An expert foresees many positive developments for consumers on the personal finance front.
For the 45% of Americans with excellent credit, card companies are offering some of their best-ever deals.
Every business has tricks of the trade, and credit cards are no exception. Here's how they try to get you to sign up -- and how to tell which cards might be a good deal for you.
Some banks will automatically waive late and overdraft fees charged to you during the storm. Others you have to ask.
Want to rebuild credit, maximize rewards or get the lowest possible interest rate? Stay away from these cards.
Those marketed to Muslims, for example, don't charge interest on outstanding balances. And Chinese cards are neither MasterCard nor Visa.
A Kansas couple, ages 57 and 68, had $120k worth of credit-card bills. Despite his illness, they did the honorable thing.
American Express will pay more than $100 million to settle allegations that it misled consumers.
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TOP STOCKS
Bargain hunting gives silver a boost after a nasty dive in overnight markets. But worries about rising interest rates and a possible U.S. debt downgrade gives the metal a boost.
MARKET DISPATCHES
The Market Dispatches column has been discontinued. Here's where to find the latest stock and business news on MSN Money, and the latest from market writer Charley Blaine.
FRUGAL COOL
Starting Monday, this site is joining forces with MSN Money Smart Spending. Here's why.
MONEY & POLITICS
Breaking up big banks is an untested solution to the too big to fail problem that attempts to isolate and dismantle large, troubled institutions while protecting the rest of the economy.
SMART SPENDING
Start of summer already? Better get shopping. But give the grills and new electronics a miss for now, according to the experts at Dealnews.
SMART TAXES
The IRS is struggling to combat identify thieves who file fraudulent tax returns in the names of older residents who don't need to file.

