Congress is working out the details of help for most Americans in the form of payments likely to come within the next few weeks. But the Federal Trade Commission is concerned you’ll hear from a scammer before you get a check. Scammers, too, are working from home during the coronavirus crisis, it seems, “and they will take any opportunity to … Continue reading →

The quickly unfolding coronavirus outbreak is an extreme case, but any sort of hard times will test our personal finances. Many people are now facing reduced work hours and income while watching with worry as stock market upheaval continues. Preparation is better than panic, however. And starting now is better than doing nothing. To get your finances ready for tough … Continue reading →

Coronavirus. It’s all over the news. It’s trending on Twitter. It’s on your TV. And it’s dominating the push alerts on your phone. Coronavirus disease 2019 (abbreviated COVID-19) is a respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus that was first identified in Wuhan, China. Cases have now been detected in at least 50 locations internationally, according to the Centers for … Continue reading →

Ever spend a lot on a new tool or kitchen gadget and then discover you already have one, or something similar? If you’re thinking about paying for identity theft protection, it’s worth checking to see if you already have access to free or deeply discounted monitoring services or recovery help. Your chances of being affected by a data breach are … Continue reading →

If you woke up on Jan. 1 groggy with a holiday debt hangover, you weren’t alone: 3 in 5 shoppers took on some form of debt in the previous holiday season, NerdWallet’s latest holiday shopping report found. Much like a champagne-fueled headache, this debt can persist long after holiday merriment fades. Of those who took on holiday debt in 2018, … Continue reading →

There’s nothing like the clean slate of a new year to inspire us to do better. Unfortunately,  knowing what to do doesn’t necessarily translate into getting it done. If you’re looking to build or rebuild credit, there’s no better time than now. Here are some habits to develop — and some tips on how to make them stick. 1. Pay on … Continue reading →

The holidays can be hard: cooking elaborate meals, facing frigid temperatures, making travel plans that please everyone. Overspending, however, is too easy. In fact, about 48 million Americans are still paying off credit card debt from last holiday season, according to a NerdWallet survey conducted by The Harris Poll. To avoid financial regrets in 2020, shop intentionally. Here’s how: Understand why overspending … Continue reading →

It doesn’t matter if you were fired or laid off, whether you saw it coming or were completely blindsided: Losing your job is disorienting. You’ll feel like you’re in a fog. And yet, in that fog you still need to answer some important questions: How will you pay rent? Put gas in your car? What about your student loans? The … Continue reading →