Real World 101: Life After College

The time to get the best deal on a car is at the very end or very beginning of the year when the last year's models are all on sale. You can usually get great financing deals at the end of December and beginning of January. Many times the financing is so good that you end up paying less for a new car than for a used one.

The Transportation Security Administration website publishes historical security checkpoint wait times for airports in the U.S. Just select the airport you're departing from, and the day of the week and time for your flight. The TSA then gives you the average and maximum wait times for each security checkpoint in the airport (actual wait times may vary). You can use this tool to help plan your next trip by going to http://waittime.tsa.dhs.gov/index.html.

It's common knowledge that as soon as you drive a new car off the lot, you lose 15 to 30 percent of what you paid for it. As someone who is just getting started in your financial life, this is a good enough reason to buy something used. You'll pay less, get better "drive off the lot" deal, and feel better about yourself.

That said, watch out for car salesman trying to unload junker. Here are some tips to follow so that you'll wind up with the best car for your money.

• Once you find a car you like, have an independent mechanic inspect it. This usually costs around $100, and it could save you thousands in future repairs if he spots something wrong with the car.
• Have the dealer show you the car's inspection history. If they won't show it to you - or say they don't have it - consider that a red flag.
• Write down the car's Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN, and run it through a national database such as CARFAX. You'll get the car's full history, including odometer readings, accidents, and sales.
• Read the warranty and make sure you understand what is covered and what is not.
• Bottom line: never buy a car without sleeping on the final offer first. No matter what the salesman tells you, you can always come back tomorrow.

Before making extended trips abroad, call your credit card companies to notify them that you will be doing so, and which countries and for how long. This has two benefits: 1) You reduce the risk that your credit card will be denied when purchases are coming from a foreign country. 2) You alert your credit card company that you will be in specific new places, which speeds response time to a stolen card. You can also set limits on your purchases, too!

Rather than pay a booking fee for booking your flights through a third party, search the third party's site for which airline has the cheapest flight, and then go to that airline's site to book the flight. This way you avoid paying a third party booking fee, and the airline usually gives a slight discount for booking online