The IRS' computers and clerks grind out millions of notices demanding more tax. Here's how to deal with them.

It can be hard for young adults to get a handle on their personal finances, and there can be some painful lessons along the way. That's where a little common sense can work wonders. BusinessWeek asked Ramit Sethi, author of I Will Teach You to be Rich, for 10 smart ideas for those setting out on life's financial journey.

It’s tougher than ever to plan your finances. But it’s also easier than ever to find help on the cheap.

There are a host of websites that help you lay out a budget and track your spending and investments. Some let you set up a plan for a long-term goal, like college or retirement, and others offer advice about where to put your money. And many of these services are free of charge.

Here you'll find all of the basic tools and information you'll need to manage your money wisely and to reach your financial goals.

Here are the basic tools and skills you'll need to manage your finances and reach your goals.

During the worst economic crisis in a lifetime, the right financial decisions are crucial. BusinessWeek asked financial planners for some advice on what to do —or not to do—with your money in the New Year. As we bid farewell to a dreadful 2008, these "resolutions" may help keep your finances on the right track.

If mounting credit card bills are threatening to pull you under, you may be considering bankruptcy as a way to hit the restart button.

The American Bankruptcy Institute expects worsening economic conditions to drive up the number of consumer filings this year to their highest level since stricter bankruptcy terms went into effect in 2005.

Frugality is not a quaint pastime from the pre-credit card era, but it is something of a lost art for some people.

Do you have a confession to make about a purchase you shouldn't have made?

Whether it's the $600 treadmill you bought on a credit card, then used as a really expensive clothes hanger, or that collection of pricey handbags you just had to have, Spendster.org is the place to bare your frivolous soul.

Every 3.5 seconds in the United States, someone's identity is stolen. Unfortunately, many view identity theft as an "online only" problem.

It's true that phishing scams, trojans, and other forms of cybercrime are a factor, but there are also far more low tech means of identity theft--including digging through your garbage or stealing your wallet or purse. You can minimize your risk by following these ten tips: