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☆ Buy now pay later more positive than 'phantom debt' suggests, says Bankrate's Ted Rossman
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailBuy now pay later more positive than 'phantom debt' suggests, says Bankrate's Ted RossmanTed Rossman, Bankrate Senior Industry Analyst, joins 'Fast Money' to talk the buy now pay later space and whether the U.S. consumer should be worried about 'phantom debt'.

Persons: Ted Rossman Ted Rossman Locations: Bankrate, U.S

☆ 'The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is a uniquely American construct,' analyst says. Here's why
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Most U.S. homebuyers taking out a mortgage opt for a 30-year fixed-rate — but they may not realize how unusual that offering is. "The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is a uniquely American construct," said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst for Bankrate. True to its name, a 30-year fixed spreads out repayment over 30 years, with an interest rate that remains the same for the life of the loan. In 2022, 89% of homebuyers applied for a 30-year mortgage, according to government data analyzed by Homebuyer.com. "If we did not have the dominance of the fixed-rate mortgage in the U.S. residential mortgage market, we would see a much higher level of stress among existing homeowners," McBride said.

Persons: Greg McBride, Jacob Channel, McBride Organizations: homebuyers, Bankrate, LendingTree, Homebuyer.com, Finance Locations: U.S

☆ What exactly goes into closing costs?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

But there is an often-overlooked expense when buying a home: closing costs. At the same time, the Biden administration plans to take aim at so-called “junk fees” hidden in closing costs. New York, Delaware and Washington, DC, have the highest average closing costs, according to Bankrate; while Missouri, Indiana and North Dakota have the lowest. Lowering closing costs on your ownThere is one relatively simple way to lower your overall closing costs: shop around. “When you compare those offers, examine not just the rate itself but also the closing costs.

Persons: homebuyers, —, Biden, ” Jeff Ostrowski, , ” Ostrowski, you’re, homebuyers haven’t, Brian Connolly, it’s, “ It’s, ” Connolly, Connolly, ”, Freddie Mac, ” Genaro Villa Organizations: CNN, Consumer Financial, National Association of Realtors, realtors, University of Michigan, NAR, homebuyers Locations: New York , Delaware, Washington, Missouri, Indiana, North Dakota, Bankrate, AnnualCreditReport.com

☆ Interest rates are staying high—how to make them work in your favor
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Gabriel Cortés | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

If you were hoping interest rates might come down this spring, you're likely going to have to wait a little bit longer. After more than a decade of near-zero interest rates, savers are now in an environment where they're being rewarded for keeping deposits in the bank. And with interest rates staying at their decades-long high for longer, savers have an extended window to take advantage of everything banks are offering. "We did a study recently and found that very few people are earning even 4% on their savings," Rossman says. Now is a great time to shop around for the most favorable terms and lock in those interest rates while they're here, Rossman says.

Persons: That's, Ted Rossman, Rossman Organizations: U.S . Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Locations: U.S

"It is becoming clearer and clearer that the Fed isn't going to lower interest rates anytime soon," said Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree. "If Americans want lower interest rates, they're going to have to do it themselves." What determines your credit card rateSince most credit cards have a variable rate, there's a direct connection to the Fed's benchmark. It's also an ideal time for consumers to take advantage of all the options credit card issuers are offering. A balance transfer credit card moves your outstanding debt from one or more credit cards onto a new card, typically with a lower interest rate.

Persons: —, Matt Schulz, Michele Raneri, aren't, Schulz, Ted Rossman, Rossman, It's Organizations: Federal Reserve, TransUnion, Finance, Treasury Department Locations: U.S

☆ The Fed once again holds interest rates steady — with cuts expected later this year
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewThe nation's central bank offered no surprises in its latest interest rate decision. On Wednesday, the Federal Open Market Committee announced that it would be holding interest rates steady, continuing the pause on rates that began in September. While the FOMC projected three interest rate cuts for 2024, inflation is not quite where the Fed needs it to be. "It looks to me like he's trying to lower interest rates for the sake of maybe getting people elected," Trump said. "Inflation has continued to run hot and there is no compelling need for the Fed to cut interest rates until they're comfortable with where inflation is headed," Greg McBride, chief financial analyst for Bankrate, said in a statement.

Persons: —, It's, Jerome Powell, Powell, Donald Trump, Trump, Greg McBride Organizations: Service, Federal, Market Committee, Federal Reserve, Business, Fox News, Street Journal, Trump, Fed Locations: Washington

☆ Stock market today: Indexes mixed after Fed meeting as Powell calms nerves over possible hike
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Central bankers chose to keep interest rates steady, and Powell said a rate hike was "unlikely." Fed officials chose to keep interest rates unchanged, in line with the market's expectations. Investors have been fretting over higher interest rates as inflation came in hotter-than-expected throughout the first quarter. The odds of a Fed rate hike in June are less than 1%. Calling that out in the first paragraph is tantamount to saying that interest rate cuts are not coming soon."

Persons: Powell, —, Greg McBride, Bankrate, Charlie Ripley Organizations: Service, Federal Reserve, Nasdaq, Fed, Allianz Investment Management

☆ The Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady, offers no relief from high borrowing costs — what that means for your money
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

"If Americans want lower interest rates, they're going to have to do it themselves," he said. "Going forward, mortgage rates will likely continue to fluctuate and it's impossible to say for certain where they'll end up," noted Jacob Channel, senior economist at LendingTree. Auto loansEven though auto loans are fixed, payments are getting bigger because car prices have been rising along with the interest rates on new loans, resulting in less affordable monthly payments. Student loansFederal student loan rates are also fixed, so most borrowers aren't immediately affected. Interest rates for the upcoming school year will be based on an auction of 10-Year Treasury notes later this month.

Persons: Brett House, aren't, Matt Schulz, Schulz, Jacob Channel, there's, Ivan Drury, Edmunds, Drury Organizations: Columbia Business School, Treasury, Fed Locations: Edmunds

☆ How to make your home hurricane resistant, as scientists predict an 'extremely active' storm season
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

In this article Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNTRyersonclark | E+ | Getty ImagesMaking your home hurricane resistant can be a significant financial undertaking. In 2024, the national average cost to upgrade an entire house with hurricane windows runs between $1,128 and $10,293, or $100 and $500 per window, including installation, according to This Old House. Hurricane resistance is about preventing 'pressurization'Hurricanes are different and unpredictable storms, said Jeff Ostrowski, a housing analyst at Bankrate. If installing new hurricane windows aren't in the budget, shutters are lower-cost options to protect windows and other openings, said Chapman-Henderson. Talk to your insurer about possible discounts Strengthening your home against disasters may help lower your insurance cost.

Persons: Phil Klotzbach, Jeff Ostrowski, Leslie Chapman, Henderson, Jennifer Languell, Chapman, Kin, Melissa Cohn, William Raveis, Bankrate's Ostrowski, Ostrowski, Loretta Worters, Worters, Languell Organizations: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Hurricanes, National Oceanic, Fluid Dynamics, Climate, Energy Solutions, Swiss, Finance, Colorado State University, Department of Atmospheric, Federal Alliance, Safe, Safe Homes, Department of Energy, Trifecta, William Raveis Mortgage, Insurance, Institute, Homeowners Locations: windstorms, U.S, Florida, In Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, dsireusa.org

☆ Americans were paid an additional $235 billion in interest in 2023, thanks to the Fed
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Jeanne Sahadi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

High-yield savings accountsThe average interest rate on regular bank savings accounts is roughly 0.5% but can run as low as 0.01% at the biggest banks. By contrast, the average on high-yield savings accounts is well over 4%, according to DepositAccounts.com. If you leave it parked in a regular savings account at 0.5%, you’ll get $50 in interest for a year. As with any savings account, banks can lower the rate they offer — also known as the APY — at any time. Money market accounts and money market fundsAlthough money market deposit accounts and money market mutual funds are both generating yields competitive with the best high-yield savings accounts, there are important differences.

Persons: —, It’s, ”, Greg McBride, you’ll, McBride, “, ” McBride, Ben Bakkum, Collin Martin, Martin Organizations: New, New York CNN, Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, FDIC, National Credit Union Share Insurance, Securities Investor Protection Corporation, Treasury, Fed, Schwab Center, Financial Research Locations: New York, Schwab.com, United States

☆ Sorry, America, it's looking like higher interest rates are going to stick around longer
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | Madison Hoff | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The Federal Reserve is expected to once again hold interest rates steady on Wednesday. Some predictions also do not forecast any interest rate cuts until the second half of the year. AdvertisementIt's probably still not time for the nation's central bank to cut interest rates just yet. AdvertisementGiven that inflation is still above the Fed's 2% target, it's looking like rate cuts might not come until the second half of 2024. "Inflation has continued to run hot and there is no compelling need for the Fed to cut interest rates until they're comfortable with where inflation is headed."

Persons: Powell, —, It's, Julia Pollak, Jerome Powell, Gregory Daco, Greg McBride Organizations: Federal, Service, Fed Locations: Washington

☆ 'It's a good time to lock in,' expert says. What to know to get the best rates on your cash now
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Higher interest rates may be here to stay for a while longer, thanks to persistent inflation. That's good news for cash savers, who have the best opportunity to earn returns on their money in 15 years. To secure today's high rates, individuals may turn to CDs, Treasury bills and Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities, or TIPs. Series I bonds — a U.S. government savings bond aimed at providing inflation protection — will pay 4.28% for the next six months, the Treasury Department announced Tuesday. Yet 67% of Americans are earning interest rates below that threshold, according to a recent Bankrate survey.

Persons: What's, Greg McBride, McBride Organizations: Securities, Treasury Department, Finance Locations: U.S

When you miss a mortgage payment, you incur late fees and hurt your credit score. But skipping mortgage payments comes with serious consequences that could include losing your house. Are you finding it hard to make your monthly mortgage payment? This allows you to pause your mortgage payments for a certain amount of time or, in some cases, make reduced payments instead. FAQsWhat should I do first if I realize I can't make my mortgage payment?

Persons: Craig Martin, Christian Mills, Freddie Mac, you've, you'll, it's, Aly J, Yale Aly J, Bob Organizations: Christian, US Department of Housing, Urban, Chevron, Yale, Forbes, Money Magazine, The Dallas Morning News, Bob Schieffer College of Communication, Twitter

☆ 29% of households have jobs but struggle to cover basic needs: They are 'one emergency from poverty,' one expert says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Stubborn inflation has driven many households near the breaking point, but the pain of high prices has not been shared equally. By most measures, low-income households have been hardest hit, experts say. The Federal Reserve responded with a series of interest rate hikes that took its benchmark rate to its highest level in more than 22 years. The spike in interest rates caused most consumer borrowing costs to skyrocket, putting many households under pressure. Inflation continues to prove stickier than expected, dashing hopes that the Fed will be able to cut interest rates anytime soon.

Persons: ALICE, Brett House, Greg McBride, we've, Jerome Powell, Hoopes Organizations: Columbia Business School, Federal, Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics

☆ How a stay-at-home dad turned his passion for pickleball into 'a game changer' side hustle
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Madison Hoff | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

But outside these and other tasks, Echavidre, 45, spends time playing pickleball in California. Other stay-at-home parents could find it helpful to pick up work on the side. Echavidre recommends other stay-at-home parents try to earn money through something they are passionate about if they have time. If you are looking to pick up side work, Echavidre said to look out for what's in demand. He said he especially finds older and retired people are playing pickleball.

Persons: —, Antoine Echavidre's, pickleball, Echavidre, Ted Rossman, Rossman, he's Organizations: Service, Sports & Fitness Industry Association, Business, Social, Fitness Locations: California, TeachMe.To, Japan, France

☆ Don't believe these money misconceptions: 3 things to know that can help improve your finances
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Sharon Epperson | In Sharoneppersoncnbc | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Part of the problem: People continue to believe common misconceptions about managing and investing their money. When it comes to your retirement savings, target-date funds can be another smart option. Young couple managing finance and investment online, analyzing stock market trades with mobile app on laptop and smartphone. "People feel like, I can get a higher return with no risk … but basically, a higher return is always a reward for higher risk." There's almost no risk to money in federally insured deposit accounts, unlike investments that are subject to the daily changes in the stock, which can result in much higher risk.

Persons: Witthaya, Annamaria Lusardi, Paul Yakoboski, Young, Lusardi, There's Organizations: TIAA, Global Financial, Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, TIAA Institute, Target, CNBC, Financial Wellness, Board Locations: U.S

☆ How to start a high-paying side hustle: 'It has to be something that you're actually passionate about,' says expert
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Gili Malinsky | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

If you're considering picking one up yourself, there are so many ways to start. But, she says, if you really want to see some profits, "it has to be something that you're actually passionate about." When you're passionate, 'you actually develop that unique skill'Kristof has seen all sorts of side hustle successes. "I think that when you're really passionate about something, you actually develop that unique skill," she says. When it comes to identifying that passion, "I usually tell people to think about what they do for fun," she says.

Persons: Kathy Kristof, Kristof

☆ Big banks are touting sweet CD yields in excess of 5%. Where you can find them
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Michelle Fox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

"From our experience, the brokered CD market is more competitive," said Richard Carter, vice president of fixed income products and services at Fidelity. Like traditional CDs, brokered CDs are offered in different maturities. For instance, JPMorgan's one-year CD, with its 5.4% yield, can be called as early as Oct. 30, according to Fidelity's website. With a brokered CD, you'll have to sell it on the secondary market — and you may lose some of your principal. Depending on your time frame, you may consider a one-year ladder with CD maturities three months apart, a two-year ladder with CD maturities six months apart, or a five-year ladder, with maturities one year apart, he said.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Schwab, Richard Carter, Carter, you'll, there's, Morgan, Greg McBride, It's, McBride, staggers maturities Organizations: JPMorgan, Fidelity Investments, Bank of America, Fidelity, Vanguard, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, Morgan Stanley Private Bank and Bank of America Locations: U.S

Basics of how home equity loans workWith a home equity loan, you use your home as collateral for a loan. Home equity loan terms vary, but you usually have anywhere from five to 30 years to repay the loan. Differences between home equity loans and HELOCsHome equity lines of credit (HELOCs) are similar to home equity loans in that they let you borrow from your home's equity. What's the difference between a home equity loan and a home equity line of credit (HELOC)? She covers mortgage rates, refinance rates, mortgage lender reviews, and homebuying for Personal Finance Insider.

Persons: you've, whittle, Molly Grace, Molly, Read, Aly J, Yale Aly J, Bob Organizations: Homeowners, Chevron, Business, Finance, Insider, Rocket Companies, Twitter, Yale, Forbes, Money Magazine, The Dallas Morning News, Bob Schieffer College of Communication Locations: Chevron, mgrace@businessinsider.com

☆ A millennial with side hustles as a startup founder booking 6 figures and a professional dancer shares her tips for balancing both
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-14 | by ( Allie Kelly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Danielle Shultz is a professional dancer and runs her own corporate wellness business. Her business, Triangle Sessions, has landed contracts with Google, Meta, and Deloitte. She also runs her startup Triangle Sessions, which offers corporate wellness and team-building events. When she's not at dance rehearsal, Shultz teaches Triangle Sessions classes on topics like relaxation and terrarium building. Danielle Shultz, 36, is a dancer with The Metropolitan Opera and runs her own corporate wellness business.

Persons: Danielle Shultz, Shultz, —, Zers, Bankrate —, she's, I've, Robert Nickelsberg, It's, Schulz Organizations: Triangle, Google, Deloitte, Service, Metropolitan Opera, YouGov, Triangle Sessions, The, Sessions Locations: Philadelphia, New York City, York

☆ The 14 U.S. states where you can still afford to buy a home if you earn less than $75,000
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-13 | by ( Mike Winters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

There are only 14 U.S. states where residents who earn less than $75,000 can afford a median-priced home, a new Bankrate analysis reveals. Considering that half of the country's households earn a median of $74,580 or less, these 14 states are some of the few places where middle-income earners can afford a typical home. Here's a look at the 14 states where homes are most affordable, based on the annual income needed to cover homeownership costs without spending more than 28% on housing. While these 14 states may have cheaper properties available, there are trade-offs to consider, like higher rates of poverty and fewer high-paying jobs compared with the rest of the country. The median income needed to afford a home in the U.S. overall is $110,871 — up from $76,191 in 2020.

Organizations: U.S, CNBC Locations: U.S, . Mississippi, Ohio, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Iowa, Oklahoma, Michigan, Missouri, Louisiana, Alabama, Kansas, Dakota, Virginia, United States, California, New York, Mississippi

☆ New data shows inflation is still high. Here's how to measure how that affects you
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

That may not be a surprise to consumers who are still feeling the weight of higher prices. Inflation — as measured by the consumer price index — rose 3.5% from a year ago and 0.4% for the month. The consumer price index, or CPI, tracks the average changes in prices over time for consumer certain goods and services. Consequently, if your wages haven't increased by that much over the same period, you're more likely to feel the pinch of higher prices. About 60% of households are living paycheck to paycheck, McBride said.

Persons: Kazuhiro Nogi, Brett House, Eugenio Aleman, Raymond James, Aleman, Greg McBride, McBride Organizations: Afp, Getty Images, Columbia Business School, Consumers, Bankrate Locations: Tokyo

☆ Should you refinance your mortgage? Here are three signs it's time, real estate experts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Thanks to those high mortgage interest rates, refinance activity in 2023 was at the lowest level in 30 years. In the first and second quarters of 2023 there was only $75 billion and $80 billion, respectively, in mortgage refinance originations nationally, according to Freddie Mac, a government-sponsored entity that buys mortgages from banks. "We're just in a much higher interest rate situation with the economy," she said. "We've been so accustomed to mortgage rates as a baseline being at 2% or 3%," said Veronica Fuentes, a certified financial planner at Northwestern Mutual. Some lenders may require a higher interest rate if you finance closing costs, plus you'll be paying interest on those expenses for the life of the mortgage.

Persons: Freddie Mac, Jeff Ostrowski, Chen Zhao, Zhao, We've, Veronica Fuentes, that's, Ostrowski, CoreLogic's Organizations: Westend61, Getty, Federal Reserve, Northwestern Mutual

☆ Department stores face another squeeze. This time, with store credit card revenue
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

For fiscal year 2023, credit card revenue totaled $619 million for Macy's and approximately $475 million for Nordstrom . The three companies do not break out how much of total credit card revenue comes from late fees. All of that adds up to dwindling credit card revenue for retailers, who can now expect to see it shrink even further. Target's credit card revenue fell to $667 million last year, down from $734 million in the prior fiscal year. Gap does not disclose credit card revenue, but its Chief Financial Officer, Katrina O'Connell, said on an earnings call that losses from late fees will be "largely offset in 2024 by other levers within our credit card program."

Persons: Robert Nickelsberg, it'll, Jane Hali, Kohl's, David Silverman, Silverman, —, Michael Fiddelke, Macy's, Adrian Mitchell, It's, Nordstrom, Katrina O'Connell Organizations: Getty Images Department, Consumer Financial, Bureau, Associates, Nordstrom, Fitch, TD Bank, Shoppers, Adobe Analytics, Citi, Sam's Locations: New York City

☆ Cost of gas and housing pushed up US inflation in March
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Gas and shelter costs contributed more than half of that monthly increase, according to the BLS. Economists were expecting a 0.3% monthly increase and an annual rate of 3.4%, according to FactSet consensus estimates. The Fed has been wanting to see meaningful progress on inflation before it starts cutting rates. Excluding gas and food prices, categories that tend to be more volatile, core inflation rose 0.4% from the month before, bringing the annual rate to 3.8%, the same as February’s reading. Economists had anticipated a 0.3% monthly gain and for the annual rate to inch lower to 3.7%, according to FactSet.

Persons: ” Greg McBride, Bankrate, Economists Organizations: CNN, Federal Reserve, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS

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