Watch out for those gift cards with strings
Dear Fixer: My 10-year-old son got a $50 Visa gift card from a family member for his birthday in April 2008. Rather than spend it right away, he decided to "save it for something really cool." I was proud. I had always encouraged him to be wise with his money.

Check charges quickly reach $693
D ear Fixer: I have a $700 problem. I bounced a check -- yep, I did, and I take responsibility for it.

What a fright: Credit card horror stories
Dear Readers: Your credit card horror stories are arriving just in time for Halloween -- and ahead of the CARD (Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure) Act of 2009, which takes effect in February 2010.

Happy Halloween -- on the cheap
Dear Readers: Thanks to everyone who submitted ideas for The Fixer's cheap Halloween costumes contest. We were amazed at how creative some folks got with five bucks or less.