The EV6 Long Range is rated at 310 miles of electric range with rear-wheel drive, or 274 miles when fitted with all-wheel drive. The rear-drive-only EV6 Standard Range slides to 232 miles of range.

Both rear-wheel-drive versions are rated at 117 MPGe combined (MPGe is a unit of measurement devised by the EPA to compare an electric car’s energy consumption level with that of a gas-powered vehicle). The all-wheel-drive model is rated at 105 MPGe combined.

See: Your complete guide to MPGe, the electric equivalent of miles per gallon

The Ioniq 5 comes in at a maximum of 303 miles of electric range in Long Range, rear-wheel-drive form, and 256 miles of range with all-wheel drive. The less-costly Ioniq 5 Standard Range offers up just 220 miles of range. Confusingly, Hyundai has only confirmed the Long Range model, though the EPA’s rating suggests that the Standard Range version may be on its way.

Additionally, the EPA says that the Ioniq 5 isn’t quite as efficient in the way it uses its electric power. Its MPGe figures range from a high of 114 MPGe for the rear-wheel-drive Long Range model to 93 MPGe for the all-wheel-drive version. 

Don’t miss: These are the cars that cost the most and least to insure

This story originally ran on Autotrader.com.

But a number of new credit cards are reimagining the role a rewards program could play in your life. These cards can help incentivize certain behaviors, or allow you to fund a hobby or investment account. They may offer rewards on spending that isn’t covered in the typical grocery-restaurant-travel triad, like rent payments or home fitness equipment. And while they might not be as rewarding as a premium card with a massive sign-up bonus, they offer a greater degree of personalization.

‘New ways of thinking’

The startups that create these cards are competing against major credit card issuers, which is no easy feat. While they lack the brand recognition and deep pockets of big banks, they have one thing in their favor: speed. Some financial startups rely on the services of other tech companies that provide the infrastructure (including selecting the bank partner and payment network, and establishing underwriting guidelines) for launching a new credit card. That makes it easier to turn an idea into reality.

“You’ll see that more of these interest-based cards come out because issuing a card is no longer as big of a lift,” says Ben Reid of M1 Finance, a personal finance startup with its own new credit card that targets investors.

Also check out: Best New Ideas in Money

How well this flood of new cards performs is another story. They all face a crowded credit card marketplace with lots of competition.

“The challenge that, frankly, we’ve experienced is it’s really hard to break through, and it depends on your demographic,” says Matthew Goldman, chief product officer at Apto Payments, a payments infrastructure company. Goldman’s startup created the Grand Reserve World Mastercard,
MA,
-1.32%
a card designed for wine lovers. He found that people who are willing to spend hundreds on rare wines tend to have high incomes and credit scores, which would make them eligible for a wide array of premium cards.

No matter what, however, these kinds of cards will shake things up. “The thing that’s exciting about startups is most products won’t succeed,” Goldman says. “But they’re creating new ways of thinking about things.”

Also see: 5 high-performance SUVs to spice up your life

Credit cards that go beyond typical rewards

Here are some examples of credit cards with unconventional rewards programs:

Investing

Allocating rewards toward an investment account a few times per year can be a way to dollar-cost average without having to make room in your budget for your brokerage account. The Owner’s Rewards Card by M1, which launched in July 2021, earns extra cash back when you use the card to make purchases at select companies that you own shares of. Those shares must be held in an eligible M1 invest account, but your cash back can be automatically reinvested into your portfolio.

Cryptocurrency

Credit cards with crypto rewards are a hot trend, allowing you to obtain cryptocurrencies in small amounts through your normal spending. These cards can be appealing if you don’t have other uses in mind for your points and have been curious to learn what the fuss is all about.

Hobbies

The Paceline Credit Card earns extra cash back when you meet weekly fitness goals, and you can earn statement credits toward a new Apple
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-2.07%
Watch. With the Grand Reserve World Mastercard, currently closed to new applicants, you can earn more rewards on wine purchases and redeem them for wine, wine accessories and winery experiences.

Everyday expenses beyond the usual categories

We all eat and go places, so earning extra points on groceries, dining out and gas is helpful. However, a sizable portion of your monthly budget goes toward housing, especially if you live in a high-cost area, and previously, that expense would usually go unrewarded. But the Bilt Rewards Card earns points on rent payments, among other things, and you can redeem those points toward rent or even a future home purchase.

See: Here’s how to live rent-free in a historic home

Are these kinds of cards for you?

If you want to use your credit card rewards to fund a highly specific purpose, you may enjoy using a card that feels like it’s custom-made for you. But, of course, you could also find value in a normal ol’ cash-back card with a generous sign-up bonus because you can allocate those cash-back rewards toward whatever you want.

It’s also worth noting that more established credit card issuers are beginning to offer cards with rewards programs that feel more customized. Some of these cards allow you to earn a higher rewards rate on your top spending category each month, and your earnings automatically shift with your expenses so you don’t have to track spending or activate anything.

They may not offer crypto as a rewards option, or credits toward fancy gadgets as a bonus, but you still get a bit of a personalized touch.

More From NerdWallet

Sara Rathner writes for NerdWallet. Email: srathner@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @sarakrathner.

Certified financial planner Kate Gregory of Huntington Beach, California, uses sophisticated Social Security claiming software to recommend strategies that maximize clients’ lifetime benefits. Gregory advised one of her clients, a widow, to apply for her own small retirement benefit first so that her survivor benefit could grow, then switch to the larger benefit later. When the woman contacted Social Security, however, she was told she could get the survivor benefit only.

“That left her really flustered,” Gregory says.

The widow eventually was able to get the benefits she’s entitled to in the correct order, but Gregory and other financial planners worry about people who don’t get professional advice and who could be led astray.

“Most people are going to say, ‘Well, that’s what the government told me’ and let it drop. And that’s unfortunate,” says CFP Mary Beth Franklin, author of “Maximizing Social Security Retirement Benefits” and a contributing editor for Investment News.

The cost of mistakes

A lot of money is potentially at stake. The difference between the best claiming strategies and the worst could add up to $100,000 over the lifetime of a single person and $250,000 for married couples, says William Meyer, CEO of Social Security Solutions, a claiming strategies website.

Even seemingly small decisions can have outsize consequences. People who apply for benefits may be told they’re eligible for six months of back payments and that claiming the lump sum reduces their monthly benefits only slightly. Over time, though, that reduction adds up, especially when cost-of-living increases are factored in.

“The agents are saying, ‘Hey, your monthly income only goes down $50,’ or whatever it is,” Meyer says. “They don’t tell you, ‘Hey, over your lifetime, that could be a reduction of $20,000.’”

A 2016 study by the U.S. Government Accountability Office found that applicants “were not consistently provided key information that people may need to make well-informed decisions.” A 2018 report from Social Security’s Office of the Inspector General estimated that 9,224 widows and widowers age 70 and older were underpaid by about $131.8 million because they weren’t properly informed of their options.

Education, not advice

Social Security employees aren’t supposed to give advice, just education, Franklin says. But she and other financial planners can relate many stories of people being encouraged to sign up early when waiting was a better strategy, or receiving bad information such as being told they weren’t eligible for certain benefits or that they couldn’t take actions that were in fact allowed.

William Reichenstein, Social Security Solutions’ head of research, was eligible for a since-discontinued strategy called a restricted application that allowed him to receive spousal benefits based on his wife’s earnings record while his own benefit was left to grow. The Social Security agent who processed the application ignored Reichenstein’s directive and signed him up for retirement benefits instead. Reichenstein was able to withdraw the incorrect application and get the spousal benefits, but mistakes are often irreversible. He advises applicants to be informed and to respond quickly if Social Security makes a mistake.

“Find out what you’re eligible for and make sure you get that,” Reichenstein says.

To be fair, many people have no idea how complicated the claiming decision can be and may not understand what they’re being told by Social Security representatives, Franklin says.

Social Security administers several different types of benefits — retirement benefits based on your own work record; spousal and survivor benefits based on the work record of a current or former spouse; child benefits for the minor children of people receiving Social Security and various kinds of disability benefits. Each benefit comes with its own regulations, and the best strategy may depend on your marital status, your longevity, your tax situation and many other factors.

Where to get information

People can educate themselves by visiting Social Security’s recently redesigned site and learning how the various benefits work, Franklin says. AARP has a free Social Security claiming calculator that allows people to model different strategies. Or you can spend $20 to $40 and up to use paid software, such as Social Security Solutions or Maximize My Social Security, that allows you to model more complicated situations, including those involving a minor child or a pension from a job that didn’t pay into Social Security. Consulting a financial planner who uses similar software also can be a smart move.

Franklin urges people to learn as much as they can before approaching Social Security, then keep a record of all interactions with the agency, including the names of representatives and their direct phone numbers, in case they need to appeal or correct a decision.

“I’m not here to bash Social Security representatives because most of them work very, very hard,” Franklin says. “But the rules are so complex.”

More From NerdWallet

Liz Weston writes for NerdWallet. Email: lweston@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @lizweston.

While I love staying warm on snowy winter nights, how many pairs of socks and slippers does one person need? My neighbors and I have more puzzles than we can possibly do in the time we have left. And because another well-intentioned bag of candy or box of chocolates might push me into diabetes (I’m not getting as many visitors since COVID-19 and feel obligated not to waste the delicious treats), I decided younger people — those under 80 — might need some ideas of useful and welcomed gifts for the older people in their lives.

Here are my suggestions, grouped by categories:

Chauffeuring to favorite places

Your older relative or friend most likely stopped driving after dark a while ago and may not be comfortable driving on highways or in heavy traffic anymore. Because of this, a nighttime ride to see the Christmas lights might be a joy-inducing gift, as would taking great-grandma to visit a childhood friend for an afternoon or taking a day trip to the town where grandpa grew up.

You could also take grandma to her favorite shop — one that has a spot for her to rest once she’s done and you’re still shopping. Or drive her to services or a festival at a church or temple she belonged to for years.

You could also drive your older relative or friend to a nearby museum, planetarium, science center, conservatory or aviary. Arrange for an electric wheelchair if needed, though let them wander on their own if they want and linger in the areas that interest them; you can do the same.

The last time my son visited, he drove me to the town where I grew up. We spent the time chatting about my childhood as we drove past the schools I went to, the houses I lived in and the church I attended. Then we spent the afternoon where he and his siblings grew up. and where I lived for 50 years.

We were flooded with happy memories of family, childhood and friends as we drove around the old neighborhoods.

Read: Lonely seniors may die 5 years early

Helpful acts of service

Additional acts of service include: checking their car’s fluids and tires to ensure the auto is safe for those quick daytime trips they still make; picking up groceries, medication or other necessities; taking grandma for a manicure or pedicure or grandpa for a massage (and paying for the treatment).

Or, if you love to cook, make a batch of your older neighbor’s favorite soup or meal and gift it to him in frozen, single-serving containers. Or order them a meal from their favorite local restaurant and have it delivered. I love when I have quick and easy meals I don’t have to prepare myself.

Photos we can frame — and we have the frames

While I love the texted photos I get from family, my mobile phone is small and complicated and it is challenging to find what I want on it again. The best material gift for a grandma or grandpa is a recent, close-up photo of the precious faces of the grandchildren.

We like something that can be held in the hands and savored for a moment or two. All you must do is put it in an envelope and send it. They have had a lifetime to gather a collection of various size frames.

Also valued are gift cards to favorite restaurants or shops; the expensive, not-covered-by-Medicare vitamins that help macular degeneration; magazine subscriptions and large-print books. Or even the surprise of money that pays a monthly bill.

Read: What’s next for inflation? And what exactly is at stake?

The gift of asking US for help

My friends and I sometimes feel like youngsters think we’ve aged into uselessness. Either our walkers make tasks difficult for us or we aren’t included in activities because our loved ones don’t think to ask.

A special gift is asking us to help you in any way we can. For example, I love when I get to read stories to my great-grandchildren who live 3,000 miles away. We use videoconferencing or the phone. I find this a great way to bond with the little ones and get to learn about the latest books and their interests.

It’s also an incredible gift when my loved ones call and ask me to teach them to sew a button or how to knit. Yes, YouTube videos can teach the skills, but it isn’t the same as learning from a loved one. 

Related: 9 financial gift ideas for kids and grandkids

I’ve never said no when my kids ask me to stuff envelopes or make phone calls for a charity. Being able to contribute is a gift worth more than any socks, puzzles or slippers, and it’s way more practical than a houseplant.

Which brings me to a final point; if you’re brainstorming a gift for someone who uses a walker or Rollator (a rolling walker), keep in mind that both hands are needed for its use. That means we cannot carry something that can’t be balanced on top of the mobility aid and move ourselves, and it, at the same time.

Heavy or bulky boxes or anything that has to be lifted from the ground will need to be moved by someone else, so please provide a warning if you are having something delivered to an older relative who uses a walking support.

The gift we really want: you

Ultimately, the gift we want most is you: to hear your voice, to have a bit of your time and your love and your companionship. Whether you bring takeout to us or ask us to come with you on a drive — even just to run your errands — we long for one-on-one time, connection and human contact, especially after months of pandemic distancing.

Also see: My 89-year-old mom’s home is in serious disrepair, and she’s severely ill. Can we skip buying her home insurance?

And we’re even willing to go electronically. One of my California-based grandsons took me to my great-granddaughter’s school play via FaceTime and showed me around their new neighborhood while they took a walk and I got to meet their new neighbors (from the comfort of my chair in Ohio).

It was the best gift.

Mary Lou Wilson is a 93-year-old writer and great-grandmother who lives in Ohio.  

This article is reprinted by permission from NextAvenue.org, © 2021 Twin Cities Public Television, Inc. All rights reserved.

More from Next Avenue:

London-listed Rentokil said the combined group is expected to generate material annual pre-tax net cost synergies of at least $150 million by the third year after completion.

The pest-control, hygiene and work-wear services provider said the combined group will have around 4.9 million customers as well as complementary strengths and capabilities.

Rentokil said it expects the conditional transaction to close in the second half of 2022.

“Rentokil Initial has entered into a committed bridge facility for up to $2.7 billion with Barclays to support the financing of the cash consideration, refinancing of existing Terminix debt, and to pay fees associated with the Transaction,” the company said.

Write to Anthony O. Goriainoff at anthony.orunagoriainoff@dowjones.com

Air travel and, in particular, the consumption of jet fuel, will be most affected by the Omicron variant, the IEA said in its monthly market report. But overall, the variant’s emergence will “temporarily slow, but not upend, the recovery in oil demand,” the Paris-based energy watchdog said.

Fears that the global economic recovery and resurgence in oil demand would feed inflationary pressures prompted major crude-consuming nations to tap their strategic oil reserves in November, just as Omicron infection rates began to gather speed.

An expanded version of this report can be found at WSJ.com