Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Getty Images Key takeaways Short-term loans provide financing with a brief repayment period and often require collateral to obtain. These loans are generally capped at $2,000 and are often used by borrowers who are strapped for cash or who have a low credit score. Loan funds are…
Holiday spending came in at the high end of projected ranges for 2025 despite numerous economic challenges. According to Mastercard, U.S. retail sales (excluding automotive) increased 3.9% year-over-year from Nov. 1 through Dec. 21, 2025. CNBC and the National Retail Federation published a similar increase, reporting holiday sales grew 4.1%…
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…
Trending
Spotlight This Week
More Articles
Personal Finance
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…
Featured Articles
Would you be upset if you found out your partner had a credit card you didn’t know about? On the flip side, have you ever fudged the numbers with your spouse about a recent shopping spree? Romantic relationships can come with mixed feelings about money.…
Dept Managmnt
2. Coaching and Tutoring Take stock of your areas of expertise – maybe you speak a second language or solving math equations comes…
Banking
OBSERVATIONS FROM THE FINTECH SNARK TANKBankers wants to discuss AI strategy. They’re excited about chatbots, machine learning models, generative AI tools, and AI…
Credit Cards
All News
Nitat Termmee/ Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate Key takeaways A financial advisor evaluates the financial needs of their clients and helps them make informed investment decisions to build wealth. A financial planner creates comprehensive financial plans for their clients by considering factors such as savings, retirement and estate planning.…
Luis Alvarez/Getty Images Kristen Allen, the founder of Exclusively Kristen, a women’s clothing company, had recently moved to Hong Kong to more closely monitor the distribution of goods from her warehouse. But after heading to the post office to fulfill her first order, she was told that Hong Kong had…
Hero Images Inc/Getty Images Key takeaways A fiduciary is a person or organization that is required by law to put their clients’ interests ahead of their own. A financial advisor can help you construct a plan to help you grow your wealth, but may not necessarily be a fiduciary. To…
Key takeaways There are two main types of business plans: the more common traditional business plan and the less common lean startup business plan. A traditional business plan is best for gaining funding and attracting investors. A lean startup business plan is best for early-stage entrepreneurs who need a fast,…
Key takeaways The IBR forgiveness pause leaves some borrowers at risk of a tax bill if it extends into 2026. Borrowers who filled out their IDR application before March 2025 may need to reapply. The public has until September 17 to comment on proposed PSLF changes. Borrowers seeking student loan…
This page was originally published in early 2023 and reflects the author’s financial decisions during that time. The card details have since been updated. Booking travel through a credit card issuer’s portal has its pros and cons, as I found out when I booked a trip for my family using…
Key takeaways An automatic stay prevents creditors from taking action to collect on certain debts when you file for bankruptcy. Automatic stays can offer some protection against eviction, foreclosure, repossession and wage garnishment, but they do not apply to child support, alimony or certain tax debts. Automatic stays can last…
Key takeaways Unsavory financial advisors may cheat their clients through deceptive practices such as Ponzi schemes, churning techniques, and pump-and-dump scams. Advisors who pressure you to make quick investment decisions or promise guaranteed returns could be bad actors that you should avoid. Checking an advisor’s qualifications can help protect you…
There are over 36 million small businesses in the United States, accounting for 46 percent of private sector jobs, according to the most recent data from the SBA’s Office of Advocacy. Between March of 2023 and March of 2024, individuals have opened 1.1 million new firms, contributing 1.2 million new…
Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are one of the most popular ways to invest in the stock and bond markets — and for plenty of good reasons. These funds let investors buy a diversified collection of securities, with the potential to earn strong returns while enjoying low management fees. So it’s little…
Editor's Pick
