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☆ More than two-thirds of Americans’ financial situation did not improve or stayed the same in 2022 — here's how to better your finances in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Jasmin Suknanan | Jason Stauffer | Benji Stawski | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +12 min

With a higher credit score, you can qualify for better interest rates on your credit card, mortgage, or loan, better loan terms and sometimes even higher funding amounts. One of the most important ways to increase your credit score is to continue making on-time payments on any existing debt. So if you've spent $5,000 on a credit card with a credit limit of $10,000, your credit utilization rate is 50%. Keep in mind that it can take some time to see drastic improvements in your credit score, however, every little score bump helps. Another way to put a little extra money in your pocket is by using a cash-back or rewards credit card.

Between out-of-control inflation and the Federal Reserve's attempts to temper it with rate hikes, just about everything in America became more expensive in 2022 — including credit card debt. Credit card interest rates soared in 2022, and they did so with mind-boggling speed. According to Bankrate, credit card rates had the steepest single-year increase since the company began tracking them in 1985. This means that if you have any credit card debt, it's become more expensive than ever. Get a balance transfer credit cardA balance transfer allows you to move debt from a high-interest credit card to one with a promotional 0% APR period.

The average overall personal loan rate this week is 21.03%, an increase of nearly 1 percentage point from last week. Insider's Featured Personal Loan Companies LightStream Personal LoanMarcus Personal LoanSoFi Personal Loan Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Fees 4.5/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star APR 6.99% to 24.99% Fees 4.25/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star APR Fixed rates from 7.99% APR to 23.43% APR APR reflect the 0.25% autopay discount and a 0.25% direct deposit discount. Average personal loan rates by credit scoreThese rates are based on data from 108 borrowers who applied for loans and received rates. How is an personal loan different from a payday loan?

Average interest rates on refinanced student loans are mixed from two weeks ago, according to Credible. Federal student loan rates for the 2023-24 school year have risen by the widest margin in about 20 years. While private student loan rates aren't directly affected by federal rates, they may also go up because they don't have to stay as low to remain competitive with federal ones. Insider's Featured Student Loan Refinance Companies SoFi Student Loan RefinancingSplash Financial Student Loan RefinancingEarnest Student Loan Refinancing Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. For instance, you won't qualify for the COVID-19-related student loan payment pause, currently in place through the end of August 2023, and federal student loan relief programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

One criteria mortgage lenders use to assess your mortgage application is the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). According to a breakdown from The Mortgage Reports, a good debt-to-income ratio is 43% or less. That's why many common forms of debt — like student loan debt or credit card debt — can be a major barrier to homeownership. For example, Ally Bank doesn't charge certain lender fees such as an application fee, origination fee, processing fee or underwriting fee. This is why they calculate a debt-to-income ratio to judge how much of your income goes toward debt payments.

While these events are out of our control, there are still steps you can take in 2023 to feel a little more confident and prepared with our finances. Annual Percentage Yield (APY) Earn up to 4.11% APYMinimum balance NoneMonthly fee NoneMaximum transactions NoneExcessive transactions fee NoneOverdraft fees N/AOffer checking account? Check your credit scoreChecking your credit score can be especially important if you plan on applying for a mortgage, loan, apartment or a new credit card later in the year. Experian Boost® Learn More On Experian's secure site Cost FreeAverage credit score increase 13 points, though results varyCredit report affected Experian®Credit scoring model used FICO® Score Results will vary. Bottom lineWhile 2022 was a financially tumultuous year with many twists and turns, there are steps every individual can take to walk into 2023 feeling a little more prepared.

The average 10-year fixed student loan rate for borrowers with credit scores below 680 is 7.75%. Federal student loan rates for the 2023-24 school year have risen by the widest margin in about two decades. While private student loan rates aren't directly affected by federal rates, they may also go up because they don't have to stay as low to remain competitive with federal ones. Insider's Featured Student Loan Refinance Companies SoFi Student Loan RefinancingSplash Financial Student Loan RefinancingEarnest Student Loan Refinancing Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. For instance, you won't qualify for the COVID-19-related student loan payment pause, currently in place through the end of August 2023, and federal student loan relief programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

The average overall personal loan rate this week is 20.11%, a 10 basis-point increase from the beginning of December. You can get a personal loan for a variety of reasons. Insider's Featured Personal Loan Companies LightStream Personal LoanMarcus Personal LoanSoFi Personal Loan Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Fees 4.5/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star APR 6.99% to 24.99% Fees 4.25/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star APR Fixed rates from 7.99% APR to 23.43% APR APR reflect the 0.25% autopay discount and a 0.25% direct deposit discount. Average personal loan rates by credit scoreThese rates are based on data from 114 borrowers who applied for loans and received rates.

Student loan debt has become such an issue that the Biden Administration has been attempting to cancel up to $20,000 in student debt per eligible borrower and has continually extended the student loan repayment pause. Ways employers are currently assisting with student debt management"Employers are increasingly offering student loan contribution plans as a direct way to help borrowers pay down student loan debt," Scruggs says. How other employers can help employees manage student loan debtOne of the simplest and most affordable ways employers can help employees is to share information on what employees need to know about their student loans. "There are many ways to help employees manage and pay down student loan debt. However, note that if you refinance federal student loans you'll lose federal protections, like the current student loan payment freeze and potential student loan forgiveness.

The average overall personal loan rate this week is 20.05%, a four basis-point increase from last week. You can get a personal loan for many reasons. Insider's Featured Personal Loan Companies LightStream Personal LoanMarcus Personal LoanSoFi Personal Loan Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Fees 4.5/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star APR 6.99% to 24.99% Fees 4.25/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star APR Fixed rates from 7.99% APR to 23.43% APR APR reflect the 0.25% autopay discount and a 0.25% direct deposit discount. Average personal loan rates by credit scoreThese rates are based on data from 150 borrowers who applied for loans and received rates.

☆ How to Refinance Your Student Loans
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +14 min

You can refinance federal student loans, private student loans or both. “If you have several student loans, refinancing is a good way to help streamline payments,” says Joe DePaulo, co-founder of College Ave Student Loans, an online lender. How to refinance student loans in 5 stepsThe process of refinancing student loans typically only takes two to three weeks from start to finish. Student loan refinancing FAQWhen is a good time to refinance student loans? While both federal and private student loans are eligible for refinancing, only federal student loans qualify for Direct loan consolidation.

☆ Citi AT&T Points Plus Card review: Earn a $100 welcome bonus and up to $240 in annual statement credits for no annual fee
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Tessa Campbell | Personal Finance Reviews Fellow | Read More | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +24 min

More Information The information related to the AT&T Points Plus℠ Card from Citi has been collected by Business Insider and has not been reviewed by the issuer. Review: Is the Citi AT&T Points Plus credit card the best card for you? Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightFees and costsThe AT&T Points Plus℠ Card doesn't charge an annual fee. Does the Citi AT&T Points Plus card come with cell phone insurance? No, the AT&T Points Plus℠ Card unfortunately does not come with cell phone insurance.

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In the past two months, student loan forgiveness has been the target of two high-profile lawsuits. Meanwhile, the Biden administration responded by extending the student loan payment pause yet again. What's happening to student loan forgiveness? Since the status of student loan forgiveness remains in the air, the Biden administration has extended the student loan payment pause until the Supreme Court makes a ruling. Select ranked SoFi Student Loan Refinancing and Earnest Student Loan Refinancing as some of the best companies for refinancing student loans.

The Biden administration has extended the student loan repayment pause into 2023. Insider's Featured Student Loan Refinance Companies SoFi Student Loan RefinancingSplash Financial Student Loan RefinancingEarnest Student Loan Refinancing Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. If you make student loan payments during the pause, all the money goes toward reducing the principal. Here's how much you could have saved had you continued to make regular student loan payments throughout the duration of the repayment pause. "When student loan payments start again, many are in for a rough time," Zigmont said.

The average 10-year fixed student loan rate for borrowers with credit scores below 680 is 8.30%. Federal student loan rates for 2022-23 are up by the most in almost two decades. These new rates don't directly affect private student loan rates, but private rates may go up as they don't have to stay as low to remain competitive with federal ones. Insider's Featured Student Loan Refinance Companies SoFi Student Loan RefinancingSplash Financial Student Loan RefinancingEarnest Student Loan Refinancing Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Federal student loans have a number of protections that private student loans don't.

☆ Despite rising inflation, large purchases remain accessible for consumers with good credit
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Sponsor Post | Created Lightstream With Insider Studios | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

For the first time in decades, inflation is wreaking havoc on the economy, with the annualized inflation rate in September surpassing 8%. For consumers with good credit, an unsecured, fixed interest rate consumer loan can help fund these large purchases. Unlike a HELOC or cash-out mortgage, an unsecured loan requires no collateral, meaning borrowers are not at risk of losing their homes. LightStream has unsecured financing available for up to $100,000 for borrowers with good credit. A fixed rate loan can reap significant savings, too, compared to variable rate financing options that often grow more expensive as the years pass.

The average 10-year fixed student loan rate for borrowers with credit scores below 680 is 7.35%. Federal student loan rates for 2022-23 are up by the most in almost two decades. These new rates don't directly affect private student loan rates, but private rates may go up as they don't have to stay as low to compete with federal loan rates. 5-year variable student loan refinancing ratesRates on 5-year undergraduate variable loans remained at yearly highs this past week, settling at 8.79%. Insider's Featured Student Loan Refinance Companies SoFi Student Loan RefinancingSplash Financial Student Loan RefinancingEarnest Student Loan Refinancing Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

Compare today's personal loan ratesWhile some personal loan rates went down over the past week, they've been trending higher overall. Average personal loan ratesWe've compiled a database of 28 personal loan products and averaged their rates so you know the current landscape. Average personal loan rates by credit scoreThese rates are based on data from 150 borrowers who applied for loans and received rates. Fees 4.5/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star APR 6.99% to 24.99% Fees 4.25/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star APR Fixed rates from 7.99% APR to 23.43% APR APR reflect the 0.25% autopay discount and a 0.25% direct deposit discount. You can use a personal loan for almost any purpose you can think of, although it does depend on the lender.

33-year-old nonprofit worker Micah H. paid off six figures of student loans in 13 years. She started paying them off while she was in college, then continued for the next several years. Insider's Featured Student Loan Refinance Companies SoFi Student Loan RefinancingSplash Financial Student Loan RefinancingEarnest Student Loan Refinancing Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Micah used the money she was saving on eating out to pay off her student loan debt faster. Once her housing costs were down from $1,600 to $750, she was able to put the $850 savings each month toward her student loans.

The rates on 5-year undergraduate loans were flat, five-year graduate rates dipped, and 10- year loan rates went up. Though student loan rates didn't change much this week, they have increased substantially in the last 12 months. These new rates don't directly affect private student loan rates, but private rates may go up as they don't have to stay as low to compete with federal loan rates. Insider's Featured Student Loan Refinance Companies SoFi Student Loan RefinancingSplash Financial Student Loan RefinancingEarnest Student Loan Refinancing Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. 5-year variable student loan refinancing ratesThis past week, five-year variable undergraduate rates are unchanged from two weeks ago.

While some personal loan rates decreased over the past week, they've been trending higher in general. Average personal loan ratesWe've compiled a database of 28 personal loan products and averaged their rates so you know the current landscape. Average personal loan rates by credit scoreThese rates are based on data from 148 borrowers who applied for loans and received rates. Fees 4.5/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star APR 6.99% to 24.99% Fees 4.25/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star APR Fixed rates from 7.99% APR to 23.43% APR APR reflect the 0.25% autopay discount and a 0.25% direct deposit discount. You can use a personal loan for almost any purpose you can think of, although it does depend on the lender.

Average interest rates on refinanced student loans were little changed from two weeks ago, according to Credible. Though student loan rates haven't changed much this week, they have increased substantially in the last 12 months. Federal student loan rates for 2022-23 are up by the most in almost 20 years. These new rates don't directly affect private student loan rates, but private rates may go up as they don't have to stay as low to compete with federal loan rates. Insider's Featured Student Loan Refinance Companies SoFi Student Loan RefinancingSplash Financial Student Loan RefinancingEarnest Student Loan Refinancing Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

Here are Insider's top picks for same-day or next-day funding:Best quick personal loans LightStream Personal LoanUpstart Personal LoanAvant Personal LoanBest Egg Personal LoanRocket Loans Personal LoanOppLoans Personal LoansLendingPoint Personal Loan Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Same day Editor's rating 4.5/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star APR 5.99% to 21.49% with AutoPay (Rates as of 10/25/2022. This lender topped Insider's list of best personal loans in 2022, and quick funding is yet another bonus. Other fast personal loans we consideredNot all banks that offer personal loans will fund them quickly. Fast cash personal loan credit requirementsLender Minimum credit score LightStream 660 Upstart 600 Avant 600 Best Egg 640 LendingPoint 580 Rocket Loans 620 OppLoans No minimumThe best quick personal loan for you will largely depend on your credit score.

If you have a poor credit score and are looking for a personal loan this week, you'll be facing average rates that are almost double what they were two weeks ago. Average personal loan ratesWe've compiled a database of 28 personal loan products and averaged their rates so you know the current landscape. Average personal loan rates by credit scoreThese rates are based on data from 157 borrowers who applied for loans and received rates. Fees 4.5/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star APR 6.99% to 24.99% Fees 4.25/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star APR Fixed rates from 7.99% APR to 23.43% APR APR reflect the 0.25% autopay discount and a 0.25% direct deposit discount. For larger purchases that won't fit within a credit limit, a personal loan might be the right option.

☆ 10 best credit cards for bad credit of November 2022: Secured and unsecured cards, including some that earn cash back or flexible points
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( Holly Johnson | Jasmin Baron | Freelance Writer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +24 min

This credit card comes with no annual fee and no hidden fees, yet it's a Visa credit card that can be used anywhere Visa is accepted worldwide. How to choose the right credit card if you have bad creditBefore you pick the best credit card for your situation, you'll want to decide if you want a secured or unsecured credit card. A secured credit card is a type of credit card that requires a cash deposit as collateral. To avoid paying interest on purchases made with a credit card, you need to pay your credit card statement balance in full each month. American Express doesn't currently offer a secured credit card as most Amex cards require you to have a good to excellent credit score.

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