Latest news with #Freedom
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Spring survey: Consumers plan to buy cars despite costs
Spring survey: Consumers plan to buy cars despite costs If current events have made you question whether you should buy a vehicle right now, you're not alone. Recent surveys suggest potential price increases are on everyone's minds. The auto market has had a lot of ups and downs since 2020, and now a hard-to-predict tariff policy is adding even more uncertainty. Surveys show some consumers have canceled their plans to buy or lease a vehicle this year. However, not everyone is scared off buying: Around 17% of consumers say they are very likely to buy in the next year, according to a 2025 survey by HarrisX in coordination with Allison Worldwide. Maybe those 17% of consumers know you can still find ways to save money on your next vehicle, even in an uncertain market. Vehicle selection, comparison shopping, and finding the right auto loan can all make a big difference in your monthly payment. Key Takeaways: Surveys show many consumers plan to buy or lease a car in 2025, despite worries about price increases and could still minimize costs on your next vehicle, even if prices go the right model, shopping around, and qualifying for a lower interest rate can all make purchasing a vehicle cheaper. Freedom Debt Relief provides some simple steps to follow while car shopping to help you save the most money. Step 1: Make a plan (and stick to it) Most people don't want to impulse-buy a vehicle, so it's important to have a plan in place. The sooner you start planning, in fact, the better off you'll be, since you'll have more time to save for your purchase and shop around. Not sure where to start? Consider these points: How much can you afford? If you plan to pay cash, don't deplete your savings or derail your retirement planning. If you're financing with an auto loan, budget for an affordable monthly payment. One popular rule is to spend no more than 20% of your annual gross income on a kind of loan do you need? A longer loan makes your budget stretch, but it costs you more in the long run, thanks to interest fees. Find the sweet spot between what you can afford monthly and what will cost you less will insurance cost? Purchasing the vehicle is only a part of the cost. You also need to insure it. Factor the cost of insurance into your budget and plan. You can get quotes before you buy the do you really need from your vehicle? Remember that the main purpose of your vehicle is transportation, and they are available at many price points. Don't go over your budget trying to impress people, or for bells and whistles you don't really need. Step 2: Choosing a car Once you know what you can safely spend, choose a make and model that fits both your budget and your needs. This may take some time given all of the options, but it's a vital step. Here's some advice for choosing the right vehicle: Research price, features, safety, mileage, and reliability. You can find a lot of good data online through reliable auto reporting sites like Car and sure the vehicle fits your lifestyle, because early depreciation and trading-in can cost you a lot. You might yearn for a tiny sports car, but your family probably won't love it if you sardine them on every road all ownership costs when comparing cars: repairs, maintenance, gas, and insurance. Check out the cost of car ownership calculator to compare the annual expenses of different makes and costs of new vs. used for your desired model. In some markets, the cost difference may not be as much as you expect, making a new vehicle roughly as affordable as a used used cars, get a CarFax, VINCheck, or AutoCheck report to see the vehicle's history before recommend a pre-purchase inspection from a licensed mechanic, even if a used car is "certified." Expect to pay around $85 to $150, but it could save you thousands in repair bills. Step 3: Shopping for the best price The cost of a given make, model, and year can vary by thousands from one dealer to another. Dealer fees can also add a lot onto the cost of your vehicle, so you always want to shop around for the best overall price. Use these tips to find the best car prices: Be flexible about make, model, and color. Have a list of cars you'd accept, and be ready to compromise on anything that isn't a your search. Consider big and small dealers, rental agencies, out-of-town (or out-of-state) dealers, and (for used cars) private the internet. View more cars in less time, and set up alerts or notifications on the sites you prepared to move fast. Once you find the right deal, having pre-approved financing can help a lot. If a dealership or individual needs to unload a car quickly, the price will likely be a little lower. But they won't sell to you if you can't close the deal and pay a trade-in. You can offset some of today's hefty price increases if you have a trade-in, because their prices are also higher. Also look into selling your old car versus trading it in, because you may get quite a bit more from a private buyer than the for extras. Dealers may not be willing to drop their prices, but you may be able to negotiate some high-margin freebies like extended warranties, cheaper financing, or free oil focus only on monthly payments. Instead, have a firm budget for the total price of the vehicle. Lowering your monthly payment tends to make your overall cost much higher. Step 4: Borrowing for less Other than vehicle price, the main factor impacting your car payments is the interest on your auto loan. The lower your interest rate, the lower your costs will be, both for your monthly payment and overall. Consider this when shopping for an auto loan: Check your credit reportand FICO score before shopping. You won't know what interest rate is fair unless you understand your credit profile. The higher your credit scores, the lower your interest rates tend to credit report errors. If your credit report contains score-reducing errors, clear them before shopping for a car. You can dispute errors with each credit bureau your score is low, work on raising it. If you don't need to buy immediately, you may have time to improve your credit score. Even a few points can make a big difference, according to FICO's Loan Savings Calculator. For example, increasing from the 660-689 range to the 690-719 range can save you over $2,000 during the life of a $30,000 five-year up financing in advance. Get quotes from several competing lenders, including credit unions and banks, auto financing companies, and secured personal loan up total costs. There are several moving parts in auto financing: vehicle price (minus any rebates), interest rate, and loan charges. When comparing offers, add up the total cost over the entire life of the car-down payment, plus loan fees and anything else you pay upfront, plus the total of all payments over the loan term. The lowest amount wins. Step 5: Play the waiting game The used and new auto markets are in a bit of a murky situation right now, but that won't always be the case. Sometimes, when you're not sure of the right move, the best thing you can do is wait. If your vehicle is still safe and reliable, it might be best to hang on to it for a little while as the market settles. This also gives you more time to save money for the down payment and/or boost your credit score-moves that can make your new car more affordable in the long run. In the end, the best car for you isn't the one with the most bells and whistles; it's the one you can best afford. FAQs What is the lowest credit score to buy a car? Unlike with mortgages, there is no minimum credit score for auto loans. You may find a dealer that will finance a loan even if you're in "deep subprime" territory, which is a score in the 300-500 range. However, Experian reckons that only 1.79% of all auto loans originated in 2021 were deep subprime loans. So you may have to seek out someone willing to play ball. And you can be pretty sure you'll be paying a very high interest rate on such a loan. What Is the difference between secured and unsecured debt? Secured debt is guaranteed by something valuable (collateral) that you agree to give up if you can't repay the debt. Car loans and mortgages are secured debts. If you default on the loan, the lender could sell the collateral to get the money you owe. Unsecured debt is a loan that you qualify for based on your creditworthiness. The risk to the lender is that if you don't repay the debt, the lender is stuck with the loss. That's why unsecured loans tend to cost more than secured loans. Can a budget app help me save money? Yes, budget apps could help you save money by helping you create a budget and track your spending and income. Popular budget apps include Goodbudget, PocketGuard, EveryDollar, MoLO, and YNAB. This story was produced by Freedom Debt Relief and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. © Stacker Media, LLC.
Russia Today
3 days ago
- Business
- Russia Today
Importing crime: Angela Merkel started the EU's migrant crisis, and she wants it to continue
The former chancellor is back in the news, lecturing her fellow citizens to allow more asylum seekers into their country even as Germany is plagued by rampant crime and dismal economic factors. If it is true that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results, then we can say with some degree of certainty that Angela Merkel is suffering severely on the mental front. The four-term leader of the Christian Democratic Union (2005-2021) has gone down in the history books as the person most responsible for the greatest upheaval of German society in modern times, and she shows no sign of letting up. Without ever asking the German electorate what they wanted, Merkel in 2015 opened her country's borders to over one million illegal immigrants, while holding out cash incentives and other handsome benefits for those who made the difficult journey. Merkel was of the opinion that Germany had the economic strength to handle the influx of migrants and reiterated that there was no legal maximum limit on the number of migrants the country could take. Unfortunately, she was seriously mistaken. And her views on the matter – despite serious cultural, societal and political repercussions – have not changed. During this week's presentation of her memoir, 'Freedom,' Merkel, 70, spoke out on migration, warning that without it 'we could see Europe destroyed.' 'I do not believe we can decisively combat illegal migration at the German-Austrian or German-Polish border… I have always advocated European solutions,' Merkel said when asked about the latest measures adopted by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who faces an uphill battle in the Bundestag, the federal parliament, to incorporate more anti-immigration policies. As for Merkel the diehard globalist, who once lamented the failure of multiculturalism, she fails to understand that the German people are desperately holding out hope for a real change of political course. The fact is Germany is no longer a safe place to do simple everyday things, like take a casual stroll down the street or to raise a family, without an unhealthy degree of fear and apprehension. That is because an entirely new phenomenon of knife attacks is now plaguing the streets of every German city as the migration crisis has spiraled into a crime crisis. Statistics show that such heinous criminal acts, overwhelmingly committed by individuals of foreign origin, are getting worse, with a shocking 79 knife attacks per day on average now recorded, according to some German media. Last year, there were 29,014 cases involving a crime where a knife was used, of which, 15,741 were knife attacks. Physical harm involving a knife surged by 10.8 percent in 2024 compared to 2023. Here is just a glimpse of the recent violence that has plagued Germany. In January, a two-year-old boy and a 41-year-old man were killed in a stabbing in a park in Aschaffenburg, with several others wounded. One month later, a Spanish tourist was stabbed at Berlin's Holocaust Memorial. This month, a 35-year-old Syrian asylum seeker stabbed five youths in an unprovoked knife attack outside a popular student bar in Bielefeld, Germany. Not all of the migrant violence was the result of a knife attack. Last December, six people were killed and hundreds were injured after a car plowed into a crowd at a Christmas market in the eastern city of Magdeburg. Such indiscriminate attacks must be taking a heavy toll on the German psyche. Meanwhile, other statistics reveal the state of mind of the average German voter and the real consequences of Merkel's reckless policies. Die Welt has reported, citing a new survey by YouGov, that 31% of those surveyed said they would 'definitely' move abroad if they were entirely free to choose. Another 27% of respondents said they would 'probably' leave. Within this group, 61% identified the country's immigrant situation as a major factor influencing their decision, while 41% cited Germany's ongoing economic recession. Speaking of the economy, Merkel's continual promotion of open borders is coming at a time when Germany has been enduring its longest phase of economic stagnation in post-war history. The country's struggling economy shrank for a second year in a row in 2024, as gross domestic product (GDP) declined by 0.2% compared to the previous year. Germany's central bank, the Bundesbank, has lowered its forecast for the economy and only expects very modest growth of 0.2% for 2025. In other words, it may be simply asking too much of the German people to continue supporting asylum seekers at a time when so many are feeling the sting of economic uncertainty. For many Germans, their only hope is for a major change in the political landscape. Thus, many citizens have thrown their support behind the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), the biggest opposition party, which came in second in the February general election with just over 20% of the vote. That was the best national result for a hard-right party in Germany since the Second World War, and despite being designated as an 'extremist' organization by Germany's domestic intelligence service. US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, described the ruling as 'tyranny in disguise'. Posting on social media, Rubio said: 'What is truly extremist is not the popular AfD – which took second in the recent election – but rather the establishment's deadly open border immigration policies.' Angela Merkel would do well to heed the opinion of the average German voter, who seems to be running out of patience, and support a pause in the influx of asylum seekers at this dangerous juncture.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Bajaj Auto down 3% post Q4 results; check key numbers, analysts view here
Bajaj Auto share price: Automobile major Bajaj Auto share price was under pressure on the last trading day of the week i.e. Friday, May 30, 2025, with the scrip falling up to 2.51 per cent to hit an intraday low of ₹8,650.10 apiece. At 9:37 AM, Bajaj Auto shares made a slight recovery but continued to trade lower, down 2 per cent at ₹8,694.15. In comparison, BSE Sensex was trading flat at 81,625.74 levels. Bajaj Auto Q4 results Bajaj Auto reported its March quarter of financial year 2025 (Q4FY25) results on May 29, 2025, post market-hours. The company's standalone profit rose 5.85 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) to ₹2,049 crore in the March quarter of FY25, from ₹1,936 crore in the March quarter of FY24. Bajaj Auto's total revenue from operations increased 5.8 per cent Y-o-Y to ₹12,148 crore in Q4FY25, from ₹11,484.7 crore a year ago. At the operating level, earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) surged 6.3 per cent Y-o-Y to ₹2,450.6 crore in Q4FY25, from ₹2,306.3 crore a year ago, Ebitda margin improved slightly to 20.17 per cent in the MArch quarter of financial year 2025, as against 20.08 per cent in the same quarter previous fiscal year. Bajaj Auto dividend The Board of Directors has recommended a dividend at the rate of ₹210 per share (2,100 per cent) of face value of ₹10 each on equity shares for FY25. The said dividend, if approved by the shareholders at the ensuing Annual General Meeting, will be credited/dispatched on or around August 8, 2025. The company has fixed June 20, 2025 as record date fixed for the purpose. Bajaj Auto Q4 results analysts view According to analysts at Motilal Oswal, Bajaj Auto reported Q4FY25 earnings of ₹2,050 crore, broadly in-line with expectations. Operating margins held steady Y-o-Y at 20.2 per cent, as gains from a favourable currency environment and an improved product mix were offset by the suspension of exports to KTM and increased promotional expenses. While the recovery in exports and robust ramp-up in Chetak and three-wheeler (3W) segments are encouraging, analysts noted concerns persist over Bajaj Auto's declining market share in the domestic motorcycle market—particularly in the crucial 125cc+ segment. Additionally, the rollout of its CNG motorcycle, Freedom, has been slower than anticipated. The company recently acquired a controlling stake in KTM under favourable terms, but the success of this move will hinge on how swiftly it can revitalise KTM's operations—an important factor to watch going forward. At approximately 26.9x/24x FY26E/FY27E earnings, the stock appears fairly valued. Motilal Oswal analysts maintained a 'Neutral' rating on Bajaj Auto, with a target price of ₹8,688, based on 24x FY27E core EPS.
Business Insider
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Freedom Debt Relief Review 2025
If you're struggling to make payments toward your credit card or loan debts, a debt settlement company like Freedom Debt Relief might be able to help. According to the company, customers who complete the Freedom Debt Settlement program reduce their enrolled debt on average by 20% to 25%. However, the debt settlement process can be risky and has its own set of pitfalls, so it's not a quick solution. Business Insider's personal finance team compared Freedom Debt Relief to the best debt relief companies and found it to be a strong option on the market with a Program Guarantee that provides a full refund if the settlement and fees exceed the original amount of debt owed. Read on to see if Freedom Debt Relief is right for you. Pros and Cons With the exception of its refund policy, the pros and cons of working with Freedom are the same as working with any debt relief service. Freedom Debt Relief Pros Provides a full refund if the settlement and fees exceed the original amount of debt owed Structured program to pay off debt Financial education tools Can be a bankruptcy alternative Freedom Debt Relief Cons Negative impact on credit due to missed payments and settled accounts No guarantee that creditors will agree to the settlement amounts offered Fees can be substantial Could be tax implications on the forgiven debt Get Debt Relief Overview of Freedom Debt Relief Freedom Debt Relief is a well-known debt settlement company that helps negotiate with creditors to reduce unsecured debt. By negotiating with creditors, Freedom Debt Relief helps clients struggling with financial hardship settle outstanding debt. The company handles most forms of unsecured debt and says it has helped over one million clients since it started operating in 2002. There is a $7,500 minimum debt required to work with Freedom Debt Relief. Based in Arizona, California, and Texas, Freedom Debt Relief offers services to consumers in 42 states. It does not offer services in Colorado, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, or Wyoming. How Freedom Debt Relief Works Freedom Debt Relief negotiates with creditors on your behalf to agree to a debt settlement: a (hopefully lower) amount your creditors will accept to consider the debt forgiven. Like any debt settlement company, Freedom can't guarantee that creditors will agree to any given settlement. Working with Freedom is best for people in the following situations: Significant unsecured debt: Carrying overwhelming credit card debt, medical bills, or other unsecured debts High monthly minimum payments: Can't keep up with their debt obligations and struggle to make payments Don't want to file bankruptcy: Want to avoid bankruptcy and are willing to accept a negative credit score impact Key features of Freedom Debt Relief Free Consultation Working with Freedom Debt Relief starts with a free initial consultation to assess eligibility and discuss solutions. Potential customers list out all of the bills they would like to enroll in the debt settlement program. Freedom Debt Relief consultants walk customers through their credit report and recommend customized solutions. Enrollment and Dedicated Account Once you agree to the plan and the settlement amount, you will be given a dedicated online account to make monthly payments. Negotiation With Creditors Freedom Debt Relief will negotiate with your creditors on your behalf so you can settle for less than you originally owed. Settlement and Closure Once a settlement is agreed upon, you pay your creditors directly through that dedicated account. Once the settlement amount is paid, your account will be settled and closed. Freedom Debt Relief Cost and Fees Freedom Debt Relief does not charge fees for its debt settlement services until a debt settlement is reached and approved, and the first payment is made. The fee is based on the amount of the enrolled debt, not the settlement amount. A fee of 15-25% of enrolled debt + $9.95 account sign-up fee and $9.95 monthly fee is typically charged. Freedom Debt Relief also offers a Program Guarantee that provides a full refund if the settlement and fees exceed the original amount owed. While it's uncommon for a settlement and fees to be more than you originally owed, this type of guarantee is rarely offered by debt relief companies. Freedom Debt Relief Reviews and Ratings The company has a customer rating of 4.6 out 5 stars on Trustpilot with over 46,000 reviews and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Freedom Debt Relief has strong customer reviews. Still, there have been negative reviews and complaints from customers around the process and fees. Common complaints were that customers did not understand the impact of debt settlement on their credit score and that the process itself was slow. This is a common complaint consumers have when working with debt settlement companies. It is important to understand that debt settlement programs will be reported to the credit bureaus and can impact your credit score. In 2019, a lawsuit from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) alleged that Freedom Debt Relief misled and wrongfully charged fees to customers. Freedom Debt Relief settled with the CFPB, agreeing to pay $25 million in customer restitution and penalties. In 2023, Freedom Debt Relief settled a class-action lawsuit that alleged it violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. The company agreed to a $9.75 million settlement. Freedom Debt Relief Alternatives Freedom Debt Relief vs. National Debt Relief National Debt Relief also does not charge upfront fees; service fees range from 15%-25% of the debt enrolled. Like Freedom, it does not charge any fees until you start to see results. There is an eligibility threshold of $7,500 of debt to work with National Debt Relief (the same as Freedom), and the debt settlement process can be lengthy. The main difference between the two companies is that National Debt Relief offers services in 46 states and Washington, DC — a slightly larger area of operation than Freedom. If you live in a state served by National only, you'll choose National. Otherwise, you might consider Freedom for its suite of financial education tools. Freedom Debt Relief vs. Pacific Debt Relief Like Freedom, Pacific Debt Relief does not charge upfront fees. Service fees range from 15%-25% based on the amount of your debt and are rolled into your monthly payment, due only when you start to see results. You must have at least $10,000 in debt to work with Pacific Debt Relief, while Freedom Debt Relief requires $7,500. The average time of completion with Pacific is 24-48 months. The main differences between Freedom and Pacific Debt Relief are that Pacific requires a higher minimum debt balance to enroll and operates in only 30 states. For people in states served by Freedom only, the choice is clear. People living in states where both companies operate should still choose Freedom, which accepts smaller debts than Pacific. Why You Should Trust Us We rate debt settlement services like Freedom Debt Relief by taking into account the following criteria: Accreditation by trade associations or organizations Fee structures and disclosure Number of years in operation Money-back guarantees in cancellation policies Read the full breakdown of how we rate debt settlement companies. FAQs Will Freedom Debt Relief affect my credit score? Yes, a debt settlement program like Freedom Debt Relief will negatively impact your credit score due to missed payments and settled accounts that are reported to the credit bureaus.
Associated Press
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Nicole C. Mullen Releases 'Freedom Remix' in Conjunction with Film Premiere of 'The American Miracle: Our Nation is No Accident'
Award-winning Artist Reimagines Her Powerful Anthem 'Freedom' for Docudrama on America's Divine Origins EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA / ACCESS Newswire / May 27, 2025 / Grammy®-nominated and nine-time Dove Award-winning artist Nicole C. Mullen will release a music video of one of her most dynamic songs, 'Freedom,' in honor of its 25th anniversary and to coincide with the national theatrical debut of the new docudrama, The American Miracle: Our Nation is No Accident, in which she also stars. The newly remixed version will debut alongside the film's limited nationwide release in theaters June 9, 10 and 11, 2025, through Fathom Entertainment and Heroic Pictures. A special music video of Mullen performing 'Freedom' on set, interwoven with silent film clips, will play during the credits following the feature. Originally released in 2000, 'Freedom' has taken on new meaning with Mullen's portrayal of Elizabeth 'Mumbet' Freeman, a real-life American hero who, after suffering brutal abuse as a slave, courageously sued for her freedom and won. 'When I wrote 'Freedom' 25 years ago, I never imagined how powerfully it would speak to this moment. Seeing it woven into The American Miracle-a film that reveals God's hand in our nation's story-is a reminder that true freedom comes from Him and is always worth the fight. Portraying Mumbet brought that message to life in a profound way.' Mullen's legacy in the music industry spans more than three decades and includes two Grammy® nominations, nine Gospel Music Association Dove Awards - among them two Female Vocalist of the Year honors, Song of the Year for 'Redeemer' and 'On My Knees,' and a historic win as the first African American female to receive Songwriter of the Year. She remains a global voice for truth and transformation through her music, speaking, acting and ministry. The American Miracle, based on the New York Times bestselling book by Michael Medved, explores the role of divine providence in pivotal moments of America's early history - from the Revolutionary War to foundational court cases - and challenges viewers to recognize that our nation is no accident. The film's cast also includes Pat Boone, Kevin Sorbo, Cameron Arnett, Libby Smallbone and James Arnold Taylor, and features insights from leading scholars, historians and commentators, such as Richard Dreyfuss, Robert P. George, Akhil Reed Amar, Paul Kengor, Joseph Ellis, and Jana Novak. Mullen's 'Freedom Remix' is available on all major streaming platforms. The music video is available at For more information about The American Miracle or to purchase tickets, visit For media inquiries, interview requests or additional information, please contact: Heidi McDow, A. Larry Ross Communications [email protected] 214-679-3409 Or Eric Becker, Fathom Entertainment, [email protected] About Heroic Pictures Heroic Pictures is a motion picture studio telling true stories of God acting in history, shedding light on the lives of heroic people and events that have shaped our past and inspire our future. About Fathom Entertainment Fathom Entertainment is the leading global specialty distributor of live and pre-recorded content to theatres. For more than 20 years, Fathom has pioneered theatrical distribution of events and special engagements, including performing arts, movies, episodic content, and other special event programming across various genres and formats. Fathom offers content creators a worldwide cinema distribution network by operating in 45 countries and boasts a live digital broadcast network of more than 1,100 locations. Fathom is owned by AMC Entertainment Inc. (NYSE:AMC), Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CNK), and Regal Cineworld Group (LSE:CINE.L). For more information, visit ### SOURCE: Heroic Pictures press release
