Money Brief

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

Education & Certification

Latest Articles

All articles for the active domain.

Got a Family? Find Out How to Get $1M in Life Insurance — in 5 Minutes

Banking & Credit

Got a Family? Find Out How to Get $1M in Life Insurance — in 5 Minutes

If you’re wondering how to get life insurance to protect your family, you’ll want to check out Ladder life insurance. It’s easy and fast, and you’ll be able to change it when your life changes.

Apr 6, 2026

Got 5 Minutes? This Simple Step Can Set You up for a Happy Retirement

Retirement

Got 5 Minutes? This Simple Step Can Set You up for a Happy Retirement

You have a 401(k) — but is it doing what you need it to? Blooom can help you get it on track, grow it faster and avoid nasty fees.

Apr 18, 2026

7 Costly Mistakes You’re Making With Your Travel Rewards Card

Budget Planner

7 Costly Mistakes You’re Making With Your Travel Rewards Card

Travel rewards credit cards can be amazing tools, but only if you use them correctly. Here are seven mistakes I’ve made — and some you might be making right now.

Apr 18, 2026

How Do Loans Work?

Insurance

How Do Loans Work?

Americans and the word debt often seem like they go hand-in-hand. And for good reason. U.S. household debt hit an astonishing — and record-breaking — $14.6 trillion in 2021, according to Debt.org. Granted, this high total was partially influenced by the pandemic. And this figure is total debt, which includes non-loan amounts like money owed on credit...

Apr 4, 2026

5 Things to Know About the Bread Rewards Credit Card

Banking & Credit

5 Things to Know About the Bread Rewards Credit Card

The Bread Rewards American Express Credit Card features bonus rewards for everyday spending like gas and groceries. But there’s no welcome offer for new cardholders.

Apr 25, 2026

8 Free Sleep Apps to Get You Through Those Restless Nights

Insurance

8 Free Sleep Apps to Get You Through Those Restless Nights

Whether it’s fear of getting sick, worry for a loved one’s health, job anxiety, the stress of juggling parenting and career in a pandemic, or all of the above, sky-high stress seems to be the new normal. While free sleep apps won’t solve your big-picture problems, they could help you fall asleep faster, so you...

Apr 4, 2026

Emergency Fund Guide: How Much to Save and How to Start

Retirement

Emergency Fund Guide: How Much to Save and How to Start

An emergency fund is money you set aside for unexpected expenses or income loss — experts recommend saving three months to 12 month’s worth of expenses. That’s great, in theory, but if you’re living paycheck to paycheck, setting aside thousands of dollars can feel impossible.  Unfortunately, that’s the case for a lot of us. Our...

Apr 18, 2026

Five Things To Ask Your Partner Each Payday

Budget Planner

Five Things To Ask Your Partner Each Payday

Your bank account gets a nice infusion of cash on payday. It can feel tempting to spend once you see that a lump sum gets deposited into your account. However, it’s essential to be on the same page when budgeting with a partner regarding the money you’re spending, how much you’re saving and what your...

Apr 18, 2026

Sarah Sharkey's profile page

Debt Management

Sarah Sharkey's profile page

Sarah Sharkey is a personal finance writer who enjoys helping people make informed financial decisions. Her work has been on many finance sites, including USA TODAY, Credible and Business Insider.

Apr 18, 2026

10 Moves to Make Your Credit Score Soar in 2023

Investing

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 4, 2026

6 Ways to Stop Making Excuses and Boost Your Retirement Savings in 2023

Retirement

6 Ways to Stop Making Excuses and Boost Your Retirement Savings in 2023

If you’re feeling shaky about your retirement savings, you’re not alone. According to a 2024 research report by the National Institute on Retirement Security, 79% of respondents agree there is a retirement crisis in the United States. If your savings fell short in 2024, the new year is a great time to get back on...

Apr 18, 2026

7 Tips to Buy a Used Car and Avoid Getting Ripped Off

Debt Management

7 Tips to Buy a Used Car and Avoid Getting Ripped Off

Looking for a new ride? Here’s how to buy a used car, what to look out for and why it can be a smart money move.

Apr 18, 2026