Key takeaways Construction loans are short-term loans that you can use to build a home. Some construction loans can be converted to mortgages after your home is finished. Construction loans typically have tougher criteria and higher interest rates than conventional mortgages for existing homes. If you can’t find the right…
An annuity can provide you with a steady stream of income, ensuring that you have money when you need it. That’s why many people turn to annuities during retirement, to be sure that they have cash flow when they’re no longer working. If you’re looking to buy an annuity, you’ll…
Key takeaways Zombie debt refers to old or expired debts you’ve either forgotten about or never knew about that debt collectors try to resurrect and collect. The most common types of zombie debt include discharged or settled debts, time-barred debt (debt that is past the statute of limitations for collecting),…
Key takeaways If you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you may be able to keep your home, especially if you have a relatively low amount of equity. If you file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you’re more likely to keep your home, provided you can make any missed payments along with…
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Washington is abuzz over whether Congress will address President-elect Donald Trump’s ambitious policy agenda in one bill or two. But…
TomoCredit, a five-year-old San Francisco startup that claims it boosts consumers’ credit scores, is facing a growing number of problems,…
Millions of student loan borrowers face an uncertain future as a second Trump administration prepares to return to Washington. But…
The 2024 presidential election has ended, and Donald Trump is poised to retake the White House, with big implications for…
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PayPal was one of the 5 percent cash back bonus categories on the Chase Freedom Flex® card during the final three months of 2024, so I made every effort to maximize my PayPal spending. I had to get creative to hit the $1,500 spending limit…
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Key takeaways Credit repair is a term used to describe the process of restoring your credit rating. You can hire a credit repair…
Banking
Thanks to more than a decade of Dodd-Frank and Basel III regulations, the Trump administration inherits a well-capitalized and liquid banking system. Squandering…
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Key takeaways The Southwest Companion Pass is attainable by using Southwest credit card welcome bonuses to meet the 135,000-point requirement. Applying for a…
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Key takeaways American Airlines has its own selection of airport lounges (called Admirals Clubs) that are geared to frequent flyers and elite members. There are almost 50 Admirals Clubs locations in operation today, plus more than 50 partner lounges within the program. American Airlines flyers can gain entry into Admirals…
Options trading can be one of the most profitable ways to make money, but understanding the terminology can be confusing if you’re just getting started. Here are the key options terms you need to understand when trading options. What is an option? Options are contracts that give their owner the…
Key takeaways Waterfront homes are a dream for many buyers, but they are more susceptible to flooding than homes located inland. Flood zones in the U.S. are designated by FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Homes in high-risk flood zones typically require special flood insurance policies, which are separate from…
Key takeaways Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card members receive 3,000 bonus points each year after their account anniversary, a bonus that on its own goes a long way to offsetting the annual fee. Additional perks, such as two EarlyBird Check-Ins annually and discounts on eligible in-flight purchases, offer more…
My family and I earned $2,855 in cash back credit card rewards last year, all from money we would have spent anyway. This represented a 2.7 percent return on our credit card spending, not including the $95 annual fee we paid for one of our three cards. If you subtract…
Images by Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate The gold standard is a monetary system in which gold is used to guarantee the value of a country’s currency. It was a typical measure in the 20th century to ensure that a country’s money was “good.” Following economic pressures and various…
ISO ratings are just one of the many things insurance companies look at when pricing your policy. ISO ratings show an insurance company how prepared a community is for a fire; communities that are more prepared for fires may see lower home insurance rates, while communities that are not fire-ready…
Key takeaways A home equity loan can be a good option to consolidate debt, as it usually carries lower interest rates and longer terms than other financing options. Advantages of using home equity loans or HELOCs to pay off debts include the streamlining of payments and lower monthly payments (compared…
WAYHOME studio/Shutterstock Key takeaways Credit card security codes are three-digit codes on the back of your card (four-digits on the front if you have an American Express card) used to verify that have the physical card. You typically won’t have to provide your security code (also known as a CVC)…
As parents well know, child care can be almost prohibitively expensive. U.S. families spend up to $15,600 a year on day care — and that’s for just one child — according to a 2024 analysis of 2022 data, the most recent available, by the U.S. Labor Department. The federal government…
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