Bella Mertz Even though you already know not to use your retirement funds for irrational purchases, there are a few circumstances where borrowing money might be acceptable. A significant portion of personal wealth comes from retirement accounts: As of the end of the first quarter of 2018, the average 401(k) plan account balance at Fidelity Investments was … Read more
Deciding whether to pay a lump sum off your mortgage or to add extra money to your monthly payments is an important decision that requires careful consideration. There are advantages and disadvantages to both approaches, so it is important to weigh your options and determine the best approach for your particular situation. Paying a lump … Read more
The majority of the items featured here are provided by our partners, who pay us. This could affect the products we write about as well as where and how they appear on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our affiliates, and this … Read more
We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our mission is to empower you to make more informed financial decisions by giving you access to interactive tools and financial calculators, publishing original and unbiased content, allowing you to conduct free research and information comparisons, and publishing original and objective content. Partnerships between Bankrate and issuers like … Read more
Note from the Editor: This article’s content is solely based on the author’s opinions and suggestions. It might not have received approval from any of our network partners through reviews, commissions, or other means. The Federal Housing Administration, a division of the United States S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Due to lower … Read more
For a number of reasons, personal loans can be an important component of your financial planning. Maybe you’re trying to consolidate your debt or pay off some credit cards. If you can get approved, a personal loan may be a good way to help you achieve your goals. Personal loans are based more on your … Read more
The majority of the items featured here are provided by our partners, who pay us. This could affect the products we write about as well as where and how they appear on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our affiliates, and this … Read more
Driving down a deserted highway with the top down and the wind in your hair as you proceed to your next adventure is the epitome of what it means to be free. But far too frequently, it becomes the exact opposite: a trap. There are numerous justifications for joint car loans. They might be married, … Read more
Costs for private mortgage insurance (PMI) are determined by a number of different variables. Consider your loan balance, repayment schedule, home value, credit rating, and mortgage insurance policy. If you put down less than 20%, your final payment will be between 0 and 20%. 19% and 1. 86% of your loan amount in PMI each … Read more
You can rely on the objectivity of our impartial, well-balanced financial advice. However, the manufacturers of some of the products mentioned in this article may pay us. Opinions are the authors alone. Except where otherwise noted below, no advertiser has reviewed, approved, or endorsed this content. You may be familiar with the home equity line … Read more