<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title>PlanPenny</title><link>https://planpenny.com/</link><description>Personal finance, insurance and budgeting — clear, unbiased, no hype.</description><language>en</language><item><title>Divorced? Your Ex May Still Get Your Life Insurance Payout</title><link>https://planpenny.com/divorced-your-ex-may-still-get-your-life-insurance-payout-7ddbb</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/divorced-your-ex-may-still-get-your-life-insurance-payout-7ddbb</guid><description>Divorce does not always remove your ex as beneficiary. See how state law, work plans and court orders decide who gets paid, and the forms to fix today.</description><pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bank Fee Audit: Find Hidden Charges and Ask for Refunds</title><link>https://planpenny.com/bank-fee-audit-find-hidden-charges-and-ask-for-refunds-1d060</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/bank-fee-audit-find-hidden-charges-and-ask-for-refunds-1d060</guid><description>A one-hour yearly bank fee audit: find every fee on 12 months of statements, use our phone script to ask for refunds, and stop the charges for good.</description><pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Solo Living Budget: 5 Steps to Save Money Fast</title><link>https://planpenny.com/solo-living-budget-5-steps-to-save-money-fast-94ba2</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/solo-living-budget-5-steps-to-save-money-fast-94ba2</guid><description>Just moved out? Learn how to build a monthly budget for one. Cut expenses, track spending, and save money fast with this simple 5-step guide.</description><pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Term Life With a Health Condition: How Approval Really Works</title><link>https://planpenny.com/term-life-with-a-health-condition-how-approval-really-works-d9f86</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/term-life-with-a-health-condition-how-approval-really-works-d9f86</guid><description>Diabetes, high blood pressure or past cancer? See how insurers rate pre-existing conditions for term life and 7 steps to get a fairer price offer.</description><pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Emergency Fund Without a New Bank Account: 6 Simple Ways</title><link>https://planpenny.com/emergency-fund-without-a-new-bank-account-6-simple-ways-47cd5</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/emergency-fund-without-a-new-bank-account-6-simple-ways-47cd5</guid><description>You can build your first emergency fund inside the checking account you already have. Six practical methods, a starter target, and rules for using it.</description><pubDate>Sun, 04 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Selling Index Funds? How Capital Gains Tax Is Calculated</title><link>https://planpenny.com/selling-index-funds-how-capital-gains-tax-is-calculated-ff3e5</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/selling-index-funds-how-capital-gains-tax-is-calculated-ff3e5</guid><description>Step-by-step math for capital gains tax on index fund sales: cost basis, reinvested dividends, short vs long-term rates, and a worked example with numbers.</description><pubDate>Sun, 04 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Credit Card Hardship Programs: How to Ask for Lower Interest</title><link>https://planpenny.com/credit-card-hardship-programs-how-to-ask-for-lower-interest-d1fcc</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/credit-card-hardship-programs-how-to-ask-for-lower-interest-d1fcc</guid><description>Lost income or hit a medical bill? Learn how to call your card issuer, what to say, and what a hardship program can change in your interest and payments.</description><pubDate>Sun, 04 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>New Baby Budget: A 5-Step Plan That Keeps Your Savings Safe</title><link>https://planpenny.com/new-baby-budget-a-5-step-plan-that-keeps-your-savings-safe-2f989</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/new-baby-budget-a-5-step-plan-that-keeps-your-savings-safe-2f989</guid><description>Split baby costs into one-time and monthly, build a separate baby fund, and test your new budget with a practice month before the due date. Step by step.</description><pubDate>Sun, 04 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Fender Bender? When Your Deductible Applies and Who Pays</title><link>https://planpenny.com/fender-bender-when-your-deductible-applies-and-who-pays-a6585</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/fender-bender-when-your-deductible-applies-and-who-pays-a6585</guid><description>Your deductible only applies to your own car under collision coverage. See who pays in 5 common fender-bender cases and when filing a claim is worth it.</description><pubDate>Sun, 04 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Build an Emergency Fund Without Giving Up Your Coffee Habit</title><link>https://planpenny.com/build-an-emergency-fund-without-giving-up-your-coffee-habit-416af</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/build-an-emergency-fund-without-giving-up-your-coffee-habit-416af</guid><description>Build an emergency fund with small automatic transfers and a few bill trims, while keeping the daily habits you enjoy. Step-by-step plan and sample budget.</description><pubDate>Sun, 04 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Index Fund vs Mutual Fund: What a Beginner Should Compare</title><link>https://planpenny.com/index-fund-vs-mutual-fund-what-a-beginner-should-compare-363b0</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/index-fund-vs-mutual-fund-what-a-beginner-should-compare-363b0</guid><description>An index fund is a type of mutual fund. Learn the real choice, how fees change your savings, and a 5-step checklist to pick a fund in 20 minutes.</description><pubDate>Sun, 04 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>How to Stop Lifestyle Inflation When You Get a Raise</title><link>https://planpenny.com/how-to-stop-lifestyle-inflation-when-you-get-a-raise-dead1</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/how-to-stop-lifestyle-inflation-when-you-get-a-raise-dead1</guid><description>Got a raise? Split it before you spend it. Learn a simple 3-part method, how to automate it on payday, and how to avoid costly fixed expenses.</description><pubDate>Sat, 03 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>How to Pick an Insurance Deductible You Can Really Afford</title><link>https://planpenny.com/how-to-pick-an-insurance-deductible-you-can-really-afford-06f6e</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/how-to-pick-an-insurance-deductible-you-can-really-afford-06f6e</guid><description>Not sure which deductible to choose? Use this simple 4-step method with break-even math and worked examples for auto, home, and health policies.</description><pubDate>Sat, 03 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Emergency Fund on a Tight Budget: Start With $5 a Week</title><link>https://planpenny.com/emergency-fund-on-a-tight-budget-start-with-5-a-week-d65f1</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/emergency-fund-on-a-tight-budget-start-with-5-a-week-d65f1</guid><description>Living paycheck to paycheck? Start a small emergency fund this week with a $500 first goal, simple steps, and ways to find $5 to $20 you will not miss.</description><pubDate>Sat, 03 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Move Stocks to a New Brokerage Without Selling: ACATS Steps</title><link>https://planpenny.com/move-stocks-to-a-new-brokerage-without-selling-acats-steps-20914</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/move-stocks-to-a-new-brokerage-without-selling-acats-steps-20914</guid><description>Move your stocks to a new brokerage in kind, with no sale needed. Here is the step-by-step ACATS process, the fees to expect and the traps to avoid.</description><pubDate>Sat, 03 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Close an Old Credit Card Without Wrecking Your Credit Score</title><link>https://planpenny.com/close-an-old-credit-card-without-wrecking-your-credit-score-613aa</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/close-an-old-credit-card-without-wrecking-your-credit-score-613aa</guid><description>Thinking of closing an old credit card? See exactly how utilization and account age change your score, which card to close first, and the steps to take.</description><pubDate>Sat, 03 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Insurance Policy Lapse: What Happens and How to Get Covered</title><link>https://planpenny.com/insurance-policy-lapse-what-happens-and-how-to-get-covered-e4067</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/insurance-policy-lapse-what-happens-and-how-to-get-covered-e4067</guid><description>Missed a payment or a renewal? Learn what a policy lapse means for car, health, home and life insurance, and the steps to restore coverage fast.</description><pubDate>Sat, 03 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Accumulating vs Distributing Index Funds: Which to Pick</title><link>https://planpenny.com/accumulating-vs-distributing-index-funds-which-to-pick-3f2b4</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/accumulating-vs-distributing-index-funds-which-to-pick-3f2b4</guid><description>Accumulating funds reinvest dividends, distributing funds pay them out. See the real difference, tax traps, and a 5-step way to choose as a beginner.</description><pubDate>Sat, 03 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Rebuild an Emergency Fund After a Setback: 6 Simple Steps</title><link>https://planpenny.com/rebuild-an-emergency-fund-after-a-setback-6-simple-steps-e7111</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/rebuild-an-emergency-fund-after-a-setback-6-simple-steps-e7111</guid><description>Lost your savings to a job loss or big bill? Rebuild your emergency fund with small goals, a bare-bones budget and automatic transfers, one step at a time.</description><pubDate>Sat, 03 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Credit Card Payments After a Job Loss: A 7-Step Plan</title><link>https://planpenny.com/credit-card-payments-after-a-job-loss-a-7-step-plan-760af</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/credit-card-payments-after-a-job-loss-a-7-step-plan-760af</guid><description>Lost your job and worried about credit card bills? Learn what to pay first, how to ask for a hardship plan and which traps to avoid while job hunting.</description><pubDate>Sat, 03 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item></channel></rss>