A lot can be learned from how the big names of NASCAR -- a $3.5 billion industry -- manage their money. Even rich NASCAR drivers struggle with keeping the outflow of cash balanced -- and below -- their income. According to a recent report by economists at Princeton University and New York University, about one-third of American households -- 38 million of them -- are living paycheck to paycheck, with little liquid wealth. The bigger surprise is that two-thirds of those 38 million households...

The United States has earned a reputation for being materialistic, with a capitalistic culture geared towards consumerism. For a different way of viewing things, look to around the world to find cultural differences when it comes to money that could help Americans stretch their dollars further. 1. China: Save, Save, Save When it comes to personal finance, the Chinese have one mantra: save. This is evident in China’s savings rate, which is one of the highest in the world. China’s gross...

Thursday, Oct. 16 is International Credit Union Day. On this day, credit unions and their members around the world take the time to recognize the credit union movement and to further its cause of “People helping people.” Since 1948, International Credit Union Day has been celebrated on the third Thursday of October. According to the World Council of Credit Unions, ICU Day is meant to” honor those who have dedicated their lives to the movement, recognize the hard work of those working in the...

Unable to play video. HTML5 is not supported! Today, GOBankingRates says "Happy birthday, Oprah," as we take a look at her legacy and financial journey. Oprah's Early Life and Career: She Made Just $227 a Week Oprah was born in Mississippi and spent her adolescence between her mother's home in Milwaukee and her father's in Nashville, where she moved permanently at14. As a teen working at a Nashville radio station, she seemed to find her calling. Oprah attended college at Tennessee State...

Tax Day is just around the corner, and on April 15 this year's tax season will officially end. Hopefully you're part of the 68 percent of taxpayers who file before April 1, as reported by SurveyMonkey and aren't filing at the last minute. If so, a refund from the IRS might already be on its way to your bank account. There's another reason to celebrate Tax Day besides the end of tax season: many businesses offer special Tax Day freebies and deals. We rounded up this list of the best offers...