Images by Getty Images; Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate The consequences of a speeding ticket in the Golden State extend far beyond the initial fine. In addition to penalties ranging from $35 to $200, California drivers see their average full coverage car insurance premiums jump by $1,215 per year after a…
Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, Amerant Bank, America First Credit Union, American Airlines Federal Credit Union, American Express National Bank, Apple Bank, Axos Bank, Banesco USA, Bank of America, Bank of Hope, Bank5 Connect, BankPurely, BankUnited Direct, Barclays Bank, Bask Bank, BMO Alto, BMO Bank, Boeing Employees’ Credit Union, Bread…
Key takeaways You can responsibly use a credit card for large purchases if you pay off the balance before it starts accruing interest. Using a credit card to pay for large but predictable expenses — like groceries, travel and appliances — can help you earn rewards and access additional benefits.…
Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images New technology has changed the way many people get around. Ridesharing has become an incredibly popular transportation option, and that’s especially true in big cities where Uber and Lyft drivers are easy to find. With just your smartphone and a few taps of your finger, you can…
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The nation’s 75 million Social Security recipients will receive a 2.8% cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase in their benefits…
Historically Black colleges and universities are on the frontlines of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s new limits on parent…
The big new fees JPMorgan Chase is planning to charge some financial technology companies may well trickle down to consumers,…
With artificial intelligence beginning to eat away at many white-collar entry-level jobs, and the unemployment rate for recent college graduates…
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Key takeaways Mutual funds can be a great way to invest for long-term goals such as retirement. There are thousands of mutual funds focused on different asset classes, such as stocks and bonds. Index funds are popular because of their low cost and diversification benefits.…
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Experience with the Program: How Debt Management Helped a First-Time Renter Katie’s journey shows clearly how debt management helped her regain control over…
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These entrepreneurs, traders and investors are making an outsized impact in fintech, crypto and traditional financial services.By Jeff Kauflin, Hank Tucker and Nina…
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Key takeaways The Federal Reserve’s interest-rate decisions have a wide-ranging influence on your personal finances, affecting more than just your financing costs but also your job security and purchasing power. When the Fed’s key interest rate falls (or rises), the borrowing costs you pay follow suit, influencing the cost of…
Key takeaways Monthly maintenance fees for non-interest checking accounts average $5.47, costing you over $65 annually, according to Bankrate’s 2025 Checking Account Survey. You can avoid these fees through direct deposit, maintaining minimum balances or switching to a fee-free checking account. According to Bankrate data, 47 percent of non-interest checking…
Images by Getty Images; Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways Refinancing your mortgage typically costs between 2 percent and 6 percent of the new loan amount. These closing costs can include fees for origination, a home appraisal and more. You can save on the cost of refinancing by boosting your…
Images by GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) is a mortgage whose interest rate resets at periodic intervals. ARMs have low fixed interest rates at their onset, but often become more costly after the rate starts fluctuating. ARMs tend to work best for those who…
As millions of Americans head home for the holidays, Bankrate’s latest survey finds that there’s one dinner topic that will likely generate more heartburn than the typical conversation taboos about politics or religion: it’s money. The national opinion poll found that about 3 in 5 U.S. adults (61 percent) said…
Most of us have lent money to a friend or family member or paid a group bill with the expectation of being paid back. Unfortunately, these situations don’t always go smoothly and often result in lost money or hurt feelings — sometimes both. About seven in 10 U.S. adults (70…
Key takeaways Three percent down mortgages are exactly what they sound like — they require only a 3 percent down payment. The lower down payment can make it easier to afford a home, but it will mean higher mortgage payments. These mortgages are often part of a program, and borrowers…
KenWiedemann/Getty Images Key takeaways HomeReady mortgages are a type of conventional loan for lower-income borrowers, backed by Fannie Mae. To qualify for a HomeReady loan, your income can’t exceed more than 80 percent of your area’s median income. The program offers a low 3 percent down payment minimum and reduced…
Dean Mitchell/E+/Getty Images Key takeaways Your credit utilization ratio is determined by taking the amount you owe on a credit card and dividing it by your credit limit. Credit utilization is an important factor in your credit score. Most experts recommend keeping this ratio below 30 percent for the best…
Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images Key takeaways The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) cannot issue new flood insurance policies during a government shutdown. Existing NFIP policies remain valid if issued on or before September 30, 2025 and paid within the 30-day grace period. Policy changes, cancellations and endorsements are paused…
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