Category: Home Equity

Borrowing money to increase your spending power can be a smart financial move. Under the right circumstances, using a home equity line of credit (HELOC) can open the door to fantastic returns. When you're strategic about leveraging the equity in your home, it's possible to reach financial goals sooner and save money while doing it. While a HELOC can be used to pay for almost any expense, five specific uses garner the most attention. Read on to discover why.

College decision letters are on their way to a home near you. Maybe someone in your household is expecting one soon. What you might not be expecting is the lean financial aid award package that accompanies many college acceptance notifications.

Financial experts recommend households maintain an emergency savings account equal to six months of living expenses. A hefty savings balance ensures there's enough money to pay bills and buy groceries in the event of an unexpected job loss, health diagnosis, or significant expense that would otherwise derail your budget. Many Americans fall short of this savings ideal. A recent Economic Well-Being study found that four out of ten U.S. households would have trouble covering an emergency expense as small as $400.