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Featured Writers

Samantha's Portfolio

Samantha is a freelance feature writer and blogger sharing stories of people, brands, and organizations who make a difference in their world. She covers lifestyle topics that touch on our …

Samantha McNesby

Award-winning journalist, photographer and newsroom manager with 20 years reporting experience. Responsible for strategic editorial planning and project management of collaborative team in a deadline-driven environment.

Melanie King

Jessie See

My name is Jessie and I live in the beautiful Outer Banks where I work as a freelance writer and full-time marketing specialist for a vacation rental and real estate …

Virlanda Miller

I have several years of writing and editing experience, both for publication and the private sector. Currently I conduct research and write or revise insurance-related articles for online publication. I …

Latest Articles

Encumbrance Defined in Real Estate

“A lien is a type of monetary claim against a piece of real estate,” explains Joe DeMarkey, strategic business development leader at Reverse Mortgage Funding, a Bloomfield, New Jersey-based firm. “Its purpose is to secure a debt or obligation incurred by the property owner and, as such, affects the title …

By Melanie King
6th December 2022 • Bankrate

Medical Loans: How to Finance Medical Costs

Even if you have health insurance in the United States, it’s very possible to end up with thousands of dollars in medical bills that you just can’t pay back.

By Lisa Bernardi
8th March 2022 • Bankrate

Christmas Tree Safety And Statistics

As we set our clocks back and the weather gets colder, many people begin preparing for what they consider to be the best time of year: the Christmas holiday season. Every year, families begin preparing for the holiday season as early as October or November, with millions flocking to their …

By Jessie See
9th November 2021 • Bankrate

Do You Need A Co-Signer For Student Loans?

This content is powered by HomeInsurance.com, a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 8781838) and a corporate affiliate of Bankrate.com. HomeInsurance.com LLC services are only available in states were it is licensed and insurance coverage through HomeInsurance.com may not be available in all states. All insurance products are governed by the terms …

By Emma Woodward
23rd September 2021 • Bankrate

How To Pay For An MBA

A Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree can easily cost over $100,000, but the investment can pay off if it helps you qualify for a broader range of advanced careers. To pay for an MBA, you may need to apply for fellowships, scholarships or loans. You may also be able …

By
2nd September 2021 • Bankrate

Digital Publication: Misconceptions About Student Loan Cancellation

At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here’s an explanation for how we make money. Bankrate’s editorial team writes on behalf of YOU – the reader. Our goal …

By Emma Woodward
2nd April 2021 • Bankrate

USAA Insurance Review 2021

An insurance review article for comparison site readers.

By Virlanda Miller
17th December 2020 • Bankrate

Best Homeowners Insurance Companies of 2021

An insurance review article for comparison site readers.

By Virlanda Miller
2nd December 2020 • Bankrate

Nationwide SmartRide

Nationwide has placed itself at the forefront of safe driving technology with SmartRide, a program that can help you save money on your insurance premiums while encouraging you to be safer on the road.

By Lisa Bernardi
22nd July 2020 • Bankrate

Dealing With A Disaster And Your Insurance Company | .com

Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and, services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories. Other factors, …

By Jennie L. Phipps
14th July 2020 • Bankrate

Best Car Insurance in New York 2020

New Yorkers love their cars. With so many drivers on the road, finding the best car insurance in New York has never been more important.

By Lisa Bernardi
13th July 2020 • Bankrate

Citation vs Ticket: What's the difference?

Here’s everything you need to know about speeding tickets, how they can affect your insurance rates and what you can do about it.

By Lisa Bernardi
13th July 2020 • Bankrate

Progressive Insurance Company: Car, Home & Renters

Thinking about buying a Progressive auto insurance policy? Here are some of the benefits.

By Lisa Bernardi
29th June 2020 • Bankrate

Best Homeowners Insurance in Illinois

Looking for the best Illinois homeowners insurance? This guide will help you find the top homeowners insurance companies in the state.

By Lisa Bernardi
22nd March 2020 • Bankrate

Best Homeowners Insurance in Pennsylvania

Home insurance is a necessity if you own a residence in Pennsylvania.

By Lisa Bernardi
22nd March 2020 • Bankrate

First-Time Homebuyer Insurance

Home ownership is vastly different from renting a property, and it comes with additional responsibilities that you need to consider.

By Lisa Bernardi
10th March 2020 • Bankrate

How to Finance a Tiny Home

Downsizing to a micro-living space is the latest trend in housing, and in large part stems from growing environmental and financial concerns, along with the desire to pursue a more minimalist lifestyle in today’s busy world.

By Lisa Bernardi
21st February 2020 • Bankrate

Wedding Loans: How to Finance Wedding Costs

Which is more expensive: planning a wedding or buying a new car? If you guessed the wedding, you’re right.

By Lisa Bernardi
21st February 2020 • Bankrate

How To Avoid Costly Home Renovation Mistakes

Planning a home improvement project requires careful project outlines, a predetermined budget and adequate financing.

By Lisa Bernardi
8th February 2020 • Bankrate

Eco-Friendly Home Improvements That Make a Difference

These eco home improvement renovations are designed to lower your carbon footprint and save you money, benefitting both your bank account and the environment.

By Lisa Bernardi
7th February 2020 • Bankrate

Rideshare Safety Guide

There are risks associated with any form of vehicle transportation, including ridesharing. Our expert tips will help you stay safe and get to your destination smoothly.

By Lisa Bernardi
6th February 2020 • Bankrate

How To Pay For Emergency Home Repairs

Every homeowner’s worst nightmare is facing an emergency home repair and not having funds available to pay for it.

By Lisa Bernardi
28th January 2020 • Bankrate

How Much Does It Cost To Replace Your Home Radiator?

Radiators may have been around since the mid-1800s but are still widely used — and for good reason.

By Lisa Bernardi
28th January 2020 • Bankrate

How Much Does it Cost to Frame a Wall?

Building an interior wall in your home can serve many purposes, both for your own functional use and to increase your home’s value.

By Lisa Bernardi
24th January 2020 • Bankrate

How Much Does It Cost to Build a House?

If you’ve spent time looking for a house but haven’t found the perfect one, you might start wondering about what it would take to build your own home.

By Lisa Bernardi
24th January 2020 • Bankrate

Geico Insurance Company: Car & Home

In this review, we'll go into depth on the different car and home insurance policies available through Geico, including the types of coverage you can expect and various discounts you might be eligible for.

By Lisa Bernardi
21st January 2020 • Bankrate

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

What happens if you’re not at fault in an accident and the other driver doesn’t have insurance?

By Lisa Bernardi
17th January 2020 • Bankrate

Ultimate Guide To Roadside Assistance

Confused about which type of roadside assistance program is right for you? This guide can help.

By Lisa Bernardi
2nd October 2019 • Bankrate

What does Landlord Insurance Cover?

Landlord insurance can help protect you from the financial risk associated with having tenants in properties you own.

By Lisa Bernardi
19th September 2019 • Bankrate

Mobile Home Insurance Explained

Mobile home insurance, or manufactured home insurance, is the equivalent of homeowner’s insurance for owners of manufactured homes.

By Lisa Bernardi
19th September 2019 • Bankrate