Household Finance
Household Finance
The new job paperwork checklist: Forms I-9, W-4, and more
A little work before you start work.
Household Finance
Is pet insurance really worth it? Let your pet be the judge
The dog ate my … wallet.
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Certificate of deposit (CD) vs. savings account: How to choose
One or the other, or both, or neither?
CD investor? Tips and strategies to turbocharge your savings
Is it time to ladder certificates of deposit?
Understanding different types of life insurance policies
Term versus permanent (plus plenty of subtypes).
Explore All
Household Finance
Alternative minimum tax: Is it only for the wealthy?
A high income may require alternative tax calculations.
Household Finance
Bank runs: What they are and why they happen
It’s about confidence (or lack thereof).
Household Finance
Best rewards credit card: Airline miles, points, or cash back?
The best rewards card is one you’ll use.
Household Finance
Breaking the taboo: Why you need to talk money with your partner
“The talk:” awkward, but worth having.
Household Finance
Can automatic bill pay and other tools help you put your money on autopilot?
Commence budgeting sequence.
Household Finance
Capital gains and losses: Keeping track and paying taxes
What happens when you sell an asset?
Household Finance
CD investor? Tips and strategies to turbocharge your savings
Is it time to ladder certificates of deposit?
Household Finance
Certificate of deposit (CD) vs. savings account: How to choose
One or the other, or both, or neither?
Household Finance
Charitable giving: Learn about the ways and whys of donation
Make the world a better place and (maybe) get a tax break.
Household Finance
College readiness: Financial factors to consider as your child navigates high school
It’s academic.
Household Finance
Credit card companies: Who’s who and how they make money
Learn about networks vs. issuers.
Household Finance
Credit card reward strategies: Getting more from each purchase
Credit tips, tricks, and potential pitfalls.
Household Finance
Credit limits: What they are and how to increase yours
That limit may be there for a reason.
Household Finance
Debt snowball or debt avalanche: Which is smarter for paying off debt?
Prioritize your highest APR.
Household Finance
Donor-advised funds: A way to give to charity and get a tax break
Set up your own charitable “foundation.”
Household Finance
Don’t fear the gift tax: Understanding gift tax exclusions and rules for 2023
Most people can give without being taxed.
Household Finance
Expected family contribution and FAFSA: The college cost home stretch
How to grab your share of financial aid.
Household Finance
Federal loans vs. private loans: Understanding student loan issuer types
Which loans should you get?
Household Finance
Federal student loans: Subsidized vs. unsubsidized loans
You might get one, or both, types.
Household Finance
Filing for personal bankruptcy: What it is, how to do it, and when to consider it
It could solve some problems but create others.
Household Finance
Gig econ 101: Using side-hustle income to boost your finances
Got a gig on the side?
Household Finance
Give till it hurts: A list of the taxes we pay
A little here, a little there, and it really adds up.
Household Finance
Good debt vs. bad debt: It’s all about targeting your goals
Some types of debt are better than others.
Household Finance
Health flexible spending accounts (FSAs): A tax-free way to manage health care costs
Stretch your medical spending dollars.
Household Finance
HELOC vs. second mortgage: Different home equity loan types
Two ways to tap home equity.
Household Finance
HO-1 to HO-8: Comparing home insurance policy types
Eight policies to cover your property.
Household Finance
How college scholarships can help you pay for school
Reduce the need for student loans.
Household Finance
How does a mortgage work? A walk through the numbers
Principal, interest, escrow, and more.
Household Finance
How interest rates work: A beginner’s guide for borrowers and savers
What you earn and what you pay.
Household Finance
How money moves in the era of digital payment systems
From tapping (Morse) code to an encoded tap.
Household Finance
How to pay for college: A timeline from preschool to high school
In a word: Start saving soon.
Household Finance
How to use Federal Work-Study as part of your financial aid
Get guaranteed student income.
Household Finance
Is pet insurance really worth it? Let your pet be the judge
The dog ate my … wallet.
Household Finance
I’ve got a trip coming up. Do I need travel insurance?
Peace of mind is a good thing, but consider the cost.
Household Finance
Money basics for kids: 5 skills to teach them now
Steady saving, smart spending, generous giving.
Household Finance
Mortgage refinancing: lower payments, shorter terms, or “cash-out” refi?
You have choices.
Household Finance
Mortgage types: Fixed vs. variable, 30-year and other loan terms, and more
You thought choosing paint would be hard.
Household Finance
Parent PLUS Loans: You might be eligible, but should you take one?
This PLUS has its minuses.
Household Finance
PPOs, HMOs, HSAs, and more: An intro to medical insurance types
Spelling out the alphabet soup of health-care plans.
Household Finance
Protect yourself: Identity theft is growing more sophisticated
But you can defend yourself.
Household Finance
Retirement and key savings goal plans: Why an early start can help you get ahead
Why an early start can help you achieve more.
Household Finance
Secured vs. unsecured debt: Understanding the difference and its impact on interest rates
Is your debt backed by collateral?
Household Finance
Selling a house? Follow the seven steps in our staging checklist
Declutter, beautify, update as needed.
Household Finance
Should you itemize tax deductions or take the standard deduction?
The math changed in 2018.
Household Finance
Should you rent or buy your home? Weighing the costs and benefits
Planting roots or rolling stone?
Household Finance
Snowbird? Empty nester? Tax tips to consider if you spend time in two states
Do you know your residency rules?
Household Finance
So you want to buy a car? What to know before visiting the dealer
Be sensible, not emotional.
Household Finance
Student loan limits: How much can I borrow, and what happens after that?
You can borrow to pay for your education, but there are limits.
Household Finance
Take cover: Why insurance is necessary and which types you really need
There are several safety nets to consider.
Household Finance
Tax deductions, tax credits, and tax refunds—what’s the difference?
Top line, bottom line, leveling line.
Household Finance
Term life vs. whole life insurance: Which is better for me?
Three questions to ask yourself.
Household Finance
The Biden student loan forgiveness plan is dead. Now what?
Focus on income-driven repayment plans.
Household Finance
The first-job checklist: Start-up costs and things to do before that first paycheck
This could get expensive.
Household Finance
The new job paperwork checklist: Forms I-9, W-4, and more
A little work before you start work.
Household Finance
Understanding consumer confidence and consumer sentiment data
Wallets open or closed?
Household Finance
Understanding credit cards: Their purpose, positives, and potential pitfalls
Swipe, tap, or insert—and then pay.
Household Finance
Understanding different types of life insurance policies
Term versus permanent (plus plenty of subtypes).
Household Finance
Understanding the three types of income: Earned, investment, and passive
The three ways you make money.
Household Finance
Using emergency savings vs. getting an emergency loan
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Household Finance
Using the 50-30-20 rule to power your household budget
It’s a great starting point.
Household Finance
What are tax credits (and how do I get them)?
Children, college kids, EVs, and more.
Household Finance
What does homeowner’s insurance cover, and how much do you need?
Protecting your property.
Household Finance
What is a credit balance transfer? How it works and three benefits
Boost your score and reduce your interest.
Household Finance
What is a credit score? And is FICO really the only credit score that matters?
Your guide to credit scores.
Household Finance
What is a health savings account (HSA)?
Tax-advantaged savings for your health care expenses.
Household Finance
What is an independent student? Your status, FAFSA, and taxes
Understand your expected family contribution.
Household Finance
What is buy now, pay later and should you take advantage of it?
There’s always a catch.
Household Finance
What is due diligence? A professional and personal standard
Be sure to do your homework.
Household Finance
What is life insurance and how does it work?
You could think of it as income insurance.
Household Finance
What it means to be unbanked or underbanked
It’s hard to function financially without a bank.
Household Finance
What to expect when leasing a car: Jargon and math
Wading through the terms and terminology.
Household Finance
What’s a marginal tax rate? How do federal tax brackets work?
Cutting through the tax rate jargon.
Household Finance
You can consolidate your credit card, student loan, and other debts, but should you?
Fewer hassles but (maybe) more risk.
Household Finance
Your guide to opening and using a bank account
There’s a first time for everything.
Household Finance
Your guide to payday loans, title loans, and other predatory loans
Don’t get trapped in debt.
Featured Term
See AllGlossary
prime rate
The prime lending rate (“prime rate”) is a benchmark interest rate used by banks and credit card companies to set loan rates for credit cards, small businesses, and personal loans. Banks can set their own prime rate, but most follow the federal funds rate set by the Federal Reserve. The Wall Street Journal tracks the prime rate for U.S. institutions and publishes its consensus prime rate.