Bankrate

“If retail gas prices increase from $3 to $4 nationwide… that would translate to one percentage point increase in inflation,” says @sarahffoster, U.S. Economy Reporter and Analyst at @Bankrate, discussing the impact of rising energy prices with @JD_Durkin.

Mortgage rates are already moving. The Federal Reserve held rates steady, but mortgage rates are reacting to inflation concerns and global uncertainty and have started to climb. bit.ly/4sTal1C

Driving off the lot with a signed contract doesn’t always mean the deal is final. A practice called “yo-yo financing” allows some dealerships to unwind a car sale days or weeks later. @AndrewPentis examines how the legal tactic can leave buyers exposed. bit.ly/4cJyyTi

Predatory auto loans are often perfectly legal. A record number of drivers are upside down on their loans. Delinquencies are at a 15-year high. Repossessions have surged 43% since 2022. Before you finance, focus on the APR, not just the monthly payment. bit.ly/4ughvOR

The "frozen" housing market is thawing. NAR reports Feb. home sales hit a 4.09M pace—beating expectations. Plus, Jan. numbers were revised UP to 4.02M. While sales are still -1.4% YoY, the winter slump wasn't as cold as feared.

Nasty weather held January retail sales in check linkedin.com/posts/ted-ross…

Using a four-letter word to describe this morning's jobs report: Ugly. And it's consistent with a pattern of weakening and instability seen over the past year. linkedin.com/posts/markhamr…

Financial fraud is on the rise. A new Bankrate survey found that 2 in 5 adults (40%) have experienced some type of financial fraud or scam in the past year (i.e., since January 2025)–up from 34% in 2025. Read the full report: bit.ly/3PazuGi

As the President delivers the State of the Union address, Bankrate is analyzing the structural shift in the cost of living. @hamrickisms breaks down the “lock-in effect” impacting the housing market and what it means for consumers.

Affordability proposals can sound simple. The real impact usually isn’t. From credit cards and mortgages to loans and investing, we’re tracking Trump’s consumer finance proposals and sharing what they could mean for household budgets and long-term costs. bit.ly/3Ob0fKv

Most couples don’t fully combine their finances. Just 38% of married or live-in couples say they completely merge their money, according to a new Bankrate survey. bit.ly/4trsAw3

44% of Americans say they have more emergency savings than credit card debt, according to a new Bankrate survey. But progress is slow: Just 21% say their savings grew over the past year, while nearly 3 in 10 still have more debt than savings. bit.ly/4qYPaux

Is financial infidelity as damaging as physical cheating? Bankrate found 43% of Americans say keeping money secrets from a partner is at least as bad. Nearly half of married/cohabitating couples are not sharing all of their financial details. bit.ly/4k84Gl6

NEWS: The Fed left interest rates unchanged at its first meeting of the year, pausing after three straight rate cuts as policymakers grow more cautious. bit.ly/46ljoPU

Insuring a new teen driver now costs over $5,700 a year. Adding a 16-year-old could potentially more than double the average auto insurance premium for their parents and costs more than insurance for a driver with a past accident or DUI conviction. bit.ly/4adaPZT

Years of high prices are still straining household finances. Just 30% of Americans say they could cover a $1,000 emergency from savings, and 54% say inflation is cutting into their ability to save, per new data from Bankrate. Full report: bit.ly/4jS8k2j

61% of credit cardholders with debt have been carrying it for at least a year, up from 53% in late 2024, per a new @Bankrate survey. Much of it starts with emergencies or everyday costs like groceries and utilities. High prices + high rates add up fast. bit.ly/3Yq3pvR

Credit card debt is sticking around longer. A new Bankrate survey finds 61% of cardholders with debt have carried it for at least a year, with emergency and everyday expenses driving balances. bit.ly/4suVdrI

After years of high borrowing costs, some relief may be ahead. Bankrate’s 2026 Interest Rate Forecast expects the Fed to keep cutting rates next year, though uncertainty remains. See what it means for your money: bit.ly/4qDgM7L

Rare relief for drivers: Gas prices have fallen below $3 a gallon for the first time in four years and are expected to stay low into 2026. Read the full Bankrate analysis: bankrate.com/personal-finan…+