In the journey of a relationship, finances play a pivotal role that can either strengthen a couple’s bond or lead to significant stress. While every partnership is unique, identifying financial red flags early can prevent them from escalating into a crisis. Whether you are newlyweds or have been together for…
Buying your first home can be thrilling, but it can also be stressful. After all, it’s likely one of the most impactful financial decisions you’ll make. Keeping yourself informed can make the experience of getting a mortgage much smoother — so before you get started, consider this list of major…
Illustration by Mae Sangaline/Bankrate Key takeaways There are many strategies to save for a down payment, including maximizing your savings, reducing everyday expenses and applying for down payment assistance. You likely don’t have to save 20% for a down payment on a home. Conventional mortgages require just 3% down, and…
When you’re in a committed relationship, you unavoidably merge at least some aspects of your financial lives. However, that doesn’t mean you have to combine all of your accounts. In fact, most Americans don’t. Most couples in committed relationships (62%) keep at least some financial accounts in their name only,…
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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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Image by PM Images/Getty Images; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Mortgage rates rose this week, with the 30-year fixed rate averaging 6.23%, up from 6.18% last week, according to Bankrate’s latest lender survey. Current mortgage rates Loan type Current 4 weeks ago One year ago 52-week…
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2. Coaching and Tutoring Take stock of your areas of expertise – maybe you speak a second language or solving math equations comes…
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OBSERVATIONS FROM THE FINTECH SNARK TANKBankers wants to discuss AI strategy. They’re excited about chatbots, machine learning models, generative AI tools, and AI…
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If the IRS notifies you of an audit, and you expected a tax return, you probably have a lot of questions. Will you ever get your tax refund? Does the audit automatically stop it? The answer depends on the IRS’s review and whether the items under audit affect the refund…
Getty Images/Greg Hinsdale You hear a lot these days about tapping home equity – borrowing against the worth of your home – for cash. Home equity loans and home equity lines of credit (HELOC) have become popular ways for homeowners to access their available equity to pay for expenses like…
Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Getty Images Key takeaways Short-term loans provide financing with a brief repayment period and often require collateral to obtain. These loans are generally capped at $2,000 and are often used by borrowers who are strapped for cash or who have a low credit score. Loan funds are…
Holiday spending came in at the high end of projected ranges for 2025 despite numerous economic challenges. According to Mastercard, U.S. retail sales (excluding automotive) increased 3.9% year-over-year from Nov. 1 through Dec. 21, 2025. CNBC and the National Retail Federation published a similar increase, reporting holiday sales grew 4.1%…
Maca and Naca/GettyImages The average tax refund tends to be just over $3,000, but that number might climb to north of $4,000 in 2026, thanks to the massive tax bill that became law in 2025. That law included a higher standard deduction amount, more generous tax brackets and other changes…
ljubaphoto/Getty Images: Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways The interest rate on a mortgage indicates how much interest you’ll pay for the amount you borrow. The annual percentage rate (APR) is the interest rate plus additional fees and any points. When comparing loan offers, it’s best to compare APRs to…
Christina Zelow Lundquist/ Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate Key takeaways A cash-out refinance replaces your current mortgage with a new, bigger one. The borrower receives the difference between the two balances in cash. The terms of your refinanced mortgage might differ from your original loan, including a new interest…
Money is an uncomfortable topic for many, yet it’s an important ongoing conversation to have in a relationship. Financial secrets undermine trust. And for many, it may even feel like betrayal. More than 2 in 5 U.S. adults (43%) believe keeping financial secrets is at least as bad as physical…
The holiday season is a time filled with joy, celebration, and, often, a lot of expenses. As the festivities wind down, many find themselves facing the reality of depleted bank accounts, credit card debt, and the daunting task of rebuilding their financial safety nets. An emergency fund serves as a…
Key takeaways Decisions made by the Federal Reserve to increase the benchmark rate do not directly impact auto loans but rather the cost for banks to lend. The higher the Fed sets rates, the higher auto loan rates will likely be. The Fed made its third and last rate cut…
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