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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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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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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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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Key takeaways Both 401(k)s and 403(b)s are tax-advantaged retirement savings plans. While 401(k)s are offered to workers in for-profits companies, 403(b)s are for not-for-profit and government workers. Both plans are subject to the same annual contribution limits, though 403(b)s have a special provision for long-term employees. If you’re looking at…
Key takeaways The earlier in the year you can contribute to your IRA, the more time your money has to grow. Make sure you’re aware of IRA contribution deadlines. Consider your expenses and needs when deciding how to time your IRA contributions. Contributing to an individual retirement account (IRA) each…
Buying your first home can be an exciting yet expensive process, especially if that home is in Arizona. As of February 2025, the state’s median home price was $455,100, according to Redfin, well above the national median. Fortunately, there are easy trails that can lead to owning a home in…
Key takeaways Credit card issuers may choose to reject your application even if you have a good or excellent credit score. Factors like previous credit mistakes, too many applications and too many cards can affect your approval odds. If you were denied a credit card with good or excellent credit,…
Key takeaways Seasoning, for mortgage-related purposes, refers to the amount of time you’ve had funds in your bank account — specifically, the money to cover the down payment and closing costs. For mortgages, money becomes “seasoned” after it’s been in an established account from 60 to 90 days. Seasoning requirements…
Key takeaways You can refinance a home equity and, with rates currently in decline, now might be a good time to do it. Refinancing a home equity loan can lower monthly payments and lengthen or shorten your loan term. Drawbacks to refinancing a home equity loan include prepayment penalties…
With the economy slowing and President Donald Trump’s tariffs likely to stoke inflation, investors face various risks. Building a portfolio that has at least some less risky assets in it can be useful to help you ride out volatility in the market. The trade-off, of course, is that in lowering…
Key takeaways Wire transfers cost more but provide familiar bank security. Crypto moves faster and costs less but requires some technical know-how. Bank fees often hit you twice — when sending and receiving. Crypto platforms charge one transaction fee, usually under $5. Bank wire transfers used to be the only…
Cryptocurrency has long been associated with frauds and outright scams, dating back to at least the massive loss of Bitcoin from the Mt. Gox crypto exchange in 2014. In many ways, crypto is an ideal vehicle to commit fraud because of its broad adoption by criminals, the anonymity of transactions…
Key takeaways Money stored in payment apps often lacks federal deposit insurance protection. Basic security practices significantly reduce the risks of fraud or theft. Apps earn interest on user balances while paying nothing to customers. Different apps serve different needs — personal, business or international use. Peer-to-peer payment apps have…
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