Clear guides to credit and everyday money
Plain-English guides to credit scores, credit cards, debt, personal loans and budgeting.
Every guide explains how something works, cites its sources and shows when it was last updated. Educational content only, never a sales pitch.
Latest guides
How Your Credit Score Is CalculatedLearn how your credit score is calculated: the five FICO factors and their weights, what is left out of the score, and how to check the credit reports behind it.
Credit Card APR Explained: Rates, Daily Interest and the Grace PeriodCredit card APR explained in plain English: the different rates on one card, how daily interest is calculated from your balance, and how a grace period works.
How to Get Out of Credit Card Debt: The Minimum Payment Math and a Payoff PlanHow to get out of credit card debt: why minimum payments take years, what the warning box on your statement means, and a step-by-step payoff plan.
Personal Loan Interest Rates: How Lenders Set ThemHow personal loan interest rates are set: interest rate vs APR, what lenders weigh, fixed vs variable rates, and how your rate becomes a monthly payment.
The 50/30/20 Budget: How It Works, With a Worked ExampleHow the 50/30/20 budget splits take-home pay into needs, wants and savings, a worked example on $4,200 a month, and when the rule does not fit.
How Pet Insurance WorksHow pet insurance works: what a year with a pet can cost, how claims are reimbursed, common exclusions and waiting periods, and what to ask before you buy.
Credit Score
How credit scores work, what moves them, and how to read your credit report.
- How Your Credit Score Is Calculated
- Credit Utilization: What It Is and How to Lower It
- What Is a Good Credit Score? FICO Ranges and How Lenders Use Them
- Hard vs Soft Inquiry: How Credit Checks Affect Your Score
- How to Dispute a Credit Report Error: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Marriage and Credit Scores: What Changes and What Doesn't
- 8 Credit Score Myths and What's Actually True
Credit Cards
How credit cards work: APR, fees, card types and responsible use.
- Credit Card APR Explained: Rates, Daily Interest and the Grace Period
- How a Secured Credit Card Works: Deposit, Fees and Moving Up
- 0% Intro APR Balance Transfer Credit Cards: Fees, Deadlines and the Math
- Cash Back vs Travel Rewards Credit Cards: How to Compare Them
- Is a Credit Card Annual Fee Worth It? How to Find Your Break-Even
- How to Dispute a Credit Card Charge: Deadlines, Letter and Your Rights
- Authorized User on a Credit Card: Who Owes the Debt and How It's Reported
- How to Stop Recurring Charges on a Credit Card
Debt
Paying down balances, comparing payoff methods and understanding interest.
- How to Get Out of Credit Card Debt: The Minimum Payment Math and a Payoff Plan
- Debt Snowball vs Avalanche: Both Methods Run on the Same Four Debts
- Debt Consolidation Loan vs Balance Transfer: Costs, Fees and Risks Compared
- Debt Management Plan vs Debt Settlement: Fees, Credit and Tax Effects
- Debt-to-Income Ratio: How to Calculate It and How Lenders Use It
- Time-Barred Debt: What Collectors Can and Can't Do About Old Debts
- How Buy Now, Pay Later Works: Installments, Fees and Your Budget
Personal Loans
How personal loans work: rates, terms, fees and how lenders decide.
- Personal Loan Interest Rates: How Lenders Set Them
- Personal Loan Origination Fee: How It Works and What It Costs
- Personal Loan vs Credit Card: Which Costs Less?
- How to Qualify for a Personal Loan With Fair Credit
- Personal Loan Prequalification vs Preapproval: What Each Means
- Cosigning a Loan: What You're Agreeing To and How to Protect Yourself
Budgeting
Simple ways to plan spending, build savings and stay on track.
- The 50/30/20 Budget: How It Works, With a Worked Example
- How to Make a Zero-Based Budget, With a Monthly Example
- How Much to Save in an Emergency Fund
- Sinking Funds: How to Save Monthly for Irregular Expenses
- How to Budget on Irregular Income
- Financial Milestones by Age: A Decade-by-Decade Money Checklist
- Emotional Spending: How to Spot Your Triggers and Slow Down
- How a Joint Bank Account Works for Couples
- How to Budget for Concert Tickets and the True Cost of a Show
- Pay Yourself First: How to Automate Saving From Every Paycheck
- How to Set Financial Goals and Work Out the Monthly Amount
- How to Track Your Spending, With a 30-Day Example
- How to Make a Travel Budget, Line by Line
- Side Hustle Taxes: How Much to Set Aside From Each Payment
- How to Budget for In-Game Purchases: A Guide for Parents
Insurance
How everyday insurance works: what a policy covers, what it costs and what to check before you buy.