Smart Money Links 4U

Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners . The stock market can be a wild ride, and super confusing. Just for an example, what are we supposed to learn from the recent case involving GameStop? The chain of video game stores has been struggling for a long time. But in January 2021, the company’s stock price skyrocketed up by 1,500%. Then it plunged back down to earth. Some investors made a fortune. Others lost a fortune. And it all happened thanks to a weird mix of Reddit stock traders, hedge funds, short sellers and thousands of individual investors — people like you. What should we take away from this? We asked Robin Hartill, a certified financial planner and a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder. Here’s what she says: 1. Don’t Invest Based on Emotion or FOMO The GameStop stock mania was partially fueled by investors’ FOMO — fear of missing out. ...

Our cultural background and upbringing often shapes how we navigate our lives — including our financial lives. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we’d like to shine a spotlight on several personal finance experts from the Latinx community who are championing for more inclusivity within the financial industry and are doing their part to raise financial literacy in their communities and beyond. 8 Hispanic Personal Finance Influencers to Follow From podcasters and bloggers to Certified Financial Planners and Accredited Financial Counselors, the money gurus on this list help both English and Spanish speakers alike learn to better their financial lives. 1. Jannese Torres-Rodriguez of Yo Quiero Dinero Jannese Torres-Rodriguez is a Puerto Rican side hustle queen who runs the podcast “Yo Quiero Dinero.” With the success of her food blog, Delish D’Lites , and other entrepreneurial pursuits, Torres-Rodriguez was able to quit her day job in May 2021 at age 36. On her podcast, she shares ...

Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better known as the FAFSA, is a rite of passage for prospective or current college students, whether they’re attending a trade school near home or heading across the country to work on a bachelor’s degree. The newest FAFSA form is available Oct. 1. Even though the deadline to apply is months away — and the exact deadlines vary by state — it’s best to turn the form in as quickly as possible. Early applicants have better chances for more money. It’s become easier to fill out in recent years — mostly by allowing you to use older tax data instead of making estimations and corrections — but filling out a financial aid application still isn’t anyone’s idea of a fun evening at home. But that’s why we’re here. Behold: Your ultimate guide to filling out the FAFSA form. We’ll cover what exactly the FAFSA is, why every student and student-to-be seeking higher education should consider filling it out, how to complete the (dreaded) applic...

When it comes to savings accounts, where do you even begin? Do a quick search, and you’ll find many different options with varying percentages and minimum requirements. It can get overwhelming, fast. Keeping this in mind, we’ve rounded up the best savings accounts — including ones at online banks and traditional brick and mortar — of 2021. We’ve included top information you need to know before opening or switching an account. And before we move on, yes , we recommend that Penny Hoarders have a savings account — keeping your cash in a box under your bed is not a solid, or safe, financial plan. We want you to feel empowered so you can get the best proverbial bang for your buck. We’ve ranked the very best savings accounts available today to help get you started. But first, here’s some background on key terms. What is a Savings Account? A savings account is a bank account where you store your money. Typically, you keep it here for long-term goals instead of using it for eve...

Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners . What do you covet? C’mon, admit it. There must be something. Something you really want. Something you could theoretically buy at some point, but you probably shouldn’t. Not yet, at least. Because it’s probably just a little too expensive, right? What’s your next splurge? Is it a pair of shoes? A bag? A phone? A bottle of really good wine? A bathroom remodeling? A muscle car? Whatever it is, we’ve got five suggestions for how to make up the difference in your pocketbook: 1. Get $50 in Gift Cards Just for Buying Groceries We bet $50 would make a difference toward your next splurge, right? Well, a free app called Fetch Rewards will reward you with gift cards just for buying toilet paper and more than 250 other items at the grocery store. Right now, it’s even offering shoppers a $10 gift card when they spe...

The deadlines to file claims in a number of class action lawsuit settlements are coming up in October. The cases involve brands such as Windex, Neuriva, Guinness, and Uber. Read on to find out if you qualify to claim some cash. Cases are listed in order of deadlines to file, with the earliest dates being listed first. Taste of the Wild, Kirkland Pet Foods Grain-Free Products $8M Class Action Settlement People who bought certain Diamond Pet Foods products may be eligible to claim up to $100 as part of a class action settlement agreement. The Class includes anyone who lives in the United States or any of its territories, such as Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands, and who purchased one or more qualifying Diamond Pet Foods products in the United States or U.S. territories, between March 12, 2017, and May 3, 2021. The list of covered products is available here . Defendant Schell & Kampeter Inc., doing business as Diamond Pe...