money

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

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, many workplaces are asking their employees to return to the office. Or, at least, management is talking about returning while keeping an eye on the Delta and Omicron variants and ever-changing infection numbers around the country before making a firm decision. If the thought

by Robin Hartill, CFP®, Whitney HansenWells Fargo is a Big Four bank that made big headlines back in 2016 and 2017 over a scandal where employees created millions of fake accounts to hit their sales targets.They’ve come a long way since then, working on earning trust back with strong customer service and new mobile services, but ultimately it’s up to you to decide whether you should or shouldn’t trust Wells

by Cassidy Alexander The post-holiday rush to return unwanted gifts is real. We’ve all been there: Smiling, holding a gift you are so grateful to receive but unfortunately know you will never wear or use. It has to go back to the store! And so the annual frustration begins. But the relatively minor inconvenience of an ill-fitting gift could get even worse if your loved one purchased it too far

by Nicole DowSenior WriterWhether you use an app, an Excel spreadsheet or a pen and notebook, your budget isn’t something you just blindly copy over month after month.You should take a little time at the end of each month or the beginning of the next to reflect on your finances and determine whether you need to make any adjustments for the month ahead.Your spending isn’t necessarily the same month after

by Tiffany ConnorsStaff Writer Think of Afterapay as layaway with benefits. If you remember layaway plans (ask your parents!), you know it’s an old retail custom in which you make installment payments over a period of time to buy a product or service you can’t afford upfront. But the new generation of buy-now-pay-later services like Afterpay has upped the ante by letting you keep the merchandise immediately after you make