At a time of sticky inflation and a softening job market, extra money in the bank can serve as a lifeline for many consumers. Yet 8 in 10 Americans did not increase their emergency savings this year, a new Bankrate survey found, leaving them in no better financial position to…
While the top ten largest credit unions still hold significantly less in assets than even the top five largest banks, they have been growing considerably in recent years. Just within the last five years, total assets in federally insured credit unions have risen by approximately 45 percent over the past…
Key Takeaways: Transition Challenges: Veterans face unique financial challenges when transitioning from military to civilian life, including employment hurdles, healthcare costs, and housing instability. Employment and Economic Stability: Despite strong leadership skills, veterans often encounter unemployment or underemployment due to skill mismatches. Support from programs like VETS and the GI…
Key takeaways Most unemployment payment delays happen due to missing information, fraud checks, or system backlogs. You can often fix the issue by verifying your ID, submitting missing documentation, or updating your payment profile. While you wait, contact lenders to negotiate temporary relief and use savings accounts or short-term loans…
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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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Reaching age 65 doesn’t automatically change how the IRS taxes your 401(k) withdrawals. Instead, it taxes distributions from a traditional 401(k) as ordinary income, just like wages or Social Security benefits. Your tax rate depends on your total taxable income and filing status in the…
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The Downsides of Credit Card Churning and Why It Is Risky You may be asking yourself, “Those benefits sound great, why is credit…
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The fundamental flaws in the way the Federal Reserve operates these days were on full display Wednesday when Jerome Powell talked to the…
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Key takeaways A balance transfer can be a helpful tool for paying off high-interest credit card debt interest-free for an extended period of time. It’s essential to research and compare offers from different credit card issuers to find the best balance transfer card for your needs and financial situation. Before…
Key Takeaways Reduce high-interest credit card debt to improve credit and cash flow Build an emergency fund to handle unexpected costs without new debt Improve and monitor your credit score for better loan terms Save for a down payment and closing costs (and explore assistance programs) Keep your financial profile…
This page was originally published in late 2024 and reflects the author’s financial decisions during that time. Key takeaways Pairing the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card allows me to earn 50% more miles. I use the Savor card for…
If you were to invest $10,000 in a good stock and get a 20 percent return, you’d make $2,000. But what if you could have borrowed another $10,000 to buy more stock and doubled your profits? When investors borrow money, or buy on margin, they’re going for these types of…
Key takeaways Student loan experts are still fully assessing the One Big Beautiful Bill’s fallouts. One is clear: Not all borrowers who need private loans to fill the funding gap created by new federal borrowing limits will have good enough credit to qualify. Private lenders are exploring new products and…
For many retirees, the biggest financial fear isn’t a market crash — it’s running out of money. One way to lock in predictable income for life — and avoid the nightmare of running out of money in retirement — is with an income annuity. You hand over a lump sum…
Americans have amassed $525.1 billion for educational expenses in 529 plans as of December 2024, according to the Education Data Initiative. That amounts to around an average of nearly $31,000 for the estimated 17 million families participating in 529 plans. With so much money on the table and college costs…
Images by GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways A car can be used as collateral for a loan even if your credit score is low. Loans secured by your vehicle may come with lower rates than unsecured lenders offer. Car title loans can be risky and are typically smaller…
Key takeaways Bad credit auto loans are offered by banks, credit unions, online lenders and dealerships. Shop around to find the best deal on an auto loan for your budget and credit profile. If approved, an auto loan can help improve your credit — provided you keep up with the…
Viorel Kurnosov/Getty Images Key takeaways Bank account bonuses typically range from $50 to $500, with some premium offers reaching $1,000 or more for business accounts. Most bonuses require meeting specific criteria like minimum deposits, direct deposits or debit card purchases Bankrate tracks the best current bank account bonuses, updated regularly…
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