Key takeaways Decisions made by the Federal Reserve to increase the benchmark rate do not directly impact auto loans but rather the cost for banks to lend. The higher the Fed sets rates, the higher auto loan rates will likely be. The Fed made its third and last rate cut…
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…
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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 Your credit card APR can go up if the prime rate changes, you paid your credit card bill late, your intro APR offer ended or your credit score dropped. If your APR increases, you can work on paying down your balance or transfer…
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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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We’re heading into the final months of the year, which makes this the ideal time to lower your 2025 tax bill. Financial moves you make before year-end can reduce your taxable income, trim what you owe the IRS and put more money back in your pocket come tax-filing season. Here…
Key takeaways The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is a solid option for frequent Delta customers, but the $150 annual fee (waived the first year) might be a bit steep for some. This card earns 2X miles at U.S. supermarkets, at restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.)…
If we have long been guilty of over-borrowing student loans for college, perhaps part of the solution is using a different — but similar — private financial product. Annual student loan borrowing has tripled since the 1990s And yet, average net tuition has increased by only 46 percent over the…
For the first time in nine months, the Federal Reserve looks ready to cut interest rates. It might not be the cure to painfully high borrowing costs that many Americans have been waiting for. Policymakers are expected to trim their key borrowing rate by a quarter of a percentage point…
Planning for retirement often comes with questions about when and how you can tap into your savings. One such question many people ask is, “Can I withdraw from my 457 while still employed?” Unlike other retirement accounts, 457 plans (also known as 457(b) plans) have their specific rules and exceptions…
The Show-Me State has a little something for everyone, whether it’s the barbecue scene of Kansas City, the historic charm of St. Louis or the natural beauty of the Ozarks. And unlike many states, Missouri’s housing market still offers a level of affordability that can make homeownership a reality. As…
How long it takes to get a 401(k) loan can vary depending on your employer, plan administrator and whether your plan offers an online portal or requires paperwork. In some cases, the process may take just a few days. In others, you may need to wait a couple of weeks…
Image by MoMo Productions/GettyImages Since a weak jobs report in early September, mortgage rates have fallen sharply. For prospective homebuyers and refinancers, it’s a nerve-racking moment. Will rates keep dropping? Or will they follow their recent pattern and quickly rebound? It’s nearly impossible to know where rates will go in…
Image by GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways There are no specific income requirements to qualify for a mortgage — but mortgage lenders do evaluate whether you make enough to repay the amount you want to borrow. To determine if you’ll qualify, mortgage lenders review your debt-to-income ratio, credit…
Key takeaways Social Security is a federal program that provides income to retirees, survivors of deceased workers and disabled people. The average Social Security check for retirees is around $2,000 per month — slightly higher than the average benefit for survivors and people with disabilities. How many years worked, how…
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