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One way I’ve been able to save money and travel smarter over the years is by strategically leveraging travel credit card sign-up bonuses. They’re a fast way to rack up rewards, and I’ve successfully done it twice now to fund several trips over the last few years. Earlier this year, I encouraged my husband to try the same strategy to help fund our trip to Brazil over the holidays. He received a 90,000-point sign-up bonus offer in the mail for the Chase Sapphire Preferred. This is higher than the typical 60,000-point sign-up bonus they advertise, so I immediately knew it was a great offer. Before you go this route, there’s a lot to consider such as the minimum spending requirements, annual fees and your spending habits/financial goals. The Chase Sapphire Preferred card made sense for us based on our spending patterns, but I recommend doing your research and picking a card that aligns with your spending habits and goals to maximize your rewards. If you’re paying down credit card debt or have other more important financial goals, this strategy may not make sense for you. In my latest video, I talk all about how credit card sign-up bonuses work and how we put together a game plan to get the most out of the card without going into high-interest debt. Read more on what to consider before applying for a credit card with a sign-up bonus: https://lnkd.in/eArh-c8C

Did you redeem your credit card rewards this year? According to a new Bankrate survey, 23% of rewards credit cardholders did not redeem any rewards over the past year (i.e. since November 2023). Additionally, 50% cited cash back rewards as the best feature of the credit card they use most often. For those rewards credit cardholders who did redeem their credit card rewards this year, over 3 in 5 (61%) redeemed them for cash back/gift cards. This includes 22% who redeemed at least $300 worth of cash back/gift cards and 39% who redeemed for cash back/gift cards worth less than $300. “As long as you pay in full to avoid interest, credit card rewards are free money,” says Bankrate Senior Industry Analyst Ted Rossman. “Failing to redeem your rewards is a major missed opportunity. While the best rewards can be subjective, the worst reward is getting nothing at all.” For more, please visit: https://lnkd.in/eqVQhY_M

NEWS: Two things about the U.S. economy can be true at the same time, at least in the eyes of Federal Reserve officials. First, inflation is still too high, and progress at bringing price increases back down to an annual rate of 2% may even be stalling out. But on the other hand, borrowing costs may still be too high for the current state of the U.S. economy, and officials need to continue lowering interest rates to keep from slamming on the brakes too much. That’s at least what Fed officials signaled they believed when they announced at their final rate-setting meeting of the year in December that they are lowering their key benchmark interest rate for the third straight time. Their decision came as the latest data for November from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ consumer price index (CPI) offered up a glaring reminder that the worst inflation crisis in a generation is far from over. Inflation is now up 2.7 percent from a year ago, up from 2.4 percent just last September. Fed Chair Jerome Powell has said that the U.S. economy looks like it’s in much better shape than it did in September, when panic about an abrupt slowdown in the once-formidable job market stoked officials to cut rates by half a point. Since then, employment data has been revised up, unemployment has edged lower and the U.S. economy has continued motoring alone at a solid near 3 percent growth rate. So is it the Fed’s fault that inflation has risen every month so far since it first cut borrowing costs? The answer will only be known in hindsight. For starters, it’s too soon to attribute the upside surprises in the U.S. economy to the Fed’s jumbo September interest rate cut. Monetary policy acts with a lag, sometimes taking a full year, if not more, to fully filter through the economy. But it highlights the concerns that Fed officials have long had about cutting rates: The risk of fueling more inflation. Those risks highlight why Fed officials also revealed that they plan to cut borrowing costs even less in 2025 than previously expected. In new projections released along with the Fed’s decision, policymakers penciled in just two rate cuts, down from the previously estimated four. Four officials (one of which we know is the newest Cleveland Fed President, Beth Hammack) appeared to prefer leaving rates unchanged this month. What’s your outlook on the Fed in 2025? Will they be able to cut interest rates? Let me know, and read more on our recap: https://lnkd.in/erzUxN_f 

In search of a better savings account or an exceptional banking institution? We’ve done the legwork for you! Discover why these are our winners. 🏆🏦 https://lnkd.in/eY772EK4

Excited for the launch of our 2025 Bankrate Awards -- among my favorite projects we do each year. Bankrate's editorial team selects the best of the best across a range of financial products and categories. These picks are objective and based on an evaluation of thousands of data points ... no bias, just helpful information from our team of experts. Be sure to check 'em out! https://lnkd.in/eV6422qe

The Federal Reserve has its final meeting of 2024 this week and is expected to cut rates for the third consecutive time. The Fed will also release its Summary of Economic Projections this week, which will provide some insight into its 2025 plans. Bankrate Chief Financial Analyst Greg McBride, CFA, breaks down what he is expecting from the Federal Reserve this week and his outlook for next year. https://lnkd.in/eEkg3Cv

ICYMI: Bankrate announced the winners of the 2025 Bankrate Awards, recognizing top-tier financial products and honoring visionaries shaping the landscape of personal finance. This year’s awards highlight the best of the best in credit cards, banking, lending and more, so that everyone can find winners for their wallet. “The Bankrate Awards are a trusted badge of excellence that give consumers the confidence to know they’re making smart financial decisions,” said Lance Davis, Vice President of Content. “The sheer number of financial products to choose from can be overwhelming – that’s why the Bankrate editorial team spends hundreds of hours doing the research, so that consumers don’t have to.” For more information on the 2025 Bankrate Awards: https://lnkd.in/eTHsvM4a

It’s officially that time of year when no one knows what year (or day) it is. Companies and teams are spending so much time setting plans and looking to the future in 2025 that they might feel as if it’s no longer 2024 already. But to workers, it can come with a clear advantage — namely, an opportune time to consider negotiating for a raise. I've written extensively about why prices will never -- and should never -- retreat back to pre-pandemic levels. Deflation would mean that there's something seriously wrong with the economy. All of that means, workers will have to rely on their wages catching back up to feel better. And they’re not there yet: 59% of workers said in Bankrate's 2024 Pay Raise Survey that their incomes haven't kept pace with price increases over the past 12 months. While the job market isn't in dire straits, hiring is slowing, and fewer workers are job-hopping and reporting big pay gains — meaning the easiest path to getting a raise may be with your current employer. Here are some strategies to consider: 1️⃣ Focus on performance-based compensation rather than hoping for a cost-of-living adjustment. 2️⃣ Identify your secret weapon—what sets you apart? 3️⃣ Speak your company's language—how does your work drive success? 4️⃣ Research to determine a fair salary range for your role and location. 5️⃣ If negotiations stall, seek more frequent performance reviews to discuss growth. Remember, talking about money is never easy. But your company has likely had the experience of other employers negotiating before, meaning it's likely not going to catch them by surprise. And remember, the worst they can do is say no. When comparing the awkwardness of negotiating with the prospect of continuing to be underpaid, it's clear which comes with the greater opportunity cost. If you have any additional tips or advice, please leave a comment! Read more: https://lnkd.in/eyP7YdvC

The conversation around personal finance continues to grow, fueled by influencers and online communities. These innovators are using their platforms to reshape the financial landscape and help others reach their financial goals. Congratulations to the 2025 Bankrate Visionaries! 🎉👏 Read more on their impact: https://lnkd.in/eq6skpTB

How are you feeling about your financial prospects in 2025? Do you have any New Year's resolutions on this front? We surveyed Americans about their outlook for the year ahead. The good news: Some 44% say they believe their financial situation will improve in 2025. That’s the most that we’ve seen in recent years. Still, over half believe their finances will not get any better in the year ahead. Survey link: https://lnkd.in/gFhNNqM7 In his video, I share what plans or resolutions people have regarding their finances in the year ahead. Please share your thoughts and or helpful advice for others in the comments section below. And, good luck identifying and achieving your goals!