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If you’re celebrating the holiday season at home this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, then you probably aren’t using up your travel rewards points. Instead of watching those points languish, consider turning them into holiday gifts — you can stretch your budget while taking advantage of new offers from credit card issuers.Amid the pandemic, many card issuers are offering more flexibility when it comes to points redemptions, as well as extra statement credits. With 1 in 3 holiday shoppers who accrued credit card debt last holiday season still paying it off, using credit card rewards to finance gifts can be a great way to celebrate the season while avoiding additional debt.Here are some examples of offers you can take advantage of this year:Send a mealFor a limited time, if you have an eligible Capital One travel card, you can use miles to cover restaurant delivery and takeout purchases at a 1:1 rate. That means instead of using your miles to fly home to see family, you can use them to send them a nice holiday takeout meal. You could even join them for it over Zoom.Bank of America? is also offering temporary points-for-food conversions on some of its travel cards, and in some cases a statement credit. Similarly, Chase is allowing some cardholders to redeem points for statement credits against purchases made at grocery stores, restaurants (including takeout and delivery) and home improvement for a limited time.Make a donation in someone’s nameChase is allowing some cardholders to redeem points for statement credits when making donations to qualifying charitable organizations.Treat a friend to coffeeStarbucks credit card holders received 150 bonus Stars earlier this year as part of Chase’s efforts to help consumers during the pandemic. That equates to a handcrafted drink, hot breakfast or parfait — so if you haven’t redeemed those rewards yet, consider putting them toward a (socially distanced) holiday date with a friend.Gift a streaming serviceEight months into the pandemic, we’re still looking for new ways to keep ourselves entertained indoors. Several issuers have cards with temporary or ongoing offers that give you statement credits or bonus rewards for streaming.If you pay for someone else’s streaming service, you can reap the discount or rewards.Cover someone’s exercise programFor a limited time, some American Express cardholders can purchase a membership to at-home fitness program Variis by Equinox and earn statement credits each month. Terms apply. Or, if Peloton is more your speed, some Chase cards earn limited-time statement credits toward eligible memberships.Get cashSome cards also let you redeem travel points for cash back at the same rate.It’s not always the best redemption option. But at a time when travel options may be limited, it can help offset some of the costs of the holidays and even reduce your chances of accruing credit card debt from all that additional spending, which is a real gift to yourself.More From NerdWallet5 Minimalist Tips to Make the Holidays More AffordableCan I Get Preapproved for a Credit Card?7 Times You Might Want to Product-Change a Credit CardKimberly Palmer is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: kpalmer@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @kimberlypalmer. 3256

In a crisis, long-term planning may lose out to quick and dirty solutions — regardless of the consequences.As the pandemic and its economic fallout continues, more cash-strapped consumers could fall into this trap if the Great Recession is any indicator.A recent report by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau found that from 2007 through 2010, debt settlements — which can be financially risky — increased. Meanwhile, credit counseling, a debt relief option that keeps consumers in good standing with their creditors, declined.Before you hit a moment of crisis decision-making, understand how to think through debt relief options.Why debt settlement isn’t all it’s marketed to beYou’ve probably heard the radio ads or maybe received a robocall promising a solution to your debt that can cut what you owe by 50% or more.Debt settlement claims are as lofty as the industry’s marketing budget. But these programs aren’t all they’re hyped up to be — and the ads gloss over the downsides.With debt settlement, you stop making payments to creditors and instead direct your money to the debt settlement company, which holds it in an escrow account. Then, typically after several months, the company contacts your creditors and haggles to cut a deal where the creditor accepts less than originally owed. This period of waiting between when you stop paying creditors and the debt is settled (which isn’t guaranteed) is where things can go awry.“There’s no free lunch,” says Glenn Downing, a Miami certified financial planner. “There really are some significant trade-offs with debt settlement. I’d try to make it a last resort.”Debt settlement risks include:Leaving yourself open to lawsuits: When you stop making payments to creditors and debts go delinquent, you can be sued by the original creditor or by a debt collector who purchases the debt. Until the debt is resolved, either through full payment, settlement or bankruptcy, you’re at risk of being sued.Owing a tax bill: The IRS considers any amount of debt settled as taxable income.Saving less than what was advertised: Debt settlement companies often take a fee of around 30% of your original debt balance. So even if you did settle for 50% of what you originally owed, you won’t come out as far ahead as you might expect after you pay the fee to the settlement company. Additionally, your debt can continue to grow when you stop making payments, as late fees and interest are added to your balance.Credit damage: Missing payments and defaulting on your debts are among the worst things you can do to your credit. These marks stay on your credit reports for around seven years and will make you look risky to future creditors, which can result in you not being approved for credit or having to pay higher interest rates.A better choice for long-term financial healthWhat if there was a way to roll multiple credit card payments into one, at a lower interest rate — while preserving your good standing with your creditors?That’s what nonprofit credit counseling agencies offer. These organizations have arrangements with many credit card companies that provide a lower interest rate in exchange for regular monthly payments over three to five years to resolve your debt.But many consumers aren’t aware of these benefits, according to a 2018 Harris Poll survey commissioned by Money Management International, a nonprofit credit counseling agency. It found that 62% of the 2,012 respondents didn’t know credit counseling can roll multiple credit card debts into one payment. And 73% weren’t aware that credit counseling offers lower interest rates on credit card debt.There are some drawbacks if you use a credit counseling agency’s debt management plan. You typically need a regular income to qualify, and if you miss a payment, the agreement can be dissolved, leaving you to manage on your own.But for the long-term health of your credit profile, credit counseling is the clear winner. This debt relief tool generally keeps consumers in good standing with creditors since they’re making good on their obligations. The only harm to their credit profile would come from closing credit accounts, which some agencies require.To find a reputable nonprofit credit counseling agency, look for one that has been certified by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling or the Financial Counseling Association of America.Know when a third option might be bestBefore choosing debt settlement or credit counseling, consider whether:You’re barely able to make regular debt payments.Your monthly debt payments — excluding student loans and housing costs — exceed 40% of your take-home pay.Your debt burden is interfering with your quality of life, for instance keeping you up at night.If so, you might want to consider bankruptcy. Although it’s been stigmatized, this debt relief tool can resolve what you owe faster than credit counseling or debt settlement. In addition, credit scores can start to rebound quickly in the months after filing.This article was written by NerdWallet and was originally published by The Associated Press.More From NerdWalletHow Credit Counseling Can Help YouDebt Settlement: How It Works and Risks You FaceWhen Bankruptcy Is the Best OptionSean Pyles is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: spyles@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @SeanPyles. 5312

In a typical year, you might expect to see holiday decor start to crowd out the Halloween candy around mid-October. But in 2020, the holiday shopping season has felt like it started even earlier due to the changes brought about by the pandemic.Social distancing concerns have forced retailers to rethink their promotional plans, and Amazon’s rescheduled Prime Day in mid-October kicked off the seasonal incentives to shop early and often.So far it seems to have worked: Plenty of people have gotten a head start on their holiday shopping this year. Forty-two percent of holiday shoppers said they started earlier this year than they normally do, according to a November survey from the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.The survey also found that 59% of holiday shoppers had already started making purchases well ahead of Black Friday. Compare that to 10 years ago, when only 38% of respondents had already gotten a running start in early November.As the holiday stretches out into a multi-month marathon, will Black Friday matter this year? Well, sort of. The holiday isn’t going anywhere—and stores won’t let you forget about it. But it’s going to look a lot different in 2020.1. Black Friday Won’t Start on Thanksgiving DayIn recent years, retailers were kicking off Black Friday by starting in-store sales nearly 24 hours early: on Thanksgiving Day itself. But pandemic concerns may have put an abrupt end to this trend.Major retailers like Kohl’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Target announced as early as July that they would break their traditions of opening stores early for Black Friday and simply stay closed on Thanksgiving Day.“Let’s face it: Historically, deal hunting and holiday shopping can mean crowded events, and this isn’t a year for crowds,” Target said in a blog post outlining its holiday plans.Walmart will also be closed on Thanksgiving Day, opting instead to keep regular Wednesday hours, then reopen at 5 a.m. on Friday. It’s the first time the retail giant has opted against Thanksgiving Day hours since the 1980s.Experts say people will still shop on Thanksgiving, but will do so online. “After the pumpkin pie, they’ll go to the couch with their computer and that’s where they’ll start their Black Friday shopping,” said Rod Sides, vice chairman and U.S. leader of retail and distribution at Deloitte.Although stores may keep their locations closed or limit their hours on Thanksgiving, their websites are always open, meaning a company can still pull in revenue that day without incurring the cost of staffing stores. Retailers have seen a huge increase in online sales, after years of declining foot traffic in stores, so cutting Thanksgiving Day hours is unlikely to be a huge stretch even without coronavirus concerns.“The pandemic has made that choice [to close] a lot easier,” said Seth Basham, a retail analyst at Wedbush Securities.2. Some Retailers Are Rejecting Black FridayFor some retailers, going against the Black Friday grain is a big part of company culture.Outdoor retailer REI will be closed on Black Friday for the sixth year in a row in 2020. The co-op’s “Opt Outside” campaign closes its stores, distribution centers and call centers on Black Friday in an effort to encourage people to spend the day outside with family and friends instead of shopping.But while REI was once the outlier, it may have some company this year. Ecommerce footwear brand Allbirds will actually raise prices on Black Friday, increasing the price for every item on its website by with the spare buck going toward organizations mitigating climate change.Even stores you might not immediately think of for Black Friday savings are changing things up this year. California grocery store chain Gelson’s announced it will have reduced hours on Thanksgiving, then be closed all day on Nov. 27 to acknowledge employees’ response to the pandemic.3. Doorbusters Are DoneForget waking up at 4 a.m. to be first in line for a great deal on Black Friday. The doorbuster deal, which offers a low price for a period of just a few hours, is a thing of the past.“There will be less emphasis on doorbuster-type offers this year, because social distancing makes it harder to queue up,” said Sides. There will still be limited-time or limited-quantity offers for some sale items, but Sides expects fewer people will feel compelled to line up to access deals. Deloitte’s research shows that people are planning to start shopping later in the day if they venture out on Black Friday.Instead, retailers are encouraging people to shop during far wider discounting windows. Macy’s, for example, is promoting “All-day specials” on Black Friday, while Best Buy’s newspaper ad for Black Friday sales notes which prices are available starting on Sunday, Nov. 22, Thanksgiving Day (online) or Nov. 28.4. Deals Are Everywhere, All The TimeWhy wait for Black Friday to shop when there’s a sale around every corner?By November 10—just 10 days into what Adobe considers the start of the holiday season, .7 billion had been spent online—21% higher than the same period in 2019.Retailers of all sizes have rethought how they will present holiday discounts this year. Walmart, for one, is breaking its usual Black Friday deals into “Black Friday Deals for Days,” rolling out sale prices at regular intervals during the entire month of November rather than wait until Nov. 27. On days when stores open early to offer in-store savings, customers will need to wait in a socially-distanced line and employees will limit the number of people who can enter.But before the pandemic, holiday shopping was already spreading out over the long Thanksgiving weekend instead of being concentrated on Black Friday. Now, the holiday shopping season has given rise to Small Business Saturday for supporting local shops and Cyber Monday for online shopping, plus big days like Green Monday (the second Monday of December), Free Shipping Day (usually around December 15) and Super Saturday (the last Saturday before Christmas).If every day is a shopping holiday, the need to cram all your shopping into Black Friday feels unnecessary.Read more: How To Budget For Holiday Shopping When The Season Is Now Twice As LongThe Name Will Remain, Even if Black Friday’s Luster FadesIt’s not impossible for Black Friday to have a post-pandemic rebound, Sides said, but the impact of the day has already waned.“We all like the hustle and bustle a little bit, but folks have figured out they don’t need additional stress” during the holidays, Sides said. There are just as many sales taking place online as there are in stores, and not everyone who goes to their local store is actually shopping on the spot—many will choose to buy online, pick up in-store or via curbside.Basham predicted that we won’t see as much of a peak in revenue during the five-day period over Thanksgiving weekend—even for online purchases. This has already been evident with other holidays in this pandemic-adjusted year: Labor Day purchases usually concentrated into a week or less were spread out over a three-week period, Basham said. By giving shoppers a longer period of time to snag a deal, it helps retailers manage demand around those high-excitement times.And that excitement will still drive consumers. “They want a call to action,” Basham said. While the right price may be the thing that convinces a shopper to make the purchase at that moment, they still need cues on the calendar to know when to start looking for those discounts. 7523

In a security policy that has been implemented in many stadiums and arenas around the country, large bags will soon be banned inside Cinemark's movie theaters, the company has announced. The ban will go into effect on Thursday at all of its theaters. Cinemark is the parent company of chains such as Rave Motion Pictures, Century Theatres, CineArts and Tinseltown. Bags larger than 12 inches by 12 inches by 6 inches will not be permitted. Exceptions may be made for medical equipment and diaper bags. Cinemark said there will not be anywhere to check bags. The chain also said that the company reserves the right to inspect all bags entering its theaters. A Century Theatre, which is owned by Cinemark, was the scene of a mass shooting in July 2012, when 12 were killed and 58 were wounded by a gunman. Survivors and families of the victims sued Cinemark claiming the company did not take adequate safety and security precaution. A US federal judge then threw out most of the claims against Cinemark in 2013.  1078

In California’s Coachella Valley, people are concerned about catching the novel coronavirus.“They’re scared; they’re freaking out,” said Jorge Garcia, who contracted the virus. “I was scared at first because you hear a lot of stories that people don’t make it, they get really sick.” A lot of people in the desert community, located about two hours east of Los Angeles, are getting sick.Local county health officials report more than 36,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the area and more than 680 deaths.Now, health experts say there aren't enough doctors and nurses to handle the spike in cases.“At one point we had over 90 patients in the hospital with COVID,” said Alan Williamson, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Eisenhower Health in Rancho Mirage, Ca. “I think we had about three beds available at our peak.”Williamson says his staff is overworked and pushed to its limits. And that bringing in traveling nurses to help lighten the load is no longer an option.“Because of national nature of this pandemic, all of those resources were basically tapped out,” he said.Now, help is on the way from the United States military.“The Department of Defense is committed to this fight,” said U.S. Army Major General Mike Stone, who is helping lead a joint military team to help civilian hospitals fight COVID-19.“We’re tailoring the force,” he said. “We’re giving exactly what’s required where it’s needed on the frontlines to save people’s lives.”To help slow the spread of this virus and provide relief for staff, Stone says the Department of Defense has sent nearly 600 health care workers from different branches of the military to support almost two dozen hospitals in California and Texas.“There is a lot of need and if we can save a life, that’s why we’re there,” he said.The cost of this mission has not been totaled, but Stone says the price is well worth it, as the military shows its commitment to the country.“When the chips are down, America always pulls together,” he said. “We’re here for however long it takes.” 2032

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