You Are Not My Financial Planner. But I'm a (still barely) young man living in the U.K. Took a long time to get a career together, with 2 good degrees, but finally achieved slightly below average salary with slow growth prospects. What approach to savings / investments should I take? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 9, 2009 - 9 answers

When will check writing be obsolete? [more inside]
posted by junipero on Nov 4, 2009 - 69 answers

Now that I am able, I would like to pay the debts I have accrued over the past few years. When confronted with debt collectors, what is the best way to deal with them so that this positively impacts my credit report? [more inside]
posted by Loto on Oct 15, 2009 - 12 answers

I want to start using a spreadsheet to track and reconcile my various accounts. How do I start? [more inside]
posted by reenum on Sep 30, 2009 - 9 answers

When is it ok to finance "toys"? We have a budget, all bills are paid, we are saving a set amount every month, the only debt we have is our cars and house. No credit cards. Each month we have about $900 left over. Between the both of us, we have a wish list including: a four wheeler, a vacation and cosmetic home improvements. Facts and opinions welcome. Should we save til we can pay cash? Or is it "ok" to finance, some or all of our wish list? [more inside]
posted by kgreerRN on Sep 16, 2009 - 32 answers

Can anyone recommend a good template for tracking multiple savings account balances in Excel? [more inside]
posted by IanMorr on Jul 6, 2009 - 5 answers

Time, money, work, and children. How do people do it? It seems we could afford it, or have time for it, but not both. [more inside]
posted by rabbitrabbit on May 14, 2009 - 15 answers

Saving for an engagement ring... Are there better options than a multi-year Certificate of Deposit? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 14, 2009 - 12 answers

Help me make personal finance fun for middle schoolers. [more inside]
posted by oceano on May 14, 2009 - 14 answers

Is there a realistic business model in personal finance advice/coaching? [more inside]
posted by junger on Apr 19, 2009 - 7 answers

Two debit cards + One checkbook register = Recipe for disaster. Suggestions? [more inside]
posted by skypieces on Apr 15, 2009 - 18 answers

Despite searching AskMe and Google in as many different terms as I can come up with, I can't find an old post about a personal finance program that allows you to automatically add transactions via text message. Do you know what program it is? [more inside]
posted by alpha_betty on Apr 6, 2009 - 2 answers

Taxesfilter: I'm trying to fill out a new W-4 to have less withholding tax taken out -- do I really have to fill out the worksheet thing, or can I just decide how many allowances I want? [more inside]
posted by EmpressCallipygos on Nov 18, 2008 - 15 answers

In looking at online personal finance sites (i.e. Wesabe, Mint, Yodlee, Quicken Online etc), is there any appreciable difference between them? [more inside]
posted by TravellingCari on Oct 23, 2008 - 16 answers

Should I pull my money out of the stock market? I'm pretty clueless. [more inside]
posted by metamush on Sep 16, 2008 - 29 answers

I get that the economy is bad in general. But I'm trying to figure out how this is all going to affect me specifically. [more inside]
posted by EmpressCallipygos on Sep 15, 2008 - 11 answers

I am a frugal person entering his senior year in college [age 21]. I have been following advice like the stuff in thread 84915and thread 99852 and living below my means. I sought advice in Financial books for college kids my age [for example, generation debt], but left feeling wanting more because they focus primarily on how to cut expenses [skipping the latte, etc]. So, I have some student loans already, but will need more for my senior year. I also have some money set aside, but I should I use this money to lower the loan amount that I'll take out or use this money for an investment (Roth IRA, index fund), and take out more for my student loans ? [more inside]
posted by fizzix on Aug 26, 2008 - 11 answers

Obvious or creative--shameless or shady, even!--ways to cut costs and live cheap? [more inside]
posted by HotPatatta on Aug 19, 2008 - 68 answers

Please give advice on dealing with money and guilt about money. [Long question.] [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 2, 2008 - 20 answers

How much credit card debt is too much? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 13, 2008 - 35 answers

Personal Finance Filter: Is there an application that can help me track money in separate accounts AND what that money is earmarked for AND keep a log of the movements? [more inside]
posted by forthright on May 29, 2008 - 9 answers

Do any of the new breed of financial websites like Wesabe, Mint, Yodlee et al. offer an iCal-subscribable calendar of your bills' due dates? Or do you have an idea for how to achieve this easily? [more inside]
posted by evariste on May 16, 2008 - 5 answers

What are the best UK-compatible Online Personal Finance Software or Websites? [more inside]
posted by Scramblejam on Apr 25, 2008 - 4 answers

You'd think banks would want you to throw money at them, but alas. Why do online banks pull credit reports just to open a savings account, and do any banks just want your deposits regardless of your history? [more inside]
posted by moonbird on Mar 16, 2008 - 9 answers

I have managed to run my once-great credit into the ground. What now? How screwed am I, and for how long? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 30, 2008 - 10 answers

Should I buy a house? This one? Now? (Sticky family and personal issues involved.) [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 6, 2007 - 15 answers

using my checking accountt to settle a friend's delinquent bank fees, bad idea? [more inside]
posted by Salvatorparadise on Nov 29, 2007 - 32 answers

I have a Simple IRA from a previous employer. Should I roll it into my 401(k), convert it to a Roth IRA, or do something else entirely? [more inside]
posted by junkbox on Nov 13, 2007 - 8 answers

I am trying to figure out what to do with some money and I have often seen useful suggestions on MeFi, so I thought I'd ask. [more inside]
posted by bernsno on Oct 30, 2007 - 21 answers

What bank and/or credit cards are best for implementing a 100% online, paperless, automated, personal finance system? [more inside]
posted by lsemel on Sep 11, 2007 - 20 answers

Can anyone recommend a financial advisor who specializes in clients who live overseas? [more inside]
posted by like_neon on Jul 12, 2007 - 2 answers

How do I automate the mundane aspects my life? [more inside]
posted by ajp on Mar 22, 2007 - 17 answers

Asking for a friend: She will be going to Thailand to teach students mostly from Burma and needs some advice. [more inside]
posted by gauchodaspampas on Feb 22, 2007 - 3 answers

What software should I use to archive/organize scans of personal finance information? [more inside]
posted by Alterscape on Sep 24, 2006 - 3 answers

I'm leaving in a week and I still can't figure out a good solution to managing my US finances from the UK. [more inside]
posted by like_neon on Aug 30, 2006 - 20 answers

I'm in my mid 30s. I just looked at my retirement accounts (401K, SEP-IRA, stocks and CDs). These also total in the mid 30s. Am I on track? [more inside]
posted by DonnieSticks on Apr 18, 2006 - 17 answers

Transfering money from the UK to the USA: When? [more inside]
posted by normy on Dec 8, 2005 - 15 answers

SaveMeMoneyFilter: What are your best ways of cutting costs/saving money but still maintaining the lifestyle you love? [more inside]
posted by roundrock on Oct 28, 2005 - 47 answers

I need help setting up EXCEL formulas so I can track finances. [more inside]
posted by luneray on Sep 26, 2005 - 9 answers

I've always heard that something "too good to be true" usually is, so I'm a little skeptical about the Discover card I just got. Long story about why I got it, but I intended to cancel it immediately. Customer service assures me there's no interest for the first 6 months, no annual fee, and a cash-back rewards program. They'd be paying me to use the card. Does anyone use Discover, and is there a catch? [more inside]
posted by SuperNova on Sep 22, 2005 - 24 answers

I have exercised stock options and taken possession of a small number of shares. I have not sold anything, but am wondering how screwed I am, tax-wise. First, do I have to declare the value of the stock as "income" for the year that I acquired it? Second, if I should sell it, do I add the money I receive from that sale to my regular taxable income? Do I deduct the amount I paid in? Is the net difference subject to other taxes? Is this handle-able by an average person or do I need an accountant?
posted by scarabic on Jan 13, 2005 - 6 answers

any recommendations for personal finance software for the macintosh? (mi) [more inside]
posted by elsar on Jan 3, 2005 - 8 answers

How risky is it to default on your student loans?
I have a friend/in-law who has been living abroad (England) for the last 10 or so years. They never repaid their student loans before moving but do visit the U.S. fairly frequently. Is there any risk of them being caught entering or leaving the country?
posted by anonymous on Dec 31, 2004 - 10 answers

Interested in money-saving tips. (more inside) [more inside]
posted by boomchicka on Sep 15, 2004 - 29 answers

When did you stop renting?
posted by the fire you left me on Sep 11, 2004 - 40 answers

I want to buy a house. I have no idea where to start.
posted by pieoverdone on May 10, 2004 - 19 answers

What is the best thing to do with a small amount of money, around $5,000? Savings interest is almost a joke, CDs look attractive or maybe even mutual funds. Preferably the safer the better, as in investing it all in a high-risk mutual fund and losing it would make me cry. I've checked out "Investment FAQ" and it seems as if CDs are the best. I know little about investing but making money doing nothing intrigues me. What would be an expected return on such an investment? Is it even worth locking the money up for something like $10 a month? [more inside]
posted by geoff. on Mar 3, 2004 - 19 answers

My wife and I currently have about 12K in credit card debt. We have controlled our spending and are slowly paying off our cards starting with the highest interest rates first. Does anyone have any tips or experiences on how to refinance our credit card debt at lower interest rates? (more inside) [more inside]
posted by yangwar on Jan 2, 2004 - 10 answers