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Housing
How to compare a mortgage broker with a direct lender
A broker arranges a loan with lenders; a direct lender makes it. Neither label tells you the cost, so compare pay, written terms and who handles your file.
Retirement
How to read your 401(k) summary plan description before requesting money
The SPD is a map to your plan's rules on withdrawals, loans, fees and appeals. Here is how to read it, question by question, before any money moves.
Make Money:
Make Money
$60,000 a year in hourly pay: check the hours behind the offer
On a full-time schedule, $60,000 a year works out to $28.85 an hour before taxes. Hours, overtime and deductions decide whether that beats hourly pay.
Make Money
Does $55,000 salary beat $25 an hour? Compare pay, overtime and hours
At matching full-time hours, $55,000 exceeds $25 an hour. Paid overtime and longer salaried weeks can change the comparison. Salary alone does not decide overtime eligibility.
Free email challenge: 10 Days to Financial Security. One small money step a day.
Manage Money
Building an emergency fund: what the data shows and how small starts work
The Federal Reserve’s survey shows how adults would pay a surprise bill. Extension educators explain emergency savings, accessible accounts, and starting small.
Free: 10 Days to Financial Security
One small, doable money step a day for 10 days, by email. Free, and you can leave any time.
Invest
How compound growth and time work together, and why risk is the other half
Compound interest is interest earned on interest, and time gives it room to work. The SEC and FINRA also explain why every investment carries some risk.
Retirement
How to request an early 401(k) distribution, step by step
Ask your employer or plan administrator to confirm the request process. Then check eligibility, paperwork, withholding and payment records before authorizing an early 401(k) distribution.
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Free: 10 Days to Financial Security
One small, doable money step a day for 10 days, by email. Free, and you can leave any time.
How We Write
How we write our money guides
Every guide is built on what credentialed pros and official sources publish, and every number is checked against them.
Our Writers
Meet our writers
Five friendly money writers, each covering two sections. We're research-based writers, not financial advisers.
Latest Articles
Housing
How to compare a mortgage broker with a direct lender
A broker arranges a loan with lenders; a direct lender makes it. Neither label tells you the cost, so compare pay, written terms and who handles your file.
Retirement
How to request an early 401(k) distribution, step by step
Ask your employer or plan administrator to confirm the request process. Then check eligibility, paperwork, withholding and payment records before authorizing an early 401(k) distribution.
Make Money
$60,000 a year in hourly pay: check the hours behind the offer
On a full-time schedule, $60,000 a year works out to $28.85 an hour before taxes. Hours, overtime and deductions decide whether that beats hourly pay.
Taxes
Where to claim mortgage interest on your tax return—and what qualifies
Qualifying home mortgage interest is generally claimed on Schedule A with Form 1040. Form 1098 is a starting point, not proof that every dollar qualifies.
Retirement
How to read your 401(k) summary plan description before requesting money
The SPD is a map to your plan's rules on withdrawals, loans, fees and appeals. Here is how to read it, question by question, before any money moves.
Retirement
Early 401(k) withdrawals: taxes, penalties and exceptions
Plan permission, income tax and the extra 10% tax are three separate questions. Here is how each works, and where a medical exception fits.
Banking
Where to buy a money order: fees, limits and what to bring
Post Offices sell money orders and publish the fee and limit. Before you travel to a grocery counter or bank, ask about availability, fee, limit, payment and ID.
Insurance
How to compare life, burial and long-term-care insurance for your family
Life insurance pays after a death; long-term-care insurance helps with qualifying care during life. Compare the expense, policy limits, health review and insurer.
Housing
How to compare refinance offers from banks, credit unions and online lenders
Compare written quotes for the same loan, issued around the same time, rather than advertised rates. Lender type doesn't decide the better offer; costs, term and break-even timing do.
Make Money
Does $55,000 salary beat $25 an hour? Compare pay, overtime and hours
At matching full-time hours, $55,000 exceeds $25 an hour. Paid overtime and longer salaried weeks can change the comparison. Salary alone does not decide overtime eligibility.
Manage Money
Building an emergency fund: what the data shows and how small starts work
The Federal Reserve’s survey shows how adults would pay a surprise bill. Extension educators explain emergency savings, accessible accounts, and starting small.
Invest
How compound growth and time work together, and why risk is the other half
Compound interest is interest earned on interest, and time gives it room to work. The SEC and FINRA also explain why every investment carries some risk.
Free: 10 Days to Financial Security
One small money step a day, for 10 days
Plain-English emails, free to join
Leave any time with one click
Insurance
Insurance
How to compare life, burial and long-term-care insurance for your family
Life insurance pays after a death; long-term-care insurance helps with qualifying care during life. Compare the expense, policy limits, health review and insurer.
How We Write
How we write our money guides
Every guide is built on what credentialed pros and official sources publish, and every number is checked against them.