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Credit Card Rewards Definition: Pros and Cons

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My definition of credit card rewards: they can be pretty awesome. When you use your cards to buy big-ticket items or for everyday purchases, you can rack up a hefty amount of reward points and tap into other perks as well.

Though, there’s a right way and a wrong way to use credit card rewards. If you’re not careful, it could end up costing you more in the end.

That got me thinking: Are credit card rewards good, or is there a downside?

There are plenty of people in this world who think credit cards are pure evil. Most of the time, it’s people who got themselves into a heap of debt using credit cards who feel this way.

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How to Make Money with Youtube Videos in 5 Easy Steps

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Are you looking for a lucrative side hustle or full-time gig? Learning how to make money with YouTube videos could be the right thing for you.

Why YouTube?

Because it’s one of those online places you go to find everything!

If you want a recap of a sports highlight from last night, or ten years ago, you can find it. If you want to learn how to fix a household issue or sell items on eBay, you go to YouTube. Or, if you happen to be an avid fisherman and you want to learn a new technique, YouTube is your place.

YouTube contains infinite amounts of information – it’s the second largest search engine after Google.

It’s also a phenomenal vehicle for entertainment. If you have a specific interest (like ultimate Frisbee) or you want to watch a clip from your favorite childhood television show, YouTube has a seemingly limitless inventory of this type of content.

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How to Redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards the Easy Way

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I’m a Chase credit card guy, there’s no hiding it. The Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of the best premium credit cards out there right now, and I love to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for free flights and hotels.

Just this past month I got a free flight from Chicago to Phoenix, a hotel for 5 nights in Arizona, and two flights back to Chicago for 74,534 points. Here’s how it broke out:

  • 35,540 points – 5 nights and 6 days in a 3 star hotel in Arizona
  • 9,887 points – 1 American one-way flight to Arizona from Chicago
  • 29,107 points – 2 American one-way flights to Chicago from Arizona

Now, some of you Chase Ultimate Rewards connoisseurs may be scoffing at me for not booking a first-class flight to Singapore – which is without a doubt the best value for your points. Some might even say the above point redemptions I made weren’t a good deal because I didn’t efficiently transfer points to the right travel partner!

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Is a Home Warranty Worth it?

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When deciding if you should rent or buy a house, many people don’t consider the hidden costs of home ownership. Yes, there are closing costs and home insurance to think about, but also smaller expenses that can add up fast.

A dead fridge here, a burst pipe there – it isn’t usually just one specific thing, either. You know the saying – when it rains, it pours.

What happens if you’re not prepared for the downpour? What if your furnace and washing machine stop working too?

Is there anyway to prepare?

Well, there a few ways.

You could build up an emergency fund, budget money each month for these expenses, or turn to a home warranty. Below, we’ll dive into what a home warranty is and when one could be worth it for you.

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Best Online Brokers 2020: Ranking The Top Choices

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When it comes to investing, choosing where to invest is often the first and most crucial choice you make (which is why we created this guide to finding the best online brokers from 2020!).

Choose correctly, and you’ll be in a great spot to pick from a wide variety of low-cost funds and make trades for free. Choose poorly, and your investment options will be limited, and your fees will be high.

Online brokers come in all shapes and sizes, but the three things I looked for in a broker in 2020 were:

  1. Low fees
  2. Wide variety of low-cost index funds and ETFs (for you non-stock traders out there)
  3. Ease of use

Below we’ll break down some of the best brokers out there and score them on the three criteria above. This way, you can make a smart personal finance decision and choose the best online broker for you.

First, here’s a quick primer on what makes an online broker (you experts can skip ahead).

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