The perfect holiday playlist can turn a Blue Christmas into a Wonderful Christmastime. If you haven’t jammed out to holiday tunes since Last Christmas, take our quiz to refresh your musical memory before you Deck the Halls.

Decorating your home does more than set the mood for the holiday season — it’s an exercise in nostalgia and tradition. But if you’ve ever faced a mountain of tangled lights, crushed ornaments, or mystery bins labeled “misc.,” you know how quickly it can put a damper on your holiday spirit. Set yourself up for success next year (and every year) with these simple organization and storage tips.

Whether you're cozying up with cocoa or tackling your holiday to-do list, this festive edition of Waypoints brings you practical tips, cheerful fun, and helpful insights to wrap up the year with ease.

When you first took out your mortgage, the monthly payment was probably one of the biggest factors in your decision-making. Most buyers focus on principal and interest when budgeting for a house, especially with a fixed-rate mortgage that promises predictable payments. But there’s another piece of the puzzle that can shift over time: escrow.