An annuity can provide you with a steady stream of income, ensuring that you have money when you need it. That’s why many people turn to annuities during retirement, to be sure that they have cash flow when they’re no longer working. If you’re looking to buy an annuity, you’ll…
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…
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Washington is abuzz over whether Congress will address President-elect Donald Trump’s ambitious policy agenda in one bill or two. But…
TomoCredit, a five-year-old San Francisco startup that claims it boosts consumers’ credit scores, is facing a growing number of problems,…
Millions of student loan borrowers face an uncertain future as a second Trump administration prepares to return to Washington. But…
The 2024 presidential election has ended, and Donald Trump is poised to retake the White House, with big implications for…
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PayPal was one of the 5 percent cash back bonus categories on the Chase Freedom Flex® card during the final three months of 2024, so I made every effort to maximize my PayPal spending. I had to get creative to hit the $1,500 spending limit…
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Key takeaways Credit repair is a term used to describe the process of restoring your credit rating. You can hire a credit repair…
Banking
Thanks to more than a decade of Dodd-Frank and Basel III regulations, the Trump administration inherits a well-capitalized and liquid banking system. Squandering…
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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Key takeaways Alternative lending offers accessible eligibility requirements to help you get funding even with subprime credit or finances. Many alternative lenders don’t restrict how you use the funds and often pay out within 24 to 48 hours. Due to short terms and high interest rates, you can expect a…
If you spent a pretty penny on holiday-related shopping and activities in recent months, you’re not alone. Between Nov. 1 and Dec. 26, 2024, U.S. retail sales (excluding automotive) increased 3.8 percent year-over-year, according to Mastercard SpendingPulse. This included increased spending growth of 3.6 percent on apparel, 4 percent on…
Winning the lottery is incredibly rare, but someone has to win. If you’re one of the lucky ones, the financial windfall can be life-changing. But winning the lottery isn’t an instant ticket to lifelong financial freedom. Some sources suggest that as many as 70 percent of lottery winners eventually declare…
Maskot/Maskot/Getty Images The top premium rewards cards generally have high annual fees. Thankfully, some cards help minimize the sting of that cost with annual statement credits on popular expenses like travel, dining and shopping. The best credit cards with annual credits offset all or most of the fees by themselves…
Key takeaways Selling your current house while simultaneously buying a new one requires careful planning, but it is certainly possible. It’s smart to work with an experienced real estate agent and attorney to guide the way and keep things moving smoothly. Be sure to have a backup plan just in…
Credit Sesame’s personal finance news roundup January 11, 2025. Stories, news, politics, and events impacting personal finance during the past week. Job growth strong in December 2024 The US economy added 256,000 jobs in December. This completed the fourth year in a row in which employment grew every month. In…
There are two main ways to use tax deductions to lower your tax bill: either claim the standard deduction, or itemize your deductions, which means add up a list of your qualified expenses. Then you deduct that amount — either the standard deduction or your total itemized deductions — from…
Key takeaways Real estate comps, short for comparables, are a way to gauge how much a property is worth by comparing it to other, similar properties. Real estate agents and home appraisers use comps, among other things, to determine home values. To find them, you need an understanding of the…
A wonderful retirement is the goal of many people, and you want it to come off without any major snags. But retirement plans always face challenges, whether it’s the volatility of the markets, the affordability of healthcare or the risks posed by inflation. Plus, you’re likely to face decades on…
Key takeaways If you’re looking for a simple cash back credit card that avoids rotating bonus categories and spending caps, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is an excellent card to consider. This card comes with no annual fee, a welcome offer for new cardholders and 2 percent cash rewards…