Mortgage Rates Fall to Lowest Level Since April 2023

Plus, be aware of the latest scam involving Bitcoin. Created for {EMAIL} | [Web Version]( August 12, 2024 CONNECT WITH KIPLINGER  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [X]( [Instagram ]( [Youtube]( [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [WEBSITE]( [] INTRODUCTION [] [Stepping Into Data Breaches]( Is it even possible to protect your data? I’m coming around to the idea that vigilance is the only way to avoid the fallout of data breaches that are increasingly more common. I have used credit cards exclusively for recurring payments and purchases since my debit card number was spoofed. The most recent data breach is particularly disturbing because the data was scraped — there is no way to opt out when your information is acquired without your knowledge or permission. Read my article about [the National Public Data Breach that leaked the information of nearly 3 billion people]( and find out how much that data was selling for on the dark web. - Donna LeValley, personal finance writer [Best Compounding Interest Investments in Preparing for Retirement]( If you invested in an S&P 500 index fund starting in January 2000 until September 2020 your average annualized return would have been 4.2%, a cumulative return of 136%. But if you reinvested all dividend payments your annualized return would have been 6.2%, a cumulative return of 247%. Just reinvesting dividends would have nearly doubled your gains. [READ MORE]( ADVERTISEMENT [] LOWER MORTGAGE RATES [] [Mortgage Rates Have Dropped. Should You Refinance Now or Wait?]( [Mortgage Rates Have Dropped. Should You Refinance Now or Wait?]( (Getty Images) Finally, good news on the mortgage front: Rates have dropped and it is hopefully the start of a trend. While purchase applications haven’t increased significantly, applications to refinance existing mortgages have seen a sizable increase. Read on to [find out how far rates have dropped]( and how it compares to your current rate. You can [use our mortgage calculator]( to see how much lower your new payment would be if you refinance. [] STEPS AFTER A DATA BREACH [] [7 Things to Do Right Away If You're a Victim of a Data Breach]( [7 Things to Do Right Away If You're a Victim of a Data Breach]( (Getty Images) I received two data breach notifications on the same day. It’s maddening and upsetting at once. There is no way to claw back the information or find out who has it. However, there are steps we can take to safeguard our credit and identity data when a breach has occurred. Here are [seven steps you should take immediately after discovering you're a data breach victim]( to protect yourself and your personal information. [How Long Will $1M Last in Retirement?]( It may sound like a lot of money, but is $1 million really enough for a comfortable retirement? Check out these scenarious of how long $1M could potentially last, as well as some important factors that could determine whether it's enough to save for retirement. [Learn more]( ADVERTISEMENT [] BITCOIN SCAM [] [Beware of This Pitch for a Bitcoin Scam]( [Beware of This Pitch for a Bitcoin Scam]( (Getty Images) I am still not sure how cryptocurrency works, but I’m familiar with the anatomy of a scam. Attorney Dennis Beaver has information on a new scam that uses Bitcoin as the bait. He emphasizes that anytime someone wants you to invest, lease a building or establish an ongoing financial relationship, insist on a sample contract to review with your lawyer, financial adviser or CPA. He shares [four tips to help you withstand high-pressure sales tactics]( and avoid being scammed. [Start investing in minutes]( With automated tools like portfolio rebalancing and dividend reinvestment, Betterment helps make investing easy for you, and a total grind for your money. [Learn More]( ADVERTISEMENT [] OTHER KIPLINGER ARTICLES WE THINK YOU'LL ENJOY [] [What’s the best age to buy long-term-care insurance?]( Understandably, you don't want to pay for too long or pay too much, so here's what to consider when you're deciding when to buy long-term care insurance. [Does gold belong in your retirement plan?]( If you're tempted to add gold to your portfolio, a four-pronged investing approach could be best. [New graduates navigate a challenging labor market]( The jobless rate among recent grads is at the highest level since 2016 — except for the pandemic summer of 2020. [Build a Better Portfolio — Sign Up for Kiplinger's Free Investing E-Newsletter]( ABOUT KIPLINGER When we write about money, we get it right. So the decisions you make with your dollars are also right. Kiplinger is a trusted provider of unbiased financial advice, objective business and economic forecasts, and practical help to millions of business professionals, investors, and individuals seeking to make more profitable decisions with their money. Our [flagship publications]( include [Kiplinger Personal Finance]( magazine, [The Kiplinger Letter]( [The Kiplinger Tax Letter]( [Kiplinger Retirement Report]( and [Kiplinger Investing for Income.]( All are regarded as the leading publications in their respective fields. Every day, millions of readers rely on our [free e-newsletters]( for help on everything from getting the best rate on a mortgage or car loan, to managing their businesses in an uncertain world, avoiding an IRS audit, building wealth for a secure retirement, or investing wisely in any kind of market. Now it’s your turn to reap all the rewards Kiplinger has to offer. Visit [Kiplinger.com](, your gateway to all of the above and much more. Check in any time for our latest advice on how to make more money, and keep more of the money you make. Stay right on the money, with Kiplinger. [Sign Up]( | [Print Publications]( | [Unsubscribe]( [Privacy Policy]( | [Cookies Policy]( | [Terms and Conditions]( CONTACT US: [FEEDBACK](concat('mailto:',$brief_feedback_email)) | [ADVERTISE]( [Future]( Future US LLC © Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10036