Big Purchases

Buy now, pay later plans split a purchase into smaller installments, often with no interest. Late fees, stacked plans, and longer loans need a closer look.

Closing costs are the fees and prepaid items due when a home purchase is finalized, separate from the down payment. Here is what they usually include.

Your mortgage payment stays the same each month, but the split shifts over time. Early on most of it is interest; later most of it pays down the balance.

Leasing often has the lower monthly payment, while buying leaves you owning an asset. Comparing them fairly means looking at cost over the same period of time.

A car loan’s cost depends on three levers: the amount borrowed, the interest rate, and the term. Here is how they combine into a monthly payment and total.