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 A student loan settlement helps you pay off your student loans in one lump sum for less than the amount you owe. To be eligible, your loans must be in default, meaning you failed to make multiple payments. Student loan settlements can negatively impact your credit score, so…
Key takeaways Fixed-rate student loans keep the same rate for the life of the loan. Variable-rate student loans have interest rates that change with the state of the market. Fixed rates are best for people who have longer loans and want monthly payment stability. Variable rates are best for people…
Key takeaways The Department of Education assigns your federal student loan service through the Federal Student Aid office. You can log in to your Federal Student Aid account with your FSA ID to find out who your loan servicer is. If you have private student loans, check your private lender’s…
March is Women’s History Month, when we commemorate the ways women have played a vital role in history through their leadership and achievements. The many areas in which women have made strides during the past five decades include personal finance and banking. Today, more than half of all women are…
shapecharge / Getty Images Key takeaways Some colleges require you to fill out the CSS Profile to qualify for non-federal financial aid. Unlike the FAFSA, most applicants have to pay a fee to submit the CSS Profile. You can still complete the CSS Profile, even if your school doesn’t require…
Kerkez/ Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate Key takeaways Home improvement loans are personal loans by another name, lent by banks, credit unions and online lenders. Renovation loan requirements typically focus on your credit, debt-to-income ratio and other key financial factors. Before you borrow a home improvement loan, consider the…
Hispanolistic/Getty Images If you’re a Social Security beneficiary, you may see a boost in your checks starting in 2026. While the official Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) won’t be released until Oct. 10, the increase for next year is estimated at 2.2 percent, according to The Senior Citizens League, a…
Key takeaways 72 percent of credit card debt holders make at least some effort to earn credit card rewards, according to data from a recent Bankrate survey. More than half (54 percent) of credit card debtors say it’s gotten harder to pay off their credit card debt in the past…
Because a mortgage is one of the most substantial financial commitments you’ll make in a lifetime, it’s important to do your due diligence and ensure you’ve investigated all of your options thoroughly. Before you choose a mortgage lender, though, you must shop around and compare multiple offers to get the…
March is National Credit Education Month, while not an official government designation this month is dedicated to increasing awareness about credit, how it works, and why it’s essential for financial well-being. Whether you’re working on improving your credit score, managing debt, or learning how to use credit responsibly, this is…
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