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☆ 4 ways to save on cooling costs as a dangerous heat wave grips millions of Americans
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The sun sets behind power lines near homes during a heat wave in Los Angeles, Sept. 6, 2022. As millions of Americans across the country grapple with scorching heat, experts are offering tips for saving money amid record-breaking temperatures. Despite falling inflation, electricity prices remain elevated with a 5.9% annual increase in May, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This summer, Americans are expected to pay about 2% more for electricity compared with last year, the U.S. Energy Information Administration predicts. With lingering triple-digit temperatures in some parts of the country, here are some of the best ways to save on cooling expenses, according to experts.

Persons: Bruce McClary, McClary Organizations: U.S . Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S . Energy, Administration, National Foundation, Credit, Finance Locations: Los Angeles, U.S

☆ How many credit cards should you have? The answer isn’t zero, say experts
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-24 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Eighty-two percent of American adults had a credit card in 2022, according to the U.S. Federal Reserve. Benefits to having more than one credit cardHowever, there can be drawbacks to having just one credit card. In addition, having a second credit card, or more, can help build a person's credit utilization ratio, said Curtis, founder and CEO of Curtis Financial Planning. Credit utilization is an important determinant in one's credit score and having one that's too high can reduce your score. Having more than one card raises one's overall credit limit, and with responsible use, can reduce one's credit utilization ratio.

Persons: Jose Luis Pelaez, Ted Rossman, Strong, cardholders, Bruce McClary, McClary, Rossman, Cathy Curtis, Curtis, Xavier Lorenzo, Cardholders Organizations: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc, CreditCards.com, Consumer Federation of America, U.S . Federal, National Foundation, Credit, Mastercard, Curtis, Curtis Financial

☆ Gay male couples face more challenges, higher costs to start a family
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( Courtney Reagan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

watch nowWhy gay male couples face higher costsAlon Rivel, left, with his family. Gay male couples typically face a more expensive journey, as surrogacy or adoption are their primary choices. Employer fertility benefits offer limited helpMore employers are starting to offer fertility benefits, often through a specialized fertility benefits manager like Kindbody, Carrot, Progyny or Maven. But while more companies are offering fertility benefits, many of these packages are limited when it comes to covering what's needed to build families with non-traditional methods. At Rivel's insistence, he asked his human resources department to look into including surrogacy benefits.

Persons: Alon Rivel, Alon Rivel Alon Rivel, Rivel, Betsy Campbell, Maven, Will Porteous, Doug, Walter ., Porteous, Progyny's, Pete Anevski, Tammy Sun, Taryn Branca, they'll, Anevski, it's, Resolve's Campbell, Hanna, Stephen Hanna, Bret Shuford, Maverick Organizations: International Foundation of Employee, Equality, Mercer, Maven, Beam Therapeutics, Child Welfare Locations: Arlington , Massachusetts, U.S, Wynnewood , Pennsylvania, West, Massachusetts

☆ Australia’s having an intense flu season, and it could be a signal of what’s to come in the US
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( Jen Christensen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —It’s only June, but scientists in the US are already thinking about flu season. As always at this time of year, they’re keeping a close eye on Australia, which saw an early start to its flu season. “We closely monitor what happens in countries throughout the Southern Hemisphere this time of year, just to see what’s happening during their flu season. If many people opt out of the flu vaccine, cases could rise. So while Reed and her colleagues will be watching Australia’s flu numbers and running their calculations, it’s still not totally clear what 2023’s flu season will bring for the US.

Persons: CNN — It’s, don’t, Care, It’s, ”, Carrie Reed, Reed, “ We’ve, Thomas McAndrew, “, Taylor Swift, ” McAndrew, William Schaffner, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, –, it’s, ” Reed Organizations: CNN, Australian Department of Health, US Centers for Disease Control, CDC, Department of Community, Population Health, Lehigh University . “, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, CNN Health, World Health Organization, agency’s Department of Health, Care Locations: Australia, Southern, Chicago, agency’s

☆ When you come up short one month, here's how to prioritze which bills to pay first
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Jeanne Sahadi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The last thing you need is to have what is most essential to you taken away or to ruin your credit. For starters, speak upThe most important thing you should do is let your creditors know you’re in a jam. Then think about your credit cards: These shouldn’t be your highest-priority bills to pay when you’re up against a wall. If you are late with a payment, call your credit card issuer to see if they can waive the late fee, Robertson said. The initial review is typically free, and beyond that someone using ongoing counseling services may pay $35 to $40 a month on average, McClary said.

Persons: you’ve, ”, Bruce McClary, McClary, you’re, Linda Robertson, ” Robertson, “, Robertson Organizations: New, New York CNN, National Foundation, Credit Counseling, Energy Assistance, Housing Locations: New York

The apparent alteration of a mosque belonging to the Hui ethnic group in Najiaying village, Yunnan province comes amid a sweeping campaign unleashed by China’s leader Xi Jinping to “sinicize” religion. Ma Ju, a prominent Hui activist who now lives in the United States and has kept close contact with Najiaying residents, said about 30 people were arrested. Clashes broke out between police officers and Najiaying residents outside the mosque. In 2018, thousands of Hui residents in Ningxia, in the country’s northwest, staged a sit-in protest for three days to prevent authorities from demolishing a newly constructed mosque. “After they trampled on your dignity, they will suppress you step by step, and assimilate the Hui ethnic group completely into the Han, generation by generation.

☆ As emergency savings drop and credit card balances rise, experts say taking 3 steps can help
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

To slow the price growth, the Federal Reserve has steadily raised interest rates, which has posed another problem for households: higher interest rates on debt. That marks the first time in 20 years balances have not fallen following the holiday season, according to the central bank's research. Some people are seeking help after they've already fallen behind and have started to get debt collection calls, he said. 'Think seriously about delaying discretionary purchases'As prices and interest rates have gone up, it's a good time to think about putting off unnecessary purchases, according to Hamrick. But the regret that often ranks highly is not saving more for long-term goals such as emergency savings or retirement, he said.

☆ The federal student loan payment pause may end soon—how borrowers can get ready now
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | In Kamaronmcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

While the summer signals music festivals and vacations for many, this year it will also mean the return of federal student loan payments. Interest hasn't been accruing and borrowers haven't been required to make payments on their federal student loans since March 2020. But as the federal government winds down its pandemic relief, student loan borrowers are bracing to resume payments, or start making them for the first time. If you graduated or left school between March 2020 and now, you may have never been required to make a payment on your federal student loans. If you're not sure, you can log into your Federal Student Aid (FSA) account and scroll down to the "My Loan Servicers" section, or call the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) at 1-800-433-3243.

If you're in debt or need help with your taxes, you can often get free help. Some situations may require the help of a financial advisor, and a fee-only advisor can be a good choice. Whether you simply don't want to pay for a help or are unable to, there's good news: Expensive professional help isn't the only way to solve your financial problems. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling provides credit counseling for any income level. Investing for retirementThe Financial Planning Association allows financial planners to provide free advice for families experiencing cancer, households needing help after COVID-19, and more.

☆ Workers are clamoring for pricey new weight-loss drugs like Ozempic. Companies are grappling with how to respond.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Companies that pay for workers' health insurance are grappling with how to cover the pricey drugs. Medicare, the federal program that provides health coverage for people 65 and older, doesn't cover weight-loss drugs. ArcBest already has a program to help workers lose weight through behavior changes and nutrition. Krutsch said he wants to build on that, covering the weight-loss drugs Wegovy and Saxenda for employees who aren't able to lose weight without medication. The new weight-loss drugs were in short supply in 2022, and that gave employers time to figure out how to handle them, he said.

[1/3] FILE PHOTO-Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks during a meeting with heads of foreign media outlets in Moscow, Russia, February 15, 2023. Last July, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov walked out of a G20 foreign ministers’ meeting, also in Bali, after the West strongly denounced the war. The G20 bloc includes the wealthy G7 democracies, as well as Russia, China, India, Australia, Brazil and Saudi Arabia among other countries. The foreign ministers' meeting will also be watched for how tensions between Washington and Beijing play out, including over the Ukraine war. "It is unlikely that G20 foreign ministers can agree on common language suggesting ways and mechanisms to deal with the situation in Ukraine," he said.

☆ As emergency savings drop and credit card debt rises, an 'ugly stew is brewing,' warns advocate
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Valentinrussanov | E+ | Getty ImagesHigh inflation is leading to reduced savings and higher credit card debt — and there are some signs households may be reaching a tipping point under increased financial pressures. A new survey from Bankrate finds 39% of individuals surveyed in January said their emergency savings are less than they were last year. Still, slightly more than half of respondents — 51% — said they have more emergency savings than credit card debt. The remaining 13% have no credit card debt nor any emergency savings. Bankrate's survey found 45% of millennials, 44% of Gen Xers and 38% of Gen Zers have more credit card debt than money in savings.

A bad credit score with FICO is below 670, while a bad VantageScore credit score is below 661. FICO breaks its risk categories into the following:Poor: Below 580Below 580 Fair: 580-669580-669 Good: 670-739670-739 Very good: 740-799740-799 Excellent: 800 and aboveUnder FICO, any credit score below 670 is considered a bad credit score or a subprime credit score. What's the Difference Between Having a Bad Credit Score and No Credit Score? That's why having no credit score is, in many ways, better than having a bad credit score because you're starting from a clean slate. Bad Credit Score Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)What goes into credit score calculations?

☆ More than 1 in 4 checking account holders are paying fees. Here's how to avoid them
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

sturtiEven with broad availability of free checking services, more than a quarter of checking account holders — 27% — are paying fees every month. The personal finance site conducted its online survey Dec. 7-12 and included 3,657 adults, of whom 3,069 have a checking account. Gen Z, who range in age from 18 to 26, comes in at the top of the list, with 46% of that generation's checking account holders paying monthly fees. Millennials, who are ages 27 to 42, come in next, with 42% of account holders paying monthly checking fees, Bankrate.com found. Older cohorts — Gen Xers, who are between 43 and 58, and baby boomers, ages 59 to 77 — are less likely to pay checking account fees.

☆ Fact Check-No reports of an Ebola virus outbreak at GW Hospital
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

There is no evidence of a patient testing positive for the Ebola virus at The George Washington (GW) University Hospital in Washington, D.C., health officials told Reuters. Users online are sharing a claim that the hospital is no longer accepting patients out of concern over a possible Ebola outbreak. Examples of users sharing images of a tweet that reads, “BREAKING NEWS: GW HOSPITAL isn’t accepting no patients due to a possible EBOLA OUTBREAK. Also Washington Hospital Center has no bed space with a line out the door” can be seen on Facebook (here) and (here). There has not been a reported case of a patient who tested positive for the Ebola virus at GW Hospital, health officials told Reuters.

☆ Here are some strategies that can help you dig out of holiday debt
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( Sharon Epperson | In Sharoneppersoncnbc | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

A new LendingTree study found 35% of Americans amassed holiday debt in 2022. And 37% of those taking on holiday debt said it would take them at least five months to pay it off. If you want to pay off your holiday debt well before this summer, here are seven steps you need to take now. Using less than 30% of your available credit can help you maintain your score, credit experts say, while using less than 10% can actually help raise that number. "A 0% balance transfer card, if you have good enough credit to get one, is the best weapon against credit card debt," said Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree.

Puerto Rican singer and musician Lalo Rodríguez, best known for his salsa megahit "Ven devórame otra vez" (Come devour me again) has died. As fellow musicians and fans grapple with the uncertain circumstances surrounding his death, they're remembering Rodríguez as a talented artist who helped lift salsa music to new heights. Light and progress Lalo," salsa music icon Willie Colón, who is also credited for helping popularize the genre, lamented in Spanish on Twitter. Salsa music enthusiast Juana Peña described Rodríguez as a "versatile singer, capable of getting into any rhythm and doing it well" in a tweet. Puerto Rican writer Sandra Guzmán mourned the singer's passing with a touching post saying, "A virtuoso goes to music heaven to join Puerto Rican salsa Gods.

☆ Google cofounders Larry Page and Sergey Brin gave $438 million to charities through their foundations last year. Here's where the tech gurus' huge donations went.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Rob Price | Hugh Langley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

In 2021, Google's cofounders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, collectively gave away nearly half a billion dollars from their philanthropic foundations. 2 moguls, 2 different approaches to charitiesBrin's personal foundation, the Sergey Brin Family Foundation, disbursed roughly $250 million in both 2020 and 2021. The Sergey Brin Family Foundation lists three key officers. Brin's and Page's philanthropic donations, while extensive, represent a fraction of their net worths. Brin donates directly to the Sergey Brin Family Foundation, while Page's contributions to the Carl Victor Page Memorial Foundation are routed through a limited-liability company named Florida LLC.

☆ Face masks come back to forefront amid triple threat of Covid-19, flu, RSV
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Jacqueline Howard | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Local officials mulling over masksThe US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers specific guidance on when masking is recommended based on its Covid-19 community levels. The agency says that people may choose to wear masks at any time but that a “high-quality mask or respirator” is recommended for everyone when a county has a “high” Covid-19 community level. As of Thursday, about 5.66% of US counties have high community levels, including some places in Arizona, Wyoming, Oregon and the Dakotas. Even without a mandate, she emphasized community efforts like wearing masks inside when possible and getting Covid-19 vaccines or boosters. “We do know that 5% of the population is living in places with a high Covid-19 community level.

☆ More holiday shoppers are using 'buy now, pay later' services like Affirm & Afterpay. Financial advisors warn that it's a useful tool that can quickly pile on debt.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Buy now, pay later usage surged 85% during Cyber Week, according to data from Adobe Analytics. According to recent data from Adobe analytics, "buy now, pay later" usage surged 85%, and revenue increased 88% during Cyber Week compared to the week before. Unlike credit cards, most BNPL services don't require a credit check and don't charge interest. Rules of the roadMany experts agree that using a buy now, pay later service can be helpful when shoppers exercise caution. Dickens said he advises his clients to "Make sure you don't have more than two buy now, pay later installment loans.

☆ Tech layoffs send visa holders on frantic search for employment to avoid deportation
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Annie Palmer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Workers on temporary visas often have 60 to 90 days to find a new gig so they can avoid being deported. More than 50,000 tech workers were let go from their jobs in November, according to data collected by the website Layoffs.fyi. A search for "layoffs H1B" on LinkedIn surfaces a stream of posts from workers who recently lost their jobs and are expressing concern about the 60-day unemployment window. An engineer who was recently laid off by gene-sequencing technology company Illumina said he hoped his employer would sponsor his transfer to an H-1B visa. WATCH: Tech layoffs double from October to November

☆ RSV, flu and colds: How to tell when your child is too sick for school
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Madeline Holcombe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Almost all children catch RSV at some point before they turn 2, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. Here’s how to assess when to keep your child home from school and when to visit the pediatrician, according to experts. Ideally, public health professionals would like it if no child showing symptoms were sent to school or day care, where they could potentially spread infections Schaffner said. Again, here is where schools may have different policies and it becomes important to check with written information, a school administrator or school nurse, Wen said. “Parents should know that treating RSV and other respiratory infections is the bread and butter of pediatricians and emergency physicians,” Wen said.

☆ Children’s health leaders call for emergency response as respiratory viruses continue to spread across the US
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Deidre Mcphillips | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

And health care systems nationwide continue to feel the strain of a respiratory virus season that has hit earlier and harder than usual. There have been about 8 flu hospitalizations for every 100,000 people this season – rates typically seen in December or January. While the Covid-19 emergency declaration remains in place, the federal government has not made a formal emergency declaration around children’s health care. HHS and the CDC are in regular contact with health care leaders and providers, actively monitoring situational needs and ready to provide assistance on a case-by-case basis, an HHS spokesperson told CNN. They also urge all those eligible to get their flu and Covid-19 vaccines, along with other routine vaccinations.

☆ Flu season already hitting hard across half of the US
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( Deidre Mcphillips | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —About half of the US – 22 states, along with Washington, DC, New York City and Puerto Rico – is reporting high or very high respiratory illness activity, as flu season sweeps through the country weeks earlier than usual. “Among the people who study flu, there’s a little saying: ‘If you’ve seen one flu season, well, you’ve seen one flu season,’ ” said Dr. William Schaffner, a professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. Although the numbers are especially high for this time of year, experts say the trends are otherwise following an expected pattern, and the early arrival of flu season doesn’t necessarily mean it will last longer or be more severe. It’s not like we’re seeing a lot of hospitalizations without a lot of illness.”Flu activity has been highest in the South, CDC data shows. And millions fewer flu vaccines have been distributed this season than at this point in previous years.

☆ Thanksgiving is two weeks away. Get your updated Covid-19 shot now, health officials warn
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Jacqueline Howard | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —With Thanksgiving just two weeks away, people who are eligible for an updated Covid-19 vaccine booster but still haven’t received the shot will need to roll up their sleeves Thursday to get as much protection as possible before the holiday. After getting the updated Covid-19 vaccine, that biological process can take about 10 to 14 days. Health officials say it’s fine to get the updated Covid-19 booster and flu vaccine at the same time. The vaccine candidate contains components of the companies’ updated Covid-19 booster and their investigational flu vaccine. Moderna is also developing a combined flu and Covid-19 mRNA vaccine and another combination vaccine targeting flu, Covid-19 and RSV.

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