Select Venmo app users can now apply for the just-released Venmo Credit Card, and availability will expand to all U.S. users in the coming months. This take on personalized rewards is new in that cardholders are always guaranteed to earn the highest rate for their top spending category. Other credit cards either have fixed bonus categories or rotate the highest-earning categories each quarter, though there are a couple of cards that let users select their top categories....

Perceptions vary widely when someone is buying a house that “needs work.” Many agents believe that is the case if it isn’t updated, but some buyers and sellers might not share that viewpoint. Whether a house needs work is based on personal opinion, and “work” can depend on the type of property you’re thinking of buying. Beauty Is in the Eye of the Beholder Rooms in properties built in the 1940s were smaller and separate from one another, and kitchen counters were often covered in four-inch tile, not trendy stone....

Like many of her colleagues in the medical profession, Stephanie Toczylowski’s career was dramatically transformed with the emergence and surge of COVID-19. As a longtime nurse at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, VA, Toczylowski was focused on cardiology research before being tasked—virtually overnight—with conducting COVID-19 clinical trials. As she continued to help fight the battle against the pandemic and delve into potential treatments for the virus, Toczylowski spoke with The Balance in July about the immediate change to her work, the many challenges she faced, and her biggest concerns....

PayPal, which has 325 million active account holders worldwide, already allows most of its U.S. users to buy, sell, and hold Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash. The company hopes to extend this capability to some international users by mid-2021. The “Checkout With Crypto” feature, launched on Tuesday, allows PayPal’s U.S. users to use cryptocurrency to pay for items at millions of online businesses. Users with enough cryptocurrency in their accounts to cover the transaction price will automatically see an option to pay with cryptocurrency, which will then be converted to U....

Hoover was an advocate of laissez-faire economics. He believed an economy based on capitalism would self-correct. He felt that economic assistance would make people stop working. He believed business prosperity would trickle down to the average person. This philosophy was not effective against the Depression. His failure to end it led to his defeat in the 1932 presidential election against Franklin D. Roosevelt and his New Deal. As a result, Hoover’s enduring legacy is tainted by economic near-collapse....

Pros and Cons of Debit Cards Debit cards are linked to your checking account. When you use one, money immediately gets taken out of the linked account. These cards come with advantages and disadvantages. They Prevent Debt, but Funds Run Out For many, the advantage of debit cards is that you don’t go into debt when using them. They limit spending to what’s available in your checking account. There also won’t be interest charges each month....

Governed by State Law State laws determine whether and when punitive damages may be awarded. The laws vary widely. Many states impose one or more of the kinds of restrictions outlined below. Allowed or prohibited. Three states prohibit punitive damages entirely. The remaining states allow such damages to be awarded in certain situations. Proof required. Most states require plaintiffs to meet a higher bar of proof for punitive damages than for compensatory damages....

You might intentionally bid low in hopes of saving money, or you might unknowingly do so if you don’t know what is considered a lowball offer on a house. Either way, these offers make the prospect of having your bid accepted more unlikely. Identifying the most common lowball offer mistakes made by buyers will allow you to avoid them and land a home without hassles. Making an Offer Without Calling the Listing Agent Listing agents, who work on behalf of sellers to maximize the asking price and clinch the most favorable terms of a home for the seller, can make suggestions to the buyer for how to present an offer in a way that the seller is more likely to accept it....

Recommendation Letters for Internships Some universities require that students complete an internship in order to graduate. Even if it’s not required, some students opt to do an internship to gain on-the-job experience. Internships can be used to beef up a resume, and grab the attention of a prospective employer when mentioned in cover letters and during interviews. Some young adults (and career changers) intern as a foray into a particular profession for which they have no training....

The Community Property States Community property law dictates that anything acquired during the course of a marriage is owned equally by both spouses, with the exception of assets or income that are received as inheritances or that are otherwise gifted to just one spouse. The states that recognize community property law as of 2022 are: ArizonaCaliforniaIdahoLouisianaNew MexicoNevadaTexasWashingtonWisconsin Federal law doesn’t distinguish between same-sex couples and opposite-sex married couples, but it does draw a line between registered domestic partnerships or civil unions and marriages....

Check your employee handbook or with the company’s human resources department to make sure you are in compliance with company policy. Also check your employment contract, if you have one, for details on how much notice you are expected to provide. While you should discuss your plans with your supervisor in person, when possible, it’s also a good idea to send a resignation letter with the details when you decide to leave your job....

Here’s why you need a cover page and how to write one. What Is a Resume Cover Page? A resume cover page provides detailed information on why you’re qualified for the job you’re applying for. Don’t think of the letter as a summary of your resume. Well-written cover letters explain why you’re interested in this specific position and organization and why you’re the best candidate for the job. Alternate names: Cover letter, covering letter...

If you understand the differences between a traditional and a Roth 401(k) and identify the contribution limits, you can decide which option makes more sense for you. You may even be able to reduce your total lifetime income taxes. What’s the Difference Between a Roth and Traditional 401(k)? Contributions made to a Roth 401(k) are after-tax dollars, or dollars that have already been taxed. The maximum that you may annually contribute to a Roth 401(k) is the same as it is for a traditional 401(k)....

Whether it’s a co-worker or someone you manage, a note of appreciation is always welcome. Your thank-you note does not need to be formal or lengthy—just make sure it includes your gratitude. That way, the manager (who most likely has the power to give raises, bonuses, and promotions) is aware of your colleague’s help as well. How to Write Your Thank-You Note Depending on the circumstances, you might want to send a letter, card, or note by mail to thank your colleague for the help he or she gave you on a project....

This beginner’s guide will give you an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of a Section 529 plan, how they work, and who they usually make the most sense for. If you choose to open one, you may want to discuss the option further with your financial planner. They can give you details for your state and help you fit a 529 plan into your overall investment portfolio. What Is a Section 529 Savings Plan?...

For example, an unexpected news announcement for one specific stock may have a drastic effect on the price of that one stock, but it takes a big event to result in a similar percentage price change in an index. Such a price change often results in a huge loss for the trader who had sold naked (unhedged) options. It is usually more efficient to trade index options when your trade objective is collecting time decay, or positive Theta....

Credit card companies are aware of these seasonal spending patterns, which is why you might receive more promotional offers of 0% APR in your email inbox or mailbox during these seasons. Using a credit card for holiday or seasonal expenses isn’t necessarily a bad thing. However, to come out ahead in the deal, it’s important to know how these offers work, their pitfalls, and how to pay off your balance before the 0% APR period ends....

Take the steps now to build a solid future for yourself and your family. Follow our six tips to help you successfully manage your finances over the coming years. And remember, it’s possible to enjoy your twenties while still planning for your future. Break that habit now. Stop using your credit cards, even for emergencies. Set up a good emergency fund instead. This will prevent you from having to pay off large amounts of debt, and waste money paying interest....

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that more than 8% of people living in the United States suffer from limited English proficiency. A lack of understanding of the English language, coupled with a lack of financial literacy, makes it difficult for some Hispanic homebuyers to understand the multitude of documents and disclosures required for buying a home. The Balance has compiled this list of resources to help Hispanic homebuyers go through the homebuying process....

Here’s what you need to know about this rating system and how it can help you assess insurers. Company Overview The credit rating arm of S&P is a subsidiary of its parent organization, S&P Global, once known as The McGraw-Hill Companies. McGraw-Hill’s roots reach all the way back to 1860 when a man named Henry Varnum Poor compiled a guide to help investors vet firms in the then-booming railroad industry....