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…
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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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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.…
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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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Consumer debt is a growing concern affecting millions of individuals across the globe. Did you know the average consumer debt for Americans is around $105,000? (Source: Experian)It can stem from a variety of factors, ranging from unexpected emergencies like medical bills to lifestyle choices. Understanding the causes of consumer debt…
Key takeaways Depending on age, the average 401(k) account balance ranges between roughly $7,000 and $300,000, but median balances are much lower. Retirement investors should have at least one year’s worth of their salary saved by age 30, three times’ worth by 40 and ten times’ worth by 67, according…
Value investing has proven to be one of the most successful investing strategies over the long term. Many of the world’s top investors, including the legendary Warren Buffett, have used the value approach to generate outstanding returns over time. In recent years, however, value stocks have drastically trailed growth stocks…
Jaskaran Kooner/GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways FHA loan closing costs typically total 2 percent to 6 percent of a home’s purchase price and are charged in addition to the down payment. FHA closing costs include an upfront mortgage insurance premium (MIP), lender and third-party fees and prepaid expenses.…
Key takeaways New car replacement covers the cost of a brand new car of the same make, model and year if yours is totaled, rather than paying the claim out at actual cash value (ACV) after depreciation. This optional coverage can only be purchased for vehicles under a couple of…
Delahaye/ Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate Key takeaways Down payment assistance (DPA) programs provide eligible homebuyers with loans or grants to help cover down payment and closing costs. These programs are typically reserved for first-time homebuyers or buyers with low to moderate incomes for their area. Many down payment…
As a certified student loan counselor, I’ve frequently heard borrowers complain about receiving confusing, even conflicting advice. And that’s when they can reach anyone at all — many federal loan borrowers struggle to get a human on the phone when trying to contact their assigned loan servicer. Given these struggles,…
Key takeaways In 2025, employees can elect to defer $23,500 of their salary to fund their 401(k). When including employer matches and after-tax contributions, you may be able to set aside up to $70,000 in total. Workers aged 50 and older can make catch-up contributions on top of the normal…
SDI Productions/Getty Images: Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways Lenders force-place insurance when borrowers fail to maintain coverage required as part of a loan or lease. Force-placed insurance is usually more expensive and doesn’t provide coverage for your belongings or personal liability. You can remove force-placed insurance by getting your…
Marie C Fields/Shutterstock Key takeaways It’s fine to get rid of monthly mortgage statements, but you should keep all your mortgage documents, including proof of title insurance and the promissory note, until your loan is paid off. Having your mortgage documents handy can be beneficial when filing home insurance claims,…
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