Spring is the season for renewal, a perfect time to perform a “deep clean” of your financial profile. While March marks National Credit Education Month, the real goal is gaining the freedom that comes with a top-tier credit rating. Whether you’re planning to buy a home, finance a car, or…
Image by PM Images/Getty Images; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Mortgage rates moved up again this week, with the 30-year fixed rate averaging 6.19%, up from 6.15% last week, according to Bankrate’s latest lender survey. Current mortgage rates Loan type Current 4 weeks ago One year ago 52-week average 52-week low…
Debt settlement companies technically aren’t allowed to charge fees until after lowering a consumer’s debt. But a loophole in the Telemarketing Sales Rule — and a mish-mash of federal and state laws — allows predatory firms the opportunity for exploitation. A growing corner of the $23 billion debt relief industry…
Image: Getty Images; Illustration: Bankrate No movement for home equity rates in the latest week. The $30,000 home equity line and the five-year $30,000 home equity loan were unchanged, holding at 7.18% and 7.84%, respectively, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. As home equity rates remain at their lowest…
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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…
With Republicans ending the Grad Plus program, private lenders are eyeing billions in new business, while some students could be…
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Key takeaways A cashier’s check is guaranteed by the issuing bank’s own funds, making it one of the most secure forms of payment for large transactions. Cashier’s checks cost $8 to $15 at most major banks, though many premium checking accounts and credit unions waive…
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Paying off Debt on a Fixed Income: Making Sacrifices and Learning Patience Paying off debt on a fixed income requires discipline. Jill emphasizes…
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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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Pekic/GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways A mortgage lets you purchase a property, while a home equity loan — which is a type of second mortgage — allows you to tap the value of your property to get cash. Compared to other forms of credit, both mortgages and home…
Key takeaways The value of the child tax credit in 2025 (for tax returns filed in 2026) is $2,200, up from $2,000 in 2024. Going forward, the value of the child tax credit will be adjusted for inflation each year. There are income limits: The child tax credit starts to…
Key takeaways An LLC has access to some small business loans that are designed specifically for funding a variety of business expenses. LLC loans can be used for many things, including working capital, covering start-up costs, equipment or inventory purchases, advertising and marketing and even commercial real estate. Signing a…
A complicated U.S. economy. Stubborn inflation and a jobless boom. Unprecedented conflict with the president. Personnel changes, and a new Fed chair. Federal Reserve officials are no stranger to difficult economic moments, but the upcoming year could prove to be more dramatic than usual for the U.S. central bank —…
Westend61/GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways FHA 203(k) loans provide funding to finance both a home’s purchase and the cost of repairing it. This type of loan, which you can obtain from an FHA-approved lender, is reserved for borrowers who intend to live in the home, not house-flippers or…
Key takeaways If your annual income is less than the standard deduction, you likely aren’t required to file a tax return. But exceptions apply to self-employed people, taxpayers who file as married filing separately and others. The standard deduction for the 2025 tax year, for tax returns filed in 2026,…
Tax credits are a powerful way to save money on taxes. Each dollar of a tax credit is subtracted directly from the amount of tax you owe the IRS. And some tax credits are refundable, meaning even if you don’t owe any tax, the credit is paid out to you…
2. Coaching and Tutoring Take stock of your areas of expertise – maybe you speak a second language or solving math equations comes naturally to you. Make use of your knowledge about a certain topic and tutor students – or adults – who need to brush up on the subject. …
Key takeaways Your homeowners insurance premium may increase after a successful claim. The severity of the claim can impact the amount of the increase. Looking for discounts and shopping around are two ways to keep your rate reasonable. You’ve probably heard that your insurance can go up if you file…
Key takeaways Investing in an S&P 500 index fund is an easy way to get instant exposure to hundreds of the largest companies in the U.S. in one investment vehicle. All S&P 500 funds are fundamentally invested in the same stocks, so choosing the “cheapest” one (the one with the…
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