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Dear Penny: I’m Getting $165K in Child Support. Do I Pay Down My Kids’ Loans?
Dear K., Sure, it’s possible to get returns that are higher than the interest you’re paying. In an average year, an S&P 500 index fund produces returns of about 10%, which is probably a lot more than the interest rates on your loans. Of course, you could also lose money, as we’re all painfully aware...
Apr 18, 2026
Why the S&P 500 Just Hit a Record Even Though the Economy Is in Shambles
Congress is deadlocked over the next stimulus bill. Officially, 10.2% of people are unemployed, though economists say the actual number is much higher. Expanded unemployment benefits expired last month, leaving millions of people unable to pay their bills. So with so much economic turmoil, why is the stock market on fire? The S&P 500 set...
Apr 18, 2026
As More Car Payments Soar to $1,000/Month, Here’s How to Lower Yours
You know inflation is bad when your monthly car payment hits a thousand bucks. For an increasing number of drivers, that’s the reality. A record number of Americans are paying at least $1,000 a month for their vehicles, according to new findings from the auto inventory site Edmunds. Nearly 16% of car buyers who financed...
Apr 4, 2026
18 Totally Free Father’s Day Ideas That Don’t Feel Cheap
Father’s Day is coming up fast — even if you’re short on cash. Here are 19 totally free Father’s Day ideas that will make you look like an A+ kid.
Apr 18, 2026
Mike Brassfield's profile page
Mike Brassfield is a veteran writer and editor who has been with The Penny Hoarder for six years. He worked in daily newspapers for more than two decades in Kansas, Georgia, South Carolina and Florida, but mostly at the Tampa Bay Times. After leaving newspapers, he worked for a PR firm and a U.S. military magazine before joining TPH. Born and raised in Kansas City, he graduated from the University of Kansas and has lived in the Tampa Bay area for nearly 25 years. He's married with twin teenage daughters, which is super relaxing.
Apr 18, 2026
If You Really Need a Private Student Loan, Here’s How to Do It Responsibly
If you really have to get a private student loan — not a federal loan — here’s how to do it without regretting it for the rest of your life. Shop around for a good interest rate. We’ve got an easy way to do it.
Apr 4, 2026
What Is Contesting a Will and Who Can Do It?
Contesting a will is a complex, stressful process. It’s expensive, time consuming and wrought with family tension. But if you believe a family member’s will was improperly executed or you have other grounds for challenging the will, you may have a case. We'll dive into how to contest a will, who can do it, the...
Apr 18, 2026
This New Company Wants to Help You Avoid a Common Mortgage Mistake
About My Mortgage connects you to your current lender to help you get better mortgage refinancing rates, and to help you decide whether to refinance at all.
Apr 4, 2026
Dear Penny: My Husband Refuses to Let Me See His Will. Is This Normal?
Dear In the Dark, Thank you for sharing your experience; this sounds like a trying situation and one of many tough money conversations to have with your spouse. I’m not a legal expert, so I reached out to some experts in estate planning to weigh in. Ciara Lister, an estate planning attorney and co-founder of...
Apr 18, 2026
Fidelity Go Review 2024: Pros, Cons and Features
Fidelity Go is a good fit for people looking to invest with a robo-advisor or who are more into hands-off strategies. Our review can help you decide if Fidelity Go is right for you.
Apr 18, 2026
Retirement Budget 101: 9 Ways to Stretch Your Retirement Savings
You’ve spent decades in the workforce earning a living, your schedule dictated by the demands of the job. All the while, you’ve been steadily adding to your savings so one day you could get to this point: Retirement. You finally have time to cross items off your bucket list — or simply catch a midweek...
Apr 4, 2026
Gemini Review 2026: Pros, Cons and How It Compares
Gemini offers dozens of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ether, as well as hundreds of crypto-to-crypto trading pairs.
Apr 4, 2026