Moneywatch Managing Your Money - CBSNews.com / Moneywatch Managing Your Money From CBSNews.com Fri, 04 Jul 2025 15:01:36 -0400 5 Mortgage rates just dropped for the fifth consecutive week. Here's what buyers should do now. /news/mortgage-rates-drop-fifth-consecutive-week-buyers-july-2025/ Mortgage interest rates are consistently declining again. Here are three things homebuyers should do in response. Thu, 03 Jul 2025 15:03:08 -0400 https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2025/07/03/c6169c7b-665c-4dac-83ca-e07c8a157be9/thumbnail/60x60/9c5d039f9abf37f1f3a2c870e2d63744/gettyimages-2161695922.jpg 3317c9a1-cec2-40f3-947e-ade213c585af 5 signs your credit card debt is too high for a DIY payoff plan /news/signs-your-credit-card-debt-is-too-high-for-diy-payoff/ Struggling to tackle your credit card debt on your own? Here's how to know when it's time to try a different strategy. Thu, 03 Jul 2025 14:42:59 -0400 https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2025/07/03/6b09a660-4bab-438e-a82b-3b3c127570bd/thumbnail/60x60/6a75ffaef14f736e1942f7bd762deb53/gettyimages-142483566.jpg 8797f5c4-f9c0-41f6-907c-a79768d1134c $150,000 home equity loan vs. $150,000 HELOC: Which is cheaper now? /news/150000-home-equity-loan-vs-150000-heloc-which-is-cheaper-july-2025/ Rates on both home equity products are comparable now, but that doesn't mean repayments will be identical for long. Thu, 03 Jul 2025 13:55:48 -0400 https://assets2.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2025/07/03/6b749a60-e57c-48fb-8de2-dbe13e6b22c4/thumbnail/60x60/58947cc07239b4d169ad024e4f2b63f5/gettyimages-172872188.jpg acd455c6-303f-43e4-a188-60acb2d0cbca 5 mistakes that could make your credit card debt even more expensive now /news/credit-card-debt-mistakes-that-drive-up-the-cost-now/ Want to keep your credit card balances from spiraling out of control? Avoiding these big mistakes could help. Thu, 03 Jul 2025 13:50:11 -0400 https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2025/07/03/6fcf1ae2-e23f-4c1a-b74d-dbc97710177f/thumbnail/60x60/5758efc97e26645c9e3ac243818174fa/gettyimages-2143911993.jpg 6b93e98e-680e-4763-b387-3bd1f42bb41b Federal vs. private student loans: Which one offers the lowest rates for fall 2025? /news/do-federal-or-private-student-loans-offer-lowest-rates-fall-2025/ Federal student loan rates dropped slightly for the 2025-26 school year, but are they the most affordable option? Thu, 03 Jul 2025 12:39:02 -0400 https://assets2.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2025/07/03/66f40864-177c-429f-9b55-f57fee131fa7/thumbnail/60x60/0d42e7e889a62953f29f423db547c874/gettyimages-2214611039.jpg 5a66b583-1481-4279-a50a-9909f1cea65b $10,000 long-term CD vs. $10,000 high-yield savings account: Here's which earns more now /news/10000-long-term-cd-vs-10000-high-yield-savings-account-which-earns-more-july-2025/ Considering a five-figure deposit into one of these two accounts? You may be surprised by which one earns more now. Thu, 03 Jul 2025 11:41:01 -0400 https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2025/07/03/8e71ebde-ca79-4221-a0a4-88481f3b7374/thumbnail/60x60/b17e05f88b9c6971fe2046ba39622e20/gettyimages-860901718.jpg ebc0032b-8a90-44d7-9062-1559ac1d5827 Home renovations that can cut insurance costs /news/home-renovations-that-can-cut-insurance-costs/ Certain home upgrades can help you reduce insurance costs without sacrificing essential protection, experts say. Thu, 03 Jul 2025 10:33:25 -0400 https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2025/07/03/a9e93a7f-7392-4232-8c19-a76df9b7c77d/thumbnail/60x60/4a73ad969ca372ddd36dac57abeeb317/gettyimages-981878332.jpg 068c4488-ae13-4b7d-894e-e13f961b78cd Life insurance questions seniors should be asking in today's economy /news/life-insurance-questions-seniors-should-be-asking-in-todays-economy/ Insurance experts say asking five key questions can help older Americans save money and ensure proper coverage. Thu, 03 Jul 2025 09:57:33 -0400 https://assets2.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2025/07/03/f5385ce4-b137-426d-8881-ef5fb5cdea11/thumbnail/60x60/b053c371ad1bdca28bc542db266c09f3/gettyimages-1218165390.jpg aa6e56c0-8b34-48af-99df-de06b0012af2 6 HELOC fees that could increase the cost of borrowing /news/heloc-fees-that-increase-borrowing-costs/ Certain HELOC fees can quietly raise the cost of borrowing. Here are the big ones you should keep an eye out for. Wed, 02 Jul 2025 15:24:17 -0400 https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2025/07/02/3bb57f4f-cc8b-44ee-87c8-e9d32649fbc2/thumbnail/60x60/9961b570b51eb1f842fe0048e24255ae/gettyimages-2167713414.jpg 5fb952ce-a889-4708-ae89-53a293ee0d17 Considering a $10,000 CD now? Here are 3 questions to ask first. /news/considering-10000-cd-now-questions-to-ask-first/ A $10,000 CD makes sense for savers right now, assuming they first asked themselves these three critical questions. Wed, 02 Jul 2025 14:12:43 -0400 https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2025/07/02/2384d174-067b-4708-a46f-7b1fb093ba6c/thumbnail/60x60/78923879762801489ea7b43a13f5f83d/gettyimages-2169104830.jpg 7ae4f94b-8b61-4f64-ab93-3c5af0e7f7a5 What happens if your credit cards are closed due to non-payment? /news/what-happens-if-your-credit-cards-are-closed-due-to-non-payment/ If your credit cards are closed due to non-payment, your finances could take a major hit. Here's how. Wed, 02 Jul 2025 13:19:05 -0400 https://assets2.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2025/07/02/11c35bbe-6d2a-4f45-8081-a71366bf3909/thumbnail/60x60/fbc7721362010e7ccc7c09ae7d9400e1/gettyimages-2189067824.jpg 2ba4baea-06ee-4d25-81ba-207b17c0951d Not sure if credit card debt settlement is right for you? 7 signs it could be /news/signs-that-credit-card-debt-settlement-is-right-for-you/ Worried that debt settlement isn't for you? These signs indicate that it may offer the relief you're looking for. Wed, 02 Jul 2025 12:59:54 -0400 https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2025/07/02/5045653c-7fa7-4a25-8e87-e08255d226a2/thumbnail/60x60/dd91b3e149252d9b5c87f6c4ef7fbb2f/gettyimages-2161220839.jpg 6233c2ac-7203-4d51-8435-22be81d4265d Are gold bars and coins worth investing in this July? /news/are-gold-bars-and-coins-worth-investing-in-july-2025/ Gold bars and coins could be a valuable addition to your investment portfolio this July. Here are three reasons why. Wed, 02 Jul 2025 12:49:42 -0400 https://assets3.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2025/07/02/46eaee3f-9210-496b-90be-ab8d01246b5f/thumbnail/60x60/794901168e192c19d7720dbc7996fe49/gettyimages-699096931.jpg 97aec742-39fd-4c92-9419-1b4946bb1a45 Why a $20,000 CD is worth opening this July /news/why-20000-cd-is-worth-opening-july-2025/ Not sure if a $20,000 CD account makes sense to open this July? Here are three reasons why it could be a smart pick. Wed, 02 Jul 2025 11:19:07 -0400 https://assets2.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2025/07/02/b802c3e9-7ecb-4006-a435-a76a508ccba5/thumbnail/60x60/584ea943a5cb186f7f14d2d9e41ea1a4/gettyimages-2047958654.jpg 1c69258e-5a22-4783-ae9c-442b5b8907de How to lower auto insurance costs without sacrificing security /news/how-to-lower-auto-insurance-costs-without-sacrificing-security/ Car insurance premiums have been soaring. Here's how to cut costs without cutting the coverage you actually need. Wed, 02 Jul 2025 10:46:02 -0400 https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2025/07/02/94a6e75a-14a6-47a6-8f01-662643de9644/thumbnail/60x60/fe03806ead795a91db836d5402e97a89/gettyimages-1454694075.jpg ba620823-68dd-44e2-8e13-7dba22429179 Home insurance tips for weather-proofing your home /news/home-insurance-tips-for-weather-proofing-your-home/ These tips for weather-proofing your home could help prevent damage and reduce the likelihood of filing a claim. Wed, 02 Jul 2025 09:50:31 -0400 https://assets2.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2025/07/02/71a740c7-8acc-40c0-ad15-e121278fb7b4/thumbnail/60x60/1ec8da03bb36e9e4ac4fccf4590fade1/gettyimages-1791232364.jpg 6cb5fe51-5e62-4071-b7c1-02adfe582cb1 5 smart ways to use $100,000 in home equity right now /news/how-to-use-100000-in-home-equity-now/ Thinking about tapping $100,000 in home equity? These strategies could help grow your wealth — or protect it. Tue, 01 Jul 2025 14:36:49 -0400 https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2025/07/01/b5bada93-6786-44d3-81af-26ae9f8dea38/thumbnail/60x60/e287bbc4601c40eed57e2b6057c48d64/gettyimages-1443030833.jpg 7a8d268f-95da-4e9f-9c0d-9a30a977b051 Does credit card debt forgiveness make sense this July? /news/does-credit-card-debt-forgiveness-make-sense-july-2025/ Credit card debt forgiveness can offer borrowers major relief if applied for now, but it won't be right for everyone. Tue, 01 Jul 2025 13:45:50 -0400 https://assets2.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2025/07/01/79eb2add-aa13-4c96-a093-ef934c722c20/thumbnail/60x60/7739f8bc79587a851121d6cded5864a9/gettyimages-1185676687.jpg 144e4d2d-db38-43cb-b81a-d1e0ec048903 Want to consolidate your credit card debt? Do these 3 things first. /news/want-to-consolidate-credit-card-debt-do-these-things-first/ Ready to consolidate your debt? Not so fast. Do these things first to improve your chances of getting real relief. Tue, 01 Jul 2025 13:02:11 -0400 https://assets2.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2025/07/01/41702a0b-f56c-4c72-85c3-fb4df493cc84/thumbnail/60x60/6ecbd2c63e37b68577fee399e1eaec82/gettyimages-2178610576.jpg f5c81247-e842-429b-aee8-2e076fa45fe1 4 HELOC mistakes to avoid this July /news/heloc-mistakes-to-avoid-july-2025/ Don't go into the HELOC borrowing process this month before understanding these four common (and timely) mistakes. Tue, 01 Jul 2025 12:28:37 -0400 https://assets2.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2025/07/01/5c0dd091-27c2-45fc-ad93-a8cb27e8bc5c/thumbnail/60x60/8b600ba17b7d7d8543ba542a6e486084/gettyimages-1388341200.jpg 3c04b05b-567d-426c-a412-79df43b671e7 What to do if your CD account matures this July /news/what-to-do-if-your-cd-account-matures-july-2025/ Have a CD account set to mature this month? Here are the next three steps you should consider taking now. Tue, 01 Jul 2025 12:13:22 -0400 https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2025/07/01/3ed599b0-2c1c-47c2-9d91-3469d75f3b56/thumbnail/60x60/12c72e9b9b05362c91dc855816114a8b/gettyimages-2181508169.jpg 2483dbf8-e9ea-4825-bb99-981b65806deb What are today's CD interest rates? /news/what-are-todays-cd-interest-rates/ When you open a CD, you'll lock in today's rates for the entire term. Here's how much you can earn. Tue, 01 Jul 2025 11:30:24 -0400 https://assets2.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2023/06/05/0532bb22-a3c5-41f8-8473-428a1b4d36e2/thumbnail/60x60/559eba62110aa70fb3a06535d24903bd/gettyimages-1433466907.jpg a5fd125a-8fb6-4b98-9a77-06e7c51b040e Who qualifies for medical debt relief now? /news/who-qualifies-for-medical-debt-relief-now/ There are a few programs and policies that make medical debt relief more accessible now. Here's who could qualify. Tue, 01 Jul 2025 11:20:45 -0400 https://assets2.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2025/07/01/cf4c9d95-fcae-4107-a49b-f3e44432d7e6/thumbnail/60x60/76b57a1eeee9ab44636f79205213a804/gettyimages-1294626112-1.jpg 4d1b032e-2ea5-4878-a5d6-fb99cec84ecd What are today's mortgage and mortgage refinance interest rates? /news/what-are-todays-mortgage-and-mortgage-refinance-interest-rates/ Knowing today's mortgage rates can help new homebuyers and homeowners looking to lock in a good deal. Tue, 01 Jul 2025 08:58:42 -0400 https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2023/06/15/86afcceb-cd5d-42f1-a29b-e0341f72cbff/thumbnail/60x60/a989950b607c5492e732469f289c38b0/gettyimages-839311524.jpg 0078a971-df18-4050-98fc-2be371ba30dd What are today's savings interest rates? /news/what-are-todays-savings-interest-rates/ You can open a high-yield savings account today and start earning more on the money you save. Tue, 01 Jul 2025 08:52:11 -0400 https://assets2.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2023/06/05/ddf48dbb-806b-4f17-ad69-8c159cb14a53/thumbnail/60x60/272974152657ed05a6e6043034e4b14e/what-are-todays-savings-interest-rates.jpg 6c1fca86-7f11-43d9-9a11-f10757210fcb What is the price of gold today? /news/what-is-the-price-of-gold-today/ Understanding the pricing trends and dynamics of the gold market is crucial for making sound financial choices. Tue, 01 Jul 2025 08:51:05 -0400 https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2023/10/04/2d5e8bc4-59ce-42dd-a599-35dcc4267a76/thumbnail/60x60/d3abddcd4eeadb91619ed2b9d0985ec4/gettyimages-1253978377.jpg 958c31d3-5e3e-495a-a218-6f5c7862fb17 $10,000 short-term CD vs. $10,000 money market account: Which earns more interest now? /news/10000-short-term-cd-vs-10000-money-market-account-which-earns-more-interest-july-2025/ With comparable rates, savers should calculate the interest-earning opportunity on both before getting started now. Mon, 30 Jun 2025 16:51:23 -0400 https://assets3.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2025/06/30/b959e61e-7fbe-4c44-9642-9a13ceab7620/thumbnail/60x60/9754f839c714cdca1ab80a6bea72332f/gettyimages-2163538710.jpg 1846c408-f456-4ce7-9d4f-5960d98c9d83 Why a HELOC is worth opening this July /news/why-a-heloc-is-worth-opening-this-july/ If you need an affordable way to borrow a large amount of money, a HELOC could make sense this July. Here's why. Mon, 30 Jun 2025 16:29:03 -0400 https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2025/06/30/1bd40f68-e4dc-44a7-ab9e-c8fc4a1c0b2c/thumbnail/60x60/a10af561f3ef294483711592d68ae6f7/gettyimages-1171659600.jpg 5ed40545-2e9a-4c7a-b5a9-1e4448729c33 5 options to consider if your debt dispute is denied by a debt collector /news/options-if-your-debt-dispute-is-denied-by-a-debt-collector/ If your debt dispute with a collection agency didn't work, don't panic. Just consider these options instead. Mon, 30 Jun 2025 15:57:08 -0400 https://assets3.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2025/06/30/f4498585-6027-44cd-8076-20f0003c99d4/thumbnail/60x60/1ccd695d9763c0da9bba4b003c39b548/gettyimages-947063048.jpg 8a838a78-af52-4e29-849f-33686c964826 What could happen to gold's price this July? /news/what-could-happen-gold-price-july-2025/ The price of the precious metal has hit numerous record highs in 2025. But will it continue to do so this July? Mon, 30 Jun 2025 15:56:23 -0400 https://assets2.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2025/06/30/23a13227-2940-4917-aff6-ff75af388911/thumbnail/60x60/4f3bf47543da9daa520babc43e354fdd/gettyimages-1277609059.jpg 5cc611ad-2f81-43b8-93a2-0c33efb5086a