I write about personal finance, travel, and science. I specialize in credit, debt, and insurance topics but I enjoy writing in many other areas.
Best Banks to Refinance Auto Loans
Few things in life are guaranteed, but you can be sure that your financial situation and the broader economy will change throughout the repayment of your auto loan. Interest rates rise and fall, your income and spending patterns change and your options for repaying your loan will shift, too.
Refinancing your auto loan can help you adapt your debt to fit your changing budget, whether that’s paying it off even earlier and saving money or lowering your monthly payment to something more affordabl...
Truist Personal Loans Review
Truist is a newer bank founded in late 2019 by the merger of BB&T and SunTrust Bank. Those banks were already large, and after the merger, it’s now the seventh-largest bank in the U.S. As a full-service bank, it offers all the accounts you might expect, including personal loans.
If you’re a current Truist customer and you’re happy with the level of service you receive, we might recommend a Truist personal loan to you as well. Otherwise, we’d recommend most borrowers steer toward other options. Find out why in this Truist personal loans review.
$500 Checking Account Bonus Offers [March 2024]: Jumpstart Your Balance
To earn up to $500 or more in checking offers in March 2024, we recommend Chase Bank and TD Bank. These two banks offer bank account bonuses with relatively simple requirements.
We also recommend Citi Bank and Huntington Bank, although their requirements to earn checking account bonuses of $500 or more require high balances.
Let’s dive into how you can earn a $500 checking offer and the offers that might fit your banking needs.
Cheapest Auto Insurance in Kansas (2024)
If you live in Kansas, here’s some good news: Your car insurance rates are less than the national average. The average Kansas driver pays $77 per month for minimum-coverage car insurance and $172 per month for full coverage.
From Kansas City to Dodge City and beyond, Kansas drivers generally get into fewer accidents — and when they do, they file claims at lower rates and for a smaller amount than people living in other states.[1] This translates into lower costs for everyone, but you can do t...
Safeco offers the cheapest car insurance in Kansas, with monthly rates starting at $54.
If you live in Kansas, here’s some good news: Your car insurance rates are less than the national average. The average Kansas driver pays $77 per month for minimum-coverage car insurance and $172 per month for full coverage.
From Kansas City to Dodge City and beyond, Kansas drivers generally get into fewer accidents — and when they do, they file claims at lower rates and for a smaller amount than people living in other states.[1] This translates into lower costs for everyone, but you can do t...
What to Do With a Stray Cat (2024)
So you’ve found a cute kitty outside, and you want to make sure it’s healthy and safe. You may even be thinking about taking it home.
First, check if the cat is in immediate danger. If not, figure out if it’s simply a neighbor’s pet that’s allowed to roam outside, a feral cat living in a colony, or if it truly is a domestic cat that’s lost or abandoned.
Here’s how to tell the difference so you can help your feline friend.
How to determine if a cat is feral or stray
Not all cats who wander out...
Pumpkin Pet Insurance Reviews: How It Stacks Up (2024)
Pumpkin has been offering pet insurance policies for cats, dogs, kittens, and puppies since 2020 in all 50 U.S. states. It offers two plan options: a standard pet insurance plan and an optional wellness policy (though its wellness plans aren’t available in all states). All standard plans feature a 90% reimbursement rate, and you get to choose your annual deductible and policy limits.
Customers who have left Pumpkin reviews appreciate that it covers more types of veterinary expenses — including alternative treatments, behavioral issues, and microchip implantation — than some other pet...
Car Storage Insurance: What You Need to Know
If you’re taking an extended break from driving to explore new opportunities, take care of your family, or even restore your car to its former glory, you might be wondering whether you can cancel your car insurance. After all, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to pay for something you’re not using.
But in most cases, it’s best to think twice before canceling your policy. Depending on your future plans and whether you’re still paying off the vehicle, it’s a good idea to keep some level of coverage — and it may even be required. At a minimum, you may be able to purchase a comprehensive-only...
What Insurance Do You Need for a Leased Car?
If you prefer to drive a new vehicle every few years and want to enjoy lower down payments without the hassle of car maintenance, leasing a car can be a great way to achieve the best of both worlds.
But sometimes, leasing a car can be more expensive than buying since leasing companies typically require more auto insurance coverage — like full-coverage and gap insurance — to protect their investment. The coverage requirements depend on your leasing agreement.
Do You Need Car Insurance With a Learner’s Permit?
Almost everyone driving a car on public roads needs to have a minimum amount of car insurance (auto insurance is mandatory in nearly all states) — including drivers with a learner’s permit. But state laws and insurer policies can differ when it comes to a learner’s permit.
Drivers with a learner’s permit can get coverage under their parents’ policy, which is usually the cheapest way to get insurance. In some cases, a new driver may need to purchase their own policy. Whichever route you take, there are many ways to save money on car insurance costs.
Is Simms fishing gear worth the price?
I grew up with the adage, “There’s no bad weather, only bad clothes,” and it’s true. Often, while out fishing, you’re exposed to some of the nastiest weather conditions. The right gear can mean the difference between needless suffering and enjoying your time on the water, regardless of whether you actually catch any fish or not.
I’ve heard the name Simms whispered in the fishing community for a long time, so I decided to purchase a higher-end Simms model when I needed a rain jacket a couple of years ago. Spoiler alert: it’s the best rain jacket I’ve ever had.
The COREEDGE Heated Vest will keep you feeling warm and looking stylish
I’ve done a lot of cold-weather activities throughout my life. Ice fishing on a frozen lake? Check. Training an Iditarod dog sled team at -20°F? Check. Cross-country skiing at -40°F? Check. I knew battery-powered heated clothing existed, but like everyone else around me at the time, I scoffed at it in favor of futzing around with mediocre chemical hand warmers instead. That is until one of my fishing friends tried out a heated vest while on an ice-cold January steelhead fishing trip and loved it.
Should you use a home equity loan for home improvements?
We are all unique human beings who change over time — and the same is true of our homes. Your house may have been perfect as soon as you moved in, but even if it wasn’t, your wants and needs will change as the years tick by and age your home. Updating your home is also a wise investment move, allowing you to grow your home’s value so you can reap the rewards later when you sell or borrow against the equity in your home.
Paying for home improvements is another story, however. Unless you have...
Financial habits to help you get out of debt
One of the best things you can do for your finances is to pay down debt, particularly high-interest debt such as large credit card balances. When you pay down debt, you save money in the long run, lower your monthly payments, and also help grow your credit score by lowering your debt-to-income ratio. That, in turn, opens doors to help you access better credit opportunities in the future.
However, if you have bad credit, this can seem difficult, since you often need good credit to secure the...
What’s the difference between a HELOC and a home equity loan?
think — and that number generally goes up every year as your home value rises and your mortgage balance decreases. The equity in your home is more than just a line on your real estate portfolio; it also has many advantages if you need to borrow money.
Home equity loans and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) are two of the most common tools that people use to tap into their home equity. There are many similarities between these options, but there are many distinctions, too — and that may imp...