7 important things to consider before taking cash loans

7 important things to consider before taking cash loans

While many individuals grow up understanding the importance of savings in financial security, unplanned emergencies can arise, leaving them in need of urgent funds. When facing situations like home repairs or health emergencies, cash loans emerge as a convenient solution. But before one signs any agreement related to cash loans, it is important to learn about the borrowing process and its associated factors in detail to make informed decisions regarding one’s financial security.

Determine how much is needed
One of the most common mistakes people make is borrowing more than they require. For instance, if one only needs $5000, they take $10,000 as a cash loan only because it’s available. While this could help have additional funds at the ready, one should remember that the more they take out, the higher the interest rate on the loan. So, it is advised to take only the amount one needs.

Take time with research
It is easy to rush into taking a cash loan during an emergency. But to get the best offer, one must always take and do the necessary research. The first option on the internet may or may not be the best choice. The person taking the cash loan must thoroughly consider various lenders and narrow the options before making a final decision.

Prioritize expenses
If one borrows money for multiple purposes, one must prioritize expenses. For instance, one might have to use the money to pay for utilities like home repairs, healthcare bills, or education expenses. Prioritizing where and how the funds will be used will help avoid running out of money before the expenses are covered.

Read online reviews
The market does not lack financiers; a simple search will render hundreds of options. However, one should look for a bank or online lender with a good reputation. Reading online reviews is one way to start. Doing so may help determine the lender’s interest rates, customer service, and overall experiences of individuals with the lender. One could also speak to family and friends about their experiences with lenders, if any. This could help find reliable and reputable options in one’s area.

Understand the cost of borrowing
While borrowing funds, it is natural for individuals to focus on the interest rates. But another factor that must be equally considered is the cost of borrowing. Borrowers must understand the differences between APR and interest rates. This will help them determine the total amount paid in interest and other associated fees over the life of the loan.

Read the fine print
A cash loan offer can benefit when there is an urgency for funds. However, various terms and conditions are associated with the loan, which one must always read and understand to identify discrepancies, additional charges, and issues with the tenure. One could then discuss these details with the respective lender to work out a better deal.

Make a repayment plan
Before securing funds through a cash loan, one should plan their options to repay the money. This way, one could minimize the impact of the loan on their finances in the short and long term. The best way to create this plan is by understanding every aspect of the loan disbursal process, tenure, payoff dates, and foreclosure options and charges.

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Top automated investing services that make investment easy for all

Automated investing services or Robo advisors are becoming popular by the day, and financial experts around the world only expect to see a surge in their usage. This is because these intelligent services offer one crucial advantage that many investors benefit from: low-cost financial advice. With many top financial services companies jumping in the race to provide customers with the best automated investing services, there are plenty of great options available for every kind of investor.What is a Robo advisor and how much does it cost?A Robo advisor is a digital platform that provides algorithmic-driven money management services that require virtually no human supervision. It does this by collecting client data like financial situation, future goals, and other details through an online survey. This data is then used to automatically manage clients' assets and provide them with the most suitable financial advice. Robo advisors are immensely cheaper than human financial advisors. Most services only charge an annual management fee that is anywhere between 0.25% and 0.5% of the account balance. Depending on your need, you can even find good Robo advisors that offer services free of charge and low minimum balance value. Top Robo advisors in the marketThere are several low-cost Robo advisors that you can choose based on your needs and preferences. Here are some of the best automated investing services or Robo advisors available in the market today.BettermentBetterment is one of the oldest and the most popular players in the industry. It allows clients to invest in a range of funds chosen for you to improve returns. It offers automatic rebalancing, tax-loss harvesting, a personalized retirement plan, and can even sync your outside holdings like bank accounts and any other investments. At extra cost, you can up your investing game by talking to a certified financial advisor on the phone.Management fee: 0.25%Account minimum: $0https://www.betterment.com/investing/SoFI InvestA go-to choice for student loan refinancing, SoFi has now expanded its services into automated investing with its user-friendly investment management system. The company provides goal-based planning, automatic rebalancing, and diversifies your money to help reach your financial goals. Plus, you’ll receive member benefits like career services, discounts on SoFi products, and the opportunity to speak to a human advisor—everything at zero cost. Management fee: noneAccount minimum: $1https://www.sofi.com/invest/automated/WealthfrontWealthfront is one of the largest automated investing companies that offer both short and long-term financial goal planning. Its software builds a diversified portfolio of low-cost index funds to improve your returns and offers time-tested investment strategies that automatically look for profitable opportunities. Management fee: 0.25 percentAccount minimum: $500https://www.wealthfront.com/Charles Schwab Intelligent PortfoliosCharles Schwab is one of the most trusted financial services companies that launched its own Robo advisor that helps build, monitors, rebalances a diversified portfolio based on your goals, and provides 24/7 customer support from US-based service professionals. With Schwab, you are not charged any advisory fee or commission and can invest in a portfolio of low-cost exchange-traded funds (ETFs).Management fee: noneAccount minimum: $5,000https://intelligent.schwab.com/

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7 mistakes to avoid when applying for grants

Entrepreneurs who want to turn their ideas into full-blown, successful ventures often look for grants to make that happen. As rewarding as applying for a grant can be, many applicants face pitfalls that can diminish their chances of securing funding. Additionally, with many individuals applying for grants, the process has become highly competitive. This also means that aspiring entrepreneurs cannot afford to make mistakes during the application process that could jeopardize their chances of success. Poor research When applying for a grant, one needs to do thorough research on potential lenders, including their priorities and requirements. Applying for grants that are not aligned with the organizational goals, needs, and values should be avoided. As an aspiring entrepreneur, it's important to steer clear of funding partners with unrealistic or incompatible expectations. Doing adequate research will help increase one's chances of securing funding. Failing to include supporting documents When one applies for a grant it is important to include supporting evidence to back any business idea. If one is unable to provide the documentation necessary to confirm and validate the proposal, grant reviewers may not consider the application. Not introducing oneself and the venture It is a common mistake to assume that the funder has read about the venture before speaking to the potential entrepreneur. It is essential to introduce oneself and state the organization's objectives so that the lender is clear about this information. The document should also cover minute details about the organization, how the program promotes the funder's missions, and the requirements that will be served in the process. Too much-written content An introduction is important, but it is equally vital to stick to the point. Most foundations conduct the proposal process online, which gives one a limitation on how much they can include in the written document. The application should be concise and cover important facts like the organization's goals and what it stands for, the importance of its services, and why the venture matters. Unclear budget details A common area where applicants may struggle is developing a budget. When writing a grant proposal, one must include the budget for the project, which should offer details, including both program costs and invoices from suppliers. As far as possible, one must avoid submitting rough estimates or vague amounts. The party funding the project requires a detailed breakdown of each cent required and its allocation. Overlooking the eligibility criteria While one could fill out the application for a grant online, they still need to qualify for it. Checking the eligibility criteria is important to avoid wasting time applying for a grant that might get disqualified. For instance, if the grant is only available to 501(c)3 organizations, but one's status is still "pending," the aspiring entrepreneur might need to step back from the application process. Missing the deadline for Letter of Intent (LOI) Even a qualified applicant might lose the opportunity to apply for funding if they miss the submission date. An LOI is the crucial step towards submitting a complete application. It allows the funder to get a concise summary of the applicant's project before submitting a detailed proposal. One should always track the LOI date while preparing a proposal so that it can be submitted promptly.

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