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 Discover it® Chrome offers solid first-year value with its unlimited Cashback Match program. The card earns 2 percent cash back at gas stations and restaurants (on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, then 1 percent), and 1 percent cash back on everything else. You can redeem…
Key takeaways Wyndham Rewards members can earn points by staying at Wyndham properties, shopping with Wyndham partners, making purchases with an eligible hotel credit card and more. Members can redeem points for things like free and discounted stays at Wyndham locations around the world, transfers to airline partners, local tours…
Key takeaways Getting approved for a credit card can be a fairly quick process — sometimes taking just seconds. But other times, it can be slower, with issuers making you wait up to 30 days. Once approved, you’ll typically receive your card within a week, though some issuers may send…
Images by Getty Images; Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways Overdraft fees are down slightly after increasing the previous year. The average fee is now $26.77, down 1 percent from the previous year. If you regularly incur high monthly maintenance fees, ATM fees and receive low interest rates on deposits,…
DW labs Inc./Shutterstock Key takeaways Wire transfers can be an expensive way to send money, costing the average consumer $27 and $44 for domestic and international outgoing wires, respectively. Your bank might charge you for incoming wire transfers. It can cost less to initiate an outbound wire transfer on your…
Key takeaways There is no right number of credit cards to own, but in general, most people should consider having at least two in case of emergencies or fraud. Having multiple credit cards helps reduce your utilization rate and provides lenders with more information to better gauge your creditworthiness. If…
Key takeaways Your credit card’s grace period is the time between when your credit card billing cycle closes and your bill is due. In most cases, credit card issuers don’t charge interest on your purchases during the grace period. Once the grace period ends, interest begins accruing on your balances…
If you have a 401(k) account and recently left your job or were laid off, you might be wondering what to do with your retirement investments. But even if you left your employer some time ago and still have a retirement account there, you have several options when it comes…
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 charges. Charge cards tend to…
Cindy Robinson/Getty Images Mortgage rates have been on a wild ride in recent years, plunging to record lows during the pandemic, then racing up to 8 percent just a few years later. Though rates have fallen below 7 percent since, many homebuyers are still anxiously watching the Fed for any…
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