Key takeaways Loss of use reimburses expenses incurred when your home is uninhabitable after a loss. Elective renovations and general maintenance are not covered by loss of use. Pet boarding, parking fees, moving expenses and laundry services are just a few of the expenses loss of use may cover. If…
Illustration by Grant Crowder/Bankrate Key takeaways To find a mortgage lender, first take stock of your finances and decide what type of mortgage you need. You can compare rates and fees by getting a preapproval from at least three mortgage lenders. There are six main types of mortgage providers: direct…
Photography by Getty Images Key takeaways FICO and VantageScore credit scores span from 300 to 850. The higher your score, the more likely you are to secure loans, credit cards and financing options with better terms and lower interest rates. Different factors are considered when calculating your credit score, including…
As a personal finance journalist and a credit counselor, people often ask me for credit card advice. And I’m happy to give it! But I find myself sharing the same set of basic facts because they’re helpful for so many people. And then it dawned on me: Credit cards can…
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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 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…
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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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Key takeways More homesellers may incur a capital gains tax on their proceeds, the National Association of REALORS warns, due to the dizzying rise in home equity stakes over the last few years – and no changes to exemption limits. Even with the increase, though, it’s unlikely that more than…
Your Social Security benefits may be taxable depending on your provisional income. This is calculated by adding your adjusted gross income (AGI), any tax-exempt interest and half of your Social Security benefits. The IRS compares this total to set income limits to decide if 0%, up to 50%, or up…
I used to think saving was about willpower. Cut back, stay disciplined, stick to the plan. Then I started working for a bank and started paying closer attention to my statements. I noticed numerous small transactions being deducted from my account for services that I rarely or never used. It…
Cash balance plans and 401(k)s are both employer-sponsored retirement options, but they work differently. A cash balance plan is a type of pension that promises a set payout at retirement based on a formula, while a 401(k) depends on how much you contribute and how your investments perform. The choice…
Cris Cantón/Getty Images Nvidia (NVDA) made a huge splash as it skyrocketed in the last couple years to become a trillion-dollar stock. It now sits among tech heavyweights such as Microsoft (MSFT), Apple (AAPL) and Amazon (AMZN) in the list of the world’s largest companies. But who else is primed…
For many taxpayers, the standard deduction makes it unnecessary to itemize. However, this also limits which deductions you can claim, including donations to charity. Recent tax changes have affected claiming and qualifying for charitable deductions if you don’t itemize your return. Knowing the current rules can help you plan your…
Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, Amerant Bank, America First Credit Union, American Airlines Federal Credit Union, American Express National Bank, Apple Bank, Arvest Bank, Axos Bank, Banesco USA, Bank of America, Bank of Hope, Bank5 Connect, BankPurely, BankUnited Direct, Barclays Bank, Bask Bank, BMO Alto, BMO Bank, Boeing Employees’ Credit…
A recent study issued by CreditSafe reported dismal news for businesses. Specifically, over half of companies surveyed (58 percent) said their long-term debt increased over the past 12 months. Operating expenses have also been growing since 2023. As a business owner, you probably don’t need a study to tell you…
Contributions to Roth 401(k) accounts and after-tax contributions to regular 401(k) accounts both involve after-tax dollars, but they follow different tax and distribution rules. Roth 401(k) contributions grow tax-free and allow tax-free withdrawals of both contributions and earnings in retirement if conditions are met. After-tax 401(k) contributions, by contrast, may…
Key takeaways Time and again, research shows that comparison-shopping for a mortgage lender can help you obtain the best possible loan terms. Compare at least three offers. Before you apply for preapproval, research the rate you’re likely to get for a mortgage and a handful of lenders you might like…
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