Money Brief

Personal finance systems for spending, saving, debt, and investing.

Education & Certification

Latest Articles

All articles for the active domain.

Could Your Next Financial Decision Hurt Your Credit Score? This Tool Can Help You Find Out

Banking & Credit

Could Your Next Financial Decision Hurt Your Credit Score? This Tool Can Help You Find Out

What happens to your credit score if you transfer a credit balance, take out a new loan, or pay your taxes late? A credit simulator can estimate how many points your score might go up or down when you make these financial decisions — and you might be surprised by the results…

Apr 18, 2026

What Is a Co-Branded Credit Card?

Banking & Credit

What Is a Co-Branded Credit Card?

A co-branded card represents a partnership between a specific business and card issuer and is meant to encourage and reward brand loyalty.

Apr 18, 2026

When a Market Crash Rattles Your 401(k) — Here's What to Do

Retirement

When a Market Crash Rattles Your 401(k) — Here's What to Do

You know the story of “The Tortoise and the Hare”? It turned out slow and steady won the race. That applies to investing, too. In 2020, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose and fell daily — and even hourly — to the economic effects of COVID-19, the financial roller coaster ride left plenty of...

Apr 18, 2026

2026 Summer Travel Report

Banking & Credit

2026 Summer Travel Report

Close to half of Americans (45%) plan to take a summer vacation, but some may still be in debt from last year’s travel.

Apr 4, 2026

10 Homeowners Insurance Discounts to Lower Your Bill

Insurance

10 Homeowners Insurance Discounts to Lower Your Bill

If you own a home, insurance is a necessity and required if you have a mortgage. But your coverage might be costing you more than it should. You may qualify for a homeowners insurance discount or two. Thankfully, there are ways to lower your monthly homeowners insurance premiums without sacrificing essential coverage. Many insurance companies...

Apr 18, 2026

9 Ways to Invest in Real Estate — Even if You’re No Mogul

Insurance

9 Ways to Invest in Real Estate — Even if You’re No Mogul

Wondering how to invest in real estate? We’ve got some ways you might not know about, like house hacking, crowdfunding, opportunity zones and more.

Apr 18, 2026

Is Ladder Life Insurance A Good Option? Our Reviewer Weighs In on the Pros and Cons

Insurance

Is Ladder Life Insurance A Good Option? Our Reviewer Weighs In on the Pros and Cons

Your decision to buy life insurance might be an easy one. You have a family, a partner or kids who depend on your income and household contributions, and you want to make sure they’re protected in case you die. Exactly what kind of life insurance coverage you buy is probably a tougher decision. Maybe you...

Apr 18, 2026

Homeowners Insurance Rates Spiking in Your State? Here’s What You Can Do

Insurance

Homeowners Insurance Rates Spiking in Your State? Here’s What You Can Do

One benefit of homeownership is you skip the dreaded rent increases — settling into a steady monthly mortgage amount until you either pay off your home or move. However, if your homeowners insurance and property taxes are built into your mortgage, your monthly payment amount will fluctuate. For homeowners in some states, that fluctuation has...

Apr 18, 2026

Larissa Runkle's profile page

Budget Planner

Larissa Runkle's profile page

Larissa Runkle (@therealtorwriter) is a writer and editor living in Colorado. Her work focuses on personal finance, real estate copywriting and lifestyle guides.

Apr 18, 2026

This Free App Will Help You Find $0 Items on Facebook Marketplace

Retirement

This Free App Will Help You Find $0 Items on Facebook Marketplace

Getting free stuff is amazing. Scoring free items from local listings on Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor and OfferUp can help you save tons of money — and that deal-finding adrenaline rush is hard to beat. But snagging those zero-dollar deals on community buy-sell pages is tough. Free items can get marked as sold in a matter...

Apr 4, 2026

This Is What Happens to Your Debt When You File Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Debt Management

This Is What Happens to Your Debt When You File Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Chapter 13 bankruptcy can help people with debt get a fresh start, but it won’t happen quickly. Here’s what happens when you file.

Apr 18, 2026

Which Gas Station Has the Best Cheap Coffee? We Tried 10 and Ranked Them

Investing

Which Gas Station Has the Best Cheap Coffee? We Tried 10 and Ranked Them

Whether you’re on a road trip or picking up a cup while filling your tank on the way to work, make sure you’re getting the best cheap coffee for your money.

Apr 4, 2026

Page 257