Christopher Smith is a writer who covers investing, banking, insurance, and making extra money. He joined Clark.com in 2020. He has more than 14 years of writing experience. Christopher has always been interested in personal finance. When he was in elementary school, he would read the Sports and Money section of the newspaper at the breakfast table every morning, tracking the prices of his favorite stocks. He joined the investment club at school and even chose to make his fourth-grade presentation about the stock market. When he’s not working, he spends most of his time with his wife, a first-generation Colombian immigrant and a Physician Assistant. He also likes college football, NFTs, rock climbing and good restaurants. You can reach Christopher at
[email protected].
Aflac Insurance Review: What It Is and How It Works
Insurance
June 2nd, 2022
Aflac's ubiquitous duck mascot is fun to imitate. But what insurance does Aflac sell, and do you really need it?…
What Is a Thrift Savings Plan?
Investing & Retirement
May 26th, 2022
What is a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), and how is it different than a 401(k) or IRA? To start, money…
11 Ways Interest Rate Hikes Will Impact Your Wallet
Banks & Banking
May 26th, 2022
With the Federal Reserve eager to tamp down inflation, the period of historically low interest rates in the United States…
How to Get Term Life Insurance With No Medical Exam
Insurance
May 15th, 2022
You can get life insurance with no medical exam. If that’s appealing to you, make sure you understand how these…
Term Life vs. Whole Life Insurance: Understanding the Difference
Life Insurance
May 13th, 2022
Buying life insurance sounds like a complicated decision, but most people can start shopping by making a simple comparison: term…
Is a Recession Coming to the United States in 2022?
Investing & Retirement
May 6th, 2022
It's possible that we're headed for a recession in the United States right now. However, that may not mean what…
Traditional vs. Roth: A Quick Answer for Your Investments
Investing & Retirement
May 5th, 2022
Choosing between a traditional and Roth 401(k) or IRA means sifting through a number of variables. But if you have…
Buy U.S. Treasury Bonds: A Conservative Way To Beat Your Savings Account
Investing & Retirement
May 3rd, 2022
If you're a saver, you've been punished for years with terrible interest rates on your savings account, CDs or money…
Why You May Not Get Your Tax Return Back Until December
Money & Credit
April 29th, 2022
Now that Americans have survived the most recent Tax Day, millions of people will be waiting months for the IRS…
What Is a Spousal IRA and What Are the Rules?
Investing & Retirement
April 13th, 2022
Did you know you can put aside thousands of dollars toward retirement each year through a spousal IRA even if…
Why You Should Never Invest With a Bank
Investing & Retirement
March 16th, 2022
Earning interest on loans and charging fees for things such as overdrafts aren't the only way that banks make money.…
Where’s My Tax Refund? How To Check the Status of Your Tax Refund
Money & Credit
March 14th, 2022
What's one of the first things on your mind after you submit your tax return each year? I've got a…
Haven Life Insurance Agency Review: How It Works
Life Insurance
March 7th, 2022
Editor's note: Haven Life is no longer accepting new applications. Read our guide to the best term life insurance companies…
Best Investments in 2022: Risks and Rewards for Popular Investment Choices
Investing & Retirement
March 7th, 2022
Having money beyond your day-to-day needs is great. It means that you can save and invest. It also means that…
When Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Instead of Investing?
Investing & Retirement
February 28th, 2022
Should you pay down your mortgage beyond the minimum or invest instead? If you're among the 85 million American individuals…
When You Should (and Shouldn’t) Use a 529 Plan
Children & Pets
February 25th, 2022
It's a natural inclination for parents to start thinking about a child's education as soon as their baby is born.…
Should You Sell or Stay Put in the Stock Market?
Investing & Retirement
February 24th, 2022
The stock market is incredibly difficult to predict in the short term. The market will decline on plenty of days,…
Should I Finance a Car at 1.5% or Pay Cash?
Budgeting & Saving
February 23rd, 2022
Should you pay for a vehicle in cash or take advantage of low-interest financing to invest your money and out-earn…
Why Are My Credit Scores Different?
Credit
February 21st, 2022
Your credit score can be different at each of the major credit burueas: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Though it defies…
Can a Company Send a Bill to Collections Even if I Successfully Disputed the Charge?
Debt
February 15th, 2022
Being able to dispute a charge is a key component of using a credit card. It's comforting to know that…
New IRS Online Security Process: Is It Safe?
Money & Credit
February 7th, 2022
If you want to access your Internal Revenue Service (IRS) account online, soon you'll have to verify your identity through…
What Are the Tax Consequences When You Get or Leave a Huge Tip?
Money & Credit
February 3rd, 2022
If you're a fan of human interest stories, you've probably seen articless about celebrities leaving an enormous tip. And if…
Should You Fund Your IRA at Once or Steadily Contribute Throughout the Year?
Investing & Retirement
January 31st, 2022
Saving for your retirement through one of the tax-advantaged tools available in the United States offers you a major financial…
There’s Still Time To Contribute To Your IRA for 2021
Investing & Retirement
January 27th, 2022
There's still time to contribute to your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) for 2021. The tax year ended on Dec. 31,…
Major Tax-Reporting Change for Users of Venmo, PayPal and Others
Money & Credit
January 24th, 2022
The Internal Revenue Service is cracking down on people who underreport earnings received through digital payment apps such as PayPal,…
How To Turn $500 a Year Into $100,000 in Retirement
Investing & Retirement
January 7th, 2022
Earning a giant pile of money is one way to prepare for retirement. But it's not realistic for everyone. Fortunately,…
Why You May Not Need To Spend Your Entire FSA This Year
Health Insurance
December 20th, 2021
If you walk into a retail pharmacy chain, you may be convinced that you have to spend every dollar you…
How To Get a 2021 Tax Deduction of Up to $600 Right Now
Money & Credit
December 13th, 2021
Good news: You're probably eligible for hundreds of dollars in extra tax deductions if you donate to charity by the…
How To Avoid Negotiating When Buying a Car
Cars
December 7th, 2021
Walking onto the lot at a car dealership can be intimidating. A salesperson usually greets you -- sometimes pretty aggressively…
Capital One Eliminates Overdraft Fees
Banks & Banking
December 3rd, 2021
In a huge win for consumers, Capital One has decided to eliminate overdraft fees for all customers. According to CNBC,…