Following a year of increased home sales and prices, it remains to be seen if that trend will continue in 2014. The same goes for auto sales. So far, both markets saw declines in January. Consumer use of nonrevolving credit (like auto loans, personal loans and other financing options) tends to correlate with home and… Read More

If you’ve had to go get a new passport lately, you have learned (like me) it’s no longer the easiest thing to prove that you’re you. If you’re a first-timer, you must show up in person with a birth certificate, at least one government-issued ID (two if it’s out of state), photocopies, forms and fees,… Read More

At the start of a new year, many of us make resolutions. Often, these resolutions can seem to contradict each other. For example if getting healthy was on your list, you might have joined a gym. But that added cost is cutting into your goal of saving more money in 2014. The two resolutions don’t… Read More

The holiday season is a peak time for shopping, and also for signing up for those ubiquitous store credit cards. But with holidays behind us and spring around the corner, what should you do with all of the store credit cards that now fill your wallet? Here are a few ideas for how to manage… Read More

Even if you’re an old hand at budgeting, you probably get tripped up by the occasional “unexpected” expense. One-off expenses like car registration fees, annual HVAC maintenance appointments, and even routine medical expenses can throw even the most detailed budget for a loop. If you’re ready to be better prepared – instead of being surprised… Read More

If you learn only one thing about credit, let it be this: Pay your bills on time. Fail to do so, and you’ll have trouble getting loans or credit cards. Think of it this way: When you apply for a job, your potential employer looks at your resume and watches out for any indication you… Read More

Someday, your kid’s credit score will be his or hers alone. But in the meantime, if you want to give her a running start, there are things you can do to make sure those all-important digits start high, so your kid will work to maintain the scores rather than to build credit from scratch, which… Read More

Admittedly it sounds fishy: you may be a few clicks away from no-strings-attached cash. But it’s no scam. The fact is that states are holding onto literally billions of dollars in unclaimed property that belongs to people all of the country – and some of that could be yours. Just look at the amount of unclaimed… Read More

When buying your first home, you’ll have lots of lingo to get caught up on quickly. Understanding the process can help limit the surprises during what is likely the biggest purchase you have ever made in your life. A good faith estimate can help. A good faith estimate approximates the final cost of completing the… Read More

Believe it or not, this winter’s snow and cold will eventually be a thing of the past. And with the spring will come the nearly irresistible urge to purge your house of all the extra stuff that is lurking in the closets, hanging out in the garage or hiding under your kids’ beds. While a… Read More