- What Is a Proportional Tax?
A proportional tax, also known as a flat tax, is a type of tax system that levies the same tax rate on everyone, no matter their income level. This system is in contrast to the progressive or marginal tax system… read more…
- Pre-IPO: Definition and How to Invest
Before a company has an initial public offering (IPO), it typically sets aside a handful of shares that are available for purchase. Since these shares tend to be offered in large quantities, pre-IPO investing is usually done by hedge funds,… read more…
- What Is a Jumbo CD?
A certificate of deposit, more commonly known as a CD, is a type of bank account that pays interest in exchange for the depositor leaving their funds in the account until it matures. A jumbo CD functions in the same way,… read more…
- What Is Accessible Income?
In general terms, your income is typically the money you earn from jobs that you work. But accessible income accounts for more than just your paycheck, as it includes most of the money you receive over a year. This definition… read more…
- What Is a Co-Applicant?
A co-applicant is an additional person involved in the application of a loan besides the original applicant. They are equally considered alongside the applicant throughout the whole application process, including during the approval and underwriting. A co-applicant’s credit history can… read more…
- What Is the Average Life Insurance Rate for 2025?
Life insurance rates are constantly changing, and each person’s life insurance policy is different. For instance, rates can vary by age, gender, health, employment, weight and family health history, as well as whether or not the insured smokes, does drugs… read more…
- Does Checking Your Credit Score Lower It?
It’s long been said that if you check your credit score, it may experience a drop. But in reality, if you yourself are checking your score through a free website or app, you can check as many times as you… read more…
- How to Dispute Errors on Your Credit Report
Errors on your credit report aren’t as uncommon as you might think. These issues, whether big or small, can negatively alter your credit score, making it harder to get approved for new lines of credit or loans. An error could… read more…
- Is 700 Considered a Good Credit Score?
A 700 credit score is often seen as the barometer for what constitutes a good credit score. But while each credit scoring agency has slightly different criteria for determining where scores rank, a 700 score typically resides in the “good” category. Other… read more…
- How Long Does Bankruptcy Stay on Your Credit Report?
A bankruptcy can seriously hurt your credit score, making it difficult to get approved for new lines of credit and lower loan interest rates. While bankruptcies are undoubtedly harmful, they won’t stay on your credit report forever. How long they… read more…
- How Does a Tender Offer Work?
A tender offer allows a company or entity to do a public takeover of a business by buying many of its shareholders’ stock shares. Tender offers are typically public, as they literally ask shareholders to sell their shares for a… read more…
- What Is the Rule of 70, and How Do You Use It?
The rule of 70 is used to determine about how long it will take an investment to double in size while growing at a consistent rate of return. The rule is far from exact, but it can nonetheless help you figure out the approximate future value of an investment or compare the potential value of… read more…
- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Definition
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, otherwise known as the FDIC, is a federal regulatory body in the U.S. Its primary purpose is to insure deposits made at banks and other financial institutions in the event that they go under and are… read more…
- What Is the Highest Credit Score You Can Have?
Having a good credit score is beneficial, and an excellent score is even better. But what if you could achieve the perfect credit score? To attain the highest credit score there is, you’ll need to have outstanding credit practices, meet… read more…
- What Is a Good Credit Score?
Having good credit is an important factor in whether you’ll be approved for new lines of credit or lower interest rates on loans. Credit scoring agencies use many different factors from your credit history to determine your credit score. While having a good… read more…
- What Is Life Insurance, and How Does It Work?
Life insurance is a contract through which a policyholder pays an insurer in exchange for a payout when the insured dies. Most adults have heard of life insurance, and many have been told that they should have it. However, conversations… read more…
- Inflationary Risk Definition
When building an investment portfolio there are certain types of risk you have to factor in, including inflation risk. You may know that inflation means a trend of rising prices over time but you may not understand how this can… read more…
- What Is Term Life Insurance?
A term life insurance policy provides a death benefit or lump sum payment to a beneficiary if the policyholder dies during a specific “term” or period of time. Often called pure life insurance, term life insurance is known for being… read more…
- Credit 101: Definition, Scoring, Reports and More
Credit is one of the most important aspects of a person’s financial life. Your credit score affects your ability to get loans, credit cards, apartments and more. There are several components to credit that have an impact on you and your financial situation. You can check these factors by looking at your credit score and… read more…
- Bankruptcy Basics: How to File, Types, and More
Bankruptcy is a way for an individual or business to have their debts legally discharged in the event that they cannot pay them. For example, if your home is being foreclosed upon or your debts have built up to the… read more…
- What Is a Non-Recourse Loan?
A non-recourse loan is a type of debt that’s secured by collateral, such as an individual’s car, house or another typically illiquid asset. By securing a non-recourse loan, the lender won’t have the ability to pursue the borrower’s other assets… read more…
- What Is the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)?
The New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE for short, is the world’s largest and most famous stock exchange. The total market capitalization of all of its listed securities totals over $25 trillion. The NYSE is located in downtown New York at… read more…
- What Is IRS Form 1099-MISC?
If you’re a contractor, freelancer or another type of self-employed individual, you’ll likely need to file IRS Form 1099-MISC. This form is used to report non-employee compensation, and it is part of the 1099 family of IRS tax forms. In… read more…
- What Is an Excellent Credit Score?
A credit score of 800 or above typically falls into the “excellent” category. There are many benefits associated with this tier of credit score. For example, an excellent credit score means you’re more likely to gain approval for new lines of… read more…
- Liquidity Risk Definition
Investing is naturally a risky proposition, and there are specific types of risk to be aware of when deciding where to put your money. Liquidity risk is one of them. Broadly speaking, it refers to how easily an asset can… read more…