Key takeaways The Marriott Bonvoy program makes it easy to earn points through paid hotel stays, spending on co-branded credit cards and other qualifying activities. Program members can use their points for award nights at more than 8,900 properties worldwide and for other types of travel. Earning elite status with…
Key takeaways To qualify for a home equity loan or line of credit, you’ll typically need at least 20 percent equity in your home. Some lenders allow 15 percent. You’ll also need a solid credit score and acceptable debt-to-income (DTI) ratio. Lastly, lenders will want to see steady and adequate…
Key takeaways REITs allow investors to invest in real estate without the hassle of managing the property themselves. REITs have special tax advantages that allow them to pay large and growing dividends. Publicly traded REITs and REIT funds are the best ways for investors to invest in the sector. Investors…
Key takeaways At 5 percent cash back on your top spending category (up to $500 each billing cycle, then 1 percent), the Citi Custom Cash® Card* offers top cash back as a rotating category card. The card has several high-value benefits, including a solid welcome bonus, an introductory APR on…
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While there has been much conversation on not buying from companies with poor diversity, little has been said about investing…
Lifestyle inflation occurs when your expenses increase as you earn more income. It can start subtly—dining at pricier restaurants, upgrading…
Chime, the largest digital bank in America, grew its revenue to $1.7 billion in 2024, an increase of roughly 30%…
Technology has transformed some parts of the daunting homebuying process–making it easier to search and compare properties online, to prepare…
Featured Articles
Key takeaways It can be difficult to determine exactly how much you will need to save for retirement, but there are some general guidelines based on age that can serve as a good starting point. Generally, experts recommend have one times your salary saved by…
Dept Managmnt
Key takeaways Always try to make at least the minimum monthly payment on every outstanding balance. When deciding which debt to pay off…
Banking
Apple, FedEx and Oracle all got loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration. But rules and red tape keep many banks from making…
Credit Cards
Key takeaways Adding authorized users to your business credit card account can make it easier for you to complete purchases and earn rewards…
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Key takeaways As the frequency of extreme weather events and natural disasters increases, so too does the cost of homeowners insurance. This exacerbates home affordability for prospective buyers, who are already hampered by high home prices and mortgage rates. It also puts a strain on the budgets of existing homeowners,…
Credit Sesame’s personal finance news roundup April 26, 2025. Stories, news, politics, and events impacting personal finance during the past week. Corporate profits surge since COVID A study by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis shows that U.S. companies have made significant gains in the years since the pandemic…
Key takeaways As long as you don’t use your available credit to run up high balances, a lot of available credit won’t hurt your credit score. Available credit can even improve your credit utilization, which accounts for 30 percent of your credit score. Some issuers may cap the amount of…
It’s an uneventful weekday, and you’re running a few errands during your lunch break. You decide at the last minute to run inside the bank to finally deposit that paper check you’ve had in your pocket for the past month, as well as review your checking account balance and perhaps…
Key takeaways Active-duty military members are eligible for VA home loans after serving for 90 straight days (181 days during peacetime) without an interruption in service. You or your spouse and dependents have to reside in your home as a primary residence for 12 consecutive months, but if you’re deployed…
Key takeaways A lender can sue you for not repaying your payday loan as promised. If you default on a payday loan, a lender can also sue, although what is considered default depends on your loan contract and your state. If a lender wins a lawsuit against you, it could…
Credit cards can be a convenient way to pay taxes while potentially earning some rewards along the way. Paying taxes with a credit card could also give you some breathing room if you don’t have the funds to pay your taxes by the due date. Still, there’s one major hurdle…
If you’d thrown $1,000 at Netflix in 2015, you’d be sitting on about $10,000 today. Back in 2015, Netflix (NFLX) was still shaking off its DVD-by-mail image and betting big on streaming and original content. Fast-forward a decade, and it’s gone from a scrappy disruptor to an industry heavyweight, with…
Most of us don’t think much about our tax withholding until tax time. That’s when reality sets in — in the form of a big tax bill or a tax refund. When you file your tax return, you discover whether more than enough money is being withheld from your paychecks…
Key takeaways Credit cards can have major benefits compared to cash when traveling internationally — including convenience, rewards and protection. Make sure you choose a credit card that is commonly accepted overseas — and when in doubt, have a backup. There may be fees associated with using your credit card…
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