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…
Social Security provides benefits not only to retired workers but also to spouses who have not contributed to the program. Spouses are one of the many beneficiaries of Social Security, and even ex-spouses can claim a payout from the program in some circumstances. When you apply for Social Security, you…
Photography by Getty Images; Illustration by Bankrate After years of credit challenges, I recently signed an apartment lease — with only a $350 deposit and no co-signer. I’m proud of this achievement, which was only possible for two reasons: my 702 credit score, and the work I put in to…
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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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Image by PM Images/Getty Images; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Mortgage rates fell this week, with the 30-year fixed rate averaging 6.38 percent, compared to 6.55 percent the previous week, according to Bankrate’s latest lender survey. Current mortgage rates Loan type Current 4 weeks ago One…
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When I finished graduate school, I had $72,000 in student loans weighing me down. But less than a year after graduation, I’d paid…
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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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Alina Rudya/Bell Collective/GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways American Express Membership Rewards points are a popular rewards currency that can be earned through eligible Amex credit cards. These points can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, merchandise, statement credits or transferred to airline and hotel partners for potentially higher…
Key takeaways It’s a good idea to have more than one credit card, but applying for multiple cards within a short period of time could hurt your credit score. If you apply for too many credit cards within a brief period, issuers might see you as a risky borrower. It’s…
Smart Shopping for School Supplies and Clothes Buy only the essentials immediately, and purchase remaining items as last year’s supplies are used up. This approach avoids paying full price for things you don’t immediately need and allows you to take advantage of sales later. Hold off on buying new backpacks,…
Key takeaways A title company verifies legal ownership and uncovers issues like liens, unpaid taxes or title defects. Title companies also manage escrow, provide title insurance and oversee the closing process. Title company fees and insurance costs vary by state. Buying or selling a home isn’t as simple as exchanging…
Regulation Best Interest, or Reg BI, is a series of rules from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that govern how broker-dealers and financial advisors must treat their customers. Specifically, it says that these entities must act in the best interests of their client — which sounds clear enough —…
Key takeaways Life insurance may help provide financial support for the long-term care of children with special needs or disabilities. In some cases, a special needs trust can protect a child’s assets and serve as the life insurance beneficiary. Permanent insurance, such as whole life, provides coverage that will remain…
Key takeaways Passive income can help you build wealth in addition to a main job, as a supplement to your retirement savings or even as a full-time gig after a while. Ideally, passive income does not involve any extra work, but you do have choices that involve work upfront and…
Key takeaways Financing an established business can be easier than starting a new venture. Business acquisition loans rely on your personal financial capacity and the historical performance of the business you are purchasing to determine eligibility. Personal funds, seller financing and private equity or venture capital are alternative ways to…
Key takeaways A mortgage preapproval is a statement of how much money a lender is willing to let you borrow to pay for a home. There are several important steps in the preapproval process, such as shopping around for lenders and gathering financial documents. Getting a preapproval makes it more…
Photography by Getty Images Key takeaways The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card may not be the strongest option for travel enthusiasts, but it benefits existing Bank of America customers in the Preferred Rewards program. The card has a $95 annual fee and offers unlimited 2X rewards on travel…
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