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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Prostock-Studio/Getty Images Key takeaways Making student loan payments biweekly instead of monthly results in one extra full payment per year, shortening your payoff time. Biweekly student loan payments reduce the total amount of interest you will pay back. Make sure your budget aligns with making half payments biweekly instead of…
Key takeaways Personal loans can be an excellent tool to consolidate debt and simplify your bill-paying schedule to avoid credit-damaging missed payments. The installment nature of personal loans can be aligned with other financially freeing goals since the payments don’t change. Because most personal loans are unsecured, you avoid borrowing…
Key takeaways You may be eligible for a bad credit personal loan with a score below 580. Personal loan lenders specializing in bad credit loans will likely scrutinize your income and employment history more closely. A bad credit loan can be useful tool to put you on a path to…
When was the last time you looked closely at your insurance policies? If your answer is “I don’t remember,” you’re not alone. Trust me, I get it — they’re boring and filled with confusing jargon. But your insurance may be costing you more than you realize. I don’t know about…
Planning for retirement can feel overwhelming, but fortunately, there are several savings tools available to help take the sting out of the process. By utilizing these tools, you can create a financial strategy that helps you save for retirement. Two common options are deferred compensation plans and 401(k)s. While both…
Key takeaways The saver’s tax credit allows lower-income earners to claim a credit on their tax return. To be eligible, you must also be at least 18 years of age, not be a full-time student or be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return. Different income limits apply…
seksan Mongkhonkhamsao / Getty Images Key takeaways Businesses don’t have to resort to layoffs and shrinking inventories to reduce costs. Making a few tweaks to your current spending and optimizing your assets can boost profit margins. You can also tap into your local community for talented workers and resources. Apply…
Pros of Having a Credit Card as a First-Year Student: Benefits of Student Credit Cards One of the biggest pros of having a credit card as a first-year student is the chance to start building a credit rating early. Having a card and using it responsibly, such as paying off…
The vast majority of business owners, as much as 97 percent, maintain a business bank account, in addition to their personal bank accounts. There are many reasons why this is a smart approach, including providing liability protection if you operate a C corp, S Corp or LLC. Freelancers, self-employed individuals…
Halfpoint Images/Moment/Getty Images Key takeaways Both the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card and the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students for Students are good cards for college students who want to earn cash back on their spending. The Savor Student Cash card earns…
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