Lifestyle and Budget

Summertime is all about trips to the beach, parties and more outdoor events-but all that comes at a price. Don't let your fun break your budget.

Dave Says: Everyone likes a bargain, but sometimes buying used can cost more in the long run. And just how much do you need for a down payment?  

Small charges you hardly notice can become big budget busters. Here's how to recognize them before they get out of control.

You should never compare your lifestyle with those around you. Here's why.

Should you use your credit card on vacation? The protections and rewards can make it a good idea, but it could also make it easier to abandon your budget.

Most people know they shouldn't bounce checks. Besides causing embarrassment, if you don't deal with bounced checks, it can cause you a lot of problems.

If someone steals your wallet and uses your plastic, you aren't necessarily on the hook.

Stuck with a bad credit score? You're not alone. Even if you're a (mostly) responsible consumer, you might be saddled with a low score. That's because credit scores aren't always fair.

Marital financial issues can turn into big problems if not addressed. Survey after survey shows spouses' communication about money needs improvement.

Big events are every hacker's dream. Don't get lost in the hype over the World Cup and become a victim. Here's how scammers are targeting these global sporting event and how to stay safe.

In an ideal world, you wouldn't need to go negotiate.But that's not the world we live in.

Spending traps abound over the summer months--here's how to stick to your budget. 

Good, clean living pays off in many ways you already know. But here's one you might not have been aware of.

Here are a couple of the world's simplest ways to get a handle on your everyday spending.

People on the offensive are driven by acquiring more, or advancing their careers and social standing. People on the defensive care more about keeping what they already have than acquiring more. So which approach is better?

Dave Says: Does it matter if you are spending more on one kid than the others? And what are the best practices for handling a 401(k) when switching jobs? 

Ideally, your financial flexibility should allow you to handle any money-related issue that comes your way with a minimum of panic or missed payments. 

We spend so much time online that many of us have a large digital footprint--here's how to erase it.

The 35-and-younger crowd knows less about credit scores than other American adults, and that could dampen their buying power in the future. 

A single mistake on a card bill caused a huge drop in a customer's score and highlights a credit rule: The bigger the score, the harder the fall