Ann-Marie Murphy « Personal Finance Blog

Author Archive

Fed: Recovery Slow, Short-Term Rates to Remain Low

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

Our smart friends at the Federal Reserve announced today that they will once again hold its Fed funds rate at the 0 percent to 0.25 percent range. The following is an official press release from the Fed regarding its decision today and a translation (for the rest of us) from our Chief Quizzologist.

Top 10 Cities to Rent an Apartment in 2010

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

With news of falling home values and rock-bottom mortgage rates, the renters among us rarely get attention. But the fact is, for many Americans, renting is a better option than home ownership. And in some cases, the best places to rent are the worst places to own. Find out where the best places to rent are in the United States for 2010.

Credit Card Companies Find New Ways to Charge Consumers

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

New credit card rules are limiting how credit card companies have traditionally earned their bread, forcing them to come up with new ways to charge consumers. Find out what fees and charges you can expect with your credit card and learn what your rights are.

5 Dangerous Money Pitfalls to Avoid

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

Whether you’re ignoring major savings on your largest bill or you’re neglecting to sock money away for a rainy day, you’re putting yourself and your finances at risk. Keep your costs manageable – now and in the future – by avoiding these five common money mistakes.

Got Debt? 5 Steps to Get out of Debt Faster

Friday, June 25th, 2010

Debt can affect your health, heart and pocketbook, but it doesn’t have to. To get out of debt faster and pay less of your hard-earned money in interest, follow these five simple steps.

Fed Leaves Key Rate Unchanged, Says Economic Recovery Hurt by Problems Overseas

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

Our super smart friends at the Federal Reserve announced today that they will once again hold its Fed funds rate at the 0 percent to 0.25 percent range. The following is an official press release from the Fed regarding its decision today and a translation (for the rest of us) from our Chief Quizzologist.

Fed Caps Credit Card Late Fees, Bans Inactivity Fees

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

The Federal Reserve Board announced Tuesday a new rule to protect credit card users from unfair fees. The rule caps credit card late fees at $25. Many credit card companies have been charging upwards of $39.

How to Improve Your Credit Score in 5 Simple Steps

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

Having a good credit score is like having the world’s best coupon book for all of life’s major financial transactions. Not only will it open doors for you to qualify for things like mortgages, auto loans, private student loans and credit cards, but the better your credit score is, the better the “deal” you’ll get – and that all translates to more money in your pocket. Here are five ways to improve your credit score so you access the best deals on life’s largest purchases.

5 Ways to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

If you haven’t had your identity stolen, you probably know someone who has. Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information and uses it without your knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes. It’s a growing problem, affecting 11.1 million adults in the United States just last year. Fortunately, there are many ways to protect yourself.