Cash Back Archives - Sarminiatures

April 26, 2021

What you should know about fixed-rate credit cards

Interest rates have generally remained stable because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but if they start moving up again, your credit card rate could rise as well.

If you do some digging, however, you might be able to find a credit card with a rate that’s locked in place – and many of these fixed-rate cards carry interest rates that are much lower than the national average, which is 16.15%, as of April 21, 2021.

“Our goal is to look out for our membership” by offering several fixed-rate, low-interest credit cards, said George De Leon, lending manager at Border Federal Credit Union in Del Rio, Texas.

“We want to be upfront with our members” when it comes to their card’s interest rate, De Leon added. With variable-rate cards, “you really don’t know where you’ll end up.”

What is a fixed-rate card?

With a fixed-rate credit card, your rate will typically remain the same for as long as you have the card.

And you might even be able to score a low introductory rate for a few months, however, before the rate rises.

For example, at Border Federal Credit Union, a Visa Platinum card has an introductory rate of 5% for six months and then jumps to a fixed rate of 9%. A Visa Gold card has a six-month introductory rate of 6%, then increases to a fixed rate of 11%.

Like other credit unions, Border is a nonprofit, “we are able to offer a little bit better rates,” De Leon explained.

“With a fixed-rate card, you know what your rate is expected to be and can budget and plan for that,” said Melinda Opperman, president of the nonprofit consumer credit counseling agency Credit.org.

“If you’re making a big purchase and won’t pay off the balance right away, knowing the rate lets you calculate exactly how much the purchase will cost with interest.”

If your financial institution decides to change the rate on your card, it has to give you 45 days’ written notice, Opperman said.

Your existing balances will remain at the original fixed rate. According to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the higher rate will apply only to transactions that occurred more than 14 days after the notice was provided.

Note that your rate also can increase if you’re more than 60 days late making your payment, said Jeff Arevalo, a financial wellness expert with GreenPath Financial Wellness.

Variable-rate cards are common

The vast majority of credit cards carry a variable interest rate.

With variable-rate cards, “the interest rate is tied to the prime rate. That can cause some variations” in the rates you pay, Arevalo said.

But “interest rates have been stable lately,” Arevalo added.

Rates are typically tied to the prime rate, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. The prime rate is linked to the federal funds rate set by the Federal Reserve.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared in March 2020, the prime rate has remained at 3.25%, compared to 4.25% prior to the pandemic. For half of 2018 and much of 2019, the prime rate was above 5%, according to JPMorgan Chase.

The federal funds rate is currently 0% to 0.25% and is the interest rate at which banks and other depository institutions lend money to one another.

If those rates increase, your credit card rates could rise, too.

A variable-rate card “can be very enticing at the beginning, then can change,” De Leon said.

Some variable-rate credit cards, such as the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card, the Discover it® Cash Back card, are currently offering a 0% introductory interest rate for either balance transfers or purchases or both for more than a year. Then the interest jumps.

The Discover it Cash Back card has a variable rate of 11.99% to 22.99%, while the Citi Diamond Preferred Card has a variable rate of 14.74% to 24.74%.

The rate you pay will depend on your credit score and credit history.

Do some digging

Fixed-rate cards aren’t easy to find, so it’s best to check with your local credit union or community bank.

You also need to check to see if the card that interests you carries annual fees or other fees, which can drive up its costs.

Tropical Financial Credit Union in Pembroke Pines, Florida, for example, has several Mastercard credit cards, with fixed rates starting as low as 8.99%.

Goldenwest Credit Union, based in South Ogden, Utah, has a fixed rate card with rates starting at 9.75%. Based in Hiawatha, Iowa, First Federal Credit Union has a fixed-rate card with a rate as low as 6.99%.

Credit unions often have strict membership rules, such as requiring members to live in a certain location or work for a certain business, so if you find a fixed-rate credit card you like, make sure you qualify for membership at that credit union.

Opperman said getting a credit card with a small local bank or credit union can give you the opportunity to build a relationship with a representative and ask detailed questions about the terms and conditions of the card you’re considering.

Creditors tend to prefer variable-rate cards, Opperman said, “because the lender is protected in the event of an interest rate hike. If they give you a low fixed rate, then the federal funds rate goes up, they can’t pass their extra costs on to you with a higher rate.”

Be careful with credit

Arevalo said for those who carry a balance month to month “a lower rate is better. It doesn’t matter if it’s fixed or variable.”

If you pay off your balance every month, interest rates are less of an issue, he added.

Because it is more likely you’ll be offered a variable rate credit card, Opperman recommended reading the fine print and finding out when penalty rates kick in – which would drive your interest rate up even higher.

Also, consider a credit card’s rewards program and annual fees. “Don’t let your interest rate be the sole factor that sways your decision,” Opperman warned.

If you’re struggling with credit card debt, Arevalo suggested contacting a nonprofit consumer credit counseling agency to help you find strategies for dealing with your debt.

“Keeping healthy credit behaviors is going to the best way you don’t get overwhelmed with your credit card debt,” he said.

Source: creditcards.com

February 4, 2021

We Earn $200,000 and Canât Save. Help!

By Renee Powell in Credit 101 Tag Budget, Buy, car, Cash Back, college, Credit, credit card, Credit Cards, debt, Emergency Fund, Extra Income, Financial Wize, FinancialWize, government, HELOC, Home, home equity, home equity line of credit, Insurance, Lifestyle, line of credit, Loans, money, Money Audit, Mortgage, property, Rewards, Salary, Saving, saving for college, savings, Savings Account, Side Hustle, Spending, student loans, tax, will

Mia, 35 and her husband Luke, 36, earn a combined $200,000 per year. But after paying their mortgage and rental property loan, as well as car and student loans, child care, and other living expenses, the Los Angeles couple has a difficult time socking away money in savings.

They do have about $10,000 in a rainy day account, which could cover their expenses for about one month. But adding to the account has been proving difficult.

Luke feels confident that if they ever run into a serious financial bind, they could always take advantage of their low-interest home equity line of credit. But Mia isnât comfortable with that route. Sheâd prefer to have more cash on hand.

A bit more background on the couple and where they stand financially:

Luke recently transitioned to a new job as a government attorney, which he loves, but it also meant taking a 50% pay cut. Thatâs impacted their ability to spend and save as comfortably in recent months. It was an unexpected opportunity for which the couple wasnât financially prepared.

Mia and Luke would like an objective look at their finances to discover ways to reduce spending, increase saving and possibly find new revenue streams. âIâd love to figure out a side-hustle, so that I can eventually leave my job and spend more time with the kiddos,â says Mia, who works in marketing. Other goals including affording a new car in a couple of years and remodeling their primary residence.

Hereâs a closer look at their finances:

Income:

Combined salaries: $200,000 per year
Net rental income: $6,000 per year

Debt:

Car and student loan debt. $13,000 combined at 2%
Mortgage at primary residence $845,000 at 3.625%
Mortgage at rental property $537,000 at 3.5%
HELOC on primary residence: $200,000 (have not used any of this credit)

Retirement:

Mia: contributes about $1,000 total each month, including a company match
Luke: contributes about $1,000 total each month, including a company match

Emergency Savings: $10,000

College Savings: The couple has 529 college savings funds for both of their children. They allocate their cash back rewards from credit cards towards these accounts. Currently they have about $10,000 saved for their 4-year old and $5,000 saved for their 1-year old child.

Top Monthly Spending Categories:

Primary residence mortgage: $4,000
Primary residence property tax: $1,100
Childcare: $1,900 (daycare for both children, 3 days per week. Grandmother watches other 2 days per week)
Food (Groceries/Eating Out): $800
Car and student loan payments: $450

From my point of view, I think the biggest hole in Mia and Lukeâs finances is their rainy day savings bucket. Relying on a HELOC to cover an unexpected cost is not really an ideal plan. In theory, the money can be used to cover expenses and the interest rate would probably be far lower than the rate on a credit card. But in reality, tapping a HELOC means falling further into debt. They do have $10,000 saved, which is good. But itâs not great.

If not for an emergency, the savings can allow them to achieve other goals. The couple mentioned wanting to buy a car in a couple years. This will probably require a down payment. Having cash can also assist with renovating their home.

Here are my top three recommendations:

Transfer Rental Income Towards Savings

Their previous residence is now a rental property. It nets them about $500 per month. The couple is using this money to pad their living expenses. Can they, instead, move this into their savings account for the next few years? The way I see it, they should have a proper six month cushion in savings to tide them over in an emergency and/or if they need money to address their goals. This rental income isnât going to get them to this 6-month reserve too quickly, but itâs a start.

Carve Out Another $500 for Savings

While I donât have a detailed breakdown of all of the familyâs monthly expenses, I can bet that they can pare their expenses to save an additional $300 to $500. A few dinners out, some unplanned purchases at the grocery store (because you took the kids) and a couple monthly subscription plans can easily add up to $500 in one month. Whenever I want to save more, I schedule money to transfer out of my checking and into savings at the top of the month. I do this automatically and only spend whatever money I have left. Iâd suggest doing this for the first month and seeing how it feels. Do you really notice the money is gone? If yes, revisit some of your recurring costs and decide on trade-offs. If Lukeâs salary has decreased by 50% then the couple needs to make some modifications to their spending. The math, otherwise, wonât add up.

Can Mia Adjust Her Work Structure?

Mia is interested in a side hustle, too, to bring in extra income (which I highly recommend). Sites like tutor.com, care.com, taskrabbit.com and others can help you find quick work within her preferred time frame. In the meantime, can she and her husband find ways to adjust their work hours or commute, which saves gas, time and money?

Miaâs commute to work is one hour each way. Thatâs ten hours per week stuck in a car. And my guess is that while Miaâs driving, sheâs paying for daycare, for at least some of those hours. Could she work from home one or two days per week to reduce her time in traffic, as well as her child care costs?

Bottom line: When Lukeâs income dropped by 50%, the couple didnât adjust spending. It may help to take pen to paper and imagine they were building their budget for the first time. Take all of their expenses off the table and rebuild the budget and lifestyle to better align with their adjusted income. Start with the absolute needs first: housing, insurance, food. And really scrutinize all other expenditures. Unless itâs an absolute need that they can easily afford it, consider shutting it off until theyâve reached a 6-month savings pad.

The post We Earn $200,000 and Canât Save. Help! appeared first on MintLife Blog.

Source: mint.intuit.com

February 4, 2021

Your Guide to Budgeting for Summer Camp

By Renee Powell in Budgeting, Careers, Family Finance, Frugal Living Tag ATM, Auto, Automatic Transfer, Banking, Budget, Budgeting, Budgeting Basics, budgeting tips, Cash Back, Checking Account, Debit Card, debt, experience, Extra Money, Family, Family Finance, Fees, Financial Goals, Financial Plan, Financial Wize, FinancialWize, Frugal Living, Goals & Milestones, Grow, Home, How To, Kids & Money, money, Money-saving Tips, Online Savings Account, planning, Purchase, Quick Tips, Raising a Family, Rewards, Rewards Checking Account, Save Money, Saving, savings, Savings Account, School, Spending, Travel Tips, will

Summer camp is a rite of passage. A place where traditions begin and memories are made. A unique venue with a structured opportunity for kids to grow and learn new skills. As enriching as it may seem, embarking on the process each year can be intense: How do I choose a camp? Should it have a philosophy? How do I know my child will have fun? But often the question at the top of the list is, “How do I budget for summer camp?”

Whether you’re scrambling for camp arrangements for this year or getting a jump-start on next summer, you’re in need of a working budget for summer camp. “As a parent who sent several kids to summer camp for many years, I know how expensive it can be,” says Leslie H. Tayne, author and founder of debt solutions law firm Tayne Law Group.

Read on for expert budgeting tips for summer camp and how to save money on summer camp so you can make the best decisions concerning your wallet and your child’s wish list:

1. Get a handle on camp tuition

According to the American Camp Association, sleep-away camp tuition can range from $630 to more than $2,000 per camper per week. Day camp tuition isn’t too far behind, ranging from $199 to more than $800 per week.

One of the best ways to budget for summer camp is to understand your needs for the summer as well as your child's interests.

One of the best ways to budget for summer camp and prepare for tuition costs is to understand your needs for the summer as well as your child’s interests. This will help you determine ‘how much’ and ‘what type’ of camp you want: Is day-camp coverage important all summer because of work? Does your child want to experience sleep-away camp for a portion of the time? Is a camp with a specific focus (say a sport or hobby) on the list?

Depending on your circumstances and child’s expectations, it’s not unusual to be looking at a combination of campsâand tuition costsâin one season. If you have multiple kids at different ages, with different interests, creating a budget for summer camp and understanding how much you’ll need to dish out in tuition becomes especially important.

Once your camp plan is in place, assess how much you’ll need to pay in tuition for the summer months with school out of session. The sooner you’ve arrived at this figure, the easier it will be to work the expense into your household budget, says Heather Schisler, money-saving expert and founder of deal site Passion for Savings. “It’s much easier to set aside $30 a month than it is to come up with $300 to $400 at one time,” Schisler says.

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Sleep-away camp tuition can range from $630 to more than $2,000 per camper per week. Day camp tuition ranges from $199 to more than $800 per week.

– American Camp Association

2. Plan for expenses beyond tuition

One of the biggest budgeting tips for summer camp is planning for the many costs outside of tuition. Tayne points out that sleep-away camp usually comes with a longer supply list than day campâsuch as specific clothing or gear and toiletries to cover the length of stay. If your child is heading to a sleep-away camp far from home, your budget for summer camp may also need to factor in the cost of transportation or the cost to ship luggage. Day camps can also have fees for extended hours or transportation if your child rides a camp bus each day.

Once you’ve selected a campâday camp or sleep-awayâcheck its website for camper packing lists and guidelines. Most camps offer checklists that you can print out, which can be good for tracking supplies and costs as you go. After you enroll, your camp may provide access to an online portal that can help you manage tuition and track additional expenses, like canteen money, which is cash your child can use for snacks and additional supplies while away.

One of the best budgeting tips for summer camp is making sure you understand how much everything will costâthat's tuition plus any extra camp costs.

3. Create a year-round savings strategy

By calculating the necessary expenses ahead of time for the camps you and your campers have chosen, you’ll be able to determine an overall budget for summer camp. A budgeting tip for summer camp is to save money monthly throughout the year. To determine a monthly savings goal, divide your total summer camp costs by the amount of months you have until camp starts. If camp is quickly approaching and you’re feeling the budget crunch, you may want to start saving for next year’s costs once it’s back-to-school time so you can spread out your costs over a longer period of time.

Once you start saving, you’ll need a place to put it, right? When it comes to budgeting tips for summer camp, consider placing your cash in a dedicated account, which will keep it separate from your regular expenses and help you avoid tapping it for other reasons. “Then you can have your bank set up an auto draft [for the summer camp money] so it automatically goes into your account each month and you will have the money you need when summer rolls around,” Schisler says. If you use a Discover Online Savings Account for this purpose, you’ll also earn interest that can be put toward camp expenses.

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âIt’s much easier to set aside $30 a month than it is to come up with $300 to $400 at one time.â

– Heather Schisler, money-saving expert and founder of Passion for Savings

4. Find ways to fund your summer camp account

To boost cash in your summer camp savings account, consider asking relatives and family friends to gift your children cash for camp in lieu of birthday and holiday gifts, says Tracie Fobes of budget blog Penny Pinchin’ Mom. “If your child has his or her heart set on sleep-away camp, they may be willing to forgo a gift or two,” Fobes says.

Another budgeting tip for summer camp is to put your cashback rewards toward your budget for summer camp. For example, if you open a checking account with Discoverâcalled Cashback Debitâyou’ll earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month.¹ You can enroll to have that cashback bonus automatically deposited into your Discover Online Savings Account so it remains designated for camp costs (and can grow with interest).

Say hello to
cash back on debit
card purchases.

No monthly fees.
No balance requirements.
No, really.

See Details

Discover Bank, Member FDIC

Lastly, if you don’t have your tax refund earmarked for another financial goal, you could use the windfall to kick-start your summer camp savings fund. Depending on the refund amount and your total camp costs, it could reduce your monthly summer camp savings goal significantly.

5. Reduce camp-related costs

Despite having your budget for summer camp in full view and planning in advance, camp can still be expensive. Here are some ways to save money on summer camp by cutting down on camp costs:

Ask about scholarships and grants: “Some camps offer scholarships or discounts for children and families,” Fobes says. Research your camp to see if they have anything similar to help offsetâor even pay forâthe cost of tuition.
Use a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA): A Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account is a pre-tax benefit account that can be used to pay for eligible dependent care services. You can use this type of account to “cover dependent care [costs], and camp may qualify,” Fobes says.
Negotiate price: “Many people don’t think about negotiating the cost of summer camp, but it is possible,” Tayne says, and more and more camps are open to it.
See if there’s an “honor system”: Some camps have what’s known as an honor system, where the camp offers a range of costs, or tiered pricing, and parents can pay what they can comfortably afford. Every child enjoys the same camp experience, regardless of which price point, and billing is kept private.
Take advantage of discounts: Attention early birds and web surfers: “There are sometimes discounts offered when you sign up early or register online,” Fobes says.
Volunteer: If your summer schedule allows, “offer to work at the camp,” Fobes says. If you lend your servicesâperhaps for the camp blog or cleaning the camp house before the season startsâyour child may be able to attend camp for free or a reduced rate.

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Focus on the experienceânot the extras

Don’t let summer camp costs become a family budget-buster. Plan ahead and look for money-saving opportunities and work your budget for summer camp into your annual financial plan.

To save money on summer camp, remember that you only need to focus on camp necessities. “Don’t spend a lot of extra money on new clothing, bedding, trunks or suitcases,” Schisler says. “Remember, summer camp is all about the experience, not the things.”

¹ ATM transactions, the purchase of money orders or other cash equivalents, cash over portions of point-of-sale transactions, Peer-to-Peer (P2P) payments (such as Apple Pay Cash), and loan payments or account funding made with your debit card are not eligible for cash back rewards. In addition, purchases made using third-party payment accounts (services such as Venmo^Â® and PayPal, who also provide P2P payments) may not be eligible for cash back rewards. Apple, the Apple logo and Apple Pay are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

The post Your Guide to Budgeting for Summer Camp appeared first on Discover Bank – Banking Topics Blog.

Source: discover.com

February 4, 2021

What is a credit card statement credit?

By Renee Powell in Cash Back Tag american express, Cash Back, Credit, credit card, credit card rewards, Credit Cards, Direct Deposit, Financial Wize, FinancialWize, invest, journey, Main, money, News, Original, Products, Purchase, Rewards, Rewards Cards, Shopping, Spending, Travel

A recent trend in credit card rewards is increased flexibility in how you can redeem your cash back, points or miles. You can book travel, invest, get gift cards and more â but one of the most common ways a credit card company will issue rewards is as a statement credit.

Statement credits may seem simple, but theyâre handled a little differently by each rewards program, and thereâs a lot to consider when youâre trying to decide if theyâre the best way to redeem cash back or other rewards.

See related:Â What is cash back?

What is a statement credit?

Put simply, a statement credit is money credited to your account. In its most basic form, a statement credit is not much different from a payment. Like a normal monthly payment, a statement credit is deducted from your card balance, reducing the amount of money you owe. But where cardholders are responsible for payments, credits come from either a merchant or card issuer.

rewards cards also allow you to redeem the points or miles youâve earned as statement credits. While some cards allow you to use a statement credit to reduce your balance with no restrictions, others only apply credits to your account after you meet certain criteria or make purchases in specific spending categories.

Statement credits on cash back cards

Cash back cards usually make it easy to redeem your points as a statement credit. In most cases, all you need to do is meet the cardâs minimum redemption criteria, then choose a statement credit as your redemption method. Once a credit is applied to your account, your card balance decreases accordingly.

If, for example, you were to spend $3,000 with a flat rate 1 percent cash back card, youâd earn a $30 credit; and if you were to redeem this entire credit, $30 would be deducted from your account balance.

While many cards give you the option to request your cash back in the form a check, some only allow you to redeem as a statement credit â so be sure to read your issuerâs terms carefully. After all, when you get your cash back as a check or direct deposit, the money is yours to spend or save as youâd like. With a statement credit, however, the funds are âtrappedâ in your account and only impact your card balance. If you stop using your card or close your account, you could lose any cash back or points you havenât redeemed.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, for example, allows you to book travel through the rewards center at a rate of 1 cent per mile. But if you redeem your miles for cash back as a statement credit, their value is cut in half to just 0.5 cents per mile.

If you prefer to redeem your rewards as a statement credit, make sure doing so doesnât dilute the value of your points or miles, as each rewards program grants and values statement credits a little differently.

Statement credits for an introductory bonus

Statement credits also frequently appear as part of a card introductory or annual bonus, when issuers offer to reward you if you spend a certain amount of money within a given timeframe. The Blue Cash PreferredÂ® Card from American Express, for example, offers a $250 bonus after you spend $1,000 with your new card in the first 3 months. Instead of simply sending you a check for $250, however, American Express credits your account $250 after youâve met the conditions of the offer. Once received, the credit will cover the next $250 you charge.

Statement credits for card benefits

Many cards also award extra perks in the form of a statement credit. The United Explorer Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve, for example, each offer up to a $100 credit to cover the cost of a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application.

In these cases, a statement credit is applied to your account only after you make the eligible purchase and cannot be used for anything else.

How statement credits work with the major rewards programs

Hereâs how some of the major rewards programs treat statement credits:

Rewards program	Can you redeem rewards as a statement credit?	Minimum redemption	Rewards rate when redeemed as a credit
Discover cards Cashback Bonus	Yes	None	1:1
Bank of America Cash Rewards	Yes	None ($25 for automatic redemptions)	1:1
American Express Membership Rewards	Yes	$25	1:0.6
Chase Ultimate Rewards	Yes	$20	1:1

Should I redeem my points as a statement credit?

Once you know what a statement credit is and how itâs treated by your rewards program, youâll probably wonder if itâs smart to redeem your points or miles in this form. While the answer will depend on your spending habits, goals and financial situation, it makes more sense in certain circumstances.

If youâre trying to decide whether you should redeem your points as a credit statement, consider the following:

Are you going to carry a balance? If youâre not sure whether youâll be able to pay off your balance in full by the due date, redeeming your points as a statement credit makes sense. Youâll knock a chunk off your balance and make it easier to pay in full and avoid interest charges. Keep in mind, however, that statement credits are not usually considered payments, so if you canât help carrying a balance, youâll still have to make a minimum out-of-pocket payment.
Does your card offer an incentive for redeeming points as a statement credit? Some cash back cards offer redemption bonuses when you opt for a statement credit over âtrueâ cash back in the form of a check or direct deposit. If thatâs the case, and you plan to continue using the card, go with a statement credit to get more mileage out of your cash back rewards.
Are your points worth less when redeemed as a statement credit? If youâre using a card with a more flexible rewards program, redeeming your rewards as a statement credit is likely possible, but not necessarily wise. Check your issuerâs terms to see if your points lose any value when redeemed as a statement credit. If 1 point is worth 1 cent when used for travel purchases, but only 0.5 cents when redeemed as a statement credit, youâre missing out on a lot of the value youâve earned. If you have no interest in travel, see if you can get full value out of your points in a roundabout way, like redeeming points for gift cards at stores you frequent.

Other ways to redeem your credit card rewards

Many cards offer several other options for redeeming your rewards. In addition to statement credits, you may be able to redeem cash back, points, or miles for:

A direct deposit â You can link your bank account so that when you hit âredeem,â that money goes directly to your account. For some, this is more satisfying than receiving a statement credit.
A check â If you donât mind waiting, many credit card issuers will mail a check for the value of your rewards.
Gift cards â Some credit cards allow you to exchange your points or cash back for gift cards. Make sure that youâre getting the same or more value before you choose this option â sometimes the dollar value of gift cards is different from what you would get redeeming for a statement credit or direct deposit.
Merchandise â Credit card issuers sometimes have shopping portals that give you the option to use your cash back or points to pay for merchandise. This is another option that you should approach with caution. Do the math to make sure youâre getting the same dollar value as you would with a direct deposit or statement credit.
Travel â Travel redemption options vary from card to card, but there are two main methods, one of which is receiving a statement credit for travel purchases youâve already made. The other is using the issuerâs portal to book travel, such as flights or hotels, online.

Final Thoughts

A statement credit is just one way you can receive bonuses and redeem the rewards youâve earned. If youâre using a cash back card, it could be a smart, low-maintenance way to reduce your balance and build good spending habits. If youâre using a more flexible rewards or travel card, though, make sure redeeming as a statement credit still gets you fair value for your points or miles.

Source: creditcards.com

February 4, 2021

How Does Cash Back Work?

By Renee Powell in Cash Back, Credit Cards Tag american express, Cash Back, cash back credit cards, Credit, credit card, credit card rewards, Credit Cards, Credit Score, earnings, Family, Financial Wize, FinancialWize, investment, Life, money, Products, Purchase, Rewards, Rewards Cards, rewards credit cards, Saving

How Does Cash Back Work?

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by the credit card issuer. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the authorâs alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the issuer.

Credit card companies typically offer a plethora of rewards options for their cardholders to take advantage of. But cash back has long been a favorite of many, as it gives you the chance to earn cold, hard money for making everyday purchases. If youâre confused about how cash back works, read on for a full explanation.

How Cash Back Works

At its core, cash back refers to a predetermined percentage of a purchase you make being returned to you as cash rewards. Cash back rates typically range between 1% and 5%, though there are some outliers to be mindful of. Credit card issuers will usually clearly label what types of purchases earn what level of cash back. But like anything in the credit card industry, you must read the fine print.

This is mainly because all purchases and cash back rewards are governed by merchant category codes, or MCCs. Credit card companies ultimately determine these designations, with Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Discover calling the shots. Some common codes are ârestaurant,â âdepartment store,â âairlineâ and âentertainment,â among others. So if you earn 5% bonus cash back at restaurants and you go to Burger King â which has a restaurant MCC â youâll get that 5% back.

But what these limiting MCCs sometimes donât take into account are businesses that could fit into more than one category. Included in this group are hotels, superstores like Walmart, tourist attractions like museums and other multi-faceted establishments. In turn, you could lose out on cash back if youâre confused about which category a purchase you made falls into.

As an example, letâs say your family orders room service while on vacation in The Bahamas. You pay with your credit card thinking youâll get the advertised 3% cash back on dining. When your credit card statement comes in the mail, however, youâve only received the base 1% earnings. This is because the MCC of your hotel is just that, a hotel, which leaves your credit card issuer blind to what you really bought.

Unfortunately situations like these often offer very little recourse, as your cardâs issuer has no ability to change these codes. In fact, only the major credit companies can change their own code selections.

New cardholders will often receive cash back promotions and bonuses. These offers can either be recurring â monthly, quarterly, yearly, etc. â or simply for just one period of time, usually at the beginning of your accountâs life. Hypothetically, a recurring bonus might look like this: âEarn 3% cash back at supermarkets and wholesale clubs, up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter.â On the other hand, a one-time promotion might allow for 5% cash back on airfare purchases made during the first three months youâre a cardholder.

Depending on your card, cash back may be capped or it could expire after a period of time. While some cards feature both an earnings limit and expiration dates, others may have no restrictions. All cash back cards have their own, unique system surrounding them. So itâs important to refer to your documentation whenever you have a particular question.

Using Your Cash Back Earnings

How Does Cash Back Work?

The vast majority of cash back credit cards offer variations of the same choices for redeeming rewards. Most often, youâll see statement credits, checks, bank account deposits, gift cards and charitable donations available to you.

Statement credit â Instead of receiving your cash back in-hand, you can apply it to your upcoming monthly bill, saving you money in the process.
Check â As one of the more direct ways of redeeming cash back, checks allow you to basically do whatever you want with its value.
Bank deposits â Eligible accounts usually include checking accounts, savings accounts or investment accounts.
Gift cards â With this option, you can convert cash back into retail credit at a store or website at which you want to shop.
Donations â Many card issuers have open relations with charities. These partnerships open the door for you to aid your favorite causes with real money.

Itâs by far the easiest to redeem cash back through your card issuerâs website that it provides. Here youâll not only see your rewards status, you will also know every possible redemption you could make. If youâd rather talk to a real person, most companies still have rewards phone lines you can call, as well.

Those whoâd rather not have to worry about where their rewards currently stand will find that a redemption threshold might be helpful. Not all cards offer this feature. But if yours does, set a threshold at which your cash back is automatically redeemed in any manner you desire. Additionally, some cards require you to attain a certain amount of cash back before redeeming is possible.

Cash Back With Each Major Credit Card Company

what is cash back

There are tons of different cash back cards, depending on your credit score you may be eligible for some but not others. While itâs impossible to give universal specifics for each credit card company, below weâve provided overviews of some of the most popular cash back cards.

Citi Double Cash Card (Mastercard)

Cash Back Rate: 1% at the time of purchase, 1% when you pay them off

Limit or Expiration: No limit; Expires if no eligible purchases are made for 12 months

Redemption Options: As a check, statement credit or gift card

The âdouble cashâ nature of the Citi Double Cash Card means you effectively earn cash back twice: first when you make the initial purchase and again when you pay your credit card bill. The 12-month expiration is fairly standard and the lack of limits on how much cash back you can earn is generous. Statement credits, checks and gift cards are three of the most common redemption choices, so itâs no surprise to see them offered here.

Bank of AmericaÂ® Cash Rewards credit card (Mastercard)

Cash Back Rate: 3% in the category of your choice, 2% on purchases at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, 1% on other purchases

Limit or Expiration: Cash back on choice category, grocery stores and wholesale club purchases is limited on up to $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter; No expiration dates

Redemption Options: Once you have $25 or more, you can redeem as a statement credit, a check or a deposit to an eligible Bank of AmericaÂ® or Merrill LynchÂ® account

Take note of the combined $2,500 quarterly limit on 3% and 2% cash back in category of choice and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, respectively. The Bank of AmericaÂ® Cash Rewards credit card also requires cardholders to have a minimum of $25 in earned cash back before they can redeem.

Blue Cash Everyday American Express Card
(American Express)

Cash Back Rate: 3% on U.S. supermarket purchases, 2% on U.S. gas stations and select U.S. department store purchases, 1% on other purchases

Limit or Expiration: 3% rate at U.S. supermarkets is limited to $6,000 a year in purchases then drops to 1%; No expiration dates

Redemption Options: After earning at least $25, redeem as a statement credit in $25 increments; Gift cards and merchandise redemptions from time to time

Amex offers some of the strongest rewards cards around, and the Blue Cash Everyday American Express Card is no exception. It does come with some limits; namely the 3% cash back rate on U.S. grocery store purchases is capped at $6,000 in purchases a year. At that time, cardholders earn 1% in cash back on groceries.

Discover itÂ® Card
(Discover)

Cash Back Rate: 5% in rotating categories like gas station, supermarket, restaurant, Amazon.com and wholesale club purchases, 1% on other purchases; Full cash back match at the end of your first year

Limit or Expiration: $1,500 cap on purchases that earn the 5% rate each quarter; No expiration dates

Redemption Options: Statement credits, deposits to a bank account, gift cards and eCertificates, pay with cash back at select merchants and charitable donations

Discover cards offer great first-year cash back matches and distinctive cash back categories. These traits are on full display with the Discover itÂ® Card. This includes 5% cash back on purchases ranging from dining to Amazon.com. However, there are limits for this rate and you have to opt in to categories each quarter to qualify. This card also offers five redemption options â the most on this list.

Tips to Maximize Cash Back Potential and Minimize Credit Risk

Cash back is one of the most prolific perks that the modern credit card market has to offer. But itâs important that you donât overspend outside of your means just for the sake of rewards. Because many cash back cards come with higher annual percentage rates (APRs), this could force you into large, unsustainable interest payments.
Whenever possible, swipe your card for purchases in bonus categories. Not all cards have these to offer, but most do. So make sure you know which cards in your wallet offer bonuses at places like gas stations and supermarkets.
Know what types of redemptions â statement credits, bank account deposits, gift cards etc. â work best for you. This will drastically narrow down your card options, making the decision process much simpler.

Photo Credit: Â©iStock.com/4Ã6, Â©iStock.com/Pgiam, Â©iStock.com/Ridofranz

Advertiser Disclosure: The card offers that appear on this site are from companies from which SmartAsset.com receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). SmartAsset.com does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace.

The post How Does Cash Back Work? appeared first on SmartAsset Blog.

Source: smartasset.com

February 3, 2021

How to redeem cash back

By Renee Powell in Apartment Communities, Cash Back Tag american express, ATM, Banking, Budget, Cash Back, Checking Account, Credit, Credit Cards, Credit Score, Direct Deposit, earnings, Fees, financial habits, Financial Wize, FinancialWize, How To, journey, money, News, Products, Purchase, Rewards, savings, Savings Account, Shopping, Spending, Travel

Surveys consistently show that no credit card reward is more popular than cold, hard cash. Indeed, cash back cards came out well ahead of other types of rewards cards in a recent CreditCards.com survey, which found that close to half of U.S. adults own a cash back credit card.

And for good reason: Instead of having to decipher a complex redemption scheme, you can opt for a simple, straightforward reward and use it in the way that fits you best.

Here we take a look at some of the most common types of cash back redemption, along with some of the restrictions you may encounter when redeeming your rewards.

How cash back cards work

Cash back cards come in a variety of flavors, but they all fundamentally work the same way: As you make purchases with your card, you earn cash rewards at a set rate. There are three major types of cash back cards.

Flat-rate cash back cards offer the same percentage of cash back for all purchases, usually between 1% and 2%.
Bonus category cash back cards typically reward some purchases, like groceries or dining, at a higher rate, while rewarding general purchases at 1%.
Rotating bonus category cash back cards have dynamic bonus categories that automatically change or allow you to select a different bonus category after a certain length of time.

See related:Â What is cash back?

Ways to redeem cash back

Depending on your card and issuer, you may have a variety of choices in how you redeem your cash back rewards. Some issuers even allow you to set up an automatic redemption, meaning your redemption would automatically initiate after a set number of days or after you earn a certain amount in rewards.

The most common ways to redeem cash back are:

A statement credit
A direct deposit to a bank account
A check
Gift cards
Merchandise

Redeeming cash back as a statement credit

One of the most common ways to redeem cash back is as aÂ statement credit. A statement credit is money credited to your account that reduces your card balance. For example, if you were to spend $1,000 with a card that offers 1.5% cash back on every purchase, youâd earn $15 in cash back rewards; and if you were to redeem this cash back as a statement credit, your balance would decrease by $15 to $985.

Blue Cash PreferredÂ® Card from American Express, for example, requires you to have earned $25 in cash back before you can redeem as a statement credit.

TheÂ Chase Freedom UnlimitedÂ®card lets you redeem rewards as a statement credit in any amount, anytime.

Once youâve met your cardâs redemption requirements, you can simply choose a statement credit as your preferred cash back redemption.

Redeeming cash back as a check or direct deposit

A slightly smaller number of credit card rewards programs let you redeem your rewards for âtrueâ cash back in the form of a check or direct deposit to your bank account. Claiming your cash back in this way gives you a bit more leeway since you can save or spend your rewards however you like instead of having them âlockedâ into a particular card account.

As with statement credits, the requirements for requesting a check vary from card to card, with some issuers requiring you to have earned a minimum amount of cash back before you can request a check and others imposing relatively few restrictions.

Direct deposits tend to be a bit trickier across the board, especially if you donât already have a banking relationship with your credit card issuer.

TheÂ Bank of AmericaÂ® Cash Rewards credit card, for example, will only let you redeem cash back as direct deposit if you have a checking or savings account with Bank of America.
TheÂ CitiÂ® Double Cash Card lets you redeem your cash back as a direct deposit only if you have a linked Citi account or a checking account from which youâve paid a Citi credit card bill at least twice. While the Double Cash card requires you to have earned at least $25 in cash back to redeem as a statement credit, thereâs no minimum to redeem as a direct deposit.

Wells Fargo Cash Wise VisaÂ® cardÂ lets you claim your cash back via an ATM (in $20 increments only) if you have a Wells Fargo Bank account.

Automatic cash back redemption

Along with manually requesting a statement credit, check or direct deposit, a number of cards allow you to set up automatic cash back redemption. If your card allows automatic redemption, your cash back is generally distributed at set times or after youâve earned a certain amount.

TheÂ Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card and, for example, allow you to schedule automatic cash back redemption via statement credit or check at a set time once per year or once youâve reached a cash back earnings threshold ($25, $50, $100, $200, $500 or $1,500).
Even some cards designed for credit-builders, like theÂ Credit One Bank American ExpressÂ® Card, allow automatic redemption as a statement credit, offering those looking to improve their financial habits a âset-it-and-forget-itâ cash back savings tool that will periodically knock off a chunk of their credit card balance.

Travel, gift cards and merchandise on an issuerâs online portal

Most credit card issuers also give you the option of redeeming your cash back through a rewards portal for online shopping or as gift cards to select department stores, restaurants, video streaming services and more.

TheÂ Discover itÂ® Cash Backcard, for example, lets you redeem your cash back for gift cards from shopping partners once youâve earned $5 in cash back (gift cards range from $5 to $200, in increments of $5).
TheÂ Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature card*lets you redeem your points for purchases on Amazon.com, as a statement credit or deposit, or for gift cards and travel â all at a rate of 1 cent per point.

Having the option to use your rewards for travel allows you to enjoy the benefits of travel rewards with a cash back card and is especially common among cash back cards that use points or allow you toÂ choose between cash back and points.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a great example. You can earn unlimited cash back at a rate of 5% cash back on every purchase, which translates to 1.5 points per dollar if redeemed for travel in theÂ Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.
Similarly, the Citi Double Cash Card lets you transfer your cash back toÂ Citi ThankYou Rewards and redeem for travel rewards, as well as gift cards, merchandise and other purchases through the Pay with Points program.

Cash back redemption options on popular rewards cards

As you can see, cash back redemption options vary considerably from issuer to issuer and card to card. Hereâs a closer look at how cash back redemption breaks down with some of the most popular cash back credit cards.

Card	Redeem as a statement credit?	Redeem as a check?	Redeem as a direct deposit?
Blue Cash PreferredÂ® Card from American Express	Yes (once youâve earned $25 in cash back)	No	No
Bank of AmericaÂ® Cash Rewards credit card	Yes (once youâve earned $25 in cash back)	Yes (once youâve earned $25 in cash back)	Yes (into a Bank of America checking or savings account, once youâve earned $25 in cash back)
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card	Yes, anytime	Yes, anytime	No
Chase Freedom UnlimitedÂ®	Yes, anytime	Yes, anytime	Yes
CitiÂ® Double Cash Card	Yes (once youâve earned $25 in cash back)	Yes (once youâve earned $25 in cash back)	Yes (to a linked Citi savings or checking account or to a checking account from which youâve paid your Citi credit card bill at least twice)
Discover itÂ® Cash Back	Yes, anytime	No	Yes

Best cash back redemption options

With all those options for redeeming for cash, which one is best?

The key point to consider is whether your rewards lose any value when redeemed in a certain way. You want to make sure you are getting the most value back, so be careful if you redeem for merchandise, which can be worth less than rewards redeemed for straight cash.

That said, unless your issuer offers a bonus for claiming your rewards as a statement credit instead of âtrueâ cash back, you should simply stick to whichever option is most convenient.

One drawback to cash rewards is they often donât feel like actual rewards because they get swept up into your ongoing finances. If that bothers you, you might consider taking note of how much you are receiving in cash rewards, then rewarding yourself by spending that amount on something you want, so that you feel like youâre getting a reward.

Either way, thatâs the best aspect of cash back rewards: Itâs your decision.

Choosing the best cash back credit card for you

Your redemption options are just one consideration when choosing a credit card. Consider these factors:

Bonus categories

When shopping around for cash back cards, find the card that will work the hardest for you, not the other way around. In other words, a cash back rate of 5% at restaurants is great, but not if you rarely eat out. Bottom line: Find a credit card that matches the largest portions of your budget.

Also, be honest about how much thought you want to give to your credit card. If you prefer a âset and forgetâ approach, a flat-rate card is a better choice than a rotating bonus category card.

Annual fees

With so many great no annual fee cards, you might wonder why you would ever get a card with an annual fee. But often, the rewards rates are so much better that it actually makes sense to get the card with the annual fee. For example, comparing the Blue Cash EverydayÂ® Card from American Express and the Blue Cash PreferredÂ® Card from American Express, we found that consumers who spend more than $3,200 annually at U.S. supermarkets ($267 per month) were actually better off with Blue Cash Preferred, which has a $95 annual fee.

From redemption options to bonus categories, each cash back card is designed for a different type of consumer. If you havenât found your perfect match yet, try our CardMatchâ¢ tool, which can deliver personalized credit card offers in seconds with no impact on your credit score.

All information about the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card and the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card has been collected independently by CreditCards.com. The issuers did not provide the content, nor are they responsible for its accuracy.

Source: creditcards.com

February 3, 2021

Chase Sapphire cards offering rewards, statement credits for groceries

By Renee Powell in Breaking News, Recreational RV Travel Tag Breaking News, Cash Back, cooking, Credit, Credit Cards, Financial Wize, FinancialWize, Home, Home Improvement, How To, journey, News, Products, Rewards, Shopping, Spending, Travel

Ten months into the COVID-19 pandemic, many consumers have settled into new routines and developed new spending patterns. One of the spending categories that hasnât lost its popularity is groceries, as many people are cooking more at home and eating out less frequently.

See related: Grocery shopping and COVID-19: Whatâs changed and how to save money

Credit card issuers are adapting to these new patterns as well.

On Oct. 20, 2020, Chase announced it would be temporarily adding grocery rewards to the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card* and Chase Sapphire Reserve®. This comes on top of other limited time offers the issuer has recently added, such as limited time redemption options through Pay Yourself Back and gas and grocery store purchases counting toward the Reserve cardâs $300 travel credit.

See related: Guide to Chase Pay Yourself Back

âThroughout this very unique year, weâve provided our cardmembers flexibility and options to get the most out of their cards â¦ Â as well as limited time opportunities to earn more points on certain spending,â Chase said in a statement. âWe want to continue to give our cardmembers ways to maximize value where they are spending today.â

On top of that, on Jan. 28, 2021, Chase added an offer for new Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders: a one-time automatic $50 statement credit on grocery store purchases.

How the limited time grocery rewards work

Starting Nov. 1, 2020 and running through April 30, 2021, Sapphire Reserve cardmembers will earn 3 points per dollar on grocery store purchases, and Preferred cardmembers will earn 2 points per dollar, up to $1,000 in purchases per month. According to Chase, this will be automatic for existing and new cardmembers.

See related: Best credit cards for grocery shopping

This provides cardholders with an excellent opportunity to earn some of the most valuable travel points while travel is still limited.

The new offer also makes Sapphire cards more competitive when compared with the recently updated Chase Freedom card suite. In August, the issuer replaced the Chase Freedom with the Chase Freedom Flex and added three new valuable rewards categories to both the Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom Unlimited, namely bonus cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards and on dining and drugstore purchases.

Considering neither Freedom card charges an annual fee and both earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points, some cardholders may be wondering if the Chase Sapphire Reserve is worth keeping during a time when most of its premium travel perks might go unused.

Fortunately, all the limited time offers coupled with temporary grocery rewards make it much easier to get value of these popular travel cards â even when youâre not traveling.

How the grocery statement credit works

Another incentive to apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card now is the new one-time $50 statement credit on grocery purchases.

New cardmembers will get access to the statement credit automatically and be able to use it for 12 months from the time of account opening. Eligible purchases include purchases made at merchants coded as grocery stores. Warehouse club purchases wonât qualify.

Chase hasnât announced the offerâs expiration date yet.

Chase Sapphire cards value at a glance

	Chase Sapphire Reserve®	Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Newly added limited-time benefits	Cardmembers earn more on grocery store purchases: Nov. 1, 2020 â April 30, 2021 3 points per $1 spent Up to $1,000 in grocery store spend per month Gas and grocery purchases count toward Sapphire Reserve $300 travel credit:Â Gas and groceries have been added as qualifying purchases, through June 30, 2021	New cardmembers receive an automatic statement credit: One-time $50 statement credit on eligible grocery store purchases available for 12 months from the account opening Cardmembers earn more on grocery store purchases: Nov. 1, 2020 â April 30, 2021 2 points per $1 spent Up to $1,000 in grocery store spend per month
Existing benefits	3 points per dollar on dining purchases with restaurants â including delivery and pick-up 3 points per dollar on travel â including tolls and parking Complimentary DashPass Subscription from DoorDash, valued at over $100 per year Up to $120 in statement credits on DoorDash purchases â $60 in statement credits through 2020 and another $60 in statement credits through 2021 10 points per dollar on Lyft rides Complimentary Lyft Pink membership, worth a minimum of $199 in value when you activate by March 21, 2022 Pay Yourself Back:Â Points are worth 50% more now through April 20, 2021 when redeemed for purchases in current categories of grocery, dining, home improvement and contributions to select charities Chase Dining:Â Points are worth 50% more when redeemed through the new Chase Dining hub in Ultimate Rewards, now through April 30, 2021	2 points per dollar on dining purchases with restaurants â including delivery and pick-up 2 points per dollar on travel â including tolls and parking Complimentary DashPass Subscription from DoorDash, valued at over $100 per year 5 points on per dollar on Lyft rides Pay Yourself Back: Points are worth 25% more now through April 20, 2021 when redeemed for purchases in current categories of grocery, dining, home improvement and contributions to select charities Chase Dining: Points are worth 25% more when redeemed through the new Chase Dining hub in Ultimate Rewards, now through April 30, 2021 Â

Bottom line

While travel isnât the most lucrative rewards category at the moment, your Chase Sapphire card can still bring you plenty of value, especially given the temporary rewards categories and other limited time offers.

*All information about the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has been collected independently by CreditCards.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer. This offer is no longer available on our site.

Source: creditcards.com

February 3, 2021

Money Market Account or Checking Account: Which Is Best For You?

By Renee Powell in Uncategorized Tag ATM, Automatic Transfer, Banking, Banking 101, Cash Back, Checking Account, Convenience, Debit Card, Direct Deposit, Education, Emergency Fund, Fees, Financial Goals, Financial Wize, FinancialWize, Grow, High-yield Accounts, Home, Interest Rates, Investing, Managing Your Money, money, Money Market, Money Market Account, Online Bill Pay, Online Checking Account, Opening an Account, paycheck, Rewards, Rewards Checking Account, Saving, savings, Savings Account, Spending, Vs.

If you’re looking for a new bank account that allows you to easily store as well as access your cash, you might be thinking about opening a money market account or checking account. But how do you know which to choose? Decisions, decisions. Both types of accounts have unique advantages, depending on your savings and spending goals.

âThink about how you will be using the money within the account,” says Jill Emanuel, lead financial coach at Fiscal Fitness. “Is this money for daily, weekly or monthly use? Or is it money that will not be needed regularly?”

When comparing a money market account vs. a checking account, consider how often you'll need to access the funds in the account.

You’ll probably need a little more to go on before answering the question, “How do I decide between a money market account or checking account?” No worries. Our roundup delves into the features of both types of accounts to help you determine which one could be right for your financial plans, or if there’s room for both in your money mix.

Get easy access to your funds with a checking account

In simple terms, a checking account allows you to write checks and make purchases with a debit card from the money you deposit into the account. That debit card can also be used to withdraw cash from the account via an ATM.

When deciding between a money market account or checking account, Emanuel says most people use a checking account for the primary management of their monthly income (i.e., where a portion of your paycheck is deposited) and daily expenses (often small and frequent transactions). âA checking account makes the most sense as the account where the majority of your transactions occur,” she adds. This is because a checking account typically comes with an unlimited number of transactionsâwhether you’re withdrawing cash from an ATM, transferring money to a savings account or swiping your debit card.

While a checking account is a good home base for your finances and a go-to if you need to easily and quickly access your funds, this account type typically earns little to no interest. Spoiler: This is one key difference when you compare a money market account vs. a checking account.

âIf you plan to use your account for monthly bill payments and day-to-day transactions, you would be better suited with a checking account, as these support daily and frequent use.â

– Bola Sokunbi, certified financial education instructor and founder of Clever Girl Finance

Grow your balance with a money market account

When you’re comparing a money market account vs. a checking account, think of a money market account as a savings vehicle that allows you to earn interest on the balance you keep in the account.

“A money market account is an interest-bearing bank account that typically has a higher interest rate than a checking account,” says Bola Sokunbi, certified financial education instructor and founder of Clever Girl Finance.

With some money market accounts, you can even earn more interest with a higher balance. Thanks to its interest-earning potential, a money market account can be the way to go if you’re looking for an account to help you reach your savings goals and priorities.

If you’re deciding between a money market account or checking account, you may think that a money market account seems like a typical savings account with your ability to earn, but it also has some features similar to a checking account. With a money market account, for example, you can withdraw cash from an ATM and use a debit card or checks to access money from the account. There are no limits on ATM withdrawals or official checks mailed to you.

You can withdraw cash from ATMs and write checks with a money market account or checking account.

Before you decide to use this account for your regular bills and your morning caffeine habit, know that federal law limits certain types of withdrawals and transfers from money market accounts to a combined total of six per calendar month per account. If you go over these limitations on more than an occasional basis, your financial institution may choose to close the account.

Don’t need regular access to your funds and want your money to grow until you do need it? Then the benefits of a money market account could be for you.

Deciding between a money market account or checking account

Still debating money market account or checking account? Here are some financial scenarios to help you determine which account may best suit your current needs and goals:

Go with a checking account if…

You want to keep your funds liquid. If you’re thinking money market account or checking account, know that a checking account is built for very regular access to your funds. âIf you plan to use your account for monthly bill payments and day-to-day transactions, you would be better suited with a checking account, as these support daily and frequent use,” Sokunbi says. Think rent, cable, utilities, groceries, gas, maybe that morning caffeine craving. You get the idea.
You want to earn rewards for your spending. When you’re comparing money market account vs. checking account, consider that with some checking accountsâlike Discover Cashback Debitâyou can earn cash back for your debit card purchases. The best part is you are earning cash back as you keep up with your regular expensesâno hoops to jump through or extra account activity needed. Then put that cashback toward fun things like date night, lunch at your favorite spot or a savings fund dedicated to something special.

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Learn More

You want to deposit and withdraw without the stress of a balance requirement. If you do your research when comparing money market accounts vs. checking accounts, you’ll find that some checking accounts don’t require a minimum balance (or much of one). However, you may be required to maintain a minimum balance (and potentially a higher one) with a money market account in order to avoid a fee. If you’re accessing your money frequently and need to make large withdrawals, a checking account with no minimum balance requirement is a convenient option.

Go with a money market account if…

You want to earn interest. âIf your money is just sitting there, it should be earning money,” Emanuel says of the money market account or checking account question. âI spoke with a woman recently who told me she’d had around $50,000 sitting in her checking account for at least the last 10 years, if not longer. If that money had been in a money market account for the same period of time, she would have earned thousands of dollars on it. Instead she earned nothing,” Emanuel says.
You want to put short-term savings in a different account. If you have some short-term savings goals in mind (way to go!), you may benefit from keeping your savings separate from your more transactional checking account so you don’t dip into them for a different purpose. That whole out of sight, out of mind thing. âA money market account is the perfect place for money that will be accessed less frequently, such as an emergency fund [a.k.a. rainy day fund], a vacation fund or a place to park money after you’ve received an inheritance or proceeds from selling a home,” Emanuel says.
You need an account to fund your overdraft protection. If you’re comparing money market account vs. checking account, consider that a money market account could also cross over to support spending goals. One way is in the form of overdraft protection. If you enroll in overdraft protection for your checking account, for example, you could designate that funds be pulled from your money market account to cover a balance shortfall.

âA money market account is the perfect place for money that will be accessed less frequently, such as an emergency fund [a.k.a. rainy day fund], a vacation fund or a place to park money after you’ve received an inheritanceÂ or proceeds from selling a home.â

– Jill Emanuel, lead financial coach at Fiscal Fitness

Using both accounts to achieve your financial goals

Speaking of crossover. Both spending and saving are vying for your attention, right? Consider leveraging both types of accounts if you have needs from the checking and money market account lists above.

“Personally, I use my checking account for bill payments, my day-to-day spending, writing checks and for any automatic debits I have each month,” Sokunbi says. She’s added a money market account to the mix “because of the higher interest rateâto store my savings for short-term goals, for investing or for money I’ll be needing soon,” she explains. Maybe it’s not about deciding between a money market account or a checking account, but getting the best of both worlds.

Before opening a money market account or checking account, do your research and compare your options to see which bank offers the best package of low or no fees and customer service, in addition to what you need from an interest and access to cash perspective.

The post Money Market Account or Checking Account: Which Is Best For You? appeared first on Discover Bank – Banking Topics Blog.

Source: discover.com

January 13, 2021

Best Checking Accounts 2020

By Renee Powell in Credit 101, Financial Planning Tag ATM, Banking, Cash Back, Checking Account, Debit Card, Fees, Financial IQ, Financial Planning, Financial Wize, FinancialWize, investment, money, paycheck, Retirement, Rewards, savings, Savings Account

Sound money management is an important part of a solid financial strategy. Youâll want to have some of your money set for retirement in a traditional or Roth IRA. Still, other money might be saved for your kidsâ college, a down payment on a house or other longer-term goals. And then you might have an emergency fund as well as a checking account that you use to pay your monthly bills and expenses. Each of these buckets of money can be in a different kind of account. In this article, weâll look at some of the best checking accounts.

What makes a good checking account

Before we look at some of the best checking accounts, itâs a good idea to talk about what makes for a good checking account. A checking account is an account that you would typically use to pay your ongoing monthly expenses. It is more and more rare to actually write paper checks, and instead, you would typically use a debit card or cashless payment account linked to your checking account.Â

With a checking account, some features to look for include no monthly or maintenance fees, a low minimum amount to open an account, the rate at which they pay interest, and any account opening bonus they might offer. The interest rate that checking and savings accounts pay is tied to the federal funds rate and usually varies over time. As of 2020, the interest rates are quite low, and many checking and savings accounts do not pay any interest at all. Also keep in mind that even if your account pays you 1% interest, youâre still losing money to inflation. So you wouldnât want to keep any long-term investment money in a checking or savings account.

With all that being said, letâs take a look at some of the top checking accounts available.

Discover Cashback Debit

Discoverâs checking account offers 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month, which is one of the few debit cards that offer a reward on ongoing purchases. The Discover Cashback Debit account also comes with no monthly maintenance or other fees, no fees to withdraw at over 60,000 ATMs worldwide and no fees for insufficient funds.

CapitalOne 360 Checking

The CapitalOne 360 Checking account has no account minimums or fees. It currently offers a 0.10% APY on balances, though you can also open a no-fee CapitalOne 360 Performance Savings account which offers 0.65% APY as of the time of this writing. CapitalOne also has thousands of branch offices nationwide, so you can do your banking online or in-person. The CapitalOne 360 Checking account offers three different options if you happen to overdraft your account – Auto-Decline, Next Day Grace and Free Savings Transfer.

Fidelity Cash Management Account

Fidelityâs Cash Management Account also offers no account fees or minimum balances. It also reimburses ATM fees nationwide, though only offers 0.01% APY on account balances. Fidelity makes it easy to transfer money between your checking account, savings accounts and any retirement accounts you have with Fidelity. Plus, the Fidelity Rewards Visa offers 2% cash back on all purchases, which you can redeem into your Fidelity Cash Management Account or any other Fidelity account.

Wealthfront Cash Account

Wealthfrontâs Cash Account offers a high-interest checking account (0.35% APY as of this writing) with no fees. And Wealthfrontâs convenient account dashboard lets you easily move money between your checking account and any investment or retirement accounts that you have with them. They also offer a service where you can get access to your paycheck up to two days early if you direct deposit into your Wealthfront Cash Account

HSBC Premier Checking

HSBCâs Premier Checking account also offers no fee on ATMs nationwide or for everyday banking transactions, but does charge a monthly maintenance fee if you donât have at least $75,000 in combined accounts or direct deposits of at least $5,000 monthly. They are currently offering a promotion where you can earn 3% as a welcome bonus, up to $600. Youâll get 3% on qualifying direct deposits, up to $100 per month, for the first six months of having your account.

Chase Total Checking

Chase Total Checking is currently offering a welcome bonus of $200 when you open a new account and have a direct deposit made to your account in the first 90 days. Also, there is a $12 monthly maintenance fee which can be avoided if you either:

Have direct deposits totaling $500 or more
Have a balance at the beginning of each day of $1,500 or more
Have an average beginning day balance of $5,000 or more in any combination of all of your Chase accounts

The post Best Checking Accounts 2020 appeared first on MintLife Blog.

Source: mint.intuit.com

January 13, 2021

Banking for Busy Parents: 4 Essential Checking Account Features

By Renee Powell in Budgeting, Careers, Family Finance Tag ATM, Auto, Automatic Transfer, Banking, Banking 101, Budget, Budgeting, Buy, Cash Back, Checking Account, Convenience, Debit Card, debt, earnings, Family, Family Finance, Fees, Finance, Financial Wize, FinancialWize, Holidays, Lifestyle, Managing Your Money, Mobile Banking, Mobile Check Deposit, money, Online Banking, Online Bill Pay, Online Checking Account, Opening an Account, Personal Finance, Purchase, Raising a Family, Rewards, Rewards Checking Account, savings, Security, Spending

It’s a nonstop day. The usual. You’re at the grocery store, grabbing a few things for dinner (note to self: hit the ATM on the way out!), then a much-needed coffee at the drive-through (swipe that debit card), before you drop your tween at her first day of basketball practice (remember to bring your checkbook). Phew. And you’re only halfway done.

In the middle of it all, you certainly don’t want the nagging feeling that you can’t access your money at a moment’s notice, that you’re missing spending perks or that you’ll be hit with unnecessary fees. So a good question for you might be, “What’s the best checking account for busy families?”

How about a checking account that matches your lifestyle? Robert Farrington, founder of millennial personal finance site The College Investor and father of two, suggests that banking for busy parents should include an account that is âconducive to an on-the-move life.”

With everything on your plate, you may not realize that as your family’s needs change, the way you manage your money will likely need to change too. The good news is that many financial institutions offer bank accounts for busy families like yours, designed with features aimed at supporting your active lifestyle.

The best checking account for busy families like yours should offer features that support your busy lifestyle.

To select the checking account that best serves your needs, Farrington recommends first examining your current patterns. âNotice how you deposit money and how you spend it,” Farrington says. âLook at your banking trends and see where you’re being charged.”

Next, identify the unique features offered by each new checking account you are considering. To help you do that, here are four key things to look for as you narrow down your search:

1. Cash back rewards: More bang for your buck

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it costs about $12,980 a year to raise a child. Even if your kids get their share of hand-me-downs and you don’t buy them everything they want, you’re still spending a lot. The biggest costsâafter housing (29 percent of child-rearing costs)âare food (18 percent) and child care/education (16 percent). None of that even includes birthdays, holidays and so on…

If you’re trying to find the best checking account for busy families, consider that all those purchases could be a little less painful with a checking account that rewards spending, typically in the form of cash back or rewards points.

Ashley Patrick, founder of the blog Budgets Made Easy, loves the idea of a checking account that offers rewards. Patrick, whose blog tells the story of how she paid off $45,000 of debt in 17 months, recommends that budget-conscious families use debit cards for purchases. âIf those purchases were rewarded,” Patrick says, âthat money would multiply.”

Say hello to
cash back on debit
card purchases.

No monthly fees.
No balance requirements.
No, really.

See Details

Discover Bank, Member FDIC

If you’re using a checking account that rewards you for debit card purchases, some of those seemingly endless expenses can actually help you save a bit of extra cash. Discover Cashback Debit, for example, lets you earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month.¹ That means your monthly cash back earnings could yield $360 in total rewards each year. This feature of a bank account for busy families could pay for one night at your favorite family resort!

2. Easy account access: At home or on the run

You’re dropping off one kid, picking up the other, then have to get ready for a fundraiser. You are always on the go, so it’s time to find the best checking account for busy families that’s always right there with you. Patrick suggests opening a checking account with a bank that has a vast network of no-fee ATM locations. For example, Discover offers more than 60,000 no-fee ATMs around the U.S.

Look for easy access to your funds when searching for the right bank account for busy families.

âI live out in the country, about 12 to 13 miles from town, so I need an ATM nearby,” Patrick says. âI usually go to town on Fridays or Mondays, get lunch for the kids, go to the store for groceries and get cash. Everything needs to be in one location.”

Besides getting money for day-to-day purchases, a conveniently located ATM is a must for depositing cash. Why make a special trip to visit your local branch when you can make deposits at an ATM that’s at or near a place you already frequent? Banking for busy parents is hard to imagine without this benefit.

âNotice how you deposit money and how you spend it. Look at your banking trends and see where you’re being charged.”

– Robert Farrington, founder of The College Investor and father of two

3. Online and mobile features: Save time in spades

In fact, you may not need a brick-and-mortar bank branch at all. Another option to consider is opening a checking account with an online bank.

The best bank account for busy families is one that offers maximum convenience. With an online checking account, all you need is a computer, tablet or smartphone to deposit a check (most online banks have a mobile app that allows you to take a photo of your check to deposit the funds). An online checking account also makes banking for busy parents effortless by allowing them to manage bills and bank statements from a deviceâeither while at home or out and about. Save the paper for your kids’ cute drawings that you tack up on the fridge.

Mobile and online features are important when looking for the right banking for busy parents.

Nermeen Ghneim, blogger at Savvy Dollar and mom of two, says the best checking account for busy families would offer a mobile app.

âI want to be able to access everything a bank can offer through my mobile device,” Ghneim says. âIt saves time, and it’s huge for a parent with a full-time job.”

Here are some of the other online and mobile features that are key if you’re looking for the best checking account for busy families:

Online transfers. Farrington says the ability to transfer money between accounts is especially important. Things come up unexpectedly and you may need to quickly transfer from savings to checking, or move those cash back rewards into a college fund for the kids. If you’re moving your cash back rewards into savings, you may even be able to make that happen automatically. For example, when you enroll in Discover’s Auto Redemption to Savings, we’ll automatically deposit your cash back into a Discover Online Savings Account every month.
Online bill payments. With everything else on your mind, you shouldn’t have to go through a stack of bills every month. The best checking account for busy families would allow you to set up automatic bill payments, so each month’s charges are automatically debited from your checking account.
Balance notifications. You should never be in the middle of a transaction and see those dreaded words: Insufficient Funds. Instead, you want to get a heads-up when your balance is close to zero, so there aren’t any surprises.
Debit card protection. While it’s important to be able to quickly and easily use your debit card, Ghneim says it’s just as important to be able to freeze it. Some banks offer a digital feature that enables you to switch your debit card on and off, so you can instantly freeze your debit card if it’s been misplaced or you want to curb spending.
Connecting to other digital applications. Nowadays, busy families rely on budgeting and spending apps to help manage their finances. A good bank account for busy families would be able to easily sync with those other tools online or via your mobile device so that you can efficiently manage your money and take advantage of the features of each app.

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4. No-fee checking: A money-saving must-have

Farrington says that when selecting the best bank account for busy families, a no-fee checking account is a must-have, so it’s worth shopping around until you find one. For example, Discover Cashback Debit has no account-related fees.² âYou shouldn’t have to pay a fee if you don’t keep a minimum balance,” Farrington says. âParents often don’t have the bandwidth to keep track of whether they’ve made a certain number of transactions.”

If you are getting hit with a checking account fee for any of the items below, you may want to consider a new checking account to make banking for busy parents easier:

Monthly maintenance
In-network ATM withdrawals
Replacement debit card
Standard checks
Online bill pay
Insufficient funds
Stop payment order
Official bank check

If you’re exploring a new bank account for busy families, Ghneim advises to watch out for hidden costs. Even no-fee checking accounts will sometimes hit you with unexpected charges. âThere should be no hidden fees because if a family is living off a budget, it’s very stressful to incur unexpected fees,” Ghneim says. Farrington agrees: âThere are some things that might cost you money, like wire transfers, but you shouldn’t have to pay for most features these days.”

âThere should be no hidden fees because if a family is living off a budget, it’s very stressful to incur unexpected fees.â

– Nermeen Ghneim, blogger at Savvy Dollar and mom of two

Banking for busy parents just got easier

Above all, Farrington says you want to prioritize the features that are most relevant to your family’s needs and lifestyle. If you’re always on the go, you may care most about convenient, no-fee ATMs and mobile check deposits. If your schedule necessitates a lot of out-of-pocket spending, you may want to prioritize debit card cash back rewards.

Keep in mind that when it comes to establishing the best banking for busy parents, you have options. âThere are so many checking accounts being offered now,” Farrington says. As long as you’re aware of the features that are available, you can make an informed decision and choose the account that’s best for you and your family.

¹ ATM transactions, the purchase of money orders or other cash equivalents, cash over portions of point-of-sale transactions, Peer-to-Peer (P2P) payments (such as Apple Pay Cash), and loan payments or account funding made with your debit card are not eligible for cash back rewards. In addition, purchases made using third-party payment accounts (services such as Venmo^Â® and PayPal, which also provide P2P payments) may not be eligible for cash back rewards. Apple, the Apple logo and Apple Pay are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

² Outgoing wire transfers are subject to a service charge. You may be charged a fee by a non-Discover ATM if it is not part of the 60,000+ ATMs in our no-fee network.

The post Banking for Busy Parents: 4 Essential Checking Account Features appeared first on Discover Bank – Banking Topics Blog.

Source: discover.com

Tag Cash Back

What is a fixed-rate card?

Variable-rate cards are common

Do some digging

Be careful with credit

Transfer Rental Income Towards Savings

Carve Out Another $500 for Savings

Can Mia Adjust Her Work Structure?

1. Get a handle on camp tuition

2. Plan for expenses beyond tuition

3. Create a year-round savings strategy

4. Find ways to fund your summer camp account

5. Reduce camp-related costs

Focus on the experienceânot the extras

What is a statement credit?

Statement credits on cash back cards

Statement credits for an introductory bonus

Statement credits for card benefits

How statement credits work with the major rewards programs

Should I redeem my points as a statement credit?

Other ways to redeem your credit card rewards

Final Thoughts

How cash back cards work

Ways to redeem cash back

Redeeming cash back as a statement credit

Redeeming cash back as a check or direct deposit

Automatic cash back redemption

Travel, gift cards and merchandise on an issuerâs online portal

Cash back redemption options on popular rewards cards

Best cash back redemption options

Choosing the best cash back credit card for you

Bonus categories

Annual fees

How the limited time grocery rewards work

How the grocery statement credit works

Chase Sapphire cards value at a glance

Bottom line

Get easy access to your funds with a checking account

Grow your balance with a money market account

Deciding between a money market account or checking account

Go with a checking account if…

Go with a money market account if…

Using both accounts to achieve your financial goals

What makes a good checking account

Discover Cashback Debit

CapitalOne 360 Checking

Fidelity Cash Management Account

Wealthfront Cash Account

HSBC Premier Checking

Chase Total Checking

1. Cash back rewards: More bang for your buck

2. Easy account access: At home or on the run

3. Online and mobile features: Save time in spades

4. No-fee checking: A money-saving must-have

Banking for busy parents just got easier

Focus on the experienceânot the extras

Travel, gift cards and merchandise on an issuerâs online portal