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Budget Planner
Articles filed under Budget Planner.
How to Build a Realistic Two-Week Grocery Budget
A realistic two-week grocery budget covers 14 days of meals, snacks and household basics without forcing you into last-minute store runs. For many households, that lands somewhere between $150 and $300, but the right number depends on household size, where you live, how often you cook and whether you’re feeding kids or covering special diets....
Apr 18, 2026
Side Gigs to Help You Make Some Extra Cash
If you’re hunting for a second job to help make ends meet, make sure it’s a good fit. Check out these possible gigs and know what to look for.
Apr 4, 2026
11 Things You Should Buy at Discount Stores (And 7 Things You Shouldn’t)
Who among us hasn’t enjoyed a good chunk of the day wandering the racks of a T.J. Maxx or Marshalls? Although discount department stores are in fact a big business in the United States, U.S. Census Bureau data going back to 1992 shows a peak in discount department store sales around the early 2000s, only...
Apr 18, 2026
28 Things You Need to Do When Your Spouse Dies
It’s an understatement to say that the death of a loved one can be a difficult time, especially if it’s a spouse or partner that has passed. As the surviving spouse, you may be overwhelmed with funeral arrangements and financial details at a time when you’re already struggling with grief. While some families have a...
Apr 18, 2026
We Broke Down the Top 8 Grocery Delivery Services So You Don’t Have to
Wondering what the best grocery delivery service is for you? Here are the details on nine options that could help you save time (and your sanity).
Apr 4, 2026
Independent Contractor Taxes: A Beginner’s Guide
Don’t wait til April to figure out how to file independent contractor taxes. Here’s a crash course in what you need to know about how to file taxes for freelance work.
Apr 4, 2026
50 Cheap Gifts Your Friends Will Never Know Cost Less Than $10
Holiday shopping doesn’t have to break the bank — and cheap gift ideas CAN be fun and luxurious. Here are 50 fun gifts under $10 that you’ll be proud to watch your friends unwrap.
Apr 18, 2026
These 6 Gas Rewards Programs Take the Sting Out of Gas Prices
Your weekly trip to the station never really ends at the pump, does it? Check out these fuel rewards programs, which can save you money on more than just gas.
Apr 18, 2026
Katie Sartoris' profile page
Katie Sartoris is an award-winning journalist with a decade of reporting and editing experience in the industry. She joined the Penny Hoarder from Gannett, where she was a local news editor in Central Florida. Katie lives in Leesburg with her husband and cats, and is working on restoring and updating her original mid-century home.
Apr 18, 2026
Student Loan Forgiveness Applications Have Been Paused. Now What?
Since the online form for one-time federal student loan forgiveness opened in mid-October, applications have been pouring in. The U.S. Department of Education estimates more than 26 million borrowers, or about half of those eligible, have applied for $10,000 to $20,000 in federal student debt cancellation. But recently federal judges have found the plan unlawful...
Apr 4, 2026
2023 American Household Credit Card Debt Study
Credit card debt continues to climb as the cost of living outpaces income, and higher interest rates make paying off that debt even harder, NerdWallet’s annual report finds. That has a lot of Americans stressed out.
Apr 4, 2026
8 Resources to Help Meet Essential Needs in the Event of a Crisis
We talk about the importance of having a well-stocked emergency fund and wiggle room in your budget. Although that's ideal, living paycheck to paycheck without a savings cushion is the reality for millions. And a sudden loss of income, reduced benefits or an unexpected large expense make it harder to meet basic needs like paying...
Apr 18, 2026