These streaming TV services have the goods. Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock.com
So you’ve watched everything on Netflix (or you’ve been cut off from using your mom’s password), now what? Maybe it’s time to jump into another TV stream. Here are streaming TV alternatives to Netflix that carry exclusive original content you may not have seen before. In most cases, they cost a little less than Netflix per month, and none of them have a password-sharing crackdown policy (yet).
The days of using “wind chill” warnings to indicate cold weather conditions are over. EugeneEdge / Shutterstock.com
Folks living in cold-weather parts of the U.S. have long looked to “wind chill” warnings to get a read on how frigid conditions are outside. But those days are now over. The National Weather Service just put “wind chill” terminology on ice. Wind chill watches, warnings and advisories have been renamed. The terminology changes are part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s…
Whether you’re already there or planning ahead, these tips can help make retirement more fulfilling. PeopleImages.com – Yuri A / Shutterstock.com
While we’re in the daily grind of working for a living, we often visualize life after retirement as happy, stress-free relaxation. Getting a little R&R is certainly important, but there is a limit to the amount of napping, puttering around the house and watching daytime television a person can take. Without a plan for life after retirement, many retirees find themselves feeling vaguely…
The way you drive can save you money — or it can cost you. Keep reading to learn a few areas of improvement for your driving behavior. [[{“value”:”
Image source: The Motley Fool/Unsplash
Pet peeves — we’ve all got ’em. For me personally, other people’s aggressive or careless driving spikes my blood pressure. We all have to share the road, and in addition to putting other people at risk, being an inconsiderate driver can also cost you money.
If you’re hoping not to drain your checking account with your comings and goings each day, check out these four expensive driving habits to avoid.
This is a major way you’re spending more money than you need to on car ownership. Auto insurance is required for drivers in all 50 states, and even if it wasn’t, going without is a terrible idea. In the event of an accident, you could find yourself out thousands of dollars if you have to pay for repairs to your own vehicle and that of other drivers, not to mention the cost of medical bills.
Luckily, it’s not hard to shop around for auto insurance every year. You can use an insurance broker to compare options, or take matters into your own hands. Research the best auto insurance companies, use their websites to get quotes, and see which is the best fit for the coverage you need at the right price.
You’ll need a place to keep the money you save on auto insurance. Check out our top picks for high-yield savings accounts to watch that cash grow with interest.
Dangerous driving could be making your life more expensive, not to mention making the drivers around you angry and afraid. The Department of Energy found that speeding and rapid acceleration and braking can lower your gas mileage by 15% to 30% on the highway and 10% to 40% in stop-and-go traffic. That’s the equivalent of paying $0.38 to $1.53 more per gallon.
In addition, you’re sure to see your auto insurance premiums increase if your behavior results in an accident. So reduce your speed, don’t tailgate other drivers, and remember that everyone deserves to arrive at their destination safe and alive. You might also consider taking a defensive driving course — I’ve done this twice now and currently enjoy 10% off my auto insurance premiums as a result.
Speaking of gas, how are you paying for it? There are a lot of great options for credit cards that pay rewards on gas purchases, so if you’re not using one, you’re missing out.
I always use a card that gives me 3% cash back on my gas purchases. Check out our picks for gas rewards credit cards to find one that will maximize your rewards at the pump.
Since I work from home most of the time, I don’t buy gas often, but earning that money back when I do improves my bottom line. As a bonus, I also feel pretty safe paying for gas with a credit card thanks to robust fraud protections.
Having too much weight in your vehicle will cost you in gas. The Department of Energy’s data says that having a rooftop cargo box can mean a loss of 2% to 17% in your fuel economy, or the equivalent of paying $0.08 to $0.65 more per gallon of gas, depending on whether you’re driving in the city or at highway speeds.
And for every 100 pounds extra you’re hauling, you’re reducing your miles per gallon by 1%. We’ve all fallen into the trap of driving around with extra junk in our vehicles. So, now is a great time to drop those boxes off at the dump or Goodwill — your fuel economy will thank you.
Your habits behind the wheel and in service of driving have the power to either save you money or cost you money. Use these tips to cut your costs and become a safer (and richer) driver.
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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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Mortgage rates are creeping downward. But are sub-3% mortgages ever going to be in the cards again? Keep reading to find out. [[{“value”:”
Image source: Getty Images
As of this writing, the average 30-year mortgage rate is 6.12%. Given that the average 30-year mortgage rate was well above 7% around this time last year, 6.12% is an improvement. But it’s also a far cry from the sub-3% mortgage rates borrowers enjoyed back in 2020 and 2021.
If you’re looking to buy a home, you may be wondering if mortgage rates will ever drop below 3% again. The answer is that it’s possible, but unlikely. But that doesn’t mean mortgage rates won’t fall considerably from where they are right now.
Borrowing rates have been elevated in general this year thanks to a series of federal funds rate hikes made by the Federal Reserve. But now that inflation is slowing down, the Fed is looking to reverse those rate hikes.
The Fed made its first cut to its benchmark interest rate in mid-September, but it’s by no means done. In the coming year, we should expect a number of follow-up rate cuts, which should result in lower borrowing rates across the board. And that extends to mortgage rates.
So while you may be looking at paying a little more than 6% on a 30-year loan right now, by early 2025, you may be looking at an interest rate below 6%. And rates could even drop below the 5% mark at some point next year.
However, don’t expect mortgage rates to reach 3% — or fall below that mark — anytime soon. The reason rates were so low in 2020 and 2021 is that the U.S. economy was plunged into a deep economic crisis as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. To avoid having home prices plummet and prevent a mortgage industry collapse, lenders lowered rates to drum up business.
It’s possible that mortgage rates could reach similarly low levels in the future if another major economic catastrophe occurs. But that’s not something we should wish for.
Your mortgage rate is influenced by several factors, and general market conditions definitely play a role. You could have outstanding credit right now, for example, and still get stuck paying around 6% for a mortgage simply because that’s what lenders are offering.
However, the higher your credit score, the lower your mortgage rate is likely to be. So if your credit score needs work, you can boost it by paying bills on time, reducing your credit card debt, and checking your credit report for errors.
Shopping around is another important step to take if you want the best mortgage rate out there. Contact a bunch of lenders and compare their offers; you never know when one lender might give you a much better deal than another. Check out this list of the best mortgage lenders to find a fantastic rate on your home loan.
Mortgage rates below 3% are not the norm. And they’re not likely to happen again anytime soon. But that doesn’t mean rates won’t fall into the 4% range, or even the 3% range eventually. There may, for example, come a time when a 3.5% mortgage is attainable.
But if you’re looking to buy a home in the next year or so, that’s not something to bank on. Instead, raise your credit score and do your research so you can get the most competitive rate on a mortgage based on what’s available.
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, 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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Some CDs have a minimum deposit requirement. Do you have enough money to open a great CD? Find out here. [[{“value”:”
Image source: Getty Images
As of 2022, 37% of Americans did not have enough money in a savings account to cover an unplanned $400 expense, according to the Federal Reserve. If you’re sitting on $1,000, you’re in much better shape than a good percentage of the adult population.
You may be inclined to take your $1,000 and put it into a CD. But you should know that because CDs typically charge penalties for early withdrawals, you should only put money into one that you’re sure you don’t need for near-term expenses or emergency fund purposes.
If that’s the case, though, then you may be wondering if $1,000 is enough to put into a CD. The answer is that generally speaking, $1,000 is enough for a CD — but it may not be enough for every CD.
Some banks will allow you to put $50 or $100 into a CD. Others might require a $500 minimum deposit. And certain banks might reserve their top CD rates for savers who can meet a $2,500 or $5,000 deposit requirement.
To make a long story short, you may run into issues with certain banks if you only have $1,000 to put into a CD. But in many cases, $1,000 is more than enough to meet the minimum deposit requirement (which may even be $0, since some banks don’t have one).
Your best bet is to shop around for a CD based on the deposit you’re able to make. Check out this list of the top CD rates today. If you scroll through, you’ll see the minimum deposit requirements.
You might assume that if you’re limited to a $1,000 deposit, you’ll only be able to earn so much money on a CD. And that’s true. If you lock in a 12-month CD at 4.5%, with $1,000, you’re looking at earning $45.
That’s not a life-changing amount of money. But it’s not nothing.
An extra $45 could be your ticket to a fun night out with friends. It could pay for your streaming services for a month. Or, it could be extra cash you keep on hand for unplanned expenses. So there’s no reason not to earn as much interest on your money as you can, even if it’s not a ton.
Another benefit of opening a $1,000 CD? You may be less likely to withdraw that money on a whim.
Say you’re saving up to buy a new car in a couple of years. If you put your $1,000 into a savings account, you can withdraw it at any time without a penalty. And you might end up taking out some or all of that money to do things like go to concerts with friends, thereby putting that new car even more out of reach.
With a CD, the early withdrawal penalty might deter you from spending the money you’re saving for a car. That alone is a good reason to open a CD, even if you only have limited funds to work with.
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, 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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