El Diario NY

Hispanics are benefiting most from job growth

Impremedia — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 18:03:00 +0000

The U.S. labor market is on the uptick, and one group in particular is benefiting the most: Hispanics. Over the past 12 months, employment amongst…

Hispanics will contribute significantly to job growth in Colorado and US

Impremedia — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 12:02:00 +0000

In the years to come, we will see a massive retirement movement of the baby boomers and there will be an influx in the U.S.…

Bonanza of money for Colorado residents & marijuana taxes

Impremedia — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 16:02:00 +0000

The marijuana experiment in Colorado was originally intended to raise revenue for the state and its schools, but sales have been so high that a…

MasterCard is coming to Cuba this March

Impremedia — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 19:01:00 +0000

Traveling to Cuba from the U.S. has always meant flying into the island with a wad full of cash, as the island’s dual currency system — run mostly on the Cuban Convertible Dollar (CUC) — and the US embargo has made modern-day banking a mere luxury for visitors. SEE ALSO: Cuba becomes the land of the $250,000 family sedan However, part of President Barack Obamas plan to reestablish relations with the Communist island involves the goal to allow banking between both countries, meaning American banks could potentially set up shop and operate in Cuba. The first sign of the integration with American banks might be the announcement by credit card giant MasterCard that it plans to remove the block on transactions made with its U.S.-issued cards in Cuba. Mastercard coming to Cuba on March 1st The news was first reported by Reuters on Friday, and it could be the first of many similar announcements made that could bring relief to both family members visiting their relatives on the island, as well as tourists visiting Cuba for business or pleasure. The change takes effect on March 1st. MasterCard said on Friday that it was removing the block following guidance from the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, Reuters reported. Even though the Cuban Peso has been the long-standing currency of the island, as of recent years the CUC is typically the currency that visitors get to use. It’s value is approximately equivalent to that of the U.S. Dollar, which is why it’s almost always unattainable for the islands impoverished population, who gets paid in Cuban Pesos (CUP’s) — currently a U.S. Dollar trades for 26 Pesos (CUPs). At best it’s a dual currency system that is confusing for most users, especially if you add a heavy surcharge taxes imposed by the Cuban government to be paid whenever dollars are exchanged for CUCs, in addition to the exchange rate paid. The implementation of a U.S. credit card such as MasterCard may help simplify the process of buying items and services on the island, even though it’s not clear yet if any of the charges currently associated with exchanging dollars will go away. SEE ALSO: US and Cuba inch closer to opening embassies American Express said it would be reviewing OFAC’s recommendation, but didn’t immediately say if it would start operations in the island. Visa hasn’t made an official announcement on the matter.

The post MasterCard is coming to Cuba this March appeared first on Voxxi.

5 unconventional ways to use your credit card signup bonus

Impremedia — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 16:12:00 +0000

By Lindsay Konsko/ NerdWallet Admit it: If a credit card offers a huge signup bonus, youre going to pay attention. Dont be ashamed if you only apply for credit cards that offer a hefty points or miles boost to get you started this certainly isnt a terrible way to pick out plastic. SEE ALSO: 3 ways to avoid paying interest on your credit card balance But booking a nice vacation or stocking up on gift cards isnt the only way to use a credit card signup bonus. Take a look at the five unconventional ideas below for the next time you score a boatload of extra points: 1. Bank the points for an emergency Personal emergencies often involve last-minute travel, which can be expensive and stressful. So instead of using your credit card signup bonus for leisure travel, why not hold onto your points in case an emergency pops up? Of course, this shouldnt be considered a replacement for your emergency fund, but having a little extra something set aside in the event of a crisis is always helpful. 2. If your credit card offers the option, donate your points to charity You might be surprised to learn that some credit card issuers allow you to redeem your points in the form of a donation to a charity of your choice. If youve been meaning to make a big contribution to a cause you believe in, but havent been able to scrape together the cash, a signup bonus might be just the ticket. One word of caution, though: Be sure that youre getting a good value per point when you cash in your rewards for a charitable donation. In some cases, redeeming for cash equivalents can cut into what your points are worth do a little math beforehand to make sure this is a smart move. 3. Buy someone else a plane ticket Using a credit card signup bonus to buy yourself a plane ticket or hotel stay isnt a bad idea, and youve probably already done this once or twice. But using it to book the trip of a lifetime for a loved one is a generous way to think outside the box. If a friend or family member has a big birthday or anniversary coming up, your signup bonus could go a long way toward making it really special. Another, related idea: If you have an adult child who lives far away, using your points to pay for his next trip home will probably be much appreciated. Nothing cures a bout of homesickness like a free visit to mom and dad! 4. If your credit card offers the option, transfer the points as a gift If you like the idea of using your signup bonus to give someone a gift, but dont want the recipient to be locked into a trip youve chosen, transferring your points to her rewards account is another possibility. This way, she can use them for whatever she wants. Be aware that not all credit card issuers allow you to transfer points to another cardholders account, and some that do charge a fee. Again, it pays to investigate this option a bit before moving forward. 5. Save it Although not every cash-back credit card comes with a signup bonus, some do. If theres nothing pressing you need to use the funds for right away, think about just dropping your bonus into your savings account. It could help pump up your emergency fund or get you a little closer to a specific savings goal. It never hurts to have a little extra cash in the bank! SEE ALSO: How to pay off your credit cards Lindsay Konsko writes about credit, credit cards, and other personal finance topics for NerdWallet. Our tools and resources empower consumers to make informed financial decisions.

The post 5 unconventional ways to use your credit card signup bonus appeared first on Voxxi.

Best Cyber Monday deals

Impremedia — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 18:11:00 +0000

Even after the mayhem of Black Friday has passed, you can still save money on some of the hottest items of the yearand all from the comfort of your home. For those shoppers who want to skip the long lines outside of department stores and still find great deals, Cyber Monday is the best way to power through your holiday shopping list. Many online retailers are running deals the entire weekend after Thanksgiving, which means you dont have to limit your online shopping spree to just one day. SEE ALSO: Cyber Monday shopping tips If you decide to opt out of fighting the Black Friday crowds this year, make sure your computer is charged on the Sunday night after Thanksgiving, because come Monday morning, you just might want to take advantage of some of these major online deals. Fire HD 7 ($109) Amazon From Nov. 27- Dec. 1, Amazon will be offering the Kindle Fire HD 7 for $109, a $30 reduction off the products original price. The Kindle Fire HD 7 has become one of the most popular tablets on the market, allowing users to read books, watch movies and TV, play apps, and surf the web. Samsung 55-Inch 4K Ultra HDTV ($1,000) Walmart You could save $500 on this 55-inch HDTV by shopping online at Walmarts on Cyber Monday. While Black Friday shoppers can always find great deals on TVs right after Thanksgiving, by shopping for TVs on Cyber Monday, you could save money while saving yourself the hassle of standing in long lines and lugging a large TV box around the store. Sanyo 58-Inch 1080p HDTV ($500) Walmart You can find a great TV on a budget by shopping at Walmart on Cyber Monday. This Sanyo 58-Inch HDTV will be reduced $300 during Walmarts Cyber Monday sale. Dell 24-Inch Monitor ($99) Staples Staples is slashing $100 off the original price of this Dell monitor, making it one of the best deals on reliable monitors this Cyber Monday. Xbox One Bundle ($329) Microsoft For all of the gamers out there, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the best times to score great deals on Xbox consoles and games. According to CNET, a handful of retailers will be selling Xbox One consoles, bundled with games like Assassins Creed Unity or Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, for $329, offering a savings of $70. You can also find these deals in stores like Target, Best Buy, GameStop, Walmart, and Toys R Us over Thanksgiving weekend. Microsofts Surface Pro 3 ($699) eBay Beginning on Monday, eBay will offer the Surface Pro 3 for $100 less than its typical retail price. This Microsoft 2-in-1 tablet and laptop combination has an Intel Core i3 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of on-board storage. Dell Inspiron Laptop ($179) Office Depot Finding a decent laptop for under $200 may seem impossible, but Office Depot is reducing the price of this Dell laptop by almost $150 this Cyber Monday, making it a superb deal for this budget laptop. Macbook Air ($100-$200 price reduction) Various Retailers According to USA Today, you can expect to find the Macbook Air products for $100-$200 less than their typical retail values. If youre trying to save money on a Macbook, keep your eyes peeled for Cyber Monday deals at various tech retailers. Beats by Dre Solo HD Headphones ($79.99) Best Buy You can save over 50 percent on Beats by shopping Best Buys Cyber Monday sale. These popular headphones typically retail for $169.99 in most stores. SEE ALSO: Online shopping sites that create a personal shopper experience

The post Best Cyber Monday deals appeared first on Voxxi.

3 Ways to help your child build good credit

Impremedia — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 14:10:00 +0000

If youve struggled to manage your credit in the past, you probably want to help your child avoid the same fate. But raising a credit-ready…

Five apps that will help you run your small business

Impremedia — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 19:09:00 +0000

Any seasoned entrepreneur can tell you that running a small business requires the wearing of many different hats. Fortunately, there really is an app for…

3 ways your credit card could be your ticket to a great credit score

Impremedia — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 17:09:00 +0000

Credit cards are a handy tool for paying for your purchases quickly and conveniently. And if youve picked the right card, theyre also great for…

5 good credit habits to start practicing today

Impremedia — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 18:09:00 +0000

Lets face facts: Without good credit, maintaining a comfortable lifestyle can be difficult. But the good news is that achieving a solid credit score isnt…

3 ways to avoid paying interest on your credit card balance

Impremedia — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 18:08:00 +0000

Theres nothing wrong with using a credit card for your daily spending its convenient, and you can rack up great rewards. But none of…

Hispanics have been unable to fully recover from the Great Recession

Impremedia — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 17:08:00 +0000

More than five years later, the Great Recession continues to haunt Hispanic families. While its great to see overall unemployment rates decreasing across the nation,…