Ann Carrns

Preapproved plans trim weeks or months off the process of getting a building permit. “Every month of delay adds costs that ultimately land on the buyer,” one housing expert said.

Some scholarships promoted on those sites promise to help fund degrees, but students should make sure they are legitimate, student advisers say.

As temperatures rise this summer, the cost to cool your home is expected to increase as well. Taking steps now can help manage the bills.

Third-party services charge fees to help renters bypass some upfront costs of signing a lease. Unlike traditional deposits, the money won’t be returned to tenants.

Researchers say people with poor understanding of basic finances often make bad decisions on money matters.

If you must, keep an eye on your account statements, experts say. Thieves steal checks from mailboxes, then alter the checks with fraudulent names.

As renters struggle to cobble together cash for the upfront costs needed to sign a lease, financial technology firms are promoting alternative tools to manage a common pain point: security

A practice that was common not so long ago has become increasingly risky — sending checks in the mail. But if you must send money this way, scour your account statements promptly. Skipping that

By As renters struggle to cobble together cash for the upfront costs needed to sign a lease, financial technology firms are promoting alternative tools to manage a common pain point: security deposits.

Researchers say people with poor understanding of basic finances often make bad decisions on money matters.