DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

Homeowners typically make their normal monthly mortgage payments and expect to pay off their homes over 30 years. One of the best mortgage lenders for refinancing is Rocket Mortgage due to its flexible loan repayment terms, fast approval process and lower credit score requirements. There are three primary methods for making extra payments – pay extra each month, make a lump sum payment or switch to bi-weekly payments. The first two methods require you to pay extra manually, but this one locks you into a quicker mortgage payoff. These strategies help borrowers pay off their homes faster and reduce the interest they'll pay.

While rates can fluctuate over time, high-yield savings accounts generally offer APYs over 10 times greater than the national average on savings accounts. To determine which high-yield savings accounts are the best overall, CNBC Select analyzed and compared dozens of savings accounts offered by online and brick-and-mortar banks, including large credit unions. (See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best high-yield savings accounts.) Find the best savings account for you: Help your money grow by finding the savings account that offers the best rates and features for you. Our methodologyTo determine which high-yield savings accounts offer the best return on your money, CNBC Select analyzed dozens of U.S. savings accounts offered by online and brick-and-mortar banks, including large credit unions.

☆ Don't forget to take advantage of these 4 'free money' benefits, says financial expert
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Elizabeth Gravier | Jason Stauffer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

Maximize your credit card rewards Credit card rewards programs let you earn cash-back (or other perks) on money you were going to spend anyway. For example, with a cash rewards credit card like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, you can earn 2% cash rewards on all eligible purchases with no annual fee. Transfer your cash to a high-yield savings account In this rising-rate environment, now is the time to open a high-yield savings account and earn more interest than you would in a traditional savings account. You're essentially collecting "free" money by parking your cash in a savings account — especially one with an above-average APY. Bask Bank Interest Savings Account Learn More Bask Bank and BankDirect are divisions of Texas Capital Bank, Member FDIC.

If you're ready to begin your home shopping journey, make sure you get a mortgage pre-approval first. A mortgage pre-approval letter is an essential step in the homebuying process. Below, CNBC Select breaks down how a mortgage pre-approval works and when you want to get one. What is mortgage pre-approval? Bottom lineA mortgage pre-approval can help you gauge how much mortgage you can afford and position yourself as a serious homebuyer.

☆ Record-high credit card debt outpaces savings for nearly one-third of the country — here's what you can do
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-25 | by ( Elizabeth Gravier | Jason Stauffer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Here's what credit cardholders with debt can doThe following advice can help set you on the path toward solvency if you feel you're drowning in credit card debt. Transfer debt to a balance transfer credit card If you're carrying a credit card balance month to month that you just can't pay off, your first priority should be putting a halt to the interest it's accruing. And, once you can pause the interest accrual on your credit card, you can then also focus on growing your savings. Consolidate debt with a personal loan Those with credit card debt may want to also think about taking out a personal loan to consolidate their debt into one monthly payment. Bottom lineIf you're struggling under the burden of credit card debt, you're far from alone.

CNBC Select compared more than a dozen car loan lenders based on the types of loans offered, affordability, credit requirements and shopping experience they provide. Here are our top picks for car lenders that serve customers with bad or fair credit. It offers various types of loans, including used and new car loans, refinancing and lease buyouts. If you have bad credit, getting approved for a car loan without a co-signer can be more challenging — but it's still possible. The rates and fee structures advertised for car loans are subject to fluctuate in accordance with the Fed rate.

☆ U.S. Bank unveils Business Altitude Connect card with a 60,000-point bonus, lounge access and more
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( Jason Stauffer | Elizabeth Gravier | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

If you're looking for a card to help maximize your business travel spending, here's everything you need to know. The U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard® has a welcome offer of 60,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in net purchases with your card within the first 180 days of account opening. The U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect card features benefits and bonuses to help you make the most of your travels. That makes the 60,000 welcome bonus worth $600, which is a good offer considering the card's annual fee is $0 for the first year. The Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card has a welcome offer of 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

☆ 8 reasons why you need an EIN for your business and how to apply for one
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Lee Huffman | Elizabeth Gravier | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

Below, CNBC Select explains how to apply for an EIN for your business and eight reasons why you need one. An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a federal identification number for your business. These are a few of the most common reasons why you need to apply for an EIN. You cannot open a business bank account for most forms of business without an EIN.. You cannot open a business bank account for most forms of business without an EIN. Best small business resourcesOnce you have your EIN, it will be easier to separate personal and business expenses and take advantage of various small business resources, such as business credit cards, business checking accounts, business savings accounts, business loans and business expense trackers.

☆ CNBC's best big bank savings accounts of 2022
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-17 | by ( Elizabeth Gravier | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +22 min

To determine which big bank savings accounts are the best overall, CNBC Select analyzed and compared dozens of savings accounts offered by the largest banks and credit unions. Best big bank savings accounts of 2022Best at Bank of AmericaBank of America Advantage Savings Learn More Bank of America, N.A. If you want a simple, no-frills and low cost savings account at a big bank, U.S. Bank's Standard Savings Account is for you. The three choices include Virtual Wallet, Virtual Wallet with Performance Spend and Virtual Wallet with Performance Select. Spend is your everyday checking account, Reserve your interest-bearing checking account / primary overdraft protection account and Growth is your long-term savings account / secondary overdraft protection account.

Car insurance costs are on the rise in 2023. Here are three ways to make sure you find the best car insurance deal for you. Bundle your renters or homeowners insurance with your car insuranceIf you already have homeowners or renters insurance, you might be able to save on your car insurance by getting your car insurance from the same company. According to InsuranceQuotes data, the average driver saves about 16% on their insurance premiums by bundling their homeowners insurance with their car insurance. If you don't have homeowners insurance yet and are looking for a provider, CNBC Select has picked the best homeowners insurance on the market.

Welcome to Select's advice column, Getting Your Money Right , where financial advisor Kristin O'Keeffe Merrick will be answering your pressing money questions. You can read her last installment here on whether to invest in bonds when interest rates are high . They are volatile, good news seems to be bad news, bad news is good news — everything seems to be defying the textbooks. After wading through the market meltdown of 2022, it feels like we deserve a rally and some peace! Lots of investors have started this year with cash to spend and are looking to buy stocks that are "cheap".

☆ If a recession hits, don't cut back on these 4 things, says CFP
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Elizabeth Gravier | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Instead of sacrificing your coverage entirely, you can ask your insurance providers for packaging discounts or better rates if a recession hits. High-interest debt payoffPaying off your high-interest debt (like the debt from credit cards) is always good advice, but that's especially true during a recession — even right before it. If you don't think you can completely pay off your credit card debt within the next few months, consider buying some time by transferring that debt to a balance transfer card with a zero-interest introductory period. Some accounts, like UFB Best Savings, are offering APYs north of 4%, which is quite high in recent years. UFB Best Savings Learn More UFB Best Savings is a Member FDIC.

☆ 3 questions that will help you decide where to save in today's high-rate environment
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( Jason Stauffer | Elizabeth Gravier | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

And with so much uncertainty in the stock market and rising interest rates, it can feel more complicated than normal. Right now, high-yield savings accounts (such as the LendingClub High-Yield Savings account) and CDs are more appealing than they were a few years ago when rates were low. However, interest rates tend to have a bigger influence on short or mid-term planning, not long-term decisions. Wealthfront Learn More Minimum deposit and balance Minimum deposit and balance requirements may vary depending on the investment vehicle selected. For example, if you save $1,000 in a high-yield savings account at 4% interest you'd earn about $41 in a year.

☆ Can you get an ATM card for a savings account?
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( Ana Staples | Elizabeth Gravier | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +14 min

While savings accounts typically don't offer a debit card, some come with an ATM card, making it easier for you to access cash from your savings when you need it. The Citi® Savings Account stands out for providing an ATM card even if you don't have a checking account with Citi. Having quick access to your savings with an ATM card can be convenient, but it's best not to make withdrawing money from your savings account a habit. Savings are an essential part of your financial well-being, and a savings account is meant to keep these funds intact. That's why unlike a checking account designed for daily spending, a savings account has features in place to prevent frequent withdrawals.

☆ Here’s when you should expect to receive your tax refund in 2023, according to the IRS
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-12 | by ( Jasmin Suknanan | Elizabeth Gravier | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

While we have yet to see how the average refund size Americans receive in 2023 will compare to last year's refunds, here's what you need to know about how long you might have to wait for your refund check. Jan. 23, 2023 marked the beginning of tax season as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) began accepting and processing 2022 tax returns. Last year, Americans received an average refund of $3,253 for their 2021 tax returns, NBC News reported. This year, though, the IRS is urging caution to any taxpayer who received from their state last year any special inflation-related tax relief or payments. You also have the option to receive live assistance or have a tax professional file your taxes on your behalf, which can decrease the likelihood of a mistake delaying your refund.

(See our methodology to see how we choose the car insurance companies for high-risk drivers.) Best car insurance for high-risk driversBest overall: State FarmState Farm Best for at-fault accidents: ErieErie Best for speeding tickets: GeicoGeico Best for DUI/DWI: ProgressiveProgressive Best for military members and veterans: USAASubscribe to the Select Newsletter! What's the best car insurance for high-risk drivers? Each car insurance company considers your risks differently and will price your car insurance premium accordingly. Our methodologyTo find the best insurance companies for high-risk drivers, CNBC Select looked at dozens of insurers offering coverage to high-risk drivers.

Black families face unique, racist barriers to creating wealth, from homeownership to business ownership, says Salene Hitchcock-Gear, president of individual life insurance at Prudential. To work towards closing the racial wealth gap and building generational wealth for Black Americans, it's important to understand what obstacles stand in the way. Black Americans face lower median credit scoresWhile the credit scoring system was created to take the bias out of lending, it's become yet another hurdle that prevents many Black Americans from building wealth. The bottom lineAfter many generations of being excluded from wealth-building, Black Americans still face a unique set of challenges stemming from racial discrimination. However, making homebuying and financial literacy more accessible could start to narrow the wide racial wealth gap in the US, and help Black families build generational wealth.

☆ Second jobs, moving in with family, investing: What we can learn from how millennials save for a down payment
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( Elizabeth Gravier | Jason Stauffer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Plus, we give advice on where to stash your down payment cash and options for making a small down payment. Investing your down payment savings and neglecting your bills can backfire Growing your down payment savings by investing may seem like a good idea since annual returns can be much higher than you would earn in a bank account. Bask Bank Interest Savings Account Learn More Bask Bank and BankDirect are divisions of Texas Capital Bank, Member FDIC. Keep in mind that the APY on a savings account is variable, meaning it can change at any moment. Take advantage while rates are high and open a high-yield savings account or CD.

If you only need to file a simple tax return or meet certain income requirements, you can file your taxes for free, using programs sponsored by the IRS or online tax software. Use IRS Free FileIRS Free File is a free online service for filing taxes designed by the IRS. Roughly 70% of Americans were eligible to use IRS Free File last year, but only 2% actually used it. It also won't work for you if you have business or self-employment income, income from rental property or stock sales, or unemployment income. Or, if you prefer a free tax software with no paid upgrades at all, consider Cash App Taxes (formerly known as Credit Karma Tax).

Having a savings account with a healthy amount of cash is an important part of one's financial health. When picking a savings account, it's crucial to explore your options to find what will work best for your situation. Currently, CNBC Select's Savings Marketplace lets you search for the following types of accounts:Online savings / High-yield savings: You can access and manage an online savings account without having to visit a physical location. You can access and manage an online savings account without having to visit a physical location. Whether you're opening your first savings account or looking to add another account to your existing savings strategy, the Savings Marketplace can help you easily compare your options and find the right account for your goals in just a few clicks.

Below, they weigh in on today's tipping culture, who gets a gratuity and how much. Dr. Peters adds that tipped employees may also include most front-of-house restaurant employees, bellhops, parking attendants, airport service workers and food delivery workers. most restaurants), consider using the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card. Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card Learn More Information about the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication. And when it comes to using delivery services, consider a card that gives cardholders money they can use to tip delivery workers.

Add to that mix the classic 60/40 portfolio model — a standard investing benchmark — that helps investors achieve that last point. Below, CNBC Select spoke to two financial professionals about how novices can put a 60/40 portfolio strategy in action. Once you're ready to invest, here are four simple ways to start putting money into a 60/40 portfolio. Vanguard Learn More Minimum deposit and balance Minimum deposit and balance requirements may vary depending on the investment vehicle selected. Wealthfront Learn More Minimum deposit and balance Minimum deposit and balance requirements may vary depending on the investment vehicle selected.

During the pandemic, mortgage rates plummeted below 3%, flooding the real estate market with homebuyers trying to snag a good rate. "Mortgage rates have trended down in the past couple of months," he says. So... [for] someone waiting for a 3% or 4% mortgage rate, it's not going to happen." For example, Rocket Mortgage is currently offering a mortgage rate buydown program called Inflation Buster. Evaluate whether you're buying for the right reasons and determine if you and your budget are ready for this important milestone.

Here's what credit score you'll need to qualify for the various Delta SkyMiles American Express cards. Small business owners have three Delta SkyMiles cards to choose from: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card. Luckily, the business and personal Delta cards are considered separate products so if you had the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, for example, you'd still be able to earn the welcome bonus with the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card. Bottom lineTo qualify for an Delta SkyMiles American Express card, you'll probably need a FICO® score of 670 or higher. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card card, click here.

The Capital One Spark Travel Elite, a premium travel business card, will be joining the Venture cards and getting a new name: the Capital One Venture X Business. Capital One Venture X Business benefitsThe Capital One Venture X Business will be a premium metal card with a new design. Here are some key features of the card: The Venture X Business is a charge card. Alternatively, you can look into the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Learn More Information about the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.

Search resuls for: "Elizabeth Gravier"

25 mentions found