CreditShack.org

Each week I summarize noteworthy credit and money management articles in the news and in the personal finance blogosphere. Without further adieu:

• One reason we get into debt is that it’s hard to keep up with the necessary expenses of life, like soaring electric and gas bills. Jonathan @ MyMoneyBlog asks, “Do You Have a Water Leak?” He reports that leaky toilets can secretly flush away up to 10,000 gallons every month! Your toilet’s uncontrolled drinking problem could cost you $500 a year!
• Fivecentnickel put together a nice list of 0% balance transfer offers that could help you slash your debt more quickly.
• Don Nunn cleans up his debt.
• Someone’s Been Using My Gift Card: BusinessWeek reports on the growing threat of gift card fraud. Gift cards generally have fewer protections against fraud and less consumer recourse than credit cards.
• The Motley Fool reports the Top New Credit Cards of 2006, most of which offer substantial cash rebates and/or rewards.