Anonymous Donor Pays Mortgage of Man Who Lost His Home in Mudslide

In March last year, a mudslide killed Tim Ward’s wife and some of his pets; he lost his home that day, too. Ward suffered severe injuries, including a crushed pelvis, but on top of all the tragedy, he also needed to figure out what to do about the mortgage he had on a home that no longer existed.

It seems Ward finally found some relief in the wake of this disaster, because an anonymous donor has offered to pay off Ward’s $360,000 home loan, NBC News reports. Apparently the donor read a newspaper article about Ward’s strife and contacted the lender.

Ward and his late wife lived in a farmhouse near Oso, Wash., which experienced the major landslide on March 22, 2014. The slide killed 43 people, including Brandy Ward, and 42 homes, with an average market value of $164,717, were destroyed, according to the Seattle Times. Thirty of the homes were primary residences, none of which had landslide insurance, and nearly all of them belonged to low-income families, the Seattle Times reported.

Ward was negotiating with his loan servicer, Chase Bank, about the repayment of the VA mortgage he had on his destroyed property. The anonymous donor contacted Chase Bank about paying the loan, NBC reported.

The gift could save Ward from what may have been a messy financial future. He is renting a home at the moment, and the mortgage is in forbearance, meaning he isn’t making payments while in negotiations with Chase, but that loan continues to accrue interest, and it would be costly to have to pay it off while also paying for his living space. Declaring bankruptcy is an option for getting rid of the debt, but bankruptcy severely damages a person’s credit for many years.

Victims of disasters may not be able to count on the generosity of strangers — Ward told NBC he’s thankful for his Good Samaritan — but they should seek help from relief agencies and see what help their lenders may be able to offer, so victims can better control the damage they encounter. They may also want to keep an eye on their credit reports periodically to make sure the debts in question are being reported correctly, and to dispute any errors as they arise. Consumers are entitled to a free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting agencies.

Related Articles

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This article originally appeared on Credit.com.

This article by Christine DiGangi was distributed by the Personal Finance Syndication Network.

You Are More Than Your Credit Score

If you are planning to borrow money any time soon, it is likely you will be judged by a three-digit number known as your credit score. Fair, Isaac and Company – FICO — was the analytics company that pioneered the concept of credit scoring now used by lenders around the world. Since then, other companies have joined in with their own credit scoring models.

The friendly credit scoring folks boil your credit history down to a three-digit number reflecting several key factors that help determine the creditworthiness of an individual. These include your payment history, how long you’ve had credit, the types of credit you’ve had, how much you owe versus how much you have borrowed and how often you apply for credit. These factors combined produce your credit score, which is a key part in a lender’s decision as to whether you are creditworthy, and if so, what loan terms you should be offered.

Although this number and related methods have served the lending community well over the years, in order to better serve future borrowers, the next generation of lenders must factor in a richer, more complete set of data, one that not only looks at the individual behind the loan application but also the people – the “social network” – around them. Bringing the community into lending provides a more complete representation of a person’s creditworthiness, leading to more accurate rates and, ultimately, money saved for borrowers.

An Incomplete Reflection

The FICO score and other analytic models have been remarkably useful since their creation in the late ‘80s, but as with any established process, there are limitations.

Today’s algorithms are, no doubt, impressive. In less than a millisecond, they can parse vast mountains of data to make more informed decisions, examining many of the key factors traditionally used in determining a borrower’s likelihood of repayment. With power like this, it’s easy to assume every base is covered – but is that really the case?

One mistake can deny a good borrower access to credit, and at a minimum diminish their ability to secure a great rate. For example, many Americans with excellent credit scores – in this example, about a 780 FICO score — can lose up to 100 points off their credit score for a single 30-day late payment. What’s more, getting a credit score “back on track” can take upwards of two to three years.

As we all know, there’s more to a person than just their past – and there’s more to someone’s creditworthiness than their individual financial circumstances.

Are you working toward a career in medicine, or perhaps as a computer programmer? Do you have one semester left before earning an MBA? Do you come from a close-knit community that is committed to helping you succeed? An algorithm won’t account for these factors when it determines your loan eligibility or APR. Its focus is narrowed only to past borrower performance history, in isolation.

Friends and family have the best insight into a borrower’s potential and can serve as a check-and-balance when paired with data-driven methods for evaluating creditworthiness. Reliance on data science and objectivity should still underlie loan applicant evaluations, but when we consider individual potential and social factors coupled with data-driven analytics, a more complete, truthful assessment of an individual emerges.

Loan Decisioning 2.0

It’s safe to assume people understand people better than machines ever will.

Before score-based loan decisioning, real people decided who got approved for a loan. Lenders consulted friends, family, neighbors and employers to get a sense of your creditworthiness. Modern data infrastructures did not exist, so it was a borrower’s network that factored heavily into a lending decision. Lending was communal. It was human.

As the financial industry recovers from the wounds of the Great Recession, we are afforded the opportunity to rethink lending – a “Loan Decisioning 2.0” – but if we are ever going to create such a change, in addition to data we must again factor for a human perspective. The intention is not to replace the current system, rather to complement those data-driven decisions with real-life network data. Together, they will ensure a clearer reflection of an individual borrower.

Let’s take the best of lending’s roots, in an objective and fair manner, and ensure borrowers are afforded manageable interest rates that reflect their true potential. Let’s consider the people who know them best when making a decision.

Let’s put the social back into lending.

This story is an Op/Ed contribution to Credit.com and does not necessarily represent the views of the company or its partners.

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This article originally appeared on Credit.com.

This article by Yee Lee was distributed by the Personal Finance Syndication Network.

How to Make Sense of Your Paycheck

Remember that first paycheck? That surprise when you discovered you weren’t going to take home your entire earnings? The confusion over all those boxes and codes? FICA? FUTA? What the heck does that mean?

Paystubs can be puzzling. As CIO of a Payce Inc., a payroll company serving employers all over the country, Josh Lindenmuth understands that confusion. “We get a lot of questions from our clients about pay stubs, many of which are questions that they were asked by their employees,” he says. He polled his colleagues to find out the top five items that stump employees, and here they are:

1. Retirement Plan Tax Deductions

If you have a 401(k), 403(b) or similar retirement plan, the tax deductibility of that contribution can get confusing. “Most employees don’t realize that 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and many other deductions are not taxable for some tax types, and taxable for others,” Lindenmuth says. “For example, a 401(k) deduction is not taxable for federal withholding, is taxable for Social Security and Medicare, and is not taxable for most states.”

2. More Taxes

Yes, you know there will be taxes taken out of your paycheck. But do you realize how many? “The average paycheck has six different employee taxes,” Lindenmuth points out. “State disability, local service taxes, city taxes, county, OASDI and more.” These are often abbreviated, and there is no single standard for those abbreviations. He gives the example of federal withholding, which could appear as “FIT, FITW, FWH, FED or any other variant.”

3. Tips

If you work in the service industry where some or all of your income is based on tips, you may find the way they are reported varies from employer to employer. “Some companies show tips as both an earning and an after-tax deduction, which is done to make the tax calculations simpler,” says Lindenmuth, “but this leaves many employees befuddled.” He says his company lists them as “a taxable memo item,” and still others may list cash and credit card tips separately.

It is important to understand how tips are reported, not only so you correctly file your tax returns, but also if you are planning to apply for a mortgage or another major loan. Here’s how tips affect your ability to get a mortgage.

4. Leave Pay

Do you earn paid vacation, sick or personal days? Of course you’ll want to keep track of how much time you’ve earned and have available. But sometimes that’s easier said than done. Lindenmuth explains:

“They’ll often include a lot of other details, and the week-by-week changes for the leave pay figures on a pay stub are often difficult to comprehend. That’s because hours available doesn’t always change by year, but rather by a combination of the employee’s tenure, hire date, hours accrued (earned) throughout the year, and any leave pay carried over from the prior year. Since leave pays can reset at any point in the year based on the company’s policy, employees are often left scratching their heads and just assume it’s correct. To help employees figure out how the leave pay is calculated, some companies include figures such as beginning balance (amount available after the last reset), hours accrued (hours earned since last reset), and hours taken (total number of hours taken since the last reset).”

5. Group Term Life Deduction

Does your employer pay for employee life insurance? If so, you may see a deduction for this on your pay stub. Your reaction may be “Why? They are paying for it.” This deduction will be for the taxes on that benefit, rather than for premiums. Employers usually pay for one dollar of coverage for each dollar in salary. The first $50,000 in coverage is not taxable, but any amount over that will be. For example, if your salary is $75,000 and you receive $75,000 in employer paid life insurance, you will be taxed on $25,000 of it. ($75,000 – $50,000 = $25,000.) “This shows up on the pay stub as a GTL deduction, which is often very confusing,” Lindenmuth says.

Clearing Up Confusion

What should you do if you don’t understand something on your pay stub? “Ask your supervisors or payroll personnel,” advises Lindenmuth. He says that’s especially important when you first start working for a company or if a new tax or deduction appears on your pay stub. “In some cases, the payroll deduction or tax in question may have been added in error – asking right away ensures that the problem is fixed before it can have tax implications for the employee or their employer,” he notes.

You can also read Credit.com’s guide: How to Read Your Paycheck: Understanding Your Pay Stub.

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This article originally appeared on Credit.com.

This article by Gerri Detweiler was distributed by the Personal Finance Syndication Network.

8 Fascinating Traits Billionaires Have in Common

A top-notch education alone isn’t enough to strike it rich. You can go to the best university in the country and enroll in numerous professional courses, but nothing compares to the education you can receive after spending some time learning the habits of the world’s most famous entrepreneurs and industry leaders.

There are many among them who never went or finished college, however,they’ve managed to secure for themselves names and fortunes known the world over. The reason being that their habits govern everything they do, every action they take. The world’s billionaires are known for exhibiting these eight smart habits. Note that we said billionaires, not millionaires.

Read: 4 Financial Moves Rich People Will Make in 2015

1. They Invest in Themselves

Investing in yourself does not mean spending thousands of dollars shopping or getting a makeover, instead it refers to investing time and resources in self-development. Every successful person you’ll ever come across does this.

Personal investment could mean learning a new language, taking classes on history, focusing on fitness, or even reflecting upon ambitions to clearly determine goals.

2. They Are Constantly Curious

Billionaires are always curious; they have hunger to understand and explore things. This curiosity is never truly satisfied, which fuels their continued earnings and growth. Since they are always trying to approach different situations and conditions in innovative ways, they shed a unique perspective on the tasks put before them.

When you are placed in a complex situation, you likely seek the easy way out, the safest way out or just give up. A billionaire will find the toughest of ways, but he will reach the root of the situation and tackle it more effectively because of it.

3. They Surround Themselves With Smart People

A number of highly successful people made it their habits early on to always ask for advice. Ray Dalio, founder of the world’s largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates, said that, as a novice investor, he started asking everyone, even his barber, about their opinions on specific investments.

Most billionaires, for this very reason, surround themselves with smart people, learning from their reasoning on different matters. The conclusions people reach shouldn’t make a difference, but the way they reach those conclusions does.

Spend more time in the company of smart people and learn how they perceive situations — this will, in time, refine your thinking and steer you toward success.

4. They Rarely Eat Alone

Eating together with your entire circle at a single table is the best way to stay current on business affairs. Instead of getting half-baked news from blogs or papers, these billionaires tend to keep things straightforward, interacting with each other on a one-on-one basis to stay sharp and informed.

Keep reading: 25 Harsh Realities of Being an Entrepreneur

5. They Own Up to Mistakes

When things go right, we tend to be a little too keen to take credit for it. But when things go south, rare is the person who readily claims blame — but that’s exactly what billionaires do.

Billionaires usually don’t hesitate in accepting loss and the fact that it was their fault things didn’t pan out as planned. They usually go a step further and make amends for the mistake. Essentially egos aren’t huge for the richest of people.

6. They Know How and When to Use Leverage

There are two kinds of people: those who take advantages of others, and those who leverage the resources and assets they have correctly. Ever wondered how billionaires achieved their success? It’s usually because they are great in a particular area and capitalize on it. What they excel at is leveraging the right resources, human and otherwise, correctly as the situation demands.

This is not just restricted to business; this is a habit that shows in every aspect of the lives of famous billionaires. This certainly doesn’t imply taking advantage of people though — there’s a fine line one has to tread here.

Opinion: 7 Reasons Rich People Are Psychopaths

7. They Understand the Difference Between Possessions and Growth

Money increases your purchasing power, but do you really need to buy a toy that big? Many wealthy people spend tens of thousands on cars and leisure. Billionaires on the other hand are often more frugal when it comes to possessions. Instead, their spending is focused on growing their empires further.

We noticed something interesting when perusing the profiles of billionaires: most avoid debt altogether when it comes to personal finance, no matter how small. Billionaires are in the habit of spending money where it can eventually yield more profit, taking them to greater heights. This could even entail taking their entire teams on cruises, making memories with your business family, etc., in order to build loyalty and employee happiness.

8. They Don’t Always Play It Safe

Risks have to be taken, billionaires understand that. Until and unless risks are taken, a business will not be able to move ahead, and a bold risk taker will fly ahead. At times, people are ready to put everything at stake just to know if the risk was actually worth it; this includes their reputations, their networks, entire business models and more.

To learn more about which billionaire traits you can benefit from when running your own business, click here for a free report and five-part video series.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 8 Fascinating Traits Billionaires Have in Common

This article by Josh Felber first appeared on GoBankingRates.com and was distributed by the Personal Finance Syndication Network.

28 Savings Hacks for Kohl’s Shoppers

Kohl’s is famous for its steep markdowns and constant sales, but smart and savvy consumers can uncover ways to save even more at this discount store. Between stacking coupons and decoding the price markers, we’ve rounded up 28 of the best tips and tricks to scoring big savings year round at Kohl’s.

Related: Top 10 Stores With the Best Return Policies

28 Ways to Save Money at Kohl’s

1. No coupon? No problem

You can easily search Kohl’s promo and coupon codes on sites like CouponSherpa and RetailMeNot. Just enter the code at the Kohl’s checkout to secure the discount.

Keep reading: How to Use Daily Deal Trackers to Save Money

2. Sign up for a Kohl’s Charge card

Kohl’s extends exclusive offers to its cardholders like Kohl’s Cash and additional coupons. The savings can be significant, so if you use your card wisely, this is a great way to save money.

3. Use in-store kiosks to order merchandise online

According to PassionforSavings.com, Kohl’s in-store kiosks take coupons and offer free shipping on any order, so you can definitely save more using this method, especially if the store is out of a size or color but has the item you want online.

4. Earn Kohl’s Cash

Customers who pay with their Kohl’s Charge cards can earn Kohl’s Cash during limited-time promotions, according to the retailer. The cash, which is actually store credit, is typically valid a week after the promotion ends and can be used in the store or online. The valid dates of Kohl’s Cash usually also coincide with additional sales, so you can redeem even more savings.

5. Just ask

If you don’t have a coupon, simply ask the cashiers for any extras. They usually have stacks of them behind their registers.

6. Stack coupons

You can stack Kohl’s coupons as long as the valid dates and fine print allow it. You can combine dollar-off coupons with percent-off coupons, or stack multiple percent-off coupons with a free-shipping coupon.

7. Pay your Kohl’s Charge card off at the register

Use your Kohl’s Charge card to earn extra discounts and Kohl’s Cash and then pay it off right at the register — Kohl’s registers can also process credit card payments, helping you save money without racking up any debt.

8. Download the Kohl’s app

You can hold your Kohl’s Cash within the app, as well as carry coupons in the new virtual wallet feature, according to the retailer’s website.

9. Sign up for text and email alerts

Sign up for Kohl’s email and text alerts and you’ll receive a 15 percent off coupon. Simply text SAVE08 to 56457 to sign up.

10. Browse “Today’s Deals” to get the most current coupon codes

Kohl’s usually issues new coupons on Wednesdays and Fridays, reports PassionforSavings.com, with the occasional new discount on Sundays. You can see the most recent coupon codes by clicking on “Today’s Deals” at the top of the Kohl’s homepage.

11. Take advantage of price matching

Kohl’s will match competitors’ ads with a current date. This only applies to in-store items, so you’ll have to make a trip to your local store to get the discount.

12. Buy discounted Kohl’s gift cards

Sites like GiftCardRescue.com sell discounted Kohl’s gift cards. Just an FYI – you can’t use Kohl’s Cash or other promos when you pay with a gift card.

13. Sign up for the Yes 2 You Rewards Program

The new Kohl’s Yes 2 You Rewards Program allows shoppers to earn $5 for every $100 spent, no matter how you pay – you don’t need to have a Kohl’s Charge card to get these rewards and they’re sharable among friends in your social networks.

14. Register for your wedding at Kohl’s

The Kohl’s Ever After Rewards program offers 10 percent off the amount purchased from your wedding registry back in store credit. So, if you receive $1,500 worth of wedding gifts from your Kohl’s registry, you’ll get $150 back in Ever After Rewards, according to the retailer.

15. Head to Kohl’s on Black Friday

Once a year, during the week of Black Friday, Kohl’s offers extra Kohl’s Cash deals. This is the perfect time to buy high-ticket items that are usually excluded from regular promos, reports PassionforSavings.com.

Related: Don’t Make These 10 Stupid Online Shopping Mistakes

16. Look for Gold Star Clearance items

Kohl’s offers deep discounts on “Gold Star Clearance” items, which can offer as much as 80 percent off the original price. Combine this discount with Kohl’s Cash or coupon codes and you could pay next to nothing for your purchase.

17. Get a senior citizen discount

On Wednesdays, Kohl’s extends a 15 percent discount to all shoppers ages 55 and older. You can’t use this discount in conjunction with other promos or certain merchandise, though.

18. Get a price adjustment

Kohl’s customers have two weeks to take their receipts back to get a price adjustment on merchandise that went on sale after they purchased it. Certain restrictions apply.

19. Stock up on makeup and beauty items

Kohl’s has a surprisingly good selection of makeup and beauty items. You can find well-known cosmetic brands like LORAC, Bliss, Essie and EOS for a fraction of the price.

20. Mark your calendars

Today Style reports that Kohl’s offers its biggest markdowns on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month.

21. Search for additional rebates

In addition to coupons, Kohl’s Cash and rewards programs, Kohl’s also offers rebates on a variety of items. The Kohl’s website has a list of current rebates, as well as redemption instructions.

22. Get a birthday discount

Kohl’s Yes 2 You Rewards Program members get an additional discount offer on their birthdays. What a great excuse to treat yourself to something special.

23. Skip women’s shoes, fine jewelry, home décor and handbags

According to Cheapism.com, these items typically have the least value at Kohl’s. The site also says consumers can find better deals at other discount retailers like DSW, T.J. Maxx and even Target.

24. Spend over $600 a year

Kohl’s Charge cardholders who spend over $600 a year get placed into the “Most Valuable Customer” program and receive exclusive rewards and coupons throughout the year.

25. Aim for 50 percent off

The money-saving site Mommy Savers reports that Kohl’s marks its merchandise up and then offers a discount to give customers the elusion of savings. The site recommends consumers aim to save at least 50 percent to ensure they’re getting a deal.

26. Shop through cash-back sites

Sites like UPromise and EBates offer customers an additional 5 percent cash back when they shop for Kohl’s merchandise through their online portals.

27. Ask for a scratch-off coupon

When you are at checkout, ask the cashier for a scratch-off coupon. These are only available during secret sales and you can win the chance to score a coupon for 15 percent, 20 percent or 30 percent off.

28. Decode the digital price marker

Cheapism.com reports that certain codes indicate when an item will be marked down. In the upper right-hand corner of the pricing code, there are letters: GV indicates a limited-time price drop, S means it’s a one- to two-week sale, and NM means the item will be marked down again that night or the following morning.

Photo credit: Ken Wolter

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 28 Savings Hacks for Kohl’s Shoppers

This article by Morgan Quinn first appeared on GoBankingRates.com and was distributed by the Personal Finance Syndication Network.

What ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans Are Worth

Can’t get enough of the Avengers? Well, you’re not alone, and you’re also in luck because the next film in the series, “Avengers: Age of Ultron” is set to hit theaters on Friday, May 1. The Avengers have returned to help Tony Stark in his battle against Ultron.

The last time this band of the most powerful superheroes on Earth united in 2012’s “The Avengers,” the film grossed more than $600 million domestically and nearly $900 million internationally for a grand total of over $1.5 billion worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo. The “Avengers: Age of Ultron” cast obviously has the same huge star power and is also expected to bring in huge earnings in this film too, as much as $217 million in its opening weekend according to Bloomberg.

This huge projected payday means the real-life stars of “Avengers: Age of Ultron” are very wealth, with the six actors who portray the Avengers superheroes worth a combined $380 million. In addition to the Avengers actors, the cast of “Age of Ultron” is filled out with a slew of other successful, millionaire celebrities from Samuel L. Jackson to Tom Hiddleston. Here’s the breakdown of the net worths of Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson and the rest of the Avengers stars, as reported by CelebrityNetWorth.

Related: How Much “Furious 7″ Stars Paul Walker and Vin Diesel Made

Photo: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

Robert Downey Jr. Net Worth: $170 Million

The legendary actor Robert Downey Jr. returns to star as multi-billionaire Tony Stark, the alias of superhero Iron Man. Downey started acting as a child back in 1970 and has since evolved into one of the most respected actors of his time, with nearly seven dozen credits to his name. In recent years this has translated to huge paychecks that made Downey the highest-paid actor in both 2013 and 2014 with earnings of $75 million each year, according to Forbes. Besides “The Avengers,” Downey’s recent films include 2014’s “Chef” and “The Judge.” Robert Downey Jr.’s net worth is estimated at $170 million.

Read: Robert Downey Jr. and 29 Other Millionaires Born in March

Photo: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

Chris Evans Net Worth: $40 Million

Chris Evans returns to his signature role of Steve Rogers, alias of Captain America, in “Age of Ultron” and again as the title character in 2016’s “Captain America: Civil War.” Additionally, he recently appeared in 2014’s “Before We Go” and the most recently-released Captain America film, 2014’s “Winter Soldier.” Chris Evan’s net worth is estimated at $40 million, and he was among the highest-grossing actors in 2014 appearing in films that brought in more than $800 million, according to Forbes.

Photo: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

Scarlett Johansson Net Worth: $65 Million

Scarlett Johansson stars as former Soviet agent, spy, martial artist and sniper the Black Widow (alias Natasha Romanoff) in “Avengers: Age of Ultron.” In real life, the married mother of one is already set to reprise the role again in 2016’s “Captain America: Civil War.” In the meantime, you can catch Johansson in upcoming films “Hail, Caesar” and “The Jungle Book.” Scarlett Johansson’s net worth is estimated at $65 million and she made $17 million in 2014, reports Forbes.

Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

Chris Hemsworth Net Worth: $50 Million

The Australian heartthrob stars in the film as superhero Thor, the role he’s best known for as to date he’s taken it on a total of six times. You can also catch Hemsworth in recent release “Blackhat” and upcoming film “The Huntsman,” for which he was paid $10 million. Chris Hemsworth’s net worth is estimated at $50 million, and Forbes reports that he earned $37 million in 2014, enough to land on the list of highest-paid actors that year.

Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com

Mark Ruffalo Net Worth: $20 Million

Mark Ruffalo is returning to his role of Bruce Banner and his superhero alter-ego The Hulk in “Avengers: Age of Ultron.” There have even been rumors that he will star in his own Hulk film, though so far there’s no movie officially slated by Marvel. Ruffalo recently starred in “Foxcatcher,” for which he received an Oscar nomination, and will also appear in upcoming 2015 film “Spotlight.” Mark Ruffalo’s net worth is estimated to be $20 million.

Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

Jeremy Renner Net Worth: $35 Million

Jeremy Renner portrays bow-wielding Avenger Hawkeye (alias Clint Barton). Renner’s past roles have also included other high-grossing franchises, as he starred in “The Bourne Legacy” and also had a supporting role in the “Mission: Impossible” franchise, which he will return to with 2015’s “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation.” Jeremy Renner’s net worth is around $35 million.

Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com

Read: 5 Ways to Save on Blockbuster Movie Tickets

Samuel L. Jackson Net Worth: $170 Million

Samuel L. Jackson returns to his role as Nick Fury, the director of the S.H.I.E.L.D. international intelligence agency and founder of The Avengers. The celebrated actor has appeared in more than 150 films and television shows, including the recently-released “Kingsman: The Secret Service” and upcoming films “Barely Lethal,” “Cell” and “The Hateful Eight.” Samuel L. Jackson’s net worth is estimated at $170 million, a well-earned fortune since the Guiness Book of World Records recently named him the highest-grossing actor of all time with films that have generated $7.2 billion.

Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

Idris Elba Net Worth: $12 Million

Elba reprises his role of Heimdall, the all-seeing and all-hearing sentry of Asgard. In 2012, the British actor won a Golden Globe in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television category for “Luther.” Idris Elba’s net worth is estimated at $12 million.

Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com

Tom Hiddleston Net Worth: $8 Million

Tom Hiddleston is back to take on the role of Loki, the Marvel Universe supervillain and trickster god who was also raised by Thor’s father Odin. In addition to this film, Hiddleston will appear in a number of others this year, including “Crimson Peak,” “High-Rise” and “I Saw the Light.” Hiddleston’s net worth is estimated at $8 million.

Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

Aaron Taylor-Johnson Net Worth: $17 Million

Taylor-Johnson stars as Pietro Maximoff, alias of superhero Quicksilver, a mutant with the ability to think and move at superhuman speeds. The British actor has more than three dozen credits to his name, including another superhero film “Kick-Ass.” Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s net worth is estimated at $16 million.

Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

Elizabeth Olsen Net Worth: $1.5 Million

Mary Kate and Ashley’s younger sister takes on the role of Wanda Maximoff, sister to Pietro Maximoff and alias of the Scarlet Witch, a mutant with the ability to hex people and manipulate probability in the film. Olsen is not a newcomer to action movies, as she appeared in 2014’s “Godzilla.” Her upcoming films include another Marvel film, “Captain America: Civil War,” in which Olsen will return as the Scarlet Witch. Elizabeth Olsen’s net worth is estimated at $1.5 million.

Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

Cobie Smulders Net Worth: $18 Million

The 33-year-old Canadian actress plays Maria Hill in the film, a high-ranking official of S.H.I.E.L.D. Smulders is probably best known for her role as Robin Scherbatsky on popular sitcom “How I Met Your Mother,” which she held throughout the TV show’s nine seasons. Cobie Smulders’ net worth is $18 million.

Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

James Spader Net Worth: $10 Million

This member of the legendary ’80s stars called the Brat Pack serves as the voice of Ultron in the film, a villian who is largely considered one of the most dangerous enemies of the Avengers. Spader made his acting debut in 1978’s “Team-Mates” and is currently starring in the hit TV series, “The Blacklist.” James Spader’s net worth is estimated at $10 million.

Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

Stan Lee Net Worth: $50 Million

Serving as one of the film’s three writers, Lee makes his traditional cameo in the film. The renowned writer and producer is credited for creating the Marvel Comics characters back in the 1960’s, and has more than 100 writing and producing credits to his name. Stan Lee’s net worth is an estimated $50 million.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: What ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans Are Worth

This article by Laura Woods first appeared on GoBankingRates.com and was distributed by the Personal Finance Syndication Network.

Review: 5 Impressive Features of Synchrony Bank’s Savings Account

A checking account might be your preferred bank account; however, there are several reasons to also invest in a good savings account. Saving money is harder when all your cash is in a checking account, especially because bank debit cards are directly tied to these accounts.

To reach your financial goals, you need a savings account — but not just any type of account. For a higher yield and convenient access, you need an Optimizer^+plus High Yield Savings account from Synchrony Bank.

5 Financial Benefits of Opening a Savings Account

From CDs to money markets, Synchrony Bank offers a variety of financial products. One of its most useful products for those looking to grow their savings is its Optimizer^+plus High Yield Savings account. Below are five ways this savings account can benefit you:

1. Save and Reach Your Personal Financial Goals Easily

Whether you’re saving up for a house, retirement, vacation or other personal goal, it’s much easier to reach these goals when your cash isn’t easily accessible and when you don’t have the temptation to dip into your stash whenever you feel the urge to spend.

In case you do need to withdraw some money, you have up to six times per monthly statement cycle to take out some cash without a fee (the bank charges a $20 fee per every withdrawal over six) — encouraging you to keep some savings set aside. You can easily withdraw over the phone, with an ATM card or by transferring funds online from the Optimizer^+plus High Yield Savings account.

2. Earn a Return on Your Money

Earning interest can maximize your savings and help you achieve goals sooner; however, when you keep cash in a regular checking account or under your mattress, you’re denying yourself this opportunity. Although interest rates vary by bank, the Optimizer^+plus High Yield Savings account offers 1.05% APY* for all deposit tier amounts.

3. Safely Build Your Savings

You undoubtedly worked hard to save money, and at the end of the day, you need to keep your personal funds safe. You can’t replace stolen cash, but if you deposit your cash cushion into a Synchrony Bank Optimizer^+plus High Yield Savings, your funds are FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per depositor. You can, therefore, rest assured knowing that your funds are safe.

4. Get Started With Minimum Cash

The minimum deposit to open a savings account varies by bank or credit union. But typically, you can open a savings account with a minimum deposit between $1 and $25. In many cases, you can avoid monthly maintenance fees by maintaining a minimum balance each month. The Optimizer^+plus is no different. As long as you maintain a $30 minimum balance, you won’t pay the $5 monthly service charge.

5. Stepping Stone to Bigger Goals

A savings account is also a safe place to keep cash until you’re ready to explore other savings options, such as money market accounts, certificates of deposit or IRAs.

Read: Use This Trick to Reach Your 2015 Savings Goals

Why You Need a Synchrony Bank Savings Account

Again, it isn’t enough to open a savings account. You need an account that will exceed your expectations. An Optimizer^+plus High Yield Savings account from Synchrony Bank is an excellent choice. This account can take your savings to another level. For example:

• You’ll earn a highly competitive 1.05% APY*.
• You can manage your account from your mobile device using mobile banking.
• Simply use your ATM card at any U.S. or overseas ATM with the Plus, NYCE or STAR logos.

Customers will not be charged a fee at a Synchrony Bank ATM located in Bridgewater, N.J. Some ATMs could assess a fee, which is payable to the service provider and is therefore non-refundable.

Requirements for Optimizer^+plus High Yield Savings

It doesn’t take much to get started with Synchrony Bank. To open an Optimizer^+plus High Yield Savings account, visit the bank’s website and complete an application. You’ll need a Social Security number or a taxpayer identification number and a driver’s license or state identification card number, among other things.

Synchrony Bank is a client of GOBankingRates.

*Annual Percentage Yield (APY). All APYs are accurate as of 04/28/2015.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Review: 5 Impressive Features of Synchrony Bank’s Savings Account

This article by Valencia Higuera first appeared on GoBankingRates.com and was distributed by the Personal Finance Syndication Network.