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Oct 14, 2024 | 
time.com | Sarah Hostetler |Kevin Payne |Katelyn Peters |Julia Kagan
If you own a small business, there’s a good chance you either have an EIN—or are planning to apply for one in the future. An EIN, or Employer Identification Number, is a nine-digit number issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). It identifies your business entity. Regardless of the type of business, you can apply for an EIN for free through the IRS. Credit card companies typically allow you to include your EIN when applying for a business credit card.
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Sep 30, 2024 | 
time.com | Matthew Collister |Jamie Cattanach |Pete Rathburn |Julia Kagan
An RV, short for recreational vehicle, can be one of the most convenient and comfortable ways to travel, particularly for those who agree that the journey is as important as the destination. Although it’s not as fast as flying, RVs give drivers the opportunity to slow down, enjoy the scenery, and, perhaps most important, bring everything they’d like along for the journey—literally including the kitchen sink.
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Sep 26, 2024 | 
time.com | Rebecca Lake |Sarah Hostetler |Wendy Connett |Julia Kagan
Debt relief is a broad term that describes various methods for helping people get out of debt. You might seek relief from debt if you're overwhelmed by credit card balances, loans, or medical bills. When comparing debt relief companies, it's important to consider the type of help they provide and the fees they charge. How debt relief worksDebt relief programs work by helping people choose the best solution for dealing with debt.
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Sep 26, 2024 | 
time.com | Rebecca Lake |Sarah Hostetler |Wendy Connett |Julia Kagan
Debt consolidation is a strategy that involves combining multiple debts into one, typically through a loan or credit card balance transfer. Consolidating debts can help you simplify your monthly payments and potentially pay less interest. Consolidation could make sense if you'd like to streamline your debt payoff. Understanding how it works, as well as the pros and cons, can make it easier to decide if debt consolidation is right for you. How does debt consolidation work?
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Sep 26, 2024 | 
time.com | Jean Folger |Sean Bryant |Mary Hall |Julia Kagan
There are a lot of reasons why people decide to refinance a mortgage. You may want to take advantage of lower interest rates, which can save you thousands of dollars. Or, you might want to access some of the equity you’ve built up in your home for a big project. Regardless, it’s essential to understand if refinancing your mortgage will be a good idea for your situation. Keep reading as we explore why people refinance, when refinancing might be a bad idea, and other considerations.
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Sep 26, 2024 | 
time.com | Rebecca Lake |Sarah Hostetler |Wendy Connett |Julia Kagan
Debt settlement is an agreement between you and a creditor to pay less than what you owe. When a debt is settled, the remaining amount due is forgiven. You might consider debt settlement if you've fallen behind on credit cards or other unsecured debts. Creditors aren't obligated to agree to a settlement—but if they do, you could get out of debt faster without paying in full. Why opt for debt settlement?
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Sep 26, 2024 | 
time.com | Sean Bryant |Jean Folger |Mary Hall |Julia Kagan
As the average home price continues to increase, estimating how much you’ll need for your home search can be daunting. It’s essential to consider the upfront and ongoing costs of homeownership. Here’s a rundown of the key costs so you know what to expect and how much money you’ll need to buy a house. How much does a home cost in 2024? Stubbornly high mortgage rates and elevated home prices have left many would-be buyers on the sidelines.
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Sep 24, 2024 | 
time.com | Jamie Cattanach |Matthew Collister |Jennifer Cook |Julia Kagan
Cash value life insurance, which is a type of permanent life insurance, can help you provide for your family (or other beneficiaries) after your death while offering a savings feature from which you can benefit while living. Any permanent life insurance policy, such as whole or universal life, typically has a cash value feature that acts as a sort of savings account. It’s funded with part of your premium payments and earns interest depending on the specific type of life insurance policy.
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Sep 10, 2024 | 
time.com | Matthew Collister |Lee Huffman |Wendy Connett |Julia Kagan
The U.S. life insurance market is a crowded one. By one estimate, more than vie for Americans’ life insurance premium dollars. Many of these companies market policies to seniors. We’ve reviewed several leading providers of senior life insurance, looking at the types of policies offered, maximum issue age, and more. If you’re in the market for senior life insurance, check out the following.
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Aug 6, 2024 | 
time.com | Jamie Cattanach |Katelyn Peters |Julia Kagan
Conforming loans are mortgages that—as their name implies—conform to the conforming loan limit (CLL) set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). The CLL for a single-family home in 2024 is $766,550—or up to $1,149,825 in designated high-cost areas. Conforming loans must also meet the purchase criteria of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which include guidelines about borrowers’ minimum credit score and debt-to-income (DTI) ratio. Conforming loans are also referred to as conventional loans.
