Images by GettyImages; Illustration by Bankrate Cryptocurrency prices have been volatile since bursting onto the scene over the past decade, but they got a major boost following the reelection of President Donald Trump after he promised to adopt crypto-friendly regulations. The price of Bitcoin surged past $100,000, and Trump and…
With the April 15 deadline for filing business income taxes looming, many small business owners are getting their documents and finances in order to determine how much they may owe or whether they can expect a refund. Working with a tax professional such as a tax preparer or a certified…
Did you know that Americans spent 25.8 billion dollars on Valentine’s Day according to the National Retail Federation(NRF)?Valentine’s Day is a special occasion dedicated to expressing love and appreciation for those we care about most. However, the pressure to make this day extraordinary can sometimes lead to overspending and credit…
Finding out that your bank is being bought by another bank, especially one you’ve never heard of, can cause apprehension and raise a lot of questions. Banks typically strive for a seamless merger process for customers. But integrating the assets, data, technology and customer service of two banks can cause…
Personal Finance
The Covid pandemic crushed immigration and demand for Nova Credit’s tech. Then its founder discovered a second line of business.…
Twenty-two years before he bet his company on bitcoin, MicroStrategy CEO Michael Saylor sat down for a long interview with…
When most people think of identity theft, they envision criminals and other miscreants using their private data to open new…
Republican lawmakers in Congress are circulating a number of proposals to cut federal spending as part of a massive bill…
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Westend61/Getty Images: Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways Adding your partner as an authorized user can help them build their credit and help you manage household expenses. Some cards extend cardholder benefits to authorized users, letting them enjoy perks like lounge access and statement credits.…
Dept Managmnt
Key takeaways If you are willing to jump through a few extra hoops, you can use one credit card to pay off another.…
Banking
From Mount Olive, North Carolina to Anchorage, Alaska, each of the top 10 banks on Forbes’ ranking of 100 publicly traded banks are…
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…

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Air France and KLM’s joint Flying Blue program is part of the SkyTeam alliance and offers some of the cheapest international flights using miles. The program partners with five transferable rewards programs, making it easy to save up miles for an award flight. Not only are Flying Blue miles easy…
Key takeaways Undocumented immigrants can apply for a credit card in the U.S. but may face hurdles like obtaining a federal tax ID number or getting a secured credit card. Credit card issuers may accept alternative forms of identification, such as a foreign passport or U.S. driver’s license, for applicants…
Key takeaways American Express offers preapproval opportunities for some of its cards. To get preapproved, you can check for offers on Bankrate’s CardMatch™ tool, prequalify on Amex’s website or keep an eye out for targeted credit card offers in the mail. Preapproval does not guarantee approval, but it does indicate…
Credit Sesame’s personal finance news roundup February 8, 2025. Stories, news, politics and events impacting personal finance during the past week. 2024 personal income grew faster than inflation The Bureau of Economic Analysis found that personal income grew by 2.4% in 2024 after adjusting for inflation. However, household spending grew…
Another expense might seem like the last thing you want when you’re buying a house. But most real estate professionals recommend a professional home inspection to get a better idea of what condition the property is in, and what problems might be lurking. An inspection is a crucial way to…
Key takeaways Join your preferred airline’s loyalty program for free to earn and redeem points and miles for your next flight. With a general travel rewards credit card or a co-branded airline credit card, you can earn points and miles through eligible credit card spending. For more ways to earn…
Goodboy Picture Company/Getty Images Key takeaways While credit card interest rates have fallen recently, rates are still relatively high, with the average rate at 20.13 percent as of February 2025. This level of interest means that not paying your balance in full will result in larger interest charges…
Key takeaways Auto Credit Express is better for borrowers with lower credit scores seeking a refinance and exceptional customer support. CarsDirect is better if you want a more holistic car-buying experience from start to finish. Consider retrieving quotes from several lenders through both platforms and compare your options to find…
Key takeaways Tuition-free college programs are available in at least 32 U.S. states, offering students the opportunity to reduce or eliminate tuition costs for their degrees. Most of these programs have eligibility criteria, such as graduating from an in-state high school and enrolling full-time. Some programs have specific academic performance…
Key takeaways Alternative personal loan options include credit cards, home equity loans and buy now, pay later plans. Each alternative has benefits and drawbacks to consider. The right alternative depends on how much money you need, how quickly you need it and how flexible you need the terms to be.…
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