Big Paychecks, Big Regrets: How to Avoid Splurge Pitfalls
Gene Caballero learned a hard lesson when he bought himself a Tesla, thinking it would be “the perfect upgrade” — and then discovered that it was hard to find an apartment in Nashville, Tennessee with sufficient electric vehicle chargers. “It’s become a headache...
Many Americans are Stressed About Money, 6 Ways to Cope
About half of Americans (51%) say they regularly stress out about money, according to an April 2025 NerdWallet survey, conducted online by The Harris Poll. That stress hits some groups of Americans harder than others. According to the survey, women are more likely to...
Should You Save for Retirement or Your Child’s Education?
The investing information provided on this page is for educational purposes only. NerdWallet, Inc. does not offer advisory or brokerage services, nor does it recommend or advise investors to buy or sell particular stocks, securities or other investments. A Reddit user...
4 Ways to Keep Your Financial Data Safe
While it’s impossible to scam-proof your life, you can take steps to limit exposure to scammers. With data breaches and new scams constantly emerging, you might be wondering: How can I keep my financial data safe? The bad news? It’s not easy, especially given the...
What I Learned From My First Meeting With a Financial Advisor
Finding and talking to a financial advisor wasn't as intimidating as I expected. I’ve been a personal finance writer for nearly a decade. I’ve interviewed dozens of financial advisors in that time, but I’m a little ashamed to admit that I’d never actually talked to...
Splurge Now, Save Later? 4 Things to Buy Before Prices Rise
Don’t let tariffs scare you, but do get ahead of big purchases if you can. Appliances, iPhones, cars and imported booze all make our list. My wife and I hate our washer and dryer. Both appliances still operate, but the washer leaves behind what looks like little specs...
Grad School Debt Holding You Back? How to Get It Under Control
Think long-term to pay off your grad school debt — or get it forgiven. Graduate school can boost your career prospects and earnings — but it can come at a steep price. Nearly half of grad students take out loans, with an average balance of $77,300, according to a 2023...
7 Ways to Keep the Summer Spending Craze Under Control
Curb higher spending during the hotter months by planning ahead. It's not too late. Summer’s spending temptations abound: Longer days, travel and camp for kids are just a few of the places our money ends up during the warm months. “We have expenses in summer that we...
What to Do if You Are Struggling to Pay Your Car Loan
As overall U.S. auto loan debt grows, know that if you’re having problems paying your car loan, there are some options you can take to alleviate the strain. With car loan debt at a new high, a report shows the impact as Americans struggle to make their auto payments:...
Where to Park Cash if You’re Worried about the Stock Market
The investing information provided on this page is for educational purposes only. If long-term investing has you spooked, you can explore shorter-term options, like high-yield savings accounts, CDs and Treasury bills. In recent weeks, 44% of Americans in households...