If you’re wondering whether it’s a good time to buy a house, ask this instead: Is it a good time in my life to buy a house? Current economic indicators and the state of your local housing market give important context for your decision. But whether this is a good time for you to buy...
The article Is It a Good Time to Buy a House? originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Many Americans started investing for the first time during the pandemic, but even though their trades may have been free, the money involved might soon come with a bill from the IRS. If you’re a new investor, here are four things that could trigger a tax-related hit — and what tax pros say you can...
The article 4 Tax Triggers New Investors Need to Know About originally appeared on NerdWallet.
When budget matters, do-it-yourself bathroom upgrades can be a simple, low-cost way to dramatically improve your bathroom’s appeal. Here are six projects that you can do on your own without hiring a contractor or buying expensive equipment. 1. Install a plug-in towel warmer Cost: About $60 (basic) to $700 (high-end). Difficulty: Moderate. A fluffy warm...
The article 6 DIY Bathroom Upgrades You Can Try originally appeared on NerdWallet.
The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card already earns 5% cash back at Amazon and Whole Foods, and for a limited time, another retailer is joining that group. Through Sept. 21, 2021, the card will also earn 5% cash back at Zappos, a major online shoe and clothing merchant. (Amazon owns both Whole Foods and Zappos.) Cardholders are...
The article Amazon Prime Rewards Card Will Earn 5% Back at Zappos (Limited Time) originally appeared on NerdWallet.
NerdWallet is here to help you win Black Friday while leaving your budget intact. We spend the time, you save the money. Visit regularly for holiday shopping tips and announcements about your favorite retailers. Black Friday is Nov. 27. Doorbusters have been replaced with delivery, and early store hours are now early-season discounts. COVID-19 has...
The article Black Friday 2020 Store Hours and Online Hacks originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Barclays recently refreshed its Wyndham credit card lineup to make it more attractive to travelers. The Wyndham Rewards® Earner℠ Credit Card is the budget-friendly rewards credit card that earns points and provides benefits without requiring an annual fee. But, just because a credit card has no annual fee, that doesn’t mean that it deserves a...
The article Is the Wyndham Rewards Earner Card Worth It? originally appeared on NerdWallet.
A premium hotel credit card isn’t for everyone. However, a rewards credit card with a high annual fee is worth considering if you can extract enough value from it. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card comes with a lucrative welcome bonus, annual statement credit and an annual free night award. Combine these well-known benefits with...
The article Underrated Reasons To Get a Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant AmEx Card originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Elite members of British Airways’ loyalty program enjoy a range of perks, like the chance to choose seats in advance, relax in an airport lounge and earn more points for every flight. But first you have to earn that elite status by flying the airline. Here’s everything you need to know about attaining and enjoying...
The article Your Guide to British Airways Elite Status originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Side gig. Side job. Side hustle. It goes by many names and serves many purposes. For some, it’s a way to keep the lights on. For others, it’s an opportunity to save for a goal or follow a passion. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of Americans have become unemployed. Many are turning...
The article Picking a Pandemic Side Gig Takes Hustle originally appeared on NerdWallet.
You won’t find outpatient drug coverage in Medicare Part A or Part B, even though medicines are a large percentage of many seniors’ health care budgets. That’s one reason why, starting in 2006, Medicare began offering Part D, an optional program that helps cover the cost of prescription drugs. Prescription drug plans are offered by...
The article Understanding Medicare Prescription Drug Plans originally appeared on NerdWallet.
A personal loan could be an option if you want to consolidate high-interest debts in one monthly payment or finance a large project like a home renovation. But qualifying for a personal loan can be a bit more complicated if you’re self-employed. That’s because the lender may ask you for documents proving your income during...
The article How to Apply for a Personal Loan if You’re Self-Employed originally appeared on NerdWallet.
A personal loan could be an option if you want to consolidate high-interest debts in one monthly payment or finance a large project like a home renovation. But qualifying for a personal loan can be a bit more complicated if you’re self-employed. That’s because the lender may ask you for documents proving your income during...
The article How to Apply for a Personal Loan if You’re Self-Employed originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Personal finance company SoFi has introduced its first credit card, a cash-back card that aims to incentivize saving, investing or paying down a loan. The SoFi Credit Card is currently available only to SoFi members who were notified through an email, but anyone can join the waitlist on the company’s website. The $0-annual-fee card advertises...
The article New SoFi Credit Card Earns Up to 2% Cash Back If Applied to SoFi Accounts originally appeared on NerdWallet.
An investment property is real estate bought for the purpose of generating income. Investment properties can come with challenges, such as maintenance costs and more stringent financing requirements — including higher interest rates and a larger down payment — compared with mortgages on primary homes. What is an investment property? An investment property generates income...
The article What to Know About Buying an Investment Property originally appeared on NerdWallet.
You have a flawless driving record, never had a gap in coverage and you’re the only one on your policy. Yet your car insurance rates still are higher than all your utility bills combined. One possible culprit? Having poor credit, or, more specifically, a low credit-based insurance score. What is a credit-based insurance score? Your...
The article What to Know About a Credit-Based Insurance Score originally appeared on NerdWallet.
It’s been a tough year for hotel chains because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but Hyatt has found rewarding ways to keep its loyalists spending. Now, its co-branded credit cards are launching three new promotions that cardholders can take advantage of: Boutique brand savings: From Nov. 1, 2020, through March 31, 2021, The World Of Hyatt Credit Card...
The article Chase-Issued Hyatt Credit Cards Roll Out a Wave of Promotions originally appeared on NerdWallet.
The Radisson Rewards program offers a rich points-earning system that can earn you hotel stays in some exciting properties around the world. You accrue points by staying at Radisson properties, and you can earn even more if you use a Radisson Rewards co-branded credit card. For example, the Radisson Rewards™ Premier Visa Signature® Card pays you...
The article 9 Sweet Spot Redemptions for Radisson Rewards Points originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Marriott has launched a trio of work-from-hotel packages designed as an alternative for guests looking for a change of scenery from a home office. The Day Pass, Stay Pass and Play Pass packages offer guests options to work from select domestic and international Marriott hotels for the day, overnight or an extended getaway. Unfortunately, it...
The article The Guide to Marriott’s Work From Anywhere Packages originally appeared on NerdWallet.
If the Supreme Court throws out the Affordable Care Act, your finances and your future could pay the price. Retiring early or starting a business might become too hazardous if your access to health insurance isn’t guaranteed. You might have to wait a year before pre-existing conditions are covered by an employer’s plan. Young adults...
The article How Losing Obamacare Could Cost You originally appeared on NerdWallet.
In a typical year, most people want to see family for the holidays. But many people don’t really want to stay with family. So if you’ve already made the decision to spend the holidays this year with family members outside of your household, here’s one perhaps welcome byproduct of 2020: Instead of sleeping in your...
The article Coronavirus Prompts a Welcome Change to a Holiday Travel Dilemma originally appeared on NerdWallet.
The Upgrade Card, originally created as a credit card/installment loan hybrid product, is unveiling a cash-back rewards program. Beginning Oct. 29, 2020, cardholders will earn an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Earned cash back will be applied to the next month’s balance on your card, almost like a prepayment on your bill. Otherwise,...
The article Upgrade Card Launches Cash-Back Rewards Program originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Electric cars now drive farther, charge faster and come in nearly every price range. But when GMC began promoting its Hummer EV pickup truck to be released this year, it became even clearer that electric cars are primed to go mainstream. Once the domain of environmentalists, then early adopters, EVs may soon have even truck...
The article Is It Finally Time to Get an Electric Car? originally appeared on NerdWallet.
If you’ve served in the military, a mortgage backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs may be your ticket to home ownership. VA loans don’t require a minimum down payment or mortgage insurance, and they often have lower interest rates than other mortgages. “Using that VA loan is an opportunity to buy a chunk...
The article Your Battle Plan for Buying a Home With a VA Loan originally appeared on NerdWallet.
As you drive down a smooth highway or past that new, state-of-the-art stadium, you might wonder how your city paid for it. It’s very likely a municipal bond made it happen. Municipal bonds, also known as munis, are debt securities issued by state and local governments to bankroll necessary infrastructure. They’re often used to build...
The article Municipal Bonds: How to Invest Tax-Free in a Community originally appeared on NerdWallet.
For a limited time, two JetBlue credit cards are boosting their possible sign-up bonuses to dizzying heights, if you apply in an eligible way and are willing to spend more. According to Barclays, the issuer of JetBlue’s cards, an offer to earn 100,000 bonus JetBlue TrueBlue points will be available for the following cards if...
The article JetBlue Plus and Business Cards Hike Potential Bonuses to 100K Points originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Maui is the second-largest Hawaiian Island and a dream destination for travelers around the world. Two main tourist areas, Kaanapali and Wailea, are home to most of the hotels on the island, along with lots of vacation rental properties. If you’re planning a trip to Maui and are trying to choose where to stay, here’s...
The article Maui Trip Planning: Kaanapali or Wailea? originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Can an online travel agency offer a more rewarding way to book than hotel loyalty programs? Orbitz.com competes for your business by offering perks for loyal users plus a lot more hotels to choose from. For the occasional traveler, especially, Orbitz can be a good choice, while frequent travelers may be better off earning perks...
The article Should You Book Hotels Through Orbitz? originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Getting approved for a mortgage is never easy. Even with great credit and a big down payment, the process can be cumbersome. In 2020, the process has become even more difficult. Lenders have tightened standards in response to the economic uncertainty during the coronavirus pandemic. Borrowers, hoping to buy a home while interest rates are...
The article Mortgage Denial Data Reveals How to Boost Your Approval Odds originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Basic economy tickets get a bad rap. These cheaper fares, which carry more restrictions and fewer built-in features than regular economy tickets, can seem like a “gotcha” game. And while these fares do add a layer of complication and confusion to booking air travel, there are times when they are the smart choice — even...
The article When Should You Book Basic Economy? originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Pitching your business to venture capitalists may not be in the cards for first-time entrepreneurs or small shops, but crowdfunding can help you find both accredited investors and everyday consumers willing to back your company. Equity crowdfunding means investors provide financing in return for a stake in your business. It differs from rewards-based crowdfunding, which...
The article Equity Crowdfunding: How It Can Help Your Startup originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Crowdfunding is an alternative to traditional small-business financing that provides the means to transform a promising idea into profitable reality — without having to pay back a penny. Rewards-based crowdfunding is the most popular type of crowdfunding. What is rewards-based crowdfunding? Rewards-based, or seed, crowdfunding is a type of small-business financing in which entrepreneurs solicit financial donations...
The article Rewards-Based Crowdfunding: What It Is, When It Works originally appeared on NerdWallet.
American Express does not offer student loans. If you need to borrow for college, exhaust federal financial aid first, then compare private student loans to get the best rate possible. American Express student loan alternatives If you wanted an American Express student loan, consider these alternatives instead: A different credit card issuer. If you were...
The article Does American Express Offer Student Loans? originally appeared on NerdWallet.
As a small-business owner, you can turn your unpaid customer invoices into fast cash with invoice factoring and its closely related counterpart, invoice financing. These options are best for business owners whose customers don’t pay for goods or services right away but who need cash now to run their business. Here’s what you need to know about...
The article Invoice Factoring: Financing for Your Small Business originally appeared on NerdWallet.
An S corporation, or S-corp, is a special designation carved out of the U.S. tax code for small businesses. When you see “Inc.” at the end of a business name, it’s not just for show. Being a corporation signifies that a business is essentially a separate entity from its owners. But is it the right...
The article S Corporation: Lower Taxes but Limited Growth Potential originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Whether you envision yourself in a single-family house in the suburbs or a condo near a city center, buying the home of your dreams can take time. “From start to finish, if everything works out according to plan, it can take about three months,” says Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of Realtors....
The article How Long Does It Take to Buy a House? originally appeared on NerdWallet.
As new credit cards update offers and your spending habits change over time, the card you’ve relied on for years may no longer fit. If that’s the case, you can apply for a new credit card and close your old one — but that could mean forfeiting your remaining rewards and dealing with dings to...
The article 7 Times You Might Want to Product-Change a Credit Card originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Some credit mistakes are a lot worse than others. Little ones, like paying a credit card bill a day late, may cost you a penalty fee, but that’s a relatively minor irritation — it’s not going to stand between you and a mortgage. Other seemingly small slip-ups can lead to full-fledged disasters. What makes a...
The article 5 Credit Mistakes That Can Haunt You originally appeared on NerdWallet.
NerdWallet is here to help you win Black Friday while leaving your budget intact. We spend the time, you save the money. Visit regularly for holiday shopping tips and announcements about your favorite retailers. Black Friday is Nov. 27. Ugg’s product line features diverse footwear styles, apparel, accessories and home items. Yet, the brand’s comfy,...
The article Ugg Black Friday 2020 Deals: Are They Worth It? originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Charitable donations tend to be popular around the holidays, and this year the needs of many nonprofits have shot through the roof amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the recession and natural disasters. More than 90% of nonprofits said they have been negatively impacted by COVID-19, according to a survey conducted from May 28 to June 3...
The article Year-End Charitable Giving: 3 Things to Know About Donating Points and Miles originally appeared on NerdWallet.
The Jasper Mastercard® — an alternative credit card for those with no credit — will soon offer 1% cash back on all purchases for all cardholders. Starting Oct. 28, 2020, the card, issued by WebBank, will earn rewards that redeem automatically every month as a statement credit to cardholders’ accounts. There will be no minimum...
The article Jasper Mastercard Adding Rewards Program: 1% Back on All Purchases originally appeared on NerdWallet.
If you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or a Chase Sapphire Reserve® card, you’ll now be able to get fit and ward off holiday pounds with limited-time statement credits toward eligible Peloton memberships. Here’s what the cards will offer: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Earn up to $60 in statement credits on Peloton Digital and All-Access memberships through Dec....
The article Chase Sapphire Preferred, Reserve Add Peloton Statement Credits (Limited Time) originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Working from home has its challenges: Kids swirling around, an ever-growing list of chores and other interruptions can make concentrating difficult. With children doing virtual learning, the kitchen-table study-hall can become a site of extreme frustration, too. Hyatt Hotels has a solution: Work from Hyatt packages, which offer a much-needed change of scenery for remote workers,...
The article ‘Work From Hyatt’ Package Sweet Spot Redemptions originally appeared on NerdWallet.
As the weather cools down, you may start dreaming about a getaway to someplace warmer. Luckily, the Southeast United States has a plethora of places for you to enjoy the outdoors while working on your tan in the winter months. No matter which hotel loyalty program you use, you’re likely to find participating properties wherever...
The article Popular Southeast National Parks on Points originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Hoping to fly to the Olympics on Japan Airlines, but the only miles to your name are with American Airlines? Itching to fly Qantas to Australia, but all you’ve got are British Airways miles? Airline alliances can solve that problem by taking many separate airlines — each with their own award charts, routing rules and...
The article Oneworld Alliance Award Sweet Spots and Transfers Partners originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Anyone thinking of applying for the Capital One® Walmart Rewards™ Mastercard® just got an extra reason: New cardholders will enjoy a $50 bonus after spending $300 on holiday spending in the first three months of approval. This bonus is available to those who apply for the card in Walmart stores Nov. 1 through Dec. 26, 2020, or...
The article Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard Offers $50 Bonus on Holiday Spending originally appeared on NerdWallet.
NerdWallet is here to help you win Black Friday, while leaving your budget intact. We spend the time, you save the money. Visit regularly for holiday shopping tips and announcements about your favorite retailers. Black Friday is Nov. 27. As an Amazon-owned product, the Ring doorbell is sure to appear among the e-commerce giant’s Black...
The article Ring Doorbell Black Friday 2020 Deals: Are They Worth It? originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Is using your kitchen table as an office-slash-kids’-classroom making you long to upgrade your home? You’re not alone. Sixty-one percent of American homeowners have taken on home improvement projects since March 1, 2020, according to NerdWallet’s 2020 Home Improvement Report. But before you can join them, you’ll have to decide how to finance your project....
The article 3 Reasons to Consider a Renovation Refinance Right Now originally appeared on NerdWallet.
I recently had the opportunity to fly Aer Lingus in business class from Dublin to Boston. Here are some insights from my experience before, during and after the flight that can help travelers looking at carriers for their next trans-Atlantic journey. How to book Aer Lingus business class Aer Lingus operates under the Avios loyalty...
The article Flight Review: Aer Lingus Business Class, Dublin to Boston originally appeared on NerdWallet.
With the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card, business owners not only earn valuable Rapid Rewards points redeemable for flights, but they get lots of other perks that can save money and time. Plus, travelers who want to earn Southwest A-List status or the famous Southwest Companion Pass can accelerate the process with this...
The article Underrated Reasons Why You Need a Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Card originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Travel insurance can safeguard your nonrefundable reservations and reimburse you for any unexpected emergency medical costs that you incur while traveling. However, the travel insurance needs of those taking several short vacations per year will vary from those of digital nomads, who may spend significant portions of the year living and working from abroad. Digital...
The article Travel Insurance Options for Digital Nomads originally appeared on NerdWallet.
