<?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>New Investor and the Market Just Dropped? Do This, Not That</title><link>https://planpenny.com/new-investor-and-the-market-just-dropped-do-this-not-that-e73a5</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/new-investor-and-the-market-just-dropped-do-this-not-that-e73a5</guid><description>The market fell right after you started investing. Here is a calm, six-step plan for beginners to handle volatility without panic selling or guessing.</description><pubDate>Fri, 23 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Authorized User on a Credit Card: Score Help or Debt Trap?</title><link>https://planpenny.com/authorized-user-on-a-credit-card-score-help-or-debt-trap-ebc0b</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/authorized-user-on-a-credit-card-score-help-or-debt-trap-ebc0b</guid><description>Being an authorized user can lift or sink your credit score. See when you owe the debt, when you do not, and how to get off a card that is hurting you.</description><pubDate>Fri, 23 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>How to Budget for Annual Fees Without Cashflow Pain</title><link>https://planpenny.com/how-to-budget-for-annual-fees-without-cashflow-pain-14942</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/how-to-budget-for-annual-fees-without-cashflow-pain-14942</guid><description>Stop getting hit by surprise annual bills. Learn a simple 3-step method to spread out membership fees and keep your monthly budget safe.</description><pubDate>Fri, 23 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Credit-Based Insurance Scores: How They Change Your Premium</title><link>https://planpenny.com/credit-based-insurance-scores-how-they-change-your-premium-41210</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/credit-based-insurance-scores-how-they-change-your-premium-41210</guid><description>Insurers use parts of your credit report to price auto and home policies in most states. Learn what counts, where it is banned, and 7 steps to act.</description><pubDate>Fri, 23 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Find Forgotten Subscriptions on Your Bank Statements Fast</title><link>https://planpenny.com/find-forgotten-subscriptions-on-your-bank-statements-fast-8d6bf</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/find-forgotten-subscriptions-on-your-bank-statements-fast-8d6bf</guid><description>Pull 90 days of statements, search 8 key words, and sort every repeat charge into keep, cancel, or downgrade. Step-by-step audit with a dispute plan.</description><pubDate>Fri, 23 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Risk Tolerance Changed? Rebalance Your Portfolio in 7 Steps</title><link>https://planpenny.com/risk-tolerance-changed-rebalance-your-portfolio-in-7-steps-3fec7</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/risk-tolerance-changed-rebalance-your-portfolio-in-7-steps-3fec7</guid><description>Life changed and the old investment mix feels wrong? See sample stock/bond splits, a worked $110k example, and how to shift money with fewer taxes.</description><pubDate>Fri, 23 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Credit Card Debt and a Mortgage Application: What to Do</title><link>https://planpenny.com/credit-card-debt-and-a-mortgage-application-what-to-do-08af1</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/credit-card-debt-and-a-mortgage-application-what-to-do-08af1</guid><description>Carrying credit card debt while you apply for a mortgage? Learn how lenders read it, what to pay first, and the moves that can hurt your approval.</description><pubDate>Fri, 23 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>How Adjusters Check Your Annual Mileage After an Accident</title><link>https://planpenny.com/how-adjusters-check-your-annual-mileage-after-an-accident-44f97</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/how-adjusters-check-your-annual-mileage-after-an-accident-44f97</guid><description>After a crash, adjusters may compare your odometer, repair records, and inspection logs with the mileage on your policy. Here is what they check and why.</description><pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Emergency Fund Gone After Home Repairs? How to Rebuild It</title><link>https://planpenny.com/emergency-fund-gone-after-home-repairs-how-to-rebuild-it-370b8</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/emergency-fund-gone-after-home-repairs-how-to-rebuild-it-370b8</guid><description>Drained your emergency fund on a roof, furnace, or leak? Here is a step-by-step plan to rebuild it, with a starter goal, a timeline table, and money ideas.</description><pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Target-Date Funds Explained: How the Year Picks Your Mix</title><link>https://planpenny.com/target-date-funds-explained-how-the-year-picks-your-mix-07f67</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/target-date-funds-explained-how-the-year-picks-your-mix-07f67</guid><description>A target-date fund picks your stock and bond mix based on the year you plan to retire, then shifts it slowly. See how it works, costs, and who it fits.</description><pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Balance Transfer to Pay Off Debt: The Math Before You Apply</title><link>https://planpenny.com/balance-transfer-to-pay-off-debt-the-math-before-you-apply-b9ac6</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/balance-transfer-to-pay-off-debt-the-math-before-you-apply-b9ac6</guid><description>A balance transfer can cut your interest to 0% for a while, but the fee and the deadline decide if it saves money. Run these numbers before you apply.</description><pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Hate Meal Planning? Cut Your Grocery Bill With 4 Habits</title><link>https://planpenny.com/hate-meal-planning-cut-your-grocery-bill-with-4-habits-eb95a</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/hate-meal-planning-cut-your-grocery-bill-with-4-habits-eb95a</guid><description>No meal plan needed: set a weekly grocery number, stock cheap base foods, shop your fridge first, and use store brands to spend less every week.</description><pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>How to Save Your First $1,000 and Still Keep Your Coffee</title><link>https://planpenny.com/how-to-save-your-first-1000-and-still-keep-your-coffee-cbe19</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/how-to-save-your-first-1000-and-still-keep-your-coffee-cbe19</guid><description>A week-by-week plan to save your first $1,000 by fixing the big leaks, not the small treats. Real math, a savings table, and where to keep the money.</description><pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Term Life Insurance With a Health Condition: What to Expect</title><link>https://planpenny.com/term-life-insurance-with-a-health-condition-what-to-expect-7f6c1</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/term-life-insurance-with-a-health-condition-what-to-expect-7f6c1</guid><description>Diabetes, high blood pressure or a past cancer? Learn how insurers rate health conditions for term life, which policy types to compare, and how to apply.</description><pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>First Paycheck? A Calm 5-Step Plan to Start Investing</title><link>https://planpenny.com/first-paycheck-a-calm-5-step-plan-to-start-investing-f78a0</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/first-paycheck-a-calm-5-step-plan-to-start-investing-f78a0</guid><description>Got your first paycheck? Build a cash cushion, grab your 401(k) match and start index funds in small, steady steps, without stress or risky bets.</description><pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>401(k) Loan to Pay Off Debt: How to Keep It Penalty-Free</title><link>https://planpenny.com/401k-loan-to-pay-off-debt-how-to-keep-it-penalty-free-24c77</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/401k-loan-to-pay-off-debt-how-to-keep-it-penalty-free-24c77</guid><description>A 401(k) loan can pay off debt with no penalty if you repay on time. Learn the limits, the job-change trap, and what to check before you borrow.</description><pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Utility Rates Keep Rising? Budget for Your Worst Month</title><link>https://planpenny.com/utility-rates-keep-rising-budget-for-your-worst-month-87979</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/utility-rates-keep-rising-budget-for-your-worst-month-87979</guid><description>Rising electric and gas rates wrecking your budget? Use the highest-month method, a separate buffer account, and budget billing to stop surprises.</description><pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Split Household Bills Without a Joint Account: 3 Fair Ways</title><link>https://planpenny.com/split-household-bills-without-a-joint-account-3-fair-ways-00046</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/split-household-bills-without-a-joint-account-3-fair-ways-00046</guid><description>Share rent, groceries and utilities without merging bank accounts. Compare 50/50, income-based and bill-by-bill splits, with real dollar examples.</description><pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Capital Gains Tax When Selling Index Funds in Retirement</title><link>https://planpenny.com/capital-gains-tax-when-selling-index-funds-in-retirement-00e8f</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/capital-gains-tax-when-selling-index-funds-in-retirement-00e8f</guid><description>Selling index funds in retirement? See how capital gains tax is calculated, how the 0% bracket works, and six steps that keep your tax bill low.</description><pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Credit Card Debt on Unpaid Medical Leave: 7 Steps to Take</title><link>https://planpenny.com/credit-card-debt-on-unpaid-medical-leave-7-steps-to-take-7de17</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/credit-card-debt-on-unpaid-medical-leave-7-steps-to-take-7de17</guid><description>Call your card issuers before you miss a payment, ask for a hardship plan, rank your bills, and protect your credit score while you are on unpaid leave.</description><pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item></channel></rss>