Key takeaways United MileagePlus Dining allows you to earn United miles on everyday purchases at eligible restaurants in the program. Signing up for the program is free, but requires having a United MileagePlus account. The program does not require using a United credit card, but using one can help you…
Alistair Berg/Getty Images Key takeaways Seeing retailers offer discounts for cash payments — or assess fees when customers pay by credit card — is becoming more common than ever. In most U.S. states, adding convenience fees to credit card transactions is legal, but there are still rules businesses must follow…
Key takeaways You can get a mortgage with credit card debt, but your debt may contribute to reducing your overall creditworthiness. Paying off credit card debt before applying for a mortgage can improve your chances of getting approved and getting a lower interest rate. Credit card debt affects your debt-to-income…
Key takeaways Business bank accounts are covered by FDIC insurance up to the current limits. Investment products are not FDIC-protected, even when they’re purchased through the bank. It’s important to understand how account ownership types impact your coverage limits. Imagine waking up to the news that your bank has suddenly…
Personal Finance
Twenty-two years before he bet his company on bitcoin, MicroStrategy CEO Michael Saylor sat down for a long interview with…
A perfect storm is brewing for millions of federal student loan borrowers, who may experience dramatic increases in their monthly…
When most people think of identity theft, they envision criminals and other miscreants using their private data to open new…
Republican lawmakers in Congress are circulating a number of proposals to cut federal spending as part of a massive bill…
Featured Articles
Key takeaways Cards with an annual fee tend to offer better rewards than those that don’t. It’s helpful to gauge whether a card’s rewards outweigh the cost of the annual fee. If you have debt, it’s better to responsibly pay down your debt instead of…
Dept Managmnt
Key takeaways Becoming debt-free starts by assessing your budget and determining how much you can realistically afford to put toward your outstanding balances.…
Banking
No matter how often bank regulators, international standard setters, rating agencies, or financial reform advocates warn banks that climate change is serious, the…
Credit Cards
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…
All News
IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel has announced that he is leaving the agency on January 20, 2025. The timing is something of a surprise, since it was expected that Werfel might remain through tax season. Late last year, President-elect Donald Trump announced he has tapped former Congressman Billy Long as IRS…
When the Federal Reserve adjusts its federal funds rate, it can have significant impacts across the financial sector. Rate decreases, in particular, tend to affect various aspects of consumer banking and lending. The Fed’s rate decisions influence the cost of borrowing money, which affects interest rates on mortgages and credit…
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…
“I will commit that for this tax season … Direct File will be operative.” That was the word from Scott Bessent, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Treasury Secretary, when asked about the program during his confirmation hearing. The controversial Direct File program allows eligible taxpayers to file taxes directly with…
Catherine Delahaye / Getty Images Key takeaways LendKey is better if you’re looking to quickly compare several loan companies. SoFi is better if you want an established company with discounts and member benefits. Get a quote from each lender and evaluate loan terms; explore alternatives if they fall short of…
If you take a journey down the rabbit hole of precious metals as currency you will note that it is not as stable as many of the precious metal lovers will have you believe. Gold and silver have no real intrinsic value. Value yes, use cases yes, but a God-given…
Key takeaways Focus on paying down your debt and budgeting. Look for ways to cut back on spending, such as buying cheaper alternatives at the grocery store. When inflation is high, consumers can feel the impact everywhere, from the supermarket to the gas station. Inflation makes it more expensive to…
Maybe you need some cash. Or check your account balance. Or deposit a check. ATMs are a convenient way for people to quickly access their bank accounts, deposit money, and withdraw cash without visiting a branch. But how do ATMs work, exactly? Here’s everything you need to know about ATMs…
Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock Key Takeaways High-yield savings accounts (HYSAs) offer liquidity and higher rates than traditional savings accounts. CDs tend to offer higher rates than HYSAs, but they require you to lock up your money for a certain amount of time. The decision between a HYSA and a CD will come down…
Key takeaways A balance transfer fee is what credit card issuers charge when you transfer debt, usually credit card debt, to another credit card. Balance transfer fees are typically 3 percent or 5 percent of the total balance you transfer to your new card. It’s difficult to negotiate or avoid…