by Robin Hartill, CFP®Senior EditorHey, Penny Hoarders! Do you have questions about retirement?As in, can I afford to retire? When should I collect Social Security? Will Social Security even be around for me? Am I saving enough in my 401(k)? Can we retire if we still have debt?I’m Dear Penny, The Penny Hoarder’s resident advice columnist and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™. Every week, I get scores of questions from readers
by Robin Hartill, CFP®Senior EditorAPY — which stands for annual percentage yield — is the percentage of your money that you can earn back in interest when you deposit it at a financial institution. Unlike APR, which shows how much interest you’ll pay annually for a credit card or loan, APY factors in compounding interest.If you’re comparing savings accounts or money market accounts, choosing a financial institution with a competitive
by The Penny Hoarder Staff Parenthood is tough enough even before you bring finances into the mix. When you tally it up, you’ll likely spend thousands of dollars a year on Baby’s stuff. And that doesn’t even account for the crazy-high costs of child care. To help soften the blow a little, we combed the internet to find the best free baby stuff for parents and parents-to-be — from formula
by Robert BruceSenior Writer Total student loan debt has reached nearly $1.75 trillion, affecting 46 million Americans. According to Student Loan Hero, 55% of the class of 2020 took out student loans and graduated with an average of $28,400 in student debt. With student loan debt such an overarching problem, more companies are offering student loan repayment assistance to employees, and using that benefit as a recruiting tool to attract
by Jenna LimbachContributorSalt is one of those staples you always have in the kitchen. But don’t limit its use to just flavoring food. It’s a true household workhorse and we’ve found more than two dozen hacks beyond the usual culinary uses.Salt makes food taste better, but it’s also great for cleaning because of its absorbent qualities. You can use salt around your home for all sorts of cleanup jobs or
Real Answers for Life’s Money Challengesby Robin Hartill, CFP®Senior EditorI am a single 40-something woman, and my mother recently passed in October. I have an older brother and sister, and they are both married with kids. The three of us will be splitting the inheritance equally. I’m more aware than ever that I will have to make a will myself now. My siblings insist that I should be leaving my estate
by Timothy MooreContributor Buying a car can be a stressful experience. It’s a big decision with a ton of little decisions roped in — new or used? Car or truck? Cloth or leather? gas or electric? Not to mention, there’s way too much information floating around on the internet, making it challenging to compare your options. But don’t slam that laptop shut just yet. Your computer (or smartphone) is your
by Michael ArchambaultSenior Writer If you’ve taken even just a single moment to consider your online security, you have likely heard of the term Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) or perhaps Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). While these two ideas may sound complex or even intimidating, we promise you that they aren’t, and we’ll break down exactly what they mean. Going one step further, after we discuss what exactly Two-Factor Authentication is and why
by Steve GillmanContributor How would you like to invest $30 and be paid a $45 dividend on your investment every year after that? That’s essentially what you do when you make certain energy-efficient home improvements to lower your expenses. If you pay for powering your home, you know that the dollars can really add up. The average monthly electricity bill in the U.S. in 2021 was $122, up $5 from
by Michael ArchambaultSenior Writer Debt can be overwhelming, even when you’re paying as much toward your bills as you can every month. It can help to refinance or consolidate your debt into something more manageable using a company such as Upstart. Or, if you have a big purchase that you’ve got your eyes on or need help with education-related expenses, Upstart offers personal loans, even with a fair credit score.
