Kate is a personal finance writer and Candidate for CFP® Certification with expertise in wealth management, income taxes, credit cards, mortgages, student loans, insurance, and retirement.
Should You Delete Your Stock Trading App?
As the pandemic consumes the nation, millions of housebound Americans have immersed themselves in a new hobby: trading stocks. Lured by the ability to make commission-free trades, online brokerages—like Charles Schwab, Fidelity, and TD Ameritrade—have seen an uptick in users this year.
What to Know About Joe Biden’s Tax Policy
With fewer than 50 days until the election, there is no better time to compare candidates—including those at the federal, state, and local levels—to see how each one may impact your wallet. Here’s a closer look at Joe Biden’s tax policy and how much it may cost your family.
The Best Rewards Credit Cards for Back-to-School Shopping
As families prepare to send kids back to school, many worry about the high cost of supplies. Two in three parents are feeling stressed by the expense—which is up from 43% in 2019, according to CompareCards’ annual Back-to-School survey—and it’s easy to see why. The National Retail Federation says coronavirus may push parents to record levels of back-to-school spending, with an estimated $789.49 per family.
What to Know About the New Chase Freedom Flex Card
Last week, Chase unveiled new rewards credit card offerings—including the new Chase Freedom Flex—along with new cash back rewards for the existing Chase Freedom Unlimited. Both will be available on September 15, 2020.
Why You Need an Investment Policy Statement
The purpose of an investment policy statement is to turn your investing strategy into a measurable plan. It may protect you from emotional decisions sparked by fear and anxiety, and can serve as your roadmap for future choices for what to do with your money, regardless of what’s happening in the stock market. Here’s how to get started putting one together.
Unemployment benefits in Massachusetts: What to know
More than half a million people in Massachusetts filed for unemployment benefits in the first month of the coronavirus outbreak. If you lost your job because of COVID-19, here’s how to file for unemployment benefits in Massachusetts.
PenFed Personal Loans Review
PenFed Credit Union, one of the biggest credit unions in the United States,1 offers a variety of products—including personal loans. While the credit union is well known in the military, anyone can become a member.
The Ultimate Home Inspection Checklist
When you’ve fallen in love with a home, it may be tempting to breeze through the home inspection—or skip it altogether. This may be a costly mistake.
The First-Time Homebuyer’s Guide to Homeowners Insurance
As you start the homebuying process, it’s normal to focus on the biggest hurdle: qualifying for a mortgage. Your approval is a big deal and worth celebrating. But before filling the champagne glasses, you’ll need one more thing—homeowners insurance.
Pennsylvania tax rates: Things to know about taxes in...
If you live or work in Pennsylvania, you may have to pay state and local income taxes. But those aren’t the only taxes that apply in the Keystone State. You may also encounter property tax, sales tax or even an inheritance tax.
Are Student Loans Worth It?
Every year, college graduates hope to make the leap from student to the workforce. Two-thirds of students graduate with student loans, with an average balance of $29,990. Student loans can be a burden, especially at the beginning of one’s career. With the average starting salary of around $52,000, many wonder if their investment will pay off. Unfortunately, there isn't a simple answer. Here's how to figure out if student loans are worth it for your family.
Ohio tax rates: Things to know about taxes in the Buckeye State
If you live or work in Ohio, you will probably have to pay state income taxes. But Buckeye state residents may also face other types of state or local taxes, such as sales tax, property taxes and possibly even local income tax.
Active vs. Passive Investing
If you follow investing, you may know the active vs. passive investing debate has been going on for a while. Ever since Jack Bogle, founder of Vanguard, created index funds—the first passive investing option—experts have been arguing for and against the strategy.
With experts plugging the merits of both sides, it can be confusing to navigate—especially without a clear winner.
Do unmarried couples need life insurance?
Living together unmarried is more common than ever before. Cohabitation has nearly tripled in 20 years, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Over the past two decades, the numbers have risen from 6 million to 17 million — or 7% of the total U.S. adult population. The reason may be due to a shift in attitudes or couples may be moving together to save money. Either way, a slew of people are cohabitating without the protections of marriage.
Benefits of Investing in Bonds
As you hear about swings in the stock market, it’s normal to worry about your investments. After all, those hard-earned dollars are your life savings—and you aren’t keen on parting with them. That’s why diversifying your portfolio of investments is so important. Bonds are a key piece of that puzzle. Here’s a closer look at what they are, how to use them, and their benefits.