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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Hey Mint users. We know you’re in the market for a new budgeting app. And we know there are plenty of options out there—so how do you pick? Let’s talk through a comparison of Mint vs. EveryDollar. What Is Mint? Mint was one of the most popular budgeting apps…
1. Shop Off-Season One of the best ways to save money on winter clothing is to shop off-season. Retailers often offer significant discounts on winter apparel at the end of the season to make room for new stock. By planning ahead and purchasing items in late winter or early spring,…
Hurricane Helene devastated much of western North Carolina like no other storm in recent history. Rain poured down the mountains, acting like a funnel to the already-swollen streams and creeks feeding into the Broad, Toe and Swannanoa Rivers. The red clay soil, already saturated with water from three days’ rain,…
Key takeaways There are many ways to get free financial advice from a variety of sources. It may be possible to see a financial advisor for free or at a reduced cost. When dealing with more complex financial planning issues, such as estate planning or starting a business, it may…
Credit Sesame’s personal finance news roundup December 28, 2024. Stories, news, politics, and events impacting personal finance during the past week. 2024 Q3 GDP growth strong in final estimate The Bureau of Economic Analysis issued its final estimate of US Gross Domestic Product for the third quarter with a positive…
If there’s one topic we doubt you’re planning to bring up at your next dinner party, it’d be federal income tax. Talk about a buzzkill. No one (except tax professionals . . . maybe) likes to think about taxes. But it’s important to know how much you’ll need to shell…
The winter holiday season is a magical time filled with festivities, family gatherings, and the joy of giving. However, it can also be a period of financial strain, with holiday expenses quickly adding up. The good news is that you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy the wonders…
An annuity is a financial product issued by insurance companies that guarantees regular payments over time. People often buy annuities before retirement to offset the risk of outliving their savings. But annuities can also be created after winning a big settlement in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Instead of…
Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are among the newer entrants to the world of Bitcoin trading, joining Bitcoin futures ETFs, which have been trading since 2021. While both funds let traders wager on the price of Bitcoin cryptocurrency, they’re tremendously different in how they do so — and this difference…
Key takeaways Popular SBA 7(a) lenders include Newtek Small Business Finance, Live Oak Bank,, The Huntington National Bank and Readycap Lending SBA 504 lenders have provided over $6 billion in funding to small businesses SBA 7(a) and 504 lenders approved more than 76,000 small business loans combined SBA loans are…
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