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.

Being in debt can be overwhelming and stressful if one does not plan to get out of it. Proper financial planning is imperative to pay the debt right away and should be at the top of one’s priority list. This means being structured and diligent with one’s spending habits, i.e., cutting some expenses to help with debt payments. Nonetheless, here are some more mistakes to avoid while paying off debt. Neglecting interest rates It is recommended that the debt on the bill be paid off with the highest interest rate while the others can wait. One may think paying small amounts for every bill is helpful, but that will not be the case, as the interest will be added back every month. So, paying as much as possible on the highest bill is essential while matching a minimum payment amount for others. Closing credit card accounts While closing credit card accounts after bill payment may seem tempting, this may affect credit score data. So avoid rushing to close the account once it is paid off. Pay the monthly balances and avoid interest charges to maintain a good credit score rating. Not changing spending habits It is important to incorporate some healthy spending habits.

Paying off credit card debt can be a tedious and lengthy process. However, with proper planning, you can reduce your debt to a substantially low amount. Failure to pay credit card bills on time can jeopardize your financial well-being, which must be addressed and corrected as soon as possible. As debt accumulates, so does the stress. Here are some of the mistakes that are commonly made while paying off debt that can easily be avoided. Continuing to use the credit card It is crucial to refrain from using a credit card that has a significant amount of debt until the entire debt has been paid off. Though you may be able to make your monthly payments and reduce the amount of debt over time, the interest charges will continue to compound and accumulate each month, resulting in a much larger debt than you initially incurred. To put an end to this cycle, it is necessary to stop using the credit card completely, at least until all the outstanding dues have been cleared. Also, do not fall prey to “buy now, pay later” shopping schemes. Lack of planning Having a well-planned strategy is the only way to get out of debt easily.

A 401(k) plan is a tax-advantaged retirement savings plan provided by employers. It involves setting aside a portion of the employee’s monthly salary, which can be withdrawn during retirement. Introduced in the 1980s, 401(k) has been instrumental in helping people save money for their future. However, certain mistakes can prevent one from getting the most out of their 401(k) plan. Lapses here could also result in penalties. 1. Not contributing enough Some of the biggest mistakes people make with a 401(k) are not contributing enough or consistently and not increasing their contributions over time (to match their salary). As a result, they end up losing out on the compounding interests, settling for very little money. To steer clear of this mistake, one can set up the account to automatically draw contributions from the salary account. Today, one can also opt for automatic annual increases on a date of their choice or on the effective date of their salary raise to allocate more money for their retirement. 2. Missing out on employer match Many employers match the employee’s contribution. To build a bigger retirement fund, one should avoid missing out on these contributions. One can learn more about the employer’s 401(k) policy.

An income annuity covers various retirement expenses that are not always covered by Social Security or pensions. The customizable contract issued by an insurance company converts an investor’s premiums into a guaranteed, fixed-income stream. It reassures investors of a steady income flow, throughout post-retirement. This retirement plan is only as good as how well one manages the contract. With proper expert guidance, an investor can learn how to reap the benefits of an income annuity. Learn about the types One of the easiest ways to benefit from annuities is to learn about the available types. There are various options: immediate, deferred income, indexed, variable, and fixed deferred annuities. Each type might suit different investor profiles. Learning about them in detail will help one make a more informed investment decision in the long run. Split the money One can divide their money across various annuity contracts using a bucket strategy to stay on budget. The method allocated for short-term, intermediate, and long-term expenses. For instance, if one has recently retired, one of the contracts can be set up to start immediately, while another can be set up in five years when the spouse plans to retire. A third contract will be initiated in 10 years, when one might expect a higher health care bill.

Being new to crypto trading does not necessarily mean one must make all the mistakes to experience and learn. Why not start smart as a beginner? For this, it is essential to be thorough with the common mistakes to avoid when selling or investing in cryptocurrency. Knowing what they are can help potential crypto traders begin their crypto journey on an informed and solid footing without incurring unnecessary losses. 1. Buying because the price is low Low prices may not always hint at a bargain. Sometimes, the prices are low for a reason. So, being wary of the coins with falling user rates is crucial. Many developers formulate a project and leave it after a few years. Consequently, the coin has not been updated, a common reason for its low price. So, one of the mistakes to avoid when selling or investing in cryptocurrency is buying without research, merely because the price is low. 2. Failing to pick the right crypto exchange platform Before one starts trading, one must research and choose a reliable cryptocurrency exchange. Sadly, many beginners rush into this step, which later proves to be a costly mistake. So, when selecting an exchange, look for the following features: