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I reached out to investing educator Amanda Holden, who told me it's smart to start with a brokerage account. Instead of investing in individual stocks, she suggests ETFs and index funds. In order to explain some of the basics in a simple way, I reached out to investing educator Amanda Holden for her thoughts. She had four tips for getting started on your investing journey. Of course, you'll want to consult with a financial advisor for a full investing strategy; her tips are educational, but they aren't investing advice.

Persons: Amanda Holden, it's, Holden, Charles Schwab, Schwab, Get, You'll, aren't, we'll, doesn't Organizations: Fidelity, Vanguard, — Vanguard

We pay $80 every other week for pet insurance that comes with a 70% reimbursement. One x-ray, three prescriptions, and $500 later, I was never more relieved that we had pet insurance. We get 70% reimbursement after a $250 deductibleWe pay around $80 every other week for our dog's pet insurance policy. His policy is through Nationwide Pet Insurance (yep, they have pet insurance, too!) Being able to say to them, "No worries, we have pet insurance so most of it will be covered"?

Persons: —, we've, It's, he's, That's, He's Organizations: Service, Nationwide Pet Insurance, French bulldogs, English bulldogs, bulldogs Locations: Boston, PetPlan

For Love & Money is a weekly Business Insider column answering relationship and money questions. Write to For Love & Money using this Google form. Sincerely,Too Tired to FightDear Too Tired,AdvertisementFor me, your question comes down to one thing: Can you afford not to sue your stepdaughter? Still, you must consider the right thing to do beyond the personal emotional, or financial cost of house repairs and legal fees. Write to For Love & Money using this Google form .

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But many people don't realize just how much of their insurance coverage is tied to their employment. Disability, life, health, dental, vision — all can evaporate quickly after a pink slip. Life insuranceAnother common employer-provided insurance is group life insurance, which pays out a death benefit if you die while employed. Similar to disability insurance, though, this group life insurance is contingent on your working at that company. That's why I highly recommend considering an individual life insurance policy.

Persons: it's, They're, It's, you've Organizations: Business, Healthcare

The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. Here's how I combined rewards credit card points, benefits, and a free night certificate to take a $7,000 trip for less than $350 per person. Both my husband and I have the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card from American Express, and we had each gotten a free night certificate with that card. I transferred some American Express Membership Rewards points to British Airways to complete the transaction. The main reason was that our Aspire card came with up to $400 in resort credits a year, meaning our Waldorf charges were ultimately reimbursed.

Persons: you've, that's, Hilton, PlusPoints Organizations: Business, Hilton, Hyatt, Chase, Waldorf, Hilton Honors, American Express, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Aspire Locations: Maui, Portland , Oregon, Hawaii, Portland, Alaska, West Coast, San Francisco

This week, a reader's car was damaged when their friend drove it with the parking brake engaged. When he finally finished, my best friend did me a huge favor by driving from Portland to Seattle to bring me my car. While these feelings are perfectly natural, allowing them to ruin your relationship with your best friend would be unfair to you both. Knowing that your best friend "can barely afford rent" and still expecting her to repay you for the car parts is the wrong choice. But even if it isn't, I hope you don't lose your best friend over a single space-out.

Persons: I've, I'd, doesn't Organizations: VW Locations: Seattle, Portland , Oregon, Portland

I like putting money in CDs, and one option that will help long-term with taxes is a SEP IRA CD. I started moving money between high-yield savings accounts, CDs, and other passive income-earning investments like REITs and dividend stocks. Interest and earnings from savings accounts, CDs, and other investments are considered taxable income. Instead, after paying my taxes, I reassess how much money of interest income I actually made and decide how to use the cash then. However, unlike a regular CD, CDs in your retirement fund have contribution limits set by the IRS.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, IRS

In the late 90s, I invested money in the stock market without knowing much about the stock I bought. AdvertisementThe stock market has recently hit several all-time highs. I have some money sitting in an investment account that I manage myself, and it is so tempting to buy some individual stocks. Don't get me wrong, the stock market can and does (for many people) give better returns than safer investments. I tried and failed at researching and buying individual stocks without the guidance of a financial advisor.

Persons: I'm, I've, doesn't Organizations: Amazon Locations: —

If you choose to forgo life insurance, it might still make sense to include an unmarried partner in a will. Compare life insurance rates online with Ethos Life. If so, then you may need life insurance. Term life insurance is a better choice for most individuals since they don't need coverage for their entire lives. Get Life Insurance Quotes Compare the best life insurance companies with a quote from Ethos Life.

Persons: —, Justin Pritchard, doesn't, Pritchard, Jay Zigmont Organizations: Service, CFP, Childfree

But occasionally, I'll stumble upon a Gen Z financial influencer serving up advice on what I should do with money. AdvertisementTo make sure I don't get influenced by someone sharing faulty financial advice, I asked Secco to share how a person can vet a financial influencer. Remember that financial advice is not one-size-fits-allI often find myself fixated on a financial influencer's content, especially when it's about how to invest my cash to double my money. Check the person's background to learn more about themBefore seriously considering taking financial advice from an influencer's content, Secco recommended vetting them to understand their credentials. "I don't recommend taking advice from a financial influencer who doesn't have any certifications or designations," she said.

Persons: I'm, Hazel Secco, Secco, it's Organizations: Triple

For Love & Money is a weekly Business Insider column answering relationship and money questions. Write to For Love & Money using this Google form. Sincerely,Secure, But Feeling InsecureDear Secure,From the outside looking in, financial anxiety, like all anxiety, can seem absurdly easy to handle. So rather than worry about your husband's apparent financial anxiety, take comfort in your financial security. Write to For Love & Money using this Google form .

Persons: wasn't, —, Avigail Lev, Lev, hasn't, it's, doesn't Organizations: Service, CBT, — Locations: San Francisco

A few months ago I was helping my mom revisit her homeowners insurance to see if she should add an earthquake insurance policy. Dahl explains that homeowners insurance and earthquake insurance are two completely different policies. The California Earthquake Authority, which provides most of the earthquake insurance policies where I live, has deductibles starting at 5%. So if your home is insured for $500,000 under your earthquake insurance policy, it should also be insured for $500,000 for your homeowners insurance. Earthquake insurance includes some exceptionsWhile earthquake insurance technically includes most damage and destruction to your home in the case of a ground tremor, there are some exceptions, such as a fire.

Persons: Seok Dahl, Dahl, I'd Organizations: Business, FEMA, Farmers, California Earthquake Authority Locations: Los Angeles, California

For Love & Money is a weekly Business Insider column answering relationship and money questions. Write to For Love & Money using this Google form. Dear For Love & Money,My mother recently sold her home, and I am in the process of selling mine. Giving up the habit of relationship management when your desire is so innate and well-meaning can feel terrifying and even impossible. Write to For Love & Money using this Google form .

Persons: —, She's, she'll, You've, they'll, can't, shortchanged, doesn't Organizations: Service

RobinhoodI decided to ask a few of my friends what investing platform they use. Since my cash is already sitting in savings accounts and CDs through the bank, I decided to check out its self-directed investing platform, Ally Invest. I decided on Ally InvestAfter spending some time testing out each platform, I decided that Ally Invest was perfect for my current needs. It allowed me to easily transfer money between my other accounts with the bank into my investment account. Plus, I was able to diversify my portfolio by investing in different securities, from mutual funds to ETFs.

Persons: Charles Schwab, Robinhood, Ally, Invest Organizations: Ally, Invest

For Love & Money is a weekly Business Insider column answering relationship and money questions. Write to For Love & Money using this Google form. The only problem is that I'm burned out and unhappy, and I'm starting to resent my husband. My husband didn't get a degree, has no true calling, and is content to get a meager paycheck and go home. Write to For Love & Money using this Google form .

Persons: doesn't, hasn't, I've, didn't, they're, isn't, he's Organizations: Fortune

While I had long believed in stashing cash in a pet emergency fund instead of paying for pet insurance, I was now sold. Pet insurance can pay for itselfAfter talking to a few fellow pet parents, I decided to get Embrace pet insurance. Now that I have pet insurance, I don't have to choose the cheapest pet insurance option because it's most affordable. I also have a pet emergency fundAs I said, before the constipation incident with my cat, I wasn't really keen on getting pet insurance. That's because pet insurance works a little differently than health insurance for humans.

Persons: —, It's Organizations: Service, Business, American Pet Health Insurance Association

Estate planning may not be a topic you want to think about, but it's essential for small-business owners. Estate planning is a very sensitive, emotional topic, but as a financial planner, I believe it's essential to discuss. Estate planning should be a top priority — especially for Black business owners seeking to build generational wealth and preserve their legacies. Digital estate planning documentA common blind spot in estate planning is the digital asset space. Digital estate planning will make it easier for your heirs to access your digital assets as needed.

Persons: —, doesn't Organizations: Service

My kids were excited for their first trip on a plane — and it was thanks to our rewards credit card. This time, we saved up for it, not with money but with rewards credit card points. We still paid off our credit card from our checking accountevery month, but the initial expenses were always charged to our credit card first. We saved by staying with familyBut our savings didn't stop with credit card points. What I like about credit card points is that, in many ways, it feels like you're spending free money.

Persons: —, we're, timeshares, Patience Organizations: Service, Kansas, Banks Locations: Banks, North Carolina, Kansas City , Missouri, Norfolk , Virginia, Virginia

It's easy to see pet insurance as optional for most pets, but the cost of pet care can be high. Most pet insurance plans cover the big costsMany people also believe that pet insurance doesn't cover that much. There are two types of pet insurance — illness and accident insurance and accident-only insurance. Make sure the math works in your favorLike with human health insurance, pet insurance has a monthly premium you'll need to pay to maintain coverage. Looking to the futureWhile it's not always pleasant, thinking through all the scenarios can help you pick the best pet insurance policy for you.

Persons: —, there's, It's, it's Organizations: Service, American Kennel Club, American Pet Health Insurance Association Locations: American

For Love & Money is a weekly Business Insider column answering relationship and money questions. This week, a reader gave their money to their daughter whom they live with for a down payment. Write to For Love & Money using this Google form. Dear For Love & Money,I gave my daughter and her husband money to put a down payment on a house, but we never discussed whether it was a gift or a loan. At the time, we gave money to our other children rather than leave it to them after we died.

Persons: —, It's, it's, Lay, doesn't Organizations: Service

By hiring an accountant, we'll be able to get the most out of tax season and save for retirement. Short-term capital gains are profits you've made on stock that you've held for one year or less. Long-term capital gains are gains on investments you've held for longer than a year and range from 0% to 20%. What tax rate you'll pay on these gains depends on your taxable income, or what tax bracket you fall into. Little-known tax moves like this are another reason hiring an accountant is worth every penny.

Persons: we'll, —, I've, you've, I'm, Max, doesn't Organizations: Service, IRS

I have many financial goals, so instead of one big savings account, I have one for each goal. Years ago, I heard some advice from a financial influencer that stuck with me: If you have numerous savings goals, set up different savings accounts and give each a name to correspond with their purpose. I opened up six new Capital One 360 Performance Savings accounts in the new year to help me achieve my financial goals. TaxesI'm embarrassed to say that I have never set aside money for taxes in all my years as a freelancer. While I usually had the funds available, peace of mind comes with having a separate savings account to cover taxes.

Persons: —, I've, It's, it's, I'd, haven't, Sam Organizations: Service Locations: homeownership

But some smaller, more specialized tax credits and deductions could score you hundreds (or even thousands) of extra dollars back as well. Here's an overview of some overlooked federal and state tax credits that filers often miss. At first glance, this might seem counterintuitive — why wouldn't you deduct state income tax, which is usually a larger sum? AdvertisementEven if your state has an income tax, you may still come ahead by itemizing sales tax instead, depending on your tax profile. The IRS provides tables and tools to calculate if claiming sales tax delivers more savings than claiming income tax.

Persons: You've, filers, it's, you've, doesn't Organizations: IRS, Care Locations: California, Texas, Florida, Nevada

I thought it wasn't worthwhile to invest in an estate plan if I didn't have any assets. In the United States, the primary intellectual property categories are patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. You can also detail the uses of your intellectual property that are allowed in the future." Since your family might not know the full extent of your intellectual property, Hayes recommended making a list of any intellectual property you might have. "Everyone in today's world has digital assets," Hayes said.

Persons: —, Monique Hayes, Hayes, It's Organizations: Service Locations: United States

Read previewAbout a year ago, I signed up for an American Express checking account. I canceled my American Express Rewards checking account just a year after opening. It came as a shock to me that it wasn't available with an Amex checking account and defeated a large purpose of opening this account. It was hard to deposit and transfer moneyAmerican Express makes it incredibly difficult to fund the Amex Rewards checking account. The APY wasn't competitiveBecause of its limited functionality, I ended up using my Amex Rewards checking account as a sort of savings account.

Persons: —, Bill Organizations: Service, Business, American, Express, American Express, Capital

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