Key takeaways A beneficiary is someone who receives a financial asset that was once owned by someone else. Choosing beneficiaries helps ensure that your assets go to the right people once you pass on. It’s a good idea to designate beneficiaries on specific accounts in addition to naming beneficiaries in…
Carlina Teteris/GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways Traditional and online lenders offer small business lines of credit Traditional lenders are best for established businesses with good-to-excellent credit Online lenders are best for businesses that can’t get funding from a traditional lender A business line of credit can be a…
Key takeaways Becoming debt-free starts by assessing your budget and determining how much you can realistically afford to put toward your outstanding balances. A proven payoff strategy such as the debt snowball or debt avalanche method can help provide a framework and keep you motivated to continue moving forward. Other…
Improving your financial literacy is a constant journey. But with the start of a new year, there is no better time to focus on it a little more to start the year refreshed. A strong foundation in money management can help you make smarter decisions, avoid common pitfalls, and achieve…
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A perfect storm is brewing for millions of federal student loan borrowers, who may experience dramatic increases in their monthly…
As the Biden administration exits Washington, President-elect Donald Trump inherits a federal student loan system that looks much different than…
Republican lawmakers in Congress are circulating a number of proposals to cut federal spending as part of a massive bill…
Wildfires in southern California have burned at least 47,000 acres in the Los Angeles area—the largest blaze, the Palisades Fire,…
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Key takeaways There are several types of working capital loans that can help cover short-term needs, including term loans, lines of credit, SBA loans and business credit cards Some working capital loans come with higher interest rates than others, so it’s important to compare options…
Dept Managmnt
Key takeaways Car title loans are a convenient way to get fast cash if you own your vehicle outright. These loans are risky…
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…
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Vivian Thornton received quite a shock when she logged onto her bank account and noticed an unfamiliar debit charge for concert tickets totaling more than $2,000. In fact, the hefty charge had brought her account to a negative balance, says Thornton, who is a small business-owner and Charlotte, NC resident.…
Improving your financial literacy is a constant journey. But with the start of a new year, there is no better time to focus on it a little more to start the year refreshed. A strong foundation in money management can help you make smarter decisions, avoid common pitfalls, and achieve…
Credit: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto/Getty Images; Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate If you’re looking to buy a home in Texas but aren’t sitting on a Texas-sized pile of cash, you’ll need to find a mortgage lender to help. Although you’re buying a home in The Lone Star State, your lender doesn’t necessarily have to…
Key takeaways Choose the best bad credit loan based on the terms you qualify for, paying special attention to any origination fees or other charges that could increase the cost. An extended loan term could give you an affordable monthly payment, but you’ll spend far more on interest. Get prequalified…
There are a multitude of leveraged strategies aimed at retail investors. Most of these follow the performance of major indexes, while others track niche areas of the market like the semiconductor and biotech industries. With leveraged strategies, investors hope to capture additional return using the power of debt. What is…
Would you be upset if you found out your partner had a credit card you didn’t know about? On the flip side, have you ever fudged the numbers with your spouse about a recent shopping spree? Romantic relationships can come with mixed feelings about money. That’s why we asked more…
Key takeaways In general, stick to a traditional dealership if you want to negotiate, and buy online if you want the convenience of home shopping without high-pressure salespeople. Shopping online means viewing more vehicle options than you could by just visiting dealerships. While buying a car online usually grants you…
Tax credits and deductions are two powerful ways to save money on your taxes. Credits cut your tax bill dollar-for-dollar — they tend to be most valuable type of tax benefit for most taxpayers — while deductions reduce the amount of income subject to tax, which lowers your overall bill.…
Key takeaways Vacant homes have a higher risk of damage or vandalism. Vacant home insurance can be included as an endorsement to a standard homeowners policy or purchased as a standalone policy, but it generally does not cover personal property or water damage. The criteria for a home to be…
Credit Sesame’s personal finance news roundup January 25, 2025. Stories, news, politics, and events impacting personal finance during the past week. Chicago bank first failure of 2025Consumer credit delinquencies still risingMedian weekly earnings growth outpaced inflation in 2024More consumers making minimum credit card paymentsMortgage rates fall a littleMortgage applications stableAll…
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