Recall platform BizzyCar raises $15 million led by Dealer Tire
BizzyCar, a technology platform that automates recalls, closed a $15 million growth funding round led by Dealer Tire.
Holiday deals are here. Don’t let debt follow
By Lauren Schwahn | NerdWallet
The unofficial start of the holiday shopping season has arrived. Thanks to Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days and other retailers’ “early holiday” sales, shoppers don’t have to wait until Black Friday in November to start deal hunting. But a long shopping season can lead to a lot of spending — and debt.
Nearly 3 in 10 Americans who used credit cards to pay for holiday gifts last year (28%) still haven’t paid off their balances, according to a 2024 Holiday Spending Report from NerdWallet.
Creating a budget, building up your savings and comparing prices are some strategies you can use to avoid spending more than you can afford.
Use earmarked funds
Putting money in a special savings account or envelope just for holiday expenses reduces the risk of going into debt. You’ll have funds ready when it comes time to shop.
“Ideally, people should begin saving for the holidays as early as January,” Los Angeles-based certified financial planner Cynthia Jabr said in an email interview. “If not, then starting now is good, too.”
Ask a real estate pro: What should we do if our house is damaged by Hurricane Milton?
Q: We are new to Florida and dealing with our first major storm. Many people are telling us how to prepare, but not the realities of dealing with damage to our new home, should it occur. What do we do if something happens? — Justin
A: Natural disasters can occur no matter where someone lives. For some people, it could be a hurricane; for others, it could be a flood, earthquake, tornado or blizzard. While laws vary from state to state, the guidelines for dealing with the cleanup are consistent.
Safety is always your priority, both during and after a storm or other disaster. While items and even homes can be replaced, people cannot.
Be careful of deep puddles, hanging power lines, and similar hazards. If you have to use an electrical generator, follow the safety guidelines.
After you get through the immediate emergency, dealing with the legal issues is similar to most other legal issues. Keep a journal of everything that happens and whom you speak with. Take lots of pictures of the damage and clean up. Before the storm, make an inventory of your possessions and take videos or pictures of your home so you can show its pre-disaster condition.
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Conyers Nissan, located less than 3 miles from a fire that released dangerous levels of chlorine, is seeking class-action status to represent thousands of affected businesses.