• Renting may resolve slow home sale
Question: We relocated for my husband's job over six months ago and bought a new home when we moved. Unfortunately, our previous home is still on the market and we can't afford paying two notes. Is renting it a good idea?

• Act gives homebuyers more time
Shopping for and buying a home is one of those high-pressure moments in life.

• Be careful when taking from IRA
A reader recently inquired about taking a withdrawal from his retirement account to save his home from foreclosure. After more than a year out of work, he wanted to take a hardship withdrawal to avoid foreclosure.

• Card issuers get ready for change
Sweeping new rules that limit credit card companies' ability to change the terms on cardholders were signed into law in May. And in advance of those new rules, which don't take effect until February, card issuers have been piling on the works.

• La. offers back-to-school break
With August on our front stoop, the flurry of school preparation begins.

• New car buyers in driver's seat
The summer driving season is in full swing, and with it come some incentives for getting a new car.

• Review finances at mid-summer
The year is half over, marking the midpoint of summer and a good time to review your financial situation and contemplate your tax obligations.

• New student loan caps debut
Before hitting campuses next month, I have a suggestion as to who should be your college student's new BFF (best friend forever). I nominate the financial aid officer.

• College plans can strain summer
For families with college-bound students, summer is only as carefree as the search for financial aid will allow.

• Beware: Identity thieves want you!
High scorers make good targets, both in sports recruiting, and, it turns out, as targets of identity theft.

• FDIC coverage gets 4 more years
There's good news out of Washington when it comes to your money. The increase in federal deposit insurance has been extended, and earnings on certificates of deposit have improved.

• Students need credit wisdom
It's time to have "the talk" with your students before they head off to college. There's some behavior they must avoid, and bad habits you don't want them to develop, that could cause trouble that haunts them for years to come.

• Be prepared for storm evacuation
Today kicks off National Hurricane Preparedness Week, and for us, that means stocking up on canned goods for the pantry and plywood for the windows. More importantly, this is the time to compile financial papers and stash some money to cover the costs of evacuating when a storm is near.

• State tax deadline looms large
There's one more tax deadline to meet if you're a Louisiana resident: May 15. That's the day state income tax returns are due.

• Take a breath, and take stock
As the tax filing season winds down, it seems like a good time to take stock of what we know and understand about all those forms and our overall financial knowledge.

• Late fees on bills quickly add up
Last week, I looked closely at my household bill for telecommunications and was startled to find the potential for layers of late-payment penalties.

• Homebuyers get extra incentive
This might sound like a crazy idea, considering all that is going on in the financial world, but here goes: 2009 is a good time to consider buying a house.

• There's still time to cut tax bill
If you're still plugging away at your income tax return, you have some options to ensure you make the April 15 deadline.

• Key to coping is not to panic
In a story in today's Money section, I offered my version of the Seven Dwarfs as modern investors: Nervous, Frustrated, Stressed, Confused, Worried, Broke and Resigned.

• Changing jobs has tax effects
A job loss brings with it a host of tax considerations. If that loss occurred last year, you'll need to learn a bit about the tax treatment of unemployment compensation you received. If this year brings with it a change in your employment, there are some expenses you'll want to track and consider when filing your return next year.

• Protect your tax return, yourself
The need to protect yourself from becoming a victim of identity theft is a year-round task, but especially during tax season.

• Keep your nose clean on taxes
As the tax season wears on, you can't help but start to feel a little desperate -- or inventive.

• Quick refunds have high price
The arrival of income tax season brings with it a flood of quick-refund loan offers from seasonal operators that set up around the metropolitan area.

• Saving possible for real people
By now, you're probably growing tired of everyone saying Americans need to cut back on spending. I read a magazine article recently that suggested one way women could economize was to eliminate this year's purchase of a four-digit handbag.

• Saving possible for real people
By now, you're probably growing tired of everyone saying Americans need to cut back on spending. I read a magazine article recently that suggested one way women could economize was to eliminate this year's purchase of a four-digit handbag.

• Love 'em, leave 'em, tell SSA
With hearts and flowers on the way for Valentine's Day this week, it seemed like a good time to remind newlyweds of some housekeeping to keep their financial information up to date. I also have a decidedly unromantic reminder for divorced couples about updating their beneficiary information on pension plans.

• Love 'em, leave 'em, tell SSA
With hearts and flowers on the way for Valentine's Day this week, it seemed like a good time to remind newlyweds of some housekeeping to keep their financial information up to date. I also have a decidedly unromantic reminder for divorced couples about updating their beneficiary information on pension plans.

• Stay up-to-date on credit limits
FICO -- or the Fair Isaac Corp. -- is a fickle beast.

• Stay up-to-date on credit limits
FICO -- or the Fair Isaac Corp. -- is a fickle beast.

• Many changes in store for taxes
While analysts and pundits speculate on what changes will come to Wall Street after the presidential inauguration this week, those of us on Main Street must start unraveling changes in the tax code already put in place that affect income tax returns.

• Make a plan. Then, stick to it
Let's call 2009 The Year of the Extreme Financial Makeover.

• Make a plan. Then, stick to it
Let's call 2009 The Year of the Extreme Financial Makeover.

• Get head start on student aid
If your New Year's celebration plans call for quiet time at home, here's a little excitement to add to the mix of party hats, horns and champagne: fill out the forms to get college student aid.

• Students learn grown-up lessons
Some New Orleans area students spent the past several weeks learning just what their parents mean when they say, "We can't afford that."

• Tax deadlines on the horizon
For those who postponed filing their 2007 income tax returns, those will be due soon. The original filing deadlines for federal and Louisiana tax returns were pushed back after Hurricanes Gustav and Ike came calling on the New Orleans metro area. But the Jan. 5 deadline now looms for both returns.

• Tax deadlines on the horizon
For those who postponed filing their 2007 income tax returns, those will be due soon. The original filing deadlines for federal and Louisiana tax returns were pushed back after Hurricanes Gustav and Ike came calling on the New Orleans metro area. But the Jan. 5 deadline now looms for both returns.

• Ho, ho, hold on to credit cards
As much as this is the season for shopping and gift buying, it is also open season for identity thieves.

• Ho, ho, hold on to credit cards
As much as this is the season for shopping and gift buying, it is also open season for identity thieves.

• Tax rule can slam hard-hit IRAs
The red ink that flows over investment statements practically burns the eyes these days. But it's a crueler sting for older retired individuals since they have less time to benefit from a market rebound.

• Tax rule can slam hard-hit IRAs
The red ink that flows over investment statements practically burns the eyes these days. But it's a crueler sting for older retired individuals since they have less time to benefit from a market rebound.

• Be smart in hunt for college aid
At offices here and elsewhere, the proverbial water cooler chatter has been replaced by talk of how hard our 401(k) accounts have fallen with the latest stock market tremors.

• Be smart in hunt for college aid
At offices here and elsewhere, the proverbial water cooler chatter has been replaced by talk of how hard our 401(k) accounts have fallen with the latest stock market tremors.

• Bailout has aid for individuals
The financial markets rescue bill includes more than 100 tax provisions that affect individuals and small businesses. With our investment statements oozing red ink, this week seemed like a good time to find out if there is something in that $700 billion bill that could help regular folks.

• Crisis puts us all in same boat
What will $700 billion do for you?

• Squeeze profit in lemon market
The past week's business news should make you appreciate weekends and the related stock market off days to catch your breath.

• Squeeze profit in lemon market
The past week's business news should make you appreciate weekends and the related stock market off days to catch your breath.

• Help with storm losses available
Now that hurricanes Gustav and Ike have passed the New Orleans area and most residents have power back in their homes, many are facing a stack of expenses.

• Help with storm losses available
Now that hurricanes Gustav and Ike have passed the New Orleans area and most residents have power back in their homes, many are facing a stack of expenses.

• Hurricane deductibles kick in
Homeowners still reeling from the effects of Katrina -- that uninvited house guest who keeps fishing into their wallet -- now have to contend with Hurricane Gustav.

• Evacuation box has vital papers
This weekend we might get to try out our hurricane and disaster preparedness plans. That includes grabbing the "go box" of all your vital financial information.

• Bankruptcy not getting any easier
Changes in the federal bankruptcy rules that took effect in October 2005 make it more difficult to file for bankruptcy protection.

• 401(k)s can't soar on autopilot
Freedom of choice in making investment decisions is often touted as the best thing about 401(k) retirement plans and similar options for government workers.

• Mortgage bailout not for everyone
The recent bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac doesn't mean automatic salvation for individual homeowners struggling with large mortgage payments and trying to avoid foreclosure.

• Course gives teens reality check
After writing about college students and their use of credit cards last week, this seemed like a good time to highlight an effort to teach the younger set about money.

• Crash course on credit essentials
One of my first lessons in money management during college was that a gas company's credit card was worth having, even though I didn't own a car. My gas card could take me places (buying gas for the friend who drove me to school and sometimes to work), feed me (hot snacks, loads of chips), and entertain me (with a ready supply of, um, weekend beverages).

• Economy has retirees cautious
As mid-year investment statements started arriving in mailboxes last week, financial advisors began fielding calls from clients best described as "concerned" but not panicked.

• Credit card fees growing steeper
If your recent credit card statement had you wondering why you got hit with a late charge -- when you're certain the payment was mailed on time -- please, join the club. And if it seems like your usual monthly payment isn't whittling away at the balance as much as it used to, that may not be an illusion but the result of a higher interest rate being charged on your account.

• Plan ahead for new travel fees
The first month of summer has slipped away and you're starting to think about spending some time outside of the (504) and (985) area codes. That's right, summer vacation time.

• Student health plan a good idea
Students headed to college -- and the families who support them -- have plenty of financial decisions to make right now, from paying tuition to finding financial aid.

• Business /pleasure trips can save
Convention groups often report record attendance at their gatherings in New Orleans, as thousands of engineers, heart surgeons and other professionals can't resist the chance to learn about innovations in their fields and indulge in all the city has to offer after the speeches are done.