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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Thomas Barwick/Getty Images Key takeaways If you’ve had banking issues in the past, such as having an unpaid negative balance on your account or have a history of writing bad checks, you may not get approved for a checking account at a new institution. Similar to a credit report, you…
SDI Productions/Getty Images Key takeaways A VA certificate of eligibility (COE) is evidence that you meet the service requirements for a VA loan. Having a COE does not guarantee loan approval. You’ll also need to meet credit and debt-to-income guidelines, which vary by lender. COEs can be obtained by active-duty…
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/Contributor/Getty Images The world’s largest stock exchanges offer thousands of stocks for investors to trade with trillions of dollars in listed stocks. The ranks of the biggest exchanges include those in the United States, Europe, China, Japan and India, with an exchange needing a market cap of at…
Thomas Barwick/Getty Images Key takeaways The Bank of America travel rewards program allows cardholders to redeem points for statement credits to cover travel-related purchases, making for a simple, flexible travel rewards option. Bank of America travel rewards cards have various benefits and perks, but may not be the best option…
Key takeaways There are a lot of money tasks you can handle on your own. But not everyone is comfortable navigating the more complex, technical or anxiety-inducing areas of financial planning. A financial advisor can offer personalized guidance and actionable strategies to help you achieve your goals. The best time…
Key takeaways Existing HELOC borrowers can expect their rates to decrease in response to a Fed rate cut, but it could take one or two statement cycles. A Fed rate cut won’t directly impact existing fixed-rate home equity loans, but it can lower the offers on new loans. Current borrowers…
Key takeaways Using a personal loan to pay off credit card debt could be a smart move if you can secure a lower rate or are juggling multiple credit card payments Paying off credit card debt with a personal loan may not be right for you if you’re overwhelmed by…
“Insurance carriers are, for the most part, for-profit companies,” I declare to my risk management and insurance students. “They are allowed to make a profit. Does this shock you?” Most students are surprised — especially after seeing headlines about insurance companies earning billions while raising policyholders’ premiums to record highs.…
Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act interest paid on certain car loans would become tax-deductible. If you purchased a personal-use vehicle after December 31, 2024, and financed it with a qualified loan, you may be able to deduct up to $10,000 in interest per year through 2028, even if…
Key takeaways Business loans require significant documentation about your business formation, financial statements and possibly a business plan Both personal and business finances are reviewed Lenders typically take a few days to weeks to process your information, depending on the lender and type of loan Every business loan requires you…
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