Key takeaways Personal loans come in many forms, including secured and unsecured loans, debt consolidation loans and personal lines of credit. Unsecured personal loans are common among lenders and don’t require collateral. Secured personal loans are less common and require collateral — but usually offer lower interest rates. You can…

This is part 2 of 2 of Bankrate’s ’90s era lessons miniseries, focusing on loans. Key takeaways When it comes to applying for any type of loan, preparation is key. Improving your credit, lowering your DTI and decreasing the amount you need to borrow can help you qualify for a…

Key takeaways Memecoins are spawned from trends or jokes, not driven by a specific use case like some cryptocurrencies. Like all crypto, memecoins are highly speculative with no underlying assets. Some memecoins have larger market caps than established, profitable companies with cash flow. For example, Dogecoin has a higher market…

Lucy Lambriex/Getty Images Key takeaways Secured loans are popular for startups because they can be easier to qualify for and come with lower interest rates Unsecured loans are harder to obtain for new businesses and often require a personal guarantee Alternative financing options such as crowdfunding, peer-to-peer lending, business grants,…

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Key takeaways Credit card fraud is the most common form of identity theft, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The four major credit card networks — Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover — offer $0 liability protection, AI-powered user authentication analysis, EMV chips and…

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Key takeaways Student loan consolidation rolls multiple loans into a single loan with one interest rate and monthly payment. The interest rate on a new Direct Consolidated Loan is the weighted average of all the consolidated loans. Loan consolidation may not get you a lower rate, though other actions may.…

Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock Key takeaways A part-time student is generally anyone who enrolls in half of the full-time course load, though definitions may vary.  Part-time students can apply for a few types of federal student loans: direct subsidized, direct unsubsidized and direct plus loans. Private lenders also offer loans for…

Key takeaways HELOC applications require a hard credit pull, which temporarily lowers your credit score. Closing a HELOC and carrying a big debt balance could lower your credit score, depending on how your lender reports your line of credit to credit bureaus. Using HELOC funds to pay off other, higher-interest…

Tesla (TSLA) just reported its first-quarter sales, and the company missed analysts’ estimate for deliveries by nearly 14 percent. It was the lowest total number of deliveries since the second quarter of 2022 for the electric vehicle specialist — and more disappointment may be on the way.  Tesla has faced…

Key takeaways If you have an existing VA loan, you can refinance it to get a better interest rate, change your loan term or tap into your home equity. To qualify for a VA mortgage refinance, you’ll need to meet specific service, income and credit score guidelines. The two primary…

Key takeaways Your 30s is a time to clarify your financial goals and start ramping up your savings, aiming to set aside 10-15 percent of your income. Choose the right tools — a workplace retirement plan and an IRA — to put your money to work. With decades until retirement…

The United States has the most roadways on the planet, with more than 4 million miles of open road. Across the 50 states, you can get virtually any type of driving experience: coastal highways, desert one-lanes, mountain roads, sprawling suburbs and bustling cities. However, some states offer more favorable driving…

Key takeaways The president can influence the stock market, but other factors can have a greater impact on share prices, such as consumer behavior, the Federal Reserve and global trade. President Donald Trump’s tariff announcements have been unpredictable and have negatively affected the stock market, at least temporarily. When stock…

MoMo Productions/Getty Images Key takeaways Almost all workplace 401(k) plans let workers save extra money for the future, so long as you meet age requirements. Those age 50 or older can contribute an extra $7,500 per year. And, starting this year, individuals aged 60-63 can now make “super catch-up” contributions…

Photography by Getty Images; Illustration by Bankrate Key takeaways Snow and ice are covered by home insurance in some instances, like if your roof collapses or a tree falls on your home. When it comes to roof leaks, it will depend on scenario specifics. Some snow-related roof leaks will be…

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