Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin How Credit Cards Changed During the Pandemic and What to Expect in 2023 The last few years have been a roller coaster for both the travel industry and the market for rewards credit cards. In looking back over the last few years, some notable trends jump out as card issuers tried to react to customer sentiment and stay relevant in a highly dynamic environment. From shifting bonus categories to hefty welcome offers and an array of new product launches, here’s a look back at where we’ve been, and a possible glimpse at where the market is heading in 2023. [ The Points Guy ] Buy Now, Pay Later Sounds Too Good to Be True Because It Is Buy Now Pay Later companies often don’t do in-depth checks of consumers’ credit, meaning people wind up getting into debt they can’t pay. If someone screws up, they can be hit with late fees and see their credit scores dinged. And screwing up is easy to do if people are taking out … [Read more...] about This Week In Credit Card News: How The Pandemic Changed Credit Cards; The Dangers Of Buy Now, Pay Later
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Financial Anxiety Is Increasing As Inflation Surges, And People Are Living Paycheck To Paycheck
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin The wild party is over, and the United States is now dealing with the hangover. Americans are experiencing the adverse effects of consequential decisions made by the Federal Reserve Bank and the U.S. government. The institutions distorted the economy by printing too much money and spending trillions of dollars on various stimulus programs . To revitalize the economy in the wake of business shutdowns during the pandemic, the Fed—through quantitative easing—bought Treasury and agency mortgage-backed securities—amounting to around $8.5 trillion . The cascade of money flooding the market, in part, led to the rapid rise in inflation. Once inflation rose uncontrollably, it was clear that the jig was up. The Fed has no other choice than clamp down on the economy, which will catalyze job losses, to fight ruinous inflation. Inflation, Yet Another Tax These actions result in a lower quality of life for many people. … [Read more...] about Financial Anxiety Is Increasing As Inflation Surges, And People Are Living Paycheck To Paycheck
What a Cashier’s Check Is and Where to Get One
A cashier’s check is a check drawn against the bank’s account rather than yours. It is written in the bank’s name and typically signed by a teller. The bank is responsible for paying the check to the payee. You pay the bank the funds needed to cover the check from your account. You have to go to a bank or credit union—in person or online—to get a cashier’s check. In several scenarios, it makes sense to use a cashier’s check in place of a personal check because of the benefits and protections it offers that you may not enjoy with personal checks or cash payments. Alternatively, you can use a certified check, money order, wire transfer, or social payment app to make a payment. Each form of payment has its pluses and minuses. Here’s what you need to know about using cashier’s checks, how to get one, and what to use in their place if you need another option. Key Takeaways A cashier’s check is drawn from a bank’s or credit union’s funds and signed by a cashier or teller, which … [Read more...] about What a Cashier’s Check Is and Where to Get One
An Easy Explanation Of What Happens When The Federal Reserve Bank Raises Interest Rates
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin The job market and the economy will be in bad shape for a while. With all the chatter about inflation and a recession, it's hard to understand what is happening. Let’s break it down. A combination of pent-up demand from the pandemic, supply chain disruptions , trillions of dollars flooded into the market from the Federal Reserve Bank, and massive fiscal stimulus packages from both the Trump and Biden administrations helped stoke inflation . Runaway inflation is ruinous to a country. The costs spiral out of control. The poor are disproportionately impacted, as they generally don't have emergency funds or the ability to earn more than the rising inflation rate to keep their heads above water. To decrease the adverse impact of inflation, Jerome Powell, the head of the Federal Reserve Bank, announced that he would raise interest rates to battle inflation and cool down the economy. If you have been looking to … [Read more...] about An Easy Explanation Of What Happens When The Federal Reserve Bank Raises Interest Rates
Just started working? Here’s how to become financially independent
Set aside a small sum of money every month for investing in equities when you get your salary. As Indian citizens, we are glad to live in a free country. But often, we take our freedom for granted, especially when it comes to financial freedom. Money here today might be gone tomorrow. That’s why it’s important to be financially free, especially if you’re starting your investment journey at a young age. If you are in your 20s , or even in your 30s , on your first, second or even third job, and are just embarking on your financial journey, here are some handy tips to make sure you become financially independent. Also read | How women in their first job can take control of their money Invest in equities Set aside a small sum of money every month for investing in equities when you get your salary. Maher Dhamodiwala, founder of Financial Artists, a Mumbai-based financial planning firm, says that at a young age when liabilities are low or zilch, people should … [Read more...] about Just started working? Here’s how to become financially independent
Shifting Goal Posts In Digital Taxation
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Within the span of just four weeks last month, Nepalese Finance Minister Janardan Sharma resigned from office but was then reinstated after he was absolved of an alleged corruption scandal. The upheaval began in early July, when Sharma faced a parliamentary investigation after he was accused of allowing unauthorized, last-minute changes to tax rates in the country’s budget. Sharma stepped down to allow for an internal investigation, which failed to find wrongdoing, and he was reinstated at the end of the month, according to Reuters. The saga has attracted a lot of public and media attention while another significant tax development has unfolded largely under the radar: Nepal is the latest country to implement a digital services tax. Under the new rules , foreign digital services providers with more than NPR 2 million in annual turnover (about $15,911) must register in the country and pay a 2% DST on their … [Read more...] about Shifting Goal Posts In Digital Taxation
Congress Vs. Inflation: The Legislative Tax Showdown
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Tax Notes reporter Benjamin Guggenheim discusses the latest tax legislation on Capitol Hill: the recently passed CHIPS and Science Act and the revived reconciliation bill known as the Inflation Reduction Act. This transcript has been edited for length and clarity. David D. Stewart: Welcome to the podcast. I'm David Stewart, editor in chief of Tax Notes Today International . This week: Build Back smaller? After months of stalled negotiations, little agreement in either chamber of Congress, and a declaration that Build Back Better was dead, last week, Senate Democrats were able to make progress on not one, but two separate bills. The first, known as the CHIPS and Science Act, was a more bipartisan effort from the Senate that has generally been split down party lines. While the second, known as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), is Senate majority leader, Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Senator Joe … [Read more...] about Congress Vs. Inflation: The Legislative Tax Showdown
The Inflation Reduction Act Unleashes A Tougher IRS
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin The Schumer-Manchin tax bill known as the Inflation Reduction Act , which passed the Senate on Sunday, raises taxes and will give the IRS billions to go into what the Wall Street Journal called “beast mode .” In all, the meant-to-be-inflation buster bill will dole out about $80 billion to the IRS for increase enforcement, operational improvements, customer service, and systems modernization. Think big, really big. That $80 billion is more than six times the current annual IRS budget of $12.6 billion. How can the IRS spend all of that? You guessed it, the bill says a whopping $45.6 billion will be for enforcement, and make no mistake, enforcement is the main directive from Democrats to the IRS. Get bigger, tougher and faster at collecting, and make them pay. Meanwhile, the IRS could be ramping up its police power too. The IRS is a key part of the government, but not one you usually associate with law enforcement … [Read more...] about The Inflation Reduction Act Unleashes A Tougher IRS
CLI books record first half profit
The Soberano family-led Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI) booked record profits in the first half of the year as capital investments surged 42 percent to P5.5 billion to lock in strong demand for its projects in Visayas and Mindanao. From January to June this year, CLI’s net income jumped 40 percent to P1.55 billion while real estate sales reached P7.36 billion, up 45 percent from the same period in 2021. Gross profit margin was maintained at 45 percent despite cost pressures from the steep rise in the prices of raw materials and other inputs. “We are on track to achieve another record year and there are several strong indicators for CLI to achieve its growth guidance of 20 percent this year,” Jose Soberano III, CLI chair and CEO, said in a statement. “With our expanding portfolio and with our operations tailored to provide the strongest ‘ground game’ in the region, CLI is best-positioned to address the growing housing backlog while extending best-in-class turnaround times and … [Read more...] about CLI books record first half profit
Maya Business recognizes growth leaders in business payments
Maya Business, the country’s largest pr ocessor of business payments, continues to propel the rapid growth of enterprises through leading-edge digital payment technologies and integrated financial services. As consumers demand safer, more reliable, and more convenient transactions, Maya Business equips the biggest names in the retail, eCommerce, and service sectors with the broadest range of payment acceptance solutions. These innovations allow businesses to accept any credit, debit, and prepaid card, scan-to-pay via QR, or pay via Maya wallet, whether online or on-ground. Solutions include Maya Checkout for online payments, Maya Payment Links for digital invoicing, Maya QR enabled by QR Ph Person-to-Merchant (P2M) payments – the national standard promoted by the BSP, and Maya Terminal, the country’s first android point-of-sale device. Maya Business recognizes Growth Leaders among its merchant partners. These are businesses that made big moves with digital payments, … [Read more...] about Maya Business recognizes growth leaders in business payments