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1 day ago | 
bankrate.com | Mandy Sleight |Aylea Wilkins
The right business structure can protect your personal assets and impact how much you pay in taxes. Sole proprietorships and partnerships are simple and low-cost, while LLCs and corporations offer liability protection and potential tax benefits. Your choice affects your legal responsibilities, startup costs and how profits are distributed. Choosing the right ownership structure is one of the most important financial decisions you’ll make when starting a small business.
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1 month ago | 
bankrate.com | Thomas Brock |Aylea Wilkins |Marlese Lessing
Small loans are increasingly popular with small businesses, according to data from the Federal Reserve’s latest Small Business Credit survey. While the average SBA loan size in 2024 was $443,097, more businesses are seeking financing in the total of $100K, $50K and even $25K as they seek to sustainably scale, manage rising operating costs and manage increased borrowing costs.
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Mar 4, 2025 | 
bankrate.com | Mia Taylor |Aylea Wilkins
In the news As of late February, 2025, applications for all income-driven repayment (IDR) plans are unavailable on the Federal Student Aid website. This relates to a recent federal court ruling in ongoing litigation over the SAVE plan. Watch this FSA page for further updates. Income-driven repayment plans are an option for federal student loans that use your income and family size to determine your monthly payment.
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Feb 20, 2025 | 
bankrate.com | Lezanne Winshaw Winshaw |Aylea Wilkins
Whether your kitten has swallowed a piece of yarn or cracked a femur from jumping from a great height, the vet costs will be significant. Pet insurance may soften the blow and help you give your new fur kid optimal vet care when disaster strikes. Is it worth investing in pet insurance for a kitten while they are young and healthy? Whether you’re a first-time cat parent or adding another feline to your family, understanding pet insurance can help you make an informed decision.
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Feb 19, 2025 | 
bankrate.com | Michelle Clardie |Michelle specializes |Aylea Wilkins |Thomas Brock
Governments often borrow money to cover deficits when taxes and other revenues don’t cover expenses. The national debt is the total amount of money a country’s government owes to its creditors. A higher national debt can affect personal debt through increased interest rates, reduced benefit programs and potential tax increases. Regardless of the national debt, prudent personal debt management can help to protect you and your family financially.
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Feb 10, 2025 | 
bankrate.com | Lezanne Winshaw Winshaw |Aylea Wilkins
Owning a cat can be a joy, but caring for one comes with financial responsibilities many pet parents’ underestimate. From unexpected accidents to managing chronic illnesses, the cost of veterinary care can quickly add up. Cat insurance provides a safety net to help cover these expenses, ensuring your feline friend receives the care it deserves without breaking the bank.
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Feb 5, 2025 | 
bankrate.com | Lezanne Winshaw Winshaw |Aylea Wilkins
Whether you have a household with just one four-legged friend or a whole horde of pets, your pets likely mean the world to you. With the rising cost of pet healthcare, many dog parents are investigating the value of pet insurance. Is it worth the cost of pet insurance for your dog? These are the most common reasons pet insurance is important. How does dog insurance work? Pet insurance for dogs is like human health insurance in that it helps to cover the costs of vet visits, treatments and medication.
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Jan 29, 2025 | 
bankrate.com | Aylea Wilkins
Using a personal loan to pay off credit card debt could be a smart move if you can secure a lower rate or are juggling multiple credit card payments Paying off credit card debt with a personal loan may not be right for you if you’re overwhelmed by debt Before you use a personal loan to pay off debt, review your spending habits In a perfect world, no one would need to take out a loan to consolidate and pay off debt.
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Jan 21, 2025 | 
bankrate.com | Lezanne Winshaw Winshaw |Aylea Wilkins
As pet ownership continues to rise, some people are turning to pet insurance to manage unexpected veterinary expenses. But with so many options and potential pitfalls, navigating the world of pet insurance can be overwhelming. Is it worth the cost? What should you look for in a policy? This can make it harder when there’s the possibility of scams. Overall, pet insurance is a legitimate financial product that can help you manage the costs of care for your furry family members.
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Nov 27, 2024 | 
bankrate.com | Jenna-lea Kelland |Bev O'Shea |Aylea Wilkins
A pay-for-delete agreement is a credit repair tactic that could help erase collection accounts from your credit report. It involves offering to settle your debt in exchange for the collection agency deleting the account from your credit report. Credit bureaus discourage the practice, and there are other ways to clean up your report. Debts in collections typically stay on your credit report for seven years and can harm your score for as long as they appear.
