If your weekends are busy with virtual walkarounds or at-home test drives, but this is your first time hearing the term VIN (pronounced "vin"), you might want to put the brakes on used car shopping. Auto manufacturers assign a VIN (vehicle identification number) to every car. It's made up of 17 unique letters and numbers that could unlock a car's troubled past, preventing you from purchasing a...

If there's one decision you should make early in the homebuying process, it's whether you want to buy a newly constructed home or an existing one. They both have pros and cons, but a disadvantage for one buyer might very well be an unexpected bonus for another. Consider these five factors before deciding whether an existing home or new construction is the better choice for you. Design Older homes...

If college graduation is around the corner, you've probably been exploring your employment options. It's likely that one of your biggest concerns at the moment is compensation. After all, you have student loans to repay. But only focusing on the starting salary of each job opportunity may cause you to overlook two factors that could influence the value of those earnings: cost of living and...

After a challenging year, kids of all ages are ready to dive into a summer filled with concerts, baseball games, and trips to the amusement park. But the cost of admission tickets can feel like you've been thrown into the deep end, especially if you have a large family. So when your tribe is ready to make a splash while keeping costs down, review this list of low-cost warm weather activities the...

A spontaneous lifestyle could be standing between you and your financial goals. But weighing the costs and benefits of every single purchase can snuff the fun out of life. There is a way, though, to balance spontaneity and financial responsibility. If your impulsive life choices are harming your finances, creating a financial cushion can be a smart move. Here's how to be financially prepared for...

Without a financial strategy, creating positive cash flow during retirement can be tricky. While your 401(k), pension, and social security benefits may yield a steady stream of monthly income in your golden years, there's another investment option worth considering — certificates of deposit (CDs). Ignoring the benefits of CDs in your retirement portfolio could mean missing out on an opportunity...

It seems like only yesterday you heard the words "You're hired!" for the first time. Now, 40+ years and several career moves later, you're considering your workforce exit strategy. While many people are eager to say goodbye to report deadlines, Monday meetings, and late-night work projects, you're hesitant to leave behind beloved coworkers and a steady paycheck. And that's okay — maybe even better...

Congratulations on receiving your college degree! Before you enter the workforce or enroll in an advanced degree program, there’s one more subject you still need to master – personal finance. By establishing smart money habits early in life, you might be able to avoid financial heartache down the road. Thankfully, you won’t need to sit through another lecture to gain the knowledge necessary to ace...

When your household expenses exceed your income, you know you need to adjust your spending. You've heard it all before: snip the streaming services, turn down the thermostat, cancel the gym membership — basically, cut out just about everything in your life that brings you joy or comfort. While these are excellent ways to save hundreds of dollars, who wants to deprive themselves of all those things...