Key takeaways Zombie debt refers to old or expired debts you’ve either forgotten about or never knew about that debt collectors try to resurrect and collect. The most common types of zombie debt include discharged or settled debts, time-barred debt (debt that is past the statute of limitations for collecting),…

Key takeaways If you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you may be able to keep your home, especially if you have a relatively low amount of equity. If you file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you’re more likely to keep your home, provided you can make any missed payments along with…

Key takeaways Donald Trump’s plan to raise federal revenue using tariffs will likely drive up prices for construction materials Higher home repair and replacement costs could put pressure on insurers to increase home insurance premiums China, Canada and Mexico, the top providers of building material imports in the U.S., are…

Key takeaways The Petal® 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa® Credit Card and Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card are unsecured cards with no annual fee designed to help you access and build credit. Petal considers more than your credit score for approval, also analyzing your banking…

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Water damage can cause serious harm to your home, rapidly totaling thousands of dollars in damage and requiring months of reconstruction. You may think it won’t happen to you, but no matter where your home is located or how recently it was built, water damage…

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Key takeaways Even after you’ve paid off your home, you can still borrow against your home’s equity. There are several ways to tap your equity when you’re mortgage-free, including with a home equity loan, HELOC or cash-out refinance. It can be easier to qualify for a loan on a paid-off…

Credit Sesame discusses the proposed CFBP rule on medical debt and whether it can ever come to fruition. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has approved a rule banning reporting agencies from including medical debt on credit reports. As a result, that debt would no longer directly affect people’s credit…

Delmaine Donson/Getty Images Most Americans carry a combination of revolving and installment debt during their financial lifetimes. The journey often starts with a revolving credit card, but it doesn’t end there. The ubiquitous nature of credit cards is hard to understate. According to Bankrate’s Credit Card Debt Survey data, 50…

Key takeaways You are considered personally liable with recourse loans if you default. Mortgages and auto loans are often recourse loans, though this may differ between lenders. Lenders may seize personal assets not listed in the loan agreement in addition to any collateral. This downside may be offset by lower…

If you’re looking for ways to contribute to a loved one’s future success, the good news is there are plenty of options. One of those ways is contributing to a child’s education fund.  Here’s a look at how you can contribute to a godchild’s education savings fund and what to…

valiantsin suprunovich/Getty Images Key takeaways A covenant serves as a written contract between two parties, like a lender and borrower. If that covenant is broken, it is known as a breach of covenant and can result in a lawsuit. There are a few primary types of covenants, including positive or…

Key takeways The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is a solid option for frequent Delta customers, but the annual fee might be a bit steep for some. This card earns 2X miles at U.S. supermarkets, at restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and on…

Images by GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Index funds are one of the most popular types of investments because of their simplicity, low cost and diversification benefits. In general, index funds seek to replicate the performance of an underlying index comprised of stocks or bonds, which means they aren’t managed…

Charday Penn/Getty Images Key takeaways The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card offers an attractive 0 percent introductory APR for 21 billing cycles on both balance transfers and new purchases. This card also offers cellphone protection benefits but does not come with a rewards program. To fully maximize the benefits of…