http://moneycentral.msn.comInvesting & Personal Finance Articles by MSN ExpertsCopyright 2006 Microsoften-ushttp://sc.msn.com/global/c/lgpos/MSFT_pos.gifhttp://moneycentral.msn.comCommentaryHey, single women: Show yourself a little love this Valentine's Day and make a date to secure your financial future. Plus: Where to find the money to sock away.Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/RetirementandWills/InvestForRetirement/dunleavey-your-dream-date-charles-schwab.aspxRetirementandWills/InvestForRetirement/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/RetirementandWills/InvestForRetirement/dunleavey-your-dream-date-charles-schwab.aspxMP DunleaveyThe number of lawsuits filed against the Japanese automaker mounts as lawyers reach out to car owners and their families in an effort to capitalize on the vehicles' defects.Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:49:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/InsureYourCar/suing-toyota-get-in-line.aspxInsurance/InsureYourCar/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/InsureYourCar/suing-toyota-get-in-line.aspxReutersAbout a third of us think we will. And more than a few of us believe a ticket out of our workaday financial worries will have lottery numbers printed on it.Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:00:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/RetirementandWills/EscapeTheRatRace/will-you-get-rich-someday.aspxRetirementandWills/EscapeTheRatRace/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/RetirementandWills/EscapeTheRatRace/will-you-get-rich-someday.aspxBankrate.comFewer lenders are providing expensive, short-term cash to taxpayers anticipating refunds from the IRS this year. Consumer advocates say that's a good thing.  Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:58:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Taxes/CutYourTaxes/rapid-refund-loans-harder-to-get.aspxTaxes/CutYourTaxes/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Taxes/CutYourTaxes/rapid-refund-loans-harder-to-get.aspxThe Associated PressChase denied an untold number of loan modifications for a reason that is now prohibited: It determined that homeowners' financial troubles were temporary.Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:00:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/HomeFinancing/mortgage-hardship-applicants-in-limbo.aspxBanking/HomeFinancing/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/HomeFinancing/mortgage-hardship-applicants-in-limbo.aspxProPublicaYear after year, the IRS sees Americans committing the same sorts of mistakes on their returns. Many of these errors are easy to avoid; some are more complicated.Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:00:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Taxes/PreparationTips/10TaxGoofsManyOfUsKeepMaking.aspxTaxes/PreparationTips/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Taxes/PreparationTips/10TaxGoofsManyOfUsKeepMaking.aspxJeff SchnepperSometime after Feb. 22, when 2009's credit card reform law begins to take effect, you'll see changes on your monthly statements. The new format might tell painful truths, but it'll be good for you.Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/YourCreditRating/coming-soon-clearer-credit-card-bills.aspxBanking/YourCreditRating/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/YourCreditRating/coming-soon-clearer-credit-card-bills.aspxMoney Talks NewsLawsuits against Toyota are beginning to mount after millions of vehicles are recalled. But calculating coverage rates goes beyond what you see in the news.Thu, 04 Feb 2010 23:00:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/InsureYourCar/will-insurance-for-toyotas-go-up.aspxInsurance/InsureYourCar/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/InsureYourCar/will-insurance-for-toyotas-go-up.aspxInsure.comYour family's addition needs to be covered -- and not just with a blanket. Take a close look at your insurance, and be sure to add the baby to your health plan.Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:00:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/AssessYourNeeds/a-newborn-means-new-insurance-baby.aspxInsurance/AssessYourNeeds/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/AssessYourNeeds/a-newborn-means-new-insurance-baby.aspxInsure.comSavers are hanging on to about $16.7 billion in bonds that are no longer earning interest. It's equivalent to stuffing money under the mattress.Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/BetterBanking/time-to-cash-in-your-savings-bonds.aspxBanking/BetterBanking/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/BetterBanking/time-to-cash-in-your-savings-bonds.aspxMarketWatch With post-crisis credit still tight, you'll need to work harder to demonstrate you can handle a mortgage. Jump through these 5 hoops to prove you're worthy.Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:00:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/HomeFinancing/buying-a-home-make-lenders-love-you.aspxBanking/HomeFinancing/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/HomeFinancing/buying-a-home-make-lenders-love-you.aspxLiz Pulliam WestonWith funding cuts to national defense and major entitlements politically unpalatable, the middle class inevitably will be asked to do more to help close the budget gap.Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:50:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Taxes/Advice/get-ready-to-pay-more-taxes.aspxTaxes/Advice/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Taxes/Advice/get-ready-to-pay-more-taxes.aspxU.S. News & World ReportIf corporate America can walk away from mortgages, why is it wrong for you?Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:00:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/HomeFinancing/why-cant-you-walk-away.aspxBanking/HomeFinancing/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/HomeFinancing/why-cant-you-walk-away.aspxThe Associated PressAs your life changes, your coverage might need to change with it. Is it time for you to do some comparison shopping?Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:00:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/InsureYourCar/5-reasons-to-get-new-auto-insurance.aspxInsurance/InsureYourCar/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/InsureYourCar/5-reasons-to-get-new-auto-insurance.aspxBankrate.comExpert opinions differ, of course, but some ideas appear feasible. Pretty much everyone agrees something must be done.Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/RetirementandWills/InvestForRetirement/would-obamas-retirement-fixes-work.aspxRetirementandWills/InvestForRetirement/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/RetirementandWills/InvestForRetirement/would-obamas-retirement-fixes-work.aspxMarketWatch If you bought a house, a car or even a water heater, had a kid in college or were getting unemployment checks, you could save a bundle on your 2009 bill.Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:24:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Taxes/CutYourTaxes/new-tax-breaks-for-almost-everyone.aspxTaxes/CutYourTaxes/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Taxes/CutYourTaxes/new-tax-breaks-for-almost-everyone.aspxKiplinger's Personal Finance MagazineAs evidence piles up that using a cell phone while driving carries significant -- and often fatal -- risks, aggressive efforts are under way to end talking and texting behind the wheel.Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:00:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/InsureYourCar/distracted-driving-gets-more-attention.aspxInsurance/InsureYourCar/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/InsureYourCar/distracted-driving-gets-more-attention.aspxAnna Vander BroekIn an echo of the Great Depression, local currencies with their own special flavors are popping up all over in attempts to give commerce and communities a lift.Fri, 29 Jan 2010 23:00:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/BetterBanking/struggling-towns-printing-their-own-cash.aspxBanking/BetterBanking/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/BetterBanking/struggling-towns-printing-their-own-cash.aspxSmartMoneyNew federal rules are driving lenders to estimate your income based on credit reports. But the tools they're using aren't precise, and mistakes might be hard to correct.Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:00:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/YourCreditRating/weston-lenders-play-guess-your-income.aspxBanking/YourCreditRating/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/YourCreditRating/weston-lenders-play-guess-your-income.aspxLiz Pulliam WestonAs more consumers switch from credit to debit, debit card issuers and retailers are offering new and better incentives for card users.Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:21:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/BetterBanking/debit-cards-get-more-rewarding.aspxBanking/BetterBanking/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/BetterBanking/debit-cards-get-more-rewarding.aspxSmartMoneyThe White House recommends a mix of tax cuts and spending increases aimed at helping families care for relatives, afford college and save for retirement.Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:30:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/CutCollegeCosts/obama-proposes-aid-for-middle-class.aspxCollegeAndFamily/CutCollegeCosts/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/CutCollegeCosts/obama-proposes-aid-for-middle-class.aspxThe Christian Science MonitorThe recession and rising tuition are crimping family finances, but new tax breaks, jobs, bigger loans and federal grants can help defray or delay higher-education costs. Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:30:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/CutCollegeCosts/10-ways-to-raise-college-money-now.aspxCollegeAndFamily/CutCollegeCosts/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/CutCollegeCosts/10-ways-to-raise-college-money-now.aspxU.S. News & World Report