As a business owner, January is one of the busiest months of the year. Not only do you have to tie up loose ends from the previous year, but you also need to look ahead to the months to come. When January 2019 arrives, don’t hesitate to answer a variety of key questions regarding your financial situation. Your answers may change as the year wears on, but that shouldn’t stop you from getting everything in order...
When you’re looking for a safe place to put your cash and possibly earn some interest, it’s important to make sure you understand the type of coverage your account comes with. FDIC and SIPC are two types of coverage that many financial institutions and brokerages offer to their customers. Banks are typically covered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or FDIC. Funds in checking, savings accounts, CDs, and money market accounts are insured up to $250,000...
The end of one year and the beginning of the next are among the best times to turn your attention to estate planning. While this may not be one of the more exciting things you do, it’s definitely one of the most productive. With so many details to consider and decisions to make, it’s not out of the question that you could fall prey to an estate planning mistake. Fortunately, if you’re familiar with these mistakes,...
When choosing a credit card, it’s important to do so with customer service in mind. You don’t expect to have many questions or concerns, but you never know what you’ll face in the future. Good customer service takes on many different forms, including the following: • More than one way to get in touch. From the phone to live chat to email, the best credit card companies give you more than one way to touch base...
When you’re checking your credit report, one of the things to watch for is that all your information is complete and accurate. But, if you notice an account missing from your credit report, you could be concerned, especially if it’s an account with a positive payment. These are a few explanations for why an account could be missing from your credit report and what you can do about it. The account is new and the creditor...
As a small business owner, the month of December is often the busiest time of the year. You’ll find yourself answering questions such as: • Did you reach your goals in 2018?• Are you in good position to take on everything 2019 will bring?• What types of changes do you need to make to achieve more success in the new year? While you answer these questions, among many others, you may come to the conclusion that...
Are you interested in applying for your first credit card? Are you concerned about sifting through the hundreds of offers on your way to finding the right one? Searching for your first credit card can be enjoyable, stressful, and downright scary at times. On the plus side, there are numerous offers to choose from, thus allowing you to find one that is perfect for you and your financial goals. Conversely, a large number of offers can...
The world of online lending makes it much easier to get funding for home improvements, debt consolidation, medical bills, or other financial needs. It’s also easier for scammers to trick unsuspecting consumers. Scammers can pose as legitimate lenders and trick you into paying for a loan upfront. Or, they can lock you into loans with higher interest rates and fees than you actually qualify for. Be on the lookout for both of these when you’re looking...
One of the features that comes with today’s smartphones is the ability to use your phone for payments rather than swiping your credit cards. The latest smartphones come equipped with a technology known as Near Field Communication, or NFC, which can transmit certain information when the phone is near an NFC-equipped reader. In the case of payments, your phone can securely send your payment information when it’s placed near a credit card terminal. Some smartwatches even...
With 2018 coming to an end, there’s no better time to review your finances with the goal of making changes for the better once the calendar turns. Like many, you’re probably looking to save more money in 2019. Even if you’ve had some success over the past 12 months, you know there’s always room for improvement. While there are hundreds of ways to save more money, these five are easy to implement: 1. Carpool There are...
