Your favorite credit card has sat in the top pocket of your wallet for years. You have memorized the interest rate, the credit limit and its perks. Think you know everything about your favorite credit card? Not necessarily. Even if you’ve carried the card for years, it could have a couple of surprises [...]

college Highlights It doesn’t make sense to invest for college before paying down high-interest loans. Consider getting certain policies to cover catastrophes before opening a college account. While it’s always possible to borrow money for college, retirement is another matter. Visions [...]

refinance Highlights Lower FHA mortgage insurance fees go into effect June 11. Streamline refis are for FHA borrowers who are current on payments. The FHA doesn’t require appraisals but the lender might. The government is about to make refinancing FHA mortgages more affordable — and potentially [...]

refinance Dear Dr. Don,I want to refinance my home. I currently have a 5.5 percent mortgage and can get a new mortgage loan at 4 percent. I owe $173,000, and my house should appraise at $300,000, even in this down market. I purchased the home for $325,000. What’s the problem? I am the co-signer [...]

Rising gas prices and tougher U.S. government gas-mileage requirements for the coming years have forced the car industry to take hybrid cars very seriously. There’s a whole new generation of so-called plug-in hybrid cars in the pipeline. These supercars can be recharged with household electricity, [...]

real estate Highlights It’s expensive to buy a home. The costs don’t end with the down payment. The costs associated with getting a mortgage can add up quickly. Don’t forget expenses for moving, setting up a household and cash reserves. You spend a lot of cash when you buy a home. [...]