Women more optimistic than men about finances

Women appear to be more optimistic about the economy and their financial future than men are, according to a recent survey. But it helps to be young.

Asked whether business conditions where they live will improve over the next year, 56% of women polled by Citigroup said yes, compared to just 50% of men. (The telephone survey, conducted in June, is accurate within 2.2 percentage points, according to Citi.) The outlook was similar when it came to personal finance: 66% of ..read more

Should personal finance writers be liable for bad advice?

After I argued last week that Congress ought to force financial advisers to do a better job for their clients, a reader posted a related question: Would personal finance journalists have to meet these higher standards as well? He followed up with an email:

George, for this fiduciary responsibility that you are advocating — shouldn’t it also apply to you and the other columnists who post advice on CNNMoney? For that matter, why not to Suze Orman and Jim ..read more

More Money Tuesday roundup: Car insurance costs and blackjack odds

Personal finance from around the Web:

Explore the idea of paying off the national debt by only increasing income taxes. [All Financial Matters] Thought your car insurance was expensive? Well, unless you live in Louisiana, the most expensive state for car insurance, it could be worse. See how your state ranks. [Bucks] We have been importing less petroleum as a percent of all imports but we have been paying much more for it. [EconomPic] Fewer benefits and longer hours: it's the post-recession world of ..read more

More Money Friday roundup: Spirit CEO speaks & Fannie execs surprised

Personal finance from around the Web:

Spirit Airlines CEO Ben Baldanza explains the rationale behind charging for checked bags. He says Spirit's business model is fundamentally "customer friendly." [Elliot] Home owners apparently were not the only ones caught off guard when home prices began to fall as the housing bubble burst. Former Fannie Mae executives tell Congress that plummeting prices consistently surprised them as well. [Associated Press] Are cruise ship nuptials the new destination weddings? The cruise industry has seen a 60% increase ..read more

More Money Thursday roundup: Five fees to dump & why blondes make more dough

Personal finance from around the web:

Tax day is fast approaching, and if you haven't filed yet, it's probably making you grumble. The Washington Post debunks five myths about your taxes. [The Washington Post] And would you tattle on someone you know is cheating on his taxes? The IRS hopes you will. If you have specific and credible evidence, you could score a payout. [WalletPop] Maybe a dye job should be part of your investment portfolio. Not only do blondes have more fun ..read more

More Money Wednesday roundup: Tax credits & hedge-fund flatulence

Personal finance from around the Web:

If you are sending a kid to college next year, this is the week financial aid offers should be arriving from colleges and universities. To help cushion the blow of what can sometimes seem a paltry sum, here's advice on how to negotiate for more aid. [ABC News] Down to the wire for filing this year? Make sure to give these commonly forgotten tax credits a look before you throw in the towel. [MarketWatch] Rather than focus ..read more

More Money Tuesday roundup: iPad pricing & rising bankers' salaries

Personal Finance from around the web:

Workers in financial services don't appear to be suffering as much people employed in other businesses. Average weekly salaries for bankers and the like have spiked in recent months, leaving the rest of us behind. [EconomPic] Steve Jobs's introduction of the iPad can teach us a lot about the danger of getting tricked by the manufacturer's suggested retail price. [MintLife] Thinking about visiting a coin-counting machine to get rid of the jar full of change on your ..read more

More Money Monday roundup: Sharing a job & avoiding real-estate bubbles

Personal finance from around the Web:

Remember that bond-fund manager who got ousted from TCW in a dispute that, uh, reeked of pot and porn? Well, on Tuesday his new firm will be launching two new mutual funds. [DoubleLine Funds] An 8.2 percent rise in NAR pending home sales index indicates that more Americans are looking to buy homes. [The Atlantic] In return for a small pay cut, employees could avoid layoffs with work-sharing (and gain some free time). [It's Your Money] Want a ..read more

Things to Know Before You Take a Used Car Loan

Buying used car is a sensible personal finance decision making in today’s uncertain economy. However, you must do your due diligence; there are some things to consider and to know about before you decide to take a used car loan.

Finding out about used card loan can’t be easier today, thanks to the ever-presence of the Internet. So, here’s what you should do before taking any used car loans: Find out how much is the used car worth.

First, you ..read more

More Money Friday roundup: Government jobs & recess for adults

Personal finance from around the Web:

Unemployed? Consider working for Uncle Sam. The federal government will add more than 190,000 jobs to its payroll over the next few years. [Wise Bread] Health insurers and policymakers are watching a Maine court case revolving over insurers' ability to increase premiums. Should the state insurance commissioner be permitted to dictate prices that translate into a loss for an insurance company? [The Wall Street Journal] High-achieving high school students should consider tuition last when deciding to which ..read more

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