traps

Those big markdowns can help you save big on holiday shopping -- or tempt you to spend more than you intended. Here's how to snag the deals and avoid the traps.

Reading credit card agreements can give you a headache. The text is often dense, in terms of both appearance and language, but you ignore it at your own risk.

So, you think you're prepared for retirement? You might be overlooking big traps. But smart moves now and after you quit work can keep you on solid ground.

Should you rethink that switch to a Roth? At least you should understand the potential pitfalls, because a hasty move could wind up costing you a lot of dough.

Credit card reform is prompting issuers to water down their rewards programs. While the well-off will be wooed, the rest of us will face petty new fees and other gotchas.

You can learn to avoid emotional traps by playing a little Texas hold 'em, then use what you've observed to stack up 'chips' in your portfolio.

New rules require lenders to give borrowers a standard statement clearly showing all details, helping homebuyers avoid financial land mines and other nasty traps.

You don't need plastic to establish credit, but you do need a good credit history even if you don't intend to borrow. Here are 7 tips -- plus 4 traps to avoid.

Just because these mistakes are big doesn't mean they're obvious. Being aware of related costs and keeping your goals in mind will help you avoid the traps.

Your untimely death isn't a pleasant thought, but consider now where your money would go, who would raise your children and what the kids might do with their inheritances.