kali9/Getty Images; illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate Teachers often reach into their own wallets to cover supplies, snacks for students and other classroom necessities. In fact, teachers spent an average of $610 of their own money on classroom supplies during the 2023-2024 school year, according to DonorsChoose, a nonprofit organization that…
Images by GettyImages; Illustration by Bankrate When it comes to saving for retirement, setting aside money early in your career is generally the best approach. That money has more time to compound and grow than money you save when you’re older. But in reality, many people aren’t able to save…
Key takeaways Business bank loans offer flexible terms and attractive interest rates Businesses should expect longer waiting periods for approval and slower funding times when applying for a business bank loan Types of business bank loans include term loans, equipment loans, microloans and lines of credit Business bank loans are…
Key takeaways A good credit card APR is a rate that’s at or below the national average, which currently sits above 20 percent. While there are credit cards with APRs below 10 percent, they are most often found at credit unions or small local banks. If you don’t have good…
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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…
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When your child is in elementary school, college can feel like a distant milestone. But then you realize that milestone is only about a decade away — and you haven’t started saving yet. The rising costs of higher education can feel overwhelming, but the good news…
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Key takeaways As of March 2025, new federal rules will remove all medical debt from consumer credit reports, including unpaid balances over $500.…
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No matter how often bank regulators, international standard setters, rating agencies, or financial reform advocates warn banks that climate change is serious, the…
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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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Key takeaways Anyone who owns a home has equity in it — it’s the portion of the property that you own outright, as opposed to being financed or encumbered with debt in some way. Your home equity percentage increases as you pay down your mortgage. It can also rise if…
Having an account that’s accessible whenever and wherever internet access is available makes it easier to do everyday banking tasks, like checking your balance, making person-to-person transfers and paying bills. Plus, online-only banks usually offer higher rates and low (or no) fees on their products. You can open a bank…
Key takeaways A mortgage transfer happens when another person or an entity takes over an existing mortgage. Most conventional mortgages are not transferable, but lenders may approve a transfer in a few situations. FHA, VA and USDA loans are often assumable – meaning they can be transferred – if the…
An investment advisor or broker is a person, company or group that chooses or recommends investments for a client. In exchange for their services, investment advisors charge a fee, usually a flat fee or a percentage of managed assets. These professionals are registered with and regulated by the SEC or…
Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions of your life. If you think you’re ready to buy a house in 2025, finding a real estate agent with the right experience to guide you through the process will be key. There’s no shortage of agents vying for your…
Tax lien investing can give your portfolio exposure to real estate — all without having to actually own property. Experts, however, say the process is complicated and warn that novice investors can easily get burned. Here’s everything you need to know about investing in a tax lien certificate, including how…
Dan Coplan/Getty Images: Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways An FHA cash-out refinance lets you borrow against the equity in your home by swapping out your current home loan with a new, larger one. An FHA cash-out refinance is available to qualified borrowers with any kind of existing mortgage —…
Key takeaways The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express offers a wide range of benefits alongside its lucrative rewards rate. Cardholders can get a variety of statement credits and also take advantage of the standard benefits that come with American Express cards. Those with a higher household spending threshold,…
While it might not seem like it at first, options and sports gambling are both bets. In each, you’re making a side bet between gamblers on the outcome of some event — either the outcome of a game or the performance of a stock or other security. But while sports…
Zinkevych/Getty Images: Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways The best terms on small business loans are generally reserved for borrowers with strong credit scores Personal credit scores range from 300 to 850, with higher scores indicating greater likelihood of timely payments on a loan Business credit scores can range from…
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