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☆ Brands are so scared of culture wars and controversy that it's ripping apart the media business
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-27 | by ( Lara O'Reilly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Related storiesBut it wasn't until Trump's 2016 election that brand safety really entered the mainstream marketing vernacular — and the culture wars. In 2023, more than 21,400 jobs were cut in the US media industry, according to the employment agency Challenger, Gray & Christmas. But some industry experts think it's too late to put the "content adjacency" genie back in the bottle. AdvertisementThe result, Tobaccowala fears, is a further winnowing of the media industry where only the biggest platforms and individual content creators survive.

Persons: —, Elon Musk's, Donald Trump, Alex Marlow, Breitbart, Mark Penn, Tobaccowala, Tucker Carlson, Ingraham, Jessica Sibley, Taylor, Taylor Swift, Vittorio Zunino Celotto, Penn, it's, Richard Raddon, Ben Shapiro, Shapiro, Gregory Woodman, John Deere, Davidson, Kid, Bud, Bud Light, influencer Dylan Mulvaney, Gene J, Rob Kim Organizations: Service, Global Alliance, Responsible Media, Business, Breitbart News, News Corp, Groupe, Association for National, Companies, Giants, YouTube, Fox, Fox News, Facebook, Poets Department, Challenger, Getty, Penn, Publishers, The Daily, State of, US Department of State, Supply, Harley, Associated Press Locations: Ukraine, State of Texas, America

LendingClub recently replaced its old high-yield savings account with the LendingClub LevelUp Savings Account, which offers up to 5.30% annual percentage yield (APY). LendingClub's previous high-yield savings account, the LendingClub HighYield Savings Account, came with 5.00% APY. How to qualify for LendingClub's savings account 5.30% APYIt's pretty easy to open a savings account with LendingClub. How LendingClub's LevelUp Savings account compares to other high-yield savings accountsOther banks also offer high interest rates on savings accounts. EagleBank High-Yield Savings Account: Earn up to 5.35% APYThe EagleBank High-Yield Savings Account offers the potential to earn a slightly higher interest rate: up to 5.35% APY.

Persons: you've, you'll, LendingClub, EagleBank, Kit, Kit Pulliam, They’ve Organizations: Western Alliance Bank, Western Alliance, Yield, Kit Pulliam, Business, Tax, MSN, Vanderbilt University

It's never too early to start thinking about saving for college, and a 529 plan can help with that. A 529 plan is great for saving on taxes, but its lack of flexibility makes it less valuable to me. She's had a 529 plan since she was only a few weeks old. Your contributions can grow tax-free in a 529 plan. This is a fantastic benefit that can give families the ability to diversify the taxability of accounts for a 529 plan beneficiary in the future.

Persons: It's, —, She's, Roth, doesn't Organizations: Service

Mortgage rates dropped substantially earlier this month and they remain low today. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates would impact your monthly payments. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesLast week, average 15-year mortgage rates were 5.62%, a four-basis-point decrease from the previous week, according to Freddie Mac data. Mortgage rates have been elevated for most of 2024, but they've been trending down in recent months. Once the Fed cuts rates, mortgage rates should fall even further.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Powell, you'll, Freddie Mac, it's Organizations: Federal Reserve, Traders, Zillow Locations: Jackson Hole, Chevron

Happy Money Personal Loan OverviewFeaturesA Happy Money personal loan is a good option for those with good credit scores who are eligible for the lender's lowest APR. Happy Money Personal Loan Rates and TermsInterest RatesWhen borrowing with Happy Money, expect interest rates ranging between 11.72% APR and 17.99% APR. Happy Money vs. Reach FinancialBoth Reach Financial Personal Loan and Happy Money are for borrowers who are looking to consolidate their debt. Happy Money Customer Reviews and TestimonialsWhile Happy Money is an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), is only has 1.6 out of 5 stars, based on customer reviews. Happy Money Personal Loan FAQsWhat is the minimum credit score required for a Happy Money personal loan?

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The Betterment Cash Reserve Account is offering new customers a boosted APY. Get a boosted APY of 5.50% on a Betterment Cash Reserve accountThe Betterment Cash Reserve Accountcurrently offers existing customers an APY of 5.00% (5.50% APY for new customers' first three months). Read more about this account and its features, like no transaction limits, in our Betterment Cash Reserve review. Other 5% savings accountsThanks to this boosted APY offer, Betterment currently tops our list of savings accounts offering 5% APY or more. Other nationally available savings accounts to consider include:Western Alliance Bank High-Yield Savings Premier: earn an APY of 5.31% when you deposit a minimum of $500BrioDirect High-Yield Savings Account: earn an APY of 5.30% when you deposit a minimum of $5,000Bread Savings High-Yield Savings Account: earn an APY of 5.15% when you deposit a minimum of $100

Persons: —, you'll Organizations: Service, Western Alliance Bank, Yield, Savings

The average 30-year mortgage rate fell to 6.46% this week, according to Freddie Mac. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. 30-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesThe average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.46% this week, according to Freddie Mac. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesAverage 15-year mortgage rates were 5.62% this week, according to Freddie Mac data, which is a four-basis-point decrease from the previous week. As inflation comes down and the Federal Reserve is able to start cutting the federal funds rate, mortgage rates should fall further as well.

Persons: Freddie Mac, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's Organizations: National Association of Realtors, Zillow, Federal Reserve Locations: Chevron

This means that CD rates of 5% APY will likely decline and get less competitive. CD ladders can help you earn a great rate for longer, no matter what happens to CD rates. The best CD rates for short-term CDs are currently around 5% annual percentage yield, but that might not stay true for long. Building a CD ladder with terms paying 5% or moreRight now, short-term CDs offer better rates than long-term CDs, so our example CD ladder is shorter-term. CD ladders aren't suited to every purposeWhile CD ladders can be a good strategy for locking in high interest rates while maintaining liquidity, they aren't suited to every purpose.

Persons: Uziel Gomez, Gomez, you'll, You'll, Kit Pulliam, They’ve, Kit Organizations: Federal Reserve, AFC, Primeros, Pulliam, Business, Tax, MSN, Vanderbilt University Locations: U.S

My wife and I just got married, but we've been open about our finances our whole relationship. For some expenses like retirement planning, keeping our finances separate makes sense. That means we're able to work toward our financial goals of finding our forever home, paying off any student loan debt, and allocating funds for things we love, like vacations and dinners at our favorite restaurants. We're planning our retirements separatelyAlthough we are a couple, we keep some aspects of our finances separate. SmartAsset's free tool matches you with up to three fiduciary financial advisors that serve your area in minutes.

Persons: we've, —, Roth, it's, we're, doesn't Organizations: Service, Urban Outfitters

I had been saving to buy a house, but prices in Southern California have made that unlikely. I decided to stop focusing on trying to buy a house, which means I can put more toward retirement. I'm okay knowing I might be renting for life, as it means I can streamline my finances. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Retirement Planning The best robo advisors can help you start your retirement planning journey.

Persons: —, I've, I'm, homeownership, Roth, it's, There's Organizations: Service, realtors, SoFi Locations: Southern California, Los Angeles

Fortunately, we like to earn American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards points. I also transferred Chase points to Hyatt and redeemed them for one night in a hotel in the city. Annual travel credit can effectively shave $300 off the annual fee if you use itCheck mark icon A check mark. $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year. Another Southwest flight home to Denver, also courtesy of credit card rewards, and our anniversary spectacular was complete.

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As the economy continues to normalize and the Fed is able to lower the federal funds rate, mortgage rates should drop further. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates would impact your monthly payments. Mortgage Rates for Buying a Home30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Increase (+0.26%)The current average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.17%, up 26 basis points from where it was this time last week, according to Zillow data. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Go Up (+0.26%)The average 15-year mortgage rate is 5.45%, 26 basis points higher than last week. Mortgage Refinance Rates30-Year Fixed Refinance Rates Jump Up (+1.07%)The average 30-year refinance rate is 7.04%, 107 basis points up from last week.

Persons: Zillow, Price, you'll, It's, refinance, they've Organizations: Federal Reserve, Zillow, FHA Locations: U.S, Chevron

☆ Reddit's increased reliance on Google traffic has Wall Street anxious to see if visitors sign up
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-14 | by ( Jonathan Vanian | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

Reddit calls them logged-out users and, based on some industry estimates, they only monetize at about one-third the rate of logged-in users. The number of logged-out users surpassed logged-in users in the fourth quarter, and the gap has since widened. Logged-in users increased 31% in the second quarter to 42 million, while logged-out users increased at a much more robust rate of 74% to 49.2 million. Alan Gould, managing director at Loop Capital, said Google makes up "the vast majority of the logged-out users." By 2025, Reddit's logged-in users could represent an ARPU of $17.60 compared to $5.90 for logged-out users, Black said, based on the firm's estimates.

Persons: Spencer Platt, Tom Wahlin's, Hacker, Wahlin, we're, Lily Ray, Amsive, Ray, Reddit, Alan Gould, Daniel Konstantinovic, Konstantinovic, Benjamin Black, monetization, they'll, Reddit's, Black, Jen Wong, Wong, Steve Huffman, They'll, Huffman Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, Getty, Aer, Google, U.S, Loop, Deutsche Bank, CNBC, AllGear Digital, YouTube Locations: New York City, U.S, Reddit

As the Fed lowers its benchmark rate, mortgage rates are expected to decrease further. This would likely remove a substantial amount of upward pressure off of mortgage rates. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's interest rates will affect your monthly payments. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesAverage 15-year mortgage rates fell to 5.63% last week, according to Freddie Mac data. Mortgage rates increased dramatically over the last two years, but they're expected to go down at some point this year.

Persons: they're, you'll, Freddie Mac, it's Organizations: Federal Reserve, Traders, Zillow Locations: Chevron

We've explained how current high-yield savings accounts beat inflation rates, and what Fed rate cuts mean for your savings. How does inflation affect savingsIn order to understand how high-yield savings accounts beat inflation, you first have to understand what inflation is. Dixon says that, while high-yield savings accounts are good for shorter-term savings such as emergency funds, investing can be a good longer-term strategy — as long as you understand the risk. If your savings aren't kept in a high-yield savings account, the interest you earn on your savings could be outpaced by the current inflation rate. Using a high-yield savings account can help you save your savings from inflation because current high-yield savings account rates are higher than current inflation rates.

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Introduction to the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit CardThe Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is perfect for infrequent Southwest travelers who want some benefits with this airline without paying a high annual fee. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card BenefitsThe Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card doesn't come with some of the other benefits offered by other Southwest cards, such as elite-qualifying points or travel credits. Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card Annual Fee and Other CostsThe Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card, in addition to charging a $69 annual fee, also charges foreign transaction fees of 3% of the amount of each transaction in U.S. dollars. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card vs. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit CardThe Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is Southwest's top-tier consumer credit card, and the one you should consider if you frequently fly Southwest. Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat are the main benefits of the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card?

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The connection between business credit cards and personal creditWhen you apply for a business credit card, the process largely looks the same as getting approved for a personal credit card. Failure to make payments, as well as other delinquent behavior on a business credit card, will impact your personal credit because of this personal guarantee clause. How business card usage affects personal creditBeyond the initial hard inquiry from an application, you may be curious to know whether using a business credit card will impacts your personal credit. The same rule applies to business credit cards — and the effects of business card defaults on personal credit scores can be detrimental. As with personal credit cards, applying for multiple business credit cards can impact your personal credit score.

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Mortgage rates are down today compared to where they've been in recent weeks, with 30-year mortgage rates hovering in the low 6% range, according to Zillow data. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates would impact your monthly payments. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesLast week, average 15-year mortgage rates were 5.63%, a 36-basis-point decrease from the previous week, according to Freddie Mac data. Mortgage rates have been elevated for most of 2024, but they've been trending down in recent months. Once the Fed cuts rates, mortgage rates should fall even further.

Persons: they've, you'll, Freddie Mac, it's Organizations: July's, CPI, Federal Reserve, Zillow Locations: Chevron

For Love & Money is a column from Business Insider answering your relationship and money questions. This week, a reader's dad died and left all his money to one sibling. Dear For Love & Money,My dad died almost two years ago and left my younger brother and me here. I know my dad caused this situation, but my brother doesn't have to handle it like that. Maybe your dad felt bad for your brother because he always secretly felt you had more promise.

Persons: —, doesn't, I've, didn't, I'm, it's Organizations: Business, Service

Mortgage rates dropped last week in response to July's weaker-than-expected labor market data, though they're up slightly today. As mortgage rates go down, more homeowners will have an opportunity to refinance and save money on their monthly mortgage payments. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesAverage 15-year mortgage rates were 5.99% this week, according to Freddie Mac data, which is an eight-basis-point decrease from the previous week. Now that the Fed has paused hiking rates, mortgage rates have come down a bit.

Persons: it's, Freddie Mac Organizations: Zillow, Federal Reserve, Fed Locations: Chevron

Mortgage rates fell dramatically this week, with 30-year mortgage rates even briefly dipping below 6% for the first time since early 2023, according to Zillow data. This should remove a lot of the upward pressure off of mortgage rates and allow them to ease. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage Refinance Rates TodayMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. As inflation slows and the Federal Reserve is able to start cutting the federal funds rate, mortgage rates are expected to drop.

Persons: they've, Fannie Mae Organizations: Treasury, Federal Reserve, Zillow, Mortgage, Association, ARM Locations: Chevron

I'm a high school teacher, and I see parents spend way too much on school supplies all the time. Many states have tax-free weekends, and many stores schedule school supply sales for those weekends. As a high school teacher, I often see families overspending and wasting money. Have your school supply list handy as soon as it's released, and pick up the items on sale when you find them. Check with your school for support programsIf money is tight (and even if it's not), check with your school and community to see if there are support programs for school supplies.

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Average 30-year mortgage rates dropped 26 basis points to 6.47%, their lowest level since May 2023, according to Freddie Mac. If today's mortgage rates are lower than the rate you're currently paying, refinancing could be worth it. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowToday's refinance ratesMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. Now that inflation has decelerated and a Fed cut is looking more likely, mortgage rates have trended down. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

Persons: Freddie Mac, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's, you'll, Fannie Mae Organizations: Zillow, Mortgage, Association, Sky Locations: Chevron

☆ How Amazon's massive TV deal with YouTube's top star turned sour
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-09 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

"Beast Games" was part of a celebrity-studded slate Amazon presented at its TV upfronts debut in May. Despite being a dominant spender on entertainment content, Prime Video has faced questions about its popularity with viewers. A second Amazon insider said producers were already talking about making a Fyre Fest-like documentary about "Beast Games." Advertisement"All you do is go through worst-case scenarios and work backwards from there," the second Amazon insider said. But Mike Hopkins, SVP of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, is all over the situation, two Amazon insiders said.

Persons: —, Jimmy Donaldson, it's, Jennifer Salke, Jimmy, Salke, Donaldson —, Donaldson, Dave Kotinsky, Burger, Donaldson's, Matthew Hiltzik, couldn't, Puck, Mike Hopkins Organizations: Service, YouTube's, Amazon, Amazon MGM Studios, Business, Beast, New York Times, Times, Prime, Ampere Analysis, Reuters Locations: New Jersey, Vegas

See our picks for the best debt consolidation loans »PenFed Personal Loan FeaturesPenFed Credit Union Personal Loan amounts range from $600 to $50,000. For example, Navy Federal Credit Union Personal Loan amount range is $250 to $50,000, and the range for Connexus Credit Union Personal Loan is $2,500 to $25,000. PenFed Personal Loan Pros and ConsPenFed Credit Union Personal Loan ProsWide range of loan amounts. PenFed Personal Loan ConsYou have to be a member to get your loan. Yes, PenFed Credit Union is a legitimate credit union federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration.

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