Key takeaways The Federal Reserve doesn’t directly set auto loan rates — but it does affect the cost for lenders to borrow money. The Federal funds rate was cut for a third and final time in 2025 and was not changed in the first meeting of 2026, so it currently…
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…
Personal Finance
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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Image by PM Images/Getty Images; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Mortgage rates fell this week, with the 30-year fixed rate averaging 6.18%, down from 6.25% last week, according to Bankrate’s latest lender survey. Current mortgage rates Loan type Current 4 weeks ago One year ago 52-week…
Dept Managmnt
2. Coaching and Tutoring Take stock of your areas of expertise – maybe you speak a second language or solving math equations comes…
Banking
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 Drivers who drop full coverage on a 10-year-old vehicle could save up to $900 per year on premiums. The difference between a liability-only policy and a policy with liability and comprehensive coverage is only an average of $30 more monthly. Lenders require drivers with an auto loan or…
The Federal Reserve just did something it hadn’t yet done in 2025: It lowered its benchmark overnight lending rate. While the markets largely expected September’s quarter-point rate cut, it does mark the beginning of a potential easing cycle after months of holding rates steady. That matters for homeowners because the…
Certificates of deposit (CDs) and Roth IRAs play different roles in retirement planning. CDs provide fixed interest and are federally insured, which can make them attractive if your priority is safety and predictable returns. A Roth IRA, by comparison, offers the opportunity for long-term, tax-free growth and withdrawals, giving you…
When planning for retirement, one of the biggest decisions you’ll face is how to generate consistent, tax-efficient income. Two common options, annuities and Roth IRAs, serve very different purposes, but can both play a key role in your strategy. A Roth IRA offers tax-free growth and withdrawals in retirement, while…
Managing multiple 401(k) accounts from past employers involves tracking different fees, investment options, and statements. Consolidating these accounts can simplify monitoring, reduce costs and keep investments aligned with retirement goals. A financial advisor can help you evaluate consolidation options and determine a strategy for your retirement savings.Ways to Consolidate Your…
Home prices remain near record highs. Mortgage rates have retreated but remain well above their pandemic lows. Add it up, and homebuyers are feeling discouraged. With housing affordability squeezing buyers, one in six (16 percent) of aspiring homebuyers have given up on purchasing a home in the past five years…
Key takeaways A 401(k) loan may help you access money from your retirement plan, but they’re not always available. A 401(k) loan can help you avoid the costly expenses associated with taking an early withdrawal from your account. You’ll need to pay back your 401(k) loan just as you would…
Key takeaways The key difference between an ordinary annuity and an annuity due is when payments are made, which can affect the overall value. Ordinary annuity payments are made at the end of each period. Annuity due income payments are made at the beginning of the period. An annuity is…
Key takeaways The SECURE Act 2.0 became law in the last days of 2022, and its rules provide assistance for retirement savers, small businesses and many others. The law enabled a host of things, including the starting age for required minimum distributions, the removal of RMDs for employer-sponsored Roth accounts…
Key takeaways You can typically cash in your savings bond at your bank, in person. Regardless of how much money you receive, you can cash in your childhood savings bond and reinvest it, save it, or spend it. If you have a savings bond socked away for a while, or…






































