Illustration by Bankrate / Photo by Getty The gender pay gap isn’t closing anytime soon, especially for women of color. Black and Hispanic women earn the least compared with men, and a Bankrate analysis of the latest income data from the Census shows it could take generations for their pay…
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…
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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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Key takeaways Unsecured business loans don’t require you to back the loan with valuable assets Making on-time payments and building payments into your budget can help you effectively manage the unsecured business loan If you’re struggling to make repayments, talk to your lender and consider…
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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The fundamental flaws in the way the Federal Reserve operates these days were on full display Wednesday when Jerome Powell talked to the…
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Key takeaways Both charge cards and credit cards allow you to make purchases that you can pay off at a later date. Credit cards allow users to carry a balance from month to month, but those balances are usually subject to credit limits and interest charges. Charge cards tend to…
VioletaStoimenova/ Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate Key takeaways Both financial advisors and accountants can help clients meet financial goals and maximize tax savings. Financial advisors tend to focus more on long-term financial planning for individuals. Accountants most commonly focus on tax planning and returns. Financial advisors and accountants are…
Key takeaways Bonds and annuities aren’t an either-or choice. You may find value from both in your portfolio. Bonds offer stable income, liquidity and the option to sell. Fixed annuities can offer guaranteed income, albeit with less liquidity. When people talk about safe investments for retirement, annuities and bonds often…
Key takeaways While many major card issuers offer popular business cards, picking a card from a lesser-known issuer has its advantages. Some of our top picks don’t require a personal guarantee, and many tend to offer higher credit limit potential than other business cards. Before choosing a business card, compare…
Wyoming is best known for its wide-open spaces, rugged mountains and national parks, but it has something new to add to its reputation: It’s one of the top states in America for retirement. Despite being the nation’s least-populated state, Wyoming ranked third overall in Bankrate’s 2025 Best and Worst States…
Key takeaways When choosing a financial advisor, look for red flags, such as lack of responsiveness, high fees and pushing certain investments. If you are unhappy with your portfolio’s performance, it could be another reason for a new financial advisor. Look for a financial advisor who is a fiduciary, meaning…
Image: Getty Images; Illustration: Bankrate Key takeaways If you’re buying a home, an appraisal waiver can help you avoid the cost and time commitment of an in-person home appraisal. Instead, your mortgage lender will use an automated underwriting system to estimate the property’s value. However, automated systems can’t catch all…
This page was originally published in early 2022 and still contains relevant reader quotes from that time. The rest of the article has since been updated. Key takeaways Hotels can charge you for damages done during your stay, which are usually found while inspecting your room after you check out.…
Key takeaways Do your research to decide which financial professional — a therapist, advisor or credit counselor — can best help you. It’s hard work to eliminate debt, so commit fully to the process. No matter which you choose, realizing you need help is the first step. Credit card debt…
Marco Bottigelli/Getty Images It can be tough to find a travel credit card if your credit score has seen better days, as many of the best travel rewards credit cards require a FICO score of 670 or higher. While options may be limited, you can still earn rewards toward travel…
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