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Retirement calculators can help us plan and prepare to retire. When we are years away, these online tools can help us determine how much we should be saving. As we approach our time to retire, they can help us understand how much we can spend each year in retirement without going broke. Not all retirement tools, however, reach the same result. They take different approaches to what is a complex series of calculations and assumptions. One study examined five popular retirement planning software packages and found stark differences in outcomes. As a result, it recommended that individuals use “multiple programs…

Happy Money (Payoff.com) is a technology lending platform much like an Upstart or an Upgrade. A huge difference with Happy Money is that the money behind the loans comes from credit unions. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Some would see it as a good thing. The reason I have to point this out is for those of us that end up in a situation where we are struggling to keep our payments on time. This is where most credit unions (not all) are just different. While credit unions provide focused local and community banking with attributes that many…

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.Managing money doesn’t have to be complicated or time consuming. Still, about a third of Americans (32%) feel anxious about their finances going into 2026, according to a new NerdWallet survey.You got this. If you focus on the little things and do them consistently, you’ll feel great about your financial life, says Lisa Eaton, accredited financial counselor and founder of Firm Footing Financial…

Total credit card debt in the United States reached roughly $1.23 trillion in Q3 of 2025. This means that the average American consumer is carrying a credit card balance of around $6,473.  With such high debt levels, it makes sense to wonder: “Can my credit card company garnish my wages?” This guide explores what you need to know.  When Can a Credit Card Company Garnish Wages?  Defaulting on credit card debt doesn’t mean your credit card company can garnish your wages automatically. First, they must sue you in civil court, win a money judgment, and secure a writ of garnishment.  Only when they provide the…

I’m back in Honolulu for the winter holidays, visiting my parents, and I’ve been looking forward to this trip for months. Especially after spending about $41,000 remodeling and furnishing a neglected two-bedroom in-law unit attached to their home. The goal was simple: test whether the in-law unit could comfortably house my wife, daughter, and son. My wife and daughter would each get one room, and my son would get the sofa bed in the living room. I would sleep in the main house, as I’d be the least disruptive to my parents. This arrangement would hopefully provide for maximum sleep…

The Norwegian Viva, which offers cruises in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, features a three-level racetrack, where guests pilot electric go-karts around tight turns while enjoying open-ocean views. But the ship isn’t just about thrills.It also offers live entertainment, stylish outdoor areas and excellent dining options — like the Indulge Food Hall, which serves seven different cuisines. Compared with other Norwegian ships, the Viva, which debuted in 2023, feels more boutique and design-forward. The racetrack on the Norwegian Viva. (Photo by Hamilton Nguyen) At nearly 1,000 feet long, it accommodates around 3,200 guests. It’s large enough to offer robust amenities and…

Many people look for ways to manage debt when monthly payments start feeling unmanageable. Two common options are debt consolidation and credit counseling. While they both aim to make debt easier to handle, they work in very different ways.  Debt consolidation focuses on combining multiple debts into one, usually through a loan or balance transfer. Credit counseling, on the other hand, helps people create a plan to repay what they owe—often with the support of a nonprofit agency. Understanding how each option works can help you choose a path that fits your situation and comfort level.  What Debt Consolidation Means  Debt consolidation means rolling several debts into one new…

Every year, as December rolls in and holiday lights start appearing on houses, a curious phenomenon shows up in the stock market: the Santa Claus rally. If you’re an investor, it’s the kind of quirky, seasonal pattern that’s worth understanding, both for context and for timing your year-end investment decisions. So what is it, exactly? The Santa Claus rally refers to the tendency for the stock market, typically measured by the S&P 500, to post higher returns during the last five trading days of the year and the first two trading days of the new year. That said, as a strategic…

Cheryl (67) and Michael (69) have built rich, full lives: multiple careers, reinventions, and nearly 12 years of marriage. Yet when it comes to money, they feel stuck. They earn about $120,000 a year, have roughly $600,000 saved, and regularly book $10,000–$15,000 vacations focused on travel, family, and experiences. Then, almost immediately, panic sets in. With mostly separate finances, lingering trust issues from past decisions, and no clear retirement plan, they’re embarrassed to admit that they don’t actually know when (or if) they can retire. Cheryl wants clarity and confidence about the future, while Michael wrestles with fear, guilt, and…

Moving debt from a high-interest credit card to a card with a promotional 0% APR offer can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in interest. When you’re looking for a balance transfer credit card, it’s natural to gravitate toward the card with the longest 0% period or the lowest transfer fee. But that might not necessarily be the right choice for you. Balance transfer credit cards fall into two general categories: Dedicated 0% APR cards generally have a long introductory period at 0% interest. The intro period could be 18-21 months or longer. Once that promotional period runs…