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…
Trending
Spotlight This Week
More Articles
Personal Finance
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…
Featured Articles
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…
Dept Managmnt
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…
Credit Cards
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…
All News
Key takeaways Do your research to decide which financial professional — a therapist, advisor or credit counselor — can best help you. It’s hard work to eliminate debt, so commit fully to the process. No matter which you choose, realizing you need help is the first step. U.S. credit card…
Key takeaways Personal injury protection (PIP), medical payments and uninsured motorist coverage typically cover the cost of ambulance rides from car accidents. Personal injury protection and medical payments coverage from your auto policy can pay for an ambulance ride if you are struck by a car as a pedestrian. In…
Alina Rudya/Bell Collective/GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways Where some Amex credit cards earn cash back, travel credit cards from the issuer earn American Express Membership Rewards points instead. You can redeem these points for travel, gift cards, select merchandise or statement credits, or you can transfer your points…
Kathrin Ziegler/Getty Images Key takeaways While regular checking accounts often pay no interest, some interest-bearing checking accounts – also referred to as high-yield checking accounts – do earn interest. Interest checking accounts may come with additional requirements such as direct deposit or a minimum number of monthly debit card transactions.…
Key takeaways Non-QM loans are an option for those who might struggle to qualify for a standard mortgage, such as self-employed borrowers and gig workers. Non-QM loans have more flexible income and credit standards, but they require higher down payments and charge higher interest rates. Non-QM loans also lack consumer…
Monthly rent payments often consume a significant portion of household income, with many Americans spending more than 30 percent of their earnings on housing costs. As rental prices continue to climb, managing these payments effectively has become crucial for maintaining financial stability. In recent years, numerous apps have emerged to…
Dennis Oblander/Adobe Stock Key takeaways You can get approved for a home improvement loan with a bad credit score, but it’s likely that you’ll pay a high interest rate. Borrowers with bad credit are more likely to be offered smaller loan amounts. It’s best to build up your credit score…
Key takeaways Personal loan amounts vary by lender, but some lenders allow consumers to borrow up to $100,000. The amount a lender may approve you to borrow will depend on various factors, such as your credit score, income and debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Review your budget before applying for a loan…
This year, after watching Hurricane Helene tear through Asheville, Black Mountain and other towns close to where I call home, I made a commitment to getting my Christmas gifts locally. Not only did I want to support small businesses grappling with reduced tourism and damage from the storm, but I…
Credit Sesame shows you how pragmatic thinking can transform your finances, starting on World Logic Day. World Logic Day, celebrated every January 14th, honors the importance of logic in our lives and highlights its role in shaping disciplines like mathematics, philosophy, and computer science. Established by UNESCO and the International…
Editor's Pick
