Tax returns are annual, and getting them filed also means starting the clock ticking for how long the IRS has to audit you. But when might you be in the clear? Your audit exposure is at least three years from when you file your return, but you might be a…
Home equity products turned in a slightly mixed performance ahead of the Federal Reserve’s first monetary policy meeting of 2025. The $30,000 home equity line of credit (HELOC) was unchanged at 8.28 percent — its lowest level in a year and a half, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders.…
When most people think of identity theft, they envision criminals and other miscreants using their private data to open new credit cards and take out loans in their name. Some identity thieves even go a few steps further and seek medical care using someone else’s sensitive information, or they’ll use…
If you take a journey down the rabbit hole of precious metals as currency you will note that it is not as stable as many of the precious metal lovers will have you believe. Gold and silver have no real intrinsic value. Value yes, use cases yes, but a God-given…
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Wildfires in southern California have burned at least 47,000 acres in the Los Angeles area—the largest blaze, the Palisades Fire,…
Washington is abuzz over whether Congress will address President-elect Donald Trump’s ambitious policy agenda in one bill or two. But…
This founder built his brand on a simple idea: Forget about changing the world. Get rich doing mundane and even…
Millions of student loan borrowers face an uncertain future as a second Trump administration prepares to return to Washington. But…
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Hedge funds have lost some of their luster in recent years, with institutions preferring to pour money in Wall Street’s newer crazes for dependable returns like private credit, but the most successful firms in the old guard are still delivering steady gains for their limited…
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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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It was a close call for a dog named Max when fire raged through his Altadena neighborhood. The brindle-coated Corso mix hid, huddled…
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Key takeaways Adding authorized users to your business credit card account can make it easier for you to complete purchases and earn rewards…
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Zinkevych/Getty Images: Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways The best terms on small business loans are generally reserved for borrowers with strong credit scores Personal credit scores range from 300 to 850, with higher scores indicating greater likelihood of timely payments on a loan Business credit scores can range from…
While it might not seem like it at first, options and sports gambling are both bets. In each, you’re making a side bet between gamblers on the outcome of some event — either the outcome of a game or the performance of a stock or other security. But while sports…
Boone Rodriguez/Corbis/VCG/Getty Images: Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways Business loans require significant documentation about your business formation, financial statements and possibly a business plan Both personal and business finances are reviewed Lenders typically take a few days to weeks to process your information, depending on the lender and type…
Key takeaways Tariffs are a tax imposed on goods that the U.S. imports from other nations. President-elect Donald Trump has shown a penchant for tariffs in his economic policy agenda. In his first term, he imposed duties on $380 billion worth of products from major U.S. trade…
Cash back programs tap into a powerful psychological draw — consumers appreciate getting tangible value from their spending. It’s no wonder the global cash back apps market — valued at about $2.9 billion in 2023 — is projected to skyrocket to $4.6 billion by 2030, growing at a steady 6.5…
Key takeaways Indexed universal life insurance offers flexibility in premium payments and the ability to adjust the death benefit. IUL policies include a minimum guaranteed crediting rate, or interest rate, which ensures growth even if the market index performs poorly. However, there is a cap on gains, limiting the maximum…
Credit Sesame simplifies your financial life with tools to monitor and manage your credit. Life gets busy, and managing finances often takes a back seat until a late fee or missed payment reminds you to pay attention. But simplifying your financial life doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right…
Key takeaways Typical home-selling costs can include Realtor commissions, closing costs, paying off the mortgage and more. Don’t forget to factor in the costs of any home repairs, improvements or staging you do to get the house market-ready. The overall cost can vary widely depending on what state you’re in…
In recent years, a wave of retiring baby boomers and high interest rates have helped fuel record-breaking sales in the annuity market. From 2022 to 2024, annuity sales topped $1.1 trillion, according to Limra, a global research organization for the insurance industry. In 2023 alone, annuity sales increased 23 percent…
Pekic/GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways Both mortgages and home equity loans are secured by property. A mortgage is used to purchase the property, while a home equity loan taps the value of that property for various expenses. Compared to other forms of credit, both a mortgage and a…
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