Columns

You need an emergency fund but don't need it all in cash. A Roth IRA is just one alternative.

While scholarships, federal loans and picking the right school can go a long way toward keeping students’ costs in line for a college education, it’s time for schools to step up with ways to contain costs as well. Here are four ways colleges can keep students’ costs lower and boost the value of their degrees.

Got a great deal on a credit card? Don't let low starter rates lure you into dumb money moves.

When kidnappers put a price on your head, there are insurance policies to cover that ransom.

Many parents help their children be more competitive applicants through college admissions consulting, but it can be pricey. Here are ways families unable to afford elite admissions assistance can access the same insider advice and level the playing field to help students navigate the process.

For the first time ever, a college has passed the $60,000 per year mark in total cost for the 2012-2013 school year and 74 colleges now charge over $55,000 per year. Here’s what is behind the trend of rising costs and how students can get a better understanding of what they will actually pay for school versus the sticker price. 

Life insurance can help loved ones pay off estate taxes on what you leave them.

Many companies do the bulk of their campus recruiting in the fall and seniors who wait until the spring to look for a job may be at a disadvantage. Here are expert tips on what college students can do now to increase the odds they’ll secure a position before graduation.

Do low-interest loans interest American consumers?

New banking rules are coming in 2013, and they could have a major impact on you and your bank.

The college application is stressful so it’s tempting to wrap up the college process as soon as possible, but students should carefully consider if they are willing to lock themselves into a specific college or university.

A new report shows that master’s degree graduates in many fields realize significantly higher starting salaries than their counterparts who hold bachelor’s degrees. Here’s what higher degree hopefuls should consider when weighing out the pros and cons of going back to school.

It can be easy for students to get lost in cyber world during the job-hunting process, but it's time to step away from the computer and get a job.

See rates from our survey of CDs, mortgages, home equity products, auto loans and credit cards.

See rates from our survey of CDs, mortgages, home equity products, auto loans and credit cards.

Your credit will take a nose dive if huge debts linger in your name. Is bankruptcy an option?

Both federal and private student loans can be sold to other lenders and organizations in a secondary market made up of state and private education organizations that specialize in buying and servicing student loans. Here's what borrowers should know and ask. 

Both federal and private student loans can be sold to other lenders and organizations in a secondary market made up of state and private education organizations that specialize in buying and servicing student loans. Here's what borrowers should know and ask. 

Choosing the right contractor to work with is a critical decision and could turn your dream home into a living nightmare.

With college application deadlines quickly approaching, here are tips from experts on how students and families can make sure to hit every deadline and put their best foot forward to get an acceptance letter in the spring.