FORGOTTEN HISTORY: Nerdwallet - Caught on Camera

Americans Have $1.26 Trillion in Credit Card Debt — How Much Is Too Much for One Household?

America’s credit card debt has climbed to a staggering $1.26 trillion, but that giant national number does not tell you whether your household is carrying too much.

Budget and the Bees · Oct 3

The Seller Dropped the Price $25,000 — Is That a Deal or a Warning Sign?

Seeing a $25,000 home price reduction can make a listing that was previously out of reach suddenly look like a bargain. But a lower asking price does not automatically mean you are getting a deal, nor does it prove something is wrong with the house. Price cuts have become common…

Everybody Loves Your Money · Sep 28

Americans Are Feeling Worse About Their Finances—Should You Delay a Big Purchase Before the Holidays?

Americans have a new reason to pause before making a major purchase this holiday season: their confidence in their own finances has slipped. A new NerdWallet Financial Resilience Index found that 73% of Americans felt in control of their day-to-day finances, down from 77% in July. At the same time,…

The Free Financial Advisor · Sep 25

Should You Keep a Separate Savings Account Just for Annual Expenses?

Property taxes, insurance premiums, holiday gifts, annual memberships, and car registration have something frustrating in common: You know they are coming, but they can still feel like surprise expenses. When several land within the same month, even a household with a carefully planned budget can find itself reaching for a…

Budget and the Bees · Sep 15

Your September Budget Should Include One Category Most People Forget

September can feel like a financial reset, with summer ending and the holidays still seemingly far away. That makes it easy to build a September budget around bills and school costs while overlooking one category that can prevent a year-end scramble. The missing line is a seasonal expenses fund, sometimes…

Budget and the Bees · Sep 14

Back-to-School Peer Pressure Isn’t Just Affecting Kids—It’s Costing Parents Money

The $30 backpack works perfectly well, but your child wants the $80 one because “everyone has it.” The basic sneakers fit, but suddenly a particular brand feels essential before the first day of school. Then come the trendy water bottle, name-brand hoodie and accessories showing up repeatedly on social media.…

Kids Ain't Cheap · Sep 12

Would You Let Your Child Add Whatever They Want to Your Online Shopping Cart?

Hand your child your phone and tell them, “Put whatever you want in the cart.”

Kids Ain't Cheap · Sep 11

9 Household Items That Usually Cost Less If You Stop Buying Them One at a Time

Buying household basics one package at a time may feel easier on the budget, but that convenience can quietly raise what you pay per use. For products your family goes through predictably, larger packages and multipacks can reduce the unit price and the number of emergency store runs.

Budget and the Bees · Sep 11

September Is a Good Month to Find Out Where Your Money Really Went This Summer

Summer has a way of making ordinary spending feel temporary: a weekend trip here, restaurant meals there, and a few extra purchases for the kids. By September, however, those charges are no longer vacation memories; they are numbers sitting on bank and credit card statements. That makes this month an…

Budget and the Bees · Sep 11

8 Money Mistakes That Feel Harmless Until They Become Monthly Expenses

Small spending decisions rarely feel dangerous when you make them. A subscription, a financed upgrade, or one more food-delivery order can seem manageable when viewed alone. The problem begins when those choices quietly become monthly expenses competing with rent, groceries, savings, and other necessities. Once several accumulate, dollars can disappear…

Budget and the Bees · Sep 10