Sarah Brady

Dec 6, 2024 | ca.finance.yahoo.com | Sarah Brady

It's a tough time to be a homebuyer. In an environment of historically high interest rates and stubborn listing prices, the dream of homeownership is as elusive as ever. But it's even harder to buy a home when you believe (incorrectly) that you absolutely must have 20% saved up for a down payment. In reality, the average down payment for first-time homebuyers was just 8% in 2023, according to the National Association of Realtors. That's due, in part, to down payment assistance (DPA) programs.

Dec 3, 2024 | autos.yahoo.com | Sarah Brady

Managing money is tough for most people, but it's even harder when you don't have a bank account. If you've been turned down for a checking account, you probably have to go to great lengths to complete your day-to-day financial transactions. You might be using a combination of prepaid cards, payment apps like Venmo, and expensive check-cashing services. Instead of running in circles, there's a simpler solution for people who need a bank account: second-chance checking.

Nov 27, 2024 | autos.yahoo.com | Sarah Brady

In 2024, debit cards are a popular method of payment — almost as popular as credit cards. But there are several drawbacks to using debit cards over credit cards and other forms of payment, including the fact that they don't give you as much protection against fraud. If someone uses your debit card without your permission — also known as debit card fraud — will you get your money back? If you don't catch the issue fast enough, there's a chance your bank account could be cleaned out for good.

Nov 26, 2024 | autos.yahoo.com | Sarah Brady

A minimum balance is the amount of money a bank requires you to keep in your account to avoid penalties. If you dip below the required amount, you could be charged a monthly maintenance fee, earn a lower interest rate, or even have your account closed. And minimum balance requirements can vary from as little as $100 to $1,000 and up. One way to avoid this frustrating situation is to move your money to an online savings account.

Sep 16, 2024 | autos.yahoo.com | Sarah Brady

September 16, 2024·4 min readFor the first time since March 2020, the Federal Reserve is expected to lower the federal funds rate this week — and there may be more cuts later this year. Rate cuts can be cause for celebration, particularly if you're planning to buy a home or pay off debt. But you can also expect to earn less interest on bank deposits and some investments.