Nationally prominent personal finance journalist Jean Chatzky has written nine books, contributes regularly to O magazine, blogs at jeanchatzky.com and is a financial reporter for “The Today Show.”

Alice Wood didn’t set out to be a money management guru. She was a successful lawyer, mother and wife when a faulty oxygen mask on an airplane changed her life.

How much do you know about the stocks you own? Can you list them? Do you know why you own them? What was your rate of return last year?

We all dream of becoming “financially independent.” The dreams are unique to each individual and often change over the course of a lifetime. To become financially independent, you need to stay financially fit.

You might be able to explain to a child how credit card debt accumulates if you only make the minimum monthly payment-but when the percentage starts compounding, I usually collapse muttering over my calculator.

If you're a fan of "True Blood" or "Twilight," you can appreciate how sexy vampires are.

In the past few months, much has been written about the economy and its effect on children and families. How do we talk to our children about these difficult times that may directly affect them?

Patsy PTA earned her MBA at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, where she met her husband, Ted Trader.

The year 2008 was full of financial surprises—many of them not so good. The best way to get through these difficult times is to be organized and understand your personal financial situation.