Key takeaways Social media is a popular, often free marketing tool among small business owners Small businesses can use social media to build brand awareness with minimal upfront costs You can leverage social media for business by engaging with customers and overcoming pain points Customers expect you to interact with…

Credit Sesame explores the financial ripple effect of everyday choices, revealing how decisions in education, career, and living can shape your financial health and creditworthiness. The choices you make every day—where to live, which career to pursue, and how to further your education—can create ripples that shape your future in…

Many Americans have long struggled to build savings. However, high inflation and interest rates since the COVID-19 pandemic have made it even more difficult for people to save for emergencies. Only around 2 in 5 (41 percent) Americans would use their savings to pay for a major unexpected expense, such…

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They used to say, and still do, that there is no such thing as economics, only demographics. The idea is that whatever economic theory holds sway, it is overwhelmed by the effects of population. As a sidebar this is the key to predicting who will…

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Image by GettyImages; Illustration by Bankrate Key takeaways Rates for seniors tend to increase after age 70, but shopping around and taking advantage of discounts may help you save. On average, 70-year-old drivers pay $2,385 per year for full coverage car insurance and $711 for minimum coverage. Senior car insurance…

As the end of the year approaches, now’s the time to start preparing for filing your 2024 tax return in 2025. When it comes to tax strategies, generally Dec. 31 is the deadline to make changes that might lower your tax bill. One major exception is the deadline for contributing…

Key takeaways Credit card companies generate most of their income through interest charges, cardholder fees and transaction fees paid by businesses that accept credit cards. Even if you don’t pay fees or interest, using your credit card generates income for your issuer thanks to interchange — or swipe — fees.…

The marginal tax rate is the highest income tax rate you’ll pay on your income. Because the U.S. has a progressive tax system, different tiers of your income are taxed at different rates. The marginal tax rate is the rate that applies to your highest dollar of income. It’s important…

Key takeaways Online homebuying companies like iBuyers can make cash offers on your home in a matter of days, or sometimes even hours. Typically, all that’s required to request an instant offer is inputting your street address on the company’s website. However, in exchange for this speed and convenience, you…

Key takeaways Mortgage points are upfront fees you can pay your mortgage lender in exchange for a lower interest rate. Typically, one point costs 1 percent of the amount you borrow and reduces your interest rate by 0.25 percent. If you’re not sure if you should buy points, calculate the…

Key takeaways For military members and veterans, USAA may offer some of the lowest annual average rates. Both Armed Forces Insurance and USAA specialize in coverage for military members and veterans. Farmers, Geico and Liberty Mutual offer military discounts on policies. Active duty members of the military, veterans and their…

Key takeaways Knowing your partner’s finances before marriage can help you avoid later money surprises. Having a financial plan may help you avoid arguments about finances. Talking about money should be a regular part of your relationship before and after marriage. The magic of your wedding day and honeymoon may…

I love traveling as much as I hate paying for it. This attitude helped me perfect the ways I can save as much money as I can, wherever I go. Take my latest trip to Germany, for example. I just spent nine days in Berlin in late November, catching the…

Key takeaways Wage garnishment is a potential consequence of not paying credit card debt, where part of each paycheck is taken to pay off the debt. Federal law limits the amount that can be garnished from each paycheck, but some states have stricter limitations. To avoid wage garnishment, reach out…