Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all feel as confident and secure as Linus from Peanuts when he’s carrying his security blanket? Property insurance can give you that same feeling—but with real protection. (Unfortunately, Linus’s blanket wouldn’t actually do much to protect him.) Property insurance comes in several forms, each designed to protect…
Key takeaways Refinancing your auto loan is often a good financial choice if you are able to secure a better rate or a lower monthly payment. Consider the amount of time remaining on your loan before exploring options to ensure you qualify for the new loan. To choose the best…
A trip to the emergency room sucks. But sometimes what comes later is even worse—the bill for the visit. Like, have you ever opened an ER bill and seen a $30 charge for an aspirin? Even though the same stack of cash in a drugstore could buy you five bottles…
Key takeaways If you owe more than the car is worth, try to pay off your car loan before trading it in — or consider alternatives like selling the car privately for a higher price. If you have positive equity on the car, meaning you owe less than the car…
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Last year, on the day before Tax Day, my mom was scheduled to fly into Philadelphia International Airport to stay…
The nation’s 75 million Social Security recipients will receive a 2.8% cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase in their benefits…
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Images by Getty Images; Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways Cash-out auto refinancing lets you borrow money by swapping your car loan out for a larger loan, typically with different terms. The amount you can access depends on your vehicle’s value, your credit history and…
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3. Create a Spending Plan You Can Actually Stick To Call it a budget, a spending plan, or whatever name makes you most…
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For fintech startups, the first five years of the decade have been a roller-coaster ride. At the outset, companies were awash in easy…
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Debt is a big topic—and Americans have a big problem with it. In fact, total personal debt in the U.S. is now at over $18 trillion!1 Yowza! Pay off debt fast and save more money with Financial Peace University. But what is debt? You’ve probably heard a lot of different…
Get this: 55 million households are swimming in the deep end of credit card debt.1,2 Many of those are probably looking at credit consolidation as a way out. But the problem is . . . the way out really isn’t the way out. It only leads you further into the…
Key takeaways You should still shop for the best auto refinance rates and terms even if you have bad credit — there is still a chance to find a competitive option for your budget. Refinancing your car loan with bad credit may make sense if you can lower your monthly…
Have you seen all the headlines about colleges giving out cash to students and wondered what the heck is going on? It might sound like a scam at first, but it’s not. If you’re in college right now, listen up—cash could be coming your way thanks to a little something…
Do you own anything? If not, you can stop reading. But… if you have physical possessions, and you’re renting, you need renters insurance. Renters insurance is a great (and cheap!) way to protect your stuff and your finances. Because let’s face it. It would be super expensive to replace all…
Illustration by Clay Laucella/Bankrate First-time homebuyer Ryan Katherine, 30 years old, bought a Salt Lake City home with her partner in 2023. After agreeing to a 2-1 buydown — where you pay a lower mortgage rate for the first two years — the couple’s initial 4.625% rate turned into their…
So, you’re dreaming of moving to Texas—and what’s not to love? You can rock out at free live music venues in Austin, cheer on the Dallas Cowboys, remember the Alamo at the Alamo, and eat all the brisket and Tex-Mex your heart desires. Find expert agents to help you buy or sell…
If you’re anything like me, then you love food. And if you’re anything like most Americans, then food is what you probably overspend on the most each month. Maybe you want to rein in that grocery budget, but you worry you can’t eat well while saving money. Get expert money advice to…
Have you ever had conversations with your grandparents about the good ole days? Back then, Grandpa could take Grandma to dinner and a movie for less than two bucks, a gallon of milk cost just 75 cents, and they bought their first home for less than $10,000.1,2,3 These days, those…
When it comes to money, you’re either a spender or a saver, a free spirit or a nerd, an experience junkie or a lover of things . . . these are all tendencies that show up in the way we deal with our money. And while it helps to know why you…
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