<?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>How Much to Save for Retirement: 6-Step Do-It-Yourself Math</title><link>https://planpenny.com/how-much-to-save-for-retirement-6-step-do-it-yourself-math-90331</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/how-much-to-save-for-retirement-6-step-do-it-yourself-math-90331</guid><description>Work out your retirement savings target in 6 steps: spending, Social Security, the gap, the 25x rule and the monthly amount. Worked example and worksheet.</description><pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Paycheck to Paycheck? Budget by Payday, Not by Month</title><link>https://planpenny.com/paycheck-to-paycheck-budget-by-payday-not-by-month-9aa0e</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/paycheck-to-paycheck-budget-by-payday-not-by-month-9aa0e</guid><description>Build a budget that works when money is tight: map bills to each paycheck, pay essentials first, save $10, and fix the gap when numbers don&#x27;t add up.</description><pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Lower Credit Utilization Without Paying Your Card in Full</title><link>https://planpenny.com/lower-credit-utilization-without-paying-your-card-in-full-afbac</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/lower-credit-utilization-without-paying-your-card-in-full-afbac</guid><description>Cut your credit card utilization without paying the full balance: pay before the statement closes, raise your limit, and spread balances the smart way.</description><pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Compare Car Insurance Quotes Without Getting Spam Calls</title><link>https://planpenny.com/compare-car-insurance-quotes-without-getting-spam-calls-6a8cc</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/compare-car-insurance-quotes-without-getting-spam-calls-6a8cc</guid><description>Get real auto insurance quotes without your phone ringing for weeks. Where to quote, what to leave blank, and the consent box that sells your number.</description><pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Seasonal Utility Bills: How to Budget So Winter Won&#x27;t Hurt</title><link>https://planpenny.com/seasonal-utility-bills-how-to-budget-so-winter-wont-hurt-c023c</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/seasonal-utility-bills-how-to-budget-so-winter-wont-hurt-c023c</guid><description>Add up 12 months of utility bills, divide by 12, and save the gap. A step-by-step plan for high winter and summer bills, plus help if you&#x27;re behind.</description><pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>How to Read a Brokerage Statement: The 4 Parts That Matter</title><link>https://planpenny.com/how-to-read-a-brokerage-statement-the-4-parts-that-matter-0dcdf</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/how-to-read-a-brokerage-statement-the-4-parts-that-matter-0dcdf</guid><description>Your first brokerage statement, explained in plain English: account value, deposits, holdings, activity, fees, and a 5-minute monthly checklist to use.</description><pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Pay Before Your Statement Date to Lower Credit Utilization</title><link>https://planpenny.com/pay-before-your-statement-date-to-lower-credit-utilization-fb9ea</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/pay-before-your-statement-date-to-lower-credit-utilization-fb9ea</guid><description>Your card usually reports the statement balance, not what you pay later. Learn when to pay so a lower balance is reported, with a simple monthly schedule.</description><pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Changing Jobs? What Happens to Your Life Insurance Coverage</title><link>https://planpenny.com/changing-jobs-what-happens-to-your-life-insurance-coverage-32350</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/changing-jobs-what-happens-to-your-life-insurance-coverage-32350</guid><description>Leaving your job can end your work life insurance. Learn how conversion and portability work, the deadline to act, and a checklist for the switch.</description><pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Emergency Fund vs. Inflation: Where to Keep It Safe</title><link>https://planpenny.com/emergency-fund-vs-inflation-where-to-keep-it-safe-a1e8b</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/emergency-fund-vs-inflation-where-to-keep-it-safe-a1e8b</guid><description>Inflation quietly shrinks cash. See where to keep an emergency fund so it stays safe, easy to reach, and earns more than a basic checking account.</description><pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>How to Calculate Retirement Savings Before Quitting</title><link>https://planpenny.com/how-to-calculate-retirement-savings-before-quitting-5080c</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/how-to-calculate-retirement-savings-before-quitting-5080c</guid><description>Wondering if you have enough money to quit your job? Learn the simple 25x rule and step-by-step method to calculate your exact retirement savings need.</description><pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>How to Keep Using Your Credit Card Without Paying Interest</title><link>https://planpenny.com/how-to-keep-using-your-credit-card-without-paying-interest-5365e</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/how-to-keep-using-your-credit-card-without-paying-interest-5365e</guid><description>Keep using your credit card without paying interest: how the grace period works, why paying the minimum costs you, and a step-by-step plan out of debt.</description><pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>How to Audit Your Subscriptions in 30 Minutes or Less</title><link>https://planpenny.com/how-to-audit-your-subscriptions-in-30-minutes-or-less-45da1</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/how-to-audit-your-subscriptions-in-30-minutes-or-less-45da1</guid><description>Find every subscription you pay for, decide what stays, and cancel the rest without losing the services you love. A simple 30-minute checklist.</description><pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Auto Insurance Declarations Page: What Each Line Means</title><link>https://planpenny.com/auto-insurance-declarations-page-what-each-line-means-323ad</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/auto-insurance-declarations-page-what-each-line-means-323ad</guid><description>Learn to read your auto insurance declarations page line by line: drivers, VIN, 50/100/50 limits, deductibles, discounts and the errors to fix today.</description><pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Car Insurance Sinking Fund: How to Pay Your Premium in Full</title><link>https://planpenny.com/car-insurance-sinking-fund-how-to-pay-your-premium-in-full-cbe15</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/car-insurance-sinking-fund-how-to-pay-your-premium-in-full-cbe15</guid><description>Stop dreading your car insurance renewal. Learn the simple math, where to keep the money, and a 6-step plan to pay your yearly premium in full.</description><pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>How to Negotiate a Lower Payoff on Credit Card Collections</title><link>https://planpenny.com/how-to-negotiate-a-lower-payoff-on-credit-card-collections-eab02</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/how-to-negotiate-a-lower-payoff-on-credit-card-collections-eab02</guid><description>Pay a collector less than you owe: check the debt, set your top number, use our call script, and get the deal in writing before you send a dollar.</description><pubDate>Tue, 29 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Freelance Budget: Pay Yourself a Salary When Income Swings</title><link>https://planpenny.com/freelance-budget-pay-yourself-a-salary-when-income-swings-75259</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/freelance-budget-pay-yourself-a-salary-when-income-swings-75259</guid><description>Irregular freelance income? Learn the baseline budget, the buffer account and the fixed paycheck method so a slow month never wrecks your bills again.</description><pubDate>Tue, 29 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Switching Car Insurance? Do It in This Order to Avoid a Gap</title><link>https://planpenny.com/switching-car-insurance-do-it-in-this-order-to-avoid-a-gap-f8a74</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/switching-car-insurance-do-it-in-this-order-to-avoid-a-gap-f8a74</guid><description>A lapse in car insurance can raise your rates and break state law. Follow this simple 7-step order to switch companies with zero days left uncovered.</description><pubDate>Tue, 29 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Emergency Fund on Minimum Wage: Get to Your First $500</title><link>https://planpenny.com/emergency-fund-on-minimum-wage-get-to-your-first-500-8d08f</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/emergency-fund-on-minimum-wage-get-to-your-first-500-8d08f</guid><description>Living paycheck to paycheck? Build your first $500 emergency fund on minimum wage with $20 a week, automatic transfers and money you may be missing.</description><pubDate>Tue, 29 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Retirement Income From Index Funds: The 3-Step Math</title><link>https://planpenny.com/retirement-income-from-index-funds-the-3-step-math-c2a4d</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/retirement-income-from-index-funds-the-3-step-math-c2a4d</guid><description>Estimate your monthly retirement income from index funds with one spreadsheet formula, a cautious withdrawal rate and a worked example you can copy.</description><pubDate>Tue, 29 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>5 Credit Score Mistakes to Avoid Right Now</title><link>https://planpenny.com/5-credit-score-mistakes-to-avoid-right-now-a8165</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/5-credit-score-mistakes-to-avoid-right-now-a8165</guid><description>Stop ruining your credit score with these 5 common mistakes. Learn how to pay off debt, fix credit card debt, and boost your score fast today.</description><pubDate>Tue, 29 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item></channel></rss>