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…
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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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I can’t tell you how many times I’ve spoken with a caller on The Ken Coleman Show who uttered the words, “I hate my job. What do I do?” It doesn’t matter how many times I hear that—it’s heartbreaking every single time. The unfortunate reality is 70% of Americans aren’t…
Key takeaways You could consider using a credit card for large purchases if you can pay off the balance before it starts accruing interest. A 0 percent introductory APR card buys you more time to pay off the purchase. Using a credit card to pay for large but predictable expenses…
DeFi — short for decentralized finance — is a new vision of banking and financial services that is based on peer-to-peer payments through blockchain technology. Via blockchain, DeFi allows “trust-less” banking, sidestepping traditional financial middlemen such as banks or brokers. What’s in it for investors? DeFi promises to allow investors…
Credit Sesame simplifies your financial life with tools to monitor and manage your credit. Life gets busy, and managing finances often takes a back seat until a late fee or missed payment reminds you to pay attention. But simplifying your financial life doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right…
Key takeaways Credit repair is a term used to describe the process of restoring your credit rating. You can hire a credit repair company to do the legwork for you or repair your credit on your own. You could also pursue credit counseling or debt consolidation, depending on your situation.…
“Ugh . . . why is gas so expensive?” you yell at the sky as you cough up $50 to fill ‘er up. Thankfully we aren’t back at that all-time record high when the average price of gas hit $5.01 a gallon on June 14, 2022.1 But we were around $3.33…
The conventional wisdom about private mortgage insurance (PMI) has long been that borrowers should try to avoid it. PMI is a requirement for conventional mortgage borrowers who put down less than 20 percent on a home — and it’s just one more cost squeezing first-time homebuyers. Yet, in recent years,…
A certified public accountant (CPA) can play a crucial role in the tax filing season as they help business owners navigate the tax code and ensure they meet all of their required deadlines. They also play a vital role in looking at your business accounts critically and help you fix…
Launching a startup business is exciting, but it can also be stressful if you need external money to keep the momentum going. While the U.S. Small Business Administration offers several small business loans for established companies, there are also some loan options available to new ventures. This guide will cover…
You’ve probably heard it before: Nobody buys or sells a home in the winter, right? Well, if you check the numbers, you’d see that plenty of homes are sold during the coldest months of the year. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, over 11,000 homes are sold per day…
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