Kate Dore, Candidate for CFP® Certification

If you live or work in Pennsylvania, you may have to pay state and local income taxes. But those aren’t the only taxes that apply in the Keystone State. You may also encounter property tax, sales tax or even an inheritance tax.

Every year, college graduates hope to make the leap from student to the workforce. Two-thirds of students graduate with student loans, with an average balance of $29,990. Student loans can be a burden, especially at the beginning of one’s career. With the average starting salary of around $52,000, many wonder if their investment will pay off. Unfortunately, there isn't a simple answer. Here's how to figure out if student loans are worth it for your family.

If you live or work in Ohio, you will probably have to pay state income taxes. But Buckeye state residents may also face other types of state or local taxes, such as sales tax, property taxes and possibly even local income tax.

If you follow investing, you may know the active vs. passive investing debate has been going on for a while. Ever since Jack Bogle, founder of Vanguard, created index funds—the first passive investing option—experts have been arguing for and against the strategy.
With experts plugging the merits of both sides, it can be confusing to navigate—especially without a clear winner.

Living together unmarried is more common than ever before. Cohabitation has nearly tripled in 20 years, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Over the past two decades, the numbers have risen from 6 million to 17 million — or 7% of the total U.S. adult population. The reason may be due to a shift in attitudes or couples may be moving together to save money. Either way, a slew of people are cohabitating without the protections of marriage.

As you hear about swings in the stock market, it’s normal to worry about your investments. After all, those hard-earned dollars are your life savings—and you aren’t keen on parting with them. That’s why diversifying your portfolio of investments is so important. Bonds are a key piece of that puzzle. Here’s a closer look at what they are, how to use them, and their benefits.

When you’re flushed with new love, it’s hard to imagine things ever ending badly. But the reality is, breakups do happen. As awkward as it feels, the beginning is the perfect time to discuss one another’s needs in the event of a crisis. If you’re ready to share a home, these conversations are critical. There’s nothing sexy about a cohabitation agreement, but the stakes are too high not to have one.

As the year winds down, you may be eager to shop for gifts, hang some holiday decor and enjoy quality time with your family. With a full calendar of parties, you may be thinking more about mulled wine than income taxes.

Let’s face it: investing can be intimidating. Earning money takes time and hard work, so it’s natural to worry about losing it. Picking where to put each dollar can be difficult — and you may not feel equipped to make the decision.

As a full-time freelancer, I've had a high-deductible health insurance plan for years.
The first year with a high-deductible plan may feel overwhelming, but there are plenty of ways to slash expenses.

It’s easy to see the appeal of tiny house living. If you have ever felt the sting of big city rent or a costly mortgage, you may dream of downsizing. Tiny houses are popular for a reason. You own less, live a simpler lifestyle, and best of all — enjoy a lower home cost and fewer bills.

The author, Kate Dore, bought a 1,400-square-foot home in Nashville, Tennessee in 2009.
Over the past six months alone, she spent $21,140 in home repairs and improvements.
After 10 years in the house, she had to take on projects including replacing the roof and gutters, repairing a ceiling, restoring and squirrel-proofing her attic, and adding insulation.

There's a lot to like about your health savings account (HSA). You may be looking to score a triple-tax break or you may want to invest your HSA money to grow a decent-sized nest egg for healthcare expenses in retirement. With all of these financial perks, you may catch yourself overcontributing. Here's why contributing too much to your HSA is an expensive problem—and how to fix it.

Buying a home is a big decision. You are on the hook for mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and maintenance. It’s a big responsibility with the potential for some major rewards. There may be enough “what ifs” swirling in your brain to get cold feet—and there is nothing wrong with that.

You won’t have to look far to find a next-day loan — but it may come with steep fees. With a little legwork, you may be able to find cheaper options. Learn more about next-day loans and the best alternatives to consider.