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How to cancel your life insurance policyCanceling a term life insurance policyThere are several ways to cancel a term life insurance policy. Alternatives to life insurance cancelationcanceling your life insurance policy isn't ideal if you have dependents who rely on your income for financial support. If you have a whole life insurance policy, look into reduced paid-up life insurance. Life insurance settlementIf you don't have a terminal diagnosis and you want to sell your term life insurance policy, you can apply for a life insurance settlement with a third-party provider instead of canceling your policy. Canceling life insurance FAQsWill I get any money back if I cancel my life insurance policy?

Persons: Lucas Siegel, Siegel, wouldn't, policyholders, you've Organizations: Internal Revenue Service

☆ Your movie theater may be shortchanging your drinks, a lawsuit alleges
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Not even a beer at the movies is spared from shrinkflation, alleges a lawsuit against Cinemark. Waldrop then took the container home and measured it for himself, finding it only held 22 ounces, according to the lawsuit. Rising prices seem to have boosted that revenue: Cinemark reported concession revenue for 2023 exceeded revenue in 2019 by 3%, even though movie attendance was 25% lower. A 20-ounce drink at the Plano, Texas, Cinemark theater Waldrop visited costs $7.80 pre-tax, while a 24-ounce drink costs just $1 more, at $8.80. “The 24 oz drink should provide a deal for consumers over the 20 oz drink’s price: $0.37 per ounce vs. $0.39 per ounce,” the lawsuit said.

Persons: Shane Waldrop, Waldrop, overpaying, ” Jarrett Ellzey, Cinemark, ”, Pennsylvania Democratic Sen, Bob Casey, ” Ellzey, “, CNN’s Bryan Mena Organizations: CNN, Cinemark, Pennsylvania Democratic, Labor Department Locations: shrinkflation, Texas, Plano , Texas

☆ The Rich Don’t Have to Take Every Tax Deduction, and They Shouldn’t - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-13 | by ( Matthew Desmond | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

And when it comes to paying taxes, he forgoes many deductions afforded him. For much of Mr. Narváez’s life, money was tight. But today, Mr. Narváez and his wife, a retired elementary school principal, live comfortably. Upon seeing those figures, Mr. Narváez’s financial adviser told his client he was overpaying and introduced him to an accountant. “I see it as my responsibility to pay my fair share of taxes,” Mr. Narváez, who is 70, told me.

Persons: Alejandro Narváez, he’s, Narváez, “, Mr, Mark Twain Organizations: ” Locations: Seattle

☆ Academics used AI and machine learning to test 29,000 financial ratios. Here's the metric they found was the best predictor of stock-market returns.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-06 | by ( Laila Maidan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Determining the best predictors of stock-market returns is like seeking the Holy Grail for investors. They also allowed the algorithm to come up with its own ratios in an attempt to determine whether there are better indicators of stock-market performance. Examples of variables included sales, market value, and cost of goods. The data points were then scaled using ratios to correlate a company's sales revenue to other variables, such as its size. Robbins noted that traditionally, academics begin with a theory for why certain company fundamentals could be good predictors of stock market returns before testing them.

Persons: Alejandro Lopez, Lopez, Andrew Y . Chen, Tom Zimmermann, Michael Robbins, Lira, ChatGPT, Robbins, It's Organizations: Lira, University of Florida, University of Cologne, Institutional, Investors, New York Stock Exchange, American Stock Exchange, Nasdaq, Lopez

☆ You could 'owe huge taxes' next year if you don't make this update, says CFP—how to check if you need to
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Mike Winters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

If you contribute too little money, you might receive a sizable tax bill you weren't expecting when you file your taxes next year. Take adding dependents, for example: They can lower your tax bill by thousands of dollars if you claim credits like the child tax credit, the child and dependent care credit or the earned income tax credit. "Tax withheld on bonuses and stock compensation is typically — though not always — withheld at a flat 22% for federal taxes," says Carla Adams, a certified financial planner in Michigan. However, those in a higher tax bracket could owe huge taxes." How to check if your tax withholding is on track

Persons: it's, Roth, Michelle Gessner, Carla Adams Organizations: Internal Revenue Locations: Houston, Michigan

☆ The FTC is going to war with tax services that bill themselves as free
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Grace Eliza Goodwin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The FTC filed a lawsuit against H&R Block over what the commission called deceptive advertising. AdvertisementSo-called "free" online tax filing services like Intuit's TurboTax and H&R Block's Online Filing option have, for a long time, not actually been free for many Americans. The consumer protection agency filed a complaint against H&R Block last week, accusing the company of deceptive advertising and unfairly deleting users' tax data. A 2019 ProPublica investigation found Intuit and H&R Block's practices — including hiding their free filing options from Google search — are part of a decadeslong lobbying effort by the companies to keep tax filing services complicated. It was partially because of those lobbying efforts that the IRS did not roll out its own online free tax filing pilot until last year.

Persons: —, Samuel Levine, Levine, Dara Redler, Derrick L, Plummer Organizations: FTC, H, Intuit, Service, Consumer, Business, NPR, Google, IRS Locations: FTC's

☆ One New Yorker won $150,000 when she found out her landlord had been overcharging her. Now a bunch more tenants are using stabilization laws to get money back and pay cheaper rent.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Juliana Kaplan | Eliza Relman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

AdvertisementAs TikTok becomes the new town square for all things economic transparency, the latest target of populist ire is New York City landlords. Several videos that have recently gone viral show viewers how to look into their rent histories and call out examples of potentially illegal hikes. Wait times for rent histories are now at 20 business days, up from 10 in late January, as a result of "social media activity." Klenkar has made TikToks about her old apartment and rent histories and has had "lots" of people reach out with their own rent histories. More may be on their way as New Yorkers seem to be requesting their rent histories en masse.

Persons: they've, —, Danielle —, Danielle, TikTok, it's, There's, they're, Allia Mohamed, She's, Mohamed, They've, he's, Carla —, Carla, Thomas Trutschel, Anna Klenkar, Klenkar, I've, Gothamist, DHCR, overcharge, Esteban Girón, shouldn't, It's Organizations: New York, Tenants, Service, Business, BI, Yorkers, New, US, Division, Housing, Community, Rent Administration, Rent, New York State Homes, Community Renewal, Tenant Union, Tenants PAC, Directors Locations: New York State, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn , New York, York City, New York, New York City, New, Washington Heights, Manhattan, Long Island City, Lower, Side, backpay

☆ H&R Block used deceptive marketing and unfairly deleted tax filer data, FTC complaint alleges
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

An H & R Block tax preparation office is seen on Flatbush Avenue on February 06, 2024 in the Prospect Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn borough in New York City. H&R Block marketed free products to many consumers who didn't qualify and made it difficult to downgrade, according to the complaint. "H&R Block allows consumers to downgrade to a less expensive DIY product via multiple mechanisms while ensuring the preparation of accurate tax returns." FTC banned 'deceptive advertising' from IntuitThis is the second FTC action against tax filing software providers in recent history. Other free tax filing optionsMeanwhile, consumers have several free tax filing options this season, including a Direct File pilot via the IRS, which will offer limited free filing for certain taxpayers in 12 states by mid-March.

Persons: Michael M, Samuel Levine, Dara Redler, Ed Mierzwinski, PIRG Organizations: Santiago, Getty, Intuit, Federal Trade Commission, Block, Consumer Protection, U.S . Public Interest Research, FTC, IRS Locations: Flatbush, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, New York City, FTC's

☆ New Yorkers are flooding a government website to figure out if they're overpaying for rent
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( Eliza Relman | Juliana Kaplan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A spokesperson for DHCR told Business Insider the "surge" in rent history requests is "unprecedented." Mohamed said that since she posted that TikTok, hundreds of people have emailed openigloo asking for help deciphering the rent history information they've received from DHCR. Diana Prendergast, a 27-year-old recording artist who lives in New York, requested her rent history after learning about it from TikTok. She said she's still awaiting her rent history. Did you request your rent history, or discover you were being overcharged?

Persons: —, openigloo, Allia Mohamed, Mohamed, they've, Diana Prendergast, she's, Gothamist Organizations: Service, New York, Homes, Community Renewal, New, DHCR, Business, The Met Council, Housing Locations: New York, DHCR, TikTok, New York City

☆ I've been on 110 cruises. Here are my tips for getting the best value before and during your trip.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Robert L. Willett | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewI've been on 110 cruises in the past few decades, and I've learned some of the best ways to get a great deal before and during a trip. Here are some of my best tips for saving money on a cruise. Drink packages aren't always worth the cost on cruise ships. Many people book excursions through the cruise line because the ship must wait for individuals on its excursions to return. Also consider skipping the onboard spa — I've found many services at sea can cost double what they might on land.

Persons: —, I've, Artur Widak, Salvador Aznar, Shutterstock Organizations: Service, Business, Royal, Cruises Locations: Alaska, Royal Caribbean

☆ This India ETF is beating its main rivals — and the S&P 500 — in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Jesse Pound | In Jesse-Pound | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The WisdomTree India Earnings ETF (EPI) has a total return of 6.6% through Feb. 8, according to FactSet, and is up 18.7% over the past three months. That makes it the best performing of the five biggest India ETFs, with the iShares MSCI India ETF (INDA) and the Franklin FTSE India ETF (FLIN) both up less than 4% year to date.The WisdomTree fund is also beating The S & P 500, which up less than 5% over the same period. The WisdomTree fund has been a long-term winner as well, with an average annualized return of roughly 12% over the past decade. And, notably, the second-best performing major India ETF this year is the iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF (SMIN) . That is above the 0.65% of the iShares INDA ETF and the 0.19% of Franklin Templeton's FLIN.

Persons: date.The, Jeremy Schwartz, it's, It's, Schwartz, Franklin Templeton's FLIN Organizations: Franklin FTSE, CNBC, India ETF Locations: India, Franklin FTSE India

☆ Direct File is the most important tech product of 2024, helping you to finally file your taxes for free
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Alistair Barr | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

I'll go further and say this offering is the most important tech product of 2024. Direct FileI'm talking about Direct File , a new way for many Americans to file their taxes for free. She also questioned the value of the new Direct File service in various ways. Give Direct File a tryWhich brings us back to the new Direct File service. When I searched for "free file taxes" this weekend, the top of Google's results page was full of ads.

Persons: —, Dan Grover, ChatGPT, It's, ProPublica, Tania Mercado, Mercado, Janet Yellen, Guess Organizations: Service, Business, Apple, Forbes, IRS, Intuit, Google, Internal Revenue Service, Revenue Locations: Silicon, Arizona , California, Florida , New York, Texas, ProPublica

Certified Financial Planner Chloe Moore says that there are three common mistakes she sees people make that leave them cash-strapped and under financial strain. "You have to look at more than just the monthly payment," Moore states. Don't create another bill for yourself that will take money away from saving and other expenses," Moore states. Check your everyday spending at the grocery store and on monthly expenses like utilities and gas. I can bet that it's to those everyday expenses that have increased over time," Moore says.

Persons: Chloe Moore, Moore Organizations: Business, Finance

☆ How to find a reasonably-priced and resilient stock amid the rush of earnings reports ahead
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Michael Khouw | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Strong Balance Sheet: A strong balance sheet is often a primary indicator of a quality company. Consistent Earnings Growth: Quality companies usually exhibit steady and predictable earnings growth. Typewriter manufacturing wasn't a sustainable growth industry regardless of whether it adhered to ESG factors or not. Bear in mind that finding a quality company cheap isn't likely, but we would prefer to avoid crowded (i.e. Even without delving into the quality of management and other factors it's clear that AT & T is not a "quality" company as I defined it above.

Persons: Martin Luther King, Walt Disney Organizations: JPMorgan, Good, Sustainable, Sector, Charter Communications, Comcast, Electronic Arts, Fox Corp, Interpublic, Match, Meta, Netflix, News Corp, Omnicom, Paramount Global, Interactive, Verizon, Walt, Warner Brothers, Apple Locations: America

☆ A viral $16 McDonald’s meal won’t go away, and that’s a problem for Democrats
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Take the $16 McDonald’s meal that struck a nerve on TikTok late last year. Of course, fast food prices have gone up along with everything else in the past few years, but not by as much as the TikTok video suggests. Because the vast majority of McDonald’s restaurants in the United States are independently owned, prices vary from region to region. The social media megaphoneIn an era before TikTok or YouTube, a $16 burger moment would have lasted a few seconds. The real beefPerhaps the more significant economic takeaway from the viral McDonald’s meal is not that the meal actually cost $16 but that the man paid for it.

Persons: CNN Business ’, ”, …, there’d, Joe Biden’s, , —, Biden, Topher Olive, Olive, pollsters Organizations: CNN Business, New York CNN, New York Post, Democratic, Mac, CBS News, CNN, White, Office, Digital Strategy, Washington Post, Consumer Locations: New York, Idaho, America, United States, Darien , Connecticut

☆ Home prices are tumbling in these 25 cities, giving hope to buyers while costing owners who bought at the peak up to $223 per day
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( James Faris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Many aspiring homeowners have been priced out of the market this year by lofty listing prices and crippling mortgage rates, and they just endured the worst quarter for home affordability since 1985 . Restrictive rates are crushing demand since buyers either can't afford a mortgage or don't want to pay up, while many owners are reluctant to sell since they'd then become buyers. A lack of willing buyers has put significant downward pressure on home prices for the first time since 2015 . "As mortgage rates choke buyers' attempts at homeownership, home prices ground to a halt in many cities, and they're dropping fast in others," Hopulele wrote. At that point, the Federal Reserve may be willing to cut interest rates, which would trickle down to mortgage rates .

Persons: Buyers, Andra Hopulele, they'd, Hopulele, Mike Skordeles, it's Organizations: Business, overpaying, Federal Locations: San Francisco, homeownership, Truist

☆ Used car prices are finally falling. Here are 6 tips to help make sure you don't pay too much.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The website shared six tips to help buyers get the best value for money on their next used car. AdvertisementThe past few years have been rough for used-vehicle buyers due to higher prices, less inventory, and rising interest rates. But there seems to be at least a dim light at the end of the tunnel, according to Edmunds' latest Used Vehicle Report. In addition, new vehicle prices continue to rise, making used vehicles more appealing for shoppers on a smaller budget. With higher prices and interest rates, opting for a higher-mileage or older model will help get you to the monthly payment you want.

Persons: Edmunds, —, it's Organizations: Service, Associated Press

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina State Auditor Beth Wood announced on Thursday that she will resign from her elected post next month, a decision coming two days after she was indicted on charges that she misused her state-owned vehicle for personal activities. Wood, a Democrat who was first elected auditor in 2008, had already announced last week that she wouldn't seek reelection in 2024. Political Cartoons View All 1239 ImagesWood informed Cooper of her resignation decision on Thursday afternoon, the governor’s office said. Cooper “respects her decision and thanked her for her years of service to North Carolina,” spokesperson Jordan Monaghan said in a text message. The state auditor's job is one of 10 posts within the Council of State, which also includes the governor, attorney general and other statewide executive branch officials.

Persons: Beth Wood, Wood, wouldn't, “, ” Wood, Roy Cooper, Cooper, Cooper “, Jordan Monaghan, Lorrin Freeman, Les Merritt, ” Organizations: —, Democrat, Wake, State, Democratic Gov, Auditor’s Office, of State Locations: RALEIGH, N.C, Carolina, State of North Carolina, North Carolina, Wake County, Craven

The Biden Administration proposes a crackdown on "junk fees" in retirement savings plans. However, high expense ratios in your account may be cutting into your future retirement savings. But there are still some preventive steps you can take to minimize any potential "junk fees" in your retirement savings plan. 4 ways to lower 'junk fees' in your retirement planThe Biden Administration wants to crack down on "junk fees" in 401(k)s and other investment accounts. Until then, here are four steps you can take to lower fees in your retirement savings plan.

Persons: Biden, —, Charles Schwab, Robinhood, Judy Diamond's, Roth, it's, Teresa Bailey, Chloe Wohlforth Organizations: Service, US Department of Labor, Biden Administration, Employers, Mutual, Roth IRA, Waddell & Associates, Robinhood, Department of Labor, CFP, Angeles Wealth Management

☆ Opinion | The Israel-Gaza War: ‘Innocent Lives Being Lost on Both Sides’
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

Any nation (including the United States) would react if attacked by a neighboring entity, especially one aiming to destroy it. In attacking Gaza, however, Israel most likely will lose in the American and world court of public opinion — and ultimately could lose United States backing, a disaster for Israel. The substantial increase in antisemitic acts being committed in the United States and other countries contributes to this worrisome dynamic. I care about the innocent lives being lost on both sides. The road to their salvation lies not with reproof of Israel; Israel’s first responsibility is to her citizens.

Persons: Israel, —, Benjamin Netanyahu, Paul Menitoff Stockbridge, ”, Nicholas Kristof, Kristof’s, Mr, Kristof, Matt Tanguay Ann, Nicholas Kristof’s, Israel’s, Sheldon Stohl, Re “ Netanyahu, Bruce Ellerstein, York Matthew Perry, ’ Organizations: United, Israel’s Labor Party, Likud, National Interfaith Initiative for Peace, Central Conference of American, Islamic Locations: Gaza, Iran, Israel, United States, Mass, Matt Tanguay Ann Arbor, Mich, Hope, Sheldon Stohl Beersheba, York

☆ Ericsson $3 bln hit ticks most boxes for M&A folly
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Mike Blake Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Oct 12 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Börje Ekholm’s overpriced M&A has come home to roost. The $15 billion Swedish telco equipment maker’s chief executive said on Wednesday he was writing down 50% of the value of software company Vonage. While the 32 billion Swedish crowns ($3 billion) hit is a non-cash impairment, Vonage remains a major goof. Ericsson bought it for $6.2 billion as recently as November 2021, in cash, and the deal only closed three months ago. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

Persons: Mike Blake, Breakingviews, Ekholm, Karen Kwok, George Hay, Streisand Neto Organizations: T's, REUTERS, Reuters, Ericsson, Deutsche Telekom, Reuters Graphics Reuters, X, Qantas, Thomson Locations: San Diego , California, U.S, Brussels

The lawyers want a judge to approve $229 million in fees, or $10,690 an hour, according to a Sept. 8 filing in Delaware's Court of Chancery. The legal fee and the settlement must be approved by a Delaware judge at a hearing scheduled for October. The Telsa directors have not objected to the fee request but are expected to do so, according to a court filing by the plaintiffs' lawyers. In 2012, the Delaware Supreme Court affirmed a $304 million fee in a Southern Copper shareholder lawsuit involving $2 billion of damages. The Delaware Court of Chancery judge overseeing the Tesla case, Kathaleen McCormick, has scheduled a hearing on Oct. 13 to approve the settlement and the fee.

Persons: Tesla's, James Murdoch, Larry Ellison, Bleichmar Fonti, McCarter, Ronald King, Clark Hill, George Bauer, David Paige, Paige, Kathaleen McCormick, Tom Hals, Amy Stevens, Marguerita Choy Organizations: REUTERS, Partners, Bleichmar, Shukurov, Advisors, Southern, Thomson Locations: Oslo, Norway, Victoria, WILMINGTON , Delaware, Delaware's Court, Delaware, New York, Wilmington , Delaware, Lansing , Michigan

☆ Look beyond the 'Magnificent Seven' tech stocks, analyst says — and names 5 top picks
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Weizhen Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

When it comes to picking stocks, Hannah Gooch-Peters of asset management firm Sanlam Investments UK avoids chasing trends. She said she believes investors need to look beyond the "Magnificent Seven," referring to Apple , Amazon , Alphabet , Meta , Microsoft , Nvidia and Tesla — tech stocks that have made massive gains this year. Sanlam's $5 billion-plus Global High Quality Fund invests in global stocks with a "high quality bias." The companies her firm picks have rather low capital expenditure as a percentage of their sales, she said. It also has a "mortgage-signing technology service which is "really, really exciting," she said.

Persons: Hannah Gooch, Peters, Gooch, We're, it's, you've, That's Organizations: Sanlam Investments, Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Tesla, CNBC, Quality Fund, Peters . Services, Yum Brands, KFC, Taco Bell, Intuit, SAP, Intercontinental Exchange, Samsung Electronics

☆ This U.S. stock is a 'formidable business' with a 'really exciting runway' for growth, analyst says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Weizhen Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Gooch-Peters said ICE has tapped the huge amount of data from its exchanges arm to boost its data analytics. Gooch-Peters also called its mortgage-signing technology "really, really exciting." "We think the runway for growth, particularly on that mortgage technology side is really exciting. Its $5 billion-plus Global High Quality Fund invests in global stocks with a "high quality bias." "You've got this sort of inherent resilience of very high quality companies, their earnings streams are more resilient.

Persons: Hannah Gooch, Peters, Gooch, they've, it's, You've Organizations: Intercontinental Exchange, Sanlam Investments, CNBC, ICE, New York Stock Exchange, Quality Fund

☆ Fintech firm Ramp raises $300 mln at lowered valuation of $5.8 bln
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Aug 22 (Reuters) - Ramp, a developer of financial management software, has raised $300 million in its latest funding round to accelerate expansion in new categories, the company said on Tuesday, notching up a valuation of $5.8 billion. The new funding is at a lower valuation from the $8.1 billion achieved by the New-York based startup in a funding round last year, a spokesperson of the company confirmed. The latest funding round was co-led by Thrive Capital and Sands Capital along with existing investors Founder's Fund and General Catalyst among others. Previous investors in the fintech include Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) CEO Satya Nadella, Goldman Sachs (GS.N), Redpoint Ventures and Thrive Capital. The financial management company intends to expand its software into adjacent categories in an attempt to make customer's businesses more "efficient", said Chief Executive Officer Eric Glyman.

Persons: Satya Nadella, Goldman Sachs, Eric Glyman, Pritam Biswas, Shailesh Organizations: New, Sands Capital, Founder's Fund, Catalyst, Microsoft Corp, Redpoint Ventures, Thomson Locations: York, Bengaluru

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