All of us would like to have a feeling of security and control over our finances. So, what’s keeping us from getting there? The idea that you have to make a lot to save a lot is a myth. Whether you make $15,000 or $1.5 million, you can save and invest for your future. Just as with any great journey, sometimes the only thing holding you back is getting started. And my guess is you're already investing more than you think!

These days, it's accepted -- and almost expected -- that men and women will share the financial decisions in relationships. Two heads are nearly always better than one, and if now is the time to discuss financial equality in your relationship, how do you help your spouse see you as an equal?

Melinda takes a look at the different kinds of retirement accounts and the differences between them. Whether it's a 401(k), a Roth IRA, or one of the many other retirement accounts, there's probably an option that applies to your situation. Generally speaking they all have significant tax advantages over regular investments, so let's dig in and see which ones make sense for you.

It’s amazing how perceptive children are: they can tell when money gets tight, and they know when you have a spare $20 in your purse. With their perception and spongy minds, children as young as four can begin to learn concepts of saving. Of course, children of different ages learn about money differently, so let’s break down savings concepts by age groups.

Well it's finally getting cold here -- I've even had to wear a hoodie this week to keep warm. But the news in the world of investments has been anything BUT cold, so let's take a look at some great links and analysis from this week:

Have you ever bought the "cheap" version of something you needed, only to find out a day, month, or even year later that if you'd just paid the premium for the high-quality version it would have saved you money in the end? While we all know that paying attention to costs is important, saving now can easily lead to paying more in the future. Here are a couple of examples from my own experience:

Last week we took a look at compound interest and how that affects how quickly your money grows. But comparing potential banks, savings accounts, and CDs based on compound interest rates can be much easier by checking out the Annual Percentage Yield (APY).

The third part in our series on The Right Questions to Ask About Stocks takes a look at a company's growth. We've learned about the earnings of a company and how to relate it to the price of the stock via the price to earnings ratio. Once we've compared the stock's price to its earnings, the next thing we want to know is whether those earnings will increase or lessen.

If you're anything like me, running a Google search and trying to get basic info on a topic can end up driving you bonkers. Take stocks, for example.  Google "stocks," or even "simple stock explanation," and you get over six million matches when all you really wanted were some solid facts in plain English.  Like Denzel Washington in Philadephia, I say: "Explain it to me like I'm a six year old." 

I can count on one hand all of the times in my life when I found money:  I found $20 in front of a bakery once, $10 in the street, $20 in front of a restaurant, and $5 I forgot about in one of my spring coats.  Each time, though, I felt like the luckiest person in the world, as I’m sure anyone would feel.  So, if you had a surefire way to find hidden money and harness that lucky feeling, you would be a participant, right?  Surprisingly, simply visiting with your banker can put hidden money in the form of bank fees back into your pocket.

Bank Fees