You’re in a financial bind and need some quick cash. You’ve seen payday loan stores all over town and think "Maybe I should try that…” 

Don't fall into that trap! Getting a loan with a payday lender could send you down a deep hole that may take years to get out of.

Buying a home is a common undertaking for many Americans, but it’s also one of the most complicated — not to mention costly — purchases adults will ever make. It’s important to understand these 10 essential terms so you’re ready to make smart decisions with your money.

Heading out on a vacation road trip? Watch out at the fuel pump for a threat to your debit or credit card: skimmers. Gas stations, among the last retailers to install fraud-reducing EMV-chip card readers, remain an attractive target this summer for card-skimming crews.

"Ask Brianna” is a column from NerdWallet for 20-somethings or anyone else starting out. I’m here to help you manage your money, find a job and pay off student loans — all the real-world stuff no one taught us how to do in college. Send your questions about postgrad life to askbrianna@nerdwallet.com.

Being able to bank or shop online is a great convenience, but you want to be sure you’re protecting yourself before you hit "send.” If the wrong people access your accounts, you might find yourself with a lot less in the bank than you thought. Here are six steps you can take to help make sure that doesn’t happen.

In seeking the best deal on your next car, you might’ve stumbled upon advertisements or offers to get a 0% interest auto loan. As great as this sounds, you may not save as much as you expect with this type of incentive.

College graduation marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. Gone are dorm rooms, awful part-time jobs and asking your parents for money — hopefully. Now it’s time for your first full-time job and paycheck.

Young adults starting out on their own often bump into a cold fact of financial life: Having no credit history can limit your options just as much as having bad credit does.

Tax time can be tough, especially when you don’t have the money to pay what’s due. 

An ATM can be a lifesaver when you’re on the go and need some fast cash. But as helpful as these machines can be, they’re also magnets for fraudsters who are out to make a quick buck. In fact, criminals stole data from magnetic-strip debit cards at ATMs at the highest rate in over 20 years during the first several months of 2015, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.