Everyone has wondered if they can save money by going the variable route, whether it's with student loans, mortgages, or insurance. And variable can be sweet... If you can get it right. But there is POWER in predictability, as was showcased in Texas this past week with variable electricity rates that shot up 9,000X the alternative fixed rates.

So, where and when can variable rates rule? We explore the decision tree that exists in a slew of other financial areas.