If the IRS notifies you of an audit, and you expected a tax return, you probably have a lot of questions. Will you ever get your tax refund? Does the audit automatically stop it? The answer depends on the IRS’s review and whether the items under audit affect the refund…
Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Getty Images Key takeaways Short-term loans provide financing with a brief repayment period and often require collateral to obtain. These loans are generally capped at $2,000 and are often used by borrowers who are strapped for cash or who have a low credit score. Loan funds are…
Holiday spending came in at the high end of projected ranges for 2025 despite numerous economic challenges. According to Mastercard, U.S. retail sales (excluding automotive) increased 3.9% year-over-year from Nov. 1 through Dec. 21, 2025. CNBC and the National Retail Federation published a similar increase, reporting holiday sales grew 4.1%…
ljubaphoto/Getty Images: Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways The interest rate on a mortgage indicates how much interest you’ll pay for the amount you borrow. The annual percentage rate (APR) is the interest rate plus additional fees and any points. When comparing loan offers, it’s best to compare APRs to…
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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 An emergency fund helps ensure you can handle unplanned expenses, whether from a job loss or a substantial car repair or medical bill. Saving three to six months’ worth of essential expenses is often recommended, but individual circumstances may require saving more or…
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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 A HELOC is a line of credit based on your home’s equity: The more equity (value) you’ve built up in the home, the more money you can access via a HELOC. Among the advantages of a HELOC: It allows you to borrow exactly what you need, typically for…
What if, this whole time, the rising cost of college was wrapped within a fairly simple catch-22: More federal funding helps students afford school — but it also causes higher sticker prices for everyone. It’s an argument that Tom Graf, the longtime executive director of state-based lender MEFA, can understand,…
Data shows that tariffs, inflation and a possible recession are on the minds of American consumers — and for good reason. All you have to do is catch the headlines to know why. With all the financial strain, some of us will look to a personal loan to get through…
Key takeaways Your home insurance claim payout may be either a full or a partial payout, depending on the nature of the damage and your carrier’s policies. Filing a property insurance claim may increase your annual premium, but returning an unused partial claims payout won’t help return your homeowners insurance…
Key takeaways Chase launched its new points redemption option in June 2025, known as the Points Boost program. Points Boost offers can be worth up to 2.0 cents per point, but offers vary in value depending on the cardholder and booking type. Immediate feedback on the Points Boost program is…
Key takeaways Net worth is a measure of wealth that is calculated by subtracting your liabilities from your assets. Assets might include things such as real estate, stocks or retirement accounts, while liabilities would include your mortgage, any credit card debt and student loans. Net worth is a useful tool…
Image by GettyImages; Illustration by Bankrate Key takeaways The timeline to get a bank business loan varies, but expect it to take at least a week. Several factors influence bank loan processing, including the lender and type of loan. Gathering the required loan documents before applying can speed up loan…
Key takeaways Pet insurance covers accidents, illnesses and sometimes chronic conditions, while savings accounts can be used for any pet-related expense, including routine care. Pet insurance helps cover significant medical expenses, offering peace of mind in emergencies, but comes with monthly premiums and policy exclusions. Pet savings accounts give you…
Key takeaways Access to capital is one of the many financial challenges minority-owned businesses face. Business grants are a great option for minority-owned businesses since they don’t require repayment. Alternatives to business grants include business loans, business credit cards and crowdfunding. Minority-owned businesses make up about half of all the…
Just seven months after graduating from business school, I made the final payment on my $72,000 student loan balance. It wasn’t easy — it took extra hustle, long days and sacrifice — but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I thought our journey to debt payoff would be done…
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