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Quick Takeaways While CDs provide a solid return, there might be juicier opportunities out there. Dividend stocks and bond funds often serve up better yields. Your appetite for risk and investment timeframe should guide your picks. When it comes to parking your cash safely and still reaping some earnings, the certificate of deposit (CD) often… read more
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Key Insights at a Glance The CARD Act of 2009 coupled with updated CFPB guidelines empowers applicants to include their spouse’s income when applying for credit cards. Credit card applications often lack clarity on income definitions, making it tricky to spot explicit instructions about spousal income. Regardless of how applications are worded, listing your partner’s… read more
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Key Insights While the act of breaking a lease won’t explicitly mar your credit report, neglecting rent payments or fees can lead to collections that dent your creditworthiness. Proactive communication with landlords, grasping lease fine print, and settling outstanding balances can curb financial and credit fallout. Options like passing your lease to another tenant, subletting,… read more
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Although not mandated by law, many landlords in Georgia make renters insurance a prerequisite for tenancy. The cost of this coverage can swing considerably depending on where you hang your hat, yet fortunately, premiums tend to remain wallet-friendly. This insurance offers a cushion against losses tied to your leased space, delivering a sense of security… read more
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Liquidity in the financial world signals how swiftly an asset can morph into cold, hard cash. Flip the coin, and you get illiquid assets—those stubborn items that resist quick sales or cash conversion. Why Should You Care About Financial Liquidity? When it comes to businesses, liquidity isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the heartbeat of risk… read more
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When retirement planning enters the picture, annuities frequently pop up as a go-to solution for locking in a consistent income flow. Peek beneath the surface of an annuity, though, and a complex web of components—often overlooked—starts to reveal itself. Understanding these elements sheds light on why these insurance-backed financial instruments are considered illiquid and how… read more
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Credit checks come in two flavors: the gentle soft pull and the more intense hard pull. A soft pull offers just a cursory peek into your credit accounts and history without ruffling your credit score. Typically, these light-touch inquiries are run by prospective employers, credit card issuers scoping you out, or simply when you’re eyeballing… read more
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Bonds often serve as the backbone of a balanced investment strategy, offering a blend of stability, steady income streams, and the possibility of capital gains. With recent cuts in interest rates, there’s been a noticeable surge in investor appetite for bonds, particularly bond funds. To put it in perspective, taxable-bond funds—those generating interest taxable at… read more
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Key Insights For students younger than 21, only personal earnings, familial allowances, and leftover scholarship or grant funds after covering tuition and college expenses are valid income sources. Once past 21, students can also factor in freelance earnings, household income, and a broader range of financial aid. Those without employment have alternatives such as becoming… read more
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Why Grants? The Debt-Free Boost for Small Biz For entrepreneurs aiming to kickstart or grow their ventures, grants stand out as a superb financial lifeline—offering cash injections without the weight of repayment or debt accumulation. Yet, snagging these prized awards is no walk in the park; competition runs fierce, often skewed toward businesses from underrepresented… read more
