According to a recent survey by the FDIC, 25% of U.S. households are unbanked or underbanked. Unbanked households have no bank account at all. Underbanked households have a bank account, but they still use financial services outside the banking system to make ends meet, such as payday loans. If you’re one of the millions of Americans who don’t have a bank account, finding a place where you can cash a check can sometimes be tricky.

With real estate prices rising for almost a decade, there has been much speculation on the next housing bubble popping. The last housing bubble didn’t end well, to put it mildly. There was a glut of housing available – so much so that lenders started giving mortgages (so-called “subprime mortgages”) to almost everyone who wanted to buy a house.

A reverse mortgage is a loan for homeowners who are 62 and older who want to convert part of the equity in their home into cash (usually tax-free). The borrower keeps the title of the house and is still responsible for paying property taxes, utilities, home insurance, maintenance, and other related costs. It can be a great option for homeowners who are low on income and savings but have plenty of equity in their home. However, they are not for everyone. As you can see in the graph below, their popularity has dropped since 2009. This article provides a detailed analysis of the alternatives to a reverse mortgage.

Finding a good deal on an auto loan can save you hundreds of dollars over the life of your loan. In fact, shopping for an auto loan is often just as important as choosing the right car.  However, a lot of people don’t know where to even start researching the lowest auto loan rates.

Fixed interest rates will almost always stay the same for the term of the loan. Variable interest rates are subject to change based on varying market conditions. Variable APR can be better for those who are comfortable with the additional risk, while fixed rates are better for those who want stability and predictability.

Going to college can be an excellent experience, but paying your student loans after you’ve graduated is not quite as enjoyable.

Defaulting on a student loan doesn’t mean missing a couple of payments. Student loan default is the result of lengthy delinquency in payments, and it is not a situation in which you want to find yourself.

According to a report by the American Institute of Economic Research, student loan debt is on the rise. In 2003, student loans made up a little more than 3% of debt, but in the first quarter of 2017, student loans made up over 10%.

When I decided to go with a fixed rate on my student loan refinance, I thought I’d made a great decision because interest rates were at a low 8%. Wait a minute — you’re probably thinking — 8% is not considered low.

Many people will get an auto loan to purchase a car and then not give it much thought after that, other than the monthly payment.