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☆ Gen Z is the most financially savvy generation
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Eve Upton-Clark | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

AdvertisementAdvertisementIn a May survey from the CFA Institute, a global trade association for investment advisors, more than half of Gen Z respondents said they were already investing, and 82% of American Gen Z investors said they began investing before they turned 21. And while there are plenty of pitfalls and missteps that could plague young people along the way, Gen Z is shaping up to be the most financially savvy generation yet. The estimated $60 billion wipeout caused many Gen Z investors to lose big. AdvertisementAdvertisementWhile Gen Z may not always be drawn to the safest investment choices, it's certainly getting some hands-on learning. In many respects, Gen Z is coming of age at a good time, graduating into a booming job market with strong wage growth.

Persons: Gen, Gen Zers, Gen Xers, Zers, It's, —, they'd, stashing, Gen Z, Erin Lowry, Z, there's Venmo, Lowry, Charlie Pastor, finfluencers, Pastor, Taylor Price, Price, it's, I'm, Eve Upton, Clark Organizations: CFA Institute, Federal Reserve's Survey, Consumer Finances, Transamerica Center, Retirement Studies, PayPal, YouTube, CFA, IRA, Interactive, UK Royal Mint, Barclays Smart Investor Locations: Canada, Chipotle, BlackRock

☆ Retirement is overrated, Gen Z says, as ‘soft saving’ trend takes hold
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Ted Rossman senior industry analyst at BankrateIn addition to soaring food and housing costs, millennials and Gen Z face other financial challenges their parents did not as young adults. Gen Z workers are the biggest cohort of nonsavers, Bankrate also found. Most financial experts recommend having at least three to six months' worth of expenses set aside. "Every dollar you set aside in your 20s will compound over time," Rossman said. "Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world," Rossman added, referring to an earlier comment Einstein reportedly said.

Persons: Ted Rossman, Gen Zers, Gen, Bankrate, Kara Duckworth, Duckworth, Rossman, Einstein Organizations: Getty, Financial Independence, Bankrate, Bank of America, Intuit, Mercer Advisors

☆ The No. 1 thing people get wrong about high-yield savings accounts, says wealth management expert
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Cheyenne Devon | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

High-yield savings accounts can help your money grow faster than traditional savings accounts, but many people mistakenly think that the returns these types of accounts can deliver are too good to be true. Like traditional savings accounts, high-yield savings accounts are backed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, which is an independent U.S. government agency. Online banks that offer high-yield savings accounts tend to have lower overhead costs than traditional banks, since they aren't paying for physical locations and other expenses. But high-yield savings accounts offer APYs as high as 5% or 6%. But before you move over your funds, be sure to do your research on the bank that's offering the high-yield savings account you're interested in.

Persons: Colby Dickson, Greg McBride, McBride, Jim Cramer, Ben McKenzie, Farnoosh Organizations: Northwestern Mutual, CNBC, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, FDIC Locations: U.S

☆ 60% of Americans feel behind on emergency savings—a 'sunny day' fund can help, says CFP
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Ryan Ermey | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

More than 4 in 5 say they did not increase emergency savings this year, according to a recent survey from Bankrate, and 60% say they feel behind when it comes to saving for a rainy day. That's why, in addition to your traditional emergency fund, some financial pros recommend building a so-called sunny day fund of money you can spend guilt-free or put toward exciting opportunities. What's more, consider the sorts of expenses your emergency fund could potentially cover to give yourself some piece of mind. "Another would be cash to cover living expenses during the disability waiting period, or elimination period." How a 'sunny day' fund can help you reach your goals

Persons: Spenser Liszt, Andy Baxley, Liszt Organizations: Motif, Planning Locations: Bankrate

☆ Federal Reserve Meeting Fed Expected to Keep Rates on Hold
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Jeanna Smialek | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +7 min

The Fed last raised its benchmark rate, the federal funds rate, in July to a range of 5.25 to 5.5 percent. In recent weeks, the long-term market rates that influence many types of consumer and business loans have drifted higher, even as the Fed left its key rate on hold. Car LoansHigher loan rates have been dampening auto sales, particularly in the used-car market, because loans are more expensive and prices remain high, experts said. Used-car rates were even higher: The average loan carried an 11.4 percent rate in September, matching a high set earlier in the year. Home-equity lines of credit and adjustable-rate mortgages — which each carry variable interest rates — generally rise within two billing cycles after a change in the Fed’s rates.

Persons: ”, Anna N’Jie, Bankrate.com, Matt Schulz, Jonathan Smoke, that’s, Freddie Mac, Ken Tumin, DepositAccounts.com Organizations: Federal Reserve, Fed, Re, LendingTree, Cox Automotive, Treasury, Savings Vehicles Savers, Consumers, DepositAccounts.com Locations: LendingTree

☆ 92% of young people would sacrifice other perks for a 4-day workweek—here's what they'd give up
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Annie Probert | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

As workers reconsider their work-life balance post-pandemic, 92% of young people say that they would make sacrifices in exchange for a four-day workweek, according to a new Bankrate survey. "That coupled with this still historically strong job market … is giving them the leverage to bargain for what they want." "If a company wants to bring younger workers back [into the office], maybe this is the perk they should look into," says Foster. The Bankrate data is a sign that younger generations are prioritizing work-life balance and "recognizing that flexibility itself is a job perk," Foster says. "There's something to be said about maybe not wanting to pursue that taste of flexibility the way that younger generations probably do."

Persons: Sarah Foster, Gen Z, they'd, Foster, Gen, X, Gen Xers, they've Organizations: CNBC Locations: U.S

☆ The Federal Reserve leaves rates unchanged. Here's what that means for your wallet
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

watch nowThe Federal Reserve left its target federal funds rate unchanged for the second consecutive time Wednesday. What the federal funds rate means for youThe federal funds rate, which is set by the central bank, is the interest rate at which banks borrow and lend to one another overnight. To a certain extent, many households have been shielded from the brunt of the Fed's rate hikes so far, House said. As the federal funds rate rose, the prime rate did as well, and credit card rates followed suit. If the 10-year yield stays near 5%, federal student loan interest rates could increase again when they reset in the spring, costing student borrowers even more in interest.

Persons: Brett House, that's, Sung Won Sohn, Sohn, bode, Greg McBride, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's, Tiffany Hagler, Bankrate, Jacob Channel Organizations: Federal Reserve, Fed, Columbia Business School, Loyola Marymount University, SS Economics, Treasury, Geard, Bloomberg, Getty, Auto Locations: Larchmont , New York

☆ The Fed probably won't cut interest rates just yet — but its next move is expected to be good for Americans
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | Madison Hoff | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

It's expected to pause interest rate hikes. On Wednesday, the Federal Open Market Committee is expected to announce its next interest rate decision, and a hike probably isn't in the cards. In September, the Fed paused interest rate hikes as it continued to receive promising data on the country's economic recovery. Powell has not indicated whether a interest rate cut will come this year to get consumers further relief. AdvertisementAdvertisementEven if interest rate cuts are not on the horizon anytime soon, administration officials are confident Americans will not face a recession as they enter 2024.

Persons: It's, —, Nick Bunker, Bunker, Jerome Powell, Powell, we've, Greg McBride, we're, McBride, Janet Yellen, Joelle Gamble, Gamble Organizations: Federal, Service, Fed, North America, New York Federal, Bloomberg, White, National Economic Council Locations: Israel, Ukraine

☆ Credit scores hit an all-time high even though households are falling deeper in debt
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

As of April, the average credit card utilization was 34%, up from 31% a year earlier. Your utilization rate, the ratio of debt to total credit, is one of the factors that can influence your score. Credit experts generally advise borrowers to keep revolving debt below 30% of their available credit to limit the effect that high balances can have. The possibility of a recession coupled with rising unemployment could weigh on scores going forward, he added. What is a 'good' credit score?

Persons: Ted Rossman, FICO, Dornhelm

☆ Improving your credit score by 100 points could save you hundreds of dollars
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( Mike Winters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

While there's not much you can do about the Fed raising interest rates, you do have some control over improving your credit score. With rising interest rates, having a good credit score is crucial to keeping costs down since it can save you hundreds of dollars in monthly debt expenses. To improve your credit score, make sure you make debt payments on time and have a wide variety of credit, while using the credit you have only sparingly. Depending on your outstanding debt, improving your credit score by 100 points can save you hundreds of dollars. Monthly interest for a credit cardFor credit cards, having a credit score of 630 could qualify you for an APR around 24%, according to Investopedia data.

Persons: there's, you'd, Warren Buffett Organizations: Federal Reserve, New York Fed

☆ Self-made millionaire who paid off $300,000 in loans: Tackle debt first, then invest—'humans suck at multitasking'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Ryan Ermey | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

These days, the couple's net worth is nearly $1.5 million. It's a model that Joy recommends to her clients, even if it runs counter to conventional financial planning wisdom. Here's why Joy recommends aiming to become debt-free before you invest. Prioritizing debt payoff can make mathematical senseWhen it comes to putting your income to work, Joy recommends dividing things into three buckets. So what builds your net worth faster: being debt-free or having a big portfolio?

Persons: Bernadette Joy's, she's, Joy Organizations: University of North

☆ The Federal Reserve may not hike interest rates next week, but consumers are unlikely to feel any relief
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

After the previous rate hikes, the average credit card rate is now more than 20% — an all-time high. Even without a rate hike, APRs may continue to rise, according to according to Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree. As the federal funds rate rose, the prime rate did, as well, and these rates followed suit. Federal student loans are now at 5.5%Federal student loan rates are also fixed, so most borrowers aren't immediately affected by the Fed's moves. But undergraduate students who take out new direct federal student loans are now paying 5.50% — up from 4.99% in the 2022-23 academic year and 3.73% in 2021-22.

Persons: Chris Wattie, Matt Schulz, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's Organizations: Reuters, Treasury, Auto

☆ While most workers want a 4-day workweek, other job perks may be an easier way to get flexibility
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

No-mad | Istock | Getty ImagesThe United Auto Workers union has brought new attention to the idea of a 32-hour workweek as part of its strike demands. A recent Bankrate survey found 81% of full-time workers want a four-day workweek. That goes particularly for younger workers ages 18 to 42, with 83% embracing that work schedule, the personal finance website found. The enthusiasm for a four-day workweek comes as the Covid-19 pandemic prompted many workers to question the so-called "hustle culture" that has defined traditional full-time in-office work. The availability of a formal four-day workweek is still limited, Schweber said.

Persons: Sarah Foster, Z, Foster, it's, Gen Z, Julie Schweber, Schweber Organizations: United Auto Workers, Employers, Employees, Society for Human Resource Management, Finance

☆ Want to retire at 65 with $2 million? Here’s how much to save each month
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Cheyenne Devon | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Young Americans have mixed feelings about their ability to reach their retirement savings goals. However, about half of both groups feel they're slightly or significantly behind where they should be, per the survey. When you start saving for retirement early, you give your funds more time to grow through the power of compounding interest. On average, Americans think they'll need over $1 million to retire comfortably, according to Bankrate. With that in mind, CNBC calculated how much you would need to set aside each month in order to retire with $2 million at 65, starting at ages 21, 25 and 30.

Persons: Zers Organizations: CNBC Locations: Northwestern

☆ A credit card Christmas: Taking on shopping debt carries more risk this holiday season
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

This holiday season, shoppers who ring up purchases on credit cards will pay more interest if they carry balances from month to month after the Federal Reserve's string of rate hikes. Already, investors and retailers have paid closer attention to credit card payments — and some have cited them as a concern. The company, which has its own branded credit cards, has seen lower revenues from those cards because of costs associated with bad debt and related write-offs. Mitchell said student debt, auto loans and mortgages have all become bigger burdens in a high interest rate environment. For retailer-issued cards, the average interest rate is nearly 30%, a record high, according to data from Bankrate.

Persons: Alexi Rosenfeld, Aditya Bhave, Bhave, Taylor Swift, Wall, Adrian Mitchell, Mitchell, Doug McMillon, Tim Quinlan, Wells, Quinlan Organizations: Getty, Shoppers, Bank of America, Consumers, Walmart, U.S . Federal Reserve Locations: New York City, Wells Fargo

☆ The US economy is growing at the fastest pace in 2 years
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Madison Hoff | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Real GDP rose 4.9% at an annualized rate in the third quarter. That greatly surpasses the roughly 2% seen in both the first and second quarter of this year. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe US economy saw much higher GDP growth in the third quarter than the first two quarters of the year. The advance estimate suggests much stronger growth than the roughly 2% rates seen in the first and second quarters of the year. Meanwhile, real fixed investments slowed from 5.2% in the second quarter to 0.8% in the third quarter.

Persons: —, Larry Adam, Raymond James Organizations: Service, Board

☆ Shoppers have choices when it comes to payment plans. Here's how to pick between buy now, pay later and retail credit cards
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Using financing deals from retail credit cards also allows you to take an item home immediately after purchase, but they operate differently than BNPL plans and serve different purposes. Buy now, pay later deals can buy you 'a little extra time'"If you need a little extra time to pay something off, then a 'buy now, pay later' loan can be a really appealing thing," said Schulz. In addition, retail credit card accounts — especially newly opened ones — often include "deferred" or zero interest promotions. How BNPL, retail cards can affect your creditHoliday debt can be very sticky for cardholders. Actually, sign-ups for retail credit cards consistently spike every year in the fourth quarter, specifically November and December, according to credit bureau company Equifax.

Persons: Matt Schulz, Schulz, That's, Sara Rathner, Rathner, NerdWallet Organizations: Finance, LendingTree, Retail

☆ Americans ran up $105 billion in credit card interest last year alone
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —Danielle Foskie is among a growing number of Americans who have stumbled into a credit card doom loop. She turrned to credit cards to get by, eventually racking up $60,000 in credit card debt. Americans were hit with $105 billion in credit card interest last year alone, according to the CFPB’s biennial consumer credit card report. As signs of consumer stress emerge, the credit card industry continues to perform well financially. The report also warned of an “apparent lack of competition” on credit card rates.

Persons: Danielle Foskie, I’ve, ” Foskie, She’s, Renee Barrett, ” Barrett, Barrett, “, ”, Rohit Chopra Organizations: New, New York CNN, CNN, Financial, “, New York Fed Locations: New York, Cleveland , Ohio, United States, Bronx, Covid

☆ Only 19% of Americans increased their emergency savings in 2023. That ‘puts households in a bind,’ expert says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

It's becoming increasingly difficult for Americans to set money aside. "Rising prices and high household expenses have been the predominant impediments to boosting emergency savings," said Greg McBride, Bankrate's chief financial analyst. "When expenses increase faster than income, that puts households in a bind." But that cash reserve is now largely gone after consumers gradually spent their excess savings from the Covid-19 pandemic years. At the same time, the Federal Reserve's most aggressive interest rate-hiking cycle in four decades made it costlier to borrow.

Persons: It's, Greg McBride, Sung Won Sohn Organizations: Finance, Social Security, Loyola Marymount University, SS Economics

☆ How the long-awaited recession became a 'richsession' for America's wealthy
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Delon Thornton | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Sticky inflation, white-collar layoffs, and surging interest rates are all putting pressure on a certain type of American — higher-income earners. The same year, 1.8 million Americans lost their millionaire status, according to UBS' 2023 Global Wealth Survey. Bank of America's Consumer Checkpoint Survey for September 2023 found that high-income households have become more pessimistic about the economy. The same group also appears more cautious about spending because of soft wage growth and slowing job creation for high earners. Watch the video above to find out more about how the so-called "richcession" could affect the entire economy.

Persons: Greg McBride Organizations: UBS, Survey, Bank of America's Locations: U.S

☆ How much you should tip your Uber and Lyft driver, according to drivers and etiquette experts
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Some Uber and Lyft drivers have complained about poor customer tipping recently. We asked drivers and etiquette experts how much Americans should be tipping for Uber and Lyft rides . AdvertisementAdvertisementRegardless of whether you're tired of tipping or trying to save money, four etiquette experts and drivers told Insider that it shouldn't stop you from tipping your Uber and Lyft driver. "As long as we're not guaranteed a living wage, I think the ethical thing is to tip drivers." AdvertisementAdvertisementJeff Hoenig, a 63-year-old part-time Uber driver in South Carolina, told Insider that roughly half of his customers left a tip last year.

Persons: Uber, —, it's, Lyft, Thomas Farley, Mister Manners, Gabe Ets, Jeff Hoenig Jeff Hoenig Nick Leighton, Farley, Jeff Hoenig, Hoenig Organizations: Service, Ets Locations: New York, Oakland , California, South Carolina

☆ A risk of 'cash stuffing:' You may forgo ‘the easiest money you are ever going to make,’ says analyst
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Daniel Grill | Getty ImagesHow cash stuffing worksAfter gaining popularity on TikTok, more young adults are trying the so-called envelope method, or "cash stuffing," to stay on budget and out of debt. The premise is simple: Spending money is divided up into envelopes representing your monthly expenses, such as groceries and gas. When the cash in one envelope is spent, you're either done spending in that category for that month, or you need to borrow from another envelope. Some downsides of keeping cashStashing cash not only forgoes the protections that come with consumer banking, it may also leave you vulnerable to theft. Vet financial advice from social mediaFor consumers in search of sound financial advice, "there is a tremendous amount of education out there," said Howard Dvorkin, a certified public accountant and the chairman of Debt.com.

Persons: Daniel Grill, Ted Rossman, it's, McBride, we've, Matt Schulz, Schulz, Howard Dvorkin Organizations: FDIC

"When the 10-year yield goes up, it will have a knock-on effect for almost everything," according to Brett House, economics professor at Columbia Business School. There are many factors driving the recent spike in Treasury yields, economists said. Most of the recent jump in Treasury yields is due to a so-called term premium, said Andrew Hunter, deputy chief U.S. economist at Capital Economics. Student loans could get pricierThere is also a correlation between Treasury yields and student loans. The government sets the annual rates on those loans once a year, based on the 10-year Treasury.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Mark Hamrick, Brett House, Andrew Hunter, Hunter, Tony Dwyer, Canaccord Genuity, Freddie Mac, Eugenio Aleman, Raymond James Organizations: Federal, Stock, Fed, Columbia Business School, Treasury, Capital Economics Locations: U.S

☆ These credit cards have had 'increasingly notable' high rates, analyst says. What to know before you shop
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

"We've seen all types of credit card rates go up in recent years, but store cards have been increasingly notable," said Ted Rossman, senior industry analyst at Bankrate. "It's becoming way more common for many credit cards to have that as a possible standard rate," Schulz told CNBC in a previous interview. watch nowYet, about 74% of 2023 holiday shoppers still plan on using credit cards to buy gifts this year, NerdWallet found. 'These 0% promos are very dangerous'Retail credit cards will oftentimes offer a 0% interest promotion described as "deferred interest." Sara Rathner credit cards expert and writer at NerdWallet.

Persons: We've, Ted Rossman, Matt Schulz, Schulz, Sara Rathner, NerdWallet, Bankrate's Rossman, Rathner Organizations: Bankrate, Finance, CNBC Locations: NerdWallet

☆ After a summer of Barbenheimer and Beyoncé, can US consumers still afford the holiday season?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-21 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Minneapolis CNN —Ballpark attendance boomed this summer, Barbenheimer revived the box office and a Renaissance of live performances brought concerts into new Eras. However, it also could mean that holiday spending just might look a little different and skewed more toward experiences than it has done in past years. Respondents to KPMG’s 2023 holiday survey said they plan to spend 5% more this season, said Matt Kramer, KPMG’s consumer and retail national sector leader. “What stands out the most is this ‘leaning in’ to holiday travel and wanting to have those experiences with friends and family,” he said. A more comprehensive look at consumer spending will come at the tail end of the month when the Personal Consumption Expenditures data is released.

Persons: Barbenheimer, Everybody, ”, Keith Gentili, ” Taylor Swift, Allen J, “, Ted Rossman, that’s, ’ ”, aren’t, Matt Kramer, Tamara Charm, Elijah Nouvelage, Patrick T, Fallon, Gus Faucher, Nathan Howard, Nancy Vanden Houten, ’, ” Rossman, Matt Schulz Organizations: Minneapolis CNN —, New Hampshire, Los Angeles Times, Getty, Bankrate, McKinsey, Travelers, Hartsfield, Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Bloomberg, Commerce, Apple, PNC Financial Services, Shoppers, canaries, LendingTree Locations: Minneapolis, New, Inglewood , California, splurge, ’, Los Angeles, AFP, Georgetown, Washington, what’s, Oxford

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