Personal Finance, HEL-SAV
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
HELOC vs. second mortgage: Different home equity loan types
Your home might be your castle and your most precious asset, but it also can be a source of funding for anything......
HO-1 to HO-8: Comparing home insurance policy types
If youâve ever shopped for home insurance, you were probably offered a few choices. But did you know there are......
Home improvement projects that pay for themselves
Remodeling your home may get you more money when you sell it, although some projects offer a better return on investment......
Homeowners associations (HOAs): Pros, cons, and what you need to know
The homeowners association (HOA) can sometimes garner a negative reputation. Maybe youâve heard about a meddling......
How AI can help your small business
If you own a small business, youâre familiar with the challenges that come with it, from managing cash flow and......
How college scholarships can help you pay for school
College is awesome. Itâs the ultimate chance to grow, learn, explore, and become the you that youâll be in your......
How credit card rewards work
Credit card rewards can help you earn cash back on groceries, points to use on future purchases, or miles for your......
How debt collection affects your credit scoreâand steps you can take
If youâre facing debt collection, then you may be concerned about how unpaid debts can affect your credit score.......
How disability insurance helps to bridge the income gap when you canât work
When a serious illness or injury keeps you from working, disability insurance can help replace part of your income.......
How does a mortgage work? A walk through the numbers
Buying a home is often the biggest financial commitment youâll ever makeâespecially once you factor in the complexities......
How embedded finance makes managing your money easier
Financial services have become so intertwined with everyday transactions that they seem nearly seamless. You order......
How fintech shapes everyday banking, payments, and investing
Financial technology, or fintech, is a broad category of technology-driven financial services. Much of the modern......
How identity thieves get inâand what to do next
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on June 10, 2026.......
How interest rates work: A beginnerâs guide for borrowers and savers
To understand how interest rates work, you first need to look at the two ways in which they affect you. Thereâs......
How money moves in the era of digital payment systems
Up until the 1990s, transactions typically closed with the ceremonial handing over of cash, coin, or check for......
How much can you trust a Zestimate?
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on August 2, 2026.......
How much car can you afford?
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on June 14, 2026.......
How much did I earn? Total income, AGI, taxable income, and MAGI
If youâve ever stared at a Form 1040 and wondered why the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) uses so many different......
How much does it really cost to buy a home?
Maybe youâve been renting for a while now and are thinking about buying a home. You hear advice about âbuilding......
How much does it really cost to maintain a home?
If youâve already purchased a home, good for you! Now you need to make sure you have enough money in your budget......
How much will it cost me to buy a franchise?
Buying a franchise may be a worthwhile investment in the long run, but it will take a lot of work, and it certainly......
How safe is your insurance company?
Buying a whole life policy or annuity isnât just about comparing premiums and benefits. Itâs also about ensuring......
How short-term disability can help you weather an injury or illness
If you canât work, you arenât bringing in the income you need to pay your bills and buy groceries. For many workers,......
How student loans work: From application to payoff
Itâs long been saidâperhaps even taken for grantedâthat a college education can be a path to upward mobility. For......
How the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) protects your job
Needing time away from work can cause real anxiety, especially when itâs because you or someone close to you is......
How the One Big Beautiful Bill Act could affect your finances
Signed into law in July 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) touches nearly every corner of the household......
How to amend a tax return after youâve filed
Filing your taxes can be complicated, especially if you later realize you need to amend a tax return. Even if you......
How to ask for a raise: 6 steps to a bigger paycheck
Perhaps youâve been at your job for a while, doing great work but thinking you should be better paid for your efforts.......
How to budget now for summer travel
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on March 29, 2026.......
How to buy solar panels for your home
Federal and (depending on where you live) state incentives make installing solar panels on the roof of your house......
How to choose the right tax filing status
Doing your taxes is complicated. But at least one of the first questions on Form 1040 seems easy enough: âWhat......
How to dispute and fix credit errors: A step-by-step guide
Youâve heard that a good credit score helps you avoid higher borrowing costs, denied applications, or financial......
How to donate your vehicle so everybody wins
Advertisements for donating that unused car you just happen to have sitting around seem to be everywhere. Whether......
How to freeze your creditâand when to consider it
If a scammer gains access to your personal information, they could open fraudulent credit accounts in your nameâborrowing......
How to get out of student loan default and avoid wage garnishment
After a yearslong pause, the federal government resumed collections on student loans in default in May 2025, putting......
How to pay for college: A timeline from preschool to high school
Figuring out how to pay for college is among the biggest challenges many families will face. That dream school......
How to raise your credit score
Your credit score is a numeric representation of how you handle credit transactions, based on information in your......
How to recover from identity theft
If youâve just discovered your identity has been stolen, the next steps matter. The work starts right away: securing......
How to spot a spoofing attackâwhether via email, text, or social media
By now, most of us are familiar with online scams. For example, we know to be wary of misspellings in emails and......
How to use AI for budgeting, saving, and managing your money
Budgeting and looking for ways to trim expenses can feel like a chore, but using tools with artificial intelligence......
How to use an inflation calculator (and what it really measures)
In July 2015, a book of Forever stamps cost $9.80. By 2025, it cost $14.60. A classic LEGO brick box that sold......
How to use credit cards to improve your credit score
Credit cards often present a cautionary tale about what not to do with your money. However, when used wisely, credit......
How to use Federal Work-Study as part of your financial aid
The Federal Work-Study Program is offered to college students with financial need. Federal dollars are sent to......
How to use pay-by-phone apps
Your smartphone can be a convenient way to pay for goods and services no matter where you are, allowing you to......
How to use SMART goals in your personal finance
SMART is a goal-setting framework that helps you define clear, achievable objectives. Although itâs often used......
How to use the student loan interest deduction and claim education tax credits
Nearly 43 million individuals in the U.S. have federal student loan debt, adding up to more than $1.6 trillion.......
How to use your tax refund wisely
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on May 20, 2026.......
How your divorce settlement affects your taxes
Divorce can be complicated on many frontsâemotional, legal, and financial. And the financial side often presents......
Influencer marketing: Is it a good side hustle?
You see them everywhere on TikTok and Instagram. Social media influencers share products and document lavish travel.......
Insurance terminology: Premium, deductible, co-pay, coinsurance, and more
Which do you find more confusing: reading your insurance policy or trying to decipher the jargon in an auto insurance......
Investing vs. trading vs. gambling
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on March 25, 2026.......
Is pet insurance really worth it? Let your pet be the judge
What exactly is pet insurance, and do you really need it? Thatâs a quandary put to many a pet owner who loves their......
Is travel insurance worth it?
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on April 5, 2026.......
Is your head spinning with mortgage terms?
When youâre taking out a mortgage to buy or refinance a home, it can feel like visiting a foreign country. There......
Iâve got a trip coming up. Do I need travel insurance?
Taking out travel insurance is akin to a doomsday scenario: Youâre hoping for the best but planning for the worst.......
Joint bank accounts: The pros and cons of combining finances
Did you just move in with your sweetheart? Recently get married? Congrats! In addition to many other decisions......
Jumbo vs. conventional mortgage: Whatâs the difference?
If youâre in the market for a homeâand a mortgageâyou may soon find yourself inundated with unfamiliar terms. The......
Keys to vehicle buying: How to finance a car
Once youâve decided to buy a car and narrowed down your choices, itâs time to figure out how to pay. Financing......
Letâs talk about you and me (and money)
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on April 8, 2026.......
Long-distance moving: Timelines, decisions, and real-world logistics
A local move can sometimes be handled on a weekend with a rented truck and a few helping hands. Long-distance and......
Long-term disability insurance explained: Coverage, costs, and eligibility
Losing the ability to work due to an illness or injury can be financially devastating, especially if your income......
Loud budgeting: A better kind of peer pressure
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on August 26,......
Loud budgeting: How to crank up the personal finance volume
Whatâs loud budgeting? Itâs about being loud and proud and achieving your financial goals in the process. Loud......
Making sense of subscriptions and recurring fees
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on March 18, 2026.......
Managing the cost of college with 529 plans
College isnât getting any cheaper, and saving for it can feel overwhelming. A 529 plan offers a tax-advantaged......
Marginal tax rates: How federal income tax brackets work
They say nothing in life is certain except death and taxes. But the amount you pay in taxes is anything but certain.......
Means testing: Assessing your ability to pay
If youâre going through a rough financial patch, you may qualify for help through government assistance or bankruptcy......
Midyear financial review: Staying on track
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on July 8, 2026.......
Miles, points, or cash back?
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on April 29, 2026.......
Money basics for kids: 5 skills to teach them now
The list of things you have to teach your kids never seems to endâfrom how to say âpleaseâ to memorizing multiplication......
Money lessons from Britannica moms
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on May 10, 2026.......
Money market account vs. CD: Which one should you choose?
Money market accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs) both earn interest on cash deposits and are insured by......
Money market account vs. checking account: Which is best?
A checking account is a financial workhorse. From paying bills, to shopping, to getting quick cash, a checking......
Money market account vs. money market fund: Whatâs the difference?
If youâre looking for a safe place to invest your money, you may be trying to decide between a money market account......
Mortgage financing: The complex system behind home lending
Getting a mortgage is one of the most complex (and expensive) financial transactions youâll likely undertake. Anyone......
Mortgage prequalification: Learn your limits and maximize your resources
For many, buying a home is still the American Dream. However, unless you have about $360,000 sitting around (the......
Mortgage refinancing: Lower payments, shorter terms, or âcash-outâ refi?
Once you have a mortgage, youâre stuck with it for decades, right? Maybe not. You might be able to refinance your......
Mortgage types: Fixed vs. variable, 30-year and other loan terms, and more
When buying a home, youâll face a host of choices. You may be debating a smaller home or condo in the city versus......
Moving to a new state: A practical guide for what to do before, during, and after your move
Moving to a new state is often about something bigâa new job, a lower cost of living, or simply a fresh start.......
National Credit Union Administration (NCUA): Federal insurance and oversight for credit unions
Credit unions may feel more community focused than big banks, but they still depend on a strong regulatory and......
Need financial help? Finding and working with a credit counselor
Whatâs it like to work with a credit counselor? How do you find one (and how do you know if youâve found the right......
New job, new life: Starting out? Start here
So you just landed a job and youâre striking out on your own. Itâs a big step! Are you ready? Donât worry. Britannica......
No strings attached: Your guide to college grants
Are you or a loved one heading to college? Most people (at least 85%, according to the National Center for Education......
One big beautiful tax refund?
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on March 22, 2026.......
Overdraft protection: For insufficient funds in your checking account
Weâve all been there. You try to buy a cartload of groceries or pay a bill, and you get an insufficient funds notice.......
Parent PLUS loans: You might be eligible, but should you take one?
In a list of lifeâs certainties, death and taxes come to mind. But hereâs a third: the rising cost of a college......
Pass-through income: From your business to your tax return
Many U.S. businesses are organized as pass-through entities, meaning they generally donât pay federal income tax......
Pay off your mortgage or invest: A homeownerâs dilemma
A mortgage is a big expense, but itâs only one part of your familyâs budget. Decisions about it need to be made......
Paying and filing taxes
Youâve heard all the jokes and tropes about taxes. They say nothing is certain in life except death and taxes;......
Peer-to-peer payments: How and when to use Venmo, Zelle, and others
Technology has made it easy to split restaurant bills and send money to friends and family with just a few taps......
Pell Grant: What it is, whoâs eligible, and how to get one
A college education can be an integral part of realizing the American Dream, but paying for college is proving......
PPOs, HMOs, HSAs, and more: An intro to medical insurance types
Trying to get health insurance can feel dauntingâespecially when all the terms surrounding insurance are an alphabet......
Private mortgage insurance (PMI): Why itâs sometimes required (and how to avoid it)
Buying a home is a complex transaction, with mountains of paperwork full of jargon, confusing terms, and above......
Protect yourself: Identity theft is growing more sophisticated
Anyoneânot just the elderlyâcan be victimized by identity theft. This type of crime affected 42 million Americans......
Real estate commissions and agent fees: What homebuyers and sellers should know
When a home changes hands, money moves in more ways than one. Beyond the price tag, thereâs the cost of paying......
Rent or buy? When to choose one over the other
Paying rent used to be something limited to houses and apartments, plus the occasional car, truck, or trailer that......
Renting out your property: Tips for first-time landlords
If youâre thinking about moving, you may also be considering what to do with your existing home. Sure, selling......
Retirement and key savings goal plans: Why an early start can help you get ahead
Whether youâre painting a room or teaching your child to ride a bike, reaching a goal takes patience, along with......
Running the life insurance numbers: Determining your coverage
Determining how much life insurance to purchase can be tricky. You need to figure out how much coverage you need,......
Save, spend, or invest: How to handle tax refunds and other financial windfalls
Whether itâs a refund you expected or a check out of the blue, finding money waiting in your mailbox can feel even......