Alex Summers articles

My bank refused to accept $632 in rolled coins. Aren’t they required to take legal tender?

You were eager to cash in hundreds of dollars in rolled coins. But the bank said they wouldn't take the coins. What's going on here?
March 19, 2026 Alex Summers

I budgeted, worked overtime, sold items, and skipped meals to pay off my credit card debt. Then my credit score dropped by 30 points. What can I do?

It's never a bad thing to pay off your credit card debt, but if your credit score gets lowered, it can seem very unfair.
March 11, 2026 Alex Summers
young couple staring at the camera

My partner wants to combine all our finances after moving in together, but I think we should keep things separate. What do experts recommend?

Moving in together can feel like the ultimate “we’re a team” milestone, until the first real financial decision lands on the table. For a lot of couples, that moment is the question of whether to combine everything or keep money separate. Experts generally say there is no single “right” setup, but there are clear best practices that lower stress and conflict.
March 11, 2026 Alex Summers
AI-generated image of a man standing in front a neglected HOA common area.

My HOA increased fees for maintenance, but the property still looks neglected. Can I demand a refund if services aren’t improving?

Your HOA board announces a fee increase for maintenance and landscaping, but when you walk around the neighborhood, the grass still looks overgrown, common areas seem neglected, and maintenance issues linger for months. It leaves many homeowners wondering the same thing: if the HOA isn’t delivering better service, do you still have to pay the higher dues?
March 10, 2026 Alex Summers

My dad is retiring at 67 after working all his life. My mom is 65 and never worked. Can she also collect benefits when he gets Social Security?

Even if a spouse didn't work or pay into Social Security, they are still entitled to collect up to 50% of the level that their spouse collects: here's how.
February 25, 2026 Alex Summers
Internalfb Image

Ridiculous Expenses That Have Somehow Become Normalized

The world is full of things that used to be cheap—or even free—but now come with an absurd price tag. You're paying more for less, and nobody even seems to notice. What's next? A breathing tax?
February 21, 2026 Alex Summers

I worked my last day three and a half weeks ago after I gave my resignation, but still haven’t received my last paycheck. What can I do?

If you resign from a position, the job isn't truly finished until you collect your final paycheck.
February 20, 2026 Alex Summers

My ex-husband is being foreclosed from the house we shared. My name is still on the deed but not the mortgage. What do I do?

Foreclosure is a stressful situation, but it gets especially confusing when you share ownership of the house but are not on the mortgage.
February 17, 2026 Alex Summers

Popular Tax Deductions That The IRS Is Getting Rid Of In 2026

The 2026 tax year will see many changes including the disappearance of several familiar tax credits.
February 6, 2026 Alex Summers