Tim Smith has 20+ years of experience in the financial services industry, both as a writer and as a trader. David Kindness is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and an expert in the fields of ...

Few Americans have the cash they need on hand to pay for big-ticket items upfront. That's why it's not unusual for people to take out mortgages, car loans and student loans, so they can pay for these ...

Julia Kagan is a financial/consumer journalist and former senior editor, personal finance, of Investopedia. Marguerita is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor ...