Guides
Step-by-step financial guides to help you make better decisions.
Loans9
How to Refinance a Student Loan: 7 Clear Steps
Refinancing can lower your rate or simplify payments, but federal loans lose federal protections once moved to a private lender.
7 min readRead guideHow Much of Your Income Should Go to Mortgage: A Complete 2026 Guide
We go over current market realities and traditional guidelines. This guide helps you find the optimal mortgage-to-income ratio for your financial stability.
11 min readRead guideHow to Borrow Money from Cash App in 2026
Borrow up to $500 from Cash App with a flat 5% fee and no credit check. Step-by-step guide to eligibility, repayment, and unlocking Cash App Borrow.
7 min readRead guideHow to Get a Payday Loan Online in 24 Hours
Get a payday loan online in 7 simple steps. Compare lenders, understand APR costs, and learn how to avoid predatory lending traps.
10 min readRead guideHow to Pay for College: 9 Smart Ways to Fund Your Education
From FAFSA to 529 plans, discover the best ways to pay for college without taking on excessive debt.
7 min readRead guideHow To Get Loans When Credit Is Bad
Bad credit does not automatically mean no loan. Learn how to check your credit, compare APRs, avoid scams, and apply with stronger odds.
6 min readRead guideHow to Raise Your Credit Score: 6 Steps That Work
Raise your credit score with a practical six-step plan: pay on time, lower utilization, dispute errors, protect account age, and avoid common mistakes.
7 min readRead guideHow To Get a Business Loan: A Complete Guide
From SBA loans to online lenders, this guide walks you through every step of the business loan process, including credit requirements, documents needed, and where to find the best rates.
11 min readRead guideHow to Check Your Credit Score for Free
Use this step-by-step guide to check your credit score for free, pull all three credit reports, compare score models, and spot errors before they cost you.
6 min readRead guidePersonal finance7
How to Avoid Paying Taxes on 401(k) Withdrawal Legally
Use rollovers, 401(k) loans, penalty exceptions, Roth conversions, and year-end tax planning to lower the tax hit before you touch retirement money.
7 min readRead guideHow to Convert a Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA With Less Tax
A Traditional-to-Roth conversion is usually taxable. Learn how to estimate the bill, use basis correctly, and lower the hit with partial conversions.
6 min readRead guideHow Much of Your Income Should Go to Rent In 2026?
Discover modern budgeting frameworks and practical strategies to find your ideal rent-to-income ratio, ensuring financial stability in 2026's market.
7 min readRead guideHow To Add Money To Cash App: Free & Fast Methods 2026
Learn every way to fund your Cash App account, from free bank transfers to instant paper money deposits at 85,000+ retail locations.
6 min readRead guideHow To Delete Your Cash App Account Safely & Permanently
This complete guide walks you through every step to securely delete your Cash App account, ensuring no lost funds or security risks.
6 min readRead guideHow to Get Out of Debt Fast, Even When You're Broke
Practical strategies to eliminate debt, from budgeting and the snowball method to debt consolidation and negotiating with creditors.
7 min readRead guide181 Best Money Saving Tips That Actually Work in 2026
A comprehensive checklist of 181 money-saving strategies to help you cut expenses and build savings faster, no matter your income level.
28 min readRead guideInvest6
How to Withdraw From Your 401(k) Without Costly Mistakes
Learn the 401(k) withdrawal process, what your plan may require, and how taxes, penalties, rollovers, and loans change the decision.
7 min readRead guideHow to Open a Roth IRA: A Step-by-Step Guide
Open a Roth IRA in as little as 15 minutes. Follow these steps to start investing for tax-free retirement income.
6 min readRead guideHow to Invest in Index Funds: A Beginner's Guide for 2026
Follow our step-by-step guide to start investing in index funds with as little as $1. Learn which funds to choose, how to open an account, and how to build long-term wealth.
11 min readRead guideHow to Build an ETF Portfolio in 2026
Build a diversified ETF portfolio from scratch with as few as 2-4 funds. Covers asset allocation, ETF selection, position sizing, and rebalancing strategies.
19 min readRead guideHow to Invest in Mutual Funds: A Beginner's Complete Guide
Learn exactly how to pick the right mutual funds, open an account, and place your first order, while avoiding the most common and costly investing mistakes.
15 min readRead guideHow to Buy Your First ETF: A Complete 2026 Guide
Follow these four steps to buy your first ETF: pick a broker, open a brokerage account, research and select your ETF, then place your trade.
15 min readRead guideCards3
How to Apply for Credit Cards with Bad Credit
Bad credit does not shut you out of credit cards. Learn how to check your score, prequalify, choose a secured or rebuilder card, and apply with fewer surprises.
6 min readRead guideHow to Increase Your Credit Score With a Credit Card
Use your credit card to build credit without paying interest. Learn how utilization, timing, and payment history affect your FICO score.
6 min readRead guideHow to Stop Automatic Payments on Your Credit Card
Stop unwanted automatic charges from draining your credit card. Follow these steps to cancel recurring payments and take control of your finances.
7 min readRead guideExplore More in the Academy