There is little chance that the Federal Open Market Committee will cut interest rates on January 29. Fixed income markets currently project a 99.5% chance that interest rates are held steady at their current level of 4.25% to 4.5%, according to the CME FedWatch Tool. However, a March or May…
Tax returns are annual, and getting them filed also means starting the clock ticking for how long the IRS has to audit you. But when might you be in the clear? Your audit exposure is at least three years from when you file your return, but you might be a…
10’000 Hours/Getty Images It’s not uncommon for someone to have a couple of bank accounts, but James Royal, Bankrate’s investing and wealth management reporter, has about two dozen of them. There’s a few pros to having multiple bank accounts (though there are a few cons too). You can earn a…
Republican lawmakers in Congress are circulating a number of proposals to cut federal spending as part of a massive bill to extend and expand tax cuts. And student loan forgiveness programs and healthcare subsidies are squarely in the crosshairs. President Trump and GOP congressional leadership hope to pass a large…
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A perfect storm is brewing for millions of federal student loan borrowers, who may experience dramatic increases in their monthly…
Washington is abuzz over whether Congress will address President-elect Donald Trump’s ambitious policy agenda in one bill or two. But…
This founder built his brand on a simple idea: Forget about changing the world. Get rich doing mundane and even…
Millions of student loan borrowers face an uncertain future as a second Trump administration prepares to return to Washington. But…
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Hedge funds have lost some of their luster in recent years, with institutions preferring to pour money in Wall Street’s newer crazes for dependable returns like private credit, but the most successful firms in the old guard are still delivering steady gains for their limited…
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Pekic/Getty Images: Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways Debt collectors can pursue old debts with the threat of lawsuit until the statute of…
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It was a close call for a dog named Max when fire raged through his Altadena neighborhood. The brindle-coated Corso mix hid, huddled…
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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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Daniel Balakov/Getty Images Funds focused on environmental, social and governance issues (ESG) have continued to have significant appeal in recent years, as institutions and individuals pay greater attention to the way their money is invested. Assets managed with ESG principles are expected to hit $40 trillion by 2030, according to…
Key takeaways Existing-home sales in November 2024 rose 4.8 percent from a year ago, according to the National Association of Realtors. The nationwide median sale price was $406,100, up 4.7 percent from last year and the highest November median on record. Inventory in November was at a 3.8-month supply, down…
Most people hope to retire one day, but many aren’t quite sure how to get there. Amassing enough money to retire is a rather daunting task, especially when you’re just starting out. But developing a plan and taking advantage of every savings opportunity can help ease the stress and set…
As a credit cards writer, it’s easy for me to think that everyone earns and uses credit card rewards as strategically as my team does. But it turns out that quite a few U.S. adults don’t have a rewards credit card. And for those who do, nearly a quarter didn’t…
Key takeaways The Fed’s dot plot is a chart that records each Fed official’s projection for the central bank’s key short-term interest rate. The dot plot is updated every three months and is meant to provide insight into the Fed’s future rate decisions, with the caveat that Fed officials can’t…
Images by GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate The Federal Reserve doesn’t set mortgage rates outright. But its decisions in setting interest rates do play a role in the percentages lenders offer would-be homeowners. And even if the Fed keeps things unchanged, mortgage rates can still fluctuate. So, overall, how do…
Richard Drury/ Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate A mixed week for home equity rates. HELOCs continued their 2024 declines: The $30,000 HELOC (home equity line of credit) dropped one basis point to 8.52 percent — its lowest level in a year and a half, according to Bankrate’s national survey…
Key takeaways The Chase Freedom Unlimited® could be worth it if you’re looking to earn more Ultimate Rewards, don’t want to pay an annual fee and can take advantage of the earnings structure, welcome bonus and intro APR. The Freedom Unlimited works well as a cash back card, but it…
Key takeaways The Chase Freedom Flex® is a unique cash back credit card that doubles as a great travel rewards card for those who know how to best take advantage of it. With no annual fee and the ability to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for travel purchases, the Chase…
The Federal Reserve reduced borrowing costs again at its final gathering of 2024, but officials penciled in two fewer cuts for the year ahead as inflation stays stubbornly above their target. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) cut rates by a quarter of a percentage point, marking the third consecutive…
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