If you got a mortgage to pay for your house, you probably agreed to pay back hundreds of thousands of dollars. For this reason, lenders wont lend to just any borrower. You can expect a lender to closely review your financial health, including your credit score, before giving the stamp of approval. Heres what credit … Read more
Falling behind on debt payments can happen to anyone. Maybe you lost your job or faced unexpected medical bills. Whatever the reason, you suddenly find yourself unable to make minimum payments on a credit card, personal loan, or other debt. This brings up a big question: Should you pay the original creditor or the collection … Read more
“Expert verified” means that our Financial Review Board thoroughly evaluated the article for accuracy and clarity. The Review Board is made up of financial experts whose job it is to make sure that all of our content is fair and unbiased. Bankrate is always editorially independent. While we adhere to strict , this post may … Read more
Leasing a vehicle has many advantages to consider but is not right for all drivers. Some drivers are better off buying. Explore the process of leasing a vehicle, and learn about the pros and cons of leasing versus buying a new car, truck, van, or SUV. Leasing a car can seem attractive with lower monthly … Read more
A derogatory mark or remark on your credit reports is a negative item, such as a late payment or foreclosure. There is a bad mark on your credit report that can lower your credit scores and make it harder for you to get loans and credit cards. Bad marks can stay on your credit report … Read more
There are a few things you should know about getting out of debt, along with how to get real help. Debt is easy to get into—an unexpected medical bill, losing your job, or buying something on the spur of the moment can add up fast. But getting out of debt often feels impossible. Interest rates … Read more
A home equity line of credit (HELOC) could help you pay for home improvements or get a better rate on your debts. You may not know this, but you may be able to deduct the interest you pay on a HELOC from your federal income taxes. Heres what you need to know about the rules … Read more
People who have credit cards can get cash advances when they borrow money against their credit lines. It may not be the cheapest way to get a loan, but it is among the easiest. Because they tend to come with higher interest rates and fees, it’s important to understand how credit card cash advances work … Read more
When applying for a mortgage or insurance, you may be surprised by how much information and documentation underwriters request from you As an average person just trying to get approved, it can feel intrusive and excessive. However, there are good reasons underwriters need access to so much of your personal and financial information. An Overview … Read more
Earning a college degree may qualify you for more diverse and higher-paying jobs, but it could also land you in student debt. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 39% of first-time college students in 2021-2022 took on student loan debt to help pay for school. Note Reference [6] That’s quite the dip from … Read more