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3 weeks ago | 
bankrate.com | Katie Kelton |Aja McClanahan |Brooklyn Lowery
With so many rewards cards strategies to consider — like bonus categories, travel points and miles valuations and more — some cardholders opt to go the simpler route. A flat-rate cash back card lets you earn a consistent, unlimited rewards rate for every purchase you make. Redemption options are simple, too, usually in the form of a statement credit, direct deposit or gift card. Other cardholders pair a flat-rate cash back card with another bonus category rewards card.
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1 month ago | 
bankrate.com | Aja McClanahan |Greg Johnson
Bank of America offers secured versions of many of its popular rewards credit cards. If you prefer earning bonus rewards in select categories, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card offers cash back in a number of choice bonus categories (terms apply). If you prefer simplicity, the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card offers flat cash back on every purchase.
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1 month ago | 
money.usnews.com | Aja McClanahan |Liisa Rajala |Barri Segal
Key Takeaways Tax avoidance is the legal use of tax laws to minimize tax liability and maximize savings. Tax fraud involves illegal activities, such as falsifying income or deductions, to evade paying taxes. Tax avoidance strategies are permissible under the law and often involve proper planning and deductions. Tax fraud can lead to severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
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1 month ago | 
bankrate.com | Aja McClanahan |Greg Johnson
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card offers solid benefits for travelers who enjoy flying with Southwest Airlines. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a good all-around travel card that offers flexible benefits and solid earning potential — particularly on travel purchases through Capital One Travel. To choose the right card for you, understand your spending habits and how each card can best meet your goals.
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2 months ago | 
bankrate.com | Aja McClanahan |Liza Carrasquillo
The Chase Freedom® Student credit card is no longer accepting new applications, though existing cardholders can still use the card. Those interested in the Chase Freedom® Student should consider the Chase Freedom Rise℠*, which is geared toward those building credit.
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2 months ago | 
bankrate.com | Garrett Yarbrough |Aja McClanahan |India Davis |Nouri Zarrugh
Credit cards aren’t generally seen as the best option for borrowing money due to their high interest rates if you don’t pay your balance in full and on time. But a credit card can give you a lucrative edge over a personal loan if you need to finance a large purchase around the corner and don’t need long to pay it off. The key is to use the right card for both the upcoming purchase and for your long-term needs.
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2 months ago | 
bankrate.com | Aja McClanahan |Katie Kelton |Brooklyn Lowery
The Southwest Companion Pass is coveted for a reason — it lets you bring a companion for free on any flight. You usually have to earn 135,000 Rapid Rewards points or fly 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year to get it. But from Feb. 4 through March 31, 2025, new cardholders can score the Companion Pass — plus 30,000 Rapid Rewards bonus points — by spending $4,000 within the first three months from account opening.
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2 months ago | 
aol.com | Aja McClanahan
If you’re looking for a safe, tax-advantaged investment, you may have come across municipal bonds (muni bonds). But what are municipal bonds, and how do they work? Municipal bonds are debt securities issued by state and local governments to fund public projects like schools, highways, and utilities. Investors buy these bonds in exchange for regular interest payments and the return of their principal at maturity. The biggest advantage?
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2 months ago | 
aol.com | Aja McClanahan
If you’re looking for an investment that offers predictable long-term returns, you may have come across zero-coupon bonds. But what is a zero coupon bond, and how does it work? Unlike traditional bonds that pay interest periodically, zero-coupon bonds are sold at a deep discount and pay their full face value at maturity. These bonds are a popular choice for long-term investors seeking steady, low-risk growth without worrying about reinvesting interest payments.
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2 months ago | 
aol.com | Aja McClanahan
If you’ve ever come across a Patriot Bond or inherited one, you might be wondering: What are Patriot Bonds, and are they still valuable today? These government-backed savings bonds were issued in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks as a way for Americans to support national recovery efforts while earning interest on their savings.
