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…
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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…
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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…
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Key takeaways A divorce decree outlines which spouse is legally responsible for each debt after the divorce is completed. States either have community…
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When it comes to selling coconut water to the health obsessed, New York’s Vita Coco has served up a master class, schooling even…
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It’s the middle of summer, and your AC suddenly goes out. You don’t have a couple thousand dollars to get it fixed, but the temperature is rising, the kids are screaming, and you’re sweating from more than just the heat. So, you race down to your local credit union and…
Whether you’re switching banks or starting fresh, opening a bank account is a big step. So it’s important to get everything in order before you try setting up the account. But how do you prepare? What do you need to open a bank account? And in this digital age, do…
Key takeaways Anyone who owns a home has equity in it — it’s the portion of the property that you own outright, as opposed to being financed or encumbered with debt in some way. Your home equity percentage increases as you pay down your mortgage. It can also rise if…
Update as of June 2023: Federal student loan payments will resume October 2023—with interest starting back September 1, 2023. Let’s be real: It’s been a rough few years. Maybe you were hit hard financially, and it’s been a struggle to keep food on the table, let alone worry about your student…
Key takeaways Preapproval can give you a firm idea of how much you can spend and what your monthly payment will be. Negotiating your out-the-door price and financing can be easier once you have a preapproval offer. A preapproval offer doesn’t lock you in, so you can compare other options…
You walk onto the lot looking for a sensible car for your commute—a used one if you can get it. But on the way to look at the economy hatchback that gets 40 miles per gallon, the dealer notices your eye wander toward that big, beautiful luxury sedan—the German one.…
For many retirees, securing a steady stream of income is a top priority. One way to protect against the risk of outliving your savings is through an income annuity, a financial product that provides guaranteed monthly payouts in exchange for a lump sum investment. Income annuities come in two forms:…
Hey, we know student loans are heavy. They can squeeze the life out of your income and feel like a weight you just can’t bear. If you’re looking for student loan help, the options can seem endless. From forgiveness to forbearance to consolidation . . . but how do you…
You signed up for a timeshare. The pitch made it seem like the deal of a lifetime. But now you’re feeling trapped. You’re realizing that lump payment plus the growing annual maintenance fees plus the cost of traveling to your little slice of paradise isn’t really very paradise-like after all.…
If you’re covered in student loan debt, then you know how hard it is. It’s like a dark rain cloud following you around, casting a shadow on all the good things in your life. When that rain cloud sticks around long enough, it’s easy to feel hopeless, even desperate. And…
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