Stop! Read This Before Tapping Retirement Savings
DON'T DO IT: Borrowing from your retirement can cost you in ways you may not realize.

Opinion: Higher-Education Bubble Is Preventable
GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR TUITION DOLLARS: With the cost of school constantly rising, students need to work harder to ensure their education is as valuable as possible.

What to Do With a Tax Refund
AVOID THE URGE TO SPLURGE: It’s tempting to blow your tax refund on an impromptu shopping spree or the latest tech gadget, but don’t drop those dollars just yet. Before you spend your refund, think about where that money would really be best used.

The Great Paperwork Dilemma: What to Keep and What to Toss
GET ORGANIZED: Know what paperwork to keep and what to throw away. Use this advice to get going in the right direction.

Bun in the Oven: How to Cut Newborn Expenses
OH BABY: If you had a child in 2011, expect to spend about $234,900 from his or her birth until age 17. It’s easy to get caught up in a spending frenzy when you’re expecting. Here are ways to take control.

Opinion: The iPhone Has Been a Boon for the Economy
iPHONE BUILDS BIZ: Some criticize the iPhone’s effect on the economy since it’s manufactured overseas, but many peripheral industries—from the app store to accessory creators to gamers and bloggers—are riding the iPhone’s coattails to success.

Declutter Your Digital Life
CLEANUP: Between blogs, social networks, online media sites, photo-sharing sites, and more, much of our free time is spent in the digital world. While digital devices bring countless benefits, the pileup can become daunting. Here’s how to declutter your digital world.

Curbing the Costs of Being in Weddings
WEDDING SEASON: It’s likely you’ll be asked to be a bridesmaid or groomsman at some point. It’s all kinds of fun, but it can wreak havoc on a budget. Fortunately, you can use some smart tactics to squeeze the most out of your wedding dollars, from clothing to gifts to travel.

Secure Your Mobile Wallet
SAFE AND SOUND: Mobile applications allowing you to manage and spend your hard-earned cash are being developed and implemented by financial institutions around the country. No matter which applications you use, there are security precautions to keep in mind.

Spear Phishing Tactics Convincing, Insidious
HEADS-UP: Spear phishing has become a profitable scam. Cybercriminals are tricking more victims with potent, authentic-looking scams that are highly targeted, contain some personal information, and hook even the most tech-savvy individuals.

Streamline Your Finances?Automatically
MAKE THINGS EASIER: Stop opening envelopes, writing checks, and visiting an ATM for every transaction. There’s a better way, one that many people have already embraced: Automate your finances.

Save Money With Military Discounts
A MEASURE OF THANKS: More than 200 stores and services around the country try to make the lives of servicemembers and their families easier by offering discounts.

Something for Nothing: Save Money With These Free Finds
EVERYBODY LOVES FREE: Contrary to what most marketing folks would like you to think, you don’t have to spend a lot to find fun entertainment or helpful services.

The Name Game: Four Steps to Changing Your Name
NAME CHANGE: Let’s face it: Changing your name after you get married is a pretty big decision. After all, a name signifies your identity. If you decide to take your spouse’s last name, you need to take a few steps to make the name-change process run smoothly.

Wedding Gowns for Less
WHITE WEDDING: With every dream wedding comes a dream wedding dress. But as any bride will tell you, every dream gown comes with a price. Use these suggestions to decrease that price tag without compromising your idea of the perfect dress.

Single-Funded Parenting
ON YOUR OWN: Single parents have the same major financial goals as other parents, such as staying out of debt, building and maintaining savings, socking away money for retirement, and, if you can, building a college fund for your child. To reach these goals on a single income, create a plan and stick to it.

Build Your First Budget
RUN YOUR FUNDS: Managing your own income and finances for the first time can seem overwhelming, but it’s essential to get off to a smart financial start. Creating a “plan to spend” instead of spending without thinking is the key to long-term happiness and short-term calm.

Understand Markups for Big Savings
DON’T OVERPAY: When you hear about markups on products, it’s generally the cost difference between what a business pays to produce and sell a product and the sales price. You’ll rarely buy an item at a retailer’s cost. However, you still can find ways to save by determining and comparing real-life markups on everyday products.

Five Things New Grads Should Consider
GET ON YOUR FEET: You’ve graduated from college! It’s an exciting time, but crossing that big stage to receive your degree most likely was your first step into the real world. Launch your postcollege life by learning how to navigate these five financial challenges for new graduates.

Cap and Benjamins: Using Graduation Gift Money
DON’T SPEND IT ALL IN ONE PLACE: While it may be tempting to take your graduation gift money and spend, spend, spend, think twice before going on that shopping spree or splurging on the latest gadget. Using gift money wisely allows you to set yourself up for a healthy financial future.

Insuring Your Pet Companion
A PET OWNER’S BEST FRIEND? Buying insurance for your pet might sound silly, but for pet owners who have ended up with staggering veterinary bills, the idea may sound inviting. Before you spring for a plan, understand what pet insurance covers and research your options to find the best plan at the right price.