money

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

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Real Answers for Life’s Money Challengesby Robin Hartill, CFP®Senior EditorI’m a 31-year-old woman who just completed a career shift out of corporate America and into academia. I worked for a large corporation for about four years and saved for retirement during that time, but I put my savings on hold while I was in grad school. Luckily, I accumulated no debt, but I took a very reduced salary.Now, I’ve been

Best for Simple, Fee-Free BankingU.S. Bank$100 Minimum initial depositBest for Business Interest CheckingAxos Bank$1,000Minimum initial depositBest for Fee-Free, Online-Only BankingBlueVine$0Minimum initial depositBest for New Small Business Owners Wells Fargo$25Minimum initial depositby Kathleen GarvinContributor Starting a business is an opportunity to be your own boss, make money and grow your skill set. There are also the not-so-great, somewhat messy and complicated parts about operating a business. If you start off solo

Best for Helping Out a FriendChime Referral Bonus$100 Best for Socially Conscious ClientsAspiration Plus$200 Best for Basic CheckingChase Total Checking$225 Best for ATM Power UsersPNC Virtual WalletUp to $400 by Timothy MooreContributor So, you’re looking for a new bank account. You’ve got several factors to consider — ATM access, interest rates, monthly account fees, minimum balances, online bill payments and more. Another factor: sign-up promotions and bonuses. Banks and credit

by Nicole DowSenior WriterManaging money efficiently may seem like largely a numbers game.You’ve got to earn a certain amount of income to cover all your expenses. If your income doesn’t stretch, try subtracting from your spending. And don’t forget to save aside a certain percentage for retirement and other goals.But truly becoming a master over your money requires more than just understanding the math.“It’s time to look past the numbers,