Personal finance expert with more than nine years of online writing experience covering topics including investments, debt, retirement, banking, entrepreneurship, car sharing, insurance, real estate.
How to Protect Your Business Against Fraud
Fraud poses a legitimate risk for businesses, irrespective of their size. Business owners may think they’re less likely to be targeted, but in the world of cybercrime, no one’s exempt. But with the right approach and a solid game plan, you can protect your business and significantly mitigate these risks.
Debit Cards vs. Credit Cards: What Everyone Should Know
When you're ready to pay for a purchase in a store or online, you have an important decision to make: Debit or credit.
Understanding the 'G' in ESG investing
Key takeaways
Sustainable investing goes beyond protecting the environment; investors may want to look out for businesses with strong corporate governance characteristics as well.
Investors focused on good corporate governance can screen for companies that include a balanced number of board members and a strong board composition; they may also consider oversight and conflicts of interest.
In the integrative approach to sustainable investing, investors can think of investing in well-governed c...
My wife and I use 4 Chase cards to maximize our Ultimate Rewards points — here's how easy it is to do
Personal Finance Insider writes about products, strategies, and tips to help you make smart decisions with your money. Business Insider may receive a commission from The Points Guy Affiliate Network, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
The Points Guy
You can combine balances from multiple Chase cards for bigger rewards.
Different cards offer unique bonuses on various purchase categories.
Combine your Chase Ultimate Rewards points with a household member...
I paid off $40,000 of student loans in 2 years thanks to a math-based strategy I'd recommend to just about anyone
Eric Rosenberg paid off $40,000 worth of student-loan debt in just over two years using the debt-avalanche strategy.
The key to making the debt avalanche work, he writes, was living on a tight budget and freeing up as much money as possible to put toward his debts.
His best advice to other people paying off debt isn't specific to the debt avalanche — any debt repayment requires work, he writes.
In 2012, I followed the debt avalanche method to pay off my $40,000 in student loans from my MBA pr...
How to offer free shipping without hurting your bottom line
If you want your business to get ahead in the competitive eCommerce landscape, you might want to offer free shipping. Perhaps you have considered offering free shipping in the past, and decided against it because of the big hit to your bottom line. Today, we are going to look at how to offer free shipping without hurting profits. Follow along to learn ideas, solutions and opportunities to thrive when offering free shipping.
Related: What you need to know about shipping for small business
Offe...
A website vulnerability scanner could save your real estate business
Websites are an important part of most businesses today, and that’s particularly true of real estate. With most home buyers shifting the start of their home search to the web, real estate websites are a key tool for bringing in new business. However, these sites might open their owners to liability if they don’t take steps to harden them against hackers. But don’t worry — a website vulnerability scanner is the answer.
Why do you need a website vulnerability scanner?
In an ideal world, people ...
What is a bankruptcy discharge?
Fans of NBC’s “The Office” may remember an episode in which Michael Scott yells to his office, “I. DECLARE. BANKRUPTCY!” Unfortunately, there’s a lot more to fixing a heap of debt than making a loud proclamation. Filing for bankruptcy is a complex legal process that might save you money, but it also comes with serious consequences you’ll want to consider.
The first step in determining whether a bankruptcy is right for you is defining what it is. Here are a couple important terms to know:
Bank...
Can I get a personal loan if I’m unemployed?
Loans for the unemployed are possible, but you’ll likely have to prove that you have an alternative source of income — and the lender may take a closer look at your creditworthiness.
Here are some things to know about applying for a loan if you’re unemployed, along with some info and alternatives to consider before you apply.
Factors lenders may use to evaluate your loan application
Lenders look at multiple factors when evaluating a new loan application. Ultimately, they’re trying to figure o...
What to know about personal loan apps
If you need funds to help consolidate debt, pay an outstanding bill or finance a large purchase, a personal loan might make sense for you. Personal loan apps can give you an opportunity to borrow money with an online application. Remember, though — approval is not guaranteed and is based on a number of factors, like creditworthiness.
You might find applying for or managing a loan through a personal loan app to be a great way to go — as long as you choose a loan that you can afford to comforta...
The Stock Market: The Complete Beginner Guide
The stock market is the most well-known place to invest. It is fast-paced. It is glamorous. Millions of dollars are made and lost every minute the market is open. It can be intimidating to get started, but once you get a grasp on how it works, you will understand why there is no reason for you to be afraid to invest in the stock market and get your fair share of the gains.
The History of the New York Stock Exchange
Stock investing and trading has been around for hundreds of years, but a forma...
How to Save for Your First Down Payment
Buying a home is typically the largest single purchase a person will make in his or her lifetime. When you are preparing to make a big purchase in real estate, it is important to understand the complexities of what you can afford, what everything will cost, and how to prepare for your purchase.
Your down payment is a one-time cash payment you provide at the closing. The size of this payment has a long-term effect on your finances, as it determines your monthly mortgage payment and your initia...
How I Paid Off My $90,000 MBA in Less Than 2 Years
This article is part of a collection of stories about balancing student loan repayments and prioritizing other savings goals. Read more about this topic.
Earlier this year, Americans broke $1.2 trillion in student debt. The growing student debt load is causing widespread economic ramifications, delaying home purchases, and influencing spending habits, typically for a decade after finishing college.
However, just because most graduates today are living with student debt for a large portion of ...
Money Management Tricks I Learned as a Banker
According to a recent GOBankingRates survey, about 60 percent of people aren’t putting their money into savings accounts with the best rates.
Further, they’re letting fees bury them. The average American pay about $7 a month in fees, which adds up to about $10,000 over a person’s lifetime.
Personal Profitability creator Eric Rosenberg shares his experience as a former bank manager to get you on the right track with your money.
Do you know the difference between APR and APY? If you wanted to g...
The Best Small Businesses to Invest In
The world of investments offers opportunities that come in many shapes and forms. Small businesses require more work and risk than many other investments, but the payoff can be huge. Small businesses are a major part of the economy and provide jobs for nearly half of the U.S. workforce. They are also one of the best paths to long-term wealth for you and your family if you choose the right business.