Should You Use a HELOC in a Financial Emergency?
As a homeowner, you likely have a lot more equity in your house than you did just a few years ago. U.S. homeowners gained almost $3 trillion in equity in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the previous year, according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St....
How Should I Trim My Monthly Budget?
The investing information provided on this page is for educational purposes only. Over on Reddit, a user recently asked for budgeting advice. After itemizing their current budget, the user was hoping to make cuts to their monthly spending and find a way to save more...
What Kindergartners Should Know About Money
After teaching a class about money to kids, I walked away with the most valuable lesson. When I had the opportunity to share money tips with my son’s kindergarten class, I settled on three main lessons. I figured I would pick some recurring themes from the personal...
No Gift Money? No Problem: How to Afford a House On Your Own
Plenty of first-time homebuyers don’t rely on family money. These expert tips can help you plan your next move. When you’re saving for your first home, it’s natural to wish for a helping hand. It might even feel like everyone else is getting a check from Mom and Dad....
Why ‘Intuitive Budgeting’ Might Be Your New Favorite Budgeting Tool
Following your intuition may be more sustainable than a regimented budgeting approach. Intuitive budgeting involves approximating your expenses instead of counting every penny. For some people, this kind of relaxed approach is more appealing than traditional...
The Do’s and Don’ts of Using AI to Manage Your Finances
The investing information provided on this page is for educational purposes only. Juggling budgeting, debt management and investing for retirement can be overwhelming, but artificial intelligence may be able to help with the balancing act. There are many AI-driven...
Use These 7 Credit Card Tips to Stretch Your Budget
Product changes, retention bonuses and card-linked offers can work in your favor when times are tight. No sugar-coating it: Prices on goods and services remain high. The U.S. inflation rate was 2.8% for the 12-month period ending in February 2025, according to the...
How to Create a Spending Plan
The investing information provided on this page is for educational purposes only. We hear a lot about the importance of saving money, but what if learning how to spend is just as important? Michael Hunsberger, a certified financial planner and owner of Next Mission...
Homebuying Tips This Season for Markets Hot and Cold
Want to be a successful home buyer this spring and summer? Act decisively and swiftly, whether your market is hot or cool. That’s the advice from real estate agents in Boston (a hot, fast-selling market where buyers tussle over scarce houses) and in Dallas (a cooler,...
4 Factors That Could Affect Your Debt — and What You Can Do
Reducing debt is Americans’ top financial priority for 2025. That’s according to the CFP Board of Standard’s Debt and New Year’s Resolutions Report. It’s an understandable goal: Household debt is at an all-time high, delinquencies are rising and policy changes under a...