Did Trump’s plan to bring foreign manufacturing jobs to the US pan out? Or was it just a ruse to appear that something productive was happening? It turns out, the plan to bring 12,000 jobs to Wisconsin actually yielded very few jobs, and was a failed project. The local government took on project debt and removed homes through eminent domain, and all for the end result of not actually building a facility with numerous jobs benefiting the local economy.
With the upcoming presidential debates scheduled between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, it’s essential to consider how fact-checkers will play a crucial role in ensuring transparency and accuracy during these discussions. As Mr. Trump has a history of making false or misleading claims, having independent moderators like CNN’s Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, as well as ABC’s debate moderators, will be critical in maintaining the integrity of these events.
During the debates, fact-checkers will have to swiftly address any untrue statements made by the candidates, helping viewers understand which claims are based on accurate information and which are not. In doing so, they’ll contribute to a more informed public discourse and help protect the credibility of those participating in the debates.
In conclusion, as Trump continues to take credit for achievements he did not contribute to and as Biden’s accomplishments are scrutinized under the microscope of fact-checking, it is essential that debate moderators prioritize accuracy and transparency. This will ensure that voters can make informed decisions based on reliable information provided during these crucial events.
In recent developments pertaining to the Trump immunity cases, U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon has signaled her intention to hold a substantial hearing on the matter of special counsel Jack Smith’s appointment. This marks yet another successful delay tactic employed by former President Donald Trump and his legal team. While Cannon’s apparent interest in the subject is noteworthy, it also feeds into the two chief criticisms of her handling of the case: that she’s slow-walking it and treating Trump’s delay tactics more seriously than they deserve.
This effort to question the legality of special counsels has been spearheaded by prominent conservative lawyers, including former Reagan administration attorney general Edwin Meese III. These legal experts have argued for years that special counsels like Mueller and Smith aren’t authorized under the law because they are not confirmed by the Senate. Critics maintain that special counsels should be considered “principal” rather than “inferior” officers, thus requiring Senate confirmation.
Despite Cannon’s apparent interest in this line of argument, it has fared poorly with regard to Robert S. Mueller III. Two U.S. district judges, including a Trump nominee, rejected a similar claim about Mueller’s appointment. Later, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit unanimously upheld the decision.
However, in our current political and legal climate, nothing can be ruled out. As Katy Harriger, an expert on special counsels at Wake Forest University, points out, “As has been made clear in other areas, commitment to earlier precedent for precedent’s sake is not an animating value of this Court.” With the current majority on the Roberts Court generally hostile to appointment arrangements that limit presidential control over executive actors, there is uncertainty as to whether a special counsel like Smith meets the requirements for an “inferior officer.”
Critics of Trump’s continued immunity claims may deride the Supreme Court for taking up these issues after they were roundly rejected by a unanimous appeals court panel. However, in this instance, the court seems more inclined to decide on guardrails rather than actually sparing Trump from prosecution.
As we move closer to a potential second Trump term in which he’s poised to further test the limits of the chief executive, it would seem less drastic for courts to sign off on the idea that Smith’s particular appointment was unlawful. And if Cannon’s latest controversial decision is any indication, this outcome may be in play. The question now is whether the historically conservative Supreme Court might ultimately take a similar stance. Only time will tell how this saga unfolds and what impact it may have on the future of special counsels in America.
The most surefire way to get out of debt is to create a detailed budget, prioritize paying off debts with the highest interest rates first while making minimum payments on others, and consistently allocate extra funds toward debt repayment until all balances are cleared. Additionally, consider seeking professional financial advice to explore options like debt consolidation or settlement if necessary.
In the fourth quarter of 2023, the amount of household debt in the United States increased to $17.5 trillion. Although credit cards, mortgages, and loans have several benefits, some consumers have trouble repaying what they borrowed. If you’ve been struggling to get your finances on track, learn how to get out of debt by creating a budget, earning extra money, and adjusting your spending habits.
1. Identify Your “Why”
Everyone needs a little motivation from time to time. Before you start your debt-free journey, it’s important to identify your “why,” or your main reason for getting out of debt. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
You don’t want the stress of making minimum payments every month.
You’re tired of being behind on your bills.
You’d rather put extra money in your savings account than spend it on debt payments.
You want to create a strong financial future for your family.
You need to set aside funds to care for a child with special needs.
You’re tired of arguing with your spouse or partner about money.
You don’t want your kids to have to take out thousands of dollars in loans to pay for college.
You want to travel around the world while you’re healthy enough to enjoy it.
2. Assess Your Current Situation
Before you start making extra payments, review your bank and credit card statements to determine how much you’ve been spending each month. Be sure to include every expense, no matter how small, from snacks to streaming subscriptions.
Once you have a handle on your expenses, make a list of credit cards, loans, and other debts. For each debt, note the creditor’s name, the balance due, and the minimum monthly payment. At the bottom of the page, add up your balances to determine the total amount of debt you have.
3. Review Your Spending Habits
Next, look at the list of expenses from the previous step. Ask yourself these questions:
Are there any duplicate expenses, such as two charges for the same subscription?
Can you eliminate any of the items on your list?
Are you spending more than you earn each month?
The answers to these questions will help you determine how to get out of debt faster. For example, if you’re spending more than you earn each month, your priority should be to increase your income or reduce your expenses to eliminate the shortfall.
As you review your expenses, see if you can identify any spending triggers, which are things that cause you to spend money impulsively. Limited-time discounts, negative emotions, envy, and boredom are examples of triggers that may lead to increased spending.
Once you identify your triggers, work to eliminate them. For example, if you notice you buy something every time you receive a weekly email from your favorite retailer, consider unsubscribing from the retailer’s email list.
4. Make a Budget
If you think budgeting is only for people with lower incomes, think again. Having a budget makes it easier to get your finances on track, regardless of whether you earn $40,000 or $400,000 per year. To create a personal budget, follow these steps:
Calculate your net income from all sources. Your net income is the amount of money remaining after taxes, health insurance premiums, and other deductions are taken from your paycheck.
Add up your monthly expenses.
Subtract your expenses from your net income. If the result is positive, you have some money left over each month. A negative result indicates you’re spending more than you earn.
Here’s an example to help you understand the process:
Cassandra nets $2,247 per month from her full-time job and $325 per month from her side hustle. Her net income is $2,572.
Cassandra shares a two-bedroom apartment with a friend from college, so she pays just $750 per month in rent. She also spends $350 per month on groceries, $218 per month on student loan payments, $150 per month on utilities, $175 per month on public transportation, and $829 per month on clothing, toiletries, entertainment, and other personal expenses. Her expenses add up to $2,472 per month.
After subtracting $2,472 in expenses from $2,572 in net income, Cassandra has $100 left over.
If you have trouble keeping track of your income and expenses, use this monthly budgeting sheet.
5. Find Ways to Increase Your Income
Slashing your expenses is a great start, but if you have a significant amount of debt, you’ll also want to increase your income. The more income you have, the easier it is to pay off debt quickly.
To maximize your earning potential, do at least one of the following:
Apply for a part-time job.
Start a service-based business in your neighborhood.
Sell clothing, accessories, and household items via online marketplaces.
Deliver for DoorDash, Instacart, Grubhub, or Uber Eats.
Become a driver for Uber or Lyft.
If you start your own business or work as an independent contractor, you’ll have to pay self-employment taxes on your net income. To avoid having a large tax bill on April 15, it’s wise to make estimated quarterly payments.
6. Focus on One Thing at a Time
You have a finite amount of resources, so rather than trying to tackle multiple goals at one time, pick a goal and stick with it. For example, if you have three credit cards, focus on paying one of them in full. You can worry about the other credit cards later.
7. Set Short-Term and Long-Term Goals
Learning how to get out of debt doesn’t happen overnight. If you have multiple accounts, it may take several years to pay them all in full. It’s easy to get discouraged if you have to wait years to celebrate an accomplishment.
To stay motivated, choose a mix of short-term and long-term goals. If your long-term goal is to pay off your credit card debt, a good short-term goal might be to pay off one credit card with a $500 balance. Paying off a small debt gives you a sense of accomplishment, helping you stay motivated.
8. Choose a Debt Payoff Method
Once you have your goals in mind, you need to choose a debt payoff method. You can use the debt snowball or the debt avalanche:
Debt snowball: With the snowball method, you pay off your debts in order of smallest balance to largest balance. For example, if you have debts of $500, $750, and $1,000, you’d pay them off in that order. Each time you pay off a debt, you free up more money to tackle the other accounts.
Debt avalanche: To use the debt avalanche method, list your debts according to their interest rates, with the highest rates at the top of the list and the lowest rates at the bottom. For example, if you have a $3,000 loan with an interest rate of 19% and a $1,500 credit card balance with an interest rate of 28%, you’d pay off the credit card debt first, even though the loan balance is higher.
The snowball method gives you a psychological boost every time you pay a balance in full, so some people find it easier to follow than the avalanche method. However, you may end up paying more in interest if you don’t pay off high-interest balances quickly.
With the debt avalanche method, the opposite is true. You pay less in interest, but it also takes longer to pay off each account, which may leave you struggling to stay motivated.
9. Set Up Automatic Payments
Make things easy on yourself by setting up automatic payments for the minimum balance on each debt. If you have extra money, you can always make a second payment later in the month. Automatic payments eliminate the need to remember your due date, reducing the risk of late or missed payments, which can have a drastic impact on your credit.
10. Apply for a Balance Transfer Credit Card With 0% Interest
If you have a good credit score, consider applying for a balance transfer card with a 0% APR. The promotional APR lasts for a limited amount of time, but it could help you pay off high-interest debt much faster.
For example, if you have a $1,000 balance on a high-interest credit card, you can move it to a balance-transfer card with 0% interest for 12 months. Just make sure you pay off the balance transfer before the promotional period expires.
If you don’t have the credit needed to qualify for a balance transfer card, sign up for credit monitoring to help you determine when your credit has improved enough to apply for a new account.
You can learn more about managing debt and other financial topics at Credit.com.
A charge card is like a credit card, but instead of allowing you to carry a balance from month to month, you’re required to pay off the full balance every month. It’s a way to make purchases without using cash upfront, but you have to be careful to only spend what you can afford to pay off each month.
Many people incorrectly use the terms “charge card” and “credit card” as if they mean the same thing. While these types of cards have some similarities, they’re not the same. Charge cards are similar to credit cards because you can use them to make everyday purchases. However, rather than only paying the minimum balance each month, cardholders are expected to pay the entire balance in full.
Before you consider applying for a charge card, it’s important to understand how it works and the advantages of having this type of card. Keep reading to learn more.
What Is a Charge Card and How Does It Work?
A charge card is a type of card you can use to make both online and in-store purchases. Unlike credit cards, charge cards require cardholders to pay the entire balance at the end of their billing period.
Many charge cards come with various perks and rewards, such as reward miles or cash back. In most cases, you must have good or even excellent credit to qualify for a charge card.
Charge Cards vs. Credit Cards
While many people think credit cards and charge cards are the same thing, there are some stark differences between them.
Minimum Payment
Credit card companies require cardholders to pay at least the minimum balance each billing cycle. This could be a preset fixed amount or based on a percentage of the overall amount due. This feature allows cardholders to make purchases now and pay for them over several months. Failure to make minimum payments each month could result in late payment fees and other penalties.
Alternatively, charge cards have no minimum balance requirements. Instead, cardholders must pay their entire balance at the end of the billing cycle. Failure to make these payments could result in extra fees, or the credit card company could suspend or close the account.
Some charge cards offer alternative payment options for cardholders. For example, American Express gives cardholders the option to use its Pay Over Time feature, which allows them to pay the balance of certain purchases over a set period of time.
Spending Limits
When you apply for a credit card, you get a set spending limit you can’t exceed without facing possible penalties. Charge cards, on the other hand, have no set spending limit. Instead, approval for purchases is based on your specific income, payment history, and credit report.
APR Rates
APR rates are based on your credit history and credit score. When you have a credit card, your specific APR rate is disclosed upon approval and displayed on your monthly statements. Interest, based on your APR, is charged on any outstanding balance at the end of the cycle.
Interest rates don’t apply to charge cards. Since you’re required to pay the balance in full each month, you’ll never have an outstanding balance to generate interest. However, if you fail to pay your balance, you could face late payment fees and other penalties.
Pros and Cons of Charge Cards
Before you apply for a charge card, it’s important to understand the advantages and disadvantages that come with this type of card.
Pros
There are several benefits of getting a charge card, such as:
Having no spending limit can allow you to make larger purchases without worrying about going over your limit.
Since you must pay your balance off each month, you won’t face high APRs.
Many charge cards come with substantial rewards, benefits, and perks.
Cons
While the benefits are great, you also need to consider the disadvantages of getting a charge card, including:
Charge cards often come with hefty annual fees. Be sure to read the fine print before applying for a charge card.
Typically, you must have good or excellent credit to qualify for a charge card.
You must be able to pay the entire charge card bill each month or face late fees and other penalties.
How Do Charge Cards Impact Your Credit Score?
Another thing you need to consider when getting a charge card is how it will impact your credit score. Lenders offering charge cards typically report all payments to the three major credit bureaus: TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax. Since your payment history accounts for up to 35% of your overall FICO credit score, making on-time payments each month can significantly impact your credit.
When it comes to your credit utilization, which accounts for up to 30% of your overall FICO credit score, having a charge card won’t make a difference. Since there’s no spending limit, most credit scoring models don’t consider charge cards when calculating credit utilization.
On the one hand, a charge card doesn’t give you available credit to use toward boosting your credit utilization ratio. On the other hand, you can make large purchases on your charge card without worrying about it having a negative impact on this ratio.
When to Get a Charge Card
You might have a limited choice of charge cards. However, options are available, such as the Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card. Be sure to compare your choices and always read the fine print before applying for any type of credit.
You may need to have good or even excellent credit. If your credit score isn’t strong enough right now, you can take steps to improve your credit. Once your credit score reaches the “good” range, you can try applying for a charge card.
Find out your credit score with Credit.com’s Free Credit Score feature. If you want to take look at 28 of your scores and have more tools to manage your credit, the ExtraCredit® subscription is a great option for you.
A prepaid debit card isn’t connected to your bank account. Instead, you buy the card from an authorized retailer, activate it, and then load money onto it.
Cash is king, but not everyone wants to carry a wallet full of cash wherever they go. You could always use a debit card or a credit card, but what if you don’t want to share your personal information with another financial institution?
A prepaid debit card may be the way to go. Learn more about how prepaid debit cards work and how they’re different from standard debit and credit cards.
What Is a Prepaid Debit Card?
A prepaid debit card, also known as a stored-value card, is a payment card that looks like a traditional debit card. The main difference between the two is that a prepaid debit card has money loaded onto it, while a debit card draws from the money you have in your bank account.
How Do Prepaid Debit Cards Work vs. Traditional Debit Cards?
When you use a traditional debit card, you’re spending money from your checking or savings account. If you don’t have enough funds to cover the transaction, your bank may allow the transaction, leaving you with a negative account balance. You may even have to pay an insufficient funds fee for the privilege of using your debit card to spend more money than you have in your account.
A prepaid debit card isn’t connected to your bank account. Instead, you buy the card from an authorized retailer, activate it, and then load money onto it. Some companies allow you to load money at the store, while others require you to use direct deposit, add funds online, or call a toll-free number.
Advantages of Using Prepaid Debit Cards
Prepaid debit cards have several advantages. One of the best reasons to use one is that you can’t overspend. If you load $100, you can only spend $100, so there’s no risk of overdrafting your bank account.
Carrying a prepaid debit card also makes it easy to pay for purchases. You can use a prepaid debit card just like a traditional debit card, eliminating the need to carry cash or buy merchandise with a credit card.
Some people avoid banks because they don’t want other people to see how much money they have. Others don’t qualify for bank accounts due to past financial challenges. For example, someone with a history of overdrafting accounts may not be eligible for a checking account with some institutions. Prepaid debit cards give the “unbanked” a way to participate in the economy without having a bank account.
Potential Challenges of Using a Prepaid Debit Card
Although prepaid debit cards have several benefits, you also need to be aware of some potential challenges. If you lose your card, you need to report it lost or stolen right away. Otherwise, the person who finds it may spend your entire balance before you even realize the card is missing.
Another disadvantage of using prepaid debit cards is that you don’t receive monthly statements. Some companies allow you to track your balance online, while others send text messages with your balance details. This makes it a little more difficult to track your spending.
Finally, you need to watch out for fees and service charges. Depending on which card you choose, fees and service charges may eat up a large portion of your balance. For example, some cards charge an activation fee, a monthly service fee, an inactivity fee, and a fee for every purchase you make.
If the activation fee is $3.95, the monthly service fee is $5, and you get charged $1 every time you make a purchase, you can easily use up a $50 card in one or two months. The more purchases you make, the faster your balance decreases.
Prepaid Debit Cards vs. Credit Cards
Although prepaid debit cards are similar to credit cards, there are a few key differences. For example, a prepaid debit card lets you spend money you already have. If you load $200 onto a prepaid debit card, you can spend $200.
In contrast, a credit card allows you to spend against a line of credit offered by a bank or another financial institution. When you make a purchase, you’re not spending your money—you’re spending the bank’s money. If you have a credit card, you have to make minimum monthly payments to keep your account in good standing.
Additionally, if you don’t make your credit card payment on time, the issuer may charge you a late fee. If the payment is late enough, they may even report you to the credit bureaus, causing your credit scores to decrease. If you have poor credit due to past late payments, start working to repair your credit to get your finances in order.
Honestly, movie comebacks are usually the best comebacks. That might be because they’ve had a team of writers carefully writing and rewriting them for hours before they’re filmed, but we’re ignoring that small fact for now. Because there’s no greater feeling than following a genuine question or situation with a great movie quote. We all do it without even realizing: those droll lines uttered during heartfelt rom-coms, stirring speeches shouted valiantly in action flicks, and righteous outbursts full of conviction can find their way into our daily banter surprisingly regularly (and it’s so much fun when they do.) Below are some of the movie lines that you can use in real life.
1. “That’s a Bold Strategy, Cotton; Let’s See if It Pays off for ‘Em.”
Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox.
One user shared, “‘That’s a bold strategy, cotton, let’s see if it pays off for ’em.’ from Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. The movie revolves around a group of misfits who enter a Las Vegas dodgeball tournament to save their cherished local gym from the onslaught of a corporate health fitness chain.
2. “Face It, Girls. I’m Older, and I Have More Insurance.”
Photo Credit: Universal Pictures.
Another user said, “‘Face it, girls, I’m older and have more insurance.’” The line is spoken by Evelyn Couch (played by Kathy Bates) in the movie Fried Green Tomatoes.
One user replied, “TOWANDA!!!!!”
3. “You Keep Using That Word; I Do Not Think It Means What You Think It Means.”
Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox.
The movie The Princess Bride is packed with quotable moments, but Inigo Montoya has probably been turned into a meme the most often. Here he is with a line we’ve probably all quoted at some time.
“‘You keep using that word; I do not think it means what you think it means.’ And many, many more from The Princess Bride,” one Redditor posted.
Another user replied, “Very nice! So many good quotes from that movie can be pulled out as a funny response.”
4. “Have Fun Storming the Castle!”
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
Scarcely a single conversation in The Princess Bride goes by without delivering some delightful one-liner, but the whole exchange with Miracle Max is a funny one from start to finish.
Another user stated, “Have fun storming the castle!’—Whenever someone departs for something.”
One commenter quoted back, “‘Think it’ll work?’”
5. “How Do I Get Out of This Chickens- Outfit?”
Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox.
“After watching Aliens about a thousand times, every time someone asks if there are any questions, it takes all of my willpower not to ask ‘How do I get out of this chickens- outfit?’” one Redditor posted.
Another user shared, “‘Something, something nuke it from orbit…’ Gets used a lot in the shop, in the field, pretty much anywhere but with the customers, I’m not familiar with.”
6 “How Many Combat Drops?”
Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox.
One user posted, “‘How many COMBAT drops?’ from … Aliens. Every time there’s a new manager/team lead, etc.”
Another user replied, “That’s a good one. I have wanted to use it before, too, but I always manage to bite my tongue!”
7. “That’s Just, Like, Your Opinion, Man.”
Photo Credit: Working Title Films.
Is there any better (or worse) way to diffuse a tense disagreement than by drawling, “That’s just like, your opinion, man”? Depending on the sense of humor of those around you, it could be either hilarious or infuriating, but either way it’s likely to be worth it.
One user shared a line from The Big Lebowski movie and posted, “‘That’s just like, your opinion, man.’”
One user replied, “‘This aggression will not stand.’”
8. “Alrighty Then”
Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Entertainment.
In a movie peppered with strange and ridiculous situations, one of the most valuable takeaways is a quote you can use in precisely those situations. This quote can be sprinkled like salt in any type of awkward situation, or when conversation is awkwardly grinding to a halt. Alrighty then!
“I don’t know about all the time, but I have been known to drop an ‘Alrighty then.’ when someone spouts something that is both TMI and rather absurd,” posted one user.
9 “Let’s Make Like a Tree and Get the F- Out of Here.”
Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox.
Some movies are just a trip from start to finish, and The Boondock Saints is one of those. It’s good for a gory watch about vigilante justice from time to time, and also the occasional quote.
One user stated from the Boondock Saints movie, “I like to say ‘ … make like a tree and get the f- out of here.’ I don’t remember what movie/show I heard it on, but I know I didn’t make it up.”
10. “You’re Killing Me, Smalls.”
Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox.
One Redditor quoted the movie The Sandlot and commented, “You’re killing me, Smalls.”
The Sandlot is a story of a group of young baseball players during the summer of 1962. Like any movie with hope, grit and determination, there’s also plenty of situations rife with disappointment. The result is quotes that you can use in any sort of situation involving failure to lighten the mood by tossing out a movie quote.
Another user shared, “YESSS BRRROOOO. YESSSSS THIS IS MEE!!!”
11. “Life Is Like a Box of Chocolates; You Never Know What You’re Gonna Get.”
Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures.
In Forest Gump, Forest is a very straight-forward character. In a lot of complicated and nuanced situations, he still calls things as he sees them, and it leads to a lot of situational comedy. As a result, the movie is peppered with great quotes that apply (or misapply) to dozens of situations.
“I often use the quote ‘Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get,’ from Forrest Gump,” one user added to the thread.
One user added, “‘Stupid is as stupid does!’”
12. “Winter Is Coming…”
Photo Credit: HBO.
Lots of great movie quote references are rather depending on the circumstances lining up, but the perfect time for this one comes around seasonally. Honestly, that’s rather convenient.
One user shared the most favorite and famous quotes from The Game of Thrones and posted, “‘Winter is coming … ‘ I say this a lot around October.”
Another user replied, “‘You know nothing, John Snow.’”
The OP jokingly replied, “Perfect, lol.”
13. “Groovy.”
Photo Credit: Sony Pictures Releasing.
Turns out this one pops up in multiple movies; which honestly could play to your favor. Besides, it’s universal enough regardless of which movie you were intending to quote, your chances of having the quote recognized are just about doubled.
One commenter stated, “‘Groovy.’ (The Evil Dead Trilogy).”
The OP responded, “Oh hahaha, I thought that was from Austin Powers. …”
14. “Hasta la Vista, Baby.”
Photo Credit: Studio Canal.
Turns out The Terminator is good for more than just a favorite movie night in; you can take sprinkle those convenient little quotes throughout your conversation.
Another user stated, “Hasta la vista, baby.”
One added, “Love it.”
15. “May the Force Be With You.”
Photo Credit: Lucasfilm.
Need a way to say goodbye and good luck all together? We’ve got you—try this quote from Star Wars. Better yet, it’s versatile. You can use it sincerely (and a little humorously) to wish somebody good luck, or you can use it with some snark if you don’t really approve of what they’re about to attempt.
“‘May the Force be with you.” – Star Wars. I use this quote when wishing someone good luck.” shared one Star Wars fan.
Another user replied, “That’s nice of you; I’m sure they love that!”
What do you think of the statements above? Share your thoughts down in the comments!
Source: Reddit.
10 Actors Perfectly Cast for Their Character Roles
Photo Credit: Warner Bros.
Have you ever watched a movie or show and been completely lost in it because of how well an actor or actress became their character? Check out this article for a whole list of actors who were perfectly cast!
11 Vampire Movies That Will Make You Thirst for More
Photo Credit: Columbia Pictures.
You know that feeling where you’re on a movie kick in a certain genre, but you seem to run out of good movies to watch? Well, if you’re down for a vampire movie or three, check out this article for the best ones out there!
10 Incredible Movies That People Rated 10 Out of 10
Photo Credit: Universal Studios.
It’s pretty hard to replicate the experience of watching your favorite movie for the first time, but we’ve put together a list of movies that people have rated at a perfect 10/10. Next time you need a good movie to watch, check this out!
10 Famous People Who Canceled Themselves With Their Own Stupidity
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
We’ve all been there: you make a comment you haven’t thought through at all, and the whole room goes silent at what you’ve just said. But can you imagine doing that as a famous person—and getting canceled? Check out this list of celebrities who did just that!
13 Things You Shouldn’t Do When You’re in the US
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
Are you planning a trip to the US? Culture varies a lot between countries, even countries that share borders. So if you’re headed to the good old U. S. of A, here are a few pointers to make your travels go more smoothly!
A key advantage of the VA loan is that eligible homebuyers can make a home purchase without a down payment requirement. But surprisingly, only 3 out of 10 veterans know that they can get a VA loan to purchase a home without a down payment.
Let’s explore what this surprising statistic means for veterans and how you can use the VA loan to your advantage.
Check your VA home buying eligibility. Start here (Dec 13th, 2023)
Most veterans don’t know about the VA loan’s down payment requirement
According to a recent survey by Veterans United, only three in ten veterans reported knowing they can use the VA loan to purchase a home without a down payment. That equates to thousands of veterans who might be missing out on the opportunity to purchase a home.
VA borrowers can purchase a home without a down payment
A down payment can be a major hurdle for prospective home buyers. After all, many would-be homeowners face a big challenge in saving up thousands of dollars for a down payment on a home loan.
Veterans and active-duty service members who qualify for the VA loan don’t have to wait to save for a down payment. Instead, veterans can get a loan with zero down payment. And that’s just one benefit of the VA loan, which also offers limited closing costs and relatively low interest rates.
Check your VA home buying eligibility. Start here (Dec 13th, 2023)
VA home loan statistics
It’s undeniably surprising that many veterans are unaware of the many benefits that the VA home loan, backed by the Department of Veteran Affairs, has to offer. While thousands of veterans might not know about zero down payment requirement, many veterans can take advantage of the opportunity
For example, nearly 9 out of 10 VA home loan borrowers finalized their home purchase with less than 10 percent down. According to Realtor.com, the average down payment percentage for a VA loan was 2.7 percent of the home’s purchase price, which is significantly lower than the average down payment percentage of 19.1 percent for conforming loans.
VA home loan benefits 2024
The zero down payment requirement is a big deal for military home buyers. However, that’s not the only benefit offered through the VA loan loan. Other benefits include:
More flexible credit score requirements: The VA itself doesn’t set a minimum credit score requirement. While the VA lender will set its own qualifying minimums, military borrowers are free to shop around and find a lender willing to work with them.
More affordable monthly payments: Competitive interest rates and no PMI requirements often help VA home loan borrowers access lower monthly payments. The amount you can save varies based on your unique situation.
A combination of factors makes homeownership more attainable for eligible veterans. And the far-reaching benefits of a VA loan have big consequences for homeownership. According to Realtor.com, the homeownership rate for veteran households nationwide was 79.9 percent in 2021. That’s 16.2 percent higher than the homeownership rates in non-veteran households.
The bottom line: VA loans can be a great deal for military borrowers
A VA home loan is stacked with benefits for prospective homeowners. If you are a veteran or military member considering homeownership, take a close look at what the VA loan has to offer. Not only can it help bypass the need for a large down payment, but you might also benefit from the flexible credit score requirements and competitive interest rates.
Check your VA home buying eligibility. Start here (Dec 13th, 2023)
Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations.
An ACH transfer is an electronic method of moving money from one bank to another via the Automated Clearing House (ACH). ACH transfers are more convenient because they’re quicker than traditional transfers.
Many people don’t realize it, but ACH, or Automated Clearing House, transfers are part of everyday life. They are how your paychecks are processed through direct deposit, used for debits for routine payments and much more.
Understanding ACH transfers and payments will give you a better understanding of how your money is handled. This is advantageous because it can help you avoid missed payments, late payments, and fees by knowing when you can expect money in your account.
This guide will explain what ACH transfers are and how they work as well as their benefits and drawbacks.
Key takeaways:
Money moved electronically through the Automated Clearing House are known as ACH transfers
ACH transfers are used for direct deposits for paychecks and for government benefit programs
ACH direct payments are for paying bills or sending money through apps like Zelle and Venmo
ACH transfers typically take one to three business days
In some cases, ACH transfers limit the amount you can transfer as well as how often
In This Piece:
What Is an ACH Transfer?
ACH transfers are a form of electronic fund transfers that move money between banks. Electronic funds transfers are when you move money in a non-physical way. For example, when your employer directly deposits money into your bank account rather than giving you a physical check or when you PayPal a friend, these are electronic transfers.
ACH stands for Automated Clearing House, and a clearing house is an establishment that acts as a go-between for banks to finalize a transaction.
ACH transfers can be used for the following:
Bill payments
Direct deposits from employers
Direct deposits from government benefit programs
External funds transfers
Person-to-person payments
Business-to-business payments
You may use ACH payments and transfers regularly without realizing it. Popular payment apps like Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal use the ACH network to send and receive money.
How Does an ACH Transfer Work?
If you want to make an ACH transfer, it’s a simple process as long as you follow these steps:
Step one: Similar to paying with a check or receiving a check, you’ll need the name, account number, routing number, account type, and amount.
Step two: Choose whether you want to do an ACH credit or ACH debit. ACH credits are often safer because your bank account details are hidden.
Step three: Finalize the transfer by linking your accounts and providing the details of the transaction.
If you’re a business owner, you’ll need to set up a way to receive ACH payments from your customers. There are a variety of digital companies that provide this service like Stripe and Plaid.
Types of ACH Transfers
There are two primary types of ACH transfers, and these have become a more convenient way of transferring money than the days of waiting for a check to clear. With the two types of ACH transfers, you no longer have to worry about bounced checks. However, you may still incur fees if you don’t have sufficient funds to cover the transaction.
ACH Direct Deposits
These ACH transfers are used by businesses and government programs to get people money faster. Prior to using the ACH network, you would need to receive a check, take it to the bank, deposit it, and wait for it to clear. ACH direct deposits are a way for you to receive payments, and some of the most common forms include:
Tax refunds
Government program payments
Annuity payments
Paychecks
Employer reimbursements
ACH Direct Payments
The other type of ACH transfer is direct payments, and this is when you’re sending money to someone else. When you use one of the payment apps to loan a friend money or split the dinner bill, you’re using ACH direct payments.
When you make an ACH direct payment, you’ll see the money debited from your bank account, and the receiver will see a credit in theirs. If the app connects to your bank account, debit card, or credit card, you’ll see the funds transferred via the app, but the app will have more details for your own tracking purposes. You can often include a note in these apps to note what the payment was for.
How Long Do ACH Transfers Take?
ACH transfers can take a few hours or up to two to three business days. The National Automated Clearing House Association (NACHA) sets the rules and guidelines for ACH transfers and has the following requirements:
Credit transfers can be processed on the same business day or between one and two business days
Debit transfers must be processed by the following business day
Although banks must adhere to these guidelines for processing payments, it’s at their discretion whether or not they charge for expediting the process. For example, when you’re sending money through PayPal and other services, they may have an option to send the money faster for a fee.
How much Do ACH Transfers Cost?
Depending on the bank or financial institution, there may be a fee for sending money to an account at a different bank using an ACH credit transfer. These are known as “external funds transfers,” and the cost can range from $0-50.
ACH debit transfers are the types of transfers that employers use for direct deposit as well as bill payments. These types of ACH transfers are usually free unless you need to expedite the payment.
External ACH Transfer Fees
As mentioned above, the cost for external transfers can vary between banks. Below, we’ve provided the fees and delivery times from some of the most used banks in America.
Bank
Fee
Approximate delivery time
Axos Bank
$0
3 to 5 business days
Bank of America
$3 from account and $0 to account
3 business days or $10 fee for next day
Capital One 360 Bank
$0
2 business days
Chase
$0
1 to 2 business days
Citibank
$0
3 business days or an option for free next-day delivery
Discover Bank
$0
1 to 4 business days
Navy Federal Credit Union
$0
2 to 3 business days
TD Bank
$0
1 to 3 business days
U.S. Bank
$0 to account and $3 from account
2 to 3 business days and free next-day for incoming transfers
Wells Fargo
$0
3 business days for incoming transfers and 2 business days for outgoing transfers
Each of these delivery times are based on the disclosures and general policies of each financial institution when using their online banking for personal accounts. It’s helpful to remember that delays can occur if there is a holding period or payment is sent after the bank’s cutoff time.
What Are the Pros and Cons of ACH Transfers?
Similar to many financial tools, there are benefits as well as downsides.
There are many reasons ACH transfers are so popular, and here are some of the advantages:
You can use ACH payments to pay bills electronically rather than writing and mailing a check
ACH direct deposits are more secure
NACHA requires that transfers happen within one to two business days
ACH transfers are often free or just a few dollars to expedite
There are also some downsides to keep in mind when using ACH transfers to receive or send payments:
Some banks limit how many transfers you can make or how much money you can move
Penalties may occur with too many transfers using savings accounts governed by Federal Reserve Board Regulation D
Banks have cutoff times for processing ACH transfers, so they may take longer if you miss the cutoff
There are fees if you have insufficient funds in your account
What’s the Difference between ACH Transfers and Wire Transfers?
The primary difference between wire and ACH transfers is that wire transfers are much faster. When wiring money within the same country, the transfer can take a few hours or as quick as a few minutes.
While wire transfers can be much faster, they also cost more. Many ACH transfers don’t have a charge, but a wire transfer may cost $20 or $30. When sending money internationally, the fee might be even more. Wire transfers are usually the better option if you need to move money quickly and can afford the fees.
How to Make ACH Transfers Faster
ACH transfers can take up to three business days, but there are a few ways you can make these transfers faster:
Use payment apps: Apps like Zelle and others link directly with your bank, can send money in real-time and don’t charge additional fees for same-day payment.
Know the cutoff times: Banks have cutoff times for transfers, so you can avoid a payment taking longer than expected by knowing how late you can make these transfers.
Pay the fees for expedited transfers: Some banks have the option to send the money faster for an additional fee. This fee varies by bank.
Can ACH Transfers Hurt My Credit Score?
ACH transactions can’t hurt your credit score directly, but it is possible to acquire fees from your bank. Unpaid bank fees can be sent to collections, and then the derogatory mark can show up on your credit report and hurt your credit score.
One of the best ways to avoid hurting your credit score is to have credit monitoring so you’re notified as soon as there’s a change to your score. Credit.com’s ExtraCredit service provides credit monitoring for a monthly fee so you know when something happens or a potential error was reported. If you’re unsure of your credit health, Credit.com offers a free service as well. You can get your free credit report card here.
[Note from editor: The “Mastermind Showcase” highlights companies and news from members of the GEM. Today’s showcase: Work & Mother]
Work & Mother offers a commercial lactation suite amenity for office building landlords and owners. Its outsourced mother’s room suites for commercial office buildings furnished facilities that enable working mothers to continue expressing breast milk when they return to work. Helping employers satisfy state and federal obligations such as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Work & Mother also provides a support app and a HUB with support resources and educational programming from health and wellness experts to help all working parents with their transitions back to work. For landlords, Work & Mother provides specifications and build books, consulting services, project management, and building-specific marketing assets. They operate the facilities membership system, app, tenant enrollment, suite access, maintenance, and reporting for the landlord.
What we like: With FLSA regulatory headwinds in its favor and also helping achieve DEI goals, this is a win-win-win for moms, tenants, and landlords.