Credit Missteps You Should Avoid

Posted on by Joshua Vance

However, there are a number of missteps you can make that could make your credit cards into a burden. If you are ever faced with a bill you can’t afford, consider a bad credit signature loan, to stay out of more damaging credit card debt.

Always Read The Fine Print
Some credit card companies attract new customers by advertising top-notch rewards and affordable interest rates. But if you don’t read the fine print before signing on, these advantages can turn out to be nightmares.

For example, some credit cards offer introductory interest rates that are very affordable, but they may increase after a couple months of use. If you aren’t prepared, you could suddenly find yourself facing expensive monthly payments you can’t realistically afford under the new terms.

Additionally, read the fine print on any rewards programs. In some cases you need to spend past a certain threshold within a particular amount of time for the rewards to kick in. Sometimes, the cost to utilize these programs outweighs any advantages they may have.

Don’t Close An Account To Avoid Fees
Some credit cards come with high annual fees. Some consumers open an account for a short-period of time and close it before they have to pay this money to their lender. However, this can have some serious long-term implications.

Even if you close a credit card account, this data stays on your credit report for up to 10 years. The next time you try to open a credit card, if a lenders sees you have a habit of opening and closing accounts in a short period, they may not grant you the card you want.

To avoid this, make sure to only sign up for credit cards that have annual fees you can afford. If you have a hard time paying this amount later on, you may be able to talk to your lender to see if you can pay it off over time. In some cases, a financial institution can waive this fee altogether, depending on your financial situation.

Don’t Transfer Balances Too Often
If you make it a habit of paying off one credit card with another, this can lead to a cycle of debt that is difficult to get out from. Unfortunately, this can also have a negative impact on your score and make it more difficult to qualify for new lines of credit in the future.…

Don’t Pay When You Don’t Have To

Posted on by Joshua Vance

Some people say the best things in life and free, and when it comes to everyday goods and services, this is especially true. While you might look high and low for the best savings and discounts for your favorite products, according to Kiplinger, some free deals might be right under your nose.

Cost of living has increased across the country in recent years. Unfortunately, for many people, stagnant wages have been unable to keep up and take the pressure off the average household’s budget.

Needlessly paying for certain products and services can leave you checking the couch for change to pay necessary bills. If you ever find yourself between a financial rock and a hard place, cash loans bad credit now could help you escape.

In Many Establishments, Internet Is Free
The cost to have internet in your home can cost hundreds of dollars every year. Luckily, many establishments now offer this service free of charge to attract customers.

Many of these businesses are coffee shops and restaurants, but some retailers are starting to catch on. In addition, your local public library and hotels may also offer this service for free.

Although the internet has become an intricate part of our everyday lives, if you’re having troubles making ends meet, this could be a realistic way to save money.

Don’t Pay For Software Again
In the perfect world, new computer would come with needed software, such as Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop, already installed. Unfortunately, this is not the case.

These programs both cost upward of $100 and can only be installed a limited number of times before you have to shell out more money for a new program. But some tech companies have filled this expensive void with free online-based programs that you can use anywhere you have an internet connection.

For example, Google docs allows users to create word documents, spreadsheets and PowerPoint projects. To get started, simply create a Gmail account, which will only cost you a couple of minutes.

Take Your Workout Outside
Gym memberships can be expensive and you will need to go a certain number of times per month to make it worth the investments.

To reduce the stress on your budget and schedule, try some outdoor activities. However, this doesn’t mean going for a hike. All you have to do it tie up your sneakers and go for a walk or jog around the block.

Meanwhile, if you have a public park in your area, there may be basketball courts and even baseball diamonds that operate on a first come, first serve basis. If poor weather dampens your workout plans, you can still work up a sweat in your own. Take a trip to your public library or take to the internet for an in-depth workout video.

Stop Paying Shipping Fees
With the holiday season approaching, you may have to do a ton of shopping. The internet has made it easy to complete this task with a few clicks of the mouse. While helps you save time and prevents the stress of waiting in long lines, it can result in hefty delivery fees. Instead, you could go to a website like FreeShipping.org that offers free shipping deals.

Additionally, the site has special coupons to get free shipping from certain stores that usually require a fee.…

Check Credentials, Be Thorough When Hiring A Contractor

Posted on by Joshua Vance

Hiring a contractor is an important decision. Whether they are building you a new home or making a repairs, a lot of money may be changing hands. To help ensure you don’t spend more than necessary and have to dip into your emergency fund, there are many things that you should do when before hiring someone.

Check Credentials And Complaints
Before committing to hiring someone, it’s often advised to check their credentials and public complaints about them. It is important to know that the person you are hiring is legit.

You will also want to know if they have gotten any complaints from prior customers. When going over an estimate with a potential contractor, be sure to ask questions. You’ll want to have them provide proof of licensing and insurance. Additionally, they should belong to a national trade association.

When looking for complaints, you may want to check with the Better Business Bureau to see if they have a negative history. One red flag is a contractor that has changed their name recently. Often, this move is made to hide past complaints under another name.

Be Thorough With References
When hiring a contractor, you will also want to hear from references. However, it is important to research beyond simple photos of past work, as these could be fake. Be sure to ask for names of their past customers so you can contact them and ask about the work they had done.

Ask them if the contractor was able to stay on time and budget. If at all possible, it could be beneficial to go see their past work.

Beware Of Low Bidders
In an attempt to obtain your work, a contractor may offer you a low estimate. While this may look good on the surface, they could jack up your prices throughout the process. Another way contractors are able to offer a low bid is to substitute lower-quality materials on your project. This is where getting multiple estimates can come in handy. You can ask a separate contractor with a higher bid why another one was lower than theirs. This can help you find issues with their bid and also give you leverage with other contractors.

Beware Of A Contractor That Comes To Your Door
If a contractor comes unsolicited to your door offering services, there is a good chance they are a scam artist, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Be sure to ask these people for their drivers’ license so you know who they are if they end up scamming you. Additionally, you should do an extensive amount of research on their track record. In many cases, these people will try to get you to give money upfront or sign a contract quickly. Both of these are signs of a scammer.…

Make More Money This Holiday Season

Posted on by Joshua Vance

With the holiday season right around the corner, you may be taking a look at your budget. This time of year typically brings on higher expenses. In order to ensure you don’t have to dip into your emergency fund, you may want to think about using one of these ways to make more money during the holiday season.

Get A Seasonal Job
This time of year, many companies are looking to fill part-time jobs. The area you will be most successful in is retail. Stores look to hire people to keep up with the pace of holiday shoppers. Be sure to contact all your local retailers to see if they have any openings.

Additionally, you may be able to ask your boss for extra hours in the holiday season to try to make more money. If neither of those options work, it may help to contact a staffing agency. However, this may require you to pay an upfront cost to them finding you a job. If you are able to get a seasonal job, it could go a long way toward keeping you on budget during the holidays.

Sell Crafts
If you are the artsy type, selling your crafts may help bring in extra money. There are many holiday-themed crafts that you can potentially sell during this time. Some simple ideas include homemade wreaths and Christmas ornaments. No matter what you make, try finding a craft fair where you can set up a station. This will give you some exposure and hopefully allow you to bring in some extra money. Online auction sites, such as eBay, may be another place where you can sell your creations.

Sell Baked Goods
Another thing you may be able to sell is baked goods. The holiday season is a popular time for cookies and cakes, so if you are a good baker, you may be able to make some extra cash. You can sell them to friends and family members or find a local bake sale to participate in. You could even advertise your own bake sale if there aren’t any in the area. Many people bring baked goods to holiday parties or offer them as gifts, so they are in high demand this time of year.…

Design Your Black Friday Shopping Strategy Well In Advance

Posted on by Joshua Vance

Black Friday Shopping Strategy Well In AdvanceThe day after Thanksgiving is known in the retail world as Black Friday. On this day, consumers can find significant savings on everything from clothing to electronics. But just because something is on sale, doesn’t mean you should dip into your emergency funds to buy it.

Before you make a major expense, you should ensure it fits with your overall budget. If you fail to do this, you may require a bad credit payday loan to cover other financial obligations.

If you run the numbers and you have the cash to purchase a few items this Black Friday, there are a few ways you should prepare.

Do Your Homework
Black Friday lines start to form outside of some stores days in advance, but before you reserve your spot, do some research on the various sales available.

On big-ticket items, such as televisions, retailers only keep a small stock, so you may need to rush to buy it once the store opens. If you know exactly what you want, this could improve your chances of getting in and out of the store without a hitch.

Compare Prices
Even though many different stores offer sales on Black Friday, some may have more significant discounts. If you look online, you may be able to learn which stores in your area are selling the product on your mind. Rather than standing in line at one retail location, you may be able to go next door and save even more money at another.

Map Out The Store
Prior to Black Friday, take some time to examine the layout of the stores that sell the items you want. This way during the mad rush, you’ll know exactly where you need to go when the doors open.

If there are multiple products on your list, determine the order in which you want to pick them up. This way you won’t waste time searching around the store.

Once again, unless Black Friday shopping fits with your long-term financial goals, you should refrain from buying any items, no matter how good the savings are.…