<?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>Your First Budget: 9 Things Nobody Tells You Up Front</title><link>https://planpenny.com/your-first-budget-9-things-nobody-tells-you-up-front-3c221</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/your-first-budget-9-things-nobody-tells-you-up-front-3c221</guid><description>Most first budgets fail in month one for the same reasons. Learn the 9 things nobody tells you, plus a simple 6-step plan to build a budget that lasts.</description><pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>13 Index Fund Mistakes Beginners Make (and Easy Fixes)</title><link>https://planpenny.com/13-index-fund-mistakes-beginners-make-and-easy-fixes-78397</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/13-index-fund-mistakes-beginners-make-and-easy-fixes-78397</guid><description>New to index funds? These 13 common mistakes cost beginners money, from high fees to panic selling. See each one and the simple fix that avoids it.</description><pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Before You Pay Off Debt: 5 Numbers to Check Tonight First</title><link>https://planpenny.com/before-you-pay-off-debt-5-numbers-to-check-tonight-first-e7bdd</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/before-you-pay-off-debt-5-numbers-to-check-tonight-first-e7bdd</guid><description>List every balance and rate, fix late bills, build a small cushion, check your credit report, and find your real monthly extra before choosing a plan.</description><pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>How Adjusters Calculate Your Car Accident Claim Payout</title><link>https://planpenny.com/how-adjusters-calculate-your-car-accident-claim-payout-76f73</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/how-adjusters-calculate-your-car-accident-claim-payout-76f73</guid><description>See the actual math adjusters use for car damage, total loss, injuries, and fault, plus the documents that help you push back on a low offer.</description><pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Debt-to-Income Ratio: How to Calculate It (and Lower It)</title><link>https://planpenny.com/debt-to-income-ratio-how-to-calculate-it-and-lower-it-a4198</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/debt-to-income-ratio-how-to-calculate-it-and-lower-it-a4198</guid><description>Calculate your debt-to-income ratio in 5 steps with a worked example. See what lenders count, the ranges they use and fast ways to bring your DTI down.</description><pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Rebalancing Index Funds: How to Cut the Capital Gains Tax</title><link>https://planpenny.com/rebalancing-index-funds-how-to-cut-the-capital-gains-tax-0e8ed</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/rebalancing-index-funds-how-to-cut-the-capital-gains-tax-0e8ed</guid><description>Rebalancing in a taxable account can trigger capital gains tax. See 7 ways to shrink the bill, from new money to picking tax lots, with a worked example.</description><pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Pay Off Debt and Keep Your Credit Score Growing: 7 Moves</title><link>https://planpenny.com/pay-off-debt-and-keep-your-credit-score-growing-7-moves-bc1f5</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/pay-off-debt-and-keep-your-credit-score-growing-7-moves-bc1f5</guid><description>Paying off debt can lift your credit score or dent it, depending on how you do it. Learn the 7 moves that protect your score while the balances drop.</description><pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Life Insurance Policy Summary: 9 Lines to Check First</title><link>https://planpenny.com/life-insurance-policy-summary-9-lines-to-check-first-b8265</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/life-insurance-policy-summary-9-lines-to-check-first-b8265</guid><description>Before you sign, check these 9 lines on your life insurance summary: beneficiaries, premium, riders, exclusions and your free look deadline.</description><pubDate>Sun, 27 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Mixing Business and Personal Costs on One Card? Do This</title><link>https://planpenny.com/mixing-business-and-personal-costs-on-one-card-do-this-d1401</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/mixing-business-and-personal-costs-on-one-card-do-this-d1401</guid><description>One card for business and personal spending? Tag each charge, keep receipts and settle up on a schedule. A simple system, a sample sheet and when to split.</description><pubDate>Sun, 27 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Rebalance an Index Fund Portfolio Without Selling Anything</title><link>https://planpenny.com/rebalance-an-index-fund-portfolio-without-selling-anything-e5b78</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/rebalance-an-index-fund-portfolio-without-selling-anything-e5b78</guid><description>Your stock fund grew too big? Fix your mix with new deposits, dividends and retirement accounts before you sell. Step-by-step example with real numbers.</description><pubDate>Sun, 27 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Old Credit Card Debt in Collections? Don&#x27;t Restart the Clock</title><link>https://planpenny.com/old-credit-card-debt-in-collections-dont-restart-the-clock-e8b56</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/old-credit-card-debt-in-collections-dont-restart-the-clock-e8b56</guid><description>A small payment on old credit card debt can restart the lawsuit clock in many states. Learn what resets it, your rights, and safe steps before you pay.</description><pubDate>Sun, 27 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>How to Build a Monthly Budget When You Hate Math (3 Numbers)</title><link>https://planpenny.com/how-to-build-a-monthly-budget-when-you-hate-math-3-numbers-24c25</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/how-to-build-a-monthly-budget-when-you-hate-math-3-numbers-24c25</guid><description>Build a monthly budget with three numbers and a phone calculator. A filled-in example, four simple buckets, and tracking systems with no spreadsheets.</description><pubDate>Sun, 27 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>How to Read Your Insurance Declarations Page</title><link>https://planpenny.com/how-to-read-your-insurance-declarations-page-51bda</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/how-to-read-your-insurance-declarations-page-51bda</guid><description>Stop guessing what your policy covers. Learn how to read the declarations page, spot hidden gaps, and understand your deductible in minutes.</description><pubDate>Sun, 27 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Got Unexpected Money? A Simple Plan to Protect Your Budget</title><link>https://planpenny.com/got-unexpected-money-a-simple-plan-to-protect-your-budget-79ab8</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/got-unexpected-money-a-simple-plan-to-protect-your-budget-79ab8</guid><description>Bonus, tax refund or a big gig payment? Park it for 48 hours, check what is urgent, then split it with a simple rule so your monthly budget stays intact.</description><pubDate>Sun, 27 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Savings Rate for Retirement: How to Calculate Yours Today</title><link>https://planpenny.com/savings-rate-for-retirement-how-to-calculate-yours-today-48868</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/savings-rate-for-retirement-how-to-calculate-yours-today-48868</guid><description>Learn what counts as savings, how to include your employer match, and what your savings rate says about retirement readiness, with a worked example.</description><pubDate>Sun, 27 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Medical Bills and Credit Card Debt: Which Do You Pay First?</title><link>https://planpenny.com/medical-bills-and-credit-card-debt-which-do-you-pay-first-112df</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/medical-bills-and-credit-card-debt-which-do-you-pay-first-112df</guid><description>Stuck between medical bills and high-interest credit cards? Learn which to pay first, how to cut a hospital bill, and a simple month-by-month plan.</description><pubDate>Sun, 27 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Stop Raiding Your Emergency Fund for Holidays and Tax Bills</title><link>https://planpenny.com/stop-raiding-your-emergency-fund-for-holidays-and-tax-bills-cd550</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/stop-raiding-your-emergency-fund-for-holidays-and-tax-bills-cd550</guid><description>Holidays, car registration and back-to-school keep draining your emergency fund? Build a seasonal sinking fund in 4 steps, with a worksheet and examples.</description><pubDate>Sun, 27 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Index Fund Prospectus: The 5 Sections to Read Before Buying</title><link>https://planpenny.com/index-fund-prospectus-the-5-sections-to-read-before-buying-2155e</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/index-fund-prospectus-the-5-sections-to-read-before-buying-2155e</guid><description>Buying your first index fund? Read these 5 prospectus sections in 20 minutes: fees, strategy, risks, performance and buying rules. Free checklist inside.</description><pubDate>Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Saver vs. Spender: A Money Plan for Couples Who Clash</title><link>https://planpenny.com/saver-vs-spender-a-money-plan-for-couples-who-clash-e9e40</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/saver-vs-spender-a-money-plan-for-couples-who-clash-e9e40</guid><description>Different spending habits don&#x27;t have to mean fights. Use the yours-mine-ours setup, fun money rules and a 30-minute monthly money talk. Start this week.</description><pubDate>Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>No Income and Credit Card Debt? What to Do Before You Miss</title><link>https://planpenny.com/no-income-and-credit-card-debt-what-to-do-before-you-miss-9ac25</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/no-income-and-credit-card-debt-what-to-do-before-you-miss-9ac25</guid><description>Lost your income? Learn which bills come first, the exact phone script to request a credit card hardship program, and the moves that make debt worse.</description><pubDate>Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item></channel></rss>