Money Basics

Everyday money decisions for irregular income — budgeting, scams, and getting paid.

Plain explanations of the money side of working, with no products to sell.

• Applying for Unemployment: What to Have Ready Before You Start

  Rules differ by state, but the paperwork does not. Having these ready is what keeps a claim moving.

• Budgeting When Your Hours Change Every Week

  Standard budgeting advice assumes a fixed monthly income. Here is the version that works when yours moves.

• How to Spot a Job Scam Before It Costs You

  Job scams have a small number of tells, and almost all of them involve money moving toward the employer.