Monthly Archives: December 2021

Real Answers for Life’s Money Challengesby Robin Hartill, CFP®Senior EditorApproximately two years ago, my spouse agreed to financially help one of his best friends. The best friend convinced my spouse to take over his student loan. The friend promised to reimburse my spouse monthly for the debt. The debt is in bank draft form. Each month the payment comes out of our account. Unfortunately, the friend is several months behind with

by Timothy MooreContributor American Express National Bank is a strong contender for customers in search of high-yield savings options and — for those able to handle a little less liquidity — impressive certificate of deposit (CD) options. Known largely for the Amex credit card, American Express Bank is an FDIC-insured online bank that offers a savings account and a high-yield certificate of deposit. In addition, you can utilize American Express

by Robin Hartill, CFP®Senior EditorWhen your 62nd birthday approaches, you’ll have a big decision to make: Should you take Social Security at 62 and accept lower benefits? Or should you delay Social Security to get a higher benefit amount?The answer to whether taking Social Security at 62 is the right move for you depends on several factors: your life expectancy, whether you’re retiring early and your overall financial situation. Here

by Timothy MooreContributor Capital One has eliminated overdraft fees and non-sufficient fund fees for all of its consumer banking customers, making it the first major U.S. bank to do so. It joins a list of seven other smaller financial institutions that have already ditched overdraft fees and the question is now, will more big banks follow suit? No More Overdraft Fees at Capital One Capital One is not the first

by Nicole DowSenior WriterIt’s easy to overspend when you shop online.You buy things with the click of a button, no cash exchanging hands. You can shop in your pajamas at 2 a.m. And once you’ve made your purchase, you see targeted ads everywhere, enticing you to buy more.But if you can fight the temptation to impulse buy, online shopping can help you find the best deals — especially when you

Varo BankBest for Cash Back3.00% APY Axos Bank Essential Checking AccountBest for Unlimited ATM AccessUp to 1.25% Chime SpendingBest for Digital Features0.50% APY Ally Interest CheckingBest for No Fee PerksUp to 0.25% by Kathleen GarvinContributor Do you remember why you chose your current checking account? If you got started early, your parents might have helped you open a kids’ checking or savings account at their bank’s branch. Or maybe you

by Dana Sitar, CEPF®ContributorCapital One made a splash in the nineties with unprecedented mass advertising for credit cards — so we’re sure you’ve heard of the company.You might not know, though, that it’s jumped on the online banking bandwagon over the past few years and has come out strong with digital-first banking services that rival competitors in traditional banks. It’s also continuing to improve its advantages. In early December, Capital

by Sarah Li-Cain Ally Invest offers a myriad of investing options, from more active trading to handing your cash off to their robo-advisor. It prides itself on offering low to no fees, commission-free ETFs, and robust trading tools.With their Robo Portfolios offering (that’s Ally Invest’s robo-advisor product), it’s a great overall company to invest with. Ally Invest is the brokerage arm of Ally Bank and stands out in its offerings

by Larissa RunkleContributor Quick Navigation Easy to Find Gifts In Plentiful Supply Matching PJs Pendleton Blanket Green Toys Homemade Dog Toys A Smart Blender Pizza Oven Wine & Spirits Local Arts & Crafts Subscription Boxes Gift Cards Knick Knacks Something to Read If you’ve recently tried to buy anything electronic (including a new or used car), then you’ve probably noticed one thing — it’s next to impossible. The current supply

by Rachel Christian, CEPF®Senior WriterThe Social Security Administration will start sending out 2022 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) notices by mail throughout December. But if you want to see your new benefit amount sooner, you can check your notice online by logging into your MySocialSecurity account.The information will be available starting in early December, according to the Social Security Administration. You can find your COLA notice in the message center.If your COLA