Save for a Rainy Day

If you talk to most grounded financial planners, they will talk with you about an "Emergency Fund" or some sort of savings that is earmarked for when things don't go according to plan.  Some say that this is why you need good credit and high limits on your plastic, but if you are prepared, you can make it through most problems in life without getting stuck with a heavy debt burden on the way out.  Following are some points that need to be considered when deciding if you should have an emergency fund and how much you should have if you do.

Should you lease your next car?

Should you lease a car or buy the same car. The ads are everywhere these days and looking at the low monthly rates, you can be lured into thinking that it's a great deal. So, I decided to look at the auto lease in some more detail and give my thoughts on the pro's and con's of leasing a car over buying one new. I decided that the best approach would be to answer the basic questions below.

Credit Report Cheat Sheet

If you want a quick reference on how to read your credit report and how everything effects your score take a look at this cheat sheet from credit.com.   I am not endorsing the company, but it is useful information.  It appears that you can sign up for a free score through the site, but those are available elsewhere as well (i.e. mint.com, your banks website).  Your score seems to be available everywhere these days actually.