Hal M. Bundrick, CFP®

Senior Writer | Personal finance, financial planning, investing

Hal M. Bundrick is a former NerdWallet personal finance writer. He is a certified financial planner and former financial consultant and senior investment specialist for Wall Street firms. Hal advised families, business owners, nonprofits and trusts, and managed group employee retirement plans.

Credentials: CFP (Certified Financial Planner)
Previous experience: Financial advisor, senior investment specialist

Hal's picks

How to Make a Monthly Budget

by Courtney Neidel

Follow the 50/30/20 budget as a guide for your monthly budget.

Looking for a Financial Advisor Near You? Start Here

by Alana Benson

Advisor matching services can connect you with an advisor for free. They're helpful if you're trying to find a financial advisor near you or online.

How Much Should I Contribute to a 401(k)?

by Arielle O'Shea

Consider contributing enough to your 401(k) to get a full employer match.

Hal has also nerded out in...

Quotes and interviews

The Associated Press. How to protect your spending power from inflation.
ABC News. Better savers spend less money on these 3 things.

Other publications

The Washington Post, USA Today, Los Angeles Times

The latest from Hal

7 Best Personal Expense Tracker Apps of 2024

We reviewed the highest rated apps for Apple and Android to help you decide which expense tracker is right for you.

How to Read a Mortgage Loan Estimate

The Loan Estimate boils down the terms and projected costs of a mortgage.

How to Make a Contingent Offer to Buy a Home

Making a contingent offer to buy a home protects your interests, but including too many stipulations makes it harder to win a bidding war.

How to Tell a Real Financial Risk From a ‘Manufactured Crisis’

Money News & Moves: Seek a little perspective before making a decision to gain clarity and avoid financial mistakes.

The 20% Mortgage Down Payment Isn’t Dead Yet

A growing number of buyers are putting down 20% in today's hot market, but most people still make smaller down payments.

Mortgage Refinance Closing Costs to Watch Out For

Mortgage refinance closing costs can include origination fees, discount points and third-party charges. Compare costs before choosing a lender.

How Low-Income Households Can Prepare for a Stumbling Economy

Take proactive steps to secure your job, transportation and emergency credit; next, turn to agencies for resources.

The Worst Inflation of All: Record Levels of Debt

Money News & Moves: Battle adding more debt, and if you're struggling to pay bills on time, take action in days, not weeks.

The 12-Word Financial Plan: Do This and You’re Done

Money News & Views: Just 12 words sum up a successful plan for a financial life without budgeting. Maybe even just six.

U.S. Default, End of Social Security: Time to Prep for the Worst?

Money News & Moves: Rather than worrying about things out of your control, reinforce your long-term financial situation now.

Bank Failures Show Us What Not to Do With Our Own Finances

Money News & Moves: Remembering important money-managing lessons that some bank execs apparently forgot.

Don’t Want to Fully Merge Finances? Consider a Money Partnership

Money News & Moves: Tax time can be a good opportunity for couples to strengthen their approach to money.

What Is Considered Low Income?

A widely used federal guideline defines low income as $14,580 annually for one person and $30,000 for a family of four.

Dollar Store Demand + the Wild Card that Could Sink Wealth

Money News & Moves: Dollar stores are getting more of our cash but remember, health and wealth are closely related.

Age of AI: ChatGPT, Bard and How Money Advice Might Evolve

Money News & Moves: Without specific information, chatbots provide generic if/then answers. But then, so do humans. What’s ahead?