Tax scams are becoming more sophisticated each year, especially during tax season when millions of Americans are filing and expecting refunds. Scammers take advantage of this urgency by posing as the IRS, offering false promises of larger refunds, or pressuring individuals into sharing sensitive information. Falling victim to a tax…
By Julie Jaggernath If you’re thinking about downsizing, crunch your numbers carefully because it might cost you more than it saves in the long run. Since the pandemic, the ability to defer mortgage payments has become a more seamless process. But given the persistent high cost of living, you might…
Does your grocery store hike the price of milk during your hurried commute home? Is it raising the cost of ice cream during a July heat wave? Are you seeing “personalized” prices based on your income or shopping history? As technology advances, these scenarios are becoming increasingly realistic. Put simply,…
Images by Getty Images; Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways Contrary to popular belief, you don’t actually have to put down 20% of a home’s price to get a mortgage. Some mortgages don’t require any down payment at all, and you can get a conventional mortgage with as little as…
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Last year, on the day before Tax Day, my mom was scheduled to fly into Philadelphia International Airport to stay…
The nation’s 75 million Social Security recipients will receive a 2.8% cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase in their benefits…
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Key takeaways A longer loan term means you’ll have a lower monthly payment, but you’ll also pay more in interest. A shorter loan term helps minimize borrowing costs and the risk of being upside-down on your loan. Consider the monthly payment and overall cost of…
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Key takeaways Car title loans are a convenient way to get fast cash if you own your vehicle outright. These loans are risky…
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For fintech startups, the first five years of the decade have been a roller-coaster ride. At the outset, companies were awash in easy…
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Finance is different for everyone. We all inhabit our own money realities: white people and people of color, Gen Z and baby boomers, high earners and those with lower incomes. Women live in their own financial reality, too. One where the gender pay gap is a force holding back their…
Illustration by Clay Laucella/Bankrate Kayla Palmer, 31-year-old Nashville resident, bought a 100-year-old house with her husband in 2018 that turned out to be a money pit. She felt rushed by the real estate agent and misinformed about the house’s structural issues, leading to a series of costly problems after purchase. …
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, so you can trust that…
Key takeaways The Atmos Rewards program is the rebranded update to Alaska Airlines’ former Mileage Plan. Atmos Rewards boasts a vast partner network of airlines, hotels, rental car companies and everyday shopping sites — all of which can help you earn miles more quickly. Reward flights with Atmos Rewards can…
Key takeaways A debt consolidation loan is primarily meant to save money on interest — usually by securing a lower APR and a shorter payoff timeline. Bad credit debt consolidation loans may not be as effective due to the higher interest rates, but one can still simplify your monthly payments.…
Key takeaways SBA loans have set maximum interest rates, making them a flexible and affordable business lending option. It can take 30 to 90 days for SBA loan approval and funding. Be sure to find an SBA lender with experience and volume in loan applications so you can have a…
If you received a big tax refund this year, it might feel like a bonus. But it usually means you paid more in taxes throughout the year than necessary. Instead of waiting to get that money back as a refund, adjusting your W-4 can help you keep more of it…
Key takeaways Home equity is the difference between your home’s value and the amount you still owe on your mortgage. It represents the paid-off portion of your home — the amount you own outright. Your home equity can increase through making mortgage payments and home improvements, or as local property…
Variable annuities can be powerful tools for retirement planning. They provide guaranteed income options with tax-deferred growth that few other products can match. However, they are also complex, layered contracts that carry real risks. Therefore, the stakes for consumers are high. That complexity is exactly why variable annuities merge two…
Key takeaways Getting approved for a HELOC or home equity loan isn’t easy, with nearly half of applications denied. Poor credit, a high debt-to-income ratio or a large outstanding mortgage balance may contribute to being rejected for a HELOC or home equity loan. If you are denied, paying down…
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