Personal Finance
Use Bankrate's advice and tools to help make all of your personal finance decisions.
Latest Articles
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New access to 401(k) accounts joins list of consumer finance ideas Trump has pitched. Here’s the status of his proposals
What President Donald Trump’s latest consumer finance proposals could mean for your money and long-term affordability.
11 min read Feb 25, 2026 -
DIY vs. professional debt relief: Which should you choose?
When you’re ready to get out of debt, you can either go it alone or work with a professional debt relief company. The decision is personal and strategic — and it depends on the kind of debt you owe. [...]
4 min read Feb 20, 2026 -
8 signs of a debt relief scam — and where to go instead
Debt relief scams offer to help relieve you of debt, but do not deliver on what they promise. They commonly target those with high debt amounts or poor credit scores. Legitimate debt relief companies are [...]
4 min read Feb 20, 2026 -
Affordability is a big problem. Lower rates won’t solve it
There is a lot in the news right now about high interest rates and unaffordability. But the rates aren’t the main problem. Here’s what is.
5 min read Feb 13, 2026 -
Unemployed and uninsured: The gamble of going without health insurance to save money
Sixty percent of Americans under age 65 — that’s about 164.7 million people — receive their health insurance through their employer, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation analysis. That means losing [...]
10 min read Jan 29, 2026 -
Why debt relief typically doesn’t handle secured debt
Debt relief companies work on your behalf to negotiate your debts, usually through a settlement for less than you owe. While this can be a useful tool for some types of debt, not all debt can be handled [...]
3 min read Jan 22, 2026 -
What happened after one man’s home burned down: Insurance, loss and the emotional road to recovery
A survivor’s story of navigating home insurance and the emotional toll of starting over after a house fire.
6 min read Jan 22, 2026 -
12 million Americans live in banking deserts. How hidden costs hold them back
Without nearby banks, consumers pay more to cash checks, borrow money and save.
14 min read Jan 20, 2026 -
Complaints of housing discrimination are rising. But no one’s there to listen
Amanda Gomez submitted hundreds of rental applications for an apartment in Harlem, New York, last year. Most were met with silence. Fifteen, however, were outright rejected. When she subsequently noticed [...]
9 min read Jan 14, 2026 -
A guide to airline companion passes
Airline companion passes vary, but they can all save you money.
9 min read Jan 14, 2026