Who doesn’t love using credit cards? They are convenient and easy to carry, and they offer several rewards such as cash-backs and discounts on various kinds of purchases. However, credit cards also come with a few risks. For instance, if one is not careful with their card usage or bill payment, they could damage their credit score. So, to enjoy using credit cards safely, here are some common mistakes one must avoid: 1. Making only minimum payments Credit cards offer benefits even on bill payments, like the option to make a minimum payment—which is a fraction of the total amount due—on the due date. So, if one cannot pay the entire bill, they can still keep using the card by making a minimum payment. The problem with this feature is that one may be tempted to keep making only minimum payments every month, which can make interest on late payments pile up. Over time, this interest can build up to a large amount. 2. Missing the payment deadline Forgetting to pay the credit card bill on time is a common mistake that can cost users. Missing the deadline here could lead to late payment fees being levied by the card issuer and also an increased interest on the unpaid balance.

With cashless payments being widely accepted, debit cards have become highly popular globally. These cards are convenient, can be used at almost all retail outlets, and help one withdraw money instantly whenever needed. Also, many debit cards do not charge annual fees and offer cashback for spending money on certain products and at specific stores. But, to maximize the benefits, here are some common mistakes to avoid when using debit cards. Overlooking hidden debit card fees Some debit card companies charge hidden fees for overdrawing one’s account, entering the PIN to make a transaction, and other scenarios. If cardholders are not aware of such additional charges, they may never understand where their money is being spent. So, one should carefully read debit card terms and scan the document for details on such additional fees. Using multiple debit cards Different banks may offer various deals on their debit cards. So, it is common for individuals to use multiple cards to avail of all such offers. But with such deals comes additional fees charged by each bank on their debit cards. These overhead charges can increase one’s spending in the long run. So, it is best not to have more than three debit cards.

One of the latest and most popular phenomena in the world of financial transactions is the “Buy Now, Pay Later” plan or BNPL financing. These plans involve a third-party payment merchant that allows buyers to make purchases without paying any upfront amount. The due payments are paid over time, mainly without any interest rate or credit check. This process may seem interesting, but there are common mistakes one should avoid when committing to BNPL plans. Not reading the terms and conditions Knowing how the buy now, pay later plans work is important. Reading the fine print of these plans will help its users know exactly how they operate and scan through any hidden clauses. Buy now, pay later plans differ from one merchant to another, so it’s crucial that the buyer understand the plans and conditions thoroughly before signing up for it. The terms and conditions will allow the users to know how often payments need to be made, what actions to take when a payment is missed, and what needs to be done if there is an issue with the purchase.  Late or missing payments This common mistake can lead to a financial crisis if not addressed in time.

The logistics and freight industry is worth over nine trillion dollars worldwide. This makes it an attractive avenue for scammers to make easy money. To ensure their safety, companies must take stringent measures, such as hiring reputable contractors and following security guidelines. Being aware of common freight bill frauds and how to avoid them can also help companies keep their shipments and profits safe and sound. Some common scams include: Fake load booking In many cases, the scammers work in tandem with drivers to make fake load bookings. Here, they steal the company’s identity and place it on an illegitimate truck. Since this looks legit to an outsider, customers may hand over their shipments for moving. However, this shipment then gets stolen, making one’s company look responsible for the loss. To avoid this, provide customers with proper bill details and a toll-free number so customers can verify the company’s identity. Double brokering Many companies also engage in double brokering, where goods are transferred from one freight carrier to cheaper options without any authorization. This increases the risk of losses, thefts, and delays. Companies must always be notified in case of such transfers and receive formal documentation to maintain transparent transactions.

Getting a loan is a complicated process, and with a bad credit score, the process becomes even more stressful. However, there are some ways to get a loan despite a bad credit score. There are some tips one can follow to improve one’s chances of approval or reach out to some online lenders who offer loans to people with bad credit scores. That said, here are three ways individuals with bad credit scores can obtain money. 1. Add a co-signer In some cases, having a co-signer with a better credit score can be beneficial to obtaining a loan. This means that they take equal responsibility for paying the loan back, which makes it easy to get a loan even with a bad score, as together, one’s credit score improves. It is always advised to make a repayment plan with the co-signer beforehand and ensure clear communication with this agreement. 2. Check with community credit unions Before heading to other financial institutes to check for loans on bad credit scores, one must first approach known community credit and bank unions. If the bank knows a person and their spending habits, they may offer better loan terms than other lenders despite the low credit score.

In recent years, buy now, pay later (BNPL) apps have become increasingly popular. These apps are convenient for users because they allow them to divide their purchases into equal, small payments. At times, with no interest and late fees. Users can find small and long-term financing options for various purchases. Some apps also feature loyalty programs that can be coupled with rewards, in-app purchases, and discounts to help save on purchases. Here are 5 apps one can check out: Affirm Available on both Apple and Android, Affirm is one of the most reliable BNPL apps for phones. Users can access various financing options covering a wide range of purchases. The app offers simple payment options for both small as well as big purchases. When buying via Affirm, users also get an idea about their monthly payable amount against the purchase. With its allowance for high-ticket items, Affirm is equivalent to loans that can be repaid within a set period. The platform integrates with numerous e-commerce platforms and usually has a no-late fee clause. PayPal PayPal is a popular payment gateway available globally. It has recently entered the short-term repayments market. The Pay in 4 by PayPal is a service available to the citizens of the country that distributes their purchases into 4 equal repayment amounts.

According to the FICO credit score model, those with a score below 670 are considered to have bad credit. The lower the credit score, the harder it is to get personal loans. However, it is not impossible. There are several lenders who have minimum credit score requirements. Shopping around and researching is one of the best ways to find offers and discover ways to get money with a bad credit score. Here’s how to do it. Check credit report and credit score thoroughly Before starting the process of applying for loans, pull copies of credit reports. These are usually available for free from the three credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. Then, review all the information lenders often see while evaluating a loan application. Check for issues or patterns in the credit history, such as closed accounts and missed payments. If there are any errors, get them rectified. Once this is done, take the necessary steps to improve the credit score. Compare lenders and get prequalification Several online lenders offer loans even with bad credit scores. While traditional banks solely rely on credit scores, online lenders look at other criteria along with credit scores while approving loan applications. These criteria usually differ across lenders but often include the applicant’s job, income, and education history.