I’ve researched savings accounts for more than a decade. I know that choosing the right account can mean the difference between earning an extra $1,000 or more at the end of the year, and earning next to nothing. (Been there, done that.)

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But when it comes to my personal savings, I also don’t chase every new account that has a flashy 5% intro rate or that offers a $300 bank bonus. I do pay attention, though. And if there’s a better option, I’ll consider making a switch.

I have my own set of rules that I follow before fully committing. If you’re eyeing a better deal for your savings, consider them for yourself.

1. Don’t chase perfection, but get your money’s worth

Since I research savings accounts every day, I’m generally aware of the best offers available. And I’m okay if my account doesn’t have the highest annual percentage yield, or APY, which is the rate of return on money in a bank account. I just make sure I’m doing much better than average.

According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC), the national average is only 0.40%. The best rates out there are around 4% — more than 10 times the national average.

For every $100 I save, I would earn roughly 40 cents a year in an average account, or close to $4 in a high-yield savings account. Do the math, and you’ll see how quickly that difference can add up. Use a compound interest calculator and let it take you through filling out all of the fields, based on how much money you plan to sock away. You’ll see how much more money a high-yield account could give you.

I only consider accounts with a long track record of competitive rates, not just promotional offers that will expire, or that cap the rate at a certain balance. My current savings account pays me close to the best rate available for my entire balance, and I’m happy.

But if the rate drops, I’m prepared to move to my second rule.

2. Check current events

Rate changes don’t happen in a vacuum. The Federal Reserve recently lowered the federal funds rate. With the economy showing signs of strain (the unemployment rate rose to 4.3% in September 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics), more interest rate cuts are likely. When the Fed lowers the federal funds rate, banks often do the same on their savings accounts.

One benefit of watching savings accounts practically every day is that I’ve seen for myself that the best savings accounts tend to outperform their competitors whether rates are going up or going down. Since I have a high-yield account, I’ll still probably get one of the best rates available, even if APYs drop across the board.

But no one should ever stop shopping around. If I weren’t already looking at APYs nearly every day, I’d set a rule for myself to check out other savings rates at least once a month or so.

3. Avoid monthly fees

If a savings account charges a monthly fee, it’s an easy pass for me.

That’s not to say an account is automatically off my list if there is a monthly fee. There just need to be ways to avoid it, whether that’s keeping a minimum balance, having automatic deposits, or some other easy means.

Besides having no fees, I prefer institutions with easy-to-reach customer service and well-designed websites and mobile apps. So if a savings account has these other features, and I’m reasonably sure I can avoid any fee, I’ll consider it. At the same time, I keep in mind that there are a lot of great fee-free options.

4. Test drive before committing

If I find a savings account that’s just too good to pass up, I’ll make the switch. But I also treat it like a trial. I’ll move some money over and live with the new bank for a short period before fully committing.

It takes time to get to know the new bank, interact with customer service and experience its mobile app. So I’ll keep my old, fee-free savings account open. There’s no rule that says you have to close your old account immediately. You can have multiple savings accounts. I like having the flexibility, if necessary, to easily move my funds back to the original account and close the new one if I’m not satisfied (though that has never happened).

These are my four simple rules. If you’re looking for a better savings account, feel free to copy them. Check out your options, and if you find a contender, give it a test drive. You don’t have to make a full switch until you’re confident it’s the right move. But if you do, you may find that your money could be earning you way more than before.

The article I’m a Banking Nerd: 4 Rules I Follow Before Moving My Savings originally appeared on NerdWallet.

By TOM MURPHY, Associated Press Health Writer

The fall COVID-19 vaccine season is starting slowly for Pfizer, with U.S. sales of its Comirnaty shots sinking 25% after federal regulators narrowed recommendations on who should get them.

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Approval of updated shots also came several weeks later than usual, and Pfizer said Tuesday that hurt sales as well.

Many Americans get vaccinations in the fall, to get protection from any disease surges in the coming winter. Experts say interest in COVID-19 shots has been declining, and that trend could pick up this fall due to anti-vaccine sentiment and confusion about whether the shots are necessary.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last month stopped recommending COVID-19 shots for anyone, instead leaving the choice up to patients. The government agency said it was adopting recommendations made by advisers picked by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Before this year, U.S. health officials — following the advice of infectious disease experts — recommended annual COVID-19 boosters for all Americans ages 6 months and older. The idea was to update protection as the coronavirus evolves.

But that sentiment started to shift earlier this year when Kennedy, who has questioned the safety of COVID-19 vaccines, said they were no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women.

Dr. Amesh Adaja said vaccine rates have been “suboptimal” in recent years even for people considered a high risk for catching a bad case of COVID-19.

“That’s only going to fall off more this season,” the senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security said recently.

The shifting guidance caused some confusion in September, once updated shots began arriving at drugstores, the main place Americans go to get vaccinated. Some locations required prescriptions or started asking customers if they had a condition that made them susceptible to a bad case of COVID-19.

The change also created questions about whether insurance coverage would continue. A major industry group, America’s Health Insurance Plans, has since clarified that its members will cover the shots.

CVS Health announced earlier this month that it will not require prescriptions at its stores and clinics.

Independent pharmacy owner Theresa Tolle says this fall has probably been one of the more confusing seasons for her customers. Tolle runs the independent Bay Street Pharmacy in Sebastian, Florida.

She said her COVID-19 vaccine business has been busy because she has an older patient population. Many still want the shots. But she’s also had more customers tell her this year that they don’t want them.

“There’s just so many messages out there, they don’t know who to believe,” she said. “I’ve had people tell me they are afraid of it when they’ve had it many times.”

Pfizer saw U.S. Comirnaty sales drop to $870 million in the recently completed third quarter from $1.16 billion in the same time frame last year. That came after vaccine sales rose the first two quarters of the year.

FILE – The Pfizer logo is displayed at the company’s headquarters, Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

Wall Street analysts also expect sales of Spikevax shots from Moderna to tumble about 50% in the third quarter, according to the data firm FactSet.

Moderna will report its third-quarter results on Thursday.

“NYCVOTES.org is home to a comprehensive list of all the candidates and proposals that will be on your ballot,” the authors write. “While New Yorkers are voicing their concerns at the ballot box, it is of the utmost importance that they are getting their information from trusted sources.”

A marker directs voters to their poll site on Election Day. (Adi Talwar/City Limits)

Election Day is in full swing in New York City. Candidates are running ads, campaign posters  are outside of every bodega, and once again, your phone is buzzing with texts asking you to  donate, making you wonder: how did they get my number?  

When it feels like you’re hearing about the election every second of every day, it might seem like  there’s nothing new to learn. However, it can be hard to keep the key details straight, like when  and how to vote, what else is on the ballot besides candidates, and what information to trust.

That’s why on Election Day, NYC Votes is partnering with NALEO Educational Fund to make sure New Yorkers have everything they need to make their voices heard at the ballot box.  

Tuesday, New Yorkers have the opportunity to vote for decision makers who will shape the future of our city. Not only are you voting for the next mayor, but New Yorkers will also  weigh in on local races and ballot proposals that influence the development of affordable housing and the timing of our elections.

NYCVOTES.org is home to a comprehensive list of all the candidates and proposals that will be on your ballot. You can even read through summaries of the key arguments for or against the ballot proposals so you can make informed decisions before you head to the polls to cast your vote.  

While New Yorkers are voicing their concerns at the ballot box, it is of the utmost importance that they are getting their information from trusted sources. Spanish-speaking New Yorkers are at a particular risk for the mis/disinformation campaigns spread through social media platforms  with poor content moderation and fact-checking.

For example, advocates have documented  efforts to discredit the integrity and validity of various modes of voting, such as mail or absentee voting. Other documented narratives have sought to convince voters that individuals not legally authorized to vote in the United States have been allowed and encouraged to do so. 

To further address the threat of mis/disinformation, NYC Votes provides a print and online voting guide where we share key information about voting including when and how to vote,  what/who is on the ballot, and why voting matters.

At NYC Votes, we prioritize accessibility in our voter education materials, which is why we translate our voter guide into 13 different languages other than English. We distribute these guides for each city election, sharing nonpartisan information about the candidates and proposals on your ballot. Our organizations are also meeting with community members to make sure that they know their rights at the polls. This includes the right to vote in your language and the right to bring an interpreter to the poll.  

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4, which is also the last day to postmark your mail-in ballot. Polling locations for Early Voting and Election Day are usually different, so voters are encouraged to verify the location of their assigned poll site before heading out. For all important dates and deadlines, visit nycvotes.org or call our friends at NALEO Educational Fund at 1-888- 839-8682 and stay informed.  

Make sure your local leaders pay attention to what matters to you and your neighbors and vote in this year’s general city election. Remember, your vote is your voice. 

Jadel Munguia is the assistant press secretary of NYC Votes. Juan Rosa is national director of civic engagement at NALEO Educational Fund.  

The post Opinion: Election Day is Here. Do You Have a Plan to Vote?  appeared first on City Limits.

El Congreso de los Estados Unidos aprobó una asignación presupuestaria de $170.000 millones de dólares para los programas de inmigración y control fronterizo, de los cuales $75.000 millones serán destinados directamente al Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE por sus siglas en inglés).

Un autobús se dirige a un centro de detención del ICE en Chicago, Ill.(Flickr/El Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas de EE.UU.)

Durante el verano, se firmó la ley “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (un gran y bello proyecto de ley), que destinará más dinero al ejército y a la lucha contra los inmigrantes. 

En encuestas previas a la aprobación de la ley, una mayoría de los estadounidenses expresaba su preocupación por los posibles efectos negativos que la implementación de la misma podría tener en el contexto nacional. 

Específicamente, el 54 por ciento de los encuestados anticipaba un impacto desfavorable para el país, mientras que el 51 por ciento preveía un aumento del déficit presupuestario.

El año fiscal federal en los Estados Unidos inició el 1 de octubre, y se prevé que la administración del presidente Donald Trump implemente en su totalidad la agenda en materia de inmigración propuesta.

En julio, con la firma de la ley, el Congreso de los Estados Unidos aprobó una asignación presupuestaria de $170.000 millones de dólares para los programas de inmigración y control fronterizo, de los cuales $75.000 millones serán destinados directamente al Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE por sus siglas en inglés). 

Esta inversión representa la mayor cantidad de dinero que el gobierno de los Estados Unidos ha destinado jamás a la detención y deportación de inmigrantes, situando a ICE como la agencia policial con mayor financiación del gobierno federal.

Excluyendo los Estados Unidos y China, este presupuesto es más de lo que cualquier país del mundo gasta en el ejército en un año.

En cuestión de casi 10 meses, la segunda administración Trump ha consolidado un cambio notable en la política de inmigración de Estados Unidos: endurecimiento de las medidas de control migratorio, menos vías de inmigración humanitaria y legal, y menos admisiones humanitarias. 

Ahora la pregunta es: ¿qué cosas de la agenda y cuáles metas de las que propuso esta administración se van a hacer realidad en el nuevo año fiscal?

Para hacer un balance y abordar esta pregunta, invitamos a Ernesto Castañeda, director del Centro de Estudios Latinoamericanos y Latinos de la American University. 

Más detalles en nuestra conversación a continuación.

Ciudad Sin Límites, el proyecto en español de City Limits, y El Diario de Nueva York se han unido para crear el pódcast “El Diario Sin Límites” para hablar sobre latinos y política. Para no perderse ningún episodio de nuestro pódcast “El Diario Sin Límites” síguenos en Spotify, Soundcloud, Apple Pódcast y Stitcher. Todos los episodios están allí. ¡Suscríbete!

The post PODCAST: ¿Qué cambios podrían venir en inmigración con el nuevo año fiscal? appeared first on City Limits.