roundups

Put your iPad to work [CNN Money] “Can’t justify buying a $500 tablet simply for entertainment? Then take it seriously: Make an investment in these add-ons and get down to business.”

The Hard Question [Wall Street Journal] “Who will take care of your child if you die?”

How to Give Thoughtful Gifts on a Scrooge-Like Budget [Wise Bread] “A few strategic conversations and a dash of creative thinking can help transform the holiday season from financially stretched and stressful to modest and merry.”

Questions to Ask When Drafting an Estate Plan [US News] “You can bring this four-part checklist to your initial meeting to discuss how to make your plan comprehensive and up-to-date.”

Getting a Grip on Taxes Before the Storm Hits [NY Times] “Taxpayers should run a checklist for everything from selling securities that have lost money to taking advantage of annual gift allowances.”

—FREE MONEY FINANCE

Guide to Holiday Tipping Etiquette [US News] “Even during tight economic times, thanking service workers is important–and expected.”

6 tales: Worst money advice ever [MSN Money] “When it comes to bad financial guidance, these stories from average Americans are hard to top. But they offer valuable lessons on what not to do, financial planners say.”

Which Frequent Flier Program Has the Best Awards Availability? [Wise Bread] “Here are the major airline rewards programs ranked from best to worst in terms of availability.”

24 Ways to Spend Nothing on Gift Wrap, and 4 Ways to Spend Very Little [Money Talks News] “If you plan to buy gift bags, wrapping paper, boxes, or bows this holiday season, you’re wasting your money.”

Most hated fees and price hikes [CNN Money] “What was your most hated fee or price hike?”

—FREE MONEY FINANCE

The Complete Guide To Building Wealth In Two Sentences [Free Money Finance] “The truth behind wealth building is public domain knowledge, simple to understand, and nobody is going to get rich selling it to you.”

How to Get Your Retirement Back on Track [Smart Money] “2012 should give you several chances to patch up plans for the future. Here’s what to look for.”

9 things financial advisers won’t say [MSN Money] “If you’re seeking a professional for money-management advice, you need someone who will put your interests first. Knowing what advisers may not tell you can help with the selection.”

31 Great Gifts That Keep on Giving [Wise Bread] “If you’re looking to buy a gift this year that won’t fade away once the newness wears off, then you’ve come to the right place.”

25 Questions to Ask in the First Interview [Michael Hyatt “How do you determine if someone you are interviewing has these [positive] qualities?”

—FREE MONEY FINANCE

Yes, Virginia, there’s an app for that [MSN Money] “Here are 10 apps to help you find the right gift without emptying your wallet.”

Health is Wealth: The Best Investment I Ever Made [Get Rich Slowly] “Years of accumulated fitness are — literally — money in the bank.”

How to Save $10,000 by Next Thanksgiving [Wall Street Journal] “We tapped financial advisers, business contacts, friends and acquaintances to hear what they had done to save money.”

My secret to super customer service [CNN Money] “These 10 consumers have mastered the art of getting what they want from customer service reps.”

How to Keep Your Holiday Spending in Check [US News] “Tips on responsible spending, handling frugal fatigue, and more.”

—FREE MONEY FINANCE

The 25 Best Things to Buy on Craigslist [Wise Bread] “Here (in no particular order) are the 25 best things to buy off Craigslist.”

4 Tips to Find the Right Charity [Money Talks News] “When it comes to charity, here’s how to run a check before you sign one.”

Creative ways to help a charity without spending any money [Wealth Informatics] “I am not talking about the usual suspects. We can do better than that and below I show you how.”

100 Frugal Gifts You Can Give This Christmas [Bible Money Matters] “Once you’ve set a budget finding gifts that can fit within it or that are a bit more frugal than some other possible choices can be tough. You really have to be creative.”

How to Be On a Gameshow [The Penny Hoarder] “Participating in a gameshow is an easy and fun way to make extra money.”

—FREE MONEY FINANCE

10 Questions You Should Never Ask in a Job Interview [US News] “Here are 10 questions that you should steer far away from.”

How a Financial Pro Lost His House [NY Times] “The process of making financial decisions is about more than building a spreadsheet to calculate the answer, because life rarely fits cleanly into a spreadsheet.”

15 Career Advice Sites You Should Know About [Wise Bread] “These sites can help you not only land a job you love, but do it better than everyone else.”

5 Financial Steps to Take as Soon as You Say “I Do” [Money Talks News] “Here’s how to make sure your new family gets off on the right foot.”

5 Money-Saving Holiday Strategies [Smart Money] “To get this year’s best deals, many shoppers are abandoning timeworn strategies.”

—FREE MONEY FINANCE

Car-Buying Help: 5 Smart Resources to Get the Right Car at the Right Price [Moneyland] “Here’s a list of helpful and informative resources of use to first-time buyers and experienced negotiators alike.”

Waiting for the cable guy is costing us $38 billion [CNN Money] “The vast majority of Americans, or 57%, say they spent the most time waiting for the cable guy.”

21 Frugal Ways to Reward Yourself Right Now [Wise Bread] “Wallet-friendly ideas to reward yourself.”

5 Things to Buy Used [US News] “Here are five categories where you can buy used items that are almost as good, just as good, or even better than what you can purchase brand new.”

More Year-End Tax-Saving Strategies [Smart Money] “Several ways to cut your tax bill, including selling investment losers and giving to charity.”

—FREE MONEY FINANCE