Key takeaways If someone opens a credit card in your name, you should take steps to protect your finances immediately. Start by calling the credit card issuer associated with the account and freezing your card. You can then work with the issuer to close the account. You’ll then have to…
Key takeaways If you believe there is an erroneous or fraudulent charge on your credit card, you have the right to dispute the charge and potentially have it removed from your statement. The Fair Credit Billing Act allows you to dispute a charge within 60 days of when it appears…
Key takeaways Under current law, you do not have to be a U.S. citizen to buy a home in the U.S. The vast majority of non-resident buyers come from Canada, China, Mexico and India. Many mortgage lenders offer conventional and FHA home loans to non-U.S. citizens. You don’t have to…
Key takeaways Having good credit helps you get better rates on mortgages, car loans and other debt products, and may affect your ability to rent an apartment or sign up for utilities and other services. To build good credit, you need to use your credit — but you don’t want…
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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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All checking accounts might seem to be alike. But a business checking account may offer capabilities that aren’t available with a personal checking account, such as employee access controls, fraud protection tools and payment integrations. Even if you want to open a secondary personal account…
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Level 2: Discover the Fastest Way to Pay Off Debt With Rules and Challenges When looking for the fastest way to pay off…
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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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Images by Getty Images; Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways Refinancing your mortgage typically costs between 2 and 6 percent of the new loan amount. These closing costs might include fees for origination, a home appraisal and title services. You can save on the cost of refinancing by boosting your…
If you live abroad or travel enough to feel like you do, you might struggle with finding easy solutions to converting money from one currency to another. And up until recently, there weren’t a lot of options that didn’t involve high international transfer and exchange fees. Fortunately, things have gotten…
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 Home prices are continuing their upward trend, though affordability challenges may moderate the pace of appreciation. Experts anticipate mortgage rates to remain in the mid-to-high 6 percent range throughout Q2 2025. Housing inventory is gradually improving, offering buyers slightly more negotiating power in certain markets. There’s a change…
If you’re looking to protect your wealth, it’s important to remember that the best strategies for safeguarding your nest egg are often different from those for growing your wealth. Preserving your wealth is much more about reducing risk than it is about amping your potential gains. Here are nine strategies…
Photography by Getty Images The bonus categories for the Discover it® Cash Back and its student card version have been announced for Q2 2025, and they should be easy for most cardholders to fully maximize. Once you activate the bonus categories, you’ll earn 5 percent cash back on purchases at…
There’s no doubt TikTok can be entertaining, and there are legit financial experts on the social media app (dare we say, financial visionaries?). But there are also a lot of inexperienced people sharing questionable tips about tax deductions and credits. “Most TikTok-ers who are giving tax advice — a lot…
Setting up a one-time meeting with a financial advisor can offer a lot of value in a relatively short time. A financial advisor can provide clarity during financial turning points or times of economic uncertainty, answer pressing questions and give you a roadmap of your next steps. A single meeting…
Key takeaways The annual percentage rate (APR) on a mortgage represents the total yearly cost of the loan, including interest, fees and mortgage points. Comparing loan APRs — as opposed to interest rates — gives you a clearer idea of the most affordable option. A mortgage’s APR is always higher…
The so-called Magnificent Seven stocks don’t seem so magnificent these days after new tariffs from the Trump administration sent their shares plunging, with all seven now in bear market territory. Shares of Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla are all down at least 20 percent from their…
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