personal finance basic
Money basics, explained simply
Practical guides to budgeting, saving, paying off debt and earning a little more — written in plain English, with free calculators and worked examples.
Free to read · No sign-up · New guides every week
39
In-depth guides
3
Free calculators
5
Money topics
100%
Free, no sign-up
Latest articles
Fresh guides from the blog.
-
Prices Rose 0.4% in October: What the New Inflation Numbers Mean for Your Money
Prices rose 0.4% in October, more than economists expected, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics published no yearly inflation rate this time. Here is what the report said and what it means for your budget.
-
How to Open Your First Bank Account in the US
Opening your first bank account takes about 30 minutes and four documents. Here is what to bring, how to pick the right account, and the fees to check before you sign.
-
How to Budget When Your Income Changes Every Month
A budget that only works in a good month is not a budget. Here is how to build one on your lowest month, keep a buffer for the slow months, and give every good month a job.
-
Your Social Security Payment Arrives Early Today: Who Gets Paid on November 10
If you were born on the 1st through the 10th of the month, your November Social Security payment arrives on Tuesday, November 10, one day early because November 11 is Veterans Day.
-
401(k) Match Explained: The Part of Your Pay You Should Not Skip
A 401(k) match is money your employer adds when you contribute from your pay. Here is how the formula works, what it is worth, and how to make sure you get all of it.
-
How Many Credit Cards Should You Have?
The average American actively uses 3.7 credit cards, but no scoring model publishes an ideal number. Here is how to pick the number that fits your habits and your score.
Free tools
Work out the real numbers in under a minute. No sign-up.
Car Loan Calculator
See your monthly payment, total interest and the true cost of the car before you sign.
Mutual Fund Calculator
Try lump sum and regular monthly examples and see how investing could grow over time.
Credit Card Payoff Calculator
See how long your balance will take to clear, how much interest you will pay, and the payment needed to be debt-free sooner.
Start here
New to this? Follow the four steps in order.
Browse topics
New here? Start with the basics
Begin with a simple budget, build a small emergency fund, then tackle debt one step at a time. Our guides explain each step in plain English, with no jargon.