A new year can mark a new beginning, but for American consumers, the financial worries of 2021 remained top of mind in the first quarter of 2022. The latest quarterly release of The State of Personal Finance examines the different ways inflation has impacted consumers’ budgets and how that impact…
Maybe you’ve been looking at your premiums and scratching your head thinking, Does everyone pay this much? Or maybe you’re just entering the market and your eyeballs are popping. Either way, we get it. Insurance is one of those things you know you need, but it seems to cost. A. Lot. So,…
Looking for a way to pay for a new car, buy that fancy new computer, or escape on a tropical getaway without saving up first? There’s a loan company eagerly waiting to front you the cost—but it’ll cost you. It’s called Upstart, and this digital lending service is on a…
Do you know what the most wonderful time of the year is? Nope—not Christmas. We’re talking about open enrollment season. It’s the one time of the year you get to review and compare health insurance plans to find the right one for you.Okay, you got us. No one’s throwing parties…
Personal Finance
Last year, on the day before Tax Day, my mom was scheduled to fly into Philadelphia International Airport to stay…
The nation’s 75 million Social Security recipients will receive a 2.8% cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase in their benefits…
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Things were looking pretty good for cryptocurrencies and the folks who went all in to “invest” in them . . . for a little while, at least. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum and even joke coins like Dogecoin all shot up in value in the…
Dept Managmnt
How the Zero Based Budgeting Method Works The zero based budgeting application is more straightforward than it sounds. Start by writing down your…
Banking
For fintech startups, the first five years of the decade have been a roller-coaster ride. At the outset, companies were awash in easy…
Credit Cards
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Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images New technology has changed the way many people get around. Ridesharing has become an incredibly popular transportation option, and that’s especially true in big cities where Uber and Lyft drivers are easy to find. With just your smartphone and a few taps of your finger, you can…
Pet ownership can be expensive, with recurring expenses like food, supplies and veterinary care. A rewards credit card can help offset these costs, but finding the right card is tricky since bonus categories typically don’t include everyday pet expenses. Here are some of the better options available to help you…
Key takeaways Compound interest refers to the returns that you earn on interest. The impact of it grows significantly over long time periods. Investment vehicles like CDs, high-yield savings accounts and money market accounts can help investors take advantage of compound interest with a shorter time horizon. Any investment that…
A stretch annuity lets a beneficiary receive inherited annuity payments over an extended period rather than all at once. Spreading payments over time can create a steadier income stream and may limit how much taxable income is recognized each year. The remaining balance continues to grow tax-deferred while payments are…
Image: Getty Images; Illustration: Bankrate Home equity rates barely budged heading into the final Federal Reserve meeting of 2025. The $30,000 home equity line of credit was unchanged, holding at 7.81% for the fourth straight week, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. Meanwhile, the benchmark five-year $30,000 home equity…
Key takeaways Mutual funds can be a great way to invest for long-term goals such as retirement. There are thousands of mutual funds focused on different asset classes, such as stocks and bonds. Index funds are popular because of their low cost and diversification benefits. Millions of Americans use mutual…
A non-qualified stretch annuity extends the payout of an inherited annuity over time, rather than receiving the full amount in a single lump sum. While qualified annuities (such as those within IRAs or 401(k)s) are subject to strict rules under the SECURE Act, non-qualified annuities, which are funded with after-tax…
Image by PM Images/Getty Images; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Mortgage rates dipped this week, with the 30-year fixed rate averaging 6.28%, down from 6.32% the previous week, according to Bankrate’s latest lender survey. Current mortgage rates Loan type Current 4 weeks ago One year ago 52-week average 52-week low 30-year…
Joe Raedle/Staff/Getty Images Key takeaways Upgrading your credit card with the same issuer is a way to get better perks without a hard inquiry on your credit report, although you might miss out on a welcome bonus. To upgrade a credit card, contact your card issuer and consider negotiating perks…
Image by GettyImages; Illustration by Bankrate If you’re rethinking whether to spread the holiday cheer by tipping this year, you might not be alone. Fewer Americans are planning to tip their service providers this holiday season compared to last year — from their housekeepers, trash collectors and gardeners to mail…




































