Personal finance systems for spending, saving, debt, and investing.
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Budget Planner
Articles filed under Budget Planner.
Dear Penny: Am I a Jerk if I Refuse to Pay for My Mother-in-Law’s Funeral?
Dear Outlaw, Your conundrum reminds me of the old saying about how funerals are for the living, not the dead. Still, if you want to do the right thing, this needs to be about your mother-in-law, not your sister-in-law. That’s not to say you and your husband shouldn’t consider what you can afford. But you...
Apr 18, 2026
College Students: Here’s Your Cheat Sheet to Budgeting 101
Let these money management tips serve as a crash course in budgeting for college students.
Apr 18, 2026
Where to Get Free or Low‑Cost Mammograms—Even Without Insurance
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Don’t wait to get checked — here are places to get low-cost or free mammograms today.
Apr 18, 2026
8 Ways to Save on Return to Office Costs
If you’ve been asked to return to the office, you’re not alone. After a rise in remote work during the pandemic, millions of office workers have transitioned back into the office full-time in the past year. How many employees are still working remotely? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, pre-pandemic less than 10%...
Apr 18, 2026
Dear Penny: My Elderly Stepmom’s Adult Grandson has Convinced Her to Give Him Her Monthly Funds. How Can I Help Her?
Dear Helpless, Because you don’t want to get some kind of local authority involved — which is an understandable boundary to draw — the interventions available are limited as long as your stepmom has legal control over her finances. Here are a couple of options to broach with her and with her grandson: Help her...
Apr 18, 2026
Publish your Ebook and Earn Money: How I Made $2,000 from a Kindle Ebook
If you’ve always wanted to write a book, what are you waiting for? It’s never been easier to publish an ebook yourself on platforms like Kindle and Nook. Even if you don’t become the next Stephen King or Malcolm Gladwell, you could wind up with a nice side income.
Apr 4, 2026
The Zero Based Budget Makes You Account for Every Dollar You Spend
Are you stressed about where your money’s going? We show you exactly how to use the zero-based budget to master your finances.
Apr 18, 2026
Dear Penny: Do I Owe It to My Husband to Support His Endless Job Hopping?
Dear M. You don’t say what you do for work, but you have a full-time job as your husband’s unpaid therapist. You’re clearly exhausted. I think the job hopping and constant complaining are two separate problems. Both pertain to a much bigger problem, which is that you’re married to a really difficult person. [dear_penny_form] Let’s...
Apr 18, 2026
15 Actionable Steps That Will Help Your Career Shift
Around half of U.S. workers explore the idea of switching careers, but most don’t know where to begin. A career change isn’t a leap of faith; it’s a series of informed moves. These 15 steps offer practical direction, not fluff. You’ll learn exactly how to start over the smart way. Keep going—this list walks with...
Apr 18, 2026
15 Holiday Crafts Anyone Can Make and Sell for a Seasonal Side Hustle
Want to make a little extra cash this holiday season? Try making and selling these simple holiday crafts. They’re inexpensive to create and cute enough to sell at your local holiday craft fairs. Here’s are 12 craft ideas to get you started; which one is your favorite?
Apr 18, 2026
10 Best Dividend Stocks
These stocks have boosted annual dividend payouts for at least 10 years with attractive yields and delivered long-term price stability.
Apr 3, 2026
Empower App Review: This Money Management App Solves All Your Financial Woes
The Empower app wraps four apps in one. It helps you track your spending, build a budget, negotiate your bills and keep tabs on your credit. Here’s our Empower finance app review.
Apr 18, 2026