News Archive
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| 2006 Taxes |
| Estimated tax deadline looms -- Some folks face fall tax chores as their fourth 1040ES payment is due September 15. Story |
| Reporting your retirement plan rollover -- When you changed jobs, you took your company retirement plan with you. We explain how to report it to the IRS. Story |
| Some hybrids qualify for tax breaks -- Nissan and Mazda have finally joined Honda on the hybrid tax credit track. Story |
-- More 2006 Taxes news
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| 2007 Financial Literacy |
| 6 budget bombs -- Your best intentions for wise saving and spending are easily sabotaged by any of these budget blunders. Story |
| How celebrities pay for college -- Authors, a conductor and a sportscaster tell how they paid for college and how they'll pay for their kids' college. Story |
| Weekly spending work sheet -- Each week write the total of the previous week's expenses—from our daily work sheet—and compare to your budget. Story |
-- More 2007 Financial Literacy news
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| 2008 Financial Literacy |
| Video: Creating a budget -- It's easier than you think to create a budget. In this video, we'll show you how. Story |
| Video: Lowering your credit card rates -- Lower your credit card rate by investing just five minutes of your time watching this video. Story |
| Borrowing from family, friends, strangers -- Borrowing money from people you know or complete strangers can be better, or worse, than dealing with institutions. Story |
-- More 2008 Financial Literacy news
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| Advice |
| 10 tips every car shopper should follow -- If you're shopping for a new car, there are 10 basic rules you must follow, says Bankrate car columnist Terry Jackson. Story |
| Ask lender about how to pay down loan -- Talk to your lender about how to pay down your car loan more quickly, says Bankrate car columnist Terry Jackson. Story |
| Know debt tolerance before buying car -- No precise formula for determining how much car you can afford to buy, says Bankrate car columnist Terry Jackson. Story |
-- More Advice news
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| Auto loans |
| Video: Co-signing on an auto loan -- Co-signing any loan is always risky business. Story |
| Loan terms leave woman with one option -- Sometimes, the only way out of a bad loan is to pay it down, says Bankrate car columnist Terry Jackson. Story |
| Ask lender about how to pay down loan -- Talk to your lender about how to pay down your car loan more quickly, says Bankrate car columnist Terry Jackson. Story |
-- More Auto loans news
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| Banking and the economy |
| Interest Rate Roundup -- Here's a look at the state of interest rates on five common consumer banking products and the latest rates from Bankrate.com's weekly national survey of large banks and thrifts. Story |
| Fed, other countries cut rates -- The Federal Reserve announced a half-point interest rate cut in a coordinated move with other central banks in Europe. Story |
| Federal Reserve makes surprise rate cut -- The Federal Reserve Open Market Committee cut the federal funds rate in a surprise meeting. Story |
-- More Banking and the economy news
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| Beating Bankruptcy Blog |
| Consumer bankruptcy filings surge in 2007 -- The number of Americans filing for bankruptcy is on the rise, and is unlikely to stop soon. Story |
| Is reducing your debt taking a backseat to reducing your weight? -- Miss a payment? You're not alone. Try these tips for the future. Story |
| Your debt resolutions -- Welcome to a new year when you will finally reduce your money troubles and handle that debt. Story |
-- More Beating Bankruptcy Blog news
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| Book review |
| Are you spending smart? -- Bankrate reviews the book "Living Rich by Spending Smart," that examines how everyday spending choices can sink your budget. Story |
| Surviving mob mentality in finance -- Bankrate reviews the book "Mobs, Messiahs, and Markets," by William Bonner and Lila Rajiva, which examines what the authors allege is the mass hysteria that overcomes investors in the stock market. Story |
| Could you retire in a weekend? -- In the book "Retire in a Weekend," by Bill Losey, baby boomers are encouraged to make work optional by following their passion. Story |
-- More Book review news
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| Checking and ATMs |
| Defend yourself against a failing bank -- After IndyMac and with banking troubles continuing, you need to know what to do to be sure your money is insured, and what steps to take in the event of a failure. Story |
| Online tools can help manage money -- Combine social networking with budgeting tools and you get Web sites for those who want to follow their money. Story |
| Protection in troubled times -- What happens to your assets when a brokerage, bank or employer pension goes under? Some of your assets are covered by insurance. Story |
-- More Checking and ATMs news
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| College financing |
| Credit cards for college students -- Credit card offers abound on college campuses. Here's what students need to know. Story |
| Video: College financial aid -- The right combination of student aid, student work and student imagination can defray costs. Story |
| Texas 529 plan offers key advantage -- A Texas 529 savings plan offers a key advantage compared to competitor offerings, says the College Money Guru. Story |
-- More College financing news
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| Credit cards |
| Interest Rate Roundup -- Here's a look at the state of interest rates on five common consumer banking products and the latest rates from Bankrate.com's weekly national survey of large banks and thrifts. Story |
| 4 burning questions about credit scores -- There's a lot of contradictory advice on how to improve one's credit score. So what's the truth? Story |
| Borrowing from family, friends, strangers -- Borrowing money from people you know or complete strangers can be better, or worse, than dealing with institutions. Story |
-- More Credit cards news
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| Credit management |
| Settle your debts yourself -- You can pay someone to negotiate debt settlements for you, but you can do it yourself for nothing. Story |
| 6 good reasons for multiple credit cards -- Contrary to some popular opinion, you may be smart to hold more than the often recommended one to three credit cards. Here are six good reasons. Story |
| 8 rules to break to build wealth -- Diverging from the traditional mind-set may put you on the right course to riches, says Robert Shemin, author of "How Come That Idiot's Rich and I'm Not?" Story |
-- More Credit management news
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| Credit repair |
| Strike back against unfair card issuer -- There are several ways to make life uncomfortable for a badly behaving card issuer, says the Debt Adviser. Story |
| 'Seeking fun-loving, SF, high credit score' -- Most romantic scenes don't involve partners sharing credit scores. But what couples don't know can cost them. Story |
| Finance charge may push you over limit -- It is legal to fine customers when finance charges push card balances past the limit, says the Debt Adviser. Story |
-- More Credit repair news
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| Credit reports and credit scores |
| 4 burning questions about credit scores -- There's a lot of contradictory advice on how to improve one's credit score. So what's the truth? Story |
| FICO score over 780 is good enough -- Worrying about boosting a FICO score above 780 is a waste of time, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story |
| Strike back against unfair card issuer -- There are several ways to make life uncomfortable for a badly behaving card issuer, says the Debt Adviser. Story |
-- More Credit reports and credit scores news
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| Credit unions |
| Credit unions help young adults save -- Credit unions can be a great choice for savers with little money and a thin credit history. Story |
| Credit unions weather tough market -- Credit unions have been affected by the tight credit market, but most may be getting through the current landscape in fairly good shape. Story |
| Peer-to-peer lending grows in bad economy -- P2P lending has been around since 2005, but it's getting a boost from the current economic environment and credit crunch. Story |
-- More Credit unions news
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| Debt consolidation |
| Defend yourself against debt collectors -- Even if you owe a company money, you have rights -- and it pays to know what they are. Story |
| Defend yourself against debt collectors -- Even if you owe a company money, you have rights -- and it pays to know what they are. Story |
| 401(k) hardship withdrawals on the rise -- Cash-strapped employees are turning to their retirement plans for help. Will they start investing after the crisis passes? Story |
-- More Debt consolidation news
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| Exclusive: 2008 CD study |
| Exclusive: 2008 CD study -- Can you get a better yield on a CD online or through a traditional bank? It depends on what you're looking for. Story |
| Detailed results of the 2008 CD study -- Check out the results of a survey of 10 banks that offer CDs online and through their branches. Story |
-- More Exclusive: 2008 CD study news
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| Exclusive: 2008 Credit Card Study |
| Strike back against unfair card issuer -- There are several ways to make life uncomfortable for a badly behaving card issuer, says the Debt Adviser. Story |
| Finance charge may push you over limit -- It is legal to fine customers when finance charges push card balances past the limit, says the Debt Adviser. Story |
| Defend yourself against debt judgment -- Professionals can help you reduce the legal pain associated with a judgment, says the Debt Adviser. Story |
-- More Exclusive: 2008 Credit Card Study news
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| Exclusive: Passbook/Statement savings study 2008 |
| No records for this selection |
-- More Exclusive: Passbook/Statement savings study 2008 news
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| Fame & Fortune |
| Fame & Fortune: Heidi Klum -- German supermodel and host of "Project Runway" has parlayed her fame into a multimillion dollar industry. Story |
| Fame & Fortune: Danica Patrick -- It's no surprise that this race car driver's first big financial splurge was a cool set of wheels. Story |
| How celebrities pay for college -- Authors, a conductor and a sportscaster tell how they paid for college and how they'll pay for their kids' college. Story |
-- More Fame & Fortune news
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| Fame & Fortune (Use this) |
| No records for this selection |
-- More Fame & Fortune (Use this) news
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| Frugal U |
| Drive smarter to save gas -- Bankrate readers show how they are reducing their need for gas by driving in the most efficient manner. Story |
| Should you buy the warranty? -- Don't waste your money on extended warranties: They cost a bundle and are not used very often. Story |
| A Frugal shopper's best tip -- You don't need cable to get HD service if you have an HD TV and a digital antenna. Story |
-- More Frugal U news
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| Home equity |
| Interest Rate Roundup -- Here's a look at the state of interest rates on five common consumer banking products and the latest rates from Bankrate.com's weekly national survey of large banks and thrifts. Story |
| Borrowing from family, friends, strangers -- Borrowing money from people you know or complete strangers can be better, or worse, than dealing with institutions. Story |
| Interest Rate Roundup -- Here's a look at the state of interest rates on five common consumer banking products and the latest rates from Bankrate.com's weekly national survey of large banks and thrifts. Story |
-- More Home equity news
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| Home improvement |
| 4 housing upgrades that don't pay -- Thinking of renovating? Here are four things to avoid if you may want to sell down the road. Story |
| Green interior design -- Save money by using green principles for interior design. Story |
| Green interior design -- Save money by using green principles for interior design. Story |
-- More Home improvement news
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| Insurance |
| 14 useless insurance policies -- Ready to trim your insurance costs? Here are 14 policies you can probably scale back, or live without. Story |
| The ins and outs of life settlements -- Before cashing in that life insurance policy you no longer need, make sure you understand life settlements. Story |
| Young investor has health concerns -- Alice has health care concerns that she wishes to address from a financial planning standpoint in the context of her retirement plan. Story |
-- More Insurance news
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| Investing |
| The facts on the FDIC -- Recent news of bank failures has consumers wondering about the security of the FDIC's funding. Story |
| What should investors do now? -- Bankrate's Greg McBride explains what investors should and shouldn't do in the current market climate. Story |
| Fame & Fortune: Heidi Klum -- German supermodel and host of "Project Runway" has parlayed her fame into a multimillion dollar industry. Story |
-- More Investing news
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| Money markets |
| The facts on the FDIC -- Recent news of bank failures has consumers wondering about the security of the FDIC's funding. Story |
| Money market mutual fund lifeline -- The government is throwing an unprecedented lifeline to money market mutual funds to reassure nervous investors. Story |
| More deposits insured, but for how long? -- The FDIC will step in with higher coverage for bank deposits, but it's a temporary solution. Story |
-- More Money markets news
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| Mortgage Matters Blog |
| McCain plan, before and after -- First John McCain wanted lenders to pay for their mistakes, and now he wants taxpayers to pick up the tab. Story |
| Rates have wild swings -- Jaw-dropping gyrations in rates continue. Today we got a surprise Fed rate cut. And guess what? Mortgage rates went up. Story |
| Bernanke talks, rates tank -- Mortgage rates were heading up -- and then Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke talked about the economy. Story |
-- More Mortgage Matters Blog news
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| Mortgages |
| What's in the McCain mortgage plan? -- Presidential nominee Sen. John McCain proposed spending $300 billion to buy bad mortgages. What impact will it have? Story |
| Will the federal mortgage plan help you? -- The Hope for Homeowners plan will entice hundreds of thousands of homeowners. But who will really be helped? Story |
| Rate Trend Index -- Mortgages -- Each week, Bankrate.com surveys experts to gauge which way interest rates are headed on mortgages -- a vital tool if you're about to buy a home. Story |
-- More Mortgages news
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| Online banking |
| Online tools can help manage money -- Combine social networking with budgeting tools and you get Web sites for those who want to follow their money. Story |
| Bank's cooling 'teaser' rate burns saver -- Don't expect your bank to alert you to a higher savings rate when it becomes available, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story |
| Banks score with 'high touch' service -- At many banks, "high touch" service that pampers customers drives growth and profits. Story |
-- More Online banking news
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| Personal finance |
| 6 budget bombs -- Your best intentions for wise saving and spending are easily sabotaged by any of these budget blunders. Story |
| 10 reasons to love a recession -- Even a slowing economy offers a silver lining if you know where to look. Here are 10 benefits of a recession. Story |
| Gasping at gas costs? Switch to two wheels -- Faced with sticker shock at the pumps, many commuters are trading in their cars for scooters and bicycles. Story |
-- More Personal finance news
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| Plastic Rap Blog |
| Little-used cards canceled? -- Many readers report their limits have been cut on cards they don't use often -- or they've had their cards canceled altogether. Story |
| Wells Fargo, Wachovia merger -- Wells Fargo made the surprise announcement that the company would acquire Wachovia for $15.1 billion in stock, with no financial help from the FDIC. Story |
| Bank mergers and you -- Despite major changes in banks this week, customers can expect business as usual. Story |
-- More Plastic Rap Blog news
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| Rate Trend Index |
| Rate Trend Index -- Mortgages -- Each week, Bankrate.com surveys experts to gauge which way interest rates are headed on mortgages -- a vital tool if you're about to buy a home. Story |
| Rate Trend Index -- Mortgages -- Each week, Bankrate.com surveys experts to gauge which way interest rates are headed on mortgages -- a vital tool if you're about to buy a home. Story |
| CD Rate Trend Index -- Bankrate's expert panel predicts where rates are headed on certificates of deposit. Story |
-- More Rate Trend Index news
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| Real estate |
| What's in the McCain mortgage plan? -- Presidential nominee Sen. John McCain proposed spending $300 billion to buy bad mortgages. What impact will it have? Story |
| 5 ways to finance 'bargain' properties -- The Golden Rule of buy low to sell high works in the current real estate market only if you have the money. Story |
| Will the federal mortgage plan help you? -- The Hope for Homeowners plan will entice hundreds of thousands of homeowners. But who will really be helped? Story |
-- More Real estate news
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| Retirement Channel |
| Saver wonders: pay tax now or later? -- Deciding whether to pay tax now or later is a vexing retirement question, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story |
| Converting IRA CD would be tax mistake -- Converting an IRA CD to a regular CD is likely to be a mistake, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story |
| Delay Social Security for bigger payoff -- Waiting until age 70 to collect Social Security can pay big dividends, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story |
-- More Retirement Channel news
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| Savings |
| The facts on the FDIC -- Recent news of bank failures has consumers wondering about the security of the FDIC's funding. Story |
| Saver wonders: pay tax now or later? -- Deciding whether to pay tax now or later is a vexing retirement question, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story |
| Converting IRA CD would be tax mistake -- Converting an IRA CD to a regular CD is likely to be a mistake, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story |
-- More Savings news
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| Small business |
| Business startup costs that shock new owners -- Small business owners share the nasty surprises they experienced, and experts explain how to minimize such costs. Story |
| 4 ways to make cash online -- If today's economy has left you in need of extra cash, use the Internet to bring home extra bacon. Story |
| 12 ways to make your house a cash cow -- Here are a dozen ways to turn your house into a money-making machine. Story |
-- More Small business news
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| Special reports |
| Understanding credit scores -- Understanding the factors that go into your credit score will help you manage it. Story |
| Small business tax breaks -- Being your own boss is great. And, in many cases, there even are tax advantages. Story |
| Sending out a tax SOS -- How to get tax help by phone, Internet or from a human being. Story |
-- More Special reports news
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| Taxes |
| 6 budget bombs -- Your best intentions for wise saving and spending are easily sabotaged by any of these budget blunders. Story |
| Using an IRA for home closing costs -- You can avoid the penalty and some of the taxes on an IRA withdrawal if it is used for a first-time home purchase, says CPA George Saenz. Story |
| Are betting spoils taxable? -- The type and amount of gambling winnings determine if they are reportable, says CPA George Saenz. Story |
-- More Taxes news
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