Recent Research

Cute pupils running down the hall in school.
Updated by Jack Caporal

Record $41.5B in Back-to-School Shopping Forecasted for 2023, With 30% of Parents Using Credit Cards

Parents are expected to spend $41.5 billion on back-to-school shopping, and 30% intend to rely on credit cards. Read on to learn more.
Group of young people sitting around a tablet computer showing financial graph.
Updated by Jack Caporal

This Is How Credit Card Companies Hauled in $176 Billion in 2020

Credit card companies earned $176 billion in 2020. Here's how they did it, with specific examples from Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and more.
A person sitting at a sunny dining room table and typing on a laptop.
Updated by Jack Caporal

Study: 26% of Americans Have Used ChatGPT for Credit Card Recommendations

Fifty-four percent of Americans surveyed by The Motley Fool Motley Fool Money have used ChatGPT to recommend a financial product. Find out more on how AI is changing personal finance.
Two people driving in a car on a sunny day while looking up directions on a smartphone.
Updated by Jack Caporal

The Average Cost of Car Insurance in All 50 States

The national average annual cost of car insurance in 2023 was $3,017. How does your payment compare? Learn the details here.
Two people digging holes to plant trees on a sunny day.
Updated by Jack Caporal

Study: The Most Socially Equitable Cities in the U.S.

Is your city socially equitable? Do you think your community does a good job taking care of its members? We used six factors to rank U.S. cities and find the answer.
Woman smiling as she drives a red vehicle.
Updated by Jack Caporal

The Average Cost of Car Ownership

Estimates put the real cost of car ownership at around $12,000 per year. See a full breakdown here.
A young couple holds hands and smiles as they sit on the floor near moving boxes.
Updated by Jack Caporal

Study: Rent-to-Own: Pros, Cons, and Consumer Views

Seventy percent of Americans are aware of the rent-to-own process and 79% would consider using a rent-to-own agreement in 2023, but concerns remain.
Woman with dog about to charge her electric car.
Updated by Jack Caporal

Electric Vehicle Tax Credits, Rebates, and EV Charger Incentives: A Complete Guide

A complete guide to federal and state incentives for electric vehicles and chargers
Group of friends enjoying food at a restaurant and using a mobile phone.
Updated by Jack Caporal

PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle: What Americans Want Out of Digital Payment Apps

Approximately three-quarters of Americans trust digital payment apps as much as credit and debit cards -- but what features do they want most? Read on to find out.
A smiling parent driving a car with their two kids in the backseat.
Updated by Jack Caporal

How Credit Scores Impact Auto Insurance Premiums

Drivers with poor credit pay over double what drivers with excellent credit pay, on average. Read on for more details.
Family of four smiling and waving out of a car.
Updated by Lyle Daly

The Average Cost of Car Insurance

The average cost of car insurance is $2,875 per year, according to a 2022 rate analysis by Motley Fool Money, a Motley Fool service.
People standing in line outside a building next to a sign that says Vote Here below an American flag.
Updated by Jack Caporal

Americans' Top Financial Priorities in the 2024 Presidential Election

We asked 2,000 Americans what their top financial priorities are heading into the 2024 election. Inflation was top of mind. Read on for more findings.
A neighborhood with solar panels on the roofs of some homes.
Updated by Jack Caporal

How Will Climate Change Impact Homeowners Insurance in All 50 States?

A look at how climate change will impact homeowners insurance in all 50 states.
A family of six smiling outdoors on a sunny day.
Updated by Motley Fool Money Staff

Defining Necessities: Exploring Generational Needs vs. Wants

Housing, vehicle ownership, and access to a smartphone are top necessities across generations, according to a Motley Fool survey.
A calculator and pens.
Updated by Amy Fontinelle

Waiving Credit Card Interest Saves the Average American $88 a Month

Many credit card issuers offered to waive interest and account fees during the COVID-19 pandemic, which could have saved the average American $88 a month.
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Updated by Amy Fontinelle

Credit Bureaus Want Your Banking Data -- Should You Give It to Them?

The pros and cons of providing banking data to credit bureaus.
A woman looking at her finances with a laptop and phone.
Feb. 8, 2023 by Jack Caporal

Auditing America's Financial Health

After years of improvement, America's financial health has declined heading into 2023. The average financial well-being score in February 2022 was 51.1, down from 52.4 in February 2021.
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Updated by Jack Caporal

Average American Household Debt in 2022: Facts and Figures

Curious how much debt the average American carries in 2022 and how it compares to recent years? Read on to find all the latest information and statistics.
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Updated by Amy Fontinelle

When Were Credit Cards Invented? The History of Credit Cards

You might be surprised to find out when credit cards were invented. Here's a look at the history of credit cards, from the 1940s to today.
research-artaffordable-child-care.jpg
Updated by Amy Fontinelle

Affordable Childcare: The States, Cities, and Counties That Have It

Childcare costs as much as a year of college tuition in some states. Where can you find more affordable options? We looked a hundreds of cities and all 50 states to find out.
A pair of women washing and drying dishes over a sink.
Updated by Motley Fool Money Staff

The Definitive Guide to Saving Money by Going Green

We all want to save the planet. Some of the steps you take can save you money too. Small adjustments to your daily habits can help you cut your water bill, power bill, grocery fees, and commute costs.
A women holding a knit heart in the palms of her hands.
Updated by Amy Fontinelle

Where to Find Financial Help During the Coronavirus Pandemic

An insurance broker and an older couple discuss finances while standing in a kitchen holding folders.
April 1, 2022 by Lyle Daly

The Top 10 Largest Life Insurance Companies in 2022

The life insurance industry is worth over $190 billion. Explore the most recent premium numbers and market shares for the largest life insurance companies.
Young couple looking at phone in car.
March 2, 2022 by Lyle Daly

The Top 10 Largest Auto Insurance Companies in 2022

Auto insurance is a $250B market that's dominated by top carriers. Review the latest statistics to learn more about the largest auto insurance companies.
Concept image of hexagons containing the letters "NFT."
Feb. 7, 2022 by Jack Caporal

The NFT Market: Average NFT Prices, Largest Marketplaces, and More

The NFT market has exploded in recent years -- but just how big is it? What do NFTs cost? And what are the most expensive NFTs ever sold? Read on to find out more.