Today's Interest Rates and Financial Advice:

Financial Advice

• 6 costs to expect when caring for aging parents

  Having an elderly parent live with you in your home can be much cheaper than moving mom or dad into an independent or assisted living facility. But having another person in your home will still bring extra expenses.

  January 8th 2015

• How to save on closing costs

  You’ve scouted out the best mortgage rate and fought hard to get the best price on your new home. But your bargaining shouldn’t stop there. Here's how you can save on everything from settlement fees to title insurance.

  January 8th 2015

• 4 smart moves for using home equity

  The average cost of a $30,000 home equity line of credit fell to 4.72% at the end of 2014. That's the cheapest those loans have been since August 2004 – or nearly 10 years ago. But you still need to be very careful when tapping the value of your home.

  January 7th 2015

• Are private colleges worth the money?...We know 401(k) plans are important...Don't idle before you drive...And more

  Here's the column that gives savvy savers lots of provocative news and information to talk about on the road to financial security.

  January 7th 2015

• 8 tricks up your auto dealer’s sleeve

  If you're not careful, you can wind up paying more to buy and finance a new car or truck than you really need to. Here's how to avoid needless costs.

  January 6th 2015

• Is a 529 plan right for your family?

  One of these tax-free college savings plans might be exactly what you need to help your kid through school. Although each plan is sponsored by a state, you don't have to live there, or ever enroll there, to take advantage of the very best 529 plans in the entire country.

  January 5th 2015