News Archive
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| 2006 Taxes |
| Some hybrids qualify for tax breaks -- Nissan and Mazda have finally joined Honda on the hybrid tax credit track. Story |
| Estimated tax deadline looms -- Some folks face summer tax chores as their third 1040ES payment is due September 15. Story |
| Don't dump that old car, donate it -- Even with tighter donation rules, that jalopy may be a valuable tax deduction, and charities like your old vehicle. Story |
-- More 2006 Taxes news
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| 2007 Financial Literacy |
| Building blocks of a successful investment strategy -- Successful investing starts with knowledge. Here are the basics to get your portfolio on the right path. Story |
| Do taxes yourself or hire a pro? -- Most Americans dread doing their annual tax-filing chores. But all have to determine whether to do it themselves or hire an expert. Story |
| Ways to pay off a big tax bill -- The IRS does offer several payment options. But do file your taxes or you'll owe huge penalties. Story |
-- More 2007 Financial Literacy news
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| 2008 Financial Literacy |
| Dave Ramsey on debt in retirement -- Debt affects your ability to accumulate wealth in your earning years; in your retirement years, it's disastrous. Story |
| Poll: Will retirement be relaxing, distressing? -- Whether you are well-prepared or in denial, see how your retirement hopes and fears compare with those of others. Story |
| Retirement planning for the surviving spouse -- No one wants to think about death, but the alternative is to leave your loved one in a lurch. Story |
-- More 2008 Financial Literacy news
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| Advice |
| Finding the grill of your dreams -- You can spend a lot or a little, depending on how many options you want. Story |
| Upside down on home? Take a deep breath -- Don't let the fear of being upside down on a loan force you into foolish decisions, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story |
| Don't bother improving great credit -- There's no need to improve a credit score that hovers around 800, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story |
-- More Advice news
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| Auto loans |
| 5 ways to improve your credit -- A step-by-step guide for boosting your credit rating. Story |
| A 7-step plan for fixing your credit report -- Here's how to identify the mistakes and clear them up before they cause you problems. 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 Auto loans news
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| Banking and the economy |
| 6 straight months of job losses -- The economy remains 0-for-2008 in the job growth department, with the economy posting job losses every month thus far. 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 |
| 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 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 |
| 6 ways to buy checking 'float' time -- Today, it's harder to buy time to pay your bills. Here are six ways to create some breathing room. Story |
| Banks score with 'high touch' service -- At many banks, "high touch" service that pampers customers drives growth and profits. Story |
| Follow bank's rules to avoid overdrafts -- If a deposit is pending, the funds are not available for use, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story |
-- More Checking and ATMs news
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| College financing |
| Top ways to trim college costs -- There are several things children can do to help their parents trim college costs, says the College Money Guru. Story |
| Don't dismiss need for education fund -- Don't let fear of the unknown sidetrack a college savings plan, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story |
| This year, no rush to combine college loans -- Forget the usual scramble to consolidate student loans by July 1. This year, rates are expected to drop. Story |
-- More College financing news
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| Credit cards |
| 5 ways to improve your credit -- A step-by-step guide for boosting your credit rating. Story |
| 7 ways to spot unrewarding rewards cards -- Rewards credit cards offer benefits to users, but watch for the "gotchas" in the terms when comparing cards. Story |
| Ask and you shall receive ... a rate reduction -- Want to lower the interest rate on your credit card? Just ask. It's that easy. Story |
-- More Credit cards news
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| Credit management |
| Keeping credit score high takes effort -- You can bring your credit score down in many ways. Here are tips to avoid the pitfalls. Story |
| With old debt, know your limits -- A look at the statutes of limitation on collecting debts in all 50 states. Story |
| Settle your debts yourself -- You can pay someone to negotiate debt settlements for you, but you can do it yourself for nothing. Story |
-- More Credit management news
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| Credit repair |
| Insurance credit scoring here to stay -- Your credit rating affects insurance coverage and how much you pay for it, says the Debt Adviser. Story |
| With old debt, know your limits -- A look at the statutes of limitation on collecting debts in all 50 states. Story |
| Dirty dozen: bankruptcy myths debunked -- You might think you have all the information on how bankruptcy works, but you probably don't. Story |
-- More Credit repair news
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| Credit reports and credit scores |
| A 7-step plan for fixing your credit report -- Here's how to identify the mistakes and clear them up before they cause you problems. Story |
| Don't bother improving great credit -- There's no need to improve a credit score that hovers around 800, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story |
| Insurance credit scoring here to stay -- Your credit rating affects insurance coverage and how much you pay for it, says the Debt Adviser. Story |
-- More Credit reports and credit scores news
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| Credit unions |
| Insured credit union accounts are safe -- Your money is safe in credit union accounts backed by the NCUSIF, says Dr. Don Taylor. 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 |
| Putting all your CD eggs in one basket -- It's not a good idea to have all your savings in one place, says Dr. Don. Story |
-- More Credit unions news
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| Debt consolidation |
| 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 |
| Cash-out refinancing vs. home equity loans -- Is your home a piggy bank? Be sure not to break the bank as we explain cash-out refinances and other options. Story |
| Credit card vulture swoops in after disaster -- Experts say "work with your lender" if you know you'll miss a payment due to a disaster. Unfortunately, some lenders don't care, says the Debt Adviser. Story |
-- More Debt consolidation news
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| Exclusive: 2008 CD study |
| 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 |
| 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 |
-- More Exclusive: 2008 CD study news
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| Exclusive: 2008 Credit Card Study |
| Insurance credit scoring here to stay -- Your credit rating affects insurance coverage and how much you pay for it, says the Debt Adviser. Story |
| Ignored debt damages many parts of life -- Debts and fish have something in common -- ignore them, and they begin to stink, says the Debt Adviser. Story |
| Is your credit file too thin? -- You can never be too rich, but your credit file can be too thin, 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: Al Roker -- Jovial "Today" weatherman shows a serious business side with his production company. Story |
| Fame & Fortune: Regis Philbin -- For pure television longevity, no one beats Regis, who is busy reviving a game show classic. Story |
| Fame & Fortune: Regis Philbin -- For pure television longevity, no one beats Regis, who is set to revive a classic game show. Story |
-- More Fame & Fortune news
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| Frugal U |
| Finding the grill of your dreams -- You can spend a lot or a little, depending on how many options you want. Story |
| Ask and you shall receive ... a rate reduction -- Want to lower the interest rate on your credit card? Just ask. It's that easy. Story |
| Try these transportation options to save gas -- Bankrate readers show how they are finding alternate transportation options to reduce their need for gas. Story |
-- More Frugal U news
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| Home equity |
| 5 ways to improve your credit -- A step-by-step guide for boosting your credit rating. 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 |
| 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 |
| 6 home renovations with major payoffs -- Take advantage of slow construction times to improve your home. Story |
| Energy efficiency tax breaks still possible -- Some energy-efficient home improvements could make you eligible for a 10 percent tax credit on your 2007 return. Story |
-- More Home improvement news
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| Insurance |
| Penalty fee makes bad investment worse -- A 9 percent surrender charge makes fleeing a bad investment tough, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story |
| Retirees face reduced health care benefits -- Retirees cannot count on promises made by employers, in part because the government is letting employers off the hook. The Supreme Court let stand the EEOC's recent ruling, supporting the trend. Story |
| Hard work will locate lost insurance policy -- A little detective work should reveal the whereabouts of a missing insurance policy, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story |
-- More Insurance news
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| Investing |
| Dave Ramsey on debt in retirement -- Debt affects your ability to accumulate wealth in your earning years; in your retirement years, it's disastrous. Story |
| Poll: Will retirement be relaxing, distressing? -- Whether you are well-prepared or in denial, see how your retirement hopes and fears compare with those of others. Story |
| Hard-times investing quiz -- Test your knowledge about investing when the economy isn't doing well. Story |
-- More Investing news
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| Money markets |
| Money market no substitute for checking -- The limitations of a money market account make it a poor substitute for a checking account, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story |
| Money market funds weathering the storm -- Despite some troubled investments, money market funds are still considered a safe haven and attract investors' money. Story |
| CD can boost returns of emergency fund -- Parking your emergency fund in a CD may pay off, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story |
-- More Money markets news
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| Mortgage Matters Blog |
| When will liar's loans return? -- Stated-income deals for people with good credit scores are still being done, but Stated-income deals at 95 percent loan to value might never come back. Story |
| Survey day & reader feedback -- Bankrate's weekly mortgage survey comes out today. Story |
| Wachovia: Bye payment-option -- Wachovia won't charge prepayment penalties to customers who want to refinance out of payment-option mortgages. Story |
-- More Mortgage Matters Blog news
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| Mortgages |
| Upside down on home? Take a deep breath -- Don't let the fear of being upside down on a loan force you into foolish decisions, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story |
| 5 ways to improve your credit -- A step-by-step guide for boosting your credit rating. Story |
| A 7-step plan for fixing your credit report -- Here's how to identify the mistakes and clear them up before they cause you problems. Story |
-- More Mortgages news
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| Online banking |
| Banks score with 'high touch' service -- At many banks, "high touch" service that pampers customers drives growth and profits. Story |
| Keep intention clear when voiding check -- Voiding a check is a simple matter if you follow these directions, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story |
| Explore options when saving abroad -- Americans have options for tapping the higher yields of foreign savings accounts, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story |
-- More Online banking news
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| Personal finance |
| Dave Ramsey on debt in retirement -- Debt affects your ability to accumulate wealth in your earning years; in your retirement years, it's disastrous. Story |
| Poll: Will retirement be relaxing, distressing? -- Whether you are well-prepared or in denial, see how your retirement hopes and fears compare with those of others. Story |
| 5 ways to improve your credit -- A step-by-step guide for boosting your credit rating. Story |
-- More Personal finance news
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| Plastic Rap Blog |
| Gas stations drop credit cards -- Some gas stations are not accepting credit cards because of the high fees they have to pay. Story |
| Card debt per borrower dips -- The average credit card debt is now $1,673 per borrower; it was $1,694 in the fourth quarter of 2007. Story |
| Pay less for gas with cash? -- Some gas stations are charging less for a gallon of gas if you pay with cash rather than a credit card. 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 |
| CD Rate Trend Index -- Bankrate's expert panel predicts where rates are headed on certificates of deposit. 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 Rate Trend Index news
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| Real estate |
| 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 |
| Breaking a lease-option contract -- Owners of leased home want to sell, but the devil is in the details of the contract, says the Real Estate Adviser. Story |
| 10 ways to avoid moving scams -- Everyone has tales of moving scams. Here are 10 ways to avoid being taken for a ride. Story |
-- More Real estate news
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| Retirement Channel |
| Don't raid 401(k) to pay plastic debt -- It's unwise to raid a retirement plan to pay off credit card debt, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story |
| Is retiring early unpatriotic? -- A pundit says retiring at 65 is selfish and unpatriotic. However, seniors who want to work face myriad challenges. Story |
| Penalty fee makes bad investment worse -- A 9 percent surrender charge makes fleeing a bad investment tough, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story |
-- More Retirement Channel news
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| Savings |
| 6 ways to buy checking 'float' time -- Today, it's harder to buy time to pay your bills. Here are six ways to create some breathing room. 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 |
| Try these transportation options to save gas -- Bankrate readers show how they are finding alternate transportation options to reduce their need for gas. Story |
-- More Savings news
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| Small business |
| 12 ways to make your house a cash cow -- Here are a dozen ways to turn your house into a money-making machine. Story |
| 7 tips for retirement entrepreneurs -- Starting a small business can add green to your golden years, but also presents special challenges. Story |
| Tax record-keeping tips -- Don't drown under tons of old tax forms. Here are the records to keep and the best ways to save them. Story |
-- More Small business news
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| Special reports |
| 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 |
| Stupid human tax tricks -- Filing errors that seem minor can cost you major dollars. Story |
-- More Special reports news
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| Taxes |
| Short-sale mortgage forgiveness -- When homeowners are forced into a short sale, they won't owe tax on the forgiven debt, says CPA George Saenz. Story |
| Taxes on cash settlements -- Cash settlement from a broken 99-year lease can offset the cost of a vacation home, says CPA George Saenz. Story |
| Is disability income taxable? -- If your employer pays the premiums, your short-term disability is taxable income, says CPA George Saenz. Story |
-- More Taxes news
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