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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eyecrave productions/Getty Images Planning to buy or sell a home in Kansas? No matter which side of the transaction you’re on, be prepared to pay for your share of closing costs, the set of fees and expenses that are due at a real estate closing. Although Kansas has lower average…
Key takeaways A portfolio line of credit allows you to borrow money against your investments, similar to other types of secured loans and lines of credit. This line of credit typically has lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than other borrowing methods. Not all accounts allow you to…
This year, after watching Hurricane Helene tear through Asheville, Black Mountain and other towns close to where I call home, I made a commitment to getting my Christmas gifts locally. Not only did I want to support small businesses grappling with reduced tourism and damage from the storm, but I…
Credit Sesame’s personal finance news roundup January 11, 2025. Stories, news, politics, and events impacting personal finance during the past week. Job growth strong in December 2024 The US economy added 256,000 jobs in December. This completed the fourth year in a row in which employment grew every month. In…
Which Debts Aren’t Worth Paying Down First? 4. Prepare For the Year Ahead You may have some big ticket items to save up for in 2025. January is the time to acknowledge your year-round needs and siphon a portion of your income each month towards these expenses. If you set…
If you’re like me, you’re probably already wondering when you’ll have time to wrap all your presents for Christmas. I want my gifts to look cute, but I don’t want to spend a ton of time or money on them this year. I’ve fallen into that trap before! Wrapping presents…
Key takeaways The “Chase 5/24 rule” limits the number of Chase credit cards a consumer can have if they have opened five or more credit cards in the past 24 months. This rule applies to all Chase credit cards, including co-branded hotel and airline cards. Switching to a different Chase…
Bond prices have been volatile in recent years as the Federal Reserve hiked interest rates to combat high inflation, but with rate cuts underway, investors may still be able to take advantage of attractive yields in short-term bonds. Here’s what you should know about short-term bond funds and some of…
Key Takeaways A semi-truck loan, lease or line of credit are all options for business owners who need financing to buy a semi truck. Your credit score will play a significant role in your ability to qualify for a loan, but you can find loans for bad credit from specific…
Credit Sesame’s personal finance news roundup January 4, 2025. Stories, news, politics and events impacting personal finance during the past week. Wall Street completes best 2 years since the late 1990sHoliday spending up modestly in 2024Credit card write-offs rose sharply in first 9 months of 2024Mortgage rates rise for third…
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