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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.

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Recent Articles

A happy family walking through a park with the young kids on the parents' shoulders.
Feb. 27, 2026 | By James McClenathen

Here's What It Really Means to Be 'Middle Class' Right Now

The "middle class" can't really be defined, but these numbers could help you see where you stand. Here are some key figures.
Man in suit using ladder to climb a tall stack of coins with a percentage sign at the top.
Feb. 27, 2026 | By Jake FitzGerald

The Single Best Strategy for Making Money With CDs in 2026

CD rates are still elevated in 2026. Here's the simplest strategy to lock in yield without getting stuck if rates fall.
Woman standing with hand on chin contemplating her decision.
Feb. 27, 2026 | By Jake FitzGerald

How Much Money Should You Keep in Your Checking Account? Here's the Sweet Spot

A lot of people keep too much cash in their checking account. Here's the simple rule of thumb that protects you from overdrafts without costing you interest.
Five-dollar bills flying between two cell phones
Feb. 27, 2026 | By Jake FitzGerald

I'm Slowly Moving Money Out of My High-Yield Savings Account. Here's Why.

High-yield savings rates won't stay high forever. Here's why I'm starting to lock some of mine into CDs.
Sunlit facade of an archaic bank edifice.
Feb. 27, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Forget Big Banks: Here's Why I Moved My Savings to an Online Bank

My old bank paid 0.01% APY on savings, and charged a monthly fee. Here's how switching earned thousands more -- with zero extra risk.
Vault filled with stacks and rolls of money.
Feb. 26, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Here's What Happens When Your Emergency Fund Is Too Big

Keeping too much cash in savings can hurt your long-term wealth. Here's how to find the right emergency fund size and what to do with the excess.
Jar of coins with "emergency" label
Feb. 26, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

There's Only One Place Your Emergency Fund Should Be. Here's Why

Your emergency fund needs more than safety -- it needs to earn interest. A high-yield savings account offers both. Here's where to keep yours and how to build it.
Well-dressed couple walking through greenery drinking champagne.
Feb. 26, 2026 | By Jake FitzGerald

Here's What Income Actually Makes You Upper Class in 2026

Most people think upper class means ultra-wealthy. The data tells a more grounded story.
Female bank teller smiling at customer.
Feb. 25, 2026 | By Jake FitzGerald

Need to Withdraw $10,000+ in Cash? The Government Will Know About It

Withdrawing $10,000 or more in cash can trigger a federal report. Here's what actually happens and what doesn't.
Young woman holding a fan of hundred-dollar bills in front of her face.
Feb. 25, 2026 | By Jake FitzGerald

Here's How Opening a High-Yield Savings Account Can Make You Hundreds of Dollars a Year

Big banks still pay close to nothing on savings. A high-yield account can quietly earn you hundreds more every year.
Man appears to be in thought while looking at laptop screen.
Feb. 24, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

3 Ways to Know if You Should Open Another Bank Account

The best savings accounts today charge no fees and pay up to 4.00% APY. Here's how to know if your current bank is making the cut.
Woman in glasses sitting on a couch smiling while using a tablet.
Feb. 24, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

I've Covered the Best (and Worst) Savings Accounts for Years. Here Are My Top 3 Takeaways

Your bank might be paying you 0.01% APY, while top accounts pay 4.00%. Here's what I've learned covering savings accounts for years.
Crosslegged woman eats takeout with chopsticks.
Feb. 23, 2026 | By Jake FitzGerald

The Most Common Way Americans Waste Money Isn't What You Think

Most Americans admit to wasting money. But it's not what most people blame. Here's where it actually goes.
Person makes calculations and writes them in a notebooks while a piggy bank sits nearby.
Feb. 23, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Why High-Yield Savings Accounts Beat CDs Right Now

High-yield savings accounts offer rates as competitive as top CDs right now -- with no lock-up period. Here's why flexibility wins in today's rate environment.
Metal bank vault door, open and showing inside.
Feb. 22, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Here's the Safest, Easiest Way to Earn More on Your Savings Right Now

Earning almost nothing on your savings? A high-yield savings account could help you earn significantly more with zero investing risk. Here's how to make the switch.
An envelope with various bills sticking out
Feb. 22, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Need to Deposit $10,000+ in Cash? The Government Will Know About It

Depositing $10,000 or more in cash triggers an automatic government report. Here's what a Currency Transaction Report is, why it exists, and what it means for you.
Woman sitting on sofa holding cash and using a calculator.
Feb. 22, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

How Much Cash Is Too Much to Keep in Checking?

Keeping too much cash in checking could be costing you. Here's how much to actually keep -- and where the rest should go.
A man's arm holding colorful shopping bags.
Feb. 22, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

83% of Americans Admit to Wasteful Spending. Here's the Fix That Works in 2026

Approximately 83% of Americans admit to wasteful spending. A simple savings account trick -- one my mom taught me -- is the fix that actually works.
Person holding big pile of bills in one hand comparing to very small stack in the other.
Feb. 21, 2026 | By Jake FitzGerald

This Is One Small Banking Change That Can Pay Off Forever

One simple banking move can quietly earn you hundreds more per year without changing how you spend.
A young adult calculates their personal finances at the kitchen table using a tablet.
Feb. 20, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Here's How Much $5,000 Would Earn in a 6-Month CD Now

A $5,000 CD at 3.50% APY would earn about $87 in six months. Find out if locking in your cash today makes sense for your savings goals.
Money raining on smiling man
Feb. 19, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

This Is the Easiest Financial Win This Month

Opening a high-yield savings account takes 10 minutes and could earn you hundreds more per year. Here's why it's the easiest financial win right now.
Person uses laptop with AI and associated symbols showing in the air above the keyboard.
Feb. 19, 2026 | By James McClenathen

If Your Finances Are Getting Complicated, These Cutting-Edge Tools Can Help

The right tech can save time and money when your finances get complex. Here's what helps high earners most.
Chain and padlock wrapped around stack of 100 dollar bills.
Feb. 19, 2026 | By Jake FitzGerald

Why I'm Moving Money Out of High-Yield Savings in February 2026

High-yield savings rates are starting to slip. Here's why I'm locking in CDs instead of waiting for them to fall further.
Casket being carried by men in suits.
Feb. 19, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Here's What Happens to Your Joint Savings Account When You Pass Away

Joint savings accounts usually transfer automatically to the surviving owner -- no probate required. Here's what actually happens and what to double-check now.
Bank teller assisting a customer with cash transaction.
Feb. 18, 2026 | By Jake FitzGerald

Here's Exactly What Banks Don't Want You to Do With Your Money

The biggest threat to a bank's profits isn't fraud. It's you moving your money somewhere smarter.