You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey. Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that…
Credit: ©️ Allard Schager/Getty Images; Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Shopping for a home in Florida often means navigating a market of extremes, from modest homes in rural areas to multimillion-dollar mansions and high-rises in Miami. Overall, it’s a mixed picture for the housing market in the Sunshine State, with shifting…
Credit: Nate Hovee/Getty Images; Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate California home prices are some of the highest in the country, with the median home price in December 2025 hitting $850,680, according to the California Association of Realtors. That means most buyers will need a mortgage to afford a home. Just like…
With winter in full swing, many households are bracing not just for freezing temperatures but also for the “financial freeze” the season brings. Winter introduces a unique set of seasonal expenses that can significantly drain savings or catch you off guard. By understanding these hidden costs and effectively winterizing your…
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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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Tax credits are a powerful way to save money on taxes. Each dollar of a tax credit is subtracted directly from the amount of tax you owe the IRS. And some tax credits are refundable, meaning even if you don’t owe any tax, the credit…
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Delmaine Donson/Getty Images Debt relief companies work on your behalf to negotiate your debts, usually through a settlement for less than you owe.…
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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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I’m a big fan of getting money back from purchases I would have made anyway. I rarely carry cash, use a debit card or write a check. Instead, I used three credit cards for most of my purchases in 2025, and when all was said and done, I earned close…
Reaching your 80s doesn’t automatically mean saying goodbye to income taxes. Many retirees live on fixed incomes and may owe little or nothing to the IRS. However, others with pensions, investment income or retirement withdrawals may still face tax obligations. The key to understanding your tax situation in your later…
Images by Getty Images; Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate The average savings account rate is a benchmark for the overall interest-rate environment, but it’s not a rate you should settle for. Rather, aim for an annual percentage yield (APY) many times the national average, such as those offered by high-yield savings…
The IRS generally treats unemployment compensation as taxable income. If you don’t plan for this, or don’t withhold money from your weekly payments, you may owe money when you file your tax return. State tax rules vary, too, which can further impact your final tax bill. Knowing how to report…
Key takeaways Start by identifying your primary banking needs: checking, savings, CDs or specialized services. Avoid banks with excessive fees — average overdraft fees are $26.77, but many banks offer fee-free options. Consider traditional banks, online banks and credit unions, keeping in mind that the latter two may provide better…
Whether you owe taxes or receive a refund comes down to how much tax was withheld from your paychecks, how your income changed over the year, and whether you still qualify for the credits and deductions you may have relied on in the past. If too little tax is withheld…
For most of your working career, the focus of your retirement planning is on accumulating savings and investing that money wisely. As you approach retirement, more attention will go to estimating your income after you stop working, and the kind of lifestyle that this will support. The way to do…
Photography by Getty Images; Illustration by Bankrate The tax deadline will be here before you know it. The good news is that there are a few different options to file your taxes for free in 2026 — and many of them offer guided support to make sure you file your…
Key takeaways Figuring your AGI is a crucial step on the path to calculating your taxable income and, in turn, your tax bill. Your AGI determines your eligibility for a variety of tax deductions and tax credits. (Sometimes, your modified adjusted gross income comes into play — more on that…
Key takeaways If you donate household items to charity, you may be able to claim a tax deduction. But you must itemize your deductions to enjoy this tax break — you can’t claim it if you use the standard deduction. The big tax bill that became law in 2025 created…
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