Bonds are relatively low-risk investment options that can provide a good source of income. These days , people investing in bonds have multiple choices, like debt securities from corporate firms and government bonds. One can also diversify their portfolios by blending stock and bond securities. Doing so helps lower the risks while increasing the chances of a good return. But before investing in bonds directly, one must understand certain essential aspects. Maturity While some bonds are long-term investments with long lock-in periods, others are short-term bonds that mature quickly. One should check the maturity periods of different bond investments and choose the best option based on their preferences. The longer the lock-in period, the more one has to wait before they receive their money back, and vice versa. So, if one’s objective is to earn income from the bond a few years later or after retirement, a bond with a longer lock-in period works. But if the objective is to invest for a short period, one should go for bonds that mature quickly. Secured and unsecured bonds Bonds are commonly bifurcated as secured and unsecured. Secured bonds are the ones in which the issuer secures the debt investment with a certain asset they own. That means the bond issuer pledges their collateral, such as a house or vehicle. If they cannot pay the debt, this collateral can be sold to clear the bondholders’ dues. The drawback here is that it can lead to a colossal loss if the collateral is the only asset the bond issuer owns. In the case of unsecured bonds, the debt investment is not secured with any such asset. So, one needs to be careful as the chances of a loss are high. Creditworthiness It is only worth investing in a bond if one receives the principal amount and interest on time.

Savings accounts are a type of bank account that allow people to save their money in the simplest way possible. The money in the account also generates interest, which is additional money for the account holder. Opening a savings account is also fairly easy, and so is the process of withdrawing from it when required. Despite that, mistakes in opening and maintaining a savings account can prevent one from getting the most out of it. 1. Choosing a low-interest account One of the biggest benefits of a savings account is that the account holder earns interest on a predecided basis for the amount they have deposited. Now, most banks offer low interest rates or annual percentage yields (APYs) on savings accounts, usually between 0.01% and 0.5%. While with a savings account, the goal is to save money rather than earn high returns, it is still better to choose a high-yield savings account. High-yield savings accounts, as the name suggests, offer comparatively better annual interest rates, usually in the range of 4–5%. So, just by depositing money into one of these high-yield savings accounts, one can earn substantial passive income. 2. Not comparing options Every bank offers a different interest rate on savings accounts. So, before deciding upon a bank and opening a savings account, it is better to compare all options. One can look up interest rates offered by different banks and shortlist the ones offering the highest rates. The comparison shouldn’t end there. One should also check the terms and conditions of the bank while opening the savings account, including the minimum balance policy. Also, as banks keep changing their interest rates, one should keep comparing rates from time to time and consider switching to a new bank if they are getting a better deal. Before making the switch, however, it is important to review the terms to see if one is eligible for the advertised interest rate.

A personal loan is a sum of money that one can borrow for several purposes, including home renovations, buying a car, debt consolidation, or covering healthcare emergencies. Credit unions, online lenders, or banks offer a personal loan. This loan is usually repaid over an agreed-upon tenure at an interest rate. The process of securing an instant personal loan is straightforward. However, those exploring the financing options for the first time are susceptible to making mistakes. 1. Not shopping around for the best options Sometimes, the urgency of funds might compel an individual to pick the first personal loan option they come across. They may even qualify for a higher amount that will help ease their financial burden. However, rushing a decision often results in overlooking elements like interest rates, processing fees, and tenure. For instance, while the first option might offer $1000 at a 10% interest rate for 24 months, a little research might render an option with about 7% interest for the same tenure. Before signing the agreement, one must always research the available lenders for the best offers. 2. Too many applications While one must explore the available options when looking for a personal loan, it is important to reduce the number of checks. Too many loan inquiries on one’s report may hurt the credit score and make lenders think twice before approving an application. One must apply for one loan at a time to have a better chance of approval without damaging the credit score. Moreover, exploring prequalified offers is a better way to compare offers without hurting one’s score. 3. Taking more than required When one applies for an instant personal loan online or at a nearby lender branch, one might have the option of taking out a larger than required amount if one has a great credit score.

A 401(k) is a qualified retirement plan companies offer employees as part of their benefits package. Through this plan, an employer matches an employee’s contribution towards their retirement fund. Though it is not legally required, many companies offer 401(k) plans to become eligible for tax benefits. Employers are, in many cases, given exemptions for state and payroll taxes, whereas the contributions made by the employee are considered deductions from their federal income tax. Common mistakes people make with their 401(k) plan 1. Not knowing the different 401(k) accounts Before signing up for a 401(k) plan, it is important to know the characteristics and features of the different 401(k) accounts so that one can plan one’s savings accordingly. This scheme offers two types of accounts – Traditional 401(k) and Roth 401(k). One can choose the account that is suitable for one’s needs. The basic difference is that in a traditional 401(k), the contributions are made with pre-tax income, while in a Roth 401(k), it is made after-tax income. Roth 401(k) is currently more popular as it offers better tax benefits and wider investment options. 2. Withdrawing early from the 401(k) The 401(k) plan is designed to be a retirement-support fund; hence, checks and balances are in place to deter the use of the funds before retirement. There are strict penalties for early withdrawal or using the money to pay personal debts or credit card debt. If one withdraws before the age of 59.5, one may face a 10% penalty, above the income tax on the distribution. One can also lose out on the fund’s growth. Hence, taking early withdrawal or using the 401(k) funds to settle other personal debts is generally discouraged. 3. Not increasing the contribution amount Many participants do not increase the contribution amount to their 401(k) even after many years of work or an increase in salary.

Navigating the world of financial investments and taxes, especially without guidance, can be daunting. It is not only tough to grasp all the terms and processes, but it is also a time-consuming task. So, it is advisable for one to hire a financial or tax adviser who can handle these tasks for them. When choosing a financial adviser, it is important to consider certain factors and avoid some mistakes to ensure hiring the right experts. Not seeking recommendations When looking to hire a financial or tax adviser, often, the first instinct is to explore online. While that is not exactly a mistake, searching for a financial adviser on the web can definitely be tedious. One would need to do a lot of research to make sure that they are hiring the right, reliable adviser for their financial decisions. This is why looking for a tax adviser on the Internet can be one’s Plan B. Plan A should be seeking recommendations from one’s friends, colleagues, family members, or anyone they trust and respect. If any of these people already have a reliable financial adviser, one will be in luck. It can help one save a lot of research time. But, it is also advisable to ask the person giving a referral a few questions about the financial adviser. For instance, one must ask them about the adviser’s experience and how satisfied they are with the expert’s services. It can help one determine if they can seriously consider the referral. Not verifying the adviser’s credentials One of the biggest mistakes to avoid when choosing a financial or tax adviser is not asking about their credentials. Before choosing an adviser, one must ask them about their qualifications, certifications, and what exams they have passed. One must also confirm if the adviser has obtained the right certifications for CFP (Certified Financial Planner) and/or CPA (Certified Public Accountant).

People often try their best to live a safe life. However, various elements could interfere with one’s cocooned approach, such as accidents or injuries due to unforeseen circumstances. Even a minor mishap may require vehicle repair estimates, doctor appointments, and insurance company calls into one’s calendar. In most cases, individuals may be eligible for a settlement check to address these expenses. But before accepting the check, it’s crucial to learn the details of settlements. Look for better offers Insurance adjusters typically start negotiations by offering an individual a low settlement amount. Sometimes, the amount might also be appealing to many. One should note that the first offer isn’t always the last. In most cases, the insurance company wants to gauge if the insured understands how much the claim is worth and determine how much one is eligible for and willing to accept. One should remember that one could always reject the first offer and make a counteroffer for a more reasonable amount. Doing so will show the adjuster that the individual is taking the negotiations seriously. Seek help from a lawyer When one hires an experienced legal professional, an insurance company might treat the claimant more respectfully. The personal injury attorney can offer detailed assistance and negotiate settlements from a position of strength to ensure the insurance company offers all the compensation to which one is entitled. Moreover, an attorney can handle the entire negotiation process on behalf of their clients with serious accident injuries. This way, one can focus on recovering from injuries and other aspects of their daily routine and still secure exceptional compensation. The settlement agreement is final and binding A settlement agreement may include a release of liability, which means the insurance company isn’t responsible for payment outside the settlement agreement. So, the claimant cannot ask for more money in the future and cannot take the case to court with a personal injury lawsuit.

Annuities offer one of the more stable and reliable guaranteed income options in a person’s post-retirement phase. Annuities come with several benefits, such as monetary assurance for self and family, an income source immune to recession, and others. The positivity around annuity can be negatively affected when people who wish to apply for it make certain mistakes during or after the application process. So, identifying and avoiding these mistakes is imperative. Choosing the wrong insurance/annuity provider An annuity is of 5 types. For example, fixed dollar amounts, variable, guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits, and inflation-adjusted are the types of annuities. Each type of annuity comes with its own set of pros and cons. Financial advisors recommend that people go for certain annuities based on their personal requirements and financial position. Choosing the “wrong” kind of annuity can prevent users from getting the full scope of benefits of the scheme. Apart from the type of annuity, the insurance company in question must be checked before people sign up for annuity plans with them. One must research the credibility and popularity of annuity providers. After the research phase, people need to select the insurance companies that are among the most reputed ones. Not understanding how an annuity works Knowing the metaphorical ABCs of any investment option is critical for people looking to sign up for it. So, suppose someone wishes to purchase a life insurance policy. In that case, they need to check aspects of the service, such as the maturity period, coverage costs, premiums payable across the insurance coverage phase, and so on. For annuities, people need to analyze the fees and costs involved in the process. Along with those, potential subscribers of these plans must also check how the payout will be calculated and ultimately delivered. Not naming a beneficiary As alluded to earlier, the benefits of annuities do not end with the person who purchases the plan.

In the picture-perfect world, it is all about making magnificent profits. Charles D. Ellis, the investing luminary, compared investing to amateur tennis, as victory goes only to the player making the fewest mistakes. Victory is rarely in the hands of a player who tries to smash every point only to keep whacking the ball out of the court and into the net. Likewise, there are some ETF investing mistakes investors should avoid. 1. ETF Investment Strategy Not understanding the ETF investment strategy or its composition is one of the top ETF investing mistakes. Ideally, one must understand what’s underlying with the ETF. It can help one know if it caters to one’s objectives. On the contrary, knowing and understanding where one puts money is decisive. So, take time to analyze to what extent the return of the ETF matches the index it replicates and how regular the monitoring is. 2. Trying to overshadow the market We all wish to overturn the market. But sadly, nobody can do it consistently. Moreover, when one tries to outperform the market, it will only condemn one to substandard results. The active investors chop their returns by adding to the excessive fees. Thus, one must employ funds that track indexes, like ETFs. The SPIVA study demonstrates that even active fund professionals who get money to beat the market perennially fail to do so. Of course, people will beat the market every year. However, most people cannot do it for more than five or ten years. Hence, one must never use past performance as a metric for future success. By doing so, one merely mistakes luck for skill. 3. Not monitoring the portfolio and its evolution Many investors do not monitor their portfolios. Believing everything will be fine is one of the worst ETF investing mistakes.

Financial challenges can be difficult to overcome sometimes, especially when one has debts to pay off and other financial responsibilities. One such constraint may be a credit card bill that needs to be paid off by the due date to avoid penalties and maintain a credit score. Fortunately, many financial institutions offer credit card financial hardship programs to help in such situations. Being aware of such programs helps one seek much-needed support during testing times. What are credit card financial hardship programs? A credit card financial hardship program is an initiative to help cardholders needing temporary assistance, such as temporarily reducing interest rates, payment extensions, and late fee waivers. Sometimes, the individual’s due payment may be suspended under certain conditions. In general, if one’s credit scores and payment records have been good, there is a higher chance of being given the waivers and benefits applicable to such programs. Who can apply for a credit card financial hardship program, and how to qualify for it? A credit card financial hardship program is generally suitable for those currently going through a difficult financial situation and cannot afford to pay their impending credit card bill on time. Depending on the circumstances and the program’s policy offered by the specific financial institution, they may either avail of a deadline extension or even a waiver or suspension. Following a few steps can help increase one’s chances of qualifying for a financial hardship program. Check the company’s eligibility criteria All credit card companies have certain fixed eligibility criteria for their financial hardship programs. So, when applying for a financial hardship program, one should know such eligibility criteria and requirements. Understanding the criteria beforehand ensures no disappointments later, and one is mentally prepared for the nature of support that the company will likely offer. Demonstrate a financial hardship situation Financial hardship may happen in different scenarios – loss of employment, an economic crisis, unexpected health emergencies, a natural disaster, etc.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers special benefits to those who have served in the armed forces. One of the benefits is VA loans—low-interest loans meant for eligible military personnel, veterans, and their spouses. The loans can help the beneficiaries become homeowners. There are several other features of these loans that even eligible veterans may not know, which stops them from applying for VA loans and making the most out of this benefit. 1. No down payment requirement Arguably, the best feature of VA loans is that one does not have to make a down payment on a home to get a VA home loan. Often, one may have to shell out tens of thousands of dollars to secure the loan and be able to buy their dream home. VA loans eliminate the need for arranging down payment money, so VA loan beneficiaries do not have to put off buying a home. This benefit of VA loans speeds up the process of buying homes. 2. Lenient credit score guidelines A major loan deterrent for many is their creditworthiness, which is determined by their credit score— a number that takes into account one’s credit history, loan repayment history, and how promptly debts are repai. A good score indicates to the lender that the borrower will be able to repay the loan. So, a poor credit score can come in the way of loan approval. However, those who are eligible for securing a VA loan do not have to worry too much about this number, as VA loans do not have strict minimum credit score guidelines. So, it might be easy to secure a VA loan with a low credit score. 3. Re-usable benefit The VA home loan benefit is not a one-and-done option. Instead, one can opt to use it as many times as they want.