3 simple ways to get emergency cash loans
finance

3 simple ways to get emergency cash loans

Getting an emergency cash loan can provide financial relief in a crisis. Still, it’s important to approach this option carefully, as high interest rates and fees can make these loans expensive. Before choosing a lender, compare interest rates, fees, and terms to ensure the best deal possible. Additionally, one should only borrow what one can repay to avoid falling into a debt cycle. Here are some ways to access quick and affordable emergency cash loans. Check available types of cash loans Traditional banks, credit unions, and online lenders offer emergency cash personal loans. For this, the minimum requirement is a decent credit score that indicates the borrower’s ability to repay the loan. A higher credit score means more cash for disbursement at favorable interest rates. Alternatively, consumers can ask for short-term high-interest loans, typically due on the next payday, called payday loans. Consumers can also withdraw cash using their credit card to access some emergency cash payable with an interest rate. These are emergency cash options for people with a good or better credit score, as the loan is purely given based on credit history and background checks. Peer-to-peer cash loans Many online lenders specialize in providing fast personal loans, especially for people with poor credit.
5 tips to get $5000 loans with bad credit
finance

5 tips to get $5000 loans with bad credit

Facing financial challenges with a less-than-ideal credit score can be daunting, but it’s not impossible to secure a loan in such scenarios. While traditional lenders may be less inclined to lend to individuals with bad credit, alternative options are available. However, in such cases, one can be subjected to high interest rates and fees. Nevertheless, here are five tips to help borrowers obtain loans of about $5,000, even with bad credit. 1. Improve the credit score Although this may seem obvious, one must work on improving the credit score before seeking a loan. One can start by obtaining a copy of one’s credit report and reviewing it for errors. Then, if any dispute or inaccuracies are noticed, one must ensure that their credit report is up-to-date. Additionally, one can consider purchasing a secured credit card or becoming an authorized user on another individual’s credit card account to improve credit history. 2. Explore lenders Online lenders often have more lenient credit requirements when compared to traditional banks or credit unions. They specialize in serving borrowers with bad credit and offer various loan options. However, one must remember to research online lenders with a solid reputation and compare interest rates, fees, and terms to find the best fit for one’s financial situation.
4 common mistakes to avoid when using credit cards
finance

4 common mistakes to avoid when using credit cards

Credit cards can be good alternatives to carrying cash. Moreover, they have better benefits than debit cards, such as travel points and other perks. However, the benefits and convenience mainly depend on how one uses their credit cards. There are certain blunders that can undo all the advantages one has gained. From exceeding the spending limits to incurring additional charges, there are several mistakes to avoid when using credit cards. Here are some of the common ones. Making frequent late payments Missing a payment is one of the major mistakes that many end up committing while using credit cards. It can easily damage one’s credit score. This is because payment history is one of the most significant factors of credit rating. Nearly 30% of one’s overall score depends on how efficiently one can pay their credit card bill on time. To avoid this, set monthly reminders. Paying only the minimum balance Paying only the minimum balance on the credit card bill is a feasible solution. But it should be done less frequently, specifically when one doesn’t have enough money to pay off the entire bill. However, getting in the habit of paying only the minimum balance every month means one is carrying their credit card debt from one month to the next.
Break free from these 8 bad credit card habits
finance

Break free from these 8 bad credit card habits

You can pay later for goods and services using a credit card, which is one of the main reasons everybody wants one. Moreover, converting high-volume payments into short-term loans that accrue monthly interest is possible. But it would help if you were mindful of its use, as questionable card practices can push you further into debt. Here are the eight bad habits you should break while using a credit card. Not paying the total amount Delaying the full payment only adds to more spending on the accrued interest. It also affects your credit score and can potentially damage your credit history for any future loans. Making late payments Another bad credit card habit is paying past the due date, as the bank will levy penalties and extra fees. The rate of interest on future payments also increases. Overspending through installments Banks charge a nominal interest for every installment, so the bill does not seem like much when you first look at it. But multiple loans can add up due to overspending on installments and severely pressure your planned finances. Not using your card regularly Not using your credit card is a habit as bad as using it too often. Unused credit cards score low in the credit rating system, so banks or credit unions may cancel such cards due to inactivity.
5 common tax filing mistakes to avoid
finance

5 common tax filing mistakes to avoid

Filing tax returns is one of the most important financial tasks of the year, and if you are distracted during the filing process, you could make mistakes. Any lapse in the filing process can make you miss out on larger refund claims and make you pay additional tax. Further, errors in the paperwork can result in added interest, penalties, and audits from the Internal Revenue Service. So here are tax filing mistakes to avoid: Missing deadlines The most common tax filing mistake to avoid is missing the return filing deadline. This can mean a 5% penalty on the amount due for each month or each partial month the return is delayed. The maximum penalty is capped at 25% of the total due amount. If you are about to miss the deadline, you can request an extension by filing Form 4868 before the tax-filing deadline, and you will receive more time to complete the paperwork. Incorrect Social Security Number Social Security Numbers are used by the IRS to cross-reference information collected from an employee against that received from the employer, bank, and other establishments. So accidentally typing an incorrect SSN can disrupt the process and result in a rejection of returns.
3 common tax refund mistakes to avoid
finance

3 common tax refund mistakes to avoid

Taxpayers can claim refunds if they have paid more tax during the year than they actually owe the government. One can take several steps to claim returns every year, however, the returns filed should not contain errors. Such mistakes can delay the process and result in taxpayers getting a smaller refund than the one they sought. So, here are a few common tax refund mistakes one should avoid to make the return process smoother: Overlooking tax deductions Deductions make up a large part of tax returns. One can use IRS’s calculator to compute the amount of state and local sales tax they can deduct. For instance, any out-of-pocket contributions or donations, such as donating food to a school, can add to an individual’s tax deductibles annually. Similarly, reinvesting dividends received from mutual funds can also increase one’s tax deductibles for the year. Paying high-interest debts also boosts the refund one can claim. Overlooking these deductions when filing tax returns is one of the most common tax refund mistakes. Making calculation mistakes This is also one of the most common tax refund mistakes people make. Mathematical or calculation errors sneak into the returns when entering numbers on the filing forms. While verifying tax payability, the IRS double-checks that all the amounts specified on the first two pages of the form tally with the actual numbers.
Top 10 tax deductions to claim in 2023
finance

Top 10 tax deductions to claim in 2023

The IRS offers ways to save money on taxes each year in the form of tax deductions and credits. Tax deduction works by lowering the taxable income and reducing the tax liability. This deduction is subtracted from the income, lowering the taxable income and reducing the final tax bill. It can be claimed in two ways – standard or itemized deductions. While there are many deductions to choose from, here are the ten most popular options. Charitable donations deduction Individuals who donated in cash or kind to 501(c)3 organizations during the tax year may claim a deduction on their federal tax returns. Gambling loss deduction This deduction requires itemized reporting of all winning as taxable income. The losses and expenses covered here are deductible only to the extent of gambling winnings. Student loan interest deduction Those who paid interest for a qualified student loan in 2022 (for themselves or dependents), or are legally required to pay interest, may claim up to $2500 in tax deductions for the financial year. Medical expenses deduction Qualified, unreimbursed medical expenses worth more than 7.5% of the adjusted gross income for the taxable year can be deducted. These must be reported as itemized deductions on IRS Schedule A.
10 commonly overlooked tax deductions
finance

10 commonly overlooked tax deductions

Millions of people in the country struggle to maximize their tax deductions yearly simply because they are unaware of excellent tax-saving opportunities. Tax season can be overwhelming and confusing for many. Every taxpayer wants to do what they can to minimize their liability and save as much money as possible. Still, sometimes it’s difficult to identify all the available potential deductions. Here is a list of potentially helpful tax deductions that are often overlooked. Commonly overlooked tax deductions State sales taxes If you reside in a state that does not impose income taxes, you may deduct the sales tax you paid throughout the year. Reinvested dividends You may have received dividends reinvested in additional shares if you own stocks or mutual funds. These reinvested dividends can increase your tax basis and lower your taxable gains when you sell the shares. Charitable contributions The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) allows taxpayers to deduct charitable contributions made for qualified organizations, including those supporting underprivileged children. To claim a tax deduction for your charitable contribution, you must provide documentation verifying your contribution. Student loan interest paid by parents If parents repay a student loan their child is legally obligated to repay, the IRS considers the money as if it was given to the child who paid the debt.
5 mistakes to avoid when selling or investing in cryptocurrency
finance

5 mistakes to avoid when selling or investing in cryptocurrency

People have been increasingly investing in cryptocurrency, a form of digital currency. Some reasons behind its popularity include the near impossibility of counterfeiting or double spending, cheaper and quicker money transfers, and decentralized systems that don’t collapse due to central issues. Given its quick rise to fame, the market remains volatile, leading to several costly errors. Here are some mistakes to avoid when selling or investing in cryptocurrency to avoid losing money with these investments. Ignoring trading costs Market traders make several trades in a day. However, all these trades are not free; they often have a transaction fee. Some payment portals may also charge more for every deposit or withdrawal. Keep an eye out for these costs, which could add up over time and affect profits. Not working with a trading strategy Without a pre-set trading strategy, one is more likely to run into losses. A trading strategy lets one define how to pick tokens and when to buy or sell them. What’s more, this makes trading much easier in the long run. Forgetting about portfolio tracking Another common mistake people make is leaving their investments. Keep tabs on the portfolio by tracking returns regularly. Study the state of the market as well to edit trades as needed and maximize returns.
3 options strategies every investor should know
finance

3 options strategies every investor should know

Stock options can be worthwhile derivatives for investors, however, trading them without weighing their pros and cons can be a mistake. Upon buying an option, one gets the right to buy or sell an asset at a certain price and within a set time frame. Options can strengthen an investor’s portfolio when traded using strategies that minimize the risk and maximize the returns. So, here are a few strategies one must consider while trading options: 1. Covered call One of the most popular option trading strategies is buying a naked call option. The covered call strategy reduces investment risk and helps generate some income. To pull off this strategy, one must purchase the underlying stock as they normally would while simultaneously writing (or selling) call options on the same shares. A call option gives one the right to buy a stock, and a put option gives them the right to sell a stock. For instance, if one uses a call option on a given stock that represents exactly 100 shares of stock for every call option, for every 100 shares of stock one would buy, they will sell a call option against the purchase. So, if the stock price increases rapidly, one’s short call is covered by the long stock position.

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Top 20 Tech Sales to Expect for Black Friday 2023
tech

Top 20 Tech Sales to Expect for Black Friday 2023

If one has missed out on getting their hands on some of the coolest tech gadgets during the year, there is no better time to get them than Black Friday sales in 2023. If one wants to avoid the crowds, queues, and noise of an in-store sale, one can get similar deals online. Most top brands offer in-store and online deals, so here are 20 of the most popular tech sales to expect in 2023. 1. Smart TVs Smart TVs are one of the largest selling products during most Black Fridays, and one can choose from brands like TCL, Samsung, Hisense, Panasonic, and Sony. Last year, one could get savings of up to $500 on an LG 55-inch 4k Smart TV from Amazon, so one can expect similar deals this year too. 2. Smartwatches Smartwatches can be connected to other smart devices using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for communication, entertainment, and health and fitness monitoring. Samsung, Apple, and Google are popular smartwatch brands to keep an eye out for, among others. For example, last year, there was a discount of up to $110 on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 at Amazon. 3. Laptops The previous Black Friday let shoppers get up to $150 off on leading laptop brands like Acer, HP, ASUS, and Lenovo from Walmart, which has had the highest sales for Black Friday for many years.
5 habits that can damage a laptop
tech

5 habits that can damage a laptop

Laptops are portable and durable devices that can easily run for years if handled properly. But sometimes, the device may break down earlier than it should. One may unknowingly be careless with it, damaging the laptop beyond repair. However, some of these habits can be avoided if one pays a little more attention to them when using a laptop. Listed below are five bad habits that can damage a laptop and must be avoided. Not paying attention to overheating Laptop overheating is one of the common causes of laptop damage. Users must pay utmost attention to the device emitting more heat than it should; placing a laptop on a cushion or blanket while working may cause it to overheat. It is best to place a laptop on a flat, clean, and dry surface to avoid any damage to the laptop. Letting dirt buildup It is important to clean the laptop from time to time. Using a laptop regularly will cause dirt, dust, and grime buildup on the screen, keypad, and crevices. Use a clean cotton cloth to wipe the laptop regularly to keep it clean and dust-free. One can also use a laptop cleaning liquid to clean the screen and the body of the laptop, but make sure to avoid any liquid spill on the device.
5 common smartphone habits to avoid
tech

5 common smartphone habits to avoid

Smartphones have become a part of our personal and professional lives. We use them to watch entertaining or informational content, connect with friends, complete work assignments, and purchase products online. And these are just a few uses. There are hundreds of other things one can accomplish with a smartphone. However, while the gadget can make life easier, it is vital to use it correctly. Here are five harmful smartphone habits to avoid. Not using a case Whether a budget flip phone, a massive tablet, or a smartphone, all have glass screens and are susceptible to breakage if they fall. Therefore, it is always better to use a case on the device, especially outdoors. Using them without a cover might make their design stand out, but replacing a broken screen or back panel can be expensive. Besides using a case, install a screen protector to keep the display free from scratches. Always checking the phone Many have a habit of checking notifications on their phones throughout the day, whether at work or home. Of course, one might need to check specific important texts urgently, but not all of them. Checking the phone constantly may not have immediate effects, but it can gradually diminish a person’s ability to concentrate.
10 Black Friday laptop deals to check out in 2022
shopping

10 Black Friday laptop deals to check out in 2022

Black Friday or the shopping extravaganza of the year might seem distant, but it will be here before you know it. People wait for the day to get the best deals on all kinds of products—from clothes to electronics. What’s more? A lot of top brands offer amazing discounts on otherwise expensive laptops. If you are already planning for the holiday season, here are some of the best laptop deals for Black Friday 2022: Samsung Chromebook 4 If you are looking for an entry-level laptop on a budget, then the Samsung Chromebook 4 is the perfect option for all your day-to-day needs. With its 11.6-inch screen, this is a compact laptop that you can find great deals on this Black Friday. You can get about $70.99 off on the laptop. Lenovo Ideapad 3 If you are one of those who love the traditional look of a laptop, then the Lenovo Ideapad is the one for you! It might seem small with an 11.6-inch screen but it is a powerful device. It comes with 4 GB RAM and 64 GB of storage space, making it a good option for work or personal use. You can save up to $70 on this gadget.
Top 10 expected Black Friday deals on smart home devices
tech

Top 10 expected Black Friday deals on smart home devices

With so many discounts to look for, finding the best deal for your devices is a must on Black Friday. Smart home devices have been some of the most popular items on sale, and the 2022 Black Friday will be no different. From smart light bulbs to video doorbells, there are a ton of products to buy, and Black Friday is the perfect time to save big bucks while you do so. Top 10 best Black Friday smart home devices deals to look forward to in 2022 Ring Video Doorbell This smart doorbell works for just about every house (apartment, condo, or villa) and lets you see, listen and speak to visitors arriving at your home right from your smartphone. Last year, the Ring Video Doorbell was on bundle discount with the Echo Dot for $41, so look forward to better deals this year! Kasa Smart Plug TP-Link’s Kasa Smart Plug (Pack of 2) is a great deal to look for. The compact smart plug can be voice controlled, create smart schedules, be grouped with other Kasa devices, and be remotely controlled to give your home a truly smart finish. The pack of two retails for $19 but was available for $14 last Black Friday.
20 Black Friday tech sales to look forward to
tech

20 Black Friday tech sales to look forward to

Black Friday 2022 will see several brands and e-commerce platforms giving massive discounts and deals on your favorite products. As observed, each year, some of these brands also hold an early-bird discount sale; however, there has been no word of it yet. But fret not; we’ve put together some of the brands and sites that are most likely to have massive Black Friday tech deals available. Check this out and bookmark if needed! 20 tech brand and website sales to expect on Black Friday Amazon The shopping and tech giant has a Black Friday Sale every year around the main shopping season. Keep an eye out for early deals on smartwatches, TVs, and other gadgets from various brands that are stocked on the platform. John Lewis They already have some information available about Black Friday deals on their website. Exact discounts will be disclosed closer to the big shopping sale day, so you can start making your wishlist now! eBay eBay has a whole range of products like smartphones, TVs, appliances, laptops, and other tech products and accessories. While the biggest deals might be reserved for Black Friday, early-bird deals may get you some great discounts too! Verizon Get Black Friday deals on 5G phones, handsets, iPhones, and other products on Verizon.