Monarch Blog

We’re pulling back the veil to show you real finances from a real 30-something couple, so you can identify opportunities to improve your own finances, preventing stress and protecting your relationship along the way.

Monarch’s Head of Advice Rachel Lawrence on how to choose the budgeting method that works for your finances and your lifestyle.

For the average American buying a home, a mortgage loan is an absolute necessity. But just because it’s common, doesn’t mean the decision to be taken lightly. Discover what a mortgage loan is and how it works before you start your house hunt.

It was once true that most people defaulted to buying a home, but times have changed. Here’s how you can get some clarity on whether to buy or not.

Money may seem logical, but it’s actually quite emotional for most people. Here’s how to keep that from holding your finances back.

When you avoid estate planning, the state will handle your estate — whether it aligns with your wishes or not.

How to figure out if your rewards credit card is costing you.

You some extra cash. Congratulations! Here's how to figure out whether paying off your house makes sense for you and your family.

Gen Z and Millennial men are more likely to want their partners to make more than them.

According to a June 2024 Monarch survey, the #1 cause of finance-related breakups is spending, not earning.

According to a June 2024 Monarch survey, younger Americans are more likely to share their income levels. We explore what that means.

A 4-part check list to ensure your family isn't left scrambling.

Including questions you should ask and terms you should know.

We asked financial advisors for their advice on how to get on the same page as your partner.

Three suggestions for how to best organize your bank accounts as a couple.

Mint.com is shutting down and migrating users to Credit Karma

Steps to ensure you're financially prepared for a potential job loss.

A comprehensive guide on how to cut down on variable expenses without sacrificing your lifestyle.

Practical steps to anticipate and save for non-monthly financial demands.

Learn how to create and utilize a personalized budget to meet your financial goals.

Manage finances by tracking spending, understanding patterns, and aligning them with priorities to improve financial health. Not just counting dollars, but also seeing the bigger picture.

A guide to achieving financial freedom by creating a budget, tracking expenses, setting financial goals, seeking professional advice, and overcoming limiting money beliefs.

Practical guide offering strategies for financial control, including budget creation, expense tracking, debt management, and goal setting to simplify finances and ensure peace of mind.

Guidance on achieving financial transparency in relationships, discussing common financial conflicts, the importance of open dialogue, goal alignment, and overcoming challenges

Intuit is shutting down Mint, and prompting users to migrate their personal finance data to Credit Karma. Thoughts from Mint’s first product manager and CEO of Monarch, and why we think Monarch is the best Mint alternative.

Intuit is shutting down Mint, and prompting users to migrate their personal finance data to Credit Karma. Thoughts from Mint’s first product manager and CEO of Monarch, and why we think Monarch is the best Mint alternative.

The importance of understanding, monitoring, and improving net worth for couples. Explore the factors that influence it, and learn strategies to enhance your combined net worth for financial harmony.

The importance and steps of retirement planning for couples, emphasizing setting shared goals, designing a joint savings strategy, and regularly reviewing and adjusting the plan.

Unveiling the transformative power of shared financial goals within couples, this guide offers the groundwork to create a joint financial roadmap, effectively reducing stress and fostering relationship strength.

Understanding your partner's financial attitudes is critical for a harmonious relationship, as money misunderstandings often cause friction.

Discover seven strategies to maintain financial health in a relationship, including communication, mutual budgeting, and managing shared loans. Enrich your relationship with harmony and understanding in financial matters.

Navigate the landscape of family finances with this guide for couples. Explore strategic budgeting, saving, and planning tips to secure a strong financial future for your growing family.

The foundational steps for couples to navigate shared finances, emphasizing open conversations, clear responsibilities, budgeting, and strategically managing debt for a secure financial future.

The foundational steps for couples to navigate shared finances, emphasizing open conversations, clear responsibilities, budgeting, and strategically managing debt for a secure financial future

A guide to navigating financial conflicts in relationships, stressing on regular communication, transparency, shared goals, and right account management.

Discover the secrets to managing your family's finances like a pro and unlock the best money-saving tips for parents. This blog post aims to guide you through practical ways to save money while managing your family’s finances.

Master Household Bill Management: Tips & Strategies for Financial Stability. Learn how to set realistic goals, create an emergency fund, track spending, and invest for the future.

Plan Your Dream Vacation on a Budget: Expert Tips for Stress-Free Travels! Learn how to set a spending limit, allocate funds wisely, and make the most of credit card rewards.

Ensure your child's future success while balancing your own financial goals. Feat. trusted advice and common mistakes.

Discover the best fit for your banking needs: Brick-and-mortar or online-only? Explore the benefits and drawbacks of each option in this informative article.

Discover the differences between Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) in this comprehensive guide. Learn about eligibility, contribution limits, rollover rules, and the advantages of each account.

Determine the right coverage amount for your family's financial future.

Smart strategies for couples to save for retirement, maximize employer plans, explore IRAs, and get professional advice. Start planning now!

Discover the differences between 401(k)s and IRAs, their advantages and disadvantages, contribution limits, tax implications, and employer matching programs. Make informed decisions for your retirement savings plan with this comprehensive guide.

Discover the crucial difference between Roth and traditional IRAs to make informed decisions for your retirement.

Regular money talks are crucial for a healthy relationship. Setting aside specific times to discuss money and balancing practical topics with empathy can help prevent misunderstandings and conflicts.

Many experts recommend a hybrid approach to merging finances with a partner, where couples maintain shared and individual accounts. This allows for financial independence while still managing joint expenses.

Prioritizing debt repayment and savings goals is crucial to successful money management. It's important to allocate funds towards emergency savings, set specific saving targets, and use strategies like the debt snowball or avalanche method.

Tracking your money ins and outs is a smart way to get a handle on your finances. Use this downloadable monthly budget planner to see where you stand.

Prioritizing your financial wellness can bring you peace of mind. Learn what financial wellness means and how you can improve yours.

Finding the right investments will help you build wealth and accomplish your financial goals. Learn about the main types of investments and their pros and cons.

You need to protect your biggest investment, but what’s the right amount of homeowner’s insurance that will protect you without unnecessary cost?

No one wants to overpay for car insurance. Check out the average auto insurance cost per month and the factors that affect how much you pay.

Setting up a trust isn’t just for the super wealthy. Find out how a living trust works, when you should consider starting one, and what the process is like.

The best-short term investments grow your savings and keep it accessible for upcoming goals. Check out the options and see what kind of returns they offer.

An investment plan is a crucial part of accomplishing your goals. Discover a simple, five-step process to create your investment plan.

Budgeting can help you save more money and reach your financial goals. Find out how to get started with this guide to budgeting for beginners.

With a realistic wedding budget, you can save up for the wedding of your dreams without massive debt. Learn how to strategically save for your big day together.

Homebuyers often find themselves choosing between FHA loans and conventional loans. Compare FHA vs. conventional loans to see which is right for you.

Term life and permanent life are the primary options when choosing a life insurance policy. See how they compare with this guide to term vs. permanent life insurance.

Learn how to talk to your kids about money and get them involved in saving and spending. Family finances can be fun and educational!

Short-term financial goals are goals that can be reached in under a few years. Read this article to learn seven goals you can get started on right away.

Zero-based budgeting is a budgeting style that assigns a job to each dollar. While it’s a good approach for curbing overspending, it’s not for everyone.

Your budget is your first line of defense in times of rising prices. See 9 ways to adjust your budget during inflation to protect your finances.

How much longer will Social Security last? Find out if Social Security will run out, how to estimate your benefits, and what you can do to retire comfortably.

Is it better to save or pay off debt? See how to conquer both goals at once. Learn more about how to build your emergency fund while you reduce your debt.

Use this mortgage calculator for NJ to estimate your monthly mortgage payment. Enter your home’s full purchase price and your down payment amount.

Your net income is an important number to have when budgeting. Find out what net income is, how to find it, and how it helps you create a better budget.

A budget is an important financial tool that every couple needs. Learn about the benefits of budgeting and how to create a budget with your partner.

You don’t have to bet the farm to put your money to work for you. See the best places to park cash right now until you’re ready to use it or invest it long-term.

College is expensive, but it doesn’t have to saddle your future scholar with hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt.

Fiscal responsibility starts young. Learn how to teach your kids financial literacy, whether they’re kindergarteners, in elementary school, or teenagers.

Saving for a house can feel daunting, especially when you have so many other obligations. See nine steps for how to save for a house without giving up your life.

Creating a budget starts with three main budget categories: fixed, flexible, and non-monthly. Grouping expenses in those three buckets makes budgeting easier.

The economic issues that come with a recession can put a strain on your finances. Learn how to financially prepare for a recession so you’ll be ready if one hits.

An emergency fund brings peace of mind when financial challenges arrive. Find out how much emergency fund you should have, and how to build your fund.

Investment vehicles let you grow your money and build wealth more quickly. Learn about the different investment vehicles and how they work.

When interest rates rise, it impacts your finances in several important ways — some good, and some bad. See how rising interest rates affect your bottom line.

When the economy falters, layoffs can loom on the horizon. But being prepared can help you weather what lies ahead, and even make use of hidden opportunities to save, invest, and work toward financial independence.

Budgeting as a couple can put you on a smart path to buy a home, save for college, or even experience the financial bliss of early retirement. See the steps to budget as a couple and build financial well-being together.

Discussing and establishing a financial plan with your partner is always a good idea. Read our guide for expert tips and advice on financial planning in a relationship.

There is a lot to prepare for when having a baby. We help you plan for the financial cost of bringing a baby into the world to make things just a little easier.

Budgeting with your partner can be a great way to take control of your finances and work towards common goals. However, it can also be a source of conflict if you don't have a plan in place. Here are 10 tips on how to budget with your partner in 2023.

Saving money is an important goal for many people, and there are countless strategies you can use to cut costs and increase your savings. Here are the 12 best ways to save money in 2023.

The signs to look for in the current market, from interest rates to housing inventory, and within your own finances to know if now is the best time to buy a home.

When buying a house, it’s important to know how much mortgage you can afford. Read our guide on mortgages and home buying to make your purchase with confidence.

Everything to know about investing in today’s bear market. Find out what a bear market is, how it relates to a recession, and how to invest during bearish times.

Pay off credit card debt as quickly and efficiently as possible with these 7 steps. Plus, tips to increase your credit and manage your finances better

We’ll walk through the four most common accounts used for college savings, how each one works, and when each account type might be the best fit.

Series I bonds provide a great opportunity to earn interest on cash balances, but it’s important to consider whether they’re right for you given your financial situation and your goals.

The various ways you can set up a budget with Monarch and how it compares with zero based budgeting (ZBB).

The next chapter: trustworthy, balanced and personalized advice

Announcing the first personal finance platform to give step-by-step guidance on the road to financial transformation.

Monarch is launching in November 2020. Here’s a preview of what makes it different.