Q: I'm looking to buy a new car and I want one with an unusual color. My dad has told me that this will affect the resale value. Does the color of my car really matter?

A: Your dad is right; studies show that the color of your car can affect its resale value. If you plan to drive it until it dies, then go ahead and pick neon orange... if that's your thing. However, choosing a more popular car color can prove more profitable down the line.

Globally, the most popular color for automobiles is silver. Other favorites are blue, red, green, white and black. Cars sporting these colors are typically easier to sell and receive a higher resale value. Purple and brown are traditionally unpopular color choices.

Another important factor is the finish. Is it flat or metallic? During the past decade, metallic finish has been one of the most popular new car options. The value of a car after one year is greater when the car has a metallic, rather than a flat, finish.

Q: How can I make sure I don't get behind on paying my bills when I go away on vacation?

A: First, check the due dates on your bills to see which ones you will need to take care of before you leave. If you need to pay bills while away, you have three main online options. The first choice is to pay through a third-party financial institution such as your credit union that can service multiple bill payments ranging from cell phone bills to car payments. The second way is to make payment arrangements with each individual account holder and the third is to establish automatic online
bill payment through a credit card.

You can also prepay your bills before you leave. By opting to have your paycheck automatically deposited into your account, you can help ensure there is always enough money in the account to cover your bills. Should you happen to run out of funds, look into overdraft protection to keep yourself from bouncing a payment.
 

Editor's Note: When answering your questions, brass consults with experienced professionals from a wide spectrum of industries. We utilize their expertise to give you the answers you need, but it's always wise to seek additional opinions from other professionals.