Dear Penny, I got married at 19 and divorced in my early 30s. During my 20s, I didn’t work much because I stayed at home raising three kids, but I’ve worked full time ever since my divorce. I’ve never earned above $54,000 a year, which is what I’m making now. I’m turning 62 next year […]
Dear Penny: Do I Need Ex-Husband’s OK to Get His Social Security? Read More »
The options available for student borrowers and for student loan consolidation can seem almost endless. There are public student loans and private student loans, and they come in an enormous variety of lengths, interest rate, and monthly payments — it seems like deciding which student loan is the best for you can seem like a
The Difference Between 10-Year vs. 20-Year Student Loans Read More »
If you’ve got a dog or cat, odds are you also have ripped couches, urine-stained rugs and floors that have seen better days. But replacing your furniture, ripping up rugs and refinishing your floors every time your pet decides to leave its mark isn’t really an option for many reasons, not least of all the
6 Easy Ways to Pet-Proof Your Furniture, According to Experts Read More »
While learning money skills early in life will be greatly beneficial to you, many times we don’t really pick up on these knowledgeable insights until we reach our 20s. But even then with personal finances, many will still struggle. Generally, this is a financial literacy issue, where we aren’t taught finances via our education system
The Basic Money Skills You Must Try to Master Before Turning 30 Read More »
Richard Lachmann’s book manages to connect status and national choices — making us realize that some failures aren’t far from home. All good things come to an end — including the global dominance of the United States. In First-Class Passengers on a Sinking Ship: Elite Politics and the Decline of Great Powers, Lachmann compares the
The Decline of the U.S. Has Already Begun Read More »
It’s common to treat yourself to something sweet when you’re feeling down, or celebrate achievements over dinner. However, little “treats” may be emotional spending in disguise. If you’re frequently feeling guilty for buying things you never use, you may be an emotional spender, and this budget-breaker may be more common than you think. In a
Curb Emotional Spending with These 6 Mindful Money Tips Read More »
If you’re a Diamond or Lifetime Diamond member in the Hilton Honors loyalty program, one of your loved ones is about to get Hilton elite status — and you’ve found yourself an easy holiday gift to give that won’t cost you a dime. Beginning next week and through January 2021, Hilton will allow certain members…
Gift Hilton Honors Elite Status This Year Read More »
So you sing better than Taylor Swift or Nick Jonas, strum a guitar like Jimi Hendrix or Kelley Deal or play piano better than Tori Amos. Or maybe, if writing music or lyrics is your thing, you can compare yourself to Morrissey or Jhene Aiko. Or perhaps you’re not as good as any of these
How to Make Money With Music: 13 Creative Strategies Read More »
If you’re trying to buy a high-dollar home, you may come up against some obstacles — especially if you aren’t paying cash for the home. It can be tough to get a home loan for homes with hefty price tags, but while it may take more work, it’s not impossible to pull off. You’ll just
What You Need to Know About Jumbo Loan Limits Read More »
Whether you’re unemployed, self-employed, employed without health coverage, or aiming to retire before you’re eligible for Medicare, it’s risky to go without health insurance. The good news is that you’re not alone. And when millions of people find themselves in the same quandary, solutions tend to emerge. Here are the best solutions for you to
9 Ways to Get Health Insurance Coverage Without a Job Read More »
Carnival Cruise Line has no shortage of impressive destinations from the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Caribbean and the Mexican Riviera, to locales much farther from home like Europe, Australia, New Zealand and more. And if you’re planning to take to the seas with this cruise line, the $0-annual-fee Carnival World Mastercard can definitely defray some of…
5 Things to Know About the Carnival World Mastercard Read More »
Are you worth more than you’re paid? If so, have you asked for a raise? It might be a more difficult ask due to the economic effects of the pandemic. A third of all U.S. companies are lowering their projected salary increases for 2021, according to a survey by insurance company Willis Towers Watson. But
How to Get a Raise: 5 Smart Steps to Boosting Your Salary Read More »
As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, it’s worth remembering that face coverings can mitigate the spread of this and many other deadly diseases. Hundreds of retailers, both small and large, sell masks and face coverings. And these are the best places to find these lifesaving devices. Where to Buy Reusable Cloth Face Masks Online for
Where to Buy Reusable Cloth Face Masks Online for COVID-19 Read More »
Your home is one of the largest purchases that you’ll make in your life. While buying a new home is a goal for many adults, few people are fortunate enough to be able to pay for a home in cash. If you’re buying a home, you’re probably going to need a mortgage to make the
Third Federal Savings & Loan Mortgage Review Read More »
Walmart and Sam’s Club are two of the largest retailers in the U.S. and are both under the Walmart Inc. family. Whether you’re in it for the free samples or for the endless aisles of options, if you’re a devoted Walmart or Sam’s Club shopper, you may be eyeing the Capital One® Walmart Rewards™ Mastercard® or…
Walmart Rewards Mastercard vs. Sam’s Club Mastercard: Depends How You Spend Read More »
Editor’s note: This story was originally published in December 2017. Those of us who have planned princess-worthy tea parties for a daughter’s first birthday understand the value of a theme. But I might be one of the few who believe a theme can save Christmas. The holidays are supposed to feel magical, yet moms of
How I Used the 4-Gift Rule to Save Money This Christmas Read More »
As you expand your investments, you might look into individual stocks or even day trading. Yet a challenge will be knowing which stocks might be a good investment. After all, there are thousands of companies that trade publicly around the world! The best way to get started is to use stock screeners, which can help
9 Best Stock Screeners To Help You Find Top Stock Picks Read More »
The best home insurance in Illinois Best for Home Business Insurance — American Family Best for Customizable Insurance Tiers — COUNTRY Financial Best for Numerous Discounts — Nationwide Best for Customer Service — Progressive Best for Wide Range of Coverage — State Farm How much does home insurance cost in Illinois? In 2017, the average
Home Insurance Illinois Read More »
Homeowners with ample equity have a ready-made source of low-cost capital to finance significant expenses: their home’s equity. If you’re shopping for a home equity loan or line of credit in the hope of taking advantage of low interest rates, get the scoop on the lenders with the best rates. 8 Best Home Equity Loan
8 Best Home Equity Loan & HELOC Rates for 2020 Read More »
Shopping for life insurance during the pandemic? Be aware that insurers may have changed their products and policy applications. For the latest information on how to cope with financial stress during this emergency, see NerdWallet’s financial guide to COVID-19. Big data is playing a prominent role in life insurance this year. Interest in coverage has…
COVID-19 Accelerates No-Exam Trend in Life Insurance Read More »