Personal Finance

Get expert personal finance advice about budgeting, saving, making money, checking your credit score, paying off debt, lowering your bills and more.

This month in personal finance

My Credit Card Bills Were Spiraling Every Month — Until I Tried This

by Tommy Tindall

I didn’t even know what it cost to run my life. The 50/30/20 budget told me, and helped me get back on track.

What to Buy (and Skip) in July 2026

by Tommy Tindall, Lisa Mulka

July is known for deals on select summer clothing, major appliances and even back-to-school stuff (sorry, kids).

Are You Loud Budgeting? How to Make Your Financial Goals Stick

by Kate Ashford, WMS™

Talking openly about your money choices may make it easier to hit your financial goals.

Personal finance tools, guides and calculators

BUDGETING/SAVING

Calculate a budget that works

CREDIT SCORE

Get your free credit score

MAKING MONEY

Start earning more money

CALCULATORS

Understand your debt load

NEWS

Read the latest financial news

FINANCIAL HEALTH

Check your financial health

Meet MoneyNerd, your weekly news decoder

So much news. So little time. NerdWallet's new weekly newsletter makes sense of the headlines that affect your wallet.

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Trim your bills

This Phone Script Could Help You Lower Your Monthly Utility Bills

Calling your utility provider may help you find rebates, discounts and other ways to save. Here's what to say when you're on the call.

by Laura McMullen, AI-Assisted NerdWallet

Cut Your Cable and Internet Bills with This Script

by Laura McMullen, AI-Assisted NerdWallet

Slash Your Bills With a Phone Call: 7 Pro Negotiating Tips

by Lauren Schwahn

Use This Script to Cut Your Cell Phone Bill

by Laura McMullen, AI-Assisted NerdWallet

Personal finance FAQs

How do I get started with credit?

If you don’t have a credit history, it’s hard to get a loan, a credit card or even an apartment. But several tools can help you start building your score.

What factors affect my credit score?

Payment history and how much of your credit limits that you actually use make up more than half of your score. Focus on those two while keeping an eye on other factors.

Should I save or pay off debt?

You should do some saving while you’re paying down debt. Even a small cushion of emergency savings can keep you from going deeper into debt when an unexpected expense pops up.

Manage your money

How to Set Financial Goals: A Step-By-Step Guide

Think about what you want and why. Then, assess where you are right now to determine what you need to do to get there.

by Lauren Schwahn

How to Budget Money in 5 Steps

by Amanda Barroso, Lauren Schwahn

Asked on Reddit: Should I Save for My Retirement or My Child’s Education?

by Kimberly Palmer

28 Proven Ways to Save Money

by Tommy Tindall, Amanda Barroso, Elizabeth Ayoola

NerdWallet’s Smart Money Podcast - Your money questions, answered

In each episode, NerdWallet experts answer real-world financial questions, so you can work toward your goals faster and manage your money smarter.

See the latest episode

Credit score basics

How to Build Your Credit Score Fast: 9 Strategies That Work

You could elevate your credit score with tips such as making on-time payments, paying credit card bills more than once a month, becoming an authorized user and fixing credit report errors.

by Amanda Barroso, Bev O'Shea

How to Freeze and Unfreeze Your Credit: Video and Guide

by Amanda Barroso, Bev O'Shea

Average Credit Score by Age: Where Do You Stand?

by Lauren Schwahn, Amanda Barroso

Credit Reports: What They Are and How To Read Them

by Amanda Barroso, Bev O'Shea

Making money

How to Make Money Online, Offline and at Home

by Tommy Tindall

If you want a side hustle, we have 20 realistic ideas for you. Plus, take our quiz to see which gigs will work for your life — and which ones won't. 

Taskrabbit Jobs: What Real Taskers Say

by Tommy Tindall

Could Taskrabbit lead to more than gig work? Take these tips from top-notch Taskers.

6 of the Best Cash-Back Apps

by Tommy Tindall, Lisa Mulka, Hal M. Bundrick, CFP®

Fetch, RetailMeNot and Upside are among the cash-back apps that can help you save a little bit of money on everyday purchases.

Spending and expenses

How Much Rent Can I Afford?

by Laura McMullen, Kelsey Sheehy

The 30% rule and 50/30/20 budget are two guidelines that can help you determine how much rent you can afford. Other factors, like your location, commute and other bills are important to consider, too.

6 Ways to Get Cheap Internet

by Tommy Tindall

Get cheap internet service by slowing your speed, negotiating your bill or trying 5G.

Need Help Paying Bills ASAP? Use This Quick-Help Tool

by Liz Weston, CFP®

Use this guide to learn what assistance is available and identify what to deal with first.

Debt payoff and debt relief

How to Pay Off Debt: Top Strategies for 2026

by Lauren Schwahn, Jackie Veling

Learn the best strategies for whittling down what you owe, depending on how much debt you have.

Debt Relief: How It Works and Options to Consider

by Jackie Veling, Kate Ashford, WMS™

Debt relief changes the terms or amount you owe to help you pay it off. Learn about debt management, debt settlement and other debt relief options.

10 Ways to Pay Off Credit Card Debt

by Lauren Schwahn, Kate Ashford, WMS™, Jackie Veling

You can get out of credit card debt with strategies ranging from DIY for smaller balances to relief programs for more serious situations.

The latest

11 National Ice Cream Day Deals and Freebies

by Lauren Schwahn

Market Bubble? NerdWallet Expert Reads the Signs

by Anna Helhoski

8 Free (or Cheap) French Fry Deals for July 10

by Courtney Neidel

Analysis: Gas Pump Prices Can Obscure Surprising Consumer Impact

1976 Called. It Can’t Believe What a House Costs Now

by Rick VanderKnyff

It Just Got Harder to Make a Financial Complaint (And Get Relief)

by Anna Helhoski

Study: People are Tracking Spending More Closely — Should You?

It’s Me, Hi, I’m the Problem, It’s Me: Your Wedding Budget

by Amanda Barroso

Watch Your Wallets: The Toys Are Back in Town

by Courtney Neidel

What to Buy (and Skip) on Prime Day 2026

by Tommy Tindall

NerdWallet Consumer Financial Resilience Index

by Elizabeth Renter

‘K-Shaped’ Economy Is Giving Way to an ‘E-Shaped’ Divide

by Anna Helhoski

10 Places With Cheap (or Free) Mother’s Day Deals

by Courtney Neidel

Is the ‘Trinket Trend’ Taking Over Your House (and Your Wallet)?

by Lauren Schwahn

Quiz: What’s Your Money Mood Right Now?

by Pamela de la Fuente

Spirit Airlines Collapse Exposes Cracks in the Budget Airline Model

by Anna Helhoski

How 3 Financial Apps Helped My Marriage

by Amanda Barroso

Warner Bros. Approves Paramount Takeover — Will Your Streaming Costs Rise?

by Anna Helhoski

How AI’s Big Appetite for Chips Hits Consumer Wallets

by Tommy Tindall

Jury Rules Live Nation Is an Illegal Monopoly — What It Means For You

by Anna Helhoski