The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation announced February 23 that 140 banks failed in 2009 -- the highest number of failures since 1992. It also said there were 702 financial institutions on its “problem list.”
Most people know that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation guarantees depositors' cash should a bank fail. But for how much? And for which accounts? Take our Is Your Money Safe? quiz to find out if your deposits are protected.
Then ask these five questions to determine how well your bank is serving you.
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If you’re fed up with the high fees, low interest rates and impersonal service at your large financial institution, consider switching to a small bank or credit union. Community banks have close ties to local residents and tend to offer more personal assistance than the big money-center banks. They tend to have fewer -- and lower -- fees than the major banks. And they generally offer lower rates on loans and higher yields on savings. To learn more, read Banks That Put You First.
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The Stoic Retirement: Ancient Wisdom for Today's RealityA "Stoic retirement" doesn't mean depriving yourself. It's a character-based approach to life and aging that can bring calm and clarity.
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My Teen Crashed His Car and Now Our Insurance Has Tripled. What Now?Dealing with the costly aftermath of a teen car accident is stressful. Here are your options for navigating it.
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11 Outrageous Ways To Spend Money in RetirementWhether you have excess cash to spend or want to pretend, here’s a look at 11 ridiculous ways retirees can splurge.
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Five Ways to Save on Vacation Rental PropertiesTravel Use these strategies to pay less for an apartment, condo or house when you travel.
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How to Avoid Annoying Hotel Fees: Per Person, Parking and MoreTravel Here's how to avoid extra charges and make sure you don't get stuck paying for amenities that you don't use.
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How to Appeal an Unexpected Medical Billhealth insurance You may receive a bill because your insurance company denied a claim—but that doesn’t mean you have to pay it.
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Amazon Prime Fees Are Rising. Here’s How to Cancel Your Amazon Prime MembershipFeature Amazon Prime will soon cost $139 a year, $180 for those who pay monthly. If you’re a subscriber, maybe it’s time to rethink your relationship. Here’s a step-by-step guide to canceling Prime.
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How to Haggle for Almost AnythingSmart Buying Learning how to haggle is an invaluable skill. These strategies will help you negotiate a better price for just about any product or service.
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Disability Insurance Can Provide COVID CoverageCoronavirus and Your Money If you are concerned about long-term complications from COVID-19, consider disability insurance coverage.
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21 Things You Can't Return to Amazon — Either Online or In-StoreDid you know there are things you can't return to Amazon? Before adding these 21 items to your cart, be sure to read Amazon's return policy first.
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How to Avoid a Charity Scampersonal finance Scammers never quit, even when you're trying to be altruistic. But you can avoid getting duped if you do your homework.
