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See how we rate credit cards to write unbiased product reviews. I grew up in poverty, but as I started my financial journey, I benefited from cash-back credit cards. While travel rewards cards may offer better overall rewards, cash-back cards make small splurges easy. Many cash-back cards come with a sign-up bonus as well — often up to $200 extra. Business Insider's pick for the best cash-back credit card for everyday use is the Chase Freedom Unlimited®.

Persons: —, I've Organizations: Service, Chase Locations: U.S, I'm

☆ Harris erases Trump's lead on economy among younger Americans, CNBC/Generation Lab survey finds
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-09 | by ( Jason Gewirtz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump. But they also think the candidate best able to improve the economy is the de facto Democratic nominee Harris, not Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump. Three months ago, the same survey found Trump and Biden effectively tied, with 36% for Biden and 35% for Trump, and 29% planning to vote for Kennedy. This jump in support for Harris today is all the more notable because of how significant the economy is to the voting choices of younger Americans. In this survey, 77% of respondents said they either definitely or probably will vote.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Brendan Mcdermid, Elizabeth Frantz, Harris, Biden, Joe Biden, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Kennedy, Trump, Harris — Organizations: Republican, Reuters, Biden, CNBC, Money Survey, Democratic, Trump, Democratic Party, White, Democrats, Census Locations: Harris, U.S

☆ Retailers are tricking consumers into spending more with earlier-than-ever Halloween rollout
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-09 | by ( Elisabeth Buchwald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

But all the excitement to get a jump start on Halloween comes as consumers are showing more signs of financial stress. Tricking consumers into treating themselves more“It’s clear that consumers have been interested in buying Halloween products earlier and earlier,” said Champine. Michaels said it started selling Halloween goods in June, the earliest the retailer has ever done so. The initial launch of Halloween goods at Michaels “has been consistently beating our internal expectations,” he added. By selling Halloween goods earlier, they’re likely hoping it’ll decrease the likelihood of having to discount, she added.

Persons: can’t, ”, Laura Champine, they’re, Joe Feldman, Michaels, ” John Gehre, Michaels “, ” Kelsey Robinson, Lance Allen, “, ” Allen, David Zalubowski, they’ve, they’ll, Champine, ” Lowe’s, Feldman Organizations: New, New York CNN, Disney, Walt Disney, Loop, Telsey Advisory, CNN, Costco, Consumer, McKinsey, Labor, Depot Locations: New York, Los Angeles, Sheridan , Colorado, Lowe’s

Average 30-year mortgage rates dropped 26 basis points to 6.47%, their lowest level since May 2023, according to Freddie Mac. If today's mortgage rates are lower than the rate you're currently paying, refinancing could be worth it. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowToday's refinance ratesMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. Now that inflation has decelerated and a Fed cut is looking more likely, mortgage rates have trended down. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

Persons: Freddie Mac, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's, you'll, Fannie Mae Organizations: Zillow, Mortgage, Association, Sky Locations: Chevron

☆ Trump wants to cut taxes on Social Security — but it could threaten benefits, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-09 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump holds a campaign rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S., July 31, 2024. Former President Donald Trump this week repeated his plan to eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits for seniors. But the plan could deplete Social Security and Medicare trust funds sooner, policy experts say. More from Personal Finance:Tim Walz cut taxes on Social Security. 'People are stretched'Unemployment insurance program is unprepared for a recession, experts saySome experts have criticized Trump's plan, citing concerns about the federal budget deficit and the solvency of Social Security and Medicare trust funds.

Persons: Donald Trump, Tim Walz, Garrett Watson Organizations: Social Security, Republican, Social, Fox, Finance, Tax Foundation Locations: Harrisburg , Pennsylvania, U.S, Lago, Palm Beach , Florida

☆ Three Disney films could top $1 billion this year after box office rut
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-08 | by ( Sarah Whitten | Whitten Is A Social Media Writer For Cnbc. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

After years of starts and stops at the box office, Disney appears to have hit a groove in 2024. Its latest Pixar film, “Inside Out 2,” is now the highest-grossing animated film of all time, topping $1.5 billion at the global box office. And the box office hits aren’t expected to stop there. Disney has long been a box office champion, driving significant ticket sales domestically and globally. In the year before the pandemic, Disney had seven theatrical releases top $1 billion at the box office.

Persons: Disney, ” —, ”, Paul Dergarabedian, bemoaned, Shawn Robbins, We’re, Bob Iger, Covid lockdowns, Iger, Disney’s, Riley, ” Iger, Wednesday’s, ‘, ’, America, we’re, Romulus ” “, King, Moana, Robbins, “ Organizations: Pixar, Disney, Comscore, Star, Marvel, Century Fox, Sony, Star Wars, Lucasfilm Locations: ”, Comscore, Anaheim , California

☆ Average consumer now carries $6,329 in credit card debt. 'People are stretched,' expert says.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-08 | by ( Jessica Dickler | Jessica Dickler Is A Personal Finance Writer For Cnbc. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

Credit card debt is on the rise. Over the last year, roughly 9.1% of credit card balances transitioned into delinquency, the New York Fed reported. The average credit card charges more than 20% — near an all-time high. “With credit card balances at an all-time high and the average credit card rate hovering near record territory, it’s more important than ever to pay down this debt as soon as possible,” Rossman said. If you’re carrying a balance, try consolidating and paying off high-interest credit cards with a lower interest personal loan or switch to an interest-free balance transfer credit card, he advised.

Persons: TransUnion, ”, Michele Raneri, “, Ted Rossman, Bankrate, ” Raneri, ” Rossman Organizations: Federal Reserve Bank of New, New York Fed, Consumers Locations: Federal Reserve Bank of New York, TransUnion

☆ Costco cracks down on sharing membership cards
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-08 | by ( Marlene Lenthang | Marlene Lenthang Is A Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

The retailer is cracking down on sharing membership cards with a new policy in which all cards will be scanned at store entrances. Guests without cards must be accompanied by a member to enter, making it harder to slip in on borrowed cards. Members with cards without photos will be asked to show valid photo ID, and they are encouraged to have their photos taken to add to their cards at the membership counter. Costco relies on membership fees to drive most of its revenue and help keep merchandise prices low. Last year, Costco stepped up enforcement by adding an extra check for memberships in self-checkout aisles to stop shoppers from using other members’ cards.

Organizations: Costco Locations: U.S

The Federal Reserve is gearing up to cut interest rates as soon as next month, which could bring relief to people with mortgages, credit cards and car loans. Certificates of deposit — fixed-rate bank accounts with term limits — are a go-to when interest rates are high. With interest rates coming down, the idea is just pay and save as much as you can right now. There’s no bad time to do that, but when the central bank lowers interest rates, it can be even more valuable. “It’s tempting to say, ‘Well, when interest rates go down, stocks are going to do well, because people are switching from low-return to higher-return assets,’” she said.

Persons: Mark Hamrick, “, ”, Hamrick, Rodney Lake, Laura Veldkamp, Veldkamp, Jude Boudreaux, now’s, ” Jude Boudreaux, you’re, ” Boudreaux, ” DON’T, Jonathan Smoke, Cox, Edmunds, Ivan Drury Organizations: Federal, GW Investment, George Washington University School of Business, Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business, Chipping, Columbia Business, Philadelphia Fed, Federal Reserve, Mortgage, Association, Fed Locations: U.S, Orleans, New Orleans, Edmunds

☆ Eli Lilly blows past estimates, hikes guidance as Zepbound, Mounjaro sales soar
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-08 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Shares of Eli Lilly closed more than 9% higher on Thursday. That has forced Eli Lilly and its rival Novo Nordisk to invest heavily to boost manufacturing. "We just see unbelievable demand, and we're not even trying that hard to promote this drug," Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks told CNBC in an interview. Eli Lilly said sales were largely driven by higher demand for Mounjaro and Zepbound as production increases improved supply in the U.S. With a market cap of more than $730 billion, Eli Lilly is the largest pharmaceutical company based in the U.S.

Persons: Eli Lilly, Eli Lilly's, we're, David Ricks, Ricks, Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy Organizations: U.S, Novo Nordisk, Food, CNBC, LSEG Locations: U.S, United States, Novo

☆ Catalan separatist Carles Puigdemont returns to Spain after seven years, risking arrest
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-08 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 08: Former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont makes his first public appearance since he fled Spain in 2017, speaking at a public rally in Barcelona, Spain on August 08, 2024. Catalan police had the order to arrest him immediately, but Puigdemont managed to speak for several minutes outside of the Catalan parliament. (Photo by Adria Puig/Anadolu via Getty Images)Former Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont returned to Spain after seven years of self-imposed exile, defying a pending arrest warrant and igniting a police manhunt. A Catalan Interior Ministry spokesperson confirmed to Reuters that the separatist politician has yet to be captured. Illa's platform won the largest share of the vote in the Catalan elections of May, dethroning Puigdemont's hardline separatist Junts per Catalunya party.

Persons: Carles Puigdemont, Puigdemont, Adria Puig, Salvador Illa, dethroning, Ignacio Garriga —, Pedro Sanchez, Sanchez, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, Bill Organizations: Anadolu, Getty Images, CNBC, Interior Ministry, Reuters, Spanish, Government, Socialist Locations: BARCELONA, SPAIN, Spain, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spanish, Catalan, Catalonian, Catalunya

☆ I quit my job at 55 and moved to Italy for retirement. I lost my incredible pension, but I'm so much happier now.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-08 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

I quit my government job in January 2022, two months after returning from a European vacation with my son, Ryan. I lost count of the people who said I'd lose a big chunk of my pension if I didn't retire at 65. Ryan qualified for Italian citizenship if he wanted to apply for it. AdvertisementSperoni and her son, Ryan, when they lived in Sacramento. He said I'd love the place.

Persons: —, Lisa Speroni, Ryan, I'd, isn't, I'm, Speroni, he'd, Medusa, — I'd, Italy Ryan, I've Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Italy, California, Italian, Sacramento, Florence, Salerno, Turin, Amalfi Coast, Rome

☆ Jobs Report Shows the Labor Market Is in Danger, Recession Possible
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-07 | by ( Emily Stewart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

The jobs report said the US economy added 114,000 jobs in July, far fewer than the 176,000 jobs that economists expected. The weakness of the jobs report tipped the worry scale and sent markets into meltdown mode. Outside the July jobs report, there were plenty of signs the labor market was cooling off. If that seems confusing, here's the only thing you really need to know: The July jobs report triggered the Sahm rule. Nobody should be losing a ton of sleep over the state of the labor market or over the economy overall.

Persons: it's, Guy Berger, doesn't, Skanda Amarnath, there's, what's, Claudia Sahm, we're, Amarnath, Alí Bustamante, Bustamante, would've, it'll, Jay Powell, Berger, Emily Stewart Organizations: Federal Reserve, Glass, Labor, Survey, New Century Advisors, Worker Power, Economic Security, Roosevelt Institute, Fed, Business

☆ Costco is cracking down on membership moochers
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-07 | by ( Erika Tulfo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Costco knows you’re using your friend’s membership card. To save you the embarrassment of telling you off when you’re in the checkout line, now Costco will try to catch membership moochers before they even get in the door. The retailer is implementing stricter policies and cracking down on non-members using other people’s cards by requiring shoppers to scan their membership cards to enter stores. Last year, the company began requiring shoppers to present their membership card and a photo ID to use the registers. It reported last year that it earned $4.6 billion in revenue from membership fees, an 8% increase from 2022.

Persons: Costco, ” Costco, CNN’s Elisabeth Buchwald, Samantha Delouya, Nathaniel Meyersohn Organizations: CNN, Costco, Canada – Locations: Canada

☆ Disney may have a parks problem
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-07 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Disney Parks are the latest business to face slowing consumer demand in the face of higher prices. Disney’s parks business underperformed expectations and profit fell somewhat last quarter. It’s not just Disney that’s seeing a pullback — Bank of America Institute reported credit card transactions on travel ticked down in June. Disney’s domestic parks and international parks and cruises, though, are seeing different results: Disney’s international parks had increases in attendance and more rooms booked. The company noted that attendance at the parks was comparable to this time last year and spending per guest was up.

Persons: It’s, Hugh Johnston, ” Johnston, “, Marriott, “ We’ve Organizations: New, New York CNN, Disney Parks, Disney, of America Institute, Netflix, Hulu, ESPN, CNBC Wednesday Locations: New York

☆ A boomer lives on $1,800 monthly in Social Security and worries about her future: 'What am I going to do?'
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-07 | by ( Allie Kelly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Miller lives on about $1,800 a month in Social Security income, according to documents viewed by Business Insider. AdvertisementSince she began receiving Social Security several years ago, Miller has been doing her best to live on a fixed income. She said she can afford most of the healthcare she needs through Medicare, the federal health insurance that's typically attached to Social Security. Are you living on a fixed Social Security income? How have you made the decision to enroll in Social Security early or late?

Persons: Ann Miller, Lizzy Rocket —, Miller, She's, —, she's, that's, hasn't, There's, Lizzy, I've Organizations: Service, Business, Social Security, Survey, SNAP, Medicare Locations: Ellensburg , Washington, Seattle

☆ Jamie Dimon says he still sees a recession on the horizon
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-07 | by ( Hugh Son | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon said Wednesday he still believes that the odds of a "soft landing" for the U.S. economy are around 35% to 40%, making recession the most likely scenario in his mind. When CNBC's Leslie Picker asked Dimon if he had changed his view from February that markets were too optimistic on recession risks, he said the odds were "about the same" as his earlier call. Dimon, leader of the biggest U.S. bank by assets and one of the most respected voices on Wall Street, has warned of an economic "hurricane" since 2022. But the economy has held up better than he expected, and Dimon said Wednesday that while credit-card borrower defaults are rising, America is not in a recession right now. "I'm fully optimistic that if we have a mild recession, even a harder one, we would be okay.

Persons: Jamie Dimon, CNBC's Leslie Picker, Dimon, I've Organizations: JPMorgan, Federal Reserve Locations: U.S, America

☆ Consumers reported losing $210 million to scams across payment apps last year. A new bill wants to help future victims get their money back.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-07 | by ( John Towfighi | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Consumers and small businesses sent $806 billion across 2.9 billion Zelle transactions in 2023, both up 28% from 2022. Consumers reported losing $210 million to scams across all payment apps in 2023, according to data from the Federal Trade Commission. The new bill aims to amend the law to make banks more liable for all financial transactions, whether they're authorized or unauthorized. AdvertisementOver 99.95% of all Zelle transactions in 2023 were completed without instances of fraud, according to Zelle. In the meantime, the Protecting Consumers from Payment Scams Act will go to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs for review.

Persons: —, JPMorgan Chase, PayPal —, Maxine Waters, Sen, Richard Blumenthal, Elizabeth Warren, Waters, Zelle, Blumenthal, Wells Fargo, Wells, Cameron Fowler Organizations: Service, Bank of America, JPMorgan, Business, PayPal, Consumers, Federal Trade Commission, Rep, Homeland Security, Governmental Affairs, Investigations, Blumenthal, Services, Warning Services, SEC, Consumer Financial, Banking, Housing, Urban Affairs Locations: Zelle, Wells Fargo, jtowfighi@businessinsider.com

☆ Simone Biles makes her mental health a priority. You can, too
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-07 | by ( Charlotte Maya | Personal Essay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Editor’s note: If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, help is available. But what I really admire is her commitment to keeping her mental health in the limelight right alongside her gymnastics accomplishments. I learned to prioritize the trifecta of mental health: eating, sleeping, breathing. It also normalizes prioritizing our mental health, reducing the stigma, shame and isolation that surround mental illness. Your mental health is where health begins, and you deserve to take care of your mental health as much as Biles or any other Olympic athlete.

Persons: CNN — Simone Biles, Biles, Healing, I’m, Simone Biles, Hannah McKay, Michael Phelps, Charlotte Maya Organizations: CNN, Paris, Reuters, The New York Times Locations: Bath, The

☆ How to maintain friendships when you can't afford to go out: 'Know which relationships are valuable to you'
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-07 | by ( Aditi Shrikant | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Look at how much money you're putting into each person with whom you spend time. "When you're reviewing your social spending, really luxuriate in the things that felt good," she says. Let's say you're going to expensive dinners once a month with a friend who makes you anxious. Perhaps it's worth cutting down how much time, and as result how much money, you're spending to maintain that relationship. Bernadette Joy, a self-made millionaire who paid off $300,000 of debt, cut down on social spending by hosting game nights.

Persons: Nashira Lynton, Amanda Clayman, Amanda, Lynton, Clayman, Bernadette Joy, Joy Organizations: Self, Bureau of Labor Statistics

☆ Costco is leaning into its Netflix-style membership crackdown
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-07 | by ( Dominick Reuter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Costco says it's rolling out member ID scanners to local warehouses "over the coming months." The move extends Costco's Netflix-style crackdown on unauthorized membership sharing. Go to newsletter preferences Thanks for signing up! download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementIt's official: Costco ID scanners are here to stay, with more coming to warehouses across the US "over the coming months."

Persons: — Organizations: Costco, Netflix, Service, Business

The American Red Cross is facing an emergency blood shortage after the national supply fell by more than 25% since July 1. The organization said Monday that extreme temperatures and oppressive heat waves impacted almost 100 blood drives last month, in almost every state where the Red Cross collects blood. Blood donations typically slow down during the summer because of travel and other seasonal activities, but the Red Cross said extreme heat exacerbated the challenge, contributing to a shortfall of more than 19,000 blood donations in July. Type O blood is routinely in short supply because type O positive is the most common blood type, and type O negative is the universal blood type needed for emergency transfusions. Those who donate by Aug. 31 will receive a $20 Amazon gift card, the Red Cross said.

Persons: Melissa Destross, “ I’ve, Dr, Barry Siegfried Organizations: Cross, Red Cross Michigan, Connecticut Blood Center, NBC Locations: Detroit, Connecticut, NBC Connecticut

☆ They moved from the US to Italy to save their marriage. Here’s how that worked out
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-06 | by ( Silvia Marchetti | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Christina Sobolev, pictured, and her husband Pete bought and renovated a home in Santa Domenica Talao, Italy back in 2009. Chris Sobolev“A little over 15 years ago, Pete and I made the decision to purchase a property in Italy,” Christina Sobolev tells CNN. They then moved to Santa Domenica Talao, a village they’d first visited in 2009, and spent three to four years renovating the two-bedroom home. “Santa Domenica was initially a town with many abandoned houses falling into disrepair. “Once we had Santa Domenica Talao up and rolling, real estate agents in the area contacted us and wanted to work with us.

Persons: Christina, Pete Sobolev, who’ve, Pete, they're, Sobolev, Christina Sobolev, “, Santa Domenica, ”, Chris Sobolev, they’ve, Domenica, Casa, They’ve, ‘, what’s Organizations: CNN, Vita, Super, European Union Locations: San Jose , California, Santa Domenica, Scalea, Calabria, Italian, Italy, California, Santa, ”, Puglia, Tuscany, Latvian, Latvia, Aieta

☆ USWNT 1 Germany 0: Sophia Smith’s goal earns U.S. spot in first Olympic gold medal match since 2012
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-06 | by ( Jeff Rueter | Steph Yang | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +10 min

The Olympic sendoff friendlies seemed to clue at an early theory: park the bus, play defense-first soccer and frustrate the United States until you find a chance to try an attack. Although having Coffey back from suspension helped toward that end, the United States was still thin in central areas. Berger and Naeher were both instrumental in keeping the score 0-0 throughout regulation, Berger moreso given the United States’ stronger attacking presence. Tournament Naeher is a different beast from any other level of her play. The United States heads to its first Olympic women’s gold medal match since the 2012 London Games.

Persons: Sophia Smith, Smith, Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson, ” Smith, “, Mal, Emma Hayes, Tierna Davidson, Sam Coffey, Davidson, Emily Sonnett, Rose Lavelle, Lynn Williams, Alyssa Naeher’s, ” Jeff Rueter, Steph Yang, Ann, Katrin Berger’s stolid, Berger, Swanson, Rodman, Williams, you’d, Naomi Girma, Becky Sauerbrunn, Naomi Girma’s, Girma, shouldn’t, —, Jeff Rueter, Hayes, we’ve, Hayes ’ USWNT, Costa Rica wasn’t, Lindsey Horan, Coffey, hasn’t, they’ll, Naeher, Laura Freigang’s, it’s, she’s, Alyssa Naeher, Gv5tkEhLP0 — CJ, John Todd, Getty Organizations: U.S, women’s, Olympic, NBC, ”, Japan, Germany, United Locations: Germany, U.S, Swanson, Lyon, United States, Hayes ’, Mexico, Costa Rica, Spain, Brazil, States

I'm a financial planner with several easy steps you can take now that will set you up for financial success. These funds should be placed in an easily accessible FDIC-insured high-yield savings account. Park your cash in a high-yield savings accountA common financial mistake people in their 20s make is letting their savings sit in a low-yield checking or savings account. Keep in mind that online banks offer most high-yield savings accounts, so you won't have access to a physical branch. Many online high-yield savings accounts, like Discover, allow you to manage multiple savings accounts under one login, making this strategy even more convenient.

Persons: —, Benjamin Graham, Schwab, doesn't Organizations: Service, Fidelity, Vanguard

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