Bankrate.com news story archive -- mortgages, credit cards, savings, CDs, auto loans and more

News Archive 2006 Taxes \| 2007 Financial Literacy \| 2008 Financial Literacy \| Advice \| Auto loans \| Banking and the economy \| Beating Bankruptcy Blog \| Book review \| Checking and ATMs \| College financing \| Credit cards \| Credit management \| Credit repair \| Credit reports and credit scores \| Credit unions \| Debt consolidation \| Exclusive: 2008 CD study \| Exclusive: 2008 Credit Card Study \| Exclusive: Passbook/Statement savings study 2008 \| Fame & Fortune \| Fame & Fortune (Use this) \| Frugal U \| Home equity \| Home improvement \| Insurance \| Investing \| Money markets \| Mortgage Matters Blog \| Mortgages \| Online banking \| Personal finance \| Plastic Rap Blog \| Rate Trend Index \| Real estate \| Retirement Channel \| Savings \| Small business \| Special reports \| Taxes \|

2006 Taxes
Estimated tax deadline looms -- Some folks face fall tax chores as their fourth 1040ES payment is due September 15. Story
Reporting your retirement plan rollover -- When you changed jobs, you took your company retirement plan with you. We explain how to report it to the IRS. Story
Some hybrids qualify for tax breaks -- Nissan and Mazda have finally joined Honda on the hybrid tax credit track. Story
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2007 Financial Literacy
6 budget bombs -- Your best intentions for wise saving and spending are easily sabotaged by any of these budget blunders. Story
How celebrities pay for college -- Authors, a conductor and a sportscaster tell how they paid for college and how they'll pay for their kids' college. Story
Weekly spending work sheet -- Each week write the total of the previous week's expenses�from our daily work sheet�and compare to your budget. Story
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2008 Financial Literacy
Video: Creating a budget -- It's easier than you think to create a budget. In this video, we'll show you how. Story
Borrowing from family, friends, strangers -- Borrowing money from people you know or complete strangers can be better, or worse, than dealing with institutions. Story
Video: Lowering your credit card rates -- Lower your credit card rate by investing just five minutes of your time watching this video. Story
-- More 2008 Financial Literacy news Back to top
Advice
Late payments haunt credit for years -- Paying off your card is great, but late payments have a longer credit legacy, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story
Taxes on foreign spending -- Vegas bargain shoppers lose out on a value added tax for their purchases, says CPA George Saenz. Story
Figuring S corp losses and debts -- When an S corp is sold, there is a difference in how debts and losses are treated, says CPA George Saenz. Story
-- More Advice news Back to top
Auto loans
10 cheapest cars to drive -- Perhaps more important than the price of a car is how much it actually costs to own over a five-year period. Story
Hypermiling can slash fuel consumption -- Forget downsizing and riding a bike -- just changing your driving habits can cut fuel costs 20 to 40 percent. Story
Hybrid scorecard: The field is growing -- Not long ago there were just a few hybrid cars actually available. Now there are a couple of dozen. Story
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Banking and the economy
Readers weigh in on economy -- Readers comment on last week's financial mess. Story
Interest Rate Roundup -- Here's a look at the state of interest rates on five common consumer banking products and the latest rates from Bankrate.com's weekly national survey of large banks and thrifts. Story
Federal Reserve makes surprise rate cut -- The Federal Reserve Open Market Committee cut the federal funds rate in a surprise meeting. Story
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Beating Bankruptcy Blog
Is reducing your debt taking a backseat to reducing your weight? -- Miss a payment? You're not alone. Try these tips for the future. Story
Consumer bankruptcy filings surge in 2007 -- The number of Americans filing for bankruptcy is on the rise, and is unlikely to stop soon. Story
Your debt resolutions -- Welcome to a new year when you will finally reduce your money troubles and handle that debt. Story
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Book review
Are you spending smart? -- Bankrate reviews the book "Living Rich by Spending Smart," that examines how everyday spending choices can sink your budget. Story
Surviving mob mentality in finance -- Bankrate reviews the book "Mobs, Messiahs, and Markets," by William Bonner and Lila Rajiva, which examines what the authors allege is the mass hysteria that overcomes investors in the stock market. Story
Could you retire in a weekend? -- In the book "Retire in a Weekend," by Bill Losey, baby boomers are encouraged to make work optional by following their passion. Story
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Checking and ATMs
Banks can refuse to cash some checks -- If you don't have an account with a bank, it can refuse to cash a check, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story
Defend yourself against a failing bank -- After IndyMac and with banking troubles continuing, you need to know what to do to be sure your money is insured, and what steps to take in the event of a failure. Story
Online tools can help manage money -- Combine social networking with budgeting tools and you get Web sites for those who want to follow their money. Story
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College financing
Don't dwell on college savings options -- 'Analysis paralysis' can be the enemy of a sound college savings strategy, says the College Money Guru. Story
Credit cards for college students -- Credit card offers abound on college campuses. Here's what students need to know. Story
Video: College financial aid -- The right combination of student aid, student work and student imagination can defray costs. Story
-- More College financing news Back to top
Credit cards
Late payments haunt credit for years -- Paying off your card is great, but late payments have a longer credit legacy, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story
Credit card issuers slash credit limits -- Card issuers are cracking down on credit limits and inactive accounts. What can you do to protect your credit? Story
Interest Rate Roundup -- Here's a look at the state of interest rates on five common consumer banking products and the latest rates from Bankrate.com's weekly national survey of large banks and thrifts. Story
-- More Credit cards news Back to top
Credit management
Late payments haunt credit for years -- Paying off your card is great, but late payments have a longer credit legacy, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story
Settle your debts yourself -- You can pay someone to negotiate debt settlements for you, but you can do it yourself for nothing. Story
6 good reasons for multiple credit cards -- Contrary to some popular opinion, you may be smart to hold more than the often recommended one to three credit cards. Here are six good reasons. Story
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Credit repair
Late payments haunt credit for years -- Paying off your card is great, but late payments have a longer credit legacy, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story
Using equity to pay debt can be risky -- Using a refinance to pay down credit card debt can be risky, the Debt Adviser says. Story
Strike back against unfair card issuer -- There are several ways to make life uncomfortable for a badly behaving card issuer, says the Debt Adviser. Story
-- More Credit repair news Back to top
Credit reports and credit scores
Credit card issuers slash credit limits -- Card issuers are cracking down on credit limits and inactive accounts. What can you do to protect your credit? Story
Late payments haunt credit for years -- Paying off your card is great, but late payments have a longer credit legacy, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story
Self-help often best when fixing credit -- In many cases, it doesn't pay to hire someone to help boost your credit score, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story
-- More Credit reports and credit scores news Back to top
Credit unions
Deposit insurance increases at credit unions -- A recent law expands insurance coverage on deposits to $250,000, but credit unions offer other compelling reasons to join. Story
Credit unions help young adults save -- Credit unions can be a great choice for savers with little money and a thin credit history. Story
Credit unions weather tough market -- Credit unions have been affected by the tight credit market, but most may be getting through the current landscape in fairly good shape. Story
-- More Credit unions news Back to top
Debt consolidation
Defend yourself against debt collectors -- Even if you owe a company money, you have rights -- and it pays to know what they are. Story
Defend yourself against debt collectors -- Even if you owe a company money, you have rights -- and it pays to know what they are. Story
401(k) hardship withdrawals on the rise -- Cash-strapped employees are turning to their retirement plans for help. Will they start investing after the crisis passes? Story
-- More Debt consolidation news Back to top
Exclusive: 2008 CD study
Detailed results of the 2008 CD study -- Check out the results of a survey of 10 banks that offer CDs online and through their branches. Story
Exclusive: 2008 CD study -- Can you get a better yield on a CD online or through a traditional bank? It depends on what you're looking for. Story
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Exclusive: 2008 Credit Card Study
Strike back against unfair card issuer -- There are several ways to make life uncomfortable for a badly behaving card issuer, says the Debt Adviser. Story
Finance charge may push you over limit -- It is legal to fine customers when finance charges push card balances past the limit, says the Debt Adviser. Story
Defend yourself against debt judgment -- Professionals can help you reduce the legal pain associated with a judgment, says the Debt Adviser. Story
-- More Exclusive: 2008 Credit Card Study news Back to top
Exclusive: Passbook/Statement savings study 2008
No records for this selection
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Fame & Fortune
Fame & Fortune: Heidi Klum -- German supermodel and host of "Project Runway" has parlayed her fame into a multimillion dollar industry. Story
Fame & Fortune: Danica Patrick -- It's no surprise that this race car driver's first big financial splurge was a cool set of wheels. Story
How celebrities pay for college -- Authors, a conductor and a sportscaster tell how they paid for college and how they'll pay for their kids' college. Story
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Fame & Fortune (Use this)
No records for this selection
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Frugal U
Drive smarter to save gas -- Bankrate readers show how they are reducing their need for gas by driving in the most efficient manner. Story
A Frugal shopper's best tip -- You don't need cable to get HD service if you have an HD TV and a digital antenna. Story
Finding money to save -- Planning can help you find money to put into savings. Story
-- More Frugal U news Back to top
Home equity
Interest Rate Roundup -- Here's a look at the state of interest rates on five common consumer banking products and the latest rates from Bankrate.com's weekly national survey of large banks and thrifts. Story
Borrowing from family, friends, strangers -- Borrowing money from people you know or complete strangers can be better, or worse, than dealing with institutions. Story
Interest Rate Roundup -- Here's a look at the state of interest rates on five common consumer banking products and the latest rates from Bankrate.com's weekly national survey of large banks and thrifts. Story
-- More Home equity news Back to top
Home improvement
4 housing upgrades that don't pay -- Thinking of renovating? Here are four things to avoid if you may want to sell down the road. Story
Green interior design -- Save money by using green principles for interior design. Story
Green interior design -- Save money by using green principles for interior design. Story
-- More Home improvement news Back to top
Insurance
14 useless insurance policies -- Ready to trim your insurance costs? Here are 14 policies you can probably scale back, or live without. Story
The ins and outs of life settlements -- Before cashing in that life insurance policy you no longer need, make sure you understand life settlements. Story
Assessing risk exposure -- Hope for the best, plan for the worst: Health and disability insurance can help Alice mitigate financial loss. Story
-- More Insurance news Back to top
Investing
Video: Stock market turmoil and retirees -- Bankrate's Greg McBride offers advice for retirees whose savings have been hurt by tumultuous markets. Story
What happens if investors quit markets? -- Bankrate's Greg McBride explains the consequences of getting out of the stock market entirely. Story
Fame & Fortune: Heidi Klum -- German supermodel and host of "Project Runway" has parlayed her fame into a multimillion dollar industry. Story
-- More Investing news Back to top
Money markets
The facts on the FDIC -- Recent news of bank failures has consumers wondering about the security of the FDIC's funding. Story
Money market mutual fund lifeline -- The government is throwing an unprecedented lifeline to money market mutual funds to reassure nervous investors. Story
More deposits insured, but for how long? -- The FDIC will step in with higher coverage for bank deposits, but it's a temporary solution. Story
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Mortgage Matters Blog
Wading through mortgage mire -- In the last week, the average rate on a 30-year fixed has gone up about three-quarters of a percentage point. Story
Obama talks foreclosure freeze -- Today, Barack Obama discussed details of his economic plan, including a partial foreclosure moratorium. Story
McCain plan, before and after -- First John McCain wanted lenders to pay for their mistakes, and now he wants taxpayers to pick up the tab. Story
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Mortgages
Know rules when buying historic home -- Restrictions and expenses often apply for buyers who purchase a home in a historic district. Story
Home sellers offer a range of incentives -- When it comes to incentives for buyers, get cold, hard cash, says the Real Estate Adviser. Story
What's in the McCain mortgage plan? -- Presidential nominee Sen. John McCain proposed spending $300 billion to buy bad mortgages. What impact will it have? Story
-- More Mortgages news Back to top
Online banking
Online tools can help manage money -- Combine social networking with budgeting tools and you get Web sites for those who want to follow their money. Story
Bank's cooling 'teaser' rate burns saver -- Don't expect your bank to alert you to a higher savings rate when it becomes available, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story
Banks score with 'high touch' service -- At many banks, "high touch" service that pampers customers drives growth and profits. Story
-- More Online banking news Back to top
Personal finance
6 tips for living with your adult child -- Many parents are moving in with their adult children to save money. Here's how to make the role reversal work. Story
Don't dwell on college savings options -- 'Analysis paralysis' can be the enemy of a sound college savings strategy, says the College Money Guru. Story
10 winning ways to land the job you want -- Unemployment is high but you can still land the job you want if you follow these 10 smart tips. Story
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Plastic Rap Blog
Little-used cards canceled? -- Many readers report their limits have been cut on cards they don't use often -- or they've had their cards canceled altogether. Story
Wells Fargo, Wachovia merger -- Wells Fargo made the surprise announcement that the company would acquire Wachovia for $15.1 billion in stock, with no financial help from the FDIC. Story
Bank mergers and you -- Despite major changes in banks this week, customers can expect business as usual. Story
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Rate Trend Index
Rate Trend Index -- Mortgages -- Each week, Bankrate.com surveys experts to gauge which way interest rates are headed on mortgages -- a vital tool if you're about to buy a home. Story
Rate Trend Index -- Mortgages -- Each week, Bankrate.com surveys experts to gauge which way interest rates are headed on mortgages -- a vital tool if you're about to buy a home. Story
CD Rate Trend Index -- Bankrate's expert panel predicts where rates are headed on certificates of deposit. Story
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Real estate
Know rules when buying historic home -- Restrictions and expenses often apply for buyers who purchase a home in a historic district. Story
Home sellers offer a range of incentives -- When it comes to incentives for buyers, get cold, hard cash, says the Real Estate Adviser. Story
What's in the McCain mortgage plan? -- Presidential nominee Sen. John McCain proposed spending $300 billion to buy bad mortgages. What impact will it have? Story
-- More Real estate news Back to top
Retirement Channel
6 tips for living with your adult child -- Many parents are moving in with their adult children to save money. Here's how to make the role reversal work. Story
Saver wonders: pay tax now or later? -- Deciding whether to pay tax now or later is a vexing retirement question, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story
Converting IRA CD would be tax mistake -- Converting an IRA CD to a regular CD is likely to be a mistake, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story
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Savings
Saver wonders: pay tax now or later? -- Deciding whether to pay tax now or later is a vexing retirement question, says Dr. Don Taylor. Story
The facts on the FDIC -- Recent news of bank failures has consumers wondering about the security of the FDIC's funding. Story
10 reasons to love a recession -- Even a slowing economy offers a silver lining if you know where to look. Here are 10 benefits of a recession. Story
-- More Savings news Back to top
Small business
Business startup costs that shock new owners -- Small business owners share the nasty surprises they experienced, and experts explain how to minimize such costs. Story
4 ways to make cash online -- If today's economy has left you in need of extra cash, use the Internet to bring home extra bacon. Story
12 ways to make your house a cash cow -- Here are a dozen ways to turn your house into a money-making machine. Story
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Special reports
Understanding credit scores -- Understanding the factors that go into your credit score will help you manage it. Story
Small business tax breaks -- Being your own boss is great. And, in many cases, there even are tax advantages. Story
Sending out a tax SOS -- How to get tax help by phone, Internet or from a human being. Story
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Taxes
Taxes on foreign spending -- Vegas bargain shoppers lose out on a value added tax for their purchases, says CPA George Saenz. Story
Figuring S corp losses and debts -- When an S corp is sold, there is a difference in how debts and losses are treated, says CPA George Saenz. Story
Tax deduction on medical equipment -- A backyard swimming pool may be deductible for medical reasons if you can convince the IRS, says CPA George Saenz. Story
-- More Taxes news Back to top