Personal Finance

Staying on top of your personal finances is easier said than done. Expand your financial education by learning more about budgeting, debt management, personal financial planning, college funding, career changes, inflation, tax deductions, divorce finances and much more.

retired couple at home researching the question: what does the average funeral cost?

How Much Does a Funeral Cost?

The average funeral cost might prompt you to think about your final wishes — and plan ahead for the expense.

Young couple sitting at a desk looking at personal finances

Your Guide to Personal Finance

Learning the ins and outs of personal finance can feel daunting, but it doesn't have to be scary. Once you understand the basics, it's easy to start.

Most fraud victims tend to be either around college age or 60 and older. Learn how to prevent fraud.

How to Help Protect Yourself From Different Types of Financial Fraud

Being the victim of financial fraud can wreak havoc on your savings and cause a lot of stress. Here's what you can do to help protect yourself.

Multigenerational family walking on the beach and discussing death benefit taxes

What Could You Do With a Death Benefit & How Is It Taxed?

Here are some ways you could use a death benefit, plus some of the limitations you might want to know.

A group of smiling friends discusses how to avoid revenge spending.

What Is Revenge Spending (& How Can You Avoid It)?

For some, a reaction to COVID-19 restrictions has been "revenge spending," which can have a lasting, negative effect on your financial health.

Woman working on personal financial planning with a laptop

How to Plan Your Finances for 2022: 7 Strategies

These seven essential financial planning considerations can help you stay organized and improve your chances of making 2022 a fruitful year.

A woman looks at papers and a laptop while doing year-end tax planning

8 Considerations For Year-End Tax Planning

The end of a calendar year can be a smart time to focus on tax planning. Here's insight into eight year-end tax planning strategies for 2022.

A couple reviews their finances to create a debt management plan

Considerations for Creating (& Following) a Debt Management Plan

Does your debt feel overwhelming? It might be time to create a debt management plan. Here's how it works.

Woman using a calculator and laptop to review and add bills while living paycheck to paycheck

6 Considerations for Saving Money When You're Living Paycheck to Paycheck

Living paycheck to paycheck can be hard, but there are things you can do today to help lower your expenses and start adding to your savings.

Mother reading with her daughter at home and thinking about how much does it cost to raise a kid

How Much Does It Cost to Raise a Child?

Here's a breakdown of the costs you can potentially expect when raising a child.

Parents like this dad may need to set aside more emergency savings to help protect their family.

Why You Should Focus on Building an Emergency Savings Fund

An emergency savings fund can provide much-needed cash if, say, you experience a sudden job loss or encounter a large, unplanned bill.

How Much Money Should You Have in Savings?

It's a good idea to have sufficient money in savings, not just for long-term needs like retirement, but also for unexpected costs or even a job loss.

Confident Bankers Looking to Review Financial Wellness

Your Guide to Maintaining Financial Wellness

Financial wellness is a feeling of confidence with respect to money. It's achieved by having a plan for future expenses, whether planned or otherwise.

A couple gets excited looking into ways to improve their financial health and prepare for the future

How to Improve Financial Health

From understanding your current cash flow to creating an investing plan, here's how you can help improve your financial health.

How Much Money Should You Have Saved by 25?

In addition to building an emergency fund, anything you invest for retirement now will benefit from decades of potential growth.

How Much Money Should You Have Saved by 30?

While it's important to prepare for retirement now, you also need a plan for your near-term needs. Here's how much money you may want to save by 30.

A man does research to decide whether or not to pay off student loans early.

Should You Pay Off Student Loans Early?

With many readers deciding whether they should pay off their student loans early or wait, here are scenarios for when each approach makes sense.

How to Manage Bills

We all have to pay bills every month. Here are five tips to help ensure yours are paid on time.

How to Create a Budget Plan

Not sure how to get started with budgeting? Here are some considerations to help you.

A happy family sitting on a couch discussing how to teach kids about money.

How to Teach Kids About Money: 9 Helpful Tips to Try

It's never too early to start teaching your kids about financial literacy. Here are nine strategies for doing so.

Senior Couple Walking Their Dog Discussing Protecting Retirement Savings From Creditors

Can I Protect Retirement Savings From Creditors?

Retirement accounts may be protected from creditors in certain situations.

An older man and woman discussing budgeting for couples

Budgeting for Couples: 5 Things to Consider

Budgeting together as a couple now can help you lay the groundwork for a solid financial future.

Young man and woman talking about personal finance in your 20s

Guide to Personal Finance in Your 20s

Your 20s can bring some big life changes. Looking at your personal finances now might help you plan for the future.

Mother and father with toddler: a mix of liquid vs. non-liquid assets can help a family's finances

Liquid vs. Non-Liquid Assets: What's the Difference?

Understanding the difference between liquid and non-liquid assets may help you build diversified wealth to serve your needs.

A happy couple sits in their new home after using IRA to buy first home

Can You Use Your IRA to Buy Your First Home?

Here's an overview of what to consider before using your IRA to buy your first home.

Daughter playing a block stacking game with parents after discussing personal finance basics

A Guide to Personal Finance Basics

A foundational understanding of finances can help you manage your money more efficiently.

Man researching types of payroll deductions at home over coffee

Types of Payroll Deductions & Withholdings

Here are some of the common payroll deductions and how they can affect your take-home pay.

Woman deciding what a budget looks like and writing it down

What Does a Budget Look Like?

Are you ready to start budgeting? Every budget is unique but here are a few tips to consider as you put together a plan to fit your needs.

mother standing with son and daughter discussing leaving home

Children Leaving Home: Helping Your Kids Prepare to Move Out & Be Financially Secure

If you need to have a conversation with your child about moving out, here are some tips to guide you and help you set them up for success.

teens baking in the kitchen discussing money management

Money Management for Teens: Important Lessons to Teach Your Kids

Teaching your teen about money management now, when there's more room to learn from mistakes, could help set them up for financial success.

Woman standing in front of a tree and thinking about starting a rainy day fund

What Is a Rainy Day Fund?

How does a rainy day fund differ from an emergency fund and how you can you start saving for one? Here are the basics.

Woman researching apps on her smartphone for personal financial planning.

Personal Financial Planning: The Importance of Reviewing Your Finances Regularly

Your personal financial planning can greatly benefit from regular reviews. Here's how to get started.

Smiling older couple calculating their tax deductions while filing their taxes from home

Understanding the Role of Tax Deductions

What is adjusted gross income? And what does it mean to itemize? We cover basics of income tax deductions.

young couple carries a sofa into the living room of their new house as they discuss managing debt

Good Debt vs. Bad Debt

As it turns out, not all debt is bad. But how do you know the difference? Here are some tips.

father plays with his son outside in fall and plans a financial checklist for his single-parent finances

Single-Parent Finances: A Financial Checklist for Moms & Dads

As a single parent, chances are you have many concerns running through your mind all day long — but your finances don't have to add to your worries.

graphic outlines and illustrates various life stages and how to financially prepare for them

Which Life Stage Are You Preparing for Financially?

Life stage planning is important — discover the different life stages and what financial strategies to consider as you go through each life stage.

mature couple completes a form online at home to get a vial of life kit in case of a medical emergency

What Is a Vial of Life Kit & Do You Need One?

A Vial of Life Kit is an emergency preparedness tool containing critical medical information for first responders to access quickly when it's needed most.

Woman freelancer working on laptop while sitting at the window in a coffee shop: irregular income

Navigating an Irregular Income: Money Management for Freelancers

Being a freelancer can have its advantages, but managing an irregular income can be difficult. Learn how you could get your money in order.

five college friends study together at a table and discuss their financial transitions of adulting

Adulting 101: How to (Financially) Transition Into Adulthood

You're finally leaving home and moving into the world of grown-ups — but have you considered your finances? Adulting 101 could help you get started.

middle-aged couple sits on the couch at home and reviews their personal budget on a tablet

5 Questions to Help You Master Your Personal Budget

Budgeting could be the key to meeting your financial goals. Consider these five questions that could help you master your personal budget.