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

Variable-rate CDs can offer savers some intriguing options, but not always at a favorable price.

CDs are safe instruments for earning interest, but their tax treatment can create a cash crunch. Here's how to plan ahead so you aren't caught short of money at tax time.

Understand how you can use certificates of deposits to build your college savings.

You might think of CDs as safe investments that don't require much attention, but lately inflation has been posing a growing threat to them. Here's what to do when inflation is on the rise.

Understanding early withdrawal risk with CDs, FDIC limits, and other risk factors can help you manage risk while investing in CDs.

A review of the characteristics of different types of CDs can help you decide which is the best fit for your needs.

Learn how a CD ladder can work to your advantage, and how to set it up.

No action by the Fed on rates leaves it up to consumers to protect themselves by finding higher savings account rates.

The Fed continues to delay raising rates, but taking action seems increasingly imminent.

CD ladders can help you manage yield and liquidity, and they can also be tailored for current circumstances.

CDs are perfect for low risk investors because they offer a guarantee of principal along with a fixed interest rate and predictable cash flow.

Understanding these things about today's CD rates can boost the interest you earn on your savings.

It's been a long time since interest rates rose, but these pressures could be what finally pushes them upward.

Inflation may be relatively mild today, but even a minor acceleration in price increases could profoundly affect your retirement planning.

Both Treasury bonds and CDs can be safe sources of income, but the length of your investment may determine which is the better choice.

See what it means to consumers as savings account rates, money market rates, CD rates and mortgage rates look likely to rise in 2018.

Preparing your finances in advance of any Fed announcements can help you avoid being caught flat-footed when rates finally climb.

Want a portfolio that will perform from its opening day? Then consider incorporating these key elements.

International investing can be a good thing, but there are also valid reasons for maintaining a heavier weighting toward U.S.-based stocks.

Asset allocation is a tricky decision and one you can't avoid, so it's wise to be well-informed on the topic.

Passive investors should take a cue from Wall Street's sharks and lions in recognizing the impact corporate governance can have on share value.

As unsettling as recent market volatility might be, a longer-term perspective suggests investors don't necessarily have to worry.

Recent research finds that stocks with the highest turnover tend to also have the lowest future returns.

Lower oil prices have some obvious benefits for the U.S., but they could also bring some problems -- especially as the drop becomes more extreme.

Here are some of the pluses and minuses of a variety of today's income-producing investment options.

Managerial responsibilities may seem miles away from investment decisions, but your personal business experience can be an asset in managing stocks.

Addition-by-subtraction can be a good way of earning above-average investment performance.

Peer-to-peer (P2P) lending is growing rapidly in popularity, but the marketplace does not yet fully recognize the risks.

A boom in share buybacks raises some questions that shareholders of the company need to ask.

Interest income remains relatively scarce among these vehicles, but that doesn't mean your portfolio should be without them.

Inflation can have a devastating effect on savings over the long run, so be sure to set your retirement savings goals accordingly.

Federal Reserve interest rate policy may have bailed out the economy after the Great Recession, but savers who don't fight back continue to lose ground against inflation to this day. Here's what you can do to stay ahead.

Rates on deposit accounts and mortgages may continue to rise despite the Fed's recent decision to keep its rate target unchanged. Here is what consumers can do to reap the benefits now.

The Fed continued pursuing a policy of rate normalization -- but, so far, consumers only find better interest rates on mortgages, CDs and savings accounts if they shop.

Sometimes the Federal Reserve adopts a wait-and-see approach to raising the federal funds rate. Here's how investors, home-buyers and savers could profit when market rates rise faster than Fed rates.

The Fed raised interest rates for the third time in 2017, but some savings account rates have been rising even faster.

Thanksgiving and the holiday season is a good time to look at your finances; see how you can tell which elements of those finances are blessings and which are turkeys.

The Fed's latest statement dismisses recent negative economic trends as being due to the harsh hurricane season, but their inaction on rates speaks louder than words.

Find out why millions of Americans do not have a bank account, how this is costing them, and what they can do about it.

Fallout from recent hurricanes seems to include delaying a Fed rate hike, though consumers may want to protect against rising inflation by shopping for bank rates.

The Fed continues to show extreme caution in raising rates, but consumers can take more decisive action now.

The Fed's push to return to normal, despite flagging economic numbers, could be a no-win move for consumers.

As the Fed goes slow on rate hikes, consumers need a more direct way to find higher bank rates.

The Fed rate increase was largely driven by rising inflation, which could have broader implications for mortgages and savings account rates.

Changes in banking habits have made location less of an issue since the 1990s, while rising fees have made cost more significant. Isn't it time to change what you look for in a checking account?

We ranked the best checking accounts for 2018 on the basis of monthly maintenance fees, overdraft fees, and low minimum opening deposit. Here are the top ten free checking accounts to be found in 2018.

Having to work outside the banking system can be expensive and inconvenient. Unfortunately, this can easily happen to people whose accounts are closed by their banks because of chronic misuse of the account.

If this has happened to you, the good news is that there is a way to get back into the banking system. It's called second-chance checking, and finding the right second-chance checking account can be the first step toward re-establishing your access to the full range of bank services.

Sloppy banking habits could easily cost consumers more than $600 per year, but they are easy to fix. Here's how to profit by staying on top of your finances.

Banking has changed over time, and it's likely your banking needs have too. Here's why you may want to reconsider where you're at today.

MONEY Magazine has announced its top banks for 2013, but are these institutions good enough to attract your business?

If your son or daughter displays these signs, some remedial financial education may be in order -- fast.

Walmart's Bluebird prepaid debit card is a very competitive product, but there are some inherent drawbacks to using any prepaid card.

Bank's move could spur other banks to drop the charges that can lead to a "train wreck" of multiple overdrafts.

Although many Americans are having trouble making ends meet, here are some ways to save money and keep it safe for when you need it.

Managing your finances and increasing your savings is made easier and entertaining with these websites.

With bank fees on the rise, customers can avoid the fees by following a few basic requirements, such as maintaining minimum balances and having direct deposit into your account. 

Banks and brokerage firms are using special incentives in order to bring in more customers with multiple accounts.

Learn how much some customers are earning from their checking accounts with these jumbo APY calculations from MoneyRates.com.

Refinancing is not just about capturing falling interest rates. It can also be a way of optimizing your mortgage loan to fit a change in circumstances.

The benefit or burden of any mortgage is largely dependent on these 9 details.

Lack of experience is an inherent problem for first-time home buyers, but some sound investment thinking can help you overcome that problem.

Recent declines in mortgage rates may generate enthusiasm for real estate investments, but there are reasons to be skeptical of this.

Shifting your debt burden into a mortgage can save you money, but it can also put your home at risk. Learn when this approach makes sense.

Rising long-term interest rates should impact how you shop for income vehicles and loans.

Home prices may be the same as in 2004, but other conditions have changed since then. Is history ready to repeat itself?

Real estate investments can provide growth and income, but they also carry some special risks.

Though "Downton Abbey" is set in a distinctly different era, its plot holds some financial lessons that are relevant today.

Retirees often don't think of refinancing, but current conditions make refinancing worth a fresh look to older Americans.

If you need to finance a home renovation, an FHA 203(k) loan may be your solution.

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.

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

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.