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☆ New & Notable: Latest releases from Apple and Bose
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-09 | by ( Justin Krajeski | Justin Krajeski Is An Associate Editor For Select On Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

New this weekWell, it happened — Apple introduced a range of iPhone 14 models on Wednesday, Sept. 7. You’re now able to pre-order the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, available in different sizes and capacities. The iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max will be available on Sept. 16, while the iPhone 14 Plus will be available Oct. 7. In addition to its new phones, Apple also debuted a trio of new Apple Watches, most notably the Apple Watch Ultra that’s aimed at extreme sports and scuba diving. Pre-orders are open right now and it will become available Sept. 23.

Keep in mind that spending money based on your values can look different for everyone. "Spending money on things you don't care about might mean you will miss out on opportunities and experiences to invest in the things that truly matter to you," Monell explains. Below, Select shares some of Monell's best tips for making sure you're spending money with your personal values in mind. For instance, if being with family brings you the most joy, the amount you're spending on family activities might be higher than what you're spending in other areas such as shopping or self-care. Personally, when I lived at home with my parents, I got the most joy out of spending money to travel and dine with friends.

☆ New & Notable: Latest releases from Away, Crate & Barrel and Panasonic
▼ + stars: | 2022-08-22 | by ( Christina Colizza | Christina Colizza Is An Editor For Select On Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

New this weekSelect favorite luggage brand Away has launched a packable bucket bag made from lightweight, water-resistant nylon with a capacity of 25 liters. You can sling the bag over your shoulder or carry it by hand, according to Away. Home decor store Crate & Barrel has released five autumnal colors for its non-stick EvenCook Core cookware: Grey, Cream, Denim, Terracotta and — there it is — Deep Teal. The Company Store is offering up to 30% off during the Semi-Annual sale through Aug. 28. The Sephora shop-in-shops will stock all the products one would see at a regular Sephora store.

How much you should save every paycheckThe standard rule of thumb is to save 20% from every paycheck. "The point with both these methods is that saving 20% is still a priority," Anderson says. At the end of the day, the goal really is to just make sure you're saving some portion of your paycheck — even just $20. On the other hand, Barros notes, if you're saving for retirement and you're in your 20s, you can get away with saving between 10% to 15% of every paycheck if you want to retire by age 60. While saving 20% of every paycheck is a pretty standard rule, use the guidelines we outlined above to help you determine what's best for your personal financial circumstances.

Compared to actively managed funds, target-date funds also have lower management costs, better known as expense ratios. Cons of target-date fundsOn the flip side, target-date funds come with some cons as well, one being that they are modeled assuming a one-size-fits-all approach. Vanguard Learn More Minimum deposit and balance Minimum deposit and balance requirements may vary depending on the investment vehicle selected. Betterment Learn More Minimum deposit and balance Minimum deposit and balance requirements may vary depending on the investment vehicle selected. Wealthfront Learn More On Wealthfront's secure site Minimum deposit and balance Minimum deposit and balance requirements may vary depending on the investment vehicle selected.

☆ New & Notable: Latest releases from Beats and Samsung
▼ + stars: | 2022-08-13 | by ( Gabriella Depinho | Gabriella Depinho Is A Production Coordinator For Select On Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

This week, we’re highlighting the debut of a celebrity collaboration with Beats, new tech offerings from Samsung, a new saucepan offered by a Select favorite brand. Courtesy Mili GodioI'm getting over a terrible nail-biting habit, and the OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthener has helped a lot. — Mili Godio, associate reporterBecca Delman bought this collapsible play tent for her 8-month old son to play in. Courtesy Becca DelmanI bought this West Elm collapsible play tent mostly for my 8-month-old, but to be honest, a little for myself as well. We shopped Select favorite brands and used student discount finders to round up over 50 of the best student discount programs and discounts available.

☆ New & Notable: Latest releases from Panasonic and Miir
▼ + stars: | 2022-08-06 | by ( Justin Krajeski | Justin Krajeski Is An Associate Editor For Select On Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

This story is part of Select's New & Notable column, where we highlight our favorite product launches, major sales, what we're buying and some of our latest recommendations and advice. Though I’ve always considered myself stylish — or at least aware of clothing trends — I’ve never been terribly concerned with shoes. —Justin Krajeski, associate editorIn her new apartment, Zoe Malin abandoned curtain rods and hung up stuck no-nail adhesive shades instead. We rounded up some expert-recommended travel pillows to keep you comfortable while you travel on a plane or a train. Select intern Zoe Malin discussed her love for the Brava Smart Oven, which uses light to cook food and can replace your air fryer, toaster, microwave and more.

Below, Select takes a closer look at four of the best mortgage lenders that don't charge origination fees (see our methodology below). Ally Bank doesn't charge application fees, origination fees, processing fees or underwriting fees — the lender may, however, charge appraisal fees and recording fees, as well as for title searches and insurance. PenFed offers a variety of mortgages with no lender fees, including no origination fees, though other types of fees may apply. Fees: Common fees associated with mortgage applications include origination fees, application fees, underwriting fees, processing fees and administrative fees. Common fees associated with mortgage applications include origination fees, application fees, underwriting fees, processing fees and administrative fees.

Brick-and-mortar banks allow you to deposit and withdraw money by visiting a teller inside a branch or via a drive-up window or ATM machine. However, brick-and-mortar banks typically charge customers higher fees than online-only banks since they have to recoup overhead costs to keep physical branches up and running. That said, there are still competitive brick-and-mortar banks that offer checking accounts with options to waive monthly fees if you meet certain requirements. To make your search easier, Select evaluated dozens of checking accounts offered by brick-and-mortar banks with broad availability, offering access to at least 2,000 physical branches and over 4,000 fee-free ATMs in the U.S. We considered features like fees, minimum balance requirements and ease of use, among other factors to choose the top five best brick-and-mortar checking accounts that let you bank in-person. (See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best checking accounts.)

Like Wells Fargo, Chase offers two brick-and-mortar savings accounts: the standard Chase Savings℠ and the Chase Premier Savings℠. If you want a simple, no-frills and low cost savings account at a brick-and-mortar 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. Any return on your savings depends on the associated fees and the balance you have in your brick-and-mortar savings account.

Credit monitoring services can provide you with early notice of potential fraud on your credit report, so you can take steps to protect your personal information. Below, Select reviews the top six credit monitoring services that can help you keep track of your credit and get alerts on potential fraud. Best free credit monitoring servicesBest paid credit monitoring servicesBest free credit monitoring servicesIf you're not willing to pay money for a credit monitoring service, you can consider one of these free options. Best paid credit monitoring servicesIf you want a more comprehensive credit monitoring plan, consider one of the paid plans below. If you want daily triple-bureau credit monitoring and monthly credit score and credit report tracking, you should opt for the mid-tier PrivacyGuard® Credit Protection, which costs $19.99 per month.

Mortgage rates have been as high as 18% in the 1980s, which is significantly higher than current rates. Just take a look at this graph from the St. Louis Federal Reserve to see how today's mortgage rates measure up against the ones in the past. For example, the 2008 recession saw a 30-year mortgage peak of 6.63%. The current 30-year rate, as of this writing, is at 5.30% but we'll see how recession fears impact this. SoFi members can also get $500 off on their mortgage loans.

☆ New & Notable: Latest releases from W&P, Stitch Fix and r.e.m. beauty
▼ + stars: | 2022-07-30 | by ( Justin Redman | Justin Redman Is A Reporter For Select On Nbc News | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

This story is part of Select's New & Notable column, where we highlight our favorite product launches, major sales, what we're buying and some of our latest recommendations and advice. — Morgan Greenwald, senior editorZoe Malin bought this cord wrapper in her quest to better organize her kitchen. Courtesy Zoe MailOpening a kitchen cabinet and seeing tangled cords dangling from small appliances drives me crazy. Select editor Morgan Greenwald recommended the Apple Watch Series 7 because its features help her monitor her health. Select editor Justin Krajeski said that his Midea U Air conditioner may be expensive, but that the smartphone-compatible unit is worth it.

It's a good idea to keep your emergency fund in a relatively accessible account, such as a Marcus by Goldman Sachs High Yield Online Savings account or in an Ally Online Savings Account. Ally Bank Online Savings Account Learn More Ally Bank is a Member FDIC. For that reason, you should consider how much of a monthly mortgage payment you can comfortably afford. They also encompass appraisal fees, underwriting fees, home inspection fees, credit check fees and title insurance and title search fees, among other fees. Ally Bank, for example, won't charge an application fee, origination fee, processing fee or underwriting fee.

Call to Select readers: Have you found a mistake on your credit report that's affected your credit score or not been able to get a credit card or secure a loan because of a poor credit score? What it means to have a credit score of 800A credit score of 800 means you have an exceptional credit score, according to Experian. According to a report by FICO, only 23% of the scorable population has a credit score of 800 or above. That said, you don't necessarily need to have a perfect credit score in order to get favorable terms on loans or low APRs on credit cards, as only a very small percentage of people have a perfect credit score. In other words, having a credit score of 800 puts you within the top credit score range and will help you qualify for the best terms, whether it's for a mortgage or a personal loan.

On the other end of the spectrum is what we refer to as "toxic debt." Unlike low-interest-rate debt, toxic debt is a loan that's issued with a significantly high interest rate (usually a rate north of 30%). In other words, toxic debt is debt that has little chance of being paid back with interest — a characteristic that can be particularly toxic to both the lender and the borrower. Because toxic debt could be wreaking havoc on your finances without you even realizing, below we share signs you might already have it, plus tips to avoid or get out of toxic debt. Tips to avoid or get out of toxic debtIt's obvious that you should try to avoid toxic debt at all times, but that can be easier said than done.

Talking about money in the real world, I learned, is still as taboo as it was in college. Getting honest about money in your relationshipsOne of the biggest reasons people feel uncomfortable talking about money is because it requires vulnerability, says Lowry. For example, tell your friend you're trying to pay off your credit card debt or working in a profession that's low paying. Both apps will use information about your income and expenses to determine how much money to allocate money towards your savings goals. When it comes to navigating money conversations in romantic relationships, Lowry stresses that honesty about your finances is essential, especially when making major life decisions like moving in together.

According to RenoFi, the average price of a single-family home in the U.S. could reach $382,000 by 2030. For example, the average price of a home in New York City this year is $795,000, but the average price around Albany in Upstate New York is $227,500, according to Redfin trends. It projects that San Francisco will have the highest average home value in the country at a staggering $2,612,484. For example, Betterment doesn't require clients to maintain a minimum investment account balance, but there is a ACH deposit minimum of $10. So if you want to buy a $400,000 home in 2030, you've got 9 years to start saving.

Select asked Brian Stivers, a Financial Advisor and Founder of Stivers Financial Services, to help us calculate exactly how much money 25-year-olds should invest each month to become a millionaire. Here's what we found:A 25-year-old making investments that yield a 3% yearly return would have to invest $1100 per month for 40 years to reach $1 million. If they instead make investments that give a 6% yearly return, they would have to invest $530 per month for 40 years to reach $1 million. But if they choose more aggressive investments that yield a 9% yearly return, they would only need to invest $240 per month for 40 years to reach $1 million. As we can see, a higher return can allow you to invest less money each month and still achieve the same goal.

Instead, use one of two tools available through the IRS website and/or its mobile app to check the status of your return. IRS2Go is the official mobile app of the IRS, which you can use to check your refund status, make a payment, find free tax preparation assistance, sign up for helpful tax tips and more. To check your refund status, you will need your social security number or ITIN, your filing status and the exact refund amount you are expecting. The IRS updates the tool's refund status on a daily basis, usually overnight, so check back in routinely for the most up-to-date information. If you haven't filed your taxes for the 2021 tax year yet, consider going with a tax prep software that offers expert tax assistance.

If your credit score isn't great, you can still get approved as Avant looks at both your credit score and income. When determining eligibility for a loan, LendingPoint considers credit score, loan term, credit usage, loan amount and other factors. Personal loans are a form of installment credit, which affect both your credit report and your credit score. Student loans, personal loans and credit cards are all example of unsecured loans. Our methodologyTo determine which personal loans are the best for consumers with bad credit, Select analyzed dozens of U.S. personal loans offered by both online and brick-and-mortar banks, including large credit unions.

Credit cards with welcome bonuses of 100,000 points or moreFAQsAmerican Express Platinum CardWelcome bonus value: Rewards experts generally value American Express Membership Rewards points at two cents apiece, making this bonus worth a whopping $2,000 when transferring your points to travel partners. Welcome bonus value: Many travel rewards enthusiasts have estimated the value of Hilton Honors points at 0.5 cents per point, so 150,000 Hilton Honors points are worth $750 towards Hilton stays. Welcome bonus value: If you value Hilton Honors points at 0.5 cents per point, 130,000 points would be worth $650. Welcome bonus value: If you value Hilton Honors points at 0.5 cents per point, 130,000 points would be worth $650. How to earn the bonus: Earn a welcome bonus of 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

Below, Select reviews if you can pay taxes with a credit card and the benefits and drawbacks of using a credit card to pay taxes. Can you pay taxes with a credit card? Yes, you can pay taxes with a credit card, but the real question is, should you? High credit utilization rate Paying taxes with a credit card can also potentially have a negative impact on your credit score. Bottom lineIf your credit card rewards or welcome bonus offer outweigh the processing fee, paying your taxes with a credit card can be a worthwhile option.

The Capital One Spark Cash for Business is no longer available to new applicants; however, Capital One has launched 3 new business cards for small business owners. Of course, finances are a huge consideration and small business credit cards can be a major asset, when used responsibly. Below, Select reviews the benefits of small business credit cards that can add up to increased savings and easier expense management. Receive travel and purchase protectionsSimilar to personal credit cards, business cards provide numerous travel and purchase protections. Don't miss: Best small business credit cardsHow to apply for a business credit card For rates and fees of the Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, click here.

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