Even a parked car is a source of stress. Like when you run outside in your pajamas at the sound of the street sweeper coming. Cars left unattended for days might become a target for theft or vandals. They still need routine maintenance, the occasional car wash and a drive every few weeks to circulate...
The article Zooming More, Driving Less: When to Ditch Your Car originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Erin Nelsen’s house could use more walls. The certified financial planner works outside the home from an office in Cypress, California. But her husband, Shawn, works from a makeshift home office in their kitchen. From there, he hears his kids attending online school through an opening to the adjacent dining room. To accommodate his new...
The article How to Pay for a Home Remodel Without Tapping Your Equity originally appeared on NerdWallet.
NerdWallet has long recommended putting most purchases on credit cards. Used wisely, credit cards can offer lucrative rewards, allow you to finance a purchase without interest and provide valuable consumer protections. If you spend within your means and you pay your balance in full every month, using credit cards for purchases is usually better than paying...
The article Can I Use a Credit Card for That? Should I? originally appeared on NerdWallet.
If you’re a frequent or business-class traveler on Aer Lingus, it’s definitely worth considering the Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card, which offers excellent opportunities to accumulate valuable Avios points. Also, the added benefits make it easy to offset the $95 annual fee. If you’re looking to apply, you’ll want to consider all the perks offered...
The article Underrated Reasons Why You Need an Aer Lingus Visa Signature Credit Card originally appeared on NerdWallet.
The Citi Prestige® Card is a premium travel rewards card loaded with benefits. While it does come with a high annual fee of $495, it’s a good option for frequent travelers. If you’re thinking of applying for the Citi Prestige® Card, here’s what you’ll need to do to get the most out of it. Boost...
The article How to Get the Most from the Citi Prestige Card originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Whether you don’t have enough TrueBlue points to cover the cost of your full itinerary, or you’d rather pay some in cash to save your points for a future trip, JetBlue’s Cash + Points redemption option is tantalizing for travelers looking for flexibility in booking. As of summer 2020, JetBlue Airways allows customers to book...
The article Booking JetBlue Flights With Cash + Points: Is It Worth It? originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Whether you don’t have enough TrueBlue points to cover the cost of your full itinerary, or you’d rather pay some in cash to save your points for a future trip, JetBlue’s Cash + Points redemption option is tantalizing for travelers looking for flexibility in booking. As of summer 2020, JetBlue Airways allows customers to book...
The article Booking JetBlue Flights With Cash + Points: Is It Worth It? originally appeared on NerdWallet.
In August, 8.4% of the workforce was unemployed, a notable improvement over the 14.7% jobless rate in April. But not all segments of the American workforce are experiencing the same recovery — the data show differences across age, race and sex. And while the national unemployment rate is just one approach to looking at the...
The article U.S. Unemployment Shrinks, but Recovery Varies Across Race, Sex and Age originally appeared on NerdWallet.
If you’re considering student loan refinancing, Earnest and CommonBond are strong options. NerdWallet gives both five stars and rates their refinancing loans among the best overall. The right choice is the lender that offers you the lowest interest rate. But if you’re debating Earnest vs. CommonBond because their potential savings are similar, you can decide...
The article Earnest vs. CommonBond: Which Is Better for Refinancing Student Loans? originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Home insurance provider Hippo is one of a group of new insurance companies focused on making the industry more modern and efficient through technology. Getting a quote can take as little as about 60 seconds, and Hippo provides high-tech perks like a smart home monitoring system. Hippo homeowners insurance Hippo homeowners insurance earned 5 stars...
The article Hippo Home Insurance Review 2020 originally appeared on NerdWallet.
What are donor-advised funds? A donor-advised fund, or DAF, is an account into which you deposit assets for donation to charity over time. You, the donor, get a tax deduction for depositing assets in the fund. A sponsoring organization manages the account; you recommend how to invest and where to donate the assets. Who qualifies...
The article What Are Donor-Advised Funds? How DAFs Work originally appeared on NerdWallet.
So you nabbed a cheap flight to Maui in a Southwest airfare sale, and now you’re eyeing a brand-new GoPro HERO8 Black for your snorkeling trip in Honolua Bay. If you paid for your flight with Southwest Rapid Rewards points, go ahead and cheers that in-flight mai tai. But if you’re planning on buying the...
The article Southwest’s More Rewards: Don’t Waste Your Points originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Those who hold Membership Rewards-earning American Express credit cards, and particularly owners of The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, have a few hotel-related benefits and an airfare discount coming their way. Big spenders looking for hotel stays at Fine Hotels + Resorts properties will extract the most...
The article American Express Announces New Benefits for Card Members originally appeared on NerdWallet.
After surveying consumers for feedback on their travel-related needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, American Express is launching a suite of new temporary offerings, many of them centered around The Platinum Card® from American Express. For a limited time, that premium travel card will offer the following: $150 statement credit for stays at AmEx Travel Fine Hotels...
The article AmEx Unveils Bevy of Travel Perks for Platinum and Other Cards (Limited Time) originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Wyndham’s co-branded hotel credit cards, issued by Barclays, have been upgraded. As of Sept. 29, 2020, the new “Earner” portfolio will consist of the following cards, which will offer elevated rewards on gas and spending with Wyndham, along with other perks: Image courtesy of Barclays/Wyndham Wyndham Rewards Earner Card: $0 annual fee. Wyndham Rewards Earner...
The article Wyndham’s Hotel Credit Card Portfolio Gets a Full-Scale Makeover originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts launched a new set of credit cards that could appeal to road trippers, largely thanks to one standout spending category: Gas. Wyndham’s two new credit cards for consumers, issued by Barclays include: Wyndham Rewards® Earner℠ Credit Card ($0 annual fee). Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Credit Card ($75 annual fee). Both cards...
The article Wyndham Earner vs. Plus: Which Is Right for You? originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Starter credit cards, aimed at those who are new to credit, have been around since at least the 1970s — and they used to be much easier to qualify for. Card issuers once were able to lure young adults, particularly students, with a variety of incentives that federal regulations now prohibit under the Credit Card...
The article Starter Credit Cards Are Still a Thing but Harder to Get originally appeared on NerdWallet.
If you’re shopping for a student loan refinance lender, CommonBond and SoFi are strong options. NerdWallet gives both five stars and rates their refinancing loans among the best overall. The right choice is the one that saves you the most money. But if you’re debating CommonBond vs. SoFi because their interest rates are similar, compare...
The article CommonBond vs. SoFi: Which Is Better for Refinancing Student Loans? originally appeared on NerdWallet.
The hardest part about building a credit history is getting access to credit in the first place. If becoming an authorized user on someone else’s credit card is not an option for you or you cannot afford the deposit on a secured card, Kikoff offers a cheap and simple way to build credit. The San...
The article Kikoff Credit-Builder Loan Review 2020 originally appeared on NerdWallet.
The best bank or credit union for you depends on what you’re in the market for: a savings account, a checking account, or both. NerdWallet spent more than 200 hours comparing and rating dozens of financial institutions to identify those with the best deposit accounts. Top Overall Banks: Seven financial institutions earned excellent marks in both our...
The article Best Banks and Credit Unions of 2020 originally appeared on NerdWallet.
As cardholders experience financial difficulties due to COVID-19, some credit card issuers are promoting their hardship programs. Once a well-kept secret, these programs are now more prominently advertised, offering things like deferred payments and lower interest rates. But not all cardholders will qualify or receive favorable terms. If you’ve been denied COVID-19 relief, if it’s...
The article If Credit Card Relief’s a No-Go, Check Out Debt Management originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Welcome to NerdWallet’s Smart Money podcast, where we answer your real-world money questions. This week’s episode starts with a discussion of NerdWallet’s new credit and debt survey, which shows people have complicated feelings about their plastic. Then we pivot to this week’s question from Amy in Pennsylvania. She writes, “I’m seeing a lot of offers for...
The article Smart Money Podcast: The Psychology of Debt, and When to Refinance originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Cities, states and even some countries are opening to tourists again. But the old “normal” is still a long way away. From the hotel check-in counter and airport boarding gate to city bus tours and the restaurant on the corner, the way that we travel has changed dramatically. Beyond well-known changes like mask-wearing and hand...
The article What to Expect While Traveling in the COVID-19 Era originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Have you tried working from home but not had great success? Interruptions from family, friends and even pets can squash productivity and creativity. If you work remotely, hotels in your area may have the perfect solution — as well as plenty of loyalty points — waiting for you. Whether you want to spend the day...
The article Can’t Concentrate in a Home Office? Try a Hotel Office originally appeared on NerdWallet.
You’d be hard-pressed to find a financial expert who would advise against saving money, but when it comes to the currency of hotel points, many travel experts agree it would behoove you to spend them, not save them. For starters, points can undergo devaluations, meaning the same amount of points that booked you five nights...
The article When Do Your Hotel Points Expire? originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Allstate renters insurance is a solid offering from one of the largest insurers in the U.S., covering the basics as well as a few useful extras. You can get an Allstate renters insurance policy online or through the company’s network of local agents, who also sell a variety of other insurance policies and financial products....
The article Allstate Renters Insurance Review 2020 originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Progressive renters insurance policies come from third parties, not from the company. If you need a renters policy for your home or apartment and you already have car insurance with Progressive, it’s worth checking renters rates to see if Progressive’s multipolicy discount can save you money. Progressive renters insurance pros and cons ProCons Offers customers...
The article Progressive Renters Insurance Review 2020 originally appeared on NerdWallet.
The mystery isn’t why so many people file for bankruptcy each year. It’s why more people don’t. Each year, only a fraction of the Americans who could benefit financially from bankruptcy actually seek relief. Economists say some don’t file because collectors aren’t aggressively pursuing them, while others may strategically delay filing because bankruptcy could benefit...
The article Fear of Bankruptcy Holds Too Many People Back originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Unless a family member is going to pay for your gap year, you might need to get creative in how you finance it. Funding choices depend on the type of gap year you’ll have, with school-based gap year programs often having more payment options than self-directed gap years. Here are four ways to pay for...
The article How to Finance a Gap Year originally appeared on NerdWallet.
When booking travel, particularly expensive trips consisting of nonrefundable reservations, it makes sense to consider trip cancellation insurance since it can protect your deposit if your plans do not materialize due to unforeseen events. However, not every reason for canceling a trip will qualify for coverage, so you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the basics...
The article Trip Cancellation Insurance Explained originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Frontier Airlines offers a lot of value in its rewards program, which recently changed names to Frontier Miles. With its hub in Denver, this ultra low-cost carrier flies to more than 100 cities in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. In 2020, Frontier will also be introducing 25 new routes with direct flights to...
The article Frontier Airlines Reward Optimization for Beginners originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Travelers are taking to the road: 69% of respondents in a recent Shell/Harris Poll survey believe a road trip could help them escape the stresses of COVID-19, and 86% feel that car travel is safer than flying. From coast to coast, hotels are luring road-trippers and staycationers with special packages and deals. Meanwhile, Shell Oil...
The article 30 Fall Staycation and Road Trip Hotel Deals originally appeared on NerdWallet.
If you’re saving for your first home, there’s no shortage of advice out there — some of it questionable, even if you do have an avocado toast habit. Still, it’s true that your down payment may be the biggest check you ever write. But once you move in, it’s also true that the cash tends...
The article For Homeowners, Saving a Down Payment Is Only the Start originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Federal student loan payments have been automatically suspended until the end of the year because of the ongoing pandemic. If you have private student loans, however, payments remain due — unless you’ve paused them. Roughly 5% of private loan borrowers were using forbearance as of the end of March, according to the most recent data...
The article Should You Press Pause on Private Student Loans? originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Using a starter credit card is a common way to build credit when you’re first establishing yourself financially. When it comes to starter credit cards, there are two main types: Student credit cards. Secured credit cards. As with all kinds of credit cards, there isn’t one that’s the “best” — just one that’s the best...
The article Getting Your First Credit Card? Here Are 2 Top Options originally appeared on NerdWallet.
NerdWallet is a free tool to find you the best credit cards, cd rates, savings, checking accounts, scholarships, healthcare and airlines. Start here to maximize your rewards or minimize your interest rates. Andrew Marder At a glanceSome policies don’t require a medical exam.Many coverage options for people over 50.Gets far more than the expected number...
The article Fidelity Life Insurance Review 2020 originally appeared on NerdWallet.
NerdWallet is a free tool to find you the best credit cards, cd rates, savings, checking accounts, scholarships, healthcare and airlines. Start here to maximize your rewards or minimize your interest rates. Andrew Marder At a glanceSome policies don’t require a medical exam.Many coverage options for people over 50.Gets far more than the expected number...
The article Fidelity Life Insurance Review 2020 originally appeared on NerdWallet.
The $0-annual-fee Chase Freedom Flex℠ is a brawny rewards-earning card indeed — but staying on top of it requires flexing some memory muscles, too. Unlike most cash-back cards, it features both rotating and fixed bonus categories, on top of a first-year bonus that also requires some tracking. Your earnings break down this way: 5% cash back on...
The article How Does the Chase Freedom Flex Stack Up With Competitors? originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Business travel is the lifeblood of airlines. The big carriers have sales teams dedicated to winning travel contracts from major companies, but not all companies are large enough to score corporate sales contracts. Enter small-business programs, which major U.S. airlines use to offer rewards to small businesses that fly the airline. These programs are great...
The article Guide to American Airlines’ Small-Business Program: Business Extra originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Southwest Airlines is a perennial favorite for commitment-phobes. Known for its flexible ticket policy, Southwest doesn’t charge change fees — even though change fees on other airlines can cost north of $100 (sometimes even costing more than the initial ticket you booked). But this summer, the three major U.S. airlines — American Airlines, Delta Air...
The article 8 Reasons Southwest Is Still a Top Airline originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Over the river and through the woods, to … a hotel near-ish Grandmother’s house we go? A couple weeks ago I wrote about how and whether to book flights for the holidays. Since then, a few people have asked what I think holiday travel will be like this year. Will airports be packed? Or will...
The article What Will Holiday Travel Be Like? originally appeared on NerdWallet.
In early April, Delta was the first U.S. airline to extend frequent flyer elite status and lounge memberships. Now, with the pandemic still raging months later, Delta is announcing another round of extensions to the expiration dates for memberships and benefits. Additionally, Delta is permanently eliminating change and redeposit fees on most domestic SkyMiles award...
The article Delta Increases Flexibility and Extends Benefits (Again) originally appeared on NerdWallet.
With big national banks like Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase, it can be tough at first to see much of a distinction. Both have thousands of branches and ATMs, a variety of account choices and up-to-date technology. But the details can make the difference. Snapshot comparison Choose Bank of America if: You want slightly...
The article Bank of America vs. Chase: Which Is Best for You? originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Wells Fargo and Chase are two of the largest U.S. banks, and they make it convenient to bank in person, with many ATMs and branches. One big difference: Chase offers a savings bonus and a checking bonus with easy qualifications. Keep in mind, though, the interest rates both banks pay are low compared with other...
The article Chase vs. Wells Fargo: Which Is Best for You? originally appeared on NerdWallet.
U.S. Bank and Chase offer similar benefits, such as multiple account offerings and extensive ATM and branch networks. But which is best for you? To help you decide, we compared them side by side. Snapshot comparison Choose Chase if: You’re looking for checking accounts with easy ways to waive monthly fees. Choose U.S. Bank if:...
The article U.S. Bank vs. Chase: Which Is Best for You? originally appeared on NerdWallet.
The two big national banks Chase and Citibank have solid branch and ATM networks that reach both coasts, but they differ in some ways. Consider what’s important in your banking life, whether that means nearby ATMs or branch access, and read on to see how the banks compare. Snapshot comparison Choose Chase if: You prioritize...
The article Chase vs Citibank: Which Is Best for You? originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Cash management accounts are accounts offered by nonbank financial service providers that allow people to save and spend their cash. CMAs are usually found at brokerages, not chartered banks, which can raise a few questions. For example, the fact that these providers can’t directly cover your funds with federal insurance might make you wary. Or...
The article How Cash Management Accounts Protect Your Money originally appeared on NerdWallet.
The right business credit card can mean great benefits for business owners and their employees. Business cards often come with higher credit limits and better financing because businesses may have to put more charges on a card than the average consumer. And more purchases mean more opportunities to earn valuable rewards. » Learn more: 6...
The article Underrated Reasons Why You Need a Delta SkyMiles Gold Business American Express Card originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Although Medicare covers a variety of things, it doesn’t cover most dental care, including cleanings, fillings, extractions, dentures, dental plates or other dental devices. However, you may be eligible for some services covered under Medicare Part A — your hospital insurance. How does Original Medicare cover dental? The short answer is that Original Medicare (parts...
The article Does Medicare Cover Dental? originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Last year’s savings rates of 2% and higher have come and gone, but that doesn’t mean high-yield savings accounts disappeared. “There are high-yield savings accounts out there, but it’s all relative,” says Mike Schenk, chief economist for the Credit Union National Association. When the Federal Reserve cut its benchmark rate to nearly zero in March,...
The article 5 Myths About High-Yield Savings Accounts During COVID-19 originally appeared on NerdWallet.
