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Describes the features of several new `product cards,' credit cards that attract consumers with rebates and cash credits, usually linked to specific purchases. AT&T Universal Card; General Electric MasterCard; General Motors MasterCard; Ford Visa or MasterCard; American Airlines Visa or MasterCard; Benefits and drawbacks of each card. INSET: What's two-cycle billing?.

Offers advice on how to make the most on savings bonds. New rules; Tuition tax break; Buying EE bonds; Contact information.

Offers advice on how to avoid life insurance sales scams. Asking the agent to explain the proposal in writing; Asking for a printed policy illustration; Asking what is guaranteed and what is not.

Presents a quiz on personal finance knowledgeability. Buying a no-load mutual fund; Selection of an investment that pays a fixed rate of interest; Refinancing a mortgage; More.

Recommends ways women can become their own financial planners. Why the best financial plans are simple; Importance of becoming well-informed about personal finance; How to make up a list of financial objectives; How to draw up a budget that meets those objectives; How to buy inexpensive insurance; How to create an investment plan; More. INSETS: When not to see a professional.;When to see a professional..

Offers some tips for reducing one's banking costs. Use of no-frills checking; Switching to a no-interest account with lower fees; Use of credit cards; Non-frequent use of automated teller machines.

Offers tips on where to get sound financial advice. Arming oneself with knowledge about finance; Checking the backgrounds of financial advisers; Payment for financial and investment services. INSET: Ask Jane..

Discusses how to take advantage of rising interest-rate levels. Switch to a variable-rate money-market mutual fund; Acquisition of certificates of deposits; Switch to bond mutual funds or variable annuities invested in bonds; Preparations. INSET: A saving strategy for the young..

Offers advice concerning various aspects of credit cards. Credit report as a gauge of a person's honesty, dependability and character; Insurance companies' use of credit reports; Variable rates charged by credit cards; Getting a preapproved credit line. INSET: Warning to credit-card kids..

Introduces the secured card, a bank card for people who don't qualify for normal credit. Comparison to other bank cards; Application requirements; Advantages; Application procedures.

Gives advice on mutual funds. Regular investment plan; Brockered funds.

Presents information on donations to charitable institutions in the United States. Preference for local charities; Credibility of the fundraising institute. INSETS: Take it off.;Charity watchdogs..

Presents answers to questions concerning bonds. Definition of a bond; Features of a bond fund; Types of bond funds; Tips in buying bond funds; Risks involved in bonds.

Presents advice to working mothers on living on one paycheck. Slow withdrawal from the two-paycheck habit; Cutting of the credit-card bill to zero; Drawing up a of a new spending plan; Elimination of the feeling of guilt.

Offers advice on budgeting. Listing of priorities; Tracking of expenses and financial capabilities; Comparing total monthly spending with disposable income. INSET: Spending faults..

Discusses the three key ingredients of success in personal investments. Time element; Rules of commitment; Goal-directed investing.

Discusses several loans. Closed and open-end types of home-equity loan; Insurance-policy loans; Margin loans; Ways to avail of loans at lower interest. INSET: When securities markets fall..

Discusses the merits of leasing a car. Good offers from automobile dealers for two- and three-year leases; Guarantee of a turn-in value substantially higher than the expected market value; Price cuts on two-year leases; Tips when leasing cars.

Discusses trends in women's personal finances. Increase in investments; Retirement savings plans; Need for savings growth; Male knowledge; Interest rates; Young families' financial awareness. INSET: Negative trends to watch...

Gives advice on low-income housing loans. Hiring the services of a mortgage broker or a nonprofit affordable housing program; Double loans; Loans for individuals who failed to meet financial criteria; Mortgages for individuals with no formal credit history; Loans for workers who switched jobs frequently; Low upfront cost loans; Strategies to meet the down payment required. INSET: Are you sure you want a house?.

Answers questions regarding personal finance. Bank's refusal to give credit for stolen checks; Receipt of deceased husband's social security; Wife's inclusion in husbands petition for bankruptcy; Extra identification when using General Motors MasterCard.

Gives advice on whether to retain or give up one's low-rate certificates of deposit. Expectation of use; Alternatives. INSET: Are no-load mutual funds really cheap?.

Presents 1993 income tax tips. Standard deductions; People with two jobs; Retirees; Homebuyers; Proof of payment; Job hunting.

Discusses tax-deductions available to home business. Do's and don't's; Office equipment write-offs.

Lists myths regarding personal finance and investments. Bank certificate of deposits (CDs) as the safest place for savings; Paying off mortgages as soon as possible; Young people should not tie up money in tax-deferred retirement plans; Married couples should do everything jointly.

Presents financial advice. Joining the company payroll savings plan; Investment allocation; Advice from mother; Used cars; Paying off mortgages; Worthwhile risks. INSET: Good news! (truth-in-savings disclosure in credit unions)..

Presents mutual-fund shares as an alternative to giving cash for the holiday season. List of mutual fund shares.

Presents federal government-backed `paid' volunteer programs. Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA); Civilian Community Corps; Youth Corps; Senior Companion; Foster Grandparents; Other.

Presents tips in money management. Keeping a daily account; Opening of a big-bill account; Keeping an investment account.

Discusses the effect of the 1993 tax amendments. Low-income workers; Students; Paying off student loans; Being the top 13 percent of Social Security recipients; Additional gas taxes.

Presents Series EE Savings Bond as an alternative to giving cash for the holiday season. Kids' EE Bonds and taxes; EE Bonds for parents; Interest rates.

Presents gift suggestions as alternatives to giving cash for the holiday season. Budget book; College planning kit; Retirement planning kit; Mutual fund investment guide; Subscription to Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine; Money book.

Presents information on the Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS). Assistance in developing a budget with built-in debt repayment features; Provision for bankruptcy advice; Pre-occupation with consumer debt problems rather than commercial debt problems; Limitations of CCCS help; Legal caveats to advice or assistance from CCCS. INSETS: Should you consolidate your debts?.;What's your debt limit?..

Discusses the truth-in-savings law which requires savings institutions to inform their customers on the rate of interest they pay. Methods used by banks to calculate interest and camouflage actual earnings; Disclosure of the actual interest-rate by banks; Annual percentage yield earned; Comparing paid fees with the interest earned; Payment of interest for every dollar in the account. INSET: Saver alert..

Analyzes several mistakes committed by families on financial matters. Income management; Importance of term life insurance; Savings program and mutual funds; Repayment terms in family loans.

Warns investors of deceptive advertisement. `Self made millionaire' ads; Investment scams in the mailbox; Absence of secrets and shortcuts in becoming rich.

Advises on how to avoid being a victim of bank fraud. Carrying of the social security card; Giving out of bank-account number; More.

Gives advice on annuity buying. Tax-deffered plans; Variable annuity; Two-tier annuity; Tax bracket; Quality of insurance company. INSETS: Free investment advice.;Getting better credit..

Gives advice on how to decide on mortgages. Circumstances in which to choose an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM); Fixed rate loans; Loan with the lowest points; Balloon loans; Refinancing at lower rates; Mortgages of 15 years; Working with a mortgage broker; Saving for a home. INSET: Cut your auto loan cost..

Presents a guide for investing. Difference between saving and investing; Building a rainy day fund; Investing money one can put away for at least five years; Doing homework before investing small accounts to gain experience; Sticking with simple investments; Not checking the value of investments every day; Buying stock or stock-owning mutual funds; Buying individual stocks; Contact information. INSET: Easy come, easy go (savings bonds)..

Gives advice on how to cut automobile insurance costs. Finding a cheaper company; List of insurance coverage not needed; Raising the deductible on collision and comprehensive coverage; Choosing a car that is cheap to repair; Buying a used car; Asking about discounts; Taking a defensive driving course; Consolidating businesses; Telling the insurer about changes in car usage; Driving safely. INSET: Warning (employer retirement plans)..

Suggests ways customers can lower the fees their banks charge them. Examples of high fees; Benefits of shifting to no-interest checking; How to buy checks from a discounter; How to get free checking; How to earn more interest on certificates of deposit (CDs); Why you should avoid automated teller machines (ATMs) in a network; Service fees on small savings accounts; More. INSETS: Banking a la carte.;.;A checking alternative..

Explains how to get information on a religious charity from the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). How to contact ECFA; Information ECFA can provide.

Suggests ways you can succeed financially in the slow-growth 1990s. Why growth is expected to be slow; Examples of unexpected changes many people could face in the 1990s; How to avoid overextending yourself financially on a major purchase; Reducing debt and increasing savings; Retirement annuities; More.

Discusses a number of financial items of interest to women. How the changes in income tax withholding made by then-President George Bush are affecting tax refunds; New figures for calculating 1992 taxes; Benefits of a Series EE United States Savings Bonds as an investment; When adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) are better deals than fixed-rate mortgages.

Presents a question and answer column dealing with debt. Mortgage payments; Credit cards; Interest rates; More. INSET: Readers help..

Offers advice on how to get your money's worth. Making the right mortgage choice; Smart investments; The Hulbert Financial Digest; Pax World in Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Getting the most from charitable donations; Nursing home insurance; Coverage for mental disorders like Alzheimer's; Renting with an option to buy; More.

Lists ways to have more spending money. Refinance your car loan; Join a credit union; Get a cheaper credit card; Resist junk-mail offers; Check your adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) payment. INSET: A warning for the divorced (your ex-husband could ruin your....

Discusses mutual funds as an investment tool. When you should think about investing in mutual funds; Saving for college; Planning for retirement; How to automate your investing; Defining your objective. INSET: Retirement savings plans..

Offers advice on how to reduce your debts. Using five percent of your paycheck for debt reduction; Using savings to pay off debt; Mortgage refinancing; Postponing major purchases; More. INSET: Don't take a balloon ride (balloon mortgages)..