ljubaphoto/Getty Images: Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways The interest rate on a mortgage indicates how much interest you’ll pay for the amount you borrow. The annual percentage rate (APR) is the interest rate plus additional fees and any points. When comparing loan offers, it’s best to compare APRs to…
Christina Zelow Lundquist/ Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate Key takeaways A cash-out refinance replaces your current mortgage with a new, bigger one. The borrower receives the difference between the two balances in cash. The terms of your refinanced mortgage might differ from your original loan, including a new interest…
Money is an uncomfortable topic for many, yet it’s an important ongoing conversation to have in a relationship. Financial secrets undermine trust. And for many, it may even feel like betrayal. More than 2 in 5 U.S. adults (43%) believe keeping financial secrets is at least as bad as physical…
Key takeaways Decisions made by the Federal Reserve to increase the benchmark rate do not directly impact auto loans but rather the cost for banks to lend. The higher the Fed sets rates, the higher auto loan rates will likely be. The Fed made its third and last rate cut…
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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 CD early withdrawal penalties typically cost 60 to 365 days of interest, with longer terms carrying steeper penalties. Breaking a CD early may be worth it if you need funds to avoid high-interest debt, make a major down payment, or lock in significantly…
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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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Key takeaways FICO Scores are the most common scores used by lenders across the U.S. There are multiple versions of FICO scores, each using different criteria. Differences are typically minor and unlikely to impact whether you’re approved for a loan. To keep your FICO scores as high as possible, focus…
Key takeaways Sticking to your budget is the key to purchasing a vehicle that you can truly afford. If you lack credit history, adding a co-signer with long-standing and strong credit can help you secure better rates. Some car loans may allow you to show good grades for perks like…
Key takeaways Paying off wedding debt early on in a marriage is crucial for reducing stress and building a strong foundation for the relationship. Monetary wedding gifts, the debt snowball or avalanche methods, balance transfer credit cards and debt consolidation loans can be tools to pay off wedding debt. Open…
Key takeaways The CFPB allows consumers to file complaints about unfair, deceptive or abusive financial practices across products like bank accounts, credit cards, mortgages, debt collection and student loans. While you don’t have to contact the offending company first, doing so may resolve the issue more quickly and save you…
Key takeaways With debt forgiveness, creditors pardon some or all of your debt. Various types of debt may qualify for forgiveness. Debt forgiveness can offer relief from overwhelming financial burdens, but it does have downsides. Debt forgiveness is only one option for managing difficulties with repayment. Struggling with debt can…
Key takeaways Uniformed service members and federal employees can borrow against their retirement plans with a TSP loan. You can borrow a minimum of $1,000. You can borrow a TSP loan for general purposes, and you can use funds to construct or close on a home. TSP loans come with…
Key takeaways In a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, creditors can seize certain assets to repay the debts you owe. However, exceptions allow debtors to retain some of their assets (or at least part of the asset’s value). Chapter 13 bankruptcy is more about restructuring debts than forfeiting assets. Under Chapter 13…
Key takeaways For those wanting to grow older in their own homes, HELOCs (home equity lines of credit), home improvement loans and home equity loans may be a good way to finance the necessary renovations. If you’re moving in with a loved one, consider a personal loan or low-interest credit…
Key takeaways Your student loans could come due while you’re still in school if you drop below part-time enrollment or choose certain repayment plans. Your grades can affect your eligibility for federal student loans as well as some types of student loans. If you are notified you owe payments, and…
Investors who have held onto long-term bonds throughout the past few years might finally have their chance at seeing gains in a lower interest rate environment. Rate cuts by the Federal Reserve could push long-term bond prices higher after a period of declining values. However, as exciting as falling rates…
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