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To determine the best debt consolidation loan offers for bad credit, Select compared dozens of lenders by credit score requirements, interest rates, fees, repayment terms and other factors. The best debt consolidation loans for bad creditBest overall: AchieveAchieve Best for people without a credit history: UpstartUpstart Best for flexible repayment terms: UpgradeUpgrade Best for fast approval: LendingPointLendingPoint Best for low origination fees: AvantSubscribe to the Select Newsletter! Most debt consolidation loans for bad credit can charge interest of up to 36%, but Achieve's highest interest rate is considerably lower. It's possible to qualify for a debt consolidation loan with bad credit (a credit score of under 670). Our methodologyTo determine which debt consolidation 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.

☆ Netflix Revokes Some Staff’s Access to Other People’s Salary Information
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Jessica Toonkel | Sarah Krouse | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Netflix Inc. is restricting some staff’s ability to see other employees’ salary information, people familiar with the matter said, a major shift for a company that has long offered a rare degree of transparency to its workforce. For years, director-level executives at Netflix could look up colleagues’ compensation. But late last year, Netflix stopped letting them do so, some of the people said. Directors are senior managers with titles that rank below the C-suite and vice president roles.

☆ The best ways to book domestic flights using Amex Membership Rewards points
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Jason Stauffer | Benji Stawski | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +18 min

Below, CNBC Select details the best ways to redeem Amex points to fly for free (or nearly free) across the U.S. Best Amex cards for earning Membership Rewards pointsAmerican Express has a strong lineup of both personal and business cards that earn transferrable Membership Rewards points. How to use Amex points for domestic flightsYou can only transfer Amex points to two U.S.-based airline programs: Delta SkyMiles and JetBlue TrueBlue. Booking United flights with Amex points Amex Membership Rewards points don't transfer to United MileagePlus, but you can book United award flights through United's Star Alliance partners, such as Avianca LifeMiles and Air Canada Aeroplan. By strategically transferring Amex points to partner airlines, you can use Amex points to book flights with United Airlines, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and others.

☆ More than two-thirds of Americans’ financial situation did not improve or stayed the same in 2022 — here's how to better your finances in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Jasmin Suknanan | Jason Stauffer | Benji Stawski | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +12 min

With a higher credit score, you can qualify for better interest rates on your credit card, mortgage, or loan, better loan terms and sometimes even higher funding amounts. One of the most important ways to increase your credit score is to continue making on-time payments on any existing debt. So if you've spent $5,000 on a credit card with a credit limit of $10,000, your credit utilization rate is 50%. Keep in mind that it can take some time to see drastic improvements in your credit score, however, every little score bump helps. Another way to put a little extra money in your pocket is by using a cash-back or rewards credit card.

Between out-of-control inflation and the Federal Reserve's attempts to temper it with rate hikes, just about everything in America became more expensive in 2022 — including credit card debt. Credit card interest rates soared in 2022, and they did so with mind-boggling speed. According to Bankrate, credit card rates had the steepest single-year increase since the company began tracking them in 1985. This means that if you have any credit card debt, it's become more expensive than ever. Get a balance transfer credit cardA balance transfer allows you to move debt from a high-interest credit card to one with a promotional 0% APR period.

Find the best credit card for you by reviewing offers in our credit card marketplace or get personalized offers via CardMatch™. Credit card issuers will typically pull your personal credit when you apply for a business credit card. Don't miss: How to check your business credit score for freeHow long does it take to get a business credit card? With time and patience, you'll be able to qualify for more rewarding business credit cards, such as the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card and The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express. Our methodologyTo determine which business credit cards are the best picks for business owners with bad credit, Select analyzed the most popular credit cards available to U.S. business owners with poor or average credit.

So if workplace weight loss programs don’t actually improve employee health — what is it they are attempting to do? And yet, workplace wellness programs that focus on weight loss and other fatphobic-related measures like BMI and fat percentage persist. There’s not much evidence to suggest these workplace weight loss programs even reduce costs. So we’re shaming fat folks, excluding people with disabilities and triggering those of us recovering from eating disorders for ... absolutely no reason at all. And any workplace wellness program that specifically incentivizes weight loss should be acknowledged as harmful and ended immediately.

One criteria mortgage lenders use to assess your mortgage application is the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). According to a breakdown from The Mortgage Reports, a good debt-to-income ratio is 43% or less. That's why many common forms of debt — like student loan debt or credit card debt — can be a major barrier to homeownership. For example, Ally Bank doesn't charge certain lender fees such as an application fee, origination fee, processing fee or underwriting fee. This is why they calculate a debt-to-income ratio to judge how much of your income goes toward debt payments.

But if you’ve booked your Southwest flight with a credit card that offers travel insurance, you may have better chances of getting your money back. Here’s what Southwest may agree to cover — and how your credit card might help if the airline falls short of your expectations. How to use credit card travel insuranceTo use travel protections available with your credit card, make sure you purchase your airplane tickets with that card. You can also call your credit card issuer and talk about your specific situation to ensure that coverage will apply. If your credit card doesn’t offer travel insurance but you travel often, it might make sense to look into cards with this benefit for your future trips.

While these events are out of our control, there are still steps you can take in 2023 to feel a little more confident and prepared with our finances. Annual Percentage Yield (APY) Earn up to 4.11% APYMinimum balance NoneMonthly fee NoneMaximum transactions NoneExcessive transactions fee NoneOverdraft fees N/AOffer checking account? Check your credit scoreChecking your credit score can be especially important if you plan on applying for a mortgage, loan, apartment or a new credit card later in the year. Experian Boost® Learn More On Experian's secure site Cost FreeAverage credit score increase 13 points, though results varyCredit report affected Experian®Credit scoring model used FICO® Score Results will vary. Bottom lineWhile 2022 was a financially tumultuous year with many twists and turns, there are steps every individual can take to walk into 2023 feeling a little more prepared.

☆ FDA broke own protocols in approving Biogen Alzheimer’s drug, congressional report says
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration failed to adhere to its own guidance and internal practices during the approval process for Biogen’s Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm, which was “rife with irregularities,” a congressional report showed on Thursday. The Medicare program restricted its coverage, which has led to severely limited use of the Biogen drug. He pointed to the FDA’s internal review finding its staff’s interactions with Biogen appropriate. “As stated in the congressional report, an (FDA) review concluded that, ‘There is no evidence that these interactions with the sponsor in advance of filing were anything but appropriate in this situation,’” Biogen said. Documents obtained by the committees show that FDA staff and Biogen held at least 115 meetings, calls, and email exchanges over a 12-month period starting July 2019.

What credit scores don't captureLenders have always needed a way to determine a borrower's creditworthiness, and credit scores were a faster, easier way to do so. "If you look at credit scores from the perspective of other social actors, like policymakers or consumer advocates, why someone does or does not repay might start to have more bearing on how you make sense of credit scores," says Kiviat. The credit scoring system can also reflect and even worsen existing racial and wealth inequality. However, the credit scoring and reporting systems can function imperfectly, leaving many of the most marginalized without credit scores or with poor credit scores. Furthermore, policymakers have been considering how to make it easier for people to access their credit scores and resolve mistakes on their credit reports.

☆ IRS Urged to Examine Donald Trump’s Loans to His Children
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( Laura Saunders | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Donald Trump made loans to his children Ivanka, Donald and Eric that the Internal Revenue Service should scrutinize, according to a recommendation by the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation to House Ways & Means Committee Chair Richard Neal (D., Mass.). The suggestion was part of the staff’s analysis of Mr. Trump’s tax returns for 2015-2020. According to the report, Mr. Trump declared a total of $51,000 of interest paid to him by his three older children for each tax year from 2015 through 2019. For 2020, the amount of interest dropped to $46,000. The report questioned whether these related-party loans, as they are known, were “bona fide arms-length transactions” or were disguised gifts that should be taxable to Mr. Trump.

Student loan debt has become such an issue that the Biden Administration has been attempting to cancel up to $20,000 in student debt per eligible borrower and has continually extended the student loan repayment pause. Ways employers are currently assisting with student debt management"Employers are increasingly offering student loan contribution plans as a direct way to help borrowers pay down student loan debt," Scruggs says. How other employers can help employees manage student loan debtOne of the simplest and most affordable ways employers can help employees is to share information on what employees need to know about their student loans. "There are many ways to help employees manage and pay down student loan debt. However, note that if you refinance federal student loans you'll lose federal protections, like the current student loan payment freeze and potential student loan forgiveness.

☆ 5 surprising things your homeowners insurance covers
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-18 | by ( Jason Stauffer | Benji Stawski | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

A home is the biggest purchase most people make in a lifetime, and homeowners insurance is essential for protecting your biggest asset. Homeowners insurance covers the cost of fixing or replacing your home when it is damaged by a covered event, such as a fire, or certain types of bad weather. It's important to do a detailed review of your homeowners insurance policy to understand exactly what is and isn't covered. But finding the right homeowners insurance for you isn't as simple as locking in the lowest monthly premium. To file a homeowners insurance claim, you'll want to notify your insurance company as soon as possible after the event.

Given the current economic outlook and interest rate environment, saving money and paying down high-interest debt have become more appealing. Select dives into what you should do with your money after the Fed's interest rate hike. But in a world of high interest rates, savings accounts can earn much more considerable returns. One of the best ways to save money during times with higher interest rates is to focus on paying down your debt with the highest interest rate first. With inflation, savings rates, and interest rates on debt all at elevated levels, you may have to balance building your savings with paying down debt.

If you're expecting a holiday bonus this year, you may already be looking forward to all the ways you can use this windfall of cash. If you haven't started building your emergency fund yet, it's generally advised to put your money in a high-yield savings account. So, it could be wise to use a portion of your holiday bonus to pay down some of that debt. This card even offers a welcome bonus: you can earn $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first three months. Bottom lineReceiving a year-end holiday bonus can be exciting but it's important to devise a plan for making the most of it.

Marriott Bonvoy loyalty members currently have the opportunity to bid Marriott points on Super Bowl LVII packages through the Marriott Bonvoy Moments program. Even better, now through Dec. 20, Chase is offering a 40% bonus when transferring points to Marriott, so you'll actually get 1.4 Marriott points for every Chase point you transfer. Bottom lineSuper Bowl tickets are expensive, but if you have a hoard of Marriott Bonvoy points you may be able to win packages available through the Marriott Bonvoy Moments program. These Super Bowl packages are being sold to the highest bidders and include tickets to the game, hotel accommodations, and exclusive experiences. Unfortunately, if you don't have enough Marriott points to win one of the Super Bowl packages you may have a tough time using them to save money on hotel stays.

If you're wrapping up holiday shopping — or just starting at the last minute — you may be trying your best to avoid going into to debt when purchasing gifts. Taking on too much additional debt can cause multiple negative effects, like a dip in your credit score if your credit utilization is too high. The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a solid choice for earning 2% cash rewards on every purchase, plus it comes with a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in the first three months. For balance transfers, the Active Cash Card has an introductory balance transfer fee of 3% ($5 minimum). To qualify for the intro 0% intro APR, balance transfers must be done within 120 days from account opening.

Below, Select shares insight on what you should consider to stay on track with your retirement savings as we close out 2022. So it's important to consider this carefully so you can avoid outliving your retirement savings — or even over-sacrificing when you're younger. Or perhaps you actually don't need to be as aggressive in your retirement savings next year. 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. Betterment Learn More Minimum deposit and balance Minimum deposit and balance requirements may vary depending on the investment vehicle selected.

Delta Sky Club locationsWithin the U.S., there are more than 50 Delta Sky Club locations in 35 airports, with a new outpost scheduled to open at Kansas City International Airport (MCI) in 2023. Outside the U.S., there is just one Delta Sky Club lounge at Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND). Upcoming changes to Sky Club access policy Starting Jan. 1, 2023, Delta Sky Club memberships will only be available for purchase if you have Delta Silver Medallion elite status or higher. While existing Delta Sky Club memberships may be renewed — regardless of elite status — through the end of 2022, next year you'll need to have elite status with the airline in order to renew your Delta Sky Club membership. Cards that offer Delta lounge access With the recently announced changes, the value of the few cards that come with Delta Sky Club access has increased tremendously.

Chase Ultimate Rewards® points are one of the highest regarded rewards currencies in the world of points and miles. Cards that earn Ultimate Rewards pointsBefore jumping in, let's start with a rundown of credit cards that earn transferrable Chase Ultimate Rewards® points:Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Learn More On Chase’s secure site Rewards $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3X points on dining, 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points on all other purchasesWelcome bonus Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Marriott with a 40% bonusAt the time, I hardly had any Marriott points to my name. Bottom lineMarriott Bonvoy probably isn't the first transfer partner for which folks collect Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

When the Fed increases the interest rate, or the federal funds rate, it alters the interest rate on interbank lending. Now, the Fed's target interest rate range is around 4%, up from near-zero interest rates during the pandemic. High-yield savings accounts differ from traditional savings accounts because they offer significantly higher interest rates. Meanwhile, the high-yield savings accounts with the highest APYs have rates that are 18 times higher than the average APY on traditional accounts. Select ranked LendingClub High-Yield Savings and UFB High Rate Savings as some of the best high-yield savings accounts.

Biden had been hopeful that Russian President Vladimir Putin would be more apt to free Griner once America’s midterm elections were done, a calculation that proved correct. Still detained in Russia is Paul Whelan, a businessman whom the White House has also been working to free without success. In a 2012 interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” when he was vice president, Biden came out in favor of same-sex marriage, and he is expected to sign the measure into law. White House officials acknowledged the headwinds and worried that the midterm elections would be a repudiation of Biden’s record. “When I look at what the Biden White House has done, I think experience and patience really paid off,” said Jennifer Palmieri, who served as White House communications director during the Obama administration.

Best credit cards for seniors and retireesSubscribe to the Select Newsletter! How to redeem rewards: Points can be redeemed for cash back or gift cards at a rate of 1 cent per point. How to redeem rewards: Points can be redeemed at a rate of 1 cent per point toward travel, statement credits, gift cards or merchandise through the Rewards Center. Other great perks: Perks include special benefits through Silvercar Car Rental and the Luxury Hotel Collection, 24-hour service via the Visa Signature® Concierge, lost luggage reimbursement and exclusive access to fine dining and entertainment experiences. Find the best credit card for you by reviewing offers in our credit card marketplace or get personalized offers via CardMatch™.

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