Stephanie Colestock

Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we may earn a commission from our partners’ links. This content is created independently from TIME’s editorial staff. Learn more about it.
You have a choice of two primary types of financial institutions that offer checking accounts, savings accounts, and other types of savings vehicles: banks and credit unions. Despite these similar offerings, they are not identical.
Here’s a look at how banks and credit un...

The number of 401(k) and IRA millionaires reached an all-time high in the first quarter of 2021, according to Fidelity Investments. Retirement account balances have been steadily recovering in the year since COVID first emerged, even surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Today, more than 365,000 Fidelity investors boast seven-figure 401(k) balances, along with more than 307,600 IRA millionaires. A well-funded retirement account can afford you the financial security you need after your career ends. ...

A large portion of college students take out their own loans, turning to federal student loans and private loans, personal loans or even using credit cards to help pay for college. However, there are also many parents who want to pitch in – either to help their kids cover high educational expenses or because those young adults are unable to qualify for enough funding on their own.
About 18% of parents borrowed money last year on their children’s behalf to help pay for college, according to a ...

This is not a bill.
Fact-checked byNancy Ashburn
© Antonioguillem/stock.adobe.com
You went to the doctor for a sinus headache and they kindly sent the bill to your insurance company. Later, you received an EOB in the mail. What is this document and what does it mean to you?
An explanation of benefits (EOB) is a summary document intended to help you understand medical bills after receiving treatment. The EOB notifies you that a claim was filed with your health insurance carrier and explains ho...

AP Buyline’s content is created independently of The Associated Press newsroom. Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content. Learn more about our policies and terms here.
In a nutshell
A margin account is a type of brokerage account that allows investors to buy desired securities on credit, even if they don't have the cash available to cover the entire purchase.
Margin accounts provide...

Though discussion of student loan forgiveness continues to circulate in Washington, DC, it's a politically divisive issue -- and far from a sure thing. And, although emergency federal student loans forbearance offered a period of relief for many, this pandemic-related relief measure is set to expire on January 31, 2022, which means loans will come due again in early 2022.
The majority of college graduates today are no strangers to student loan debt; there are more than 43 million student borr...

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There are many expenses involved with buying a home, especially if you're utilizing a home mortgage loan for the purchase. If you plan to take out a conventional mortgage loan, one possible cost you could encounter is private mortgage insurance (PMI).
Here's a look at what private mortgage insurance is, who's responsible for buying it, and the kind of coverage it offers.
Check your mortgage eligibility at LendingTree
What is Private Mortgage Insurance, and when is it required?
...

Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we may earn a commission from our partners’ links. This content is created independently from TIME’s editorial staff. Learn more about it.
A personal loan can be a great way to pay for a home renovation project, fund a big expense, pay for a family vacation, or just cover unexpected costs that crop up. You can also use a personal loan to consolidate credit card debt and other outstanding balances, both to si...

Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we may earn a commission from our partners’ links. This content is created independently from TIME’s editorial staff. Learn more about it.
Many Americans today take out an auto loan when buying a new or used vehicle rather than paying in full upfront. In 2023, 79.7% did when buying new but only 38.4% did when buying used, according to Statista. These auto loan repayment terms vary from 18 months to as long a...

Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we may earn a commission from our partners’ links. This content is created independently from TIME’s editorial staff. Learn more about it.
When buying or refinancing a home, you may be asked to order a home appraisal, which is an unbiased, professional report designed to give you a good estimate of a property’s current market value. It considers several factors, including market trends, and is often required...

Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we may earn a commission from our partners’ links. This content is created independently from TIME’s editorial staff. Learn more about it.
A home mortgage is one of the biggest loans that most people will ever take out, allowing them to buy a home with a repayment term that can last multiple decades. Because a mortgage (and its terms) will likely follow you for many years to come, it’s important to choose th...

AP Buyline’s content is created independently of The Associated Press newsroom. Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content. Learn more about our policies and terms here.
In a nutshell
A limit order sets up an automated transaction for a specific purchase or sale price of a stock. If the stock price reaches that price threshold or better, your transaction will be processed.
If you’re l...

AP Buyline’s content is created independently of The Associated Press newsroom. Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content. Learn more about our policies and terms here.
In a nutshell
A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) is a fiduciary professional licensed to provide financial planning advice.
These individuals are certified through the CFP Board of Standards once they've met certain ...