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3 weeks ago | 
bankrate.com | Ted Rossman |Brooklyn Lowery
The “vibecession” remains in effect, according to recent data, just as it has over the past few years. This term refers to the gap between consumer sentiment (sometimes referred to as “soft data”), which has been quite negative, and “hard data” (for instance, consumer spending, employment reports and economic growth), which has been more favorable. Bankrate’s recent Discretionary Spending Survey captured numbers that fit right into the trend.
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4 weeks ago | 
bankrate.com | Katie Kelton |Brooklyn Lowery
If your travel taste leans toward “all-inclusive island resort” but your budget demands “overcrowded seaside motel,” there might be a middle ground. Destination dupes are affordable alternatives to those Instagrammable, yet often overpriced, locales. Many welcoming vacation spots fly under the radar, overshadowed by flashy images from the same scenic overlook that has tourists lining up for a photo. But what if you didn’t have to knock elbows for a view?
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1 month ago | 
bankrate.com | Ted Rossman |Brooklyn Lowery
Airlines are notorious for nickel-and-diming their passengers. It wasn’t too long ago that you could check bags for free. But in 2008, American Airlines became the first major U.S. carrier to implement checked bag fees. Others quickly followed, and the fees haven’t stopped there. Many airlines now impose fees for carry-on luggage, seat selection and more. It’s not uncommon to be charged for sodas on some flights, as my family was on a recent Frontier Airlines flight.
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1 month ago | 
bankrate.com | Ted Rossman |Brooklyn Lowery
You’ve likely heard that the only certainties in life are death and taxes. Or that April showers bring May flowers. Here’s another truism to add to that list: Credit card balances don’t rise in the first quarter of the year. That was once again true in 2025, as balances fell to $1.18 trillion in Q1, down $29 billion (2.4 percent) from Q4 2024, according to the New York Fed. Over the past 22 years, credit card balances fell from Q4 to Q1 on 21 occasions, and they were flat once (in 2023).
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2 months ago | 
bankrate.com | Ted Rossman |Brooklyn Lowery
Almost two-thirds of Americans with credit card debt (64 percent) have delayed or avoided other financial decisions because of that debt, according to Bankrate’s 2025 Dealing With Debt Survey. Emergency savings (34 percent), health and wellness (26 percent) and investing (23 percent) were the most-cited categories that credit card debtors put off or avoided entirely. In many respects, credit card debt and emergency savings represent two sides of the same coin.
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2 months ago | 
bankrate.com | Katie Kelton |Brooklyn Lowery
Thrifting is a way to save money while spending on discretionary items like clothes and furniture. In light of recession worries, more Americans are opting for secondhand shopping and cheaper brands. Certain credit cards offer cash back or travel rewards when you shop at thrift stores, online resellers and more. Many of us enjoy the feeling of retail therapy. Whether it’s designer bags or backpacking gear, we love buying that shiny object in the store or receiving it on our front porch.
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2 months ago | 
bankrate.com | Ted Rossman |Brooklyn Lowery
The job market has historically been one of the biggest predictors of consumer spending and debt patterns. While the unemployment rate has risen from 3.4 percent last April to 4.2 percent at present, that’s still low, historically speaking. The 3.4 percent reading last spring was the lowest level since 1969. Even today’s 4.2 percent unemployment rate is considered roughly in line with full employment. Of course, there have been some disconcerting headlines connected to the labor market.
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2 months ago | 
bankrate.com | Seychelle Thomas |Poonkulali Thangavelu |Brooklyn Lowery
Digital wallets offer a higher level of security than physical cards with tokenized card numbers and authentication measures to protect your data in the event of a merchant security breach. Fraudsters often use social engeneering tactics to target your digital wallet and trick you into revealing account details. Digital wallet fraud is on the rise, with U.S. consumer losses exceeding $347 million in 2024, primarily through scams using compromised credentials.
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2 months 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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Mar 24, 2025 | 
bankrate.com | Katie Kelton |Brooklyn Lowery
Rewards are one of the biggest perks of credit cards. They can fly you to a new destination, secure you a rental car or pay for your next grocery run. That could be why so many people continue chasing rewards even with debt hanging over their heads. A new Bankrate survey shows that, among credit cardholders carrying a balance month to month, 72 percent are still making an effort to earn credit card rewards.
