Most people see taxes come out of their paycheck without thinking much about where the money goes. Federal taxes follow one set of rules no matter where you live, but state taxes vary widely depending on your location. Some states have no income tax at all while others take a…
Try to Offer Advice or Support Instead of Criticism While younger generations are often criticized for their lack of financial literacy, getting into debt can happen to any one at any age, and for a variety of reasons. The suggestion that younger generations are “terrible with money” is certainly not…
Key takeaways Down payment amounts vary widely depending on home prices and loan types. They can range from less than $10,000 to $200,000 or more. Most housing market data focuses on the median down payment, rather than the average, because it’s a better measure of what the typical borrower contributes.…
Spring is the season for renewal, a perfect time to perform a “deep clean” of your financial profile. While March marks National Credit Education Month, the real goal is gaining the freedom that comes with a top-tier credit rating. Whether you’re planning to buy a home, finance a car, or…
Trending
Spotlight This Week
More Articles
Personal Finance
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…
With Republicans ending the Grad Plus program, private lenders are eyeing billions in new business, while some students could be…
Featured Articles
While buy-to-let real estate can generate steady cash flow and long-term appreciation, it also introduces specific tax rules, reporting requirements and potential liabilities. Rental income is generally taxable, but investors may qualify for deductions that reduce their overall tax burden. These can include expenses like…
Dept Managmnt
Paying off Debt on a Fixed Income: Making Sacrifices and Learning Patience Paying off debt on a fixed income requires discipline. Jill emphasizes…
Banking
For fintech startups, the first five years of the decade have been a roller-coaster ride. At the outset, companies were awash in easy…
Credit Cards
All News
Key takeaways CDs and share certificates both earn guaranteed returns over a set period. CDs are offered by banks and pay interest; share certificates are offered by credit unions and pay dividends. Both are federally insured up to $250,000 per depositor (FDIC for CDs, NCUA for share certificates). Credit unions…
Michal Krakowiak/ Getty Images If you’re already planning your next vacation, now might be a good time to start earning rewards to fund it. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card can help with that. For a limited time, new cardholders can earn a one-time $250 Capital One Travel credit,…
Key takeaways Online banks typically offer higher annual percentage yields on savings products and charge fewer fees than their brick-and-mortar counterparts. If you need to deposit cash regularly, you’ll likely want the convenience of a brick-and-mortar bank’s ATM network as many online banks don’t accept cash deposits. Large brick-and-mortar banks…
In her half-century on earth, Torry Holmesly has been subjected to neglect, violence, eviction and homelessness. So, if you ask her about what life is like in a banking desert, forgive her for looking at you funny. And yet, Holmesly, 50, is far from a fool. She knows that not…
Dmitrii Marchenko/GettyImages Key takeaways With a Roth IRA, you contribute money without getting an up-front tax break (unlike a traditional IRA, which offers a tax deduction in the year you contribute). The tax break comes later: You can withdraw your money tax-free in retirement. Ideally, you keep your money in…
MoMo Productions/Getty Images Key takeaways FHA loans are insured by the Federal Housing Administration and may have more lenient qualifications than conventional loans. FHA loan limits vary by location, but in 2026, they’re generally between $541,287 and $1,249,125 for single-family homes. You can find FHA loan limits for your area…
Vladimir Vladimirov/Getty Images: Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways Under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, lenders are prohibited from discriminating against applicants because of their age. As a result, older people — like those in other age groups — generally can get mortgages and other home loans if they meet…
How Long Does Collections Stay on My Credit Report? Also keep in mind that just because a lender or agency loses the ability to pursue you legally for a debt, the debt doesn’t automatically disappear. The debt will remain on your credit reports for 6-7 years from the date of…
Andria Patino/Getty Images New York is one of the most expensive states to buy a home in the U.S., driven by high prices in New York City, Westchester and Long Island. As of Dec. 2025, the median home sales price has increased 3.6% from the year prior, according to Redfin,…
How Roth IRA gains are taxed depends on when and why you withdraw the money. You can typically withdraw growth inside a Roth IRA completely tax-free if you meet certain IRS rules. However, early withdrawals or non-qualified distributions may trigger income tax and even penalties. It can be extremely beneficial…
Editor's Pick
