Dan Rafter's blog

5 Major Expenses That Are Surprisingly Cheaper Than Ever Before

Many of life's priciest buys aren't so pricey anymore. Have you noticed these five major costs coming down?

That bill's due date has come… and passed. How long do you have before it's "officially" late?

Paying your mortgage every couple of weeks instead of monthly can shave thousands in interest costs, but going bi-weekly is not a simple as it seems.

Fraud alert, identity theft protection… do you actually need all these costly credit card add-ons? Consider the free alternatives instead.

If you lost your job, could you afford to get by on unemployment benefits alone? It might be time to beef up that emergency fund.

Do you know the difference between a credit score and a credit history? You need to — here's how to break it down.

Marriage is for better or for worse — even when it comes to credit card debt. Your spouse's unpaid debts may be affecting you, too.

The difference between 10 years of interest and 30 of interest years can be tremendous, but the decision isn't easy. How long should a mortgage be?

It's hard to get by without a credit card or two. They're convenient and critical to building credit — as long as you avoid some common mistakes.

Mom and dad took care of you — now it's your turn. If moving your parents into assisted living is right for them, take steps to make it stress free.

Bad or low credit makes everything hard — even renting an apartment. Here's how you can still find a place when your credit is weak.

Marriage is about compromise, but when it comes to money, it can be hard to give in. Say "I Do" to these six strategies of marital budget bliss.

They say nothing is set in stone, and your monthly mortgage payment is no exception. Plan ahead for these possible house payment price hikes.

Man's best friend may be loving and loyal — when he isn't chewing up your shoes, or your credit. Avoid these common credit score bite marks.

Multiple generations living under one roof is becoming more common. Keep the family peace by planning for some of the potential pitfalls.

A 20% down payment isn't pocket change. If you can't afford 20% down on your mortgage loan, you still have other loan options.

Accepting a higher-paying job offer is an automatic "yes," right? Not exactly — here's why you may want to turn the money down.

If tough finances have made you miss some mortgage payments, it's time to get proactive with your lender — and your budget.

It’s sooo tempting to succumb to distractions working from home — but don’t! Try these tricks for staying focused and on task.

You've both scored remote jobs. Now, how do you and your spouse co-habitate a home office without killing each other?