Personal Finance Resources for Life Events

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.

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.

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.

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).

The skills gap between the past and future of work is growing wider, but online courses can help retrain and upskill job seekers.

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.

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.

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.

A furlough, sometimes referred to as involuntary leave, is an unpaid pause in work or a reduction of hours. Learn how furlough works.

Thinking of taking that next big step? Here are some guidelines on how to shop for an engagement ring and how much you may need to spend.

Knowing how much to spend on a wedding can be tricky. Find out about average wedding costs to help you plan accordingly.

Teaching children about money involves lessons about earning, budgeting, investing, borrowing, planning, and entrepreneurship.

A thorough wedding planning checklist is the key to staying organized. Make your big day less stressful and more enjoyable with these checklist tips.

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.

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.

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.

See how to buy a foreclosed home. Learn how to find foreclosure listings, pitfalls to avoid, and steps to navigate the buying process.

Many factors affect the cost of home insurance, with where you live and how much it costs to rebuild your home topping the list.

Explore the ins and outs of purchasing a second home. See how to get a second home mortgage and other important considerations.

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.

There are benefits and drawbacks to biweekly mortgage payments. See whether biweekly payments make sense for you, and alternatives to consider.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

These tips from real estate experts show ways to increase the value of your home without throwing money down the drain.

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.

Typically, closing costs range from 2% to 5% of the loan. They include appraisal fees, title insurance, attorney fees, home insurance, and more.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Explore the pros and cons of refinancing your home mortgage, including potential cost savings, risks, and considerations. See whether refinancing is right for you.

See options for financing home improvements including a personal loan, home equity loan, home equity line of credit (HELOC), cash-out refinance, and credit cards.

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.

See how to calculate home equity. Use our home equity calculator to quickly estimate how much available equity you may have in your home.

With an amortized loan, payments are applied to both the principal and interest. Learn how amortization works and calculate your amortization schedule.

An accurate home budget can help you plan for the true cost of home ownership.

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.

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.

Before approving you for a home loan, lenders may look at your income, assets, and credit score. These tips could boost your chances of getting a mortgage.

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.

Closing costs are usually between 2% and 5% of the home's purchase price – but regional taxes and variations in home prices may make a big difference.

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.

Got your eye on your dream home? Following these steps may help you successfully navigate the process of buying that house.

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.

Vesting is the process through which an employee gains ownership of their employer-contributed retirement funds or employee stock ownership plans.

How to invest for retirement has changed over time. Understanding where retirement strategy is heading can help you plan for your own retirement.

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.

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.

Want to know more about retirement planning? Discover the different types of retirement plans and their tax advantages that help you save.

Dreaming of retiring in your 30s? Find out how you can save enough money to retire early and enjoy life.

Starting a retirement fund is key to your post-work future – and experts say you should begin saving for retirement in your 20s. Here’s how to get started.

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 2.0 expands retirement plan access, increases savings opportunities, and offers more flexibility to address the needs of today’s workforce.