Maryalene Laponsie

Maryalene LaPonsie is a Michigan-based freelance writer specializing in education, personal finance and retirement topics. She is a weekly contributor to U.S. News & World Report, and her work has been featured on MoneyTalksNews, MSN, FOX Business, CBS News and elsewhere online.

Prior to writing full-time, Maryalene spent 13 years working in the Michigan Legislature as a legislative staff member.

Recent Articles By Maryalene Laponsie

How to Start Investing With $100 or Less

Maryalene Laponsie
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With the exception of a big bump at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the stock market has been riding high for the past decade. The S&P 500, a stock index, has seen average annual growth of 13.6%, according to investment bank Goldman Sachs. That means money invested in 2010 could be worth nearly four… Continue reading How to Start Investing With $100 or Less

Best Travel Credit Cards for March 2023

Maryalene Laponsie
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Travel credit cards can help you score free hotel rooms and flights. Find out more about how these cards work and which ones you should use.

What Are ATM Networks and How Do They Work?

Maryalene Laponsie
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Have you noticed that some banks tout the size of their ATM network? Financial institutions use this as a way to let customers know it will be easy for them to manage their checking accounts and access cash. Some banks will also enable customers to use ATMs for savings account access as well. But what… Continue reading What Are ATM Networks and How Do They Work?

The Best Savings Accounts in Washington for 2023

Maryalene Laponsie
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There are 73 local and national banks serving customers in Washington with more than 1,400 branches in over 200 cities and towns. If you’re a resident of the Evergreen State who is looking for the best savings account to store your money, there are plenty of great options available to you. Here’s a look at… Continue reading The Best Savings Accounts in Washington for 2023

The Best Savings Accounts in Texas for 2023

Maryalene Laponsie
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There’s a lot to love about Texas, not the least of which is that it’s the best state in the nation for banking, according to MoneyRates.com rankings. Residents have access to more than 6,400 banking locations, and the state’s institutions get high marks for customer satisfaction. If you’re searching for a savings account in Texas,… Continue reading The Best Savings Accounts in Texas for 2023

The Best Savings Accounts in South Carolina for 2023

Maryalene Laponsie
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  South Carolina has nearly 40 banks and credit unions regulated by the state’s Office of the Commissioner of Banking. Plus, there are federal credit unions, online banks, and other institutions that will pay interest to residents who save money. With so many choices, where should you keep your cash? The best savings accounts in… Continue reading The Best Savings Accounts in South Carolina for 2023

The Best Savings Accounts in Rhode Island for 2023

Maryalene Laponsie
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  According to the American Banking Association, there are only seven banks headquartered in Rhode Island, but in total, 20 banks operate nearly 240 branches and offices here. That’s a drop in the bucket compared to what you’ll find in places like California, but it adds up to a lot of choices for a state… Continue reading The Best Savings Accounts in Rhode Island for 2023

The Best Savings Accounts in Michigan for 2023

Maryalene Laponsie
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  Surrounded by the Great Lakes, Michigan may be better known for its water than its banks, but both help make the state a good place to live. According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), There are 81 banks in Michigan, and there are dozens of credit unions as well. Whether someone wants to… Continue reading The Best Savings Accounts in Michigan for 2023

The Best Savings Accounts in Maryland for 2023

Maryalene Laponsie
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  There are dozens of banks in Maryland — 87 belong to the Maryland Bankers Association — offering a range of savings, checking, and investment products. Those banks operate 1,400 branches and manage $140 billion in customer deposits, but they are far from the only financial institutions operating in the state. Credit unions and online… Continue reading The Best Savings Accounts in Maryland for 2023

The Best Savings Accounts in Hawaii for 2023

Maryalene Laponsie
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Located approximately 2,400 miles away from its nearest neighboring state, Hawaii is vastly different in many ways from the rest of the United States. That includes its banking options. The state’s largest banks – Bank of Hawai’i and First Hawaiian — can’t be found in the contiguous United States. And you won’t find any Bank… Continue reading The Best Savings Accounts in Hawaii for 2023

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