Advanced Investment Strategies for Certificates of Deposit, Money Market Accounts, Savings Accounts, Checking Accounts and other investments

Despite the fact that long-term CD rates fell relative to short-term rates in April, recent economic developments make long-term CDs more attractive than they seem.

Shopping for CDs takes special care in a low-interest-rate environment, especially when economic change is in the air.

CD rates are low across the board, but three specific factors about the current environment favor shorter-term CDs.

The environment for CD rates just keeps getting tougher, making the right shopping strategies all the more important. Here are five key things to keep in mind.

CD interest rates have undergone four significant changes in the past year, but none of them is likely to delight depositors.

The season has just begun, but the early numbers offer hope for higher CD rates in 2012.

Review these key current factors before you make any decisions on your CDs.

CDs can build savings endurance the way a runner builds distance: by gradually working towards greater lengths.

Low interest rates create challenges for CD laddering, but the strategy can still work.

While Operation Twist seeks to lower longer-term interest rates, long-term CD rates have already lost much of their advantage over short-term rates.

CD depositors are getting a raw deal on their interest rates, but this still might be better than being in stocks, bonds, or commodities.

Financial history doesn't always repeat itself, but it can be useful for understanding today's unusual relationship between CD rates and inflation.

These four features of CDs take on added significance in an era of low CD rates.

Tired of the same old vanilla CDs? In a compeitive marketplace banks are offering flexibility with new CD products.

The Fed's recent announcement is somewhat chilling for CD rates, but you may not have much to lose by keeping your money short-term and flexible.

Slowing employment and rising inflation have raised the prospect of stagflation, which could hit money market accounts especially hard.

Recent developments have led bond yields higher, but there are still some obstacles to overcome before money market rates can follow.

These developments have boosted the economy in general, but they have yet to budge money market rates.

The low interest rate environment remains challenging, but some money market accounts offer an income advantage and the chance at a better banking relationship.

Things went from bad to worse for money market accounts in 2011, but there are signs that things could improve soon.

A drop in inflation gave depositors reason to cheer in October, but it may not last long.

Treasury yields indicate that the messy Greek settlement deal may be a setback for money market rates.

Inflation is an ongoing problem for money market accounts, and gasoline prices are the chief culprit.

Recent employment numbers show that job growth is still too weak to offer much hope for money market rates.

The Fed's Operation Twist doesn't hold much promise for money market accounts or the economy, and may emulate conditions that typically lead into a recession.

Read about why the future direction of money market rates may depend on the health of the mortgage business.

Money market rates may seem very low already, but recent trends in Treasury bond yields indicates that more bad news may be in store.

Sift through the right employment data for clues about economic trends--and the future direction of money market rates.

It's true: One prominent bank has started charging for certain deposits. Read why this trend might start to affect money market accounts.

The FDIC offers advice on shopping for bank accounts, and MoneyRates.com offers some examples of how this can be applied to money market accounts.

Low interest rates may seem to discourage saving, but they actually make it more important than ever.

Declining job growth is just one of the danger signs in the newest employment report. Learn why the situation is even more troubling than it appears.

The first-quarter GDP report confirmed that the economy's growth rate is again slowing.

These five states are leading the way in job creation, a key factor for the nation's economic recovery.

If you're nearing retirement age, avoiding these seven errors can help you maximize your total Social Security benefits.

Tying the knot later in life can significantly affect your finances, but these tips can help ease the transition for you and your new spouse.

If you're rushing to beat the tax-filing deadline, these errors made in haste could land you in trouble with the IRS.

These bits of financial advice from GetRichSlowly.org's Twitter feed are short yet savvy.

How much do children know about money? The answer may surprise you.

Are you modeling wise money behavior for your children -- or perhaps the opposite? Find out with this short quiz.

These key lessons can turn your child's allowance from a handout into a learning experience.

If your grown children have returned to live with you recently, here are seven ways to help them get back on their own.

If you knew how long you were going to live, would that change how you saved for retirement? Learn how the latest genetic testing could affect your strategy.

Some traditional rules about managing your money have been turned on their head by today's conditions. Here are five banking guidelines that aren't so universal anymore.

Looking for a Valentine's gift that's both romantic and long-lasting? The Lovers Account may be a great choice.

While bank customers have risen in opposition to some checking account fees, they are still paying billions in overdraft charges. Learn five ways to avoid them.

Federal regulations and a sluggish housing market have kept large banks on the ropes lately. Can they recover?

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is examining overdraft fees, but can they succeed where other efforts have failed?

Last year’s customer exodus will likely force banks into being more creative about adding fees. Find out how they may do it.

Knowing the ins and outs of prepaid debit cards can help you use them effectively and avoid the excessive fees that some include.

Chase's move to a new form could signal a renewed interest in customer relations from the nation's big banks.

While they make a fun and easy gift, you could get shorted if you don't pay attention to the terms.

Banks have moved to reduce the volume of paper statements already. Could your checks be the next victim of the paperless revolution?

Banks have retreated promptly from plans to charge customers for using their debit cards.

Direct deposit, credit cards and careful ATM shopping can help you duck the fees.

Minimum deposits and ATM fees are among the added-on costs that can drain a student's finances.

Check it out: These 11 banks offer checking accounts that make the grade with college students by saving them money.

The number of interest checking accounts is declining but they still offer a good return on your deposit. How much can you earn?

Overdraft charges, checking account fees and mortgage insurance make banks a lot of money but there are ways to get around them.

Groups call for reforms to make checking account rules simpler, more transparent.

Recasting is another way to lower your monthly mortgage payments, but there is one catch.

If you are a homeowner with a mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), you may soon be eligible for an streamline refinance at a lower cost.

After mandating higher fees on mortgages with the last payroll tax deal, Congress showed mercy on lenders and borrowers with last week's version.

Mortgage rates defied predictions by remaining near historic lows throughout last year. But will this last in 2012?

Financial choices made during and after divorce can impact how well you move forward. Learn how to avoid these common errors.

An FHA loan has been the savior of many homeowners, but a shrinking insurance fund could mean problems for the program.

Read how the holiday classic "It's A Wonderful Life" would translate to a modern banking environment--complete with rogue traders and the Occupy movement.

If you are among the nation's estimated 20 million upside-down homeowners, the revised Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) may be playing your song.

Homeowners with little equity may have trouble securing a conventional refinance, but FHA refinance opportunities could be what they need to lower their rate.

The FHA hasn't produced many deals under this program. Where did it go wrong?

Mortgage brokers are being increasingly shut out of the marketplace by new rules and less funding. Is this a new opportunity for borrowers?

Two Columbia professors propose the mother of all refinances, with government help for homeowners with negative equity. The idea has some precedent, but here are the political realities.

As the financial house marks the U.S. credit rating down from AAA to AA+, onlookers ponder the effect on mortgage rates. Record lows may not be in the picture for much longer--but record highs are a long way away.

While the Dow was digging itself a hole, fixed-rate mortgages fell to within sight of their November 2010 record low. Does that piece of good news mean any help for the economy?

The Center for American progress says mortgage rates could rise by 0.66 percent if the government defaults on its bills. But is this estimate too low?