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 small Phillips head screwdriver on a white background. Caption: Home Service Club Review

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.

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.

Man with safety helmet wearing glasses installing a panel into a wall. Caption: Cinch Home Services Review

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.

A calculator on a desk with a notepad full of calculations and a pencil. Caption: Best Personal Finance Software

Best Personal Finance Software: Personal Capital vs Mint vs Quicken vs You Need A Budget vs MoneyDance & More

Deciding which personal finance software to use can be a difficult and confusing task. Just as your personal finance needs vary, so too do the individual features offered by each company. When managing your money and family budgets, it is essential to have the right tool to help you understand where personal spending is occurring and how you can adjust your budget to live a better life. We’ve researched the most popular solutions and selected our best personal finance software winner. We also share the pros and cons of the other players in the market so that you can make the best choice for you.

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.

Person holding ball of money (Caption: Best and worst charities to donate to)

What Are The Best And Worst Charities To Donate To?

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).

A construction worker wearing a helmet jumping for joy in front of a house. Caption: "Best Home Warranty Company Review"

Best Home Warranty Companies: Choice Vs First American Vs Old Republic Vs Fidelity Vs HSA & More

When choosing a home warranty company, you need to do one thing: READ THE FINE PRINT. Many customers find themselves frustrated with a company for not paying claims for appliance repairs or the replacement of systems. If the company refuses to pay for it, then there is most likely a written exclusion in your contract. Our experts have gone the distance to find out which home warranty company provides the best service and the least deceptive contract. We’ve reviewed over a dozen providers and counting! You’ll find out what’s covered, the average cost of repairs, pricing plans, one-on-one comparisons, real user feedback, and more.

A window in an attic. Caption: American Home Shield Review

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

American Home Shield (AHS) has a well-known reputation. Depending on where you live you may receive good or bad service. However, this is true for most home warranties since the service can vary based on location and technicians sent to your home. As always, we recommend calling AHS and ask to speak with an existing customer to hear about their experience with AHS.

Screenshot of the Morninstar financial service with caption "Morninstar Premium Review"

Morningstar Reviews: Portfolio Manager, Premium, Stock Investor, & More

If you’re into DIY investing, several investment advising services should be on your radar. Morningstar is one of the most popular and well-established options — it’s been around for more than 35 years. You can find a decent amount of information on Morningstar for free, but if you’re a serious investor, you’ll want to consider its premium membership to gain access to the juicy content. But is Morningstar Premium worth $199 per year, or are you better off just investing that money instead?

Scroll to Top