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2 Programs for Homebuyers With Good Credit (but Not Much Cash)

Investing

2 Programs for Homebuyers With Good Credit (but Not Much Cash)

Dreaming of becoming a homeowner?  While it may be fun to fantasize about what color you’ll paint the living room and which shower curtain will adorn the guest bath, there’s one important consideration to take care of first.  How are you going to finance it? Many mortgages require a sizable down payment — historically up...

Apr 4, 2026

5 Smart Ways to Protect Your Retirement Nest Egg Against Soaring Inflation

Debt Management

5 Smart Ways to Protect Your Retirement Nest Egg Against Soaring Inflation

Freda Robinson, 65, lives a frugal life. She uses coupons, compares weekly grocery store ads and hunts for the best deals. But rising inflation worries Robinson, a South Carolina resident who retired from her job in May 2018. She’s concerned that her nest egg won’t last as prices on everyday items continue to rise. “I...

Apr 4, 2026

U.S. Bank 'Bonus Days' Offer Cardholders Extra Rewards, Discounts

Banking & Credit

U.S. Bank 'Bonus Days' Offer Cardholders Extra Rewards, Discounts

Bonus Day brings U.S. Bank debit and credit cardholders opportunities to earn rewards and save.

Apr 4, 2026

12 Easy Ways to Finally Stop Wasting Money on Random Stuff

Budget Planner

12 Easy Ways to Finally Stop Wasting Money on Random Stuff

Impulse buying can wreak havoc on your bank account. Here’s how to cut that mindless shopping habit out of your life.

Apr 18, 2026

50 Easy Ways You Could Make Extra Money This Month

Debt Management

50 Easy Ways You Could Make Extra Money This Month

Ready to pad your bank account? We found 50 ways to make money you might not know about…

Apr 4, 2026

Curtis Westman's profile page

Insurance

Curtis Westman's profile page

Curtis began his career as a proofreader, and it was there that he learned the first rule of writing: never anger the proofreader. He has now been writing professionally for over a decade, with a portfolio that spans fiction, advertising, public relations, ghostwriting and journalism. In that time, he has been privileged to create and develop campaigns for some of the world's biggest brands, including McDonald's, KPMG and Harley-Davidson.

Apr 6, 2026

Dear Penny: How Can We Recover the $300K My Husband Lost on Penny Stocks?

Investing

Dear Penny: How Can We Recover the $300K My Husband Lost on Penny Stocks?

Dear Sad, Your husband has lost big on penny stocks three times over, to the tune of nearly $400,000. Of course, that’s only the money you know about. I’m not sure how you “just found out” about your husband’s enormous losses, but it doesn’t exactly sound like he’s been forthcoming. I wouldn’t be surprised if...

Apr 18, 2026

Putting a Down Payment on a House: How Much You Need and Other Facts

Retirement

Putting a Down Payment on a House: How Much You Need and Other Facts

Navigating a house purchase isn’t easy, especially when it comes to financing. The first variable in that long equation is the down payment. There are lots of factors to consider about a down payment. The most pressing: How much do you need? Here’s our handy guide to down payments for first-time home buyers. What is...

Apr 18, 2026

6 Ways You Can Get a Home Loan With Bad Credit

Insurance

6 Ways You Can Get a Home Loan With Bad Credit

Home ownership is possible even if your credit score isn’t in the 700s. Here’s how to buy a house with bad credit.

Apr 4, 2026

Check Your Wallet: 15 Types of Valuable Paper Money Serial Numbers

Insurance

Check Your Wallet: 15 Types of Valuable Paper Money Serial Numbers

Pull any bill out of your wallet. See the dark green numbers on the top-left and top-right corners? Those are serial numbers, and some are more rare than others. If you happen to have paper money with a unique or interesting serial number, it may be worth much more than face value. In fact, collectors...

Apr 4, 2026

Avoid Pricey Overdraft Fees by Picking a Bank Without Them

Banking & Credit

Avoid Pricey Overdraft Fees by Picking a Bank Without Them

Are overdraft fees killing your budget? You might be a “heavy overdrafter.” Here’s how to tell — and what to do.

Apr 18, 2026

The Wealth Gap Between Owning and Renting — And How It Impacts Your American Dream

Budget Planner

The Wealth Gap Between Owning and Renting — And How It Impacts Your American Dream

The wealth gap between renters and homeowners in the U.S. is pretty wide. In fact, the median homeowner has a net worth of $400,000, while the median renter has just $10,400, according to a recent report by the Aspen Institute. This gap has sparked a growing divide between the “haves” and “have-nots,” leaving many renters...

Apr 18, 2026

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