Losing your job or getting your hours cut at work can feel like a punch to the gut—followed by a million panicky thoughts about what you’ll do now. And especially what you’ll do without your health insurance benefit! It’s okay. Plenty of people go through this and you’ll be just…
We know nobody’s talking about rising health care costs because it’s super affordable right now and nobody’s struggling at all. (That . . . is sarcasm.) But we thought we’d address it anyway—specifically, how to save on health care. You know, just in case you felt like saving money sometime.…
Trying to sort through all of your retirement account options can be a daunting task. You start hearing terms like 401(k) and 403(b) and IRA and all of a sudden you feel like you’re drowning in an alphabet soup of random numbers and letters all mashed together. Market chaos, inflation, your future—work with a pro to…
You know that feeling you get when you find $20 in your pocket? Imagine finding $500! And if you can find that kind of money without cutting the budget, that’s even better, right? So, what’s the trick? It’s quick and easy—all you have to do is take a look at…
Personal Finance
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…
Featured Articles
Sometimes, renting is a much better option than buying a house. Yep, it’s true! When you’re just starting out after leaving your parents’ house, working hard to get out of debt, or newly married, renting is a great idea. And renters are definitely in good…
Dept Managmnt
If you need some inspiration, common goals among Canadians include retirement planning, saving for a vacation, paying down debt, and setting aside money…
Banking
For fintech startups, the first five years of the decade have been a roller-coaster ride. At the outset, companies were awash in easy…
Credit Cards
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Wavebreakmedia/Getty Images Key takeaways An auto loan hardship program can help if you’re facing a financial emergency and need help with your car payments. Eligibility criteria, fees and program options vary by lender. If you don’t qualify for an auto loan hardship program, other forms of debt relief are out…
Key takeaways A 7/1 ARM is a type of adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) that has a fixed interest rate for the first seven years, then a variable rate that changes yearly until the end of the mortgage term. The initial fixed rate on a 7/1 ARM is usually lower than the…
Hispanolistic/Getty Images Key takeaways The time it takes to raise your credit score depends upon the reason(s) that your score is lower in the first place. The longer your accounts are open and in good standing, the better it will reflect on your credit score. You can do several things…
Key takeaways If you need money now but can’t get a loan, products like emergency loans and payday loans may be appealing. These options may come with higher interest rates and shorter repayment timelines than a standard personal loan. Payday loans and some no-credit-check loans can have fees that translate…
Images by GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways When you prepay your mortgage, you pay extra toward the loan principal. This helps you pay your loan off sooner and save money on interest. There are many ways to prepay a mortgage, including through biweekly payments, periodic extra payments or…
While the top ten largest credit unions still hold significantly less in assets than even the top five largest banks, they have been growing considerably in recent years. Just within 5 ½ years, total assets in federally insured credit unions have risen by over 46%, increasing from $1.64 trillion in…
Whether you have to report an inheritance on your taxes depends on what you inherit and the subsequent handling of that inheritance. While inheritances themselves are often not subject to federal income tax, certain inherited assets can generate taxable income once they begin producing interest, dividends or distributions. Because inheritance…
Images by GettyImages; Illustration by Jessa Lizama/Bankrate Key takeaways Lower credit scores signal higher risk of default to lenders, so lenders will limit loan amounts. Borrowers with bad credit get approved for unsecured loans with an average amount under $2,000, according to TransUnion data. Adding a cosigner or co-borrower with…
A tax refund often feels like a sudden financial windfall, offering a brief moment of relief. However, instead of treating it as a ticket for a shopping spree, consider using it as the ultimate opportunity for some financial spring cleaning. By strategically channeling your refund, you can effectively pay down…
Moyo Studio/GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways Most personal loan lenders require documents to prove your identity, income, bank account and address. Lenders collect information about your credit score, loan purpose and monthly expenses to determine your eligibility and loan terms. Gathering all necessary documents and information before applying…





































