Personal Finance Resources for Life Events
Resources to prepare you for life's biggest events.
FEATURED ARTICLES
What Is Car Finance and How Does It Work?
Learn the differences between bank and dealer auto loans, and how your down payment and loan length affect your total cost of owning the car.
How Do You Lease a Car and How Much Does Leasing Cost?
Learn more about car leasing, how it works, and what it means, as it can have a major impact on your credit report.
Should You Get a Personal Loan to Buy a Car?
You’re usually best off with an auto loan when you buy a car, but there are a handful of special situations where a personal loan may be a better bet.
WHAT'S NEW
Evaluate the pros and cons of electric vehicles (EVs), including savings, environmental impact, and more. See if an electric car is right for you.
Purchasing a car with cash can offer some benefits, but it may not be right for everyone. See how to buy a car with cash, along with the pros and cons of doing so.
How to Find New Car Rebates and Incentives
See how to find new car rebates and incentives that can help you save money on your next vehicle purchase. Learn where to look for available offers.
ALL AUTO ARTICLES
Evaluate the pros and cons of electric vehicles (EVs), including savings, environmental impact, and more. See if an electric car is right for you.
See how to find new car rebates and incentives that can help you save money on your next vehicle purchase. Learn where to look for available offers.
Purchasing a car with cash can offer some benefits, but it may not be right for everyone. See how to buy a car with cash, along with the pros and cons of doing so.
Purchasing a car with cash can offer some benefits, but it may not be right for everyone. See how to buy a car with cash, along with the pros and cons of doing so.
Prequalification is an easy way to find out what type of car loans you may be able to get. It can be a low-risk way to get informed if you’re just shopping around.
Auto Loan Calculator: Use this auto loan calculator to find out how much your car payment could be. See factors that can influence the amount.
Learn how to lease a car like a pro and get the right car lease deal for you by simply following these steps.
Are you looking for ways to make extra cash? Learn how to make money with your car with ridesharing, delivering food, advertising, and more.
You’re usually best off with an auto loan when you buy a car, but there are a handful of special situations where a personal loan may be a better bet.
Learn more about car leasing, how it works, and what it means, as it can have a major impact on your credit report.
Learn the differences between bank and dealer auto loans, and how your down payment and loan length affect your total cost of owning the car.
FEATURED ARTICLES
Can I Refinance My Student Loan?
Refinancing your student loans can lower your interest rates and save you money, but it’s not right for everyone. Learn the pros and cons of refinancing student loans.
What is Student Loan Debt Forgiveness?
Learn about student loan debt forgiveness, including different types of forgiveness and their qualification requirements.
How to Get Smarter About Saving for College
Saving for your child’s college education can help them graduate with less debt—making their experience more rewarding and improving their long-term financial outlook.
WHAT'S NEW
Your Guide to Graduate School Loans
Financing grad school can seem daunting. See how to cover the cost of your tuition and other expenses with graduate student loans (federal and private).
Discover alternatives to college including apprenticeships, vocational training, entrepreneurship, online courses, employment, and more.
Explore various ways to pay for college, including scholarships, grants, student loans, and other financial aid programs to help cover tuition costs and expenses.
ALL COLLEGE ARTICLES
Financing grad school can seem daunting. See how to cover the cost of your tuition and other expenses with graduate student loans (federal and private).
Discover alternatives to college including apprenticeships, vocational training, entrepreneurship, online courses, employment, and more.
Explore various ways to pay for college, including scholarships, grants, student loans, and other financial aid programs to help cover tuition costs and expenses.
Refinancing your student loans can lower your interest rates and save you money, but it’s not right for everyone. Learn the pros and cons of refinancing student loans.
Learn about student loan debt forgiveness, including different types of forgiveness and their requirements.
Saving for your child’s college education can help them graduate with less debt—making their experience more rewarding and improving their long-term financial outlook.
FEATURED ARTICLES
10 Ways to Maximize Your Unemployment Benefits
Learn about ways to make the most out of your unemployment insurance benefits so your time between jobs can be less stressful and more productive.
Retraining Yourself for the Future of Work
The skills gap between the past and future of work is growing wider, but online courses can help retrain and upskill job seekers.
Tips for Filing Unemployment Claims
If you’re suddenly out of a job, unemployment claims can help you get by. Here’s what you need to know to start claiming unemployment benefits.
WHAT'S NEW
What Is Employment Identity Theft and How Does It Happen?
Employment identity theft occurs when someone steals your Social Security number or other information to apply for a job. See how to safeguard against it.
What Does Furlough Mean and How Does It Work?
A furlough, sometimes referred to as involuntary leave, is an unpaid pause in work or a reduction of hours. Learn how furlough works.
Looking for ways to make money from home? Learn how to embrace new ways to earn money, from capitalizing on your interests to trying out new business ventures.
ALL EMPLOYMENT ARTICLES
Employment identity theft occurs when someone steals your Social Security number or other information to apply for a job. See how to safeguard against it.
A furlough, sometimes referred to as involuntary leave, is an unpaid pause in work or a reduction of hours. Learn how furlough works.
Learn about ways to make the most out of your unemployment insurance benefits so your time between jobs can be less stressful and more productive.
The skills gap between the past and future of work is growing wider, but online courses can help retrain and upskill job seekers.
If you’re suddenly out of a job, unemployment claims can help you get by. Here’s what you need to know to start claiming unemployment benefits.
Looking for ways to make money from home? Learn how to embrace new ways to earn money, from capitalizing on your interests to trying out new business ventures.
FEATURED ARTICLES
How Much Should You Spend on an Engagement Ring in 2022?
Thinking of taking that next big step? Here are some guidelines on how to shop for, and how much to spend on, an engagement ring.
What Does an Average Wedding Cost?
Knowing how much to spend on a wedding can be tricky. Find out about average wedding costs to help you plan accordingly.
Parents’ Guide: Teaching Kids About Money
Teaching children about money involves lessons about earning, budgeting, investing, borrowing, planning, and entrepreneurship.
WHAT'S NEW
Parents’ Guide: Teaching Kids About Money
Teaching children about money involves lessons about earning, budgeting, investing, borrowing, planning, and entrepreneurship.
Plan Your Big Day With the Ultimate Wedding Checklist
Wedding Planning checklist is the key to staying organized. Make your big day less stressful and more enjoyable. Download these checklists and mobile apps.
How to Finance an Engagement Ring
You can finance an engagement ring with options like cash, credit cards, or a personal loan. Explore which option works best for you and your partner.
ALL FAMILY ARTICLES
Wedding Planning checklist is the key to staying organized. Make your big day less stressful and more enjoyable. Download these checklists and mobile apps.
Thinking of taking that next big step? Here are some guidelines on how to shop for, and how much to spend on, an engagement ring.
Knowing how much to spend on a wedding can be tricky. Find out about average wedding costs to help you plan accordingly.
Budgeting for baby expenses helps parents prepare for baby’s arrival. This list of expenses and money-saving strategies can help you be financially stronger for your baby.
Teaching children about money involves lessons about earning, budgeting, investing, borrowing, planning, and entrepreneurship.
Bottom line, it’s all relative: There’s no upper or lower income limit for having a baby, and the cost of child-rearing generally tracks with your income.
You can finance an engagement ring with options like cash, credit cards, or a personal loan. Explore which option works best for you and your partner.
FEATURED ARTICLES
10 Factors That Affect Home Insurance Costs
Many factors affect the cost of home insurance, with where you live and how much it costs to rebuild your home topping the list.
9 Ways to Finance Home Improvements
Home improvement projects are often expensive, so finding the best way to pay when renovating your home could be an important part of your planning.
Can First-Time Home Buyers Get a Tax Credit?
Though the first-time homebuyer tax credit is no longer an option, there are many ways you can save money on your taxes as a new homeowner.
WHAT'S NEW
Gift Letters For Mortgages: How Do They Work?
When you are applying for a mortgage, the lender will need to know that your down payment funds are your own and not a loan. A gift letter can show this.
Pros and Cons of Refinancing Your Home
Explore the pros and cons of refinancing your home mortgage, including potential cost savings, risks, and considerations. See whether refinancing is right for you.
How to Buy a House Without a REALTOR®
Explore the process of buying a house without a real estate agent, including benefits, challenges, and essential steps to navigate the home-buying journey independently.
ALL HOME OWNERSHIP ARTICLES
When you are applying for a mortgage, the lender will need to know that your down payment funds are your own and not a loan. A gift letter can show this.
Explore the pros and cons of refinancing your home mortgage, including potential cost savings, risks, and considerations. See whether refinancing is right for you.
Closing costs are usually between 2% and 6% of the home's purchase price – but regional taxes and variations in home prices can make a big difference.
Explore the ins and outs of purchasing a second home. See how to get a second home mortgage and other important considerations.
See how to calculate how much you may be able to borrow for a home improvement loan. You can use a calculator to plan your monthly payments.
Explore the process of buying a house without a real estate agent, including benefits, challenges, and essential steps to navigate the home-buying journey independently.
There are benefits and drawbacks to biweekly mortgage payments. See whether biweekly payments make sense for you, and alternatives to consider.
Typically, closing costs range from 2% to 5% of the loan. They include appraisal fees, title insurance, attorney fees, home insurance, and more.
With an amortized loan, payments are applied to both the principal and interest. Learn how amortization works and calculate your amortization schedule.
Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio compares your monthly debt expenses to your earnings. Learn what debt-to-income ratio you need for a mortgage.
Gain insights into the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio and its impact on mortgage terms and eligibility. Plus, learn ways to lower your LTV ratio.
Understand the distinctions between Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and their roles in the mortgage market. Learn how these entities influence mortgage lending and homeownership.
Mortgage points are fees that a buyer can pay to help reduce interest on their mortgage. Learn how mortgage points work and see if they could help you save.
See how to buy a foreclosed home. Learn how to find foreclosure listings, pitfalls to avoid, and steps to navigate the buying process.
See how to calculate home equity. Use our home equity calculator to quickly estimate how much available equity you may have in your home.
If you’re considering a home that’s in a Homeowner’s Association (HOA), you’ll want to carefully consider the pros and cons. Learn more about what HOA fees are and how they work.
A home inspection can reveal important information about the condition of a home, helping you to make an informed purchasing decision.
Equal opportunity housing aims to ensure that everyone has fair and equal access to housing. Read on to learn what this legislation means for you.
You can use home equity in a number of different ways, but you’ll want to carefully consider the pros and cons of tapping into your home’s equity first.
Learn the risks and rewards of doing a cash-out refinancing of your mortgage to help tackle some of your biggest personal finance goals and challenges.
Closing costs are usually between 2% and 6% of the home's purchase price – but regional taxes and variations in home prices can make a big difference.
There isn’t one exact credit score that you need to get a mortgage. Credit score requirements can vary depending on the type of loan and issuer.
Explore the concept of earnest money in real estate transactions and its purpose and function in fostering trust between buyers and sellers.
Explore the role of escrow in securing financial transactions, especially in real estate, and see how it can protect both buyers and sellers.
Buying a house can be a complex process. New approaches may make it easier, but it’s a good idea to understand all the key requirements and possible approaches.
You may no longer have to make a big down payment to buy a home – but the traditional 20% down payment still has some advantages.
Buying your first home can seem like a big project, but this financial checklist can help you manage it – and increase your confidence in the process.
Figuring out how much money to save to buy a house – and how to save it – takes time and strategy. Here are some ways to save money to buy that house you have your eye on.
An accurate home budget can help you plan for the true cost of home ownership.
Learn what home appraisals are, how much they cost, who does them, why they’re so important to the home-buying process – and what to do if yours comes in low.
There are two basic reasons for refinancing your home: to get more cash to spend now, or to pay less for your home over the long run.
These tips from real estate experts show ways to increase the value of your home without throwing money down the drain.
A VA home loan is a mortgage guaranteed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). There are several benefits to these types of loans – if you qualify.
Before approving you for a home loan, lenders may look at your income, assets, and credit score. These tips could boost your chances of a getting a mortgage.
Deciding whether to rent or buy a home is a big decision. Crunching the financial numbers is important, but so too is a clear-eyed sense of what fits your life best.
Many factors affect the cost of home insurance, with where you live and how much it costs to rebuild your home topping the list.
Home improvement projects are often expensive, so finding the best way to pay when renovating your home could be an important part of your planning.
Though the first-time homebuyer tax credit is no longer an option, there are many ways you can save money on your taxes as a new homeowner.
Got your eye on your dream home? Following these steps may help you successfully navigate the process of buying that house.
FEATURED ARTICLES
Dreaming of retiring in your 30s? Find out how you can save enough money to retire early and enjoy life.
Explaining 6 Key Types of Retirement Plans
Want to know more about retirement planning? Discover the different types of retirement plans and their tax advantages that help you save.
Tips for Retirement Investment Options
How to invest for retirement has changed over time. Understanding where retirement strategy is heading can help you plan for your own retirement.
WHAT'S NEW
How Much Money Should You Have Saved by Age 60?
Most workers worry they won’t have enough money saved up to retire comfortably. Estimating how much you’d need by age 60 can help boost your confidence.
How the SECURE Act Affects Your Retirement
The SECURE Act retirement bill offers new incentives for individuals to invest in retirement plans, and for employers to provide them.
Vesting is the process through which an employee gains ownership of their employer-contributed retirement funds or employee stock ownership plans.
ALL RETIREMENT ARTICLES
Vesting is the process through which an employee gains ownership of their employer-contributed retirement funds or employee stock ownership plans.
Starting a retirement fund is key to your post-work future – and experts say you should begin saving for retirement in yours 20s. Here’s how to get started.
There are several ways to withdraw from your retirement funds early. Understanding all the costs—today and for your future—can help you decide whether it’s right for you.
Want to know more about retirement planning? Discover the different types of retirement plans and their tax advantages that help you save.
How to invest for retirement has changed over time. Understanding where retirement strategy is heading can help you plan for your own retirement.
Dreaming of retiring in your 30s? Find out how you can save enough money to retire early and enjoy life.
Retirement spending plans tell you what portion of your retirement savings you can spend each year. Here’s how to start a retirement spending plan of your own.
Most workers worry they won’t have enough money saved up to retire comfortably. Estimating how much you’d need by age 60 can help boost your confidence
The SECURE Act retirement bill offers new incentives for individuals to invest in retirement plans, and for employers to provide them.
FEATURED ARTICLES
What You Need to Know About the Moving Expense Tax Deduction
The latest tax overhaul did away with moving expense deductions for most people, but there are still possible tax consequences you need to know.
7 Top Tax Deductions for Homeowners
To encourage home ownership, the federal government offers many tax deductions for homeowners that can lower taxes and put money back into their pocket – or your home.
EXPLORE TOPICS BY LIFE EVENT
The material made available for you on this website, Credit Intel, is for informational purposes only and intended for U.S. residents and is not intended to provide legal, tax or financial advice. If you have questions, please consult your own professional legal, tax and financial advisors.
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