Personal finance systems for spending, saving, debt, and investing.
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Budget Planner
Articles filed under Budget Planner.
Start Building Serious Savings With a Pay-Yourself-First Strategy
Many people approach budgeting in this fashion: Pay bills, spend a little, and any money that’s left goes in savings. But those leftover crumbs aren’t often enough. Not enough income is the reason nearly half (42%) of Americans aren't saving, according to The Penny Hoarder's State of Savings survey. Of those surveyed, 42% reported having...
Apr 18, 2026
How This Couple Paid off $20K in Credit Card Debt — Making Less Than $70K/Year
When these California homeowners faced a sudden $20K in credit card debt, they needed a way out. So they turned to Figure for a low-interest HELOC. See how they’re doing today.
Apr 4, 2026
The Do’s and Don’ts of the Second Interview
Congratulations — you made it to the second round of interviews for a job. Now, it’s time to step up your game and make an even stronger impression. The second interview is your chance to stand out and prove you're the obvious choice for the job. It’s also an opportunity to revisit any questions you...
Apr 18, 2026
No More Excuses! Cheap Gym Memberships to Keep Your Fitness Goals on Track
Getting in shape requires making a decision and a commitment to putting in the work. It also takes an investment in time and often in money. Choosing a gym can be a very personal decision. The location might be important to you. You may want a gym you pass on your normal commute so you...
Apr 18, 2026
Learn the Ways of the Financial World through Video Games
Video games offer a way to escape and have a little fun. But did you know they can also act as tools for financial education? This could be as simple as teaching kids about budgeting, but could also influence a career in the finance world. We’ll look at how some existing games simulate real-world economic...
Apr 4, 2026
Auntie's Gold Necklaces Can Pay for That New TV
Global events are driving up the price of gold as people look for stable investments. We tell you how to make money off your gold jewelry.
Apr 4, 2026
How to Save for a Vacation Without Breaking the Bank
Itching to travel but not sure how to save for a vacation? These 10 tips will help you build your travel fund so you can be on your way.
Apr 18, 2026
Looking for the Cheapest Grocery Store Near You? We Found It
You asked, we answered. This is the cheapest place to buy groceries according to a side-by-side cost comparison of food prices.
Apr 18, 2026
Wedding Budget 101: 7 Steps to an Affordable Wedding
Our guide to budgeting for weddings will help you plan for the big day and reign in your desire to buy every beautiful thing.
Apr 18, 2026
Dear Penny: I’m Coming Up Short on Money Every Month. How Do I Budget?
Dear Strapped, People think of a “budget” in two distinct ways: 1) a way to set restrictions on spending and plan ahead how you’re allowed to use money, or 2) what I call a “money map,” which is a way to gain visibility into what’s coming in and going out. I don’t endorse restrictive budgeting, but...
Apr 18, 2026
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They’ll love you, because you’ll be the first to know about free tacos and be able to help them with their taxes next spring.
Apr 18, 2026
7 Steps to Take If You’ve Been Laid Off
If you've been laid off from work, look into unemployment benefits and work with your community and lenders to get help. Here’s what else you can do.
Jun 13, 2026