The holiday season is a time filled with joy, celebration, and, often, a lot of expenses. As the festivities wind down, many find themselves facing the reality of depleted bank accounts, credit card debt, and the daunting task of rebuilding their financial safety nets. An emergency fund serves as a…
Key takeaways The Federal Reserve doesn’t directly set auto loan rates — but it does affect the cost for lenders to borrow money. The Federal funds rate was cut for a third and final time in 2025 and was not changed in the first meeting of 2026, so it currently…
The Federal Reserve made no changes in its January 2026 meeting, keeping the target rate at 3.50-3.75%. The end of 2024 and through 2025 stabilized auto loan rates, and Bankrate experts predict auto loan rates are unlikely to shift much through 2026. Car prices have increased, and inventory shortages have…
Sixty percent of Americans under age 65 — that’s about 164.7 million people — receive their health insurance through their employer, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation analysis. That means losing a job can feel like a one-two punch: the loss of both income and health insurance. Then comes the…
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The nation’s 75 million Social Security recipients will receive a 2.8% cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase in their benefits…
Historically Black colleges and universities are on the frontlines of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s new limits on parent…
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…
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Key takeaways Mobile banking alerts detect fraud faster than manual monitoring. The sooner you report unauthorized activity, the greater your chance of full reimbursement under federal law. Low balance alerts help you avoid overdraft fees, which average $26.77 per transaction in 2025, according to Bankrate’s…
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2. Coaching and Tutoring Take stock of your areas of expertise – maybe you speak a second language or solving math equations comes…
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OBSERVATIONS FROM THE FINTECH SNARK TANKBankers wants to discuss AI strategy. They’re excited about chatbots, machine learning models, generative AI tools, and AI…
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Capital gains are the profit you earn when you sell an asset like a home, business or stocks. Those gains are subject to capital-gains taxes, but capital gains are taxed differently depending on the type of asset — and how long you owned the asset. That’s because, while the federal…
Key takeaways The first step to saving is setting specific, achievable goals and tracking your progress using a digital budgeting tool, spreadsheet or pen and paper. Following a budget can help you identify ways you can add to savings as well as pay down debt. Ways to help you save…
“I’m standing there watching my house burn, and I’m like, oh my goodness, this is everything that I worked for.” When Rahkim Sabree, AFC followed a gut feeling to return home early from an outing in October, he didn’t expect to find his living room engulfed in flames. “It’s when…
Key takeaways Using extra cash to pay off your mortgage loan early can save homeowners a hefty amount of interest over time. However, putting available funds into investments instead might yield a more significant return and make you more money. The answer to which is right for you will depend…
staticnak1983/Getty Images Key takeaways Short-term CDs typically are those that mature within one year, while long-term CDs have terms ranging from three to five years. Currently, some top-earning long-term CDs have slightly higher interest rates than short-term ones. You can use a CD ladder to take advantage of the benefits…
Key takeaways A good credit card APR is a rate that’s at or below the national average, which currently sits just below 20%. While there are credit cards with APRs below 10%, they’re most often found at credit unions or small local banks. If you don’t have good credit, you’re…
If you’re looking to buy a home, choosing the right mortgage lender can save you money. That’s especially true if you’re planning on taking out a larger jumbo loan. To help you in your search, here is our guide to the best jumbo mortgage lenders in 2026. Best mortgage lenders…
Investing in a Roth IRA can be a smart way to save for retirement, but enjoying the tax benefits of a Roth generally takes some patience. That’s because you fund these accounts with after-tax contributions, which means you won’t be able to deduct your contribution on Form 1040 at tax…
Financial stress is the mental and emotional strain caused by money worries, and it often spikes after the holidays due to accumulated credit card debt. Creating a clear plan that includes budgeting, debt repayment, and emotional self-care can help you regain control and reduce overwhelm. With the right strategies and…
Opening a Roth IRA might be the single best retirement decision you can make. While Roth IRAs don’t offer immediate tax gratification like other types of retirement accounts, they do give you tax-free growth and you’ll never have to pay any taxes on withdrawals if you follow the rules. In…
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