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Freight factoring – How it works, its benefits, and more

Freight factoring, also known as transportation or trucking factoring, allows trucking companies to get immediate cash flow and avoid delayed payments on outstanding invoices. The standard waiting period to get full payouts in a trucking business is between 40 and 50 days, which can be easily avoided by freight factoring. Read on to learn more about how it works, its benefits, some dos and don’ts, and more. How freight factoring works In the transportation industry, getting paid immediately is not a standard. Trucking companies have to wait months to clear invoices, making it challenging for their businesses to survive. Freight factoring allows trucking companies to submit invoices for same-day processing and get immediate funds. This helps both the freight factoring company and the trucking company. The factoring company receives a service fee for “fronting” the money to the trucking company, whereas the latter gets access to the funds instead of a long waiting period. Benefits of freight factoring Here is how freight factoring benefits trucking companies: 1. Offers cash flow The major benefit of factoring is cash flow. Trucking companies that need to wait an extended period to get payments for the load they ran don’t have to do so, as factoring allows easy and quick access to cash.
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Freight factoring – How it works, its benefits, and more
7 mistakes to avoid while using debit cards

7 mistakes to avoid while using debit cards

Debit cards are quick and easy to use; just a swipe of the card and a transaction is done within seconds. There is no need to write checks and head to the bank to deposit them. But as convenient as a debit card might be, it can cost more than a pretty penny if not used correctly. To ensure one doesn’t lose their money, here are some common mistakes to avoid while using debit cards. Forgetting to keep an eye on the balance Most debit cards are directly connected to one’s bank account. Unlike credit cards that do not deduct any money from one’s account for every transaction, debit cards do. This is quite different from credit cards, where the monthly bills are paid all at once, and there are limits to the transactions that can be done. Since there are no bills to be paid for debit cards, the limits on the transaction are as much money one has in their account. Many people end up forgetting to check their account balance after every transaction. To avoid this mistake, always keep a close eye on the account balance while swiping the debit card during every transaction. Writing the PIN on the debit card or carrying it in the wallet This may seem quite an obvious mistake, but it is surprising how common it is. Sometimes, people end up writing the PIN on the card itself. Or they note it down on paper and carry it in their wallet. The idea behind doing this is to avoid forgetting the PIN. While one may always have the PIN in hand whenever they need, it will also be accessible to others. In case the card gets stolen or is found by someone else, they will easily have access to the bank account through the PIN.
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Top 7 buy now, pay later apps for phones

Top 7 buy now, pay later apps for phones

With cashless payments becoming popular alternatives to paper money, new online banking features have emerged to make such transactions even more convenient. The “buy now, pay later” option is one such feature, wherein one can buy a product at present and choose to pay for it flexibly. Also, the payment option is interest-free, and the loan is usually approved quickly. Here are some good buy now, pay later apps for phones one can consider. Klarna Klarna Bank AB, or simply Klarna, is headquartered in Sweden and has many different payment plans for users, including monthly financing options and a pay-in-four plan. Their goal is to make online payments safe and easy for all. The loan approval process is quite simple – the company undertakes a soft credit check, investigating the borrower’s repayment history. Depending on whether the customer chooses the “pay-in-four” or a monthly financing option, the amount is either split into four parts or monthly installments. There is also a “pay-in-30” option, wherein one has to repay the full amount within 30 days. The pay-in-four and pay-in-30 plans do not charge any interest, but if a customer is more than ten days late in paying the installment, the late fee is $7. Zip This app has a “pay-in-four” payment strategy, wherein the total amount is split into four equal installments. The customer pays the first installment while checking out, and the rest of them are paid every two weeks. The company performs a soft credit check on customers; it also uses machine learning to pass loans, though it doesn’t divulge the exact process. There is an installment fee of $1 for those enrolling in the pay-in-four plan, so the total installment fee comes to around $4 per order. But this may even go up to over $7 sometimes. PayPal One of the most common online payment gateways, PayPal has pay-in-four and monthly payment options.
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10 common mistakes to avoid while writing a will

10 common mistakes to avoid while writing a will

A will is a legal document that ensures the probate assets of an individual are distributed as per their wishes after their death. Having a will in place, irrespective of the asset value, is important because it resolves any administrative issues and minimizes the risk of conflicts among the recipients of the assets. There are certain guidelines for writing a will and a slip-up here can lead to expensive legal complications, disputes, and delays.  Common mistakes to avoid while writing a will Not signing the will This may seem like a minor detail, but not signing a will correctly can invalidate its legality. One must have at least two witnesses at the time of signing a will, and their signatures must also be included in the document. A will duly signed by witnesses often bears more credibility in the court and usually is never violated. Only mentioning property A will is not just about dispensing property. There are several other assets that one needs to factor in while writing a will. For example, life insurance, pension, bank account, shares, mutual funds, or even artifacts or timeless art pieces. All of these come under estate planning, and mentioning the beneficiaries, as well as even alternate beneficiaries and alternative executors, is crucial. This is especially important in case either of them meets with an untimely death before the individual. It’s best to consult a professional estate planner or attorney in this regard so as not to overlook any critical details. Forgetting to include residuary provision A will should include all of one’s assets, but in many cases, people tend to forget smaller investments or personal belongings. These overlooked assets are known as “residuary.” It’s best to include a residuary clause in the will just to be safe and ensure anything left out also finds a home.
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11 ways to get auto loan approval with a low credit score

11 ways to get auto loan approval with a low credit score

Financial advisors always emphasize good credit scores because it is the only way to secure a loan, including an auto loan. But sometimes, people with already poor credit scores may need to take out auto loans urgently and might find it difficult to improve their scores immediately. But the good news is that with certain strategies in place, it is possible to have one’s auto loan approved even with a low credit score. Here are a few ways to get auto loan approval with a low credit score: 1. Get a person to co-sign the loan When a person co-signs an auto loan, they promise to repay it if the borrower cannot. If the co-signer has a good credit score, there are good chances of lenders approving the auto loan request. 2. Provide proof of being capable of repaying the auto loan If a person has had a recent salary hike or promotion, they may be in a better position to repay their loans than before. Similarly, any additional sources of income that have emerged recently can also help the borrower repay an auto loan more comfortably. So, in such situations, borrowers should inform lenders about any increase in their income levels or supplementary sources of income so that lenders become more confident about the borrower’s ability to repay the auto loan. 3. Try to improve one’s credit score within a few months If one can afford to wait a few months before applying for an auto loan, they should actively take steps to improve their credit scores. For example, one can avoid delaying credit card payments or improving credit utilization scores. Although one’s credit score may not be boosted considerably, even a small jump can increase one’s chances of getting an auto loan approved. 4. Look for a co-borrower A co-borrower with a good credit score can also increase the probability of one’s auto loan getting passed.
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8 mistakes to avoid when applying for a home loan

8 mistakes to avoid when applying for a home loan

There’s something oddly satisfying about owning a place one can return to at the end of the day, and this feeling drives people to set out to buy a home. But buying a home is a major financial decision, so one needs to plan it well in advance. Home loans are effective ways to arrange money for this purpose without facing a financial crunch. However, when taking home loans, one should avoid some common mistakes. Maintaining a poor credit score Credit scores are basically a reflection of how punctually a person has been repaying their debts, primarily credit card bills. If one repeatedly delays credit card payments, their credit score will likely fall with time. Lenders feel borrowers with low credit scores will not repay the amount, making them more likely to reject such loan requests. So, maintaining one’s credit score is essential to get a home loan approved. One should track their billing cycles closely and consistently pay off debts on time. It is also important to avoid having a high credit utilization rate, which indicates how much of one’s available credit one ends up using every month. High credit utilization can also adversely affect an individual’s chances of securing a home loan. Changing jobs too frequently If a borrower switches jobs very frequently, lenders may be reluctant to approve their home loan because they see such behavior as a sign of financial instability. That’s why many lending agencies require borrowers to have been employed at an organization for at least 12 to 18 months at the time of home loan application. So, before taking a home loan, one should be steady at a job for at least a year and avoid changing jobs too often. Not reading documents before signing Signing documents directly without going through them first is a big mistake.
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8 costly mistakes people make with buy now, pay later plans

8 costly mistakes people make with buy now, pay later plans

Buy now, pay later, or BNPL financing is a relatively recent but increasingly popular payment method. It allows people to purchase anything they want while a BNPL-partnered company pays for it, and the consumer can later pay back the amount in installments. BNPL differs from credit card payments because it does not have interest or credit checks, and the repayment can be made within a few weeks. Mistakes people make with BNPL While BNPL sounds like an excellent payment option on paper, it has many pitfalls, especially if one makes the following mistakes while dealing with it: 1. Ignoring the fine print Signing up for a BNPL plan without thoroughly reading the fine print is a grave mistake. Even though there may be no interest, missing BNPL payments can incur late fees and hurt one’s credit score. So, one should read the BNPL plan carefully and understand all the implications, including what happens if one faces problems during purchases, how often the payments are due, how the plan operates, and any penalties. 2. Not learning about the potential pitfalls Many issues may crop up while making purchases, and one should know the next action plan while signing up for BNPL. For example, it’s important to know how one’s BNPL company handles purchase protection in case one makes an online payment using their service and the parcel never shows up. One can dispute the charges with a credit card, but with BNPL, it might be different. So it’s important to understand how a company retrieves money in cases of such issues. 3. Using BNPL for making reckless purchases Anything that involves borrowing money from a third party comes with a certain level of risk. BNPL is not a substitute for overextending one’s finances and buying things impulsively without calculating how one will comfortably pay back the price promptly.
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6 tips to determine the best mutual funds to invest in

6 tips to determine the best mutual funds to invest in

A mutual fund is a type of investment in which the funds of several investors are pooled together to make an investment product. An investment in a group of assets is made to reach the investment goal of the funds. There are many different types of mutual funds in the market, and it is vital to know how to identify the best mutual fund to invest in to make profits. Here are some tips: 1. Identify profile type Before one invests, one of the first things to know is the goals of the investment. Identify them. Ask questions like, “Is this for long-term investment?” or “Is this a fund to pay for some immediate goals or a retirement plan? These questions will help one identify and understand personal investment goals. Apart from the objective, another thing to consider is one’s personal risk tolerance and appetite. What does this mean? Individuals should factor in whether they are willing to invest in a volatile market or whether they need some kind of safety net. If they are conservative investors, they could go for medium-risk and medium-return-on-investments. So, determining one’s risk profile carefully is vital, as that will help determine the kind of returns one can expect in the coming months and years. 2. Check type of funds Many different types of mutual funds are available, and knowing the difference between them will help individuals identify which one they want to associate themselves with. Here are some of the popular types to explore: Large-cap funds These funds are known to invest in large, widely held companies with over 10 billion dollars or more in market capitalization. Small-cap funds The market capitalization of this type of investment is between $300 million and $2 billion. Growth funds These funds primarily invest in rapidly growing companies, and their primary objective remains capital appreciation.
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Key information about form W-2 one should know

Key information about form W-2 one should know

To understand and correctly file taxes, individuals must understand the importance and requirements of the W-2 form. It is a critical document that shows important information about the income one has earned, the amount of taxes withheld, and benefits. This form is more of a legal requirement than simply a record. For employers and employees to take care of their taxes and wages correctly, it is critical to understand the form better. Overview W-2 or the Wage and Tax Statement form must be sent to each employee by the employer. The IRS should also be sent a copy of this form at the end of each year. The form has records and details of an employee’s annual wages and the taxes withheld from their paychecks. W-2 employees receive their paychecks with the taxes deducted by their employer. The employer needs to submit that information to the government employee. The W-2 form reflects a person’s income and taxes paid during that annual year. The form has three sections, each with its details and requirements. On the left side, the form includes the taxpayer’s personal information. The right side of the form contains information about the individual’s earnings and tax information. On the bottom of the form is the local and state tax information. Eligibility Individuals who have worked for a company or an employer in the last year and earned $600 are eligible for a W-2 form. Employers are required by law to send the form to all their employees. Individuals who work as independent freelancers, contractors, or other self-employed workers are bound to receive a Form 1099 in its stead. Application process Employers can make the W-2 form available online or send a copy to their employees offline. Employees can also ask the IRS if they need a second copy of a previous form or details of previously filed tax.
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11 management options to keep anxiety at bay

11 management options to keep anxiety at bay

People with anxiety disorders regularly and excessively experience fear and panic in everyday situations. If unchecked, anxiety can impair normal functioning and degrade the quality of life. One must consult a health expert if anxiety is affecting their social life. But first, ensure that any physical health issues are ruled out before consulting them. Most individuals with anxiety disorders need medication or therapy, but coping strategies and lifestyle decisions can also be helpful. Stop and take a breath When you experience an anxiety episode, take a moment to think about what is making you feel uneasy. Usual anxiety symptoms include concerns about a recent or distant event. For example, you can worry that something wrong will happen to you in the future. Or, you can still be upset about something that has already happened in the past. But, whatever your concerns, most anxiety issues stem from not focusing on the present. The next time you feel nervous and get distracted from the present moment, sit down and take some deep breaths to reclaim your composure. You can regain balance and return to the present moment by pausing and taking a few deep breaths. If you have the time, consider advancing this practice by experimenting with breathing techniques. Noting down your triggers One must identify what’s upsetting them to address the underlying cause of their anxiety. One can achieve it by setting aside time to assess your emotions and thoughts. Journaling is a fantastic method to connect with your anxiety triggers. Keep a diary or notepad beside your bed if your anxiety-related thoughts keep you awake at night. You can note down all the issues troubling you. Another technique to identify and understand your nervous feelings is speaking with a friend. Consider the things you can change Worrying about things or incidents that are yet to occur or might never occur can often lead to anxiety.
Breast cancer – Causes, types, and management

Breast cancer – Causes, types, and management

Cancer that originates in the breast tissue is called breast cancer. It is the second most common cancer among women in the country. The condition is seen in women more than men. Fortunately, advancements in screening and breast cancer treatment have enabled dramatic improvements in survival rates over the years. The symptoms include changes in the texture and shape of the nipples, discharge from the nipples, and a lump in the breast.  Read on to learn the causes, types, and management options of breast cancer.  Causes of breast cancer Breast cancer occurs when abnormal breast cells divide and multiply more rapidly than healthy cells. These abnormal cells accumulate to form a lump or mass. Doctors have not been able to know the exact cause of breast cancer. However, multiple factors can trigger the chances of developing the disease, and they include: Family history and genetics The risk increases if you have parents or close relatives who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Having gene mutations such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, which are passed down from parents to children, also increases the risk. Age The risk of breast cancer increases with advancing age.  Gender The risk of developing breast cancer is higher in women than in men.   Personal history of breast conditions The risk increases when an earlier biopsy has indicated atypical hyperplasia of the breast or lobular carcinoma in situ or if cancer has been detected in one breast. Radiation exposure The risk of developing the disease increases if you have been exposed to radiation in your head, neck, or chest areas during past treatments. Hormone replacement therapy Women who use hormone replacement therapy may be more prone to breast cancer. Types of breast cancer Breast cancer  can be categorized into two broad types— invasive and non-invasive.  Invasive breast cancer Cancer that has spread from the place of origin to other parts of the body is termed invasive breast cancer.