Laurin Mack is a PHD candidate in clinical psychology, which leaves her little time to bone up on her finances. But Mack, 29, wants to learn how to diversify a portfolio, monitor her investments online and roll over a retirement account into an IRA. Mack and other time-starved readers can use our absolutely essential financial toolkit to accomplish each of those tasks, and 33 others, in five easy steps or less.
These tasks are organized into four key areas: Personal Finances, Investing, Credit and Retirement. Take a look and see what you can accomplish today.
Personal Finance Toolkit
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Replace a Social Security Card
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Protect Your Home and Valuables
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Write a Will Without the Hassle
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Prepare for a Natural Disaster
Your Credit Toolkit
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Get Your Credit Report in a Flash
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Fix an Error on Your Credit Report
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Decipher Your Credit Card Statement
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Retirement Toolkit
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Transfer an IRA
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Buy a Medigap Policy to Supplement Medicare
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Investing Toolkit
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Find the Value of an Old Stock Certificate
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Understand a Mutual Fund Prospectus
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Get the Inside Skinny on a Stock
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What Does Medicare Not Cover? Eight Things You Should KnowMedicare Part A and Part B leave gaps in your healthcare coverage. But Medicare Advantage has problems, too.
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QCD Limit, Rules, and How to Lower Your 2026 Taxable IncomeTax Breaks A QCD can reduce your tax bill in retirement while meeting charitable giving goals. Here’s how.
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Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2026Roth IRAs Roth IRAs allow you to save for retirement with after-tax dollars while you're working, and then withdraw those contributions and earnings tax-free when you retire. Here's a look at 2026 limits and income-based phaseouts.
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Four Tips for Renting Out Your Home on Airbnbreal estate Here's what you should know before listing your home on Airbnb.
