A checking account is a financial workhorse. From paying bills, to shopping, to getting quick cash, a checking account can do it all—except when it comes to paying you a decent interest rate on your balance. 　　The yields on most checking accounts are minimal at best, and many pay nothing at all. But there is an alternative. A money...

　　 　　One of the most important features of the U.S. debt collection process is that debtors—and creditors, too—have well-defined rights. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) was first signed into law way back in 1977 (and most recently updated in 2010), precisely because Congress found “abundant evidence of the use of abusive, deceptive, and unfair debt collection practices by...

　　 　　As an investor, you may be looking for stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that can provide you with a little extra value over the long term. 　　If you’re planning to hold shares of a company for the long haul, you might want to consider looking at the S&P 500 dividend aristocrats and dividend kings. These are stocks with long...

　　 　　If you’re wondering about debt collection and how it works, then you may have gotten yourself into a financial pickle. Life happens—and sometimes your debt obligations exceed your repayment capacity. Understanding the nuances of debt collection is important for every borrower, even if you always pay on time. 　　And if you find yourself facing debt collection? Going through the...

　　 　　The record-low interest rates common in the 2010s may have made you hesitant to put your money into a money market account or especially a certificate of deposit (CD). But since the Federal Reserve has hiked interest rates, the yields offered on these accounts have risen significantly. That’s prompted savers to once again consider these traditional savings accounts—and perhaps...

　　 　　It’s time to file taxes again this year. You might prepare your taxes yourself or have a tax preparer help you. But as your return gets more complex—maybe thanks to your investments, or your home business, or your kids’ college expenses—more schedules and forms will be needed to help report your income and deductions to the IRS. 　　The individual...

　　 　　Investing in art and other collectibles offers some features that traditional stock and bond investing simply can’t: physical appeal and enjoyment. You can admire a painting on your living room wall, play a violin, and wear a watch. 　　Collectible investments are considered an alternative asset class; their value often is not correlated to the stock and bond market. But...

　　 　　Measuring a company’s liquidity ratio is like checking a car’s fuel or electricity gauge. 　　Even a zippy Lamborghini or top-of-the-line Tesla won’t get you to your destination if it runs short of juice. Likewise, if a company runs out of cash—or assets to be converted to cash—to pay its short-term liabilities, well, that’s potentially the end of the line...

　　 　　In the realm of health care planning, few documents hold as much weight and significance as a living will. This legal document is a type of advance directive that allows you to specify your preferences for medical treatment in the event that you become incapacitated and unable to communicate your wishes. 　　Unlike a traditional will, which addresses the distribution...

　　 　　A power of attorney (POA) doesn’t refer to a lawyer. Rather, a POA is a legal document that you (the principal) can use to delegate your wishes to a trusted agent who can act on your behalf in legal, financial, or health care matters. 　　This delegation of power is typically used when you’re incapacitated, perhaps because of an illness...

　　 　　Are you looking to design a debt management program? Perhaps one of your goals is to avoid the debt collection process. 　　A debt management program that accomplishes your money objectives may involve some combination of financial planning, debt restructuring, and getting hardship assistance. You can also consider the extreme option for avoiding debt collection: declaring bankruptcy. 　　Here are six...

　　 　　If yours is like many American households, you may have more things hiding in your cupboards, closets, or basement than you know what to do with. If you’re staying put, the clutter may be a mere annoyance. But if you plan on moving, that’s when things get real: You have to figure out what to do with all that...