Bankrate

1 day ago | bankrate.com | Marcos Cabello |Kristen Kuchar

“Focus on facts, not emotions.” I wrote that once, but I’ve come to realize that sometimes saving money is as much about contending with your emotions as it is about budgeting. Here’s what I mean. I usually have this gnawing guilt anytime I spend a few hours at home doing “nothing.” To be clear, I don’t mean staring at the wall, but doing something that isn’t immediately productive.

2 days ago | bankrate.com | David McMillin |Troy Segal

Defaulting on a home equity loan or HELOC can result in the loss of your home, as it was pledged as collateral for the debt. Being in default typically occurs after four consecutive missed payments or 120 days. Defaulting also has a negative impact on your credit score and makes it difficult to secure other financing in the future. Defaulting on any type of loan is never good.

3 days ago | bankrate.com | Shannon Martin |Mariah Posey

Florida’s homeowners insurance market has been in crisis for years. Premiums are among the highest in the nation — more than double the national average — and insurance reform is a constant balancing act between consumer protection and market sustainability. However, this year, Florida homeowners face more than high rates and hurricanes.

3 days ago | bankrate.com | Shannon Martin |Jessa Claeys

Effective July 1, 2025, the minimum car insurance liability limits in North Carolina will increase to 50/100/50 from 30/60/25. The inexperienced operator surcharge timeframe extends from three to eight years for any new driver acquiring a license after July 1. The Prayer for Judgment Continued lookback period has increased from three to five years. Expanded uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance limits will give drivers access to more coverage.

4 days ago | bankrate.com | Sheiresa McRae Ngo |Marc A. Wojno

The Federal Reserve’s next Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting will be held on June 17-18, where the Fed will decide whether to raise or maintain its benchmark federal funds rate. The upcoming Fed meeting will determine which way yields are headed, but officials are already indicating that the Fed’s benchmark interest rate range will remain steady. The top yielding high-yield savings rate remains 4.40 percent APY (Openbank).