Monthly Newsletter
This month's newsletter
Life Events
Getting Married
GETTING MARRIED (OR DIVORCED): Some Financial Guidelines
How To Prepare Financially For A First Marriage
How To Prepare Financially For A Divorce
How To Prepare Financially For Re-Marriage
INFOSOURCES
External Sites
Getting Married
Marriage and the Financial Considerations
Planning a Wedding
Wedding Checklist
Registry Checklist
Getting Divorced
Basic Information
Divorce Laws by State
DivorceNet
Divorce Online
Divorce Source
LIFE INSURANCE: How Much And What Kind To Buy
Do You Need Life Insurance?
Types of Insurance
How Insurance Products Differ
How to Shop for Insurance
Shopping for a Policy
INFOSOURCES
Related Financial Guides
ESTATE PLANNING: How to Get Started
External Sites
AARP Life Insurance
Calculators
Life Insurance Calculator
FAQs
What are the major differences in legal treatment between married and unmarried couples?
What estate and financial planning steps are particularly important for unmarried couples?
Do married couples need more insurance?
If you change your name after marriage, who should be notified?
Do I need to update my will when I get married?
What are the tax implications of marriage?
How can married couples hold property?
Planning Aids
Becoming A Parent
BECOMING A PARENT: The Financial Considerations
What it Will Cost You
Birth through Infancy
Ages One through Six
Ages Six through Twelve
Ages Thirteen through Eighteen
Teaching Your Kids How to Handle Money
Savings and Investment
Taxes and Credit
INFOSOURCES
External Sites
Adoption Information
Child Care Search
Foster Parent
Improve Your Parenting Skills
National Child Care Association
Raising Children
THE "NANNY TAX" RULES: What To Do If You Have Household Employees
Who is a Household Employee?
Can Your Employee Legally Work in the United States?
Do You Need to Pay Employment Tax?
State Unemployment Taxes
Social Security and Medicare Taxes
Federal Unemployment (FUTA) Tax
Do You Need to Withhold Federal Income Tax?
How Do You Handle the Earned Income Credit (EIC)?
How Do You Make Tax Payments?
What Forms Must You File?
What Records Must You Keep?
INFOSOURCES
Related Financial Guides
SELLING YOUR HOME: How to Minimize the Tax on the Gain
HIGHER EDUCATION COSTS: How To Get The Maximum Deduction
ANNUITIES: How They Work And When You Should Use Them
ROTH IRAs: How they Work And How To Use Them
RETIREMENT PLAN DISTRIBUTIONS: HOW To Take Them
RETIREMENT PLAN DISTRIBUTIONS: WHEN To Take Them
MUTUAL FUND TAXATION: How To Cut The Tax Bite
RECORDKEEPING AND CASH FLOW: Effective Techniques
LIFE INSURANCE: How Much And What Kind To Buy
Do You Need Life Insurance?
Types of Insurance
How Insurance Products Differ
How to Shop for Insurance
Shopping for a Policy
INFOSOURCES
Related Financial Guides
ESTATE PLANNING: How to Get Started
External Sites
AARP Life Insurance
Calculators
Life Insurance Calculator
FAQs
Raising a Child
How much will it cost me to raise a child?
What costs can I expect during the first year?
How much will I spend on my child during ages one through six?
How much will I spend on my child during ages six through twelve?
How much will I spend on my child during ages thirteen through eighteen?
How can I teach my kids good financial skills?
Saving for College
When should I start saving for my child's education?
How much will my child's college education cost?
How should I invest my child's college fund?
What is the "kiddie tax"?
What is an Education IRA and who is eligible for one?
Planning Aids
Preparing for College
YOUR CHILD'S COLLEGE EDUCATION: How To Finance It
Savings And Investment Strategies
If You're Caught Short
Sources of Financial Aid
Planning Techniques
How to Reduce Taxes
INFOSOURCES
Related Financial Guides
INVESTMENT BASICS: What You Should Know
ANNUITIES: How They Work and When You Should Use Them
HOME EQUITY LOANS: How To Shop For The One That's Best For You
HIGHER EDUCATION COSTS: How To Get The Maximum Deduction
External Sites
Apply for Financial Aid
Career Search
College Credit Education Loan Program
Criteria used to evaluate college applicants
Select the best college
How Do Colleges Rank?
HIGHER EDUCATION COSTS: How To get the Maximum Deduction
Coverdell Education Savings Accounts (Section 530 Programs)
Qualified Tuition Programs (Section 529 Programs)
Traditional and Roth IRAs
Education Savings Bonds
Education Credits
Qualified Tuition and Related Expenses Deduction
Employer-Provided Education Assistance
Student Loans
INFOSOURCES
Related Financial Guides
SELLING YOUR HOME: How To Minimize The Tax On The Gain
ANNUITIES: How They Work And When You Should Use Them
ROTH IRAs: How they Work And How To Use Them
RETIREMENT PLAN DISTRIBUTIONS: HOW To Take Them
RETIREMENT PLAN DISTRIBUTIONS: WHEN To Take Them
MUTUAL FUND TAXATION: How To Cut The Tax Bite
RECORDKEEPING AND CASH FLOW: Effective Techniques
FAQs
When should I start saving for my child's education?
How much will my child's college education cost?
How should I invest my child's college fund?
If you have insufficient savings for your child's education, what should you do?
What types of grants are available for college?
What types of loans are available for college?
How can I increase the amount of financial aid my child is entitled to?
How can I save taxes on college savings?
Planning Aids
Developing a Financial Plan
YOUR FINANCIAL PLAN: Getting Started On a Secure Future
Identify Your Goals
Determine Your Net Worth
Determine Your Cash Flow
Plan to Achieve Your Goals
Establish How Much You'll Need
Put the Plan Into Action
INFOSOURCES
Related Financial Guides
DISABILITY INSURANCE: What To Look For
DISABILITY BENEFITS: How To Get All You're Entitled To
CAR INSURANCE: 10 Cost-Cutters To Save You Money
HOMEOWNERS' INSURANCE: How To Get The Best Coverage and Value
ASSET ALLOCATION: How To Diversify for Maximum Return
External Sites
Social Security Administration
Develop a Financial Plan
A Financial Health Checkup
Calculators
Personal Financing
How much car can I afford?
How long will it take to pay off my credit cards?
How much do I need to save for college?
How long will it take to save for a major purchase?
Simple Loan Calculator
How Much Can I Borrow?
What Interest Rate Would I Need?
How Long Would it Take to Pay Off a Loan
What Would My Payments Be?
Home Financing
Should I refinance my home mortgage?
What would my payments be for a fixed rate loan?
What would my payments be for an adjustable rate loan?
What would my payments be for a balloon loan?
Should I rent my home or buy?
Which loan is better, Fixed or Adjustable?
What would I save if I make extra payments?
How much house can I qualify for?
How much house can I afford?
Advanced mortgage calculator
BUDGETING: How To Prepare a Workable Plan
Step 1: Analyze Your Income And Expenses
Step 2: Set Budgeting Goals
Step 3: Create Your Budget
Step 4: Review Your Adherence To The Budget
INFOSOURCES
Related Financial Guides
YOUR FINANCIAL PLAN: Getting Started On A Secure Future
YOUR RETIREMENT PLAN: How To Get Started
SAVING MONEY: 10 Major Ways To Increase Your Nest Egg
External Sites
Social Security Administration
Develop a Financial Plan
A Financial Health Checkup
Calculators
Personal Financing
How much car can I afford?
How long will it take to pay off my credit cards?
How much do I need to save for college?
How long will it take to save for a major purchase?
Simple Loan Calculator
How Much Can I Borrow?
What Interest Rate Would I Need?
How Long Would it Take to Pay Off a Loan
What Would My Payments Be?
Home Financing
Should I refinance my home mortgage?
What would my payments be for a fixed rate loan?
What would my payments be for an adjustable rate loan?
What would my payments be for a balloon loan?
Should I rent my home or buy?
Which loan is better, Fixed or Adjustable?
What would I save if I make extra payments?
How much house can I qualify for?
How much house can I afford?
Advanced mortgage calculator
FAQs
How do I determine my long-term financial goals?
Is there any validity to financial planning "rules of thumb"?
What do women in particular need to keep in mind with regard to financial planning?
What special problems do unmarried couples have to be concerned with?
Planning Aids
Dealing with Your Bank
BANK ACCOUNTS: What to Look and Ask For
Comparing Types Of Accounts
Choosing An Account
Getting a Better Deal
Protecting Your Account
Using Electronic Fund Transfers
INFOSOURCES
External Sites
Auto Loan Rates
Background on Credit Unions
Bank Financial Condition Ratings
Consumer Reports
Credit Card Interest Rates
Credit Union Rates
Federally Insured Banks
Home Equity Loan Rates
Money Market Rates
Mortgages
Savings Accounts and CD Rates
Calculators
Personal Financing
How much car can I afford?
How long will it take to pay off my credit cards?
How much do I need to save for college?
How long will it take to save for a major purchase?
Simple Loan Calculator
How Much Can I Borrow?
What Interest Rate Would I Need?
How Long Would it Take to Pay Off a Loan
What Would My Payments Be?
Home Financing
Should I refinance my home mortgage?
What would my payments be for a fixed rate loan?
What would my payments be for an adjustable rate loan?
What would my payments be for a balloon loan?
Should I rent my home or buy?
Which loan is better, Fixed or Adjustable?
What would I save if I make extra payments?
How much house can I qualify for?
How much house can I afford?
Advanced mortgage calculator
APPLYING FOR A LOAN: How To Get The Best Loan At The Lowest Cost
Types of Loans
How to Shop for a Loan
Comparing Loans
INFOSOURCES
Related Financial Guides
REFINANCING YOUR MORTGAGE: When And How To Do It
MORTGAGES ALTERNATIVES: How To Choose The Right One
REVERSE MORTGAGES: How They Can Enhance Your Retirement
HOME EQUITY LOANS: How To Shop For The One That's Best For You
MORTGAGE LOCK-INS: Questions To Ask
External Sites
Loans and Mortgages
E-Loan
I-Own.com
Home Equity Loans
Mortgages by BankRates.com
RealEstate.com
Housing Resources
Consumer Information Center
Consumer rights in housing matters
National Center for Home Equity Conversion
Federal Trade Commission
Calculators
Personal Financing
How much car can I afford?
How long will it take to pay off my credit cards?
How much do I need to save for college?
How long will it take to save for a major purchase?
Simple Loan Calculator
How Much Can I Borrow?
What Interest Rate Would I Need?
How Long Would it Take to Pay Off a Loan
What Would My Payments Be?
Home Financing
Should I refinance my home mortgage?
What would my payments be for a fixed rate loan?
What would my payments be for an adjustable rate loan?
What would my payments be for a balloon loan?
Should I rent my home or buy?
Which loan is better, Fixed or Adjustable?
What would I save if I make extra payments?
How much house can I qualify for?
How much house can I afford?
Advanced mortgage calculator
FAQs
Bank Accounts
What banking fees do I need to look out for when shopping for an account?
What are the different types of bank accounts available?
What type of account should I open?
How should I shop for a "best buy" bank account?
How much protection is provided by federal deposit insurance?
How can I negotiate checking account fees with my current bank?
What is overdraft protection and should I have it?
What is the Truth in Savings Act?
ATM Transactions
How do automated teller machine (ATM) and other electronic transfer transactions work?
What should I do if I find an error related to an electronic fund transfer or ATM transaction?
What happens if my ATM card is lost or stolen?
Will I be able to use my ATM card overseas?
How will I know a pre-authorized credit (such as automatic payroll deposit) has been made?
How do I stop a pre-authorized payment?
Planning Aids
Improving Your Credit
CREDIT CARDS: How to Choose and Use Them Wisely
Examine the Card's Terms
Use it Wisely
INFOSOURCES
Related Financial Guides
CREDIT REPORTS: What You Should Know--And Do--About Yours
YOUR CREDIT CARD RIGHTS: What To Do If You Have A Problem
MERCHANT CREDIT CARD ABUSES: What They Cannot Ask You To Do
GETTING OUT OF FINANCIAL TROUBLE: Steps You Can Take
External Sites
ATM Locator for MasterCard
ATM Locator for VISA
Better Business Bureau
Consumer Credit Information
Credit Card Information by BankRate.com
Credit Information from the FTC
Equifax Credit Bureau
Experian Credit Bureau
Manage your credit and debt
Online Credit Reports
Trans Union Credit Bureau
VISA Card
Calculators
Personal Financing
How much car can I afford?
How long will it take to pay off my credit cards?
How much do I need to save for college?
How long will it take to save for a major purchase?
Simple Loan Calculator
How Much Can I Borrow?
What Interest Rate Would I Need?
How Long Would it Take to Pay Off a Loan
What Would My Payments Be?
CREDIT REPORTS: What You Should Know and Do About Yours
Credit Evaluation Factors
Cosigning An Account
Credit Limits
Obtaining Your Credit Reports
ECOA Designation Codes
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
Finance Company Credit Cards
Fraud
Joint Accounts
Name/Alias
Putting An Explanation In Your Credit File
Understanding Your Credit Report
INFOSOURCES
Related Financial Guides
YOUR CREDIT CARD RIGHTS: What To Do If You Have A Problem
MERCHANT CREDIT CARD ABUSES: What They Cannot Ask You To Do
GETTING OUT OF FINANCIAL TROUBLE: Steps You Can Take
External Sites
ATM Locator for MasterCard
ATM Locator for VISA
Better Business Bureau