The holiday season is a time filled with joy, celebration, and, often, a lot of expenses. As the festivities wind down, many find themselves facing the reality of depleted bank accounts, credit card debt, and the daunting task of rebuilding their financial safety nets. An emergency fund serves as a…
Money is an uncomfortable topic for many, yet it’s an important ongoing conversation to have in a relationship. Financial secrets undermine trust. And for many, it may even feel like betrayal. More than 2 in 5 U.S. adults (43%) believe keeping financial secrets is at least as bad as physical…
Sixty percent of Americans under age 65 — that’s about 164.7 million people — receive their health insurance through their employer, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation analysis. That means losing a job can feel like a one-two punch: the loss of both income and health insurance. Then comes the…
Would you be upset if you found out your partner had a credit card you didn’t know about? On the flip side, have you ever fudged the numbers with your spouse about a recent shopping spree? Romantic relationships can come with mixed feelings about money. That’s why we asked more…
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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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Images by Getty Images; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate A construction loan is a short-term, high-interest loan used to finance building a home. Funds are paid out in phases over the course of construction and typically cover land, materials, contractor labor and permits. They tend to…
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2. Coaching and Tutoring Take stock of your areas of expertise – maybe you speak a second language or solving math equations comes…
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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 Joint checking accounts let two people manage shared expenses with equal access to funds — ideal for couples, parents with teens, or adult children helping aging parents. The best joint checking accounts offer no monthly fees, competitive APYs and features like overdraft protection and mobile banking tools. Before…
Key takeaways FDIC insurance covers up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank, per ownership category — meaning a single person can protect far more than $250,000 by using different account types at the same institution. If you have $300,000 in one account, only $250,000 is protected — the remaining $50,000…
MoMo Productions/Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate You don’t have to look far to find predictions for the future of interest rates. While it’s wise to keep an eye on whether experts believe that rates are poised to rise or fall — the movements can play a big role in…
Key takeaways Opening a bank account online takes 10-15 minutes if you have your documents ready — you’ll need your Social Security number, government ID and proof of address. Online banks typically offer higher interest rates (currently up to 4.20% APY on savings) and lower fees than traditional banks because…
Key takeaways Writing a check requires six simple steps: date, payee name, amount in numbers, amount in words, memo (optional) and your signature. Always use blue or black pen — never pencil — to prevent alterations and fraud. The number amount and written amount must match exactly, or banks may…
Luis Alvarez/Getty Images Key takeaways Zelle is an easy tool for sending money between friends or different bank accounts, but transfers are subject to daily and monthly limitations. Depending on the issuing bank, daily limits for Zelle transactions range from $500 or less to $10,000 or more. Aggregate monthly transfer…
Key takeaways CD rates are beginning to fall as the Federal Reserve shifts toward rate cuts. Locking in competitive yields now or laddering your CDs can protect against lower future rates. Savers should also consider high-yield savings or money market accounts for more flexibility and liquidity. Certificates of deposit (CDs)…
Key takeaways The best consolidation loans allow you to save money on interest, pay off debt more quickly and replace multiple debts with one new loan and payment. There are many options to consolidate debt, including balance transfer credit cards, home equity loans, debt consolidation loans and peer-to-peer loans. The…
Key takeaways Emergency loans for bad credit tend to have higher interest rates and fees than traditional loans. Payday alternative loans and credit card cash advances are emergency loan options available to most borrowers — even with imperfect credit. Payday and title loans are also options, but these are much…
An individual retirement account (IRA) is one of the most popular ways to invest for retirement. Not only are you saving for your future, but you’re also getting a generous tax advantage to do so, courtesy of the U.S. government. If you’re looking to get off to a fast start…
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