Rate Watch #1: the biggest portal moves right now

Welcome to Rate Watch, a monthly look at where portal rates actually moved. We track rates over time so we can answer two questions: what changed, and is any of it worth acting on? (New to this? Start with the shopping portal glossary.)

(This is the first issue, and it's a living page: the blocks below show 'live' data, so the numbers stay current between issues.)

What's at its high right now

If you're hunting deals, start here: stores sitting at or near the highest rate we've recorded for them. The ones actually at their high carry a "highest yet" tag. If you were going to buy from one of these stores, this is your window.

The month's rate moves

Here's what changed over the last 30 days across the 42 portals we track, newest first: rates up, rates down, and stores a portal dropped entirely.

Rates going up are opportunities; rates going down are a heads-up that a window may be closing on a store you've been eyeing.

How to use this

• Scan the highs for anything you were already planning to buy. Don't invent purchases to chase a rate; that's how "saving money" turns into spending it. But if it's on your list and it's at a high, act.
• Keep an eye on the down-moves at stores you buy from often. If one just dropped, that's worth knowing before you shop, and worth a look at whether a different portal now pays more.
• Let it come to you. Rather than checking back each month, the weekly newsletter (sign up at the end of this post) is sent each weekend, and shares that week's most interesting portal news and moves.

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