One of the great debates in the investment world centers on whether mutual fund managers, in the aggregate, add any value for investors. Since Vanguard introduced the first index fund in the 1970s, skeptics and critics of the financial services industry have argued that professional money managers have failed to earn their keep. Taking all of [...]

Investing in Index Funds vs. Managed Mutual Funds is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

Since the recession hit, many adults bemoan the tough job market, and with good reason: The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the current unemployment rate hovers around 8.3% – and that doesn’t count those who are underemployed. What many people do not consider, however, are teenagers. Today’s teens now have to compete for entry-level [...]

7 Small Business Ideas for Teenagers & Kids is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

When you hear the term “lifeguard,” you probably conjure up one of two visions: 1. the not-quite-mature high school kids at your local swimming pool, or 2. the beach babes from “Baywatch.” The reality of a part-time lifeguard job is a little different than the reputations that precede it, and if you’re willing to consider [...]

How to Become a Lifeguard – Training, Certification & Jobs is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

Many people accept inflation as a fact of life. However, under certain economic situations, the opposite phenomenon actually takes place, and is known as “deflation.” Deflation is the reduction of prices of goods, and although deflation may seem like a good thing when you’re standing at the checkout counter, it’s not. Rather, deflation is an indication [...]

What Is Deflation – Definition, Causes & Effects is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

Have you ever had an item sitting in your home that’s just too good to discard, but you know you’ll never use it again? You can turn an old possession into something new by bartering. Bartering is the process of obtaining goods or services by direct exchange without the use of currency. In times of [...]

How to Barter for Goods & Services – Tips and Methods to Trade is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

Margaret Thatcher once famously said, “If you want anything said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman.” Neuroscientists have reported that there are innate differences in the way men and women think, but that doesn’t mean men make better leaders, despite the fact that more men have secured top leadership positions. [...]

Top 10 Female CEOs & Influential Business Women of American Companies is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

Conservative investors have been frustrated in recent years because low interest rates have left guaranteed instruments yielding virtually nothing. And while rates will undoubtedly rise again at some point, guaranteed instruments will never outpace inflation. This creates a dilemma for many investors who seek a decent return on their money, but don’t want to risk losing their [...]

5 Low-Risk Investments That Offer High Returns is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

Can’t afford a trip to the dentist? You’re not alone. The cost of dental care has consistently risen by nearly twice the average rate of inflation over the past half-century. In addition to rising dental costs, the number of consumers with access to dental insurance decreased 5.7% from 2009 to 2010 alone, leaving only about [...]

How to Get Affordable Dental Care Without Insurance is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

We all love saving money on items we buy – but getting stuff for free is even better. Thanks to the Freecycle Network, finding freebies is now easier than ever. Plus, using the site is a great way to get rid of clutter in your home, and it costs nothing. The concept of Freecycle is [...]

What Is the Freecycle Network – Give & Get Free Stuff is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

Americans are mobile people. In fact, the U.S. Census reports that about one in six Americans move each year. Though most moves are local, nearly one-sixth of all people who move change states. Finding the home that is right for you largely comes down to personal preferences, and the cities in this country have such [...]

10 Best U.S. Cities to Live In is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

Years ago, there were three choices when it came to sweetening your tea or coffee: white sugar, brown sugar, or honey. Oh, how times have changed. Today, with the great amount of attention given to calorie, sugar, and carbohydrate intake, many people do not even consider those options. Instead, numerous sugar substitutes are available, giving [...]

4 Types of Artificial Sweeteners & Sugar Substitutes – Side Effects, Pros & Cons is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

You want to lose weight, so you’re planning to cut calories. But how many calories do you actually need to intake to effectively lose the pounds? People often fall for common diet myths and make the mistake of eating too few calories for their bodies, which can lead to deprivation, metabolism slow-down, and, in some [...]

How Many Calories Should I Eat to Lose Weight? is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

In November 2011, CNN reported that students who graduated from college in the past year did so with a record level of student loan debt – $25,250 per graduate. What is most worrisome is that this number is an average – meaning that while some students’ debt stayed below this amount, many carry debt far [...]

How to Pay Off Your Student Loans With Low-Interest Credit Cards is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

In addition to having been a professional or semi-professional musician throughout my entire adult life, I’ve also served as a life insurance advisor and retirement planner for other musicians. Unfortunately, I have found that most musicians are not very savvy at financial planning. The harsh reality is that being an artist does not exempt you [...]

Financial Planning Guide for Musicians & Performing Artists is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

For many students, going away to college is the first time that they will live away from their parents or hometown. University life affords freedom, independence, and an opportunity to gain life skills that will be used throughout life. However, while this is certainly a major event, getting the most out of your college experience [...]

10 Reasons Why You Should Study Abroad in College – Benefits & Challenges is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

With the New Year upon us, banks are vying for your business. This is good news for you, because instead of just offering standard perks like no fees, free checking, or a free pen when you sign up for an account, some banks are raising the stakes with cold hard cash, giveaways, and great interest-bearing products. [...]

Best New Bank Account Promotions, Offers & Free Money is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

To outsiders, Twitter can seem like a big waste of time; a bunch of egomaniacs telling the world what they ate for lunch or what they think of the latest contestant on “The Bachelor.” But to those who use it and love it, it’s an invaluable resource. I’ve used Twitter to find new jobs, locate [...]

How to Make Money With Twitter Using Sponsored Tweets is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

It seems like celebrities are constantly on the craziest diets. One week, they’re gorging on baby food to get slim; the next week, they’re eating cookies or fasting to strip away the weight. Clearly it works – celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston and Lady Gaga have maintained their petite physiques using these methods. Here’s the [...]

5 Celebrity Fad Diets & Weight Loss Plans That Don’t Work Long-term is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

Shopping with smartphones and tablet computers is becoming increasingly popular. Thanks to apps, you can use your mobile devices not only to shop, but to save quite a bit of money, too. Whether you want to save money on gas or reduce your travel expenses, there’s probably an app that enables you to do it. [...]

Top 5 Smartphone Shopping Apps to Help You Save Money is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

This year, you may have made a variety of New Year’s resolutions to improve your mind, your finances, or your health. Many people, however, tend to lose focus of their goals, and the promises made on the first of the year are soon forgotten. You don’t need to make a resolution to improve your life, [...]

20 Simple Ways to Live a Healthy, Happy Life is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.