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Oct. 30, 2026, 10:49 a.m. ETIf you’re saving for a home, you’ve probably wondered when you’ll finally have enough. For a typical two-income household, putting down 20% plus closing costs takes about 6.5 years, according to a Veterans United analysis of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas.That’s a long time to stay on track, especially when housing costs, everyday bills and rising home prices keep getting in the way. The good news is that 20% isn’t your only option. A smaller down payment can shorten the wait, and some loans...

June 4, 2026, 7:20 a.m. ETI’m going to let you in on a little secret: There’s a built-in feature on your Apple devices that can instantly convert currency for you. So before you begin a frantic web search or try to download an app while you’re in a different country, open the Calculator app on your iPhone instead.The Calculator app on your iPhone, iPad or Mac can convert currency, temperature, distance, fuel and much more with just a few taps or clicks.But that’s not all! Depending on your device, you...

May 28, 2026Updated May 29, 2026, 12:09 p.m. ETLast year, when Matt Gehr and his wife, Amber, decided to upgrade their condo for a single-family home, they had some advantages.Among the biggest: just enough savings to be able to swing a 10% down payment on a new place without having to sell their current home. Doing so would have wiped out their savings, but it was a fallback option.The couple got lucky, however. They made a contingent offer on a new house that was accepted, mostly because they offered a...