Here’s what to know when shopping for fast and affordable Wi-Fi. Viktoriia Hnatiuk / Shutterstock.com
What is Wi-Fi? Wi-Fi is the technology that allows your computer, tablet, cellphone, and other devices to connect wirelessly to the internet. Thanks to Wi-Fi, you can use the internet without plugging in an Ethernet cord to your devices.
Juggling credit card debts can be stressful. Read on for some ways to make your debt easier and more cost-effective to pay off. [[{“value”:”
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If you’re carrying debt on your credit cards, you’re definitely not alone. During the fourth quarter of 2023, U.S. credit card balances increased by $50 billion to $1.13 trillion, according to Federal Reserve data. So clearly, many consumers have recently piled onto their credit card debt, and in a big way.
But while it’s one thing to owe money on a single credit card, it’s another thing to be juggling balances on multiple cards. In that situation, you risk missing a payment by virtue of simply having too many due dates to manage. So if you’re in that boat, here are three moves you may want to consider.
Featured offer: save money while you pay off debt with one of these top-rated balance transfer credit cards
With a balance transfer, you move your existing balances onto a single credit card — ideally, one with a 0% introductory APR. The benefit here is that you’ll only have a single monthly payment to make. And getting a reprieve from racking up interest for a period of time could help you get ahead of your debt.
That said, before you apply for a balance transfer card, read the fine print. See what fees you’ll pay to transfer your balances onto a new card, and pay attention to how long your 0% introductory period will last.
If you think you’ll be carrying your debt well beyond that introductory period, you may want to lock in a fixed-rate loan instead. With a balance transfer, once your introductory period comes to an end, the interest rate on your remaining balance could soar.
As just mentioned, if you think paying off your credit cards might be a years-long process, then you may want to look at a personal loan. These loans let you borrow money for any purpose, so you could take one out, use it to pay off your credit cards, and then repay a single loan over time.
With a personal loan, you could be looking at a much lower interest rate than what your credit cards are charging you. And your monthly personal loan payments will be fixed until that debt is gone (assuming you don’t refinance your loan, of course).
If you’re a homeowner, instead of looking to take out a personal loan to consolidate your credit card debt, you may want to consider a home equity loan. You typically need decent credit to qualify for both a personal loan and a home equity loan. However, with the latter, lenders may be a bit more flexible because your home equity loan is secured by your home itself.
Personal loans are unsecured, so if you don’t make your payments, your lender doesn’t have as much recourse. That said, with a home equity loan, there’s the risk of eventually losing your home if you stop making your payments. So that’s something to factor into your borrowing decision.
Juggling several credit card balances at once can be very stressful. And it could trip you up and result in missed payments that damage your credit score. So it’s worth considering these three options that could make your life exponentially easier, not to mention make your debt more cost-effective to repay.
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a lengthy 0% intro APR period, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee! Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.
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My need to buy a home at a bad time left me stuck with an unattractive mortgage rate. Keep reading to learn why I still bought a home. [[{“value”:”
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When I bought a house recently, I had to take out a loan in order to afford it — just like most people do. Unfortunately, my mortgage has a higher rate than I would have preferred. That’s because, sadly, rates just happened to be pretty high at the time when I needed to close on the loan.
Despite the fact my rate is much higher than it would be in an ideal world, I went ahead and got the loan anyway. Here’s why.
The biggest reason I decided to get a loan when rates were high is because it made financial sense for me to purchase a home.
I had sold my old house and I needed a place to live in the state to maintain my residency there. I could have rented, but it would have been very difficult and expensive to find a rental property that accommodated my family, including my elderly dog and two kids. And I’d have been spending a lot of money on rent without building equity in my home. Plus, since I ultimately would have wanted to buy, I’d have to pay for movers multiple times, which gets expensive.
If you’re in a good place financially to buy and it’s cheaper or comparably priced to purchase rather than rent, you’re almost always better off buying, even if mortgage rates are higher than you’d like. Homeowners have 40 times the net worth of renters, in part because their mortgage payments are a form of forced savings, as each payment helps them get closer to acquiring a valuable asset.
Another big reason I moved forward was because doing so wouldn’t be a financial burden. I was still able to keep housing costs below 30% of my income, even with a loan at a higher-than-ideal mortgage rate.
If you spend more than 30% of your take-home pay on housing, you could be left house poor and unable to do important things like invest for the future. If you’d end up in that situation, you’re better off not buying.
I do not know when mortgage rates are going to fall, or if they’ll decline to my preferred level any time soon. No one can predict what will happen with rates, although there are experts guessing out there. It didn’t make sense to me to put my life on hold for months or even years in hopes of an uncertain future outcome.
The reality is, you can’t always time your purchase to when rates are as low as they will be for years. And trying to do so could mean putting off building equity in your home for far longer than you’d like. If your rate is affordable for you, there’s no reason to wait and hope for something better in the future that may never happen.
Finally, I know that if I get lucky and rates do fall, I can refinance my mortgage. And that’s one of the biggest perks of mortgages for any home buyer. You get to lock in at the rate right now and guarantee your payments won’t go up. But if rates fall, you can refinance at any time and lower yours, so it’s a one-way risk. The mortgage lender can’t just charge you more even if rates skyrocket, but you can walk away at any time and get a better loan if things turn in your favor.
Be aware, however, that there are closing costs associated with refinancing, just as there are with getting a new mortgage.
If you’re putting off buying a home right now because you aren’t happy with mortgage rates, take the time to consider whether that’s really the right choice. You could miss out on years of property appreciation and equity building while waiting for the perfect rate that might never come — or could accept the good enough rate that’s affordable to you and just refinance later if you get the chance. Which of those choices seems like your best bet?
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a lengthy 0% intro APR period, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee! Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.
We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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Amazon Pharmacy has made it easier and faster for customers in some cities to get their prescriptions. Find out more about this expanded service. [[{“value”:”
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On March 26, Amazon announced that it now offers same-day prescription delivery in New York City and the greater Los Angeles area. This service will allow customers in these areas to get their medications delivered within hours when filling qualifying prescriptions through Amazon Pharmacy. Here’s what you need to know about this latest Amazon offering.
In late 2020, Amazon launched Amazon Pharmacy, which began offering prescription drugs to customers in the United States. To use this service, you can transfer existing prescriptions or have new ones sent to be filled. Amazon will deliver your medications to your home. Many (but not all) drugs can be automatically refilled through this service.
While you don’t have to be an Amazon Prime member to use this service, Prime members can save money. Currently, Amazon offers Prime members free two-day shipping on prescription orders. However, customers in select cities can get necessary medications even sooner as the retailer works to expand its same-day prescription delivery services.
Amazon Pharmacy now offers same-day delivery to customers in New York City and greater Los Angeles. The retailer plans to further expand this service to additional U.S. cities by the end of 2024. So, while it’s not available nationwide yet, the service will expand this year.
Amazon will choose the best delivery method for each location, which could include drones, commercial vehicles, or e-bikes. The company is using artificial intelligence (AI) to speed up the prescription-filling process, so customers can get the medications they need without delay.
Amazon previously launched same-day prescription delivery in Austin, Indianapolis, Miami, Phoenix, and Seattle. A similar offering is available in College Station, Texas. There, customers can get their prescriptions delivered to their homes by drone in under an hour.
Thanks to today’s news, more customers will benefit from faster prescription deliveries. Being able to get your necessary medications quickly without leaving your home is a significant benefit. For Prime members in eligible delivery areas, this perk can make their Amazon Prime membership more valuable and add convenience to their lives.
If you’re not yet an Amazon Prime member, you may wonder if you should invest in a membership. Prime members pay $14.99 monthly or $139 annually, but the subscription cost unlocks access to the many Amazon Prime perks.
Before joining, review your budget to ensure you can afford the yearly membership fee. If you don’t know how much money you’re spending on everyday purchases or need help budgeting, consider using one of the best budgeting apps.
Prime is best for frequent Amazon shoppers. Prime members also get exclusive discounts at Whole Foods, so if you have a Whole Foods nearby and shop there, that’s even better. Many Prime members value the fast, free shipping perks and Prime-exclusive deals and sales.
If you’re still undecided, check out some of the little-known perks of an Amazon Prime membership to learn more. If you shop online frequently and pay attention to the best deals, a membership could help you keep more money in your bank account.
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a lengthy 0% intro APR period, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee! Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.
We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Citigroup is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Natasha Gabrielle has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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Are you unhappy with your credit score? Boosting it can have a positive effect on your bottom line. Find out how a better score could offer savings. [[{“value”:”
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If you live in the United States, it’s wise to care about your credit and know where your credit score stands. Your credit score is a financial indicator that creditors look to when determining whether to extend credit to you. The good news is that you can make choices that help you improve your credit score. Even if you have work to do, you can make progress, so don’t give up. Here are a few ways having a better credit score could save you money.
It’s common to have a credit check run when you apply for an apartment. If you have bad credit, your application may be denied. Alternatively, if approved, you may be asked to put more money toward a security deposit.
Those with better credit and higher credit scores may qualify for more apartment rentals, including nicer rentals, cheaper rentals, or rentals in prime locations. Improving your credit could help you save money and improve your living situation.
Many factors determine insurance policy rates. With auto insurance, for example, your age, driving history, location, and type of car you drive can impact the rate you pay. Your credit score can also affect the cost of your auto insurance policy (in most states). It can be beneficial to work to improve your credit score to avoid paying more than necessary for auto insurance coverage.
Most of us will need to borrow money at some point during our lives. You may need an auto loan to replace your car or decide to apply for a home mortgage when you’re ready to become a homeowner. However, if you have bad credit, you may struggle to get a loan approval.
A poor credit score can also result in getting approved for a loan with a higher interest rate. The higher your interest rate, the more money you’ll pay in interest fees throughout the life of your loan. If you have good credit, you’ll be more likely to get approved for a loan with a lower rate.
Having excellent credit can also allow you to access better credit card rewards and benefits. While you may qualify for a credit card with a poor or average credit score, getting approved for premium rewards credit cards with better perks is difficult. Many of the best rewards credit cards are available to consumers with excellent credit. If you want to access valuable credit card benefits or earn rewards that could save you money, pay attention to your credit score.
As you can see, a better credit score could be a win for your bank account. Increasing your credit score could help you save money and improve your life. Many creditors use the FICO® Score rating system. Here’s a breakdown of what factors make up this score and how much each factor impacts your overall score:
Payment history (35%) Amounts owed (30%)Length of credit history (15%) Credit mix (10%)New credit (10%)
Are you ready to take action to improve your credit score? That’s great news! Paying your bills on time and using only some of your available credit can help a great deal.
Other ways to improve your credit score include having an extensive credit history, a good mix of credit accounts, and a reasonable number of credit inquiries (avoid applying for new credit frequently). For additional financial tips, check out our personal finance resources.
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a lengthy 0% intro APR period, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee! Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.
We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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Youth sports offer plenty of benefits, but they can truly break the bank. Read on to see how one writer is making the cost work. [[{“value”:”
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It started with my daughter, whose passion for soccer drove her to try out for a travel team. My son followed suit soon after, joining a travel team for his age group. And most recently, my other daughter decided that after a season of rec basketball, she wanted to sign up for the more time-consuming and expensive travel league.
Managing my kids’ sports schedules could be a full-time job by itself. And that’s unfortunate, because when you add up the cost of their various sports, you pretty much need a second full-time job to pay for it all.
From league dues to uniforms to coaching fees, the cost of my kids’ sports has definitely put a strain on our personal finances. Oh, and let’s not forget the out-of-state tournaments we sometimes have to travel to. Those cost extra.
The Aspen Institute’s State of Play 2022 report finds that the typical family pays $883 per year to cover the cost of one child’s primary sport. I’ll be transparent and say that on a per-child basis, I’m paying way more than that for soccer, but slightly less for basketball. But those numbers don’t include tournaments, which are hard to say no to.
Either way, it’s not so easy to cover these costs on top of my many other child-related expenses, like summer camp (something that’s required in my household since my spouse and I both work full-time), non-sports activities, food, clothing, and general stuff kids tend to need. I’ve had to make some changes to cope with those sports bills. Here’s what I’m doing so far.
Cutting back on takeout is something I’ve been wanting to do for a while not just for the savings, but for the health benefits. But I’ll say that cutting my food bills has helped free up money in my checking account for these various sports expenses.
To really maximize my savings by cooking, I’ve done two things. First, I’ve gotten on board with meal planning. I used to mostly wing it and decide what to cook on a day-to-day basis. But now, I tend to make larger batches of food over the weekend and serve leftovers for days.
I’ve also made meal planning more of a family thing, as opposed to an individual thing, to get everyone’s buy-in. That way, my kids can’t picky-eater their way out of consuming what I’ve prepared.
The frustrating thing about buying kids’ sporting gear is that they tend to outgrow it quickly. So some of the things you purchase might only last a single season.
That’s why I’ve made a point to ask for and use hand-me-down gear. This season, my son is wearing a teammate’s outgrown cleats on the field, while my daughter is using cleats my son wore a couple of seasons ago. And I have no problem perpetuating this cycle of hand-me-downs if it saves me from having to make extra purchases.
Late last year, I wrote about how I expected a decrease in income in 2024. I still expect to earn less this year than in 2023. But I did take on more work than expected during the first three months of the year so I could earn a bit more and cover my youth sports bills more comfortably.
Funny enough, a big reason I expect to earn less this year is that I’m so busy with child sporting events that I don’t anticipate having as many working hours as I did in the past. But still, I may have to compromise by, say, bringing my laptop along to a soccer match and trying to do some work in between plays. It’s not as leisurely as just being able to sit there and enjoy the game, but I’ll do what I have to do.
There’s no question about it — youth sports fees can be tremendous, and many parents risk landing in debt to cover those costs. If you’re stressed about paying for youth sports, examine your budget to see if there are other expenses you can cut back on. And don’t be shy about asking for used gear, as it could save you a nice amount of money.
Finally, if need be, look to the gig economy to boost your earnings. It may not be easy to find the time for a side hustle when you’re constantly running back and forth between the softball field and home. But growing your income even slightly could make paying for your kids’ sports a lot less stressful.
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a lengthy 0% intro APR period, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.
We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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