Life Kit is excited to bring you more episodes but we're making some changes to how we organize things. Starting in the new year, this three-part guide will disappear, but all of the episodes will still be available — they are just moving to our main Life Kit feed. Search your podcast app for Life Kit from NPR and subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Based on your feedback, we've created new ways to listen to Life Kit. If you never want to miss an episode, subscribe to Life Kit: All Guides. We also divided our guides by subject — health, money and parenting - and more to come in the future — so you can subscribe to only the topics you want to learn about.

It's hard to imagine a more boring (and dreaded) word than "mortgage." But if you know where to look, you might find a mortgage that will save you thousands of dollars a year or discover that you qualify for a loan when you didn't think you could — and that's exciting! You might even find free money to help with a down payment. Here's what to remember: — Shop around at all kinds of lenders — especially if you're a first-time homebuyer. — Find out if you qualify for a grant to help with a...

The journey to buying a house can lead you down some perilous roads, past pushy real estate agents, self-interested bankers and not-so-meticulous home inspectors. We lay out a step-by-step approach to help you avoid those pitfalls, from what to look for in a house that will truly make you happy to assembling a team to help close the deal. Here's what to remember: - Find a good buyer's agent. - Make a list of what you need in a house and another of what you want. - Get preapproved for a...

Homeownership is something that most Americans say they aspire to one day. But how do you know if you're ready? In this episode, we look at the pros and cons of renting versus owning. Here's what to remember: - Owning a home is the No. 1 way most Americans build wealth. - Buying a house, however, is not an automatic ticket to the good life, and may not make you happier. - Renting gives you flexibility. - But that flexibility comes with a cost: Rents will always go up. - You don't need a big...

Buying a home is a huge undertaking. This Life Kit guide is here to help you figure out if you're ready to make that leap, and if you are, how to find the place of your dreams without breaking the bank.