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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Image by Getty Images; Illustration by Bankrate Key takeaways If you’re behind on retirement savings, the 1 percent retirement challenge can help you gradually increase your savings rate. By slowly increasing your contributions, you can make big progress without feeling too squeezed financially. Boosting your IRA or 401(k) contribution rate…
Ariel Skelley/Getty Images Key Takeaways Only 8% of Americans visited bank branches as their primary banking method in 2024, but 66% still value having branches in their neighborhoods. Physical branches offer unique services like safe deposit boxes, notary services, and large cash deposits that online banks can’t match. Face-to-face relationships…
Key takeaways Based on the 28/36 rule, you should aim to spend a maximum of $2,333 per month on your housing costs if you earn $100,000 each year. If you’re trying to budget for buying a home on a $100,000 salary, pay close attention to how much of your earnings…
Key takeaways To prepare for getting a mortgage, figure out what you can realistically afford, how much you’ll have saved for a down payment and if you need to improve your credit score before applying. Comparing offers from multiple lenders — at least three — could save you a significant…
Key takeaways Significant home renovations can impact the value of your home, and you may need to adjust your homeowners insurance accordingly. Adding square footage or valuable upgrades could increase your insurance premium. Renovations that reduce your risk of a claim, like a roof replacement or new security system, could…
Arbitrage is the process of taking advantage of a price difference in different markets in order to earn a low-risk profit. In the classic example, an investor buys the asset in the lower-priced market and sells it in the higher-priced market. More likely than not, the price difference is small.…
While taxable income and adjusted gross income (AGI) might sound similar, they refer to different stages of your income after certain deductions and adjustments have been applied. AGI starts with your gross income and subtracts specific adjustments, such as retirement contributions or student loan interest, to arrive at a baseline…
Real estate in general — and buying or selling a home in particular — is rife with jargon and slang that’s probably unfamiliar to many. Here’s a glossary of some of the most common terms, with their real estate definitions. General real estate definitions Closing costs: Homebuyers and sellers both…
Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, Amerant Bank, America First Credit Union, American Airlines Federal Credit Union, American Express National Bank, Apple Bank, Arvest Bank, Axos Bank, Banesco USA, Bank of America, Bank of Hope, Bank5 Connect, BankPurely, BankUnited Direct, Barclays Bank, Bask Bank, BMO Alto, BMO Bank, Boeing Employees’ Credit…
Key takeaways Homeowners insurance policies typically include coverage for personal property like jewelry, but the limits are usually quite low. You may be able to increase your personal property coverage limit or add scheduled personal property coverage if needed. A scheduled personal property endorsement or a standalone jewelry insurance policy…
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