There is a common misconception regarding credit scores and credit card balances. By taking a few minutes to read this short post, you may be able to improve your credit score with little or no extra effort. You probably already know that the credit score is designed to help lenders predict the chance of default when making loan decisions. The amount you carry as a balance on your credit cards is a major factor in the algorithms. It is called credit utilization and accounts for 30% of your...Read More...

The Cash Envelope System Welcome to The Penny Hoarder’s monthly Money Challenge, helping you find simple ways to improve your finances. This month, we’re going to help you reset how – and how much – you spend by going back to cash. Known as the Cash Envelope System , you’ll rely on pre-labeled envelopes full of real, physical money for your day-to-day spending. Once an envelope is empty, well, that’s it. You’ll have to wait until your next pay period to replenish it. This not only helps you...Read More...

Hello The Penny Hoarder Family, Does anybody know of any flexible part-time work from home job opportunities that I can apply to? Respectfully, Treda RobinsonRead More...

Hi... I have been looking at various ways to create some passive income streams, but as you may imagine, I've run across a LOT of scams! I'd like to break into affiliate marketing, but it's hard to know what is legitimate. I recently read on the blog about how the Penny Hoarder vets online job opportunities, and I often check into the recommendations about ways to make extra money online, but none have listed affiliate marketing. Has it simply not been researched, or is it a pipe dream? Just...Read More...

Interested in bonds any thoughts?Read More...

Does anyone else have a bad money habit they're trying to break? My bad habit is ordering UberEats. For a while, it was easier to justify. I wasn't going out much due to the pandemic. I was freelancing like mad. Now, with prices for everything getting so out of hand, I'm realizing I need to scale back a lot. It isn't just about money. I eat so much healthier and feel better when I cook for myself instead of ordering out. I reformed my UberEats habits once before. I even wrote about how I...Read More...

Tomorrow is the first day of summer and I'm feeling it where I live (Minnesota) – it's supposed to get to 100F today! Hoping everyone has some nice, relaxing plans to enjoy some sunshine and beat the heat. On that note, The Penny Hoarder has plenty of content to help you save and make money all summer long: Everyone loves to have fun, especially when it's free. Here are 100 free summer activities for kids, adults and everyone in between . For all the teachers and school staff in our...Read More...

Hi. Do you ever switch things up to reshuffle your finances? It's been a few years, but I'm back to the cash envelop method for groceries. Been testing it out in the new age of ever changing grocery prices. It's good not to delay the payment of these consumables (via credit card). Sure, I won't get the extra hotel points, but I am saving money each week. I'm in my first month of TBM (The Budget Mom) program. Love my many highlighters. Still working towards balance. I've been also trying out...Read More...

Here's a letter that struck a nerve with me lately: A single woman wrote and asked whether she was obligated to leave money to her nieces and nephews when she dies. Her mother passed recently, and she and her two siblings are each getting an inheritance. https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/retirement/do-i-have-to-leave-my-family-an-inheritance/ She knows she needs to make a will. Her brother and sister told her that since she doesn't have children, she should leave her money to their children.Read More...

Planning for retirement seems like a moving target. There are so many things to account for when making a retirement budget. New costs emerge while other expenses go away. I’m curious to hear how your expenses and budget have changed in retirement. What are you spending less money on then you were before retirement? What are you spending more on? And how does it align with your retirement plans? After all, perfect planning can’t account for everything. Let me know what you’ve experienced,...Read More...

The Cash Envelope System Welcome to The Penny Hoarder’s monthly Money Challenge, helping you find simple ways to improve your finances. This month, we’re going to help you reset how – and how much – you spend by going back to cash. Known as the Cash Envelope System , you’ll rely on pre-labeled envelopes full of real, physical money for your day-to-day spending. Once an envelope is empty, well, that’s it. You’ll have to wait until your next pay period to replenish it. This not only helps you...Read More...

hello everyone, was wondering, if any one else works for a school dirst.?? i have reached my level of raises .its now up to the board to give us raises, i work par time, i laugh, because McDonald help make 15.00 dollars and i don't .but i love my job, so i ask this great community on their thoughts thank you this is a great learning communityRead More...

The Pantry Challenge Welcome to The Penny Hoarder’s monthly Money Challenge, helping you find simple ways to improve your finances. This month, we’re going to help you save money on food and reduce waste by clearing out your fridge, freezer and cupboard. Known as the Pantry Challenge , you’ll have to use the food you have on hand to create meals for one week. The only rule: no buying. And you’ll likely have to get creative with meal ideas. Here are tips to help you taste success Meal...Read More...