Key takeaways After you earn and redeem your credit card welcome bonus, you might be worried that you’ll never see that many points in your account again. A welcome bonus isn’t the only way to earn big when it comes to points or cash back rewards. You can earn extra…
Managing investments for your retirement account can be difficult and daunting. An IRA is great in theory, but without a lot of knowledge about what to invest in, you can be left floating on your own. And that’s where robo-advisors come in — helping you invest your retirement funds smartly…
Key takeaways After you apply for a mortgage, lenders use a process called underwriting to determine whether to approve or deny your loan. The underwriting process typically takes between 40 and 50 days to complete. In deciding whether to approve your loan, underwriters consider your credit history and score, your…
Elon Musk has risen to fame by founding some of the most innovative tech companies in the world today, including electric vehicle maker Tesla and space exploration company SpaceX. Today, Musk ranks as the richest person in the world, according to Bloomberg, largely thanks to his roughly 13 percent stake…
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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 Only 46% of U.S. adults have enough emergency savings to cover three months of expenses, making saving money more crucial than ever. Automatic transfers to high-yield savings accounts earning over 4 percent APY can help build emergency funds without extra effort. Cash-back apps…
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Key takeaways An automatic stay prevents creditors from taking action to collect on certain debts when you file for bankruptcy. Automatic stays can…
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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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Jaskaran Kooner/GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways FHA loan closing costs typically total 2 percent to 6 percent of a home’s purchase price and are charged in addition to the down payment. FHA closing costs include an upfront mortgage insurance premium (MIP), lender and third-party fees and prepaid expenses.…
Key takeaways New car replacement covers the cost of a brand new car of the same make, model and year if yours is totaled, rather than paying the claim out at actual cash value (ACV) after depreciation. This optional coverage can only be purchased for vehicles under a couple of…
Delahaye/ Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate Key takeaways Down payment assistance (DPA) programs provide eligible homebuyers with loans or grants to help cover down payment and closing costs. These programs are typically reserved for first-time homebuyers or buyers with low to moderate incomes for their area. Many down payment…
As a certified student loan counselor, I’ve frequently heard borrowers complain about receiving confusing, even conflicting advice. And that’s when they can reach anyone at all — many federal loan borrowers struggle to get a human on the phone when trying to contact their assigned loan servicer. Given these struggles,…
Image by mbogacz/GettyImages/Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways A construction-to-permanent loan finances the construction of a house and converts to a mortgage on completion. Construction-to-permanent loans require only one round of closing costs. They also require a down payment. With a construction-to-permanent loan, you can draw funds at specific phases…
SDI Productions/Getty Images: Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways Lenders force-place insurance when borrowers fail to maintain coverage required as part of a loan or lease. Force-placed insurance is usually more expensive and doesn’t provide coverage for your belongings or personal liability. You can remove force-placed insurance by getting your…
Marie C Fields/Shutterstock Key takeaways It’s fine to get rid of monthly mortgage statements, but you should keep all your mortgage documents, including proof of title insurance and the promissory note, until your loan is paid off. Having your mortgage documents handy can be beneficial when filing home insurance claims,…
Key takeaways Damage from mine subsidence isn’t normally covered through standard homeowners insurance. There are two main types of mine subsidence — pit and sag — that are classified based on the shape and depth of the depression in the ground. Mine subsidence coverage may be a beneficial addition to…
Alcohol-impaired driving carries steep costs that extend far beyond the initial fine. A single DUI conviction in Pennsylvania drives up the average cost of car insurance by 103 percent — and DUI surcharges could remain on your record for years. To help drivers understand what happens if you get a…
“Location, location, location” has long been the golden rule of real estate. But in today’s challenging housing market, a new mantra is developing: “Insurance, insurance, insurance.” As homeowners insurance premiums rise across the country, buyers are facing a double hit — soaring home prices and costly insurance, which is required…
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