d3sign/ Moment/ Getty Images Key takeaways The Credit CARD Act of 2009 standardized the allocation of credit card payments among different balances. Card issuers must allocate credit card payments above the minimum payment according to the highest interest rate balance first, in descending order. Making only the minimum payment can…
SDI Productions/Getty Images Since 2003, the IRS has provided an online tool that lets you track the status of your refund electronically. You can access the “Where’s My Refund?” tool as soon as 24 hours after you e-file your tax return (or four weeks after mailing a paper return). You…
Real estate commissions have survived the rise of the Internet and decades of attacks from disruption-minded discounters. Now, finally, they might be coming down. A federal lawsuit has forced changes to the way consumers negotiate and pay real estate agents. In October 2023, a federal jury in Missouri found that…
Key takeaways Nine states in the U.S. have no income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. Moving to a state with no income tax may seem financially beneficial, but other factors such as cost of living, local taxes and job opportunities should also…
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Millions of student loan borrowers face an uncertain future as a second Trump administration prepares to return to Washington. But…
The 2024 presidential election has ended, and Donald Trump is poised to retake the White House, with big implications for…
Donald Trump’s return to the White House combined with Republican control of the Senate, and perhaps the House, will place…
Undergrads and recent grads—young, healthy, and debt burdened—are being offered five figures to donate their eggs to other women undergoing…
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Azri Suratmin/Getty Images A hit-and-run can be something as dramatic as a driver fleeing from a terrible car accident they caused or as minor as a driver accidentally bumping the car behind them in the parking lot. While no one wants to be the victim…
Dept Managmnt
Key takeaways Declaring bankruptcy doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll lose your car. If you’re declaring Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you could keep your vehicle if…
Banking
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a federal agency championed by Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren in 2011 to protect consumers against predatory financial…
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…
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Cyber Monday has taken the crown for Thanksgiving weekend’s most popular shopping day, outpacing Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, according to a new Bankrate survey. Fifty-nine percent of Americans in new Bankrate survey are likely to shopp on that day. As well, 53 percent of Americans are likely to…
If you’re looking to make cash back on your purchases, you might be amazed at the number of categories that qualify for putting money back into your pocket. By using the right cash-back app, you could receive money back from grocery shopping, buying gas and dining out. It’s not just everyday…
Key takeaways More than one-quarter (29 percent) of bank customers experienced some type of fraud on a bank account during the previous year, according to a recent J.D. Power survey. Nearly half (46 percent) of customers think of their bank more highly after experiencing an incident involving fraud. More than…
Most consumers may think that the Federal Reserve’s rate moves determine deposit interest rates. While they certainly influence them, did you know there’s another factor – one that can cause banks to pay two or three times more for deposits than competitors as the Fed lowers rates? You read that…
Key takeaways Accident and illness pet insurance plans do not include coverage for vaccines. You’ll need to add a wellness or preventive care plan to cover vaccinations and other routine care services. Most wellness plans cover a limited number of core vaccines, but non-core vaccines often require…
Key takeaways Many pet insurance providers offer multi-pet insurance plans under a single plan or separate policies. Multi-pet policies can save money. Many insurers offer a 5-10 percent discount on any additional pets you insure. Multi-pet insurance offers benefits like cost savings, simplified management and unified billing. Nearly two-thirds of…
Cryptocurrency can be an exciting opportunity for investors, and trading digital currency is increasingly mainstream. But cryptocurrency can feel complex and overwhelming if you’re not familiar with the terminology. Here’s a rundown of the most common cryptocurrency terms so you can make informed decisions as you explore the crypto landscape.…
Sebastian Ramirez Morales/Getty Images Key takeaways Standard home insurance policies typically do not cover damage caused by rats or rodents because infestation is seen as preventable. Damage caused by rodents may be covered in specific scenarios — for instance, if a rat chewed through a pipe and caused water damage.…
If you’ve ever wanted to trade cryptocurrency, you might notice something different about the market hours: There aren’t any. Cryptocurrencies don’t need to be traded on any type of central exchange because they operate on the blockchain, making them available for buying and selling 24/7, 365 days a year. Here’s…
Passive income can be a great way to help you generate extra cash flow, whether you’re running a side hustle or just trying to get a little extra dough each month, especially as the sting of high prices hits consumers hard. Passive income can help you earn more during the…
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