2025 has seen a rough start for the stock market. By mid-March, the Nasdaq plummeted more than 10 percent from its all-time high, entering what market watchers call a “correction.” The S&P 500 stock index wasn’t far behind, either, though not officially in correction territory. This kind of downdraft…
Flashpop/Getty Images: Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways You can get a loan for a vacation home from a private lender. There are no government-backed loans for vacation homes. Qualifying for a vacation home loan is typically harder than qualifying to buy a primary residence, with stricter debt-to-income ratio, credit…
Key Takeaways APY stands for Annual Percentage Yield, which tells you how much interest you can expect to earn over one year. The APY offers a complete story of an account’s earning potential by using the interest rate and the compounding frequency. APY should be easy to find: The federal…
Should you buy the dip? The phrase “buy the dip” means jumping into the stock market after it’s fallen, hoping to scoop up some bargains while they’re available. It’s a popular rallying cry on social media after the market has plummeted, as traders come out and talk about their moves.…
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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…
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Indiana may be known as the Crossroads of America, but a lot of people are finding reasons to race to the Hoosier State and put their cars in park. One reason being it’s still an affordable place to plant your roots: The state’s housing costs…
Dept Managmnt
Key takeaways Social Security benefits are generally protected from creditors, but exceptions exist for federal debts, child support and legal judgments. The IRS…
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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As drivers in the Great Lake State know, the average rate for car insurance is on the high side, in part because of Michigan’s high minimum requirements for liability coverage. Drivers with clean records are likely to earn the most competitive rates. What if you have a speeding ticket in…
photographer/Getty Images: Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways Short-term business loan alternatives include long-term loans, lines of credit and SBA loans Grants, business credit cards, peer-to-peer lending and crowdfunding are also viable alternatives to short-term loans To choose the right lending option for your business, consider term lengths, interest rates,…
Selling a house can be expensive, complex and time-consuming, so it’s usually a relief to everyone involved when a deal is struck and a contract is signed. But what if the seller signs the purchase and sale agreement, then decides they want to cancel the deal? Is it legal? Are…
Breaking up is hard to do, even when it comes to firing your financial advisor. Whether it’s a mismatch of investment strategies, a lack of communication or even ethical concerns, the decision to part ways with your financial advisor can be stressful. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the…
andresr/GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways Mortgage prequalification is a quick estimate of how much money a lender might lend you for a home purchase. Prequalification doesn’t require paperwork or a hard credit check, so it won’t negatively impact your credit score. Unlike preapproval, prequalification holds little weight when…
Key takeaways International money transfer apps provide a convenient alternative to traditional banking, allowing users to send money across borders directly from their mobile devices. Consider the countries and currencies an app supports, the transfer limits and fees, the speed of the transaction and security features. Many apps support transfers…
Key takeaways The uncertainty surrounding several popular student income-driven repayment (IDR) plans under the new administration could disproportionately hurt women with student loan debt, according to experts. Women increasingly outnumber men on college campuses; they leave with higher student loan balances on average, and when they graduate, they tend to…
Images by Getty Images; Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate These days, the perks of a shiny new bank account often include high yields and no fees, and many can be opened in mere minutes. Nevertheless, Americans with a checking account have held onto that account for an average of 19 years,…
Key takeaways CardMatch is a safe, secure Bankrate tool that helps users get preapproved for a range of credit card offers all in one place. In addition to showing consumers which credit cards they may be eligible for, CardMatch also highlights special welcome offers targeted to individuals based on their…
Key takeaways Balance transfer checks are a way to transfer credit card balances from one issuer to another with a lower interest rate. These checks may come with fees and may not offer the same benefits as balance transfer credit cards, so read the fine print to understand all the…
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