Even though it's barbecue season, June will be a bad time to buy a grill or the steaks to throw on it. It's some consolation that June 7 is National Doughnut Day.

Staycations appear to be falling in popularity, and for good reason, we think. Here are some tips to save for a memorable trip away from home.

Filed (or thinking of filing) for bankruptcy? Your financial life isn't over. Here's how to get back on track.

Take it from someone who travels often for work and carries lots of gear: You can still fit everything in one bag.

Is there something you're dying to have but can't afford? For the answer to be no, you don't have to be wealthy.

If you have a great credit score, welcome to the world of credit cards with few fees and big benefits.

Are you a recent graduate? The terrain is already tough enough. Don't make it worse by developing bad money management habits.

Think your new appliance isn't as good as the old one? You might be right. Here's what you can do to minimize the repair cost.

Whether it's better to maintain a balance or pay your credit card off in full each month is one of the most common questions about credit scores.

Experian shares some finding from its analysis of data from 750,000 credit reports.

Getting married? Money could be the reason you end up divorced. Take these steps now and avoid the battles and frustrations later on.

This card can provide a much better rewards program than most student credit cards if you can qualify.

The FTC received more than two million consumer complaints last year, with problems ranging from identity theft to credit card rip-offs. Here are the top 10 problems and simple solutions for each.

The government says what businesses pay to debit card issuers went down substantially after an amendment to the law kicked in.

A quarter also said they had more credit card debt than money in the bank.

This reader has credit cards, but is reluctant to use them – after all, aren't they bad? As it turns out, no. In fact, they can be a consumer's best friend.

A full-time college student wants to know which card is recommended to begin establishing credit.

A 2009 law has saved consumers billions in harsh fees over the past few years.

If you've ever resolved to stay on budget and failed, you probably missed one of these four steps.

Look for deals on fitness gear, HDTVs, laptops, and furniture.

If putting more money in the bank is a top priority for you in the new year, read on for some simple ways to make it happen.

This reader is like a lot of us – making a resolution is easy, but making it happen? Not so much. But whatever your resolutions this year, if they involve money, read this.

Whether you're nearing retirement or years away from it, habitual credit card debt could be ruining your Golden Years. Find out what you can do to fix the problem.

Starting a new calendar year often brings with it some new resolutions

This reader filed for bankruptcy and wonders if a secured credit card will help him rebuild his credit. Here's the answer for him, as well as anyone looking to build, or rebuild, their credit.

Want a higher credit limit? A lower interest rate? Just ask!

One reader asks about what she should know before using a credit card in Europe.

A reader got herself into debt and is looking to a balance transfer to help her get out. But how much should she transfer?

Every business has tricks of the trade, and credit cards are no exception. Learning the techniques purveyors of plastic use to separate you from your money will make you a smarter consumer.

Your stay-at-home husband or wife may soon have better access to credit, if a new proposed rule is adopted.

A Kansas woman was recently honored for paying off $120,000 in credit card debt in five years. Here’s how she did it.

Help! What do I do with hundreds of thousands of AmEx points?

Need some extra cash? Here are the lowest-cost ways to find it.

Disney offers a credit card that earns rewards and offers discounts. But should you carry a mouse in your wallet?

A reader and her company need a credit card that works overseas. Are there any that can do the trick?

Giving your teen a credit card can help them become a financially responsible adult – or wreck their credit. Here's how to make sure they're on the right path.

Many people have had it with their credit cards. But are they really all that bad?

This reader has an excellent credit history and score, but the man she's about to marry doesn't. How can she help him?

Getting older definitely isn't making me better-looking, but at least it's making me wiser. Here's what I've learned about money that you should too.

I’m not rich, but I am financially free. It’s important to understand that the two are not the same thing.

Many people have had it with their credit cards. But are they really all that bad?

Worried about debt after death or unemployment? A debt protection plan could cover you, but may be overpriced. Here are some better ideas.

You've heard the saying "pennywise and pound foolish"? Here are examples from your everyday life.

Whenever you find an extra dollar or two, knowing what to do with it can make you richer. So which would you do - add it your retirement account, or pay off the plastic?

If Fortune 500 CEOs make mistakes, then so do the rest of us who handle our family's finances. Here's a long list of what to avoid.

After going into debt traveling the world, a college student is getting serious about cleaning up her finances. Will a credit card help? The answer might surprise you.

Don't get stuck in a cycle of debt – avoid loans with interest rates as high as 500 percent.

You pay off a credit card debt by settling it for less than you owed. Problem solved? With the debt, yes. With your credit score, no. Here's how to destroy debts without destroying your score.

Car renters have always had to worry about tons of fees – now they might have to worry about safety recalls too. Learn how to protect yourself and your wallet.

This reader is tired of fighting a 15 percent interest rate and can't transfer the balance to a lower-rate credit card. Are they out of luck?

If you're late paying a bill, you'll pay dearly for your tardiness. Here's how to avoid late fees by letting someone else worry about reminding you.

Somebody in China stole my debit card number and ripped me off for $474.01. I got my money back – and I have tips to help you keep yours.

There are hundreds of credit cards on the market, but who has time to read through all of their terms and conditions?

I do! That’s my job.

If you aren’t sure about which type of card you want, but are just looking for the best deal for your situation, here are the best in five major categories…

Ever wonder what the differences between debt settlement and debt management are? This short video explains

It wasn't the best of times, and it also wasn't the worst. But it may have been the busiest for your credit and debit cards.

Racked up some holiday debt you've sworn to tackle in the new year? A credit counseling agency can help, and the right one might not charge you.

Those old delinquent debts have long faded from your memory. But now that it's time to buy a house, will potential mortgage lenders forget about them too?

Want to spend less? One way might be to trade in your credit card for a debit card.

Still have a few gifts left to buy? Perhaps most of them? Use these tips to avoid paying retail on last-minute holiday purchases.

Don't let a bank's computer get away with a bad decision about your good credit. Give them a call and offer them a good reason to change their mind. If you have a high credit score and a good payment history, they probably will.

New credit card rules continue to have unintended consequences. For example, responsible adults are now finding they no longer qualify for credit cards.

Here's how you can turn your holiday spending into even bigger credit card rewards than usual.

If you're a senior facing financial issues, or care for one who is, here are some tips that will help.

Generation Y is freaking out over finances, according to new research. That's a good thing: Their concern might motivate them to start planning.

It's amazing what you can get when you just ask for it. But can it work even with greedy, heartless credit card companies? Sure – because they're not greedy and heartless.

Credit cards are Santa's little helpers at holiday shopping time, but they can turn you into a grinch when the bills come due.

Transferring your balance to a better credit card can save you money. But if you don't choose your new card wisely, you could end up paying more.

Credit cards are valuable tools, but they're also misunderstood. Here's advice from someone who eats, sleeps, and breathes credit cards.

Identity theft is a growing and complex problem. But there are some simple things you can do to that will foil even the most dastardly thief.

What do you say when a cashier asks you if you want to apply for the store's credit card? First, you should say, "Maybe." Then you should do the math.

America, land of the fee. Because the Dodd-Frank Act is costing big banks swipe fee revenue, they're trying to pin the loss on consumers. But public outcry, and these tips, might save you from new fees on debit cards.

Using a credit card is as much about your emotions as your money. Here's what psychological researchers have learned, and how you can save money by using their results.

New banking regulations mean big changes for debit card users – starting today.

We've all seen the signs at the cash register: "Minimum credit card transaction $10." Is this legal? In the past, no. Now, yes. Here's a quick primer on changes in banking laws and how they affect you.

Not all interest rates are created equal. The rates the Fed froze last week won't freeze your credit card interest. In fact, your own interest rates may rise.

You might think your credit card's rewards program is paying you big time, but what about those sign-up bonuses? That's where the big money is.

Starting in July, the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will start accepting complaints about deceptive and abusive financial products, from credit cards to payday loans. While you’re waiting, here are three other ways to voice your displeasure.

Source: Money Talks (http://s.tt/12vFx)

The following post comes from lowcards.com

When you have a problem with your credit card issuer, it’s hard to find someone who can help, or sometimes, even listen. It is frustrating at best, and unresolved issues can magnify your personal financial crisis.

On July 21, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) will begin accepting complaints about deceptive or abusive financial products and services....

This post was written by Anisha Sekar, staff writer and credit card nerd at NerdWallet.com. The Center for Responsible Lending recently released a study declaring the Credit CARD Act – a consumer protection law that went into effect one year ago – an unqualified success, claiming it “reversed much of the unclear...

This post comes from lowcards.com.

Christmas cards and colored lights are already on sale at a number of drugstores – the holiday shopping season is about to begin. This year, if you play your reward cards right, you can quickly earn a Christmas cash bonus on your credit card for your holiday shopping.

This post comes from lowcards.com.

Credit cards have become an easy target for Congressional grandstanding and
regulations, but beneath the widely criticized rates and fees lie many good
benefits that are usually hidden in the fine print.

You open your credit card statement and give the charges a glance. There’s one charge that you don’t remember making, but the amount is only $5.95, and the company name looks vaguely familiar. Since your bill doesn’t include the merchant’s phone number or website address, further investigation would take more time than it’s worth. So you pay the bill and get on with your day.

That’s exactly what the scam artists were counting on.

Despite legislation to make credit card terms fair and easy-to-understand for consumers, the new regulations have opened the door to changes that can make cardholders "vulnerable and uninformed."

The Pew Health Group study (entitled "Two Steps Forward: After the Card Act, Credit Cards are Safer and More Transparent–But Challenges Remain") released last week analyzed and compared the credit card marketplace before and after the CARD Act. The study reviewed credit cards offered online by the twelve largest banks and twelve largest credit unions–nearly 450 credit card offers.

2009 was a difficult year for many credit card customers. Interest rates increased significantly, credit limits were slashed for millions of cardholders, issuers closed risky accounts and rewards were decreased. Many consumers wondered what would happen after the CARD Act and other regulations went into effect in 2010. Would these regulations really help consumers?

“Despite regulations, credit card issuers are still increasing rates and fees in 2010, but less dramatically than last year,” says Bill Hardekopf, CEO of LowCards.com and author of The Credit Card Guidebook.