Dear Penny: We Have No Savings. Should We Pay Off Debt With a $15K Inheritance?

But other than that we do not have emergency savings. We do make more than the minimum payments on our debt and are slowly chipping away at it. However, one unforeseen emergency and all the progress we have made would be wiped out. -K. Dear K., I vote for going 50/50 here. Put half in an emergency fund and the other half toward your credit card debt. Thats not quite as satisfying as seeing most of your credit card debt wiped away....

March 8, 2023 · 1 min · 160 words · Danny Miller

Divorced? Here’s How to Claim Your Ex’s Social Security

Love and marriage dont always last forever. But if your matrimony lasted 10 years or more, the financial benefits can last a lifetime. 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. Full retirement age is the age at which you qualify for 100% of your benefit. If you were born in 1960 or later, your full retirement age is 67....

March 8, 2023 · 2 min · 351 words · Dr. Justin Richardson

Which Airlines Charge You for Sitting With Your Child? Here’s How to Tell

Doesnt it make you grit your teeth? The federal government doesnt think its very cool either. They dont like it, and they dont like paying extra to fix it. Budget Airlines: Snag Cheap Tickets But Watch Out for Hidden Fees Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. 7 Ways to Make Money if You Hate People Do you avoid people too? Enough small talk.Here are some waysto earn extra cash, without all of the social stuff....

March 8, 2023 · 2 min · 290 words · Reginald Savage

4 Smart Ways to Cope With a Tax Bill You Can’t Afford

Discovering that you owe the IRS money is never a good feeling. Surprise tax bills can happen for all sorts of reasons. Gig work and side hustles can fatten your liability. Some people are surprised to learn after being laid off that evenunemployment benefits are taxable. Whatever the reason, you have options. But its essential that you take action. Here are four mistakes to avoid and what to do instead....

March 7, 2023 · 3 min · 573 words · Shane Griffin

2023 Bank Reviews From The Penny Hoarder Experts

In 2023, there are more banks or financial institutions that act like banks but technically arent than ever. Their advantage is that they offer everything from multiple savings and checking accounts to loans, CDs and more. Probably not as good as youd like. Getty Images It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings. But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?...

March 6, 2023 · 5 min · 888 words · Darlene Marks

Earnings From Survey Sites Are Taxable Income

Paid survey sites can be a simple way toearn a little extra cashin your free time. Why not turn those empty moments into extra cash by clicking a few buttons? Which leads us to a common question… Do Paid Surveys Count Toward Taxable Income? If you are worried about making mistakes when filing, we recommend using tax software likeTurboTax,H&R BlockorTaxAct. Our team has compiled alist of creative waysyou can fatten your bank account this week....

March 6, 2023 · 1 min · 187 words · Thomas Johnson

Dear Penny: Should I Change My Kids’ Inheritance for My Online Girlfriend?

She gets a government pension but does not have much in the way of assets. She is divorced (at least once), no children. She is not fluent in English. These are thebiggest money secrets rich people don’t tell you.Don’t Miss:6 Companies That Send People Money When They’re Asked Nicely Our letters are translated. I have invited her to visit me in the USA and to cover all incurred costs. I have a feeling when we meet we may fall in love....

March 5, 2023 · 3 min · 504 words · Ashley Yates

Guide to Renting a Car Without a Credit Card in 2025

Think youneed a credit cardto rent a car? In this guide, Ill explain how you might rent a car using a debit card. More from The Penny Hoarder: Are you a frequent traveler? Getty Images Check out our list ofBest Travel Credit Cards of 2025. Can You Rent a Car Without a Credit Card? Need a Hand With Bills? Listen, we know its tough out there. But theres no shame in asking for help....

March 3, 2023 · 3 min · 500 words · Denise Brown

Hey, Type A: These 13 Detail-Oriented Jobs Are Perfect for You

We all know key in A people. Theyre the ones who have color-coded to-do lists. They multitask like nobodys business. Need a banking service that’s built for freelancers, helping you save for taxes, take payments from clients and keep track of your expenses?Check out Found.(It’s free!) They hate waiting in lines and wasting time. (And this short intro is just their style.) In their honor, lets get right to the point....

March 3, 2023 · 4 min · 765 words · Deborah Williams

Want to Work From Home? This Site Tells You Which Companies Will Let You

So youre looking for a job and youd prefer to work from home at least as much as possible. Its like trying to read tea leaves. When an employer touts a hybrid work-from-home policy, how many days in the office are you in for? You can work from home and earn up to $69 an hour running your own bookkeeping business. Get started withonline courses at Bookkeepers.com. And what does flexible WFH policy mean?...

March 3, 2023 · 2 min · 323 words · Linda Bell

7 Tips to Make Your Internet Faster Without Paying a Penny More

It seems like internet connection problems happen more often than they should in the modern world. If youve upgraded internet service providers but are still struggling with bandwidth speed, youve got plenty of company. Why Do I Have a Slow Internet Connection? Work from home and need tech fixes fast? We’ve got you covered with a guide on how tooptimize your remote work setup. There can be a lot of different culprits contributing to a slow connection....

March 1, 2023 · 2 min · 407 words · Brian Weaver

Best Boat Loans of 2023: How to Finance a Boat

Theres no prepayment penalty and they come to their loan decision in one to three business days. (Not all lenders offer a live-aboard program.) We are big fans of their clearly detailed APRs. The transparency instills confidence when applying. LightStream boat loans are unsecured loans, so there is no collateral required. There also arent any origination fees or prepayment penalties. Southeast Financial is great for borrowers with bad credit. Note: Southeast Financial as a lender is not affiliated with Southeast Financial Credit Union in Tennessee....

March 1, 2023 · 4 min · 652 words · Kelly Rowe

Dear Penny: How Do I Get My 19-Year-Old to Stop Blowing Her Paycheck?

Real Answers for Life’s Money Challenges My 19-year-old daughter lives at home with her dad and me. -M. Dear M., As someone with no children, Im not exactly qualified to give parenting advice. But as a former 19-year-old, I get where your daughter is coming from. Here arethe biggest money secretsthat can help you stop wasting precious funds and get your finances back on track. Your daughter isnt paying bills because theyre magically getting paid for her....

March 1, 2023 · 3 min · 428 words · Steven Stevens