For the first time in nine months, the Federal Reserve looks ready to cut interest rates. It might not be the cure to painfully high borrowing costs that many Americans have been waiting for. Policymakers are expected to trim their key borrowing rate by a quarter of a percentage point…
Image by Getty Images; Illustration by Bankrate Key takeaways Prequalification lets you view your predicted loan rates and approval odds without impacting your credit score. Review each lender’s minimum acceptance criteria and loan terms prior to filling out the application to increase your chances of prequalifying. Prequalify with multiple lenders…
Planning for retirement often comes with questions about when and how you can tap into your savings. One such question many people ask is, “Can I withdraw from my 457 while still employed?” Unlike other retirement accounts, 457 plans (also known as 457(b) plans) have their specific rules and exceptions…
The Show-Me State has a little something for everyone, whether it’s the barbecue scene of Kansas City, the historic charm of St. Louis or the natural beauty of the Ozarks. And unlike many states, Missouri’s housing market still offers a level of affordability that can make homeownership a reality. As…
Trending
Spotlight This Week
More Articles
Personal Finance
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…
If a society is going to make intelligent choices in policy, it helps to understand reality, which includes facts and…
New York startup Casap has raised $25 million in new funding to help banks tackle the thorny problem of credit…
Featured Articles
Key takeaways In most cases, homeowners insurance policies do not cover mold damage as it’s often tied to home maintenance. Homeowners insurance policies may provide coverage to remove the mold as part of the mitigation effort to restore your property from a covered peril. Mold…
Dept Managmnt
Key takeaways A divorce decree outlines which spouse is legally responsible for each debt after the divorce is completed. States either have community…
Banking
When it comes to selling coconut water to the health obsessed, New York’s Vita Coco has served up a master class, schooling even…
Credit Cards
All News
Key takeaways There’s often a big difference between the home equity you have and the home equity you can literally use, or tap, for ready cash. Homeowners can never borrow the full amount of their equity — they must leave around 20% of it in the home. The size of…
It feels like everything’s just way more expensive these days, doesn’t it? Yeah, that’s because it is. With inflation at the highest level we’ve seen in 41 years, one of the top things on the “costs more than it used to” list is gasoline. Paying for gas just to make…
If you deliver for DoorDash or run your own freelance business, your taxes may look different under the massive new tax law that President Donald Trump signed into law on July 4. Freelance, self-employed and gig workers already juggle multiple clients and unpredictable income streams, which can add an extra…
The comparison between HSA vs. Roth IRA for retirement planning isn’t about choosing one over the other. Rather, it’s about understanding how each might fit into your comprehensive financial plan. Your health needs, current tax situation and retirement timeline are all relevant in determining the optimal strategy. As healthcare costs…
Ahh, sweet summertime. I don’t know about you, but summer at my house is filled with snow cones, pool parties, trips to the lake and cookouts. When Winston and I decided to host our first cookout, I was a tad nervous. First off, I’m no grill master. And second .…
Did you know the national average cost of car insurance is $1,342 for full coverage?1 (That works out to about $112 for your monthly car insurance bill.) But remember, that’s the average. Car insurance costs vary a lot depending on a bunch of factors. So, how do insurance companies figure…
Image by Getty Images; Illustration by Bankrate Key takeaways Reasons people keep cash at home include emergency preparedness, financial privacy concerns and mistrust of banks. While some cash at home may be a good idea, it is a safer option to keep most of your liquid funds in an FDIC-insured…
Feeling stuck in a Parent PLUS Loan? You’re probably looking for the easiest way out of it, including getting the whole debt forgiven. But is Parent PLUS Loan forgiveness real? And what are your options to get rid of this thing for good? Time to find out! Is Parent PLUS…
Tim Robberts/Getty Images Key takeaways Check your credit score, determine your budget and decide on a vehicle before arriving at the dealership to avoid high-pressure sales tactics. Prequalify with multiple lenders to compare real offers without damaging your credit score. Adjust your budget if necessary. Use your preapproval documents to…
Back in 2017, Congress delivered a massive tax overhaul for Americans, cutting tax rates, doubling the standard deduction, capping certain deductions, and simplifying the tax code for millions of families. But they slapped an expiration date on most of those changes—and those changes were finally set to expire at the…
Editor's Pick
