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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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Add up what you own and subtract what you owe with our free net worth calculator. Nothing is stored.
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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
Credit
How to dispute an error on your credit report, step by step
A wrong item on a credit report can affect a loan or a rental. Official and extension sources describe how to dispute it yourself, what to include, and what comes next.
Banking
How federal deposit insurance works, and how far it stretches
Federal deposit insurance is automatic, but it comes with a standard amount and ownership-category rules. Here is what it covers, what it leaves out, and where to check.
Taxes
Tax year 2027: IRS deductions, brackets and credits
The IRS has announced its tax year 2027 inflation adjustments. Here is what moves for the standard deduction, brackets, credits and a few everyday limits, and when they apply.
Free: 10 Days to Financial Security
One small money step a day, for 10 days
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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.