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How Much Should You Save to Fund Major Expenses? 06/14/2018 08:00pm • With interest rates going up, the cost of borrowing money to pay for major life expenses is also going up. The Federal Reserve has already raised the interest rate three times this year and will most likely raise rates again before the year is out. After years of relatively unchanging rates, it's b 9 Things to Know Before You Get Another Credit Card 06/14/2018 08:00pm • Here are the telltale signs it's an ideal time to carry another card.According to the credit bureau Experian, the average American carried a credit card balance of $6,375 in 2017, a nearly 3 percent uptick from 2016. How does that impact your decision to apply for another credit card? Maybe you neve How a New Law Will Let You Freeze Your Credit Files for Free 06/13/2018 08:00pm • Credit freezes help prevent thieves from opening new lines of credit in another person's name, but most states allow credit bureaus to charge a fee for the service. That will change this autumn. The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act, signed on May 24, will let Americans Citigroup Inc (C) Stock Is a Solid Buy Following the Fed's Rate Hike 06/13/2018 08:00pm • Citigroup Inc (NYSE: C) and the other "big four" U.S. banks all finished Wednesday's trading session in the red, giving up initial afternoon gains following the latest Federal Reserve interest rate hike. Analysts say banks are getting diminishing returns on rising interest rates, but Citigroup is w 3 Tips to Chart Your Own Map to Retirement 06/13/2018 08:00pm • When it comes to retirement planning, working Americans are primarily on their own -- pensions are a thing of the past and the future of Social Security is increasingly uncertain. As the retirement landscape continues to change, so do Americans' expectations about this phase of life. Many of the pr How Volunteer Work Can Pay Your Student Loans 06/12/2018 08:00pm • To pay off $85,000 in student loans, Danny McGee is looking for extra work outside of his job as a building systems engineer. But he's not looking for odd jobs or a restaurant gig -- instead, McGee wants to focus on nonprofit work to pay down his debt from college and grad school. The Michigan dad, Can you benefit from a store credit card? 06/11/2018 08:00pm • Store credit cards offer discounts and perks for frequent shoppers, but they aren't for everyone. If you frequently shop with a particular retailer and can pay off your balance before interest charges apply, you may benefit from a store credit card. Before you apply, consider how much value you c The Guide for First-Time Homebuyers 06/11/2018 08:00pm • Owning a home is a major milestone many Americans expect to achieve in their lifetime. It's not simply about having the ability to stay in one place for years -- it's also about taking advantage of the incentives to homeownership, including the financial security to make a major investment and see 10 percent of DC-area borrowers have $100K+ in student loan debt 06/11/2018 08:49am • WASHINGTON — The D.C. area region ranks No. 1 among metro areas for student loan debt and many borrowers are six-figures in the hole. LendingTree found the median balance for student loan borrowers in the D.C. area is $22,803. But for many, that's just a drop in the bucket. "One of the inter 7 tips for buying beach real estate in Del., Md. 06/11/2018 12:00am • EDITOR'S NOTE: The housing bubble before the recession drove prices up at the Delmarva beaches. Then prices sank. It's been nine years since the end of the recession. So have the beach communities recovered? In the series, Beach Real Estate Guide, WTOP's Colleen Kelleher brings you advice on buying, 5 Money Tips for Graduates Who Want to Be Millionaires 06/10/2018 08:00pm • Life as a graduate is like a breath of fresh air. No more grueling exams, assignment deadlines or inconsiderate roommates. It's a new beginning when you can finally live on your own terms. Though you're just starting out and may have a tight budget, how you handle money during the next few years is How to Buy a Foreclosed Home 06/10/2018 08:00pm • As home prices soar in many cities, buyers might look to foreclosures as an affordable option for landing their dream home. Typically, a foreclosure occurs when a homeowner no longer can make the mortgage payments and the lender seizes the property. The lender then requires the former owner to vaca How to Find the Sweet Spot When Investing in Bonds 06/10/2018 08:00pm • Most bond investors know that reaching too hard for higher yield means taking on a lot more risk, but experts say that with some sleuthing it's possible to find a sweet spot, where more yield is worth it. So, what should the investor look for? Where do the higher-yielding securities fit in the port What Higher Interest Rates Mean for REITs 06/07/2018 08:00pm • Rising interest rates make the cost of financing property more expensive, something that real estate investment trusts understand all too well. Still, if you're thinking of evicting REITs from your portfolio ahead of future rate hikes, there's more to the performance of these investments than highe 7 Ways to Invest in Closed-End Funds 06/06/2018 08:00pm • CEFs offer a taste of the private equity world.Most investors are familiar with mutual and exchange-traded funds. Less known is the closed-end fund, or CEF, a powerful and diversified investing tool. Also a collection of underling assets, CEFs enter markets to raise capital. This makes them more lik