As one of the top five fastest-growing cities in the US, Denver is quickly becoming the place to be. The vibrant city life, the outdoor culture, and the growing economy are attracting numerous people looking to become Denver homeowners.
If you, like many others, have noticed how much this Colorado city has to offer, you might be wondering how home-buying works in Denver. Weâve got you covered. Hereâs what every Denverite or potential Denverite needs to know about becoming a homeowner.
Start With a Budget
Before the hunt for your dream home can begin, youâll need to determine how much you can afford. Get in touch with a lender to talk this through. Your lender will help you determine how much of a down payment youâll need, as well as what kind of monthly payment you can expect.
Once you speak with a lender, youâll know what kind of loan you qualify for, and you can narrow down your search to homes within your budget. Now youâre ready to really get serious about finding your future home.
When looking for a lender, many people start with their bank. Your bank isnât a bad place to start, but donât forget to shop around for the best rate. If you donât check out all the options, you might miss out on deals from companies like Homie Loans. Homie Loans guarantees they can get you the best rate possible. In fact, if you find any lender with a better rate, theyâll give you $500 cash*.
Find the Right Agent
Most people work with an agent while buying a home, but not everyone knows how essential it is to find the right agent to work with. The right agent will be experienced and knowledgeable about the highly competitive Denver market.
Your agent should also understand your goals and interests as a prospective buyer. Theyâll use their knowledge of your goals with their knowledge of different neighborhood vibes to help you find the perfect fit for you. If easy access to the mountains is one of your priorities, your agent will tell you which cities to look at. If downtown living is your thing, your agent can help you find a good deal in a vibrant, Denver neighborhood.
When you have an expert agent on your side throughout the whole home buying experience, youâll never have to stress about missing out on important information or getting the bad end of a deal. There are a lot of pieces to the puzzle when it comes to real estate, but agents are there to make each step along the way easy on you. Thatâs why the sooner you bring an agent in to help, the better.
Check Out the Options
Now itâs time to start looking at homes. For many people, this is the fun part of buying a home. Your agent will help you find homes in the areas youâre interested in. It can be a lot of fun to visit potential neighborhoods and imagine yourself as a resident. If a home really catches your eye, donât be afraid to visit more than once. You want to be sure that itâs the right one for you.
Be sure to be thorough when checking out your options. You donât need to settle for something youâre not happy with. If youâre not looking for the extra work that comes with a fixer-upper, donât skip the home inspection. Some homes have issues that you wouldnât have noticed without an inspection. You want to find a home thatâs in great condition.
When youâve found the perfect home, your agent will help you determine if itâs listed at a fair price. A home could check every box on your wishlist, but if the price isnât right, it may not be the right one for you. One of your agentâs main jobs is to help you negotiate to get a price that works for you. On the other hand, if the price is where youâd like it, your agent will help jump on that home faster than any of the other potential buyers.
Streamline the Process With Homie
Whether youâre a home-buying veteran or this is your first rodeo, Homie will make your experience the best it can be. Searching for your dream home is a breeze when you have our easy-to-use app.
When you work with Homie, you donât only get access to the app, though. Youâll also have your very own, top-ranked licensed agent who will help you every step of the way. Our buyersâ agents are dedicated only to their buyers, so youâll get the best quality service throughout the process.
To get access to amazing homebuying tools and some of the best agents in the state, you might think youâd have to pay top double, but not with Homie. We want to make homeownership accessible to everyone, which is why working with Homie is more affordable than working with any traditional realtor. We offer buyers a refund of up to $2,500 at closing. With those savings and those benefits, buying with Homie is a no-brainer. Click here to start the process.
*Subject to terms and conditions.
Get more tips on buying your Denver home!
5 Tips to Help You Afford Your First Home
Common Home Buying Fears and How To Overcome Them
Can You Buy and Sell a Home at the Same Time?
The post How to Buy a Home in Denver, Colorado appeared first on Homie Blog.
It amazes us how quickly our girls are growing up. Next month when school starts up again, weâll have a fourth-grader and a kindergartener.
Even though we have some time before they are ready to move out of the house, we want to spend time now prepare them for the big transition. As a parent, you probably feel the same way too.Â
One crucial piece of a financial foundation kids and in particular, teens, need to master is learning to budget (and sticking with it),
While theyâre home now, you have a fantastic opportunity to get them comfortable with handling their money.
If youâre not sure where to start, here are some tips from fellow parents and experts in the personal finance space to make teaching this life skill a bit easier less stressful for you and your teen!
Teach Your Teen to Budget for Real Life
Teens or not, whenever most people hear the word budget, they also hear the word ânoâ. To them, budgets feel like a strict diet. Just as fad diets fail, an unrealistic or extreme budget will more than likely discourage your teen and they will quit.
The first step before you even talk about the numbers is to discuss exactly what a successful and sustainable budget should be. When done right, a budget is something that helps you move your money towards your goals. Explain to them that at its root, budget is simply a plan about what theyâd like to do.
You want a budget that can cover:
  Essential bills
  Future goals
  Discretionary expenses
When your teenâs budget covers those goals, theyâre not only putting their finances in a good spot, but theyâre moving closer to their specific long term dreams.
Creating a Doable Budget (Theyâll Actually Enjoy!)
Once your teen(s) understands how a budget works, itâs important for them to create a budget that they can use in the real world. You can honestly budget however you want, but an easy budget to get your teen started is the 50/20/30.
Quite simplify, the 50/20/30 budget puts money into those three main buckets:
  50% goes towards essentials
  20% towards savings (or investing)
  30% for fun and discretionary expenses
I appreciate how easy and flexible this budget can be. You can adjust the percentages for your teenâs needs, but it gives them some ballpark idea of how to portion their finances when they are out on their own.
How do you start them out on this budget?
With teens, you may have expenses like clothing or their cellphone bill count as essentials, or you may want to give your child the experience of being responsible for a small, shared family bill while they are still at home.
For older teens, you could even charge them a nominal ârentâ to offset their portion of the bills. In some cases, parents give that money back to their child as a gift to help with moving expenses (like for their security deposit) or use as additional savings.Â
However you decide, talk it over so your teen understands why youâre doing it this way.
Share Your Family Budget
Creating a budget isnât complicated, but it can difficult if your teen has no idea what to expect. Knowledge can be empowering.
While we may take it for granted since have to deal with the numbers, but your teen may not be aware of how much it takes to keep the lights on and roof over their heads. If you havenât already shared your own budget already, now is the time.
Not knowing also puts them at a disadvantage when they start searching for a place or are comparing prices on expenses. Being armed with the numbers makes your teenager a more informed consumer.
When Your Teen Breaks Their Budget
Will there be times where your teenager will mess up with their budget? Probably so. However, thatâs not necessarily a bad thing. As parents, we tend to want to protect our kids, but we also have to prepare them for the real world. As Ron Lieber, author of The Opposite of Spoiled, pointed out we should let our kids make financial mistakes.Â
Wouldnât it be better for your child to break the clothing budget while theyâre still at home allowing you to help guide them through rather than having break their monthly budget while they are on their own and have bills to pay?
Mistakes will happen, theyâre a part of life so giving your teen time to work those them and adjust their budget is a blessing for their future selves.
Essential Accounts for Your Teen to Have
Since weâre talking about budgets, we should also mention some essential accounts youâd want your kid to have so they can practice managing their money.
Opening up student checking and savings accounts (usually free low on fees as well as not having minimum balance requirements) are good foundational accounts for your teen. They can deal with real-world situations pending charges, automatic transfers, and direct deposits.
As Family Balance Sheet founder Kristia Ludwick pointed out, teens should have the skill of balancing a checkbook even if they decide to go all-digital with their banking.
If they work, talk it over together and see if they can open up an IRA and start contributing. It doesnât have to be much. The idea is to get them familiar and comfortable with the basics of investing.
Even if they put in $25 a paycheck, having them practice setting aside money in their budget for both long and short term goals is an invaluable lesson. You can also encourage them to contribute by offering a match for what they put in.
How Teens Can Easily Stay on Top of Their Money
With several accounts to keep tabs on, your teen is going to need an easy system to track their budget and goals.
With Mint, they can link up their accounts in one secure spot. They can also add their budget along with any savings goals they want to hit and make sure they stick with them.
Hopefully, these ideas and tips will make it easier to help your teen transition into a self-sufficient adult.
The post How to Teach Your Teen to Budget Like a Pro appeared first on MintLife Blog.
Do you want to learn how to make money on TikTok? Here’s how Tori grew from 0 to 350,000 TikTok followers and made $60,000 in just 6 weeks.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you have probably heard something about TikTok. TikTok is one of the most popular social media networks currently, and it is growing like crazy.
There are already over 500 million active monthly users on TikTok around the world.
So, you may be wondering if you can learn how to make money on TikTok, and any TikTok tips so that you can see success too.
That completely makes sense!
Today, I want to introduce you to Tori Dunlap.
Tori Dunlap is a nationally-recognized millennial money and career expert. After saving $100,000 at age 25, Tori quit her corporate job in marketing and founded Her First $100K. She has helped over 200,000 women negotiate salary, pay off debt, build savings, and invest.
I met her a couple of years ago in person, and she has built an amazingly successful business. I’m in awe of what she has done, and I enjoy her creative ways of helping people improve their money situation.
I asked Tori to take part in an interview on Making Sense of Cents about her explosive TikTok growth. She went from 0 to over 350,000 TikTok followers, and made $60,000 in just 6 weeks on TikTok.
In this interview, you’ll learn:
About Tori’s background and why she decided to start on TikTok
How she grew her TikTok to over 350,000 followers in 6 weeks
How she has made $60,000 just from TikTok in 6 weeks and how to earn money from TikTok
The tools needed to create TikTok videos
The length of time it takes to make each TikTok video
Whether there is room for new TikTok accounts
Her top TikTok tips for a newbie
And more! This interview is packed full of valuable information on how to earn money on TikTok.
I know so many people have questions about TikTok, such as how to grow on TikTok, how to make money from TikTok (including, how much money do TikTokers make?), and more, so hopefully you will find this interview both interesting and informative!
You can find Tori on TikTok here.
Related content that you may be interested in:
How Sailing SV Delos Makes Money on Youtube
How This 34 Year Old Owns 7 Rental Homes
How Amanda Paid Off $133,763 In Debt in 43 Months
How One Blogger Grew His Blog to Over 2 Million Visitors In A Year
Here’s how to make money on TikTok.
1. Tell me your story. Who are you and what do you do?
I’m nationally-recognized millennial money and career expert. After saving $100,000 at age 25, I quit my corporate job in marketing and founded Her First $100K to fight financial inequality by giving women actionable resources to better their money.
I’ve helped over 350,000 women negotiate salary, pay off debt, build savings, and invest — and I firmly believe that a financial education is a woman’s best form of protest.
A Plutus award winner, my work has been featured on Good Morning America, the Today Show, the New York Times, PEOPLE, TIME, New York Magazine, Forbes, CNBC, and more.
Before becoming a full-time entrepreneur, I led organic marketing strategy for Fortune 500 companies—with clients like Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Nike, the NFL, and the Academy Awards—and global financial technology start-ups. For almost five years, I specialized in social media, SEO, content, and influencer marketing to grow community and increase awareness.
I now travel the world writing, speaking, and coaching about personal finance, online businesses, side hustles, and confidence for millennial women.
2. How long have you been on TikTok? Why did you decide to start a TikTok account?
I only really started doing TikTok for my business in the last 6 weeks (and gained almost 350,000 followers in the process, which is wild.)
I knew that you could see accelerated growth on the platform — it’s the only main social platform that currently has more people consuming content than creating it — and it fit well with my brand.
I’m passionate about financial education as a form of protest, and making money conversations inclusive — meeting people where they are on TikTok seemed like a perfect way to do that.
To me, going viral and gaining 350,000 followers in such a short amount of time is proof that Gen Z is craving personal finance advice.
3. How did you get your TikTok account to explode?
I was shocked by the growth, and I’ve never seen a platform that is so creator-friendly (Facebook, for example, has become more and more business-focused.)
In terms of followers, it took me 3 days to do on TikTok what it took me 3 years to do on Instagram. But I was ready for it — I have an established, global business, credibility, and products to sell. As a former social media manager, it’s a reminder that consistency, credibility, and serving before selling are what grows your account — not paid ads or manufactured authenticity.
The big shift was a video that went viral (as of this writing, it has 3.5 million views and over 730K likes.) Having gone viral multiple times before, this was next level — I was getting 100 followers every 5 minutes.
It’s more than doubled my website traffic, increased my sales, and grown my credibility.
Tori’s TikTok
4. How do you make money on TikTok?
I make money through promoting my own products (like my resume template and side hustle courses) and my affiliate partners.
For example, I might talk about high yield savings accounts and send folks to the link to my affiliate bank partner.
In the last 6 weeks, I’ve made over $60,000 just from TikTok.
Now that I have a substantial following, I’m also monetizing my platform with brand partnerships, and showcasing products I believe in.
Related: 10 Easy Tips To Increase Your Affiliate Income Free Guide
5. How do you decide on your TikTok video ideas?
Just like the rest of my content, I focus on creating actionable resources for my followers.
Most of the questions I answer in my videos or advice I give comes from someone asking me about it, which guarantees I’ll have consumers of that content because I know it’s valuable for them.
Your audience will tell you what they want to see!
One of the smart things I did was waiting to become a creator. I was a consumer on TikTok first, sharing and enjoying videos before I started creating my own. Doing so helped me understand trends, what content well, the way the videos were shot. I got to know the landscape and followed creators doing good work.
So much of TikTok is collaborative creation, so I’ll often duet with another creator and offer my two-sense, or will be inspired by a trend or sound I see elsewhere.
6. What tools do you need for your videos? Is it simply your phone?
Your phone is the biggest thing you need. I also invested in a ring light/tripod to make it easier to shoot content, and to make sure the lightning was decent.
If you want to do more advanced videos, you might need editing software, a more professional camera, or props.
There is a learning curve with understanding how to shoot videos, and I was too intimidated to start for a while.
Don’t let that scare you: just like anything, it’s easy once you get the hang of it.
Some of Tori’s TikTok videos.
7. How long does it take you to make each TikTok video?
Batching content has helped me save time, so I make about 5-7 videos in one session.
Because we’re still in quarantine, I often shoot without camera-ready makeup, which I think adds to the spontaneity and authenticity of the video.
I’ve also made the decision to not change clothes for every single video, it just seems like overkill.
My 15-second, talk-to-camera videos take about 10 minutes — 3 to shoot, 7 to add text and a caption.
More in-depth videos — with green screen effects or lots of text that moves — can take about a half hour.
I try to intersperse content — not only for variety’s sake, but also to keep myself sane.
8. What do you like about making TikTok videos? What do you not like?
Instagram has started to feel more and more like work, while TikTok allows me to be more creative.
As a theatre major, it’s a perfect platform for me to make weird faces, perform, and showcase my personality in addition to my advice.
I’ve also found TikTok a more welcoming environment. You’ll always have trolls and hateful comments, but I’ve found there’s more support and encouragement from people who aren’t following you on TikTok than on other platforms.
I really love and engage with Instagram Stories, and TikTok doesn’t have a feature like that (yet.) Stories are a good way for your audience to learn more about you and your business in a less polished way, so I think it’s harder for someone to get to know you on TikTok.
Captions are also WAY shorter, and you cannot post your hashtags in the first comment, so any explaining you need to do through text needs to be in the actual video.
9. Do you think there is room for new TikTokers?
YES!
More than any other social platform.
Instagram, for example, is very saturated. It’s almost impossible to discover a new account within the platform, unless a friend directly shares it with you. You’re really only seeing posts from people you already follow.
TikTok has a following tab, and also a “For You Page” tab, where they show videos they think you’ll like.
I’ve never seen an algorithm as responsive as TikTok’s, so you’ll find content that actually connects with you and your interests.
10. What tips do you have for someone wanting to start on TikTok?
Content that does well is at least one of the following: aspirational, educational, or entertaining.
You have travel vloggers showcasing their Airbnbs in Paris (aspirational), vegan chefs walking you through a recipe (educational), or a thrill-seeker trying a new stunt (entertaining.)
I found my niche between aspirational (talking about how I left my 9-5 job and built my business) and educational (how to pay off debt, invest, etc.)
Like any social platform, consistency is key. TikTok is like Twitter — you have the option of posting 7-10 times per day (and not being punished by the algorithm.) I usually try to put out 2-3 videos per day, some more complicated than others.
11. Are there any other TikTok tips you would like to share?
Don’t invest in TikTok unless you know your audience is there.
For example, if your potential customers are men in their 50s, they’re probably not on TikTok.
When I worked in marketing, it was easy to chase platforms or trends. It’s easy to feel like you need to be everywhere in order to make sure you’re relevant.
But if the audience you’re looking to target is largely not on a platform, don’t invest time and money in it.
Do you want to learn how to make money on TikTok and how to grow on TikTok?
The post How I Make Money On TikTok – How I Grew To 350,000 Followers and Made $60,000 In 6 Weeks appeared first on Making Sense Of Cents.
If you have bad credit and need a car loan, there are some challenges when compared to obtaining a standard car loan. However, pick your head up because there are a handful of great lenders that specifically tailor their programs to people with bad credit. We researched the landscape of lenders that can help you get a car loan even if you have a below-average credit score.
Based on our study, OneMain Financial and LightStream are two of the top lenders offering bad credit card loans. This is due to factors including loan options, requirements to qualify, and interest rates offered. Of course, we offer in-depth reviews of all the top lenders who offer bad credit car loans further down in this piece.
Apply now with our top pick: OneMain Financial
In this guide we also help you understand the factors that go into selecting the right auto lender, and how to get the best rate you can.
Most Important Factors for Bad Credit Car Loans
If youâre in the market for a bad credit car loan, there are a plethora of factors to consider and compare. Here are the main loan details we looked at in our study, and the ones you should prioritize as you select the best car loan for your needs.
Check your credit score. And understand what is in your credit report.
FICO scores under 579 is considered ‘poor’. But you may need a bad credit loan with a score as high as 669.
Interest rates and fees matter. These can make a huge difference in how much you pay for an auto loan each month.
Compare loan terms. Consider your repayment timeline and compare lenders with this in mind.
Getting prequalified online can help. Some lenders, including ones that made our ranking, let you get prequalified for a loan online without a hard inquiry on your credit report.
Watch out for loan restrictions. Some lenders impose restrictions on what car you can purchase. Keep this in mind to avoid unpleasant surprises later.
The Best Bad Credit Car Loans of 2021
The best bad credit car loans make it easy for consumers to qualify for the financing they need. The following lenders made our list due to their superior loan offerings, excellent customer service, and reputation in this industry.
Car Loan Company
Best For…
Get Started
Best for Flexibility
Apply Now
Best Personal Loan Option
Apply Now
Best Loan for Bad Credit and No Credit
Apply Now
Best Loan Comparison Site
Apply Now
Best Big Bank Loan for Bad Credit
Apply Now
Best for Fast Funding
Apply Now
Why Some Lenders Didn’t Make the Cut
While the lenders we are profiling are the best of the best, there are plenty of bad credit car loans that didnât quite make the cut. We didnât include any lenders that only offer auto loan refinancing, for example, since we know many people need a car loan in order to purchase a new or used car or truck. We also stayed away from bad credit car loans that charge outrageous fees for consumers with the lowest credit scores.
Bad Credit Auto Loan Reviews
We listed the top companies we selected in our study above, but we also aim to provide readers with more insights and details on each. The reviews below highlight the highlights of each lender that made our list, plus our take on who they might be best for.
OneMain Financial: Best for Flexibility
OneMain Financial offers personal loans and auto loans with interest rates that range from 18.00% to 35.99%. You can repay your auto loan in 24, 36, 48, or 60 months, and you can use this lender to borrow up to $20,000 for a new or used car. You can apply for your auto loan online and from the comfort of your own home, and itâs possible to get approved within a matter of minutes.
While OneMain Financial doesnât list a minimum credit score requirement, itâs believed they will approve consumers with scores as low as 600. You should also note that auto loans from OneMain Financial come with an origination fee of up to 5% of your loan amount.
Sign Up With OneMain Financial Today
Why This Lender Made Our List: OneMain Financial offers a lot of flexibility in terms of your loan terms, including the option to repay your auto loan over five years. OneMain Financial also has pretty decent reviews from users for a bad credit lender, and they have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Potential Downsides to Be Aware Of: OneMain Financial charges some pretty high rates for its bad credit loans, and donât forget that you may need to pay an origination fee that is up to 5% of your loan amount. Their loans are also capped at $20,000, which means this lender wonât work for everyone.
Who Itâs Best For: This lender is best for consumers with really poor credit who need auto financing but canât get approved for a better loan.
Upgrade: Best Personal Loan Option
Upgrade is an online lender that offers personal loans with fixed interest rates, fixed monthly payments, and a fixed repayment timeline. You can borrow up to $50,000 in an unsecured loan, which means you wonât actually use the car you purchase as collateral for the loan.
You can repay the money you borrow over 36 to 60 months, which makes it possible for you to tweak your loan offer to secure a monthly payment you can afford. Upgrade has a minimum credit score requirement of 620 to qualify, although theyâll consider additional factors such as your income and employment history.
Sign Up With Upgrade Today
Why This Lender Made Our List: Upgrade lets you âcheck your rateâ online without a hard inquiry on your credit report. This makes it easy to shop around and compare this loan offer to others without having to fill out a full loan application. Also note that Upgrade has an A+ rating with the BBB.
Potential Downsides to Be Aware Of: Upgrade charges APRs as high as 35.89% for consumers with the worst credit, and an origination fee of up to 6% of your loan amount might also apply.
Who Itâs Best For: Upgrade is best for consumers with decent credit who need to borrow a larger loan amount. This loan is also best for anyone who wants an auto loan that isnât secured by their vehicle.
AutoCreditExpress.com: Best Loan for Bad Credit and No Credit
AutoCreditExpress.com is an online platform that lets consumers with bad credit and even no credit get the financing they need. Once you fill out some basic loan information, youâll be connected with a lender who can offer you financing as well as a dealership in your area. From there, youâll head to the local dealership and pull the pieces of your auto loan together, including the purchase price of the car you want.
Sign Up With Autocreditexpress.com Today
Why This Lender Made Our List: AutoCreditExpress.com has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. This platform also makes it possible for consumers with no credit at all to finance a car, which is a welcome relief for people who are building credit for the first time.
Potential Downsides to Be Aware Of: This website is a loan platform but they donât offer loans directly to consumers. This means you wonât have any idea on rates and terms until you fill out an application and get connected with a lender.
Who Itâs Best For: This loan is best for consumers with no credit or minimal credit history who cannot get approved for a loan elsewhere.
MyAutoLoan.com: Best Loan Comparison Site
MyAutoLoan.com is a loan comparison site that makes it easy to compare up to four auto loan offers in a matter of minutes. You can use this website to apply for a new auto loan, but you can also utilize it to consider refinancing offers for an auto loan you already have. You can also use funds from this platform to purchase a car from a dealer or from a private seller.
Sign Up With MyAutoLoan.com Today
Why This Lender Made Our List: Comparing auto loans in terms of their terms, rates, and fees is the best way to save money and wind up with the best deal. Since MyAutoLoan.com is a loan comparison site, they make it easy to shop around and compare competing offers.
Potential Downsides to Be Aware Of: Loan comparison sites connect you with other lenders who have their own loan terms and minimum requirements for approval. Make sure you know and understand all the details of loans youâre considering before you sign on the dotted line.
Who Itâs Best For: MyAutoLoan.com is best for consumers who want to do all their auto loan shopping with a single website.
Capital One: Best Big Bank Loan for Bad Credit
Capital One offers online auto loan financing in conjunction with a program called Auto Navigator®. This program lets you get prequalified for an auto loan online, then work with a participating dealer to coordinate a loan for the car you want. Capital One also lets you search available vehicles at participating dealerships before you apply for financing, making it easy to figure out how much you might need to borrow ahead of time.
Sign Up With Capital One Today
Why This Lender Made Our List: Capital One offers the huge benefit of letting you get prequalified online without a hard inquiry to your credit report. Capital One is also a reputable bank with a long history, which should give borrowers some comfort. They have an A+ rating with the BBB and plenty of decent reviews from consumers.
Potential Downsides to Be Aware Of: You should be aware that Capital One auto loans only work at participating dealers, so you may be limited in terms of available cars to choose from.
Who Itâs Best For: Capital One auto loans are best for consumers who find a car they want to buy at one of the participating lenders that works with this program.
LightStream: Best for Fast Funding
LightStream offers online loans for a variety of purposes, including auto financing. Their auto loans for consumers with excellent credit start at just 3.99% with autopay, and even their loans for consumers with lower credit scores only run as high as 16.79% with autopay.
You can apply for your LightStream loan online and get approved in a matter of minutes. This lender can also send your funds as soon as the same business day you apply.
A minimum credit score of 660 is required for loan approval, although other factors like your work history and income are considered.
Sign Up With LightStream Today
Why This Lender Made Our List: LightStream offers auto loans with exceptional terms, and thatâs even true for consumers with less than perfect credit. You can also get your loan funded as soon as the same business day you apply, which is crucial if you need auto financing so you can get back on the road.
Potential Downsides to Be Aware Of: With a minimum credit score requirement of 660, these loans wonât work for consumers with the lowest credit scores.
Who Itâs Best For: LightStream is best for people with decent credit who need to get auto loan financing as quickly as possible.
What You Need To Know When Applying For A Car Loan With Bad Credit
Interest rates and fees matter.
If you think your interest rate and loan fees wonât make a big difference in your monthly payment, think again. The reality is that rates and fees can make a huge difference in how much you pay for an auto loan each month. Consider this: A $10,000 loan with an APR of 35.89% will require you to pay $361 per month for five years. The same loan amount at 21.99% APR will only set you back $276 per month. At 9.99%, you would pay only $212 per month for five years. The bottom line: Make sure to compare auto loans for bad credit so you wind up with the lowest possible APR you can qualify for.
Take steps to improve your credit score before you apply.
Itâs not always possible to wait to apply for a car loan, but you may be able to secure a lower interest rate and better loan terms if you can improve your credit score before you borrow money. The most important steps you can take to improve your score include paying all your bills early or on time, as well as paying down debt in order to decrease your credit utilization. You should also refrain from opening or closing too many credit card accounts in order to avoid new inquiries on your credit report and maintain the longest average length of your credit history possible.
Compare loan terms.
Some lenders let you borrow money for up to 84 months, while others let you repay your loan over 36 or 60 months at most. If you need to repay your loan over a longer timeline in order to secure an affordable monthly payment, make sure to compare lenders based on this factor. If youâre having trouble figuring out how much can you can afford, gauging affordability based on the monthly payments you can handle can also help in that effort.
Getting prequalified online can help.
Some lenders, including ones that made our ranking, let you get prequalified for a loan online without a hard inquiry on your credit report. This makes it considerably easier to compare rates and shop around without formally applying for an auto loan. Getting prequalified with more than one lender can also help you determine which one might offer the lowest rate without having to fill out a full loan application.
Watch out for loan restrictions.
As you compare the lenders on this list, keep in mind that not all lenders extend loans for any car you want. Some only let you finance cars with participating lenders in their network, which can drastically limit your options and make it impossible to purchase a car from a private seller. If you hope to purchase a car from someone you know or a website like craigslist.org, you may want to consider reaching out to your personal bank or a credit union you have a relationship with.
Bad credit car loans donât have to be forever.
Finally, you should know that a car loan for bad credit doesnât have to last forever. You may need to borrow money for a car right now regardless of the interest rate and terms you can qualify for, but it may be possible to refinance your loan into a better loan product later on. This is especially true if you focus on improving your credit score right away, and if you use your auto loan as an opportunity to prove your creditworthiness.
How to Get the Best Rate
1. Check your credit score.
Your credit score is one of the most important defining factors that dictate loan costs. Before you apply for an auto loan, it can help you check your credit score to see where you stand. Your score may not be as bad as you realize, but it could also be worse than you ever imagined. Either way, it helps to know this important information before you start shopping for an auto loan.
2. Improve your credit over time.
If your credit score needs work, youâll want to take steps to start improving it right away. The most important steps you can take to boost your credit score include paying all your bills early or on time and paying down debt to decrease your credit utilization. Also, make sure youâre not opening or closing too many credit accounts within a short amount of time.
3. Check your credit reports.
Use the website AnnualCreditReport.com to get a free copy of your credit reports from all three credit bureaus. Once you have this information, check over your credit reports for errors. If you find false information that might be hurting your score, take the steps to have the incorrect information removed.
4. Compare loan offers from at least three lenders.
A crucial step to get the best rate involves shopping around and comparing loan offers from at least three different lenders. This is important since lenders with different criteria might offer a lower APR or better terms than others.
5. Be flexible with repayment terms.
Also consider a few different loan terms provided you can afford the monthly payment with each. Some auto lenders offer better rates for shorter terms, which can help you save money if you can afford to repay your loan over 24 or 36 months instead of 60+.
How We Chose the Best Auto Loans
The lenders on our list werenât plucked out of thin air. In fact, the team behind this guide spent hours comparing auto lenders based on a wide range of criteria. Hereâs everything we considered when comparing the best bad credit car loans of 2021:
Interest Rates and Loan Terms: Our team looked for loans that offer reasonable rates and terms for consumers with poor credit. While higher APRs are typically charged to consumers with a low credit score, we only considered lenders that offer sensible rates that donât seem out of line for the auto loan market.
Ratings and Reviews: We gave preference to lenders who have decent reviews online, either through Consumer Affairs, Trustpilot, or another third party website. We also gave higher marks to lenders who have a positive rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Online Availability: Lenders who offer full loan details online were definitely given top priority in our ranking, and lenders who let you get prequalified online without a hard inquiry on your credit report were given the most points in this category. But since not everyone wants to apply for a loan online, we also included some lenders that let you apply over the phone.
Approval Requirements: Finally, we looked for lenders that extend credit to consumers with low credit scores in the first place. Not all lenders offer specific information on approval requirements, but we did our best to sort out lenders that only accept borrowers with good or excellent credit.
Summary: Best Bad Credit Card Loans of 2021
Best for Flexibility: OneMain Financial
Best Personal Loan Option: Upgrade
Best Loan for Bad Credit and No credit: AutoCreditExpress.com
Best Loan Comparison Site: MyAutoLoan.com
Best Big Bank Loan for Bad Credit: CapitalOne
Best for Fast Funding: LightStream
The post What Are the Best Car Loans When You Have Bad Credit? appeared first on Good Financial Cents®.
The post The Chilling Truth About Debt Settlement Programs appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.
Debt is a very touchy subject for most people. Feeling the stress of overwhelming monthly payments, many people just look for what seems to be the easiest way out. This is when the salesmen tend to strike. Â The reason is a good deal of your financial information can be considered public knowledge.
Every day, many in debt get phone calls from high energy salesmen talking about the miraculous debt settlement concept. So, I’m going to start by saying, one great lesson we all learn young in life is, âIf it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!â
I made this mistake myself. Â I was so far in debt that I was drowning. In an act of desperation, I used a debt settlement company. Â Turns out, they did nothing to help me. It only made the situation much worse.
Here are a few chilling facts that you should know about debt settlement programs. Â These may just prove that the concept is too good to be true!
Fact #1: You May Be Sued For Not Paying Debts Even As You Make Payments
Did you know the payments you make may not go to your lenders? Â Yep! Â When working with a debt settlement company, your payments are not sent in on a monthly basis. Â Instead, these companies hold the funds from your payments. In most cases, the money is held in special purpose savings accounts until it has reached enough to pay off a debt. Once one debt is paid off, the savings process is started for the next.
Therefore, the last lender or two may wait 3, 4 or even 5 years before they see the next payment. The truth is, if you look at it from their perspective, it’s cheaper to take you to court. They will get the money faster through a settlement because they can garnish your wages. Also, in many cases, you will have to pay the court costs as well!
Fact #2: Your Credit Will Be Destroyed
While talking to a debt settlement agent, you will find that their last interest is in your credit score. Also, if you bring up the topic, they may try to downplay the effects of debt settlement on consumer credit scores. With that said, I’m not going to downplay it at all for you! Here is the truth…Because lenders are not being paid for long periods of time, your debts will be charged off.
One collections agency will sell it to the next and each time, it will damage your credit score! This is why I generally advise against this option if the consumer has good or excellent credit scores. The effects of credit card debt settlement programs will not pass in 6 months either! They will last throughout the term of your settlement and at least a year and a half to 2 years afterwords.
Fact #3: Debt Settlement Costs Thousands Of Dollars In Most Cases
The truth is, if you are going to settle your debts, with a little bit of online research, you can do it on your own. However, when you higher a debt settlement company, chances are, you will pay a percentage of the total amount owed, somewhere around 15%. That means if you have the minimum amount of debt that most companies accept, $10,000.00, your fee will be $1,500.00 minimum in most cases.
This does not include the cost of a special purpose savings account which, usually runs about $25 per month. Add in the cost of paying an attorney when you get taken to curt and, you will now find yourself paying just as much as you did before you hired the debt settlement company in the first place!
Every Dark Cloud Has A Silver Lining
Although debt settlement may not be the option for most, always remember, there is an option for you. As a matter of fact, I recently wrote an article that included a few great options called DIY Alternatives To Debt Consolidation. Trust me, those alternatives only begin to touch the tip of the iceberg when it comes to great, legitimate ways to get out of debt!
This article was written by Joshua Rodriguez, proud owner and founder of CNA Finance and avid personal finance journalist. Join the discussion about this article on facebook and Google+!
The post The Chilling Truth About Debt Settlement Programs appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.
Chase Ultimate Rewards points are one of our favorite rewards program currencies, for a combination of reasons: Ultimate Rewards points are far more valuable than the average rewards point, you have many options for racking up bonus points â including several credit cards that offer generous sign-up bonuses and a diverse array of bonus categories â and your redemption options are extremely flexible.
In the rewards card world, they are known as a âflexible points currencyâ â meaning you can redeem points for a variety of options, including travel, merchandise, gift cards and cash back. You can also transfer them between Ultimate Rewards cards and to a large list of airline and hotel loyalty programs, giving you access to a huge network of airlines that can take you practically anywhere you want to travel.
Top Chase Ultimate Rewards cards
No annual fee
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Premium travel
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card*
Luxury travel
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
5X points on travel booked through Ultimate Rewards
3X points on dining and drugstore purchases
1.5X points on every other purchase
20,000 points if you spend $500 in first 3 months
2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide
1 point per $1 on all other purchases
60,000 bonus points if you spend $4,000 in first 3 months
3X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide (excluding purchases covered by $300 travel credit)
1 point per $1 on all other purchases
50,000 bonus points if you spend $4,000 in first 3 months
Ultimate Rewards points value
The value of Ultimate Rewards points varies greatly, depending on how you redeem your points. Most redemption options â including cash back and travel redemptions through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal â are worth 1 cent, but the value can exceed 2 cents per point if you take advantage of transfer options. A few options, including Amazon.com purchases, are worth less than 1 cent per point.
Redemption Option
Point Value
Sapphire Reserve travel redemption (50% bonus)
1.5 cents
Sapphire Preferred and Ink Business Preferred travel redemption (25% bonus)
1.25 cents
Regular travel redemption
1 cent
Statement credit
1 cent
Direct deposit
1 cent
Gift cards
1 cent
Ultimate Rewards portal travel
1 cent
Apple products
1 cent
Amazon.com purchases
0.8 cent
Chase Pay purchases
0.8 cent
Singapore Airlines transfer
2.17 cents
World of Hyatt transfer
2 cents
Iberia Plus transfer
1.7 cents
Southwest Airlines transfer
1.57 cents
United Airlines transfer
1.52 cents
British Airways transfer
1.4 cents
Korean Air transfer
1.4 cents
Emirates Skywards transfer
1.1 cents
Air France/KLM transfer
1 cent
Aer Lingus transfer
1 cent
Virgin Atlantic transfer
0.8 cent
Marriott Bonvoy transfer
0.8 cent
IHG Rewards Club transfer
0.65 cent
One key point to estimating the value of your Ultimate Rewards points: You get a 25% to 50% bonus on your Ultimate Rewards points if you own a premium card such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve and redeem your points for travel through the Ultimate Rewards portal. So, basically, your points are worth between 1.25 and 1.5 cents (depending on which card you own) if you plan to use them for travel rewards. We value Ultimate Rewards points at 1.26 cents per point on average.
As you can see from our chart below, Ultimate Rewards points far exceed the value of the average credit card rewards point, which hovers around 1 cent per point. Compared to other loyalty programs, Ultimate Rewards points fall in the middle-of-the-pack â they are outmatched by miles-based programs, such as AAdvantage and MileagePlus, but they beat the value of similar points-based programs, such as American Express Membership Rewards and Citi ThankYou:
Other advantages of Ultimate Rewards points:
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Ultimate Rewards points donât expire
Your Ultimate Rewards points are valid as long as your account is open. Also, if you own a premium Ultimate Rewards card, such as the Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve cards, you can transfer your points to one of those cards or to one of Chaseâs travel partners if you plan to close a card.
Thereâs no limit to how many Ultimate Rewards points you can earn
Though some Ultimate Rewards cards â such as the Chase Freedom card â may enforce a cap on the number of points you can earn on bonus categories, there are no overall limits to the number of Ultimate Rewards points that you can earn in a year or over the lifetime of your Ultimate Rewards membership. As long as you use your cards, you will accumulate Ultimate Rewards points.
You can redeem Ultimate Rewards points for a variety of rewards
Though travel rewards are your best bet, the Ultimate Rewards program gives you a diverse array of redemption options, including statement credits, bank deposits, gift cards and merchandise. Also, you have a lot of flexibility in how you redeem your points for travel. You can purchase travel from an outside site and redeem your points for statement credits or you can purchase travel through the Ultimate Rewards site.
 You can transfer Ultimate Rewards points to Chaseâs travel partners at a 1:1 rate
One of the main advantages of Chase Ultimate Rewards is that you can transfer them to an outside loyalty program if you own an Ultimate Rewards card with an annual fee. Chaseâs list of travel partners includes several major airlines and hotel chains â giving you access to a worldwide travel network. Your points transfer at a 1:1 rate, which means your points maintain their value once you transfer them.
You can redeem any number of Ultimate Rewards points at any time
You donât have to wait to accumulate a certain number of Ultimate Rewards points to start using them. You can redeem your points starting at 1 point per 1 cent of cash back.
You can combine points and cash to book travel rewards
You donât have to worry about collecting a large amount of points to book a travel reward. If you donât have enough points for a particular flight, you can use cash to cover the remainder of the fare (though a minimum number of points may be required for some flights).
You can transfer Ultimate Rewards points between cards
For rewards card jugglers, Ultimate Rewards offer the valuable opportunity to combine points earned across any Ultimate Rewards cards you have open. This is a great feature that makes combining cards particularly lucrative, as you can stockpile rewards earned on different bonus categories across cards. Plus, if you have a premium card like the Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve, you can transfer points to that card to unlock a higher point value when redeemed for travel through the Ultimate Rewards portal.
One small drawback: You canât buy Ultimate Rewards points
Unlike some rewards programs, Chase doesnât allow you to purchase points to make up for a lack of points. However, given the programâs flexibility, paying with points is mostly an unnecessary option. You can pay with cash to make up for missing points in most cases.
*All information about the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has been collected independently by CreditCards.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer. This offer is no longer available on our site.
Americans spend on average $4,464 in groceries every year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Shopping for groceries is one of the main weekly expenses in every American household.
That’s why the credit cards tying reward points to grocery shopping are getting more numerous and their offers are getting increasingly more competitive. In 2020 you have a whole new lineup of cards ready to reward you for the purchases you make at grocery stores.
Here are the best cards whether you like those premium rewards, are an everyday shopper, are building credit, you’d rather skip the prep and go straight to the meal or you like to buy groceries at superstores.
See related: Best cash back cards
American Express® Gold Card – Best for earning Membership Rewards points on groceries
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express – Best for earning cash back on groceries
Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card – Best for earning cash back on groceries with no annual fee
Chase Freedom Unlimited® – Best for earning cash back on groceries and everything else
Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card – Best for earning cash back on groceries and dining out
Target REDcard™ – Best for earning cash back on Target purchases
Capital One® Walmart Rewards® Mastercard® – Best for earning cash back on Walmart purchases
American Express® Gold Card: Best for earning Membership Rewards points on groceries
Amex Gold gives you an unprecedented rewards rate whether you’re dining in or out. If that weren’t enough, paying at certain eligible restaurants (see terms for qualifying merchants) after enrollment can get you up to $10 a month in statement credit. You also get up to $120 in Uber Cash every year ($10 per month) that can be applied to U.S. Uber Eats orders â a big plus for those who order their groceries through the platform (must add Gold Card to Uber app in order to receive the Uber Cash benefit).
The intro bonus of 60,000 points when you spend $4,000 in the first six months is excellent, and there are many redemption options, including gift cards, merchandise and travel with no blackout dates.
The card charges an annual fee of $250, but if you take advantage of both the Uber Cash and the dining credit, keeping the Amex Gold card will essentially cost you $10 every year.
If you are OK with only redeeming travel directly through Amextravel.com or Amex’s airline partners to maximize the value of the Membership Rewards points youâll earn, this is a great card for foodies and travelers.
Here’s a closer look at the features:
60,000 American Express Membership Rewards points when you spend $4,000 in the first six months
4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per year in purchases â 1 point thereafter
4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide (including Uber Eats orders)
3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly through airlines or on amextravel.com
Up to $120 annual dining credit (up to a $10 statement credit monthly) when you pay at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth’s Chris and participating Shake Shack locations (enrollment required)
Up to $120 in Uber Cash per year ($10 per month)
No foreign transaction fees
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best for earning cash back on groceries
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Even though it has fewer features than the Amex Gold, it gives you perhaps the highest cash back rate available on groceries, and it has a lower annual fee â $95. Plus, running errands like groceries is way easier when you get cash back on gas for the commute. Take a closer look:
$250 statement credit when you spend $1,000 in the first three months
6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1%
6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services, such as Netflix, Hulu or HBO Max
3% cash back at U.S. gas stations
3% on transit purchases
1% cash back on all other purchases
Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card: Best for earning cash back on groceries with no annual fee
The Bank of America Cash Rewards card offers grocery shoppers the opportunity to double down on cash back for food by selecting dining for its 3% category along with its outstanding 2% rate on grocery stores and wholesale clubs, with no annual fee.
If cardholders want something other than dining for the 3% rate, Cash Rewards offers the flexibility to let them choose their own category. However, the $2,500 quarterly spending cap on both categories is low.
Have a closer look:
$200 in online cash rewards when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days
3% cash back on a category of your choice (gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drugstores or home improvements and furnishings)
2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
$2,500 combined quarterly limit on 2% and 3% cash back categories
1% cash back on all other purchases
No annual fee
Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for earning cash back on groceries and everything else
For those who don’t want to have to choose a spending category but still want no annual fee, Chase Freedom Unlimited offers a consistent rate of at least 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
5% cash back on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards
3% cash back on dining and drugstore purchases
1.5% cash back on all other purchases
$200 bonus if you spend $500 in the first 3 months
Cash back rewards do not expire
No annual fee
Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card*: Best for earning cash back on groceries and dining out
This card is for those with way too packed a social life to buy groceries. Sure, you get 2% cash back at grocery stores for those times your social calendar eases up and you can actually get to the store, but otherwise, you get way more return on your cash back when you dine out or see a show.
Plus, if you love concerts, 8% cash back on tickets through Vivid Seats is absolutely unprecedented.
Check out the details:
$300 cash bonus if you spend $3,000 in the first three months
8% cash back on tickets through Vivid Seats (offer expires January 2022)
4% cash back on dining and entertainment.
2% cash back at grocery stores
1% cash back on all other purchases
$95 annual fee
Why go to a standard grocery store when superstores allow you to get the grocery shopping done all in one shot? For those who prefer one-stop shopping, there are some great credit card options for superstore shoppers that will give you monster returns you don’t often see with standard cash back cards as long as you use them in-store.
Target REDcard™: Best for earning cash back on Target purchases
The Target Redcard has no annual fee. This, combined with its standard offer of 5% off in-store purchases applied right at the checkout counter and 5% off at Target.com with free shipping, makes it a great card for frequent Target shoppers, especially since the 5% discount is applied in perpetuity. You can also stack your discount with others available through Target’s Cartwheel app and in-store.
Though most people don’t need 120 days to return an item, you get that with this card when its extra 30 days is combined with Target’s standard 90-day return policy. The extra time could allow a greater piece of mind on those large ticket items you buy.
However, if you’re known to carry a balance, this isn’t the right card for you. The high variable APR can far outweigh the 5% discount, so pay the card off after each billing cycle.
Here’s a snapshot of all the benefits of this card:Â
5% off eligible Target purchases in-store and online at Target.com (except pharmacy purchases)
Can be used together with Target Circle and other discounts
Free two-day shipping on orders from Target.com with no spending minimum
An extra 30 days to return items on top of the standard 90-day return policy
Early access to special events, products and promotions
No annual fee
Capital One® Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®: Best for earning cash back on Walmart purchases
This card is great because, unlike Target’s Redcard, it offers some cash back outside of Walmart purchases, including 2% cash back at restaurants and travel and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
However, while Target’s Redcard offers its in-store 5% discount with no limit, the Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard only offers the same discount in-store for the first 12 months and you have to use Walmart’s mobile wallet on your purchases to get it.
Where this card really shines is online, especially if you do a lot of grocery pickup or delivery orders from Walmart.com.
It’s very easy to apply for and, like the Redcard, it carries no annual fee, as well as some smaller benefits you’ll see below:
5% cash back on Walmart purchases online, including grocery and delivery orders
5% cash back on in-store purchases in the first year when you pay using the Walmart Pay digital wallet
2% cash back on restaurant and travel purchases
1% cash back on all other purchases
No annual fee or foreign transaction fee
Easily apply via text message
Card is automatically transferred to Walmart Pay digital wallet on approval
Fraud alerts and the ability to freeze your account
Comparing the best cards for grocery shopping
Card
Grocery bonus
Other rewards
Annual fee
American Express® Gold Card
4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per year in purchases â 1 point thereafter
Â
60,000 American Express Membership Rewards points when you spend $4,000 in the first six months
4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide (including Uber Eats orders)
3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly through airlines or on amextravel.com
Up to $120 annual dining credit (up to a $10 statement credit monthly) when you pay at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruthâs Chris and participating Shake Shack locations (enrollment required)
Up to $120 in Uber Cash per year ($10 per month)
$250
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1%
$250 statement credit when you spend $1,000 in the first three months
6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services, such as Netflix, Hulu or HBO Max
3% cash back at U.S. gas stations
3% on transit purchases
1% cash back on all other purchases
$95
Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card
2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
$200 in online cash rewards when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days
3% cash back on a category of your choice (gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drugstores or home improvements and furnishings)
$2,500 combined quarterly limit on 2% and 3% cash back categories
1% cash back on all other purchases
$0
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
n/a
5% cash back on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards
3% cash back on dining and drugstore purchases
1.5% cash back on all other purchases
$200 bonus if you spend $500 in the first 3 months
$0
Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card
2% cash back at grocery stores
8% cash back on tickets through Vivid Seats (offer ends January 2022)
4% cash back on dining and entertainment
1% cash back on other purchases
$300 bonus if you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months
$95
Target REDcard™
5% discount at Target and Target.com
n/a
$0
Capital One® Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®
5% cash back on in-store purchases for the first 12 months when using Walmart Pay
5% cash back on Walmart.com purchases, including grocery pickup and delivery orders
2% cash back on in-store Walmart purchases after the introductory period
2% cash back on restaurant and travel purchases
2% cash back on the purchase of gift cards at Walmart (online, app, Walmart Pay or in stores
1% cash back on all other purchases
$0
Honorable mentions
There is no shortage of credit card options that reward grocery spending, so in addition to our top picks above, consider these alternatives.
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card – A no-annual-fee alternative to the Capital One Savor Card, the SavorOne offers the same 2% cash back on grocery store purchases. While it offers a slightly lower rate on dining and entertainment than the Savor card, the SavorOne is a good alternative for those wary to pay an annual fee.
U.S. Bank Altitude Go Card – The newly launched U.S. Bank Altitude Go Card offers a competitive rewards rate on both dining and grocery purchases â 4 points per dollar on dining and food delivery and 2 points per dollar on groceries, to be exact. It also offers 2 points per dollar on gas and streaming service purchases and 1 point per dollar on everything else. Plus, it doesn’t charge an annual fee.
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature card – If you prefer to do your grocery shopping at Whole Foods, you can’t beat the rewards rate on the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature card. In addition to 5% cash back on Amazon.com purchases, the card offers the same 5% rate at Whole Foods locations. You’ll also earn 2% back on restaurant, gas station and drug store purchases and 1% on everything else. You have to be a Prime member to qualify for the card, but if you spend a significant amount on Amazon orders or at Whole Foods, your rewards can help offset the cost of membership.
Apple Card – The Apple Card is best known for its high rewards rate on Apple purchases, but it can also be a great choice for grocery shopping. When you make a purchase via Apple Pay, the card offers 2% back on all qualifying purchases. This is on par with some of the highest flat-rate credit card offers. Just make sure your preferred grocery story accepts the mobile wallet before you work this card into your rewards strategy.
How to pick the right card for grocery shopping
For most of us, using a credit card at a grocery store simply involves taking it out in the checkout line. But if you want to up your grocery shopping game and save some serious money, here are some tips and secret strategies from credit card experts and the most seasoned shoppers we could find.
When picking the credit card you’ll use at the grocery store most experts recommend either a card with a high cash back rate that can provide a percentage off every time you shop or a tiered rewards card that offers specific rewards every time you use it for groceries.
âWhen you use a cash back card, it’s like having a coupon to save a certain amount off your total purchase each and every time you buy groceries. This savings isn’t limited to grocery stores â a flat-rate rewards card will apply the same cash back or miles to all of your purchases,â says Ashley Dull of CardRates.com.
However, if you’re picking a tiered rewards card with a grocery store category, they often have a limit on how much you can earn annually.
For example, American Express limits the 6% cash back rate spent at U.S. supermarkets annually on its Blue Cash Preferred Card to $6,000 in purchases (after that, itâs 1%), so be mindful of those restrictions.
Apple Card gives you cash back every day.
You also want to pick a card where rewards don’t expire, there are multiple options for redemption and you can transfer rewards between accounts. Always keep track of the terms of your credit card and compare card features vigorously before making your final selection.
How to earn the most rewards while grocery shopping
If you really want to maximize your rewards at the grocery store, stack your savings with a cash back app such as Ibotta, Fetch Rewards or Checkout 51. Your grocery store’s loyalty app is also a great way to double-dip on savings.
âBy taking a few minutes to scan in your grocery receipts, a family of four can easily earn over $25 a month in rewards,â says Nermeen Ghneim of The Savvy Dollar personal finance blog.
Finally, if you’re choosing a store-branded credit card because you tend to shop at the same store all the time, make sure you pay off the balance before the billing cycle resets because store cards tend to have very high interest and fees.
âMany people know that making a habit of paying off high interest credit cards will actually have a slightly negative effect on their credit,â says Dan Gallagher, author, retired financial planner and personal finance expert at ScoreSense.com. âBut some grocery credit cards are in-house credit extensions, especially the ones that are valid in-store only. The in-store-only variety does not harm your score for avoiding interest and paying balances off early, so do not fear a grocery store credit card.â
*All information about the Capital One Savor card has been collected independently by CreditCards.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer.Â
The post 9 Ways to Recover from Overspending During the Holidays appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.
The packages have been opened. The kids are loving their new toys. You are enjoying your coffee one morning and reading your mail when you see themâ¦
THE BILLS! Yikes!
It seems you went a little over your budget. It was fun and the joy you brought to your kidsâ faces was worth it.
However, now you need to find a way to recover from overspending during the holidays. It is not fun, but is necessary. Here are nine steps you can take to recover from any spending mistakes you made during the holiday shopping season.
1. Put the credit cards on ice â literally
The first thing you need to do is stop spending. You need to put the credit cards away. Take them out of your wallet and put them in the safe.
Or, if you want to make sure you really do not use them â freeze them in a block of ice! That way, if you do feel the pull to shop, it will take time to thaw out and the urge to spend my pass by then.
2. Calculate the damage
You canât bury your head in the sand when it comes to seeing the damage done to your budget. Face it head-on.
Total every receipt and credit card statement to find how much was spent. While it may be painful to see the balance due, it is necessary.
When you see that figure in writing, it helps you know what you are facing and where you may need to cut back.
3. Review the budget
 Once you know the amount you need to pay off you also need to review (or create) your monthly budget.  That means including those new monthly payments to the credit card companies.
Make sure your budget is balanced, in that you are not spending more than you take in each month.
4. Create a repayment plan
Up next, you have to create an exit strategy â which will be to pay off those credit card bills. Grab the statements for each and then list them by including the balance and the interest rate.
You may be tempted to pay the highest balance first (which is what I recommend when it comess to getting out of debt). However, when it comes to this debt you just incurred, I recommend starting with the highest interest rate first.
By eliminating that bill quickly, you are reducing the amount of interest you will pay to the credit card company. There is no need to pay them any more than you need to!
Once the first card is paid in full, roll the monthly payment amount into the payment for the next card. Repeat until they are all paid in full.
Youâll not only pay them off quickly but also minimize the total interest paid as well!
5. Reduce your spending
When you have bills to pay it means you need look at the budget to find areas where you can cut back.
It may mean cutting cable or eliminating dining out. You may need to cancel the subscription to the gym or find frugal date night options.
Be willing to make short-term sacrifices for long-term gains as the sooner you can eliminate these bills, the better.
6. Use your bonuses
If you are fortunate enough to get a holiday bonus donât blow it on what you want. Use that to pay off your holiday bills.
If you donât get a bonus then use any of that Christmas cash you received for your bills! Look ahead to see if any other money will be coming your way such as birthday money or a tax refund. Earmark that to pay off your holiday spending.
7. Get a side-hustle
If you need to tackle your balances then a side-hustle may be the solution â even if temporary. Look around the house for items to sell. If you are a teacher, consider tutoring students.
Every penny earned can be money used to put towards that holiday spending.
8. Build your savings
You donât want to find yourself in this same situation again next year. It is not a fun cycle of rinse and repeat.
The holidays come at the same time each year. It is not a surprise or an unplanned expense. You need to plan for it.
Review the total spent this year and divide that by 12. Focus on saving that amount each month, all year long, and youâll be able to pay CASH next year and not even use the credit cards.
9. Save using the coin challenge
One simple way to save money for holiday shopping is to switch to a cash budget. Then, save the change and any âleftoverâ money each pay period.
For example, if you budget $300 for groceries and spend only $270, donât blow that left-over $30â¦put it back for the holidays!
The same premise works with change. If the total is $7.49, hand over $8 and put $0.51 into your savings jar.
Saving doesnât have to be hard
Simple tricks can help you quickly build your savings!
It is easy to spend too much during the holidays but with some smart strategies, you can get your budget back on track.
The post 9 Ways to Recover from Overspending During the Holidays appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.
When you think about living in a loft, you may picture an apartment with a large, open floor plan located in the heart of a bustling city like New York. The loft apartment is airy with tall ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows and exposed hardware.
It sounds urban and cool, but are loft apartments only something seen in movies? Not so! Loft apartments are increasingly more popular and available to the renter interested in living in a loft.
What is a loft apartment?
So, what exactly is a loft apartment?
A loft apartment, like a studio apartment, is an open-concept living area with no interior walls, except for a private bathroom. Lofts are very large (think 1,000+ square feet) and have typically been converted from an industrial or commercial warehouse to a living space.
Converted from old warehouse spaces, loft rooms often feature exposed piping and brick and large windows.
How is a loft apartment different from a regular apartment?
Loft rooms differ from traditional one or two-bedroom apartments because no interior walls divide up space. Lofts are open-areas with no defined bedroom, living room and kitchen. A regular apartment will have a clearly-defined bedroom, closet, kitchen and living room. Both have a private bathroom, though.
When looking at the floor plan for a regular apartment, you’ll see the walls that clearly define each room.
Source: Apartment Guide
Compare the previous floor plan to this loft apartment and you’ll clearly see the main difference (i.e. no walls!)
Source: Apartment Guide
Pros of living in a loft apartment
Now that we’ve covered what a loft apartment is, let’s go over some of the pros and cons of living in a loft so you can decide if renting a loft room is right for you.
Pro #1: Trendy, urban vibes
Lofts are inherently cool.
First, the buildings usually have an interesting history tied to whether it previously was a factory, warehouse or commercial building. Second, the exposed interior â piping, brick or windows â adds charm and detail that traditional apartments often lack. Third, the layout of the open-living concept feels spacious, airy and light. You’ll walk into a loft apartment and have ample room to settle in.
Plus, lofts are usually found in larger, metro cities so you’ll have a fun time living in an urban area, too.
Pro #2: Design flexibility
Because loft rooms are so open and big, look at your loft apartment like a blank canvas.
Are you into a modern style? Get a large piece of modern art and hang it on the wall. Do you like a minimalist feel? Then you can add the essential pieces of furniture to the space and let the rest of the room speak for itself. Do you want a cozy loft? Add lots of furniture, pillows, blankets and art to make the place a comfortable loft to snuggle up in.
Lofts give renters plenty of freedom to design the place how they like.
Pro #3: Lots of space
One of the main reasons people rent loft apartments is for the space. You’ll usually get 1,000+ square feet out of a loft so you won’t feel cramped.
Lofts have lots of light so you’ll always have natural sunlight pouring in and can roam freely without feeling too confined.
Cons of living in a loft apartment
As with everything in life, there is also a downside to loft apartments. For all the cool perks and features, lofts can also have some features that aren’t so hot. Here are some of the main cons to loft rooms.
Con #1: Costly utilities
While a pro of living in a loft is the space, it can also mean pricier utilities. There is simply more space to heat or cool down.
Also, lofts are typically located in older and refurbished commercial buildings, so consider old piping or thin windows impacting future utilities. If you choose to rent a loft, make sure to budget for utilities being a bit more.
Con #2: Insufficient storage
While lofts are open and spacious, they also lack traditional storage space like closets and pantries. You have all the space you need in an open floor plan, but actually finding places to put your belongings requires thinking outside the box.
Get creative with where to hang clothes and where to store your stuff.
Con #3: Lack of privacy
Great for singles or couples, lofts aren’t ideal for roommates. You might feel like you lack privacy in a loft apartment because there are no separate rooms or walls. If privacy is important to you, a loft apartment will not check that box.
How to create rooms in a loft apartment
Because lofts lack rooms, you may need to craft your own at times. Here are a few ways to create rooms in a loft apartment for privacy and aesthetics.
1. Use furniture to divide the space
Make your furniture dual-purpose. Use a bookshelf to break up the room as a faux wall. For example, a bookshelf can separate the TV space from the kitchen while storing books.
2. Hang room divider curtains
Although the walls are often high in a loft, you can hang curtain rods and curtains from the walls to create a bedroom, for example. Use curtains to divide the room and visually break up the space.
3. Install sliding doors
Sliding barn doors are trendy and useful. If you need a room sectioned off in your loft apartment, consider installing a set of sliding doors.
Renting a loft apartment
Have you settled on renting a loft apartment as your next home? Well then, decide which city you want to live in and start the search for your perfect, trendy and spacious loft.
The post Loft Apartments: The Pros and Cons appeared first on Apartment Living Tips – Apartment Tips from ApartmentGuide.com.
Sponsored Post-All images provided courtesy of Polinger Management Company
Apartment Community Spotlight: Aura Pentagon City
Aura at Pentagon City is the destination address that proves you donât have to live in the District of Columbia to be a true resident of the nationâs capital. Your new address is the center of the DC Metro area, including all commuter routes and, of course, the areaâs parks, shopping, dining, and nightlife options. A quick walk–just blocks from either the Pentagon City or Crystal City Metro and youâre home!
Choose a beautiful studio, one or two-bedroom apartment home thatâs designed just the way you like it, with just enough space for your needs. Apartment homes range in size from 519 square feet to 1,243 square feet and with nearly 20 options to choose from, youâre sure to find a floorplan that suits your life. And our favorite feature; they’re pet-friendly!Â
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Aura Pentagon City truly makes residents feel at home. They treat residents with high-end customer service, regardless of the situation. In addition to the wonderful team at Aura Pentagon City, the community amenities are top-notch. Whether you value underground parking, outdoor space, a business center, valet dry cleaning, rooftop pools and sundecks, on-site maintenance, fitness center, and even a dog park for your four-legged friend, they have it all â and more. Two resort-style pools, a fully equipped fitness center, and concierge are our favorites! Additionally, there is on-site parking, trash and recycling, and on-site dry cleaning. Can you think of anything missing from this community, because we can’t!
All in all, Aura Pentagon City is our community of choice when it comes to the Pentagon City neighborhood. The lux amenities, stellar service, and its central location are our main reasons why we love it. If you are looking into making Arlington, Virginia your home, Aura Pentagon City should be at the top of your list â we promise youâll love it!
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Read Apartment Highlights: Aura Pentagon City on Apartminty.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you have probably heard something about TikTok. TikTok is one of the most popular social media networks currently, and it is growing like crazy.
10. What tips do you have for someone wanting to start on TikTok?
