Whether you got it from the news, your favorite social media platform, or that one friend who’s a self-proclaimed real estate expert, chances are you’ve heard that mortgage interest rates and home prices are pretty high these days—which is 100% true. If you’ve been thinking about buying a house or…
Are you being hounded by debt collectors? The constant phone calls, harsh language and threats to sue can be overwhelming and downright scary. Unfortunately, you also have to watch out for debt collectors who try to trick you into paying for a debt that’s already been paid or a debt…
If you’ve done any shopping recently, then you’ve probably seen an option at checkout to split up your total into four (or more) “easy payments.” Pay off debt fast and save more money with Financial Peace University. One of the biggest companies offering these kinds of buy now, pay later…
Short on cash? Need a loan to renovate your kitchen? Upgrade says they can help (for a fee, of course). Upgrade personal loans and credit cards may seem like an easy, risk-free way to borrow money. But don’t be fooled by the name—doing business with Upgrade won’t actually upgrade your…
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Donald J. Trump has officially been sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, and he’s made some pretty big promises about what he’s going to do to help the economy. Some might even call them . . . yuge promises. (Okay, I’m…
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By Julie Jaggernath If you’re thinking about downsizing, crunch your numbers carefully because it might cost you more than it saves in the…
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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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Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Blake Johnson, a construction superintendent in Seattle, wants to buy land and build a house on it. After all, the 24-year-old has the chops — having worked 60 hours a week for several years on commercial and residential renovations. But loan interest rates for land in…
We’re entering the second quarter of 2026, and the year already feels unexpected. At just over three months in, some key economic predictions for the year have had to be recast. For instance, the housing market started the year with mortgage rates on the downtrend. Home prices in many areas…
Key takeaways Getting the lowest mortgage rate possible can save you thousands of dollars in interest over the life of the loan. An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) could land you a lower rate temporarily, but the rate will likely adjust upward after the introductory period ends. To be eligible for the…
Where are you in your life? How long do you intend to stay in the home? Are you single or in a committed partnership? Do you have or are you planning to have children? Are you likely to change jobs in the next two years? Is your income stable or…
Key takeaways Typically, experts recommend you spend no more than 28% of your gross monthly income, or 25% of your net monthly income, on mortgage payments. Due to high home prices in certain parts of the country, you may find yourself spending substantially more on your mortgage Lenders generally want…
Federal employees receive a retirement benefit package that includes a pension, a tax-advantaged savings plan and Social Security. But many do not fully understand how these benefits work, and that can mean leaving money behind. The FERS pension, the Thrift Savings Plan and Social Security each come with their own…
Your credit score is one of the most important numbers in your financial life. It goes a long way toward determining whether you’re approved for loans, along with the interest rates you’re charged. That impact is most significant for mortgages given that it costs a lot of money to buy…
Illustration by Grant Crowder/Bankrate Key takeaways First, take a look at your finances and decide what type of mortgage you need — loan programs vary widely. Next, find a few different lenders who offer the type of loan that suits you. Finally, compare rates and fees by getting a preapproval…
Tax scams are becoming more sophisticated each year, especially during tax season when millions of Americans are filing and expecting refunds. Scammers take advantage of this urgency by posing as the IRS, offering false promises of larger refunds, or pressuring individuals into sharing sensitive information. Falling victim to a tax…
Does your grocery store hike the price of milk during your hurried commute home? Is it raising the cost of ice cream during a July heat wave? Are you seeing “personalized” prices based on your income or shopping history? As technology advances, these scenarios are becoming increasingly realistic. Put simply,…
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