Conservative investors have been frustrated in recent years because low interest rates have left guaranteed instruments yielding virtually nothing. And while rates will undoubtedly rise again at some point, guaranteed instruments will never outpace inflation. This creates a dilemma for many investors who seek a decent return on their money, but don’t want to risk losing their [...]

5 Low-Risk Investments That Offer High Returns is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

Can’t afford a trip to the dentist? You’re not alone. The cost of dental care has consistently risen by nearly twice the average rate of inflation over the past half-century. In addition to rising dental costs, the number of consumers with access to dental insurance decreased 5.7% from 2009 to 2010 alone, leaving only about [...]

How to Get Affordable Dental Care Without Insurance is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

We all love saving money on items we buy – but getting stuff for free is even better. Thanks to the Freecycle Network, finding freebies is now easier than ever. Plus, using the site is a great way to get rid of clutter in your home, and it costs nothing. The concept of Freecycle is [...]

What Is the Freecycle Network – Give & Get Free Stuff is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

Americans are mobile people. In fact, the U.S. Census reports that about one in six Americans move each year. Though most moves are local, nearly one-sixth of all people who move change states. Finding the home that is right for you largely comes down to personal preferences, and the cities in this country have such [...]

10 Best U.S. Cities to Live In is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

Years ago, there were three choices when it came to sweetening your tea or coffee: white sugar, brown sugar, or honey. Oh, how times have changed. Today, with the great amount of attention given to calorie, sugar, and carbohydrate intake, many people do not even consider those options. Instead, numerous sugar substitutes are available, giving [...]

4 Types of Artificial Sweeteners & Sugar Substitutes – Side Effects, Pros & Cons is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

You want to lose weight, so you’re planning to cut calories. But how many calories do you actually need to intake to effectively lose the pounds? People often fall for common diet myths and make the mistake of eating too few calories for their bodies, which can lead to deprivation, metabolism slow-down, and, in some [...]

How Many Calories Should I Eat to Lose Weight? is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

In November 2011, CNN reported that students who graduated from college in the past year did so with a record level of student loan debt – $25,250 per graduate. What is most worrisome is that this number is an average – meaning that while some students’ debt stayed below this amount, many carry debt far [...]

How to Pay Off Your Student Loans With Low-Interest Credit Cards is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

In addition to having been a professional or semi-professional musician throughout my entire adult life, I’ve also served as a life insurance advisor and retirement planner for other musicians. Unfortunately, I have found that most musicians are not very savvy at financial planning. The harsh reality is that being an artist does not exempt you [...]

Financial Planning Guide for Musicians & Performing Artists is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

For many students, going away to college is the first time that they will live away from their parents or hometown. University life affords freedom, independence, and an opportunity to gain life skills that will be used throughout life. However, while this is certainly a major event, getting the most out of your college experience [...]

10 Reasons Why You Should Study Abroad in College – Benefits & Challenges is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

With the New Year upon us, banks are vying for your business. This is good news for you, because instead of just offering standard perks like no fees, free checking, or a free pen when you sign up for an account, some banks are raising the stakes with cold hard cash, giveaways, and great interest-bearing products. [...]

Best New Bank Account Promotions, Offers & Free Money is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

To outsiders, Twitter can seem like a big waste of time; a bunch of egomaniacs telling the world what they ate for lunch or what they think of the latest contestant on “The Bachelor.” But to those who use it and love it, it’s an invaluable resource. I’ve used Twitter to find new jobs, locate [...]

How to Make Money With Twitter Using Sponsored Tweets is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

It seems like celebrities are constantly on the craziest diets. One week, they’re gorging on baby food to get slim; the next week, they’re eating cookies or fasting to strip away the weight. Clearly it works – celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston and Lady Gaga have maintained their petite physiques using these methods. Here’s the [...]

5 Celebrity Fad Diets & Weight Loss Plans That Don’t Work Long-term is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

Shopping with smartphones and tablet computers is becoming increasingly popular. Thanks to apps, you can use your mobile devices not only to shop, but to save quite a bit of money, too. Whether you want to save money on gas or reduce your travel expenses, there’s probably an app that enables you to do it. [...]

Top 5 Smartphone Shopping Apps to Help You Save Money is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

This year, you may have made a variety of New Year’s resolutions to improve your mind, your finances, or your health. Many people, however, tend to lose focus of their goals, and the promises made on the first of the year are soon forgotten. You don’t need to make a resolution to improve your life, [...]

20 Simple Ways to Live a Healthy, Happy Life is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

You’re feeling sad, unmotivated, and just don’t have the energy to visit friends or family members. Sound familiar? These signs – and many more – are signs of depression, a serious mental condition that can turn your mood and motivation upside down. If you feel this way, you’re not alone: 15 million Americans suffer from [...]

How to Deal With Depression & Anxiety Naturally Without Medication is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

When it comes to your credit, it’s important to know how you stack up. Do you have good credit? Excellent credit? Poor credit? How can you find out? In most cases, the easiest way to determine the health of your credit is to look at your credit score, a numerical value that reflects a mathematical [...]

What Is a Good Credit Score – Understanding Credit Ratings & Ranges is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

Pregnancy can be an exciting, yet trying, time. Mamas-to-be must balance everyday activities with morning sickness and growing body parts. While looking fashionable remains a priority for many pregnant women, the cost to do so can be prohibitive. According to a BabyCenter poll of more than 15,000 women, 30% spent $200 to $500 just on maternity clothes. [...]

6 Affordable Ways to Get Stylish Maternity & Pregnancy Clothes is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

Working during the summer when school is out of session is a great opportunity for teenagers to make money and assert their independence. Having a summer job can help you earn spending money, pay for college, and gain practical experience for a future career, all while providing opportunities not available during the school year. Deciding what [...]

12 Great Summer Jobs for High School Students is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

You’ve probably heard it before: A friend or family member loses weight by going on a crash diet, detoxing, or eating too few calories. Or perhaps you’ve tried to lose weight by severely restricting your diet, to the point of feeling miserable or weak. Unfortunately, due to the unhealthy eating habits they promote, these diets can [...]

5 Warning Signs of Unhealthy Crash Dieting & Eating Disorders is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

In the world of consumer credit scoring, there’s always something new, more “accurate,” and even more intrusive than the credit reporting that has preceded it. One of the latest attempts to delve into consumer behaviors and reduce them to a single number is the CoreScore from CoreLogic. The CoreScore promises to base its score on [...]

What Is CoreScore – New Credit Report From CoreLogic is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.