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Introduction to Bank of America Preferred RewardsThe Bank of America Preferred Rewards program can be extremely lucrative if you're a Bank of America customer or willing to become one. Bank of America Preferred Rewards Gold tier benefitsTo achieve Gold status in the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program, you'll need a three-month average combined balance of $20,000 to $50,000 in your Bank of America banking and/or Merrill (Bank of America's wealth management division) investment accounts. Card Welcome bonus Review Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card $200 online cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days from account opening Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Card review Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card $200 online cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Card review Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card 25,000 online bonus points after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening Bank of America Travel Rewards Card review Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card 60,000 online bonus points after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening Bank of America Premium Rewards Card reviewAlso note that you can get some co-branded versions of credit cards above, including options like the Susan G. Komen® Cash Rewards Visa® credit card from Bank of America. How to earn more credit card rewards by joining Bank of America Preferred RewardsAt this point, you're probably wondering how much more you'll earn in rewards by becoming a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member. Bank of America Preferred Rewards program frequently asked questionsHow do I qualify for Bank of America Preferred Rewards?

Persons: You'll, Merrill, Susan G Organizations: Business Insider, Alaska Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Mastercard, Bank of America, Business, Cash, of America, Bank, Merrill, America, Merrill Guided, Bank of, Bank of America's, EV, Bank of America Travel Center, TSA, Travel Insurance, Komen, Rewards Bank of America Locations: Merrill, Bank of America

Keep reading to see how the Amex Platinum Card and the Amex Business Platinum Card differ, and to decide if either is right for you. Finally, the Amex Platinum Card and the Amex Business Platinum Card come with a Priority Pass membership**. 35% points rebate on the Amex Business PlatinumThis is an incredibly valuable perk that's only available with the Amex Business Platinum Card. Amex Platinum vs. Amex Business Platinum frequently asked questionsWhat are the main differences between the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum cards? The Amex Platinum earns bonus points on travel, while the Business Platinum also offers elevated rewards on certain business expenses.

Persons: Amex, Uber, Wiley, Julie Mehretu, Peacock, Uber Cash, you've, You'll, — you'll, you'll Organizations: American Express, Express, Hilton, Marriott, Saks, Entertainment, Disney, ESPN, The New York Times, Street, American, Walmart, TSA, Global, Saks Fifth, Business, Adobe, Dell, Card, Amex Travel, Delta Sky Club, Delta, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Sky, Resorts, Fine, United, Amex, —, Hertz, Fine Hotels, Hulu, New York, Paramount, Equinox Locations: Hulu, AmexTravel.com, Europe, Asia, Hong Kong, —

Can a non-U.S. citizen get a mortgage loan? Challenges non-U.S. citizens may faceThough it's possible to get a mortgage as a non-U.S. citizen, that doesn't mean it will be easy. Buying a home as a non-U.S. citizen FAQsCan non-U.S. citizens get a mortgage loan? Yes, non-U.S. citizens can get a mortgage loan if they meet the lender's eligibility requirements and they provide necessary documentation. Eligibility for non-U.S. citizen mortgage loans is usually based on legal residency status, credit history, income verification, and down payment.

Persons: homebuyers, Nora Aguirre, she's, they've, Aguirre, — Organizations: Migration Policy Institute, Taxation, National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, USDA, ., Internal Revenue Service, Social, Chevron Locations: U.S, Nevada, Chevron

Mortgage rates have steadily been decreasing for several months now. Mortgage rates are determined by a variety of factors, including economic trends, Fed policy, investor demand, and more. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowToday's refinance ratesMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. This is a significant slowdown compared when it peaked at 9.1% in 2022, which means mortgage rates should start trending down soon. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

Persons: they've, Freddie Mac, you'll, Fannie Mae Organizations: Federal Reserve, Zillow, Mortgage, Association, Sky Locations: Chevron

Just as homeowners insurance protects you financially if your home is physically damaged or destroyed, title insurance protects you if someone makes a claim against your property's title. How title insurance worksHere's what the title search and insurance process looks like from start to finish:The process of obtaining title insuranceWhen you (or your lender) hire a title insurance company, they'll perform a title search on your home. Once the title has been cleared (or cured), the title company will issue a title insurance policy. Unlike many other types of insurance, title insurance isn't an ongoing cost. While lender's title insurance is usually mandatory, an owner's title insurance policy is optional.

Persons: they'll, aren't, I've Organizations: New York, Title Association, Chevron Locations: Chevron

The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card. Marriott Bonvoy 1K Bonus Points Per Stay: Earn 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points per paid eligible stay booked directly with Marriott for properties participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ CardIf you're interested in the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card, you should also consider its almost identical sibling: the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card. Marriott Bonvoy Rewards frequently asked questionsHow can I earn Marriott Bonvoy points? Business Insider values Marriott points at 0.7 cents apiece on average, so 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points are worth $350 by our valuations.

Persons: Marriott, Regis, you'll, I've, We've, they've, You'd, You've, Cardholders, it's, Amex, cardholders, Taylor Organizations: Business, Marriott, Read, Marriott Bonvoy Marriott, Ritz, Carlton, Starwood Hotels, Resorts, JW Marriott, Marriott Delta, Sheraton Gaylord Hotels Homes, Villas, Marriott International, Marriott Hotels, Resorts Marriott, Carlton Reserve, Ambassador, Marriott Bonvoy, JW Marriott Chicago, British Airways Executive Club, American Airlines, Korean, Alaska Airlines, Cathay, Cross, Unicef Marriott, American Express, Emirates, Hertz, Hertz Five Star, United Airlines, TSA, Global, TSA PreCheck, Cell, New Hampshire Insurance Company, AIG Company, U.S, Chase, Amex, ™, Silver Locations: Bora Bora, Aspen, St, Regis, Villas, Maldives, Dubai, Greece, Chicago, Regis Beijing, Hong Kong, Cambridge, Delta, Asia, Cathay Pacific, Alaska, New York, Singapore, U.S, Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott

Before saving for a down payment, calculate how much you'll need and set a deadline. Exploring down payment assistance programsDown payment assistance programs can help cover part or all of your down payment. Saving windfalls and bonusesWindfalls — or sudden influxes of cash — are a great way to pad your down payment savings. Not having a clear savings planDepositing a few bucks here and there isn't going to make much of an impact on your down payment savings. Yes, high-yield savings accounts, CDs, and investment accounts can be excellent tools for saving your down payment, especially if you have a longer time horizon.

Persons: You'll, you'll, windfalls, Windfalls Organizations: Netflix, Spotify, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, PMI Locations: homebuyers, Chevron

Some of the most important factors to consider when buying a house are price, size, and location. Location and neighborhoodLocation is something you're stuck with until you move, so be sure you're choosing a city, school district, and neighborhood that suits your needs. If homes are flying off the shelves, you'll need to be prepared to make fast offers that get noticed right off the bat. If the appraisal comes in lower than what you offer, you'll have to make up the difference or renegotiate with the seller. Evaluating a house's resale potential is critical, as you want to be sure you're making a smart investment of your money.

Persons: Glen Pizzolorusso, Hope, that's, they're, it's, you've, they'll, you'll Organizations: Glen Christopher Luxury, Facebook, Energy Locations: Connecticut, Chevron

Earning Capital One RewardsYou need a Capital One miles-earning credit card in order to earn Capital One miles. Other credit cards offer higher rewards in certain categories of spending Insider’s Take If you want an easy, no-fuss travel rewards credit card, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great fit. Limited benefits Insider’s Take The VentureOne Rewards Card is a slimmed-down version of the popular Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. If you're looking for a flexible travel credit card that fits your travel strategy, any Capital One travel credit card is worth exploring. Capital One Rewards frequently asked questionsHow can I earn rewards with Capital One credit cards?

Persons: Insider's, Miles, LifeMiles, Smiles, Virgin Red Wyndham, you'll, you've, Chase, Chase Sapphire cardholders, Amex Organizations: Business, Business †, Fort, Dulles, Travelers, Capital, One, Premier, Capital One Entertainment, Walmart, Venture, Uber, Target, Aeromexico Club, Air Canada, Air France, KLM, Blue, British Airways Executive Club, Cathay, Emirates, Etihad, Qantas Frequent, TAP Air Portugal Miles, Turkish Airlines Miles, Virgin, Virgin Red Wyndham Rewards, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, Air, PayPal, Amazon, American Express Locations: Dallas, Fort Worth, DFW, Denver, Washington, Cathay Pacific Asia, Singapore, East Coast, Hawaii, Aeroplan, Air Canada, Western Europe, Wyndham, Rocky, Vacasa, Capital, Chevron

Each airline earns and uses Avios differently, and this guide focuses on British Airways Avios unless specified otherwise. Earning AviosThere are many ways to earn British Airways Avios, which we'll explore in more depth below. Earn Avios from using a British Airways Avios credit cardBritish Airways Visa Signature® Card Apply now lock icon An icon in the shape of lock. Not the most rewarding card for non-British Airways purchases Insider’s Take If you like British Airways Avios points, the British Airways Visa Signature® Card has an excellent welcome bonus offer to consider. British Airways Avios frequently asked questionsCan I transfer Avios between accounts?

Persons: you'll, Here's, BA's, Cardholders, Avios, Read, it's, British Airways Avios Organizations: Business, British Airways, Aer Lingus, Read, U.S, Turkish for Star Alliance, British Airways Executive Club, Club, Qatar Airways, Oneworld, American Airlines, Qantas, Cathay, British, Aer, British Airways Visa, FDIC, American Express, Chase, Mastercard, Marriott, Southwest Airlines, D.C, you'll, Airlines, West Coast Locations: Iberia, Qatar, Europe, Aer Lingus, Finnair, Cathay Pacific, London, Aer, Iberia's, Chase, Avios, Marriott, New York, Los Angeles, U.S, gcmap.com, Miami, American, Caribbean, Central, Nassau, Bahamas, Belize, San Juan , Puerto Rico, SJU, Guatemala City, San Jose, Costa Rica, Cancun, Washington, Austin, Asia, JFK, Philadelphia, Amsterdam, East Coast, Madrid, Chevron

To show proof of disability income, you'll need to provide some verification that you're currently receiving benefits and that they aren't set to expire within the next three years. Benefits of home loans for disabled individualsMany loan programs allow you to use disability income to qualify. Disabled individuals can use FHA loans, VA loans, USDA loans, and special programs from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Yes, disability income is considered as part of your total income, which can help qualify for various home loan options. What are the benefits of FHA loans for disabled individuals?

Persons: Fannie Mae HomeReady, Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, you'll, Brian Quigley, Quigley, you've Organizations: Federal Housing Administration, US Department of Agriculture, Social Security Disability Insurance, Social Security Administration, SSI, SSA, Department of Veterans Affairs, Beacon Lending, USDA, Social Security, Chevron Locations: Chevron

The Aeroplan® Credit Card earns points directly, or you can transfer flexible points to Aeroplan. Using Aeroplan credit cardsThe Aeroplan® Credit Card is the only U.S. credit card that earns Aeroplan points directly. Aeroplan® Credit Card cardholders can also redeem Aeroplan points toward any eligible travel purchase through Chase Pay Yourself Back. So if you transferred 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, you'd end up with 20,000 Aeroplan points, plus a 5,000-point bonus for a total of 25,000 Aeroplan points. Aeroplan Rewards frequently asked questionsHow can I earn Aeroplan points without flying?

Persons: we'll, Aeroplan, Chase, It's, cardholders, Uber, Wiley, Julie Mehretu, Peacock, Uber Cash, you’re, Bilt, Experian, TransUnion ™, Equifax, —, Hilton Organizations: Business, Business †, Marriott, Air Canada, Star Alliance, Read, Rewards, Canada, United Airlines, Lufthansa, ANA, Air, Air Canada Flying Air, Travelers, Air Canada Partner Airlines Aegean Airlines Aer Lingus Air China Air, Air Dolomiti Air India Air Mauritius Air New Zealand Air Serbia All Nippon Airways, Austrian, Avianca Azul, Airlines Bamboo Airways, Calm, North Cathay, Central Mountain Air Copa Airlines Croatia Airlines Egyptair Emirates Ethiopian Airlines Etihad Airways, GOL, Air Juneyao Airlines, Polish Airlines Lufthansa Middle East Airlines Olympic Air Oman Air PAL Airlines Scandinavian Airlines Shenzhen Airlines Singapore Airlines South African Airways SriLankan Airlines, TAP Air, Turkish Airlines United Virgin Australia Vistara, United, Air New Zealand, American Express, Chase, FDIC, Singapore Airlines, Global, TSA, Express, Hilton, Saks, Entertainment, Disney, ESPN, The New York Times, Street, American, Walmart, Saks Fifth, Capital, One, Premier, Chase Travel, Sapphire, Hotel, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Aeroplan, ™ Card, Mastercard, Alliance, Coast Hotels, Hilton Honors, Radisson, Wyndham, Avis, Budget, Apple, JetBlue, Fly United, All Nippon Airways Locations: Canada, Canadian, United, Air Canada, Air Canada Flying Air Canada, U.S, cardholder, Singapore Airlines ., rideshares, Hulu, Aeroplan, Alaska, Hyatt, America, Mexico, Central America, Caribbean, Europe, East, Africa, India, Asia, Oceania, Australia, New Zealand, South America, North America, West Coast, Hawaii, Seattle, Vancouver, Tokyo, Frankfurt, Chevron

☆ Google scraps plan to remove cookies from Chrome
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Google logo is seen in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. January 10, 2024. REUTERS/Steve Marcus/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights , opens new tabCompanies Google Inc FollowAlphabet Inc FollowJuly 22 (Reuters) - Google is planning to keep third-party cookies in its Chrome browser, it said on Monday, after years of pledging to phase out the tiny packets of code meant to track users on the internet. "Advertising stakeholders will no longer have to prepare to quit third-party cookies cold turkey," eMarketer analyst Evelyn Mitchell-Wolf said in a statement. "Google's decision to continue allowing third-party cookies, despite other major browsers blocking them for years, is a direct consequence of their advertising-driven business model," Cohen said in a statement. Reporting by Yuvraj Malik and Jeffrey Dastin in San Francisco; Editing by Devika SyamnathOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Steve Marcus, they'd, Anthony Chavez, Chavez, Evelyn Mitchell, Wolf, Lena Cohen, Cohen, Yuvraj Malik, Jeffrey Dastin, Devika Organizations: REUTERS, Google, Markets Authority, European Union, General Data Protection, CMA, Office, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Thomson Locations: Las Vegas , Nevada, U.S, San Francisco

Today, there are 55 Hispanic American banks and credit unions that are FDIC or NCUA insured around the United States. Nave BankBranches: 0 (online-only)ATMs: 0Services: savings accounts, business banking, business loansNave Bank is currently only available for businesses, and has a waitlist to join. We selected Hispanic American-owned credit unions from the National Credit Union Administration's list of minority depository institutions which was also updated in September 2023. You can open up savings accounts, checking accounts, CDs, and money market accounts in most of the institutions listed. Results from the study found that Hispanic Americans made up a greater percentage of those who took out home loans or small business loans at Hispanic American banks in comparison to non-minority banks.

Finally, Lyft and Hilton have teamed up to offer 3x Hilton Honors points on Lyft rides, or 2x Hilton points for shared Lyft rides. You can do so at the following ratios:HawaiianMiles : 1 HawaiianMile = 1.5 Hilton Honors points: 1 HawaiianMile = 1.5 Hilton Honors points Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: 1 Virgin Atlantic point = 1.5 Hilton Honors pointsOther ways to redeem Hilton rewards pointsExperiences and shoppingThe Hilton Experiences program offers a variety of unique opportunities for redeeming points. Redeem Hilton Honors points for event creditsIt's also possible to redeem your points for events at a Hilton, though this isn't generally considered a good way to maximize your Hilton points value. Here's how much the credits cost:25,000 points = $5050,000 points = $10075,000 points = $150125,000 points = $250250,000 points = $500Exchange Hilton points for airline milesIf you'd rather have airline or rail points, you have the option to transfer Hilton points to partner airlines, though redemption rates vary. Maximizing Hilton Honors points frequently asked questionsHow can I earn Hilton Honors points?

Persons: Hilton, You'll, you'll, you've, Diamond, Conrad, Hilton LXR, Hilton Tru, cardholders, that's, Cardholders, Conrad Bora Bora, Hilton Honors Hilton, It's, Exchange Hilton, Lyft, doesn't, Finance Insider's Organizations: Business, Hilton, American, Read, Diamond, Hilton Honors, Express, Conrad Hotels, Resorts, Hilton DoubleTree, Hilton Embassy, Inn, Hilton Hilton Hotels, Garden Inn, Homewood, Hilton Signia, Hilton Tempo, Astoria Hotels, American Express, U.S, Hilton Honors American, Hilton Gold, Gold, Honors American, Online Retail, Hilton Honors American Express, Honors American Express, Hilton Diamond, Alamo, Enterprise, Lyft, Waldorf, Maldives, Dell, Adobe, Hawaiian Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Atlantic Flying, Exchange, Honors, Amazon, Hilton's, American Express Hilton, Finance, Elite Locations: —, Hilton, U.S, It's, Shanghai, Czech, Venice, Indonesia, Worth

Ways to earn Choice Privileges pointsThe Choice Privileges program may seem straightforward, but many little rules define what counts as a qualifying points-earning stay. Earn points from Choice hotel staysThe most straightforward way to earn Choice Privileges Rewards is by staying in Choice hotels on paid bookings. Buy Choice Privileges points for yourself or someone elseYou can buy up to 250,000 Choice Privileges points for yourself — or up to 180,000 Choice Privileges points for friends and family members — per calendar year. Transfer Choice Privileges points to travel partnersTo redeem Choice Privileges points for flights, use the Choice Hotels Rewards Exchange to transfer them to airline partners at the following rates:5,000 Choice points for 1,000 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles5,000 Choice points for 1,000 Aeromexico Club Premier miles5,000 Choice points for 1,000 Aeroplan points5,000 Choice points for 1,000 United MileagePlus miles5,000 Choice points for 1,000 Spirit Airlines Free Spirit miles5,000 Choice points for 1,000 Czech Airlines OK Plus miles20,000 Choice points for 8,000 Qantas Frequent Flyer points20,000 Choice points for 8,000 Virgin Australia Velocity points20,000 Choice points for 140 Air New Zealand Airpoints DollarsNote that you may need to call Customer Service at 888-770-6800 and provide them with your frequent flyer number to complete your airline redemption. Choice Privileges Rewards frequently asked questionsHow can I earn points with Choice Privileges Rewards?

Persons: You'll, —, Read, It's, We'll, you'll, there's, Homefront, they'll Organizations: Business, Card, Citi Strata Premier, Choice, Read, Choice Hotels, Penn National Gaming, Inc, Resorts, Amtrak, Barclays, Amex, Citi, Capital, American, Premier, Express, Hotels, Diamond, Avis, Cambria Hotels, Alaska Airlines, Aeromexico Club Premier, Czech Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Air, Zealand, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Australia, Alamo, Budget, Bed, Apple, Vinesse, Rocket, Aeromexico Club, Airlines, Virgin Australia, Clubs of America, Fisher House Foundation, Council, International, Polaris, Cosmopolitan, AARP Locations: Cambria, Econo Lodge, U.S, Canada, Mexico, Central America, Caribbean, Asia, Pacific, China, Japan, Europe, Clarion Clarion Pointe, Cambria Hotels, Czech

Like other consumer rates, mortgage rates are impacted in large part by what's going on in the economy. This allowed mortgage rates to drop as low as they did, with 30-year mortgage rates reaching an all-time low of 2.65% in January 2021, according to Freddie Mac. Because mortgage rates are still so high, some hopeful homebuyers have decided to wait for lower rates to start shopping for homes. Mortgage rates in 2024: FAQsWill mortgage rates go down in 2024? All consumer interest rates, including mortgage rates, should start to ease as soon as inflation slows further.

Persons: Homebuyers, homebuyers, what's, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Lawrence Yun, that's Organizations: Fed, Bureau of Labor Statistics, NAR, National Association of Realtors, CNBC, Federal Housing Finance Agency, Veterans United, Loans, Federal Reserve, Mortgage, Association Locations: Chevron

☆ You’re not going crazy — you may actually be paying higher prices than other people
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-21 | by ( Elisabeth Buchwald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

But people making the same exact purchases as you aren’t necessarily paying the same exact prices as you. Companies have used this kind of information to effectively offer different prices to different groups of consumers. Using AI, companies can now answer questions like, “What is this person going to buy next? Rather, its bread and butter is providing companies with “all of the analytics and predictive scenarios” to figure out prices themselves. Then, by predicting how much consumers will buy at different price points, Revionics helps retailers manage their inventories.

Persons: New York CNN —, Shikha Jain, Simon, Kucher, “, ”, Jim Presley, What’s, Presley, Jain, Matt Pavich, David Paul Morris, Mary Winn Pilkington, Revionics wasn’t, it’s “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, Starbucks, North, Starbucks . Companies, Companies, Tractor Supply Co, Revionics, Bloomberg, Getty, Tractor Supply, CNN Locations: New York, North American

☆ The luxury handbags most likely to be faked, according to an expert from The RealReal
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-21 | by ( Madeline Berg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The secondhand market has become an increasingly important part of the luxury market, rising to $50 billion last year, according to Bain & Company. But there are dangers to buying on the secondhand market: counterfeit products, which the rise in "dupe culture" has only helped to escalate. Business Insider spoke to Hunter Thompson, the director of authentication and brand compliance at secondhand luxury retailer The RealReal, about the proliferation of increasingly convincing fakes. Advertisement"In 2024, if it can be faked, it's faked," Thompson said. Here are the bags that Thompson said are most commonly faked —and some tell-tale red flags to look out for.

Persons: —, Hunter Thompson, it's, Thompson, Birkin, zippers Organizations: Service, Bain & Company, Business

As long as inflation continues to slow, mortgage rates should tick down further throughout the remainder of 2024. 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 Rates Barely Tick Up (+0.02%)The average 15-year mortgage rate is 5.68%, just two basis points higher than last week. Mortgage Refinance Rates30-Year Fixed Refinance Rates Fall (-0.37%)The average 30-year refinance rate is 7.08%, 37 basis points down from last week. Mortgage rates also rose dramatically in 2023, though they started trending back down toward the end of the year.

Persons: you'll, It's, refinance, they've Organizations: Federal, Zillow, FHA Locations: Chevron

☆ ‘Barbie’ was important to me. This summer has melted her
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-21 | by ( Scottie Andrew | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Watching “Barbie” so much defined the back half of my 2023. The summer of “Barbie” was one of my happiest, when I felt truly connected to my fellow humans. Watching “Barbie” again and again nudged me out of an isolation I hadn’t even realized I’d imposed. Once Gosling finished his dazzling Oscars performance of “I’m Just Ken,” “Barbie” fever officially ended. But we’ll always have our “Barbie” summer.

Persons: “ Barbie, ” I’ve, I’ve, Barbie ”, “ Barbie ”, Barbie, Ryan Gosling, Ken, Will Ferrell, ” John Cena, Margot Robbie, ”, ” Oppenheimer, “ Oppenheimer, Nolan, Stephanie Keith, Stephen Malkmus, Issa, America Ferrara, who’s, nudged, ‘ Barbie ’, Helen Mirren’s, “, Barbara ”, Greta Gerwig’s, Gosling, “ I’m, I'm, ergy, who’d, It’s, we’ll Organizations: CNN, Sex, Warner Bros ., Warner Bros, America, Gran Turismo Locations: pinks, Barbie, Robbie’s, Atlanta

☆ A boomer gets just $1,056 a month in Social Security and works as a bus driver: 'I don't see myself being able to retire, but I'm grateful and healthy'
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-21 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewEmma Echols, 68, lives off $1,056 a month in Social Security and a part-time bus driver job in Alabama. Echols has worked since she was 12, working as a chef, a convenience store general manager, and a bus driver. "I always wanted to earn my own money," Echols said. "I always wanted to work, and at the age of 14, someone started my Social Security records for me. AdvertisementHer Social Security is $1,056 a month, a 25% reduction from her potential full benefit because she accepted payments early.

Persons: —, Emma Echols, she's, Echols, I've, hasn't Organizations: Service, Social Security, Business, Survey, Security Locations: Alabama

☆ How hedge funds are trading the dollar, ETFs, bonds, and gold in anticipation of a Trump win
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-20 | by ( Laila Maidan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Elliot has observed hedge funds expressing bullishness on the dollar in two main ways. Hedge funds are also taking long positions in exchange-traded funds specific to sectors likely to benefit from a loosening of regulatory constraints. In response, Elliot says hedge funds are moving into short positions on long-duration bonds, which is five years or more. Finally, given the rising uncertainty around inflation and deficit spending, hedge funds have shifted to increasing their positions in gold by buying gold futures contracts, he said. These contracts set up agreements on the purchase of a predetermined amount of gold at a set price by a set date.

Persons: Bob Elliott, Elliot Organizations: Service, Federal, Trump, Republican Locations: Washington

I asked a financial planner whether I should take money out of savings if interest rates drop. I haven't felt ready to follow their advice, especially since my high-yield savings account at Ally Bank has been offering 4% to 5% APY on the money in the account. If that happens, it might make sense for me to move money out of my high-yield savings account. I met with certified financial planner Jake Skelhorn, who shared three things I can do with that cash if interest rates drop. "While more volatile year-to-year, stock market returns have averaged approximately 10%, which is about double what you're getting in a high-yield savings account today."

Persons: it's, they've, haven't, Jake Skelhorn, Skelhorn Organizations: Ally Bank

In America's 20 biggest cities, a 20% down payment ranges from $39,127 in Oklahoma City to $263,392 in San Jose, California. On a $200,000 home, a 3% down payment means you'll need $6,000. FHA mortgage: 3.5%To get an FHA mortgage, you'll need at least a 3.5% down payment. The exact amount you'll pay depends on your down payment and whether you've gotten a VA loan previously. PMI protects lenders on mortgages with high loan-to-value ratios, and it's added to the borrower's monthly mortgage payment.

Persons: you'll, Insider's, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, you've, You'll, it's Organizations: Phoenix, Fort, Oklahoma, PMI, Opportunity, National Association of Realtors, Chevron, USDA Locations: Oklahoma City, San Jose , California, Government, York City, NY, Angeles, LA, Chicago, Houston, AZ, Philadelphia, Antonio, Diego, Dallas, Austin, Jacksonville, Jose, Fort Worth , TX, Columbus, Charlotte, NC, Indianapolis, Francisco, Seattle, WA, Denver, homeownership, Chevron

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