Key takeaways Plan for success by building a business plan, putting together a budget and saving enough money to launch. Separate your business and personal finances by opening a business bank account and choosing business credit cards with useful benefits. Stay on top of your finances with…
Key takeaways Brand loyalty to certain credit cards or issuers can limit your rewards earning potential. Use multiple cards to maximize rewards rates, which might involve switching cards or using different cards for different types of spending. Understand the redemption options for each of your cards to get the most…
Key takeaways Both a line of credit and a credit card are types of revolving credit where you can borrow up to a certain amount and only pay interest on what you borrow. A line of credit typically has a lower APR and a higher credit limit than a credit…
Key takeaways Lying on a credit card application is fraud and can have serious legal consequences. You shouldn’t need to lie to qualify for a credit card because there are cards available for all types of financial circumstances, including for those with poor or non-existent credit, as well as for…
Trending
Spotlight This Week
More Articles
Personal Finance
Apple, FedEx and Oracle all got loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration. But rules and red tape keep many…
While there has been much conversation on not buying from companies with poor diversity, little has been said about investing…
The Trump administration has been rapidly dismantling protections for student loan borrowers, leaving millions of Americans with diminishing options as…
A perfect storm is brewing for millions of federal student loan borrowers, who may experience dramatic increases in their monthly…
Featured Articles
Key takeaways The typical mortgage payment doubled between 2020 and 2024, while today’s new homes are smaller than they have been in more than 10 years. Experts caution that home size isn’t always the best measure of value, especially in competitive markets with rising home…
Dept Managmnt
Key takeaways To pay off debt, you need to know how much you owe, how much you’re spending and where you can cut…
Banking
In my last column, I likened artificial intelligence to the wizard in “The Wizard of Oz.” It received a good reaction so I…
Credit Cards
Key takeaways Adding authorized users to your business credit card account can make it easier for you to complete purchases and earn rewards…
All News
A nursing home cannot unilaterally take your assets or property, even if you are staying there. Nursing homes have the same rights and limitations as any other business. If you sign a contract and don’t pay, then a nursing home can theoretically sue and collect assets for breach of contract.…
Halfpoint Images/ Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate Key takeaways With lender-paid mortgage insurance (LPMI), the lender covers the cost of mortgage insurance. Lenders recoup the cost of LPMI by charging a slightly higher interest rate on the loan. LPMI typically costs less than private mortgage insurance (PMI) on a…
The recent downturn in the stock market threw investors for a loop. Stocks plunged more than 10 percent in just a few days — a sharp drop that put everyone on edge. When the stock market plunges, it’s easy to panic and sell. But sharp investors use this kind of…
Key takeaways According to recent valuations from Bankrate, Hilton Honors points are worth approximately 0.6 cents each. This means 100,000 Hilton Honors points have an average value of $600. You can get more value from your Hilton rewards with a few different strategies, including the hotel program’s 5th night free…
Key takeaways An ATM card may look like a debit card or credit card, but it has a different function. ATM cards can only be used for accessing funds at ATMs, but credit and debit cards can also be used for purchases. It is best to use ATM…
Higher education institutions were most concerned about students’ access to federal aid. Almost two-thirds (59 percent) of institutions reported processing delays since the reduction in force. FSA regional office closures and support gaps across more than one-third of institutions. Communication breakdowns, staffing issues and growing workloads. The study isn’t the…
Images by GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways Private student loans can help cover any funding gaps for college — ideally, after you’ve exhausted your federal loan eligibility and applied for grants and scholarships. Private loans often come with higher interest rates than federal loans and lack access to…
Key takeaways An 80/10/10 piggyback loan is a type of loan that involves getting two mortgages at once: One is for 80 percent of the home’s value and the other is for 10 percent. The piggyback strategy lets you avoid private mortgage insurance or having to take out a jumbo…
Key takeaways Home equity is the difference between your home’s value and the amount you still owe on your mortgage. It represents the paid-off portion of your home — the amount you own outright. Your home equity can increase through making mortgage payments and home improvements, or as local property…
Key takeaways The American Express Business Platinum Card offers a variety of benefits such as travel perks, insurance, and business statement credits, making it a valuable choice for small business owners despite its high annual fee. The card’s earning rates are not as impressive as other premium business cards. Make…
Editor's Pick
