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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eakkarat rangram/Shutterstock Key takeaways A mortgage origination fee is a charge you pay at closing to cover the cost of processing and funding your home loan. Usually, an origination fee is about 0.5 to 1 percent of the loan amount. There are ways to save on an origination fee, including…
Key takeaways The best way to maximize your Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card travel credit is to combine it with the other benefits, bonuses and perks that the card offers. Use tools like the Capital One Travel Price Match, Price Watch and Price Forecast to use your travel…
Key takeaways The Chase Slate Edge℠ can help you pay off credit card debt, with a no-interest purchase and balance transfer option for 18 months. After the introductory period ends, an 18.99% – 28.99% Variable APR applies. The Chase Freedom Flex®* card also comes with a purchase and balance transfer…
Whether you are buying a home or selling one, the process can be more complex and costly than you anticipate. A real estate transaction involves more than just the home’s sale price: You also have to factor in closing costs, which are the various fees, taxes and expenses that both…
Images by GettyImages; Illustration by Bankrate Key takeaways Federal student loans are offered by the federal government. Their low eligibility requirements and unique borrower protections make them the better option for most borrowers. Private student loans can help bridge funding gaps or offer better terms for professional or graduate students,…
For many Americans, Social Security is a foundational source of income in retirement. And knowing how much you can expect to receive, such as what the average Social Security check is at age 65, can help you plan ahead. It’s also important to note that claiming Social Security at 65…
Much has been made about how buy now, pay later (BNPL) debt will impact consumer credit, but the rising popularity of this accessible loan could have another meaningful effect: an increased demand for debt consolidation. Debt consolidation loans — personal loans used to group multiple debt balances — could become…
Many people start the year with ambitious goals: Pay down debt, invest more and save for an emergency fund. But without the right help and resources, achieving those goals can feel nearly impossible. And halfway through the year, you may feel like you’re falling behind. Thankfully, you don’t have to…
Key takeaways Rewards credit cards provide benefits in the form of cash back, points or miles. You can earn credit card rewards through eligible spending or promotional offers, such as welcome bonuses or a referral bonus. Cash back cards are usually better for earning rewards on everyday spending. Cards that…
Knowing what the average Social Security check is at age 64 can help you decide when to retire and create a plan for your income in retirement. Collecting Social Security at 64 does mean you’re claiming benefits before your full retirement age (FRA), which still means a permanent reduction to…
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