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Mortgage rates dipped slightly late last week but remain relatively high. 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 because inflation has been somewhat sticky in recent months, mortgage rates have remained elevated so far this year. Lower mortgage rates will bring more buyers onto the market, putting upward pressure on prices.

Persons: Fannie Mae Organizations: Zillow, Federal Reserve, Mortgage, Association, ARM Locations: Chevron

☆ Sign Up for Your Money’s Financial Boot Camp for 20-Somethings
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Mike Dang | More About Mike Dang | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

It’s graduation season, which is a good time for people in their early 20s to start thinking about how to get a better handle on their finances. How do you balance paying off student debt with saving for the future? What’s the best way to create a proper budget? Very few people have their finances perfectly in order while figuring out their lives and careers in their 20s. We’ve put together a five-day financial boot camp for people in their 20s to get them thinking about jobs, budgeting, saving and tackling debt.

Persons: We’ve, Ron Lieber, Tara Siegel Bernard, Mike Dang

☆ I only shop for one, but my Costco membership is worth it for 7 reasons — like saving hundreds on gas a year
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Lori Saitz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I've been a Costco member for 25+ years and, for the past five, have been shopping for just myself. Costco has great food deals and I save by buying my electronics and tires there. I'm regularly saving 25 to 30 cents a gallon on gas by going to Costco. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . After all, the wholesale club has 129.5 million membership cardholders , which range from small households to midsize businesses.

Persons: I've, I'm, —, We'd Organizations: Costco, Service Locations: California

☆ I'm a boomer and will never be able to retire. At 62, I'm already using my Social Security money.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Michelle Terhune | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

At 62, it feels like I'm going to be working forever as a freelancer. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . I wasn't so focused on rebuilding my life that I forgot about how close I was to the traditional retirement age. By making that choice, I faced the fact that I'd never be able to retire unless I remarried well or won the lottery. And at the age of 62 and one month, I made another move financial advisors tell you not to do: I started drawing my Social Security.

Persons: I've, —, I'd, I'm, Ernest Hemingway Organizations: Service, Security Locations: Europe, Slovenian

☆ Kevin Spacey Responds to Claims of Sexual Assault by 9 New Victims
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-05 | by ( Eve Crosbie | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewKevin Spacey has addressed new allegations of sexual assault brought to light in a documentary set to air in the UK. In a 98-minute interview with British journalist Dan Wootton, posted to X on Friday, Spacey commented on the claims made in the documentary. For others, including claims by actors Ruari Cannon and Danny De Lillo, who have waived their anonymity to give interviews about their experiences with Spacey to publications this weekend, Spacey denied any wrongdoing. A representative for Spacey did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular working hours. AdvertisementThe following year, a London court found Spacey not guilty on nine charges, including sexual assault, which were alleged to have been committed between 2001 and 2013 against four men.

Persons: —, Kevin Spacey, Spacey, Ryan, Dan Wootton, who's, “ I’ve, ”, Oscar, — Dan Wootton, it's, Ruari Cannon, Danny De Lillo, Melinda Sue Gordon, Lillo, Cannon, Anthony Rapp Organizations: Service, Hollywood, Business, Channel, ID, British, London's Old, Business Insider Locations: British, @danwootton, New York, London

☆ Inflation is scrambling Americans' perceptions of middle class life
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-05 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

For many in the middle class, inflation is at the heart of this feeling. That's making people feel locked out of many of the milestones long associated with middle-class life. 74% of middle class Americans have cut back on non-essential spending, according to Primerica's survey. 46% of middle-class Americans said they've dialed back or completely paused saving for the future and 38% said they didn't think they could afford an unexpected expense over $1000. Buying a home may be the greatest example of a tenet of middle-class life feeling out of reach for many, and that struggle is very real rather than merely negatively perceived.

Persons: —, Vincent, he'd, he's, Eoin Sheehan, Chris Collins, Collins, Jessica, they're, Kayla, Primerica, they've, Sheehan Organizations: Service, Business, Pew Research Center, Redfield & Wilton, Federal, Northwestern Mutual's Collins, Northwestern Mutual, Newsweek, National Association of Realtors Locations: Santa Barbara, California, Alabama, Primerica

☆ When my husband was laid off, we tried to reassure our kids everything would be OK. Meanwhile, I wasn't so sure.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-05 | by ( Liz Alterman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Unintentionally, they sat on the living room couch in order of age from left to right: Sam, Ben, Charlie. Sam and Charlie both had chocolatey brown hair like Rich and chestnut eyes while Ben was all vanilla with blond hair and light blue eyes. Our kids had a hard time understanding what had happened"So, wait, wait, Dad was fired?" "I just mean the group I was part of decided that they don't need as many people anymore," Rich said. Sam and Ben dashed to the kitchen with Charlie on their heels, ever the little brother.

Persons: —, Ben, Charlie, Rich, I've, Dad, Charlie giggled, Sam, he'd, I'd, who'd, they'd, He'd, dibs, Liz Alterman Organizations: Service, Business, Sad, Vine Leaves Press

☆ What exactly goes into closing costs?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

But there is an often-overlooked expense when buying a home: closing costs. At the same time, the Biden administration plans to take aim at so-called “junk fees” hidden in closing costs. New York, Delaware and Washington, DC, have the highest average closing costs, according to Bankrate; while Missouri, Indiana and North Dakota have the lowest. Lowering closing costs on your ownThere is one relatively simple way to lower your overall closing costs: shop around. “When you compare those offers, examine not just the rate itself but also the closing costs.

Persons: homebuyers, —, Biden, ” Jeff Ostrowski, , ” Ostrowski, you’re, homebuyers haven’t, Brian Connolly, it’s, “ It’s, ” Connolly, Connolly, ”, Freddie Mac, ” Genaro Villa Organizations: CNN, Consumer Financial, National Association of Realtors, realtors, University of Michigan, NAR, homebuyers Locations: New York , Delaware, Washington, Missouri, Indiana, North Dakota, Bankrate, AnnualCreditReport.com

☆ US food insecurity: The rising cost of living makes it hard for people with jobs to feed their families
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Tami Luhby | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —The mix of local residents visiting the Enfield Food Shelf in Connecticut has changed a lot in the last few years. It now seems that one unexpected expense tips people’s finances.”Between 300 and 400 households visit the Enfield Food Shelf in Connecticut each week. Khamphay Khen shops at the Enfield Food Shelf to help feed his family of six. The Enfield Food Shelf serves between 300 and 400 households a week. “Even though there are a lot of jobs available, and the unemployment rate is low, we’re seeing food insecurity increasing,” said East.

Persons: Kathleen Souvigney, Souvigney, ”, “, Jason Jakubowski, Khamphay, he’s, Khen, Honda, it’s, Enfield, Chloe East Organizations: CNN, Enfield Food, Survey, Connecticut Foodshare, Enfield Food Shelf, Urban Institute, The Hamilton, Brookings Institution Locations: Connecticut, Enfield, America

☆ A 64-year-old 'peak boomer' worries his savings and Social Security won't be enough to retire: 'My biggest fear is finding myself at 75 standing at the door at Walmart.'
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Allie Kelly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Kirsch is hoping to start collecting Social Security checks in a couple of years, just before his 67th birthday. Related storiesFor many, Social Security won't be enough to fill the gaps. As of March 2024, the Social Security Administration said that its average monthly check sent to recipients is $1,774.83. And, if lawmakers don't intervene, the US Social Security fund is set to dry out by the late 2030s. "Start saving and do it as aggressively as you can," he said.

Persons: —, David Kirsch, Kirsch, Hill , New Hampshire —, he's, Kirsch isn't, didn't Organizations: Service, He's, Business, Walmart, Survey, Income, Social, Social Security Administration, US Social Security Locations: Caribbean, South America, Hill , New Hampshire

☆ Don't feel too sorry for Gen Z — they're outpacing boomers on income and millennials on home ownership
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Theron Mohamed | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. But things might not be as bad for Gen Z as they seem. Members of Gen Z are projected to spend more on housing costs like rent, mortgages, insurance, and utilities after inflation between the ages of 22 and 30 than millennials did, a recent RentCafe analysis found. Related storiesYet Gen Z's typically higher earnings mean they'll only spend an estimated 30% of their income on housing compared to 36% for millennials. AdvertisementSuccess may be short-livedIt's worth digging into why Gen Z is doing well financially.

Persons: —, Gen Z, Z, boomers, Gen, millennials, They've, lockdowns, Zeds Organizations: Service, Business, Reserve, millennials

☆ More than half of new grads are worried about basic living costs—how they're changing their job searches to cope
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Jennifer Liu | In Jljenniferliu | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The data, gathered from the college and new grad career site Handshake, shows a similar share of seniors say the current economic news makes them feel pessimistic. 1 priority in looking for a job is to find one that will offer stability, and they're changing some of their career preferences to find it. Elsewhere, students from the class of 2024 were more likely to apply to jobs in construction, agriculture and education, according to Handshake data. Working more than a 9-to-5Rising seniors are preparing to work more than a 9-to-5 in order to make ends meet. Many are also hopeful that side-hustle income can supercharge their savings so they don't have to work a corporate job forever.

Persons: Christine Cruzvergara, Cruzvergara, they've, Young

☆ Honeybees Invaded My House, and No One Would Help
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Sarah Kliff | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Responding to fears of a “honeybee collapse,” 30 states have passed laws to protect the pollinators. But when they invaded my house, I learned that the honeybees didn’t need saving. I noticed the first bee one afternoon as my dog gleefully chased it around the house. When the pest settled on a window by the stairwell, I swatted it with a cookbook and cleaned up the mess. When I heard a loud droning coming from inside a wall next to my son’s bed, the ominous situation finally hit me: The house was infested.

☆ Here's who qualifies for Turkey's new digital nomad visa and how to apply
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Turkey is the latest country to open its arms to remote workers keen to relocate. Here's what it takes to get the Digital Nomad Identification Certificate for Turkey. Related storiesThe Digital Nomad Identification Certificate, which is the first step to a digital nomad visa, is open to remote workers ages 21 to 55. If approved, it's as simple as applicants receiving a certificate with a barcode that they can use to apply for the digital nomad visa at the Turkish consulate. Earlier this month Italy announced that it would welcome remote workers and their families on renewable digital nomad visas.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, and Tourism Ministry Locations: Turkey, Canada, Italy, Turkish, Russia

☆ Inside NBC's ingenious scheme to snatch NBA rights from Warner Bros. Discovery's TNT
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( James Faris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Discovery's TNT is dangerously close to being left out of the NBA's next TV deal after rival NBC made a massive offer, according to a recent report from The Wall Street Journal. A source familiar with the negotiations told Business Insider that a deal hasn't been finalized and offers are always changing. Still, it's not clear that paying an average of $2.5 billion a year for NBA rights will be profitable. AdvertisementJoe Bonner, a media analyst at Argus Research, has been under the assumption that WBD can and will retain NBA rights even though its cable-TV revenue is steadily shrinking.

Persons: —, hasn't, NBA hasn't, Craig Moffett, Peacock, Moffett, it's, Joe Bonner, Bonner Organizations: Service, Warner Bros, TNT, NBC, Wall Street Journal, Business, NBA, ESPN, Amazon, Puck, Comcast, Argus Research

☆ Exclusive: GroundGame Health and SameSky Health are merging with $17 million from 7wireVentures and Elevance to get underserved patients access to care
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Rebecca Torrence | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The newly combined company also landed a $17 million Series A led by 7wireVentures. The venture firm is an existing investor in SameSky Health. Health insurance giant Elevance Health, formerly known as Anthem, an existing investor in GroundGame Health, also participated in the round. By addressing these barriers together, GroundGame CEO Susan Rawlings Molina said, GroundGame and SameSky can help more patients access healthcare while saving money for payers. While SameSky's technology can help underserved patients seek out care, GroundGame can close the loop by removing barriers to their access to that care, she said.

Persons: —, 7wireVentures, Susan Rawlings Molina, Molina, we're, SameSky, GroundGame, they're, Lee Shapiro, Alyssa Jaffee, Robert Garber, Glen Tullman, haven't, Abner Mason, Garber Organizations: Service, SameSky, Business, Health, 7wireVentures Industry Locations: Health, healthtech, SameSky

☆ ‘Should have been done yesterday’: Rural, older Americans could get hurt as affordable internet program runs out of cash
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Brian Fung | Jason Carroll | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

But in just a few weeks, her internet bills, and those of other Americans like her, could skyrocket by hundreds of dollars a year. The program is heavily used by Americans over age 50, military veterans and low-income working families nationwide, according to FCC data. Amira Karaoud/Reuters/FileRural and older usersThe ACP has quickly gained adoption since Congress created the program in the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law. Large swaths of the ACP’s user base trend older; Americans over 65 account for almost 20% of the program. The FCC’s Lifeline program, which dates to the Reagan administration, similarly gives low-income households a monthly discount on phone or internet service.

Persons: Cindy Westman, —, I’ll, ”, Westman, ’, Westman —, Gigi Sohn, “, Biden, Allison Bailey /, Cynthia George, George, ” George, Marc Veasey, They’re, Geoffrey Starks, “ It’s, ” Starks, Amira Karaoud, Walter Durham, I’m, ” Durham, Michelle McDonough, McDonough, she’ll, doesn’t, “ I’m, ” McDonough, Kamesha Scott, Louis, Megan Janicki, ” Janicki, Reagan, Mike Johnson, Blair Levin, Johnson didn’t, Levin, Jonathan Blaine, ” Blaine, they’re Organizations: CNN, Program, Social, Federal Communications Commission, FCC, Capitol, Getty, MSN, White, ” Texas Democratic, “, Comcast, ACP, Navy, American Library Association, Lifeline, Republicans, Republican, New, Research, ” Bills Locations: Eureka , Illinois, America, Dallas, Las Vegas, Kentucky, San Diego, United States, Maine, St, Vermont

☆ A tax compliance startup raised millions. Then it abruptly shut down, and the founder cut off contact.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Ben Bergman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

Even the human-resources firm retained to help employees with offboarding, Tandem, quit soon after the layoffs because it never got paid. Shannon Flynn Bevers, Tandem's president and founder, said that she tried to help employees but that Johnson stopped responding. "When startups go out of business, they will pay employees their final paycheck. Johnson told employees to take a weeklong furlough and blamed the issue on a technical snafu. She also told employees they could file a claim with their state labor department or hire an employment lawyer.

Persons: Slack, Shiloh Johnson, Johnson, they'd, Benjamin Matthews, Shannon Flynn Bevers, I've, Flynn Bevers, VCs, Josh Felser, Aerin Paulo, ComplYant's, I'd, ComplYant, podcaster David Sacks, Michael Tam, Tam, Matthews, Ryan Cady, Lusely Martinez, Martinez, Cady, paychecks, wasn't, Taliah McGuire, McGuire, what's, Shiloh Luckey, Penelope, We've Organizations: Business, offboarding, . Venture, BI, Craft Ventures, ComplYant, Mucker, Slauson, — Mucker, Fika Ventures, Employees Locations: Los Angeles, Shiloh, San Francisco, Colorado, New York, TikTok

Shark NeverChange Air Purifier Max The Shark NeverChange Air Purifier Max is a powerful air-cleaning machine for large spaces, and the best part is that you only need to change its filter every five years. Camryn Rabideau/Business InsiderThe Shark NeverChange Air Purifier Max took less than 5 minutes to unbox and get running. Our review of the Shark NeverChange™ Air Purifier MAXAdvertisementEase of UseThe air purifier’s display screen shows the real-time air quality in your home. AdvertisementThe bottom lineFor large spaces, the Shark NeverChange Air Purifier Max is worth the investment. Camryn Rabideau/Business InsiderThe Shark NeverChange Air Purifier Max is a worthwhile option that requires minimal maintenance and covers large rooms.

Persons: Max, Camryn, Philip M, Tierno Jr, Tierno, it's, There's Organizations: Business, Shop, Energy, Stratos, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Medical, Honeywell

☆ FCC fines wireless carriers millions for sharing user locations without consent
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Washington CNN —The US government has issued millions of dollars in fines to AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon after an investigation found the nation’s top wireless carriers had illegally shared customers’ personal data without their consent. The fines target a practice in which carriers shared user location information with data resellers, known in the industry as “location aggregators.” These aggregators passed the data onward to their own third-party customers. “Each carrier attempted to offload its obligations to obtain customer consent onto downstream recipients of location information, which in many instances meant that no valid customer consent was obtained,” the FCC said in a release. In response to the FCC fines, all of the wireless carriers said they expect to appeal the decision. We take our responsibility to keep customer data secure very seriously and have always supported the FCC’s commitment to protecting consumers, but this decision is wrong, and the fine is excessive.

Persons: Trump, perversely, ”, “, Oregon Democratic Sen, Ron Wyden, Wyden, ” Wyden Organizations: Washington CNN, Mobile, Verizon, Federal Communications Commission, FCC, Sprint, ” Verizon, Oregon Democratic Locations: Securus

☆ I grew up homeless and was a millionaire by 35. I'm teaching my kids to budget so they always have stability.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Kelly Burch | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

I had a home, and I also knew I wanted money. That's when I really started thinking about the life I wanted my children to live. Our kids save for their wantsBoth my kids earn money through doing chores. I want my kids to be motivated, not entitledThere are many things I'm able to give my kids that my parents couldn't give me. I'm thrilled to be able to offer my kids the kind of life I only saw on television.

Persons: —, Stephanie Mearse, Joseph, Vincent, I'd, Tiffany, they'll, They'll Organizations: Service, Business

☆ Billionaire investor David Einhorn shares an overlooked theory for why gold prices have spiked so much
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Yuheng Zhan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The recent gold rally is counterintuitive, as high interest rates typically make bullion less attractive. But billionaire investor David Einhorn has a theory that he shared in his latest investor letter. Einhorn suggests that gold's rally is potentially due to countries in the East buying gold from Western nations. To explain the strong run for gold, billionaire investor David Einhorn offered a potential theory in his latest letter to investors published this week. Others, like billionaire investor Ray Dalio, say gold can hedge risks stemming from high government debt levels.

Persons: David Einhorn, Einhorn, —, there's, David Rosenberg, Ed Yardeni, Ray Dalio Organizations: Service, Federal, Greenlight, World Gold, People's Bank of Locations: China, People's Bank of China, India, Singapore

☆ Ship with 400 tons of food aid destined for Gaza has left Cyprus
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Zeena Saifi | Lauren Said-Moorhouse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The United Arab Emirates has now partnered with an aid agency to send crucial assistance to Gaza via the Israeli port of Ashdod. A UAE official told CNN Saturday that the vessel laden with critical food aid left on Saturday through a relationship with American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA). Itayam told CNN the 400 tons of aid would undergo Israeli security clearance upon arrival. The plan is for most of the food aid to be delivered to northern Gaza, but Itayam said that depending on the security situation, ANERA might consider sending a shipment to the south as well. The United States has already begun construction of the pier, intended to help deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, the Pentagon said on Thursday.

Persons: Jerusalem CNN —, Jennifer, ”, Itayam, Kerem Shalom, ANERA, Grant Shapps, “, ” Matthew Hollingworth Organizations: Jerusalem CNN, United Arab, UAE, CNN, American, East Refugee, West Bank, Mohenad, ANERA, of, Britain’s Royal Navy, United, Pentagon, Royal Navy, ”, British, Food, Integrated Locations: Jerusalem, Gaza, Cyprus, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Ashdod ., Larnaca Port, Israel’s Ashdod, Kerem, Territories, UAE, Cardigan, United States, ”

☆ I downsized to an ADU I built in my Sacramento yard. I pay only $520 toward my mortgage and am saving up for my next home.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

One of them sent me an advertisement for CalHFA's ADU grant program that gives eligible Californians $40,000 to cover blueprints, permits, and closing costs to build an ADU on their property. In 2022, I began the process of getting approved for the CalHFA's ADU grant, which was pretty easy. As a result, my mortgage, including my main house and ADU, increased by $1,500 a month — from $1,200 to $2,700. There are two renters living in the main property and my son and I moved into the ADU. Living in the ADU with my son, I only pay $520 of the $2,700 mortgage.

Persons: —, Blanca Barragan, They've, Barragan, I've, I'm Organizations: Service, Business, Habitat, Humanity, Tiny Locations: Sacramento, Blanca, California

☆ What this NFL Draft pick plans to do with his new money—from mutual funds and a Roth IRA to Air Jordan 1 sneakers
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Tom Huddleston Jr. | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Fiske, 24, was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft on Friday evening. "I had never been around that much money," Fiske told MarketWatch last month. Together, they've discussed "how my financial life is going to change" upon signing an NFL contract, Fiske noted. "I'm putting money into mutual funds, index funds, high-yield savings accounts and maybe exploring new investment opportunities, too," he said, adding: "I also have a Roth IRA ... But that doesn't mean he won't splurge on a fun purchase: He's an avowed fan of Nike's Air Jordan 1 sneakers, for example.

Persons: Braden Fiske, —, Fiske, you've, they've, Roth, he's Organizations: Los Angeles Rams, Florida State University, FSU, NFL, Roth IRA, Air, Honda Accord, CNBC

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