Have you ever wondered how you can quickly estimate how fast your money or investments will grow? Sure, you can plug numbers into a financial calculator or software program to get an answer, but it doesn't have to be that hard. You can simply use the Rule of 72. This quick calculation will tell you how many years it will take your money to double based on a particular interest rate.

Of course, there are plenty of variables that affect how money grows in reality, but this quick calculation can be helpful when you want to have a rough idea, or are comparing two different investments or interest rates. Learn how you can use the Rule of 72 to estimate your returns.

Kiplinger is partnering with the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors for an event called Jump-Start Your Retirement Plan Days. During this event you'll have access to fee-only financial planners that are ready to take your questions. From saving for retirement, paying off debt, or even estate planning, they are there to help.

There are two ways to have your question answered. You can simply submit a question online, where you can also read other questions and the responses. In addition, you can call toll-free between 9 am and 6 pm EST on January 13th or January 30th. The number to call is: 1-888-919-2345.

This is a great opportunity to speak with a qualified financial professional. Many of these advisors charge $100-$300 per hour, so it could be a significant savings.

What makes a good budget? Is it simply being as detailed as possible, or is there more to it than that? Surprisingly, there are many aspects of a budget that will determine whether or not it will work for you. Here is a list of the top 10 things that make up a good budget:

1. Categories that fit your personal situation. Default templates and guidelines are good, but to really have a budget that works, you need to have categories that fit your unique situation.
   
2. Accurate income projections. Not only do you want to have accurate income projections, but you want to have realistic expectations. When push comes to shove, be more conservative with your income projections.
   
3. Having the right amount of expense categories. Detail is important, but having too many categories can do more harm than good. You want to be able to separate where money is going, but you also don't want to become overwhelmed.
   
4. Continue reading for the rest of the top 10 list...

A common question I receive from parents is whether or not their son or daughter heading off to college should have a credit card. While it isn't a simple yes or no answer that applies to everyone, there are some significant advantages that a credit card at a young age can offer. Building a strong credit history is extremely important these days, and the sooner you can establish this history, the better. From obtaining loans, to even getting a job, credit score is increasingly coming into play.

But the real determining factor is whether the parent educates their child on the benefits and drawbacks of a credit card. Parents need to take an active role and teach them how credit cards work, how the monthly payment is calculated, and the severe consequences of missing a payment or buying more than they can afford. If done right, a student armed with a credit card will be well on their way to building a strong financial foundation.