How to Qualify for a Mortgage
You don't want to search for a home first and then find out if you qualify for it. If you have your heart set on a home, but later find…
How to Buy a Home with a Mortgage
When you get started shopping for a home for the first time, it can bring about a mix of feelings — excitement, stress, curiosity and more. When you want to…
UNest 101: Savings vs. Investment Accounts
What is a savings account? A savings account is an interest-bearing deposit account held at a bank or credit union. Savings accounts typically pay a minimal interest rate, but their…
Improving Your Credit Score
Now that you know your score, you may know you need to improve it, particularly if your score rests at or below 580. Knowing your score can help you take…
How Lenders Use Your Credit Scores
Lenders want to know your credit history to decide whether they should approve you for a loan or deny you. They use risk assessments and underwriting to determine how much…
Overview: What is a Credit Score?
Credit scores might mystify you, and that's completely understandable. However, don't throw your hands up just yet. It's a good idea to know a certain amount about credit scores. Let's…
Financial Conversations to Have Between Spouses and Partners
How much time do you spend talking about money with your spouse or partner? (Not counting fighting about money!) You may not have grown up with the same views on…
Financial Education for the Family: Teenagers
Kids in general like money, and kids ages nine to 12 are no exception. They start to realize the power of money and what it can buy for them in…
Financial Education for the Family: Kids 5-8
Kids at this age can understand that you have to earn money: "Mom and Dad go to work to earn money so that we can buy you groceries and clothes."…
Financial Education for the Family: Kids 5 & Under
Think back on your own childhood experiences with money. Did your parents talk about money with you or did they refuse to utter the m-word? Worse, did they fight about…