How Costly is Bad Credit? Many Don’t Know, Survey Shows

It's 2017: Do you know what your credit score is? Good credit is important for many reasons beyond qualifying for the best loan rates. And the very first step in building it is knowing your starting point. But a NerdWallet survey finds that while more than a quarter of Americans (26%) check their credit scores [...]

Class of 2017: Get a Jump on Adulthood With These 7 Tips

College prepares students to be everything from accountants and teachers to government workers and health care technicians, but not all students learn basic money management skills. Here’s advice for this year’s graduates on how to succeed financially. 1. Use a tried-and-true budgeting strategy A regular paycheck, however small, can feel like a windfall for those [...]

Budgeting for New Parents: From Day Care to College

At some point between the pregnancy test and due date, you realize: Life will never be the same. Becoming a parent should bring mostly excitement and joy, but a little bit of panic is normal, particularly when you think about the family budget. Having a child can upend your household finances. Here is some of [...]

6 Smart Ways to Travel Cheaply

Memorable vacations can come with a price tag you'd rather forget. But with proper planning, smart research and a flexible attitude, you can travel cheaply and still have an experience worth remembering. Here's how. 1. Cut transportation costs Before planning your trip, have a rough budget in mind. A vacation calculator can help. If you [...]