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3 days ago | 
money.usnews.com | Jessica Merritt |Colin Hogan |Emily Hayes
Getty ImagesEven if you have bad credit, you're not out of options. Key Takeaways Getting a mortgage with a bad credit history is possible, but you'll likely face higher rates and fewer options. Government-backed mortgages, including FHA, VA and USDA loans, offer flexibility for low credit scores. Improving your credit even slightly might save you thousands over the life of your mortgage. Ready to buy a home, but not sure your credit can get you in the door?
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1 week ago | 
usnews.com | Jessica Merritt |Colin Hogan |Mark Evitt
Key Takeaways Banks may waive common fees such as overdraft or maintenance fees upon request. You're more likely to get a fee waived if you have a long-standing relationship, higher balances or multiple accounts. Asking politely and providing context can help you get fees reversed. Banks charge fees for a variety of activities and services, but sometimes they are negotiable.
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1 week ago | 
money.usnews.com | Matthew Reitz |Colin Hogan |Whitney Blair Wyckoff
Getty ImagesAssess the total costs of the loan and compare options before choosing a lender. Key Takeaways Better's new "Better Forever" program lets repeat customers avoid origination fees on refinance loans. Incentives like this can save loyal borrowers money on fees, but other loan costs could offset those savings. Shopping around and crunching the numbers on all aspects of your loan will help ensure you're getting the best deal.
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2 weeks ago | 
usnews.com | Jessica Merritt |Colin Hogan |Mark Evitt
Key Takeaways You can have flexibility and still earn significant interest with a hybrid bank account. Hybrid options include money market accounts and high-yield checking accounts. Earning the highest APYs might come with requirements such as a minimum balance or setting up direct deposit. Hybrid bank accounts are flexible, offering the convenience of a checking account and the earning power of a savings account. You can use a hybrid account to help your money grow without locking it away.
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2 weeks ago | 
usnews.com | Jessica Merritt |Colin Hogan |Mark Evitt
Key Takeaways Banks close customer accounts for various reasons, including negative balances and policy violations. Funds may be withheld temporarily if a court order or investigation is involved. Contact the bank right away after an account closure to settle your balance. A surprise bank account closure can be a major financial disruption. Whether your account was closed due to unpaid fees, suspected fraud or account inactivity, you can take action to keep your finances on track.
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2 months ago | 
money.usnews.com | Jessica Merritt |Emily Hayes |Colin Hogan
Key Takeaways Buy now, pay later protections enacted by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau are at risk as the agency loses its regulatory power. BNPL lenders may revert to practices like predatory fees and aggressive lending, which can exacerbate consumer debt. Borrowers should be cautious and carefully read terms, watch for hidden fees and consider alternative financing options.
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Feb 12, 2025 | 
money.usnews.com | Dawn Papandrea |Emily Hayes |Colin Hogan
Key Takeaways When determining your homebuying budget, be sure to factor in property taxes and home insurance costs. Taxes and insurance costs can increase over time, and cause your monthly payment to rise. Where you buy a home, its condition and your credit status can play a role in how much you'll pay in property taxes and home insurance. Most aspiring homeowners know the importance of figuring out how much home they can afford before they start looking at properties.
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Jan 28, 2025 | 
usnews.com | John Egan |Mark Evitt |Colin Hogan
Key Takeaways Many personal finance apps offer automated saving features. Setting up automated savings can help you increase your nest egg with little to no effort. Some apps even factor in your savings goals and provide tools to help keep you on track. These days, apps can help you with all sorts of financial matters. But some personal finance apps stand out thanks to their ease of use – simplifying and automating tasks that we often overlook or forget.
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Jan 21, 2025 | 
usnews.com | Jessica Merritt |Mark Evitt |Colin Hogan
Key Takeaways As rates change, consider updating your savings strategy to things like laddered CDs and high-yield savings accounts for steady growth. Shop for competitive savings rates at online banks and at credit unions. Diversifying your savings can help you outpace inflation. Savings yields have nudged lower with the Federal Reserve's recent interest rate cuts, and there could be further reductions in 2025.
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Jan 21, 2025 | 
money.usnews.com | Dawn Papandrea |Emily Hayes |Colin Hogan
Key Takeaways A debt consolidation loan can help streamline your higher-interest debt bills into one payment, ideally at a lower interest rate. Taking the time to research lenders and get quotes can help you get the best loan for your needs. Once you're ready to apply, gather your documents in advance for a smooth and easy process. If you've gotten in over your head with high-interest credit card debt, one strategy that could help you recover is taking out a debt consolidation loan.
