Prenups, or pre-nuptial agreements, don't always have the most positive connotation. 

While they are legal agreements entered into by couples before marriage — often to keep finances separate despite being otherwise legally joined  — they can be a touchy subject for couples starting to build a life together.

But that stigma seems to be fading away. A new report from The Harris Poll said that this year, 15% of U.S. adults surveyed signed a prenup, which is up from just 3% in 2010. It also found that 35% of unmarried people say they're likely to sign a prenup in the future.

In the Americas, prenups go back to 17th century Canada, when French colonist men married women who came to the country with financial assistance from King Louis XIV. These women were so highly sought after that they were able to convince their husbands to sign prenups. This came at a time when men outnumbered women, so women had a leg up. Eventually that gender ratio evened out, and prenups went away.

They got popular again in the U.S. much later. A 1970 Florida case Posner v Posner ruled that prenups should be a standard practice.

One big possible factor in their usage today is the fact that millennials now have more debt than previous generations. One survey found that nearly three quarters of millennials have over $100,000 in debt on average, not including mortgages. 

The most common debt is credit card debt followed by student loans. There's also medical debt and personal loans. 

Prenups can protect your partner from taking on your debt in the case of death of divorce. In some states, your spouse can be held accountable for all of your debt acquired during the marriage.

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Kelly Chang Rickert is a family law attorney in California who specializes in prenups, and she sees debt come up in divorce cases all the time.  

"It's not unusual for me to have a divorce where one side has a Neiman Marcus card and charged up $70,000, and the other side... they are responsible for half the debt because it was acquired during the marriage," Chang Rickert said.

But the breakdown of who's responsible for what differs from state to state. For instance, some states are community property states, meaning unless you sign a prenup, everything acquired during the marriage must be split 50/50. That's how things work in Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.

In other states, laws differ. There can be different rules around what makes prenups enforceable. For example, in Connecticut there's a specific window of time between when the prenup is presented and when the marriage happens for it to hold up. So, it's important to see what a state requires beforehand.

Another reason more people could be getting prenups is because they're getting married later in life and have more assets to protect coming into the marriage. According to Pew, in 2019 the average age a man first got married was 30, and for women it was 28. That's three years later for both men and women compared to 2003 and four years later than 1987.

"These days, a lot of people work for themselves," Chang Rickert said. "If you're a social media influencer or you're an artist or you're a writer, a lot of people make money off their creative efforts. So if they have a business coming into the marriage, a lot of them don't want to share that in case it doesn't work out."

This leads to the question of how finances are split. This determines what a prenup could look like. In the 70s and 80s, it was common practice to put all your money into shared accounts with your spouse. But over the past several years, the number of married couples who keep some of their finances separate has risen.

Experts say if couples have a joint account for things they share, they can opt to keep everything else separate, and in the case of divorce, they'll only have to worry about dividing the joint account. But it's important to note that separate accounts won't stay separate unless a prenup is signed stating that.  

"Even if you don't have a prenup, you kind of do: It's called the law," Chang Rickert said. "So if you don't have a prenup, you're just going by what your state law says. California says community property, so your debt is my debt. That's what the state law says. So if you don't like that, then you should craft your own."

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Rickert Chang recommends getting a prenup ideally a year before your wedding. She also points out a few pros of prenups. For one, the stereotypical scenario we see in movies where a rich guy asks his fiancé to sign a prenup — it could actually be a good thing.  

"If you were smart about it, and the guy's like, 'I want you to sign a prenup saying I don't want community,' then what you could do is you can negotiate it," Chang Rickert said. "You could be like, 'Fine, I won't touch your stuff, but in lieu of that, I would like 50,000 a year or 1,000, 100,000 a year,' and that way you can negotiate, and you can actually get money by agreeing to sign a prenup."

There's also certain professions where it's strongly encouraged to protect the other person. 

"Definitely lawyers or doctors, I think you should always get prenup," Chang Rickert said. "Not just only because it's my business — I don't want you taking half of it, but also it's a business that I can get sued on. So, I would like to protect you from any lawsuits that I might get."

As prenups have become more common, more people have dug into this topic on social media platforms like TikTok. Chang Rickert has an account of her own where she educates people on prenups to help break down myths and stigmas, including that they aren't just for rich people and not just in case of divorce.

Now, there aren't necessarily more divorces now. CDC data shows that divorces declined between 2000 and 2020. 

However in the case of a divorce, not signing a prenup could really pile on to the cost of divorce, which can already be pretty high, costing between $15,000 to $20,000 on average.

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With inflation at its highest levels in four decades, it comes as no surprise that Americans are tapped out of their savings and relying on credit cards.

According to a Bankrate survey, 36 percent of Americans started the year with more credit card debt than savings. Bankrate said 36 percent set a record since it began conducting the survey in 2011.

Baby boomers were most likely to have savings that exceeded credit card debt, while millennials were most likely to have credit card debt that exceeds savings.

In January 2022, 22 percent of those surveyed had more credit card debt than savings, which was down from 28 percent in January 2020.

A slim majority of Americans, 51 percent, said they had more savings than credit card debt. The survey found that 13 percent had no credit card debt or savings.

“It is quite stunning that such a high percentage of adults has no savings and no credit card debt,” Bankrate senior economic analyst Mark Hamrick said in a press release. “Anyone with no such savings, including those without access to credit, risks tremendous stress, or worse, on their personal finances when hit with a significant unplanned expense such as a major home or auto repair.”

Although 39 percent of Americans said they have less in emergency savings than a year ago, 26 percent reported having more.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This time of the year, it can be easy to get swept away in the magic of the season.

"Everyone is out, you know, and shopping and just exploring,” said Dana Gagnon, owner of Hart and Honey, a home décor small business in southern California.

However, experts say that for those who are not careful with their holiday spending, the cold reality of 2022 could be right around the corner.

“It's easy to swipe that card, especially during the holidays,” said Rod Griffin, senior director of consumer education and advocacy for the credit reporting company Experian.

Experian recently conducted a nationwide survey, gauging where people stood with their finances nearly two years into the COVID pandemic.

“People said that COVID is still, in some cases, having some effect on their finances, but less than last year,” Griffin said.

Last year, half of those surveyed said they were stressed about their finances during the holidays. This year, that number dropped to 30%. This time around, that stress revolves more around supply issues.

“Getting the gifts for the kids and having them physically there is perhaps more stressful this year than being able to pay for them, which is an unusual circumstance,” Griffin said.

Still, the survey found that, overall, 58% of people are concerned about how much they spend during the holidays. The group most concerned: 45% of 18- to 24-year-olds, also known as Gen Z.

“That makes sense. In a way, they're typically the least established, lower incomes generally,” Griffin said.

He said that there are steps members of every generation can take now to make sure they head into the new year with their best personal financial picture.

“They're looking at ‘How do I operate in this sort of era of uncertainty in our finances and seeing things like inflation?’ seeing things like higher costs and lower supply create uncertainty in how you manage your finances,” Griffin said.

First step: work to increase savings and see where you can cut unnecessary costs.

Second suggestion: create a budget, which is a critical tool that can help keep you on the right financial track.

Finally, Griffin said, it is important to check your credit report and pay down credit card debt.

“Credit card debt tends to be the most expensive debt you have. Not the largest – that's usually people's homes – but the most expensive debt you have, because that interest adds up and you can find yourself with increasing credit card balances without actually buying anything else if you're not careful,” he said. “So, paying down the debt – credit card debt – creates more freedom in the finances.”

Some shoppers said they are taking that advice a step further by not creating credit card debt in the first place.

"I'm keeping my money in my pockets and just spending time with my family," said Cheryl Mosely, who was out shopping near Detroit.

It’s just one move taken now that can bring people closer together, while also keeping hard-earned money closer to home.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Ok. — With permission from mom, Michelle Miller shows off her three former foster kids as if they were her own.

"I cared about them a lot, so I wanted the best and it was frustrating because I couldn't just go out and find a place," she said.

What Miller is referring to was the hunt to find child care since the children were all below kindergarten age. It was an agonizing, long process. Some facilities had no availability, some had waitlists with indeterminate ends, and if they did have availability, it wasn’t for all three kids. Pandemic protocols also hindered the search.

"Not only could we not see a lot of the classrooms, then we couldn't even meet the teacher. So, it was kind of an uncomfortable feeling, but you had to have childcare, you have to, so we just kept trying and trying," she said.

Miller eventually lucked out in her search, but according to the executive director of the Oklahoma childcare resource and referral association, her struggle is shared. The lack of options is what some say are holding back parents from re-entering the workforce.

"We've seen it across the entire state. We've seen it across the entire country," said executive director Paula Koos.

In a report released in September by the US Department of the Treasury, about half the country is in a “childcare desert”. That term is defined by at least three children for every one open daycare spot. In some areas, like the Oklahoma panhandle, there are five children for every one open spot and one open daycare center for the three counties that make up the area.

"For parents. It's been difficult because facilities have had to downsize. Staff have been out sick and so they're not serving as many children," Koos said.

Ramona Johnson is a director at Rainbow Fleet, a relatively new daycare facility in Oklahoma City.

"We're full until. Late summer, early fall of next year. I'm with child, I'm on our waitlist here and I work here," she said.

The lack of open spots for her center and ones like it around the country comes down to one thing: staffing.

"We've used Indeed and other work website, so it's definitely been a struggle and even sometimes that has been disappointing," she said. "Just paying for these websites and people don't show up for interviews or, you know, people show up and they don't stay long."

Staffing issues are not a pandemic-born problem, but COVID revealed just how critical it has become.

There are strict ratios of teachers to children and if a teacher leaves, the daycare has to lose spots, and because they’re mostly private businesses, they lose income.

Between 26% and 40% of the child care workforce, which is made up almost entirely of women and a third of which are women of color, leave every year. This is mostly because of poor pay and no benefits.

At an average salary is just $24,230, making child care workers are in the bottom two percentile of occupations.

However, families are spending on average 13% of their income on high childcare costs.

"The child care industry as a whole is often seen as just babysitting and it's so much more," said Stephanie Daniels, a child care consultant based in Tulsa.

She says the overhead costs of supplies are what eat up most of the money going into childcare. With how things are trending, she says some intervention must happen.

"There needs to be a public investment of some kind to really help sustain this workforce," said Daniels.

There’s help written into Biden’s current Build Back Better plan. It has an agenda to make childcare more affordable and available, but as it’s being trimmed down by trillions, it’s not certain whether the child care measures will remain in it.

As Washington determines whether or not to through the industry a lifesaver, Miller has hope for parents and guardians who were in her position.

"I'm sure that Oklahoma isn't the only place struggling, but I know that it's a need and it's going to get worked out, I feel that," she said.

This article provides information and education for investors. NerdWallet does not offer advisory or brokerage services, nor does it recommend or advise investors to buy or sell particular stocks or securities.

Why aren’t you investing?

Maybe you grew up thinking the stock market was a scam. Maybe you’re worried that you’ll lose all your money. Maybe you think you don’t have enough to start. Many Americans remain uninvested, even though it can hurt their long-term financial future. According to a 2019 Pew Research Center survey, only about 35% percent of U.S. adults said they personally owned stocks, bonds or mutual funds outside of retirement accounts.

While the system may have originally been built to benefit the few, it is growing to accommodate the needs of the many. No matter what your reason for avoiding investing is, you can begin with confidence after busting these stock market myths.

Myth #1: I need to know about the stock market to start investing

If you’re worried that you don’t know enough about investing to get started, consider this: The people who trade stocks frequently, confidently swapping Amazon for Apple when they see fit, rarely “beat the stock market.” Often, buying a simple index fund and letting it grow over time will make you more money, financial advisors say. So don’t worry that a limited investing knowledge will hold you back.

Having a cautious attitude when it comes to investing can be beneficial and keep you from making any rash decisions. Learning how to invest is easier than you might think, and definitely does not involve being an investing expert.

It’s getting started as soon as you can that is key, says Chloe Moore, a certified financial planner and founder of Financial Staples in Atlanta.

“Investing is an important tool for building wealth,” says Moore. “We all want our money to work for us, and investing plays a key role in this. The earlier you invest, the more time your money has to grow.”

Myth #2: The system isn’t meant for me

Different factors contribute to the belief that the stock market isn’t for everyone. Some people might feel this way because they can’t find a financial advisor who looks like them. Maybe it’s because of an inherited distrust or a lack of confidence in managing money, or maybe it’s a fear of discrimination. Maybe they just don’t think they have enough money to start.

These concerns are real, but there are more tools than ever to help people learn about personal finance and start investing. Groups such as the Association of African American Financial Advisors can help investors connect with advisors of color.

Robo-advisors are another option, and they’re a great way to get started investing, Moore says. They use computer algorithms to choose and manage your investments for you, no matter how much money you have (and often for a fraction of the cost of a traditional financial advisor). Ellevest is a robo-advisor that specializes in helping women invest. (Ellevest is a NerdWallet advertising partner).

“These automated online investment platforms can help you find the right mix of assets for your goals and risk tolerance,” Moore says. “They also rebalance your account on a regular basis, and some will optimize your portfolio for tax efficiency.”

Myth #3: If I open an investment account, I’m invested

Just like a checking or savings account, just because you’ve opened an account doesn’t mean you’ve put money in it.

Some investment accounts have a minimum initial deposit, but many do not, meaning you can open an account with $0.

Once you open the account, you’ll need to add money before you can start buying investments. If you’re not ready to commit your dollars to the stock market just yet, you can still dip your toes in the water by opening an account for free. There are even stock market simulators you can use to practice investing before you do it for real.

Myth #4: I’ll probably lose all my money

While this is technically true, it’s highly unlikely. Short term variations in the stock market may make your investment account’s balance go up or down. But if you have a diversified portfolio (which may include low-cost index funds) and hold on to those investments for the long-term, there is a greater possibility for growth over time.

Myth #5: I have to pay for a financial advisor

Just because someone is a professional doesn’t mean they can predict the stock market. A financial advisor may come in handy if your financial life is getting more complicated and you need some help with retirement or estate planning, but otherwise, using a robo-advisor or choosing investments yourself works just fine for most investors.

Disclosure: The author held no positions in the aforementioned securities at the time of publication.

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Alana Benson writes for NerdWallet. Email: abenson@nerdwallet.com.

NORFOLK, Va. — Generally speaking, parents try to limit their kids' time on iPads and video screens, but a new computer program may be changing that.

It's called Fintropolis, and it's teaching kids how to be financially responsible.

"Really, the story of how Fintropolis formed starts back in 2019 with our Moguls in the Making Program, which is a business entrepreneurship pitch competition with 50 students from HBCUs," said Kyle Kouchinsky, director of TM Studio at Ally Bank.

From the competition, four students interned at the company Ally, tasked with finding a way to teach middle school students about money.

"They really came up with a way how to teach education in a fun way that students actually like, and they settled on Minecraft as a way to teach that game," Kouchinsky said. "We all know that when we were growing up, it was difficult to learn those concepts, and how much earlier we could learn them, the better off we would be."

Inside the world of Fintropolis, characters guide the player and/or student through the program.

Kouchinsky described a scenario a player would see in the game. He said, "A player walks around a large city and has different tasks they have to do, such as go to city hall and talk to the mayor. The mayor explains what taxes are, about personal tax and income tax, and then the player has to break down and make certain decisions based on that."

The game exercises real-life scenarios like saving, budgeting, building credit, and even identity protection. Kouchinsky said the lessons learned are limitless as later in the game, and you can buy houses, have a mortgage, and participate in the stock market.

Access to Fintropolis is free, and there's an Education Edition so schools and summer camps can use the platform.

Erin Miller at WTKR first reported this story.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — From the tiny tools of the spy trade to a classic car once driven by James Bond, the multi-story International Spy Museum in the nation’s capital is home to the sometimes glamorous and often gritty world of espionage.

“We have the largest collection of espionage artifacts ever put on public display,” said Aliza Bran with International Spy Museum. “There is no substitute for being here.”

Yet, being at the museum during a pandemic proved to be nearly "Mission Impossible."

“It was a bizarre year, you could say,” Bran said.

Like many museums that rely on ticket sales, the pandemic put a pin in that and forced museums to get creative to survive.

“We did a virtual cocktail hour with real former intelligence officers,” Bran said.

With COVID protocols in place, the large, private nonprofit museum has now reopened.

However, not all museums have, nor will.

“I don't think the public spends too much time thinking about how museums are funded,” said Laura Lott, president of the American Alliance of Museums. “They're just always there.”

The AAM recently conducted a survey to see where America’s 35,000 active museums stand financially and it was not a pretty picture.

More than three-quarters of all U.S. museums, 76%, experienced revenue drops of 40%.

On average, they closed for seven months during the pandemic.

Now, about 15% of all U.S. museums – a total of more than 5,000 of them – say they are at “significant risk” of closing permanently.

“There's a common misperception that museums are funded by the government or by a few wealthy philanthropists. But for most museums, that couldn't be further from the truth,” Lott said. “They protect and share the things that we as communities say are important. So, they're irreplaceable, really.”

At the Loudon Heritage Farm Museum in Loudon County, Virginia, 250 years of agricultural life is carefully maintained for all to see.

“This is an agricultural county, which is really going away right now,” said the museum’s Denise Mo.

During the pandemic, out of sight meant out of mind.

“We tried to keep people engaged in remembering the museum,” Mo said. “We increased our social media presence. So, before then, we didn't really post on social media that often.”

Federal funding from the CARES Act and from the county helped keep this small museum-going.

They rely on ticket sales, though, and holding events on-site. They’ve reopened and once schools do the same in the fall, they hope field trips can resume, too.

“Every little bit counts,” Mo said.

It’s a financial survival now pursued by museums both big and small.