Brandon Ballenger

I'm a freelance journalist living in South Florida. If I'm not writing, I'm playing video games or at the beach. My favorite spice is oregano, and I thought you should know. I got my bachelor's degree in English and public communication from Florida Atlantic University in 2008.

Senior couple sharing a laptop and happily listening to music with headphones on the couch
7 Social Security Rules That Married Couples Need To Know

on October 23, 2023

Know what you might be eligible for, now or in the future, so you can properly plan your retirement finances.

Girl eating cereal
15 Breakfast Cereals With More Sugar Than a Doughnut

on October 20, 2023

Many popular cereals don’t advertise their added sugar content nearly as much as they do vitamins and fiber.

Couple looking at bills calculating Social Security
What Happens to Your Social Security When You Die?

on October 19, 2023

Surviving family may be eligible for benefits of varying amounts, depending on their relationship to you and the circumstances. Here’s how it works.

Senior couple doing taxes
9 Income Tax Breaks That Retirees Often Overlook

on October 19, 2023

Did you realize all these tax credits and deductions exist — or that they apply to retirees?

Hilton Head Island
11 of the Best Places To Retire on an Island

and on October 16, 2023

Check out these islands when you are ready to retire.

Happy woman in car
The 23 Cars Most Likely to Last 250,000 Miles

on October 16, 2023

According to an analysis of a decade of car sales, these models keep on trucking better than any other.

Pregnant woman sitting on a bench in a park at the playground watching children and reading an e-reader or tablet
8 Small Splurges That Can Make a Big Difference in Your Life

on October 14, 2023

Some purchases are hard to justify — but others make so much sense you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.

Leavenworth, Washington
17 of the Most Beautiful Places to Retire in America

and on October 11, 2023

What’s your ideal retirement spot like? The chances are good that it looks like one of these stunning locales.

Man charging an electric vehicle in a parking lot at sunset
9 States Charging Electric Vehicle Owners the Highest Fees

on October 11, 2023

Electric vehicle owners are increasingly trading one tax for another — and it’s relatively expensive in these states.

Stressed senior or worried older woman looking at laptop and feeling frustrated, anxious or upset
5 Scary Signs Your Email Account Is Compromised

on October 10, 2023

Hacked accounts can be hard to detect, and thieves can do a lot of damage to your finances and reputation. Here’s how to catch them in the act and retake control.

Friends excited and watching a sports game with a soccer ball and cheering in front of the TV
The Best Streaming Service for Live TV in 2023, According to Viewers

on October 5, 2023

This service — and several others — are more affordable and rank higher in customer satisfaction than traditional cable companies.

Boss pointing and scolding or reprimanding employee
Free New App Fights for Your Digital Privacy

on October 4, 2023

You can tell dozens of major companies to mind their own business with just a few taps.

Lincoln City, Oregon kite festival at the beach
18 of America’s Best Small Towns to Retire In

and on October 2, 2023

Whether you want scenic views, lower costs or simply a slower pace in your golden years, small-town living has a lot going for it.

Ybor City, Tampa, Florida
The 25 Best Places To Retire in America in 2023

and on September 26, 2023

These cities rank highly based on health care, affordability, activities and quality of life.

Young businesswoman in a car at night with neon urban lights
The 10 Wealthiest Cities in America

on September 26, 2023

A recent report estimates how many millionaires and billionaires live in cities around the world. We have a lot of them.

Businesswoman arguing with a businessman in an office or company setting
13 Fees That You Should Never Pay

on September 25, 2023

They shouldn’t exist to start with, but at least they’re avoidable.

Embarrassed businessman
A New Webpage Shames Companies Caught Paying for Fake Reviews

on September 25, 2023

Business locations that get caught will end up on a permanent public list.

Doctor talking to a patient in a hospital bed
15 States Where the Most People Have Health Insurance

on September 22, 2023

These places have the smallest share of residents without health insurance coverage.

Woman using ATM shocked or surprised by her bank account balance
Beware These 10 Signs of Identity Theft

on September 18, 2023

These red flags signal that your financial data or other personal information may have been stolen.

Woman comparing over-the-counter medicine at the pharmacy
Key Ingredient in Popular Cold Medicines Does Nothing, Experts Say

on September 14, 2023

An advisory group for federal regulators now officially agrees with decades of research suggesting the ingredient is ineffective.

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