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These Are The 5 Best Retirement Gifts For Women

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These Are The 5 Best Retirement Gifts For Women

When a person retires, giving them a gift to celebrate the occasion is a common practice. However, choosing an appropriate present isn’t always easy. If you aren’t sure where to begin, here are five of the best retirement gifts for women.

1. Spa Gift Certificate

Most people view retiring as a positive. However, it’s still a significant transition, and that may cause some people to experience some anxiety. As a result, giving a gift that promotes relaxation can make a potentially stressful time easier to navigate. That can make a spa gift certificate a perfect choice.

Choose a spa that offers a range of services, allowing retiree to select treatments that they’ll enjoy most. Additionally, consider having a little extra on the gift certificate, as that may let them use the excess amount as a tip.

2. Hobby Items

During retirement, many people get to spend more time doing activities they enjoy. If the retiree has a favorite hobby, consider giving a gift that connects to it. For example, craft supplies, lessons that help them grow their skills, cooking equipment, or gift certificates to related stores could all work well.

3. Travel Gifts

Many people dream of traveling more when they retire. If the retiree wants to spend some of their newly available time exploring new cities, states, or countries, travel-related gifts can be a solid choice. You could provide them with a high-quality set of luggage, gift certificates to large hotel chains, or even a vacation package, depending on how much you’d like to spend.

4. Annual Entry Passes

For retirees that adore a particular type of attraction, an annual entry pass is a solid option for a retirement gift. Many museums, zoos, and aquariums offer yearly passes. Similarly, you can typically find annual passes for national or state park systems. With these gifts, you’re giving them the opportunity to spend time at their favorite attractions without having to pay to get in, which can allow them to spend more time there during the year.

5. Subscription Boxes

Today, there is a wide array of subscription boxes that can make great retirement gifts for women. Whether they’d appreciate a box of international snacks, wines from different regions, beauty supplies, puzzles, books from a specific genre, or nearly anything else, there’s likely a subscription box that can meet that need.

If you go with a subscription box, make sure that the duration is suitable. If you can pay for a full year, that’s ideal. However, if that isn’t in your budget, a three or six-month subscription can also work well.

Have you given any of the best retirement gifts for women listed above and want to tell others about the experience? Can you think of any other outstanding retirement gifts women may appreciate? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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What Is Indebtedness And How Do I Avoid It?

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What Is Indebtedness And How Do I Avoid It

Many people have heard that indebtedness can lead to financial troubles. But what exactly is indebtedness, and how do you avoid it? Fortunately, the concept of indebtedness is pretty easy to understand. Additionally, it’s possible to prevent indebtedness – or keep it manageable – with some planning. If you’re wondering what indebtedness is and how to avoid excessive debt, here’s everything you need to know.

What Is Indebtedness?

In the simplest sense, indebtedness is the state of owing something to someone else. Traditionally, people use indebtedness to describe financial debts, such as credit cards, loans, or mortgage balances. However, it can also apply to the sense of owing someone for doing you a favor, leading you to feel obligated to return that favor in kind at a future date.

For the purposes of this article, the focus is on traditional financial indebtedness, primarily involving owing a lender based on previously borrowing money. Often, that form of indebtedness creates the biggest challenges for households, so it’s wise to have a plan for avoiding it specifically.

How to Avoid Indebtedness

Have a Dedicated Emergency Fund

When it comes to avoiding monetary debt, your best starting point is to build an emergency fund. This allows you to have some cash set aside to deal with the unexpected, ensuring you don’t have to turn to credit cards or loans to cover a cost that catches you off guard.

If you don’t have anything set aside for emergencies, make $1,000 your first target. Usually, that’s enough to cover a vehicle, renter’s, or homeowner’s insurance deductible, ensuring you aren’t struggling should an accident, fire, or similar incident occur. Plus, it can cover a wide array of other emergencies, such as an unplanned medical bill, car repair, or appliance breakdown.

Once you have $1,000 set aside, work on increasing the balance of that savings account. Build up to one month of household expenses, then shift up to three months. That can help you weather larger emergencies or a short period of unemployment.

When you gather up three months of expenses, you can choose a new target. Some people feel most comfortable with six or 12 months of household costs, as that can cover major emergencies or an extended period of unemployment.

Whenever you tap into your emergency fund, focus on building it back up once the situation resolves. That allows you to restore this critical cushion, making it easier to avoid indebtedness long-term.

Create a Reliable Budget

In some cases, debt is generated because households don’t plan for their spending needs. As a result, they overspend during the month, having little choice but to turn to credit cards or loans to cover any remaining expenses until their next payday.

By having a reliable, formal budget, you have a spending roadmap. You know how much it takes to cover your bills and debt payments, as well as handle costs relating to food, gas, utilities, and more.

Often, the easiest way to start is to review your spending habits over the past several months. That allows you to determine how much you’re spending in various categories. Then, create a simple list – ordering debts and other costs by their due date – and outline how much of your income needs to go to that expense.

If you have money left over, commit some of it to savings. Additionally, it’s wise to include “fun money” in your budget, giving yourself a small amount that you can use as you please for entertainment, items that are wants instead of needs, and similar purchases.

Make Saving Automatic

Since having money in savings can help you deal with emergencies or plan for larger upcoming expenses – such as home repairs, vehicle down payments, future appliance replacements, and more – making your savings routine automatically works in your favor. By automating your savings, you ensure that you don’t accidentally forget to move that money into the proper account.

Designate a specific amount from each paycheck that needs to go to savings. Then, set up a recurring, automatic transfer for the day your pay arrives (or the following business day if payment delays may occur). That ensures your money is moved in accordance with your plan without you having to physically manage the transfer every single payday.

In most cases, you can set up several transfers to different accounts every month. As a result, you can move cash into several accounts, allowing you to divide up the money based on individual savings goals.

Adopt a Cash-First Mindset

In some cases, using credit cards or loans to pay for various items feels like a quick, convenient option. However, the more debts you acquire, the harder they typically are to manage. Even if the monthly payments are reasonable, you’ll have more due dates to juggle. Plus, if you experience financial hardship or underestimate what you’re currently paying, you could quickly find yourself in over your head.

Additionally, debts typically come with interest payments. As a result, you’re spending far more by financing a purchase than if you used cash. If you rely on cash instead, you’ll have more money to direct to other goals or needs, including saving for retirement, a college education, a home, and more.

Instead of relying on debt, adopt a cash-first mindset. Make it a goal to use as little borrowed money as possible. For example, instead of financing an entire vehicle purchase, at least prepare a sizeable down payment in advance. That ensures you can keep the loan as small as possible.

Similarly, resist the urge to use a credit card to cover the cost of want if you can’t pay off the balance in full right away. While it could mean delaying a purchase, it saves you a significant sum in the long run.

Use the 72-Hour Rule

With the 72-hour rule, you don’t purchase any spur-of-the-moment wants right away. Instead, you wait for 72 hours after learning about the item before deciding if you’ll ultimately buy it.

The delay allows any immediate emotional reaction that can come from initially seeing a product to dissipate, allowing you to look at the purchase more realistically. In many cases, you’ll determine that moving forward with buying the item isn’t actually a smart move, allowing you to walk away. However, if you still want it, it can make you more confident about your decision.

This strategy isn’t just helpful when it comes to items you’re thinking about financing; it can apply to cash purchases, too. By using it at all times, you avoid spending money in a way you might regret later, allowing you to focus your spending on items that are more likely to be beneficial.

Pay More Than the Minimum

If you can’t pay the debt off in full right away, it’s wise to put forth an extra effort to knock down the balance quickly. Unless there is a stiff penalty for paying off a debt early, work to pay more than the minimum payment on at least one debt. Ideally, you want to focus on the debt that has the highest interest rate. By doing so, you can reduce the amount of interest you’ll need to pay over the life of that debt dramatically, resulting in financial gain.

Once you tackle the highest interest debt, you can move on to the one that now has the highest interest rate. Continue working through your obligations in this manner, and you can tackle what you owe in less time.

Increase Your Credit Score

Having an excellent credit score can actually help you avoid certain trappings that can come with borrowing money. Generally speaking, the higher your credit score, the better the borrowing terms. You’ll have an easier time securing low-interest rates on credit cards and loans when you do need them, which can make managing – and paying them off – easier.

Usually, the foundation of an excellent credit score is sound borrowing habits. Make your monthly payments on time, keep your credit utilization ratio low, and avoid opening unnecessary accounts. Maintaining a good credit mix – featuring a small selection of loans and credit cards in your history – can work in your favor, too, as it shows that you can handle different types of debt effectively.

Ultimately, while using credit cards and loans result in debt, when used responsibly, you won’t be overwhelmed by it. As a result, indebtedness won’t necessarily become an issue, allowing you to maintain a favorable financial picture while keeping your credit score up.

Do you have any other tips that can help someone avoid indebtedness? Have you used any of the strategies above and want to tell others about your results? Have you found your way back from indebtedness and want to share your experience? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Should You Really Fear A Recession Coming?

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Should You Really Fear A Recession Coming

Certain economic indicators show that spending is cooling, but inflation remains a major issue in the United States. While July figures were lower than June, the 8.5 percent figure based on July data is still near record-setting. As a result, an increasing number of Americans are worried that a recession is on the horizon. However, are recession fears justified, or will various steps taken by the government, the Federal Reserve, and typical consumers stave it off? If you’re curious about whether you should really fear an upcoming recession, here’s what you need to know.

Where Recession Fears Are Coming From

First, it’s essential to understand why Americans are generally worried about a recession. One of the biggest factors is inflation. Rising costs are apparent in nearly every spending category. From food to housing – essentially across the board – prices continue to climb.

Ultimately, higher costs diminish the purchasing power of a dollar. Additionally, the odds that inflation will remain an issue – at least in the short term – are relatively high. This is particularly true since, while wages have risen during 2022, pay rates aren’t keeping pace with inflation. As a result, even larger paychecks aren’t enough to offset inflation, and many households are worse off when it comes to purchasing power regardless of their raises.

Rising interest rates are also influencing the bigger picture. When interest rates rise, it generally slows spending since borrowing money is more expensive. While this is a positive when it comes to battling inflation, it can make a recession more likely. In many cases, higher interest rates can hamper the job market and broader economy. It essentially slows everything down.

Another troubling sign involves a decline in the gross domestic product (GDP). For two straight quarters, the GDP has fallen. Often, that’s considered a classic sign of a recession, either one currently occurring or one being on the horizon, depending on the broader perspective and the influence of other potential factors.

Can You Predict a Recession?

Whether a recession is genuinely on the horizon isn’t fully clear, as it’s challenging to predict what will happen in many situations. While some of the signs and concerns above are legitimate, they aren’t enough to guarantee that a recession will or won’t happen.

One reason that current inflation and GDP figures alone aren’t enough to declare a recession is that unemployment remains incredibly low. Typically, unemployment climbs during a recession. Pervasive labor shortages in many industries are essentially keeping that indicator from developing, so that a possible red flag isn’t present.

However, a similar situation occurred in the 1970s, right before a recession. The reason it wasn’t identified earlier is that conflicting economic indicators aren’t uncommon before a recession. Some data may make it seem like various aspects of the economy are strong enough to potentially offset troubles in other areas. Whether that turns out to be true can vary.

Additionally, recession fears can spur actions that actually prompt a recession. Many economic points are influenced or directed by consumer behavior. As a result, when consumers begin broadly changing their activities within the economy in response to concerns, they can potentially create conditions that make their fears a reality.

For example, consumers reeling back spending and increasing savings could shift the United States toward a recession, depending on the degree. That move signals that consumers lack confidence. That could alter the direction of many businesses, causing them to have to rethink their strategies and earnings potential. In turn, it could reduce investor confidence, leading to a stock market downturn.

After that, you can end up with a self-perpetuating cycle. The economy begins to look weaker, increasing recession fears. As a result, consumers alter their behavior, even more, impacting business plans and investor activity. Then, that cycle repeats, often until a positive sign shifts consumer behavior in the other direction.

Are Experts Predicting a Recession?

Generally speaking, economists don’t believe that the United States is currently in a recession. However, most agree that one could undoubtedly be on the horizon, potentially within the next 12 months.

While unemployment is currently low – a point that many experts use to show why a recession may not be guaranteed – some companies are moving forward with actions that could alter that picture in response to other economic woes. Some large tech companies have instituted hiring freezes. Others organizations have already initiated some layoffs since business growth has slowed and labor costs are rising.

Overall, these are the types of actions that can alter unemployment numbers. While some are responses to a post-pandemic landscape – as certain companies flourished during that period, only to see declines at things returned to “normal” – that doesn’t mean they aren’t impacting the equation. That’s particularly true since consumer reactions to such news can influence their behavior, potentially causing the scenario they were worried about to play out.

Couple that with declining GDP and shifts in consumer spending, and many feel that a recession is likely. However, that doesn’t mean it will inherently be devastating or long-lasting.

Is a Soft Landing Possible?

While many economic indicators suggest that a recession could occur, and some experts feel that one is likely in the coming year, that doesn’t mean a massive crash is going to happen. Some experts believe that a “soft landing” is more likely. Essentially, they feel an economic decline – potentially to the point of qualifying as a recession – could occur, but that it will be a gentler downturn.

Essentially, certain economists feel that the strength of the job market and a few other positives could prevent troubled areas from having the level of impact they otherwise would if unemployment was higher. As a result, even if a recession develops, it won’t be as painful for households and businesses to weather. While that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be difficult, it’s less challenging than if job market data was also looking poorly.

Preparing for a Possible Recession

Ultimately, it’s wise to prepare for a possible recession. However, panicking and dramatically altering your behavior isn’t necessarily ideal. Instead, using tried-and-true strategies and a metered approach can help you get ready with greater ease, all without making the kind of drastic changes that might make a recession more likely.

Generally, the first step households should take to set some money aside in savings. If you don’t have any savings, try to get $1,000 in an emergency fund, giving you a small financial cushion. Once that’s done, you can slowly work your way up to one month of expenses, followed by three months of expenses if you have the ability.

Paying down high-interest debt is also wise. Along with not adding to your debt, work to pay off as much of what you owe as possible, as that can free up room in your budget. If you’re financially stable, one great place to start is to stop using credit cards. Then, look at your next payment, and make that the default payment amount moving forward.

Minimum payments on credit cards usually decline as your balance falls. However, by paying more than the minimum, you conquer the debt faster. Plus, if you end up in financial trouble if a recession occurs, you can transition to the minimum payment at that time, which will be smaller than if you used another approach.

Another great debt-related option is paying off any debts with small balances quickly, even if the interest rates are lower. By getting rid of the debt, you have one less monthly payment to worry about if you experience financial hardship. That can also make saving up several months of expenses easier, as the total cost of your expenses is lower.

Are recession fears dragging you down? Are you taking any steps to prepare for a potential recession, or is that not an option for you? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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What Credit Score Is Needed For Care Credit?

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What Credit Score Is Needed For Care Credit

When a person has high out-of-pocket medical expenses, figuring out what to do can be a challenge. Fortunately, there are potential solutions. In some cases, Care Credit may give you a simple way to handle the costs, settling your balance with your provider right away. Plus, Care Credit often runs promotional programs that may allow you to avoid interest while you pay off what you owe. As a result, many people wonder, “What credit score is needed for Care Credit?” If you’re among them, here’s what you need to know.

What Is Care Credit?

Care Credit is a specialized financing option that focuses specifically on health and wellness-related costs. Essentially, it’s a healthcare credit card that is only accepted by participating providers, limiting its use to healthcare or wellness-related costs.

Establishing business tradelines is another effective way to build credit for your company. By maintaining multiple tradelines, businesses can improve their creditworthiness and secure better financing options. Additionally, strong business tradelines can enhance your company’s financial reputation and facilitate smoother transactions with suppliers and lenders.

A wide array of providers accepts Care Credit. Some examples of the types of services you may be able to pay for using Care Credit include:

  • Dentistry
  • Dermatology
  • Eye Care
  • Hearing
  • And More

Often, Care Credit is usable if you’re getting elective or cosmetic procedures, suggesting you’re using a participating provider. You can also use Care Credit to cover veterinary costs for household pets.

How Care Credit Works

Care Credit works similarly to a store credit card, as borrowers can only use it at participating provider locations. Those interested in opening a Care Credit account can do so at a participating borrower. After providing details, they can learn if they are approved in mere minutes in most cases.

However, borrowers can also apply for Care Credit online if they prefer. This approach may be ideal if a borrower knows that they’re going to have an eligible purchase at a participating provider in the near future, as it allows them to ensure they’re approved first.

Once the account is open, borrowers can use it like a store card when paying for eligible services. They can simply inform the employee that they’re using Care Credit and swipe the card or provide the account number during checkout to cover the costs.

Additionally, Care Credit commonly offers short-term, no-interest financing options for paying off balances in full within a specific time period. Outside of the no-interest financing options, borrowers may be able to use promotional interest rates for larger purchases if they require more time to pay off the balance.

For instance, purchases that are at least $1,000 can get a reduced interest rate depending on the amount of time the borrower requests for the payoff. For 24 months, the APR is 14.9 percent; for 48 months, it’s 16.9 percent.

Beyond anything promotional, Care Credit has a high-interest rate. Its regular APR for new accounts is 26.99 percent (as of August 2022). While borrowers can avoid that rate if they pay off balances during the promotional period, it’s a steep penalty to pay if you fail to handle the purchases within those timeframes.

What Credit Score Is Needed for Care Credit?

Care Credit doesn’t advertise a specific minimum credit score to qualify for an account. While general advice usually recommends having a credit score of at least 620 or 640, some people anecdotally report being able to open a Care Credit account with scores closer to 600.

Generally, Care Credit is less stringent when it comes to credit scores than many other lenders. Instead, it uses an approach that’s similar to retail credit cards, which usually means lower requirements in regard to credit scores.

If you’re concerned that your credit score isn’t high enough to open a Care Credit account, you can go through the prequalification process online. The Care Credit website allows potential borrowers to enter specific details and get an initial decision in just seconds, all without impacting their credit score.

Once the prequalification process is complete, aspiring borrowers that are invited to go through the formal application process typically have solid odds of approval. As a result, the odds of your credit score being high enough are relatively good. However, a prequalification doesn’t guarantee approval.

Additionally, moving forward will result in a hard inquiry on your credit report. This can temporarily impact your credit score after the fact.

For those who don’t get an offer to apply after prequalification, that usually means you didn’t meet all of the minimum criteria to open an account on your own. However, you may be able to apply with a cosigner and get approved, so keep that in mind if getting a business credit builder companies such asCare Credit account is legitimately important.

How to Apply for Care Credit

Applying for a Care Credit account is relatively simple. There are also several ways to go about it, giving you some flexibility about when you open an account.

First, you can apply during a visit with a participating provider. This option allows borrowers to cover unexpected healthcare costs at the time of treatment, which can be convenient if the total is higher than you initially expected.

Second, you can contact Care Credit by phone at 1-800-677-0718. If you want to speak with a live representative, you’ll have to call Monday through Friday between 9:00 am and 9:00 pm Eastern. Otherwise, you can use an automated system at any time.

Finally, you can apply online at the Care Credit website. For many, this is the simplest option. Just enter in the details on your own time and receive a quick decision. Plus, it allows you to apply at any time, day or night, and even handle the application before an upcoming appointment.

Regardless of the option you choose, the process isn’t unlike applying for any other credit card. You’ll provide specific details – including contact information, personal details, income data, and housing information – and undergo a credit check. After your account is reviewed, Care Credit makes a lending decision. If you’re approved, you can get a copy of your account number immediately. Thus, allowing you to use the account to handle qualifying costs right away.

Should You Use Care Credit?

Whether Care Credit is a solid option for you depends on several factors. First, can you pay off the balance owed before any promotional periods expire?

While no-interest repayment periods with Care Credit can be a boon, if you don’t tackle the balance within that time, the regular interest rate that then applies to the balance is incredibly high. In many cases, that APR is above what you’d find with a normal credit card, which can make Care Credit a bad deal for anyone who can’t pay off what’s owed before the promotional periods expire.

Second, can you support a new debt? It’s important to remember that not everyone qualifies for Care Credit. Additionally, applying for Care Credit has the same impact on your credit report and score as applying for any other credit card.

Depending on your current score, age of your accounts, credit utilization ratio, and other factors, you could see some notable changes to your score after the hard inquiry, even if you don’t open the account. If you do open an account, then you may see more dramatic shifts. If you are planning to secure other types of financing in the near future, you’ll need to make sure the impact of the Care Credit application doesn’t alter your long-term plan before proceeding.

Are There Alternatives?

Finally, are their alternatives better meet your needs? While Care Credit is helpful, it isn’t the only option for covering medical costs.

Depending on your current medical insurance, you may be able to take advantage of a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) instead. With those, you’re contributing to a tax-advantaged plan that you can use to cover qualifying healthcare expenses, which may be better than paying interest on a debt.

You may want to explore alternatives like personal loans. Particularly if you’re concerned about handling the debt before a promotional period ends. Personal loans have a fixed interest rate and a defined repayment plan. Thus, allowing you to know exactly what you’ll owe and when you’ll have the debt fully paid off.

Are you surprised about the credit score needed for Care Credit? Do you think Care Credit’s overall accessibility is a positive or negative? Have you used Care Credit in the past and want to tell others about your experience? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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These Are The Best Credit Cards For 18 Year Olds

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These Are The Best Credit Cards For 18 Year Olds

Having a strong credit history is often essential, but it takes time to build up a solid record and secure a great credit score. For young adults, this can create some challenges. When someone turns 18, they usually just gain access to credit-building options since they typically have no credit. Fortunately, some credit cards can help them on their journey. Here’s a look at the best credit cards for 18-year-olds.

Can 18-Year-Olds Have Credit Cards?

Before diving into the best credit cards for 18-year-olds, it’s important to talk about various rules and restrictions that may limit young adults who want a credit card. Technically, 18-year-olds can have a credit card. However, they need to meet specific criteria.

Anyone under 21 may be required to either have a cosigner or provide proof of independent income. Without that, lenders won’t allow them to open a credit card account. The reason for that is a relatively recent law that was passed by Congress that legally requires lenders to ensure young adults have the means to pay off what they charge. Income shows they can handle the payments, while a cosigner makes someone else equally responsible for the debt, limiting the overall risk.

The Best Credit Cards for 18-Year-Olds

Which credit card is best for an 18-year-old can vary depending on a few factors. However, certain options are potentially better choices than others for those without any credit history, a situation that usually applies to 18-year-olds. As a result, focusing on credit cards that are more open to applicants with little or no credit history is typically the ideal strategy.

Here’s a look at some of the best credit cards for 18-year-olds.

Discover it Student Cash Back

Since it focuses on college students, the Discover it Student Cash Back credit card doesn’t require a credit score or history to qualify. Additionally, it comes with perks you may not see with other cards available to young adults.

Along with no annual fee, users can earn up to 5 percent cash back in the currently listed spending categories (which rotate every quarter). Additionally, they can earn 1 percent cash back on everything else.

In some cases, new users may also qualify for a 0 percent introductory APR for six months. After that, the card has a reasonably competitive rate, particularly for young adults without credit histories.

Petal 2 Cash Back No Fees

For young adults that want to avoid credit card fees, the Petal 2 Cash Back No Fees credit card is a solid option. The issuer advertised no fees of any type, so users won’t have to worry about annual, foreign transaction, or late fees at all. Plus, by making on-time payments, cardholders can start earning unlimited cash back.

Another reason this option is great for 18-year-olds is that it’s an unsecured card that is open to applicants without credit histories. For young adults with a credit score, that can factor into the lender’s decision. However, if no credit score is present, the lender also looks at the activity in a linked bank account to see if the person demonstrates sound financial judgment. As a result, a lack of a substantial credit history may not hold a young applicant back.

Chase Freedom Student

Another student-oriented card, the Chase Freedom Student credit card also comes with no annual fee and 1 percent cash back on every dollar spent. While the rewards rate is lower than some other cards that may work well for 18-year-olds, the lack of credit requirements can make it a solid choice.

Additionally, after five on-time payments during the initial ten months of opening the account, borrowers can qualify for an automatic credit line increase. That allows a young adult to start small and receive a boost in relatively short order, something that may not happen with some of the other cards on the list.

Capital One Platinum Secured

Often, secured credit cards are easier to open than their unsecured brethren. Since 18-year-olds can seem like a significant financial risk, this approach may help young adults secure better interest rates or increase their odds of approval.

One benefit of the Capital One Platinum Secured card is that the initial security deposit can be quite low. As a result, young adults may not have to send in hundreds or thousands of dollars to open an account.

After demonstrating good financial habits and meeting other criteria, it’s also possible to transition the account to an unsecured version. As a result, this is a credit card that can functionally grow with a young adult, allowing them to avoid having to get a new credit card later after their situation changes.

Journey Student Rewards from Capital One

Another option from Capital One is the Journey Student Rewards credit card. Initially, users can earn 1 percent cash back on purchases. However, with on-time payments, the cashback reward rate can increase to 1.25 percent.

Like other student cards, this option focuses on borrowers with little to no credit history. Plus, it has a few other perks, including no foreign transaction fees. If a student may want to study abroad, this could be a boon, as it allows them to earn rewards and avoid a costly fee for using the card overseas.

Do you know of any other credit cards for 18-year-olds that people should consider? Do you think that 18-year-olds should avoid credit cards, or are they a smart way to start building their credit? Did you have a credit card at 18 and want to tell others about your experience? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Which Is Better For A Small Business: Financial Advisor vs. Accountant

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financial advisor vs accountant

When you run a small business, having a strong financial team by your side is a difference maker. However, you may need to choose between different types of financial professionals. Financial advisor vs. accountant is a common debate among small business owners. If you’re wondering which option is best for you. Here’s what you need to know.

Financial Advisor vs. Accountant: What’s the Difference?

While financial advisors and accounts may have similar knowledge in some cases. They represent two different specialties, each with unique areas of expertise.

In many cases, an accountant focuses on the basics of your financial picture. Thus, ensuring that your ledger remains balanced. Additionally, they typically help with finding tax-saving strategies that align with your situation. That could involve how assets are managed from a tax perspective, recommending specific types of retirement accounts, ensuring you capture every deduction, or similar steps.

Financial advisors are a bit different. While they may also recommend strategies that are beneficial to your taxes, their main goal is to assist you with seizing financial growth opportunities. Along with financial planning, investment advice is commonly a part of what a financial advisor offers.

The unique perspective each of these professionals provides means they can work together to ensure your entire financial picture is well managed. However, not all small businesses can afford to hire both.

Pros and Cons of a Financial Advisor

Financial advisors are adept at planning and recommending paths that can lead to financial growth. Often, they focus heavily on the investment side of the equation, though many will also examine other areas to seek out opportunities. For a small business, financial growth can be a priority, particularly if they’re in a startup phase and are dealing with financial uncertainty or there are plans for various kinds of expansion.

Another area financial advisors focus on is insurance. They can assist with choosing the correct coverage for your business, ensuring any assets are adequately covered and that all critical scenarios are addressed in that coverage.

However, financial advisors don’t typically handle the more transactional side of the equation. Handling ledgers, tracking payments and expenses on a daily basis, and similar services aren’t commonly what a financial advisor offers. This leaves those tasks to someone else, which may not be ideal if you don’t have time to handle them personally and don’t have other financial professionals on board.

Pros and Cons of an Accountant

In many ways, accountants are more transactional. They track and log the flow of money in and out of a business, and make recommendations that often feel more logistical. For small businesses with complex financial activities, this can be a boon. It ensures someone is solely focused on the company’s earnings, expenses, taxes, and reporting, reducing the odds of errors and increasing your chances of securing tax savings.

Accountants can also assess the financial impact of various moves. For example, if you’re considering an acquisition, an accountant can help analyze the situation and produce estimates that give you a clearer picture regarding how proceeding may impact you financially.

When it comes to drawbacks, accountants aren’t as growth-oriented. While they may recommend investment accounts, they usually limit that to options that result in a tax benefit, as that results in a savings for the company. In some cases, this can make the level of financial guidance feel incomplete, suggesting you were looking for advice in the growth arena.

Financial Advisor vs. Accountant: Which Is Better for a Small Business?

Neither financial advisors nor accountants are inherently better for small businesses. Instead, you need to factor in your financial needs, allowing you to select the best option for your unique situation.

If you’re concerned about balance sheets, financial reports, transaction tracking, and tax preparation, an accountant is typically the way to go. Accountants specialize in that type of financial tracking, and they’re particularly adept at identifying tax-saving strategies that allow you to reduce what you owe legally.

For guidance about investments, insurance, and long-term financial plans, a financial advisor could be a better fit, as much of their focus is on financial growth and preservation strategies. They’re also skilled at asset management, which can be beneficial in some scenarios.

Consider what you need from a financial professional, and use that to guide your decision. That ensures you bring the right one on board. However, you can also consider hiring both. Financial advisors and accountants can work together to manage the entire financial picture. That ensures that every base is covered, which could be the better choice in the long run.

When it comes to financial advisor vs. accountant for small businesses, do you agree with the points above? Did you choose one over the other and would like to discuss your reasoning? Did you choose one only to discover that it either wasn’t the right fit or was the perfect match? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Do You Know How Many Quarters Are In 10 Dollars?

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how many quarters are in 10 dollarsIf you don’t have much experience with cash handling, there’s a chance you have some simple questions about the money. One example is, “How many quarters are in 10 dollars?” If you’re curious about that, here’s what you need to know.

How Many Quarters Are in 10 Dollars?

Ultimately, there are 40 quarters in $10. How you get to that answer is reasonably straightforward. First, it’s important to know that there are four quarters per every dollar. That’s the reason it’s called a “quarter,” as each quarter is one-quarter of every dollar.

Since four quarters equals one dollar, you can multiply four by the number of dollars to find out how many quarters are in any particular amount. For example, you’d multiple four quarters by ten to see how many quarters are in $10. That gives you a total of 40, so there are 40 quarters in $10.

This process works for any dollar amount. For $20, multiple four by 20 (which gives you 80). For $100, multiple four by 100 (giving you 400).

Why Knowing How Many Quarters Are in 10 Dollars Helps

While it might not seem like you’d need to know how many quarters are in $10 (or any other amount of money), understanding how American currency breaks down is helpful. If you get a cash-handling job, like a cashier or bank teller position, you may have to give change to customers.

Since quarters are commonly needed for vending machines or doing laundry at laundromats, some customers may ask if they can give you a certain number of dollars in exchange for quarters. By being able to quickly calculate how many they’ll need, you can handle it quickly.

Another neat point about dealing with quarters is that each roll of quarters is worth $10. That means every roll contains 40 quarters. Should a customer ask for $10 in quarters, you can simply hand them a roll, which can make transporting them easier and prevents the need for you to count them out.

Would you like to see more articles about topics like this one? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Is It Difficult to Cash Out A 401K When You Quit A Job?

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what happens to a 401K when you quit

When you quit a job, you typically have to decide the fate of your 401k. In some cases, the idea of cashing the account out might be particularly attractive. However, if you’ve never had to do it before, you might worry that the process is complex. If you’re wondering, “Is it difficult to cash out a 401k when you quit a job?” here’s what you need to know.

What Happens to a 401K When You Quit?

Precisely what happens to your 401k when you quit a job can vary depending on rules relating to the account. In some cases, your investments can stay right where they are, and you can tap them when you reach retirement age without much difficulty or financial penalties.

However, rolling over the 401k into your new employer’s plan or an IRA is also an option. For accounts that don’t allow the money to stay with your last employer, then a rollover might be more of a necessity, suggesting you don’t cash out.

Cashing out is technically on the table, too. You’d receive a lump sum distribution based on the account balance or the amount that’s vested. While this may seem wise, if you haven’t reached retirement age, it will trigger financial penalties along with taxes.

Is It Difficult to Cash Out a 401K When You Quit a Job?

Generally speaking, it isn’t difficult to cash out a 401k when you quit a job. Once you formally leave the position, you typically have 60 days to take certain actions relating to the money, including requesting a cash-out. If you go that route, you’ll usually have to formalize your request in writing by completing some forms, and that’s typically the most difficult step.

However, withdrawing the money can trigger early withdrawal penalties. Along with the 10 percent penalty, you’ll be taxed on the amount you take out, which can potentially reduce the value of the withdrawal by 10 to 37 percent, depending on your tax bracket.

How to Cash Out a 401K After Quitting a Job

Cashing out an eligible 401k is pretty simple. Typically, you’ll need to contact the plan administrator and complete a few forms. Once that’s done, the administrator can usually send you a check for the value of the account.

Exactly how long it takes to receive the check can vary, though most will provide the funds within 60 days of the request processing. If you have questions about the timeline, you can request an estimate from the administrator.

Did you know what happens to a 401k when you quit a job? Do you think the process for cashing out is reasonably easy? If you’ve ever left a job, did you decide to cash out your 401k, or did you go another direction? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Minors Still Have to Pay Taxes

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minors still have to pay taxes

Even if your children are young enough to be considered dependents, that doesn’t mean they won’t have to pay federal or state income taxes. Like adults, income earned by minors is considered taxable. If you are wondering whether your child needs to pay taxes and file a tax return, here’s what you need to know.

When Do Minors Have to Pay Taxes?

As with adults, minors have to pay taxes when their income exceeds the standard deduction or exemption. This is true regardless of whether they’re considered a dependent and can apply to both federal and state taxes.

Generally, there are two types of income that may result in minors needing to pay taxes. First, there’s earned income, which is typically money that comes from a job. With this, a child is only considered to have taxable income on a federal level if their earnings exceed the standard deduction, which is set at $12,950 for 2022. The threshold for owing state income taxes can vary, so you’ll need to check your state’s exemption amount to determine if they’ll need to pay.

Second, minors may have unearned income. Usually, this is money relating to investments or savings, such as interest or dividends. With this, the exemption is only $1,150 for 2022. Anything above that is potentially taxable.

Do Minors Get Taxes Taken Out of Their Paycheck?

If your child works for a traditional employer, taxes are often taken out of their paycheck. Most employers use the same process to ensure they meet legal requirements regarding withholding, so they treat all employees the same in that regard, no matter their age.

Like adults, minors complete Form W-4. On that, they can use the form to alter what’s withheld, allowing them to essentially have less removed than would be standard for their earnings. If a minor knows they won’t cross the standard deduction amount with their earnings, this could help them limit the amount that’s taken out of their paycheck. However, if they may exceed the threshold, that strategy could cause them to under withhold, which would leave them owing money when it was time to file.

Additionally, unless a child works for a company owned by their parents, FICA taxes – those covering Social Security and Medicare – are removed from their paycheck. There are no available exemptions to these taxes, aside from the aforementioned case of them working for a parent’s business.

Do Minors Have to File Taxes?

Technically, minors that earn less than the standard deduction and all of their income has already been reported to the IRS aren’t required to file their taxes, as they don’t owe any money to the government. However, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t file, either through a parent’s return or on their own.

Many employers remove taxes from the paychecks of minors. If your child had taxes deducted, filing their taxes allows them to receive a refund. Without filing, that money isn’t returned, which makes submitting their tax information during the filing period essential.

For minors that earn more than the standard deduction, filing their state and federal taxes is essential. In that case, they do owe federal and state taxes. Even if their payroll deductions cover what’s owed, they need to file to formally settle the amount and either pay any additional amount owed or get a refund on the excess.

Additionally, minors that earn tips that aren’t reported to the IRS through their employer – something that’s more common with cash tips that go unrecorded by the company – they’ll need to file regardless of how much they’ve earned. That ensures that FICA taxes owed on the tip money are collected.

Finally, self-employed minors need to file their taxes if they make more than $400 in profit. Additionally, if the amount of tax owed is expected to exceed $1,000, then making quarterly tax payments is essential.

How a Minor Needs to File Taxes

There are technically two approaches a minor might have to use to file their federal taxes. First, if they make more than the standard deduction, they have to file their own return, regardless of age. Generally, minors with self-employment income should also file separately. Per the IRS, children who can’t handle the task on their own can receive assistance from a parent or guardian.

For earnings below that threshold, parents can report the income on their tax return instead. This ensures it’s properly tracked. Thus, any potential refund is capturable without the complexity of having a minor file a separate return. However, filing a separate return is an option here. This could serve as a great financial lesson that introduces your child to filing taxes, setting up for refunds, and otherwise understanding how taxes work.

If you have any questions regarding filing taxes for a minor child, speaking with a tax professional is a wise move. It allows you to get explicit guidance relating to your unique situation, which is beneficial.

Filing Requirements May Vary

Additionally, it’s important to note that state filing requirements for minor children can vary. While they often align with the federal thresholds, there can be some variances that alter the picture. As a result, you’ll want to research the rules in your area. This will help to determine if your child has to file separately or if they can be on a parent’s return. When in doubt, speak with a tax professional operating in your state for additional guidance.

Does it surprise you to learn that minors still have to pay taxes? Do you think making minors pay taxes is a smart move or that they should be exempt? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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This Is How Much Money You Need to Retire Before 50

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retire by 50

For many people, the idea of retiring well into their 60s just isn’t appealing. Instead, they’d like to leave the workforce far earlier, giving them time to travel, explore hobbies, or spend time with family and friends. While retiring before age 50 is a challenge, it is doable if you set aside enough money. If you’re wondering how much money you need to retire before 50. Here’s what you need to know.

Is There a Magic Number That Lets You Retire Before 50?

Technically, there isn’t a magic number that means you’re in the clear to retire before age 50. The main reason for that is that everyone has a unique preferred lifestyle. Thus, altering how much money they’ll need to have available. Plus, your health might vary from the norm. Which could cause you to need to spend more or less in what’s often an expensive category.

Since how much money you’ll need is personal, don’t rely on a magic number presented by someone else, even if they’re a financial expert. Instead, you need to assess your own situation, allowing you to factor in your needs and preferences. That way, you set enough the right amount of money based on your unique situation, reducing the odds that you’ll experience an unexpected financial hardship after leaving the workforce.

Determining How Much Money You Need to Retire Before 50

As mentioned above, how much you’ll need to set aside to retire before age 50 depends on the type of lifestyle you want to maintain. If your goal is to travel the world, you may need to replace 100 percent or more of your annual working income. If you’re aiming for a modest life at home, you may be able to scale back to somewhere in the 60 to 80 percent range.

However, along with your lifestyle, you need to account for costs that may rise over time. For example, medical expenses usually go up as a person ages. While some of that might get offset once you reach Social Security age and can start receiving that income, whether that’s sufficient may depend on the condition(s) you have and the treatment that’s required.

Finally, it’s important to remember that lifespans vary. While you can use averages, family history, and current health levels to get an estimate, you may end up living for years past that point. As a result, you may need to assume that a buffer is necessary.

Calculations For Retirement

Once you consider those points, you can start performing some calculations to get a baseline of how much you may need. Generally, you want to begin with a simple equation that doesn’t involve any interest-earning potential, such as:

Annual retirement income x Number of years in retirement = Savings target

Your annual retirement income is simply the pre-tax amount you believe you’ll need to live your preferred life. For the number of years in retirement, you can subtract the age you plan to retire from your life expectancy. By doing that, you can get a rough savings target that can serve as a starting point.

The benefit of not factoring in interest is that any earnings post-retirement can serve as a buffer against a longer life expectancy, market downturns, inflation, or other challenges that may arise. Similarly, by not bringing Social Security into the equation, you’re supplementing that buffer, giving you even more protection.

How to Save Enough Money to Retire Before Age 50

Once you have the savings target, you can use a retirement calculator to determine how much you’ll need to set aside each month to hit your goal. While you’ll have to estimate your earnings, as there’s no way to know precisely how the stock market will perform, by using a slightly conservative number for your growth potential, you can make sure you won’t fall short.

Beyond that, if you want to retire before age 50, you’ll need to use a multi-faceted approach to ensure you have enough money set aside. First, you’ll want to max out any available retirement accounts. In most cases, using both an employer-sponsored option, like a 401(k), and an IRA is your best bet, as you’ll get to capture some tax advantages.

After that, you’ll need to shift onto other platforms. A traditional brokerage account typically isn’t a bad option. Often, you can invest in similar assets to your retirement account. Plus, there aren’t any penalties if you start making withdrawals before age 59 ½.

In many cases, you’ll need to be fairly aggressive with your investments as well. Otherwise, you may not capture enough growth potential to ensure an early retirement. While that does mean taking on risk – and potentially seeing some losses – with a properly diversified portfolio, forward progress is often more likely.

Making Sure You Remain on Target Over Time

As you set money aside for your retirement, you’ll want to assess your progress and potentially changing needs as time passes. By monitoring your balance, you can see if you’re getting close to the target, letting you know if you need to save more aggressively or not.

By reviewing your needs to see if they’ve changed, you can adjust your target accordingly. For example, if your health situation changes, you can account for cost differences. If inflation alters the amount of income you’ll need, you can shift the target upward to accommodate that.

In most cases, you’ll want to review your situation at least once a year. As you get closer to retirement, you may want to do a check-in every three to six months.

Also, you might want to adjust your investment allocations once retirement is near. While you’ll want to ensure you can still capture some earnings, reducing risk can possibly preserve more of your money, which may give you peace of mind as you get closer to leaving the workforce.

Once you reach retirement, you’ll still want to check your account at least annually. That way, you can potentially adjust your withdrawals should the need arise, allowing you to make sure that you’ll have enough money available to last your entire retirement.

Do you want to retire before 50? If so, do you think the amount of money above is sufficient, or are you aiming for more? If not, is the amount you need to save what’s holding you back, or is there another reason why you plan on delaying retirement? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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