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1 month ago | 
experian.com | Emily Batdorf
Refinancing a personal loan may be a smart move if it saves you money or lowers your monthly payments. But there are drawbacks too. Refinancing can temporarily lower your credit score, and savings aren't guaranteed. Plus, the fees sometimes outweigh the benefits. Below, learn more about how to refinance a personal loan, when it makes sense and what you should consider before doing so. What Does It Mean to Refinance a Personal Loan?
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1 month ago | 
credible.com | Emily Batdorf
If you need cash now, you may be able to get $500 or more via a payday alternative loan (PAL), cash advance app, credit card cash advance, or even some personal loans. But certain options are better than others, and what's available to you depends heavily on your credit score and history. Types of $500 loansThe Federal Reserve estimates that 37% of Americans can't cover a $400 emergency expense with cash or its equivalent.
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1 month ago | 
finance.yahoo.com | Emily Batdorf
If your paycheck disappears nearly as quickly as it arrives, a budget may help. You can think of a budget as a plan for your money: It tells you where to put each hard-earned dollar when it comes to your bills, savings goals, and discretionary spending. To create a budget that works for you, consider your spending habits, savings goals, and financial obligations. Budgets aren’t one-size-fits-all, and the line items you include depend heavily on these factors.
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2 months ago | 
finance.yahoo.com | Emily Batdorf
Speculation of a potential recession has been circulating for some time, but conversations have reached a fever pitch in recent weeks. With a new administration in the White House, economists are scrambling to predict what markets will do in response to new policies — such as tariffs — and an uncertain financial environment. In late March and early April, global investment bank Goldman Sachs raised its estimate of the likelihood of a U.S. recession twice — from 20% to 35%, then up to 45%.
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Mar 17, 2025 | 
finance.yahoo.com | Emily Batdorf
If you have bills, debit card purchases, and recurring payments regularly coming out of your checking account, you may occasionally — though accidentally — incur overdrafts. Overdrafts happen when you make a purchase but don’t have enough money in your account to cover it. Not only is this inconvenient, but it's also expensive: The typical overdraft fee is $35, according to the FDIC.
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Mar 14, 2025 | 
finance.yahoo.com | Emily Batdorf
What would you do with an extra $10,000? That amount of money could help you pay off debt, grow your emergency fund, cover a home repair, take a luxe vacation, or make progress toward any major financial goal. Ten thousand dollars can go a long way, but saving that much requires serious focus. If saving $10,000 feels unattainable, you’re not alone: According to the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances, the median balance of American families’ transaction accounts was $8,000 in 2022.
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Mar 13, 2025 | 
finance.yahoo.com | Emily Batdorf
Some bank accounts, like savings accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs), are designed for long-term savings. Generally, when you put money into these accounts, you intend to leave it there for a period of time — a month, a year, or more. But where should you put money you plan to spend tomorrow? Checking accounts are typically the best bank accounts for everyday transactions. Most offer a debit card and ATM access, plus very few restrictions on the number of transactions you can make.
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Feb 28, 2025 | 
finance.yahoo.com | Emily Batdorf
A certificate of deposit (CD) generally earns more interest than a traditional savings account, but there’s a catch: You generally can’t touch your earnings without penalty during your CD’s term. Like some savings accounts, CDs often have minimum opening deposit requirements. That means to open an account, you need to fund it with a certain amount of cash up front. Often, this amount can be $1,000 or more.
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Feb 26, 2025 | 
finance.yahoo.com | Emily Batdorf
Credit unions have much to offer their members: They often have low fees, affordable loan interest rates, and highly personalized service. However, one potential drawback of credit unions is that they often have a small geographic footprint. After all, many credit unions serve specific communities or regions and have limited branch locations. Luckily, many credit unions participate in shared branch networks.
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Feb 25, 2025 | 
autos.yahoo.com | Emily Batdorf
Zelle is a peer-to-peer (P2P) payment app that lets you send and receive money from friends and family. It’s a convenient tool for splitting bills, paying a babysitter, or sending gifts — but there are transfer limits to be aware of. Understanding your bank’s Zelle transfer limits can help you plan for larger payments, ensuring you aren’t late on any important bills. Continue reading for Zelle transfer limits by bank, plus alternatives to turn to when you exceed those limits. How does Zelle work?
