If you’re ever on a game show and they ask you what your most important financial number is, make sure to answer, “my credit score.”

It may sound like the subject of a juicy suspense film, but having your identity stolen is not something to enjoy over popcorn. And since security breaches have become the new normal, the possibility of someone posing as you and ruining your credit is very real. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, approximately 16.6 million people were victimized by identity theft in 2012 alone.

Going to college in the fall and considering taking out a private student loan? Proceed with caution. If you need a cosigner and that person dies or goes bankrupt, you may have to pay off the loan immediately.  

You might think that big expenses make or break a budget, but the fact is, your day-to-day expenditures can either build your finances up or break them down. A dollar here and a dollar there soon equals $20, which morphs into $100. Before you know it, you’ve busted your budget and are in the red.

If you’re Daddy Warbucks’s grandson and want to pass the wealth on to your heirs, the easy-to-forget gift tax can take an enormous bite out of your monetary and property gifts. That’s why many of the nation’s well-heeled take advantage of a potentially giant tax loophole known as a Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT).

If you have a 401(k) with a former employer, besides cleaning out your desk, it’s necessary to determine what to do with your money once you exit the company. A variety of options are available, each with their advantages and disadvantages.

Considering that he is one of the richest men on the planet, it can pay big to listen to Warren Buffett. The American business mogul, investor extraordinaire and philanthropist is CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, which he grew from a fledgling business in 1964 to a multi-national holding company today.

It used to be that the golden years were a little more golden. In addition to social security benefits, you’d retire with a pension, and you could live off the interest earned on retirement savings. Add a lower cost of living and higher home equity to the equation, and living the good life was easy. Nowadays, retiring mostly means living on a fixed income.

If you have big dreams about creating a horticultural oasis in your backyard but have little budget to do so, you should consider DIY landscaping. Creating your own backyard version of Versailles or Kew Gardens on a budget is easier than you might think. Considering that most homeowners spend between $5,336 and $7,558 on professional landscaping services (Home Advisor) you can save big money by doing it yourself.

Do you know exactly what your homeowners insurance covers? If not, take a close look at your policy. Your insurance company will recoup costs for most accidents and disasters, but some things just aren’t covered.