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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Key takeaways Damage from mine subsidence isn’t normally covered through standard homeowners insurance. There are two main types of mine subsidence — pit and sag — that are classified based on the shape and depth of the depression in the ground. Mine subsidence coverage may be a beneficial addition to…
Alcohol-impaired driving carries steep costs that extend far beyond the initial fine. A single DUI conviction in Pennsylvania drives up the average cost of car insurance by 103 percent — and DUI surcharges could remain on your record for years. To help drivers understand what happens if you get a…
Image by MoMo Productions/GettyImages The stock market — and home prices — keep setting records, and mortgage rates remain north of 6.5 percent. It’s a combination that has many Americans cashing in stock holdings to buy homes. In fact, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports that 31 percent of…
Key takeaways Giving money as a gift, whether it’s cash, gift cards or a money order can be convenient. You can personalize monetary gifts to suit a recipient’s preferences or needs. Understand the tax implications of monetary gifts. Gifts such as stocks, contributions to 529 plans or cash above the…
You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey. Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that…
Image by mbogacz/GettyImages/Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways A construction-to-permanent loan finances the construction of a house and converts to a mortgage on completion. Construction-to-permanent loans require only one round of closing costs. They also require a down payment. With a construction-to-permanent loan, you can draw funds at specific phases…
“Location, location, location” has long been the golden rule of real estate. But in today’s challenging housing market, a new mantra is developing: “Insurance, insurance, insurance.” As homeowners insurance premiums rise across the country, buyers are facing a double hit — soaring home prices and costly insurance, which is required…
traveler1116/Getty Images Key takeaways Many market watchers expect the Federal Reserve to lower its benchmark rate when policymakers meet in mid-September. Such a move could spur lower rates on high-yield savings accounts. For now, competitive savings accounts continue to earn rates above 4 percent APY, after the top APY peaked…
Each year, millions of taxpayers file an extension so they can get extra time to file. Now the Oct. 15 deadline is fast approaching. Tax extensions are filed for a variety of reasons, and a common one is delayed paperwork. “We use them often when a taxpayer does not have…
Usually you should plan to keep your tax returns for a minimum of three years from the date you filed your original return. But there are situations where you should keep your tax returns even longer. How long you should keep these documents varies based on a few factors. Keep…
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