Practical Money Tricks That Lead to Real Treats Getting out of debt doesn’t happen overnight, but small, consistent actions can help you regain confidence and control. Here are a few tried-and-true strategies: Budget like a pro: Track every dollar for a month to see where your money really goes. Focus…
Key takeaways Credit unions typically offer better rates on savings and lower rates on loans compared to traditional banks. Membership is required and may have specific eligibility requirements based on location, employer or affiliation. Your deposits are federally insured up to $250,000, just like at banks, providing the same level…
Key takeaways A home equity line of credit (HELOC) on an investment property is a loan taken out against a piece of real estate that generates income or a financial return. Lenders will consider both the borrower’s creditworthiness and the property’s financials when evaluating an investment property HELOC application. These…
Key takeaways While your home’s value is determined by many factors, some home improvements could help increase its worth. There are multiple ways to pay for upgrades, including cash-out refinancing, a home equity loan or home improvement loan. If you plan to sell your home, it’s important to determine not…
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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…
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Images by GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways A debt consolidation loan replaces multiple streams of debt with one new loan at a fixed rate and monthly payment. A personal loan for debt consolidation is typically a fast and simple way to consolidate all…
Dept Managmnt
The decision of which debt to start paying off first is a personal one, but starting with high-interest debt is generally considered the…
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Lawrence Golub, billionaire founder and CEO of private credit firm Golub Capital, emphatically dismissed fears that the rapid growth of private credit, specifically…
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Key takeaways The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is a solid option for frequent Delta customers, but the $150 annual fee (waived the first year) might be a bit steep for some. This card earns 2X miles at U.S. supermarkets, at restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.)…
If we have long been guilty of over-borrowing student loans for college, perhaps part of the solution is using a different — but similar — private financial product. Annual student loan borrowing has tripled since the 1990s And yet, average net tuition has increased by only 46 percent over the…
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…
How long it takes to get a 401(k) loan can vary depending on your employer, plan administrator and whether your plan offers an online portal or requires paperwork. In some cases, the process may take just a few days. In others, you may need to wait a couple of weeks…
Image by MoMo Productions/GettyImages Since a weak jobs report in early September, mortgage rates have fallen sharply. For prospective homebuyers and refinancers, it’s a nerve-racking moment. Will rates keep dropping? Or will they follow their recent pattern and quickly rebound? It’s nearly impossible to know where rates will go in…
Image by GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways There are no specific income requirements to qualify for a mortgage — but mortgage lenders do evaluate whether you make enough to repay the amount you want to borrow. To determine if you’ll qualify, mortgage lenders review your debt-to-income ratio, credit…
Key takeaways Social Security is a federal program that provides income to retirees, survivors of deceased workers and disabled people. The average Social Security check for retirees is around $2,000 per month — slightly higher than the average benefit for survivors and people with disabilities. How many years worked, how…
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