Search

How to Get Into Financial Shape Before the End of the Year 06/28/2018 08:00pm • Have you slacked on your New Year's resolutions? Or maybe you didn't even get started? If that's the case, remember that it's never too late to get a handle on your finances and whip them into shape within the next six months. Understanding the basics of your finances and what budgeting tools are av How to Get Your Free Annual Credit Reports 06/27/2018 08:00pm • If you could get a detailed dossier of your physical health -- outlining the positives and negatives in an easy-to-understand form -- you'd jump at the chance, right? Then consider how easy it is to check on a major part of your financial health with a free credit report. It is the most effective w 7 Tools to Help You Get the Best Rate 06/27/2018 08:00pm • Whether you're renting a car or getting a mortgage, you may be wondering if you're truly netting the best deal. These days, a number of websites and other resources are available to help ensure you aren't paying more than needed. But rather than spend hours combing the web or calling companies to l How to Protect Your Digital Funds From Hackers 06/27/2018 08:00pm • Millions of consumers are moving away from traditional banking methods and trading in cash and credit cards for more convenient digital payment alternatives. In fact, a 2016 survey on the rise of digital wallets conducted by Finder.com, a comparison platform and information service, found that over 6 Strategies for Finding a Cheap Hobby You Love 06/25/2018 08:00pm • Having an inexpensive hobby that leaves you deeply fulfilled is one of the key elements of a frugal life. When you don't need to spend tons of money to feel content with your leisure time, you've found a route to happiness that doesn't involve opening the pocketbook. How do you find such a hobby? It Battling Big Players Not New for Walmart 06/25/2018 08:00pm • As Walmart (ticker: WMT) wades into e-commerce, the future of its stock and dividend is being debated. The answer may fall in large part to a competitor: e-commerce megalith Amazon.com ( AMZN). And literally, founder and CEO Jeff Bezos -- already the world's richest man at $144 billion -- prides hi Should I Work With a Mortgage Broker? 06/21/2018 08:00pm • If you're embarking on the homebuying process, you may consider whether working with a mortgage broker is right for your transaction. While you can sort through loan types and rates on your own, mortgage loan experts like brokers might be a good option to help expedite securing the right lender for Millennials worst tippers in US, survey finds 06/19/2018 10:31am • WASHINGTON — When it comes to adding a little extra money onto the tab, millennials aren't going to do it, according to a new survey on the worst tippers in the U.S. The survey by CreditCards.com shows that young adults ages 18 to 37 are stingier on tipping than those older than them. Ten pe How to Get a Small Business Expansion Loan 06/17/2018 08:00pm • If you're a small business owner looking to take your business to the next level, you may not have the capital you need to expand. A small business expansion loan can provide you with the cash you need to open up a new location, hire staff or upgrade your equipment. But where do you start and how do 3 big tips for women who travel 06/13/2018 12:48am • WASHINGTON — Travel is one of life's great pleasures. Women are traveling more than ever and taking solo trips in greater numbers each year. A 2014 Booking.com survey found that 65 percent of U.S. women are taking vacations without their partners. And, according to REI Adventures, 58 percent of 7 Ways to Debt-Proof Your Summer 06/12/2018 08:00pm • As the weather heats up, so does consumer spending. Americans not only dish out more money on travel and entertainment from June to August than other times of year, but the relaxed, laid-back vibe of the season entices people to track their spending less, leading to careless credit card swiping. W Selling beach property? 8 ways to get the best price 06/12/2018 12:00am • EDITOR'S NOTE: The housing bubble before the recession drove prices up at the Delmarva beaches. Then prices sank. It's been nine years since the end of the recession. So have the beach communities recovered? In the series, Beach Real Estate Guide, WTOP's Colleen Kelleher brings you advice on buying, Can you benefit from a store credit card? 06/11/2018 08:00pm • Store credit cards offer discounts and perks for frequent shoppers, but they aren't for everyone. If you frequently shop with a particular retailer and can pay off your balance before interest charges apply, you may benefit from a store credit card. Before you apply, consider how much value you c Growing a Whole Child in a Snapshot World 06/11/2018 08:00pm • Sitting outside of a coffee shop, I chatted with Cindy Wasson, the founder and director of 10th Street Preschool in Santa Monica, California. We lamented how fast-paced the world is now, and how everyone is glued to an electronic gadget, including parents. That day we saw many parents whiz by, pushi The Guide for First-Time Homebuyers 06/11/2018 08:00pm • Owning a home is a major milestone many Americans expect to achieve in their lifetime. It's not simply about having the ability to stay in one place for years -- it's also about taking advantage of the incentives to homeownership, including the financial security to make a major investment and see