Personal Finance News Are credit card rewards taxable? Rewards you earn on spending may not be considered taxable income, but make sure you know all the details before it’s time to file. Yahoo Personal Finance • 3 hours ago 5 online banks that pay you to open an account Did you know that some online banks pay you to open an account? Learn more about which online banks are offering new account bonuses. How to get a home loan in the U.S. as an undocumented immigrant Undocumented immigrants can have difficulty getting a mortgage, but they have options. Learn which home loans undocumented immigrants can qualify for. Carnival World Mastercard: A popular pick for cruise enthusiasts looking for promo financing Prefer sailing with Carnival? Consider the Carnival World Mastercard, which includes promotional financing on Carnival cruises, plus discounts on Carnival shore excursions. Mortgage and refinance rates today, January 8, 2025: Rates hold steady These are today's mortgage and refinance rates. Rates are fairly stagnant. To get a lower rate, shop for lenders with the best deals. Lock in your rate today. Best savings interest rates today, January 8, 2025 (top rate at 4.75% APY) Savings interest rates available today are well above historical norms. Find out where to get the best savings account rates. Best money market account rates today, January 8, 2025 (up to 5.00% APY) Looking for the best money market account interest rates available today? Here’s a look at where to find the highest rates and whether now is a good time to open a money market account. How do bank reserve requirements work, and why do they matter? Bank reserve requirements ensure that banks have enough cash to handle their obligations and customer account withdrawals. Learn more about how bank reserve requirements work. What is an appraisal contingency, and should you include it in your offer letter? An appraisal contingency protects a home buyer in case the appraised value is lower than the agreed-upon purchase price. Learn how an appraisal contingency works. Federal watchdog bans medical debt from credit reports The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule banning medical debt from being included on Americans' credit reports. Can a felon buy a house? A felon can buy a house — though you may need to overcome barriers such as employment and credit history. Learn how to get a mortgage with a felony conviction. Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard review: A useful card for international travelers If you frequently fly to Europe, consider signing up for the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard to earn valuable miles on purchases. What is a healthcare FSA? A way to save on medical costs. A healthcare FSA helps you save for qualified medical expenses while lowering your tax bill. Learn the benefits and limitations of this savings tool. How to have 'the talk' with aging parents about money Talking about money with one’s parents isn't usually an appealing encounter — but as more millennials and Gen Zers find themselves with aging parents, these discussions are becoming increasingly important. Retirement expert: The need for unpaid caregivers is 'about to skyrocket' TIAA Institute head Surya Kolluri discussed the financial and emotional toll of caregiving and offered insights and strategies for families and employers. What do people regret the most when they retire? More than two-thirds of retirees wish they had saved more and on a consistent basis — and half wish they hadn’t waited so long to focus on it, according to a new report. A hidden benefit of Dry January: You could save hundreds of dollars this month Saving money is one of the often overlooked benefits of Dry January. Here's how giving up alcohol for a month can benefit your finances. Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite Credit Card review: Could this be your next premium travel card? If you're a frequent traveler who can make use of the annual credits, airport lounge access, and travel protections, consider the Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite Traveling internationally? How to order foreign currency ahead of time. You may want to order foreign currency before an international trip to avoid high airport exchange rates and common scams. However, there are pros and cons to consider first. Is interest paid on a home equity loan tax deductible? Interest paid on a home equity loan may be tax deductible if you use the funds for specific purposes. Find out whether you qualify for this deduction. Guide to the envelope budgeting system The envelope budgeting system can be a great money management tool for visual learners and those who struggle with overspending. But it’s not for everyone. 5 ways to plan for long-term care costs in retirement JPMorgan strategist Sharon Carson discusses innovative approaches to tackle the unpredictable costs and needs of long-term care in retirement. Is life insurance taxable? Here’s when you might have to pay. Learn more about how taxes apply to life insurance proceeds and when you do (and don’t) have to pay taxes on life insurance. Is alimony taxable? We explain when alimony is taxable and when alimony payments are tax-deductible, and how other federal tax rules related to spousal support work. How much is your house worth? How to determine your home value. To determine your home value, you can get an appraisal or comparative market analysis or do your own research. Learn how to find out how much your house is worth. The best online mortgage lenders of January 2025 The best online mortgage lenders offer fast approval, low down payment options, and low fees. Find out which online mortgage company is your best fit. What is a jumbo money market account, and where can you find the best rates? A jumbo MMA may pay a higher interest rate in exchange for a higher balance. So where can you find the best jumbo money market rates? And are they worth it? Travel demand is on the rise in 2025 — along with more deals A record number of travelers are expected to take to the skies next year, seeking out destinations made popular on TV as well as outlying settings where relaxation is the goal. Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card review: Great for casual Delta flyers If you fly with Delta at least once or twice a year, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card should be on your radar — the perks alone can make it worth your while. A guide to checking account minimum balance requirements by bank It’s important to know the minimum balance requirements for a new checking account. Here’s a closer look at minimum balances for Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and other major banks. Can you file for bankruptcy and keep your house? If you file for bankruptcy, you still might be able to keep your house or buy a home later. Learn how Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy affect your mortgage. Best low- and no-down-payment mortgage lenders of January 2025 The best mortgage lenders for low and no down payments have programs for low-income borrowers, down payment assistance, and more. Find out which is best for you. Author Q&A: Why we need to change the way we think about aging Author Jeanette Leardi crushes stereotypes about age and offers new approaches for welcoming getting older — and dealing with how others think about you. How retirement savings will change in 2025 Saving for retirement will get a boost in 2025 thanks to higher contribution limits and the phase-in of provisions stemming from the Secure 2.0 Act. Understanding the Fed's rate decisions: Do we want high or low interest rates? The Federal Reserve's interest rate decisions can directly impact your wallet. So what’s better: high or low interest rates? How to overcome the 'financial vortex' to save for retirement A significant number of Americans facing the "financial vortex" believe they will need to delay retirement. But that's not always a great option. How do I stop automatic payments from my bank account? How do I stop automatic payments from my bank account? It's a common question, but the process is more straightforward than you may think. And it can help you save money. You don’t have to buy a home to become independently wealthy On Yahoo Finance’s Money Glow Up podcast, host Tiffany Aliche talked with financial journalist and financial behavior expert Stacey Tisdale about how real estate may not be the best investment for everyone and why many people should consider other ways to contribute to their individual wealth. What is a mortgage note, and why do you need one? A mortgage note is a legal document explaining your home loan's details, and you’ll sign it on closing day. Learn why mortgage notes are important for borrowers. Consumer protection agency closes the Biden era taking big swings Three new lawsuits filed by the CFPB take aggressive actions that could potentially be reversed by President-elect Donald Trump’s appointees. Why is saving money important? Here are 5 key reasons. You know you’re supposed to save money — but why, exactly? Here are five reasons why you should make saving money a habit. BMO Alto vs. Synchrony Bank: Which online bank is better? BMO Alto and Synchrony Bank both offer high-yield deposit accounts with market-leading interest rates and no fees. So, is one bank better than the other? The 28/36 rule: How your debt impacts home affordability The 28/36 rule reflects how much of your gross monthly income you should spend on your housing costs and all your debts combined. Learn how the 28/36 rule works. Author Q&A: Finding your financial harmony In his new book, “Wealth in the Key of Life: Finding Your Financial Harmony,” Preston D. Cherry offers advice on navigating the emotional and psychological aspects mixed up in financial planning. What's the hidden motivation behind the $50 gift card you put under the tree? How we decide what to spend on our loved ones involves a host of factors. Here's what studies reveal about our gift-giving. 2025 financial forecast: What to expect in mortgages, investing, banking, and credit cards While 2024 showed strong economic growth, 2025 is sure to be full of changes. See our predictions for the next year and how your personal finances may be affected. 'Treadmill of debt': Consumer protection head sounds off on credit card companies' practices Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Rohit Chopra tells Yahoo Finance that the high interest rates charged by credit card companies amount to price gouging. What credit cardholders should know for 2025: Predictions, interest rates, changing benefits, and more Here’s how you can prepare to make the most of award travel, avoid high interest, protect your card information, and more in the new year. How to use mortgage forbearance to avoid foreclosure With mortgage forbearance, your lender lets you pause or lower monthly payments during financial hardship. Find out if forbearance makes sense for your situation. Stock market outlook for 2025: 4 experts weigh in The year ahead promises to be interesting for investors. We explore what experts say about the competing dynamics in 2025 and their impact on different areas of the stock market.
