Finance Tips

The warning signs common to most scams, the forms they take today, habits that protect you and what to do if you have already been targeted.

An order for putting money toward retirement, from the employer match and debt to HSAs, IRAs and 401(k) increases, plus benchmarks and common mistakes.

A step-by-step order for building financial security on a small income: budgeting, an emergency fund, debt payoff and steady investing.

A worked example comparing the snowball and avalanche methods for paying off several debts, and other ways to cut interest and finish sooner.

How payment history, utilization, account age and new credit shape a FICO score, and the card habits that protect both your score and your money.

Dividend funds, savings, REITs, rentals, digital products and royalties compared on startup effort, how passive they are and the risks.

Bank apps, aggregator apps, zero-based budgeting tools, spreadsheets and cash envelopes compared, with tips for making a spending tracker stick.