With less than a week to go before the big day, you’ve got the big bushy Christmas tree, the perfectly wrapped presents, the festive turkey with all the fixings, and all of the other details that come with the holidays. From dinner parties to dressing up and decorating the home,…
Higher interest rates played out on stocks, cryptocurrency and commodities over the past few years. But now that the Federal Reserve has been cutting short-term rates, what can investors expect going forward — and how long will the shifting rate environment affect markets? On Dec. 10, the central bank reduced…
The Q1 2026 rotating bonus categories on the Chase Freedom Flex® card aren’t what I expected, but I’m actually pretty happy with them. From Jan. 1 through March 31, 2026, cardholders will earn an extra 4 percent cash back on dining, American Heart Association donations and Norwegian Cruise Line purchases.…
Foreign transaction fees are just one of several annoying travel fees that can be added to your purchases when you use a credit card to pay overseas. Thankfully, many business credit cards waive these fees, which may be just what you need if your business frequently travels abroad. The best…
Personal Finance
The nation’s 75 million Social Security recipients will receive a 2.8% cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase in their benefits…
Historically Black colleges and universities are on the frontlines of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s new limits on parent…
The big new fees JPMorgan Chase is planning to charge some financial technology companies may well trickle down to consumers,…
With artificial intelligence beginning to eat away at many white-collar entry-level jobs, and the unemployment rate for recent college graduates…
Featured Articles
Key takeaways A personal loan can get you cash within days at a fixed rate and steady payment. Personal loans tend to carry lower, more affordable interest rates than credit cards, if you have good or better credit. Before deciding to get a personal loan,…
Dept Managmnt
What Is the 4 Gift Rule for Christmas? A Financial Safety Net What the 4-gift rule for Christmas provides is a simple guide…
Banking
OBSERVATIONS FROM THE FINTECH SNARK TANKBankers wants to discuss AI strategy. They’re excited about chatbots, machine learning models, generative AI tools, and AI…
Credit Cards
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With the costs of college and retirement increasing at breakneck speed, many parents are feeling the need to invest in their children’s futures as early as possible. Common options include 529 plans and custodial IRAs, with a new option emerging in 2026 dubbed “Trump accounts.” Created under the “One Big…
Key takeaways No-credit-check loans target borrowers with poor credit or limited credit history. These loans often carry sky-high interest rates, sometimes exceeding 100% APR. These loans should be approached with great caution and as a last-resort funding option. Obtaining a loan when you have bad credit can be challenging, as…
The short answer, while credit cards technically cost more in interest (if balances are carried), Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) often costs you more in monthly cash flow and budget flexibility. In most cases, Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) plans cost your budget more in the new year than credit…
Key takeaways The amount you can afford for a car depends on whether you’re buying or leasing — the latter could be much cheaper and let you access more options. Your salary, debt-to-income ratio and credit profile could also affect how large of a car loan you’ll be offered. Be…
Key takeaways There are two main types of student loans: federal and private. Federal student loans are easier to qualify for and have more flexible repayment options than private loans, including far more paths to loan forgiveness. Private student loans may offer lower interest rates with higher loan limits for…
Key takeaways Your required minimum distribution (RMD) amount changes each year based on the IRS’s life expectancy calculation for your age. You calculate your RMD by dividing your year-end account value by the estimated remaining years in your lifetime, as per an IRS table. If you miss the RMD deadline,…
Rolf Bruderer/Getty Images Key takeaways Gap insurance covers the difference between your claim payout and your remaining loan or lease balance if your car is stolen or totaled in a covered claim. Gap insurance is typically less expensive when purchased as a policy endorsement through your insurance company rather than…
Yellow Dog Productions/ Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate You’ve picked out your new car at the dealership and qualified for a car loan, but before you can sign on the dotted line and drive away, the dealer says you need full coverage car insurance. Full coverage car insurance typically…
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is one of the single most expensive mistakes you can make on the road. If you’re charged with a DUI, tickets and fines are only the start of your financial challenges — but the total cost of a DUI can add up…
There’s Still A Nationwide Shortage Of Homes — So Why Are Sellers Getting Desperate In Some Places?
For years, Americans have heard this mantra: There isn’t enough housing in the United States. The ongoing shortage explains why affordability is such a challenge, and why so many Americans are spending their 30s as renters rather than homeowners. The reality has grown a bit more complicated. As the housing…
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