Personal Finance

Dr Don

By Don Taylor, Ph.D., CFA, CFP • Bankrate.com

Parents can cash bonds in kids' names

Parents do not need a minor's consent to cash in savings bonds registered in the child's name.

Archive

2010 is great time to choose Roth IRA

Article: New tax rules will make 2010 an ideal time to convert a traditional IRA to a Roth.

Low ARM rate may turn ugly later

Article: An adjustable-rate mortgage may look great today, but it could become a trap if rates rise.

Fund's share price jolts investor

Article: An investor in a money market mutual fund wonders if the net asset value is incorrect.

Great credit scores pay off for couple

Article: Top credit scores mean a couple can close a HELOC without worrying about FICO damage.

Cashing in savings bonds to fund 529 plan

Article: You don’t need the tax benefits of a 529 plan if you qualify for the Education Savings Bond Program.

Uncle Sam wants slice of prize winnings

Article: A woman who won a trip to Bora Bora will have to share her bounty with the U.S. government.

'Anchoring' ties investors to mistakes

Article: Don't wait for declining retirement accounts to return to earlier highs before making changes.

CD ladder offers best of two worlds

Article: A CD ladder can resolve the dilemma of whether to lock in long on a rate or stay short.

When does your debt expire?

Article: The statute of limitations on debt varies and depends on the nature of the money owed.

Weigh taxes before prepaying mortgage

Article: Knowing the after-tax return on your investments helps determine whether it makes sense to prepay the mortgage.

Home equity can be used to buy car

Article: Home equity products can be used to fund a car purchase. But there are risks for the homeowner.

Inflation index reading angers saver

Article: A saver's frustration with the statisticians who compile the inflation index is misplaced.

Co-signer's daughter can't get home tax credit

Article: A woman who receives a home from her father is ineligible for the homebuyer tax break.

Extra payments cut mortgage by 12 years

Article: Diverting a little extra cash into your mortgage can save you tens of thousands of dollars.

IRA withdrawal endangers retirement

Article: Taking an early distribution from a tax-deferred account can endanger long-term financial goals.

Mortgage flexibility is not cheap

Article: A first-time homebuyer is wise to buy some financial wiggle room, even if it costs $10,000.

Roth IRA strategy stalls

Article: A talk with a financial adviser may help a woman design a better retirement asset allocation plan.

Bank account woes won't hurt credit

Article: Closing a bank account should have no impact on a credit score, since credit was not extended.

3 plans for $40,000 inheritance

Article: A couple with $40,000 left from an inheritance should choose one of three ways to spend it.

Compare Rates

About our rates

About this index

Overnight Averages

Product	Rate	+/-	Last week
30 yr fixed	5.22%		5.18%
15 yr fixed	4.71%		4.61%
5/1 ARM	4.28%		4.23%

View rates in your area:

Product	Rate	+/-	Last week
30K HELOC	5.31%		5.33%
30K Home Equity Loan	8.35%		8.39%
50K HELOC	5.06%		5.07%

View rates in your area:

Product	Rate	+/-	Last week
48 Mo Used Car	7.49%		7.51%
48 Mo New Car	7.05%		7.12%
36 Mo Used Car	7.39%		7.44%

View rates in your area:

Product	Yield	+/-	Last week
6 Mo CD	1.30%		1.31%
1 Yr CD	1.72%		1.76%
5 Yr CD	2.95%		3.00%

Compare rates:

Product	Rate
Low Interest Cards	9.74%
Balance Transfer Cards	14.51%
All Variable	11.68%

Compare rates:

ByHolden Lewis

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Tax credit details

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