Articles

Investment

Young woman working on laptop from home, looking at printed graphs while eating an apple.

Do You Need a Financial Planner?

December 4, 2024

Investing and planning for retirement has changed a lot — mostly for the better. Instead of paying fees and expense ratios, you can now invest

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4 Common Investing Fears and How To Overcome Them

November 6, 2024

If you have looked into any financial advice, you’ve probably heard about the importance of investing. And if so many people are doing it, you

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Watch Out for These Red Flags When Getting Financial Advice

November 4, 2024

It’s hard to know who to trust online. Especially when it comes to your money. The rise of TikTok financial influencers or “fin-fluencers” (just like

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Common Investing Mistakes to Avoid

October 17, 2024

Most people know that investing in the stock market is the key to building wealth. But, like with any other skill, there's a right way

Close-up of differently colored eggs in a wire basket

What Does Diversification Mean for Investors?

October 4, 2024

You’ve probably heard that you shouldn’t “put all your eggs in one basket.” In investing, the practice of having multiple baskets is known as diversification.

Slice of cheesecake with cranberry sauce on white plate.

What Is Fractional Trading?

September 26, 2024

Buying stocks can be expensive. One share of Apple, for example, is over $200 as of this writing. A share of Microsoft is over $400.

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Mortgage

Young woman using laptop and talking on smartphone in her new home, surrounded by boxes.

5 Types of Mortgage Loans and How To Choose the Best for You

December 6, 2024

Homeownership is the American dream — and making this dream a reality is something to celebrate! But for most people, homeownership is not possible without

Homeowner lounging on couch at home, smiling and looking at smartphone

How To Lower Your Monthly Mortgage Payment

October 30, 2024

If you own a home, your mortgage payment is likely your largest monthly expense. Even if the cost is spread out over 30 years, it’s

Young woman sits relaxed on her sofa in the living room of her new apartment.

How To Buy a Home With No Down Payment

October 23, 2024

Buying a home may seem out of reach for many aspiring homeowners. According to the Case-Shiller National Home Price Index, the average home price has

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How To Save for a Down Payment

October 8, 2024

Congratulations! You’ve just decided you’re ready to buy a house! This is a big deal — AND a big purchase. After determining you’re financially ready,

Young Black couple sit at a desk talking with a female real estate agent.

What Is a Home Equity Loan?

June 13, 2024

Sometimes, you need a large amount of money. Maybe it’s to pay for something like a wedding or school, or maybe it’s to pay off

Real estate agent showing couple around new home.

What the New Realtor Commission Changes Really Mean (From an Industry Insider)

May 29, 2024

There are changes on the horizon for the real estate industry. Most real estate agents working in the U.S. make a commission, which is a

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Student Debt

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Can You Pay Off Student Loans With a Line of Credit?

December 9, 2024

Student loan debt is at an all-time high. According to the Education Data Initiative, 42.8 million Americans are grappling with student loan debt. The average

Young female student studying in a college library.

SoFi Student Loans Review: Low-Rate, No-Fee Private Loans

August 23, 2024

Choosing a private student loan company can be tricky, and it’s important to make the right decision. The difference between a great lender and a

Young student sitting on steps outside, looking at her phone and celebrating.

How To Find Scholarships and Avoid Student Loans

August 8, 2024

College is likely one of the most expensive things you will ever pay for. So, many people find themselves turning to student loans to help

Parent PLUS Loans: What to Know

June 29, 2024

Every parent dreams of providing a better life for their child. And for most parents, that means setting their child up for success financially, like

Happy female student taking notes during a at university and looking at camera.

Guide to Private Student Loans

June 24, 2024

Let’s face it — college is not exactly cheap. For some people, the price tag alone is the biggest obstacle when it comes to obtaining

Teenager using laptop and filling out a form.

What Is the FAFSA and How Does It Work?

June 17, 2024

Whether you’re a student applying to college or a parent helping your child pay for college, you’ve probably heard that you should complete the FAFSA.

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Savings

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4 Steps to Build an Emergency Fund

November 11, 2024

One of the greatest feelings is safety — including feeling safe in your current financial situation. An emergency fund is your financial security blanket. It

Female college student with pink hair, wearing headphones and writing notes while watching a webinar on her laptop.

What Is a 529 Plan?

October 14, 2024

Being a parent is a fulfilling experience. But it’s also an expensive one. As a parent, the thought of paying for your child’s college education

Happy mature woman sitting at home in the garden and using laptop.

What Is a Certificate of Deposit?

October 11, 2024

One of the best options for locking in a high interest rate — while also reducing the temptation to tap into your savings! — is to

A male hand holds onto the crossbar of a red wooden ladder leading to blue sky.

CD Ladder: What It Is and How You Can Use One to Build Wealth

September 5, 2024

Sometimes it takes a bit of creativity to maximize our wealth — like building a ladder of high-interest accounts. A CD ladder is a creative

Young woman holding coffee paper cup and looking at smartphone while sitting at cafe.

5 Types of Savings Accounts to Help You Reach Your Savings Goals

September 4, 2024

When it comes to savings accounts, you’ve got lots of options. And depending on your financial goals, such as saving up for a vacation or

Young woman stretching before a run outdoors, wearing an insulin pump on her arm.

How to Use Your HSA to Unlock Preventative Care Savings

September 2, 2024

A health savings account (HSA) is a special account that allows you to save money for health-related expenses, like an unexpected trip to the emergency

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Budgeting

A young male/female couple drinking coffee and eating cake in a cafe.

How To Date on a Budget

December 2, 2024

Thanks to inflation, going out on a date has gotten a lot more expensive. According to a survey by LendingTree, 65% of singles say inflation

Young woman choosing bread while buying groceries in supermarket.

8 Ways To Save Money on Groceries

November 26, 2024

There’s a good chance your weekly trip to the grocery store is feeling more expensive than ever — food prices have increased 28% in the last

Young woman putting a whitening strip on her teeth in front of a mirror in the bathroom.

Fine Print Tip: How To Get a Refund for Crest Whitening Strips

November 18, 2024

Whether you’re a committed tooth-brusher or your dentist hates to see you coming, sometimes you want a little extra help to make your smile look

Exterior shot of an IKEA store with IKEA flags in the parking lot.

Fine Print Tip: How To Get Your Money Back With IKEA’s Return Policy

November 5, 2024

Picture this: You finally built that gorgeous MALM dresser you bought from IKEA, only to realize it's way too big for your space. Or maybe

Young Black woman and her friends drinking juice and talking while gathering in a cafe.

Money Conversations We Should Be Having

November 5, 2024

You can’t escape it — money is a topic that permeates almost every aspect of our lives. Yet even though many of us share the

Two female friends enjoying the Christmas spirit by giving each other presents in a beautifully decorated city street.

How To Budget for the Holidays

November 1, 2024

If the economy has you rethinking how much you’re going to spend on gift-giving this year, you’re not alone. According to a Bankrate survey, more

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Retirement

Healthy senior woman smiling while holding some green juice in her kitchen.

Life Insurance vs. 401(k): Which Is Better for Retirement?

December 10, 2024

For most people, their 401(k) or home is the main investment that they’ll rely on in retirement. But are these your only options? A life

Portrait of a happy senior Asian woman resting in her living room, sitting on the sofa.

Should You Buy Annuities?

October 29, 2024

When most people think about saving for retirement, they think about their employer-sponsored 401(k). While this is one of the best ways to build a

Portrait of a smiling, happy mature woman on a beach, wearing sunglasses and sunhat.

How To Retire Early With the Rule of 55 and 72(t) Distributions

October 2, 2024

We all regularly hear about the retirement crisis and that many Americans approaching retirement age have under-saved. While that is a situation many people face,

Smiling blond senior woman wearing glasses while reading in hammock in a summer garden.

How To Save for Retirement Without a 401(k)

September 24, 2024

Only one-third of Americans have access to an employer-sponsored 401(k). As for the remaining two-thirds? They need to find their own ways to save for

Smiling young Black woman sitting with laptop.

How To Open Your Employee 401(k) Account

September 20, 2024

You’ve finally landed your first (or next) job — congratulations! Onboarding with your new employer is going to entail a lot of administrative work, for health

Mature businesswoman looking away thoughtfully in her home office

Capitalize Review: Easily Roll Over Your 401(k) Into an IRA

August 30, 2024

When you leave an employer, the stress or excitement might cause you to put your 401(k) account on the back burner. In fact, according to

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Insurance

Young mother working on laptop beside her daughter playing on tablet at home.

When Should I Make a Will?

November 27, 2024

When you think of a will, you probably think of a wealthy person who wants to protect their assets or an elderly relative who’s nearing

Female doctor consulting with young woman patient, showing her results on a tablet.

Why Was I Denied Life Insurance?

November 14, 2024

Life insurance companies are typically for-profit. They make money via your premiums, with the expectation that the payout won’t occur until after enough premiums have

Should You Buy Annuities?

October 29, 2024

When most people think about saving for retirement, they think about their employer-sponsored 401(k). While this is one of the best ways to build a

Dentist showing X-rays to a patient during a check-up at a clinic.

How to Finance a Trip to the Dentist

October 16, 2024

A trip to the dentist isn’t something people usually look forward to. Besides being not exactly the most fun thing to do, it can also

Young woman standing among boxes and happily looking around her new apartment.

Do I Need Renters Insurance?

August 22, 2024

When you rent a home or apartment from someone else, your landlord is typically responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the property. This can

Best Renters Insurance in December 2024

August 22, 2024

Erika's Picks for Best Renters Insurance Best for budgeters: State Farm Best for college students: Lemonade Best for military: USAA Best for retirees: Allstate Best

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Debt

Woman carrying retail shopping bags and checking her phone.

Is It Worth Using Buy Now Pay Later Apps?

November 29, 2024

Do you remember when stores offered layaway? Instead of checking something out you’d take it to the back of the store and set up a

Head shot of unhappy, thoughtful young woman cuddling husband but suspecting betrayal.

7 Signs of Financial Infidelity… and What to Do Next

November 20, 2024

You might not be jumping into bed with someone else, but if you’re hiding credit card bills or secret shopping sprees from your partner, it

Relaxed woman at home, drinking a coffee while sitting on her sofa.

Debt and Mental Health: The Psychology of Being Debt-Free

November 19, 2024

People with high debt and poor mental health know it can be challenging to emerge from one without fixing the other. There's a connection between

Young woman looking stressed while working on laptop at home.

What Happens If I Don’t Pay My Debt?

November 13, 2024

No one wants to fall behind on their bill payments, but sometimes financial hardships make it unavoidable. Whether you're dealing with credit cards, personal loans,

Snow avalanche coming down a large, rocky mountain.

Debt Avalanche Method: What It Is and When to Use It

October 28, 2024

The debt avalanche method is a debt-elimination strategy for when you have multiple sources of debt. It prioritizes paying off high-interest debts first, which can

Young woman holding coffee cup and using phone while sitting at windowsill at home.

Best Apps To Help Pay off Debt in December 2024

October 1, 2024

Erika’s Picks for Best Apps To Help Pay off Debt Best for simplicity: Unbury.me Best for functionality: Undebt.it Best for balance transfer tracking: Debt Payoff

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Banking

A young woman and young man reviewing a document at a table, with the woman signing it.

Co-Signer vs. Co-Borrower: What’s the Difference?

November 22, 2024

Securing approval for a new loan can be tough, especially if you're just starting to build your credit history or have an unconventional income. This

Young woman withdrawing money from credit card at ATM.

What Is the Federal Reserve and the Fed Funds Rate?

November 18, 2024

If you follow the economy (or even just scroll your favorite social app), you’ve probably at the least heard about the Federal Reserve. And lately,

Two young people taking money out of an ATM with a bank card.

What Is FDIC Insurance and How Does It Protect Me?

October 25, 2024

Can you imagine waking up to the news of your bank suddenly closing its doors? You’d likely be panicked about the safety of your money

Best High-Yield Savings Accounts in December 2024

October 15, 2024

A savings account keeps your money safe and easily accessible. But the problem with traditional savings accounts is they offer very low interest rates compared

Black woman sitting outside, looking at her cellphone and smiling.

What Is Early Direct Deposit and Which Banks Offer It?

October 9, 2024

Is there anything better than the feeling of payday? It's that ever-so-glorious moment when you realize your hard work has paid off. But what if

Best Checking Accounts in December 2024

October 3, 2024

Erika's Picks for Best Checking Accounts Best overall: Best for cashback: Best for no fees: Best for ATM access: Capital One 360 Checking Best for

Side Hustle

Erika Kullberg sitting on a couch, holding up a book and talking to a camera set up on a tripod.

How To Make Money on YouTube

December 10, 2024

One of the most-asked questions I get is how I grew my YouTube channel from zero to 1,000 subscribers in three months. This milestone was

Happy casual businesswoman in a boardroom with sticky notes on the window.

How To Create a Budget as a Freelancer

December 3, 2024

Freelancing is an increasingly popular way to earn a living. According to Upwork, 38% of workers are engaged in freelance work. While freelancing can be

Successful business team high-fiving each other in a coffee shop, celebrating a job well done.

3 Tips for Starting a Business

November 19, 2024

For many people, being your own boss is a dream. But entrepreneurship has its challenges, including the beginning stages of getting your business off the