Financial Security

Failing to plan is planning to fail. You don’t want this to happen when it comes to money that you work so hard to earn. Having a financial plan in place and a nest egg to fall back on is critical when it comes to your personal wealth and well-being.

This is why our experts have written about everything from personal finance software to mortgage lenders to retirement planning. Don’t leave cash on the table, and protect your future with these must-do’s.

Close-up of a hand writing the word 'Testament' with an ink pen. Caption: How To Create An Online Will

Best Online Wills: LegalZoom Vs Rocket Lawyer Vs U.S. Legal Wills Vs Quicken WillMaker & More

Who will take care of your children if you and your spouse meet an unexpected demise? What will happen to your assets, like your home, savings, family heirlooms and investments? No one wants to think about end-of-life issues, but it’s up to you to protect your family the way you see fit; otherwise you’re taking a huge risk. If you die without a will, the state will step in to settle everything from child custody to the distribution of your assets, and may do so in a way that’s not what you would have wanted. If you don’t have a will, you should — and it’s not as daunting a task as you might think.

Worried woman mopping up water on the floor from a burst pipe with sponge with hole in the wall in the background

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Water Damage?

Torrential rains flooded your garage and basement over the weekend, causing some structural water damage to your home. You have a home insurance policy, but is water damage covered by homeowners insurance? Things can get pretty murky when trying to determine what is and isn’t covered, but we’re here to give you some helpful information and guidelines.

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How Do I Write Off Taxes For Goodwill Donations?

In our house, we donate all of our unused clothes, shoes and household items to Goodwill. The items are still in good shape, we just don’t find ourselves in need of them anymore, which is why it’s nice to give them a second life. Donating to Goodwill is also a good tax deduction, so those who donate also get a “reward” for their goodwill. In this article we’ll discuss the tax benefits of giving, not to mention how important donating is whether you benefit from it or not.

Hands holding a cardboard sign that says 'donate'

Top 5 Best And Worst Charities To Donate To In 2023

Looking to make a charity tax deduction? How do you know which are the best and worst charities to donate to? It’s not so much which are the best causes (as that could be highly debatable and subjective), but rather what’s the best use of your hard-earned money and return on your dollar? Is your money going to have a large impact and make a difference in the cause or will it go to waste on expensive overhead or unnecessary spending? We’ll share with you a little more about charitable donations tax deductions and our top picks for best charities to give to (as well as those not to give to).

Three piggie banks on books with retirement on chalkboard

Best Retirement Plans: 401k vs 403b vs IRA vs Roth IRA

It’s never too early (or late) to start investing in your future. Retirement plans are a smart way to help ensure you’re financially secure when you need it. Saving a little can go a long way in the long term for your financial goals.

Hands forming roof over blue house icon

Choice Home Warranty Reviews: Plans, Customer Service, Claims, Coverage, & More

Choice Home Warranty has one of the worst reputations we have seen. There is a government write-up on the company’s Better Business Bureau page stating that the company allegedly sold a home warranty to consumers and then denied consumer claims. This is a big red flag in our opinion, so if you are seriously considering Choice Home Warranty we recommend you proceed with caution. Below is the review we initially wrote prior to learning about the government write-up.

Two people discussing estate planning at a table with documents and a model house, only hands and arms are visible. Caption: Estate Planning Checklist: Basics & Costs

Free Estate Planning Checklist: Basics, Costs, Online Options, & More

Estate planning sounds like something only rich people should do, but that’s not the case at all. You don’t have to own a ton of assets to consider estate planning, and there are many other elements to a comprehensive estate plan other than just making sure your assets pass on to your beneficiaries. Our experts have compiled a beginner’s guide to help you determine everything you should be considering for you and your family’s future.

House on river flanked by trees with American flag on deck

First American Home Warranty Reviews: Customer Service, Coverage, Plans, & More

First American Home Warranty (FAHW) offers budget-friendly plans that kick in 30 days after you sign the contract. They’ve been in business since 1984 and boast more than 500,000 customers. We were less than impressed with their bare bones website, which offers limited information pertaining to their benefits and other important details. But they do have some good online articles about home warranties in general. How did they fare in our review?

Large house with brown roof seen from street

American Home Shield Reviews: Customer Service, Complaints, Promo Code, & More

American Home Shield (AHS) is well known in the home warranty space. They have a network of over 15,000 contractors across 49 states (sorry Alaska). They offer customizable plans and three service call options. But how good is their service? Are their technicians experienced and will they actually resolve your issue? Find out in our review.

Contractors repairing a kitchen counter

Home Service Club Reviews: Customer Service, Prices, Complaints, & More

Does a home warranty seem like a scam to you? Many people associate a home warranty with paying a monthly premium and then when an appliance breaks, the technician comes and “fixes” it. Then, a week later it’s broken again. Not all home warranties are like this. The Home Service Club (HSC) was previously in our top three for Best Home Warranty and had one of the best reputations in the warranty business. But what happened that made us remove the company from our top three? Learn more about this company’s pros and cons in The Home Service Club Reviews.

Repair technician repairing a bathroom

Cinch Home Warranty Reviews: Customer Service, Claims, Prices, & More

Is a home warranty just a waste of money? Some feel this way. But for others, it is a real budget-saver. Home warranties are meant to help you when an appliance or system (such as HVAC) breaks and you need it fixed. They are also useful when it’s beyond repair and you require a new one. But be careful! It’s extremely important that you read every part of your contract* so you know what is and isn’t covered. So let’s dig in and see how Cinch (formerly Total Protect) stacks up versus the other home warranty companies you may be considering.

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