Halloween on a budget: how to celebrate for less in 2026
The average American plans to spend about $115 on Halloween this year. Here’s where that money goes and practical ways to cut costs on candy, costumes, decorations and parties.
Cost of Living
Budgets, taxes, credit and the real value of a US paycheck, with numbers you can plan around.
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Money works differently in the US: credit scores, tipping, health insurance deductibles and state taxes all change what a salary is really worth. Start with your first-month budget, then set up banking and credit.
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Your first-month budget in the US3 min What $80k actually buys you in NYC, Austin and Miami3 minBanking & credit
How to open a US bank account without an SSN7 min Building a US credit score from zero8 min How to send money home without losing it to fees3 min ITIN vs SSN: which one do you need?3 min Credit union vs bank: which is better for newcomers?3 min How to write a check in the US (step by step)3 min How credit card interest works (and how to never pay it)3 min Choosing a bank as an immigrant: what to compare before you open an account7 min Credit cards for no credit history: how newcomers get approved7 min How to check your credit score and credit report for free7 min Buying a house in the US as an immigrant or visa holder7 minHousing & getting around
Renting your first US apartment: leases, deposits and guarantors7 min Buying a car as a newcomer: loans, insurance and licenses3 min Phone plans for newcomers: prepaid vs postpaid3 min How to pay rent in the US: portals, checks and transfers3 min US utility bills explained: electric, gas, water and internet3 min How to rent an apartment in the US with no credit history7 min Renters insurance explained: what it covers and how much you need7 min How to get a US driver’s license as a new resident or visa holder8 min Car insurance with no US driving history: how to lower the cost7 minTaxes & health
How US taxes work for newcomers7 min US health insurance basics: premiums, deductibles and copays7 min ACA open enrollment 2027: what changes for immigrants3 min Where to get a flu shot in the US (often free)3 min Health insurance between jobs: COBRA, Marketplace and short-term options7 minBudgeting
The 50/30/20 budget for newcomers (with an example)3 min Emergency fund for newcomers: how much and where to keep it3 min How to save money on groceries in the US3 min US sales tax explained: why the price on the shelf isn’t the price you pay3 min Cost of living in the USA for a family of four7 min34 guides
ACA open enrollment 2027: what changes for immigrants
Dates for 2027 coverage and the new subsidy rules that affect visa holders, refugees and TPS holders.
Where to get a flu shot in the US (often free)
Pharmacies, campus health centers and clinics, what insurance covers and when to go.
What $80k actually buys you in NYC, Austin and Miami
Rent, taxes, groceries and the costs nobody mentions, line by line.
How to get a US driver’s license as a new resident or visa holder
Can you drive on your foreign license? When you must switch, what documents the DMV asks for, the written and road tests, and REAL ID for visa holders.
How to rent an apartment in the US with no credit history
Landlords check credit, but newcomers don’t have any yet. Seven ways to get approved anyway, what to put in your application, and scams to avoid.
Renters insurance explained: what it covers and how much you need
Renters insurance is cheap, often required, and misunderstood. What it covers, what it doesn’t, how to choose limits, and how to file a claim.
Credit cards for no credit history: how newcomers get approved
The types of cards that approve people with no US credit, what issuers look at instead, how to apply without an SSN, and how to use your first card to build a score fast.
Choosing a bank as an immigrant: what to compare before you open an account
Big national bank, credit union or online bank? What documents you need, fees to avoid, international transfers, and a checklist for choosing your first US bank.
How to check your credit score and credit report for free
Your credit report and your credit score are different things. Where to get both for free, what the numbers mean, how to read your report and how to fix errors.
Car insurance with no US driving history: how to lower the cost
Why new arrivals pay more for car insurance, what coverage the law requires, and practical ways to cut your premium, including using foreign driving records.
Health insurance between jobs: COBRA, Marketplace and short-term options
Lost your job or waiting for a new one to start? How COBRA works, the 60-day special enrollment window, what changes for immigrants in 2027, and how to avoid a coverage gap.