Joey Haddad

There’s no getting around it: everything costs more these days. From groceries to gas to the latest must-have item, it sometimes feels like as soon as you step out the front door, someone’s already trying to take a bite out of your hard-earned cash.

Every week, thousands of drivers activate their Uber or Lyft apps, unaware that their personal auto insurance likely won’t cover them while ridesharing.

After a car accident, one question dominates: Who pays for the medical bills?

A speeding ticket costs more than just the fine. Drivers pay for it for years through elevated insurance premiums.

If you are stuck in the "need credit to get credit" loop, don't worry—there are proven, accessible ways to build your score from scratch responsibly.

Betterment offers an accessible, fully automated IRA platform suitable for investors seeking simplicity, low fees, and diversified ETF portfolios. With no account minimums and strong planning tools, it’s well-suited for retirement savers looking to set and forget. Limited customisation and advisor access, however, may be drawbacks for experienced investors.

E*TRADE, a Morgan Stanley subsidiary, offers Certificates of Deposit (CDs) through its bank and brokerage platforms. These FDIC-insured CDs (up to $250,000 per depositor) feature fixed, competitive rates, flexible terms from 3 months to 10 years, no minimum deposit for bank CDs, and a 10-day rate guarantee—providing a secure, transparent way to earn predictable returns.

Allianz Travel Insurance offers a range of travel insurance plans suitable for both occasional and frequent travelers. Founded in 1890, Allianz operates in over 70 countries, providing extensive coverage options including trip cancellation, emergency medical, and baggage protection. With 24/7 travel assistance and user-friendly claims process, Allianz is a reliable choice for comprehensive travel coverage.

Solo is a digital platform designed to help individuals respond to debt collection lawsuits and negotiate with collectors. Unlike traditional debt consolidation loan providers or law firms, Solo offers self-help tools for preparing legal responses and settling unsecured debts. It’s especially valuable for people already involved in debt litigation who want low-cost, tech-powered options to manage their cases.

Ladder offers term life insurance online issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York in New York and Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America in all other states and DC. U.S. residents aged 20 to 60 can apply for coverage online and get an instant decision. Ladder’s policies are designed to allow users to move their coverage amount up and down by applying online for more coverage or decreasing coverage with a few clicks.

Legal & General America has an excellent reputation for providing quality life insurance packages at competitive rates. Through a commitment to delivering a small selection of life insurance packages at a high standard, Legal & General America has become one of the largest life insurance providers in the United States.

Hard Assets Alliance is a precious metals platform offering direct, fractional ownership of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. Founded in 2009, it provides secure, insured vault storage in global locations and supports delivery options. Designed for institutions and advisors, Hard Assets Alliance manages $5B in assets and over 200,000 accounts worldwide.

AARP by Barclays offers competitive CDs with terms from 6 to 60 months, no fees, and no minimum deposit. Ideal for AARP members looking for secure, fixed-term savings with high APYs and fully online account management.

Chime® is an award-winning financial app** and debit card. Rest easy knowing your funds are FDIC-insured through Chime's banking partners The Bancorp Bank and Stride Bank, N.A.. With simple online and mobile interfaces managing money virtually is easy. Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.

Life insurance can act as a powerful and flexible financial tool to make an impact on the quality of life for your family.

Credit cards are a great resource for turning everyday spending into measurable value, and many high-profile cards compete with each other to offer increasingly exciting benefits. But fees are rising too.

It’s hard to exaggerate the importance of having life insurance. But how do you make sure you maintain the right balance between sufficient coverage, and overpaying for insurance?

Running a small business can be one of the most rewarding things in the world. But when money gets tight, it can also be one of the most stressful.

Carrying $5,000 in credit card debt at 18% interest costs you $900 annually in interest alone. But what if you could reduce that cost to zero?