Did you blow the budget on those too-good-to-pass-up holiday sales? It’s January, and the credit card bills are due.
While transferring balances from credit card to credit card may prolong the pain, the piper is asking to be paid — now.
Five management tips
1. look for ways of saving money on expenses and eliminating non-essential expenses (entertainment, cable, cigarettes, shopping).

2. Deposit part of your income into a savings account to meet emergency expenses.

3. Make your spending habits consistent. Large expenses should be pro-rated over a period of time.

4. Make the budget …

ATTEMPTS by financial planners to block the federal government’s “opt-in” proposals could mean consumers paying up to 17 times more for advice.
A study released yesterday by Rice Warner Actuaries, commissioned by the Industry Super Network, found consumers were in front paying a set or hourly fee, as opposed to the asset-based fees favoured by financial planners.
The opt-in proposal is part of the Gillard government’s financial advice reforms, which will require advisers to contact clients every two years for permission to change their fees. Financial advisers oppose this, claiming …

You’ve heard iPhone users gripe about their mammoth monthly charges — but it’s not just those with the fanciest smart phones who are paying a bundle. “The average consumer overspends by $300 a year,” says Schwark Satyavolu of BillShrink.com, which helps consumers save on expenses. Knocking that much off your tab isn’t hard, experts say: you can do it by changing your plan, your carrier, or the way you use your phone.
Cell phones: Make talk cheaper

American Airlines? fight with online travel-booking websites could lead to changes in how consumers purchase their airline tickets, and it may mean higher fares ? and bigger headaches ? for consumers.

Jennifer Waters’s Consumer Confidential: American Airlines feud bad news for travelers

Numerous consumers are seeking credit card debt assistance from both credit counseling agencies and other organizations, as well as, assistance which may be available directly from their creditors. Obviously, the new year often brings many resolutions for consumers to reduce their credit card debt or erase their debt entirely, and for this reason, many…Read more »
<a href="http://www.rwbpress.com/2011/01/05/investing-in-a-roth-ira-for-retirement-contribution-limits-may-call-for-alternative-retirement-planning/tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.rwbpress.com/2011/01/05/investing-in-a-roth-ira-for-retirement-contribution-limits-may-call-for-alternative-retirement-planning/Wed, 05 Jan 2011 14:14:19 GMT 00:00″>Investing In A Roth IRA For Retirement–Contribution Limits May Call For …

You’ve heard iPhone users gripe about their mammoth monthly charges — but it’s not just those with the fanciest smart phones who are paying a bundle. “The average consumer overspends by $300 a year,” says Schwark Satyavolu of BillShrink.com, which helps consumers save on expenses. Knocking that much off your tab isn’t hard, experts say: you can do it by changing your plan, your carrier, or the way you use your phone.
Cell phones: Make talk cheaper

You’ve heard iPhone users gripe about their mammoth monthly charges — but it’s not just those with the fanciest smart phones who are paying a bundle. “The average consumer overspends by $300 a year,” says Schwark Satyavolu of BillShrink.com, which helps consumers save on expenses. Knocking that much off your tab isn’t hard, experts say: you can do it by changing your plan, your carrier, or the way you use your phone.
Cell phones: Make talk cheaper

Why people want independent financial advisors
A new perception has taken hold: “independent” is better.
Times have changed – and so have financial advisors. Today, people don’t want financial advice from a salesman. Instead, they want a relationship with a financial professional who is candid, trustworthy and thoroughly educated, who provides personalized financial consulting for each client.
That search often leads them to a fee-based or fee-only financial advisor or a Registered Investment Advisor.
A pleasant alternative to Wall Street. a paradigm shift is happening, and the traditional brokerage houses are …

Ed Slott’s Retirement Decisions Guide is a 47-page compact guide that is a perfect read for both consumers and financial advisors.
This week, The Slott Report will be providing a sneak peak at some of the material in the guide. The guide is broken up into “86 Ways to Save & Stretch your Wealth.” Over the next four days, we will showcase 4 of those ways.
CLICK HERE to purchase the guide (bulk options available). The guide is also available on Amazon Kindle eBook.
12. Does a Roth IRA conversion pay?
In many cases, …

By Teresa Dixon Murray, The Plain DealerJune 04, 2010, 5:30PMTeresa Dixon Murray writes this column in The Plain Dealer on Saturdays.To reach her: moneymatters@plaind.com or 216-999-5263. she cannot assist everyone who contacts her. Read previous columns online
The Question: I have about $7,800 in credit card debt and have never, ever been late on a payment. I just got my credit score and was astounded that it’s barely over 700 (actually 710). I don’t understand how $7,800 in debt could be considered risky when my husband and I earn about $160,000 …