Younger Americans are loving ROTH IRAs

Personal Finance

More savers are embracing the tax-advantaged accounts, and many will contribute leading up to tax day Young savers are flocking to Roth IRAs. They are taking the advice of parents, workplace financial coaches and tax advisers,…

How to Prequalify for a Personal Loan

Mortgage

Jordi Mora igual/Getty Images Key takeaways Prequalification lets you view your predicted loan rates and approval odds without impacting your credit score. Review each lender’s minimum acceptance criteria and loan terms prior to filling out the application to increase your chances of prequalifying. Prequalify with multiple lenders to ensure you…

10 Tips For First-Time Homebuyers

Mortgage

Key takeaways Before you start looking for homes, take time to evaluate your finances and improve your credit score. There’s a big difference between meeting the minimum credit score requirement and showing your lender a credit score well above 750. Remember to account for the variable expenses of owning a…

How To Update And Correct Your FAFSA

Mortgage

Photography by Getty Images; Illustration by Bankrate Key takeaways FAFSA updates may be required if your financial, tax or personal information changes. You may also need to make updates if you choose to apply to a new school or if the financial aid office selects you for verification. Making updates…

VA Loans Vs. Conventional Loans: What’s The Difference?

Mortgage

Key takeaways VA loans are government-backed loans that help veterans, active-duty service members and surviving spouses buy or build a home. Conventional loans are backed by private lenders, such as banks, credit unions and online lending companies. In addition to the military-related requirements, the two loan types differ in their…