Ana-Maria Sanders

Recent Blogs

How to Save Money During Times of Inflation

Best Practices

The U.S. might be facing another recession. This means higher inflation. Don't get caught unprepared. Learn how you can save money during inflation.

The Benefits of Owning a Home: More Than Just a Roof Over Your Head

Homeownership comes with tax breaks, investment opportunities, and emotional rewards. Read on to find out how you can benefit from owning a home.

How Often Do Your Credit Score and Credit Report Update?

Do you know how often your credit score updates? You might be surprised with how often it changes.

What Is a Moving Loan with Bad Credit?

Loan Advice

Are you moving and need a little extra cash to cover the costs? Here's everything you need to know about moving loans and what they cover.

How to Break a Poverty Mindset for Financial Abundance

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A poverty mindset is a belief that one lacks resources or money. Keep reading to see if you might be struggling with this kind of mindset.

Does Closing a Bank Account Hurt Your Credit?

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Are there consequences to closing a bank account? Does it hurt your credit score? We answer these questions and more in the following blog.

The Characteristics and Types of Poverty

Learn about the types of poverty and the methods to overcome it.

Setting S.M.A.R.T. Financial Goals

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What are SMART financial goals? Keep reading to learn how to use it and make the most of your money.

Can I Pawn My Car and Still Drive It?

Loan Advice

If you're wondering whether you can pawn a car and still drive it, the answer is yes. However, there may be some strings attached. Keep reading to find out.

Key Benefits of Virtual Payments

Virtual payments have changed the way people send and receive money. Keep reading to learn about its benefits.

What Is Financial Abuse? Three Warning Signs

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Unfortunately, financial abuse comes in many forms and occurs too often. Fortunately, you can take action against it with the following steps.

How to Create a Stablecoin: A Quick Guide

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Currently, there are thousands of cryptocurrencies circulating the exchanges and blockchain platforms. However, they come with a high degree of uncontrollable volatility, making them unreliable payment methods.

What Is Open Finance?

How can open finance transform the financial world, and what are its benefits?

How to Avoid the Gift Tax: 5 Tips

The gift tax is a tax that the IRS imposes on individuals for giving valuable gifts in the form of cash or other assets. Read on to find out the limitations and whether you can avoid paying gift tax.

13 Ways to Invest in Yourself

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Investing in your future involves more than just saving money. Read on to find 13 ways to invest in your future education, finances, health, and education.

7 Most Common Unexpected Expenses

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Unexpected expenses can creep up on you out of the blue. Keep reading to familiarize yourself with the more common unexpected expenses and what you can do to prepare for them.

Difference Between Nominal and Real Interest Rate

What's the difference between nominal and real interest rates? We discuss this, how to calculate each, and why being familiar with it matters.

How To Make Money with Airbnb Without Owning Property

Even if you don't own property, you may still be able to make money from Airbnb. Here are a few of the top ways to earn income from Airbnb without owning property.

Ten Key Components of Financial Planning

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Whether you're creating a new financial plan or revamping an old one, these 10 key components can help you create a successful financial plan that can lead to security.

Financial Freedom vs. Financial Independence

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Financial independence and financial freedom are both goals many individuals strive to achieve. We cover the differences between financial freedom vs. financial freedom and how to accomplish both.

I Lost My Job and Have No Money: How Do I Pay My Bills?

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If you've recently lost your job, you're undoubtedly under a lot of stress. However, there are still options to cover your bills and necessary expenses. Consider these alternatives while you search for a new job.

How To Save Money from Salary

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Saving money from your salary can help you reach your financial goals. Here are some ways you can start saving more.

What Does the Removal of Medical Debts from Credit Reports Mean?

As of March 2022, the three major credit bureaus are removing medical bills from U.S. consumers' credit reports. What does this mean for you?

Living Below Your Means: Tips and Benefits

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If you're looking to implement healthy financial habits, you may consider living below your means. As a result, you may experience a more stable financial future. Here are the steps to get started:

10 High-Income Skills to Learn in 2022-23

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Want to secure a higher-paying job? Here are the top 10 high-income skills to learn to help open doors for you to earn more money.

How to Protect Yourself from Dollar Collapse

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Although the U.S. Dollar is one of the more stable currencies, it is still vulnerable to inflation and diminishing buying power. Even though it is unlikely, the U.S. currency can collapse. Don't be caught off guard if this happens. Keep reading to learn how to take proactive steps to protect yourself from the dollar collapse.

10 Best States to Raise a Family

Thinking of moving to another state? Here are the 10 best states to raise a family based on affordability, education, child care, health, and safety factors.

Cash App Business Account vs. Personal Account

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Debating between a Cash App personal vs. business account? We've compiled their pros, cons, and perks to help you decide which one is the best fit.

14 Ways to Stick to a Budget and Avoid Overspending

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Getting your finances in order doesn't happen overnight. It requires meticulous planning and discipline to stick to a budget and avoid overspending. The following 14 ways should get you started in the right direction.

What Is a Financial Background? How to Check It Yourself

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It is important to maintain good financial standing. One way to check if your finances are doing well is to conduct a financial background check. We go over the basics of what a financial background check is and how to check it yourself.

Fixed, Variable, and Periodic Expenses

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Before getting your finances in order and creating a budget, you need to know the differences between fixed, variable, and periodic expenses. Keep reading to understand how these costs differ and how you can change your spending to save more money.

Cheap vs. Frugal

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Although cheap and frugal may seem synonymous, they refer to two different types of people. Both cheap and frugal individuals aim to save money. We compare cheap vs. frugal people and the pros and cons of each saving method.

60-Day Rollover: What You Need to Know

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The IRA has special rules and regulations when it comes to rolling over accounts. To ensure you make a smooth transition, the following guide will help you know what to expect.

What Benefits Can I Claim When Pregnant and Unemployed?

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Expectant mothers can face hefty costs during their pregnancy that may strain their finances. Although this may be daunting, don't fret. Many government and private organizations offer assistance to future mothers.

How to Get Free Cryptocurrency

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If you've ever wondered whether it's possible to receive free crypto, it is. We offer some old and new ways to get free cryptocurrency.

What Happens to Your 401k When You Leave a Job?

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Since your 401k is linked to your employer, you won’t be able to contribute to it anymore when you quit your job. If you want to keep adding to it, you can move it out of your old company’s account and into a new retirement savings plan.

What Is the Risk Management Process?

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Risk management refers to recognizing potential dangers and taking appropriate measures to mitigate them. The process includes designing action plans for all off-the-track situations. There are four simple steps to follow. This blog will delve into the process and the pros and cons of managing risks in your day-to-day operations.

How Does Refinancing Work on a Car?

Loan Advice Best Practices

Refinancing a car loan is replacing the existing loan with a new one with different terms. Typically, this is done through a different lender, and your car acts as collateral to secure the new loan. In general, auto refinancing is a good choice when it helps you save money in interest.

Personal Loans vs Payday Loans: Top Differences

Loan Advice

A payday loan is a small, short-term type of financing, usually ranging from $100 to $500. To get more financing, the borrower may apply for a personal loan.

What Must an Entrepreneur Do After Creating a Business Plan?

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The first step to starting a business is creating a business plan. To ensure sustained growth, an entrepreneur must consider many factors, including how they will fund the business, where they will establish their presence, and proper licensing.

Grant vs Loan: What’s the Difference?

Loan Advice

When you need financial assistance, many options can help you, such as getting a grant or a loan. However, before you decide which solution is best for you, familiarize yourself with each product to make an informed decision.

An Introduction to Alternative Lending

Loan Advice

It can be challenging to qualify for traditional loans, but banks aren’t the only sources of funding as the alternative lending industry continues to grow. Application and approval processes for these loans are relatively faster and more convenient through the use of machine learning. Alternative lenders also assess risk differently when determining an applicant’s eligibility, which may offer more funding options to borrowers.

How to Avoid Cash Advance Collection Scams

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Scam collection operations are nothing new. Although we can’t help you avoid them altogether, there are some surefire signs to look out for.

Why is Financial Literacy Important?

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What does financial literacy mean and how do we use it in the real world?

Sole Proprietorship Vs Independent Contractor

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What are the differences between a sole proprietorship vs an independent contractor?

Lease vs. Loan: What is the Difference

Loan Advice

Leasing and financing are two forms of asset acquisition. Depending on your financial situation, short-term and long-term goals, both options have their advantages and disadvantages. It’s best to compare a lease vs. loan side by side to see which one is right for your situation.

LLC Business Loans: What You Need to Know

Loan Advice

A limited liability company (or an LLC) is a business structure that implies personal liability similar to a corporation but follows the tax structure of a sole proprietorship or partnership.

401(a) vs. 401(k) Plans: What’s the Difference?

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The main differences between these two types of retirement plans have to do with eligibility requirements, employer control and employer contribution amounts, and tax advantages. Below, we’ll break down the differences between types of retirement plan contributions and answer all of your basic questions about retirement planning with a 401(a) and 401(k) account.

How to Buy Stripe Stock

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Lots of investors want to buy Stripe stock. It’s no surprise. Stripe is one of the most popular solutions for online payment processing. The company’s payments infrastructure is used by internet businesses of all sizes. Everyone from startups to well-founded firms use Stripe to receive online payments.

Sending Money from Cash App to PayPal

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Cash App and PayPal are two of the most popular ways to send and receive money. If you happen to use both services and wonder how you can connect Cash App to PayPal, keep reading to find out how you can achieve that.

What Food Can You Buy with an EBT Card?

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If you are a new SNAP recipient or regularly walk your grocery store aisles wondering what items your food stamp benefits apply to, this is the blog for you. We'll discuss eligible food items with EBT (previously the federal food stamp program). As a bonus, we'll also share some money-saving tips so that you can stretch your EBT as far as possible.

Fix-and-Flip Loans for Beginners

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Investing in real estate is one of the most effective ways to build wealth. Fixing and flipping a rental property is just one way a real estate investor does that.

What Questions Should You Ask Your Financial Advisor?

Loan Advice Best Practices

Your financial advisor can guide you in the right direction when it comes to finances and expenses.

The Ultimate Guide to Walmart Affirm

Company Profiles

When shopping online, but more likely in-store, you may have heard the term ‘buy now, pay later.’ It is the new term for an old concept: financing offered by retailers to customers who don’t want to pay 100% of their purchase up front. When used responsibly, this payment option can be a useful resource for consumers who need items before they have the money to buy them in full.

Payday Loans for Bankrupts

Loan Advice Best Practices Company Profiles

Declaring bankruptcy can have a negative impact on your credit report. After filing, a consumer will likely have to wait years before traditional lenders will work with them again. Fortunately, there may be a path to approval using payday loans for bankrupts. Alternative financing has more lenient eligibility criteria, and lenders in this sector work with people of all credit types.

The Difference Between Gross Rent and Net Rent

What is the difference between gross rent and net rent? Let's take a look at the guide below to have a better understanding.

How to Receive Your 2020 Stimulus Check in 2021

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Last April, the IRS issued what would be the first of two waves of stimulus checks with the hopes of providing relief to sudden unemployment or financial instability due to COVID-19’s early effects.

Tax Avoidance vs. Tax Evasion: What's the Difference?

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What is the difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion? Let us find out in the article below.

What Are Passive Income Tax Rates?

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Uncle Sam is always changing his mind about how much to tax passive income. To add to the confusion, the IRS treats passive income differently than any other type of payment. In the US, there are three types of income subject to tax: passive income, earned income, and portfolio income. As with earned income, passive income is usually taxable, depending on factors discussed further in the article.

The Importance of Cyber Security in Banking

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How safe is online banking? Many Americans are unaware of the possible cyber security threats that come with online banking. Learn about how banks protect your private information and the privacy policies designed to ensure online security.

Top Things to Spend Money on For a Happier Life

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If you're worried about spending a lot of money on something you'll never or very rarely use, you can put your money towards one of the more practical (but still luxury) everyday items. Or, if you have the cash and desire to splurge on something a bit more outlandish and flashy, we've included some of those options as well. Read on to find ideas for your next big splurge!