Do some careful research before you take off on a holiday, business, or personal trip. Real travel bargains do exist. Contact an airline reservation agent or travel agent to determine the lowest possible fare. You can lower the cost of the airline ticket considerably by including a Saturday-night stayover. The best prices for international

1. Know your retirement needs.
Retirement is expensive. Experts estimate that you'll need about 70% of your pre-retirement income. Lower earners will need 90% or more to maintain your standard of living when you stop working. Understand your financial future.
2. Find out about your Social Security benefits.
Social Security pays the average retiree

If you're in the market for a new or used car this year, you can save money by doing your homework before buying or leasing. It will be helpful to consider the following before selecting and financing your next vehicle:

1. Determine how much you can afford and how much you will pay for the car. Cash is the least expensive, but two of every

Money is the number-1 problem couples fight about. It's often the spark that ignites bickering about ambitions, fears for the future and the inevitable power struggle. Communication is vital. Talking about how you plan to earn, spend and save money is easier when you agree on the priorities. Regardless of income levels, couples benefit from

If you're finding the purchase of a new home an overwhelming prospect, you're not alone. For many people, an affordable alternative to buying a new home is to stay put and remodel their present house by adding more space or renovating. Home remodeling is a multi billion-dollar industry in the United States.

While remodeling can be less

This is probably the most intensive short-term cash drain on any family's finances. Unlike most other big- ticket items, such as homes or automobiles, that can be paid off in monthly installments, college tuition must be paid out over a relatively short period of time. With tuition at staggeringly high levels throughout the nation, a family's

When deciding whether to obtain a personal loan, consider the benefits and responsibilities.

A personal loan:

1. Obligates future income.
You'll be required to set aside a certain amount of future income for loan payments.

2. Requires discipline.
Borrowing wisely means not borrowing more than you can handle. Don't let the thrill of buying or

Annual Percentage Yield The amount of interest you will earn on a deposit on a yearly basis expressed as a percentage.

Compounding Interest The frequency that earned interest is added to the principal so that you begin to earn interest on that amount as well as on the principal. Often referred to as interest on interest. The more often

This year, it's not just the kids who are heading back to school-TrueCredit is giving you a session of Credit Reporting 101. We tackled Credit Scoring 101 in July; now let's take on the fundamentals of the credit reporting system. From the big three credit reporting agencies to your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, this course will

Keep these tips in mind when looking for a credit or charge card.

Rates may be rising: Mortgage & refinancing preparation made simple

Buying a home is probably the single largest investment most people make in a lifetime. By preparing yourself and your credit before a home purchase or refinance, you can ensure a smooth finance process and can potentially save thousands on your loan. Improve your

Increasing numbers of loan applicants are finding ways to buy their own home despite past credit problems, a lack of a credit history or debt-to-income ratios that fall outside of traditionally acceptable ranges.

Ask the lender for a full explanation, then appeal the decision in writing.

Consider refinancing your mortgage if you can get a rate that is at least one percentage point lower than your existing mortgage rate and plan to keep the new mortgage for several years or more. Ask an accountant to calculate precisely how much your new mortgage (including points, fees and closing costs) will cost and whether, in the long run,

If you are a homeowner who was lucky enough to buy when mortgage rates were low, you may have no interest in refinancing your present loan. But perhaps you bought your home when rates were higher. Or perhaps you have an adjustable-rate loan and would like to obtain different terms.

Should you refinance? This brochure will answer some

You can often negotiate a lower sale price by employing a buyer broker who works for you not the seller. If the buyer broker or the broker's firm also lists properties, there may be a conflict of interest, so ask them to tell you if they are showing you a property that they have listed.

Do not purchase any house until it has been examined by

If you want insurance protection only, and not a savings and investment product, buy a term life insurance policy.

If you want to buy a whole life, universal life, or other cash value policy, plan to hold it for at least 15 years. Canceling these policies after only a few years can more than double your life insurance costs.

Check the

Find out where your money is going. Unless you're tracking your money, it's probably not going where you really want it to.

TRY THIS: Write down your total monthly take-home pay. Then list your monthly expenses. At the end of the month, subtract those expenses from your total pay.

Look for places to save. Use this information to set a

There's a lot to learn about money, and there's plenty of free information available. The Federal Reserve education web site, www.federalreserveeducation.org, offers personal financial education information and links to many useful resources.

TRY THIS: Look for organizations in your community that can help you learn more about setting

If you decide to finance your car, be aware that the financing obtained by the dealer, even if the dealer contacts lenders on your behalf, may not be the best deal you can get. Contact lenders directly. Compare the financing they offer you with the financing the dealer offers you. Because offers vary, shop around for the best deal, comparing

Your new sofa arrives with only three legs. You try to return it; no luck. You ask the merchant to repair or replace it; still no luck. The Fair Credit Billing Act allows you to withhold payment on any damaged or poor-quality goods or services purchased with a credit card, as long as you have made a real attempt to solve the problem with the

Make your wishes known about your funeral, memorial, or burial arrangements in writing. Be cautious about prepaying because there may be risks involved.

For information about the least costly options, which could save you several thousand dollars, contact a local memorial society, which is usually listed in the Yellow Pages under funeral

Discuss the possibility of a trade-in only after you've negotiated the best possible price for your new car and after you've researched the value of your old car. Check the library for reference books or magazines that can tell you how much it is worth. This information may help you get a better price from the dealer. Though it may take longer

Because costs may vary significantly from area to area and from lender to lender, the following are estimates only. Your actual closing costs may be higher or lower than the ranges indicated below.

Application Fee $75 to $300

Appraisal Fee $150 to $400

Survey Costs $125

You may lower the price of a round trip air fare by as much as two-thirds by making certain your trip includes a Saturday evening stay over, and by purchasing the ticket in advance.

To make certain you have a cheap fare, even if you use a travel agent, contact all the airlines that fly where you want to go and ask what the lowest fare to your

You can save hundreds of dollars a year by shopping at the lower-priced food stores. Convenience stores often charge the highest prices.

You will spend less on food if you shop with a list.

You can save hundreds of dollars a year by comparing price-per-ounce or other unit prices on shelf labels. Stock up on those items with low per-unit

You can save as much as a thousand dollars or more each year in lower credit card interest charges by paying off your entire bill each month or by using a check, cash or debit card for purchases.

If you are unable to pay off a large balance, pay as much as you can and switch to a credit card with a low annual percentage rate (APR). You can

Since car rental rates can vary greatly, shop around for the best basic rates. Ask about any additional charges (extra driver, gas, drop-off fees) and special offers.

Rental car companies offer various insurance and waiver options. Check with your automobile insurance agent and credit card company in advance to avoid duplicating any coverage

You have many choices concerning what you do with your money--spend it, invest it, or hide it under your mattress. If you invest or save your money, you have many alternatives. For example, you can buy U.S. savings bonds or Treasury bills; purchase stocks or bonds; invest in a mutual fund; or open a savings or other deposit account with a

The following federal agencies are responsible for making sure that depository institutions follow the federal Truth in Savings Act. Questions about an institution should be directed as follows:

State-Chartered Member Banks of the Federal Reserve System Division of Consumer and Community Affairs Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve

In shopping for an account, it is important to look closely and compare features. Here are some of the most common features to compare:

Rates

The Interest Rate

What is the interest rate? Can the institution change the rate after you open the account? Does the institution pay different levels of interest depending on the amount of your