The Good & Bad Points Of A Prepaid Debit Card
In todays world it is almost impossible to not be able to get by without some type of credit card. From checking into a hotel, to being able to make a purchase online to filling up your car with gasoline, a credit card is helpful in all those situations. So what exactly are you supposed to do when your credit it not at its best and there just really isnt the possibility of getting a secured credit card at this time? A prepaid debit could be just the thing that you need. Now just what are the good and bad points of getting a prepaid debit card?
A advantage of prepaid debit cards is that you can use them without worrying about going into debt. Since the prepaid debit cards are paid for in advance, theres no big bill at the end of the month. In this aspect, prepaid debit cards are more like cash than like a credit card.
The benefit of prepaid debit cards that appeals to people with bad credit probably the most is that you do not have to worry about going into debit. Since you need to deposit money onto the card in order to use it you do not have to worry about a huge bill arriving at the end of the month.
One huge benefit of a prepaid debit card is that you do not need to have good credit to get a card. Just pay the activation fee and deposit some money and you are ready to shop.
Something that could be looked upon as both a good and bad point of having a prepaid debit card is that you are given no credit privileges. What this means is that you are only able to spend what is deposited on your card and nothing more than that.
Some bad points of having a prepaid debit card is you need to report it right away when it is stolen as there are much stricter timeliness with this type of card as opposed to a normal credit card. You cold be out a lot of money if you dont report things in time. Also there are monthly maintenance fees that you need to keep a look out for on many prepaid debit cards. You do not want to end up paying a lot of unnecessary fees.
Home Business Financing 3 Reasons to use a Credit Card to Fund Your Home Business
Would you like to start your own home business but do not have the money for it? Well, you are part of a club with many members. You may think getting money for a business can be a monumental task. However, it does not have to be. If you anticipate and plan for as many expenses as possible you may want to consider using a credit card to finance your home business.
One of the easiest ways to get a loan for your home business is to apply for a credit card account. It may not be the answer you are looking for. However, credit cards are easy to receive if you have decent credit. Plus they are very flexible in using for spending purposes. Consider these three reasons for using a credit card for your home business.
The most important reason about having a credit card for your business is you get to keep your cash assets. Even though there is a risk of acquiring debt, you still get to keep your cash in the bank for a rainy day. I find this a very valuable benefit because you keep your familys money in tact and reserved for family needs. Your savings will continue for its original intentions (i.e. college money for kids, school clothes, etc.).
Another benefit is that Credit Cards have itemized statements of purchases. This is great for keeping track of money you spend on your business. The itemized statement provides proof that the Credit Card is being used for business expenses. Also, if you use the credit card for all of your purchases you can easily report expenses when tax season rolls around. Payments made that are shown on the statement is proof where your businesses money is going.
Finally, and this is my favorite reason, you have increased purchasing power with a credit card. You can use a major credit card to purchase items almost anywhere in the world. Having direct access to the funds is much more flexible than a loan. This also provides flexibility in time management because you can use the credit card to purchase items at your convenience if you have internet access.
The downside to this is that the credit card minimum payment will be an additional expense. Also, credit cards are a very easy way to acquire a lot debt for yourself if you are not careful. Always practice good and sensible spending practices. Once you start a home business it is very exciting time in your life and you may want to spend money on lots of things that you think you may need.
Always think of the basic needs of the business first. I tend to be very frugal with spending on a credit card then I do with cash. One way to curb spending by asking yourself, Does my business really need this item right now? Give yourself an honest answer and empower yourself to cut down on impulse buying.
Try to think out of the box when getting funding for your home business. A credit card to fund your business start up expenses may make things easier for you. Also, there are many offers for low interest credit cards for a specified time period. So, if you need a few thousand dollars in capital to start and sustain your business for a while then credit cards may be the answer to financing the start up costs your home business.
Direct deposit is an excellent feature offered by many banks all around your area. Banking is supposed to be convenient and easy, it has been made that much easier and more convenient with the offering of direct deposits. When thinking about direct deposit, consider many of the things that could apply to you. Have you found yourself hurrying off to make the cutoff point for bank deposits? Do you travel to your banking institution on a weekly basis to deposit a paycheck? Have you found yourself losing a check you intend to take to the bank to deposit or cash? If you have answered any of these questions with a yes, it may be time to consider direct deposit.
Direct deposits are the action of your employer depositing your paycheck directly into your bank account by electronic means. This is extremely safe and easy for you to do, all you simply have to do is first, ensure that your employer offers direct deposits (many employers now days ONLY offer direct deposits to their employees). The next thing you will have to do is fill out a form that supplies your employer with your bank routing number, account number, and bank information.
By choosing direct deposits, you are ensuring easy and safe transfer of your funds to your bank account. It is reliable and your paycheck is deposited into your bank account on time, you no longer have to keep track of the banking hours or hurry to meet the deposit deadline. You also decrease the risk of losing your paycheck by using direct deposits. There are other benefits to direct deposits including, when your funds are deposited directly the funds are available to you immediately upon completion of the transfer. Occasionally, some banks require you to wait a specified number of days before the funds will become available, to wait for check clearance.
Another excellent benefit, is if you are away from your home on business or on a vacation, you will not have to worry about your paycheck coming in the mail or being stolen, your money will be in your account safely. They are also extremely secure, stolen, misplaced, or lost checks will become a thing of the past. Direct deposits leave such a trail behind it that tracking these are much easier than tracking a paper check.
As you can see direct deposits can make your life much easier and reduce the number of trips you will need to make to your banking institution.
Many of the brightest and hardest-working marketing and advertising people in the country are obsessed with getting you to spend money and, if necessary, to go into debt to do so. Absolutely all the media that reach you every day are designed to get you to spend money. In order to save money in this environment, you will need determination to withstand the constant pressures to spend now.
What is it that separates those who are successful from those who are not?
Successful individuals have a strong personal vision of what they want and why they want it. That vision gives them the strength to stick to their strategies even when doing so is uncomfortable. It gives them the determination to persist when they are discouraged. This is the same characteristic of women entrepreneurs and is the reason their new, small businesses are successful.
The 401k Plan
Today, the 401(k) plan has become the main investment vehicle for working women to save for retirement. But many dont take full advantage of their plan, and this could leave them with a lot less at retirement. Here are some steps we believe you can take to improve and eliminate any retirement worries about whether or not your retirement will be pleasurable or public charity; or whether you will have all the free time to spend with your family or friends.
1. Increase your contributions to the maximum that you can manage. Many women contribute just enough to take advantage of their employers matching contributions, and then they stop. By adding more to your account, beyond the matching contributions, youll end up with more in retirement.
2. Invest at the start of each year instead of taking a little bit out of each paycheck. Nothing in the law says you have to invest in a 401(k) plan a little at a time, from each paycheck. By investing early, youll put your money to work sooner for your benefit.
3. A few years ago it was reported that more than 30 percent of the money in 401(k) plans was invested in money-market funds or similar accounts. For investors nearing retirement, that may be appropriate. But most workers in their 40s and 50s need growth in their retirement investments. Put more of your investment fund in equities and less in money-market funds.
4. Research indicates that over long periods of time, small-company stocks outperform large-company stocks. Since 1926, In the equity part of your portfolio, shift some of your money into funds that invest in small companies. Dont put your entire equity portfolio in small-company stocks. But consider investing at least 25 percent of your U.S. equity investments in that fund.
5. Numerous studies have shown that value stocks outperform growth stocks. According to data going back to 1964, large U.S. value companies had a compound rate of return of 15.1 percent vs. only 11.4 percent for large U.S. growth companies. Among small U.S. companies, the difference was even more striking: a compound return of 17.4 percent for the value stocks vs. 12.1 percent for the growth stocks. Dont put your entire equity portfolio into value stocks. But if theres a value fund available to you, consider investing at least 25 percent of your U.S. equity investments in that fund.
6.Rebalance your portfolio once a year. Your asset allocation plan calls for a certain percentage to be invested in each of several kinds of assets. Rebalancing restores your asset balance and allows for the possibility that last years losers may be this years gainers. Diluting your diversification actually increases risk in your portfolio over time, which is a result thats just the opposite of what most investors want.
7.Without compromising proper asset allocation use the funds in your plan that have the lowest operating expenses. Choose funds with low turnover in their portfolios.
8. Dont borrow or make early withdrawals from your 401(k) unless that is the only way to respond to a life-threatening emergency. Furthermore, if you take an early withdrawal before you are 59.5 years old, your withdrawals will be subject to a 10 percent tax penalty (in addition to regular taxes) unless you are disabled. Just dont do it.
9. If you leave your job, youll get a chance to roll over your 401(k) into an IRA. Take that chance. In an IRA, you have the same tax deferral as a 401(k), and youll have the flexibility to invest in virtually everything you can get in a 401(k), plus much more.
10. Heres the most important thing you can do to maximize your 401(k): Keep your contributions automatically payroll deducted, and make them no matter what. Its simple, but its not easy. Half of the households in the United States have net worth of $25,000 or less. In a typical year, about two-thirds of U.S. households do not save money.
Remember, to be successful, first, imagine your early retirement; the Caribbean condo, the yacht, the new Lexus. Luxury and pleasure as far as your eyes can see. Create a strong vision, and then dont let go. The power of a clear, strong vision applies to more than just your retirement savings. Let your vision shape your life, instead of the other way around, and all of the time in the world can be yours. You wont be spending your Golden Years working at the Golden Arches.