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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WIN-Initiative/Getty Images Key takeaways You cannot purchase car insurance for a car that has a salvage title; the car must be rebuilt and pass state inspection to get a new title before it is insurable. Not all insurers will insure a salvage car with a rebuilt title, and most car…
Key takeaways Alpha and beta are two ways to measure investment performance and whether investment performance is due to individual skill or just the market’s movement. Professional investors are seeking to generate alpha to help justify their fees, since individuals could get “beta level” returns and pay low fees. Anyone…
Key takeaways The average small business loan amount is $458,497, according to the SBA Lenders use your revenue, credit score and current debt load to determine how much business loan your business can handle. Large national banks lend higher loan amounts than regional banks. Yet alternative lenders often offer a…
Key takeaways Home insurance policies generally cover losses from a fire, unless it’s due to arson or is caused by a known issue, such as old knob-and-tube wiring. Homeowners who live in areas where wildfires are common may pay more for home insurance or have more trouble finding a policy.…
Key takeaways The bond market is one of the best predictors of the overall economy, but it currently sits in an uncertain position. Bond investors are keeping an eye on rising long-term yields, surging U.S. deficit spending and Trump’s attacks on the Fed for signs that inflation may run too…
Key takeaways Using a matching tool, asking a friend or working with a robo-advisor are all options to find an advisor. Vet potential advisors through referrals, online tools and professional organizations. Clarify your needs before choosing a financial advisor to find the best fit for you. Finding a financial advisor…
Image by GettyImages; illustration by Bankrate Key takeaways If you’re collecting unemployment benefits, the IRS will expect you to pay your current federal income tax rate on that money. Some states also tax unemployment compensation, while other states don’t. There are ways to plan your taxes so you don’t face…
Key takeaways Everyday people can impact draft regulations by submitting public comments, but these comments must be substantive to matter. People can also influence new regulations by speaking at a public hearing at the start of the process. Financial rules can be blocked after publication by an act of Congress…
Pet ownership can be expensive, with recurring expenses like food, supplies and veterinary care. A rewards credit card can help offset these costs, but finding the right card is tricky since bonus categories typically don’t include everyday pet expenses. Here are some of the better options available to help you…
Key takeaways The SAVE repayment plan has been blocked and repealed. Income-Based Repayment Plan forgiveness has been paused temporarily, even though forgiveness for qualifying students is mandated by law. This affects millions of borrowers. It is unclear when this forgiveness will be resumed. A significant backlog for processing applications for…
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