To the average Americans I interact with daily, the economy feels unpredictable, with job loss, tariffs, inflation and rising costs on everything from milk to housing. I coach people across the country every Sunday — the anxiety is real and pervasive. Instead of panicking, now is the time to focus on…
Key Takeaways Despite market volatility and economic uncertainty, top high-yielding savings accounts still offer competitive rates. A group of major banks lowered APYs on their high-yield savings accounts by 10-15 basis points last week. The highest rate on a savings account today is 4.45 percent, offered by Brio Direct. A…
“I’m the one who denies your claim.” That’s my go-to line at cocktail parties when someone asks what I do for a living. It’s not technically accurate — but it gets a laugh. Most people don’t know what insurance adjusters do, and few want a detailed explanation. So I’ve learned…
It’s no secret that prices for everyday expenses are higher than most people are comfortable with, but those higher everyday costs seem to also be impacting once-every-so-often plans. In fact, only 46 percent of U.S. adults are planning to travel this summer, and many of those not planning to do…
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While there has been much conversation on not buying from companies with poor diversity, little has been said about investing…
Lifestyle inflation occurs when your expenses increase as you earn more income. It can start subtly—dining at pricier restaurants, upgrading…
Chime, the largest digital bank in America, grew its revenue to $1.7 billion in 2024, an increase of roughly 30%…
Technology has transformed some parts of the daunting homebuying process–making it easier to search and compare properties online, to prepare…
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Key takeaways Closing a credit card may hurt your credit, but the impact varies depending on your credit history. Sometimes, it makes sense to close a card even though it might affect your credit. You can take steps to minimize the potential hit to your…
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NBC / Contributor / Getty Images This is part 1 of 2 of Bankrate’s ’90s era lessons miniseries. Stay tuned later this month…
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Apple, FedEx and Oracle all got loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration. But rules and red tape keep many banks from making…
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Key takeaways Adding authorized users to your business credit card account can make it easier for you to complete purchases and earn rewards…
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Key takeaways The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a premium travel credit card with a $395 annual fee. However, you can recoup the annual fee if you take advantage of card benefits — like the up to $300 in statement credits for booking travel through Capital One…
Key Takeaways Striking the right balance between your checking and savings accounts can help your money grow. Checking accounts are ideal for managing daily expenses, while savings accounts are best for long-term financial goals. Allocate your funds based on monthly expenses and savings goals. Economic anxiety likely has you thinking…
Key Takeaways High-yield savings accounts can help protect your money’s purchasing power by earning returns that outpace inflation. Shopping around for competitive yields, particularly at online banks, can earn you several times more interest than traditional bank accounts. The difference between high- and low-yield accounts can amount to hundreds of…
Key takeaways Congressional Republicans are considering closing the federal Direct PLUS Loan program in an effort to limit federal loan borrowing. Canceling this program could have many downstream effects, including increased reliance on private student loans for grad students and parents of undergrads. Student loan borrowers still have many options…
Key takeaways Fixed expenses remain constant within a budget, while variable expenses may change regularly. Examples of fixed expenses include rent or mortgage payments, while variable expenses can include things like groceries or entertainment. Budgeting for both fixed and variable expenses is important, and the 50/30/20 rule can…
Photography by Getty Images; Illustration by Bankrate My husband and I have owned our first home for a full year. In that year, we sharpened our painting skills, became frequent shoppers at The Home Depot and discovered just how much goes into owning a home versus renting an apartment. One…
Yellow Dog Productions/Getty Images Key takeaways Acceleration clauses, a common feature in mortgage contracts, require that you pay off your entire loan balance immediately in a single lump sum. There are specific conditions that could trigger an acceleration clause, like missing mortgage payments or canceling your homeowners insurance. Contact your…
Underinsured motorist coverage, or UIM, may be one of the least understood types of car insurance, but it’s increasingly important in an era of rising rates and precarious driving. Rising prices can easily leave drivers underinsured — sometimes unknowingly — and this key coverage gives drivers a way to recover…
Thomas Barwick/Getty Images Key takeaways A convertible ARM includes a clause that lets borrowers switch from an adjustable interest rate to a fixed one, usually for a fee. A convertible mortgage allows borrowers to take advantage of the lower interest rates that come with adjustable-rate mortgages and still maintain the option for…
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images Key takeaways The bid-ask spread is the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay for a security (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept (ask). Bid-ask spreads can indicate the liquidity of a given security. Bid-ask spreads tend…
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