In the news As of late February, 2025, applications for PAYE, SAVE and other income-driven repayment (IDR) plans are unavailable on the Federal Student Aid website. This relates to a recent federal court ruling in ongoing litigation over the SAVE plan. Watch this FSA page for further updates. Key takeaways…
Key takeaways Home prices are high right now, which is obviously good for sellers, but mortgage rates are high as well, which means fewer buyers can afford the purchase. According to Fannie Mae’s most recent Home Purchase Sentiment Index, nearly two-thirds of people feel it is a good time to…
Keep reading for the latest nitty-gritty student loan research, including:Average Student Loan Debt StatisticsFederal Student Loan Debt StatisticsPrivate Student Loan Debt StatisticsStudent Loan Forgiveness StatisticsStudent Loan Debt Over TimeNegative Effects of Student Loan Debt Average Student Loan Debt Statistics Student loans are the second-largest debt in America behind mortgages.1 And as…
Key takeaways Understanding CD strategies and terminology can help you evaluate how to make the most of this type of deposit account. Important concepts associated with CDs include APYs, term lengths, early withdrawal penalties and how rates compare with inflation. Choosing a federally insured bank or credit union for your…
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Technology has transformed some parts of the daunting homebuying process–making it easier to search and compare properties online, to prepare…
The Covid pandemic crushed immigration and demand for Nova Credit’s tech. Then its founder discovered a second line of business.…
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…
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Financial planning involves the interplay of multiple, often complex variables. Think: current and future savings and expenses, projected investment returns, evolving tax rates, debts, windfalls, hopes, dreams, the Social Security trust funds’ solvency and more. Here’s where financial planning software sashays into the room for…
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Key takeaways Governments often borrow money to cover deficits when taxes and other revenues don’t cover expenses. The national debt is the total…
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F or private financial technology companies, last year was a quiet one for fundraising. Fintechs raised $34 billion in 2024, down from $42…
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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 Life insurance is designed to provide financial protection for your chosen beneficiaries. Term life insurance is generally affordable with coverage lasting 10 to 30 years, while permanent life insurance can offer lifelong protection with a cash value component. Premiums are determined by factors such as age, health and…
Westend61/Getty Images: Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways Adding your partner as an authorized user can help them build their credit and help you manage household expenses. Some cards extend cardholder benefits to authorized users, letting them enjoy perks like lounge access and statement credits. Set spending limits and guidelines…
Key takeaways HELOCs offer more flexible repayment periods and competitive interest rates than many other types of business financing. The main disadvantage of HELOCs is that if you default on payments, your lender could take your home. If a HELOC isn’t right for you, other financing options for a small…
Key takeaways When you downgrade your credit card, your issuer will perform a product change that turns your card into a different one — usually with different rewards-earning potential and a lower or no annual fee. Downgrading a card could be a great alternative to canceling a card, but it’s…
Sky Noir Photography by Bill Dickinson/Getty Images Virginia may be for lovers, but it’s for homeowners, too. Over 69 percent of the state’s residences are occupied by their owners, according to 2023 U.S. Census figures. First-time homebuyers are essential to that trend. Virginia Housing is a state-created not-for-profit organization that…
Photography by Getty Images; Illustration by Bankrate Key takeaways With the cost of college rising, it’s even more important to understand the financial aid application process. The basic FAFSA eligibility requirements include being a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen and having a high school diploma or GED. Though FAFSA is a…
A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged way for parents to save for their children’s education expenses. The IRS doesn’t impose a contribution limit on 529 plans, unlike for other tax-advantaged accounts such as 401(k)s and Roth IRAs, though some limits do exist. States often impose their own lifetime caps, though…
I get it—overspending is a real struggle. No matter where or how you shop, spending money on random stuff is always a temptation (I’m looking at you, $100-Target-run-disguised-as-a-quick-trip-for-shampoo). So, how do you keep from busting your budget? I’m here to share my best tips for how to stop spending money—so…
jtstewartphoto/Getty Images Getting a speeding ticket in Maryland has more consequences than just paying the fine, including potential points on your license and higher insurance rates. The average rate for a full coverage policy in Maryland rises from $2,793 before a ticket to $3,322 afterward—an increase of almost 19 percent.…
The capital asset pricing model (CAPM) is a financial model used to determine a security’s expected return considering its associated risk. Developed in the 1960s, CAPM has become a tool used by some investors in analyzing and managing investments, because it provides a quantitative way to measure the expected return…
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