Finance Globe

It can be difficult to raise kids that aren't influenced by the ads, the commercials, and what their friends have. Hey, it's even hard for adults to resist becoming at least a little materialistic. While there's nothing wrong with enjoying some of the creature comforts that make life a little more enjoyable, overdoing it can leave a person with a pile of debt and a pile of clutter.Those who let it go too far as adults...

It seems like the current economic difficulties have many people working harder to earn extra money - and that includes thieves and scam artists.The Federal Trade Commission, the nation's consumer protection agency against fraud, issued an alert on Thursday about a scam where fraudsters attempt to trick people out of their money by calling people on the phone and telling them they've won a lottery.The scam artists claim to be from the FTC, and even use...

Stopping to fill up the tank isn't as painful as it has been in the past year; regular unleaded is now $2.80 a gallon here in my town, right at about the price it was in September 2007. This is a big change from the record-high prices in mid-July, when regular unleaded cost well over $4 a gallon in many areas in the U.S. The lower gas prices reflect the sudden drop in the price of...

Cold winter weather brings up every one's energy bill, and effective weatherization can ensure efficient heating and lower energy bills. But those who are on a tight budget and hit the hardest by winter's higher energy costs often can't afford to put the extra money into making their home more energy-efficient. If you or a loved one survives on limited income and lives in a home with poor insulation, leaky windows, or outdated heating, you should...

Advance-Fee Loan ScamsThe Federal Trade Commission, the nation's consumer protection agency, warns us of "Advance-Fee Loan Scams."Looking for a loan can be frustrating for someone who doesn't have a good credit history. After being turned down by several conventional lenders and creditors, it may be tempting to try your luck with a lender who claims they can give you a loan regardless of your credit history. But, watch out before you apply with a so-called "lender"...

Money management should be a simple task. It's all mathematics; such a clear-cut approach should guarantee success. But, no, it's not that simple. Throw some human emotion into the formula, and you often have, well, confusion.Money represents so much more than the dollar bills in your wallet or the numbers on your bank statement. To many, it represents freedom, power, control, and security. Some may feel shame, guilt, frustration, or anger when feel they don't have...

Many consumers have grown to enjoy the convenience of shopping online. You can easily compare products and prices from many retailers within a short amount of time. The shipping charges are usually well worth saving the time in traffic and gas money spent shopping the old-fashioned way. Purchasing goods online is the answer to many of our shopping nightmares.Now the question is, "What's the best way to pay for online shopping?" Let's review some of the...

The unemployment rate is on the rise, the stock market has been giving investors a scary ride, the American homeowners' biggest asset has been devalued, inflation is pushing up the price of everything, and we still have a family to feed...It's easy to get careless about finances when times are good and credit is easy, but the recent problems in the U.S. have forced many of us to take a harder look at how we're earning...

Higher grocery bills now and are expected in the futureA weak economy and high inflation is already costing consumers a larger portion of their paychecks for basic needs such as fuel and food. Grocery prices have risen over 5% from January to June in 2008, and they're expected to go up by another 15% in the near future.Times like these leaves many of us looking for ways to save money on our food bill. But it...

Consumers and businesses suffer from identity theftIdentity theft is a major threat for consumers. Often, a consumer doesn't even realize their identity has been stolen until they've been denied credit and then find the delinquent accounts on their credit report. Then, the consumer may have to write letters, make phone calls, and file police reports to clear up the defaulted accounts that were opened or stolen by the thief. Sometimes it is difficult to prove that...