Banking Articles
From get out of debt strategies to advice on improving your savings returns, we've got recommendations to help you make smarter banking decisions.
Recent Articles
July 22, 2026 | By
Joel O'Leary
How to Build a CD Ladder With $10,000 (and What You'd Earn Each Month)
Building a CD ladder means choosing terms, comparing rates, and planning each maturity. Here is a simple way to do it with $10,000.
July 21, 2026 | By
Joel O'Leary
Nearly Half of Americans Make This Expensive Money Mistake Every Month
A low-interest savings account can cost you hundreds a year in interest you'll never notice missing. Here's how the loss adds up and how to fix it.
July 21, 2026 | By
Joel O'Leary
3 Situations Where a High-Yield Savings Account is a Bad Idea
Credit card debt, long-term investing, and frequent transfers are three cases where a high-yield savings account is the wrong place for your money.
July 12, 2026 | By
Joel O'Leary
What Happens to Your HYSA Rate When the Fed Cuts Rates?
When the Fed cuts rates, your savings APY usually falls too, but not instantly and not at every bank. Here's how the two are connected.
July 9, 2026 | By
Joel O'Leary
Will the Fed Cut Rates in July 2026? Here's What the Markets Say
A Fed rate cut isn't happening in July 2026. Here's why a hike is on the table instead, and what it means for your savings and debt.
July 2, 2026 | By
Joel O'Leary
The 3 Smartest Ways to Withdraw $10,000+ From the Bank
Withdrawing $10,000 or more takes a little planning. ACH transfers, wire transfers, and cashier's checks differ on speed, cost, and safety.
June 29, 2026 | By
Joel O'Leary
Here's How to Make $1,000 a Month in Interest
It takes about $300,000 at today's top rates to generate $1,000 per month in interest. Here's a breakdown at different rates and where to keep it.
June 28, 2026 | By
Joel O'Leary
How Much Income Puts You in the Upper, Middle, or Lower Class?
The Census Bureau puts the top 20% of households above $175,700. But your bracket and your real financial class aren't the same thing -- here's the gap.
June 27, 2026 | By
Joel O'Leary
What Bank Has the Best Free Checking Account in June 2026?
A free checking account should cost nothing to keep, with no monthly fee and no minimum balance. Here's the pick I'm recommending in 2026.
June 27, 2026 | By
Joel O'Leary
Forget CDs, Even With Rates at 4%. Here's Where I'd Put My Money Now
CDs lock your money up for a fixed rate, but a high-yield savings account can offer comparable yield without giving up access to your cash.
June 26, 2026 | By
Joel O'Leary
Here's What Income Actually Makes You Upper Class in 2026
Cracking the top 20% of U.S. earners takes about $182,000 in 2026. Here's how income quintiles break down -- and why your bracket isn't what matters most.
June 23, 2026 | By
Ryan Wilcox
Here's What Happens When You Withdraw $10,000 From Your Bank Account
Withdrawing $10,000 in cash from your bank is perfectly legal -- but if you do, the government will find out about it. Here's why.
June 13, 2026 | By
Ryan Wilcox
Don't Keep Cash at Home. Here Are 3 Easy Places to Put It Instead
Keeping cash at home means losing money to inflation every day. Here are three better places to park it -- and actually earn something.
June 12, 2026 | By
Joel O'Leary
The 3 Best High-Yield Savings Accounts With No Minimum Deposit for June 2026
These savings accounts have no minimum deposit, no monthly fees, and rates that leave big-bank accounts in the dust. See which fits your goal.
June 7, 2026 | By
Joel O'Leary
A $444 Speeding Ticket Broke Me at 17. I've Kept a Cash Cushion Ever Since
A silly teenage mistake taught me to keep months of expenses in cash. Here is why a healthy emergency buffer beats scrambling when life surprises you.
June 6, 2026 | By
Joel O'Leary
Americans Are Saving 53% Less Than They Were a Year Ago. Here's How to Make Every Dollar Count
With saving rates falling and prices still climbing, where you park your cash has become one of the few money moves still fully in your control.
June 1, 2026 | By
Joel O'Leary
38% of $100K+ Earners Are Still Financially Stressed -- and Suze Orman Says It's Not About the Money
A bigger paycheck doesn't always mean less stress. Here's why so many high earners are still anxious about money -- and what actually helps.
May 30, 2026 | By
Joel O'Leary
Here's One Downside to a High-Yield Savings Account in 2026
High-yield savings APYs have drifted lower in 2026. Here's the one downside savers overlook -- and where to put long-term money instead.
May 24, 2026 | By
Joel O'Leary
Here's How Much Your Savings Account Is Losing to Inflation Right Now -- and the Fix
Inflation jumped to 3.8% in April 2026 while most big-bank savings accounts pay just 0.01% APY. See exactly how much that gap costs you each year -- and how to close it.
May 23, 2026 | By
Joel O'Leary
56% of Gen Z and 50% of Millennials Don't Have a 1-Month Emergency Fund. Here's Where to Start.
A new Motley Fool Money survey reveals most younger Americans lack emergency savings. Here's how to build a starter cushion without overhauling your life.
May 21, 2026 | By
Joel O'Leary
My Friend Built a $60,000 CD Ladder. Here's How Much It Earns Monthly in 2026
A simple CD ladder strategy that pays monthly interest, keeps cash accessible, and locks in rates before they drop further.
May 18, 2026 | By
James McClenathen
Inflation Could Hit 6% This Summer. Here's What That Means for Your Wallet
Q2 inflation forecasts just jumped from 2.7% to 6%. Don't panic -- but do move your cash somewhere it earns more than 0.01%.
May 14, 2026 | By
Joel O'Leary
'Save Three to Six Months of Expenses' -- What if That's Not Enough?
The three- to six-month emergency fund rule has been around for ages. Here's whether it still holds up, and how to figure out what you actually need.
May 10, 2026 | By
Joel O'Leary
You Might Not Believe How Much $5,000 Would Earn in a 6-Month CD Now
A $5,000 deposit in a 6-month CD at today's top rates earns less than most people expect. Here's the real number -- and what to consider before you open one.
April 30, 2026 | By
Joel O'Leary
What 'Zelle' Actually Is -- and How It's Different From Venmo
Zelle and Venmo both send money fast, but they work very differently. Here's a plain-English breakdown of how each one works and when to use which.
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