The College Student’s Personal Finance Guide to Adulting

You’ve got the applications filled out and you have a list of your favorite schools — but what about your financial plan? While it’s easy for money management to slip your mind, planning for college financial management now can save you money-related stress later (like, during finals). Get these essentials covered and you’ll be in good shape to ace your budgeting all year.

How Much Money Do You Need To Buy A House?

You’ve been diligently saving, and that savings account you’ve amassed looks pretty healthy. Now you’re ready to take the plunge and buy your own home. But have you considered all the items you’re going to need cash for between now and closing the deal? Are you sure you have enough?

How to Have a Big Wedding for a Small Price

It’s easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of planning a wedding. But budgeting in advance is key for truly enjoying your big day, and it helps you avoid the stress of a large bill after the festivities are over. Use these tips for the wedding of your dreams — you might even save some money along the way.

How Much Should You Spend on Rent?

For decades, the general rule has been that you should not spend more than 30 percent of your income on housing. Yet, with increasing expenses and slow growth in wages, this number has become less realistic for a growing number of Americans. Whether you can keep your rent below the 30 percent threshold or not, here are some important numbers to keep in mind when working on your monthly budget.

How To Create A Budget For Your Teenage Kids

By the time they’re teenagers, most kids begin tugging hard at their parental leashes that hold them to childhood. They want to be treated as adults, but in many cases lack the fundamental life skills that will enable them to function as adults — skills like budgeting. You can make a budget for them, of course, but financial blogger Dave Ramsey suggests that taking a purely instructional approach may backfire. Instead, let your teenager take as much control as possible while offering a little — or a lot — of guidance.

How To Save Money When You're in Debt

Tackling your debts might require some courage, but it’s an essential step to boosting your financial health and setting the stage for a successful future. And while it can feel a little tempting to throw every extra cent into wiping out debt, it’s important to save money, too. Here’s how to balance these two financial heavyweights and succeed at both.