Finding the right insurance policy for your needs can be challenging. How do you know that a company is reputable and financially stable? How are insurance companies rated, and who does the rating? Fortunately, there are a handful of third-party ratings organizations that offer trustworthy assessments of a carrier’s quality.…
Being a successful investor often sounds simple, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Still, investing is the best way to build wealth over your lifetime and ensure that you’re able to live the life you want to live. So it can make sense to learn from the best investors to…
Bankruptcy is a legal process to help individuals and businesses manage overwhelming debt. While it provides a path to financial relief, the decision to file bankruptcy requires careful scrutiny due to its lasting impact on credit, assets and future financial opportunities. The two most common types of bankruptcy for individuals…
It’s not easy to grow your savings. If you’re like most Americans, earning the highest interest rate on your deposit accounts would be very helpful this year. But in Bankrate’s recent Emergency Savings Survey, most Americans say they have less emergency savings now than they did at the beginning of 2024. Previously,…
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
You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey. Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy,…
Dept Managmnt
Key takeaways Zombie debt refers to old or expired debts you’ve either forgotten about or never knew about that debt collectors try to…
Banking
It was a close call for a dog named Max when fire raged through his Altadena neighborhood. The brindle-coated Corso mix hid, huddled…
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
kate_sept2004 / Getty Images Key takeaways Business grants are usually taxable In certain instances, your grant may be nontaxable You can find out if grant money is taxable by researching federal or state laws, contacting the grant organization or consulting a tax professional Always maintain good financial records to avoid…
Key takeaways Credit cards are powerful financial tools that have helped millions of consumers build and rebuild credit, earn rewards and pay off major purchases over time. But when used irresponsibly, they can also cause consumers to slip into vicious debt cycles that can be hard to get…
PeopleImages/Getty Images Key takeaways Simple interest is not compounded. Instead, the interest on a simple interest auto loan is based on the principal amount rather than the principal and interest combined. These types of auto loans can make your monthly payments more affordable and save you more money over time.…
JohnnyGreig/Getty Images: Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways Conventional loans are mortgages that aren’t guaranteed or insured by the U.S. government. They’re the most popular kind of mortgage, available from virtually all types of lenders, including banks and online lenders. Conventional loans typically require a 620 minimum credit score and…
Key takeaways Wyndham Rewards members can earn points by staying at Wyndham properties, shopping with Wyndham partners, making purchases with an eligible credit card and more. Members can redeem points for things like free and discounted stays at Wyndham locations around the world, transfers to airline partners, local tours and experiences, tickets to live sporting events and…
Key takeaways It’s a good idea to have more than one credit card, but applying for multiple cards within a short period of time could hurt your credit score. If you apply for too many credit cards within a brief period, issuers might see you as a risky borrower. …
Key takeaways While the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers a range of lucrative benefits, its 50% rewards boost for travel redemptions is a significant perk. This benefit helps users get 50% more value for each point redeemed for airfare, hotel stays, car rentals and other travel. In order to get 50%…
Key takeaways Both the Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card and the Petal® 1 Visa® Credit Card are designed to help you build or rebuild your credit. The Mission Lane Visa card is a no-frills card with an annual fee that can cost you $0 or all the way up to…
Images by GettyImages; Illustration by Jessa Lizama/Bankrate Key takeaways Federal student loans are, for many students, the best option for covering postsecondary education and related expenses. With fixed interest rates, clear grace periods and forbearance options, federal loans offer predictable repayment schedules. Some borrowers may even qualify for loan forgiveness…
ferrantraite/Getty Images Key takeaways Student loans can help boost your credit score over time if you make the monthly payments on time and in full. Having student loans also diversifies your credit mix, which can help improve your credit score. If you miss payments on your student loans, it may…
Editor's Pick
