It doesn’t take much to upend many Americans’ finances. Some bills may be unpredictable in their amount or their timing, but they’re still inevitable. In other words: If you have a car, or a home, or a body, sooner or later it’s going to cost you.

Breathe in the crisp fall air, you’ve settled into your dorm by now but the feeling of newfound freedom lingers. Moving out of your parent’s house for the first time and off to college, the bliss of having your own place! You’re living the typical student life with the exception of one thing… you’re reading these tips so your summer savings isn’t gone in the first couple months.

The credit bureaus know a lot about you, but they don’t know everything.The bureaus gather data about your past use of credit into reports, and that information makes up your credit scores. To shake the feeling that they lay your entire financial life bare, take a look at what does and doesn’t show up on your credit reports.

Daniel Montville knew a debt consolidation loan wouldn’t solve his financial problems, but the hospice nurse hoped it would give him some breathing room. He had already filed for bankruptcy once, in 2005, and was determined not to do it again.

Raising a child takes patience, understanding — and about $245,340, based on the latest estimates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. If you're getting ready to have your first child, your life and your spending will change drastically. Here's a closer look at how the cost breaks down.

You dream of owning a home, the upgraded space, a vegetable garden in the backyard. A daydream that seems out of reach when you start to think of the down payment… when in reality a down payment isn’t unreachable. Here are the steps to saving your down payment.

When you graduate, you might end your academic journey with more than a diploma in hand — you could wind up with a generous cash gift, too. So what should you do with your graduation money?

Knowing where you stand is important. Your score can range from 300 to 850; a score of 740 or above is an excellent score. If you find yourself in a bad credit situation – don’t get flustered – you can fix your score.

Talaat and Tai McNeely paid off $30,000 in debt during the first year of their marriage. This husband-and-wife team managed to repay the debt fast and now share financial advice. Here’s their story, related to us in an email exchange.

Apart from the pain of a family member or close friend's passing, settling their financial matters can be time-consuming and difficult. These steps can ease the process of sorting through the deceased's finances.