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Credit card companies are in business to make money, and in an effort to do so, they have a language all their own that you need to understand. Too many card holders find out, after the fact, that misunderstood credit card terminology can cost them money.

Below are a few common terms you may want to examine more closely when shopping for credit cards.

The APR (Annual Percentage Rate)

Essentially, the APR is the interest rate, calculated on a yearly basis. Comparing the APR of competing credit cards lets you determine which card is appropriate for your financial circumstances.

What many people misunderstand is that the APR is not always the same for each feature. For example, your 17 percent rate may be for regular purchases, but should you need a cash advan....

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Interest rates on savings accounts may go up and down, but one constant is the a range of different rates to be had. Inevitably, some people end up on the low end of that range, but you can take steps to make sure you stay near the higher end. Beyond that, there is more to determining the best savings accounts than just comparing rates. Read through the following 6 tips and become more savings savvy.

1. Shop online

There are thousands of banks out there, but online resources make it easy to compare rates to find the best savings accounts. While you are at it, you might also consider money market accounts; these are similar in nature to savings accounts, but on average, carry slightly higher interest rates.

Doing a comprehensive search may help identify banks you ar....

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A good buy versus rent calculator can help you assess the cost of renting in the long run versus the cost of buying. HSH's rent Vs. buy calculator helps new home buyers compare the cost of renting for several years to the cost of buying a home.

The buy versus rent equation

Before using the calculator to help you determine the difference between renting and buying, you should consider a few points that factor into the calculations.

How much home can you afford? The calculator determines this based on your current (or proposed) rent payment and today's mortgage rates. The lower the mortgage rates, the less it costs to buy a home. If your rent includes utilities, estimate the value of the utilities and subtract it so that the calculator can make an apples-to-apples com....

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When shopping for a life insurance policy, it's vital to know the distinction between term life insurance and cash value life insurance.

Term life insurance lasts for your choice of a specified time (10, 15, 25 or 30 years) rather than up until death. Should you, the policyholder, die while coverage is in effect, the benefit goes to your designated beneficiaries, tax free. Should the policy end before death, you can renew it or let it expire. If you renew, the new premiums will be higher as your age and health are assessed anew. If it expires, there's no value or payout. You can cancel term life at any time, without penalty.

Cash value life insurance, also called permanent insurance, however, lasts throughout your life and also accumulates value during that time. A portion....

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