by Nicole DowSenior WriterThe price of used vehicles is on an upswing, which might make you start looking at the car in your driveway in a new light.Kelley Blue Book, a leading automotive resource, reports that the average price for a used car in America was $28,205 in December 2021 — jumping 28% from December 2020 prices. Compared to two years ago, just before the start of the pandemic, the
by Rachel Christian, CEPF®Senior WriterThe fintech revolution is here and investment apps are leading the charge. Robinhood, Acorns, Betterment and other apps have simplified the investment process for everyday Americans by removing once-common barriers to access, like complex jargon and high trading fees. Investment apps shook up the archaic financial landscape by giving people user-friendly platforms to access the stock market with as little as $5. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic, which coincided
by Robert BruceSenior WriterBuying a home is the biggest financial decision many people ever make. So it’s not a decision to be taken lightly.Whether you’re moving from a rental to your first house, looking to move out of your starter home, or thinking about buying that forever piece of real estate, you’ll need to have a good sense of your financial situation.Before signing the dotted line, you want to know
by Kari FaberStaff WriterYour money should always be making you more money. Every millionaire knows this.Which is why they never leave their millions sitting in a regular bank account — they invest it. And a lot of the time, they have a professional handle their investments for them and multiply their wealth without even thinking about it.But why should the rich be the only ones who get access to investment
by Catherine HilesContributor Since March 2020, more and more Americans have been working from home thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. But now, with vaccinations available widely, some workplaces are asking their employees to return to the office. Or, at least, management is talking about returning while keeping an eye on the Omicron variant and ever-changing infection numbers around the country before making a firm decision. If the thought of giving
by Rachel Christian, CEPF®Senior WriterSocial media isn’t just for cute pet pictures and vacation videos. It’s where many investors — especially young ones — get advice about the markets.From trading stock tips on Twitter to speculating about crypto on Reddit, online platforms influence how we invest our money.The Penny Hoarder polled nearly 2,000 investment app users in December 2021, and 44% of respondents get investment advice from Facebook. YouTube is
by Rachel Christian, CEPF®Senior WriterInvestment apps are giving people more ways than ever before to buy and sell cryptocurrency.Traders in the past were limited to crypto exchanges, like Gemini and BiNance, which feature complex registration and transaction processes that can be intimidating to newcomers.Apps such as Robinhood, SoFi, Webull, Public and others have simplified the process for retail consumers. These apps act as crypto brokers, placing digital coin orders directly
by Robin Hartill, CFP®Senior EditorIf you think you need lots of money to invest, think again. Investment apps, which typically offer commission-free trades and have little or no minimum investment, have ushered in a new era that makes investing small amounts of cash viable.The Penny Hoarder recently surveyed nearly 2,000 people in the U.S. who regularly use investment apps and found that most users are investing relatively small amounts. Nearly
by Kent McDill When modern consumers look at their subscription account statements, occasionally they ask themselves “At what price would I stop using that service?” It is possible Amazon Prime has reached that point for some of those consumers. On Feb. 3, Amazon raised the annual cost for Prime membership in the United States from $119 to $139. For those users who pay monthly, the cost goes from $12.99 to
by Timothy MooreContributorUsing an automated teller machine, or ATM, is a common part of personal finance for most Americans. You can use an ATM to deposit and withdraw cash at your bank or credit union, as well as transfer money between accounts and check on your account balance.If you’re new to using ATMs or are worried about doing so safely, review our step-by-step guide to deposit and withdraw cash at
