https://planpenny.com/Personal finance, insurance and budgeting — clear, unbiased, no hype.enhttps://planpenny.com/5-credit-card-debt-mistakes-that-keep-you-stuck-paying-77603https://planpenny.com/5-credit-card-debt-mistakes-that-keep-you-stuck-paying-77603Minimum payments, scattered extra cash and balance transfers keep card debt alive. See the five mistakes, the math behind them and what to do.Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMThttps://planpenny.com/how-to-build-a-monthly-budget-in-one-hour-this-weekend-fc9cfhttps://planpenny.com/how-to-build-a-monthly-budget-in-one-hour-this-weekend-fc9cfA first budget is four numbers and about an hour. Here are the seven steps, the 50/30/20 starting split and the annual bills that break month four.Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMThttps://planpenny.com/the-first-30-days-rebuilding-a-budget-after-a-big-loss-8151bhttps://planpenny.com/the-first-30-days-rebuilding-a-budget-after-a-big-loss-8151bA layoff, a medical bill or a totaled car can wreck a budget overnight. Here is the exact order to fix it in, starting with the first 72 hours.Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMThttps://planpenny.com/what-you-actually-owe-in-taxes-when-you-sell-index-funds-13e97https://planpenny.com/what-you-actually-owe-in-taxes-when-you-sell-index-funds-13e97Selling an index fund taxes only your gain, not the whole withdrawal. See how holding time, account type and cost basis change what you owe this year.Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMThttps://planpenny.com/how-to-pay-off-credit-cards-and-still-save-for-a-house-a33d5https://planpenny.com/how-to-pay-off-credit-cards-and-still-save-for-a-house-a33d5Card debt and a down payment at the same time? Here is the order that costs you least, with a worked example and the mistakes that sink loan approvals.Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMThttps://planpenny.com/rent-went-up-how-to-rebuild-your-budget-in-one-hour-db351https://planpenny.com/rent-went-up-how-to-rebuild-your-budget-in-one-hour-db351Your rent just rose. Find the exact monthly gap, then close it in a fixed order that starts with the cuts you will barely feel. Step by step.Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMThttps://planpenny.com/high-yield-savings-keep-your-emergency-fund-protected-f11a4https://planpenny.com/high-yield-savings-keep-your-emergency-fund-protected-f11a4Three checks before the rate: insured institution, balance inside the limit, and money you can reach fast. Plus the app fine print worth reading.Mon, 21 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMThttps://planpenny.com/what-are-index-fund-expense-ratios-and-impact-on-returns-6205bhttps://planpenny.com/what-are-index-fund-expense-ratios-and-impact-on-returns-6205bLearn how index fund expense ratios eat your retirement savings. See exactly how small fees impact your long-term wealth and how to pick cheaper funds.Mon, 21 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMThttps://planpenny.com/how-to-settle-debt-without-ruining-your-credit-2e55chttps://planpenny.com/how-to-settle-debt-without-ruining-your-credit-2e55cLearn how to negotiate a debt settlement without destroying your credit score. Get step-by-step instructions to pay off debt and protect your future.Mon, 21 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMThttps://planpenny.com/life-insurance-on-a-tight-budget-what-to-pay-monthly-a88f9https://planpenny.com/life-insurance-on-a-tight-budget-what-to-pay-monthly-a88f9Worried a policy will wreck your budget? Set the monthly amount first, then shop coverage that fits it. Here is how to pick the number and keep it.Mon, 21 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMThttps://planpenny.com/audit-your-utility-bills-find-the-charges-you-can-cut-d5d19https://planpenny.com/audit-your-utility-bills-find-the-charges-you-can-cut-d5d19Your utility bill hides fees, rentals and add-ons you never chose. Here is the 45-minute audit that finds them, plus the words to say on the call.Mon, 21 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMThttps://planpenny.com/how-to-start-investing-with-100-a-simple-first-plan-71e49https://planpenny.com/how-to-start-investing-with-100-a-simple-first-plan-71e49Start investing with $100 in four steps: pick the account, open it, buy one index fund, automate the deposit. Plus the two things to handle first.Mon, 21 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMThttps://planpenny.com/how-to-pay-off-debt-faster-and-rebuild-your-credit-score-a165ahttps://planpenny.com/how-to-pay-off-debt-faster-and-rebuild-your-credit-score-a165aWhich debt to attack first, the two payoff methods compared, and the five things that move a credit score the most, explained without jargon.Mon, 21 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMThttps://planpenny.com/how-to-build-a-monthly-budget-that-survives-real-life-47045https://planpenny.com/how-to-build-a-monthly-budget-that-survives-real-life-47045A four-number budget you can set up in one sitting, plus where the money actually leaks, what to cut first, and how to save when income is tight.Mon, 21 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMThttps://planpenny.com/car-insurance-deductible-how-to-pick-500-or-1000-cf499https://planpenny.com/car-insurance-deductible-how-to-pick-500-or-1000-cf499Pick the deductible you could pay tomorrow without borrowing. Run the three-minute break-even math and see which amount fits your real savings.Mon, 21 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMThttps://planpenny.com/how-total-stock-market-index-funds-work-step-by-step-afc43https://planpenny.com/how-total-stock-market-index-funds-work-step-by-step-afc43A total stock market index fund holds a slice of almost every U.S. public company. Here is what that means for your money, and what to check first.Mon, 21 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMThttps://planpenny.com/credit-utilization-the-date-that-decides-your-number-a9390https://planpenny.com/credit-utilization-the-date-that-decides-your-number-a9390The formula takes 30 seconds. The part that trips people up is the statement closing date, which decides which balance your card issuer reports.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMThttps://planpenny.com/how-to-budget-for-yearly-bills-without-wrecking-a-month-4eaefhttps://planpenny.com/how-to-budget-for-yearly-bills-without-wrecking-a-month-4eaefAnnual bills are monthly bills in disguise. Here is the 12-month math, where to park the cash, and how to survive year one with an empty fund.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMThttps://planpenny.com/your-will-does-not-control-your-life-insurance-payout-3ed3ehttps://planpenny.com/your-will-does-not-control-your-life-insurance-payout-3ed3eYour will does not control your life insurance. The beneficiary form does, even if it names an ex. Here is how to check yours and fix it today.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMThttps://planpenny.com/what-to-do-first-with-a-windfall-a-5-step-money-plan-aa338https://planpenny.com/what-to-do-first-with-a-windfall-a-5-step-money-plan-aa338Got unexpected money? Park it for a month, then follow a clear order: tax, high-rate debt, three months of bills saved, and a named fun slice.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT