if it was good? Well, here's how.