For over three years, federal student loan payments were on hold. But that’s no longer the case. Federal student loan payments started back in October 2023—and interest restarted on September 1, 2023.1 Yep, like Twitter and the show Riverdale, the student loan payment pause has come to an end. And…
We all have 24 hours in a day. And after the hours we spend sleeping, the biggest chunk of our day is spent working—eight hours every weekday and another five or so on the weekend.1 Imagine if all that time at work felt like being trapped in a soul-sucking pit filled…
The people in your life have a profound impact on your well-being. We’ll all experience the ups and downs of living with and loving imperfect people, but ultimately, our relationships should be a source of joy—not ongoing frustration or fear. A toxic relationship is one that consistently leaves you feeling…
Did you know that if you had $1 million in dollar bills, it would literally weigh a ton and take you about 12 days to count it all? No matter how you slice it, that’s a lot of money! Market chaos, inflation, your future—work with a pro to navigate this…
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Last year, on the day before Tax Day, my mom was scheduled to fly into Philadelphia International Airport to stay…
The nation’s 75 million Social Security recipients will receive a 2.8% cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase in their benefits…
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Illustration by Clay Laucella/Bankrate Asia Ore wants to be a homeowner, just not right now. The 28-year-old has other priorities: adjusting to life as a new mother and widow, chipping away at her student loans and charting the course of her career with her new…
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If you need some inspiration, common goals among Canadians include retirement planning, saving for a vacation, paying down debt, and setting aside money…
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For fintech startups, the first five years of the decade have been a roller-coaster ride. At the outset, companies were awash in easy…
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SDI Productions/Getty Images Key takeaways Banks exist that cater to specific political views, faiths, environmental concerns and social causes. Finding the right bank requires combining your core values with thorough research. Local banks and credit unions often support community initiatives that align with your beliefs. When choosing a bank, most…
Key takeaways Money market accounts combine the features of checking and savings accounts and are FDIC- or NCUA-insured up to $250,000 per depositor. Money market funds aren’t federally insured or regulated, but they are considered conservative investments with very low risk of principal loss. Top-yielding money market accounts currently pay…
Key takeaways Personal loans and home equity loans can provide a much-needed source of funding if you need cash. Personal loans are less risky because they’re unsecured, but they often come with higher interest rates. Home equity loans may be more accessible to borrowers with lower credit scores, but you…
Images by Getty Images; Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Gap insurance in Texas, also known as guaranteed asset protection, helps cover the difference between what you owe on your car and its actual cash value (ACV) if it’s totaled or stolen. This optional coverage may be especially valuable for Texas drivers…
As they struggle to persuade Americans to buy new homes, homebuilders have leaned hard on a new tactic: Builders’ mortgage arms are wooing consumers with cut-rate home loans. The average mortgage rate for new construction buyers was 5.27% during the third quarter of 2025, compared to 6.26% for buyers of…
Key takeaways High-yield savings accounts pay up to 4.20% APY (400x more than traditional savings accounts at 0.01%), making them the best choice for emergency funds and short-term savings goals. CDs lock your money for fixed terms (1 month to 5 years) in exchange for guaranteed rates, while money market…
Key takeaways FDIC insurance covers up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank, per ownership category — meaning a single person can protect far more than $250,000 by using different account types at the same institution. If you have $300,000 in one account, only $250,000 is protected — the remaining $50,000…
Key takeaways Opening a bank account online takes 10-15 minutes if you have your documents ready — you’ll need your Social Security number, government ID and proof of address. Online banks typically offer higher interest rates (currently up to 4.20% APY on savings) and lower fees than traditional banks because…
Key takeaways Writing a check requires six simple steps: date, payee name, amount in numbers, amount in words, memo (optional) and your signature. Always use blue or black pen — never pencil — to prevent alterations and fraud. The number amount and written amount must match exactly, or banks may…
Luis Alvarez/Getty Images Key takeaways Zelle is an easy tool for sending money between friends or different bank accounts, but transfers are subject to daily and monthly limitations. Depending on the issuing bank, daily limits for Zelle transactions range from $500 or less to $10,000 or more. Aggregate monthly transfer…
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