Author: Admin

Recently, I shared a sample budget of a family of four earning $408,000 a year on Twitter, the amount third-party data deems necessary to feel comfortable in San Francisco. To be clear, this wasn’t my budget and it wasn’t a recommendation. It was an illustration of how fast a six-figure household income disappears once taxes, shelter, and optional choices like private school get involved. I also wanted people to question whether earning this kind of money is even worth it, given the 50+ hour weeks, the stress, and the time away from your kids. Big income does not mean big freedom.…

One of my biggest fears as a parent is raising kids who can’t launch into adulthood on their own. My hope is that by 26, three years after college to find their footing, they can support themselves without my money. If they can’t, I’m afraid I’ll feel like I failed them as a father. So I was fascinated when a fellow writer, Allison Raskin, penned a fascinating and brave Substack article about her inferiority complex from still depending on her father for money at age 37. She feels guilty that her father pays for her childcare expenses and lets her,…

After reviewing dozens of financial tools on this site since 2009, ProjectionLab is one of the most comprehensive planning tools I’ve come across. It shows you how today’s financial decisions play out over the next 10, 20, and even 40 years, with a modern interface that makes financial planning something you actually want to do. As a DIY retirement planner my entire adult life, I rely on tools to track my net worth, optimize my finances, and forecast the future. Skip the planning and you’ll spend your golden years wondering where all your money went. Recently, my $408,000 household budget got shredded by critics…

As someone who works in the finance industry, a common question I get from new acquaintances is: “So, what should I do with my finances?”At this point, I explain that I’m not a financial advisor. Their next statement is usually some variation of the following: “I’ve been thinking about reaching out to a financial advisor, but they’re kind of a mystery to me.”The term “mystery” here can point to many barriers that investors face when seeking professional financial advice: Who can I trust? Where to start my search? What certifications should I look out for? But I believe one of…

The Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card is no longer available to new applicants.Each year, a new crop of college graduates heads out into the world to face a variety of financial challenges — from applying for credit cards to deciding how much to start saving for retirement.The choices you make early on can set you on a path to financial success later in life, and your credit score, earning ability and budgeting skills all play a role.Below, CNBC Select shares five tips from financial experts to help new graduates make smart decisions with their money.1. The…

By the time high school seniors cross the graduation stage, they’ve likely been exposed to algebra and geometry concepts, read at least some Classic literature, and taken a foreign language. But do they understand how money works in the real world?Do they know that interest accrues on a credit card if you don’t pay the bill in full each month—or even what interest is? Will they take on debt for college, assuming they’ll somehow figure out later how to repay the loans? And do they understand that poor financial decisions made as young adults can have long and expensive consequences?Chances…

Mortgage rates moved slightly higher this week. But whether that feels like good news or bad news depends on one thing: when you started shopping for a home.The average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose four basis points to 6.51% APR in the week ending July 23, according to rates provided to NerdWallet by Zillow. (A basis point is one one-hundredth of a percentage point.) We calculate our weekly average using daily APRs recorded over the past five business days.Ups and downs are normal in the mortgage market. This week’s increase was modest, given the growing instability in the…

The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas, offers the classic luxury you’d expect from one of Marriott’s highest-end brands, but it still feels laid-back and approachable. It’s also possible to snag a great deal with Marriott Bonvoy points, making it a great weekend getaway for those who don’t want to deal with city traffic.It’s a 20- to 30-minute drive from downtown Dallas, so it’s not an ideal location if your main goal is to spend time in the city center. But the location comes with its own perks.I was impressed at the size of the property, which sits on a sprawling piece…

If you’re here looking for lower mortgage interest rates, today is definitely not your day. Daily average rates jumped to their highest level we’ve seen this year.The average interest rate on a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage rose to 6.62% APR, according to rates provided to NerdWallet by Zillow. This is 10 basis points higher than yesterday and 14 basis points higher than a week ago. (See our chart below for more specifics.) A basis point is one one-hundredth of a percentage point.Keep in mind that mortgage rates are always on the move, and that if you’re tracking rates day-to-day, you’re going…

Depending on who you ask, Delta Air Lines is making it easier to earn miles on your next Starbucks order.Starting Aug. 5, 2026, Delta SkyMiles members who link their Starbucks Rewards account will earn 1 mile per $1 spent at participating Starbucks locations, as long as they’ve flown on Delta within the past year. That new rewards rate replaces the current system, where Delta miles are earned by reloading at least $25 onto a Starbucks gift card (with no flight requirement).I’m a fan of this change, but that’s because I’m an infrequent Starbucks goer. If you’re the opposite, you’ll likely…