Monthly Archives: December 2021

by Dave Schafer LendingClub is one of the more interesting online banks we’ve reviewed lately. First up — it is an online bank, which means no physical branches, though that’s not necessarily unusual anymore. What makes LendingClub Bank unique is that it’s the first proper mix of fintech and online banking.LendingClub Bank actually started life as Radius Bank in 1987 and transitioned to online-only banking in 2012, closing its brick-and-mortar

by Nicole DowSenior Writer Grocery shopping is a necessary errand — but that doesn’t mean you have to do all the work. Grocery delivery services like Shipt and Instacart and meal subscription boxes bring food straight to your doorstep. The thing is, you’re almost guaranteed to have extra costs tacked onto your order in the form of membership fees, shipping costs, delivery charges or tips. Grocery pickup, on the other

by Timothy MooreContributor Stockpile is an online brokerage account designed for parents who want to give their children a leg up in personal finance. By opening a custodial account for a child or teen, parents can help kids learn the ropes and also invite friends and family to purchase gift cards for stocks as presents at birthdays, holidays, graduations and other special occasions. Stockpile offers both individual and custodial taxable

by Mike BrassfieldSenior WriterAll the financial “experts” will frown and sternly warn you about excessive use of credit cards. And sure, they have a point.You don’t want unpaid credit card balances that hang around month after month, allowing those greedy credit card companies to rip you off with ridiculously high interest rates.However, we’ve got a piece of advice that may seem counterintuitive at first. That is, it’s contrary to what

by Sarah Li-Cain Fidelity Go is a robo-advisor offering from a reputable brokerage with low fees. There is no advisory fee for those who have balances lower than $10,000 and all investors can access Fidelity’s mutual funds with no expense ratios. As the robo-advisor arm of the Fidelity Investments family, Fidelity Go features automated investment portfolios composed of Fidelity Flex funds (yup, they’re fee free) and no minimum opening balance.

by Dana Sitar, CEPF®, Jamie CattanachVaro, founded in 2015, is one of the many online banking platforms available to today’s bankers who are ready to give up the brick-and-mortar shops.Like other online-only banks, Varo offers savings and checking accounts with low fees and high interest-earning rates, making it an attractive alternative to traditional banks. Unlike most competitors, the company also owns and operates its own regulated bank, Varo Bank, N.A.,

Real Answers for Life’s Money Challengesby Robin Hartill, CFP®Senior EditorOur dad states in his will that my sister and I are to inherit his house. We’re supposed to sell it and pay his sizable debts, and then we get to split any leftovers. Are my sister and I responsible for the debt that isn’t paid off from the sale of the house? Are we then financially responsible for his massive spending

by Sarah Li-Cain TD Ameritrade is a full service brokerage, offering online services for most types of investors. There are no minimum requirements to open an account, and there are plenty of research and educational tools to choose from. It’s a smart pick if you’re looking for a wide variety of securities and account types. Founded in 1975, TD Ameritrade is one of the largest brokerages in the world, providing

by Rachel Christian, CEPF®Senior Writer Quick Navigation What Is Wealthfront? How Does Wealthfront Work? How Wealthfront Invests Your Money How Much Does Wealthfront Cost? More Wealthfront Features Pros and Cons Frequently Asked Questions Wealthfront is a low-cost robo investment platform with features that appeal to new and experienced investors alike. Launched in 2008, Wealthfront remains a leader in the industry. Like other robo advisors, the company builds diversified, automated portfolios

by Rachel Christian, CEPF®Senior Writer Quick Navigation What Is Betterment? Features of Betterment How Does Betterment Work? Betterment Fees How Betterment Invests Your Money More Betterment Features Pros and Cons Is Betterment Right for You? Frequently Asked Questions Betterment is one of the most well-known robo-advisor platforms on the market. Since its founding more than a decade ago, it has grown to include affordable banking and financial planning services that