Finance, Real Estate and Law Associate Professor Anthony Orlando shares his expert advice in two WalletGeek.com consumer finance columns on home insurance and health insurance.

In "The Cheapest Home Insurance Companies in 2024" (published Feb. 12, 2024), Orlando identifies two common mistakes made by first-time homebuyers: not shopping around for services and underestimating the cost of owning a home. "Basically, do your homework," Orlando advises. "Don't assume you're getting a good enough deal just because the first person sounds knowledgeable. Everyone is a salesperson. They're supposed to sound smart. But that doesn't mean they have your best interests at heart.

In "Best Health Insurance Companies in 2024" (published Feb. 19, 2024), Orlando gives the rundown on the difference between HMOs and PPOs, and the advantages of a Health Savings Account. Most people can benefit from an HSA, he says. "Even the best insurance in America isn't free. Most insurance plans require the policyholder to pay significant out-of-pocket costs, including copays, coinsurance and deductibles. That's why medical debt is one of the leading causes of financial stress in this country. If you save money in advance, it will be easier to pay your bills, and you're less likely to be hounded by debt collectors and forced into bankruptcy, as so many American families are."