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☆ 9 things to do once you get the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express card to enjoy benefits like free hotel status and over $400 in statement credits
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Ariana Arghandewal | Jasmin Baron | Sarah Silbert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +24 min

Marriott BonvoyIf you stay with Marriott frequently, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is worth considering. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Read up on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant travel benefitsThe Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card comes with several travel protections that can come in handy. What to know about the Marriott Bonvoy BrilliantThe Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card can be incredibly valuable to Marriott fans — though its annual fee is high.

Persons: You'll, —, Cardholders, Wells, We're, Marriott, Regis, shouldn't, you've, Read, you'll, Amex, they're Organizations: Marriott, Service, Card Citi, Card, Target, Walmart, Citi, Ritz, Carlton, TSA, Global, TSA PreCheck, American Express, New Hampshire Insurance Company, AIG Company, Reading Chevron, Sheraton, Premium, Amex, Regis, Marriott Bonvoy Brands, Marriott Delta, Sheraton Gaylord Hotels Homes, Villas, Marriott International, Marriott Hotels, Resorts Marriott, Carlton Reserve Locations: Regis Bahia Beach , Puerto Rico, Marriott Bonvoy, Fairfield, St

If you plan to attend graduate school, it's important to understand the costs up front. As a graduate student, relying on grants, scholarships, and fellowships is better than taking out loans to pay for school. As you gear up for graduate school, it's time to find grants, scholarships, and fellowships to cover the cost. Example comparing school costs with and without grant and scholarship aidPaying for graduate school is often not as simple as finding a single grant to cover the entire cost. Alternative ways to pay for grad schoolGrants and scholarships aren't the only way to pay for school.

Persons: —, Trinity Owen, you'll Organizations: Service, Federal Student Aid, Fulbright, College Board

See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. 30-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesThe average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is currently 6.69%, according to Freddie Mac. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesThe average 15-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.10% right now, according to Freddie Mac data. Mortgage rates started ticking up from historic lows in the second half of 2021 and increased significantly in 2022. Inflation remains elevated, but has started to slow, which is a good sign for mortgage rates and the broader economy.

Persons: Freddie Mac, it's Organizations: Federal Reserve, Zillow Locations: Chevron

The 30-year rates have dipped slightly since last week, while 15-year mortgage rates have gone up a bit. A competitive market can keep mortgage rates high and homes expensive. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage Refinance Rates TodayMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control.

Persons: Freddie Mac, Prices, Fannie Mae, they'll Organizations: Zillow, Federal Reserve, Fed, Mortgage, Association, Sky, ARM Locations: Chevron

The average 30-year mortgage rate is 6.69% this week, according to Freddie Mac, while it was at 6.39% in mid-May. If inflation continues to decelerate throughout 2023 and get closer to the Federal Reserve's 2% goal, we could see mortgage rates drop later this year. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowToday's refinance ratesMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

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

[1/3] The exterior of the Marriner S. Eccles Federal Reserve Board Building is seen in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 14, 2022. "Core inflation is not coming down like I thought it would," Federal Reserve Gov. The U.S. economy was "still ripping along for the most part," he said, with the underlying pace of price increases "moving sideways." The Fed this week ended its run of 10 consecutive rate hikes when policymakers decided to keep the benchmark overnight interest rate in a range of from 5% to 5.25%. Though Fed chair Jerome Powell at a press conference Wednesday said no decision had been made about the upcoming July Fed meeting, investors and other analysts broadly expect the Fed to resume rate increases.

Persons: Sarah Silbiger WASHINGTON, Christopher Waller, Waller, Thomas Barkin, Barkin, I’m, Jerome Powell, Austan Goolsbee, Goolsbee, Howard Schneider, Chizu Nomiyama, Alistair Bell Organizations: Eccles Federal Reserve, Washington , D.C, REUTERS, . Federal Reserve, Federal, Silicon Valley Bank, Richmond Federal, Fed, Chicago Fed, Thomson Locations: Washington ,, Norway, Silicon, U.S, Maryland

☆ The Global Economy Looks Like It’s Out of Sync
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( James Mackintosh | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

While the Federal Reserve delivered a hawkish statement, Chair Jerome Powell held what markets viewed as a dovish press conference Wednesday. Photo: Sarah SilbigerIn just 24 hours this past week the central banks of the world’s three biggest economic blocs came to starkly different conclusions, with the eurozone raising rates, the U.S. on hold and the Chinese cutting. It’s getting harder for investors to understand the global economy—and potentially getting harder for the Federal Reserve to put a lid on inflation.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Sarah Silbiger Organizations: Federal Reserve Locations: U.S

In its latest mortgage forecast, the Mortgage Bankers Association predicted that 30-year mortgage rates will finally drop below 6% by the end of 2023. 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. Mortgage Rates for Buying a Home30-year Fixed Mortgage Rates Decrease (-0.14%)The current average 30-year fixed mortgage rate 6.49%, down 14 basis points since this time last week. 20-year Fixed Mortgage Rates Go Down (-0.10%)The average 20-year fixed mortgage rate is down from last week and sits at 6.20%. Mortgage Refinance Rates30-year Fixed Refinance Rates Drop (-0.22%)The average 30-year refinance rate is 6.68%, down since last week.

Persons: you'll, it's, It's, refinance Organizations: Mortgage Bankers Association, Zillow Locations: Chevron

[1/3] The exterior of the Marriner S. Eccles Federal Reserve Board Building is seen in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 14, 2022. REUTERS/Sarah SilbigerWASHINGTON, June 16 (Reuters) - U.S. Federal Reserve officials struck a hawkish tone in their first comments since the central bank held the policy interest rate steady at its meeting this week but signaled that rate hikes will likely resume. "Core inflation is not coming down like I thought it would," Federal Reserve Gov. The U.S. economy was "still ripping along for the most part," he said, with the underlying pace of price increases "moving sideways." Though Fed chair Jerome Powell at a press conference Wednesday said no decision had been made about the upcoming July Fed meeting, investors and other analysts broadly expect the Fed to resume rate increases.

Persons: Sarah Silbiger WASHINGTON, Christopher Waller, Waller, Thomas Barkin, Barkin, I’m, Jerome Powell, Howard Schneider, Chizu Organizations: Eccles Federal Reserve, Washington , D.C, REUTERS, . Federal Reserve, Federal, Silicon Valley Bank, Richmond Federal, Fed, Thomson Locations: Washington ,, Norway, Silicon, U.S, Maryland

Typically, when the Fed rate goes up, so do mortgage rates. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage Refinance Rates TodayMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's interest rates will affect your monthly payments. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesThe average 15-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.07% this week, according to Freddie Mac data. Mortgage rates increased dramatically in 2022 and have been volatile so far in 2023, but they're expected to trend down later this year.

Persons: you'll, Freddie Mac, it's Organizations: Federal Reserve, Fed, Zillow Locations: Chevron

With these Delta credit card offers, you can earn up to 100,000 Delta miles, which don't expire. Delta Credit Card OffersAmex Delta credit cards give you the ability to use Delta miles in a way that non-cardholders can't. However, Insider estimates that Delta miles are worth 1.1 cents each, on average, when booking award flights. That's much higher than the previous card bonus, which was 50,000 bonus miles and 10,000 MQMs after meeting minimum spending requirements. Amex Business Delta Reserve Card ReviewDo You Qualify for These Delta Card Bonuses?

Persons: cardholders, —, Insider's, you've, We're, Miles, You'll, you'll, it's Organizations: Delta, Getty, Service, American Express, Delta SkyMiles Gold American, U.S, Card, U.S . Supermarkets, PayPal, Reading Chevron, American, TSA, Delta Sky, Global, TSA PreCheck, Delta Sky Club, SkyMiles Reserve American, ®, SkyMiles ®, Delta SkyMiles ®, Delta Sky Clubs, Chevron, American Express Card, Delta Reserve, Gold Business American, Business American, Delta American Express, SkyMiles Reserve Business, SkyMiles, Delta SkyMiles, Express Locations: delta.com, U.S, Delta

☆ The owner of a 1,900-square-foot house next to the Masters golf course kept turning down millions of dollars to sell
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Cork Gaines | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

"We really don't want to go," Elizabeth Thacker told NJ.com in 2016. Here is a view of the house from Google Street View, with Augusta National in the background. It's like the Martians have landed," Pirample told Golf Digest. One woman, who initially told Augusta National she wanted to stay in the house until she died but eventually sold, agreed about the lights and noise. "I could do without the lights and the generators and all the noise," Kittie Baker told Golf Digest.

Persons: —, Steve Politi, Thacker, Stanley Dr, Augusta, Herman, Elizabeth Thacker didn't, Elizabeth Thacker, NJ.com, Graig, Elizabeth, Peter Larson, Politi, William Hatcher, Hatcher, John Pirample, Pirample, Kittie Baker, Herman Thacker's, Jerry Thacker, Herman Thacker, Scott Brown, Sarah Stier, Emmett Knowlton Organizations: Augusta National, Service, Golf Club, Street, Google, Summer House Realty, Augusta, Golf, PGA, Masters Locations: Georgia, Herman

Farmers insurance has confirmed it is pausing new homeowners policies in Florida. If you need home insurance in Florida, compare quotes and ensure you have enough disaster coverage. Compare homeowners insurance quotes with Policygenius »Get the latest tips you need to manage your money — delivered to you biweekly. Flood insurance, for example, is not included in a standard homeowners insurance policy because it's not required for people who don't live in a high-risk area. While you can get flood insurance through a private company, it's also available through FEMA via the National Flood Insurance Program.

Persons: —, Luis Sahagun, it's Organizations: Farmers, Service, Insurance, Farm, Allstate, Policygenius Companies, FEMA, National Flood Insurance Locations: Florida, California

watch nowWhat the federal funds rate means for youWage growth hasn't been able to keep pace with higher prices for many Americans. Sarah Silbiger | ReutersThe federal funds rate, which is set by the central bank, is the interest rate at which banks borrow and lend to one another overnight. Here's a breakdown of how that affects consumers:Credit cardsSince most credit cards have a variable rate, there's a direct connection to the Fed's benchmark. As the federal funds rate rose, the prime rate did, as well, and credit card rates followed suit. Today's credit card rates are likely as high as they've been in decades.

Persons: Philipson, Sarah Silbiger, that's, Matt Schulz, they're, Freddie Mac, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's Organizations: Eccles Federal Reserve, Washington , D.C, Reuters, LendingTree, Treasury, Istock, Getty, U.S . Department of Education Locations: Washington ,

Most mortgage rates started decreasing yesterday after the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the May Consumer Price Index. 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. 30-year Fixed Mortgage RatesThe current average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.71%, according to Freddie Mac. 15-year Fixed Mortgage RatesThe average 15-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.07%, a decrease from the prior week, according to Freddie Mac data. Mortgage rates started ticking up from historic lows in the second half of 2021 and increased over three percentage points in 2022.

Persons: you'll, Freddie Mac Organizations: of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, Zillow Locations: Chevron

[1/2] The exterior of the Marriner S. Eccles Federal Reserve Board Building is seen in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 14, 2022. They expect the Fed to raise its target rate to 5.25%-5.5% at the July 25-26 meeting. And it's quite likely that if the Fed does hold off on rates it will prep markets for action later on. The last Fed forecasts released at the March meeting had penciled in a 5.1% stopping point for the federal funds rate target, where it is now. Each Fed policymaker's view of the appropriate year-end policy rate is depicted by an anonymous "dot" on a grid.

Persons: Sarah Silbiger, who've, Wrightson ICAP, Wrightson, it's, Jerome Powell's, ’ ”, Powell, Ryan Sweet, Morgan Stanley, Oscar Munoz, Ann Saphir, Michael S, Howard Schneider, Dan Burns Organizations: Eccles Federal Reserve, Washington , D.C, REUTERS, Federal Reserve, Fed, Bank of America, Citibank, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Deutsche Bank, Oxford Economics, Securities, Derby, Thomson Locations: Washington ,, U.S

☆ Signal and WhatsApp Are Among the Last Bastions of Digital Privacy - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( Julia Angwin | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Apple’s proposal would have downloaded onto every device a secret list of IDs corresponding to known exploitation images. It would then use an algorithm to determine whether any photos on the device were similar to those on the list. Like all matching algorithms, Apple’s system makes educated guesses based on statistical probabilities, but those guesses could be wrong. The second, and greater, problem was that scanning for one type of content opens the doors for scanning for other types of content. Do we want to start allowing the government to require companies to conduct suspicionless, warrantless searches of our messages with family, friends and co-workers?

Persons: Sarah Scheffler, Jonathan Mayer, Apple, Taylor Swift, Apple’s Organizations: Apple, Princeton Locations: India, China, Madison, United States

A pause in rates would likely remove some of the upward pressure off mortgage rates and allow them to trend down somewhat. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage Refinance Rates TodayMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesThe average 15-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.07% right now, according to Freddie Mac data. Mortgage rates started ticking up from historic lows in the second half of 2021 and increased significantly in 2022.

Persons: Freddie Mac, it's Organizations: Federal, Zillow Locations: Chevron

The average 30-year mortgage rate is 6.71%, according to Freddie Mac — this time last year, it was 5.23%. A competitive market can keep mortgage rates high and homes expensive. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage Refinance Rates TodayMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control.

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

The average 30-year mortgage rate is 6.71% this week, according to Freddie Mac, while it was at 6.35% on May 11. The good news is that 30-year and 15-year fixed mortgage rates have dropped a little since last week. If the Fed pauses rates, this would likely take the upward pressure off of mortgage rates. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

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

☆ The owners of a 1,900 square foot house next to the Masters golf course keep turning down millions of dollars to sell
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-11 | by ( Cork Gaines | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Augusta National has spent $200 million buying up property around the course for two decades. According to The Wall Street Journal, Augusta National spent over $200 million purchasing over 100 properties covering 270 acres since 1999. Here is a view of the house from Google Street View, with Augusta National in the background. It's like the Martians have landed," Pirample told Golf Digest. "I could do without the lights and the generators and all the noise," Kittie Baker told Golf Digest.

Persons: —, Steve Politi, Thacker, Stanley Dr, Augusta National's, Herman, Elizabeth Thacker don't, Elizabeth Thacker, NJ.com, Elizabeth, Graig, Peter Larson, Politi, Herman Thatcher's, William Thatcher, Hatcher, John Pirample, William Thatcher's, Pirample, Kittie Baker, Thatcher, hasn't, we're, Scott Brown, Sarah Stier, Emmett Knowlton Organizations: Augusta National, Service, Augusta National Golf Club, Wall Street, Independent, Google, Summer House Realty, Augusta, Golf, Masters Locations: Georgia

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. Mortgage Rates for Buying a Home30-year Fixed Mortgage Rates Inch Up (+0.03%)The current average 30-year fixed mortgage rate 6.47%, up three basis points since this time last week. 20-year Fixed Mortgage Rates Increase (+0.18%)The average 20-year fixed mortgage rate is up from last weekend and sits at 6.25%. 15-year Fixed Mortgage Rates Go Up (+0.10%)The average 15-year fixed mortgage rate is 5.78%, an increase from last week. Mortgage Refinance Rates30-year Fixed Refinance Rates Drop (-0.20%)The average 30-year refinance rate is 6.66%, down since last weekend.

Persons: you'll, It's, refinance Organizations: Mortgage Bankers Association, Zillow Locations: Chevron

☆ Cosmic Luck: NASA’s Apollo 11 Moon Quarantine Broke Down
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Sarah Scoles | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

When the astronauts of Apollo 11 went to the moon in July 1969, NASA was worried about their safety during the complex flight. The agency was also worried about what the spacefarers might bring back with them. For years before Apollo 11, officials had been concerned that the moon might harbor microorganisms. What if moon microbes survived the return trip and caused lunar fever on Earth? To manage the possibility, NASA planned to quarantine the people, instruments, samples and space vehicles that had come into contact with lunar material.

Persons: Dagomar Organizations: NASA, Georgetown University

You can earn up to 200,000 Marriott points, but to unlock the most points you'll need to stay six nights at Marriott Bonvoy properties. Marriott Credit Card Offers: Earn up to 200,000 PointsTwo of these cards (the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card and Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card) are from American Express, and two (the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card and Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card) are issued by Chase. Earn 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® program. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in 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.

Persons: —, Marriott, we've, We're, Chase, Regis, it's, you'll, You'll, you'd, Cardholders Organizations: Marriott, Orlando . Marriott, Service, American Express, American Express Marriott, Chase Marriott, Villas, Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott Vacation, Residence, Vacation, Westin Vacation, The Ritz, Carlton Club, Regis Residence Club, Ritz, Carlton, TSA, Global, TSA PreCheck, New Hampshire Insurance Company, AIG Company, Reading Chevron, American, Chevron, Business, Cardholders, Chase, Sapphire, United Airlines, Hyatt Locations: Grande Lakes, Orlando, Marriott, Marriott Bonvoy, St, Regis, U.S, Chevron, airfare

☆ IMF urges Fed, central banks to keep tightening to reduce inflation
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

IMF spokesperson Julie Kozack said inflation momentum has slowed in the United States, but remained a pressing concern. The IMF warned in April that lurking financial system vulnerabilities could erupt into a new crisis and slam global growth this year, edging its 2023 global growth forecasts lower. "We believe that central banks should stay the course on monetary tightening to decisively reduce inflation." "We also see that inflation momentum has slowed, but that inflation does remain a pressing concern," Kozack said. "Our advice remains unchanged, which is that the Fed would need to stay the course on monetary policy to ensure a durable reduction in inflation and to ensure that inflation expectations ... remain well-anchored."

Persons: Sarah Silbiger WASHINGTON, Julie Kozack, Kozack, Andrea Shalal, Paul Simao Organizations: El Progreso Market, Washington , D.C, REUTERS, Monetary Fund, U.S . Federal Reserve, IMF, Thomson Locations: Mount Pleasant, Washington ,, United States, U.S

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