It might be called a purchase agreement, a formal offer or a sales agreement, but no matter the name, it's the official paperwork that begins the process of buying a house.

This may come as a surprise to you, but I'm not a Millennial. I do know a few people, though, who fall into this huge group that is now coming of age. One question I often see in the media or hear in private discussion is, "why won't these kids settle down and buy homes? Don't they want to live the American Dream?"

The down payment. Cue the dramatic, fear-filled suspense music. Yeah, it's scary. Coming up with enough cash to put down when buying a house is the single biggest roadblock for most hopeful homebuyers. But how much do you really need?

So, the other day, I felt like a total adult. Like, so adulty, that it made me feel uncomfortable. Why? Well, my hus and I took a long overdue trip to the attorney's office to sign our wills, health care proxies, and other important documents so that we could protect our kids from any additional anguish should the worst case scenario become a reality.

Car leasing is a growing affordability option for drivers, but like renting or owning a house, there are important distinctions in getting the right deal on a lease versus a loan. Making the right decision requires good research and a close look at your finances.