In a perfect world, you’d receive an irrevocable guarantee that you and your spouse will grow old and financially secure together. And of course, that’s your intention when you say “I do.” But in the real world, bad things can and do happen–like divorce, disability and death.

With classes to attend and homework to complete, you probably haven’t thought much about paying off your student loans. Deferring payment until after graduation is common practice and easy, but putting off repayment can be costly.

Like many parents, you may look forward to getting the kids out of the house and back to school but would rather skip the back-to-school shopping trip. Considering the hefty expense of outfitting kids for their school career, it’s not surprising.

If you’re on your way to college this fall so you can get a good job after graduating and become financially fit—listen up. Before accepting those loans commonly encouraged for incoming students, know that it’s possible to become buried in student loan debt before you even attend your first class.

Parents of teens often wonder if the sage life advice they attempt to impart rubs off on their children. Your kids may not listen to you about brushing their teeth or driving too fast, but their ears are likely to perk up when you talk cash.

Buying a home isn’t just about how much a lender is willing to approve — it’s about how much you can comfortably afford without wrecking your budget. Lenders look at your income, debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, credit score, and down payment to decide your maximum price range, but your personal comfort zone may be lower. Learn how to estimate an affordable home price, compare loan options, and avoid the trap of stretching your budget too far.

Clutter leads to misplaced items and chaos, but did you also know that it can cost you money? When you can’t keep track of bills, cash, or important notices because your home is messy, it could come back to haunt you in a number of ways. Get organized, and you can avoid fines, late fees, and money is forgotten.

You’ve probably heard that creating a budget is the key to making your financial dreams a reality. Managing how much money comes in and goes out each month can certainly set you on the path to financial success, but how exactly do you create a successful budget?