Having a good credit history is an aspect of your financial life. Financial institutions check your credit to determine how risky it is for them to extend you new credit or lend you money, and to set your interest rate.

One of the trickier things about building credit is that you need to have and use credit to develop a credit history, but lenders are often reluctant to approve someone with bad or no credit. Plus, a credit history takes time to establish.

Let’s face it, higher education is expensive. According to recent reports, total student loan debt in the US is at almost $1.8 trillion.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can help students find additional money to pay for college.

The FAFSA is a one-stop shop that determines a student’s eligibility for all federal financial aid each year, including loans and work-study programs, as well as grants and scholarships (which you don’t have to pay back).

If you’re a student or are the parent of a college student and want to minimize your debt, you’ll want to apply for federal aid. Not sure how to start? Here are five things you’ll need to be FAFSA-ready.

With today’s home prices, any amount of savings can make a huge difference—especially when it comes to how much house you can afford. Now might the perfect time to consider an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage1 (ARM) to finance your home purchase.