What to Do If You’re Laid Off: 6 Essential Steps

Getting laid off from your job can be a devastating experience. Whether it was unexpected or something you saw coming, the reality often is difficult to face. Its natural to feel overwhelmed and wonder what to do when you get laid off. Although its a significant setback, it doesnt have to be the end of your career. Apply for Unemployment Benefits Immediately The very first step you should take is to apply for unemployment benefits....

March 24, 2025 · 2 min · 320 words · Holly Pena

How to Get Cheap Auto Insurance Without Cutting Coverage

when you’ve got it, its easy to not think about your car insurance. That is, until youre rear ended on your way home from work while stopped at a red light. That insanely expensive fix would have fallen completely on your shoulders without it. Getty Images We all need car insurance, and not as a just-in-case thing its legally required in most states. So, how do youget the cheapest auto insurancewithout sacrificing the quality of said coverage?...

March 21, 2025 · 2 min · 408 words · Lee Lee

Dear Penny: What Side Hustles Can I Turn Into Full-Time Income?

My goal is turning it into a full-time income and create a legacy for my family. I dont have a ton of capital right now. I am 42 years old and have nothing saved for retirement. I would like to be fully working for myself within the next five to six years if possible. Aspiring Entrepreneur Dear Aspiring, Youve come to the right place! Weve written about tons ofremote side hustlesover the years at The Penny Hoarder....

March 20, 2025 · 1 min · 166 words · Ryan Baxter

How to Write Resumes That Get Picked Up by Applicant Tracking Systems

Technology powers nearly everything businesses do these days, and that includes hiring and recruitment. But as with any technology, these solutions arent perfect. Some job seekers are concerned their resumes are getting unfairly filtered out before a human even looks at them. Heres what you should probably know aboutapplying for jobs in a technology-driven era. Plus, some expert tips on working with applicant tracking systems, rather than against them. Or, youre ready to get paid what you deserve....

March 20, 2025 · 3 min · 495 words · Joshua Rodriguez

The Future of Work: High-Demand Careers That Will Pay Well in The Next Decade

The world of work is evolving rapidly, driven by technological advancements, demographic shifts and changing economic landscapes. High-Demand Careers of The Future Heres a look at some of the high-demand careers of the future. Roles such as nurses, physician assistants, physical therapists, and medical technicians are expected to grow significantly. Additionally, careers in mental health, such as psychologists and counselors, are becoming increasingly important. These roles often come with competitive salaries and opportunities for remote work....

March 20, 2025 · 2 min · 307 words · Zachary Miller

8 Brands That Offer Clothing Trade-In Programs

Selling used clothing is a great way tomake some extra cash. Its also a lot of work. You dont just hit a button and make a sale. You write a listing, take photos, chat with potential buyersandship. But theres a less labor intensive if less financially rewarding way. Some major brands offer clothing trade-in programs. you’ve got the option to give your clothes back to the brand you bought it from....

March 18, 2025 · 4 min · 757 words · Juan Camacho

Frontier Offering Free Checked Bags After Southwest Ends Bags-Fly-Free Policy

Frontier is coming for Southwest customers. Southwest Airlines announced on March 11 it will be ending its bags-fly-free policy, and the backlash was swift. Many said the only reason they flew Southwest was because it offered two free checked bags. Before its announcement, Southwest was the holdout airline to offer that perk. Its new policy starts May 28. Weve always had heart,FrontierCEO Barry Biffle said in the release. Some airlines are walking away from what travelers love, but were running towards it....

March 18, 2025 · 1 min · 195 words · Victoria Jones

These Signs of Dementia Could Show Up in Your Loved One’s Finances

Discovering your loved one has dementia is a heartbreaking moment. So, dementia affecting finances is common. These changes in financial behavior unsurprisingly lead to negative consequences down the line. Low credit scores can limit a persons borrowing capacity. Dementia affecting finances could happen to anyone, so we gathered a list of things to watch out for. Are you struggling to cope with financial stress? First, take a deep breath. Then, take a look at our roundup ofresources to help you manage your stress and your money....

March 18, 2025 · 2 min · 379 words · Diana White

What A Recession is and How to Tell if We’re in One

Recession is a word on everyones lips these days. Are we heading for one, or are we in a recession? If we are, what can we do to mitigate the damage? Talk of a recession is nothing new. In fact, people tend to toss the word around every couple of years. Lets talk about it. Are We in a Recession? Unfortunately, the NBER waits until all data is in before making a determination....

March 18, 2025 · 3 min · 638 words · Carolyn Mclaughlin

What Are Tariffs — And Are They Good or Bad?

President Trumps tariff plans that he talked about during his campaignare in full swing. But what are tariffs in simple terms, and how do they affect people like you and me? Heres what it means in plain English. What Are Tariffs, and How Do They Work? Tariffs are taxes on imported goods and are used to restrict imports. The idea is to encourage people to buy domestically made goods instead....

March 18, 2025 · 2 min · 404 words · Robin Gregory

Inflation Watch: Inflation Remains Under 3%

Inflation is a hot topic of conversation. Theres good news and bad news. The good news is, inflation seems to be settling under 3%. What else makes this so special? Some costs are, of course, still high. Housing is up 4% year-over-year this month. And, utility gas service is up 9.4% year-over-year. Sometimes it feels like theres not much we can do when prices jump. If your budget is majorly stretched, we have a few ways to help....

March 17, 2025 · 2 min · 347 words · Lindsay Morris

4 Things I Wish I Knew Before Buying an Electric Car

My spouse and I purchased our first electric vehicle (EV) in November 2024. We had long discussed buying one when our sturdy Subaru bit the dust. After replacing the transmission and realizing it might need a whole new engine, we decided it was time. After much discussion and a few test drives, we landed on a 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 with all-wheel-drive. Its a midsize crossover with just enough room for us and our two kids....

March 15, 2025 · 3 min · 506 words · Jacob Rios

Dear Penny: Will Scaling Back My Workload at 60 Years Old Affect My Social Security?

But that means I will earn less during my final work years. I dont plan to apply for SS benefits until age 65 at the earliest. Since Social Security uses a combination of later years earnings as an average? If youve worked less than 35 years, reducing your earnings now could matter. For example, if you worked from ages 30 to 60, thats 30 years. Maintainingsomesalary for the next five to seven years might help even more....

March 14, 2025 · 1 min · 130 words · Stephanie Kramer