Personal Finance, 10 -HEA
Personal finance includes all of your day-to-day encounters with money, as well as planning, budgeting, and saving for your goals and dreams. Categories include banking, insurance, taxes, and managing debt, family, and your career.
Personal Finance Encyclopedia Articles By Title
10 ways the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects you
One of the most important features of the U.S. debt collection process is that debtorsâand creditors, tooâhave......
1031 exchange rules: How to avoid capital gains tax when selling property
A 1031 exchange refers to the section of IRS code that spells out the law and specific requirements regarding âlike-kindâ......
2026 federal income tax brackets: Rates, standard deduction, and key limits
Each year, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) adjusts federal tax thresholds for inflation so the increase in prices......
5 tips for tackling tough topics with aging parents
As your parents get older, itâs likely theyâll need more help across the boardâfrom handling health problems to......
50-year mortgage: How it stacks up against 15- and 30-year loans
Buying a houseâitâs the classic American dream. You want the right home for your lifestyle, but you also need a......
6 key strategies for a debt management program
Are you looking to design a debt management program? Perhaps one of your goals is to avoid the debt collection......
7 benefits of good credit for your financial well-being
Youâve probably heard that having a good credit score is important if you want access to favorable mortgage terms......
7 steps to pay off student loans faster
When the pomp and circumstance after years of hard study dies down, many college graduates face a new challenge:......
A guide to managing divorce and your finances
Going through a divorce can be complicated and frustrating. After all, thereâs a lot to untangle when you and your......
A tale of two economies
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on September 23,......
Adjustable-rate mortgage: Money saver or budgeting headache?
If youâre buying a home or other property, itâs a good bet youâll need a mortgage. One of the first decisions youâll......
Agentic commerce: When AI goes shopping for you
Shopping online often means searching for products, comparing prices, and deciding what to buy. Artificial intelligence......
AI and fraud: Voice cloning, deepfakes, and digital impersonation
For years, financial scams followed familiar patterns: suspicious emails, fake lotteries, and callers pretending......
Alternative minimum tax: Is it only for the wealthy?
Have you heard of alternative minimum tax (AMT)? You may have seen a reference to it on your Form 1040. But do......
An intro to sports betting: How to avoid decisions you might regret
Lifeâs not exactly a game, but sports betting can make it more fun to support your favorite athletes and teams.......
Applying for student financial aid? Introducing the Student Aid Index (SAI) and other FAFSA changes
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has been part of the education landscape for decades. But......
ATM fees: Easy ways to avoid them with a little planning
If youâve ever used an ATM at a convenience store or supermarket, you may have paid a feeâand perhaps not a small......
Authorized users and credit cards: Who spends, who pays?
Imagine sending your child off to college with a credit card to use for gas, groceries, and emergencies. But thereâs......
Back to school: Money lessons extend beyond the classroom
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on August 16,......
Bank runs: What they are and why they happen
Your money is safe ⊠except when it isnât. Thatâs why, despite a myriad of protections built into the U.S. and......
Banking online: Are electronic payment methods really as safe as writing checks and filing paper statements?
Are you still getting paper bills and statements in the mail? Do you still send checks through the mail when you......
Bankruptcy, credit counseling, and debtor education: 6 things to know
If youâre thinking about declaring bankruptcy, then youâll need to know something about credit counseling, because......
Best remote jobs for digital nomads
Yearning to become a digital nomad? Your path starts with evaluating your current profession and potentially pivoting......
Big vacation, small trips, finite budget
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on September 9,......
Boomerang kids: Managing an adult childâs return home
When you were a kid, the concept of a boomerang may have seemed cool: You throw it and it flies right back to you.......
Breaking the taboo: Why you need to talk money with your partner
Few topics are off limits these days. And yet the taboo against talking about money seems to be alive and thriving......
Budget methods: From simple splits to zero-based control
Some people think of âbudgetâ as a dirty word. The perception is that a budget is restrictive, preventing you from......
Budget travel loses its spirit
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on May 13, 2026.......
Business structure basics: Corporation, partnership, sole proprietor, LLC
If youâre starting a business, one of the first decisions to make is how to structure it. Whether youâre selling......
Buy or rent? It depends on who (and when) you ask
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on April 15, 2026.......
Buying an electric vehicle: Does $4 gas change the math?
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on April 26, 2026.......
Buying vs. leasing a car: Which route is best?
Leasing versus buying a car: Itâs a multifaceted decision that should be weighed carefully depending on your financial......
Can automatic bill pay and other tools help you put your money on autopilot?
Money management can seem daunting. Life holds so many things to remember and keep track ofâit might feel like......
Can you have too much money in your emergency fund?
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on August 19,......
Capital gains and losses: How gains, losses, and tax rates work
Selling an investmentâor even your homeâcan trigger a tax bill. Whether you owe capital gains tax depends on what......
Capital gains exclusion: How to save on taxes when you sell your home
Selling a home is a difficult process. You need to find a broker or sell it yourself, find a buyer who is the right......
Cash back, points, or miles: Which credit card rewards are right for you?
Credit card rewards generally come in three forms: cash back, points, and airline miles. Each program offers different......
Cash vs. accrual accounting: How are you recording revenue and expenses?
How much income did your small business make last year? That answer could vary greatly depending on the type of......
CD investor? Tips and strategies to turbocharge your savings
The Federal Open Market Committee has raised rates by five percentage points in its 2022â23 rate-hike regime, and......
Certificate of deposit (CD) vs. savings account: How to choose
Savings accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs) are both relatively low-risk places to keep cash while earning......
Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection: When financial issues hit a breaking point
When financial issues become so overwhelming that it looks like thereâs no way out, a chapter 7 bankruptcy filing......
Charitable giving: How to make your generosity count
Charitable giving can have a twofold impact, with a gift for your favorite nonprofit organization and a potential......
Checking account vs. savings account: Choose one or choose both
Whether youâve started your first job or your first well-paying one, now that youâve begun making money, you need......
Claiming dependents on your tax return: Who qualifies and why it matters
Claiming a dependent can reduce your tax bill, but not everyone you support qualifies. The Internal Revenue Service......
College readiness: Financial factors to consider as your child navigates high school
Your child may impress you with their college readiness, plowing through high school classes and acing the SAT.......
College savings plans: Why an early start can pay off
So, thereâs a new baby in the family. Congratulations. Although college may be the last thing on your mind right......
Community solar programs: Are they worth it?
Solar power is a popular form of clean energy that can help reduce carbon emissions and electricity costs for households......
Considering self-employment? Things to think about before quitting your day job
Many people dream of leaving the rat race and working for themselves. After all, you gain the ability to set your......
Could a bill negotiation service save you money?
Recurring bills such as Internet, cell phone, satellite radio, and home security can quietly add hundreds of dollars......
Could biweekly mortgage payments save you money?
Paying off your mortgage early can save you thousands in interest payments and cancel your debt years ahead of......
Credit 101: Hard vs. soft credit check
Shopping for a loan? A lender may advise that you can get prequalified with a soft credit check. This inquiry provides......
Credit card companies: Whoâs who and how they make money
Trying to understand credit card companies can be a head-scratcher. After all, you see different credit card logos......
Credit card interchange fees: What they are and how they work
Ever since their debut in the mid-20th century, credit cards have helped speed up the checkout process. You tap,......
Credit card reward strategies: Getting more from each purchase
The right credit card rewards can help you get more out of everyday purchases you already plan to make. To get......
Credit limits: What they are and how to increase yours
Getting your first credit card or line of credit can be exciting. Now you have the flexibility in your finances......
Credit mix explained: How different types of accounts affect your credit score
Paying bills lateâor not paying them in fullâis the fastest way to damage your credit score. Thatâs well understood.......
Credit utilization ratio explained: Why lower is usually better
Credit utilization sounds technical, but the idea behind it is simple. It describes how much of your available......
Debit card fraud 101: Are you liable?
Debit and credit cards speed purchases and provide a level of protection from theft that cash canât offer. And......
Debt snowball or debt avalanche: Which is smarter for paying off debt?
You may have heard of the so-called snowball debt strategy, where you pay off your smallest balances first (regardless......
Deferred interest: How zero-interest credit cards and promotional rates can cost you
No-interest financing, often advertised as a 0% annual percentage rate (APR), is a common credit card promotion......
Dental insurance: Is it worth buying?
Dental insurance is one of the most common workplace benefits, and perhaps one of the least understood. Cleanings......
Disability insurance types: How to figure out what you need
An injury or illness can upend your life in an instant. If it keeps you from working, your bills, rent, and everyday......
Do I need life insurance? From simple protection to complex financial tools
Deciding whether you need life insurance is one of those milestones that signals youâve stumbled into adulthood.......
Do medical bills affect your credit? 5 things to know
Unforeseen health problems and medical emergencies can happen to anyone at any time. And if an emergency strikes......
Do you need a second-chance checking account?
Just about every account you open is monitored for your credit history. Got a credit card? Itâs being reported......
Document storage: How to safely reduce paper clutter in your house
Decluttering can bring a feeling of order to your home and your daily life, whether it involves donating old clothes,......
Donating to a 501(c)(3): Research, verify, donate, itemize, and deduct
Youâve budgeted, saved, and now you want to give something back by making a few charitable contributions. But what......
Donor-advised funds: A way to give to charity and get a tax break
Donor-advised funds (DAF) have surged in popularity over the past few years, according to data compiled by Giving......
Donât fear the gift tax: Understanding gift tax exclusions and rules
The so-called gift tax. Itâs one of the more perplexing taxes in the U.S. Unlike other types of IRS leviesâsales......
Donât get spooked by your tax bill
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on October 11,......
Dynamic pricing: Fair market, surge, or gouge?
In February 2024, Wendyâs CEO Kirk Tanner announced that the fast food chain would be testing a âdynamic pricingâ......
Employee stock options and other equity-based incentives
Whatâs better than earning a salary? How about earning a salary with incentive stock options that pay off if your......
Exempt vs. nonexempt employees: How your status affects you
If you are an office, retail, or blue-collar worker, you may have heard the terms âexemptâ and ânonexemptâ in discussions......
Facing a financial quagmire? Chapter 13 can help you create a repayment plan
Bankruptcy can be a jarring experience for individuals as well as sole proprietors. But if you find yourself in......
Federal loans vs. private loans: Understanding student loan issuer types
Each year, millions of college students and their parents borrow money to cover costs. After all, itâs not just......
Federal student loans: Subsidized vs. unsubsidized loans
Are you currently (or about to be) enrolled in college? Exciting, but also a bit scary, considering the finances......
FICO vs. VantageScore: Why your credit scores donât match
Your credit scores rarely match across apps, lenders, or even the same credit report. In fact, you could check......
Filing a tax return: When itâs required and when itâs worth it
Filing taxes can feel like a hassle, but not everyone needs to file a return. If you started a new job or are recently......
Filing for personal bankruptcy: What it is, how to do it, and when to consider it
We all have to deal with some level of financial burden at some point in our lives. Most burdens are manageable;......
Filing your taxes: Answers to 6 frequently asked questions
The start of the new year brings the trickle of forms for tax-filing season and the annual debate over whether......
Financial independence: More than an early retirement plan
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on July 1, 2026.......
Financial literacy meets human nature
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on September 27,......
Financial literacy: Itâs a maintenance thing
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on April 12, 2026.......
Financial literacyâs secret decoder ring
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on July 15, 2026.......
First-time homebuyer programs: Help with becoming a homeowner
Buying your first house or condominium has long been a monumental step, but steadily increasing home prices have......
First-time homebuyer? Hereâs what you need to know
Buying your first home can feel intimidating. Itâs complicated and expensive, and once youâve signed the documents......
Flexible spending accounts (FSAs): How they work and what they cover
A flexible spending account (FSA) is a benefit some employers offer that allows employees to set aside pretax money......
Flight delays: How to navigate cancellations, overbookings, and more
Air travel often comes with unexpected challenges, from delayed flights to cancellations and overbooked planes.......
Form 1099: What itâs for and how it affects your taxes
Itâs the end of January, and April 15 seems a long way off, but you may already be receiving 1099 tax forms in......
Franchising as an investment: How does it work?
Maybe youâve got an entrepreneurial streak and a keen sense of the kind of business your local community needs.......
FTC junk fees rule: Shining the light on hidden costs
Itâs a common scenario: You snag concert tickets at a great price, excited you found a good deal. But once you......
Generative AI for money management: 5 use cases
When you think about artificial intelligence, or AI, what immediately comes to mind? For many, the answer is ChatGPT.......
Getting maximum value from downsizing: Declutter for fun and profit
If yours is like many American households, you may have more things hiding in your cupboards, closets, or basement......
Gig econ 101: Using side-hustle income to boost your finances
We could all use a little extra cash in our pockets every now and then. And if youâre living paycheck-to-paycheck,......
Give till it hurts: A list of the taxes we pay
âTaxes,â according to Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., âare what we pay for civilized society.â Whether you believe......
Good debt vs. bad debt: Itâs all about targeting your goals
Debt may sound like a bad word, but donât let its reputation fool you. The risk is clear, but the other side of......
Got an IRS notice or letter? Here are the steps you need to follow
You filed your tax return on time and did your best to ensure everything was accurate. But then a letter arrives......
Graduation season: A financial reset moment
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on May 17, 2026.......
Health insurance marketplace: How Obamacare coverage works
If you donât get health insurance through a job, thereâs a good chance youâre shopping on the health insurance......