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…
Personal Finance
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…
Featured Articles
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…
Dept Managmnt
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…
Banking
When it comes to selling coconut water to the health obsessed, New York’s Vita Coco has served up a master class, schooling even…
Credit Cards

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If you got your mortgage in the past couple of years, chances are you want to refinance to a lower rate. But whether you should refinance depends on more than just rates. Let’s look at where mortgage rates could be headed and what you should consider when thinking about refinancing…
The U.S. public safety net can be a catch-22: These services act as a lifeline for people with disabilities, but it bars people from meaningfully saving, investing and building personal wealth. Money stashed in a retirement account or brokerage account counts against the small, strict asset limits imposed by certain…
Key Takeaways Focus on essential needs like food, housing, and utilities while reducing unnecessary purchases. Establish a structured budget to prioritize needs vs wants and stick to it. Consider community resources and government assistance that provide help with food, housing, and utilities. Investigate professional credit counseling from a non-profit agency…
Key takeaways The American Express® Gold Card is a great option for those who enjoy dining, grocery shopping and traveling as it offers boosted rewards and benefits in these categories. The annual fee of $325 may be a deterrent for some, but the card offers valuable benefits such as a…
Key takeaways Mortgage underwriting is often an automated process. Software decides whether you are approved, rejected or asked for additional information. Credit score is the most important factor in determining mortgage approval, but your income and debt levels, as well as the size of the loan vs. the home’s value,…
You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey. Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that…
Images by GettyImages; illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways Wealth management is a comprehensive financial advisory service that helps people grow and preserve their wealth. It can include services such as investment management, financial planning, tax planning and estate planning. Finding the right wealth manager is key to meeting your…
Sarah-Jane Joel/Getty Images Key takeaways A deed of trust is a legal agreement used in real estate transactions in which a third party — the trustee — holds the title to the property until the borrower repays the mortgage. A mortgage is a similar agreement, but it doesn’t involve a…
Warren Buffett is arguably the greatest investor of all-time and has created massive amounts of wealth for Berkshire Hathaway shareholders. Buffett announced in May that he would step down as CEO of the conglomerate at the end of 2025, leaving many investors wondering — who will be the next Warren…
An annuity can provide you with a steady stream of income, ensuring that you have money when you need it. That’s why many people turn to annuities during retirement, to be sure that they have cash flow when they’re no longer working. If you’re looking to buy an annuity, you’ll…
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