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☆ Raising your credit score can help you save $92 per month, report finds. Here are some expert tips
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

With consumer prices still rising due to higher inflation, there is one way to save money that you may be overlooking: raising your credit score. Increasing your score from fair (580 to 669) to very good (740 to 799) may help you save $22,263 over the life of your credit and loans, according to a new LendingTree study. Overall, consumers stand to save an extra $92 per month, LendingTree estimates, based on four common debt types: auto loans, credit cards, mortgages and personal loans. "There is little in life that's more expensive than crummy credit," said Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree. "It's a big deal, especially when you consider what else you could do with that extra money," Schulz said.

Persons: LendingTree, Matt Schulz, Schulz, Bruce McClary, McClary Organizations: LendingTree, Finance, Social Security, National Foundation, Credit

NEW YORK (AP) — A man convicted in the notorious drug-related killing of a rookie New York City police officer at the height of the city's crack epidemic decades ago has been denied parole, a union representing NYPD officers said Sunday. Todd Scott had been serving 25 years to life for his role in the shooting death of Officer Edward Byrne in Queens. Scott was convicted of second-degree murder and has been serving his sentence at the maximum-security state prison in Shawangunk. Patrick Hendry, president of the Police Benevolent Association, said in a statement that the union was “relieved” Scott was denied parole. The union said it also will continue to oppose the release of two others convicted in the killing.

Persons: Todd Scott, Edward Byrne, Queens . Byrnes, Scott, Howard “ Pappy ” Mason, Byrne, couldn't, Patrick Hendry, “, ” Scott, David McClary, Phillip Copeland, Scott Cobb, ” Hendry, Byrne's, Kenneth Byrne, ” “, Eddie Organizations: New York, Police, NYPD, Police Benevolent Association Locations: New York City, Queens, Shawangunk, ”

☆ Three things you can do if your bank deposits were delayed
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Jeanne Sahadi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The situation is not yet fully resolved, and it’s unclear just how many banks were affected, although Bank of America, Chase and US Bank have confirmed they are among them. That would include an overdraft fee from your bank if a payment was made from your account before an expected deposit showed up. But if it’s not, contact your bank and let them know the situation needs to be corrected. You also want to avoid a late fee or penalty interest from a creditor if your payment got delayed. “The key is providing verifiable documentation that the delay was not your fault.”At the moment it’s not clear whether or how every affected bank is notifying their customers.

Persons: ”, Bruce McClary, ” McClary, Thomas Kelly, it’s, McClary, you’re, — CNN’s Matt Egan Organizations: New, New York CNN, Bank of America, Chase, US Bank, National Foundation, Credit, JPMorgan Chase, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Locations: New York, —

☆ 9 Moves to Help You Pay Off Credit Card Debt
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Kerri Anne Renzulli | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +14 min

More than half of all Americans are currently aren’t managing to pay their credit card bills in full each month, J.D. Power found recently, helping explain why we now owe a record $1 trillion in credit card debt. Request an interest rate reductionCall each of your credit card issuers and ask for a lower APR, advises Todd Christensen, education manager with Debt Reduction Services, a nonprofit debt counseling agency. Work with a nonprofit credit counseling agencyIf you’re struggling to make the minimum credit card payment required each month or already behind, reach out to a nonprofit credit counseling service for assistance. These organizations, typically members of the Financial Counseling Association of America or the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, will review your finances and credit card debt to help you better manage your budget and repayments.

Persons: Kerri Anne Renzulli, Power, you’ve, You’ll, Experian, Beverly Harzog, ”, Todd Christensen, John Ulzheimer, you’ll, you’re, Bruce McClary, Says Organizations: Mint, Debt, Surveys, TK, nab, Consumer Financial, Financial, Association of America, National Foundation, Credit, Credit Counseling Locations: FICO

☆ 4 ways to save on cooling costs as a dangerous heat wave grips millions of Americans
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The sun sets behind power lines near homes during a heat wave in Los Angeles, Sept. 6, 2022. As millions of Americans across the country grapple with scorching heat, experts are offering tips for saving money amid record-breaking temperatures. Despite falling inflation, electricity prices remain elevated with a 5.9% annual increase in May, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This summer, Americans are expected to pay about 2% more for electricity compared with last year, the U.S. Energy Information Administration predicts. With lingering triple-digit temperatures in some parts of the country, here are some of the best ways to save on cooling expenses, according to experts.

Persons: Bruce McClary, McClary Organizations: U.S . Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S . Energy, Administration, National Foundation, Credit, Finance Locations: Los Angeles, U.S

☆ How many credit cards should you have? The answer isn’t zero, say experts
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-24 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Eighty-two percent of American adults had a credit card in 2022, according to the U.S. Federal Reserve. Benefits to having more than one credit cardHowever, there can be drawbacks to having just one credit card. In addition, having a second credit card, or more, can help build a person's credit utilization ratio, said Curtis, founder and CEO of Curtis Financial Planning. Credit utilization is an important determinant in one's credit score and having one that's too high can reduce your score. Having more than one card raises one's overall credit limit, and with responsible use, can reduce one's credit utilization ratio.

Persons: Jose Luis Pelaez, Ted Rossman, Strong, cardholders, Bruce McClary, McClary, Rossman, Cathy Curtis, Curtis, Xavier Lorenzo, Cardholders Organizations: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc, CreditCards.com, Consumer Federation of America, U.S . Federal, National Foundation, Credit, Mastercard, Curtis, Curtis Financial

☆ When you come up short one month, here's how to prioritze which bills to pay first
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Jeanne Sahadi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The last thing you need is to have what is most essential to you taken away or to ruin your credit. For starters, speak upThe most important thing you should do is let your creditors know you’re in a jam. Then think about your credit cards: These shouldn’t be your highest-priority bills to pay when you’re up against a wall. If you are late with a payment, call your credit card issuer to see if they can waive the late fee, Robertson said. The initial review is typically free, and beyond that someone using ongoing counseling services may pay $35 to $40 a month on average, McClary said.

Persons: you’ve, ”, Bruce McClary, McClary, you’re, Linda Robertson, ” Robertson, “, Robertson Organizations: New, New York CNN, National Foundation, Credit Counseling, Energy Assistance, Housing Locations: New York

☆ As emergency savings drop and credit card balances rise, experts say taking 3 steps can help
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

To slow the price growth, the Federal Reserve has steadily raised interest rates, which has posed another problem for households: higher interest rates on debt. That marks the first time in 20 years balances have not fallen following the holiday season, according to the central bank's research. Some people are seeking help after they've already fallen behind and have started to get debt collection calls, he said. 'Think seriously about delaying discretionary purchases'As prices and interest rates have gone up, it's a good time to think about putting off unnecessary purchases, according to Hamrick. But the regret that often ranks highly is not saving more for long-term goals such as emergency savings or retirement, he said.

☆ Health experts call for a ban on toxic 'forever chemicals' after EPA moves to cut them from tap water
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-18 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | Jessica Orwig | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Toxic PFAS, aka "forever chemicals," are in water, food, furniture, and clothes across the US. The EPA's new proposal to limit the substances in drinking water is a step in the right direction. On Tuesday the US Environmental Protection Agency proposed strict limits on six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. The chemicals are prolific in everyday human environments — in our water, food, air, and even the dust in our homes. That means more and more of them are getting into the environment — and drinking water — every day.

☆ Hazardous 'forever chemicals' in water, food, and air won't disappear with new EPA rules. But 6 simple tactics can reduce your exposure at home.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Hazardous "forever chemicals" called PFAS are contaminating drinking water, food, and air. It may be impossible to completely avoid PFAS, but there are a few simple ways to reduce your exposure. A 2019 study found that people had lower PFAS levels in their blood after eating at home, and higher levels after eating fast food or at restaurants. A few types of water filters can diminish PFAS levels, though they may not completely remove the chemicals from the water. It was previously updated to reflect disagreements in the scientific community about the degree of PFAS exposure from Teflon.

☆ EPA cracks down on 'forever chemicals' in tap water: What PFAS are, where they are, and why they're harmful
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | Jessica Orwig | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

The US Environmental Protection Agency just released a proposal for enforceable standards for six PFAS compounds in drinking water. The new EPA proposal would set the threshold for those two substances at 4 nanograms per liter of drinking water. It also proposes a "hazard index" to set a limit on the combined quantity of four other PFAS in drinking water: PFNA, GenX, PFBS, and PFHxS. Communities across the US have especially high PFAS contamination in their drinking water, often due to a nearby industrial or military facility. "You can't just regulate in drinking water, without addressing the other side," Sunderland said, adding that you have to "turn off the source."

☆ As emergency savings drop and credit card debt rises, an 'ugly stew is brewing,' warns advocate
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Valentinrussanov | E+ | Getty ImagesHigh inflation is leading to reduced savings and higher credit card debt — and there are some signs households may be reaching a tipping point under increased financial pressures. A new survey from Bankrate finds 39% of individuals surveyed in January said their emergency savings are less than they were last year. Still, slightly more than half of respondents — 51% — said they have more emergency savings than credit card debt. The remaining 13% have no credit card debt nor any emergency savings. Bankrate's survey found 45% of millennials, 44% of Gen Xers and 38% of Gen Zers have more credit card debt than money in savings.

☆ 'The Last of Us' is based on real science: A fungus pandemic is unlikely, but not impossible
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

"The Last of Us" on HBO Max depicts a zombie apocalypse caused by a fungus pandemic. Here's the science fact and fiction behind the show, and the possibility of a fungal pandemic. The new scenario, first realized in the video game that the show is based on, is making viewers wonder whether a fungus pandemic can happen in real life. "A fungal pandemic is definitely possible," Norman Van Rhijn, a mycologist researching fungal infections at the University of Manchester, told Insider in an email. Still, fungal infections are on the rise worldwide, and researchers are concerned that more and more people are at risk.

☆ A fungus pandemic is unlikely, but not impossible. There's real science behind the mushroom zombies in HBO's new series 'The Last of Us.'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-29 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

The new HBO Max series "The Last of Us" depicts a zombie apocalypse caused by a fungus pandemic. Here's the science fact and fiction behind the show, and the possibility of a fungal pandemic. The new scenario, first realized in the video game that the show is based on, is making viewers wonder whether a fungus pandemic can happen in real life. "A fungal pandemic is definitely possible," Norman Van Rhijn, a mycologist researching fungal infections at the University of Manchester, told Insider in an email. Still, fungal infections are on the rise worldwide, and researchers are concerned that more and more people are at risk.

☆ More than 1 in 4 checking account holders are paying fees. Here's how to avoid them
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

sturtiEven with broad availability of free checking services, more than a quarter of checking account holders — 27% — are paying fees every month. The personal finance site conducted its online survey Dec. 7-12 and included 3,657 adults, of whom 3,069 have a checking account. Gen Z, who range in age from 18 to 26, comes in at the top of the list, with 46% of that generation's checking account holders paying monthly fees. Millennials, who are ages 27 to 42, come in next, with 42% of account holders paying monthly checking fees, Bankrate.com found. Older cohorts — Gen Xers, who are between 43 and 58, and baby boomers, ages 59 to 77 — are less likely to pay checking account fees.

☆ Here are some strategies that can help you dig out of holiday debt
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( Sharon Epperson | In Sharoneppersoncnbc | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

A new LendingTree study found 35% of Americans amassed holiday debt in 2022. And 37% of those taking on holiday debt said it would take them at least five months to pay it off. If you want to pay off your holiday debt well before this summer, here are seven steps you need to take now. Using less than 30% of your available credit can help you maintain your score, credit experts say, while using less than 10% can actually help raise that number. "A 0% balance transfer card, if you have good enough credit to get one, is the best weapon against credit card debt," said Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree.

☆ Hazardous 'forever chemicals' are in our water, food, and air. Here are 6 simple ways to reduce exposure at home.
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-17 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Hazardous "forever chemicals" called PFAS are contaminating drinking water, food, and air. It may be impossible to completely avoid PFAS, but there are a few simple ways to reduce your exposure. Even if you can't completely dodge PFAS, there are a few easy ways to reduce exposure in your daily life. A 2019 study found that people had lower PFAS levels in their blood after eating at home, and higher levels after eating fast food or at restaurants. A few types of water filters can diminish PFAS levels, though they may not completely remove the chemicals from the water.

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