If you're looking for the best ways to save for college, I'm a huge fan of developing an "order of operations" for different financial activities. You may remember last year I highlighted an order of operations for saving for retirement. Basically, start here and work your way down. It's just an easy way to remember the order you should do things. And it works for how to save for college as well!

Saving for your kid's college can be tough, and there are a lot of schools of thought. But they all boil down to something pretty basic. And I created an order of operations for you to remember for it: YES! Yes, it's that simple, but I'm actually talking about Y.E.S.

Okay, enough with the play on words, here's the order of operations for saving for kid's college:

(Y) - You

(E) - Education Savings Accounts

(S) - Savings

Let's break it down a little bit further and explain what I mean.

Note: How to save for college and how to pay for college are two very different conversations. This conversation is about saving for college and the best way to approach it. If you're getting close to needing to pay for college, read our full guide (and order of operations) on how to pay for college here.

The majority of people who take out credit card debt fully intend to pay off their balances quickly. But sometimes personal circumstances such as divorce, unexpected pregnancy, or a job loss change your ability to repay credit card debt.

Other times, unexpected changes to the economy, like the Covid-19 crisis, can make paying back loans impossible. Thankfully, if you’re struggling to make your credit card payments, you may have a few options to relieve the burden.

In this show, we break down the various types of credit card debt relief and the pros and cons of each. Here’s what you need to know if you’re looking for help.

Want to know for sure that a check you send or receive will clear the bank? If so, using a cashier’s check could give the peace of mind you’re looking for.

Cashier’s checks are a form of payment where the payer’s bank guarantees that funds will be available to the person being paid. Unlike a personal check, a legitimate cashier’s check will never bounce.

That makes them more secure than other forms of payments. And they may be required for large purchases (like a home down payment) when you can't use a debit or credit card. This guide explains when to use cashier’s checks and what to expect when you request one from your bank.

Your first day of work is a whirlwind. Meeting new people, getting your employee ID, learning your way around, figuring out where the bathroom is, and getting your computer setup are all important, but don’t forget to look over your new employee benefits packet and start a 401(k)!

Buried deep in that information that goes over insurance and other benefits, you will find the details on your 401(k) plan. In this day and age, you are responsible for your own retirement savings, and your 401(k) is a big part of it. Follow this guide to learn how to get setup on your first day so your 401(k) is on autopilot and you can save as much as possible to ensure a comfortable retirement.

After graduating from college, and getting a job, it’s just a matter of time before most people start thinking about home ownership. But before you jump into the biggest purchase of your life, it’s important to ask, how much house can I afford?

Once you’ve signed the closing papers on a home purchase, the mortgage bills begin...and they won’t be going away. And if those payments are too high, your “dream” home can quickly become a financial nightmare.

So how can you make sure that your home budget is where it needs to be? Here’s how to calculate how much house you can afford.

Money orders are a form of payment that is as good as cash. They guarantee that the person (or business) being paid will definitely get their money. Unlike a personal check, it won’t bounce.

Money orders are widely available at post offices, convenience stores, some supermarkets, banks, credit unions, and most Walmart Money Centers.

If you don’t have a checking account, a money order can be an inexpensive (but not free) way to keep your bills paid. You’ll want to compare them with other alternative payment methods like prepaid debit cards.