Today, digital transactions have become the norm. This has made safeguarding one’s financial information all the more important. Sadly, credit card fraud remains a prevalent concern, and numerous victims are falling victim to the evolvingly cunning tactics employed by cybercriminals. One way individuals can safeguard themselves from fraudulent activities is by avoiding some credit card mistakes that leave them susceptible. Avoiding these mistakes can significantly bolster their defenses against potential threats. Neglecting strong password Most individuals prefer using easy-to-use and easy-to-remember passwords to offer them easy access. However, easily guessable passwords such as birthdays and phrases can make things easier for cybercriminals. It is advisable to opt for complex passwords comprising a mixture of upper and lowercase letters, numerals, and special characters to avoid granting them unauthorized access. Regularly changing passwords and employing a password manager can further fortify online security. Disregarding secure websites for transactions Another grave mistake credit card users make that makes them susceptible to fraud is entering their details on unsecured websites. This is one place where cybercriminals exploit vulnerable sites to harvest sensitive data. To mitigate this risk, individuals should only transact on secure websites. Checking for “https://” in the URL and looking for a padlock icon in the address bar are some telltale signs of a secure connection.

A timeshare is shared ownership of a property, wherein multiple individuals own a “share” of a particular home or property in return for its access for a stipulated period, typically once a year. Investors may sometimes wish to sell their timeshare for various reasons, like the inability to pay for travel or illness. If you want a release from your timeshare ownership, you must consider a few things to sell it fast and safe. 1. Determine the value Owning a timeshare means you have essentially paid for a set number of vacation days upfront. A timeshare’s value decreases over time, unlike real estate, so it should not be purchased as an investment. Additionally, you need to have realistic expectations while reselling it. It is quite likely that the resale value will be lower than the price you paid while originally buying the timeshare. Some owners simply return their timeshares to the property managers without asking for any money, but if you wish to get back at least something, you can determine the value of a timeshare by researching the resort it is located in and checking the prices of similar timeshares currently up for sale. The valuation depends on the location, maintenance, and how long you have owned it.

Earning a few quick bucks apart from your primary source of income is always helpful. Whether for selling used items or a side hustle, the internet is brimming with websites and apps that let you make money. However, many of these are not as legitimate as they appear. So, if you want to earn cash with apps, here are the best options. Swagbucks This app has an A rating with Better Business Bureau and more than 10 million active users worldwide. It is one of the best apps that lets you earn cash quickly. Swagbucks offers $10 to new users as a welcome bonus. Besides, it is easy to use; all you need to do is watch videos, play games, or take part in search surveys, and the company will deposit the amount in your PayPal account. Swagbucks also gives you the option to redeem the money and use it as a gift card on shopping websites. Dosh If you are an avid shopper and want to earn cash with apps, Dosh is one of the best options for you. Available on both Android and iOS, Dosh lets you make money every time you use your card for shopping online or at walk-in stores.

Making money online has never been easier! The ever-expanding online world is swamped with legit opportunities that’ll help add some extra bucks to your bank from the comfort of your home. And, the best part is that you don’t always need to have certain skills or qualifications to earn money. Don’t believe us? We’ve compiled a list of trustworthy websites that can help you make money online. Try them! Swagbucks If you have a hard time trusting online survey sites, you likely haven’t tried Swagbucks. It is one of the most popular and legitimate websites that will pay you for everything from filling out surveys to watching videos to shopping online. You will receive your earnings in the form of gift cards from top retailers like Amazon and Walmart or cash back from PayPal. Upwork Interested in taking up some freelance work? Consider creating an account on Upwork. It’s the world’s largest online marketplace to find great clients and grow your independent career. Regardless of what skill you have, be it writing, video editing, software development, graphic designing, or marketing, you can find work in no time. ThredUp If you’re looking for motivation to clean up your closet, then check out ThredUp.

Retirement is one of the happier times of life, a period that should be marked with extreme satisfaction, unending peace, and deep joy from the years of hard work, perseverance, and your numerous experiences. However, sound financial standing is at the heart of achieving this peace of mind, and it requires strong foresight, commitment, and vigilance to maximize return on investments. Several vehicles are potent enough to deliver long-term value and success at the time of retirement. Some of the best retirement investment vehicles vary in terms of the underlying concept and rely heavily on the general characteristics of the investor. Mutual funds One of the easier investment vehicles to get your head around, mutual funds are of multiple types and each fund has an objective of its own. These funds are usually invested in stocks or bonds, and the overall profit is distributed among the many participating investors. These are registered with the Securities Exchange Commission and regulated under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Mutual funds that make for some of the best retirement investments are Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund (ticker: VTTHX) for investors expecting to retire in 2035, Northern Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund (BBALX) that has additional asset classes like infrastructure and real estate, and Baird Aggregate Bond Fund (BAGIX) that focuses on investment discipline and risk control.

Taking a small business loan is one of the popular ways to benefit from guaranteed business loans. This type of debt is issued mostly by banks, and other lending partners are backed and vouched for by the Small Business Administration (SBA). It is a federal agency that supports lenders willing to grant these loans at low-interest rates and flexible payment terms. While they are the most popular form of finance backed by the SBA, these loans are incredibly tough to secure. Here are some things that you should know about the process before applying for a guaranteed business loan with the administration. Loan amount guaranteed If the lender issues a loan amount of $150,000 or less, the SBA will guarantee 85% of that amount. If the requested amount is more than $150,000, the federal agency will guarantee up to 75% of that amount. Either way, you have an established government entity that is willing to back your loan and pay for a substantial share, with the maximum cap limit set at five million dollars. The federal guarantee is applicable for loans under sec 7(a) and 504 programs of the Small Business Administration. Using the loan amount The amount can be used as working capital, or for any expansion, or even purchase of equipment for the business.

Commercial real estate comes with big benefits and a big fat income, especially if you’re looking at it as a form of investment. And some of the most beneficial pieces of commercial real estate include the triple net (NNN) properties that can be leased. So, if you’re looking to invest or purchase NNN properties, here are a few tips that’ll help you make the right purchase decision. What is a NNN lease? It a lease agreement in which tenants of a certain property take complete responsibility of all the operating expenses on top of the rent that they are paying the landlord. For any commercial property, the operating expenses can be divided into three parts: tax, insurance, and maintenance. If a tenant takes on only one of these expenses, it is considered a single net lease. If they take on two of the operational expenses, it is then a double net lease. If they take on three, it’s a triple net lease. Generally, NNN leases are taken up by office buildings, industrial areas, malls, restaurants, and even pharmacies. NNN properties are quite beneficial from an ownership viewpoint as they can protect the owner from incurring unexpected expenses and make for some steady and passive income.

A reverse mortgage helps you convert your home equity into funds that may be the need of the hour. It is quite similar to a traditional line of credit that you can avail from banks and financial institutions. As it is with any mortgage, the title of the property remains in your name and you get to enjoy certain additional benefits with a reverse mortgage. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) commonly offers a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) for eligible applicants. Not everyone can apply for this exclusive line of credit as reverse mortgage eligibility is reserved only for seniors over a certain age. Reverse mortgage eligibility criteria Here are the basic requirements to qualify for a reverse mortgage: The first requirement is that as a homeowner, you must be over the age of 62 to apply for the line of credit. If your spouse is under the age of 62 but meets certain special criteria mentioned, they can apply for a reverse mortgage subject to the approval terms and conditions. The home title should be in your name, which should also be your permanent address for a major part of the calendar year. A reverse mortgage cannot be taken on multi-unit buildings or property that is considered commercial in the eyes of the law.