Personal Finance - NerdWallet

This month in personal finance

Selling Gold: 4 Questions to Ask Before You Do

by Tommy Tindall

The cash you can get for gold depends on what you have, where you sell it and the current market rate.

What to Buy (and Skip) in February 2026

by Tommy Tindall, Lisa Mulka

Folks are feeling the love in February, but savvy spouses get gifts after Feb. 14. TVs and winter apparel are also on sale this month.

How to Prepare for the ‘Great Wealth Transfer’

by Kate Ashford, WMS™

Planning for an inheritance is a way to protect your future self — who may be grieving, overwhelmed and less able to make clear decisions.

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

Learn more about credit scores

This ultimate credit score guide can help you learn about your credit and build your score

Check it out now

Trim your bills

This Script May Help You Save on Utilities

by Laura McMullen, AI-Assisted NerdWallet

Use This Script to Lower Your Cable and Internet Bills

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

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 Elizabeth Ayoola, Tommy Tindall

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 with All 3 Bureaus

by Amanda Barroso, Bev O'Shea

Missed a Payment? Try Writing a Goodwill Letter to Remove It From Credit Reports

by Amanda Barroso, Lisa Mulka

Credit Reports: What They Are and How To Read Them

by Amanda Barroso, Bev O'Shea

Making money

Where and How to Sell Clothes Online

by Laura McMullen, Tommy Tindall

When deciding where to sell clothes, check the fees and decide between a consignment-like or piecemeal approach.

Taskrabbit Jobs: What Real Taskers Say

by Tommy Tindall

Could Taskrabbit lead to more than gig work? Take these tips from a couple 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

What Is Debt Consolidation, and Should I Consolidate?

by Jackie Veling

Debt consolidation rolls multiple debts into a single payment. It can be a good idea if you qualify for a low enough interest rate.

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, Tiffany Curtis, Kate Ashford, WMS™

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

Super Bowl Betting is Only Getting Easier — And Weirder

by Anna Helhoski

Building Wealth: 6 Strategies for Black HENRYs

by Pamela de la Fuente

Is Going Analog the Answer? 6 Ways To Try it

by Tommy Tindall

Survey: 17% of Americans Say Credit Card Debt is a Dating Dealbreaker

by Erin El Issa

Big Expenses Ruining Your Budget? Try a Sinking Fund.

4 Ways to Relaunch Your Finances in 2026

by Kimberly Palmer

6 Clever Ways I’ve Saved Money (That Weren’t as Scary as I Thought)

by Tommy Tindall

Will U.S. Intervention in Venezuela Change Prices at the Pump?

by Anna Helhoski

Americans Split on Using AI for Personal Finances

Is Fed Independence at Risk After DOJ Subpoenas?

by Anna Helhoski

Survey: Men More Financially Confident in the New Year

by Erin El Issa

6 Fast Ways to Simplify Your Finances in 2026

by Tommy Tindall

New Orleans Man Wins $100,000 in NerdWallet’s Debt-Free December Sweepstakes

by Courtney Neidel, Pamela de la Fuente

Las Vegas Woman Wins $100,000 in NerdWallet’s Debt-Free December Sweepstakes

by Lauren Schwahn

Is ‘Soft Saving’ Smart — or Short-Sighted?

by Kate Ashford, WMS™

The High Stakes Behind the Netflix/Paramount Bidding War For Warner Bros.

by Kate Ashford, WMS™

Ramit Sethi Wants You to Spend Less Time on Money and More on Life — Here’s How

by Amanda Barroso

One Last Fed Rate Cut for 2025 — What Does It Mean For You?

by Anna Helhoski

9 Silly Stocking Stuffers from the Nerds

by Tommy Tindall

Shocked by Your Electric Bill? 3 Reasons Costs Are Rising

by Rick VanderKnyff