Image by GettyImages; Illustration by Bankrate Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) have tumbled past the key threshold of 8 percent. The average rate on a $30,000 HELOC dropped 11 basis points to 7.90 percent this past week — a level not seen since 2023, according to Bankrate’s national survey…
PM Images/GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Credit unions are not-for-profit, member-owned institutions that commonly offer savings accounts with above-average rates, low minimum deposit requirements and low (or no) fees. While some credit unions restrict membership to those of a certain location or occupation, others make it easy for anyone to…
Your tax filing status — married filing jointly or separately, single, head of household — can make a big difference when it comes to how much you’ll owe at tax time. The head of household filing status, which is for single people with dependents, is more valuable than filing as…
Amazon (AMZN) unexpectedly threw its hat into the ring today to acquire popular video-sharing app TikTok. Unlike other major tech stocks that wobbled on Wednesday ahead of Trump’s tariff announcement, Amazon’s stock closed the day 2 percent higher on the news. Amazon has approached U.S. Vice President JD Vance and…
Personal Finance
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…
Featured Articles
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…
Dept Managmnt
Budgeting and Building an Emergency Fund for Rising Costs If rising costs are stressing you out, you may require adjustments to your budget…
Banking
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 Grants are a great option for small businesses looking for financial support to start or expand their operations without taking on debt Federal grants, made available through different branches of the U.S. government, provide funds to small businesses across multiple industries Regional and state-level grants may offer smaller…
Key takeaways A check typically clears in about two business days, but this may vary depending on the check amount and the specific bank or credit union’s policies. Some checks may clear faster, such as checks issued by the government and certified checks. Extended holds on check deposits can be…
Key takeaways There are many ways to deposit a check, including through a bank branch, ATM, smartphone, online or through the U.S. Postal Service. Precautions should be taken when depositing checks, such as endorsing the check and using valid identification. It is important to confirm the legitimacy of a check…
Key takeaways Average business loan interest rates range from 7 percent to 99 percent depending on the type of loan and the lender SBA loans offer low-interest loans to many types of business owners, including startups and bad credit borrowers Factors that can affect interest rate include the Federal Reserve’s…
SDI Productions/Getty Images Your savings account has a variable interest rate, so your bank can choose to raise or lower that rate at any time. Due to this, the yield you’re currently earning might not be the same as it was last year or even last month. While such rate…
Key takeaways Interest can be charged when you borrow money or earned when you save. When you charge something on a credit card or take out a loan from a financial institution (student loan, auto loan, mortgage, etc.), you’re charged interest for borrowing that money. You can also earn interest…
With the stock market bouncing around like an old-school Wham-O Super Ball, alternative assets are in the spotlight as investors look into the far corners — including collectibles — for different ways to make a buck. Collectibles are, by definition, “alternative investments,” as is any asset that isn’t stocks, bonds…
The most difficult U.S. housing market in decades continues to encumber prospective homebuyers, who need an annual household income of $116,986 to afford the typical home, according to Bankrate’s new 2025 Housing Affordability Study. That’s almost a 50 percent increase since early 2020, when the income needed to buy a…
Carles Navarro Parcerisas/GettyImages Marriages don’t always work out, and a divorce may be a necessary next step. Aside from dealing with the difficult emotional side of separating from a spouse, splitting assets and talking about how money will be managed going forward is an important topic. In some cases, that…
Managing your finances is crucial for improving your quality of life. By understanding key financial terms, you can make informed decisions to improve your financial health and reach your financial goals. Here are some essential terms to know: Budget A budget is a plan for your expected income and expenses…
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