Banks offer interest on your deposits, and maintain your hard-earned money. But banks can make mistakes, leaving you the loser in the bargain. Here's what to watch out for to avoid such a fate.

You may hear people using the terms credit card and charge card interchangeably, but they are not the same. You cannot postpone paying your dues on a charge card, unlike a credit card. What are the advantages and disadvantages of possessing a charge card?

You can’t plan everything about your life but you can meet the unexpected by dipping into your emergency fund. How many months of your salary should be set aside as your emergency fund?

Bank statements differ depending on the kind of account you have as well as your bank’s norms. But there are some basic aspects you need to keep an eye on, while peering through your monthly bank statements.

Your credit card can come to the rescue, if the car you rented gets damaged in an accident. But there are several ifs and buts, and it’s safer to read the fine print before you pay for a rental with a credit card.

Your contributions to charitable organizations with 501(c)(3) status are tax-deductible. But before making donations, you should know how the organization will spend your money. You should also be able to keep track of what's happening with your money.

Most investors look for stocks that will rise in value. However, you can make money from stocks whose values are failing by shorting stock. Here is more on how shorting a stock works and when an investor can profit from shorting.

A stock option gives you the right to buy or sell stock at a particular price on or before a certain expiration date. Here is a look at the different types of stock options.

An employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) is an employee benefit plan that allows employees of a company to own stock in that company. How does an ESOP operate and what are its merits and demerits?

If you have credit problems or run up overdrafts most banks will not let you open a regular checking account. But you can still count on opening a second chance account.