Do This or That?
We tackle tough financial questions and give you answers to fit your needs.
When it comes to personal finance, a one-size-fits-all approach doesn't work. That's why we offer advice customized to your needs. Below you'll find 20 common questions on a variety of money-related topics, from paying off debt to saving for retirement. And we provide answers based on different scenarios.
Home
Should I Retire My Mortgage or Keep on Paying?
Should I Pay a Real Estate Agent or Go It Alone?
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Should I Continue to Rent or Buy While the Market Is Down?
Taxes
Should I Take a Pay Raise Now or a Refund Later?
Debt
Should I Pay Off Loans or Save for Retirement?
Should I Pay Cash for a Major Purchase, or Finance It?
Investing
Should I Buy Index Funds or Actively Managed Funds?
Should I Buy ETFs or Mutual Funds?
Should I Use a Full-Service or Discount Broker?
Should I Rebalance Regularly or Let Winners Ride?
Cars
Should I Keep My Clunker or Buy a New Car?
Should I Buy or Lease a New Car?
Retirement
Should I Save in a Roth IRA or a Traditional IRA?
Should I Claim Social Security Benefits at Age 62 or Wait Until 66?
Should I Buy an Immediate Annuity for Retirement Income or Tap Savings?
Insurance
Should I Buy Long-Term-Care Insurance or Self-Insure?
Wills
Should I Hire a Lawyer to Write a Will or Do It Myself?
College
Should I Save for Retirement or College for My Kids?
Should I Stretch to Pay for the Most Selective College or Save by Choosing an In-State School?
Should I Use a 529 Savings Account or a Prepaid Tuition Plan?
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
-
Vacation Couture: Why Wealthy Americans Are Flying to Europe to Save on Luxury
Tariffs are making high-end shopping in the U.S. pricier — so savvy travelers are heading overseas, where VAT refunds and favorable exchange rates can offset the extra cost.
-
I was laid off in my 40s and took a lower-paying job. I'm can't contribute to my retirement savings until my income rises, and I only have $200,000. Help!
The pain of underemployment is real. We ask financial experts for advice.
-
Five Ways Trump’s 2025 Tax Bill Could Boost Your Tax Refund (or Shrink It)
Tax Refunds The tax code is changing again, and if you’re filing for 2025, Trump’s ‘big beautiful’ bill could mean a bigger refund, a smaller one or something in between next year. Here are five ways the new law could impact your bottom line.
-
Money for Your Kids? Three Ways Trump's ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Impacts Your Child's Finances
Tax Tips The Trump tax bill could help your child with future education and homebuying costs. Here’s how.
-
Key 2025 Tax Changes for Parents in Trump's Megabill
Tax Changes Are you a parent? The so-called ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ (OBBB) impacts several key tax incentives that can affect your family this year and beyond.
-
Amazon Resale: Where Amazon Prime Returns Become Your Online Bargains
Feature Amazon Resale products may have some imperfections, but that often leads to wildly discounted prices.
-
What Does Medicare Not Cover? Eight Things You Should Know
Healthy Living on a Budget Medicare Part A and Part B leave gaps in your healthcare coverage. But Medicare Advantage has problems, too.
-
457 Plan Contribution Limits for 2025
Retirement plans There are higher 457 plan contribution limits for state and local government workers in 2025. That's good news for state and local government employees.
-
Estate Planning Checklist: 13 Smart Moves
retirement Follow this estate planning checklist for you (and your heirs) to hold on to more of your hard-earned money.
-
Medicare Basics: 12 Things You Need to Know
Medicare There's Medicare Part A, Part B, Part D, Medigap plans, Medicare Advantage plans and so on. We sort out the confusion about signing up for Medicare — and much more.