Key takeaways The Federal Reserve’s interest-rate decisions have a wide-ranging influence on Americans’ personal finances, affecting their job security, financing costs and the direction of the economy. When the Fed’s key interest rate falls, borrowing costs for consumers also decrease, influencing the cost of financing purchases with credit cards, car…
Images by GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Index funds are one of the most popular types of investments because of their simplicity, low cost and diversification benefits. In general, index funds seek to replicate the performance of an underlying index comprised of stocks or bonds, which means they aren’t managed…
Can you count a local sports team sponsorship as a business expense? If you discuss your advertising strategy over coffee with your partner, is it considered a business lunch? And just what does a certified public accountant do when you hand them a pile of gas receipts? If you’re a…
Worries about inflation, high interest rates and chaotic global events have kept experts and investors queasy about the stock market and the economy overall. All that fear and uncertainty has led to whispers about another recession or a potential stock market crash—the first since the start of the coronavirus pandemic…
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A perfect storm is brewing for millions of federal student loan borrowers, who may experience dramatic increases in their monthly…
As the Biden administration exits Washington, President-elect Donald Trump inherits a federal student loan system that looks much different than…
Republican lawmakers in Congress are circulating a number of proposals to cut federal spending as part of a massive bill…
Washington is abuzz over whether Congress will address President-elect Donald Trump’s ambitious policy agenda in one bill or two. But…
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Key takeaways You can write checks against a line of credit with credit card convenience checks. Convenience checks are often processed as a cash advance, which can be expensive. It’s a good idea to consider alternatives before using a convenience check to borrow against your…
Dept Managmnt
Key takeaways A balance transfer fee is what credit card issuers charge when you transfer debt, usually credit card debt, to another credit…
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No matter how often bank regulators, international standard setters, rating agencies, or financial reform advocates warn banks that climate change is serious, the…
Credit Cards
Key takeaways The Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card offers a flat 1.5 percent cash back on all purchases. Bank of…
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America’s top investors have achieved double-digit returns for years, sometimes decades. Following these top investors is a great strategy for two reasons. First, you can learn how these investors think and operate, potentially raising your own financial IQ. Second, their investments may offer you attractive ideas that you can choose…
Credit Sesame discusses the pandemic effect and the ripples still affecting the U.S. economy. Since early 2020 and for the next few years, life was dominated by the pandemic and its after-effects. In 2024, life seemed to be back to normal. The pandemic also had a huge impact on the…
The whole student loan situation over the last three-and-a-half years has been a dumpster fire (to say the least). From payment pauses to failed forgiveness, borrowers have had to deal with so much back and forth from the government, they could probably sue for whiplash. Now that borrowers are finally…
Key takeaways Standard FDIC and NCUA insurance covers up to $250,000 of deposits and interest earned on those deposits. Online-only banks also provide FDIC insurance, but fintech companies aren’t part of the FDIC network. Before you open an account at a bank or credit union, it’s wise to verify that…
Stocks are a popular investment: 46 percent of Americans owned a stock-related investment in 2023, compared to 43 percent in 2022, according to a recent Bankrate survey. But stocks can also make great gifts, appreciating in value well beyond the initial gift amount. In many ways, it’s the gift that…
Key takeaways Small businesses operating on thin margins can often be forced to close after disasters like weather events, economic upheaval or pandemics. Supporting local small businesses can help them recover faster and bolster the local economy at the same time. You can support small businesses locally and beyond by…
*All information included in this article was current on its publication date and is subject to change. Because business credit cards don’t require collateral and are easy to use and apply for, they’re a very common way for small businesses to secure a boost of funding. If you’ve ever applied…
Christmas is one of the best times of the year. And if you have kids, you know the joy of seeing their faces light up when they realize Santa squeezed himself down the chimney, dropped off a roomful of presents, and ate all the cookies in the house. It’s magical! No…
The holidays are quickly approaching, and your shopping may already be in full swing as you search for the perfect presents and festive decorations to celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa. Shoppers expect to spend an average of $902 per person on gifts and other holiday expenses during the 2024 holiday…
Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have been a staple of investors’ portfolios for decades, and for good reasons. They give investors the opportunity to own various types of securities in a single fund, usually within one category or sector — providing diversification and lower costs, because many of them are passively managed.…
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