Money Personal Finance

I live in a dense city and work 7 miles away. Right now I use the bus and occasional rideshare, but the commute can be 45–60 minutes door to door. A used compact car would cost about $8,000, plus $150/month for insurance and $200/month for parking near my apartment. I drive to visit family twice a month and haul groceries weekly. I'm trying to compare total annual costs and time saved against the hassle of owning a car. What factors should I weigh to decide if buying a car actually makes sense or if I should stick with transit and rideshare?

I'm a freelance designer and my income swings a lot month to month. Some months are great, then two lean ones show up in a row, and rent still wants to be paid on time. I'd like a simple system that doesn't require spreadsheets every day, and I prefer separate accounts only if it actually helps. I also need to set aside taxes and avoid putting emergencies on a credit card. How would you structure buckets, percentages, or buffers for this kind of cash flow? (If it matters, this is for a normal household setup, nothing fancy.)

I'm moving in with two roommates and we're trying to figure out a fair system for rent, utilities, and shared items like paper towels and cleaning supplies. One room is larger with a private bath, and our incomes aren't the same. We want to avoid awkward Venmo back-and-forths and late payments. Is there a simple method or app you've used that keeps things transparent and fair? Also curious how people handle shared groceries versus personal food without nickel-and-diming.

My current car loan is 7.2% with 36 months left, and a lender offered 6.5% to refinance. There are some fees and I'm not sure about the break-even point. How do I run the numbers and what gotchas should I watch for?

I received a notice about a sizable increase next month and I'm worried I'll come off confrontational if I push back. How can I politely present comparable rents and propose a smaller bump or a longer lease to keep things amicable?

I'm new to credit, have a part-time income, and plan to pay in full each month. For a first card, what matters most—no annual fee, straightforward cashback, a reasonable APR, or starting with a secured or student card? Any common gotchas in terms, minimum redemption amounts, or hidden fees I should watch for?