<?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>Surprise Home Repair Wrecked Your Budget? Fix It in 7 Steps</title><link>https://planpenny.com/surprise-home-repair-wrecked-your-budget-fix-it-in-7-steps-c6628</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/surprise-home-repair-wrecked-your-budget-fix-it-in-7-steps-c6628</guid><description>A burst pipe or dead furnace just blew your budget. Here is how to reconcile the numbers, choose what to pay first and refill your emergency fund.</description><pubDate>Sat, 14 Nov 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>401(k) Tax Breaks: The Order That Gets You the Most Money</title><link>https://planpenny.com/401k-tax-breaks-the-order-that-gets-you-the-most-money-13795</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/401k-tax-breaks-the-order-that-gets-you-the-most-money-13795</guid><description>Get the full employer match, pick Roth or traditional, cut fund fees and raise savings each year. A plain step-by-step plan for your workplace 401(k).</description><pubDate>Sat, 14 Nov 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Credit Utilization Ratio: Time Payments for Max Impact</title><link>https://planpenny.com/credit-utilization-ratio-time-payments-for-max-impact-c8b21</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/credit-utilization-ratio-time-payments-for-max-impact-c8b21</guid><description>Stop paying on the due date. Learn exactly when to pay your credit card bill to lower your utilization ratio and boost your credit score fast.</description><pubDate>Sat, 14 Nov 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Find Forgotten Subscriptions in 3 Months of Bank Statements</title><link>https://planpenny.com/find-forgotten-subscriptions-in-3-months-of-bank-statements-b4baa</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/find-forgotten-subscriptions-in-3-months-of-bank-statements-b4baa</guid><description>A one-hour method to spot forgotten subscriptions on your bank statements, decode strange charge names, cancel the right way and stop new ones sneaking in.</description><pubDate>Sat, 14 Nov 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Your Credit, ZIP and Claims: How Insurers Really Price You</title><link>https://planpenny.com/your-credit-zip-and-claims-how-insurers-really-price-you-6b919</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/your-credit-zip-and-claims-how-insurers-really-price-you-6b919</guid><description>Insurers price your car policy on credit, ZIP code, past claims and more. See which factors you can check, dispute or improve to pay less this year.</description><pubDate>Sat, 14 Nov 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Splitting Your Emergency Fund Across Savings Accounts</title><link>https://planpenny.com/splitting-your-emergency-fund-across-savings-accounts-fff8a</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/splitting-your-emergency-fund-across-savings-accounts-fff8a</guid><description>Keeping all your emergency cash in one account can backfire. Here&#x27;s a simple 3-layer setup across high-yield accounts, with transfer times and limits.</description><pubDate>Sat, 14 Nov 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Index Fund Fees: How to Calculate Your Lifetime Savings</title><link>https://planpenny.com/index-fund-fees-how-to-calculate-your-lifetime-savings-9906d</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/index-fund-fees-how-to-calculate-your-lifetime-savings-9906d</guid><description>A 1% fee vs 0.03% can cost six figures over 30 years. See the simple formula, a worked example, and how to compare your own index fund fees today.</description><pubDate>Sat, 14 Nov 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Cut Monthly Expenses and Still Keep Your Daily Coffee</title><link>https://planpenny.com/cut-monthly-expenses-and-still-keep-your-daily-coffee-7161a</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/cut-monthly-expenses-and-still-keep-your-daily-coffee-7161a</guid><description>Keep your coffee and still save. Find forgotten subscriptions, lower phone and insurance bills, stop fees, and give your latte its own budget line.</description><pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Term Life Insurance for Stay-at-Home Parents: How Much?</title><link>https://planpenny.com/term-life-insurance-for-stay-at-home-parents-how-much-a4354</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/term-life-insurance-for-stay-at-home-parents-how-much-a4354</guid><description>A stay-at-home parent earns no paycheck, but replacing their work costs real money. Learn how term life works for them and how to estimate coverage.</description><pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Protect Your Emergency Fund From Inflation Without Lockups</title><link>https://planpenny.com/protect-your-emergency-fund-from-inflation-without-lockups-4ccf6</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/protect-your-emergency-fund-from-inflation-without-lockups-4ccf6</guid><description>Keep your emergency fund safe, easy to reach, and growing closer to inflation. A simple 3-layer setup using high-yield savings, money market, and T-bills.</description><pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Fee Drag Calculator: What a 0.5% Fund Fee Costs in 30 Years</title><link>https://planpenny.com/fee-drag-calculator-what-a-05-fund-fee-costs-in-30-years-8b49e</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/fee-drag-calculator-what-a-05-fund-fee-costs-in-30-years-8b49e</guid><description>A 0.50% fee can cost about $51,000 on $500 a month over 30 years. Use this simple formula and table to see what your index fund fees really cost.</description><pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Credit Card Hardship Program: What to Say When You Call</title><link>https://planpenny.com/credit-card-hardship-program-what-to-say-when-you-call-3abff</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/credit-card-hardship-program-what-to-say-when-you-call-3abff</guid><description>A word-for-word call script, the 8 questions to ask before you accept, and what to do if your card issuer says no to a lower rate or payment.</description><pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>How Your Car Insurance Works on Peer-to-Peer Platforms</title><link>https://planpenny.com/how-your-car-insurance-works-on-peer-to-peer-platforms-57e4f</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/how-your-car-insurance-works-on-peer-to-peer-platforms-57e4f</guid><description>Renting out your car? Learn how insurance coverage changes, what gaps exist, and how to protect your asset with specific steps and deductible tips.</description><pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Emergency Fund Wiped Out? A 5-Step Plan to Rebuild It</title><link>https://planpenny.com/emergency-fund-wiped-out-a-5-step-plan-to-rebuild-it-35ec2</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/emergency-fund-wiped-out-a-5-step-plan-to-rebuild-it-35ec2</guid><description>A big bill emptied your savings. Here is a step-by-step plan to rebuild your emergency fund, with weekly targets and what to pause until you are safe.</description><pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>How to Invest Your First $100: 7 Steps in the Right Order</title><link>https://planpenny.com/how-to-invest-your-first-100-7-steps-in-the-right-order-74ba4</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/how-to-invest-your-first-100-7-steps-in-the-right-order-74ba4</guid><description>Start investing with $100: check debt and savings first, open a no-minimum account, buy a low-cost index fund and set up a monthly deposit. Step by step.</description><pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Does Paying Off a Credit Card Raise Your Score Right Away?</title><link>https://planpenny.com/does-paying-off-a-credit-card-raise-your-score-right-away-90534</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/does-paying-off-a-credit-card-raise-your-score-right-away-90534</guid><description>Paying off a card usually helps your credit score, but only after the balance is reported. Learn the timing, what to expect and the mistake to avoid.</description><pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Save $500 a Month Without Tracking Every Penny: Autopilot</title><link>https://planpenny.com/save-500-a-month-without-tracking-every-penny-autopilot-4a4e7</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/save-500-a-month-without-tracking-every-penny-autopilot-4a4e7</guid><description>Skip the budget app. Automate a transfer each payday, cut 3 big bills once, and spend the rest guilt-free. Step-by-step plan with the paycheck math.</description><pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Auto Insurance Comparison: Match These Lines Before Price</title><link>https://planpenny.com/auto-insurance-comparison-match-these-lines-before-price-e5566</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/auto-insurance-comparison-match-these-lines-before-price-e5566</guid><description>A cheaper car insurance quote may just cover less. Use this line-by-line checklist to match liability, deductibles and extras before you compare price.</description><pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Invest $500 in Index Funds Without High Fees or Guesswork</title><link>https://planpenny.com/invest-500-in-index-funds-without-high-fees-or-guesswork-6f3e9</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/invest-500-in-index-funds-without-high-fees-or-guesswork-6f3e9</guid><description>Learn step‑by‑step how to turn $500 into a diversified index‑fund portfolio, keep fees low, avoid picking stocks, and start saving for retirement today.</description><pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Medical Debt: Pay It Off Without Wrecking Credit or Savings</title><link>https://planpenny.com/medical-debt-pay-it-off-without-wrecking-credit-or-savings-d6923</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/medical-debt-pay-it-off-without-wrecking-credit-or-savings-d6923</guid><description>Before you pay a hospital bill with a credit card, do these 5 steps: itemized bill, financial aid, a lower price, a 0% plan and a credit report check.</description><pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item></channel></rss>