Money guides
Sixteen plain-English guides for US households. Each covers the key ideas, the questions to ask, what to watch out for, and where to find free official help.
Mortgages and home
Getting ready to buy, choosing a loan, closing, refinancing and home equity.
- Getting mortgage-ready
What lenders look at, and how to get your finances in shape before you apply.
- Mortgage types explained
Fixed or adjustable, conventional or government-backed, and what each one means for you.
- Down payments and mortgage insurance
How much to put down, what PMI costs you, and how to get rid of it.
- Closing costs and the Loan Estimate
Reading your Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure, and where you can save.
- When refinancing makes sense
Working out whether a new mortgage actually saves money, and what can go wrong.
- Home equity loans and HELOCs
Borrowing against your home: how it works and when it is risky.
Saving
Emergency funds, where to keep cash, saving for goals and retirement basics.
- Building an emergency fund
How much to keep, where to keep it, and how to build it on a tight budget.
- Savings accounts, CDs and insurance
Choosing where to keep cash, and making sure it is protected.
- Saving for goals with sinking funds
Planning for the expenses you know are coming, so they stop feeling like emergencies.
- Retirement account basics
401(k)s, IRAs, employer matches and the difference between traditional and Roth.
Credit and loans
Credit reports and scores, paying down card debt, personal, auto and student loans.
- Credit scores and credit reports
What goes into your score, how to check your reports for free, and how to fix errors.
- Paying down credit card debt
Avalanche or snowball, balance transfers, and getting out without new debt.
- Personal loans and auto loans
Comparing APRs, fees and loan terms so a loan costs as little as possible.
- Student loan basics
Federal versus private loans, repayment options, and avoiding costly mistakes.
Budget and protection
A budget you can stick to, and how to spot scams and predatory lending.
- Building a budget that works
Simple budgeting methods and how to choose one you'll actually stick with.
- Avoiding scams and predatory lending
Payday loans, debt relief scams and the warning signs that protect your money.
General education, not individual financial, legal or tax advice. See our disclosures.