Ahh, sweet summertime. It’s the season for hangouts by the pool, neighborhood barbecues, family vacations and all things outdoors. But while those and all our other favorite warm-weather activities are fun, they aren’t exactly free—and the costs can spin out of control if you aren’t careful. So, to make sure you stay…
Improving your financial literacy is a constant journey. But with the start of a new year, there is no better time to focus on it a little more to start the year refreshed. A strong foundation in money management can help you make smarter decisions, avoid common pitfalls, and achieve…
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 credit card. Have you ever…
Credit: Images by GettyImages; Illustration by Jessa Lizama/Bankrate Key takeaways An IRA is an individual retirement arrangement that is tax-advantaged and is designed for use during retirement. The funds from a traditional IRA can be cashed out and moved to a 529 account, but you’ll pay a 10 percent penalty…
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As the Biden administration exits Washington, President-elect Donald Trump inherits a federal student loan system that looks much different than…
When most people think of identity theft, they envision criminals and other miscreants using their private data to open new…
Washington is abuzz over whether Congress will address President-elect Donald Trump’s ambitious policy agenda in one bill or two. But…
TomoCredit, a five-year-old San Francisco startup that claims it boosts consumers’ credit scores, is facing a growing number of problems,…
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People—especially those closest to you—have a profound impact on your well-being. We’ll all experience the ups and downs of living with and loving imperfect people, but ultimately, our relationships should be a source of joy, not frustration. Every human being on the planet is worth…
Dept Managmnt
Key takeaways Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy are common options for individuals with unmanageable debt. Bankruptcy may be the right choice if…
Banking
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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We know what you’re thinking: The used car market is crazy right now! But believe it or not, reliable used cars aren’t extinct. There are still plenty of options available—even in your price range! We’re going to walk you through the best way to buy a used car (because, trust…
Rebecca Noble / Stringer / Getty Images President-elect Donald Trump launched a cryptocurrency called $TRUMP on Friday night, taking the crypto world by storm and making some investors big money overnight. The token’s price surged to more than $33 at one point on Saturday afternoon, with a market capitalization surpassing…
Four times a year, publicly traded companies release their financial statements and required disclosures during a period that’s become known as “earnings season.” The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires these reports to provide transparency to investors about how companies are performing. What is earnings season, and what exactly should…
Zinkevych/Getty Images: Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways The best terms on small business loans are generally reserved for borrowers with strong credit scores Personal credit scores range from 300 to 850, with higher scores indicating greater likelihood of timely payments on a loan Business credit scores can range from…
Credit Sesame’s personal finance news roundup January 18, 2025. Stories, news, politics and events impacting personal finance during the past week. Mortgage rates surge past 7%Inflation continues to accelerateRetail sales showed solid growth in December 202452% of Americans dissatisfied with savingsPPI small rise in December contrasts with large rise for…
Federal student loan payments have officially started back. And maybe you’re already struggling to cover your payment every month. But what would happen if you just . . . didn’t pay? Unfortunately, ignoring your student loans will only make things way worse. Just a few things you can expect: being…
Key takeaways Fiduciary duty obligates a professional to act in the client’s best interests. This can apply to financial advisors, attorneys, real estate agents and other professionals. Fiduciary duty is legally binding and forbids the fiduciary from acting in the best interests of themself or their employer. While it may…
Boone Rodriguez/Corbis/VCG/Getty Images: Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways Business loans require significant documentation about your business formation, financial statements and possibly a business plan Both personal and business finances are reviewed Lenders typically take a few days to weeks to process your information, depending on the lender and type…
Armed with $50 billion in dry powder, Swedish private equity firm EQT believes it can become the number one buyout firm in Asia and Europe, despite its lack of interest in the booming private credit business. By Hank Tucker, Forbes Staff Conni Jonsson grew up on a farm in rural…
Wildfires in southern California have burned at least 47,000 acres in the Los Angeles area—the largest blaze, the Palisades Fire, has burned more than 23,000 acres. Thanks to dry and windy conditions, the fires are continuing to spread. At least 25 people are believed to have died in the fire…
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