Tarra Jackson

[[{“value”:”My wife and I keep about $25,000 stashed in a high-yield savings account. That covers roughly three to four months of our family expenses, which average around $7,000 per month.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. Turns out, we’re not far off from the average American household. According to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. households spent an average of $6,440 per month in 2023. Add in last year’s 2.9% inflation, and 2025 spending is likely closer to $6,600/month.Multiply that by three months and you land at $19,800 — the new baseline for a healthy emergency fund.Why cash savings is so importantAn emergency fund isn’t just about preparing for the worst. It’s about giving yourself peace of mind and options.Here’s what a solid emergency fund really gives you:Less stress. Knowing you can handle a surprise bill (or three) helps you sleep better at night.Avoid debt. No need to slap emergencies on a high-interest credit card.Career flexibility. Hate your job? You can walk away and take time to find the right fit, not the first offer.Freedom to relocate. If a better opportunity comes up in a new city or state, you’ve got the funds to make the move without hesitation.Family resilience. Whether it’s a health scare, a car issue, or your kid’s dental emergency, you’re ready.Where to keep your savings (and earn more on it)I personally earned $798 in interest last year just by keeping our cash in a high-yield savings account (HYSA). That’s about $66 per month I didn’t have to work for!HYSAs earn the highest interest rate possible, while keeping your funds liquid and available at any time. They’re also FDIC insured, so extremely safe.Today’s top high-yield savings accounts offer rates around 4.00% APY, which is more than 55x the national average for a checking account. If you have cash sitting idle, you really need to move it to an HYSA.Just make sure you choose a bank that doesn’t charge any monthly fees. Check out our top picks for best HYSA’s available today, offering the highest rates,How to build up your emergency savingsFirst, open a new, dedicated account for your savings. Keeping this money in a completely separate bank will stop you from dipping into those dollars for non-emergencies.Next, set-up automatic transfers each month into that account. For example, every Friday you could transfer $50 from your checking over to savings.If you have any windfalls, tax refunds, birthday money, etc. try to save those too and build your fund faster. Saving an extra $300 a month in a 4.00% APY account could grow to $19,854 in just five years.Saving today means freedom tomorrowHaving $19,800 in savings might feel like a stretch. But it’s exactly what the average household needs to cover three months of expenses in 2025.Start where you are. Keep your cash in a high-yield savings account that actually pays you. Build your fund one dollar at a time, and don’t stop until you hit your number.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Joel O’Leary has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Barclays Plc. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

My wife and I keep about $25,000 stashed in a high-yield savings account. That covers roughly three to four months of our family expenses, which average around $7,000 per month.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

Turns out, we’re not far off from the average American household. According to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. households spent an average of $6,440 per month in 2023. Add in last year’s 2.9% inflation, and 2025 spending is likely closer to $6,600/month.

Multiply that by three months and you land at $19,800 — the new baseline for a healthy emergency fund.

Why cash savings is so important

An emergency fund isn’t just about preparing for the worst. It’s about giving yourself peace of mind and options.

Here’s what a solid emergency fund really gives you:

• Less stress. Knowing you can handle a surprise bill (or three) helps you sleep better at night.
• Avoid debt. No need to slap emergencies on a high-interest credit card.
• Career flexibility. Hate your job? You can walk away and take time to find the right fit, not the first offer.
• Freedom to relocate. If a better opportunity comes up in a new city or state, you’ve got the funds to make the move without hesitation.
• Family resilience. Whether it’s a health scare, a car issue, or your kid’s dental emergency, you’re ready.

Where to keep your savings (and earn more on it)

I personally earned $798 in interest last year just by keeping our cash in a high-yield savings account (HYSA). That’s about $66 per month I didn’t have to work for!

HYSAs earn the highest interest rate possible, while keeping your funds liquid and available at any time. They’re also FDIC insured, so extremely safe.

Today’s top high-yield savings accounts offer rates around 4.00% APY, which is more than 55x the national average for a checking account. If you have cash sitting idle, you really need to move it to an HYSA.

How to build up your emergency savings

First, open a new, dedicated account for your savings. Keeping this money in a completely separate bank will stop you from dipping into those dollars for non-emergencies.

Next, set-up automatic transfers each month into that account. For example, every Friday you could transfer $50 from your checking over to savings.

If you have any windfalls, tax refunds, birthday money, etc. try to save those too and build your fund faster. Saving an extra $300 a month in a 4.00% APY account could grow to $19,854 in just five years.

Saving today means freedom tomorrow

Having $19,800 in savings might feel like a stretch. But it’s exactly what the average household needs to cover three months of expenses in 2025.

Start where you are. Keep your cash in a high-yield savings account that actually pays you. Build your fund one dollar at a time, and don’t stop until you hit your number.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Joel O’Leary has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Barclays Plc. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

“}]] Read More 

[[{“value”:”A few weeks ago, my wife (love you, babe!) got a parking ticket. It was $73, which already stings. But when I went online to pay for it, they tacked on a $2 “convenience fee.” My other option was to mail a check like it’s 1998.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. At least I paid with a credit card that earns 2% cash back, which helped cancel out part of that annoying charge. But ever since then, I’ve been spotting these little fees everywhere. A $2 fee here, a 2.5% surcharge there.Here’s where these fees hide, why they exist, and what you can do to fight back.Where these fees are hidingAdded charges go by all sorts of names — convenience fee, service charge, technology fee, processing fee. But no matter the label, they all mean one thing: You’re paying more than the sticker price.Here are a few common places you’ll find annoying fees:Rent payments made via credit card or third-party platformsUtility bills like water, gas, or electricityDMV services and vehicle registration renewalsSchool tuition or childcare paymentsPaying property taxes with a credit cardEvent or concert tickets (boo, Ticketmaster!)Convenience stores and small local shopsRestaurant “service charges” on your billMost of the time, these fees aren’t just businesses trying to squeeze out extra profit. They’re usually passing along the rising cost of doing business — like credit card processing fees or tech platform charges — directly to you.If you’re gonna pay the fee, at least get something back!Sometimes the fee is unavoidable. But by using the right type of rewards credit card, you might be able to get some (or all!) of that fee back.For example, let’s say your bill includes a 2.5% processing fee. If you pay with a card that gives 2% cash back on all purchases, you’ll claw back most of that cost.It’s not a total wash, but it’s way better than just eating the fee.Want to come out even further ahead? Use a card that earns more than 2% on specific categories (like utilities or travel). Check out these top credit cards of May 2025 with the highest reward values.Fees really add up over timeLet’s say your rent is $2,000 per month, and your landlord uses a payment portal that charges a 2.95% convenience fee for card payments.That’s nearly $60 per month (or $720 per year) in extra costs just to pay online.Multiply that across a few monthly bills, and you could be paying over $1,000 a year to annoying fees.How to lower or avoid these sneaky chargesIf you’re tired of being nickel-and-dimed, here are a few ways to cut down the damage:Look for alternative payment methods — Like using Zelle to pay your rent. Or using cash for a haircut.Use a rewards card to offset fees — Even if it doesn’t wipe them out completely, it softens the blow. Cash back cards can be the simplest because you don’t have to deal with complex reward systems.Ask about discounts — Some providers offer reduced rates for paying in cash or setting up autopay. A win/win.Pay in bulk — If fees are charged per transaction, paying quarterly or annually can save you money.Check your statements — Fees aren’t always labeled clearly. Do a quick scan and track them.The bottom lineConvenience fees and processing charges are everywhere now. Don’t just blindly pay them without thinking through your options.If you absolutely can’t avoid a surcharge, be smart about how you pay. Check out our list of the best rewards credit cards that can offset processing fees and earn cash back on your bills.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

A few weeks ago, my wife (love you, babe!) got a parking ticket. It was $73, which already stings. But when I went online to pay for it, they tacked on a $2 “convenience fee.” My other option was to mail a check like it’s 1998.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

At least I paid with a credit card that earns 2% cash back, which helped cancel out part of that annoying charge. But ever since then, I’ve been spotting these little fees everywhere. A $2 fee here, a 2.5% surcharge there.

Here’s where these fees hide, why they exist, and what you can do to fight back.

Where these fees are hiding

Added charges go by all sorts of names — convenience fee, service charge, technology fee, processing fee. But no matter the label, they all mean one thing: You’re paying more than the sticker price.

Here are a few common places you’ll find annoying fees:

• Rent payments made via credit card or third-party platforms
• Utility bills like water, gas, or electricity
• DMV services and vehicle registration renewals
• School tuition or childcare payments
• Paying property taxes with a credit card
• Event or concert tickets (boo, Ticketmaster!)
• Convenience stores and small local shops
• Restaurant “service charges” on your bill

Most of the time, these fees aren’t just businesses trying to squeeze out extra profit. They’re usually passing along the rising cost of doing business — like credit card processing fees or tech platform charges — directly to you.

If you’re gonna pay the fee, at least get something back!

Sometimes the fee is unavoidable. But by using the right type of rewards credit card, you might be able to get some (or all!) of that fee back.

For example, let’s say your bill includes a 2.5% processing fee. If you pay with a card that gives 2% cash back on all purchases, you’ll claw back most of that cost.

It’s not a total wash, but it’s way better than just eating the fee.

Want to come out even further ahead? Use a card that earns more than 2% on specific categories (like utilities or travel). Check out these top credit cards of May 2025 with the highest reward values.

Fees really add up over time

Let’s say your rent is $2,000 per month, and your landlord uses a payment portal that charges a 2.95% convenience fee for card payments.

That’s nearly $60 per month (or $720 per year) in extra costs just to pay online.

Multiply that across a few monthly bills, and you could be paying over $1,000 a year to annoying fees.

How to lower or avoid these sneaky charges

If you’re tired of being nickel-and-dimed, here are a few ways to cut down the damage:

1. Look for alternative payment methods — Like using Zelle to pay your rent. Or using cash for a haircut.
2. Use a rewards card to offset fees — Even if it doesn’t wipe them out completely, it softens the blow. Cash back cards can be the simplest because you don’t have to deal with complex reward systems.
3. Ask about discounts — Some providers offer reduced rates for paying in cash or setting up autopay. A win/win.
4. Pay in bulk — If fees are charged per transaction, paying quarterly or annually can save you money.
5. Check your statements — Fees aren’t always labeled clearly. Do a quick scan and track them.

The bottom line

Convenience fees and processing charges are everywhere now. Don’t just blindly pay them without thinking through your options.

If you absolutely can’t avoid a surcharge, be smart about how you pay. Check out our list of the best rewards credit cards that can offset processing fees and earn cash back on your bills.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

“}]] Read More