Getting approved for a large loan can feel like a financial milestone. A lender has reviewed your income, credit history, debts and other financial information and determined that you qualify for a certain amount. For a homebuyer or homeowner considering a mortgage, refinance, home equity loan or HELOC, that approval...

For many households, deciding what to do with extra money sounds simple until the numbers become real. You may have a credit card balance charging a high interest rate, but you may also have very little money sitting in savings. So where should the next $500 go? Should you use it to...