7 in 10 Americans Say a Pension Beats a 401(k) : and 40% Don’t Expect to Ever Retire
A new WalletHub Retirement Savings Survey, published August 31, 2026, captures a striking level of retirement anxiety among Americans. According to the survey: 70% believe a pension is a better retirement vehicle than a 401(k). 40% do not believe retirement will ever be in the cards for them. One in three respondents are not confident […]
8 Apps That Cover Every Layer of Personal Finance: Budgeting to Investing
Managing money is rarely just one problem. You may need to track spending, cancel forgotten subscriptions, organize bills, monitor your credit, review retirement accounts, and begin investing. Trying to force all of those tasks into one app can create more confusion than clarity. A better approach is to think in layers. A September 8, 2026 […]
Should You Use Your 401(k) to Pay Off Credit Card Debt?
The Financial Influencer Network (FIN) is a network of 33 financial educators, creators, and advisors. FIN provides practical financial education for people making real-world decisions about debt, saving, investing, and building wealth. One question now getting attention is whether using a 401(k) to eliminate credit card debt creates relief or a larger financial problem later. […]
Why High Income Doesn’t Lead to High Net Worth
High income does not guarantee high net worth because wealth is built by what you keep, not just what you earn. Lifestyle inflation, lack of tax planning, and poor investment strategies can leave high earners with less wealth than those with lower salaries who exercise financial discipline. True wealth is the accumulation of assets over […]
Should You Rent From an Individual Owner or a Property Management Company?
Choosing between an individual owner and a property management company depends on whether you value personal flexibility or professional consistency. If you have an imperfect credit score or need to negotiate pet policies, an individual owner is often your best bet. If you prefer online rent payments, 24/7 maintenance hotlines, and luxury amenities, a property […]
4 Ways to Turn Your Home Equity Into Cash (Without Making a Costly Mistake)
You could be sitting on $200,000 in home equity and still struggle to come up with $20,000 when you need it. That’s one of the peculiar things about homeownership. Your property may have increased substantially in value over the years, but that wealth doesn’t necessarily help when you’re facing a major home repair, preparing for […]
Should You Rent From an Individual Owner or a Property Management Company?
Choosing between an individual owner and a property management company depends on whether you value personal flexibility or professional consistency. If you have an imperfect credit score or need to negotiate pet policies, an individual owner is often your best bet. If you prefer online rent payments, 24/7 maintenance hotlines, and luxury amenities, a property […]
Who Really Pays for Credit Card Rewards?
Credit card rewards can feel like a bonus for spending you were already planning to do. Cash back, airline miles, hotel points, and sign-up offers are attractive because they appear to reduce the cost of everyday purchases. But rewards are not free. A recent study from researchers affiliated with Harvard, Northwestern, Stanford, and Georgia State […]
Questions Every Tenant Should Ask Before Signing a Lease
Signing a residential lease is one of the most significant financial commitments you will make. It is not just a piece of paper that gives you a place to live: it is a binding legal contract that dictates your monthly cash flow and your daily quality of life. Many renters make the mistake of skimming […]
Claim Your Missing Money Now – Before States Do
Have you ever found a twenty-dollar bill in the pocket of an old pair of jeans? It feels like winning the lottery, doesn’t it? You didn’t work for it today, but suddenly, you have extra cash for lunch or a movie. Now, imagine finding $500, $1,000, or even $10,000 that you forgot all about. It […]
When to File for Bankruptcy Protection
Do you feel like you are underwater? Not the fun kind of underwater where you see colorful fish and coral reefs. I mean the kind where you are struggling to breathe because of bills. Your mailbox is full of red letters. Your phone rings every ten minutes with numbers you don’t know. When you owe […]
Six Tips on How to Avoid Squandering a Financial Windfall
Imagine waking up one morning, checking your bank account, and seeing a number that is much bigger than usual. Maybe you received a $50,000 bonus. Maybe you sold an investment for a substantial profit. Maybe you inherited $100,000 from a loved one. Or perhaps you received a settlement or another unexpected payment. Whatever the source, […]
The Costly Bet: Why Cutting Insurance to Save Money Can Backfire
Knowledge Snapshot: : Why Cutting Insurance to Save Money Can Backfire A TD Insurance survey, conducted using the Leger Opinion panel, found that 33% of Canadian adults would consider reducing insurance coverage to save money. 84% said they do not fully understand what their insurance does and does not cover. 62% were not confident that […]
How to Teach Your Kids About Money: A Practical Guide for Parents
Before I tell you how to teach your kids about money, let me tell you what you don’t need: a perfect financial life. You don’t need to have paid off every debt, maxed out a retirement account, or never once bounced a check. Parents come to me all the time feeling like they have to […]
Why Millennials and Gen Z Would Rather Break Up Than Date Someone in Debt
Knowledge snapshot: Debt and Relationships The TD Bank 2026 Love & Money Survey found that: 46% of Americans say a partner’s debt or financial habits would influence whether they pursued a serious relationship. That number rises to 51% among Millennials and 49% among Gen Z. 72% say financial stability is important when pursuing a serious […]