Michael Sheehan

New credit card industry regulations went into effect February 22, but Congress' "cure" has some serious side effects, and customers are already feeling the pinch.

As with most of bogus deals, thieves play on headline stories to paint believable pictures of their offers. As a result, many scams that made the list are just old rip-offs in modern dress.

In most cases, unless you're over age 59 1/2, you'll pay a 10% penalty on any amount you withdraw, in addition to paying income tax on that amount at your regular tax rate. There are some exceptions, however, that allow you to take money out of your IRA penalty-free.

Citing what it termed "adverse selection," Anthem Blue Cross of California, a subsidiary of Wellpoint, announced that some Golden State residents would get hit with a premium increase as high as 39%.

Thinking spring brings on thoughts of all those outdoor chores you've been able to avoid all winter, so they may not be all that pleasant. But those jobs have got to be done, so here's a checklist.

You turn over a chunk of cash to an insurance company and they send you money for the rest of your life. The problem, say, financial advisers, is that payouts are currently low compared to past years.

Safe winter driving starts before you even get into your car, and that doesn't just mean clearing ice and snow out of sightlines. This involves a bit of mental prep as well.

When the markets fell off a cliff, workers took a one-two punch in 401(k) losses and employer contribution cuts. Now, however, four out of five companies plan to restore the match this year, according to a survey by Hewitt Associates.

While it's tempting to tap into your home's equity by way of a reverse mortgage, consumer advocates advise caution as there are several downsides to the process.

While credit card issuers have gotten busy figuring out ways to get around Congress' new rules, a savvy credit card holder can find many ways to tailor card use to get their hands on some perks.

With your 1099 or W-2 in hand, you can start on your 2009 federal tax return, which means it's time to look at some changes in the tax law.

The interest rate on subsidized Stafford loans, which is fixed for the life of the loan, is currently 5.6% for the 2009-2010 academic year, down from 6% for the previous year.

The latest Wall Street header means that those who decide to put money into stocks will now be able to do it a lot cheaper, as two heavy hitters have recently announced cuts.

If you own shares in an S&P 500 Index fund, your expense ratio should be the same as those of any other fund that tracks the 500 Index, right? Wrong.

Worried Toyota owners may find themselves targeted by rival car dealers who are offering rebates if they trade in their Toyotas. Both GM and Ford are offering $1,000 rebates on all their 2009 and 2010 models to Toyota owners.

You're brown-bagging your lunch, but it doesn't seem like you have much extra cash in your wallet. While it's fine to pinch pennies, say personal finance consultants, to save big bucks, you have to think bigger.

According to an IRS bulletin, cash donations made to Haitian relief between January 11 and March 1 can be deducted from your 2009 return.

A dozen roses can easily set you back as much as $100 this year, and if you haven't already ordered flowers for your sweetheart, you can expect to pay a premium on top of that.

Spring training gets under way in just a couple of weeks, and a trip to either Florida or Arizona, where the major league teams have their training camps, can make an enjoyable and affordable spring vacation venue.

In return for your instant rebate (which is really a loan), you'll pay a tax preparation fee, loan origination fee, and a fee for setting up a temporary bank account. Doesn't make much sense, does it?

In the wake of the devastating earthquake in Haiti scammers are working diligently to detour some of the charitable outpouring into their own pockets.

There are plenty of reasons to keep your wallet in your pocket when asked about an extended warranty, but they can be worth it if the item costs more than $1,000.

Paying points to a mortgage lender could shave as much as a full percentage point off your loan rate. As attractive as that may sound, however, it doesn't always make sense to pay.

Although students have until June 30 to file a FAFSA, college aid counselors advise filing as early as February to better the chances of a favorable package.

Like coins stashed in a cookie jar, the money in tied up in that bond is idle; it's better to cash it in and put it to work.

In addition to the hassle of tightened security measures, airline passengers could be paying as much as $60 when checking two bags on a flight.

Insurance consultants warn that policy loans should be considered as a source of emergency cash when no other options are available.

The real estate market continues to send out mixed signals on where home prices are going. Many rural and suburban areas never experienced a true real estate bubble, so prices haven't retreated very much.

Want to do better with your investments this year? According to some financial psychologists, the answer may be to stem the flow of financial news you take in every day.

Some observers are questioning whether the IRS, which is already dealing with budget shortages, inadequate staffing, and obsolete computer systems, can handle the new duties prescribed to it as part of healthcare reform legislation.