Personal Finance News Medicare expert explains costly enrollment mistakes to avoid Medicare expert Melinda Caughill reveals some of the hidden truths about Medicare enrollment, insurance agents, and coverage gaps. Yahoo Finance • 3 hours ago HUM UNH Thanksgiving dinner offers a glimpse into how we're doing on inflation The price of Thanksgiving dinner is down considerably the past two years but still higher than pre-pandemic — a window into the overall path of inflation. Savings interest rates today, November 26, 2024 (Top rate at 5.00% APY) Savings interest rates available today are well above historical norms. But that may soon change following the Fed's rate cut. Find out where to get the best savings rates. Money market account rates today: November 26, 2024 (earn up to 5.01% APY) Money market account interest rates today are well above historical norms. Find out where to get the best MMA rates. Mortgage and refinance rates today, November 26, 2024: Rates finally fall These are today's mortgage and refinance rates. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate has dropped by 16 basis points, and rates are down overall. Lock in your rate today. Amex Business Platinum vs. Amex Personal Platinum: Is one better than the other? When comparing the Amex Business Platinum vs. the personal version, consider your needs and expenses to determine which one is right. Best credit cards with no annual fee for November 2024 Our recommendations for the best no-annual-fee credit cards include the Capital One VentureOne Rewards, Amex Blue Cash Everyday, and Chase Freedom Unlimited. Property tax deductions: How much can you write off? Property taxes are one of the many costs of homeownership that can be tax deductible. Learn if you’re eligible for this deduction and how much you can write off. What to expect at the final walk-through before closing on a house The final walk-through before closing gives you the chance to check the appliances, plumbing, and any requested repairs. Here’s what to include on your checklist. How much should I save up for an apartment? Moving into a new apartment can come with a lot of expenses. So how much should you plan to save? We’ll break it down for you. Author Q&A: The 7-year-old making your money decisions In her new book, “Feel Good Finance: Untangle Your Relationship with Money for Better Mental, Emotional, and Financial Well-Being,” Aja Evans explains how our emotions directly affect the way we manage our finances. Your credit report is missing key data that lenders are refusing to report By keeping payment data out of consumers' credit reports, lenders are limiting competition between each other — to consumers' detriment, a new study finds. Should you use credit card rewards for shopping or travel? If you earn rewards points with your credit card, you’ll probably get more value from travel redemptions. Here’s what to know before you redeem. Amex Blue Cash Everyday vs. Blue Cash Preferred: Two top cards for everyday spending Consider your spending habits to determine which of these popular cards are better for you. How credit card points can save you hundreds on holiday gifts Credit cards can fuel your holiday shopping by helping you earn valuable points and miles that can be redeemed for gift cards, credits, travel, and more. This week on Reddit: Should I bank with Amex or Ally? Is Amex or Ally a better bank, according to Reddit? We examined a recent Reddit thread about which bank is the better choice and provided our own expert take. What is a 401(k)? A guide to the rules and how it works. A 401(k) is a workplace investment account that lets you save part of your paycheck for retirement. Learn about the tax advantages and other important benefits. CD vs. mutual fund: Which is a better investment? CDs and mutual funds are two ways to save for long-term goals. In this breakdown of a CD vs. mutual fund, learn how they differ in terms of risk, fees. and returns. A resale pioneer’s plan to stay in business for a century Buffalo Exchange's change of hands from mother to daughter officially happened in early 2024, but the handover process was almost a decade in the making. Medicare premiums rise for 2025, nicking retirees' Social Security checks Seniors awaiting bigger Social Security checks next year may be shocked to discover higher Medicare premiums will eat up a chunk of their cost-of-living adjustment. Robo-advisor: How to start investing right away A robo-advisor is a digital investment platform that automatically builds you a portfolio and rebalances it over time. Learn more about how they work, how they compare to financial advisors, the cost, and more. Is interest paid on a HELOC tax deductible? Interest paid on a HELOC is tax deductible, but there are limits on how to spend the money to qualify for a deduction. Learn how to deduct HELOC interest. Dr. Oz wants to expand private Medicare plans. Here's how he could do it. Dr. Oz, Trump's pick to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, has been a vocal proponent of expanding Medicare Advantage, the insurance plans sold by private companies. Here's what to look for when buying a house When shopping for a home, consider factors like the school district and potential issues like parking or repairs. Here’s what to look for when buying a house. Nvidia's market value is up 195% over 11 months. Is it still a good time to invest? Nvidia stock has a strong growth track record. Is it time to invest in the AI chip designer? Answer these 9 questions to decide. How long should you save your bank statements? How long do you save bank statements and other important documents? Here are some expert-recommended guidelines you can follow. Interest-only HELOC: How payments are calculated An interest-only HELOC only requires you to pay interest during the draw period. Learn how an interest-only HELOC works and whether it’s the right fit for you. Do 7% interest savings accounts exist anymore? As the Fed continues to cut rates, you might wonder if it’s possible to earn 7% interest on a savings account. Here’s where to find 7% interest accounts — plus, how to maximize your interest earnings. How to invest in gold in 4 steps Learn how to invest in gold by considering gold's strengths, historic behavior, and the pros and cons of physical gold versus gold mining stocks and ETFs. What is the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (CDARS), and how does it work? If you have more than $250,000 in bank deposits to insure, you may want to go through CDARS. Learn more about how this service works. Where to cash a check if you don't have a bank account Where can you cash a check without a bank account? You have a few options, though some come with higher fees than others. Learn more. Yes, you can refinance a HELOC — here's how Refinancing a home equity line of credit is possible, and the best time to do so is before the draw period ends. Here are your options for refinancing a HELOC. What if you can't afford closing costs? 6 ways you can still buy a home. If you can’t afford closing costs, you can waive or avoid up-front expenses so you can still buy a home. Decide which strategies are best for you. United Business Card review: Free checked bags, priority boarding, and annual travel credits For business owners who frequently fly United, this card could be a valuable addition to your wallet. Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card review: Free nights and Gold Elite status for an affordable fee Business owners who prefer to stay at Marriott Bonvoy brands can quickly rack up rewards with this card. Citi Custom Cash Card review: Earn up to 5% cash back, plus 0% intro APR The Citi Custom Cash Card will get you up to 5% cash back in your top category, but it comes with some limitations. Real estate agent fees: What percentage do Realtors get? Real estate agent fees are a closing cost for both the buyer and seller. You can negotiate your commission for Realtors. Learn how agent fees could affect you. PayPal savings account offers 4.30% APY — but is it worth it? The PayPal Savings account allows you to earn interest on your savings balance and cash-back rewards. But there are a few drawbacks to consider too. Learn more. Citizens Bank mortgage review 2024 Citizens Bank offers a variety of mortgage options, but its interest rates are higher than industry medians. Learn whether Citizens is the right lender for you. Why the Affordable Care Act is in real trouble this time With Republicans assuming power, major changes are coming for the Affordable Care Act. How this chocolatier is navigating an unexpected spike in cocoa prices An unexpected surge in costs meant chocolatier and Deux Cranes founder Michiko Marron-Kibbey needed to adapt in order to continue growing her business. This week on Reddit: Do I have to pay taxes on a bank account bonus? Bank account bonuses are a nice perk, but do you have to pay taxes on them? We examined a recent Reddit thread about how bonuses are taxed and provided our own expert take. How do fixed-rate HELOCs work, and which lenders offer them? Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) usually charge variable rates, but you can find fixed-rate HELOCs with certain lenders. Learn how a fixed-rate HELOC works. Jenius Bank vs. SoFi: Which online-only bank is better? Jenius Bank and SoFi both offer high-yield savings accounts and lending products. Here’s a rundown of Jenius Bank vs. SoFi to help you choose the right bank for your needs. How to get a HELOC in 6 simple steps To get a HELOC, you must meet equity, credit score, and DTI ratio requirements and then go through the application process. Learn more about how to get a HELOC. Building an emergency fund: Financial coach offers 3 tips to get started An emergency can easily derail a person’s financial situation. On a recent episode of the Money Glow Up podcast, financial coach Tanya Taylor offered some tips for building an emergency savings fund to be financially prepared for unexpected life events. Seller concessions: An inside look at a powerful real estate negotiating tool Seller concessions are incentives sellers give home buyers, such as money toward closing costs or repairs. Learn how concessions can benefit both parties. Fixed annuities vs. CDs: Which is better for your retirement savings? For those approaching retirement, "safe" investments like CDs or annuities can be appealing, but there are key differences you should know. How do credit unions make money? Credit unions are not-for-profit financial cooperatives. But they still need to generate revenue to keep operating. So how do credit unions make money? Americans fall further behind on debts, New York Fed finds The country’s overall debt load reached a new peak of $17.9 trillion, thanks to across-the-board growth in mortgage, auto, credit card, education, and other consumer debt, according to Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
