The Credit for Other Dependents provides a $500 tax benefit for qualifying dependents who don’t meet the requirements for the Child Tax Credit. This credit covers dependents age 17 or older, including adult children, elderly parents and other relatives who rely on your financial support. Unlike the Child Tax Credit,…
Marklyn Johnson drove to the grocery store in March 2025 with her boyfriend and 5-month-old son. They needed groceries, and welcomed a warm indoor diversion on a cold Connecticut winter day. As they were checking out at the register, Johnson looked out the window and noticed her car was gone.…
Image: Getty Images; Illustration: Bankrate Home equity rates became more affordable in the latest week. The $30,000 home equity line of credit sank 14 basis points to 7.18%, its lowest level in more than three years, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. Meanwhile, the five-year $30,000 home equity loan…
Image by PM Images/Getty Images; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Mortgage rates ticked up slightly this week, with the 30-year fixed rate averaging 6.15%, up from 6.10% last week, according to Bankrate’s latest lender survey. Current mortgage rates Loan type Current 4 weeks ago One year ago 52-week average 52-week low…
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Last year, on the day before Tax Day, my mom was scheduled to fly into Philadelphia International Airport to stay…
The nation’s 75 million Social Security recipients will receive a 2.8% cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase in their benefits…
With Republicans ending the Grad Plus program, private lenders are eyeing billions in new business, while some students could be…
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DragonImages/Getty Images Key takeaways To make a budget, you’ll need to know your monthly income and monthly expenses. You’ll need to categorize your expenses and evaluate where you can find opportunities to save. A monthly budget is a plan for how you’ll spend your money…
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Paying off Debt on a Fixed Income: Making Sacrifices and Learning Patience Paying off debt on a fixed income requires discipline. Jill emphasizes…
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For fintech startups, the first five years of the decade have been a roller-coaster ride. At the outset, companies were awash in easy…
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Images by Getty Images; Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways Unsecured loans aren’t backed by collateral, making them a higher risk for lenders. Unsecured business loan rates vary, ranging from 7% to 75% APR. With good credit, you could secure a low interest rate on an unsecured loan — between…
Key takeaways You typically cannot return a car unless the dealership has a return policy. To avoid being in a position where you need to return the car, research the history of the vehicle and the dealership’s policies. If you cannot return the car, look into refinancing your auto loan,…
Key takeaways Secured loans require collateral, in the form of a valuable asset, to back the loan. Lenders may offer lower interest rates and larger loan amounts for secured loans. Common examples of secured loans are auto loans, mortgages and some types of business financing. A lender can repossess the…
Key takeaways Payday loans are a form of predatory lending with extremely high interest rates and short repayment periods, making them a risky option for most people. There are safer alternatives to payday loans, such as taking out a bad credit personal loan and getting an advance on your pay.…
Tax refunds are the biggest windfall of the year for many American households. And ‘tis the season: Through the week ending Feb. 13, nearly 13 million people had received 2025 federal tax refunds averaging $2,476, according to the IRS. That average refund amount is up 14% from the same time…
Key takeaways A 7/1 ARM is a type of adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) that has a fixed interest rate for the first seven years, then a variable rate that changes yearly until the end of the mortgage term. The initial fixed rate on a 7/1 ARM is usually lower than the…
While adding a child to a deed may seem straightforward, the tax implications can be complex and long-lasting. Depending on how you structure the transfer, it may affect gift taxes, capital gains taxes, and future estate planning outcomes. State laws and ownership structures can also influence the results. A financial…
Hispanolistic/Getty Images Key takeaways The time it takes to raise your credit score depends upon the reason(s) that your score is lower in the first place. The longer your accounts are open and in good standing, the better it will reflect on your credit score. You can do several things…
Whether you have to report an inheritance on your taxes depends on what you inherit and the subsequent handling of that inheritance. While inheritances themselves are often not subject to federal income tax, certain inherited assets can generate taxable income once they begin producing interest, dividends or distributions. Because inheritance…
A tax refund often feels like a sudden financial windfall, offering a brief moment of relief. However, instead of treating it as a ticket for a shopping spree, consider using it as the ultimate opportunity for some financial spring cleaning. By strategically channeling your refund, you can effectively pay down…
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