Maca and Naca/GettyImages The average tax refund tends to be just over $3,000, but that number might climb to north of $4,000 in 2026, thanks to the massive tax bill that became law in 2025. That law included a higher standard deduction amount, more generous tax brackets and other changes…
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…
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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 The NCUA (National Credit Union Administration) insures credit union deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution, per ownership category. NCUA insurance provides the same protection as FDIC insurance at banks. Both are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.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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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…
Wyoming is best known for its wide-open spaces, rugged mountains and national parks, but it has something new to add to its reputation: It’s one of the top states in America for retirement. Despite being the nation’s least-populated state, Wyoming ranked third overall in Bankrate’s 2025 Best and Worst States…
Key takeaways While many major card issuers offer popular business cards, picking a card from a lesser-known issuer has its advantages. Some of our top picks don’t require a personal guarantee, and many tend to offer higher credit limit potential than other business cards. Before choosing a business card, compare…
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 When choosing a financial advisor, look for red flags, such as lack of responsiveness, high fees and pushing certain investments. If you are unhappy with your portfolio’s performance, it could be another reason for a new financial advisor. Look for a financial advisor who is a fiduciary, meaning…
Social Security provides benefits not only to retired workers but also to spouses who have not contributed to the program. Spouses are one of the many beneficiaries of Social Security, and even ex-spouses can claim a payout from the program in some circumstances. When you apply for Social Security, you…
Photography by Getty Images; Illustration by Bankrate After years of credit challenges, I recently signed an apartment lease — with only a $350 deposit and no co-signer. I’m proud of this achievement, which was only possible for two reasons: my 702 credit score, and the work I put in to…
Key takeaways The Discover it® Student Cash Back is a wise first card for students who want experience earning cash back rewards. Not only do you earn cash back, but perks like free access to your credit score and a short introductory APR on purchases — all while keeping costs…
Image: Getty Images; Illustration: Bankrate Key takeaways If you’re buying a home, an appraisal waiver can help you avoid the cost and time commitment of an in-person home appraisal. Instead, your mortgage lender will use an automated underwriting system to estimate the property’s value. However, automated systems can’t catch all…
This page was originally published in early 2022 and still contains relevant reader quotes from that time. The rest of the article has since been updated. Key takeaways Hotels can charge you for damages done during your stay, which are usually found while inspecting your room after you check out.…
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