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.
Kiplinger's Best List, 2016
- Best Mutual Funds You Can Invest in for $125 or Less
- Best Mutual Funds for Dividend Investors
- Best Mutual Funds for Rising Interest Rates
- Best Mutual Funds for Investing in Value Stocks
- Best Stocks for Yield at a Reasonable Price
- Best Online Brokers
- Best Rewards Credit Cards
- Best Deals in Online Banking
- Best Personal-Finance Websites, Apps and Software
- Best New Car Values
- Best Shopping Websites and Apps
- Best Ways to Save Time and Money on Travel
- Best Package Tours for Your Money
- Best Travel Discounts for Seniors
- Best Phone Plans for Every Type of User
- Best Websites and Tools to Save on Your Health
Free credit sites
At CreditKarma.com, sign up to see VantageScore scores and credit report information from credit agencies Equifax and TransUnion. Plus, get alerts of changes to your TransUnion report, such as a new credit card or loan account. To see your FICO score, create an account with Discover’s Free Credit Scorecard. The service is available to all, not just Discover card customers.
ID theft prevention
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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Way to check out a charity
Charity Navigator analyzes the financials of more than 8,000 charities and gives star ratings based on financial health (it recently updated its methodology) and on accountability and transparency. It’s easy to search for charities to support; the top-rated ones are listed by category, including charities that focus on recent natural disasters.
Online tax software
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.
Personal finance games
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.
Podcast
Stacking Benjamins applies a light touch to a variety of personal finance topics, including quirky investments, money habits that waste your time, and how to endure a time-share sales pitch without falling for it.
College savings plan
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.
Student loan tool
IonTuition makes it easy to see all of the details of your student loans and evaluate repayment options. The site will also alert you if you miss a payment or your loan servicer changes. Its free chat feature connects you with loan counselors who can help you pick the best repayment strategy.
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Confused by Annuities? Making Sense of the Different TypesMany investors aren't sure if annuities are a good option for meeting financial goals. Let's look at the different categories, along with their pros and cons.
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Talkin' 'Bout My Generational Wealth: Baby BoomersWith retirement, each generation has different priorities and challenges. For Baby Boomers, it's a matter of ready or not, here it comes.
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Medicare Basics: 11 Things You Need to KnowMedicare There's Medicare Part A, Part B, Part D, Medigap plans, Medicare Advantage plans and so on. We sort out the confusion about signing up for Medicare — and much more.
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Six of the Worst Assets to Inheritinheritance Leaving these assets to your loved ones may be more trouble than it’s worth. Here's how to avoid adding to their grief after you're gone.
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403(b) Contribution Limits for 2024retirement plans Teachers and nonprofit workers can contribute more to a 403(b) retirement plan in 2024 than they could in 2023.
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SEP IRA Contribution Limits for 2024SEP IRA A good option for small business owners, SEP IRAs allow individual annual contributions of as much as $69,000 a year.
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Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2024Roth IRAs Roth IRA contribution limits have gone up for 2024. Here's what you need to know.
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SIMPLE IRA Contribution Limits for 2024simple IRA The SIMPLE IRA contribution limit increased by $500 for 2024 and workers at small businesses can contribute up to $16,000 or $19,500 if 50 or over.
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457 Contribution Limits for 2024retirement plans State and local government workers can contribute more to their 457 plans in 2024 than in 2023.
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Roth 401(k) Contribution Limits for 2024retirement plans The Roth 401(k) contribution limit for 2024 is increasing, and workers who are 50 and older can save even more.
