If you ask almost every American what their plans are for the future, they will probably tell you they would like to own a home someday. After all, having your own house is the American Dream. But is it really a financial reality for everyone? Probably not. In many cases, it can be much more economical to rent an apartment or a house instead of purchasing one.

One reason not to is the money. When you purchase a house, you will have to qualify for a loan and pay a down payment. The best interest rates are typically offered to those who can put down 20 percent of the cost of the house. Unless you come into a lot of money or save for many many years, you’re going to have to get a loan to buy your house. That means your credit will have to be in a good place. If it’s not, you’ll be facing very high-interest rates if a bank is even willing to loan to you.

Often, the cost of renting an apartment or home is much cheaper than paying a monthly mortgage payment. There are also tons of miscellaneous expenses that come with owning a home. This can include anything from yard grooming to unexpected repairs. If you rent, many of these extra costs are taken care of by the owner. When you’re living in an apartment, you can just call up maintenance to fix a broken faucet. If you own your home, that expense will have to come out of your own pocket.

Another factor to consider when buying a home is employment. Are you purchasing your house in a place with plenty of job options? To make buying worthwhile, you want to make sure you’ll be living there for at least five to ten years. If your current job is stable and probably won’t be going away anytime soon, then buying a home might make more financial sense for you. This could also work if your area has plenty of opportunities in your field. But if your career has you traveling a lot or moving around from state to state every couple of years, renting is probably a better option.

The worst reason to buy a house is because everyone else is doing it. Don’t use your friends or family as a barometer for your financial health. If you can’t afford to buy a house, don’t do it. Take stock of your financial situation and make a decision that is best for you.

string(2554) "
If you ask almost every American what their plans are for the future, they will probably tell you they would like to own a home someday. After all, having your own house is the American Dream. But is it really a financial reality for everyone? Probably not. In many cases, it can be much more economical to rent an apartment or a house instead of purchasing one.
One reason not to is the money. When you purchase a house, you will have to qualify for a loan and pay a down payment. The best interest rates are typically offered to those who can put down 20 percent of the cost of the house. Unless you come into a lot of money or save for many many years, you're going to have to get a loan to buy your house. That means your credit will have to be in a good place. If it's not, you'll be facing very high-interest rates if a bank is even willing to loan to you. 
Often, the cost of renting an apartment or home is much cheaper than paying a monthly mortgage payment. There are also tons of miscellaneous expenses that come with owning a home. This can include anything from yard grooming to unexpected repairs. If you rent, many of these extra costs are taken care of by the owner. When you're living in an apartment, you can just call up maintenance to fix a broken faucet. If you own your home, that expense will have to come out of your own pocket.
Another factor to consider when buying a home is employment. Are you purchasing your house in a place with plenty of job options? To make buying worthwhile, you want to make sure you'll be living there for at least five to ten years. If your current job is stable and probably won't be going away anytime soon, then buying a home might make more financial sense for you. This could also work if your area has plenty of opportunities in your field. But if your career has you traveling a lot or moving around from state to state every couple of years, renting is probably a better option.
The worst reason to buy a house is because everyone else is doing it. Don't use your friends or family as a barometer for your financial health. If you can't afford to buy a house, don't do it. Take stock of your financial situation and make a decision that is best for you.
"

By Massimo Tornambe Scott Disick, aka “Lord Disick” has gained fame and a devoted following since his appearances on the reality show, Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Disick is renowned for his expensive taste in clothes, cars, and women. The question that millions of fans are asking is: where did his fortune come from? Scott

Everyone says the economy’s healthier than ever, but some of us still find it necessary to make that paycheck stretch…and stretch…and stretch. The better we understand our spending habits, the better we can manage them. Living frugally can benefit you in many ways. You’ll grow more self-reliant, creative, and resourceful as you learn to make

Spring is in the air — and while you’re clearing out closets and scrubbing the back corners of the kitchen drawers, why not do a deep clean on something that really weighs you down? We’re talking about debt. Yep, those sneaky credit card balances, student loans, Buy Now Pay Later plans, and subscriptions that keep

In the 1980s movie Little Shop of Horrors, the protagonist Audrey fantasizes about owning a house of her very own. She doesn’t ask for much: just a simple one-storey place with a washer, dryer, and bedding will do.  And while this moment in the film is intended to satirize the American Dream by underlining how

Imagine this: you marry the man of your dreams. You have two beautiful children with another on the way. You spend your days cooking gorgeous, nutritious meals for your family…. from scratch. You get paid to share your daily life and meals with people around the world. But here’s the catch: half of those people

In this month’s Money Journal, Celia is organized and disciplined yet enjoys her life “to the Max” Welcome to Money Journal, a monthly Paypath series that examines how Americans really handle their finances. Our participants keep a journal of their earnings, spending, and savings (if any), then share what it’s like to live in their

Trying to cancel your gym membership can be more tiring than actually attending that kickboxing class you keep skipping. Getting out of your gym contract can be so tough that people are going to great lengths to avoid paying any penalties. After going into debt living a lifestyle she couldn’t afford, this woman forged fake

You Lose $20K Each Year Just For Being a Mom You may not know this, but there was a time when smoking was considered “liberated” behavior for women. There was a cigarette company Virginia Slims that was created specifically to attract female smokers during the bad old 1970s. The slogan was “You’ve come a long

Even if you don’t know the first thing about collectables, you know Funko POPs. Funko Everyone does. They’re absolutely everywhere, from comic book shops to big box stores to movie theater concession stands. Many people think Funko POPs are cute, with their big black eyes and uniform features. Others think they’re creepy for pretty much

​​The ugliest thing about credit card debt is that it’s plaguing millions of Americans all across the country. Hang-on, hang-on before you despair — it’s possible to pay off credit card debt by simply avoiding certain purchases that you’d normally give in to without a thought.  The latest social media trend that encourages people to