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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Key takeaways Dealership car loans offer convenience, but you’ll likely find better deals on interest rates by getting a loan from a bank, credit union or online lender. To secure the best auto loan rate, whether at the dealership or elsewhere, it is essential to arrange financing before visiting the…
Key takeaways Factor rates are a fixed fee multiplied by the entire loan up front, which means that you’ll pay the entire fee even if you pay the loan off early To compare loans with traditional interest rates and factor rates, you’ll need to convert factor rates to interest rates…
Winning the lottery is life-changing. Of course, odds are you won’t — the chance of hitting a Powerball jackpot is 1 in 292 million. For context, your odds of being struck by lightning over a lifetime are about 1 in 15,000. But if you are lucky enough to catch lightning in…
Key takeaways Where Discover credit cards shine for their lack of fees, they come up short in terms of global acceptance and available cardholder perks. Visa credit cards stand out for their rewards rates and cardholder benefits, but only with the top cards available within the network. Instead of choosing…
Customer service hours vary among banks, with many only offering the ability to speak with a representative during business hours. If you prefer wider access to customer service, you might want a bank that allows you to communicate with a live person anytime. These 12 popular banks, presented alphabetically, offer…
EMILI_VISION/Getty Images Key takeaways American Express adheres to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act by limiting interest, annual membership fees, late fees and returned payment fees for eligible cardmembers. The Platinum Card® from American Express is great for active-duty military because it offers various benefits like airport lounge access, airline fee…
If you’re feeling like you’re not on the same financial page as your partner, or you don’t understand your partner’s financial habits, you’re not alone. More than 3 in 5 Americans (62 percent) in committed relationships keep at least some of their money separate from one another, according to Bankrate’s…
When you’re traveling, the right bank account can save you money in fees and help you manage your money while you’re abroad with ease. From fee-free ATM access and no foreign transaction fees to earning rewards for travel, here are some of the bank account features to look for if…
Key takeaways The gap between prices of new-construction homes and existing homes has narrowed. On top of that, builder financing promotions are helping qualified buyers in specific regions. The increase in supply of new homes in the South and West has led to lower prices and more choices for buyers…
Key takeaways While Southwest Airlines made sweeping changes in the last year, including ending its free checked bags stance, the company’s loyalty program is still impressive with its lack of blackout dates and flexible rebooking policy. Southwest Airlines is also known for its popular Companion Pass, which lets users add…
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