Images by Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate Key takeaways Mortgages make up the highest percentage of household debt nationwide, with the average American owing $258,214. Millennials have the highest average mortgage debt at $320,027, with Gen X close behind at $286,574. The District of Columbia, California and Hawaii have…
When people begin searching for help with credit card debt, they often come across a wide range of options labeled “debt relief.” Debt settlement companies, consolidation loans, balance transfers, auto title loans, credit repair services, and bankruptcy are frequently presented as potential debt relief options. However, these alternatives work in…
Image by Chorna Olena/Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate The Federal Reserve’s interest rate decisions influence what you pay for new home equity loans and variable-rate home equity lines of credit (HELOCs). Here, we break down how the Fed’s monetary policy affects how much it’ll cost you to borrow against…
Key takeaways Home equity loan and HELOC closing costs and fees vary, depending on the lender, and can range from 1%-5% of the total loan amount. HELOCs have fewer closing costs than HELoans, but often carry ongoing fees for account maintenance, inactivity or rate lock-ins. Ways to reduce home equity…
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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…
With Republicans ending the Grad Plus program, private lenders are eyeing billions in new business, while some students could be…
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The second quarter of 2026 will be particularly rewarding for Chase Freedom Flex® cardholders who buy from Amazon, Whole Foods Market and Chase Travel or donate to Feeding America. That’s a broad array of categories that should appeal to just about everyone. From April 1…
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Get to Work – As Much as You Can Did you know almost half of Canada’s post-secondary students take on student loan debt?…
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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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When unexpected expenses pile up and the emergency fund runs dry, where can you turn for money? For many people, their biggest stash of savings is hidden away in retirement plans, such as IRAs and 401(k)s. But if you withdraw money from a 401(k) or IRA before turning 59½, generally…
Roth IRAs allow your savings to grow tax free and allow tax free withdrawals in retirement. Your income determines whether you can contribute and how much you can add. The IRS sets annual income limits based on your tax filing status. These limits decide whether you can make a full…
Key takeaways Technology is making it easier for scammers to defraud consumers out of billions of dollars with different schemes. Lenders that guarantee loan approvals for an upfront fee are likely personal loan scammers. Consumers with lower incomes and poor credit are more likely to be targeted by scammers. If…
Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images Key takeaways You’re more likely to secure a personal loan despite a low income if you apply for a smaller loan amount, apply with a cosigner or work with an online lender. Be wary of credit card-like interest rates, even from reputable lenders, if you don’t have…
Photo courtesy of Karen Bennett; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Currently, you can lock in annual percentage yields (APYs) on certificates of deposit (CDs) at and slightly above 4% with many nationally available CDs. Only a select few financial institutions offer promotional CDs that earn a 5% APY or greater, and…
Truist Bank, one of the top 10 commercial U.S. banks, offers deposit accounts, loans, mortgages, credit cards and more for both consumers and businesses. Its presence is marked by over 1,900 branch locations spread across 17 states and Washington, D.C. Truist near me If you’re on the lookout for a…
Key takeaways When selecting the best bank account for kids, prioritize accounts with no monthly maintenance fees or minimum balance requirements to maximize savings. Choose accounts that offer parental controls and educational tools so you can help guide your child’s financial education. Consider the age requirements and geographic and membership…
Willowpix/ Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate Key takeaways You can deposit money into someone else’s bank account via electronic transfer, wire transfer or by depositing cash in person at a branch. Some banks restrict cash deposits to accounts that are not in your name to prevent money laundering and…
Key takeaways Verify you’re on legitimate bank websites and apps before entering login information — hackers create convincing fake sites to steal credentials. Use strong, unique passwords for each financial account and enable two-factor authentication for an extra layer of security. Be skeptical of urgent messages asking for personal information…
Hiya Images/Corbis/Getty Images Key takeaways A checking account is for managing your day-to-day finances, such as paying bills, making debit card transactions and writing checks. A savings account is for storing funds for emergencies or short-term goals, and the money typically earns a modest amount of interest. An effective money…
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