Money Management

It’s never a bad time to recommit to smarter money management. Learn how you can dodge scammers and thieves in the new year. 

As we head into another new year (where did 2023 go?), now is a great time to discuss strategies for managing your personal finances in 2024. Keeping your money safe should be at the top of your list. Keep reading for some crucial tips to stay ahead of thieves, scammers, and other bad actors in the new year.

1. Tighten up your account logins

The bulk of my childhood was before the internet basically took over modern life, and one of my biggest headaches now, as an adult, is managing so much login information for so many websites. But the solution is not to use the same password for everything! If you’re currently doing this, you’re putting yourself at a huge risk.

Thankfully, technology can help here too. Some computers and smartphones have biometrics capabilities, meaning they can store your logins and passwords to access with your face or fingerprint. Another option is to use a password manager — for these, you need only remember a master password to unlock the rest of your strong, unique passwords. It’s worth taking the time to research password managers and choose one you can trust.

While you’re at it, it’s a great time to turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) for your accounts. You’ll get a code texted or emailed to you when you sign in, as a further verification of your identity.

2. Use secure websites

Ever notice the little lock icon in the address bar of your web bar? If you see that, it’s a sign you’re on an encrypted website. This means the data being sent back and forth is scrambled to prevent scammers and bad actors from stealing it. Most reputable websites are encrypted these days.

And this is good news for another internet safety tip that I have espoused before. In the days before widespread encryption, it was a bad idea to do your banking or deal with other important money matters on public wifi. But you can breathe a little easier doing so now, as long as you’re using an encrypted site.

3. Don’t click on links

2024 is a great year to get ahead of phishing scams, which have become frightfully common. According to data aggregated by Astra, almost 1.2% of all emails sent are malicious — working out to 3.4 billion phishing emails sent every day.

In case you don’t know the term, a phishing scam is when you receive an email or text message requesting your personal information and exhorting you to click the included link to provide it. Perhaps the email looks like one from your bank, and it says that there’s a problem with your account. So you click the link, put in your login info, and now the scammers have it. They can steal the money from your account, or use your information to open new accounts.

If you receive an unrequested email or text that claims to be from an entity you do business with, be suspicious. If you think there might be a problem with your credit card or checking account, don’t click that link. Go to your bank’s website directly, and investigate further from there.

4. Watch your credit score and report

Finally, it’s a good idea to stay on top of your credit score and your credit report. You can likely access your credit score via your bank’s website or a credit card issuer you have an account with. Ideally, one of them will give you your FICO® Score, as it’s the most useful credit score — it’s the one used by 90% of lenders. A VantageScore can still give you a rough idea of where your credit stands, but it assigns different weights to the factors that make a credit score than FICO does.

Credit reports became free and available every week during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, but they have since become free every week indefinitely! The caveat is that you must go to AnnualCreditReport.com to get them. Checking every week is probably overkill — but it’s a good idea to check a few times during 2024, and if you’re on the verge of a big financial move (like getting a mortgage loan to buy a home), check your report for accuracy and to know what a lender will see when you apply.

Knowing how your credit score and credit report are looking can help you get ahead of fraud and identity theft, which is crucial for keeping your money safe in 2024 — and beyond.

It’s a big scary world out there, and loads of shady characters are hoping to scam you out of your hard-earned cash. Lean on the above tips to outsmart them.

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Paying for purchases over time can be tempting. Read on to see why installment plans aren’t such a great idea after all. 

If you like to tackle holiday shopping with time to spare, then you may have purchased some gifts on Cyber Monday. And chances are, at some point, you were offered the option to pay for your purchases over time via a “buy now, pay later” plan, or BNPL plan.

If you used a BNPL plan on Cyber Monday, you weren’t alone. BNPL plan purchases for Cyber Monday reached an all-time high this year, says Adobe Analytics, rising 43% from a year prior. But while you might think of BNPL plans as a convenient way to finance your purchases, these plans can backfire.

The major problem with BNPL plans

With a BNPL plan, you typically make a down payment on a purchase and then finance the rest over a brief period — often 12 weeks or less. BNPL plans can seem like a more affordable means of paying over time than credit cards, since with the latter, you’re charged interest any time you don’t pay off a balance in full. With a BNPL plan, you can avoid interest charges if you stick to the terms of your installment plan and make all payments on time.

But there’s a big downside to BNPL plans. If you fail to make payments, suddenly, you are looking at interest and fees. And those could be substantial.

Another problem with falling behind on a BNPL plan? Just as being delinquent on a credit card payment could cause major damage to your credit score, so too could not making a BNPL plan payment have the same impact. Once your credit score takes a hit, it can be difficult to qualify for a loan or even rent a home.

Just say no to BNPL — unless you really have no choice

Despite the convenience factor, your best bet is generally to steer clear of BNPL plans — in the context of holiday shopping and in general. A good rule of thumb when it comes to any purchase is that if you don’t have the money on hand to pay for it, you should just pass. The only exception is if you’re talking about a true emergency purchase.

If an essential home appliance breaks on you, for example, and you have to finance the purchase of a new one, then in that situation, it may be reasonable to turn to a BNPL plan. But if you’re not sure you’ll be able to keep up with your payments, then a credit card might be your better financing bet.

With a credit card, you might rack up some interest if you have to carry your balance forward. But if you make your minimum payments on time, you won’t be considered delinquent and your credit score won’t take a hit.

So let’s say you need to purchase a $1,000 kitchen appliance in a pinch. Perhaps you can afford to put $250 down, but you need to finance the remaining $750.

A BNPL plan might only give you three months to come up with that $750 in installments. But you might realistically need more like six months to accumulate that money. While racking up interest on that $750 by charging the appliance on a credit card isn’t great, it could prevent your credit score from taking a major hit.

Also remember that in some cases, you might qualify for a credit card with a 0% introductory APR. In a situation like this, that might be a far better bet than a BNPL plan.

While those 0% introductory periods don’t last forever, they commonly stay in place for a year or longer. So that buys you some time to pay off an emergency purchase without financial or credit score damage.

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Entrance fees are waived at all national parks for six days in the new year. Check out the dates here, plus other ways to save on your visit. 

If you love the great outdoors but don’t like to shell out big bucks to experience nature, here’s some good news: The National Park Service has announced six days in 2024 when national park entrance is free. Read on to find out what dates to save — and how to get free or cheap park admission if these days don’t sync with your vacation plans.

Six days when national park entrance is free in 2024

The National Park Service will waive entrance fees on the following days in 2024:

Jan. 15, Martin Luther King Jr. DayApril 20, the first day of National Park WeekJune 19, JuneteenthAug. 4, Great American Outdoors DaySept. 28, National Public Lands DayNov. 11, Veterans Day

Don’t sweat it if you can’t make these dates, though. National parks are pretty budget-friendly in general. Admission is free every day at more than 300 out of the 400 national parks in the U.S. In parks that do charge for admission, fees range from $10 to $35. Not too shabby, considering that at least 80% of that money stays in the park you visited.

Also, note that only admission fees are waived for the dates listed above. The waiver doesn’t apply to fees for things like camping, use of a boat launch, transportation, and tours.

Other ways to get free or discounted national park admission

If you’re a national park enthusiast, buying an America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Pass Series may be worth it for you. For $80, you get free admission throughout the year not just to all 400 national parks (including those that typically charge an entry fee), but also to sites managed by the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

That’s more than 2,000 recreation sites for $80. For parks that charge per vehicle for admission, everyone in your vehicle is covered. For those that charge per person, you can bring up to three other people ages 16 and older. Children 15 and younger are always free.

You can also qualify for a free or discounted park pass if:

You’re a federal lands volunteer: Volunteers with at least 250 hours of service get a free pass.You’re 62 or older: A discounted annual pass is available for $20. Or you can purchase a senior lifetime pass for $80.You’re a veteran or Gold Star military member: You qualify for a free lifetime pass.You’re currently serving in the military or you’re the dependent of a service member: You’re eligible for a free annual pass.You have a permanent medical disability: You get free access to all parks and recreation sites.You have a kid in fourth grade: You and your family get a free pass for the school year, courtesy of the Every Kid Outdoors program.

How to afford your next national park bucket-list vacation

Visiting national parks is often a good option for a day trip or a long weekend, considering that there are parks in all 50 states. But if you’re planning to check some national parks off your bucket list, here’s how to make sure you can afford it:

Work saving for a vacation into your monthly budget each month and deposit the money into a separate high-yield savings account.Camp instead of staying at a hotel. But if you opt for a hotel, save money by staying offsite. If you have a travel rewards card, you can use your points to defray the costs.Visit during shoulder season. If you’re able to visit in late spring or early fall, you’ll beat the summer crowd, plus campsites may be more widely available. If you prefer a hotel, you may find that rates are lower.

National parks can be a great way to experience Mother Nature without shelling out big bucks and dinging your personal finances. Whether you choose to take advantage of free admission days or visit throughout the year, rest assured that you can find options that fit within your budget.

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Car maintenance and repair costs can quickly add up. Don’t ignore rebates and other ways to save. Here’s how one writer saved $175 on car repairs. 

In early 2020, I had to replace my reliable 12-year-old Toyota after it was totaled in a car accident. Luckily, no one was hurt. But that car had less than 75,000 miles on it and likely would have lasted many more years. I’ve since replaced it with a slightly newer Honda.

I’ve owned this car for nearly four years, and I’ve kept up with proper maintenance. But I had yet to replace the battery. However, a few weeks ago, the time finally came to get a new car battery. My yearly inspection was coming up, and it was time to get new tires, so I took care of all the necessary work before winter weather set in. Here’s how I saved $175 on my bill.

1. I saved $10 on the cost of tires by replacing all four of them

I don’t drive long distances often, so my tires tend to last for several years. I also get them rotated regularly. During my vehicle inspection, all four tires passed the tread check. However, they were likely at least four years old and very close to not passing. So I decided to replace them all since I was getting other work done. I was quoted for two tires with rotation included versus four tires. I saved $2.50 on the price of each tire, for a total of $10 in savings, by replacing all four, and I will feel much more comfortable driving this winter.

2. I qualified for a $110 manufacturer rebate

The tires I purchased qualified for a $110 rebate from the manufacturer. It can take many weeks to receive a rebate refund, so I filled out all the required paperwork right away to start the process. Unfortunately, this rebate isn’t a check. Instead, I’ll receive a prepaid Visa card. But I will likely use it to pay for groceries at a later date. I learned that November is a popular time for tire rebates, so I’ll keep this information in mind for the future.

3. I qualified for a $15 oil change rebate

I also got my oil changed. After paying my bill, I was handed an oil change rebate form. The rebate amount varies depending on the type of oil change purchased. I qualified for a $15 rebate. For this rebate, I was provided with multiple payment methods, including Venmo and PayPal, so this payment will increase my bank account balance when it arrives. I filled out my rebate form immediately, and now, I await payment to my Venmo account.

4. My car repair shop waived the battery installation fee

Since I was paying for multiple products and services during my visit, the car repair shop removed the battery installation fee to thank me for my business. This saved me an additional $40. I wasn’t expecting this, and it was appreciated as I swiped my credit card to pay my bill.

I saved a total of $175

I’m glad I took care of necessary upkeep and repairs before the winter weather gets bad. Because of my timing and the available rebates, I saved $175 on my bill. While the savings aren’t a direct discount, they help. Plus, I feel better knowing my car is safer to drive.

If you anticipate needing car maintenance or repair work done, check to see if any rebates are available or if there might be other ways to save money. Don’t wait to get work done on your car if it’s an urgent need, but if you have time, you may be able to lower your future repair bill.

If the repairs aren’t urgent (such as knowing you’ll need new tires later this year), start stashing extra cash in your savings account to prepare for the cost well before you’re handed a bill. Doing this can ease your stress when the time comes to get work done on your car. For more tips, check out our personal finance resources.

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Have a health savings account? Read on for a good way to manage it in 2024. 

It’s a good idea to save money every year. And there are different types of accounts you can do that in.

If you’re trying to build an emergency fund, you’ll want to put your cash into a savings account. If you’re socking funds away for retirement, an IRA or 401(k) is a good bet because you’ll enjoy some tax savings on your money.

You can enjoy similar tax savings on money earmarked for healthcare expenses by taking advantage of an HSA, or health savings account. And if your health insurance plan is compatible with an HSA, then it pays to sign up for one in 2024.

For your health plan to be HSA-compatible next year, it must:

Have a minimum self-only deductible of $1,600 or family deductible of $3,200Have an out-of-pocket maximum of $8,050 for self-only coverage or $16,100 for family coverage

Based on this, it may be pretty clear that not everyone is eligible to contribute to an HSA. If you’re able to participate in one of these plans, you can do two things in the new year to make the most of yours.

1. Max out your HSA

As is the case with traditional IRAs and 401(k) plans, HSA contributions go in on a pre-tax basis. So if you put $500 into an HSA, the IRS won’t tax $500 of your income.

In 2024, HSA contributions max out at $4,150 for self-only coverage and $8,300 for family coverage. However, if you’re 55 or older, you’re allowed to make a $1,000 catch-up contribution on top of whichever limit applies to you.

Now, maxing out your HSA may not be feasible if money is tight and you’re barely able to cover your pressing expenses. But one thing you should know is that just as employers will sometimes match contributions to a 401(k), so too will they sometimes make HSA contributions to their employees’ accounts.

Find out if this is a benefit you’re privy to. If you’re 30 years old with self-only coverage, it may be that your employer will put $2,000 in your HSA. So it might only take $2,150 from your earnings to max out.

2. Leave your HSA balance alone

The purpose of having an HSA is to have funds available for medical expenses. Those might arise next year, in a decade, or during retirement.

You’re allowed to tap your HSA at any time to pay for healthcare bills. And you don’t have to use up your balance year after year.

Quite the contrary — one of the best ways to make the most of your HSA is to not tap your balance when medical bills arise. So if you encounter healthcare expenses in 2024, if possible, pay them directly from money in your bank account and leave your HSA balance intact.

This is a smart strategy because HSA investments grow tax-free. If you put $2,000 a year into your HSA over 20 years, that’s $40,000 coming out of your own pocket. But if you leave that money invested for decades, it might grow into $120,000. And then, you’ll get to walk away with $80,000 free and clear of taxes that you can spend on medical care throughout retirement, when you’re likely to need that money the most.

And if you’re thinking, “I’m not going to need that much money for medical bills in retirement,” think again. Fidelity reports that the average single person aged 65 in 2023 will need about $157,000 after taxes to cover their retirement healthcare costs.

For many people, saving in an HSA won’t even be an option in 2024. But if you’re able to participate in an HSA, do your best to max it out and keep your balance invested as long as possible.

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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.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Maurie Backman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Want to rock 2024? Read on for some key financial moves to make. 

At this point, we’re just a few short weeks away from the start of a new year. And if you want 2024 to be your best financial year ever, here are several important personal finance moves.

1. Boost your emergency fund

Data from SecureSave shows that most Americans don’t have enough cash on hand to cover an unplanned $500 expense. Boosting your emergency fund could make it so you’re not forced to reach for a credit card the next time an unplanned bill arises. If you can get your emergency fund to a point where there’s enough cash to cover three full months of essential bills, you’ll be in a pretty good spot.

2. Automate your savings

You may be more likely to meet your 2024 savings goal if you put the process on autopilot. Arrange for a portion of every paycheck you get to land in your savings account automatically at the start of each month, so you can stay on track.

3. Contribute to an IRA

Funding an IRA could not only set you up with a nice amount of retirement income down the line, but also help shield some of your near-term income from taxes. To get a tax break on your contributions, you’ll need to choose a traditional IRA over a Roth. Both IRA types, however, max out at $7,000 for savers under 50 in 2024 and $8,000 for those 50 and over.

4. Snag your 401(k) match

In 2024, maxing out a 401(k) means contributing $23,000 if you’re under 50, or $30,500 if you’re 50 or older. That’s probably not feasible if you earn a typical wage. But it does pay to try to contribute enough to your 401(k) to snag your full employer match, so you can get the most amount of free money possible.

5. Fund an HSA

If your health insurance plan is HSA-compatible in 2024, then it pays to contribute to one. You’ll get a tax break on the money you put in, and you’ll then get the option to grow your balance by investing it. You can fund an HSA in 2024 if your deductible is $1,600 or more for self-only coverage, or $3,200 or more for family coverage. The limits for out-of-pocket maximums are also $8,050 and $16,100, respectively.

6. Leave your HSA alone

There’s no time limit for spending down your HSA balance. If you’re able to pay for medical bills another way, it pays to leave your HSA balance intact so you can continue investing it, especially since HSA gains are yours to enjoy tax-free (for medical spending).

7. Pay off credit card debt

Carrying a credit card balance could be costing you money by the day. Do your best to whittle down existing credit card debt, whether by cutting back on expenses to free up the cash or turning to the gig economy for extra income.

8. Pay off a personal loan

You may be paying less interest on a personal loan than on a credit card balance. But if you’re able to pay off your personal loan, that’s one less debt to worry about, and you can save on interest, too.

9. Pay off a HELOC

HELOCs can be tricky to pay off because the interest on them tends to be variable, leading to unpredictable payments. If you’re able to pay off your HELOC in 2024, you’ll have one fewer headache to grapple with.

10. Snag a credit card sign-up bonus

Credit card sign-up bonuses can put extra cash in your pocket that helps you meet other financial goals. If you’re planning a big trip or another large purchase, like new furniture, then it pays to apply for a new credit card with a sign-up bonus at a time when you’re more likely to meet the spending requirement.

11. Find a budgeting app that works for you

You don’t have to follow a budget in 2024 if you can’t stand the idea. But doing so could help you better manage your earnings and spending. And if you find a good budgeting app that works for you, you may find that the process is seamless and not so time-consuming.

12. Cut an expense you don’t get much value out of

You don’t want 2024 to be your most miserable year yet, so don’t force yourself to cut out the small luxuries that make you happy. But if there’s a bill you can slash that you won’t really miss, like a gym membership you only use three times a month, then eliminating it could free up a nice amount of cash.

13. Learn to cook

Cooking at home is generally a lot less expensive than dining out. If you’re not so experienced in the kitchen, find a blog or website with basic recipes and work to get more comfortable in the kitchen. And don’t be afraid to enlist the help of a friend to show you some basics.

14. Join a warehouse club

If you have a larger family to feed, then a membership to a store like Sam’s Club or Costco could be beneficial. Buying groceries and household essentials in bulk could lower your spending substantially.

15. Invest in a programmable thermostat

The ability to better control your heating and cooling could lead to lower utility bills. It pays to invest in a programmable thermostat so you can set your heat and air conditioning remotely.

16. Maintain your home

Home maintenance costs money. But the repairs you might face from a lack of maintenance might cost you even more. Make a list of maintenance items that are required throughout the year and block off time on your calendar to get them done.

17. Continue driving an older vehicle that works just fine

It’s tempting to upgrade to a nicer car when yours has seen better days. But vehicle prices and auto loan rates are pretty high these days, so if your current vehicle works just fine, try to ignore the fact that it doesn’t have the fanciest features. You might save a bundle by driving your older car for an extra 12 months.

18. Shop around for new auto insurance

There’s no rule saying you have to stick with the same car insurance company year after year. Spend some time shopping around for auto insurance, because you never know when one company might be willing to give you a better price.

19. Talk to your homeowners insurance company about discounts

Certain home improvements or features might result in cheaper homeowners insurance. Talk to your insurer about ways to lower your costs, whether it’s putting in a doorbell camera or investing in an alarm system.

20. Sign up for pet insurance

Whether you adopted a pet recently or years ago, you’re always at risk of them getting injured or ill. It pays to sign up for pet insurance for protection against massive bills. You can see if your employer offers a pet insurance policy, as that might result in discounted premiums.

21. Start saving for the holidays in January

Many people are in the process of racking up holiday debt this month. Start saving for the 2024 holidays in January so that come December, you’ll be able to pay for your gifts and purchases in full without having to resort to a credit card balance that lingers into the new year.

22. Boost your credit score

The higher your credit score, the easier it becomes to borrow money, and at a more favorable rate. You can raise your credit score by paying bills on time, whittling down credit card balances, and correcting errors that appear on your credit report (which you can access for free every week).

23. Take good care of your health

Watching out for your health could help prevent certain medical issues from coming to a head and costing you money. Talk to your doctor about ways to stay healthy, whether it’s getting into an exercise routine or making certain dietary changes.

24. Stop putting off buying life insurance

Buying life insurance sooner rather than later might result in less costly premiums. Shop around for insurance in 2024 if you don’t have a policy already and there are people in your life who depend on you financially.

The right moves on your part could make 2024 a great one, financially speaking, from start to finish. You may not be able to tackle every single item on this list. But if you’re able to check off even a few, you can consider that a big win.

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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.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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