Athletes at the Beijing Games have a lot in common with super personal-finance wizards. Here's how to learn from them.

Here are eco-friendly options for disposables.

Bar-hopping can get very sloppy, very fast.
Aside from the stomach-turning side effects of chasing down a pint of lager with two shots of tequila, followed by rum and coke, you can easily lose track of spending at the bars.

The prime rate looks set to keep falling following the Federal Reserve's latest rate cut. Since the consumer credit-card rates are in part measured by the prime rate, consumers might expect to see their rates fall as well.

But a number of common catches can keep your credit-card rate from falling with the prime rate.

The best time to begin your own business is when you don't need the money. Most people don't look for a second income until they are faced with a financial crisis, which means their options are limited. Since they need money right away, they are forced to take a job that pays a salary, as opposed to starting a business that they enjoy but that may not generate income right away.

ReservePlus allows people to withdraw funds from their 401(k)s with a kind of debit card. That might sound pretty good, but many experts say it makes borrowing too easy and can put Americans' nest eggs at risk.

Here's how to discover how well a card issuer treats its customers.

While organization may not be at the top of your mind when it comes to personal finances, a lack of it could have a direct impact on your wallet.

For many people, being disorganized can lead to real-life costs, including missed opportunities and deadlines and wasted time. Here are some examples of how being disorganized can cost you money.

It's time to weed out your financial papers.

As the weather warms and you gear up for a big spring cleaning, it's also an excellent time to organize your financial papers. This is an important step toward getting your finances in shape.

No longer are credit unions simply mom-and-pop operations.

Increasingly they are becoming full-service financial providers with product portfolios that can compete with banks. And more people have access to their services: many now serve communities rather than specific company employees.