Personal Finance
Use Bankrate's advice and tools to help make all of your personal finance decisions.
Latest Articles
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Want a lower credit card interest rate? Just ask
Call your card issuer if you want a lower interest rate, and be ready to negotiate.
5 min read Aug 11, 2026 -
Best starter credit cards
A starter card can be a great tool for practicing good credit habits.
6 min read Jul 10, 2026 -
7 reasons your credit card was declined — and how you can respond
Prevent rejection at the register by preparing for these common reasons credit cards are declined.
6 min read May 12, 2026 -
Pros and cons of debt consolidation: Is it a good idea?
Weigh the pros and cons to decide if debt consolidation is right for your situation.
6 min read Apr 16, 2026 -
When to use a personal loan to pay off credit card debt
Taking on still more debt in pursuit of a goal can sometimes make sense. Here’s when.
5 min read Apr 16, 2026 -
Digital price tags increase store efficiency, but some worry they’ll spur price gouging
Electronic shelf labels let stores change prices instantly, raising concerns about surge pricing, transparency and consumer protection.
8 min read Apr 08, 2026 -
The state of women’s finances: How homeownership is becoming the great equalizer
Finance is different for everyone. We all inhabit our own money realities: white people and people of color, Gen Z and baby boomers, high earners and those with lower incomes. Women live in their own financial [...]
9 min read Apr 01, 2026 -
How do title loans work?
These high-interest, fee-heavy loans could wind up costing you your car.
5 min read Mar 31, 2026 -
How to gain control of your finances after debt relief
You’ve accomplished the first step on the road to financial recovery after being entrenched in debt. So, what’s next? For starters, you’ll want to focus on rebuilding your credit score, staying out [...]
4 min read Mar 30, 2026 -
7 ways to handle overwhelming debt (and 3 to avoid)
It’s not uncommon for debt to feel like you’ll never get out from underneath it. Thankfully, there are steps that you can take to improve your finances and be done with debt once and for all. As you [...]
5 min read Mar 30, 2026
