Personal Finance Resources for Life Events
Resources to prepare you for life's biggest events.
FEATURED ARTICLES
How to Prequalify for an Auto Loan
Prequalifying for an auto loan helps you understand your options without affecting your credit. Learn how it works and its benefits.
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.
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
How to Prequalify for an Auto Loan
Prequalifying for an auto loan helps you understand your options without affecting your credit. Learn how it works and its benefits.
How to Buy a Car With Cash
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
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
Auto Loan Calculator
Planning to buy a car? Use our auto loan payment calculator to estimate your monthly payments and find a budget that fits your financial goals.
How to Prequalify for an Auto Loan
Prequalifying for an auto loan helps you understand your options without affecting your credit. Learn how it works and its benefits.
How to Buy a Car With Cash
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.
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.
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.
How to Find New Car Rebates
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.
FEATURED ARTICLES
Can I Refinance My Student Loans?
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 your student loans.
How to Save for College
See tips for parents on how to save for college, including using a 529 savings plan, investing wisely, developing a strategy, and understanding costs.
What Is Student Loan Debt Forgiveness?
Student loan debt forgiveness programs could help you pay off student loans. See different types of student loan debt forgiveness and their requirements.
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).
10 Alternatives to College
Alternatives to college include apprenticeships, vocational training, employment, and more. Learn about them so you can decide if one is right for you.
How to Pay for College
Explore ways to pay for college, including scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid programs to cover tuition and expenses.
ALL COLLEGE ARTICLES
Can I Refinance My Student Loans?
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 your student loans.
10 Alternatives to College
Alternatives to college include apprenticeships, vocational training, employment, and more. Learn about them so you can decide if one is right for you.
How to Pay for College
Explore ways to pay for college, including scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid programs to cover tuition and expenses.
How to Save for College
See tips for parents on how to save for college, including using a 529 savings plan, investing wisely, developing a strategy, and understanding costs.
What Is Student Loan Debt Forgiveness?
Student loan debt forgiveness programs could help you pay off student loans. See different types of student loan debt forgiveness and their requirements.
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).
FEATURED ARTICLES
10 Ways to Maximize Your Unemployment Benefits
See how you can get the most out of your unemployment benefits so that your time between jobs can be less stressful and more productive as well.
How to File an Unemployment Claim
If you’re out of work, unemployment benefits can help you to cover expenses while you look for employment. See how to claim unemployment benefits.
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'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.
10 Ways to Maximize Your Unemployment Benefits
See how you can get the most out of your unemployment benefits so that your time between jobs can be less stressful and more productive as well.
ALL EMPLOYMENT ARTICLES
10 Ways to Maximize Your Unemployment Benefits
See how you can get the most out of your unemployment benefits so that your time between jobs can be less stressful and more productive as well.
How to File an Unemployment Claim
If you’re out of work, unemployment benefits can help you to cover expenses while you look for employment. See how to claim unemployment benefits.
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.
FEATURED ARTICLES
How Much Does an Average Wedding Cost?
Set a realistic wedding budget by understanding average costs. Explore how location, season, and guest count impact your expenses to avoid overspending.
How Much Should an Engagement Ring Cost?
Find out what an engagement ring may cost, what affects the price, and how to choose a ring that fits your budget and priorities.
WHAT'S NEW
Plan Your Big Day With the Ultimate Wedding Checklist
A thorough wedding planning checklist is the key to staying organized. Make your big day less stressful and more enjoyable with these checklist tips.
Can You Finance an Engagement Ring?
Learn more about engagement ring financing. Explore payment options including cash, a credit card, or a loan to see which one's best for you and your partner.
ALL FAMILY ARTICLES
How Much Does an Average Wedding Cost?
Set a realistic wedding budget by understanding average costs. Explore how location, season, and guest count impact your expenses to avoid overspending.
How Much Should an Engagement Ring Cost?
Find out what an engagement ring may cost, what affects the price, and how to choose a ring that fits your budget and priorities.
Can You Finance an Engagement Ring?
Learn more about engagement ring financing. Explore payment options including cash, a credit card, or a loan to see which one's best for you and your partner.
Plan Your Big Day With the Ultimate Wedding Checklist
A thorough wedding planning checklist is the key to staying organized. Make your big day less stressful and more enjoyable with these checklist tips.
Parents’ Guide: Teaching Kids About Money
Teaching children about money involves lessons about earning, budgeting, investing, borrowing, planning, and entrepreneurship.
FEATURED ARTICLES
How Much Is Homeowner’s Insurance?
How much is homeowner’s insurance? Learn about the different factors that determine premiums and get tips for lowering your home insurance payments.
What Debt-to-Income Ratio Do You Need for a Mortgage?
Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio compares your monthly debt payments to your earnings. Learn what debt-to-income ratio you need for a mortgage.
8 Ways to Finance Home Improvements
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.
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
What It Means to Refinance a Home Loan
A home refinance can help you save, pay off a loan sooner, or reach a financial goal. Learn about the risks and rewards of common refinancing options.
What Credit Score Do I Need to Buy a House?
What credit score do you need to buy a house? Different lenders have different requirements. Learn more before applying.
Mortgage Closing Costs and How to Prepare for Them
Closing costs can range from 2%–5% of your total mortgage and commonly include fees for appraisals, insurance, taxes, escrow, and more.
What Is Loan Amortization?
Payments toward amortized loans are applied to both the principal and interest. Learn how amortization works so you can calculate an amortization schedule.
What Are Mortgage Points and How Do They Work?
Learn how mortgage points can lower your interest rate, what they cost, and how to calculate if they’ll save you money over time.
What Is Home Equity and How Can I Use It?
Unlock your home equity wisely. Explore its uses, benefits, and risks to make the best financial choice for you.
How Much Is Homeowner’s Insurance?
How much is homeowner’s insurance? Learn about the different factors that determine premiums and get tips for lowering your home insurance payments.
What Is Cash-Out Refinancing?
A cash-out refinance loan can help you tackle some of your biggest personal finance goals and challenges. Learn about the risks and rewards.
Loan-To-Value (LTV) Ratio: What You Need to Know
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.
What Is Earnest Money and How Does It Work?
Earnest money shows a seller you're serious about buying their home. Learn what it is, how it works, and how much you might need to offer.
What Is Escrow and How Does It Work?
Explore how escrow works, how it protects your money, and why it’s a key step in the homebuying process.
What Debt-to-Income Ratio Do You Need for a Mortgage?
Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio compares your monthly debt payments to your earnings. Learn what debt-to-income ratio you need for a mortgage.
A Guide to Biweekly Mortgage Payments
There are benefits and drawbacks to biweekly mortgage payments. See whether biweekly payments make sense for you, and alternatives to consider.
Using a Home Improvement Loan Calculator
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.
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.
How to Calculate Home Equity
Use our home equity calculator to estimate your available equity. Learn how to calculate equity and what factors affect it.
How to Buy a Foreclosed Home
Learn how to buy a foreclosed home, including how to find listings, avoid pitfalls, and navigate the buying process with confidence.
What Is the Difference Between Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac?
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac play different roles in homebuying. Understand how each one affects your mortgage so you can feel confident when exploring your options.
What Is Equal Opportunity Housing?
Equal opportunity housing aims to ensure that everyone has fair and equal access to housing. Learn how these laws protect buyers and renters from discrimination.
What Do You Need to Buy a House?
See what you need to buy a house with a conventional mortgage, including typical down payment requirements, credit score requirements, and proof of income.
8 Ways to Finance Home Improvements
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.
First Time Homebuyer Checklist
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.
How to Qualify for a Home Loan
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.
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 Second Home
Explore the ins and outs of purchasing a second home. See how to get a second home mortgage and other important considerations.
FEATURED ARTICLES
Retirement Investment Options
The best ways to invest for retirement have changed over time. Understanding your retirement strategy options can help you plan for a healthy financial future.
Different Types of Retirement Plans
Discover the different types of retirement plans including 401(k) plans, traditional IRAs, and more. See which types of retirement plans are right for you.
How to Retire Early
Dreaming of early retirement? Learn how to build a solid financial plan, reduce expenses, and achieve financial independence sooner.
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 2.0 expands retirement plan access, increases savings opportunities, and offers more flexibility to address the needs of today’s workforce.
How to Start a Retirement Fund
Saving for retirement as soon as possible is important. Learn why and explore how to get started with the most common retirement funds.
ALL RETIREMENT ARTICLES
How to Start a Retirement Fund
Saving for retirement as soon as possible is important. Learn why and explore how to get started with the most common retirement funds.
Retirement Investment Options
The best ways to invest for retirement have changed over time. Understanding your retirement strategy options can help you plan for a healthy financial future.
Different Types of Retirement Plans
Discover the different types of retirement plans including 401(k) plans, traditional IRAs, and more. See which types of retirement plans are right for you.
How to Retire Early
Dreaming of early retirement? Learn how to build a solid financial plan, reduce expenses, and achieve financial independence sooner.
How the SECURE Act Affects Your Retirement
The SECURE Act 2.0 expands retirement plan access, increases savings opportunities, and offers more flexibility to address the needs of today’s workforce.
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
FEATURED ARTICLES
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.
