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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Every money goal starts with a budget. And that’s where EveryDollar comes in! EveryDollar’s been helping people budget and take control of their money since 2015. But our story began decades before. A (Brief) History of EveryDollar Back in 1992, money expert and bestselling author Dave Ramsey (maybe you’ve heard…
As the year draws to a close, the anticipation of a New Year’s Eve celebration brings excitement and joy. It’s a time to reflect on the past year and welcome the new one with open arms. Hosting a New Year’s Eve party can be a delightful way to gather with…
Crypto is big money — and there’s potentially free money in it for you if you’re looking to try out a different crypto exchange or new to investing in crypto. Worldwide, the crypto market cap is $3.75 trillion as of Dec. 16, with Bitcoin holding about $2 trillion of that…
Every business owner can benefit from knowing how to write a business plan, including those in the early stages of launching a business. A well-crafted business plan communicates the business’s strategy for growth to key leaders and investors. It’s also an important step to getting a business loan since many…
Credit Sesame with some tips on how to smash your credit goals in 2025. Setting credit-related goals may not seem like an exciting New Year’s resolution, but it can have a lasting impact on your life. Whether you’re looking to boost your credit score, manage debt more effectively, or simply…
If you want to move forward financially, your current money habits need to line up with your future money goals. But it can be hard to know if you’re on the right track. That’s why we created custom budget reports inside EveryDollar—to help you stay on top of your spending and…
kate_sept2004 / Getty Images Key takeaways Business grants are usually taxable In certain instances, your grant may be nontaxable You can find out if grant money is taxable by researching federal or state laws, contacting the grant organization or consulting a tax professional Always maintain good financial records to avoid…
High-yield bonds can offer a way for investors to earn higher returns if they’re comfortable taking on additional credit risk. High-yield bonds are issued by entities with low credit ratings from bond rating agencies such as Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch. Bonds with ratings below a certain threshold are…
whyframestudio/Getty Images Your business just received a large, unexpected purchase for your products that could lead to a huge boost in revenue as well as your business’s reputation. Problem: you don’t have enough product on hand, and you won’t receive payment until the order is filled. That’s where purchase order…
Stop us if you’ve been here before: You run into some kind of issue, and instead of calling someone else for help, you try to solve it on your own—even when you definitely shouldn’t. Maybe your car won’t start, and even though you know nothing about cars aside from how…
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