Author: Smart Wealthhabits

You have a filing cabinet full of bank paperwork that you haven’t touched in years. Or worse, you have nothing – because you threw it all away. Either way, you’re making a costly mistake. It’s a truth that most banks won’t advertise: A few documents are your only proof that you’ve paid what you owe, closed what you owed, and own what you owe. Lose them, and you’ll be at their mercy. Meanwhile, the other papers sitting in your desk drawer at the moment are practically an invitation to identity thieves. In 2024, the Federal Trade Commission received more than…

You’ve seen it hundreds of times. Oil prices rise, and overnight, the number on the gas station sign goes up as if it were on a trampoline. Then oil prices fall – and you wait. and wait. And wait some more until the pump price comes. This is not your imagination. You are not going crazy. This is a documented, decades-old economic phenomenon. And yes, this applies to anyone filling the tank. But is this pure greed? The answer is more complicated and more frustrating than you think. Here are five reasons why this keeps happening. 1. It’s a real…

Tesla owners whose cars run on its 2019 Hardware 3 system may have to trade in their vehicles to experience the company’s unsupervised full self-driving mode, CEO Elon Musk told investors as his company reported first-quarter earnings on Wednesday, April 22. Why can’t hardware support 3 unsupervised FSDs? Tesla’s Hardware 3 is an AI computer that has been installed in its cars since 2019, whose original purpose is to power the company’s full self-drive software. But Musk said the older hardware doesn’t have enough memory bandwidth to run the system properly. “Unfortunately, Hardware 3 — I wish it were otherwise,…

Condoros Eva Catalin/Getty Images Commitment to our readers The GOBankingRates editorial team is committed to providing you with unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methods to evaluate financial products and services – our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our review methodology for products and services. 20 yearsHelping you become richer trusted by millions of readers Sometimes it’s easier to use the nearest ATM instead of your bank – but this convenience may come with a fee. Good news? Some banks make it easy to avoid these. Here…

Regional banking company Pinnacle Financial Partners (NASDAQ:PNFP) reported first-quarter CY2026 results that exceeded market revenue expectations, with sales increasing 149% year over year to $1.22 billion. Its non-GAAP profit of $2.39 per share was 2.8% above analysts’ consensus estimate. Is now the time to buy PNFP? Find out in our full research report (it’s free). Income: $1.22 billion vs. analyst estimates of $1.21 billion (up 149% year-over-year, 0.7% beat) Adjusted EPS: $2.39 vs. analyst estimate of $2.32 (2.8% green) Pinnacle Financial Partners saw strong first quarter growth following the completion of its merger with Synovus, as the market reacted positively…

MonicaNikar/iStock.com Commitment to our readers The GOBankingRates editorial team is committed to providing you with unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methods to evaluate financial products and services – our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our review methodology for products and services. 20 yearsHelping you become richer trusted by millions of readers When it comes to your Social Security check, the easiest way to grow it is to earn more during your working years and postpone payments as long as possible. Plus, saving and investing yourself are…

US President Donald Trump said his administration would look into banks excluding Wells Fargo over payments and loan treatment following the Los Angeles wildfires, marking the latest confrontation with the banking industry. The 2025 Palisades Fire in Los Angeles and the Eaton Fire in Altadena killed 22 people, destroyed approximately 12,000 homes, and caused more than $50 billion in property damage. “Dealing with Wells Fargo in particular has been very difficult,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social late Thursday. “Banks should be very fair and nice to those who have tragically lost their homes in this tragic fire.”…

Boxes containing children’s electric toothbrushes have been recalled due to a loose button cell battery, which officials say “could be easily reached by children, posing a swallowing hazard.” According to a recall notice from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the recall does not affect the AutoBrush Sonic Pro Kids toothbrush, but rather the box in which the electric toothbrushes were sold. According to the recall notice, the batteries at the center of the recall are not inside the toothbrushes; Instead, they are kept inside plastic packaging in boxes. The CPSC said the toothbrush boxes fail to warn consumers…

Jakoblund / iStock.com Commitment to our readers The GOBankingRates editorial team is committed to providing you with unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methods to evaluate financial products and services – our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our review methodology for products and services. 20 yearsHelping you become richer trusted by millions of readers We all love a good “self-made millionaire” story – the kind where someone starts out with a laptop, a little hustle and a caffeine habit, and somehow becomes financially free. But the thing…

When markets become volatile, income investors often ask a simple question: Which ASX dividend share Can I trust anything? It’s not about chasing the highest yield. It’s about owning businesses with sustainable cash flow, strong market positions and the ability to continue paying dividends through cycles. Here are three ASX dividend shares that fit that bill. Image Source: Getty Images Telstra Group Limited (ASX:TLS) Telstra is often the first name that comes to mind for reliability. As Australia’s leading telecommunications provider, it benefits from scale, infrastructure and a stable customer base. Mobile and internet services are essential, giving Telstra defensive…