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When you miss a mortgage payment, you incur late fees and hurt your credit score. But skipping mortgage payments comes with serious consequences that could include losing your house. Are you finding it hard to make your monthly mortgage payment? This allows you to pause your mortgage payments for a certain amount of time or, in some cases, make reduced payments instead. FAQsWhat should I do first if I realize I can't make my mortgage payment?

Persons: Craig Martin, Christian Mills, Freddie Mac, you've, you'll, it's, Aly J, Yale Aly J, Bob Organizations: Christian, US Department of Housing, Urban, Chevron, Yale, Forbes, Money Magazine, The Dallas Morning News, Bob Schieffer College of Communication, Twitter

Basics of how home equity loans workWith a home equity loan, you use your home as collateral for a loan. Home equity loan terms vary, but you usually have anywhere from five to 30 years to repay the loan. Differences between home equity loans and HELOCsHome equity lines of credit (HELOCs) are similar to home equity loans in that they let you borrow from your home's equity. What's the difference between a home equity loan and a home equity line of credit (HELOC)? She covers mortgage rates, refinance rates, mortgage lender reviews, and homebuying for Personal Finance Insider.

Persons: you've, whittle, Molly Grace, Molly, Read, Aly J, Yale Aly J, Bob Organizations: Homeowners, Chevron, Business, Finance, Insider, Rocket Companies, Twitter, Yale, Forbes, Money Magazine, The Dallas Morning News, Bob Schieffer College of Communication Locations: Chevron, mgrace@businessinsider.com

Cash-out refinancing and home equity loans are two of the most popular tools available to access your equity. A cash-out refinance works like this: You apply for a new mortgage loan that's larger than your current one. Interest rates and loan termsBoth cash-out refinances and home equity loans typically come with fixed interest rates, but home equity loan rates tend to be a few points higher. ConsiderationsBefore deciding to use a home equity loan or cash-out refinance, you'll need to take the following costs into account first. Choosing the right optionBoth home equity loans and cash-out refinancing can help you turn equity into cash.

Persons: Cash, You'd, it's, what's, Melissa Cohn, William Raveis, refinance, you'll, Nicole Straub, — Organizations: LTV, William Raveis Mortgage, Discover Locations: foreclosing, —

Setting a down payment goalBefore you can set a down payment goal, you first need to figure out how much you'll need for a lender to approve you for a mortgage. Determining the size of down payment neededThe minimum size of your down payment will depend on the loan program you use. Exploring down payment assistance programsDown payment assistance programs can help cover part or all of your down payment. But if you can save up a down payment of at least 20% of the home's purchase price, you'll avoid paying PMI (private mortgage insurance), which can reduce your monthly payment. To save for a down payment, create (and stick to) a budget, reduce unnecessary expenses, increase your income through side jobs, automate your savings, and explore down payment assistance programs.

Persons: You'll, you'll, windfalls, Windfalls Organizations: Netflix, Spotify, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, PMI Locations: homebuyers, Chevron

☆ The 29 Best Holiday Gifts to Shop This Black Friday
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Buy Side Staff | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +15 min

To help you shop for nice prices, we limited our list to our favorites that are on sale now for Black Friday. One thing I have my eye on is this Nyx Butter Gloss Holiday Gifts Set with 14 full-size lip glosses in a variety of colors. She loves color, but she also has a goth streak, so I wasn’t surprised she asked for black nail polish. It would make a great gift for a college student, new grad or really anyone who could use a travel gear upgrade. It’s a great set to update your kitchen or give as a gift this holiday season.” —Emily Welsh, VP and general manager

Persons: We’ve, I’ll, Harry Potter, ” — Aly J, Barbie Dreamhouse, I’d, Barbie, Don’t, Emily Welsh, ”, Emily Schwartzberg, Matte Black, Matte White, Madeline Diamond, Tween, Olive, Jessica Woodbury, cocotte, Staub, Astrid Stawiarz, Nick Guy, ” — Ian Salisbury, Cashmere, I’ve, PJs, ” — Emily Welsh, Charming, Mario, ‘, Cozy, it’s, Susan “, Susan, Anaya, There’s, ” — Leslie Yazel, we’ll, Philip Asquith, It’s, ” — Bellamy Richardson, I’m, Buddy, nutcrackers, Luxe, Augustinus Bader, Rich Cream, ” — Irma Sahinovic, they’re, Brittany Nguyen Organizations: Side, Black, Yale, Bluetooth, Apple, Mario Kart, PlayStation, Target, Saks, Olive Oil, Amazon, Chic Locations: Ulta, Pima, Los Angeles, Olive, Ojai , Calif, Europe, The

☆ The Holiday Gifts Buy Side Staffers Are Buying This Black Friday
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Buy Side Staff | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +12 min

By Buy Side StaffThe Buy Side staff shops for a living, which also means we spend an inordinate amount of time scrutinizing gift options. To help you shop for nice prices, we limited our list to our favorites that are on sale now for Black Friday. She asked for compression socks, so I’m buying her these pretty ones in blue chevron to help her with recovery. It would make a great gift for a college student, new grad or really anyone who could use a travel gear upgrade. It’s a great set to update your kitchen or give as a gift this holiday season.” —Emily Welsh, VP and general manager

Persons: We’ve, cocotte, Staub, ”, Astrid Stawiarz, Nick Guy, ” — Ian Salisbury, Cashmere hoodie, I’ve, Jessica Woodbury, PJs, ” — Emily Welsh, Charming, Madeline Diamond, ‘ Broom ’, I’ll, Samantha Sharf, Mario, ‘, Cozy, she’s, ” — Leslie Yazel, it’s, Susan “, Susan, Anaya, There’s, we’ll, Philip Asquith, It’s, ” — Bellamy Richardson, Buddy, I’m, nutcrackers, ” — Aly J, they’re, Brittany Nguyen Organizations: Side, Black, Bluetooth, Apple, PlayStation, Mario Kart, New, Olive Oil, Amazon, Yale, Walmart Locations: Naadam, New York City, Los Angeles, Olive, Ojai , Calif, Europe, The

☆ How Buying a New Home Could Save You Money
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Aly J. Yale | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

As the median payment on a new mortgage creeps toward $2,200, most buyers are desperate to save cash wherever they can. They’re offering lower mortgage ratesIf slashed prices aren’t enough to get a mortgage payment in your budget, builders have another offer: A lower mortgage rate. (Essentially, the builder prepays the lender the interest for the years the mortgage rate is reduced). NAHB’s data shows that 29% of builders offered mortgage rate buydowns in October. “Many builders are using sales incentives—including mortgage rate buydowns—as a method of addressing housing affordability headwinds,” says Robert Dietz, chief economist at NAHB.

Persons: Aly J, ”, Nick Bailey, Max, Robert Dietz, buydowns —, Lennar, what’s, Angel Conlin, Pat Howard Organizations: Yale, Builders, National Association of Home Builders, “, NAHB, Kin Insurance Locations: Denver, Chicago, “, Policygenius

☆ Home Insurance Premiums Are Way Up—Here’s How to Lower Yours
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Aly J. Yale | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

The average home insurance premium increased 21% between May 2022 and May 2023, according to recent analysis by insurance marketplace Policygenius. “To help pay for these higher costs, insurers have increased policy premiums on homeowners in both high- and low-risk areas,” says Pat Howard, a home insurance expert at Policygenius. “Even homeowners in places that don’t experience a lot of extreme weather, like Vermont and New Hampshire, are facing relatively high increases.”Fortunately, if your home insurance premiums rise, you don’t have to take it lying down. How to reduce home insurance premiums at renewal timeMore than 9 out of 10 homeowners who renewed their policies this May saw an uptick in premiums, according to Policygenius. How to reduce home insurance premiums as a new homeownerIf you’re just now buying a home, the tips are much the same: Shop around, look for discounts and consider bundling your home insurance policy with other insurance policies you might need—such as life insurance or car insurance.

Persons: Aly J, Yale It’s, Pat Howard, you’ve, ” Howard, you’re, Florida’s, you’ll Organizations: Yale Locations: Vermont, New Hampshire, Gulf of Mexico, West Coast

☆ What Is a Soft Landing?
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Aly J. Yale | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +4 min

But whether the central bank can meet its dual-objectives of slowing price growth and avoiding a recession—dubbed a “soft landing” by economists—remains to be seen. Threading that needle has proven to be quite elusive.”What is a soft landing? “The alternative to a soft landing is a hard landing,” Cirksena says. “How ‘soft’ that ‘soft landing’ is among citizens could vary widely,” he says. Will the Fed achieve a soft landing this time?

Persons: Aly J, —, ”, David Johnston, Bank of Japan —, Aaron Cirksena, you’ll, ” Cirksena, Peter C, Earle, Jerome Powell, “ Organizations: Yale, Federal Reserve, Wealth Management, European Central Bank, Bank of, MDRN, American Institute for Economic Research, Fed, Bank of America, Wall Street, National Bureau of Economic Research Locations: Flemington, N.J, U.S, Bank of Japan, Annapolis, Md

☆ Here Are the 401(k) and IRA Contribution Limits for 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Aly J. Yale | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +2 min

401(k) contribution limits 2024For employer sponsored plans including 401(k), 403(b) and 457 retirement plans—as well as Thrift Savings Plans, a type of account for federal employees and military members only—the 2024 contribution limits will jump to $23,000. 401(k) contribution limits 2023 & 2024 2023 limit 2024 limit Maximum employee contribution $22,500 $23,000 Catch-up contribution (for those 50 and older) $7,500 $7,500 IRSIRA contribution limits 2024For individual retirement accounts, or IRAs—both Roth and traditional types—2024 contributions will max out at $7,000, up from $6,500 in 2023. IRA contribution limits 2023 & 2024 2023 limit 2024 limit Maximum contribution $6,500 $7,000 Catch-up contribution (for those 50 and older) $1,000 $1,000 IRSThe income levels used to determine eligibility for IRA contribution deductions and for making contributions to Roth IRAs are also changing. For IRA contributions limits depend on whether you or a spouse have access to a workplace retirement savings account. Finally, for individuals with SIMPLE retirement accounts—a type of IRA sometimes used by small businesses—the 2024 contribution limits will jump from $15,000 to $16,000.

Persons: Aly J, —, Roth Organizations: Yale, Internal, IRS

☆ What is the Student Aid Report?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Aly J. Yale | Richard Richtmyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

The Student Aid Report summarizes the information on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). See Insider's picks for the best private student loans >>What is the Student Aid Report (SAR)? The Student Aid Report is a document that, through the 2023-2024 school year, was used to summarize the data submitted on a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Federal student aid eligibilityYour summary will also include your Student Aid Index — formerly called the Expected Family Contribution. Schools and aid offersThe schools you apply to don't actually receive your FAFSA Submission Summary (formerly Student Aid Report).

Persons: —, Shannon Vasconcelos, Robert Kersey, you'll, Kersey, Vasconcelos, Perkins, Pell Grant, Elaine Rubin, You'll Organizations: Federal Student Aid, Service, Bright Horizons, Grants, What's, College of Charleston, Education, Department, Department of Federal Student Aid, Internal Revenue Service, SAR Locations: FAFSA.gov

☆ How Much Social Security Will I Get?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Aly J. Yale | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

For these reasons, it is hard to know exactly what your Social Security checks will look like years in advance. Every year, the government adjusts Social Security payouts for inflation—these are called cost-of-living adjustments, or COLA—so averages change, too. However, you can start taking Social Security anytime between ages 62 and 70. Whether or not you’ll owe taxes on your Social Security check is complicated, but more than half of Social Security recipients currently pay taxes on theirs. You can use the Social Security Administration’s Quick Calculator to get a rough idea of your payouts, or if you sign up for a My Social Security account, you’ll get an official estimate straight from the source.

Persons: Aly J, you’ve, You’ll, ”, Krisstin Petersmarck, —, James Sahagian, you’re, you’ll Organizations: Yale, Social Security, Bridgeriver Advisors, Social, Social Security Administration, Ramapo Wealth Advisors Locations: U.S, Bloomfield Hills, Mich, Ramapo, Ramsey , N.J

☆ How to Get a 401(k) Match for Your Student Loan Payments
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Aly J. Yale | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

By Aly J. YaleAfter a three-year reprieve, federal student loan payments resumed in October for more than 40 million Americans. In fact, in a recent survey 22% of student loan borrowers said they would need to reduce their retirement savings to make room for their renewed payments. Thanks to a provision in the Secure 2.0 Act, legislation aimed at improving retirement benefits nationwide, in 2024 employers will be able to start counting student loan payments as qualifying contributions toward retirement matching programs. That means if your employer offers to match your 401(k) contributions, you could get that matched money without ever depositing funds in your retirement account. However, if staying on top of your student loan payments has stopped you from leveraging your employer’s matching program—or contributing to your retirement account entirely—a student loan matching benefit can help you start saving.

Persons: Aly J, ”, Joelle, Jesse Moore, Sara Vipond, Mercer, ” Vipond, —, You’ll Organizations: Yale, Financial, Fidelity Investments, “, Treasury Department, Secure Locations: Framingham, Mass

☆ What Is the Mortgage Interest Deduction?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Aly J. Yale | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +11 min

That’s thanks to the Home Mortgage Interest Deduction, which lets you write off the interest you pay on your mortgage loan throughout the year. What is the mortgage interest deduction? The mortgage interest deduction is a type of itemized tax deduction that has been around in some form since a federal income tax was introduced in 1913. Mortgage pointsMortgage points—an upfront fee you can pay at closing to lower your interest rate—are another form of mortgage interest, just prepaid. Whether you should take the mortgage interest deduction comes down to the age-old question of itemizing vs. using the standard deduction.

Persons: Aly J, you’re, won’t, ”, Paul T, Joseph, Joseph & Joseph, We’ll, “, Aaron Cirksena, “ You’re, ” Cirksena, Jan Organizations: Yale, Home, Joseph &, Joseph & Joseph Tax, MDRN, IRS, — Locations: Williamston, Mich, California, Annapolis, Md, “

☆ Do I Get Taxed on a High-Yield Savings Account?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Aly J. Yale | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

Today, you can even find some banks offering high-yield savings accounts with 5% APYs or higher, up from just 0.50% to 1% a few years ago. Has your high-yield savings account been racking up interest this year? How high-yield savings accounts are taxedThe interest you earn on a high-yield savings account—or any other savings account, money market account or certificate of deposit, for that matter—is subject to state and federal income taxes. What’s more, savings account and CD interest contrast with investment income, which is often taxed at lower rates. Some IRAs offer access to high-yield savings accounts.

Persons: Aly J, Uncle Sam, you’d, ”, Rob Burnette, that’s, They’re, Jan, You’ll, you’ll, Banks, you’ve, ” Burnette, you’re, Roth, won’t, Burnette, “ Organizations: Yale, Federal Reserve, Outlook Financial, IRS Locations: Texas, Illinois , Indiana , Michigan, Pennsylvania, Troy , Ohio

However, there are some key differences between the mechanics of credit cards and Helocs. Still, Helocs have far lower rates than credit cards, even for borrowers with strong credit scores. If interest rates climbed to 7% a year later, your payment would rise to $58 a month until the end of the draw period—unless interest rates move again or you draw more from the line. (Secured credit cards are an option for people with limited credit history; they require a cash down payment.) Consolidating credit card debt is another common use, since rates on credit cards can be as much as double what they are on home-equity loans.

Persons: Tanza Loudenback, Aly J, Helocs, you’ve, Robert Heck, won’t, Knight, Freddie Mac, You’re, Scott Fligel, ”, Eric Alexander, Heck, “, ” Heck, Alexander Organizations: Yale, Federal, Federal Reserve, Northwestern Mutual, Income Locations: homeownership, Morty, Charlotte, N.C, Dallas

☆ Heloc vs Home Equity Loan: When Are They a Good Idea?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Aly J. Yale | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +10 min

And might a home-equity loan or Heloc work for your financial needs? How home-equity loans and Helocs workHome-equity loans and Helocs—home equity lines of credit—are tools for borrowing from your home equity, or the portion of your property you actually own. To use a home-equity loan or Heloc, you need to start with a good amount of equity. Lenders generally require that you maintain at least 20% equity in the home after taking out a home-equity loan or Heloc. “With a home-equity loan or Heloc—depending on the amount of equity you have in the home—much higher amounts are available.”Home-equity loan or Heloc?

Persons: Aly J, Jeff Levinsohn, Helocs, “ We’ve, ”, Susan Waite, don’t, Zillow, Alex Madonna, Louis, ” Levinsohn, Kyle Enright, ” Madonna Organizations: Yale, Point Breeze Credit Union, Center for Joint Housing Studies, Mortgage, Association, New, ”, Federal Reserve Bank of St, “ Locations: Hunt Valley, Md, “

☆ I Moved My Savings to a High-Yield Account, Now My Savings Rate Is Up 700%
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( Aly J. Yale | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +3 min

Meanwhile, my Charles Schwab Investor Savings account, which I intentionally opened to earn a higher rate on my long-term savings a few years ago, was paying just 0.48%. So I spent the early weeks of January shopping around, focusing on high-yield savings accounts I’d heard about from colleagues and in my reporting. (Check out these tips for choosing the best high-yield savings account for you.) I’d gotten comfortable with my old savings accounts, and it was costing me—a lot. So take this as your sign: If you haven’t checked your savings account rates lately it’s time to do so, particularly if you’ve had your account longer than a year or two.

Persons: Aly J, I’ve, Charles Schwab, wasn’t, Marcus —, Goldman Sachs —, I’d, you’ve Organizations: Yale, Charles Schwab Investor Savings, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, Westside Theatre Locations: New York City, Canada, Toronto, Niagara Falls, Montreal

☆ 15-Year vs. 30-Year Mortgage: How Do You Choose?
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Aly J. Yale | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +8 min

15-year mortgage rates vs. 30-year mortgage ratesHowever, mortgage rates vary by term length, too. Pros and cons of a 15-year mortgageA 15-year mortgage has some perks. “A 15-year mortgage would be ill-advised if a customer is tight on their budget,” says Chuck Meier, mortgage director at Sunrise Banks. “You can make the 15-year payment on a monthly basis, receiving the benefits of a 15-year mortgage,” Lindner says. “If the higher payment becomes a challenge, you can revert to the lower 30-year mortgage payment.”

Persons: Aly J, Freddie Mac, Melissa Cohn, you’re, ”, Chuck Meier, ” Cohn, Scott Lindner, ” Lindner Organizations: Yale, it’s, PMI, William, Sunrise Banks, TD Bank Locations: —

☆ How to Find a Real Estate Agent
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Aly J. Yale | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +15 min

According to the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials, more than three million people hold active real estate licenses in the U.S. That’s a lot of people with a range of experience and expertise. That’d be “knowledge,” says Philip Hordijk, founder of real-estate brokerage Leven Real Estate. A note of caution: Think hard before choosing a friend or family member to help with a real estate transaction. Search online directories—with careThere are plenty of third-party real estate sites that offer agent directories, too, including Realtor.com and Zillow. Real-estate broker vs. agentThere is also a differentiation between a real-estate agent and a real-estate broker.

Persons: Aly J, ”, Jonathan Rundlett, “, Philip Hordijk, Kimberly Jay, I’m, ” Jay, Jeremy Kamm, ” Kamm, —, Jesse Sheldon, don’t, ” Hordijk, Christian Ross, Völkers, Desiree Avila, Charles Rutenberg, Johnny, you’re, ” Ross, Bret Weinstein, ” You’ll, you’ve, Sellers, Hordijk Organizations: Yale, Association of Real, License, National Association of Realtors, Compass, Real, Engel, Exxon Mobil, Houston Association of Realtors, NAR, News Corp, Street, Realtors Locations: U.S, Leven Real Estate, New York, New York City, Seattle, Fort Lauderdale, Avila, Houston, Denver, In Texas

If your school suspends your financial aid, you may be able to appeal the decision and get it back. Many schools require that students maintain a minimum GPA and complete a minimum number of credits per semester to qualify for financial aid." "They know that if students get less financial aid, then they will be less likely to stay and graduate." Components of a financial aid suspension appeal letterThe exact financial aid suspension appeal process varies by college, but your school may have a form you'll need to fill out to get the ball rolling. Financial aid suspension appeal letter exampleYou'll want to format your appeal letter much like a cover letter — with a header, date, and formal greeting.

Debate over the US debt ceiling puts the potential of a US Treasury default in focus. Failing to do so could lead to a US Treasury default if the government becomes unable to make payments on all of its outstanding debts. "This type of default — one that occurs due to not being able to raise the debt ceiling — would be unprecedented," Steeno says. 6 ways a US Treasury default could hurt your financesHere are some of the biggest financial impacts Americans would feel in the event of a US Treasury default:1. But a Treasury default could undo any progress they've been made.

☆ How to Get a Mortgage
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-15 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +15 min

“Houses cost more than the money invested to purchase them,” says Brian Rugg, chief credit officer at mortgage lender loanDepot. Research mortgage loan types and lendersThere are two basic categories of mortgage: private and government backed. “Look at customer reviews from past borrowers,” says Alex Shekhtman, a mortgage broker and founder of LBC Mortgage in New York. “Mortgage lenders use appraisals to protect their investment in the home,” says Liz Lopez, a real-estate agent at RelatedISG Realty. Since mortgage payments are made in arrears—meaning you pay on the first of the month for the previous month’s charges—you won’t owe a mortgage payment until the start of the second month following your closing date.

Cancel for any reason insurance is a type of travel insurance rider. What is cancel for any reason travel insurance? How much does cancel for any reason travel insurance cost? Travel Insured International Generali Global Assistance Seven Corners Cost of travel insurance $246 $262.29 $146 Additional cost of cancel for any reason insurance $108.24 $131.15 $61.32 Total cost of insurance (regular + cancel for any reason) $354.24 $393.44 $207.32 Policy cost increase as a percentage 44% 50% 42%Important: Most travel insurance companies offer free quotes on the company websites. What is the average cost of cancel for any reason travel insurance?

☆ Will Home Prices Drop in 2023?
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

As of January, prices were down 13% from that June high, according to the National Association of Realtors. Will home prices drop in 2023? The University of California San Diego, for example, predicts prices will drop 5% nationally and as much as 18% in some cities. As a result, the U.S. housing market has been short on for-sale listings for more than a decade. “This is the easiest way to find out if you got a good price on your home in comparison to what else is on the market.”Finally, understand your finances.

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