A runner looks over her data displayed on a treadmill as people work out over the noon hour at Orangetheory Fitness in Edina.

— Shari L. Gross, Star Tribune

Willpower aside, exercising requires budgeting time and money

July 22, 2024 - 6:02 AM

Working out can cost you thousands of dollars in gym memberships and equipment, but the expensive route isn't the only way to achieve your fitness goals.

How to shop for a health insurance plan in Minnesota

Shopping for a health insurance plan can involve many individual factors, so consider seeking professional help when making the ultimate call.

July 15, 2024 - 6:02 AM

Insurance options can vary considerably depending on age, income, geography, employment status and the market. So don't be afraid to seek help when confronting this complicated decision.

How to get your resume past tech filters to a real person

Make sure you consider technology when creating your résumé. The first reader of your job application might be a computer system rather than human eyes.

— Mct, Star Tribune

July 08, 2024 - 4:19 PM

Like most everything else, applications, cover letters and résumés are now online. But computers can be an ally in your job hunt, not a barrier.

In the age of digital dollars, there's value to cashing in

 July 01, 2024 - 6:02 AM

"Cash stuffing," or using cash-filled envelopes as a budgeting tool, is having a social media-fueled resurgence as a way to save money for people accustomed to swiping credit cards.

I was scammed. Here's how you can avoid what I went through.

Protect yourself by not corresponding directly with an email or text from a company. Find the correct customer service number and see if there really is a problem.

— Illustration by Kim Maxwell Vu, startribunemedia

June 24, 2024 - 5:33 AM

Xfinity, Best Buy and its Geek Squad at top of federal list of companies most impersonated.

Looking for a second career? 'Take it a step at a time.'

If you're ready for a new career path, there are steps you can take.

June 17, 2024 - 5:15 AM

Networking is job No. 1 for those changing their professional trajectory.

Bye-bye cubicles and corner offices: Reserving a desk for the day is new work trend

First-floor cubicle space in the Millwright office building by Ryan Cos. in Minneapolis' Downtown East area in 2017. The "hoteling" concept would scrap permanent desks at offices in favor of flexible, shared spaces.

— Elizabeth Flores, Star Tribune

June 10, 2024 - 7:53 AM

Here's tips on how to successfully deploy and work within the "hoteling" concept, which eliminates permanent desks in favor of flexible, shared spaces.

Have a say in how your 401(k) account is invested

Typically, people invest their 401(k) dollars into funds, pooled investments that spread money across hundreds (if not thousands) of different stocks and other securities, including other funds with their own nested investments. The Russian-nesting-doll setup helps spread out risk by investing broadly and diversely...

— Kim Maxwell Vu, Star Tribune

June 03, 2024 - 6:02 AM

Most accounts go into funds, which contain hundreds or thousands of individual securities. But with a little effort, you can have more control of where your savings go.

Are you going to the game? Make sure you bring your wallet

Between tickets, parking, concessions and souvenirs, going to a sporting event can be expensive. The average American family can spend more the $250 to go to a MLB game.

— Kim Maxwell Vu, Star Tribune

May 27, 2024 - 6:03 AM

Enjoying a sporting event in person can become expensive fast. Here's tips on how to keep the fun outing affordable.

No one likes shopping for home or auto insurance. Here are tips to make saving less onerous.

Shopping around for insurance is essential to finding the best deal and having the right coverage.

— Kim Maxwell Vu, Star Tribune

May 20, 2024 - 6:02 AM

Shopping around for insurance has always been essential to finding the best deal and having the right coverage for unexpected emergencies. But as the costs to repair and replace possessions continue to rise — and the prevalence of extreme weather also increases — choosing an insurance carrier and coverage has become an even more important decision.

How to make sense of a college financial aid package

Rachel Hopper and her son Espen Hopper-Willams filled out the FAFSA form together on a laptop during the financial aid workshop at South High School in Minneapolis on Feb. 6.

— Jeff Wheeler, Star Tribune

May 13, 2024 - 6:03 AM

With FAFSA woes delaying aid offers, these tips can help families make comparisons on a tight deadline.