Articles

Investment

Woman sitting at home, checking her laptop and smartphone

M1 Review: Affordable Automated Investing for Beginner Investors

June 4, 2025

Investing used to be a pain for new investors. You had to set up an account with a brokerage firm, and every trade used to

Mixed race woman sitting on sofa at home, with laptop on her lap, holding her glasses, and looking off into the distance, thinking.

Robo-Advisors vs. Financial Advisors: Who’s Better for Your Investments?

December 19, 2024

It’s easier than ever these days to invest in the market and build wealth. Online investing platforms and robo-advisors let you make trades and access

Stacks of different colored poker chips on a table.

What Is Options Trading? How To Bet on Stock Price Changes

December 19, 2024

Options trading is a strategy that advanced investors use to increase the value of their portfolios. It allows you to bet on whether a stock’s

Senior couple at home, reviewing documents while drinking coffee.

What Are Brokered CDs? How They Compare to Traditional CDs

December 17, 2024

Not long ago, CDs were seen as investments for the timid — one personal finance celebrity mocked them as “certificates of depression” due to their

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

Portrait image of a young woman laying down on sofa with laptop computer and coffee cup.

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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Mortgage

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How Paying an Extra $10 a Day Could Save You Thousands on Your Mortgage

March 26, 2026

Most people sign their mortgage paperwork, note their monthly payment, set up autopay — and that's the last time they think about it for 30

Couple sitting on their kitchen floor, having coffee and high-fiving.

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,

What to Know Before Applying for a Mortgage

November 22, 2023

If you’ve never purchased a home or property, the process can seem overwhelming. After all, a home costs a lot of money, and when you

Student Debt

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

The SAVE Plan for Student Loans: How it Works

February 22, 2024

The SAVE program is being phased out under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. If you are currently enrolled in a SAVE plan, interest collection

11 Ways to Get Paid to Go to School and Graduate Debt-Free

November 25, 2023

Going to college is more expensive than ever before. The average cost of tuition for a four-year public school is $9,678 per year, while a

Savings

What Are Brokered CDs? How They Compare to Traditional CDs

December 17, 2024

Not long ago, CDs were seen as investments for the timid — one personal finance celebrity mocked them as “certificates of depression” due to their

A stressed man on the phone and holding a metal bucket while water drips from the ceiling.

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

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

How To Use a CD Ladder 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 parents playing with their son and daughter in the living room.

How To Save Money for Your Children's Future

August 27, 2024

Becoming a parent is one of the most costly experiences in life. From childcare expenses to piano lessons, summer sports, and of course, everyday necessities,

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Budgeting

Happy family talking while having breakfast in a restaurant

How To Manage Food Costs on Family Trips: Eat Well, Spend Less

June 20, 2025

“I want something to eat now” is often the constant refrain from children (young and old) on a family vacation. And paying for three meals

Young woman lying on her couch at home, looking at her phone, seeming relasxed

Quicken Simplifi Review: Solid Budgeting Made Easy

June 18, 2025

Are you tired of finding there’s too much month left at the end of the money? Or feeling okay about your finances, but know you

Father pays a waitress in restaurant with his family.

How To Budget for Family Vacations Without Overspending

February 12, 2025

Cost is probably your first concern when planning family travel. Fortunately, there are ways to keep your spending in line while still creating lasting memories

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 are 3.1% higher than they were

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

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.

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

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Retirement

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 how many Americans approaching retirement age have under-saved. While that is a situation many people face,

One hundred dollar bill on the sidewalk close-up and a man's feet staying behind it.

How To Find Your Old 401(k)

July 10, 2024

Once you break up with a company — either by your choice or theirs — everything you contributed to your 401(k) is yours to keep.

Close-up shot of a woman holding out a red apple and green apple, each in one hand.

IRA vs. 401(k): Which One Is Better for You?

June 3, 2024

When you’re ready to start saving for retirement, the first type of account you’ll encounter is probably a 401(k). While this is a good place

Granddaughter gets advice while walking and talking with grandmother in autumn.

Roth IRA vs. Traditional IRA: What’s the Difference?

May 30, 2024

An individual retirement account (IRA) can be a good way to boost your retirement savings. Unlike a 401(k), an IRA gives you flexibility over how

How Much You Need to Retire: The Ultimate Guide

November 11, 2023

How much do I need to retire? It’s one of the most important questions to answer in your financial life. The answer informs how much

What Is a 401(k)? Comparing Roth vs. Traditional Plans

October 30, 2023

Retirement planning can be complicated. You’ve probably heard of a 401(k) plan — but do you know about all of its benefits? And what type

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Insurance

Young couple on road trip reading map for directions

Insurance and Protection for Road Trips: Your Complete Guide to Stress-Free Travel

August 28, 2025

You’ve packed the snacks, planned the route, and even downloaded the perfect playlist. But what happens if your car breaks down in the middle of

Tourist wearing a sensor for controlling blood sugar measures her levels after taking a walk along Greek coast.

How To Get Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions

February 19, 2025

If you have a chronic illness or medical condition and are taking a trip, you need proper travel insurance. The catch? Many travel insurance policies

Multiracial family travel together in old city centre, looking at a map.

Travel Insurance and Safety Tips for Family Vacations

February 7, 2025

Family vacations should be about making memories, not worrying about accidents or emergencies. With the right safety strategies and insurance plan, you can focus on

Crying young woman sitting on snow injured during skiing trip.

Best Travel Insurance for Medical Coverage in 2026

February 5, 2025

Travel medical insurance is a low-cost way to fill the crucial gaps left by your existing insurance plan when you travel. For a few extra

Hiker grimacing and holding knee, in pain, asking for help on phone.

How To Access Emergency Assistance Abroad Through Your Travel Insurance

February 4, 2025

As someone who’s been to 41 countries and counting, let me tell you: The one law that applies in every country is Murphy’s Law. From

Relieved young woman sits on couch at home talking on cellphone with laptop open.

How To Avoid Losing Money on Canceled Trips

February 3, 2025

While you probably don't want to think about canceling a trip just as you're booking it, planning ahead can go a long way toward saving

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Debt

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 looking stressed while reading a bill

Is Debt Settlement a Good Idea?

July 29, 2024

If you have hundreds — or even thousands — of dollars in debt, it can feel like you are never going to escape it. Cue the

How to Do a Balance Transfer the Smart Way

October 21, 2023

The right balance transfer promotion can help you get your debts under control. You'll consolidate multiple balances into just one, which makes managing your bills

Banking

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 June 2026

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 annual percentage rates

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 June 2026

October 3, 2024

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

Woman freelancer sitting on armchair and putting her feet on windowsill with plants, and a cat nearby wanting attention.

Best Bank Accounts for Freelancers in June 2026

September 30, 2024

Erika’s Picks for Best Bank Accounts for Freelancers Best for earning interest: Best for minimal fees: Best for business basics: Best for invoicing: Best for

Black woman fashion designer at her desk and on the phone.

Best Business Checking Accounts in June 2026

September 25, 2024

Erika’s Picks for Best Business Checking Accounts Best for small businesses: Wells Fargo Initiate Business Checking® Account Best for no fees: Best for earning interest:

Side Hustle

Restaurant owners using credit card online

How To Get a Business Credit Card

August 20, 2025

A business credit card is more than a convenient way to pay — it’s a critical tool for maintaining cash flow, building credit, and avoiding

Woman filming herself showing her handmade jewelry

Side Hustles that Qualify for a Business Credit Card

July 21, 2025

It seems like everyone's got a side hustle these days, but not everyone realizes they could be eligible for a business credit card because of

Woman holds several business cards and weighs her options.

How To Choose the Best Business Credit Card

July 9, 2025

Running a business usually requires you to keep a few plates spinning, even if you’re not a solo entrepreneur. Things can easily start to fall

My 12 Sources of Income in My 30s

December 19, 2024

I used to think that the “right” way to make a stable life for myself was to work really hard at my job, climb the

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

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Credit card