Chances are good that the Equifax data breach affects you. What do you do next? The short answers: Consider a credit freeze. Scrutinize your credit statements. And check your credit reports from all three credit bureaus. Equifax says hackers used a website application vulnerability to access the personal information of about 143 million U.S. consumers, or more than half of the country’s adult population. Credit bureaus such as Equifax are an especially sensitive target because they handle detailed financial records, and it’s nearly impossible for…

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The average American saves less than 5% of his or her disposable income. Many financial advisors say that isn’t enough to ensure a comfortable retirement. The personal saving rate, calculated by the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis, has hovered around 5% for the past few years. By the end of June, the rate had dipped to 3.8%, the bureau reported. » MORE: NerdWallet’s best savings accounts Carrie Houchins-Witt, a certified financial planner in Coralville, Iowa, encourages her clients to save 10% to…

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BRAVE NEW BANK This NerdWallet series delves into what’s new in retail banking and what’s in it for you. We explore some of the surprising things in store for products, tech and security and look at how they’ll affect consumers. In 1960, Life magazine described a new Wells Fargo branch in San Francisco as having “such striking architecture that it is now a local tourist attraction.” It was one of many “glass-and-metal palaces” that transformed the public’s perception of banks “from…

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Your neighbor pulls up in a sweet new ride. Your co-worker announces she’s taking yet another trip abroad. Your best friend upgrades to a bigger house in a better area of town. You’re pretty sure these people don’t make a lot more than you do. So how are they able to spend that kind of money? Maybe they’re up to their ears in debt, or they’re trust fund babies, or they’ll never be able to retire. Or maybe they’ve figured…

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Looking to get out from under a mountain of credit card debt? You’ve likely come across an aspirational story or 12 while clicking around. They usually go like this: Penny-pinching Peter rid himself of an enormous amount of debt by cutting out small treats and giving up Netflix. But will abstaining from $12 avocado toast and missing out on the latest season of “Orange Is the New Black” do the trick for you? Or you read about those who sleep…

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Getting a grip on your finances can seem daunting, especially if you aren’t sure how to begin. Fortunately, there’s a common starting point, no matter your goals: Do a credit checkup. Healthy credit helps you get what you want — often for less money. It can help you get a car loan or a mortgage, and at the best interest rates. It can mean cheaper insurance and the chance to escape utility deposits. It helps you qualify for credit cards…

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“Ask Brianna” is a column from NerdWallet for 20-somethings or anyone else starting out. I’m here to help you manage your money, find a job and pay off student loans — all the real-world stuff no one taught us how to do in college. Send your questions about postgrad life to askbrianna@nerdwallet.com. This week’s question: I’m trying to eat better and exercise more, but I don’t have a ton of money in my budget to spare. How can I live healthily…

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Heading out on a vacation road trip? Watch out at the fuel pump for a threat to your debit or credit card: skimmers. Gas stations, among the last retailers to install fraud-reducing EMV-chip card readers, remain an attractive target this summer for card-skimming crews. Skimmers can be hidden in and around gas pumps’ card readers, secretly recording the data stored in your credit or debit card’s magnetic stripe. Fraudsters use that data to make counterfeit cards, rack up pricey purchases…

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Setting a short-term financial goal is good, and achieving one is even better. But what should you do if you miss a goal you set for yourself? Don’t get discouraged if your plan to buy a car, take a vacation or save money didn’t quite go as planned. Life happens. Here’s how to get back on track. Embrace failure Mindset is a huge part of financial health. First, find the bright side. Even if you didn’t save as much money…

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Saving money always feels good. But, for some reason, saving money on flights can feel especially gratifying. Perhaps it’s the size of the savings, which can be up to $100 or more sometimes. Or the short-lived nature of fare deals, which makes it feel like you’ve won a prize when you nab one. Or maybe it’s simply the satisfaction of paying less to airlines that seemingly upcharge passengers at every turn, while making headlines for customer service gaffes. Whatever the…

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