Beth Kobliner is the author of the wildly successful Get a Financial Life: Personal Finance in Your Twenties and Thirties, published by Simon & Schuster in May 1996. In 1994 and 1995, Kobliner was selected by TJFR Business News Reporter as one of the country's most promising financial journalists under the age of 30. Kobliner is currently a contributing writer for Money magazine and is a regular commentator on MPR's "Sound Money." "Personal Money Matters," Kobliner's Tripod column, is designed to offer short, practical tips and tools for making the most of your hard earned dollars. Here you will find advice on saving money, cleaning up your credit, applying common sense to the use of "plastic money," investing in your future, and shopping for the best deals in banking services or mortgages. Money does matter, and Kobliner's friendly but authoritative approach will ensure plenty of the green stuff for the things that matter most to you.
Other Money Columnists: Wendy J. Cholbi Al "Girl Reporter" Hoff Ken Kurson Ted Rall Eva Rosenberg Randy Williams	How to Save — Even If You Think You Don't Have Any Money Practical tips on frugality and the wisdom of investing in a lunchbox. Published August 26, 1996. Paying Off Your Credit Card Debt Why it's better than money in the bank and one of the best investments you can ever make. Published September 30, 1996. How to Start Digging Yourself Out of Credit Card Debt The beginning steps for refinancing your debt and restructuring your credit future. Published October 28, 1996. Not All Debt is Created Equal Learning to prioritize your debt and payments can save you big bucks over the long haul. Published November 25, 1996. Choosing the Right Bank Save a chunk of cash by comparison shopping. Published December 30, 1996. Avoid the Tax Man with a 401(k) Plan Find out how a retirement account can be the wise investment of a lifetime — for today and for the future. Published January 27, 1997. How To Get The Best Mortgage Deal Shopping for a home loan is good business. Published February 17, 1997. Tips on Buying Life Insurance How much should you buy? How much should you spend? Do you really need it at all? Published March 17, 1997. "Money In The Bank" is Overrated Beth says there are good reasons not to get carried away saving! Published April 28, 1997. How to Clean Up Your Credit Report Take action before nasty marks foul up your "permanent record." Published May 26, 1997. Should You Rent or Should You Buy? Is rent a bigger money drain than a mortgage? Beth's answer may surprise you. Published June 9, 1997. The Best-Kept Investment Secret on Wall Street What the hell is an "index fund" — and why is it often a better deal than a traditional mutual fund? Published September 22, 1997.