One of the first steps towards #adulting is having checking and savings accounts in your own name. These accounts allow you to save and spend your money, pay bills, and more. Unlike your piggy bank, both accounts require you to take a more active role in managing and budgeting your money to help you achieve your financial goals.

Let’s take a closer look at the basics of checking and savings so you feel prepared to make some smart financial choices of your own.

Federal student loan payments are set to resume soon. Instead of hitting the panic button,watch for an explanation of the upcoming federal changes and how they may impact you by student loan expert David Rodriguez, of Student Choice. With years of experience educating borrowers, David shares what options federal and private loan borrowers have to lower their rate or consolidate their debt.

Are you nearing the end of your car lease? You may have planned to turn in the keys and wave goodbye to your car—but not so fast. Today’s car market offers compelling reasons to consider buying out your lease to take ownership of the car: lack of inventory and the opportunity to put some money back in your pocket.

Like going to the dentist or getting your yearly physical exam, keeping up with your car’s maintenance is a chore you probably don’t look forward to. It takes time out of your day and usually requires you to dip into your wallet. However, just as you wouldn’t put off your personal health, you shouldn’t delay getting a tune-up that will keep your car healthy.

As the average cost for a gallon of gas in the U.S. skyrockets, you don’t have to let fuel prices drive you crazy – there are plenty of steps you can take to put an immediate dent in your fuel usage, even when prices return to normal.