Photography by Getty Images; Illustration by Bankrate Turning 26 isn’t a big milestone birthday like turning 18 or 21, but it did come with some personal — and financial — adjustments. I now bake all of my bread from scratch (18-year-old me would roll her eyes), and I relish being…
Driver’s license points don’t affect your car insurance directly — but the violations that earned you those points could raise your premium. Instead of counting your license points, your insurance company reviews a document called a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) whenever you apply for insurance or renew your policy. Violations…
Understanding Gen Z’s Financial Health Gen Z—Americans born between 1997 and 2006—is entering adulthood at a challenging financial moment. With inflation, student loan pressures, and rising housing costs, it’s no surprise that many are feeling overwhelmed. But there’s good news: Gen Z is taking an active interest in managing…
Key takeaways Wire transfers cost more but provide familiar bank security. Crypto moves faster and costs less but requires some technical know-how. Bank fees often hit you twice — when sending and receiving. Crypto platforms charge one transaction fee, usually under $5. Bank wire transfers used to be the only…
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While there has been much conversation on not buying from companies with poor diversity, little has been said about investing…
Lifestyle inflation occurs when your expenses increase as you earn more income. It can start subtly—dining at pricier restaurants, upgrading…
Chime, the largest digital bank in America, grew its revenue to $1.7 billion in 2024, an increase of roughly 30%…
Technology has transformed some parts of the daunting homebuying process–making it easier to search and compare properties online, to prepare…
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Images by GettyImages; Illustration by Bankrate Key takeaways Wire transfers, third-party apps and checks are all valid ways to transfer money from one bank to another. Each method has its own speed, cost and limits for transfers. Some options can transfer funds within minutes, though…
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Budgeting and Building an Emergency Fund for Rising Costs If rising costs are stressing you out, you may require adjustments to your budget…
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Apple, FedEx and Oracle all got loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration. But rules and red tape keep many banks from making…
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Key takeaways A credit sweep is a credit repair tactic that disputes all negative items on a credit report at once, often fraudulently. Credit sweeps often involve falsely claiming identity theft in order to remove legitimate negative items from a credit report, which is illegal. Instead of a credit sweep,…
Photography by Getty Images; Illustration by Bankrate Key takeaways Lease acquisition fees typically range from $600 to over $1,000. The acquisition fee will likely be higher when you lease a more expensive vehicle. The acquisition fee can either be paid upfront or bundled into the monthly payments on your lease.…
catscandotcom/Getty Images Like the relentless Washington rain, a speeding ticket can wash away your safe-driver status, taking your access to affordable insurance rates down the drain with it. Not to mention the fine you’ll have to pay for the speeding ticket itself. Bankrate’s team of insurance experts is here to…
Key takeaways When used appropriately, credit cards can be powerful credit-building tools. Depending on where you’re starting from, a secured credit card can be a good first step to building strong credit. As you build a strong history with issuers, you may be able to move on to higher-level credit…
Options trading is one of the most exciting areas of the financial markets, offering the potential for significant profits if you set up the right trade. But this potential for big profits comes with huge risks, and it can be easy to mess up your investment portfolio if you make…
Credit Sesame breaks down federal job cuts and explains their potential impact on jobs, wages, consumer spending, and your financial health. Federal job cuts often spark debates between those who rely on government services and those who think spending should shrink. But the reality is more complex. As layoffs unfold,…
We at American Consumer Credit Counseling understand that you can’t budget your way out of simply not having enough money. Taking on a part-time, side job, or freelancing gig can provide the extra cash flow needed to accelerate debt repayment or just ease financial strain if you’re already going through…
PeopleImages/Getty Images Key takeaways Mortgage origination is the process through which the lender approves and creates your loan. Steps in the mortgage origination process include getting preapproval, applying for the loan, waiting for loan processing and underwriting and attending closing day. Many lenders charge a fee for originating a mortgage,…
Key takeaways A second credit card can benefit you in more ways than one, although the right card for you depends on your goals. You can opt for a second card that earns more or different rewards than you’re earning now, or you can pick a card with 0 percent…
When it comes to becoming a millionaire, your mindset is an important factor, maybe the key factor, in getting you there. Yes, earning a higher income can help you build your net worth — let’s not pretend a high income isn’t important — but poor financial habits can destroy any…
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