Bestmoney Staff

Your Debt-to-Income (DTI) ratio is a personal finance measure that compares your total monthly debt payments to your gross monthly income. In simple terms, it tells you exactly what percentage of your paycheck goes toward paying off what you owe before taxes are taken out.

The best grocery savings apps

Compare the 7 best budgeting apps for teens in 2026 — using the Independence Dial framework. Includes verified pricing, credit-building facts, and age-based recommendations.

AARP by Barclays offers a high-yield online savings account tailored to AARP members. With no monthly fees, no minimum balance, a consistently high APY, and a $200 bonus for qualifying deposits, this FDIC-insured savings account suits older savers looking for secure and efficient digital banking.

Varo Bank, N.A. is a hybrid online/mobile bank. Its Varo Bank Account comes with the promise of no monthly account maintenance fees and its Varo Savings Account has attractive annual percentage yields (APYs). Varo Bank offers significant advantages over online and brick-and-mortar banks: namely, no minimum balance to open an account; and the option of having your paycheck deposited up to two days early.

An auto loan calculator has the potential to be a very powerful tool in the car-buying process. It can help you look past the sticker price and understand what your monthly payment will be, as well as the total cost of the car over time. Use this calculator to estimate your payments, plan your budget, and help find a loan that fits your financial situation.

Pinnacle Funding positions itself as a fast small-business funding provider for companies that need capital without the slower pace and tighter underwriting often associated with traditional banks. Public materials for this review emphasize a short digital application process, quick turnaround, and support for small- and medium-sized businesses seeking flexible funding options. The strongest practical takeaway is speed.

Varo Bank, N.A. is a hybrid online/mobile bank. Its Varo Bank Account comes with the promise of no monthly account maintenance fees and its Varo Savings Account has attractive annual percentage yields (APYs). Varo Bank offers significant advantages over online and brick-and-mortar banks: namely, no minimum balance to open an account; and the option of having your paycheck deposited up to two days early.

What if there were something you could do to instantly improve your credit score, possibly by more than 20 points? That something, according to a new TransUnion study, is a debt consolidation loan. Read on to find out how.

Founded in 2008, Live Oak Bank is a digitally focused, FDIC-insured bank serving customers nationwide. Its current business checking lineup includes Business Essential, Business Plus, and Business Plus Analysis. The main draw is digital-first business banking with unlimited transactions, mobile deposit, bill pay, QuickBooks integration, waivable monthly fees on two tiers, and access to 55,000+ Allpoint ATMs.

When you search for the best budgeting apps, you are often met with a standard roster of tools designed for the individual optimizer or the debt-focused single payer. Articles like those found on U.S. News & World Report do an excellent job of categorizing apps by financial standing—telling you which app is best if you are in debt, or which is best if you are an investor.

The best budgeting apps for college students in 2026 include YNAB (free for one year with student verification — the highest-value deal in personal finance), Goodbudget (best free

Summer travel used to feel simple — pick a destination, book a flight, and go.

The best time to apply for private student loans is typically 6–8 weeks before your tuition payment deadline.

The best budgeting apps for couples in 2026 include Monarch Money (best overall for joint finances), YNAB (best for zero-based discipline

Grasshopper Savings is offered through AAA Banking’s Triple Advantage Savings account. The account offers a variable APY of up to 3.40% for eligible AAA members and 2.90% for non-members, with a $100 opening deposit, a $0.01 minimum balance to earn interest, and digital account access through web and mobile banking. Deposits are held at Grasshopper Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.

Founded in 2014, Greenlight is an Atlanta-based family-finance fintech built around a parent-managed debit card and app experience. Its current plans include cards for up to five kids, real-time alerts, store and ATM controls, allowance tools, and mobile-wallet support, while card funds are issued through Community Federal Savings Bank and insured up to FDIC limits.

Fidelity Investments offers a low-cost, feature-rich investment platform suitable for both beginner and advanced investors. With commission-free trades*, robust research tools, and a variety of investment options**, it serves a wide user base. Its avoidance of payment for order flow and competitive robo-advisor services set it apart.

Fidelity offers a wide variety of IRA options with no account minimums to open, robust tax-advantaged features, and seamless integration with its broader retirement planning tools. Its flexibility, low costs, and in-depth retirement education resources make it a strong choice for savers and investors focused on long-term retirement planning.

Valley Strong offers accessible home equity loans and HELOCs with competitive terms, making them a reliable option for homeowners seeking to leverage equity for major expenses, debt consolidation, or renovations.