Key takeaways Garages and other outbuildings can enhance your home’s fair market value, especially if they increase the usable or liveable space. Ways to finance a detached structure include a HELOC, home equity loan, cash-out refinance and renovation loan. There are pros and cons to each financing option, based on…
Key takeaways Credit default swaps are a financial derivative that large investors may use to insure their bond investments against default. CDS were right at the center of the 2007-2008 financial crisis, as many investors bought them to profit on the decline in debt securities. Credit default swaps (CDS) are…
Key takeaways Debt relief programs aim to help borrowers get their debt under control. Some programs can be implemented on your own, while others require the help of professionals. Nonprofit agencies may be able to help you without charging as heavy of a fee as a for-profit company. If your…
Key takeaways Refinancing your mortgage when your loan is almost paid off might make sense if your break-even period is less than two years away. Doing a cash-out refinance could also make sense, even if you’ve paid off a chunk of your loan balance. Making extra mortgage payments can help…
Trending
Spotlight This Week
More Articles
Personal Finance
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…
Featured Articles
Halfpoint Images/GettyImages If you operate a business or plan to open one soon, you’ve likely heard the term EIN. But what is an EIN, or employer identification number, and do you need one? In short, EINs are used by the IRS to identify businesses and…
Dept Managmnt
Key takeaways Typically, debt collection agencies won’t contact you until once your payment is at least 30 days past due, but it often…
Banking
Apple, FedEx and Oracle all got loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration. But rules and red tape keep many banks from making…
Credit Cards
All News
Comprehensive car insurance is an optional add-on that covers things other than car accidents — like weather damage, vehicle theft, glass breakage and animal collisions. If you experience a loss that stems from something other than a typical car accident, you would need to file a claim under the comprehensive…
XRP, created by Ripple, has gained significant traction in the cryptocurrency market due to its speed, efficiency and use in cross-border payments. Unlike Bitcoin, which primarily serves as a store of value, XRP was designed to facilitate quick and cost-effective transactions. Here’s everything you need to know about what XRP…
A multi-car insurance policy means that you pay a single premium to insure more than one vehicle. This not only makes managing your bills easier, but providers generally reward policyholders with a discount for insuring multiple cars under one policy. Determine if a multi-car insurance policy aligns with your needs…
Key takeaways The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 1.5 percent cash back on every purchase, which keeps your rewards earning simple and can be lucrative. The card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, so feel free to take it along when traveling abroad. To truly maximize…
Image & Illustration by Bankrate Gold has been a hot commodity in the past few years, as prices seem to soar ever higher. While those returns have been great for gold investors, whether they own the money in a taxable or a gold IRA, the gains have been heavily concentrated in…
Thomas Barwick/Getty Images Key takeaways If you’re seeking more affordable mortgage payments, a loan modification or a refinance could both help. Loan modifications are for homeowners experiencing financial hardship who are unable to make timely mortgage payments but want to stay in their homes. Mortgage refinancing replaces your current…
Key takeaways The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express are two of the top premium travel cards on the market. The Venture X has an edge thanks to its higher rewards potential, but the Amex Platinum’s welcome offer outshines the former. The…
Bloom Productions/Getty Images Key takeaways Most business loans require all owners with at least a 20 percent ownership stake to sign for the business loan. If one or more business owners have bad or fair credit, you may have to apply for a bad credit business loan, though you could…
Key takeaways The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express offers high rewards on gas, U.S. supermarkets, and online retail purchases, making it an excellent choice for big spenders in these categories. In addition to the lucrative rewards structure, the card offers perks such as a lucrative welcome offer, a…
MoMo Productions/Getty Images Key Takeaways A split direct deposit divides a portion of each of your paychecks between multiple bank accounts – typically a checking account and a savings account. By programming a certain amount to land in a savings account from every paycheck, you can train yourself to live…
Editor's Pick
