DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ The 10 U.S. cities where renters' incomes go the furthest—No. 1 is in California
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | In Kamaronmcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

"It's very affordable," Lucas says. In Surprise, the average monthly rent is $1,781, only slightly higher than the national average. But similar to Sunnyvale, the median annual income among renters is also higher at $86,236, helping make it a relatively affordable place to live. RentCafe's study compared median incomes among renters in 189 U.S. cities with local average rent prices to see where renters can get the most out of their money. Here are the top 10 U.S. cities where renters' incomes go the furthest, according to RentCafe.

Persons: Shalonda Lucas, Lucas, she's Organizations: CNBC, Census Locations: Surprise , Arizona, U.S, California, North Phoenix , Arizona, Sunnyvale , California, RentCafe's, Sunnyvale

☆ Students can soon major in AI at this Ivy League university—it'll prepare them for 'jobs that don't yet exist'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | In Kamaronmcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

"This dedicated AI program will accelerate students to become AI leaders as quickly as possible in order to address societal challenges as soon as possible." At Penn, all students in the AI program will be required to satisfy an ethics requirement. The new AI courses will be available to all Penn students, regardless of their major. "A cohort of AI engineering students makes for the perfect educational laboratory for testing how best to integrate AI in learning." Penn's new degree will be "training students for jobs that don't yet exist," Ghrist said in the press release.

Persons: Penn grads, Neera, George Pappas, Pappas, Robert Ghrist, Andrea Mitchell, Ghrist Organizations: University of Pennsylvania, Ivy League, Penn, Intelligence, Carnegie Mellon's School of Computer Science, Purdue's College of Science, Stanford University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, UPS, Penn Engineering, CNBC, Robotics, Machine, Andrea Locations: Penn, U.S

☆ He wants to retire early, but his wife isn't so sure—how two lawyers worth $2.3 million tackled their biggest money fight
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | In Kamaronmcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Rachel and Brian are married lawyers with a joint net worth of $2.3 million. But recently, Brian, 56, revealed he wants to retire in the next year or two. Brian wants Rachel to feel secure, but he's confident that he's well-positioned to retire soon. "What separate accounts usually reveal is that the couple never had a series of specific conversations about money," Sethi said on the podcast. While Sethi emphasized it's OK if a couple wants to keep their money separate, he wanted to get to the bottom of Rachel and Brian's differing attitudes toward money.

Persons: Rachel, Brian, Ramit Sethi, Rich, Sethi, Brian's Organizations: Netflix

☆ This millennial is paying down her student loans while her employer funds her 401(k): It 'doesn't feel real'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | In Kamaronmcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

When Amber Steeves started working at Verizon almost 15 years ago, she did one of the best things you can do when you start a new job. Steeves started at Verizon right after college. This past December, Verizon announced it would begin offering 401(k) matching for student loan payments. "[It] still kind of doesn't feel real, even though I've signed up for it, I have it ready," she says. "I really can't put it into words because I've never heard of a company offering this type of benefit before."

Persons: Amber Steeves, Steeves, I've Organizations: Verizon, CNBC

☆ The new FAFSA rollout has faced several obstacles and delays—what students and families can do
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | In Kamaronmcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Since its rollout at the end of December, the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid has run into a number of speed bumps. All of which has culminated in delayed financial aid packages for current and incoming college students. To help alleviate some of the issues, ED announced this week it will deploy a "FAFSA College Support Strategy." The department will send resources, including funding and personnel, to college campuses to support financial aid administrators processing incoming FAFSA forms. "Students and families should keep in mind that, although the current circumstances are certainly stressful, everyone applying for financial aid is in the same situation."

Persons: they're, they'll, Jill Desjean Organizations: Federal, Aid, Department of Education, The Department, National Association of Student Financial, CNBC

☆ Companies can now help workers pay off student debt while saving for retirement—these 3 already offer the benefit
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | In Kamaronmcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Over 43 million Americans currently have federal student loan debt. Offering a 401(k) match is a popular benefit: 98% of employers that offer 401(k) plans match some level of employee contributions, according to a 2013 survey of over 400 plan sponsors. At least three large employers — Abbott, Verizon and Chipotle — currently offer 401(k) matching for employees making student loan payments. The company recently created a blueprint detailing the advantages of offering a student loan repayment benefit and guidance for other organizations to design their own programs. Verizon: Secure Your FutureVerizon recently introduced a student loan payment match to help support its employees.

Persons: they're, — Abbott, Chipotle —, Abbott, We've, Mary Moreland, We're, Kevin Cammarata, Cammarata Organizations: Allianz Life, Verizon, Chipotle, Internal Revenue Service, Abbott, Employees, CNBC

☆ Self-made millionaire: If you love it, buy the Stanley cup—it's 'not the reason you're financially struggling'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | In Kamaronmcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Fans of the tumbler have flocked to Target and other retailers to scoop up limited-edition colors and brand collaborations. Meanwhile, others wondered what the hype was all about and whether the $45 vessels were a worthy investment—especially if you're starting a collection. But self-made millionaire Tori Dunlap isn't so quickly joining the chorus of Stanley detractors. "If you love that Stanley cup and you can afford it, great. "If you want the Stanley cup, it might mean that you can't have this other thing, but that means that you should really want the Stanley cup."

Persons: millennials —, Stanley Quencher, Tori Dunlap, Stanley, Dunlap

☆ House passes child tax credit bill that could give families a nearly $700 tax break as early as this year
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | In Kamaronmcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bipartisan tax bill that would expand the child tax credit through 2025 and could have implications for taxpayers as early as this year. The $78 billion package wouldn't go so far as reviving the expanded child tax credit families were able to claim as part of the Covid-19 pandemic response. But it would raise the maximum refundable tax break to $1,800 per child for tax year 2023, up from $1,600. If the bill passes the Senate soon, families filing their 2023 taxes in the coming weeks could claim the expanded credit. That means eligible families could see an average $680 break this tax season, according to an Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center projection.

Organizations: Urban, Brookings Tax

☆ I shopped the same grocery list online and in-store—one option saved me nearly $70
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | In Kamaronmcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

I then came home and added all the same items to my virtual cart on Wegmans' Instacart storefront to see how much I'd saved by doing the shopping myself. Why delivery costs moreMy delivery order would have been more expensive for a couple of reasons. Other retailers available to me offer the same prices online as in-store, but my allegiance to Wegmans keeps me coming back. "Our online prices remain about 15% above in-store prices. Second, Instacart charges a service fee and a delivery fee, and I always tip at least 20%.

Persons: it's, Wegmans Organizations: Trader Joes, CNBC Locations: Instacart, It's, Manhattan, New York City, Brooklyn, Wegmans

☆ Couple has chance to earn over $700,000 a year—'I Will Teach You to be Rich' author says 'maximizing' isn't always the answer
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | In Kamaronmcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Many Americans would accept a job offer that pays over $500,000 a year without batting an eye. The couple spends about "three to four hours a day" talking about money, they told Sethi. "The two of you excel in structured ways of thinking," Sethi told them. She told Sethi that despite the couple having over $300,000 in the bank between savings and investments, she's still nervous it's not enough. Seeing the projections for each salary offer in their spreadsheet helped put Mel and Babu at ease about having their immediate financial needs met.

Persons: Mel, Babu, Ramit Sethi, Rich, Sethi, that's, they'd

☆ Self-made millionaire never 'scrimped on' 3 things: 'Everything else I don't care about as much'
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | In Kamaronmcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Throughout her come-up, though, Dunlap says some of the things she chose to spend money on were fairly consistent — even if she could have saved more by cutting back. "It means that my spending is reflecting my values and my hard-earned money is going to the things that I actually love." Fellow self-made millionaire and bestselling author Ramit Sethi calls it the "money dial" approach. It allows him to "spend extravagantly on the things I love, but cut way back mercilessly on the things I don't," he told CNBC Make It last year. "If I tell you, 'never spend money, never step foot in a restaurant,' that doesn't work, that's not sustainable, and frankly, it's not fun," she says.

Persons: Tori Dunlap, hasn't, Dunlap, TJ Maxx, She's, Ramit Sethi Organizations: New York Times, CNBC

☆ A new iPhone feature can help keep your money safe—here's how to turn it on
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | In Kamaronmcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Having your phone stolen can be frustrating enough without the thief also hacking into your apps and draining your bank accounts. While you may still lose your phone or have it stolen, a new iPhone feature aims to protect you from further troubles. The feature — available with the iOS 17.3 software update — was announced late last year after a Wall Street Journal investigation revealed how thieves were taking advantage of iPhone users fairly simply. Previously, scammers could obtain an iPhone user's passcode or already-unlocked phone and turn off existing theft protections like Activation Lock and Lost Mode. Here's how Stolen Device Protection aims to prevent that, and how you can activate it on your phone.

Persons: scammers Organizations: Street

☆ Most Americans want to be financially independent—here's how much money it will take
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | In Kamaronmcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Financial independence is a common goal for people at many different life stages. In fact, 67% of Americans say achieving that milestone is important to them, according to a recent survey from Empower financial services. But financial independence can have various meanings. Regardless of how they define it, Americans say financial independence is also the most important marker of overall life success, or feeling like you've financially "made it," Empower found. Americans say they'd need to earn about $94,000 a year on average to feel financially independent.

☆ 3 mistakes to avoid in a divorce, from a money expert who ended a marriage in her 20s
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | In Kamaronmcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

At the time, Krawcheck says she was "pretty much on her own" to learn how to manage her money as a newly single woman. Her divorce attorney didn't have financial expertise to help her, but the financial advisors she talked to didn't have the divorce expertise she needed. Though it happened several decades ago, some of the challenges she faced going through her divorce as a woman continue to exist today. Here are three mistakes Krawcheck recommends avoiding if you could be facing a divorce in the future. Otherwise, you may arrive at separation proceedings unaware that there are assets you're entitled to or assets of your own that your soon-to-be ex is eyeing.

Persons: Sallie Krawcheck, Krawcheck, didn't, hasn't Organizations: CNBC, Harris, UBS Locations: U.S

☆ Why this newlywed couple plans to get a postnup: We don't want 'some random judge' making money decisions for us
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | In Kamaronmcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Similar to prenuptial agreements, a postnup outlines which partner maintains ownership over which assets in the event of a divorce. The main difference is that with a postnup, you're already married when you get it, which has a couple of important implications. Any assets acquired since the wedding, and even some acquired as an individual, such as retirement accounts, become "marital property" once you're married. The couple had a "misconception" that prenup and postnup agreements are for couples with vastly different net worths, Bhaloo says. We don't want to leave that up to the government — we don't want some random judge making that decision for us."

Persons: Jenna Bhaloo, Neil Desai, they're, Desai, Bhaloo, it's Organizations: Boston University Locations: Cambridge , Massachusetts, Durham , North Carolina, Chicago

☆ Personal finance guru Ramit Sethi: This common money belief could cost you 'millions of dollars'
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | In Kamaronmcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Investing in the stock market and gambling at a casino can both theoretically make you rich — and both come with risk. But that belief could wind up costing you "literally hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars," Sethi said. The stock market has its dips, but it has always bounced back. And generally speaking, someone with money invested in the stock market will be better off in the long run than someone who just held onto their cash. So even in a "bad" year, you're probably better off having some of your money invested rather than all in savings.

Persons: Halima, Ramit Sethi, Rich, David, Sethi, they're, you've, it's Organizations: Mutual Locations: Bankrate

☆ From student loan forgiveness to tech layoffs, 7 of the biggest money stories from 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-30 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | In Kamaronmcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Mortgage rates hit 8%When average rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages hit 8% in October, those already exhausted with the state of the housing market may have seen their stress hit new levels, too. While they're not rising as quickly as in 2022, prices on everyday items from groceries to gas remained high through 2023.Credit card debt hit $1.08 trillionContrary to a boost in household wealth, consumer credit card debt hit a new high. In November, Americans' cumulative credit card debt crossed the trillion-dollar mark as spending remained strong despite still-elevated prices. The average net worth among U.S. households rose to $1.06 million in 2022, up from $868,000 in 2019, the survey found. Keep in mind that average net worth can be skewed by ultra-wealthy households, which are few in numbers but rich in assets.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Joe Biden's, It's, they're Organizations: Federal Reserve's Division of Research, Statistics, Conference, New York Fed, Fed, U.S . Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S ., Consumer, Federal Reserve, Tech Locations: U.S

☆ 4 groups of borrowers may be eligible for student loan forgiveness under Biden's latest proposal
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | In Kamaronmcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The Biden Administration is moving forward in its negotiated rulemaking process to try to forgive student debt for federal borrowers. The Supreme Court struck down President Joe Biden's initial plan to forgive up to $20,000 of student debt per borrower in June. On Monday, the administration released a draft regulation proposal outlining what its new forgiveness rules would look like. "This rulemaking process is about standing up for borrowers who've been failed by the country's broken student loan system and creating new regulations that will reduce the burden of student debt in this country." The negotiated rulemaking committee will meet later in December to discuss the proposal and aim to reach a consensus on the proposed changes.

Persons: Joe Biden's, Miguel Cardona, who've Organizations: Biden, Department, Education

☆ 1 in 3 Gen Z borrowers can't afford to go home for the holidays because of student loan payments
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | In Kamaronmcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Some members of Gen Z may not make it home for the holidays this year. With federal student loan payments having resumed in October, 32% of Gen Z Americans — those ages 18 to 26 — with student debt say they won't be able to afford to travel home for the holidays on top of their payments, a recent Credit Karma survey found. More than 1 in 4 borrowers say their payments are making the holidays unaffordable altogether, Credit Karma found. Just over a third of Gen Zers overall say they're relying on mom and dad to pay for their travel. The majority of Gen Zers, 66%, plan to take on debt to get through the holiday season, Credit Karma found.

Persons: Gen, Karma, Zers, Gen Zers, Courtney Alev Organizations: Credit, CNBC

☆ 6 in 10 Americans say money can buy happiness—here's how much it would cost
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | In Kamaronmcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

It's no secret that having enough money in the bank can help keep your stress low and improve your overall happiness. Studies have shown that higher incomes are correlated with higher levels of life satisfaction, and Americans themselves tend to agree — 6 in 10 say money can buy happiness, according to a recent survey from Empower, a financial services company. When asked how much money it would take to be happy, Americans said it would take a net worth of about $1.2 million, on average. However, millennials say they'd need a net worth of about $1.7 million to be happy. Among the youngest adult generation, a net worth of about $487,000 on average would be sufficient for financial happiness, Empower found.

Persons: Xers

☆ Despite strong economy, Americans are spending less: 'I feel like I'm always holding my breath'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | In Kamaronmcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Still, consumers don't feel like we're in a booming economy. "I feel like I'm always holding my breath a little bit waiting to see what's going to happen," Olivia Thomas, an education professional in New Jersey, tells CNBC Make It. As people like Thomas take a look at their personal situations and the broader economy, some are making adjustments. Consumer spending has begun to taper off, according to data from the new CNBC and National Retail Federation retail monitor. That, along with a number of increasingly precarious geopolitical situations and continued tension within domestic politics, has consumers wary of the economy.

Persons: Olivia Thomas, Thomas, Janet Yellen, CNBC's, Peter Hughes, haven't, Hughes Organizations: CNBC, National Retail Federation, Evolve Locations: New Jersey, Plenty, Federal, New York, California

☆ Couple with $30,000 in credit card debt bought a timeshare—'You don't understand the implications,' says self-made millionaire
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | In Kamaronmcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Ron and Cristina, however, have around $30,000 in credit card debt, the couple recently told self-made millionaire Ramit Sethi on the Netflix star's "I Will Teach You to be Rich" podcast. "The two of you were so calm about this credit card debt, and it's because you don't understand the implications of this debt," Sethi told them. He is loath to spend money on things like dinner at a restaurant or the occasional vacation Cristina wants to plan. "Money is never simply a series of numbers on a page — it's contextualized within your culture, your upbringing, your risk tolerance, even your basic understanding of money," Sethi said. In talking with Sethi, Ron realized a lot of his hesitancy to spend money comes from his upbringing, since his father was afraid to spend money.

Persons: Ron, Cristina, Ramit Sethi, Rich, Sethi, spender, doesn't, haven't Organizations: Federal Reserve, Netflix Locations: Philippines

☆ 28-year-old took out $200,000 in student loans for grad school—and paid everything off in 2 years: 'It was worth it'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | In Kamaronmcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

But when it came time to apply for medical school, she realized both the time and financial commitments were bigger than she wanted to make. Turning a $200,000 loan to a $200,000 annual incomeTaking out $200,000 in student loans wouldn't make sense for a lot of people. Often, student loans are the only option for people to pay for their education. She continued to save and let the money grow until student loan interest was about to resume accruing in September 2023. In August, she made her final payment and eliminated her student debt.

Persons: Chabely Rodriguez, wasn't, Rodriguez, Rodriguez didn't, anesthesiology, she'd Organizations: CNBC, Research, CAA Locations: New York

☆ The new FAFSA rolls out soon—and 1.5 million more students will have maximum Pell Grant eligibility
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | In Kamaronmcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

College students and their families will see a newly redesigned Free Application for Federal Student Aid when they apply for financial aid in the coming months. The updated FAFSA — which is slated to be available by the end of December — will not only streamline the process and make it easier for families to apply for aid, but also expand eligibility for federal aid, including Pell Grants. Under the changes, 610,00 more students nationwide will become eligible for Pell Grants and nearly 1.5 million more students will receive maximum Pell Grant eligibility, the Department of Education said in a press release on Wednesday. The maximum Pell Grant award was $7,395 for the 2023-24 aid year. "More students are going to get Pell Grants, they're going to get larger Pell Grants, and it's going to be easier to navigate the financial aid system as a whole," James Kvaal, Under Secretary of Education, tells CNBC Make It.

Persons: Pell, Grant, Pell Grant, James Kvaal Organizations: Federal Student Aid, Pell Grants, Department of Education, CNBC

☆ Tax-advantaged accounts can help you save on health-care costs—here's how HSAs and FSAs differ
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | In Kamaronmcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts are both tax-advantaged financial tools that can help you save money on your medical expenses. Some FSA funds may roll over into the new year, but it depends on your plan sponsor, according to FSAStore. If you invest your HSA funds, the earnings are also tax-free, giving HSAs a triple tax advantage. "Your HSA custodian doesn't micromanage your HSA expenses like they will your FSA," Rhinehart says. She says it's a good idea to keep receipts when you use your HSA funds just in case you're ever audited.

Persons: FSAs, Charlene Rhinehart, Rhinehart, HSAs, they'll, doesn't Organizations: CNBC, Fidelity, Internal Revenue Service Locations: FSAStore

Search resuls for: "In Kamaronmcnair"

25 mentions found