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…
Credit: Images by Getty Images; Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate When you work with an online mortgage lender, the entire application process often happens without any face-to-face interaction. Online mortgage companies don’t have branch locations; instead, they operate exclusively online. To assemble our list of the best online lenders, we’ve reviewed…
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…
A 16th birthday is a major milestone. There’s the driver’s license, the newfound freedom, the open road. Then, for most families, comes the insurance bill. “It was exhausting,” said S. Bowers, an Ilinois-based project manager mom who recently shopped for car insurance for her 17-year-old son. “I got several quotes,…
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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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2. Coaching and Tutoring Take stock of your areas of expertise – maybe you speak a second language or solving math equations comes naturally to you. Make use of your knowledge about a certain topic and tutor students – or adults – who need to…
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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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These entrepreneurs, traders and investors are making an outsized impact in fintech, crypto and traditional financial services.By Jeff Kauflin, Hank Tucker and Nina…
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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…
With less than a week to go before the big day, you’ve got the big bushy Christmas tree, the perfectly wrapped presents, the festive turkey with all the fixings, and all of the other details that come with the holidays. From dinner parties to dressing up and decorating the home,…
Higher interest rates played out on stocks, cryptocurrency and commodities over the past few years. But now that the Federal Reserve has been cutting short-term rates, what can investors expect going forward — and how long will the shifting rate environment affect markets? On Dec. 10, the central bank reduced…
The Q1 2026 rotating bonus categories on the Chase Freedom Flex® card aren’t what I expected, but I’m actually pretty happy with them. From Jan. 1 through March 31, 2026, cardholders will earn an extra 4 percent cash back on dining, American Heart Association donations and Norwegian Cruise Line purchases.…
Foreign transaction fees are just one of several annoying travel fees that can be added to your purchases when you use a credit card to pay overseas. Thankfully, many business credit cards waive these fees, which may be just what you need if your business frequently travels abroad. The best…
Mark Edward Atkinson/Getty Images Key takeaways Keep your emergency savings in an account that offers easy access and a competitive interest rate, such as a high-yield savings account. Avoid keeping emergency savings in cash, in illiquid accounts such as certificates of deposit or in risky investments such as stocks. In…
Cross-border tax planning involves structuring your finances to account for tax laws in more than one country. Whether you are an expatriate, a business owner with international operations or an investor earning income abroad, differing tax rules can shape how income, gains and assets are taxed. Factors such as tax…
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…
Key takeaways Leasing an electric vehicle (EV) allows you to test out the driving experience without committing to full ownership. A lease will often have a lower monthly payment than an auto loan, and some leasing companies will offer an upfront discount that covers the federal tax rebate. Buying an…
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