<?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>5 Signs You&#x27;re Trying to Improve Your Credit Score Wrong</title><link>https://planpenny.com/5-signs-youre-trying-to-improve-your-credit-score-wrong-9b3fe</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/5-signs-youre-trying-to-improve-your-credit-score-wrong-9b3fe</guid><description>Paying cards but your score won&#x27;t move? These 5 common mistakes explain why, plus a simple 90-day plan based on how credit scores are actually calculated.</description><pubDate>Sun, 13 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>How to Make a Budget When Your Paycheck Barely Covers Bills</title><link>https://planpenny.com/how-to-make-a-budget-when-your-paycheck-barely-covers-bills-29595</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/how-to-make-a-budget-when-your-paycheck-barely-covers-bills-29595</guid><description>A plain, step-by-step way to build your first monthly budget in about an hour, even if money is tight. Real example numbers and a simple table inside.</description><pubDate>Sun, 13 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Before You Invest Your First $100: 7 Things to Check First</title><link>https://planpenny.com/before-you-invest-your-first-100-7-things-to-check-first-ef316</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/before-you-invest-your-first-100-7-things-to-check-first-ef316</guid><description>Emergency fund, high-interest debt, 401(k) match, timeline, account type, funds and fees: the 7 checks to make before you start investing, explained.</description><pubDate>Sun, 13 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>5 Credit Score Mistakes That Quietly Keep Your Number Low</title><link>https://planpenny.com/5-credit-score-mistakes-that-quietly-keep-your-number-low-cf496</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/5-credit-score-mistakes-that-quietly-keep-your-number-low-cf496</guid><description>Late payments, high card balances, closed old cards, too many applications and unchecked report errors. Here&#x27;s how to spot and fix each one for free.</description><pubDate>Sun, 13 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>How to Make Your First Monthly Budget in One Evening</title><link>https://planpenny.com/how-to-make-your-first-monthly-budget-in-one-evening-67a0e</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/how-to-make-your-first-monthly-budget-in-one-evening-67a0e</guid><description>A simple 5-step way to build your first budget tonight: find your real take-home pay, sort 60 days of spending, pick a method and make it stick.</description><pubDate>Sun, 13 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>5 Signs You&#x27;re Fixing Your Credit Score the Wrong Way</title><link>https://planpenny.com/5-signs-youre-fixing-your-credit-score-the-wrong-way-43b22</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/5-signs-youre-fixing-your-credit-score-the-wrong-way-43b22</guid><description>Score stuck? High card balances, closed old cards, 30-day late payments, too many applications and paid credit repair are the usual culprits. Fix each one.</description><pubDate>Sun, 13 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>How to Budget When Money Is Tight: A 7-Step Starter Plan</title><link>https://planpenny.com/how-to-budget-when-money-is-tight-a-7-step-starter-plan-e007a</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/how-to-budget-when-money-is-tight-a-7-step-starter-plan-e007a</guid><description>Learn how to budget on a tight income in 7 steps: track 30 days, pick a simple method, cut the biggest leaks and build a small emergency cushion.</description><pubDate>Sun, 13 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>7 Real Emergency Fund Tips That Actually Work Fast</title><link>https://planpenny.com/7-real-emergency-fund-tips-that-actually-work-fast-25c72</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/7-real-emergency-fund-tips-that-actually-work-fast-25c72</guid><description>Stop struggling to save. Learn 7 practical emergency fund tips that work on a low income, build real cash fast, and protect you from debt.</description><pubDate>Sun, 13 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Is Improving Your Credit Score Worth It? The Real Math</title><link>https://planpenny.com/is-improving-your-credit-score-worth-it-the-real-math-0ca69</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/is-improving-your-credit-score-worth-it-the-real-math-0ca69</guid><description>A better credit score can lower what you pay on loans, cards, and deposits. See what fixing it really costs, what is free, and when to skip it.</description><pubDate>Sun, 13 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>How to Budget on a Tight Income: The First 30 Days Plan</title><link>https://planpenny.com/how-to-budget-on-a-tight-income-the-first-30-days-plan-6ba51</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/how-to-budget-on-a-tight-income-the-first-30-days-plan-6ba51</guid><description>A simple first budget with real numbers: what to gather, a sample $3,200 plan, costs beginners forget, and a day-by-day 30-day checklist to follow.</description><pubDate>Sun, 13 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Insurance Deductible Mistakes: 9 That Cost You Real Money</title><link>https://planpenny.com/insurance-deductible-mistakes-9-that-cost-you-real-money-4f77d</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/insurance-deductible-mistakes-9-that-cost-you-real-money-4f77d</guid><description>Choosing the wrong insurance deductible can cost you. See 9 common mistakes, the break-even math, and how to check your auto, home and health policy.</description><pubDate>Sun, 13 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Is Improving Your Credit Score Worth the Effort and Cost?</title><link>https://planpenny.com/is-improving-your-credit-score-worth-the-effort-and-cost-76cbe</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/is-improving-your-credit-score-worth-the-effort-and-cost-76cbe</guid><description>Fixing your credit is mostly free and can save thousands on car loans and mortgages. See the real costs, traps to avoid, and a 90-day plan to start.</description><pubDate>Sun, 13 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>How to Budget: 8 Things Nobody Tells You Before Month One</title><link>https://planpenny.com/how-to-budget-8-things-nobody-tells-you-before-month-one-058c4</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/how-to-budget-8-things-nobody-tells-you-before-month-one-058c4</guid><description>Your first budget will be wrong, and that&#x27;s normal. Learn the 8 things beginners miss, from sinking funds to take-home pay, plus a week-by-week plan.</description><pubDate>Sat, 12 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>9 Insurance Deductible Mistakes That Cost You at Claim Time</title><link>https://planpenny.com/9-insurance-deductible-mistakes-that-cost-you-at-claim-time-1f5db</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/9-insurance-deductible-mistakes-that-cost-you-at-claim-time-1f5db</guid><description>Picked your deductible to lower the premium? These 9 mistakes, from percentage home deductibles to break-even math, can cost you when you file a claim.</description><pubDate>Sat, 12 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>How to Start Investing With Little Money: A 6-Step Plan</title><link>https://planpenny.com/how-to-start-investing-with-little-money-a-6-step-plan-a255a</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/how-to-start-investing-with-little-money-a-6-step-plan-a255a</guid><description>Want to start investing but don&#x27;t know where to begin? Follow 6 plain steps: build a cushion, pick an account, choose low-cost funds, and automate.</description><pubDate>Sat, 12 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Pay Off Debt or Raise Your Score First? How to Decide</title><link>https://planpenny.com/pay-off-debt-or-raise-your-score-first-how-to-decide-19d95</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/pay-off-debt-or-raise-your-score-first-how-to-decide-19d95</guid><description>Which comes first, the payoff or the score? Use the 65% rule, a utilization example with real numbers, and a 30-day plan to pick your own lane.</description><pubDate>Sat, 12 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Should You Raise Your Deductible? Do the Math First</title><link>https://planpenny.com/should-you-raise-your-deductible-do-the-math-first-4ba07</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/should-you-raise-your-deductible-do-the-math-first-4ba07</guid><description>Raising your deductible only pays off if the break-even is under three years and you have the cash today. Here is the math, plus 9 costly mistakes.</description><pubDate>Sat, 12 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>How to Stop Using Credit Cards While Paying Off Debt</title><link>https://planpenny.com/how-to-stop-using-credit-cards-while-paying-off-debt-34a20</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/how-to-stop-using-credit-cards-while-paying-off-debt-34a20</guid><description>Learn how to stop using credit cards and pay off your balance effectively. Follow these clear steps to take control of your financial future today.</description><pubDate>Sat, 12 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>How to Split Your First Paycheck With the 50/30/20 Rule</title><link>https://planpenny.com/how-to-split-your-first-paycheck-with-the-503020-rule-c6bdd</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/how-to-split-your-first-paycheck-with-the-503020-rule-c6bdd</guid><description>Split your take-home pay 50/30/20 on payday, not at month&#x27;s end. Real dollar examples, what counts as a need, and what to do when rent eats half.</description><pubDate>Sat, 12 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Do Roommates Make Renters Insurance Cheaper or Riskier?</title><link>https://planpenny.com/do-roommates-make-renters-insurance-cheaper-or-riskier-4ecd2</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://planpenny.com/do-roommates-make-renters-insurance-cheaper-or-riskier-4ecd2</guid><description>Sharing a policy splits the bill but also splits the coverage limit. When a shared renters policy saves money and when it costs you at claim time.</description><pubDate>Sat, 12 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item></channel></rss>