Key takeaways If you have an existing VA loan, you can refinance it to get a better interest rate, change your loan term or tap into your home equity. To qualify for a VA mortgage refinance, you’ll need to meet specific service, income and credit score guidelines. The two primary…
Key takeaways The president can influence the stock market, but other factors can have a greater impact on share prices, such as consumer behavior, the Federal Reserve and global trade. President Donald Trump’s tariff announcements have been unpredictable and have negatively affected the stock market, at least temporarily. When stock…
MoMo Productions/Getty Images Key takeaways Almost all workplace 401(k) plans let workers save extra money for the future, so long as you meet age requirements. Those age 50 or older can contribute an extra $7,500 per year. And, starting this year, individuals aged 60-63 can now make “super catch-up” contributions…
Photography by Getty Images; Illustration by Bankrate Key takeaways Snow and ice are covered by home insurance in some instances, like if your roof collapses or a tree falls on your home. When it comes to roof leaks, it will depend on scenario specifics. Some snow-related roof leaks will be…
Trending
Spotlight This Week
More Articles
Personal Finance
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…
Featured Articles
Cryptocurrency has long been associated with frauds and outright scams, dating back to at least the massive loss of Bitcoin from the Mt. Gox crypto exchange in 2014. In many ways, crypto is an ideal vehicle to commit fraud because of its broad adoption by…
Dept Managmnt
Budgeting and Building an Emergency Fund for Rising Costs If rising costs are stressing you out, you may require adjustments to your budget…
Banking
Apple, FedEx and Oracle all got loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration. But rules and red tape keep many banks from making…
Credit Cards
All News
I’ve always used TurboTax to file my personal tax return. It’s what my dad showed me when I first started filing taxes, and I’ve used it ever since. I considered trying a free platform in previous years, but never actually made the jump. This tax season was a whole new…
Key takeaways Choice Privileges is a hotel loyalty program that allows members to earn points and perks by staying with Choice hotels A few ways to earn Choice Privileges points include hotel stays, eligible car rentals and spending with a co-branded Choice credit card The hotel loyalty program also offers…
16,458 points on groceries at U.S. supermarkets 10,800 points at restaurants 12,000 points on family vacations 4,500 points on transit 12,000 points on other purchases If you also earned the welcome offer, your first-year rewards haul could add up to 95,758 points. With the Amex EveryDay, your total would vary…
If you’re self-employed or own a small business, you may be eligible for the qualified business income, or QBI, deduction — which is a valuable tool for trimming your tax bill. What is the qualified business income deduction? The QBI deduction, also known as Section 199A, can shave up to…
A skilled real estate agent can help you sell your home, likely more quickly and for more money than if you tried to do it on your own. On the other hand, most agents charge a commission based on the home’s purchase price, which eats into your proceeds from the…
“It’s burned into my brain, I’ll never forget it,” says Lynn Boudreaux. “The storm hit around midnight, and it was loud. The wind was rattling the windows, it was just so loud. Then it sounded like there was a train nearby. Later, we found out that a little tornado touched…
The odds of a recession are rising, according to economists. A tumbling stock market, escalating trade tensions with China, a disappointing jobs report, tariffs and worsening consumer sentiment have made for a turbulent first quarter of 2025. While President Donald Trump says he doesn’t see a U.S. recession on the…
Kansas offers a bit of everything: the urban energy of Kansas City, the college town vibe of Lawrence or the calm of the open prairie. If you’re a first-time homebuyer looking for financial help in the state, start with the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC). The state’s primary housing agency…
Key takeaways Garages and other outbuildings can enhance your home’s fair market value, especially if they increase the usable or liveable space. Ways to finance a detached structure include a HELOC, home equity loan, cash-out refinance and renovation loan. There are pros and cons to each financing option, based on…
Images by Getty Images; Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate The average savings account rate is a benchmark for the overall interest-rate environment, but it’s not a rate you should settle for. Rather, aim for an annual percentage yield (APY) many times the national average, such as those offered by high-yield savings…
Editor's Pick
