Key takeaways Uniformed service members and federal employees can borrow against their retirement plans with a TSP loan. You can borrow a minimum of $1,000. You can borrow a TSP loan for general purposes, and you can use funds to construct or close on a home. TSP loans come with…
Key takeaways Because the Fed’s decisions to change interest rates affect the pricing of bonds, bond investors closely monitor Federal Reserve interest rate moves. The Fed lowered rates in late 2024 but paused rates until its meeting on Sept. 16-17, 2025, when it decided to lower rates by 25 basis…
Key takeaways For those wanting to grow older in their own homes, HELOCs (home equity lines of credit), home improvement loans and home equity loans may be a good way to finance the necessary renovations. If you’re moving in with a loved one, consider a personal loan or low-interest credit…
Key takeaways Your student loans could come due while you’re still in school if you drop below part-time enrollment or choose certain repayment plans. Your grades can affect your eligibility for federal student loans as well as some types of student loans. If you are notified you owe payments, and…
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 Borrowers may refinance second homes and investment properties to get a lower interest rate or access the home’s equity as cash, among other reasons. The refinancing process for a second home or investment property is similar to refinancing a primary residence, but it…
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 Investing as a teenager can help you get a head start on building wealth, and more time in the market often leads to higher long-term returns. There are several types of investment accounts teens can set up (with adult supervision) to buy stocks and funds, including custodial Roth…
Key takeaways A recession is defined as a significant decline in the economy that lasts more than a few months. A budget can be a tool to cut unnecessary spending, which can help you boost your emergency fund or save for other goals. It pays to seek out a FDIC-insured…
If the student loan crisis is our dreadful result, the rising cost of college is at least the chief cause. And it’s easy to point the finger at those who set sticker prices. That’s the position of Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “Colleges and universities call themselves nonprofits, but for…
Key takeaways Key takeaways Having a business credit file can open the doors to many financing opportunities, which is why it’s important for new businesses to open theirs as soon as possible. You can open a business credit file by contacting the IRS for an Employer Identification Number…
Image by GettyImages; Illustration by Bankrate It’s well-documented that we live in a world of severe income inequality and have made little progress in closing the racial wealth gap. There’s a related and similarly unjust fact of our present times: Your income and credit determine how easy (or difficult) it…
If you’re self-employed or earn certain types of income, there’s a good chance you’ll need to pay estimated taxes — and your next payment is due soon. There are four due dates for estimated tax payments: The first one is April 15, the next one one is June 16, followed…
Key takeaways Homes can become bank-owned properties if the homeowner defaults on their mortgage and the bank forecloses. Bank-owned properties may also be referred to as real estate owned, or REO for short. Listings for these properties can often be found online through bank or government websites. Whether you’re looking…
rbazon/GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways Debt consolidation loans combine two or more separate debts into a single loan with a single monthly payment. Some debt consolidation loans are secured, whereas others are unsecured. Because secured loans require collateral, unsecured debt consolidation loans are less risky to borrowers. A…
Photography by Getty Images; Illustration by Bankrate Key takeaways In order to qualify to refinance student loans, you will need a strong credit score, a stable income, and a decent debt-to-income ratio. Some lenders also require U.S. citizenship and a completed college degree. Most lenders require a minimum amount to…
Key takeaways The minimum credit score required for a conventional loan is 620, while other types of mortgages require scores between 500 and 700. A higher credit score usually translates to a lower interest rate. Paying bills on time, keeping credit card balances low and becoming an authorized user on…
Editor's Pick
