Image by PM Images/Getty Images; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Mortgage rates reversed course to edge lower this week, with the 30-year fixed rate averaging 6.29%, down from 6.31% the previous week, according to Bankrate’s latest lender survey. Current mortgage rates Loan type Current 4 weeks ago One year ago 52-week…
The job market shouldn’t feel as broken as it does right now – and the data backs that up. The U.S. economy grew by the fastest pace in nearly two years last quarter, the stock market is on a tear and unemployment is still relatively low. Usually, that should mean…
Shock. Anger. Shame. And finally, hopelessness. The emotions that follow a car repossession can be overwhelming, but they often converge into one lingering question: “What do I do now?” As an insurance agent in 2009, I received this call more times than I can count, as the Great Recession resulted…
Selena Cooper, 25, is a federal worker in South Carolina. After the government shut down on Oct. 1, the office where she works was closed, and her paychecks stopped coming through. It didn’t take long before she found herself with an overdraft balance on her checking account and $4,000 in…
Personal Finance
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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Key takeaways CDs earning 4% APY provide guaranteed returns with FDIC insurance up to $250,000 — making them one of the safest investments available. A $10,000 CD at 4% APY earns $400 in one year, while a 5-year CD at 4% APY generates $2,166 in…
Dept Managmnt
Practical Money Tricks That Lead to Real Treats Getting out of debt doesn’t happen overnight, but small, consistent actions can help you regain…
Banking
The fundamental flaws in the way the Federal Reserve operates these days were on full display Wednesday when Jerome Powell talked to the…
Credit Cards
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Direct deposit makes getting paid fast and easy since the money appears in your bank account automatically, without needing to go to a bank. Some banks allow you to receive direct deposits even faster — by up to two days — through early direct deposit. Early direct deposit can help…
Shannon Fagan/Getty Images Key takeaways Hostile takeovers often begin as friendly offers. The acquiring company may make an offer to the target company as it quietly works in the background to convince board members and management to take the deal. A potential acquirer can force the deal in one of…
Retiring at 62 with little money can feel daunting, but it is possible with the right strategies. Many people reach their early 60s without a large nest egg. However, they can still create a sustainable lifestyle by combining Social Security benefits, part-time income and careful budgeting. Understanding how to reduce…
Key takeaways A portfolio line of credit allows you to borrow money against your investments, similar to other types of secured loans and lines of credit. This line of credit typically has lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than other borrowing methods. Not all accounts allow you to…
blackCAT/Getty Images: Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways Almost 3 in 4 Americans (74 percent) have a credit card, but nearly half of those cardholders (46 percent) are in debt. The average American holds between 3 and 4 active cards in their wallet. Credit is also the most popular payment…
If you have no credit or need to rebuild credit after some credit missteps, credit builder apps may be worth considering. The best credit-building apps offer short-term loans and alternative data reporting that can improve your credit score with little to no cost. Results aren’t guaranteed and will vary depending…
Images by Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate Key takeaways Paying off your mortgage early can give you a sense of security and more flexibility in your budget. Paying off your mortgage also ties your money up in your home. You won’t be able to access it unless you do…
Retiring comfortably is a common goal for many working Americans, but a majority say they’re behind on their retirement savings. According to Bankrate’s 2025 Retirement Savings Survey, three in five American workers (58 percent) say their retirement savings are behind where they should be. More than one-third of American workers…
For generations, pensions have been regarded as the gold standard of retirement security, offering guaranteed income you can count on for life. However, funding gaps, longer life expectancies and economic volatility have put pressure on many pension plans. It begs the question: do pensions run out of money? Understanding the…
Fenton Roman / Getty Images Credit cards aren’t generally seen as the best option for borrowing money due to their high interest rates on unpaid balances. But a credit card can give you a lucrative edge over a personal loan if you need to finance a large purchase around the…
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