Latest Articles

Personal loans can help you pay off a major expense or build credit, but shopping around is critical. After all, not all personal loans are created equal.

Many investors are using I Bonds to hedge against inflation. Here’s what to know about current I Bond rates.

We’ve rounded up the best life insurance companies based on customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength and more.

How do the major car insurance companies stack up when we compare their premiums, coverage and customer satisfaction?

It's more fun to shop for doggie and kitty toys, sure, but insurance for your pet can be a lifesaver.

Spot may be best for digital natives who prefer applying for and managing pet insurance policies online. The company also stands out for custom policy options.

Pet insurance can save you money if your dog, cat or exotic animal has an emergency, and it can help you plan for routine care costs, too.

If you’re looking for an alternative college-saving route, you might want to look into these types of custodial accounts.

For-profit colleges focus on paying back ownership and shareholders, which means students end up paying more for their education compared to other types of schools.

From mass food poisoning at receptions to bankrupt banquet halls, wedding insurance may help protect against liability and compensate for financial pain.

Pet insurance can help protect your budget in emergency or unforeseen situations, but there are also everyday strategies for saving at your disposal.

If you’re holding more cash than you need, consider these interest-bearing account options recommended by this Certified Financial Planner.

Ever considered buying penny stocks? Make sure you know the risks and other options available to you before you invest your money.

It could be a good option for creditworthy borrowers who don’t like the risk of posting collateral via a secured loan.

It’s possible to borrow with less-than-stellar credit, but whether you should is another question altogether.

She credits her ‘main’ hustle, smart and aggressive debt repayment strategies and a big dose of optimism.

The annual percentage rate of a loan helps you make apples-to-apples comparisons of a product’s interest rate and fees.

Your choice of financing option might depend on whether you have fixed or variable expenses to cover.

So they always pick restaurants out of your budget? Never pay you back? Here’s how to handle all the tricky situations and keep your friendships intact.

Tana Williams and her husband erased five figures of debt in about a year and a half, thanks to tried-and-true strategies like budgeting and building income streams.

With research, learnings and a major pivot, this entrepreneur and her husband left their 9-to-5s behind.

Tuition payments might require you to save up or borrow, but secondary expenses like room and board also come at considerable cost.

If you need to borrow a relatively small amount of money—say, $5,000 to consolidate credit card debt—there are a few routes you can take.

ESG scores can offer insight into whether a company values environmental, social and governance-related issues—but these scores aren't fool-proof.

You’ve waited and prayed for student loan forgiveness, but now that it’s here, what will it look like? Here’s what you can expect, from Sound Dollar’s student loan expert Mark Kantrowitz.

If your home has a pest infestation, your insurer probably won’t pay the cost to resolve it—but damage to the house could be covered.

Renovations can either decrease or increase the cost of your homeowners insurance policy, and you might want to adjust coverages before the project is underway.

The U.S. government has a history of bailing out institutions and individuals in extraordinary times. Sound Dollar looks at the historical record to examine some of the most extensive programs.

If you’re thinking of borrowing to finance your dream wedding, carefully weigh the pros and cons before signing on the dotted line.

Using a credit card to bankroll your wedding can be a smart move—as long as you do your due diligence beforehand and know you can take advantage of the benefits.

In most cases, you can't deduct personal loan interest, but there may be exceptions if your lender allows you to use the loan proceeds for business, education or investment.

If you’re considering borrowing and want to be aware of all your financing options, a P2P loan is worth exploring.

Are you confused about the restricted stock you were granted through work? Read more to learn about how they work and how they’re taxed, plus how to make the most of yours.

You can sell I bonds after 12 months through the TreasuryDirect website, your bank or by mail.

I bonds, like any investment, are subject to taxation, though only at the federal level and there is one way out.

I bonds are inflation-linked investments issued by the U.S. government. Here’s what to know about making them a part of your investments.

I bonds are safe in the sense that they’re backed by the U.S. government. But there’s more to know about this inflation-protected investment.

The procedure can be expensive, but there are options to cover those costs.

Withdrawing money from your 401(k) before retirement age could cost you. But there are ways to avoid some penalties.

Giving birth or adoption can be extremely expensive. Here’s what you should know about how your health insurance fits in.

Choosing the right plan, negotiating bills and making use of in-network urgent care clinics are some of the ways to cut your healthcare costs.

Yes! You can buy I bonds as a gift for a loved one. We’ll walk you through the process.

It’s convenient to use the credit card to pay for your pet’s healthcare and wellness, but there are caveats.

Installment loans let you borrow a lump sum of cash, which you have to repay over time, as is the case with personal loans and student loans, among other debt.

A personal line of credit lets you borrow money over time, rather than just once, but there can be downsides to this form of debt.

Your options will be limited and expensive unless you have someone to help you, in the form of a co-applicant.

How much cash can you expect to have in a life insurance policy with cash value? Let’s take a look.

As often as you’d like! Until you reach the limits, of course.

The country’s debt has grown exponentially in the past few decades.

Yes, you can buy I bonds for kids, and they can be a good investment. Here’s what to know.

If you purchase an I bond anytime from May to Oct. 31, you’ll get an annualized 9.62% return for the first six months—that’s pretty impressive.

Even with minimal funds and poor credit, there are several strategies you can use to kick credit card debt to the curb.

If you’re thinking of going back to school—perhaps to pursue a first or new degree—you might prioritize employers with tuition assistance or reimbursement.

If you’re planning a major purchase or other financial goal, pouring—or sinking—cash into an online savings account can keep you on track and help you avoid borrowing.

You may be able to get a personal loan with no job via a cosigner, co-borrower or another form of financing.

Personal loan eligibility criteria can vary from lender to lender, but you’ll generally need a good credit score and low debt-to-income ratio to gain approval.

The ever-increasing value of land, coupled with the benefits of ownership, might entice you to change your lifestyle, or at least diversify your portfolio.

These programs may offer low or no down payments, down payment assistance and other benefits—but eligibility requirements are ultra specific.

Your loan-to-value ratio can impact your chances of approval for a mortgage or other secured loan, as well as the interest rate you get.

A credit builder loan is a type of installment loan designed to help you become more creditworthy—it could be useful if your credit history is thin or checkered.

A lender employs a loan officer to help you apply for a mortgage, business loan, personal loan or other type of financing.

A jumbo loan is a mortgage for an especially large dollar amount, so it’s potentially useful for some buyers of higher-priced properties.

Boat loans function similarly to auto loans, with a down payment and fixed repayment term, though it’s not the only financing option to consider.

This short-term loan can help you “bridge” the potential gap between buying a new home and selling your existing one.

This type of financing allows you to purchase land for a primary or secondary residence.

Whether you're working with a contractor or building on your own, a construction loan can help you finance the process.

Budgeting and saving up for a trip in advance is the best way to pay for travel, but personal loans (and credit cards) are borrowing options with unique pros and cons.

You might be motivated to become debt-free, but consider factors like prepayment penalties and your budget before requesting that final payoff amount.

Whether you’re applying for a personal loan, repaying or refinancing one, your credit score can swing in different directions if you’re not careful.

Auto and home loans are naturally a form of secured debt—they’re secured by a car or house—but personal loans can be secured or unsecured.

You can borrow from permanent (not term) life insurance coverage, but there are pros and cons to consider.

Forgiveness for medical bills can be difficult to obtain, but there are many programs that can provide other forms of assistance.

It’s never too early to make a succession plan for your traditional, digital and intellectual assets, as this CFP’s experience proves.

Steps may vary depending on the type of loan that’s best for your business, but these are some general guidelines to follow no matter your method of financing.

While you’ll pay premiums with college student insurance, it could save you money in the long run.

Like borrowing a personal loan for the first time, refinancing one requires some legwork to ensure you get the best deal possible.

The most expensive wedding dresses can cost as much as a nice car—but there are plenty of options that will make you feel beautiful on your big day while sticking within your budget.

This upfront fee, which is also charged on mortgages and some student loans, can increase your costs and reduce your loan disbursement.

The Biden-Harris administration rolled out a three-part plan meant to provide meaningful relief to low and middle-income federal student loan borrowers—here’s how it could impact you.

We reviewed the most popular direct banking options to find the best online checking and saving accounts for you.

Unlike an unsecured loan that relies on your credit history and other financial markers, a secured loan puts your collateral at risk.

It can be a useful and powerful tool to organize your debt, ideally at a lower interest rate, but it’s not always the best option.

A pause on federal student loan payments and interest is slated to last through Dec. 31, 2022.

These apps can help you in a pinch, but it's best to avoid relying on them in the long term.

Most student loans are unsubsidized for students and parents, meaning that it’s up to you to cover the cost of accruing interest.

This so-called second mortgage can be used for home renovations, debt consolidation and more.

These small business loans offer more favorable terms than some of the alternatives, but they also have relatively strict eligibility requirements.

As the Fed raises interest rates to combat inflation, questions abound about the health of the American economy at large.

In most cases, your loans will be discharged, but there are exceptions for private loan borrowers.

Paying for health care in retirement is no holiday. Get a fix on the total number, and take some steps toward covering medical costs in your golden years.

U.S. Department of Agriculture mortgages are designed for rural, low-to-moderate-income homebuyers.

Processes and requirements can vary by lender, but there are some general guidelines you can follow.

From making a list and renting (instead of buying) to repurposing and deal-seeking, there are ways to stay on budget when acquiring back-to-school supplies.

Security, credit building and other benefits can be helpful, but only if you can avoid overspending.

Diversifying your investments—and assets—can help you adhere to your tolerance for risk while giving you the best chance to improve your future.

The most important steps involve preparation, before you even start the application process.

These short-term loans often cause more trouble than they're worth and may not even be available in your state.

For most couples, the venue is their biggest wedding expense. How much does the average wedding venue cost, and how can you lower that number?

Universal basic income can provide cash with no strings attached. But there may be caveats—and not everyone’s on board with the idea.

Tying the knot could benefit your wallet in myriad ways, including when you budget, file your taxes and bundle financial products like insurance.