Images by Getty Images; Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways Semi-truck loan timelines range from 24 hours to up to 90 days, depending on the lender and loan type Banks and credit unions tend to take longer to fund semi-truck loans than online or direct lenders Check eligibility requirements and…
Buying a home is an expensive process, and one of the most significant expenses you’ll pay is often your real estate agent‘s commission. When you consider the fact that each agent involved in a transaction typically earns 2.5 to 3 percent of the home’s sale price, the total cost of…
Key takeaways Applying for preapproval can help you know how much you can afford and negotiate at the dealership. The higher your credit score is, the lower your interest rates may be. Lenders offer competitive terms to borrowers with good to excellent credit. Have a budget in mind and know…
Andrei Medvedev/Shutterstock Key takeaways A pocket listing is a home for sale that isn’t publicly listed on the multiple listing service (MLS). Sellers can work with agents to let them know they prefer to keep their home quiet and only make it available to serious buyers. Some agents love pocket…
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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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Key takeaways Cashback Monitor offers a snapshot of earning rates across dozens of shopping portals, so you can easily see which site offers the most cash back, points or miles. You can customize the Cashback Monitor site to show your preferred shopping portals and other…
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Level 2: Discover the Fastest Way to Pay Off Debt With Rules and Challenges When looking for the fastest way to pay off…
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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 After the holder of a sole-owned bank account dies, the account may go to a designated beneficiary or be handled by the executor of the estate. Joint accounts often have rights of survivorship, but it’s important to confirm this with your bank to ensure smooth access to funds.…
Key takeaways A short sale is when a mortgage lender allows a homeowner to sell their home for less than what they owe on the mortgage. You won’t profit from a short sale, and it will hurt your credit, but it can help you get out of an underwater situation.…
Lucy Lambriex/Getty Images Key takeaways You will need to provide both personal and business documents to be considered for a fast business loan Providing accurate and complete documents helps avoid delays New businesses may need to submit a business plan If your company needs quick cash, you’ll want to apply…
Key takeaways Debt forgiveness can reduce or wipe out certain types of debt, but you’ll typically need to meet strict criteria to qualify. Debt forgiveness has benefits and drawbacks, so make sure you understand both before taking this route. Not all types of debt are eligible for forgiveness, but you…
Koh Sze Kiat/ Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate Key takeaways Refinancing may temporarily lower your credit score by a few points. Applying for any loan or credit product generates a hard inquiry, but many lenders offer prequalification to check your rates first. Refinancing could be worth it if the…
Options are among the most popular vehicles for traders, because their price can move fast, making — or losing — a lot of money quickly. Options strategies can range from quite simple to very complex, with a variety of payoffs and sometimes odd names. (Iron condor, anyone?) Regardless of their…
Key takeaways VA loans are government-backed loans that help veterans, active-duty service members and surviving spouses buy or build a home. Conventional loans are backed by private lenders, such as banks, credit unions and online lending companies. In addition to the military-related requirements, the two loan types differ in their…
Key takeaways 401(k) plans typically offer 10 or more investment options, including stock, bond and target-date mutual funds. Performance history (i.e., long-term investment returns) and management costs are key factors for assessing your options. Savers who want to custom-build a portfolio within the plan need to consider their goals, time…
PixelsEffect/Getty Images The Roth IRA is one of the most popular ways to save for retirement, but not everyone can make direct contributions to a Roth IRA because of the limits put on high earners. Single taxpayers who make $165,000 or more in 2025 won’t be able to make direct…
Credit Sesame explains how the Fed interest rate outlook could affect your credit cards, borrowing costs, and ability to manage debt in today’s economy. Six months ago, the Fed interest rate outlook pointed to lower borrowing costs. But that path has shifted. Inflation is rising again, economic growth is slowing,…
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