Why a Freelancer in Texas Should Consider a Guaranteed Issue Policy
A guaranteed issue life insurance policy can be approved in days for Texas freelancers with pre-existing conditions, offering final expense protection without a medical exam.
Why You Might Still Owe Taxes Even If You Claimed All Your Deductions
In 2025, one in four taxpayers still owed taxes after deductions, even with all allowed claims. Learn why this happens and how to avoid it.
Life Insurance for Young Professionals: What You Need to Know in 2024
Lock in life insurance for young professionals under $30/month with $500,000 coverage. Avoid future premium hikes and protect debts.
What Nobody Tells You About Managing Money After a Divorce
Women lose 41% of income after divorce while men lose 22%. Here are the hidden costs and liabilities that standard advice misses.
The 50/30/20 Budget Rule Is Broken for Most Americans — Here Is What to Use Instead
The 50/30/20 rule fails when rent alone exceeds 50% of income. See what actually works when housing costs crush the math.
How Inflation-Adjusted Shopping Habits Have Shifted Consumer Behavior in 2026
With CPI at 4.2%, shoppers making the sharpest behavioral changes aren't necessarily the ones hurting most—they're the ones paying attention. Here's what's shifted.
Most Popular
What to Do If Your Mortgage Appraisal Comes in Low in 2026: 3 Proven Alternatives
8.6% of home appraisals came in below contract price in 2024. Learn three alternatives to avoid price renegotiation or use cash to cover gaps.
Beyond Generic Budgets: Advanced Price-Tracking Strategies Most Shoppers Overlook
Free tools like CamelCamelCamel and Keepa combined with cashback extensions can capture 5–15% more savings than standard budgeting apps. See how to time purchases at historical...
Cash Flow vs. Net Worth: Which Number Should You Actually Be Watching?
Most people obsess over net worth—but cash flow is what keeps you afloat when the water heater breaks. Here's which metric actually deserves your attention.
How a 45-Year-Old with Student Debt Got Approved for a 30-Year Mortgage in Florida
A 45-year-old in Florida with student debt can get a 30-year mortgage if payments stay under 30% of income. Learn how to qualify despite high insurance costs.
Digital Couponing for Beginners: How to Start Saving Without the Paper Clutter
169.2 million Americans used digital coupons in 2025. Start with one store app, clip a few offers, and save—no scissors or binder needed.
Beyond the 4 Percent Rule: Smarter Retirement Drawdown Strategies Most People Miss
Morningstar's 2025 research shows 3.9% is now the safer starting rate. Dynamic strategies and Roth conversions can boost lifetime spending by 10–20% over fixed withdrawal rules.
Mortgage Preapproval vs. Prequalification: What’s the Real Difference in 2026?
In 2026, with rates at 6.49%, preapproval is a competitive necessity. Learn how it differs from prequalification and why it matters.
How to Negotiate a Medical Bill Down — Even After Insurance Has Paid
93% of people who tried negotiating a medical bill got at least partial success — yet most pay without question. Here's how to cut your balance by 30–50%.
Time for a Portfolio Review? Yes, Right Now
Economic News, Savings & Investment
Human nature tends to put off less than fun events such as doing a portfolio review. Should you? One-word answer: absolutely
Estimating Retirement Benefits Before Retirement
The only way you can be sure that you have enough saved for retirement is to be able to rather accurately calculate your expected retirement benefits.
Reasons to Avoid OPM Investments
In case you wonder, OPM is other people’s money. The idea seems to be everywhere. Why risk your own money when you can use somebody else’s?
Final GDP Estimate for First Quarter Revised Down to 1.8 Percent Growth
After a series of revisions to the first quarter’s GDP estimation, the final adjustment has been made.
Will Online Accounts Kill the Local Bank?
With more and more use of the internet, will online accounts kill the local bank?
5 Tips to Set Up a Great Plan for Retirement
How do you feel about your retirement plan? Do you think you’ll have enough to keep your head above water, or do you plan to work part-time after retirement? Here...
New-Home Sales Rose Higher Than Anticipated in May
The U.S. Department of Commerce reports that new-home sales in the U.S. gained 2.1 percent, which extrapolate into an annualized pace of 476,000 units. In April, completed sales increased 3.3...
“Credit Expert”: Rising Rates Are Bad For Housing
Wow, how can I become a “credit expert”?! It seems that the bar must be pretty low for entry into that profession. Here are some things you should know…
The Sunny Side of Flipping Houses
You could conclude either one of those scenarios if you woke up this Sunday morning and read the front page of the local newspaper, which pointed out “flipping houses” in...
Four Secrets to Finding the Best Bank
Some people aren’t choosy when looking for a bank. In their minds, any bank that’s FDIC-insured is good for their money. But while many give little thought to picking a...
See More
Most Recent
How a Teacher With a Pension Built a Second Retirement Income Stream
Teachers' pensions cover only 50–70% of pre-retirement income. Here's how to build supplemental retirement income through 403(b)s, side work, and smart account layering.
Read More
Is a Warehouse Club Membership Worth It? Our Honest Breakdown
Most families break even on a $60 warehouse club fee in just one month. See who actually saves money—and who wastes it.
Read More
How to Get a Mortgage with a 580 Credit Score in 2026: Real Options That Actually Work
Get a mortgage with a 580 credit score in 2026 using FHA loans, which allow 3.5% down with a score of 580. Expect rates around 7.5% for a 30-year loan.
Read More
High Deductible Health Plan Strategies Most Enrollees Never Use
With employer premiums rising ~9% in 2026, more workers are landing in HDHPs by default. Here's how a fully invested HSA turns that into a tax advantage—and when it backfires.
Read More
Buy Now Pay Later vs. Saving Up First: When Does Each Option Make Sense?
BNPL works only if you have zero debt, a full emergency fund, and zero-fee terms. Here's when saving first makes more sense—and why cash flow is everything.
Read More
Retirement Withdrawal Mistakes That Could Cost You Thousands in Taxes
Wrong withdrawal order, missed RMDs, and timing missteps trigger thousands in taxes and Medicare surcharges. Strategic sequencing can save tens of thousands over retirement.
Read More
The Hidden Cost of Convenience: How Small Daily Purchases Add Up Faster Than You Think
Micro-purchases add up to $3,000–$6,000 per year for most households. See how hidden spending costs sneak up and what to do about it.
Read More
Beyond the S&P 500: Alternative Assets Worth Adding to a Balanced Portfolio
S&P 500 concentration risk is real—its top 10 holdings now represent a third of total weight. See why allocating 5–20% to real estate, private credit, commodities, and...
Read More