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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Citi is an advertising partner. Key takeaways The AAdvantage Dining program offers the opportunity to earn airline miles and Loyalty Points by dining at participating restaurants. By dining and meeting certain requirements, you can progress through different tiers of the program, including becoming a VIP member. You can redeem miles…
Images: Getty Images; Illustration: Bankrate Key takeaways In an exclusive agency listing arrangement, a seller hires one real estate brokerage to market and sell their home. However, the seller can also bring in their own buyer — if that deal goes through, they won’t have to pay a commission. Some…
Key takeaways You don’t need to put 20 percent down to get a mortgage, and some mortgages don’t even require a down payment. You can get a conventional mortgage with 3 percent down, but with anything less than 20 percent, you’ll have to pay mortgage insurance. Making a larger down…
How First-Year Students Should Manage Credit Cards Responsibly Understanding how first-year students should manage credit cards responsibly means creating a clear system around spending and repayment. If your purpose is to use the card for money management, that might mean setting a cap based on income—for example, if you earn…
Key takeaways JetBlue’s TrueBlue Shopping lets loyalty program members earn points with the airline for each dollar they spend. Using the portal is free, and members can earn points for spending with hundreds of online retailers and partner brands. Purchases are tracked through the portal automatically, and bonus points are…
Key takeaways The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Citi Strata Premier® Card both offer access to popular travel rewards universes: Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou points. Citi Strata Premier offers excellent rewards rates in more everyday categories, but Sapphire Preferred offers potentially better value when redeeming points for travel…
Key takeaways Loss of use reimburses expenses incurred when your home is uninhabitable after a loss. Elective renovations and general maintenance are not covered by loss of use. Pet boarding, parking fees, moving expenses and laundry services are just a few of the expenses loss of use may cover. If…
Photography by Getty Images; Illustration by Bankrate Key takeaways Non-owner car insurance offers affordable liability-only coverage to drivers who don’t own a vehicle but occasionally borrow or frequently rent one. This type of car insurance can also be used to satisfy an SR-22 or FR-44 requirement after a license suspension.…
Key takeaways Bonds and annuities aren’t an either-or choice. You may find value from both in your portfolio. Bonds offer stable income, liquidity and the option to sell. Fixed annuities can offer guaranteed income, albeit with less liquidity. When people talk about safe investments for retirement, annuities and bonds often…
VioletaStoimenova/ Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate Key takeaways Both financial advisors and accountants can help clients meet financial goals and maximize tax savings. Financial advisors tend to focus more on long-term financial planning for individuals. Accountants most commonly focus on tax planning and returns. Financial advisors and accountants are…
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