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 A routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your bank for electronic transactions like direct deposits, wire transfers and ACH payments. You can find your routing number on the bottom left of paper checks, in your mobile banking app or by calling your bank. Large banks…
There are many approaches to making money in the stock market, but most fall under two main categories: investing and trading. The difference between these strategies comes down to two things: time horizon (how long you’re willing to hold a position) and mindset (whether you think like an owner or…
Key takeaways Invoice factoring allows you to use your accounts receivable to qualify for funding, making them more accessible than other business loans. Factoring companies will collect the invoices directly from your customers. You pay the invoice factoring company a percentage of the invoice amount after invoices are collected. You…
When you leave a job or retire, you need to decide what to do with your 401(k). If it’s a traditional 401(k), you can move it to a traditional IRA, where taxes are paid when you withdraw, or to a Roth IRA, where you pay taxes now but withdrawals in…
Klaus Vedfelt/GettyImages Taxpayers can soon take advantage of a new federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for donations to scholarship-granting organizations (SGOs) — nonprofit groups that use contributions to fund scholarships for students to attend qualified private schools of their choice. The new credit is part of the One…
Images by Getty Images; Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways A certificate of deposit (CD) is a savings account that locks your money for a fixed term in exchange for a guaranteed interest rate. CD terms typically range from 3 months to 5 years, with longer terms generally offering higher…
Key takeaways Stock buybacks can create value for shareholders if they’re well-timed and the company has enough cash on hand to afford them. Stock buybacks, also known as share repurchases, can destroy value if they’re executed at inflated prices or at the expense of business investment, which can harm shareholders…
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…
Key takeaways CD investing offers a guaranteed return. When CDs are issued from federally insured banks and credit unions, your money is protected, up to a certain amount, should the financial institution fail. If you want access to your money right away, or you only have a little bit of…
Image by Getty Images; Illustration by Bankrate Figuring out the best way to invest can be a challenge as an individual, but it can really get complicated once you’re investing for you, your spouse and your family. Everyone is different, and that means some people have different levels of comfort…
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