As you pull into that gas station, beware of credit card skimming and shimming scams at the gas pump. Skimmers are illegal credit card readers attached to payment terminals. These card readers grab data off a credit or debit card’s magnetic stripe when you swipe your card without your knowledge. Criminals sell the stolen data or use it to make … Read more
Paying off multiple credit cards is no small task, and can be rather daunting, for most people. The “debt snowball” is one method to tackle repayment that focuses on eliminating the smallest credit card balances first and as quickly as possible. Here’s how it works: Attack the smallest credit card debt by paying its entire balance or as much as … Read more
The loss of money, personal information, and perseverance of digital fraudsters continues, with online purchase scams being the riskiest. Add these five precautionary New Year’s resolutions to your list, to help stay safe when navigating the web or communicating online. I resolve to be cautious with email. Be wary of unsolicited emails from a person or a company. Remember, scammers … Read more
Getting an income tax refund can be both exciting and stressful, as you’ll have to decide what to do with it. Should you save it? Squander it? Your refund could make you feel rich and inspire you to splurge on unnecessary things. Instead, consider one of these nine savvy steps to turbocharge your financial security. Start an emergency fund. Even … Read more
We all know how easy it is to blow money on a big purchase. Buy an expensive home or car, and you soon might regret it. But it’s also easy to lose gobs of money a little at a time. That’s true whether you live paycheck to paycheck or you have money to burn. Here are some budget busters that … Read more
Unlocking the door to your financial freedom begins with one key element: managing your credit score. Whether maintaining your credit, building it from the ground up, or rebuilding it after your score has taken a hit, managing your credit score is a vital aspect of your financial well-being. Here are 5 simple ways to help boost your score: Avoid Missing … Read more
Avoiding the anxiety of buying a car starts with preparation. It starts with knowing what vehicle you want, right down to the trim level, options, and color. Below are some steps to help you negotiate successfully. Knowledge Is Power Today’s consumers have more information about the car-buying process than ever before. You can learn about every phase, from trade-ins to … Read more
Dealers make a lot of money from expensive add-ons. If you don’t have time to research, it may be best to pass on them, and if you can’t say no, take a trusted friend along who can. Below are 14 common dealer add-ons to recognize and consider before you visit the dealer. Doing so can help you avoid costly mistakes. … Read more
Here are some things TO DO at the dealership to help you get in your car with a great deal. Do: Be Wary When Dealers Start Talking About Monthly Payments One tactic a seller might use is to bring up monthly payments before the total cost of the vehicle is established. This is to try and confuse the buyer in … Read more
Buyers often cited “dealer negotiations” as the most dreaded part of the entire buying process. That’s probably because most buyers are unsure of what to say, how to act, etc. Here are some things you shouldn’t do at a car dealership. Don’t Say You “Love This Car” When you tell the salesperson that you “love that car right there” or … Read more
