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☆ 6 ways to get the best deals on Black Friday and Cyber Monday— and how to avoid scams
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Sebastian Cahill | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are full of deals this year, both online and in-store. The best ways to take advantage of Black Friday deals:Know what you're looking for and make a list. AdvertisementPlan which credit card to use for which purchases. Customers looking for a new credit card can also pick smarter by choosing a card with a 0% intro APR, according to Motley Fool. AdvertisementCommon schemes to avoid on Black Friday:Watch for "doorbuster deals," and don't buy just because of large discounts.

Persons: —, Motley, Todd Christensen, Kimberly Palmer, Palmer, Buyers, you've Organizations: Service, MIT Sloan School of Management, CBS

☆ Turkeys are cheaper, but inflation is 'clearly impacting' Thanksgiving food costs, economist says. Here's how to save
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The cost of turkey represents 45% of the classic Thanksgiving basket of food prices the bureau tracks. "Inflation is still clearly impacting food prices," Veronica Nigh, senior economist of AFBF, said in a press call. People are paying more at the grocery store. Consumers can expect to pay around 20% less for fresh cranberries compared to a year ago while canned cranberry sauce is up 7% from last year, Wells Fargo found. It "might actually be cheaper to go to a grocery store that you're not used to going to," Palmer said.

Persons: Veronica, AFBF, Kimberly Palmer, There's, Wells, Mark Hamrick, Maren Caruso, Palmer Organizations: American Farm Bureau, Finance, UBS, Bankrate, Stone Locations: U.S, Puerto Rico, . Ham, Wells Fargo

☆ Airbnb used to be about crashing on a stranger's couch for cheap. Now Wall Street wants in.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( Kelsey Neubauer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Airbnb started out with all mom-and-pop hosts, but now big firms are eyeing it as a money-maker. AdvertisementAdvertisementIt started buying up houses in Florida, and renting them out on Airbnb for hundreds of dollars a night, the Wall Street Journal recently reported . "The majority of Airbnb hosts share only one listing," according to a spokesperson. But the shift in operators from mom-and-pop hosts renting their spare bedrooms to major companies renting hundreds of units out has changed the guest experience, too, according to NerdWallet. AdvertisementAdvertisementShort-term rentals can be a volatile investmentRelying on Airbnb, though, can be risky for both mom-and-pop hosts and big-money investors.

Persons: Airbnb, —, Brian Chesky, AirDNA, Skift, Jelke Bosma, Jamie Lane, NerdWallet Organizations: TPG, Service, Wall Street Journal, Saluda, Investment, Davidson, Capital Management, University of Amsterdam Locations: Florida, San Francisco, New York, WEG, Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale

☆ The ‘dupe’ trend hit travel in 2023. It's a good way to save on your next trip, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

For example, flight searches more than doubled for several "dupe" destinations internationally, according to Expedia data. watch nowLikewise, flight searches to the island Curaçao, a stand-in for St. Martin, were up 228% in the U.S. and 185% worldwide. "TikTok popularized the idea of dupes … and the concept is increasingly taking off in the world of travel," Expedia said in a report published Wednesday. Internet search traffic in the U.S. for travel dupes spiked throughout 2023, peaking in July, according to Google Trends data. It's more than just the flight priceHowever, Hopper flight data indicates that not all dupes will necessarily pay off for travelers.

Persons: Klaus Vedfelt, Martin, TikTok, dupes …, Expedia, Hayley Berg, Hopper, Ho, Jon Gieselman, dupes, Sara Rathner Organizations: Digitalvision, Getty, Sydney, Expedia Brands, Auckland , New Zealand — Locations: Taipei, Seoul, U.S, Pattaya, Thailand, Bangkok, St, Perth, Australia, Liverpool, England, London, Hanoi, Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, Spain, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Barcelona, Phuket, Europe, Sydney, Nadi, Fiji, Auckland , New Zealand

Airbnb said that it will roll out what it calls “Guest Favorites” this week. He said the unpredictability of listings is the biggest reason why someone would choose a hotel room over Airbnb. Airbnb is also encouraging hosts to create photo tours of their property, which Chesky said will use AI to organize photos by room. Earlier this year, Airbnb began discouraging hosts from charging exorbitant cleaning fees, a major complaint of users. The site lets visitors filter searches by all-in pricing, which includes the fees, although it is not the default setting.

Persons: Airbnb, Brian Chesky, Chesky, “, ” Chesky, ”

☆ Homeowner insurance and climate have become major factors in real estate
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Farmers Insurance deemed it too risky to continue insuring homes in Florida and pulled out of the market there entirely. The average cost for homeowners’ insurance in the United States is about $1,820, according to an analysis by NerdWallet, but there are many variables. As climate risks continue, a standoff has developed over who should pay the cost of insuring homes against ever-growing risks. And for many of the properties that are on the market you can’t obtain insurance? “We’ll have to see some creative solutions in the near term to create that competitive marketplace for insurance,” she said.

Persons: Michael Monaghan, Sellers, “, ’ ” Monaghan, ”, Monaghan, Will, Amy Bach, United, Hurricane Andrew, ” Bach, mitigations, Bach, Jennifer Branchini, Branchini Organizations: DC CNN, Coldwell, Allstate, . Farmers Insurance, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, Hurricane, FAIR, California Department of Insurance, California Association of Realtors, State Farm, Farm, “ Locations: Washington, California, Bayside, ”, Florida, Monaghan, United States, “, San Francisco, “ Florida, Louisiana, WUI, Pleasanton

☆ Disney is the No. 1 cruise line for families, travelers say
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( Celia Fernandez | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

1 cruise for families: Disney Cruise LineDisney Cruise Line is the best cruise line for families, with a rating of 4.46. The cruise line has five ships: Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish. Disney Cruise Line is the best cruise for families, travelers say. Disney Cruise Line is typically more expensive than other family-friendly cruise lines, the report states. The 5 best cruise lines for familiesDisney Cruise Line Royal Caribbean International Carnival Cruise Line Norwegian Cruise Line MSC Cruises The second best family-friendly cruise line is Royal Caribbean International with a rating of 4.17.

Persons: Disney, Horacio Villalobos, James D, bauer Organizations: . News, Cruise Lines International Association, Condé, U.S . News, Disney Cruise, Disney, Corbis, Getty, Disney Cruise Line, Cruise, Cruise Line MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Morgan Locations: U.S, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Caribbean, Australia, Pacific, Haiti, Coco Cay, Bahamas, South

☆ 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

The Biden administration’s fight against consolidation in the airline industry will be tested Tuesday with lawyers for JetBlue Airways and the Justice Department squaring off in court. The administration is suing to block JetBlue’s proposed $3.8 billion acquisition of Spirit Airlines. The Justice Department is fresh off victory in a previous lawsuit that killed a partnership between JetBlue and American Airlines. If it swallows Spirit, JetBlue will leapfrog Alaska Airlines but still control less than 10% of the U.S. air-travel market. The Justice Department argues, however, that Spirit is the disruptive force that needs to be protected.

Persons: Biden, Obama Organizations: JetBlue Airways, Department, Spirit Airlines, JetBlue, Justice Department, American Airlines, U.S, Alaska Airlines, New, Big, Spirit, The, US Airways, JetBlue Airways Corp Locations: Boston, U.S, United, Delta, New York, Miramar , Florida, New York City, Fort Lauderdale , Florida, Continental

☆ 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

☆ Credit card users paid $130 billion in fees, interest in 2022, federal watchdog says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Proposed changes are meant to fill gaps in the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009, or CARD Act. The law imposed guardrails on credit card companies such as price controls on penalty fees and specific conditions in which they can be charged. However, there is no restriction on how much APR a company can charge nor language on late fees. How to minimize credit card fees, interestCardholders who carried a balance paid about 20% of their average statement balance in interest and fees last year, the CFPB found. WalletHub estimates that cardholders paid on average $76.27 in fees and interest per credit card account in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Persons: Biden, Schulz, it's, " Schulz, cardholders, Autopay, Matt Schulz, Sara Rathner Organizations: Consumers, Federal Trade Commission, Istock, Getty

☆ 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

☆ Credit card users paid nearly $164 billion in fees, interest in 2022. It may 'get a little worse,' analyst warns
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Some credit card companies charge as much as $41 for a missed payment. Proposed changes are meant to fill gaps in the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009, or CARD Act. The law imposed guardrails on credit card companies, like price controls on penalty fees and specific conditions in which they can be charged. However, there is no restriction on how much APR a company can charge nor language on late fees. How to minimize credit card fees, interestCardholders paid on average $76.27 in fees and interest per credit card account in the fourth quarter of 2022, WalletHub found.

Persons: Oscar Wong, Biden, Schulz, Cardholders, WalletHub, it's, cardholders, Autopay, Matt Schulz, Sara Rathner Organizations: Federal Trade Commission

☆ The 'ideal booking window' for holiday airfare is closing, economist says. 'Travelers are going to miss out'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

D3sign | Moment | Getty ImagesIf you have yet to purchase your fall and winter holiday travel and are hoping for a bargain airfare, time is running out. "Travelers are going to miss out on the opportunity to save when they wait too long," said Hayley Berg, lead economist at Hopper. In early October, 85% of Hopper app users who intended to book holiday travel had yet to do so, according to a survey of 500 people. In the last few days before Christmas, travelers could see price jumps of about $40 a day, Hopper anticipates. Fares will likely become increasingly competitive as travelers wait, "judging by the number of people traveling this year," said Elizabeth Ayoola, a personal finance writer at NerdWallet.

Persons: Hayley Berg, Hopper, Berg, airfare, Elizabeth Ayoola Organizations: Travelers, Finance, Air, Getty

☆ Here are 3 ways to avoid paying more than what you actually owe on your credit cards
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Given record-high interest rates, now is not the time to be taking on more credit card debt. The Federal Reserve is expected to further hike interest rates before the end of the year, and the average credit card interest rate is already at an all-time high. Automated payment options can help credit card holders bypass late payment fees. "You can set it up for a lower payment," said Sara Rathner, credit cards expert and writer at NerdWallet, referring to a monthly automated card payment. "There's no penalty charge on your card if you pay your statement balance before the due date," Ewen added.

Persons: Sara Rathner, Nick Ewen, Guy, Ewen Organizations: Federal, Finance

☆ Self-made millionaire: This couple earns $280,000 a year, but they’re making a ‘catastrophic’ money mistake
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Cheyenne Devon | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Self-made millionaire Ramit Sethi discovered that a couple earning six figures is making a "catastrophic" money mistake. Based on a quick overview of the couple's finances, Sethi found that the couple has zero savings and investments. With this, your initial investment grows exponentially by earning returns not only on the principal amount, but on the interest it accumulates as well. Say your initial investment is $1,000 and you earn an annualized return of 10%, the average stock market return, according to NerdWallet. That year, you'd earn 10% on your entire account total, not just your initial investment.

Persons: Ramit Sethi, Sethi, Rich, Mark Hamrick, you'd Organizations: CNBC Locations: U.S

☆ Foreign Exchange: Get the Best Rate
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Elaine Glusac | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Using foreign money wisely requires understanding the going exchange rate with the U. S. dollar and practicing the following strategies to avoid excessive fees. Take a card that doesn’t charge transaction feesThe primary rule of managing purchases abroad is ensuring you are not using a credit card that charges foreign transaction fees. You don’t need an expensive card with a $500-or-more annual fee to have foreign transaction charges waived. Capital One offers cards with no annual fees or foreign transaction charges. The personal finance website NerdWallet maintains a list of credit cards that don’t charge a fee for foreign transactions.

Persons: ”, Nick Ewen, Guy, NerdWallet Organizations: Capital One

NEW YORK (AP) — When the unexpected happens — whether fire, hail, or human error — renters insurance can provide much-needed stability. The average cost of a renters insurance policy in 2023 was $148 per year, or about $12 per month, according to the most recent analysis by NerdWallet. Here's what to keep in mind:WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT ACQUIRING RENTERS INSURANCE? WHAT’S COVERED BY RENTERS INSURANCE? Most renters insurance policies include:— Personal property protection.

Persons: Linda Klamm, “, Klamm, ” Klamm, you’re, policyholders, ”, Charles Schwab Organizations: Joint Center for Housing Studies, Harvard University, Insurance, Institute, Financial Health Network, Financial Health, Associated Press, Charles, Charles Schwab Foundation, Inc, AP Locations: Oakland , California, California, Florida , Louisiana , Texas, Washington

☆ All smoke and no FIRE: Early retirees open up about the struggles of ditching their paychecks in exchange for freedom and the new ways they're generating extra income
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Laila Maidan | Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

Members pose questions from how to save and invest to how to raise a family while on the path to early retirement. Early retirement doesn't mean never working againBut the FIRE movement can be more smoke than fire. Think about what's important to you and what you want your lifestyle in early retirement to look like, Cheng said. One message he shares with his community is that early retirement may not be the ultimate finish line for everyone. He also started coaching high school tennis and grew his online blog that offers tips on early retirement.

Persons: Rachel Covert, Isaac Mizrahi, Covert, That's, subreddit, Gwendolyn Merz, Merz, She'd, Marguerita Cheng, Cheng, It's, Michael Quan, Quan, Winnie Jiang, Sam Dogen, Dogen, Sam Dogen Dogen, Shan Fu, Fu, I'm Organizations: Financial Independence, Social Security, Lean FIRE, FIRE, Fortune, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Credit Suisse, Millennials Locations: NerdWallet, New York City, Mexico, Portugal, Asia

☆ How to Pay Off Your Student Loans Fast
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Rebecca Safier | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +11 min

5 strategies to pay off your student loans ahead of scheduleMore than half of students take out student loans to pay for college, with the average debt load upon graduation totaling nearly $30,000. Be cautious about refinancing federal student loans: Doing so means sacrificing federal repayment plans and other protections. Pay off interest during school and your grace periodInterest starts accruing on most student loans, such as federal unsubsidized loans and private student loans, from the day they are paid out (known as the disbursement date), usually at the beginning of each semester. Pursue student loan forgiveness and assistanceIf you’re open to switching jobs, consider pursuing a role that would make you eligible for student loan forgiveness or assistance. If you have federal student loans, you may need to set up autopay again before the payment pause ends in October.

Persons: Rebecca Safier, you’d, “, ”, Karen McCarthy, Let’s, you’ll, Biden, Michael Lux, Joe DePaulo, McCarthy, autopay, forbearance, It’s, you’ve, Jan Miller Organizations: National Association of Student Financial, Public, Student Loan Sherpa, College Ave

☆ Why you might need to start booking your 2024 summer vacation now
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Blane Bachelor | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

But according to some industry experts, it’s not too early to start thinking about – and perhaps even booking – next year’s trip. But Keyes generally advises travelers not to necessarily hit that purchase button as soon as an airline opens up a flight for booking. “While it’s relatively common knowledge that last-minute fares are expensive, what’s far less known is that it’s also possible to book flights too early,” he says. From the hospitality industry perspective, advance booking can help hoteliers and other businesses adjust staffing, pricing and other factors to offer a better experience. While Cabutti of JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa acknowledges that “the early booking trend results in higher room rates,” it also enables businesses to better meet guests’ needs.

Persons: it’s, they’ve, ” Dino Triantafillou, Triantafillou, ” Triantafillou, Cristiano Cabutti, “ We’re, ” Cabutti, “, Stephanie Bias, Camp Aramoni, ”, ‘, Scott Keyes, ” Keyes, Keyes, Sally French, you’re Organizations: CNN, Labor, CNN Travel, Global, JW Marriott, Marriott, SDI, US State Department, Centers for Disease Control Locations: Italy, Tonica , Illinois, United States, Madrid, Santorini, Europe, Asia, Hopper’s, Saharan Africa, JW, Venice

☆ Americans say this is the most valuable money lesson they've ever learned—but many aren't putting it into practice
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | In Kamaronmcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

But 53% of Americans say learning how to budget and track expenses is the most valuable money lesson they've learned, according to a recent survey of over 1,000 Americans from financial services company Empower. And the good news is, Americans are learning this lesson early — by age 22, on average, Empower found. Here's why it's so difficult to track your spending, and tips for making and sticking to your own money plan. Additionally, it may be difficult to start good money habits if you have subconscious negative beliefs or feelings around money that you haven't addressed. "Avoiding your money or having trouble starting the process of tracking your expenses can feel like you are protecting yourself from a daunting task."

Persons: they've, Courtney Burrell, Burrell, Aja Evans Organizations: CNBC

☆ I’ve Been Writing About Mortgages for 30 Years, but I Picked a 20-Year Loan
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Michele Lerner | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +4 min

But I’ve been writing about real estate for more than three decades now, so I’ve benefited from interviewing hundreds of lenders. Along the way, I learned that technically you can get a loan term as short as five years and as long as 40. Back then, average mortgage rates were under 4%, well below what we’d been paying since buying our current home eight-years earlier. Plus, the 20-year refinance will ultimately save us over $100,000 in interest compared with a 30-year refinance (before factoring in our extra payments). Don’t let anyone talk you into a “standard” loan term until you’ve compared all your options.

Persons: Michele Lerner, I’ve, we’d, We’d, what’s, Don’t Locations: Virginia, Washington ,

☆ Credit quality is no longer primary driver behind lending pullback, says Nerdwallet CEO Tim Chen
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | 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 EmailCredit quality is no longer primary driver behind lending pullback, says Nerdwallet CEO Tim ChenNerdwallet founder and CEO Tim Chen joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the company's quarterly earnings results, how lenders are tightening lending standards in today's economic envrionment,

Persons: Tim Chen Nerdwallet, Tim Chen

☆ From banking giants to lending up-and-comers — here are the world's top 200 fintech companies
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

Statista identified 40 firms as top digital payments companies. While digital payments is often the area that draws most investor buzz, lending generates more money in financial services. Statista identified 25 fintech companies that fall into the category of top alternate lending firms. They include American small business lending firm Biz2Credit, Irish e-commerce lending company Wayflyer, and Latvian loan refinancing startup Mintos. Digital business solutions

Persons: Monzo, there's, Statista, Afterpay, It's, Binance, eToro, Equity crowdfunding, hasn't, Peter Hazlehurst Organizations: JPMorgan —, Orange, Digital, U.S, SEC, European, Education, Equity, Republic, Tech, Federal Reserve, Bank of England, CNBC, Solaris Locations: fintech, Europe, Nigeria, Orange, Africa, Terra, U.S, Cayman Islands, American, Latvian, U.K

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