Author: News Room

Some U.S. states are looking to expand their student debt repayment programs that would forgive loans even if the federal plan fails, according to a recent report.   Most states, except North Dakota, already have some form of student loan exemption, according to a report by The Pew Charitable Trusts. Unlike President Biden’s more open-ended plans, forgiveness at the state level has typically been tailored to forgive loans for borrowers that work in certain professions, such as doctors, teachers, police officers or farmers. However, rising tuition and the cost of borrowing, which has made some Americans think twice about college, is driving some states to…

Mortgage rates fell for a fourth straight week, according to weekly data compiled by Freddie Mac. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.28% as of April 6, down from 6.32% recorded last week. One year ago, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.72%.Meanwhile, the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.64%, up from last week when it averaged 5.56%. At the same time in 2022, the 15-year FRM averaged 3.91%. “Mortgage rates continue to trend down entering the traditional spring homebuying season,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “Unfortunately, those in the market to buy are facing a number of challenges, not the…

Our goal here at Credible Operations, Inc., NMLS Number 1681276, referred to as “Credible” below, is to give you the tools and confidence you need to improve your finances. Although we do promote products from our partner lenders who compensate us for our services, all opinions are our own. During the week of March 20, 2023, average private student loan rates rose for borrowers with credit scores of 720 or higher who used the Credible marketplace to take out 10-year variable-rate loans and 5-year variable-rate loans. 10-year fixed rate: 7.43%, up from 7.15% the week before, +.285-year variable rate: 11.88%,…

A majority of Americans said that inflation and rising costs has impacted their healthcare purchasing decisions or their ability to pay medical bills, according to a recent AccessOne survey. In January, the consumer price index, a measure of inflation, showed that overall prices grew by 6.4% from the previous year while prices for medical care services increased by 3%. This rise in healthcare costs and other areas of spending is why 71% of respondents said they are struggling with healthcare bills or delaying medical decisions. Overall, 43% of Americans said they couldn’t comfortably cover medical costs exceeding $249, while 54% would delay payment…

You filed your taxes and your refund is in your hands. So, what do you plan to do with the extra cash? Save it? Invest it? Buy that new laptop you’ve been wanting? Go on a tropical getaway?  While all these are popular things Americans do with their refund money, it isn’t the smartest thing to splurge and spend all the money on things that probably aren’t going to benefit you in the future.  TAX REFUNDS: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW Here are some ways to use your tax refund to benefit you in the long term. Invest in yourselfUse your tax refund…

Apple on Tuesday announced a soft launch of its long-awaited buy now, pay later (BNPL) service option for Apple Wallet. The company is inviting a few, select users to access a prerelease version of Apple Pay Later, with plans to offer it to all eligible users in the coming months. Apple Pay Later was initially anticipated to launch last September. It will allow users to split the cost of their purchases into four interest-free payments spread over six weeks. Consumers apply for Apple Pay Later loans of $50 to $1,000, which can be used for online and in-app purchases made on iPhone or…

Asking your issuer for a credit card limit increase is relatively easy to request, and most experts say if you can manage your temptation to overspend, and you have a solid pay-back history, it may be something to consider.  “I think asking for a credit line increase is a good idea,” says Ted Rossman, senior industry analyst at CreditCards.com. “It can help your credit score because it can lower your credit utilization ratio which is the credit you’re using divided by credit available to you.”He says this is a key component of your credit score. Typically, says Rossman, it’s best…

Our goal here at Credible Operations, Inc., NMLS Number 1681276, referred to as “Credible” below, is to give you the tools and confidence you need to improve your finances. Although we do promote products from our partner lenders who compensate us for our services, all opinions are our own. If you’re trying to keep track of multiple due dates for your credit cards, a credit card consolidation loan can allow you to pay off your high-interest credit cards and leave you with a single monthly payment. You might even be able to lower your interest costs. When considering a credit…

Spring is in the air, which means the U.S. is in store for warmer temperatures and higher gas prices, according to the latest report from AAA. The national average cost for a gallon of gas increased by five cents from last week to $3.48, reflecting strong demand for gas and rising oil prices, AAA said. As temperatures heat up, so will demand, which will likely keep pressuring gas prices.”Oil prices finally crested and have now settled above the $70 per barrel mark after weeks of hovering just below it and gas demand is very robust,” AAA spokesperson Andrew Gross said in a statement.…

Our goal here at Credible Operations, Inc., NMLS Number 1681276, referred to as “Credible” below, is to give you the tools and confidence you need to improve your finances. Although we do promote products from our partner lenders who compensate us for our services, all opinions are our own. Borrowers with good credit seeking personal loans during the past seven days prequalified for rates that were higher for 3- and 5-year loans compared to the previous seven days. For borrowers with credit scores of 720 or higher who used the Credible marketplace to select a lender between March 24 and…