Tax refunds are the biggest windfall of the year for many American households. And ‘tis the season: Through the week ending Feb. 13, nearly 13 million people had received 2025 federal tax refunds averaging $2,476, according to the IRS. That average refund amount is up 14% from the same time…
Key takeaways A 7/1 ARM is a type of adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) that has a fixed interest rate for the first seven years, then a variable rate that changes yearly until the end of the mortgage term. The initial fixed rate on a 7/1 ARM is usually lower than the…
Key takeaways New car loans had an average interest rate under 7%, while used car loan rates averaged nearly just under 11.50% in the third quarter of 2025. Your credit score plays a significant role in determining your interest rate, but other factors such as the lender, amount borrowed, length…
Hispanolistic/Getty Images Key takeaways The time it takes to raise your credit score depends upon the reason(s) that your score is lower in the first place. The longer your accounts are open and in good standing, the better it will reflect on your credit score. You can do several things…
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Last year, on the day before Tax Day, my mom was scheduled to fly into Philadelphia International Airport to stay…
The nation’s 75 million Social Security recipients will receive a 2.8% cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase in their benefits…
With Republicans ending the Grad Plus program, private lenders are eyeing billions in new business, while some students could be…
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A tax refund often feels like a sudden financial windfall, offering a brief moment of relief. However, instead of treating it as a ticket for a shopping spree, consider using it as the ultimate opportunity for some financial spring cleaning. By strategically channeling your refund,…
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Does a Consumer Proposal Affect My Credit Score? Yes, filing a consumer proposal will affect your credit score. Your score reflects your past…
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For fintech startups, the first five years of the decade have been a roller-coaster ride. At the outset, companies were awash in easy…
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Key takeaways Payday loans are a form of predatory lending with extremely high interest rates and short repayment periods, making them a risky option for most people. There are safer alternatives to payday loans, such as taking out a bad credit personal loan and getting an advance on your pay.…
Key takeaways A personal loan is money you can borrow in a lump sum with a fixed payment to finance large purchases, consolidate debt or cover emergency expenses. Interest rates, monthly payments and repayment terms vary based on creditworthiness, income and other factors. You’ll get the best loan terms if…
Key takeaways Some personal lenders offer loans of up to $100,000, but $50,000 limits are more common. Your credit, income and current debt burden help the lender determine the loan amount you qualify for. Even if you qualify for a lender’s maximum amount, you should only borrow what you need…
There is a moment in every activist situation when rhetoric shifts before the numbers do. That moment just occurred at Dine Brands. We have a meaningful holding in the company and have been pushing for accountability for shareholder value on several levels.For the first time in recent memory, management explicitly…
In New York City, property taxes are back in the headlines. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has floated the idea of raising them—by 9.5%—as part of this year’s budget. Mamdani says it’s a last resort, claiming that if Albany won’t raise taxes on millionaires, the city may have to raise them on…
Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Getty Images Key takeaways Your billing address tells credit card issuers where to send important items and provide extra security when making purchases. Checking and changing your billing address is easy and, in most cases, can be done from your credit card online account or app.…
Key takeaways Refinancing your current mortgage typically requires a new appraisal of the home. The refinance appraisal helps the bank determine the home’s current value, so they can define the parameters of the loan they’re willing to extend. Appraisers will consider most of the same criteria they did in your…
Key takeaways You may owe capital gains tax on any realized gain on the sale of an asset, but not on unrealized capital gains. Long-term capital gains — that is, on assets held for a year or longer — are taxed at a 0%, 15% or 20% rate, depending on…
Image by PM Images/Getty Images; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Mortgage rates ticked up slightly this week, with the 30-year fixed rate averaging 6.10%, up from 6.09% last week, according to Bankrate’s latest lender survey. Current mortgage rates Loan type Current 4 weeks ago One year ago 52-week average 52-week low…
Image: Getty Images; Illustration: Bankrate A mixed performance for home equity rates this week, holding near their lowest levels in about three years. The $30,000 home equity line of credit rose one basis point to 7.32%, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. Meanwhile, the five-year $30,000 home equity loan…
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