Saving money is a big goal for all of us. So in a single-parent family, when one parent bears the responsibility of raising kids and making financial ends meet, saving for something like your own retirement might be further down the priority list compared to your other financial goals.

Unless you can buy a house entirely in cash, finding the right house is only half the battle. The other half is choosing the best type of mortgage. Since you'll likely be paying back your mortgage over a long period of time, it's important to find a loan that meets your needs and your budget. When you borrow money from a lender, you're making a legal agreement to repay that loan over a set amount of time – with interest.