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Debt Management
Dear Penny: Can I Sue My Stepdaughter for Money I Spent on Her Wedding After She Uninvited Me?
Dear Excluded, I’m sorry for your experience! This sounds like a difficult challenge for your family. There aren’t strict guidelines for when you can bring a civil lawsuit. Whether you could likely win your money depends on the evidence you bring and what you’re asking for. Speak with an attorney to consider the viability of...
Apr 18, 2026
Insurance
Term, Universal or Whole Life Insurance: Which is the Best Option for You?
It’s a big, scary decision, but this guide can help you figure out if you should get universal, whole or term life insurance.
Apr 18, 2026
Banking & Credit
10 Moves to Make Your Credit Score Soar in 2023
If you want to whip your finances into shape, here’s a good goal: improving your credit score. A lot of goal-setting efforts fail because they’re so extreme. Think of all the bonkers weight-loss and money-saving goals that never go anywhere. This is different. No extreme measures are required. But there aren’t any shortcuts. Building good...
Apr 18, 2026
Banking & Credit
How Credit Card Companies Are Using AI
Artificial intelligence has been a crucial part of the industry for decades, and more uses of the technology are coming — including, maybe, AI agents that make purchasing decisions for you.
Apr 4, 2026
Retirement
How to Retire Before 59½ Without Losing Your Shirt
You work all your life for the day you can sit back and relax. But the closer you get to retirement age, the slower those weeks seem to crawl. Your earliest retirement age depends on your age, your retirement savings and your cost of living. But if you’re heading into your 50s and frantically crunching...
Apr 18, 2026
Investing
Stocks vs. Bonds: What Are the Differences and What To Know
Stocks have unlimited growth potential, but bonds are safer. How do you get the risk/reward mix right? Here are 5 things investors should know about stocks vs bonds.
Apr 18, 2026
Insurance
Dear Penny: Will I Crush My Boyfriend’s Dreams by Charging Him Rent?
Dear T., Wanting and expecting aren’t the same things. It’s 100% reasonable to want your boyfriend to pay bills for a house he lives in. Expecting him to do so is a different matter. A person’s past behavior is a good predictor of their future behavior. Use your boyfriend’s 12-year track record as your crystal...
Apr 18, 2026
Budget Planner
Choice Home Warranty Review: Is It Worth It?
Homeowners insurance is great for covering the cost of damage from natural disasters like hurricanes. But do you know what your homeowners insurance probably doesn’t cover? It’s more than you may realize. Think appliances, HVAC systems and more that can break down from typical wear and tear. Home warranties exist to cushion that cost: you...
Apr 18, 2026
Investing
How to Buy Your First Rental Property
Buying an investment property is a big deal. It is a huge asset for most individuals, and it requires work. Many individuals actually view owning a rental property as being more similar to a small business than an investment, because it involves tenants (customers) and vendors. If you think you’re ready to take the plunge, here are some steps to consider…
Apr 18, 2026
Retirement
Dear Penny: Do I Need My Ex-Husband’s Permission to Get His Social Security?
Dear H., No, you don’t need to contact your ex to claim his Social Security. Even Social Security won’t contact your ex to tell him you’re claiming his Social Security benefits. So please don’t worry that you’ll need to restart communication with your ex to get his permission here. But I get super nervous whenever...
Apr 18, 2026
Insurance
Forget the Piggy Bank: Here Are 6 Better Ways to Save for Your Kid’s Future
Whether you’re looking ahead to college or just want to set your kids up with a financial cushion, you have options when it comes to your money. Here are six of the best ways to save money for your child’s future, from savings plans to investment accounts.
Apr 18, 2026
Debt Management
5 Debt Payoff Strategies to Help You Tackle Your Debt
Your reasons for getting into debt are unique; the ways you get out of it should be, too. Some Penny Hoarders shared their personal debt payoff strategies to inspire you.
Apr 18, 2026