To establish good credit, you need a steady work record and continued residence at the same address. If you do not have a checking account, open one and be careful not to bounce checks. Read more about establishing good credit.

Help with Budgeting article

Cosigners lend their names and good credit histories to the maker. Should the maker die, lose a job, or otherwise fail to make payments, all responsibility for meeting the terms of the loan transfers to the cosigner. An often-overlooked aspect of cosigning a loan is the fact that the loan appears on both the maker's and cosigner's credit reports.

Read more about your obligations when you cosign a loan.

It might be tempting to view your 401(k) as a source of emergency funds, but before you dip into your retirement account for cash, explore alternatives.

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To make this decision, calculate your monthly payments and your total net cost. When you compare these amounts, you can determine which option is right for you. Use our Auto Buy or Lease calculator to help you.

Record Keeping article