Soren Hottenstein
(They/Them)
Covers:
Personal finance, consumer banking, checking and savings accounts, credit cards, credit scores, debt and repayment, budgeting, saving and emergency funds, financial education, financial literacy, cons
Doesn't Cover:
Stock picking, cryptocurrency or NFTs, day trading, forex or speculative assets, gambling or betting, political coverage or advocacy
Articles by Soren Hottenstein
Can Purpose-Driven Investing Deliver Strong Returns? What History Says Original
Key Takeaways Purpose-driven investing aligns personal values with financial goals through ESG criteria, faith-based screening, and social impact funds. Historical data shows values-aligned funds generally perform similarly to standard market index funds over long periods. Short-term returns vary based on sector tilts, macroeconomic trends, management fees, and portfolio construction.
How To Build Your Credit Score Original
Key Takeaways Credit scores are derived from credit reports that track your borrowing and repayment history. They are used to set terms for credit cards, mortgages, and car loans, among other things. On-time repayment and a low utilization ratio make up the bulk of a credit score. To build credit, consumers can take out secured credit cards and credit-building loans, or become an authorized user on a relative’s account.
Finding the Right Travel Rewards Card for You Original
Key Takeaways Choose a travel rewards card that aligns with your actual travel habits and everyday spending patterns. Compare co-branded airline and hotel cards with flexible rewards programs to find the best fit. Evaluate whether premium perks such as lounge access or free checked bags justify the annual fee. Pay balances in full each month to avoid interest charges that can outweigh the value of rewards.
What Travel Rewards Are Really Worth Original
Key Takeaways Travel rewards points and miles do not have a fixed monetary value; their worth depends entirely on how and when you redeem them. Travel rewards are never truly free; you are always paying for them through fees, taxes, or the cash you missed out on earning. Flexible, bank-issued points generally offer more consistent value and protection against devaluation than single-airline loyalty miles.
Avoiding Sequence Risk: When and How Clients Should Draw From Fixed Income First
Fact checked by Vikki Velasquez The shift from saving money to spending it is the most fragile financial period a client will face. Credit: Chiara Ghigliazza/ Investopedia The shift from saving to spending is the most vulnerable phase of retirement due to sequence risk. Taking systematic distributions from equities during an early market downturn permanently impairs portfolio principal.
Avoiding Sequence Risk: When and How Clients Should Draw From Fixed Income First Original
Key Takeaways The shift from saving to spending is the most vulnerable phase of retirement due to sequence risk. Taking systematic distributions from equities during an early market downturn permanently impairs portfolio principal. Utilizing fixed-income assets as a dedicated timing buffer provides short-term liquidity without forcing the sale of stocks at a market bottom. A structured cash and bond cushion prevents emotional panic and helps clients stick to long-term plans.
Home-Related Tax Breaks Retirees Often Miss Original
Many retirees assume that once they stop working-or once their mortgage is paid off-there are few tax benefits tied to homeownership. In reality, several federal tax breaks related to housing remain available in retirement but are frequently overlooked or misunderstood, especially as tax rules and standard deduction thresholds change.
How a New Year Money Audit Can Improve Your Finances Original
Key Takeaways The start of a new year often brings mixed feelings about money. Holiday spending might have pushed your budget off track, and tax season is already on the horizon. A money audit can help you step back, sort through the noise, and understand where to go from where you are now. A short review of your income, spending, debt, and goals can help you make clearer decisions for the months ahead.
Is It Smart To Have Multiple Bank Accounts? Yes, And 'Soft Switching' Is Trending Among Savvy Consumers Original
Key Takeaways Soft switching is the trend of opening a new bank account without closing your current one. This allows you to, say, try new account features or a higher interest rate without disrupting your financial setup. It's OK to have more than one active account as long as you understand each bank's rules.
What Is Soft Switching? Why More People Are Opening Extra Bank Accounts Original
Key Takeaways Soft switching is the trend of opening a new bank account without closing your current one. This allows you to, say, try new account features or a higher interest rate without disrupting your financial setup. It's OK to have more than one active account as long as you understand each bank's rules.
Gift Cards: How They Work, Pros, and Cons
Key Takeaways Gift cards are prepaid cards for specific stores or networks and may include fees or limits affecting their value. Open-loop gift cards offer more flexibility but may carry activation fees, unlike closed-loop cards that are store-specific. Users should check balances regularly and buy from trusted sources to avoid scams and losing value. Gift cards are ideal for convenience and budgeting, but may not always be the best choice due to fees and potential for unused balances.
TSA Will Soon Charge $45 If You Forget Your ID-But Here's How to Avoid It Original
Key Takeaways Forgetting your ID at home could soon cost you $45 at the airport. On Feb. 1, 2026, TSA is launching Confirm.ID, a new identity verification option for travelers who arrive at security without a REAL ID, passport, or another acceptable form of identification. REAL ID requirements are already in effect, so this paid fallback is meant to help travelers who show up unprepared. Here's what to expect and how to avoid the fee. What Is This New $45 Fee?
Flying Southwest Airlines? How to Get Free Checked Bags Every Time
Key Takeaways Southwest no longer offers two free checked bags to all travel tiers. Some travelers, like passengers on Choice Extra fares and Rapid Rewards® A-List Preferred members, still qualify for waived fees. New fees apply to lower fare classes like Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred, and Southwest Groups Customers. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. Southwest Airlines built its brand on letting your bags fly free.
How To Build a Monthly Budget That Actually Fits Your Life
If you want to budget regularly, but have trouble sticking with it, you're far from alone. Nearly 9 in 10 Americans report using a budget in some form, yet fewer than 1 in 4 follow it consistently. That gap shows just how hard it can be to make a budget that truly fits real life. Tracking every dollar or setting strict rules can backfire, adding shame, stress, and money anxiety -especially when income or expenses don't fit neatly into categories.
This Southwest Airlines Freebie Expires Thursday-Here's How to Get It
Southwest Airlines Co. ( LUV) is giving its Rapid Rewards members a chance to get online for free during their flights this week. Until Aug. 14, the airline is testing complimentary in-flight Wi-Fi for browsing and streaming. The offer applies to all Wi-Fi-enabled Southwest flights, and travelers can sign up for Rapid Rewards before departure or onboard to take advantage. Key Takeaways What's the Deal? Until Aug.
Why the Rich Are Going Under the Radar Original
Some of today's wealthiest individuals are giving away millions without saying a word. This rising trend, sometimes called "stealth giving," is about more than just privacy. It reflects a shift toward more intentional, values-aligned philanthropy, especially among younger donors who want impact over recognition. Let's explore how stealth giving works, what's driving its popularity, and how you can adopt a similar approach, whether or not anyone knows your name.
Is "Money Dysmorphia" Sabotaging Your Financial Future?
Money dysmorphia is what happens when your feelings about money don't match the facts, whether you're doing better than you think or worse than you're comfortable admitting. This isn't a clinical diagnosis, but it's a very real challenge for many people today. This mismatch is often shaped by comparison, internalized pressure, or past experiences with money, and it can lead to shame, stress, overspending, or extreme saving.
Planning for Retirement? Figuring Out How Long You'll Live Is Key
Planning for retirement means figuring out how much money you'll need and how long it needs to last. A new survey shows that while many millennials expect to spend 30 or more years in retirement, most Americans struggle to estimate how long they might live. This gap in " longevity literacy" can lead to under-saving, premature withdrawals, and financial shortfalls later in life. Understanding your potential lifespan is a key part of building a more secure retirement plan.
A Simple Shopping Tip Can Save You Hundreds on Your Mortgage
Key Takeaways Most homebuyers don't realize how much they could save by getting more than one mortgage quote. But research shows it can make a real difference for your wallet. According to Freddie Mac's 2025 report, "When Rates Are Higher, Borrowers Who Shop Around Save More," getting at least four quotes can save borrowers $600 to $1,200 a year.
Which Financial Plan Will Help You in the Long Term? Original
Is it better to retire early and never look back or to take meaningful breaks throughout your career and work longer overall? That question is at the heart of two popular strategies for financial freedom: FIRE ( Financial Independence, Retire Early) and micro-retirement. Both challenge the idea that you must wait until your 60s to live on your own terms. While FIRE is about building wealth fast and quitting work for good, micro-retirement is about pausing intentionally and returning when ready.
Americans Reveal the Age They Think Is Best for Retirement Original
A 2025 Pew Research Center survey finds that Americans believe the best age to retire is around 61.8, which is earlier than when most people qualify for full government benefits like Medicare and Social Security.12 While many hope to leave the workforce in their early 60s, financial pressure and access to Medicare and Social Security benefits often push actual retirement further out.
Worried About Tariffs and a Recession? Here's What Retirees Need to Know
Trade tensions are stirring up fresh concerns for retirees. While economic uncertainty isn't new, this round of volatility is being driven more by policy changes than typical business cycles. As a result, you might be wondering how to best protect your retirement savings. Financial experts stress that most retirees should stay focused on a long-term strategy.
The Most Important Number on Your 401(k) Statement (It's Not Your Balance)
Your 401(k) balance is important, but it's not the best indicator of whether you're on track for retirement. Instead, your rate of return tells you how efficiently your investments are growing over time. A strong return means your money is working harder for you-regardless of short-term market fluctuations. Understanding this number can help you make smarter decisions and maximize your savings. Here's why your rate of return matters, how to interpret it, and what to do if yours seems a bit low.
What's the Worst Thing That Can Happen If You Die Without a Will?
If you die without a will, the state decides what happens to everything you leave behind: your money, your home, and even your personal belongings. That process, called intestate succession, can lead to bitter family disputes, unexpected outcomes, and a probate process that drags on for months or even years. Your assets might go to the wrong people. What's more, your loved ones might lose time and money, and their relationships might suffer lasting damage.
8 Types of Homeowners Insurance
Key Takeaways Home insurance typically covers the home's structure, personal property, liability, and temporary living expenses after a covered loss. Standard policies exclude disasters such as floods and earthquakes, which require separate policies. Compare policies by reviewing coverage limits, deductibles, exclusions, and endorsements. For most households, a home is their largest asset.
Employee Loans: What To Know Before Lending Money
Beyond professional advancement and satisfaction reasons, employees stay committed to workplaces that understand and support their needs, including financial stability. If an adverse life event wreaks havoc on your employee's finances and their current income barely covers the cost (or not at all), what will they do? Workers often quit and seek higher-paying employment elsewhere or take on additional debt to make up the difference when something like this happens.
How To Contribute to a Roth IRA
One way to start bulking up your retirement savings is by contributing to Roth individual retirement arrangements (IRAs). These savings accounts have tax advantages that can be significant, especially with long-term growth. Contributions to Roth IRAs are not tax-deductible, but you can make withdrawals in retirement without taxation, including on any profit you made. Contributing to a Roth IRA can build an emergency fund or create a primary retirement savings vehicle.
How To Find and Get Small Business Grants
Learn how grants work and the ways in which to receive them Small business grants are sums of money awarded to businesses for various purposes such as economic development, job creation, or disaster relief by government and nonprofit organizations. Grants essentially are free money, providing businesses of all types, sizes, ages, and industries with the resources to grow without requiring anything in return.
How To Find and Get Small Business Grants
Small business grants are sums of money awarded to businesses for various purposes such as economic development, job creation, or disaster relief by government and nonprofit organizations. Grants essentially are free money, providing businesses of all types, sizes, ages, and industries with the resources to grow without requiring anything in return. Learn what grant opportunities are perfect for your business, including what types are available, how to find them, and how to apply for them.
How To Pay Yourself as a Business Owner
You're a business owner, and even if your business is your baby, you still need to pay yourself enough to keep your lights on at home and ensure you have food for the table. Paying yourself as a business owner is not just about the money—it's also about your mental health and ability to keep going. Successful business ownership is as much about your ability to thrive financially and provide for yourself as it is about future business profits and growth.
How To Pay Yourself as a Business Owner
You're a business owner, and even if your business is your baby, you still need to pay yourself enough to keep your lights on at home and ensure you have food for the table. Paying yourself as a business owner is not just about the money—it's also about your mental health and ability to keep going. Successful business ownership is as much about your ability to thrive financially and provide for yourself as it is about future business profits and growth.
What Is Notes Payable?
Notes payable is a written agreement in which a borrower promises to pay back an amount of money, usually with interest, to a lender within a certain time frame. Notes payable are recorded as short- or long-term business liabilities on the balance sheet, depending on their terms. Notes payable is a valuable financial tool that business owners can use to expand their business, and they can also serve as an investment option.
What Is a Commercial Loan?
Commercial Loans Explained Definition A commercial loan is a type of conditional funding for businesses. A commercial loan is a type of conditional funding for businesses. These loans allow them to acquire capital for day-to-day operations, expansion, or other business purposes. Businesses can also use them to refinance existing loans. Learn how commercial loans work, when your business might benefit from one, and how to get one.
What Is a Commercial Loan?
A commercial loan is a type of conditional funding for businesses. These loans allow them to acquire capital for day-to-day operations, expansion, or other business purposes. Businesses can also use them to refinance existing loans. Learn how commercial loans work, when your business might benefit from one, and how to get one. Definition and Example of a Commercial Loan A commercial loan is a type of business loan offered by a bank or financial institution.
21 Questions for Assessing Your Own Level of Narcissism
We all think we’re the sh*t, one way or another. The question is how aware you are of this fact and what you do about it. Photo by Ichad Windhiagiri from Pexels I’m a person that likes to confirm things, even if the information ends up hurting me. Sometimes, I end up regretting this. Recently I completed an online research study survey and the results had me experiencing a range and complexity of emotions I’ve never felt before. It seemed like a standard, benign questionnaire. It wasn’t.
The 5 Languages of Self-Love
“To say ‘I love you’ one must know first how to say the ‘I’.” ― Ayn Rand, The Fountainhead Language allows us to convey meaning to each other — to understand and to be understood. No matter which form language takes, it is a powerful tool that can be used to build, repair, or destroy relationships. Love languages are no different in their abilities to forge or confound connections.
What Not To Fix When Selling a House
Key Takeaways Major renovations rarely recoup their full cost and should be skipped in favor of essential functional remodels. Fix functional issues like mold or roof leaks to ensure the property meets standard home lending guidelines. Small cosmetic updates, like neutral paint and garage door replacements, offer the highest percentage of cost recovery.
5 Restaurants with Gluten-Friendly Menus in Adams County, PA | Hannah Hottenstein | NewsBreak Original
Hanover, PA Hannah Hottenstein5 hours ago Eating out or trying new restaurants with food sensitivities can be a major challenge. If you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivities and are weary of sticking to only salads while eating out, then this list is designed for you. Try out these delicious and surprisingly gluten-friendly options on the menus now at restaurants in Adams County, Pennsylvania.
What Are Noncash Expenses?
Noncash expenses are expenses that do not result in the transfer of cash from the business's bank account to another party. These expenses must be reported on the balance sheet and are a type of intangible asset that shows up on a business’s income statement. Learn what noncash expenses are, what noncash expenses might look like with specific examples, and why they matter to small businesses.
What Is Customer Retention?
Customer retention is a business’s ability to turn customers into repeat buyers, and it’s an important aspect to consider, as product and pricing alone are not enough to keep your customers happy. The question to ask is, how do you keep people coming back after that first initial exposure? The answer lies in implementing strategies focused on customer retention. If you make customer retention a priority, your business may discover increased business profits. What Is Customer Retention?
Why I Feed My Brain Kimchi, Logic Games, and Therapy for Better Sleep
Image credit: Trifonenko. “I’ve always envied people who sleep easily. Their brains must be cleaner, the floorboards of the skull well swept, all the little monsters closed up in a steamer trunk at the foot of the bed.” ― David Benioff, City of Thieves For me, it was another long night of not sleeping. I drank my chamomile tea, put on soft pajamas, turned off my electronics, and took my melatonin. By 2 a.m., still no drowsier, I started to get worried.
I Don’t Know What I’m Doing, But I Can’t Seem to Stop
Frankly, I don’t know. I’ll be honest. But I do like simple steps. Easy ways to reset and feel better even if for a moment. So let’s try three actually doable chaos-busting steps together. Mentally, I can’t handle any more than that right now, ya feel me? Whatever you’re doing, just stop for a moment. Close the tweet window, exit your email, turn off the self-help video. Just put all those pressing things on pause for a minute.
Things Trauma Took from Me & How I’m Getting Them Back
Regaining my memory, sex drive, and sleep was just the beginning. Photo by Ann Danilina on Unsplash Disclaimer: This article talks about trauma and its various effects in a generalized, non-graphic way. Regardless, please make sure you are in a solid headspace before reading and click away if it ever becomes too much. If you are human, you have unfortunately probably experienced trauma. Trauma — any event that causes psychological distress — has a pervasive, life-altering effect on humans.
How to Accommodate Autistic Job Candidates During Interviews
The Dos & Don’ts of Interviewing Autistic Adults Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash Large groups of U.S. workers are transitioning to remote jobs and many are facing high rates of unemployment as a result. Disabled and marginalized groups have been hit especially hard by this transition. For many adult autistics already struggling to find work, the COVID-19 pandemic has only made this process even more difficult.
Restaurant Inventory Management Tools and Tips
One of the most critical tasks for a restaurant is inventory management, which is the process of tracking, analyzing, and adjusting the cost and usage of inventory (like food and supplies) coming in and going out the door. Ineffective restaurant inventory management can lead to profit loss, customer alienation, and a poor industry reputation.
In the Pursuit of Smooth, Unblemished Skin
In the Pursuit of Smooth, Unblemished Skin Recognizing dermatillomania for what it is and fighting for healing, inside and out We all have those unconscious habits. Pacing or rearranging things while on a phone call. Playing with the fringe of a blanket as we watch a favorite show…
Swimming Pool Financing: What To Know
Key Takeaways Swimming pools are primarily lifestyle purchases that rarely return the full cost of installation at resale. Homeowners can finance pools through secured debt like HELOCs for lower rates or unsecured personal loans for faster funding. High construction and maintenance costs often cause the total cost of ownership to exceed the added value to the property. Shorter loan terms are generally recommended to ensure the debt is amortized before the asset depreciates.
What Is Disruption?
If you have ever browsed Netflix, worn a pair of Nike shoes, or even eaten a California sushi roll, you have benefitted from disruptive innovation, or “disruption.” Disruption in business causes radical shifts in industries by offering unique, niche, more affordable, or untapped solutions to old or new problems. Sometimes, disruption upends existing markets; other times, it creates entirely new ones.
Understand Your Property Tax Assessment and What It Means
Key Takeaways Property taxes fund local services and are a significant expense for homeowners. A property’s assessed value, exemptions, and local tax rate determine your tax bill. Contact local tax authorities to request a reassessment if your tax bill seems too high. Tax bills can rise even if your home’s market value doesn’t change. Homeowners can appeal assessments, especially if there are errors or outdated information.
What Is a Home Inspection Contingency and Why Is It Important?
Key Takeaways A home inspection contingency is a clause in a real estate purchase contract that allows a buyer to evaluate a property's condition before completing the sale. If the inspection reveals serious defects, the buyer can typically renegotiate the terms or cancel the contract without losing earnest money, provided they act within the agreed time frame.
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