Key takeaways Figuring your AGI is a crucial step on the path to calculating your taxable income and, in turn, your tax bill. Your AGI determines your eligibility for a variety of tax deductions and tax credits. (Sometimes, your modified adjusted gross income comes into play — more on that…
Key takeaways The standard deduction is a specific dollar amount that you can use to reduce your taxable income. You have to choose between claiming the standard deduction and itemizing (that is, claiming expenses that you paid). The standard deduction amount usually increases each year for inflation. Also, the standard…
Key takeaways The deadline to file federal income tax returns this year — to report income earned in 2025 — is April 15, 2026. If you file an extension, you have until Oct. 15 to file your federal tax return. If you file an extension you have until Oct. 15…
If financial stress has been weighing you down, you aren’t alone. Around 43% of Americans cite money as a factor negatively impacting their mental health, according to a recent Bankrate survey. January is the perfect time to reset your financial mindset and create routines that bring peace of mind all year long. By building good money…
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The nation’s 75 million Social Security recipients will receive a 2.8% cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase in their benefits…
Historically Black colleges and universities are on the frontlines of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s new limits on parent…
The big new fees JPMorgan Chase is planning to charge some financial technology companies may well trickle down to consumers,…
With artificial intelligence beginning to eat away at many white-collar entry-level jobs, and the unemployment rate for recent college graduates…
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Key takeaways Savings accounts are deposit accounts available at banks and credit unions. They allow you to keep your money safe while it earns interest. Online banks tend to offer the highest interest rates for savings accounts. You can withdraw your money from a savings…
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Tip 3: Learn How to Create a Better ‘To Do’ List When we make resolutions, we tend to resolve to do certain things.…
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These entrepreneurs, traders and investors are making an outsized impact in fintech, crypto and traditional financial services.By Jeff Kauflin, Hank Tucker and Nina…
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If you have no credit or need to rebuild credit after some credit missteps, credit builder apps may be worth considering. The best credit-building apps offer short-term loans and alternative data reporting that can improve your credit score with little to no cost. Results aren’t guaranteed and will vary depending…
Images by Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate Key takeaways Paying off your mortgage early can give you a sense of security and more flexibility in your budget. Paying off your mortgage also ties your money up in your home. You won’t be able to access it unless you do…
Retiring comfortably is a common goal for many working Americans, but a majority say they’re behind on their retirement savings. According to Bankrate’s 2025 Retirement Savings Survey, three in five American workers (58 percent) say their retirement savings are behind where they should be. More than one-third of American workers…
For generations, pensions have been regarded as the gold standard of retirement security, offering guaranteed income you can count on for life. However, funding gaps, longer life expectancies and economic volatility have put pressure on many pension plans. It begs the question: do pensions run out of money? Understanding the…
Retirement planning often comes down to one big question. How much money will you really need to maintain your lifestyle once the paychecks stop? Many experts point to the “80% rule” as a simple answer. This rule suggests that most retirees can live comfortably on about 80% of their pre-retirement…
Fenton Roman / Getty Images Credit cards aren’t generally seen as the best option for borrowing money due to their high interest rates on unpaid balances. But a credit card can give you a lucrative edge over a personal loan if you need to finance a large purchase around the…
Crypto staking allows owners of cryptocurrency to earn a return on their holdings, paying them more cryptocurrency. The easiest way to do that for the owners of major cryptocurrencies is by working with one of the best crypto exchanges for staking. These exchanges make staking easy for everyone and make…
A group annuity is a retirement savings contract typically offered through an employer that pools contributions from multiple participants to provide guaranteed income in retirement. Unlike individual annuities, these plans are structured for groups, which can lower costs and simplify administration. They are often used in pension plans or other…
Jimmy Fuentes knows what it takes to buy a home. A licensed mortgage broker and a homeowner himself, Fuentes advises his clientele of real estate investors daily on all aspects of property ownership. But recently, he’s hit a wall when it comes to rising insurance premiums. “I am frustrated,” says…
When the going gets tough in the stock market, it can be tempting to just sell and walk away. It’s difficult to watch your investments decline week after week, and getting out — even at a loss — may make you feel better, if only so that you don’t keep…
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