Caroline Hayes

Caroline writes about the cost of living, salaries and the small decisions that add up. She reads the fine print so you do not have to.

Small glass jar with a clip-top lid holding a few copper and pound coins on a wooden tableMoney

Sinking Funds: How to Save Ahead for the Bills You Know Are Coming

Caroline Hayes · November 9, 2026
Store display rack holding rows of gift cards for streaming, gaming and app storesMoney

Gift Card Rules: What the Law Protects and How to Avoid a Drained Card

Caroline Hayes · November 5, 2026
A fan of several Visa and Mastercard credit cards lying on a dark wooden tableMoney

Your Credit Report Is Free Every Week. Here's How to Actually Check It

Caroline Hayes · November 1, 2026
A pile of worn U.S. one-cent coins, some showing Lincoln's profile and others the Lincoln Memorial reverseMoney

Rounded to the Nearest Nickel: How Paying Cash Works Without New Pennies

Caroline Hayes · October 27, 2026
Small gift boxes in purple, red, green and pink, tied with satin ribbonsMoney

Why October Is the Best Month to Plan Your Holiday Spending Budget

Caroline Hayes · October 22, 2026