Personal Finance

The Average Credit Score for Personal Loans

Key takeaways You’ll typically need a credit score of at least 580 to qualify for a personal loan, but the higher your score, the more affordable your loan rate. Lenders want to see that loan applicants have a history of responsibly paying debt, and your credit score provides a window…

How to Beat Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

Did you know that when you submit a job application online, it’s probably read and filtered by a robot before a human ever sees it? No, this isn’t Star Wars, folks—just the 21st century job market. And that “robot” is something called an applicant tracking system (ATS). There’s no way…

How to Prepare for an Interview

Some people can walk right into an interview and knock it out of the park without even raising their heart rate. (Wouldn’t we all like to have that kind of confidence?) But if you’re anything like the average job seeker, interviews aren’t exactly high on your list of fun, stress-free…

Should You Make a Career Change at 50?

I hear from so many people who are nervous or scared to make a career change in their 50s—even if they’re miserable at their current job. And folks, I get it. There are a lot of fears and insecurities that can creep up when you’re thinking about making a huge…

How To Refinance A Car Loan With Bad Credit

Key takeaways You should still shop for the best auto refinance rates and terms even if you have bad credit — there is still a chance to find a competitive option for your budget. Refinancing your car loan with bad credit may make sense if you can lower your monthly…

How to Boost Your Holiday Budget

If you want to boost your holiday budget, a huge part of it is just cutting back your spending. Way too many people think it takes big bucks to have memorable Christmas fun. They’ll splurge on gifts, travel, food and festivities and then shrug it off by saying, “Ah, well, it’s Christmas.”…

How to Stock Your Pantry During COVID-19

If you’re thinking of stocking up on food and other items, you’re not alone. Between supply chain issues and rising food prices, no one wants to be caught off guard with nothing left in their pantry (remember the whole toilet paper situation of 2020?).  It’s always a good idea to…

She wants a “cut-and-dried rule” for refinancing |

Illustration by Clay Laucella/Bankrate First-time homebuyer Ryan Katherine, 30 years old, bought a Salt Lake City home with her partner in 2023. After agreeing to a 2-1 buydown — where you pay a lower mortgage rate for the first two years — the couple’s initial 4.625% rate turned into their…