Ellen Sirull
Boston
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Articles by Ellen Sirull
Does EV Charging Really Cost Less Than Gas?
Imagine pulling into your driveway each night and “filling up” for half the price—no gas station stops, no fluctuating fuel prices. Electric vehicles (EVs) don’t just cut tailpipe emissions; they cut costs. If you charge at home, powering an EV costs less than half as much as fueling the average gas-powered vehicle. Pair your charger with solar panels, and you can stretch those savings even further. Public EV chargers, on the other hand, aren’t quite as cost-effective.
Which vehicles qualify for EV incentives?
Key takeaways The IRA updated the federal EV incentives available through the Clean Vehicle Credit while also adding some requirements for eligibility. The details about which EVs qualify for incentives may vary over time depending on their cost and other manufacturing details. There are also now income-specific EV incentive requirements rolling out in 2023. Save even more by powering your EV with clean energy when you go solar through EnergySage! What’s in this article?
A Complete Guide to Tesla Destination Chargers
Key takeaways Tesla destination chargers are Level 2 chargers you can use to power your EV when away from home – particularly if you’re not in a rush or need to plug in overnight. Using a Tesla destination charger can add up to 44 miles of range in one hour, depending on which Tesla model and type you drive. There are a few easy ways to find Tesla destination chargers, including your Tesla navigation system, the Tesla app, Tesla’s website, and other EV charging apps.
Complete Guide to Tesla Superchargers
Key takeaways Tesla Superchargers are extremely fast Level 3 DC chargers available globally for Teslas (and sometimes non-Teslas) to charge on the go. Tesla Superchargers can add up to 200 miles of range in 15 minutes, depending on which Tesla model and type you drive. There are a few easy ways to find Tesla Supercharging stations, including your Tesla navigation system, the Tesla app, and Tesla’s website.
Common Solar Scams and How to Avoid Them
EnergySage Your social media feed is probably full of them: ads promising free solar panels, guaranteed savings, or special government programs that'll pay you to go solar. Some even claim you'll get a check in the mail just for installing panels on your roof. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. The solar industry's explosive growth has created real opportunities for homeowners to save money and reduce their carbon footprint.
Protecting Your Solar Investment: How to Go Solar on a Tight Timeline
What would you do if you could save $9,000 by turning the clock back 24 hours? That’s the situation some homeowners may find themselves in if they don’t schedule a solar installation for this year instead of next year. If you act now and install a solar panel system by December 31, 2025, while the federal solar tax credit still exists, it’ll be about $9,000 cheaper than if you wait and install that same system on January 1, 2026, or any time later next year.
How Much Does It Cost To Charge An Electric Vehicle (2024)?
As the shift to electric vehicles (EVs) continues, a fundamental question remains: what does it cost to charge an EV? On average, it costs $0.05 per mile to charge your EV, but the price you pay depends on where you live, your electricity source, your EV battery, and more. While you likely have experience filling up a gas tank, charging an EV battery is a totally different experience.
What Is a Credit Builder Loan? Another Way To Build Credit
A credit builder loan is a type of loan created specifically to help people build credit. It’s actually a bit like a reverse loan. With most installment loans, like personal loans, you get the money up front to make a big purchase. Then, you start paying the same amount (an installment) each month until you’ve paid off the debt. Credit builder loans are different: You start making monthly payments, and do so for several months or years. Then, you receive the money at the end of the loan term.
What Is a Credit Builder Loan? Another Way To Build Credit
A credit builder loan is a type of loan created specifically to help people build credit. It’s actually a bit like a reverse loan. With most installment loans, like personal loans, you get the money up front to make a big purchase. Then, you start paying the same amount (an installment) each month until you’ve paid off the debt. Credit builder loans are different: You start making monthly payments, and do so for several months or years. Then, you receive the money at the end of the loan term.
EV-MOTORING GUIDE
Reading Time: 13 minutes According to Kelley Blue Book, electric vehicle (EV) sales are growing at historic levels: they’ve jumped 72 percent year-over-year to a record 147,799 EVs sold in Q4 2021. With more EVs hitting the market, it might be even harder to decide which one’s right for you! We cover some of the best-selling EVs, what’s coming in 2022, and other factors to consider when going electric. Key takeaways EV sales are growing faster than ever.
Reach Platinum Elite Status and Beyond With an IHG Credit Card
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) includes a number of well-known hotel brands, like Holiday Inn, Indigo Hotels, Crowne Plaza, and Kimpton. IHG offers over 6,000 places to stay when you’re away from home, meaning there’s pretty much a place to rest your head no matter where you’re off to. And like most large hotel brands, IHG offers a hotel credit card to unlock better amenities and higher rewards.
Step By Step Instructions by Issuer
Your fancy new card just arrived in the mail, and you’re itching to break it in. But wait, there’s one last step to take: activating. Most major credit card issuers make it pretty easy for you to activate a credit card online or by phone. Here’s an issuer-by-issuer breakdown on how to activate and use your new card. Jump to issuer-specific instructions with the table below, or read on for a bit of background information on credit card activation.
30 life-changing tips for frugal living
I am all about frugal living. I live frugally. I blog about frugality. Frugal, I am thee. I wanted to share some of the best frugal living tips I could put together. I got some help with this post. Since frugality takes so many different forms and since we all have such different living experiences, I asked many people for their best frugal living tips. I was not disappointed! I got some fantastic suggestions. Some I already do. Some I plan on doing.
Credit Cards That Provide Cell Phone Protection (and How It Works)
You throw your car in park and set your phone on your lap. You check your makeup in the mirror, open the door, and step out. A sudden, sickening crack rises from the asphalt between your feet. You groan and bend to scoop up your phone, a spider web of cracks now covering its face. It rattles when you shake it beside your ear. Sounds expensive. Luckily for you, residing in your wallet is a credit card with a perk made for this exact scenario.
Credit Card Chargebacks - How to Get Your Money Back
Did you ever make a purchase that turned out to be a scam? If you paid with cash or a check, there’s a good chance you had to kiss that money goodbye. But if you make a habit of paying with a credit card, you may be able to recuperate your funds when purchases don’t work out as planned. Credit cards come with many consumer protections that can help you safeguard your finances. One such protection is the credit card chargeback.
Which Amex Corporate Card Is Best for You (and Your Company)?
Entrepreneurs, small business owners, and big companies have many options when it comes to credit cards. For large corporations in particular, American Express has six different corporate charge cards with their own offerings, benefits, and fees, and one may be a fit for your business. American Express corporate cards are charge cards, which are different than regular credit cards. While you won’t pay interest, you do have to pay off the balance in full every month.
Capital One Cash Advances: What They Are and Why to Avoid Them
A Capital One cash advance, like cash advances from other card issuers, is one way to get immediate funds from an ATM with your credit card using your PIN. It’s essentially like getting a cash loan from your credit card issuer. However, these are far from ideal because of the high fees and interest rates you’ll pay. Before considering a cash advance, you should familiarize yourself with all of the details and any other options you may have to get money.
Where To Get Credit Card Price Protection: Chase, Capital One, and More
You get home with your brand new TV, finish setting it up, and turn it on for the first time. What do you see? An ad for the same TV, from a different store, but for $100 less! So maybe that’s a bit farfetched, but price protection helps you address this frustrating situation — buying a product and shortly after seeing the price drop on it. This benefit isn’t offered as much anymore, though.
Can You Get Cash Back on a Credit Card? Try Discover's Cash Over Perk
If you’re looking to get cash back from a credit card, it’s not quite as straightforward as hitting a button at the grocery store, like you can with a debit card. However, there are some ways you can quickly get money from a credit card. Cash Over From Discover Discover’s “cash over” benefit is perhaps the only immediate and potentially fee-free cash back option available from a credit card.
How to Find and Change a Credit Card Billing Address
Did you just move? You’ll need to update the billing address for your credit card account, and you can usually do that in your account profile or “My Account” area. Or maybe you need to pay a credit card bill. Making payments online is usually the most secure and expeditious way to pay your bills. However, if you want to mail a payment, in most cases you can find a credit card company’s billing information on its website or your monthly statement.
Rewards, Low Fees, & More
The number of international students in the U.S. has hit an all-time high — nearly 1.1 million in 2019. Many of these students want to use credit cards and build credit, especially if they plan on staying in the States after completing their education. However, getting a card can require a bit more research or a few more hurdles to jump. This is because of a few things: Lack of credit history in the U.S.: Creditworthiness is usually a key factor in card approvals.
Sallie Mae Credit Cards Provide Options for Students and Recent Grads
Sallie Mae is well known as a private student loan lender. Recently the company began offering credit cards tailored to the needs of college students, recent graduates, and all other consumers. Student loan debt is a growing issue for many Americans. In fact, according to Experian, it reached another all-time high of $1.4 trillion in 2019, an increase of 116% in the last 10 years. Sallie Mae now provides three different credit cards, and one helps with paying off student loans a bit more quickly.
Using Plastiq to Pay Bills With a Credit Card
Plastiq is an online payment service, founded in 2012 to give consumers and business owners more options for paying bills. The site lets you use a credit card for almost any expense, even services that normally require a check. Based in San Francisco, Plastiq has one million clients and has processed billions in payments for a wide range of expenses including business supplier payments, contractor payments, taxes, rent, and more.
PayPal Credit Cards: Should You Get One?
PayPal is best known for being one of the first platforms for sending and receiving money via its own app. However, in addition to enabling payments, it also has two credit cards and several debit cards for consumers to use. You must have a PayPal account in order to apply for a PayPal card. When you click “Apply Now” below, you’ll be prompted to log in to PayPal or create an account before applying. Here’s a quick snapshot of the different PayPal credit cards, followed by the available debit cards.
2019 Review: Brex Corporate Card — Best With No Personal Guarantee?
Credit Card Insider receives compensation from advertisers whose products may be mentioned on this page. Advertiser relationships do not affect card evaluations. Advertising partners do not edit or endorse our editorial content. Content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when it's published. Learn more in our Editorial Guidelines. There’s quite a bit of buzz surrounding the Brex Corporate Card, and as you begin to explore its features, you’ll quickly see why.
Credit Card Purchase Protection: Which Cards Have the Best Coverage?
Credit Card Insider receives compensation from advertisers whose products may be mentioned on this page. Advertiser relationships do not affect card evaluations. Advertising partners do not edit or endorse our editorial content. Content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when it's published. Learn more in our Editorial Guidelines. If you’ve ever bought something only to have it break or get stolen, you know the disappointment and money it can cost if it’s not covered by a warranty.
How to Get a Business Credit Card With Just an EIN (And Why It Might Not Protect Your Personal Credit)
Credit Card Insider receives compensation from advertisers whose products may be mentioned on this page. Advertiser relationships do not affect card evaluations. Advertising partners do not edit or endorse our editorial content. Content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when it's published. Learn more in our Editorial Guidelines. Business credit and personal credit often seem like two entirely different worlds.
PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card
Credit Card Insider receives compensation from advertisers whose products may be mentioned on this page. Advertiser relationships do not affect card evaluations. Advertising partners do not edit or endorse our editorial content. Content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when it's published. Learn more in our Editorial Guidelines.
Pay Over Time & Pay It Plan It: Amex Programs You Might Want to Use
Credit Card Insider receives compensation from advertisers whose products may be mentioned on this page. Advertiser relationships do not affect card evaluations. Advertising partners do not edit or endorse our editorial content. Content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when it's published. Learn more in our Editorial Guidelines.
Southwest Airlines® Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
Credit Card Insider receives compensation from some credit card issuers as advertisers. Advertiser relationships do not affect card ratings or our Best Card Picks, or how one card is compared to another. Chase and Southwest Airlines have not endorsed this content in any way. Credit Card Insider has collected card information independently. Issuers did not provide the details, nor are they responsible for their accuracy.
LendUp Loans: Should You Get One?
According to the Federal Reserve’s Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2018, 39% of Americans couldn’t cover an unexpected expense of $400 with cash, savings, or a credit card paid off at the next statement. Historically, there were few options if you didn’t have an emergency fund or credit card to fall back on for extra money.
Here's How to Choose
Chocolate or vanilla? Beach or mountains? Gold… or Platinum? If you’re wondering what the difference is between these two popular Amex cards, keep reading. We’ll reveal everything you need to know, and — spoiler alert! — explain why you should choose the American Express Gold card if you’re seeking rewards for dining and groceries, and the American Express Platinum card if you’re after a bevy of luxurious travel perks. American Express® Gold Card A Quick Look at the Amex Gold vs.
How a Hawaiian Airlines Credit Card Can Get You Free Trips to Paradise
Hawaiian Airlines has a streamlined offering when it comes to credit cards for its frequent flyers. As Hawaii’s biggest and longest-serving airline, it offers one regular consumer credit card and one business credit card.
Credit Card Return Protection Benefits: How to Use Them to Get a Refund
Credit cards often offer benefits over using debit cards, like fraud protection, points or cash back, and in some cases return protection. We break down the details of credit card return protection, showing how to use this handy benefit to get your money back when the retailer won’t accept your return.
Scams Targeting Seniors - What To Know And How To Protect Yourself (And Your Loved Ones)
CNBC recently reported that older Americans lose at least $36.5 billion every year on fraud. While anyone can be a victim, there are a growing number of scams targeting seniors, including identity theft. In honor of Grandparent's Day, here's a guide to three of the most common scams aimed at senior citizens: Phone scams that push for paying or sending money immediately They may be offering the deal of a lifetime, but you should should think twice before sharing your information.
Here's Where You Can Earn 5% Back
The Chase Freedom® (Review) offers a distinctive cash back system with high reward rates in helpful bonus categories. And while those bonus categories change quarterly, they nearly always cover purchases that many cardholders make every day. There’s a tiny catch, though: Chase doesn’t usually reveal the card’s quarterly categories until a few weeks before the quarter begins, so you never know exactly what the future brings.
Step By Step Instructions by Issuer
Your fancy new card just arrived in the mail, and you’re itching to break it in. But wait, there’s one last step to take: activating. Most major credit card issuers make it pretty easy for you to activate a credit card online or by phone. Here’s an issuer-by-issuer breakdown on how to activate and use your new card. Activating a New Credit Card When you apply for a new card and are accepted, you’ll usually receive the physical card via standard mail within 7–10 days.
Can You Rent a Rental Car With a Debit Card? Why You May Want to Reconsider
You can usually rent a car with a debit card, but before you do there are a few things to know about the requirements. Each major car rental company has slightly different hoops to jump through, and what’s needed may also vary by rental location. In general, debit cards are only accepted if they have a Visa, Mastercard, or Discover logo.
Wells Fargo Credit Cards
If you’ve ever taken even a cursory glance into the world of finance, whether to seek out a personal loan or to determine where you’d like to open your savings account, the odds are quite high that you’re familiar with the Wells Fargo name. Since its founding in 1852, the company has grown exponentially, now owning its position as America’s third-largest bank with thousands of locations across the country and an extensive assortment of financial services.
How Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards Can Get You More Free Stays
Marriott International has a huge global footprint as the third-largest hotel chain in the world, with 7,000 properties across its 30 brands. This widespread presence goes far in making Marriott competitive with other chains, with low-budget and premium options to fit your style. You can get a lot out of a Marriott membership, especially if you level up. But anyone who visits Marriott properties often should consider a co-branded credit card to get more out of every stay.
Can You Buy Gift Cards With a Credit Card? What You Need to Know
Yes, you can use credit cards to buy gift cards at most retailers that offer them. And you wouldn’t be alone if you did. According to a Consumer Gift Card Preferences Study in 2018, 91% of consumers surveyed say they have purchased a gift card (not necessarily using a credit card), so it’s good to know the ins and outs of how gift cards work.
How to Check Your Credit Card Application Status: Walmart and More
Sometimes when you complete a credit card application you get an instant decision: either an instant approval or instant denial. However, in many cases the credit card issuer may require more time to review your application, check your credit reports and credit scores, and determine your credit limit. The major card issuers allow you to easily check the status of your credit card application, either online or by phone.
The British Airways Visa Signature Card
British Airways is no newbie to the airline industry, celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. While most American travelers may stick with a domestic airline as their preferred option, BA is a member of the oneworld alliance which makes it easy to use Avios with partners like Alaska Airlines and American Airlines, as well as international airlines such as Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Qantas, and more.
How to Earn Points and Get Free Nights
There are four different co-branded Hilton credit cards — which one is right for you, to help you get the most out of every hotel stay? We break down your Hilton card options, showing you how to earn more points than regular members and which benefits stand out above the rest.
Priority Pass Select: How It Works (and Credit Cards That Have It)
I remember the first time I entered an airport lounge. I was in my typical travel uniform of leggings and a backpack; everyone around me was sporting suits and briefcases. For a few moments, I worried I didn’t belong. Then I saw a buffet of free food, a bartender ready to serve me a free glass of wine, and a million open electrical outlets — and my concerns soon evaporated. So what if I wasn’t wearing a suit? I was a Priority Pass Select member, and life was good.
Costco Anywhere & Anywhere Business Visa Cards by Citi
Credit Card Insider receives compensation from some credit card issuers as advertisers. Advertiser relationships do not affect card ratings or our Best Card Picks, or how one card is compared to another. Costco and Citi have not endorsed this content in any way. Credit Card Insider has collected card information independently. Issuers did not provide the details, nor are they responsible for their accuracy.
How to Get More Points and Free Travel With a JetBlue Credit Card
If you’re one of the 42 million customers flying JetBlue annually, you may want to check out the credit cards on offer to rack up points more quickly and earn some free flights. The sixth largest airline in the United States offers three different cards to earn points. These points are most valuable when booking award flights — and JetBlue offers 1,000 daily flights to over 100 destinations.
What Is a Credit Builder Loan? Another Way to Build Credit
A credit builder loan is a loan created specifically to help people build credit. It’s actually a bit like a reverse loan. Instead of getting the money up front and then paying it off like a regular loan, you first pay the entire amount of the loan with monthly payments, then receive the money at the end of the loan term. At the end of the process you have a perfectly paid off loan under your belt, giving a boost to your credit scores.
The good, bad and ugly of renting in America today
A lot has changed in the last 30 years for renters – some for the better and some still leaving much to be desired. The Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University released its 30th anniversary State of the Nation’s Housing report this year and it provides an opportunity to reflect on how housing market conditions in the U.S. have evolved over time, looks at current trends and reveals how we still have progress to make when it comes to all Americans having decent, affordable homes.
5 Ways to Use Credit Card Rewards to Take Your Dream Vacation
My husband and I recently took the trip of a lifetime to Singapore and Malaysia, flying first class and staying at 4- and 5-star hotels. You’re probably thinking this cost an arm and a leg—in fact, it only cost a few hundred dollars thanks to the smart use of our rewards points. Even better, you can do it too! Below are the five key steps to make your own dream vacation happen with points.
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