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Household Finance

Photo of delighted woman and man holding money in hands smiling.
Household Finance
Save, spend, or invest: How to handle tax refunds and other financial windfalls
To splurge, or not to splurge: That is the question.
Small stack of dollars, speedometer, big stack of dollars.
Household Finance
Dynamic pricing: Fair market, surge, or gouge?
The invisible hand in plain sight.

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Rent or buy? When to choose one over the otherPride of ownership can come at a steep cost.
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Generative AI for money management: 5 use casesBudgeting with artificial intelligence.

Explore all in Household Finance

10 ways the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects you
You may have debt, but you also have rights.
6 key strategies for a debt management program
Because debt collection is never any fun.
7 steps to pay off student loans faster
You can do this.
A guide to managing divorce and your finances
Financial decoupling.
Alternative minimum tax: Is it only for the wealthy?
A high income may require alternative tax calculations.
Applying for student financial aid? Introducing the Student Aid Index (SAI) and other FAFSA changes
Why is FAFSA simplification so confusing?
ATM fees: Easy ways to avoid them with a little planning
ATM fees can become a thing of the past.
Bank runs: What they are and why they happen
It’s about confidence (or lack thereof).
Banking online: Are electronic payment methods really as safe as writing checks and filing paper statements?
Actually, they’re much safer—and more convenient.
Bankruptcy, credit counseling, and debtor education: 6 things to know
Bankruptcy is a right, but also a responsibility.
Best rewards credit card: Airline miles, points, or cash back?
The best rewards card is one you’ll use.
Borrowing from your parents (the Bank of Mom & Dad)
Family lending—the right way.
Breaking the taboo: Why you need to talk money with your partner
“The talk:” awkward, but worth having.
Buying vs. leasing a car: Which route is best?
How long do you want to keep it?
Can automatic bill pay and other tools help you put your money on autopilot?
Commence budgeting sequence.
Capital gains and losses: Keeping track and paying taxes
What happens when you sell an asset?
CD investor? Tips and strategies to turbocharge your savings
Is it time to ladder certificates of deposit?
Certificate of deposit (CD) vs. savings account: How to choose
One or the other, or both, or neither?
Chapter 11 bankruptcy: A little breathing room while a company restructures
Relieve, reorganize, renegotiate—and hopefully, don’t repeat.
Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection: When financial issues hit a breaking point
The liquidation solution.
Charitable giving: Learn about the ways and whys of donation
Make the world a better place and (maybe) get a tax break.
Checking account vs. savings account: Choose one or choose both
Tools to power your budgeting, saving, and goal planning.
College readiness: Financial factors to consider as your child navigates high school
It’s academic.
College savings plans: Why an early start can pay off
Never too early to start.
Credit card companies: Who’s who and how they make money
Learn about networks vs. issuers.
Credit card reward strategies: Getting more from each purchase
Credit tips, tricks, and potential pitfalls.
Credit limits: What they are and how to increase yours
That limit may be there for a reason.
Debit card fraud 101: Are you liable?
Sidestepping the skim scam.
Debt snowball or debt avalanche: Which is smarter for paying off debt?
Prioritize your highest APR.
Dental insurance: Is it worth buying?
Insuring those pearly whites can cost you some green.
Do medical bills affect your credit? 5 things to know
Adding insult to injury.
Do you need a second-chance checking account?
Take another shot at financial stability.
Donating to a 501(c)(3): Research, verify, donate, itemize, and deduct
Remember to keep your receipts.
Donor-advised funds: A way to give to charity and get a tax break
Set up your own charitable “foundation.”
Don’t fear the gift tax: Understanding gift tax exclusions and rules for 2024
Most people can give without being taxed.
Dynamic pricing: Fair market, surge, or gouge?
The invisible hand in plain sight.
Employee stock options and other equity-based incentives
Getting everyone’s interests aligned.
Facing a financial quagmire? Chapter 13 can help you create a repayment plan
In need of a little breathing room?
Federal loans vs. private loans: Understanding student loan issuer types
Which loans should you get?
Federal student loans: Subsidized vs. unsubsidized loans
You might get one, or both, types.
Filing for personal bankruptcy: What it is, how to do it, and when to consider it
It could solve some problems but create others.
Filing your taxes: Answers to 6 frequently asked questions
DIY or get help?
First-time home buyer? Here’s what you need to know
It’s a big step. You ready?
Form 1099: What it’s for and how it affects your taxes
Are you withholding or estimating enough tax?
Generative AI for money management: 5 use cases
Budgeting with artificial intelligence.
Getting maximum value from downsizing: Declutter for fun and profit
Simplify, simplify.
Gig econ 101: Using side-hustle income to boost your finances
Got a gig on the side?
Give till it hurts: A list of the taxes we pay
A little here, a little there, and it really adds up.
Good debt vs. bad debt: It’s all about targeting your goals
Some types of debt are better than others.
Health flexible spending accounts (FSAs): A tax-free way to manage health care costs
Stretch your medical spending dollars.
HELOC vs. second mortgage: Different home equity loan types
Two ways to tap home equity.
HO-1 to HO-8: Comparing home insurance policy types
Eight policies to cover your property.
Home improvement projects that pay for themselves
Updates that add real value to your home.
Homeowners associations (HOAs): Pros, cons, and what you need to know
We’re thankful for them (but we complain anyway).
How college scholarships can help you pay for school
Reduce the need for student loans.
How debt collection affects your credit score—and steps you can take
A light at the end of the credit report tunnel.
How does a mortgage work? A walk through the numbers
Principal, interest, escrow, and more.
How interest rates work: A beginner’s guide for borrowers and savers
What you earn and what you pay.
How money moves in the era of digital payment systems
From tapping (Morse) code to an encoded tap.
How to buy solar panels for your home
Sun-thing worth considering.
How to freeze your credit—and when to consider it
Worried about identity theft and fraud?
How to pay for college: A timeline from preschool to high school
In a word: Start saving soon.
How to raise your credit score
Consider these four money moves.
How to spot a spoofing attack—whether via email, text, or social media
Spoofing scams aim to swipe your info.
How to use credit cards to improve your credit score
Swipe, pay off, repeat.
How to use Federal Work-Study as part of your financial aid
Get guaranteed student income.
How to use pay-by-phone apps
One tap and you’re done.
How your credit report influences your credit score
Good credit has its perks.
Is pet insurance really worth it? Let your pet be the judge
The dog ate my … wallet.
Is your head spinning with mortgage terms?
Here’s a glossary for you.
I’ve got a trip coming up. Do I need travel insurance?
Peace of mind is a good thing, but consider the cost.
Joint bank accounts: The pros and cons of combining finances
With this account, I thee join?
Keys to vehicle buying: How to finance a car
Nail down the numbers.
Managing the cost of college with 529 plans
A tax-advantaged way to save for education.
Money basics for kids: 5 skills to teach them now
Steady saving, smart spending, generous giving.
Money market account vs. CD: Which one should you choose?
Different accounts for different purposes.
Money market account vs. checking account: Which is best?
Two tools for managing your money.
Money market account vs. money market fund: What’s the difference?
Both offer interest, but only one is an investment.
Mortgage refinancing: Lower payments, shorter terms, or “cash-out” refi?
You have choices.
Mortgage types: Fixed vs. variable, 30-year and other loan terms, and more
You thought choosing paint would be hard.
Need financial help? Finding and working with a credit counselor
You need a credit counselor who really gets you.
No strings attached: Your guide to college grants
Pell Grants and more.
Overdraft protection: For insufficient funds in your checking account
Protection is insurance, and insurance costs money.
Parent PLUS Loans: You might be eligible, but should you take one?
This PLUS has its minuses.
Pay off your mortgage or invest: A homeowner’s dilemma
Pros, cons, and opportunity costs.
Peer-to-peer payments: How and when to use Venmo, Zelle, and others
P2P apps are quick and convenient. Are they safe?
Pell Grant: What it is, who’s eligible, and how to get one
Get an education without going broke.
Powers of attorney: What they are and how they work
Your wish is their command.
PPOs, HMOs, HSAs, and more: An intro to medical insurance types
Spelling out the alphabet soup of health-care plans.
Private mortgage insurance (PMI): Why it’s sometimes required (and how to avoid it)
It’s another good reason to build equity.
Protect yourself: Identity theft is growing more sophisticated
But you can defend yourself.
Rent or buy? When to choose one over the other
Pride of ownership can come at a steep cost.
Retirement and key savings goal plans: Why an early start can help you get ahead
Why an early start can help you achieve more.
Save, spend, or invest: How to handle tax refunds and other financial windfalls
To splurge, or not to splurge: That is the question.
Secured vs. unsecured debt: Understanding the difference and its impact on interest rates
Is your debt backed by collateral?
Selling a house? Follow the 7 steps in our staging checklist
Declutter, beautify, update as needed.
Set up your emergency fund: Saving for a rainy day
A cushion if you fall.
Should you ditch your traditional savings account for a high-yield savings account?
Larger yield, bigger savings.
Should you itemize tax deductions or take the standard deduction?
The math changed in 2018.
Should you rent or buy your home? Weighing the costs and benefits
Planting roots or rolling stone?
Should you use a credit union or a bank?
Your money, your choice.
Shrinkflation: Inflation hiding in plain sight
There’s less there than meets the eye.
Snowbird? Empty nester? Tax tips to consider if you spend time in two states
Do you know your residency rules?
So you want to buy a car? What to know before visiting the dealer
Be sensible, not emotional.
Student loan limits: How much can I borrow, and what happens after that?
You can borrow to pay for your education, but there are limits.
Take cover: Why insurance is necessary and which types you really need
There are several safety nets to consider.
Tax deductions, tax credits, and tax refunds—what’s the difference?
Top line, bottom line, leveling line.
Tax schedules and forms related to Form 1040, U.S. Individual Tax Income Tax Return
So many forms, so little time.
Term life vs. whole life insurance: Which is better for me?
Three questions to ask yourself.
The Biden student loan forgiveness plan is dead. Now what?
Focus on income-driven repayment plans.
The debt-to-income ratio: Your ticket to loan approval and lower rates
Lower your DTI; raise your credit status.
The first-job checklist: Start-up costs and things to do before that first paycheck
This could get expensive.
The new job paperwork checklist: Forms I-9, W-4, and more
A little work before you start work.
The parent PLUS cliff is coming in 2025. Are you ready?
An important consolidation loophole is closing soon.
The student aid index (SAI) and FAFSA: The college cost home stretch
How to grab your share of financial aid.
Time is money: An introduction to financial calculators
The math remains the same.
Understanding consumer confidence and consumer sentiment data
Wallets open or closed?
Understanding credit cards: Their purpose, positives, and potential pitfalls
Swipe, tap, or insert—and then pay.
Understanding different types of life insurance policies
Term versus permanent (plus plenty of subtypes).
Understanding the three types of income: Earned, investment, and passive
The three ways you make money.
Unexpected medical bills? The No Surprises Act can keep you out of debt
Medical needs may be unexpected, but bills shouldn’t be.
Using emergency savings vs. getting an emergency loan
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Using the 50-30-20 rule to power your household budget
It’s a great starting point.
Vision insurance: Is it worth the cost?
Make the choice with clear eyes.
What are tax credits (and how do I get them)?
Children, college kids, EVs, and more.
What does homeowner’s insurance cover, and how much do you need?
Protecting your property.
What everyone should know about debt collection
A road map for the process.
What if you can no longer work? Understanding short-term and long-term disability
Insuring the double whammy of injury and income loss.
What is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and how do I start one?
A tax exemption with approval, compliance, and management complexities.
What is a credit balance transfer? How it works and 3 benefits
Boost your score and reduce your interest.
What is a credit score? And is FICO really the only credit score that matters?
Your guide to credit scores.
What is a credit union? Is it different from a bank?
When a bank isn’t a bank.
What is a health savings account (HSA)?
Tax-advantaged savings for your health care expenses.
What is a living will, and why do you need one?
Don’t make your loved ones guess your wishes.
What is a prenuptial agreement, and should you sign one?
A prenup can offer protection.
What is ABLE? Understanding ABLE accounts for individuals with disabilities
Make life a bit more affordABLE.
What is an EOB? Understanding the explanation of benefits statement from your medical insurance
This is not a bill.
What is an independent student? Your status, FAFSA, and taxes
Understand your expected family contribution.
What is buy now, pay later and should you take advantage of it?
There’s always a catch.
What is credit counseling and how does it work?
Take 7 steps to manage your debt—with expert assistance.
What is due diligence? A professional and personal standard
Be sure to do your homework.
What is life insurance and how does it work?
You could think of it as income insurance.
What is multi-level marketing? A business model that relies on your social connections
Seller, beware.
What it means to be unbanked or underbanked
It’s hard to function financially without a bank.
What to expect when leasing a car: Jargon and math
Wading through the terms and terminology.
What’s a marginal tax rate? How do federal tax brackets work?
Cutting through the tax rate jargon.
When the economy goes south: Recessions, explained
These declines affect everyone.
Why is my paycheck smaller than my salary?
Here’s how to read a pay stub.
Why we still have a gender pay gap in 2024
Wage disparity is persistent and costly.
You can consolidate your credit card, student loan, and other debts, but should you?
Fewer hassles but (maybe) more risk.
You can file a tax extension, but should you?
It’s not just free time.
Your guide to opening and using a bank account
There’s a first time for everything.
Your guide to payday loans, title loans, and other predatory loans
Don’t get trapped in debt.
Your guide to setting a monthly budget
The budget you’ll actually stick to.
Your guide to student loan forgiveness types
Potential paths to a clean slate.
Your household balance sheet: Keeping track of what you own and what you owe
Think of it as a net worth calculator.