Author
Sarah Mitchell
Personal finance · Credit · Saving · Budgeting
Sarah writes about personal finance, credit, saving, and budgeting.
Articles by Sarah Mitchell
Sarah Mitchell· Aug 29, 2026How to Use a Retirement Calculator to Check If You're on Track
A retirement calculator can tell you, in concrete terms, whether you're on track. Here's how to use one correctly and interpret what it tells you.
Sarah Mitchell· Aug 25, 2026How to Use a Debt Payoff Calculator to Build Your Payoff Timeline
A debt payoff calculator can turn a vague goal into an actual date. Here's how to plug in your numbers correctly and read what it gives back.
Sarah Mitchell· Aug 17, 2026How to Use a Compound Interest Calculator to Plan Your Savings Goals
A practical walkthrough of how to use a compound interest calculator to set realistic savings goals, test scenarios, and understand what each input actually changes.
Sarah Mitchell· Aug 14, 2026Renting vs. Buying: The Real Math Behind the Decision
A clear-eyed breakdown of renting vs buying a home: the real costs on both sides, the opportunity cost most people ignore, and how to run your own numbers.
Sarah Mitchell· Aug 8, 2026What Is PMI and How to Get Rid of It Faster
PMI protects your lender, not you, but you can still get rid of it. Here's what private mortgage insurance actually is and how to drop it sooner.
Sarah Mitchell· Aug 7, 2026Fixed-Rate vs. Adjustable-Rate Mortgages Explained
The rate structure you pick determines your payment for decades. Here's how fixed and adjustable mortgages actually work, and how to choose between them.
Sarah Mitchell· Jul 31, 2026Renters Insurance: Why It's Cheaper Than You Think and What It Covers
Renters insurance often costs less than a streaming subscription and covers far more than most tenants realize. Here's exactly what it pays for.
Sarah Mitchell· Jul 23, 2026How Your Credit Score Affects Your Insurance Premiums
Insurers use a version of your credit history to help set your rates. Here's how the credit-based insurance score works, and how to protect your premium.
Sarah Mitchell· Jul 17, 2026How Much Life Insurance Do You Actually Need?
Generic rules of thumb like '10x your income' can leave you underinsured or overpaying. Here's a step-by-step method to calculate a number that fits your life.