Articles

Investment

Pensive, relaxed Black woman reading a book at home, drinking coffee sitting on the couch.

There’s Never a “Good” Time To Invest — Why You Should Do It Now

September 3, 2024

Investing is key to becoming financially secure, but you might feel like you can’t start yet. Maybe you’re waiting for a good time to invest

Young woman walking through a city and looking up at glass skyscrapers.

REITs 101: A Guide for Beginner Investors

August 29, 2024

Buying real estate can be expensive. From down payments to taxes, repairs, and inspections, you might need $50,000 just to get started in today’s market.

A pie with gold candles for 60th birthday, by a lake and mountains.

How To Invest in Your 60s

August 1, 2024

Your 60s are when most of us will sunset our careers and fully realize the outcome of our investments and planning. I’ve heard your 60s

Warning sign in the woods indicating there are bears

What Is a Bear Market?

July 30, 2024

If you turn on the news and all you see during the markets segment is down arrows, panicked analysts, and red financial indicators, we might

How To Invest in Your 50s

July 25, 2024

Your 50s are an exciting time, with retirement right around the corner — which is why it’s super important to pay attention to your investment

Charging bull sculpture in New York City.

What Is a Bull Market?

July 23, 2024

Have you ever gotten investment advice from your Uber driver? Or maybe family and friends start giving you “hot stock” tips? These may be signs

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Mortgage

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

Why Did My Mortgage Go Up?

May 27, 2024

Your mortgage is a big expense — probably the biggest expense in your budget. So, if your monthly mortgage payment suddenly goes up, it can

How Much House Can I Afford?

December 21, 2023

A home is often the largest purchase you will make. And some of us may spend decades in a single home, with multiple generations of

How Long Is a Preapproval for a Mortgage Good For?

December 18, 2023

Buying a home is likely the largest purchase you will ever make and having a mortgage loan is often necessary to make becoming a homeowner

What Is a Mortgage Broker?

December 12, 2023

Taking your first steps into home ownership is an exhilarating, life-changing moment. But to get there, you’ll need a team of experts helping you through

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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

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.

Young black female college student sitting in classroom.

How To Start Paying Your Student Loans Back

June 6, 2024

When you graduate college you have to make a lot of major decisions. You have to decide what jobs to apply for, where to live,

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Savings

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

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,

A panicked couple watches their roof leak as the man sits on the phone.

What Is an Emergency Fund?

August 8, 2024

Even with the most careful planning, life can throw some pretty big curveballs. All it takes is driving over a nail, getting sick, or losing

Young woman putting coins into a piggybank at home, with a stack of growing coins in a line on the table.

What Is Compound Interest and How Does It Work?

June 26, 2024

When you hear about the amount of money needed to retire, it can be pretty discouraging. How can anyone on a modest income save up

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Budgeting

Fine Print Hack: Costco Return Policy

September 12, 2024

Ahh, Costco – our favorite superstore. What can’t you find there? There are deals for everything under the sun, from socks to patio furniture to

Black woman lost in thought at her desk, with hand under chin.

How To Prepare for a Recession

September 11, 2024

High inflation and high interest rates make many of us susceptible to the downsides of a recession. If you're already struggling to pay off your credit

Young woman picking out books in a bookstore.

The Best Student Discounts for Big Back-to-School Savings in 2024

September 10, 2024

Ah, back to school — time to swap swimsuits for study dates and sleeping in for coffee runs. It’s no secret that being a student

Young Asian woman sitting on couch, holding phone and credit card, looking distressed.

How to Change Your Relationship with Money: Tips from a Financial Psychologist

September 5, 2024

The formula for financial success is, theoretically, simple and universal: But our ingrained financial attitudes and behaviors make living by that formula easier said than

Female college student working at a laptop.

Apple Discount Hack: How To Save on Apple Products as a Student

August 21, 2024

Between online classes, assignments, and web-based research, it’s nearly impossible to be in school without a computer. But investing in a brand-new laptop or tablet

Two friends sitting in a cafe, giving each other a fist bump across the table.

How To Budget for Beginners

August 20, 2024

Budgets can feel like traps. That's why many of us find it more comforting to turn a blind eye and ignore our finances rather than

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Retirement

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

What Are Required Minimum Distributions?

December 17, 2023

When you’re ready to retire you might want to hold off on immediately withdrawing money from your account. After all, you should let it grow

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 to this question

What Is a Traditional IRA and How Does It Work?

November 9, 2023

Retirement savings accounts are one of the best ways to save for retirement. The easiest way to get started is by investing in a company-sponsored

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

What Is a Roth IRA?

October 27, 2023

A Roth IRA is a type of retirement account that can help you grow your money while reducing the taxes you’ll pay later in life.

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Insurance

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 September 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

Mother with a young daughter, who is giving her a hug from behind and a kiss on the cheek.

Why You Need Life Insurance as a Parent

July 15, 2024

Caring for your child isn’t just a lifetime obligation — you also need to plan for costs that continue after you’re gone. That’s why it’s

Unhappy man sitting on the floor of a hotel lobby with a suitcase, passport, and tickets.

What Is Travel Insurance and Do You Need It?

June 19, 2024

A fabulous travel experience can leave its mark on your palate, worldview, and even romantic prospects. But a bad travel experience can leave its share

Best Life insurance Companies in September 2024

June 13, 2024

Most of us don’t enjoy thinking or talking about our own demise, let alone planning for it. But if you have financial dependents, significant debt

Best Pet Insurance With No Waiting Period in September 2024

June 12, 2024

If you’re in the process of buying pet insurance, you’ll probably breathe a big sigh of relief once you sign the policy. Your precious pooch

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Debt

Woman shopping online while typing on her laptop and holding her bank card, sitting on a chair in a bright living room.

Are You an Emotional Spender?

September 12, 2024

While there is nothing wrong with a little retail therapy every once in a while, some of us depend too much on shopping as a

Excited young Latina woman on her couch, looking at her phone, and raising her fist in the air in celebration.

How To Become Debt-Free: 6 Steps to Take Control of Your Debt

September 11, 2024

Between food prices, gas prices, housing prices, and more, the cost of living is definitely taking a toll on many of us. In fact, research

Young woman at a checkout counter, taking a credit card out of her wallet.

How To Consolidate Credit Card Debt

August 26, 2024

Struggling to pay off credit card debt? You’re not alone. According to the Federal Reserve, Americans have a whopping $1.12 trillion of outstanding credit card

A woman carrying colorful shopping bags while going up an escalator in a shopping mall.

Why It’s Hard to Get Out of Debt With Only Minimum Payments

August 19, 2024

When your budget is tight for the month, low minimum credit card payments can give you some breathing room. However, you don’t want to make

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

Stressed woman holds bank cards in her hand.

Should I Get a Personal Loan to Pay Off Credit Card Debt?

June 14, 2024

Managing debt can be stressful, especially if you have several credit cards. If you’re struggling, you may want to consider combining those multiple debts into

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Banking

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

Best Business Checking Accounts in September 2024

August 2, 2024

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

Shot of a Black woman's hand signing a check on a table.

Cashier's Check vs. Personal Check: What’s the Difference?

June 13, 2024

Using checks might seem outdated. But even if it’s easier to send your friends money on Venmo or tap your credit card to pay for

African American female reading from a tablet computer

SoFi Bank Review: Fee-Free High-Yield Savings

June 4, 2024

It used to be that online banks only specialized in one or two products — meaning you had to mix and match different banks for

Chalkboard lists pros and cons of banks and credit unions.

Credit Union or Bank: What’s the Difference?

May 29, 2024

Whenever you deposit your paycheck or take cash out of an ATM, you’re probably using a bank or credit union. Technically, there are other ways

Young woman using a bank card and phone at a cafe.

Ally Bank Review: No-Fee High-Yield Savings

May 20, 2024

When you’re deciding where to put your money, it’s important to consider a few factors, like what fees you’ll have to pay, how much interest

Discover Cashback Debit Review: Earn Cashback Without a Credit Card

March 18, 2024

If you don’t carry a large balance in your checking account and want to earn cashback rewards on your purchases without using a credit card,

Side Hustle

Young female software engineer working on a computer in an office.

Pathrise Review: How to Mentor Your Way Into Your Next Job

August 27, 2024

Looking for a job takes a lot of time. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average person spends about 21 weeks unemployed. That’s

Young redhead woman working on laptop while sitting at the kitchen counter at home.

Do I Need a Business Bank Account?

August 2, 2024

If you’re an entrepreneur, it’s a smart move to separate your business and personal finances. It’s even a legal requirement for some business structures. A

How Much Erika Kullberg Makes on Social Media

May 16, 2024

Ever since I started this incredible journey of helping others take control of their finances, one of the most common questions I get is, “Erika,

How to Start an Etsy Shop: Tips for Beginners

December 20, 2023

Starting an Etsy shop? If you've been thinking about making extra income or transitioning from a 9-to-5 job, you're not alone! Etsy, a popular online

How to Become a Freelancer: Side Hustle Pro Tips

November 26, 2023

An estimated 39% of the U.S. workforce currently freelances in some way, shape, or form, according to freelancing platform Upwork. The 100 million American workers