Trent Hamm

The Simple Dollar is a blog for those of us who need both cents and sense: people fighting debt and bad spending habits while building a financially secure future and still affording a latte or two. Our busy lives are crazy enough without having to compare five hundred mutual funds – we just want simple ways to manage our finances and save a little money.

Recent stories

• The Simple Dollar One checking account – or two?
• The Simple Dollar Fuel-efficient cars: Saving gas means saving money
• The Simple Dollar Going shopping? Know your target.
• The Simple Dollar Teach kids personal finance through experience: six tips
• The Simple Dollar High gas prices? 14 ways to save money on fuel.
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Editors' picks:

Doing Good

What happens when ordinary people decide to pay it forward? Extraordinary change...

Dave Valle started Esperanza International in 1995. Since then, Esperanza has given $38 million in microloans to support small businesses.

Dave Valle plays on a new field: microloans that help to end poverty

As a pro baseball player in the Dominican Republic Dave Valle saw poverty up close. Now his microloans are helping to end it.