Key takeaways The Federal Reserve’s interest-rate decisions have a wide-ranging influence on your personal finances, affecting more than just your financing costs but also your job security and purchasing power. When the Fed’s key interest rate falls (or rises), the borrowing costs you pay also follow suit, influencing the cost…

Key takeaways Business loan requirements are not the same for every lender. Annual revenue, credit score and years in business are a few factors that impact loan qualification. As part of a loan application, businesses will have to provide certain documents like tax returns and profit and loss statements. Applying…

ANDREY DENISYUK/Getty Images Key takeaways As of July 1, 2025, the minimum car insurance limits in Massachusetts will increase to 25/50/30 from 20/40/5. The higher mandatory car insurance limits could increase average minimum car insurance rates by 36 percent, putting annual premiums at $711. Carriers will automatically raise limits on…

When buying a home as a couple, your credit scores, income, and existing debt all play a major role in mortgage approval and loan terms. Lenders review each person’s credit separately, use the lower score for qualification, and consider your combined debt-to-income ratio if applying jointly. How to Financially Prepare…