Between gifts, travel, and other holiday and living expenses, my credit card bill is astronomical, and I’m not sure how to get back on track for the new year. What should I do?

I was expecting a bonus from work that didn’t come, and now I’m strapped for cash during the holidays. I’m thinking about taking out a payday loan. I know the interest rates are high, but I’m desperate and it would only be this one time. What should I do?

I’m in my early 30s, and I feel like it’s time to get some of my important documents in order. I have a general folder that I use for things like my Social Security card, my children’s birth certificates and mortgage documents, but I’m wondering what else I need. Am I too young to create a will? Should I start estate planning? What else do I need to have?

My husband recently brought up the topic of “getting our affairs in order.” While it seems premature to me — we’re only in our 40s and are both in good health — we want to make sure our kids would be protected if anything were to happen. When is the right time to start this process? What documents do we need to compile? And what would happen if we died without having created a will?

I’m new to Las Vegas, and one of the first things I noticed was a large number of legal advertising — magazines, billboards, radio, TV commercials, it goes on and on. What’s the deal with that? And how is one supposed to choose a lawyer when they actually need legal help?

I was recently bitten by my neighbor’s dog, and I had to go to the emergency room for stitches. I’ve known the dog, and his owner, for many years. While I’ve seen him growl and act aggressively, I’m not sure he’s ever bitten anyone before. Because of this, I don’t necessarily want to get the police involved, but I have medical bills that need to get paid. How can I go about this in a way that won’t endanger the dog or cause problems with my neighbor?

My bankruptcy was just discharged, and I feel like I’m finally able to start living again after many years stuck in debt. Unfortunately, my credit score is low and I’m considered a subprime borrower by the lenders. What can I do to start rebuilding my credit score?

When I was growing up, no one taught me how to handle my finances and it got me into trouble as an adult. Now I’m a father, and I want to teach my children good money habits so they won’t face the same problems I did. How can I do this in a way they’ll understand?

Failing to pay the minimum on your credit card bill, or failing to pay altogether, can have a slew of serious consequences, both in the long and short term. There are many actions that can be taken against you, and they can get progressively worse the longer you’re unable to pay.

I am an experienced rider. A few months ago, I was riding my motorcycle home from work, and as I crossed over into the left turn lane, my front tire hit an unmarked rut in the road. I was thrown from the bike and wound up in the hospital with several broken ribs and other injuries. My medical bills are skyrocketing, but my insurance company says I’m not covered. Is there anything I can do?

For some people, personal finance is second nature. Some were taught by their parents. Others were taught in high school as part of a class called home economics— long before home ec turned into a baking class. For many people, though, understanding how to budget, plan for expenses, manage, leverage and avoid debt is a mystery.

I took out a 10-year, interest-only mortgage to purchase a new home in 2006, and now it’s adjusting. I’ve never missed a payment, but the payment is about to go up from $550 to almost $1,400 per month. I’m underemployed, I can’t afford the new payment and I’m also underwater, so I can’t seem to qualify for refinancing. Is there anything I can do?

I’ve been getting calls lately from a company that is promising to settle my credit-card debt for a small percentage of what I owe, as long as I pay an up-front fee for their services. How does this work? Is this a legitimate way to settle my debt?

There’s a bunch of stuff on my credit reports that isn’t right. Some of it isn’t even mine. I wrote letters questioning the incorrect line items, but almost everything came back as verified or accurate. I’m desperate, but I don’t know what to do.

In previous weeks, we’ve gone over tracking your expenses and creating a basic budget for essential spending. Once you’ve started with these skills and made appropriate adjustments to ensure you’re bringing in more money than you are spending, it’s time to start building an emergency fund.

How much do you really know about credit scores? If you’re like most people, you probably believe your score is a magic number that tells a bank whether it should let you buy a house or car, or issue you a credit card, and what interest rate banks will charge you when they lend you money.

I was involved in a car accident that left me with substantial medical bills. I’m already getting calls from the insurance company about a settlement. I want to resolve the issue quickly, but I still have follow-up appointments with my doctor and I’m worried the settlement amount won’t cover the full cost of my expenses. What should I do?

I’m in my 80s and have recently been hit with medical bills that are more than I’m able to pay on a monthly basis. My daughter suggested I take out a reverse mortgage to increase my cash flow. I need the money now and have plenty of equity in my home, but it seems risky. What would a reverse mortgage mean for me?

When choosing car insurance, many tend to pick the cheapest option that fulfills the minimum legal requirement, but that’s not always enough. Choosing the right insurance policy can be achieved, even on a budget.

With the start of the New Year comes the opportunity to make resolutions to improve your current financial situation. Here is a financial planning checklist to help ensure you’re setting yourself up for a successful and profitable 2017.

The holiday season is one of the busiest times to be on the road, and can be one of the most dangerous. With family road trips, crazed holiday shoppers and an endless array of party invitations to fulfill, everyone is on the move this month — and often in a hurry.

Nevada’s Foreclosure Mediation Program (FMP) is a state-funded program that allows homeowners to sit down with their mortgage lender and a mediator to help find an alternative to foreclosure.