Buying a car can be an exciting experience. In the heat of the moment, it’s possible to buy more car than you can truly afford. Sure, you only live once, as the car salesperson may tell you, but you pay your bills each and every month. Stretch your budget too thin and you’re going to have financial difficulties, including the possibility of not being able to make your new car payments. New cars can be expensive. According to the vehicle and valuation specialist Kelley Blue Book, the average price for a car in in December 2016 was $35,309. Before you do any test driving, it’s a good idea to figure out how much car loan you can afford. Just as you researched the type of car you want, you should put similar effort into determining how much you can afford and pay each month. This article will help you do just that.

It seems inconceivable now, but there was a time when there were debtor’s prisons in the U.S. for those who couldn’t pay their bills. Fortunately, you can no longer be criminally prosecuted for failing to pay what is known as a civil debt, including credit cards, loans or medical bills.

The process of buying a car involves a lot of research, as you narrow your choices to make, model, trim line, accessories and add-ons. The car purchase process takes a time commitment, but you can make it easier on yourself by getting preapproved for an auto loan.

Car repairs can be costly. According to AAA, the annual cost to own and operate a vehicle is $8,698. Maintenance alone costs an average of $766.50 per year. If you need new tires, expect to pay between $525 and $725.

If you applied for a credit card but were denied despite having good credit, the reason is most likely you have a high debt-to-income ratio (DTI). This all-important ratio may not directly affect your credit score, but it does play a key factor in whether you receive a credit card when you apply.

If you’re late on your student loan payments or on the brink of falling behind, you’re in good company. Of the $1.279 trillion in U.S. student loan debt in the third quarter of 2016, 11% of these loans were 90 days or more delinquent or in default, says the Quarterly Report of Household Debt and Credit by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

If you’ve ever looked at your credit card bill and wondered what all the numbers on your statement mean and how the amount you owe was calculated, read on as we explain how credit card companies calculate interest.

Most financial experts readily agree that when it comes to saving for retirement, your best bet is an employer-sponsored 401(k).

If you’ve tried diet and exercise and can’t seem to eliminate those frustrating pockets of fat that can accumulate in the abdomen, flanks and thighs, you may discover you’re a good candidate for liposuction. This outpatient procedure reshapes, sculpts and slims down the body.

If you’re interested in entering the field of computer programming, which involves writing and testing code for computer applications and software programs, you’ve chosen a growing field.