Pekic/GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways A mortgage lets you purchase a property, while a home equity loan — which is a type of second mortgage — allows you to tap the value of your property to get cash. Compared to other forms of credit, both mortgages and home…
Key takeaways The value of the child tax credit in 2025 (for tax returns filed in 2026) is $2,200, up from $2,000 in 2024. Going forward, the value of the child tax credit will be adjusted for inflation each year. There are income limits: The child tax credit starts to…
Key takeaways An LLC has access to some small business loans that are designed specifically for funding a variety of business expenses. LLC loans can be used for many things, including working capital, covering start-up costs, equipment or inventory purchases, advertising and marketing and even commercial real estate. Signing a…
A complicated U.S. economy. Stubborn inflation and a jobless boom. Unprecedented conflict with the president. Personnel changes, and a new Fed chair. Federal Reserve officials are no stranger to difficult economic moments, but the upcoming year could prove to be more dramatic than usual for the U.S. central bank —…
Trending
Spotlight This Week
More Articles
Personal Finance
The nation’s 75 million Social Security recipients will receive a 2.8% cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase in their benefits…
Historically Black colleges and universities are on the frontlines of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s new limits on parent…
The big new fees JPMorgan Chase is planning to charge some financial technology companies may well trickle down to consumers,…
With artificial intelligence beginning to eat away at many white-collar entry-level jobs, and the unemployment rate for recent college graduates…
Featured Articles
Public is an investing platform that offers a solid trading experience, free trades on stocks and ETFs, easy access to bonds — and options traders will enjoy getting money back on their trades through Public’s rebate program. Other key features include: Fractional shares, so you…
Dept Managmnt
Delmaine Donson/Getty Images Debt relief companies work on your behalf to negotiate your debts, usually through a settlement for less than you owe.…
Banking
These entrepreneurs, traders and investors are making an outsized impact in fintech, crypto and traditional financial services.By Jeff Kauflin, Hank Tucker and Nina…
Credit Cards
All News
Key takeaways Using extra cash to pay off your mortgage loan early can save homeowners a hefty amount of interest over time. However, putting available funds into investments instead might yield a more significant return and make you more money. The answer to which is right for you will depend…
If you’re looking to buy a home, choosing the right mortgage lender can save you money. That’s especially true if you’re planning on taking out a larger jumbo loan. To help you in your search, here is our guide to the best jumbo mortgage lenders in 2026. Best mortgage lenders…
Key takeaways In 2026, employees can defer up to $24,500 of their salary to fund their 401(k), an increase from $23,500 in 2025. When including employer matches and after-tax contributions, you can amass up to $72,000 in total in 2026. Workers aged 50 and older can make catch-up contributions on…
Investing in a Roth IRA can be a smart way to save for retirement, but enjoying the tax benefits of a Roth generally takes some patience. That’s because you fund these accounts with after-tax contributions, which means you won’t be able to deduct your contribution on Form 1040 at tax…
Financial stress is the mental and emotional strain caused by money worries, and it often spikes after the holidays due to accumulated credit card debt. Creating a clear plan that includes budgeting, debt repayment, and emotional self-care can help you regain control and reduce overwhelm. With the right strategies and…
Opening a Roth IRA might be the single best retirement decision you can make. While Roth IRAs don’t offer immediate tax gratification like other types of retirement accounts, they do give you tax-free growth and you’ll never have to pay any taxes on withdrawals if you follow the rules. In…
Image: Getty Images; Illustration: Bankrate Mixed action for home equity rates in the latest week, with both products landing at their lowest level in three years. The benchmark five-year $30,000 home equity loan fell six basis points to 7.92%, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. At the same time,…
Key takeaways Refinancing your mortgage means replacing your home’s current mortgage loan with a new one. Homeowners typically refinance to lower their interest rate, but there are other reasons to consider it as well. Refinancing requires paying closing costs, which can be extensive, so it’s important to determine whether you’ll…
Getting behind the wheel without car insurance can quickly turn into an expensive mistake. If you are caught driving without coverage, you run the risk of facing penalties, including fines, loss of your driver’s license and potentially jail time. If you cause an accident while driving uninsured, you may have…
For workers who are used to receiving their paycheck every other week, the calendar is aligned in January to give some biweekly wage earners “bonus” third paychecks during the year. For 2026, the bonus months are either January and July (if the first paycheck was paid on Jan. 2), or…
Editor's Pick
