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☆ Costco CFO says membership price hike is 'a question of when, not if'
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-13 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Costco's $60 annual membership fee is going up sooner or later. During the company's earnings report last week, chief financial officer Richard Galanti said that while "there's no rush" to raise prices, an eventual hike is "a question of when, not if." The Seattle-based wholesaler's last price hike in June of 2017 saw it raise the price of its Standard Gold Star membership from $55 to $60, and increase the price of its Executive membership from $110 to $120. Galanti told analysts that on average Costco has increased its rates every five years and seven months, which would put Costco on track for another increase in January. Still, Galanti said, no decisions have been made about when the fee increase will be implemented.

☆ Disney+ is raising its prices by $3 a month—here's how to lock in a lower rate for the next year
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Disney Plus is getting more expensive, and now's your last chance to avoid the price hike. Unlike other streaming services, Disney Plus gives customers the option to either sign up for a month-to-month plan or pay upfront for a full year of service at a discounted rate. When the monthly price increases, the annual plan will also go up from $79.99 to $109.99. If you're planning on remaining a Disney Plus subscriber over the next year but haven't signed up for the annual membership, take advantage of the savings before it's too late. A month-to-month membership over the next 12 months will cost you $131.88 at the newly-hiked rate.

☆ Bethenny Frankel breaks down her approach to burnout: 'My identity is not tied to my calendar being full'
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

"I would not expend the time and work physically enough to experience burnout," Frankel says. Over the course of her decades-long entrepreneurial career, Bethenny Frankel has learned that the best strategy for dealing with burnout isn't to manage it, but to avoid it altogether. In practice, this means making sure she doesn't schedule too many work obligations back-to-back. When this happens, Frankel trusts the employees who help her manage her calendar to give her time to recover. "[Sometimes] you're gearing up for something and you know you're going to be exhausted and be a little bit edgy," she says.

☆ Bethenny Frankel shares how she avoids burnout
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Jessica Leibowitz | Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailBethenny Frankel shares how she avoids burnoutBethenny Frankel is careful to strike a balance between work and downtime. "My identity is not tied to my calendar being full," says the entrepreneur and co-star of CNBC's "Money Court." 01:24 18 minutes ago

☆ Why this NBA star earning $1.7 million only wears free team gear: 'I think long term'
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

For Jones, wearing his Pelicans gear is less a fashion statement than it is a monetary one. Herbert Jones may be a millionaire, but the second-year NBA player still prefers to get his clothes for free. If I have to wear Pelicans gear ... for the rest of my career, then my kids or kids' kids can go to school for free just based on what I earned in the NBA, then I'm good, I'm cool. If I have to wear Pelicans gear ... for the rest of my career, then my kids or kids' kids can go to school for free just based on what I earned in the NBA, then I'm good, I'm cool." "And I'm like, 'man, I'm good.'"

☆ Warren Buffett and Bill Gates both have the iconic McGold Card—now's your chance to win one
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The McDonald's McGold Card. McDonald'sThe McGold Card was once reserved for high-profile celebrities, with reported owners including billionaires Warren Buffett and Bill Gates as well as actor Rob Lowe. The winner will also be able to select three friends who will each receive a McGold Card as well, McDonald's says. "Our fans have been fascinated by the lore of the McGold Card and if it really exists," McDonalds chief marketing officer Tariq Hassan said in a statement. How to enter the McGold Card sweepstakes

☆ Billionaire Elon Musk prefers caffeine-free Diet Coke over the original—here's why
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Elon Musk may have an $180 billion fortune, but one of his favorite drinks costs less than $1 a pop. Musk wasn't always partial to the caffeine-free version of the drink, which comes in a gold can rather than the classic silver. A can of Diet Coke has 46mg of caffeine, meaning Musk was consuming at least 368mg of caffeine each day from his soda intake alone. "Now, the office has caffeine-free Diet Coke." But that's not to say Musk doesn't still enjoy a traditional Diet Coke every now and then.

☆ Alabama man charged in alleged scheme to violate U.S. sanctions on Iran
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Chelsey Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The Justice Department has charged an Alabama man with violating U.S. sanctions, alleging he schemed to sell oil and gas industry equipment in Iran. Hunt is a naturalized citizen born in Iran, according to the indictment. He is also known as Abdolrahman Hantoosh, Rahman Hantoosh and Rahman Natoosh. Former President Bill Clinton signed an executive order in 1995 prohibiting certain transactions related to Iran's petroleum resources. Every president has extended the order since 1997, according to the indictment.

☆ Messi keeps World Cup dream alive with magic strike against Mexico
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-26 | by ( Karolos Grohmann | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Summary Messi goal helps Argentina beat Mexico 2-0Late Fernandez goal wraps up all three pointsMessi equals Maradona's World Cup games and goalsLUSAIL, Qatar, Nov 26 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi kept his dream of winning his first World Cup alive by rifling in the opening goal in Saturday's 2-0 victory over Mexico in World Cup Group C, proving he was far from done in the tournament. The Argentine, competing in his fifth World Cup at age 35, has won every other major title in his career but has failed to lift the coveted trophy despite making the final in 2014. "Today starts another World Cup for Argentina," Messi said. Apart from a Lautaro Martinez effort that was well off the mark and another from Messi, Argentina were toothless up front. The South Americans looked more determined after the break and their captain and talisman dragged them out of trouble with his second goal of the tournament.

☆ These are the best Black Friday streaming deals from Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime and more
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Streaming is getting more expensive, but there are still some good deals to be had this Black Friday. From Amazon to HBO, there are a number of offers available if you want to catch up on "House of the Dragon" or finally watch "The Handmaid's Tale." The offer is available to new subscribers, as well as past subscribers who haven't been members for at least the past month. Prime Video — $1.99 for select channelsSopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty ImagesSubscribers to Amazon Prime already receive Prime Video included with their membership. Disney Plus — Get a full year for $79Thiago Prudencio | SOPA Images | LightRocket | Getty Images

☆ 'Avatar' director James Cameron on making big-budget movies: 'Difficult is a magnet for me'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

When it comes to blockbuster directors few are bigger than James Cameron, whose films have grossed more than $6 billion at the worldwide box office. His biggest films were both massive undertakings, drawing moviegoers in droves because of the size and spectacle of what was on display. But his next film, "Avatar: The Way of Water", required him to move his entire life to New Zealand for the painstaking process of crafting his sequel. While the past few years have been filled with hard work, that's part of the reason Cameron wanted to do it. Difficult is a f—ing magnet for me," the director said in a recent GQ cover story while promoting the next "Avatar" installment.

☆ Academy Award winner Gary Oldman teases the end of his movie career: 'I don't want to be active when I'm 80'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Gary Oldman has been starring in films for the past 40 years, but he doesn't anticipate working for too much longer. In a recent interview with the Sunday Times, the 64-year-old actor said that he is looking forward to pursuing other interests beyond performing. "I've had an enviable career, but careers wane," Oldman said. "When you're young, you think you're going to get 'round to doing all of them—read that book—then the years go by," he said. Sign up now: Get smarter about your money and career with our weekly newsletter

☆ Lewandowski misses penalty as Poland draw with Mexico at World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Rohith Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/7] Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group C - Mexico v Poland - Stadium 974, Doha, Qatar - November 22, 2022 Poland's Robert Lewandowski with teammates after the match REUTERS/Carl RecineDOHA, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Poland skipper Robert Lewandowski failed to break his World Cup duck when he saw a second-half penalty saved in a goalless but entertaining draw with Mexico in their opening Group C game at Stadium 974 on Tuesday. Lewandowski earned the penalty after a VAR check 11 minutes into the second half when Hector Moreno tugged at his shirt in the box. But the Polish striker, who has never scored at the World Cup, saw his shot saved by goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. The tactical change seemed to work initially as Poland began creating chances and eventually won the penalty which Lewandowski shot low but Ochoa guessed correctly and dived to his left to deny the skipper. The result leaves Saudi Arabia as group leaders following their stunning upset of Argentina, one of the pre-tournament favourites, earlier in the day.

Prince Mohammed was not seen at the match but had been front and centre at the tournament opening on Sunday. It was also a sweet moment for host Qatar, facing intense criticism over human rights in the conservative Muslim country. "The fact that the World Cup is in Qatar and we're Arabs - it gives us a lot of energy and excitement." TOLERANCEBefore the match kicked off, the issue of tolerance arose at a news conference between Qatar's foreign minister and his American counterpart. The Gulf Arab state, which denies discrimination and points to labour reforms enacted, welcomes everyone, its Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said.

☆ An Ode to Proper Winter Tires
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Dan Neil | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

LET IT SNOW Despite the promise inherent in their monikers, neither ‘all-weather’ nor ‘all-season’ tires can do the job like bona fide winter tires, writes Dan Neil. I used to say the 1961 Facel Vega HK500, an answer that left many with a blank look. Then it occurred to me what they really were asking was what is my ideal car? I’ve kicked a big dent in the driver’s door as an admonition against attachment. And I’ve made some highly specific modifications: vintage luggage/ski rack, rally lights, Öhlins coilovers with 50 mm suspension lift kit and steel wheels.

☆ Nike's ambitious environmental goals are being thwarted by sneakerheads and the Jordans, Air Force 1s, and Dunks they love
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Matthew Kish | Catherine Boudreau | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Nike's leather usage increased 35% last year because of the demand for iconic shoes such as Dunks. The popularity of the shoes pushed up Nike's leather use by 35% last year and put the company behind a goal to use more sustainable materials. "What's more important, financial goals or carbon footprint goals? But last year, it accounted for 0.1% of Nike's leather usage. Nike's also introducing new sustainable silhouettes, including a sneaker that can be easily taken apart for ease of recycling.

☆ HBO star Issa Rae recalls 'crippling' experience with credit card debt: 'I was their ideal target'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Issa Rae may have an eight-figure TV deal with WarnerMedia and a successful career in showbusiness, but as a college student she fell into credit card debt like so many Americans. "I was targeted by credit card companies when I was in college because I was their ideal target. "I got really, really wrapped up in credit card debt early on and it felt like it weighed on me. For Rae, the wake up call moment came after her aunt died, leaving behind an inheritance for her nieces and nephews. "It was meant to invest in our futures," Rae explains, "and it broke my heart, but I used that to get myself out of credit card debt."

☆ 'South to America' won the National Book Award for nonfiction—here are the past 10 winners of the literary prize
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Imani Perry's "South to America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation" has been named the National Book Award winner for nonfiction. The book chronicles the Princeton professor's journey to her native Alabama, putting forth the idea that to better understand America, one must first understand the history and culture of the American South. "'Bama has a National Book Award," Perry said while accepting her award in New York City on Wednesday evening. In her tearful acceptance speech, the 50-year-old award winner said that she writes for "my people." The winners in each National Book Award category receive $10,000, NBC News reports, with nominees chosen by a five-person panel with judges including authors, editors and booksellers.

☆ 2023 Grammys: Beyoncé and Jay-Z are tied for the most noms of all time
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The nominees for the 2023 GRAMMY Awards were released Tuesday, and Beyoncé is leading the pack with nine nominations. Beyoncé has already won 28 Grammys, the most by any female artist, and is within striking distance of the all-time record of 31, which is held by the Hungarian conductor Georg Solti. Her 88 overall nominations have tied her with husband Jay-Z for the most in history. Pop superstar Harry Styles received six nominations, including the 28-year-old's first for Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Album of the Year for 2022's "Harry's House". Read the full list of GRAMMY nominees here.

☆ Sam's Club is taking on Costco's famous $1.50 hot dog and soda—by lowering its own combo to $1.38
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Wholesale retailer Sam's Club is taking on rival Costco's iconic $1.50 hot dog and soda combo by lowering the price of its own frank. Doug McMillon, CEO of Sam's Club parent company Walmart, revealed the move during the company's third-quarter earnings call. He said the Sam's Club menu item would see a 12 cent price cut from $1.50 to $1.38. Sam's Club's hot dog is 1/4 pound like Costco's, and visitors to the store's café have the option to top it with mustard, ketchup, relish, kraut and fresh onions. The $1.50 price point has achieved a near-mythical status over at Costco.

☆ It may be one of the last countries to let travelers in — and it's not China
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Mark Edward Harris | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesFurthermore, North Korea's reopening depends on two countries — China and Russia. Mark Edward Harris | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesBeard agreed, saying travelers still send requests to visit North Korea. North Korea's tourism revenue rose around 400% between 2014 and 2019, according to the North Korea analysis database 38 North. "Our guess is that the DPRK will be one of the last countries to let travelers in," said Vega. Travel brochures promoting North Korea, Tibet and China at a stand at the CMT travel trade fair in January 2020.

☆ Mexico name injured Jimenez in World Cup squad
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MEXICO CITY, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Mexico coach Gerardo Martino named striker Raul Jimenez in his squad travelling to the World Cup in Qatar as he continues his recovery from injury problems. Jimenez, 31, has only played four matches this season for Premier League Wolverhampton Wanderers after sustaining knee and groin injuries. Real Betis midfielder Andres Guardado will lead Mexico in his fifth World Cup after becoming his country's most capped international. Mexico will be without Sevilla forward Jesus Corona due to an ankle injury and youngsters Santiago Gimenez and Diego Lainez did not make the cut. Mexico play Sweden in their last warm-up match on Wednesday before heading to Qatar where they are in Group C along with Poland, Argentina and Saudi Arabia.

☆ 'Avatar' director James Cameron once threw out a 130-page script for a sequel: 'It was missing one of those critical elements'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

We kept trying to corral it into a box and it never quite fit," Cameron said in the December issue. Indeed, the 68-year-old revealed in a recent interview with Total Film magazine that he scrapped a full script for an early version of 'Avatar 2'. Thirteen years after the original "Avatar" burst into theaters and became the highest-grossing film ever made, James Cameron is finally delivering the first of four planned sequels next month. Cameron said that the script "was missing one of those critical elements about sequels, which is that it didn't go enough into the unexpected." Cameron also felt that the script didn't connect to the "spiritual component" of the world of "Avatar".

☆ AMC and Zoom want you to take your next work meeting on the big screen
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Zoom, the popular video conferencing service, along with AMC Theatres announced this week that they are partnering in an effort to bring conference calls to the big screen. The partnership with the nation's largest theater chain, dubbed "Zoom Rooms at AMC," will see AMC turn its movie screens into videoconferencing displays for audiences ranging in size from 75 to 150, AMC said in an announcement. AMC says that it will also offer "additional services including food and beverage offerings, possible movie viewings, and concierge-style personalized handling of meeting needs" to customers "at an added cost." AMC and Zoom did not immediately give an indication of how the offerings would be priced. The companies said they plan to launch Zoom Rooms in "up to 17 major US markets sometime in 2023."

☆ Analysis: Four takeaways from the U.S. midterm elections
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( James Oliphant | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/5] Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is showered with confetti as he celebrates onstage with his wife Casey and family during his 2022 U.S. midterm elections night party in Tampa, Florida, November 8, 2022. Oz, the TV physician who was Trump's hand-picked candidate for the race, had questioned his fitness for office. During Fetterman's campaign, he made much of visiting the state's rural regions with talk of creating working-class jobs. Meanwhile, a race in the state’s 10th district, situated even closer to Washington, ended with incumbent Democrat Jennifer Wexton keeping her seat. The win moved Republicans closer to the five seats they needed to take over the House.

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