Buying an annuity is a major financial decision. You’re often tying up your money for a long time and, since many people use these financial products to fund their retirement, you’ll be relying on those payments for years to come, sometimes the rest of your life. Before you make a…
Key takeaways An independent agent or broker can help you compare life insurance quotes across multiple carriers to find the best policy that meets your budget and needs. The entire process can take several weeks for a fully underwritten life insurance policy or just a few days for an accelerated…
Getty Images; Ilustration by Bankrate Many of the companies benefiting from the boom in artificial intelligence (AI) spending saw their stocks soar in 2024, with several experiencing gains of more than 100 percent. The AI trend has been a boon to investors, but those who missed out on gains are…
Key takeaways A money order is similar to a check, except the money for it is taken out of your account at the time of purchase instead of when the recipient cashes it. If you want to use your credit card to purchase a money order, you’ll have a difficult…
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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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Brothers91/ Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate Key takeaways Both The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express are top-tier credit card options with premium benefits (and high annual fees to match). The Amex Platinum Card may be a…
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Key takeaways A balance transfer fee is what credit card issuers charge when you transfer debt, usually credit card debt, to another credit…
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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 The Federal Reserve’s interest-rate decisions have a wide-ranging influence on the economy, affecting job security, financing costs and the direction of the economy. When the Federal Reserve’s key interest rate falls, borrowing costs for consumers also decrease, influencing the cost of financing purchases with credit cards, car loans,…
Key takeaways Both the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Cards and Discover it® Student Cash Back are good options for students who want to build credit and earn rewards. The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is great for those who spend more on groceries and…
Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are among the newer entrants to the world of Bitcoin trading, joining Bitcoin futures ETFs, which have been trading since 2021. While both funds let traders wager on the price of Bitcoin cryptocurrency, they’re tremendously different in how they do so — and this difference…
Every business owner can benefit from knowing how to write a business plan, including those in the early stages of launching a business. A well-crafted business plan communicates the business’s strategy for growth to key leaders and investors. It’s also an important step to getting a business loan since many…
Key takeaways If you’re struggling to make car payments, you can talk to your lender about a car loan modification plan that could reduce payments, lower interest rates or shift your payment deadlines around. A car loan modification could be easier to obtain if you have provable hardship like a…
elenaleonova/GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways Bad credit lenders may approve borrowers with credit scores in the upper 500s or lower. Loans for bad credit usually come with high annual percentage rates (APRs) and high costs. Beware of lenders that guarantee approval or require upfront fees — these are…
Key takeaways Popular SBA 7(a) lenders include Newtek Small Business Finance, Live Oak Bank,, The Huntington National Bank and Readycap Lending SBA 504 lenders have provided over $6 billion in funding to small businesses SBA 7(a) and 504 lenders approved more than 76,000 small business loans combined SBA loans are…
A dividend stock is a publicly traded company that regularly shares profits with shareholders through dividends. These companies tend to be both consistently profitable and committed to paying dividends for the foreseeable future. While perhaps less exciting than chasing the latest high-flyer in the stock market, dividends can account for…
Halfpoint Images/Getty Images Many people strive to achieve $1 million in savings before they reach retirement, but the reality is that most Americans struggle to meet that savings threshold. Average retirement account balances for those aged 55-64 averaged about $208,000 at the end of 2022 in plans administered by Vanguard,…
Warren Buffett is among the greatest investors of all time. His company, Berkshire Hathaway, has returned around 20 percent annually since Buffett took over in the 1960s, trouncing the S&P 500’s annual return over that time period. In 2024, Buffett has sold shares in some longtime holdings, such as Apple…
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