Brooklyn Lowery

1 day 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).

3 weeks 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.

3 weeks 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.

1 month 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.

1 month 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.