Keep more of every paycheck.
Practical, plain-English guides to lowering your bills, raising your credit score and making your money grow, updated as prices change.
Illustration only. Your results depend on your plans, prices and where you live.
Where is your money going?
Pick a topic to find the biggest, easiest wins.
Guides to help you…
Step-by-step plans for the money questions readers ask us most.
Cut Your Monthly Bills: A 30-Day Plan That Actually Sticks
Most households overpay on a handful of recurring bills. Here's the order to tackle them, from five-minute calls to bigger switches.
How to Make a Budget You'll Actually Keep
Forget tracking every latte. These simple budgeting methods take an hour to set up and a few minutes a week to run.
How to Build an Emergency Fund From Zero
Even a small cushion keeps a surprise bill from turning into credit card debt. Here's how much to save, where to keep it and how to get there faster.
How to Raise Your Credit Score: What Works and How Fast
Your score is built from a handful of factors. Focus on the two that matter most and you can see real progress within a few months.
How to Pay Off Credit Card Debt Faster
Avalanche or snowball? Balance transfer or loan? A step-by-step plan for getting to zero, and staying there.
How to Beat Inflation With Your Everyday Money
Prices rose 3.7% over the past year. Here's how to protect your budget, your savings and your raise from rising costs.
How to Start Investing With $100 (or Less)
You don't need to pick stocks or have a lot of money. Here's how to start, which account to use and what to buy first.
How to Lower Your Insurance Costs Without Losing Coverage
Car and home insurance premiums have climbed for years. Here's how to pay less while keeping the protection that matters.
Money numbers this month
The figures that move your budget right now, and what each one means for you.
As of Oct. 28, 2026. Sources: BLS, AAA, Bankrate, FDIC, Federal Reserve, SSA, TreasuryDirect.- Inflation, past 12 monthsConsumer Price Index, September3.7%
- Gas, national averageRegular unleaded, AAA, Oct. 25$4.29
- Average credit card APRBankrate weekly average, Oct. 1419.67%
- Best online savings yieldsVersus about 0.38% at a typical bank~4.3%
- Fed funds targetRaised Sept. 16, first hike since 20233.75–4%
- 2027 Social Security raiseCOLA announced Oct. 143.6%
- I bond rateBonds bought through Oct. 314.26%
Editor's picks
Our most useful explainers, by topic.
Save moneySee all
- 15 Ways to Save on Groceries Without Clipping Coupons All Day
- How to Eat Out for Less (Without Giving It Up)
- Shop Smarter Online: Price Tracking, Cash Back and Return Policies
- Buy Now, Pay Later: How It Works and When to Avoid It
- How to Find and Cancel Subscriptions You Forgot About
- How to Shop for the Holidays Without Starting the Year in Debt
Credit & debtSee all
- How Credit Scores Work: The 5 Factors That Matter
- Credit Utilization: The Fastest Way to Raise Your Score
- How to Check Your Credit Report for Free and Dispute Errors
- Balance Transfer Cards: How to Use 0% APR to Pay Off Debt
- Debt Consolidation Loans: When They Help and When They Don't
- How to Freeze Your Credit (It's Free) and Why You Should
Banking & savingSee all
- High-Yield Savings Accounts: How They Work and Where Rates Stand
- CDs vs. Treasury Bills vs. Money Market Accounts: Where to Park Cash
- How to Stop Paying Bank Fees
- I Bonds and TIPS: How to Protect Savings From Inflation
- How to Choose a Bank or Credit Union
- How to Automate Your Savings (and Never Think About It Again)
InvestingSee all
- Index Funds Explained: The Simple Way Most People Should Invest
- Roth vs. Traditional IRA: Which One Should You Choose?
- 401(k) Basics: Your Match, 2026 Limits and Catch-Up Rules
- 8 Common Investing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Robo-Advisors: How They Work and What They Cost
- The HSA: A Triple Tax Break Most People Underuse
InsuranceSee all
- How to Save on Car Insurance in 2026
- Why Homeowners Insurance Keeps Rising and What You Can Do
- Renters Insurance: What It Covers and Why It's Worth It
- Term vs. Whole Life Insurance: Which Do You Need?
- How to Lower Your Health Insurance Costs During Open Enrollment
- Medicare Open Enrollment: What to Review Before Dec. 7
Recent stories
The Fed Meets This Week. Here's What Its Rate Moves Mean for Your Wallet
Gas Prices Ease Slightly but Stay at Record Highs for Fall
ACA Open Enrollment Starts Nov. 1: Expect Higher Premiums and Fewer Choices in Some States
2027 Tax Brackets Are Coming Soon. Here's What Early Projections Show
Holiday Spending Is Expected to Top $1 Trillion. How to Keep Your Share in Check
Trump Accounts Are Open: What Parents Should Know About the $1,000 Deposit
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