Money

Do Rolex watches hold their value? A balanced look at value retention vs investment, which models hold up, the market correction, and the hidden costs.

Mortgage payment is roughly two-thirds of the real cost of homeownership. Taxes, insurance, maintenance and transaction costs make up the rest.

Marginal rates apply to slices of income, not all of it. That single distinction is the most common and most expensive misunderstanding in personal finance.

Both accounts defer tax on investment growth. Employer matching, fee levels, contribution limits and withdrawal rules decide which order to fill them in.

Five factors drive nearly all of a consumer credit score, and two of them account for most of the movement. The rest is folklore.