Best Personal-Finance Websites, Apps, Software

(Image credit: Andrey Popov)

published 2 November 2016

The picks below are part of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance’s annual Best List, a roundup of the best values in all the areas we cover – from funds, stocks and ETFs to credit cards and bank accounts to cars, college, kid stuff, phone plans, travel and health. Discover all our Best List picks here.

News that hackers stole user information from at least 500 million Yahoo accounts in 2014 underscores the importance of using strong, diverse passwords and updating them regularly. Dashlane is a password manager that collects and stores passwords for websites you visit. The Password Changer feature allows you to automatically generate new passwords for eligible sites all at once (bank and e-mail accounts, however, weren’t on the list recently). With the Premium version ($39.99 annually), sync Dashlane across multiple devices and back up your account to the cloud.

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TurboTax makes the tax code understandable, which is no mean feat. It also allows you to import documents electronically from more than 1.4 million employers and financial institutions. The biggest downside is cost. TurboTax Premier, which you must use to report investment income, starts at about $50 and rises throughout the filing season to nearly $80 (a state return costs $37 to $40). DIYers on a budget should consider H&R Block, which is also easy to navigate and doesn’t require an upgrade if you have investment income. Its Deluxe version starts at about $35 for early filers; a state return costs $37 to $40.

Yes, it takes forever to finish, but Monopoly is about more than just real estate. Players need to make wise choices about saving and spending, assess their appetite for risk, and strategically negotiate with others. (Monopoly Junior is tailored to players ages 5 to 8.) Financial Football is an app (and online game) that’s adaptable to your age and skill level. Answering questions about banking, debt, ID theft and more determines how far you advance down the field.

Invest in a 529 plan directly from your state if it offers a tax incentive—which will typically win out over lower fees in an out-of-state program. If your state doesn’t offer a tax break—or if you live in Arizona, Kansas, Maine, Missouri, Montana or Pennsylvania, which offer a tax break no matter where you invest—look for a plan that best suits your investing style. For example, for hands-on investors, we like the Utah Educational Savings Plan. For low fees, take a look at New York’s 529 College Savings Program. There’s no annual account fee and funds carry a slim, 0.16% expense ratio.

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Lisa has been the editor of Kiplinger Personal Finance since June 2023. Previously, she spent more than a decade reporting and writing for the magazine on a variety of topics, including credit, banking and retirement. She has shared her expertise as a guest on the Today Show, CNN, Fox, NPR, Cheddar and many other media outlets around the nation. Lisa graduated from Ball State University and received the school’s “Graduate of the Last Decade” award in 2014. A military spouse, she has moved around the U.S. and currently lives in the Philadelphia area with her husband and two sons.