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…
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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…
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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
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Key takeaways Debt forgiveness can reduce or wipe out certain types of debt, but you’ll typically need to meet strict criteria to qualify. Debt forgiveness has benefits and drawbacks, so make sure you understand both before taking this route. Not all types of debt are eligible for forgiveness, but you…
Want to take control of your spending and feel more confident with your money? Try the cash envelope system! I’ll show you exactly how the cash envelope system works and how to start using it this month. (Plus, I’ll tell you how to make cash envelopes more fashionable than ever!) What…
Many Americans feel overwhelmed or unable to catch up financially due to the current economic uncertainty. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) released a survey called “The 2025 Financial Literacy and Preparedness Survey,” conducted by the Harris Poll. The survey said that 57% of Americans are finding it hard…
When the Federal Reserve decides what to do with interest rates to manage the economy, the data usually speaks for itself. Policymakers, for instance, knew they needed to rush to cut interest rates in 2020 as the gears of commerce came to a screeching halt at the onset of the…
Americans have several choices when it comes to saving for retirement. Two of the most popular options are a 401(k) plan and an individual retirement account (IRA). Assets in 401(k) plans totaled $8.9 trillion as of year-end 2024, according to the Investment Company Institute (ICI). Meanwhile, IRAs had a massive…
Hero Images Inc/ Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate Key takeaways Online lenders tend to specialize in short-term loans and can provide funds quickly. Banks offer better rates and terms than online lenders, but their application process and funding times are slower. Some online lenders can analyze your documents and…
Washington State imposes a 7% capital gains tax on the sale of certain long-term assets, including stocks and business interests, above an annual exemption threshold. Although the tax does not apply to all investments, many residents still seek legal strategies to avoid the Washington State capital gains tax. These can…
Many retirees receive distributions from retirement accounts, pensions, dividends or even part-time work. Should this income exceed immediate spending needs, retirees often look to put the excess back to work. Thoughtfully reinvesting surplus retirement income can help preserve wealth, protect against inflation and even grow your financial resources over time.…
Credit Sesame traces the evolution of credit scoring from handshake deals to algorithm-based models, with machine learning playing a growing role in how risk is evaluated. Early lending was all about personal judgment Before credit scores existed, borrowing decisions were based on trust. Lenders evaluated risk by relying on relationships,…
Lifestyle inflation occurs when your expenses increase as you earn more income. It can start subtly—dining at pricier restaurants, upgrading gadgets more frequently, or moving into a larger home. While these improvements can enhance comfort, unchecked spending can quickly outpace earnings, making it difficult to build or maintain wealth. Over…
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