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.
-
Four Spa Retreats for Well-Heeled RetireesWe hand-picked these U.S. spa retreats for their serenity, amenities and dedication to the comfort of older travelers. All are located in the Continental U.S.
-
Four Military Benefits That Have Helped My FamilyMilitary life can be challenging for servicemembers and their families, but they're offered some significant financial benefits to help cushion the blow.
-
The Rubber Duck Rule of Retirement Tax PlanningRetirement Taxes How can you identify gaps and hidden assumptions in your tax plan for retirement? The solution may be stranger than you think.
-
Three Popular Tax Breaks Are Gone for Good in 2026Tax Breaks Here's a list of federal tax deductions and credits that you can't claim in the 2026 tax year. High-income earners could also get hit by a 'surprise' tax bill.
-
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 FinancesTax 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 MegabillTax 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 BargainsFeature Amazon Resale products may have some imperfections, but that often leads to wildly discounted prices.
-
What Does Medicare Not Cover? Eight Things You Should KnowMedicare Part A and Part B leave gaps in your healthcare coverage. But Medicare Advantage has problems, too.
-
457 Plan Contribution Limits for 2025Retirement 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.