SimpleImages/Getty Images Key takeaways Fiat money is a government-created currency, usually issued by its central bank, and isn’t backed by a tangible commodity, like a precious metal. Unlike commodity-backed money, fiat money isn’t intrinsically valuable; its worth is determined by supply and demand and the issuing government’s credibility. Most countries…
Key takeaways Most banks offer free coin exchange services to account holders, though you may need to roll coins yourself. Self-service coin-counting machines are more commonly found at local banks and credit unions than at national banks. Coinstar offers convenient coin exchange but charges steep fees unless you opt for…
Key takeaways Receipt-scanning apps scan and save paper documents like receipts to your phone or computer. Digitizing your receipts and other documents allows you to track financial data and file away important information for tax season and may even offer cash-back rewards. Some receipt apps track and sell your data,…
Understanding Gen Z’s Financial Health Gen Z—Americans born between 1997 and 2006—is entering adulthood at a challenging financial moment. With inflation, student loan pressures, and rising housing costs, it’s no surprise that many are feeling overwhelmed. But there’s good news: Gen Z is taking an active interest in managing…
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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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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,…
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Budgeting and Building an Emergency Fund for Rising Costs If rising costs are stressing you out, you may require adjustments to your budget…
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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 The best big banks generally provide a positive digital banking experience through their mobile apps. The absolute largest banks – based on branch locations – didn’t make Bankrate’s best bank list, including Chase Bank and Bank of America. The nation’s best big banks typically provide customers with everything…
Key takeaways Both investment property and second home mortgages are harder to qualify for than a loan for a primary residence. Lenders tend to have stricter criteria for investment property mortgages than for second home mortgages. The amount of time you’ll personally use the property — whether it’s more or…
Compound interest is a powerful force for consumers looking to build their savings. It creates a multiplier effect on your money that can help it grow more over time. Knowing how it works and how often your bank compounds interest can help you make smarter decisions about where to put…
Bloomberg / Contributor / Getty Images It seems like only yesterday that Robinhood waltzed onto the brokerage scene to show the grownups how kids these days think things should be done around here. Trading commissions? Hard pass. Crypto? Heck, yeah! Binary options — er, “events trading”? Check. How time flies. With its…
There are two types of credit checks: a soft pull or inquiry and hard pull. A soft pull is a surface-level glimpse at your accounts and credit history with no impact on your credit score. Soft pulls are typically performed by a potential employer or credit card issuer, or when…
Vladimir Vladimirov/Getty Images While the exact amount is up for debate, the IRS estimates that it loses billions of dollars each year due to taxpayers underreporting the income they receive from trading cryptocurrencies and other digital assets. For several years, the agency has been working to better enforce the rules…
Key takeaways The Venmo Debit Card* provides unique benefits to regular Venmo users, offering cash back rewards at specific merchants and more ways to access their Venmo balance. Despite its benefits, the Venmo Debit Card may not be suitable for those seeking rewards on more purchases or individuals wanting to…
Key takeaways The Discover it® Secured Credit Card and The secured Self Visa® Credit Card1 can both help you build or fix your credit. The Discover it® Secured Credit Card comes with no annual fee and earns ongoing rewards, although a traditional upfront security deposit is required. The secured Self…
Glasshouse Images/Getty Images Americans are often told to “invest for the long term,” but what exactly does that mean? Long-term investing is about focusing on goals that are still far off and ignoring short-term market gyrations that, while unsettling in the moment, are insignificant over time. One way to decide…
FG Trade/ Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate Key takeaways If you’re looking for ways to improve your credit score quickly, the secured Self Visa® Credit Card might be able to help. This is a secured credit card to show credit bureaus that the account holder is a responsible borrower…
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