1. Recent Articles by Maria

2. How to Invest for Less

   by Maria O'Brien on 4/15/2009

   In a down market, especially when many investment portfolio values have been slashed by 30 or 40 percent over the course of a year, it’s become painfully apparent that a large part of those losses comes in the form of the fees you pay to invest your money. Over a period of several decades, from first investment to retirement, investment costs can eat up tens and even hundreds of thousands of dollars, destroying the real rate of return of a mutual fund.

   [ 8 comments ]

3. How to Avoid Rising Bank Fees

   by Maria O'Brien on 3/17/2009

   In the wake of lost revenue amid record foreclosures, banking institutions have found a way to mitigate some of their losses - they are raising basic fees and pulling more money from their customers and account holders than ever before. In other words, the online bill pay service that used to cost $10 is now $12, and the service fee for your account recently went up $1 a month. What can you do to stem this rising tide?
   
   Maybe an extra dollar or two doesn’t sound like much at first, but increasing an ATM charge from $1 to $2.50 brings in a sizable amount of money when you’re talking about millions of transactions a year. And before you realize it, you - the “consumer” - have paid hundreds of dollars over the course of a year just to access and use your own hard-earned cash.

   [ 9 comments ]

4. The Rising Costs of Student Loans

   by Maria O'Brien on 11/6/2008

   In the past ten years, debt levels for college graduates have more than doubled. One of the main factors contributing to this rise is the decrease in public money available for colleges. As state and local budgets tighten in the wake of the financial crisis, colleges and universities often lose a portion of their funding, and this shortfall is passed on to students, who with their parents must bridge the gap with larger and larger loans.
   

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5. The Debt Generation

   by Maria O'Brien on 9/4/2008

   Credit cards are hailed as convenient tools, a way to build credit and earn points or rebates. However, there is another side to credit card spending, experienced by many who pay less then their balance month after month and one that can lead you into a downward spiral that is difficult to rebound from.
   

   [ 14 comments ]

6. 9 Smart Money Tips To Help You Quit Your Job

   by Maria O'Brien on 8/4/2008

   Daydream about quitting your job and doing something you love? Rather than simply dreaming, why not establish your goals and work toward a day when you have enough money or alternative income to quit? Here are some helpful tips that everyone can use.

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7. Ten Financial Mistakes That Will Put You In The Poor House

   by Maria O'Brien on 7/29/2008

   You can avoid making bad financial mistakes (that could land you in the poor house) by learning what not to do. Here are ten of the biggest financial mistakes people make that you can avoid.

   [ 19 comments ]