I f you're like a lot of drivers these days, you're leasing a new car every few years.  And it seems to make perfect sense.  You're always driving a shiny new ride equipped with the latest technology, and the payments are about half what they'd be with a three-year loan.   Plus, your vehicle always is covered by the manufacturer's bumper-to-bumper warranty. So, what's not to like?  Nothing, if you don't mind paying thousands of dollars more than if you simply bought the car and held onto it for the long term.  The reality is that leasing, with its low monthly payments, is a deceptively expensive way of acquiring a vehicle,  especially if you lease repeatedly. And the cost will only get higher as interest rates rise.  Yet, leasing remains popular. Currently, about a third of new vehicles are leased, often by those who already are financially stressed. This story explains what's really going on under the hood when it comes to leasing. It includ

A  new Bankrate survey that examines how much people have in credit card debt compared to emergency savings raises in interesting question: How much should you keep in an emergency fund if you also owe money on your credit cards? My answer is: very little, if anything. The Bankrate survey of 1,004 consumers revealed that three in every 10 Americans have more credit card debt than emergency savings.  Of course, having any credit card debt is reason to worry. And too many people are living paycheck to paycheck, a problem underscored by the recent federal shutdown . But what if the survey found the opposite, that people have more in savings than credit card debt? That's actually worse because it would mean that they are keeping money in savings accounts earning, say, just 2.5 percent while paying double-digit interest on their credit card debt. That makes no sense. Think of it this way: Would you borrow money at, say, 22 percent interest so you can put it in the bank at

Photo by  rawpixel.com  from  Pexels T here has been a lot of news coverage about the negative effects the government shutdown is having on workers and others who depend on receiving federal dollars. I've seen reports about government workers, contractors and others who, if the shutdown drags on much longer, won't be able to make their rent or mortgage payments, pay medical bills and utilities or even afford food. This has me thinking. How did we get to the point where so many people are living from paycheck to paycheck? Whatever happened to saving accounts and other investments that people can depend on during financial emergencies?  This is not to say that the federal shutdown is fair or a good thing or that people who don't have substantial savings deserve whatever they get. But there are many unexpected events that happen in life that can stress us financially. It could be a job loss, illness, unanticipated major repair of your home or car, among other thing

T he holiday gift-giving season is coming to an end, but it may be just the beginning for some gift-related task. Here are nine post-holiday chore you might need  to do, whether you're a gift giver or  recipient. Don't put off returns. If you're planning to return a gift, make sure you carefully follow the merchant’s return policy. You may have just 30 days or less to bring or send an item back for an exchange or refund. With many retailers, the return period for some products, such as electronics, may be shorter than for the other merchandise they sell. And if you need to exchange a seasonal item, such as clothing that's the wrong color or size, supplies may be limited. Also keep in mind that some stores may not accept the return of items that have been opened. Even if they do, you’ll likely need the original packaging. So if there’s a chance something may need to go back, don't just start using it, and keep the box or other packaging it came in. Fight

I t's the holiday gift-giving season again. Here are ten ways to prevent ho-ho-hos from turning into uh-ohs. DON'T assume that items on sale are a good deal. Many retailers go out of their way to make you feel like they're offering a great price on whatever you want to buy, whenever you want to buy it. Walk into some stores or check their websites, and almost everything seems to be on sale virtually all the time.  Consider this lawsuit  Los Angeles  filed against JCPenney,  Kohl's,  Sears, and  Macy's in 2016, accusing the retailers of essentially holding fake sales.  W hether it's 40 percent off, buy-one-get-one-free, a free gift with every purchase or any other type of come-on, you must comparison shop. Take for instance  this deal for a three-quart  Instant Pot Duo pressure cooker at Kohl's for $89.99. That price supposedly represents a $10 discount off the regular price of $99.99. But  the  manufacturer's suggested retail price  for the same

T he Federal Trade Commission has issued yet another warning about free trial offers that can end up costing you money. The agency announced on Wednesday  that the U.S. district court in California has granted its request to temporarily shut down an alleged internet marketing scam that promoted bogus free trial offers. The case underscores why you need to be careful about enrolling in free trials while shopping for the holidays or any other time. And even "legitimate" free trials can leave you with unexpected charges.    Consumers bilked for tens of millions of dollars In the case announced Wednesday, the FTC accused numerous U.S. and United Kingdom-based companies and individuals with charging customers full price in connection with free-trial offers for more than 50 dietary supplements and personal care items. The products were marketed as  promoting  weight loss, hair growth, clear skin, muscle development, sexual performance and  cognitive abilities, the agency said