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…
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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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Boone Rodriguez/Corbis/VCG/Getty Images: Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways Business loans require significant documentation about your business formation, financial statements and possibly a business plan Both personal and business finances are reviewed Lenders typically take a few days to weeks to process your information, depending on the lender and type…
Key takeaways Tariffs are a tax imposed on goods that the U.S. imports from other nations. President-elect Donald Trump has shown a penchant for tariffs in his economic policy agenda. In his first term, he imposed duties on $380 billion worth of products from major U.S. trade…
Cash back programs tap into a powerful psychological draw — consumers appreciate getting tangible value from their spending. It’s no wonder the global cash back apps market — valued at about $2.9 billion in 2023 — is projected to skyrocket to $4.6 billion by 2030, growing at a steady 6.5…
Key takeaways Typical home-selling costs can include Realtor commissions, closing costs, paying off the mortgage and more. Don’t forget to factor in the costs of any home repairs, improvements or staging you do to get the house market-ready. The overall cost can vary widely depending on what state you’re in…
Credit Sesame simplifies your financial life with tools to monitor and manage your credit. Life gets busy, and managing finances often takes a back seat until a late fee or missed payment reminds you to pay attention. But simplifying your financial life doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right…
In recent years, a wave of retiring baby boomers and high interest rates have helped fuel record-breaking sales in the annuity market. From 2022 to 2024, annuity sales topped $1.1 trillion, according to Limra, a global research organization for the insurance industry. In 2023 alone, annuity sales increased 23 percent…
Pekic/GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways Both mortgages and home equity loans are secured by property. A mortgage is used to purchase the property, while a home equity loan taps the value of that property for various expenses. Compared to other forms of credit, both a mortgage and a…
Key takeaways Credit inquiries can either be in the form of hard inquiries or soft inquiries, and they can happen for a variety of reasons. Hard credit inquiries occur when someone like a landlord or potential creditor is assessing your credit risk, and these kinds of inquiries can lower your…
Richard Drury/ Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate The average rate on a $30,000 home equity line of credit (HELOC) steadied at 8.28 percent this week — close to its lowest level in a year and a half, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. In contrast, the average $30,000…
Key takeaways Most major credit card issuers offer the option to easily lock and unlock cards through their online accounts or mobile apps. Locking a credit card can prevent impulse purchases and keep the account safe from fraud. Recurring transactions will still go through while a credit card is locked.…
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