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8 credit card habits to avoid

8 credit card habits to avoid

Credit cards are easy to use and super convenient when used properly. But, these cards can also be devastating to your financial health and can have a negative impact on your credit score if you use them wrong. Poor or irresponsible credit card usage can lead to debt, which can affect your long-term financial stability. Read on to learn about which credit card habit of yours might be doing more harm than good. Not paying your credit bill in full One of the most common credit card habits that will hurt you, in the long run, is not paying your credit card bills in full. Paying only the minimum due or only part of your bill does not really allow you to make any progress on paying off your balance. In fact, in such cases, you are more likely to end up paying more interest. Plus, you are also damaging your credit score and raising your credit utilization. It is a good practice to only spend how much you need and pay off all of it at once. Not checking your statement often Not checking your credit card statement can also lead to trouble. There could be a chance that you forgot about some expenses.

5 common mistakes to avoid while opening a CD

5 common mistakes to avoid while opening a CD

A certificate of Deposit or CD is a type of savings account option that many explore for financial security. CDs are known for their guaranteed and stable returns, making them a great investment for those who want to play it safe. Banks and credit unions offer them for a specified maturity period at interest rates. However, one can make some rookie mistakes when dabbling in such an investment. One can avoid these pitfalls while opening a CD. Opening fee-based account Banks often need one to have a checking account before applying for a CD. However, these banks also have a cost associated with opening a checking account. According to statistics from 2022, the national average return rate of CDs ranges from 0.03% to 0.39%. However, CD rates keep changing, and some banks are providing even 5% APY as of October 2023. A fee-based account can reduce the returns extensively. For instance, if one takes the national average return rate, say Chase Total Checking, which charges a monthly fee of $12, one may end up paying more in fees than one might earn in returns. To avoid this, ask the representative of the bank if there is a minimum deposit requirement that can help you waive the fee.

Top 4 apps for credit building to improve credit scores

Top 4 apps for credit building to improve credit scores

A credit score is a number between 300 and 850 that records one’s creditworthiness. Those with higher credit scores are more likely to receive loan approval and reduced interest rates. This score is based on one’s credit history, drawn from factors such as the total number of accounts in their name, types of loans, length of credit history, debt utilization, etc. Several credit-building apps have emerged on the market to help people improve their credit scores. How credit-building apps work Credit-building apps tend to offer three distinct services. These are as follows: 1. Credit monitoring With major credit bureaus, there are restrictions on how often one can access their credit score. However, some apps offer credit monitoring services to allow one to check their score daily, weekly, or monthly. They also offer tips and suggestions for how to improve one’s score. Lastly, they also monitor activity on one’s accounts, sending alerts for any new accounts or suspicious activity that may occur. 2. Credit building lenders Some apps also offer credit-building loans. As the name suggests, these are meant to help build one’s credit score. Since one makes regular payments in a short period of time, these loans can significantly improve one’s credit score.

Avoid these 7 mistakes when trying to get debt-free

Avoid these 7 mistakes when trying to get debt-free

Financial freedom and debt-free living are attainable goals. To achieve these goals, it’s important to manage one’s finances, savings, and especially debts wisely. Paying off debt requires a thoughtful and disciplined approach. But some mistakes can not only prolong this journey but also get in the way of building essential emergency funds for a secure financial future. Here are some debt repayment mistakes and suggestions for better financial planning for lasting financial well-being. Not changing spending habits Maintaining the same spending habits can affect one’s financial stability and efforts to reduce debt. It’s essential to reassess and adjust one’s expenditure patterns, which involves curbing impulsive purchases or unnecessary luxuries like the latest gadgets or insistence on eating out every day. Simple changes in one’s spending habits and adding on a few ways to save and invest more can expedite one’s debt repayment and build a foundation for future financial well-being. Not contributing to a retirement account A retirement account is like a safety net for an individual once their income from a regular job comes to a standstill. These funds are often undervalued during the younger working years, but they build a solid foundation that gives an individual much financial stability and mental peace in old age.

11 ways to get personal loans with bad credit

11 ways to get personal loans with bad credit

Financial advisors almost always suggest that having a good credit score is the only way to secure personal loans. However, those who already have poor credit scores and need personal loans urgently may find it difficult to improve their scores overnight. The good news is that with the right strategies, those with bad credit reports can get their personal loans approved. So, here are some ways to secure personal loans with bad credit scores: 1. Get someone to co-sign the loan The one who co-signs a loan promises to repay the loan in case the lender cannot do so. If the co-signer has a good credit score, lenders may approve the personal loan. One can consider asking trusted friends or family members to co-sign the application. 2. Correct errors in the credit report Sometimes, the credit report may have errors, which may lead to low credit scores. An incorrect outstanding credit balance or a wrongly credited loan are some of the common errors here. So, before applying for a personal loan, one should check the credit report carefully and get any errors corrected from the bank. 3. Find a co-borrower Having a co-borrower can increase the chances of loan approval.

6 crucial debit card mistakes to avoid

6 crucial debit card mistakes to avoid

Debit cards are convenient tools that allow one to complete a transaction easily. Since debit cards directly take money from the checking account, it ensures that a person only spends a limited amount. Plus, they do not even levy heavy interests like credit cards. However, despite all these advantages, one needs to avoid some mistakes when using debit cards; otherwise, they could end up losing money. Here are some common debit card mistakes to avoid. Using out-of-network ATMs As everyone knows, debit cards serve two purposes – making direct transactions (either online or by swiping) and withdrawing money from ATMs. What a lot of people might not know is that if they withdraw their money from an ATM that does not belong to their bank, they may be charged a fee for the withdrawal. Such ATMs are called out-of-network ATMs. The exact opposite of that is in-network ATMs, which are either owned by the respective bank or are within the bank’s partnered ATM network. By withdrawing cash from such in-network ATMs, one can avoid unnecessary withdrawal fees. Making big transactions with debit cards Debit cards do make shopping easier, but they also pose a slight risk. If an individual wishes to return an item that they purchased with a debit card, getting a refund for it won’t be so convenient.

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Top 5 luxury watches to check out

Top 5 luxury watches to check out

Owning a luxury watch is not always a symbol of wealth or power. A handcrafted watch is a work of art, craftsmanship, and precision mechanics. It can be a statement or serve as a family heirloom. Owning a luxury watch is every horologist’s dream. When taken good care of, these watches last incredibly long. If you want to invest in one, you can choose from the world’s leading luxury watch brands like: Patek Phillipe Geneva invented the world’s first wristwatch. Patek Phillipe continues to make the most luxurious watches liked by famous, high-profile men and women. Their expertise lies in making watches with various mechanisms that sometimes may take multiple years to complete. Apart from common complications like date and time zones, some outstanding features include minute repeaters, tourbillons, and split-second chronographs. Their watches contain top-class material for the base and inner mechanics, delicately set precious stones, enamel painting, and engraving. Every watch is sleek, classy, and luxurious. Patek Phillipe does not sell directly but through 78 authorized dealers across the country. Some of the timeless luxury watches from Patek Phillipe include: Nautilus Aquanaut Calatrava Complications Grand Complications Golden Ellipse Vacheron Constantin Vacheron Constantin, based in Switzerland, is the oldest watchmaker and has been in the business since 1755.

Top 3 types of mattresses to relieve back pain

Top 3 types of mattresses to relieve back pain

An extremely soft or firm mattress or one that is worn out can affect sleep quality and make one feel tired the next day. Further, if used for a long period, it can lead to issues with spine alignment and even strain the back muscles. If suffering from back pain, it is important to pick a mattress that helps relieve the ache and provides adequate support to the spine. So here are the best options: Latex Latex is a natural rubber that can be combined with other natural and even synthetic products to create a comfortable and durable mattress. Latex is naturally elastic and buoyant, and in mattresses, it can help support the sleeper’s lower back, weight, shape, and different sleeping positions. It facilitates adequate spine alignment and helps take the pressure off the heavier parts of the body. Latex mattresses bounce back to their original shape pretty quickly, and this factor ensures good support for all sleeping positions, making it ideal for side sleepers, back sleepers, and stomach sleepers. What makes this one of the top mattresses for back pain is that its springy nature enables smoother movement, and sleepers can change their positions without difficulty. The mattress can retain its shape for many years.

5 foods that help improve lung health

5 foods that help improve lung health

Our lungs help us receive oxygen and release carbon dioxide through breathing. The body’s natural defense system protects the lungs from infections, germs, and other pathogens. But you can also improve lung health by making specific lifestyle changes like following an active lifestyle and breathing fresh air. Further, the right nutrition plan is crucial. The following foods have essential nutrients that keep the lungs healthy and lower the risk of diseases: High-fiber foods Inflammation is among the leading causes of lung diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and fiber can help fight inflammation. A molecule in the blood called C-reactive protein (CRP) indicates inflammation in the body. Fiber-rich foods can contain CRP levels and protect the lungs. Fiber can also improve gut health by increasing the production of short-chain fatty acids. Some fiber-rich foods that promote healthy lungs are apples, artichokes, beans, berries, brown rice, quinoa, sweet potatoes, peas, cereal, and whole-grain bread. Vitamin C-rich foods Vitamin C is a vital nutrient that protects our cells from oxidative stress. It also has properties that protect the lungs from free radicals. Research shows that people who lack vitamin C may have decreased lung function, which may lead to infections.

6 of the most recognized running shoe brands

6 of the most recognized running shoe brands

If you want to invest in a pair of good-quality running shoes, choose one from a brand that specializes in making them for professional and casual runners. Look for a manufacturer that offers good arch and pronation support that matches the shape and size of your feet. Generally, a pair of running shoes cost between $110 and $150, while some iconic and popular shoes may cost higher. To help you choose from the top brands, here are the leading running shoe brands that are popular among runners: Brooks Brooks is originally from Canada and operates in the U.S. The brand has been making shoes since 1914 and started making running shoes after the Olympics in 1972. The collaboration of Jerry Turner from Brooks, David Schwaber of a rubber company, and Marty Liquori, a long-distance runner, created a cushiony midsole material from ethylene vinyl acetate. Using this, they introduced the Brooks Villanova in 1975. Their pioneering innovation then became the norm for other brands making sneakers. Some of its other innovations of Brooks include a removable sock line, silicone fluid, GORE-TEX, diagonal rollbar, use of pods on the outsole, and use of flexible material under the ball of the foot. Some of the most well-known running shoes from Brooks include the MOGO series, Green Silence, PureProject, Transcend, and the DNA series.