This holiday season, consumers are expected to spend nearly $1.1 trillion. It’s no surprise that whether online or in stores, the majority of these purchases will be made with a card of some sort. Debit and credit cards are very different and have their pros and cons when it comes to holiday shopping. We’ve broken down the implications of using a debit or credit card this holiday season so you can choose the swipe that’s right for you.

A savings account is one of the simplest types of bank accounts. It allows you to store cash securely and earn interest on your money. Banks and credit unions have three kinds of savings vehicles, each with varying requirements and levels of return. Knowing the differences — what’s good about them, what could be a problem — is the first step toward finding the right savings account for you.

Whether or not we talk about money with our friends and family—and we probably don’t—we rarely touch on the subject at work. It’s embarrassing, even taboo, and it raises questions around self-worth and security. However, money and its attendant worry makes its way into the office all the same—dominating our thoughts and affecting performance and focus.

Ever hear the phrase "starving student?" Well, it didn't come from nowhere (and certainly not a fat-cat). College students are notoriously broke, but it doesn't have to be that way. These 25 tips will put more (er, some) money in your pocket.

1. Make a Budget, Check It Twice

This is number one on our list for a reason. It's easy to let money fritter away. Thou Shalt Not Fritter. A nightclub cover charge here, a dinner out with friends there, a book you didn't know you had to buy for class thrown in the mix and suddenly all the money you have for the month vanishes in a cloud of shame.

Getting a basic idea of how much you're spending each month and where you can cut back is one of the most fundamental financial lessons you'll learn while in college. This worksheet will help you brainstorm your expenses while Mint.com can track your spending.

If you’re like me, you thrive on to-do lists and a carefully planned schedule.

I find that having a few things each day on my to-do list at the start of the week helps me to keep moving forward on the things I want to achieve.

In that spirit, here’s a list of fourteen things worth taking care of this week that will save you money. I’ve split them up into a pair of tasks per day so each day isn’t overwhelmed with tasks, but by the end of the week you can be really proud of what you’ve accomplished.

Monday – Start of the Work Week
The start of a fresh work week is full of opportunity – but also full of getting back in the routine after a weekend off.

Check up on your benefits. Take a quick peek at your company’s HR website or your employee’s handbook and make sure there aren’t any benefits you might want to sign up for. Most employers have programs of some kind for their employees, but it’s usually up to the active employees to find out about them.

Do some household maintenance. Clean out the dust behind the fridge. Make sure you have a fresh filter in your home heating and cooling system. Clean out the trap on your dishwasher. Every little thing like this that you handle means that your major home appliances will live a little longer. 

Don't let a fraudster, pickpocket or identity thief ruin your next vacation.

These 15 financial safety tips will show you how to protect your wallet, your valuables and your financial information when vacationing in America and abroad.

1. Lighten up your wallet. Only carry the credit cards you'll be using on your trip and leave the rest at home. Pack an ATM/debit card for withdrawing cash at ATMs.

Remove any card with your Social Security number. For health insurance cards, the Identity Theft Resource Center, a nonprofit organization focused on identity theft prevention, suggests making a copy of the card and removing the last four digits of your Social Security number. Bring the photocopy with you on your trip and leave the original card at home.

Leave your checkbook at home. 

"Limit what documents you are going to carry with you," says Linda Foley, co-founder of the Identity Theft Resource Center. "Clean out your wallet and purse before you take that trip."