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U.S. News unveils 2016 best countries rankings 01/19/2016 07:00pm • What makes a country the best? Is it leadership? Military might? Economic strength? A rich and deep vein of culture and history? Freedom, a stable government and transparency when it comes to business and the political process? In a word, yes. All of the above contribute to how people perceive wh First-Time Buyers: How Much Down Payment Do You Really Need These Days? 01/19/2016 07:00pm • For someone who is thinking of buying a first home, the idea of saving enough money for a 20 percent down payment can be daunting. The good news is a first-time buyer can purchase a home for a little as 3 percent down -- and even no money down in some cases. "The narrative that in order to buy a ho Study: Student Loan Borrowers Delaying Other Life Decisions 01/19/2016 07:00pm • Student loan debt is having a profound impact on the daily lives and spending habits of young Americans, regardless of the type of institution they attended or the level of credential they earned, according to the latest " Life Delayed" report from American Student Assistance, the organization tha How to Finally Pay Off Your Debt This Year 01/19/2016 07:00pm • If you're one of the thousands of Americans who has committed to finally paying off your debt this year, then you might be wondering how to keep that promise to yourself. After all, people often build up debt not because they want to but because of unexpected life events, from an illness to job loss Metro turnaround a top priority for area Congress members 01/19/2016 05:21am • WASHINGTON — After a tumultuous year for Metro, local members of Congress have no plans to ease the pressure on the transit agency’s leaders. Members from D.C., Virginia and Maryland include the struggling public transportation system among their top priorities for 2016. “We can’t be c What a Credit Union Merger Means for Members 01/18/2016 07:00pm • If you've chosen to do your banking at a credit union, you might have done so for the small, local feel of it, the service you get or the sense of being more than just a number.But then comes word that your credit union is merging with another -- conjuring the image of big companies that just want t How to Avoid 401(k) Fees and Penalties 01/18/2016 07:00pm • Saving in a 401(k) often gets you tax breaks and employer contributions. However, in order to keep that money, you need to steer clear of 401(k) penalties. Here are some common 401(k) transactions that trigger fees and taxes, plus how you can avoid them. Early withdrawals. If you withdraw money fro 5 tips for better spending habits 01/18/2016 07:00pm • While 2016 is in full swing, if you haven't thought about a resolution yet, don't give up. Maybe it's time to make one that has the potential to stick. If you're often wondering how money slips out of your wallet, consider becoming the crash test dummy for better spending habits. Test drive some of 9 Money Apps to Keep Your Retirement Planning on Track 01/18/2016 07:00pm • Life is busy and you have a ton of things on your plate, which can sometimes make managing your money difficult to focus on. With today's ever-growing lists of things to do, planning for your retirement can easily take a back seat. However, your money and what happens to it couldn't play a more impo 4 Times It May Pay to Go Into Debt 01/14/2016 07:00pm • Debt is a four-letter word of the bad kind, according to some people. The type of thing that shouldn't even be considered by responsible adults. However, not all finance professionals agree debt is something to be avoided."Not all debt is created equal," says Gary Poch, vice president of global cons Lottery Winner or Not, Have a Windfall Plan 01/14/2016 07:00pm • The nation was gripped by lotto fever thanks to the first billion dollar jackpot. But for most of us, those lottery dreams have been dashed. Winning the lottery is never a very likely possibility. The Multi-State Lottery Association says the odds of hitting the jackpot are one in 292.2 million. Stil Follow These January Steps for Scholarship Success 01/13/2016 07:00pm • Over the next several months, prospective college students will finally know which schools have accepted their applications and, perhaps more importantly for many, how much financial aid -- scholarships, grants, work-study and so forth -- they will receive. When the so-called sticker price on some The 10 Best Banks of 2016 01/13/2016 07:00pm • National banks are still struggling to shed their collective image as fee-heavy, profit-hungry machines. Despite this reputation, however, national brick-and-mortar banks offer numerous products and services that consumers are still happy to use. Ubiquitous branches and ATMs, interest-bearing accoun Find the Right College for Becoming an Entrepreneur 01/13/2016 07:00pm • Many of today's college graduates won't spend adulthood working in an established company and following a well-traveled professional path to success. They will forgo tradition and join the startup community, according to a recent report from the Kauffman Foundation, which supports entrepreneurship Why Taking a First-Time Homebuyer Education Course Is a No-Brainer 01/13/2016 07:00pm • When Stefanie Cates and her husband, George, were looking for a home in Sarasota, Florida, they were lucky enough to receive down payment assistance from the United Way. With that assistance came a requirement that they attend a homebuyer education course. Both Stefanie and George work two jobs, bu