DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

We spoke to financial experts about the best books for understanding debt and managing your money. Books can be a great, affordable resource for learning how financial systems work and providing actionable steps to start saving money. Reading financial books "made me far more comfortable than in a classroom setting," says Markia Brown, a certified financial education instructor who shares her teachings through Money Plug. "When we learn about the different types of debt and the financial systems behind them, then we can take action to handle debt in a way that works for our lives and goals," says Ferrero. To help, we rounded up the best books about paying off debt, from beginner's money-saving guides to in-depth looks at how to build wealth.

☆ 2 top investors identify fintech trends flying under the radar
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( Asia Martin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Payments and lending are receiving a lot of hype from venture capitalists, but two investors say that needs to change. That's lagging well behind 2021, which saw more than $46 billion raised by US fintechs at this point last year. Kemp and Russ told Insider the top areas they feel have flown under the radar within fintech. B2B PaymentsThe direct-to-consumer space has become digitized and somewhat commoditized, Kemp told Insider. Financial education, equity and accessVenture capital is overlooking a lot of companies doing interesting things around financial education, financial equity, and giving underserved populations access to much-needed financial tools, Russ told Insider.

☆ It's a tale of 2 cities: An ex-Wall Street trader-turned personal finance influencer explains how this economic downturn can be turned into an opportunity to build wealth.
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-28 | by ( Laila Maidan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

I bonds or real estate trusts are investments that can diversify your portfolio, said Vivian Tu. It takes place against the backdrop of the French Revolution between the two cities of Paris and London. On the other hand, many often view an economic downturn as an opportunity to build wealth. Another option is real estate trusts. "Right now, we are in a time where investors have so much freedom because they don't have to buy full shares," Tu said.

Economists are sounding the alarm bells about a likely recession in 2023.Insider spoke to five personal finance experts to get their tips on preparing for a downturn. Insider spoke to five personal finance experts to uncover the key steps to help you bulletproof your finances ahead of a rocky 2023. Build an emergency fundThe experts advised building up an emergency fund to cover your expenses if you lose your job. If you have the time, finding additional employment is the quickest way to bring in extra income, the experts said. UpskillThe negative effects of a recession, like falling income and higher unemployment, may not become evident until some months into the downturn.

☆ These 10 cities are the best places to work from home in the U.S., new report finds
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( Ashton Jackson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

SmartAsset's report ranked 100 of America's largest cities across eight metrics including the percentage of the workforce that works from home, median monthly housing costs, unemployment rate, income tax rate, coffee shop density and bar density to determine the best city for remote work. Austin, Texas snagged the number one spot, with Scottsdale, Arizona and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania trailing closely behind. "The five-year change in the percentage of people working from home was 30.6%, which was the seventh-highest percentage in our study." "With more affordable housing costs, workers may be able to buy or rent a larger home that can accommodate an office." Similar to Scottsdale, professionals earning $75,000 will be taxed by the federal and state governments at 22.90%.

☆ How Freddie Mac is helping renters use their on-time rent payments to build credit and achieve homeownership
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( Sponsor Post | Created Insider Studios With Freddie Mac | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

In this challenging economic environment, Freddie Mac has implemented two new initiatives that can help strengthen renters' ability to build credit and achieve homeownership using their history of on-time rent payments. Yet, unlike homeowners who make regular mortgage payments, renters generally do not see their on-time rent payments reflected in their credit scores. Worse yet, the most common way rent payments impact credit scores are when missed rental payments go into collection. After enrollment, the renter's on-time rent payments are reported to the credit bureaus each month. Since Freddie Mac began this initiative last year, 86,000 households across more than 900 multifamily properties have enrolled.

☆ Gen Z banking app Step, backed by the likes of Charli D'Amelio and Steph Curry, just raised $300 million in debt funding and launched crypto investing as it surpasses 3.5 million accounts
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Emmalyse Brownstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Step, a banking app designed for teens, said Tuesday it raised $300 million in debt. Step has now raised $500 million in equity and debt from a bevy of venture and celebrity backers. On Tuesday, financial-technology startup Step announced $300 million in debt funding led by venture-debt specialist TriplePoint Capital, with participation from Step's banking partner, Evolve Bank & Trust. The startup has previously raised $200 million in equity funding since launching in 2018. "In a matter of just the last couple of years, there's been a lot of volatility" in crypto, MacDonald said.

☆ Higher-income Medicare beneficiaries may face smaller premium surcharges in 2023. Here are tips for reducing or avoiding those extra amounts
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-29 | by ( Sarah O'Brien | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Shapecharge | E+ | Getty ImagesIf you're a higher-income Medicare beneficiary, you may be paying less in extra premium charges in 2023 than you were this year. The higher your income, the higher the charge. "You pay a little more now to avoid higher tax brackets or IRMAA brackets later on," Meinhart said. RMDs are amounts that must be withdrawn from traditional IRAs, as well as both traditional and Roth 401(k) accounts, once you reach age 72. For investments whose sale you can time, it's also important to remember the benefits of tax-loss harvesting as a way to minimize your taxable income.

☆ Personal finance expert and 'Financial Grownups' podcast host Bobbi Rebell shares her top personal finance books for money security and preparing for retirement
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-24 | by ( Jennifer Streaks | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Rebell, who has previously worked in various reporter roles, specializes in personal finance topics. "I was always fascinated with money — but from a personal finance perspective — so I took the leap to get into financial journalism," Rebell tells Insider. "I found that all of the financial news coverage focused on the economy and the stock market, but I knew there was a place for personal finance," Rebell says. "I was offered the opportunity to write a personal finance column and it really resonated with readers." Here are her four favorite personal finance books that will help you become a smarter investor.

☆ How Jay-Z and Jack Dorsey's Bitcoin Academy provides financial inclusion and breaks down barriers of inequity
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-07 | by ( John Lynch | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +16 min

Insider profiled Jay-Z and Jack Dorsey's Bitcoin Academy at the conclusion of its program for Marcy Houses in Brooklyn. For Marcy resident Mariela Regalado, The Bitcoin Academy represented a continuation of an altruism she had seen from Jay-Z firsthand. Lamar Wilson teaching at The Bitcoin Academy. Following the conclusion of its summer courses at Marcy Houses, The Bitcoin Academy is "looking to expand to other neighborhoods soon," the program said. The over 350 people who attended The Bitcoin Academy classes let us know that this education is important to them - and that it matters.

Other bad advice I've heard: don't talk about money, and slash "non-essential" spending. In the years since, financial literacy movements popped up that aimed to empower weary folks with accessible financial advice. Here is all the bad money advice I learned in my younger years that I refuse to pass down. Save, save, saveSince I can remember, most financial advice I received emphasized saving over investing. Open accounts you might not be able access outside of Raisin Check mark icon A check mark.

Persons: I've, —, I'd, it's, hadn't, We've, It's Organizations: Service, FIRE, Mint, FDIC, Chevron Locations: Europe, Asia, Maldives, Mexico, Afghanistan

☆ I'm a financial-advice blogger booking $8,000 in revenue a month. Here's how I built a lucrative side hustle.
▼ + stars: | 2022-06-09 | by ( Alexandra York | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

She has turned her blog into a profitable business with affiliate marketing and brand partnerships. "The Financial Cookbook is a guide for everything they should have taught us in school," she said. I created The Financial Cookbook as a blueprint of how to manage money and shape your career in your 20s. Create multiple points of contact to attract new viewersThe Financial Cookbook Pinterest page. I think that's what all of us are trying to get to, and the core of The Financial Cookbook is to help others achieve that.

Persons: Lisa Andrea, —, aren't, Gen Zers, Andrea, I've, Instagram, Pinterest, Lisa Organizations: Service, Big, Google, Companies

A community development financial institution (CDFI) serves disadvantaged communities. A community development financial institution, or CDFI, can be a credit union, bank, or non-profit organization that helps underserved communities. One Detroit Credit Union — One Detroit Credit Union is a Black-owned credit union in Michigan that offers rewards for its checking account if you set up direct deposits. — One Detroit Credit Union is a Black-owned credit union in that offers rewards for its checking account if you set up direct deposits. St. Louis Community Credit Union — St. Louis Community Credit Union is a Black-owned credit union in Missouri with low or no monthly service fees on accounts.

Puerto Rico Federal Credit Union Regular Actions Account Learn more On Puerto Rico Federal Credit Union's secure site. Puerto Rico Federal Credit Union Easy Access Checking Account Learn more On Puerto Rico Federal Credit Union's secure site. Puerto Rico Federal Credit Union Share Certificate Learn more On Puerto Rico Federal Credit Union's secure site. How Puerto Rico Federal Credit Union worksPuerto Rico Federal Credit Union is a Hispanic American-led financial institution with one branch in Caparra and a second in Quebradillas. How Puerto Rico Federal Credit Union comparesWe compared Puerto Rico Federal Credit Union to two other Hispanic American-led credit unions in Puerto Rico: Caribe Credit Union and VAPR Federal Credit Union.

The bottom line: St. Louis Community is a good low-fee credit union in Missouri, especially if you want to bank with a Black-owned credit union. How St. Louis Community Credit Union worksSt. Louis Community Credit Union is a Black-owned institution with 17 branches around Missouri. Here are the membership requirements:Live in St. Louis; or in Franklin, St. Charles, or St. Louis counties in Missouri; or in Madison, Monroe, Jersey, or St. Clair counties in Illinois. How St. Louis Community Credit Union compares to similar institutionsWe've compared St. Louis Community to two other credit unions in St. Louis and other parts of Missouri: First Community and Neighbors. St. Louis Community Credit Union First Community Credit Union Neighbors Credit Union Branches 17, plus shared branches Branches 38 Branches 9, plus shared branches Standout feature Black-owned Standout feature High APYs Standout feature Variety of products Get started Get started Get startedSt. Louis Community Credit Union review vs. First Community Credit Union reviewYou'll prefer St. Louis Community if you want to support a Black-owned institution.

After a surprise $5,000 expense, I used a balance transfer credit card to consolidate the debt. Why I considered a balance transfer credit cardI used a credit card interest calculator online to determine how much extra I'd pay if I kept the $5,000 balance with my current credit card. This prompted me to consider applying for a balance transfer credit card, so I started researching different credit card offers. A balance transfer is when you take your credit card balance from one card and transfer it to another card. A few other features I liked about this card included:No annual feeNo balance transfer fee (so long as you transfer your old credit card balance within 60 days)Free credit score monitoring and updates (powered by TransUnion)Extended warranty, fraud protection, and purchase protectionHow to transfer a credit card balanceThe process of transferring a credit card balance is actually easier than I thought.

Our experts answer readers' credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess credit cards). Because I run my own business, I'll probably start with a small-business credit card to earn rewards on business expenses. The reason why I don't have credit cards is that credit cards and I never got along. I remember applying for my first credit card in college — a card from a well-known retail store. At that moment, I vowed to do two things — pay off my credit card debt and learn how to manage my money.

I set a goal to save $100,000 by age 25, and at 24 years old I'm $90,000 of the way there. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementThree years ago, I made a deal with myself: I wanted to have $100,000 saved when I'm 25. It's possible to achieve your first $100,000 — whether that's debt paid off, earned, saved, invested, or something else.

Persons: I've, —, they'd, Roth, you've, Tori Dunlap Organizations: Service, Roth IRA

I used to tell myself I could either live a life of passion and fulfillment, or I could be wealthy. Now in my 30s, I'm motivated to create a real plan towards real, long-term financial freedom. It's important when thinking long-term to consider what you need to be happy and fulfilled, because the truth is this is the only sustainable option. Now I'm motivated to create a real plan towards real, long-term financial freedom. I used to think that being wealthy meant sacrificing my values, and this is just plain wrong.

☆ How military members can avoid predatory lenders
▼ + stars: | 2019-07-04 | by ( Michelle Fox | Michelle Fox Is A Digital Producer For Cnbc. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

After serving overseas, military service members return home to face a new economic reality that often includes, unfortunately, lenders looking to take advantage of their vulnerability. Unscrupulous auto lenders and credit card companies have also been known to target members of the military. The government has moved to crack down on predatory lending, enacting the Military Lending Act in 2006. Not only does predatory lending cause undue financial stress, it can also negatively impact a soldier’s military readiness, said Falcone. Predatory lenders like to prey on young military members because they’re often inexperienced with money, have little to no credit and are usually very excited to spend that first paycheck.-Tara Falcone FOUNDER OF REISUP4.

“That was a massive expense.”In fact,service members and their spouses ranked financial stress as their greatest concern, even over deployment, according to Blue Star Families’ annual military family lifestyle survey. As a result, about half of service members and their spouses of service members say they rely on the gig economy to stay afloat, the NFCC found. You can keep on top of the many benefits the military offers, as well as whatever financial education it makes available, through Military OneSourceor other channels. For its part, the NFCC offers financial education and credit counseling through its member agencies. Institutions such as USAA also regularly work with current and former service members and offer a range of banking and insurance products.

Search resuls for: "Financial Education"

21 mentions found