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Thriving Finances: Embracing a Holistic Approach to Financial Well-being

[…]a strategic move for financial growth. A comprehensive business plan, which defines the company’s purpose and structure, services, and funding needs, is critical for articulating your vision, target market, and unique selling proposition. Understanding the financial intricacies of your venture is crucial for securing funding and ensuring long-term viability. This meticulous planning lays the groundwork for a successful enterprise. Positive Financial Influences The influence of your social circle on your financial habits cannot be overstated. Surrounding yourself with mentors and peers who exhibit healthy financial behaviors offers invaluable insights and motivation. Engaging with communities dedicated to sound financial management strengthens […]
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5 Tips for Getting Personal Loans With Bad Credit

[…]submitting a full application. In most cases, prequalification comes with a “soft pull” that won’t hurt your scores. Most lenders only do a “hard pull” when you actually apply for a loan. A hard credit pull can temporarily lower your score, so consider getting prequalified first. Check with several lenders to find out which ones will allow you to prequalify. Next, look at several different options together to determine which lender you want to apply with. This is also a good time to compare fees and extra charges before you actually apply. The option to prequalify allows you to shop […]
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Understanding the Different Types of Personal Auto Loans

[…]to the lender or car dealer. This shows that you’re acting in “good faith” and that you’re capable of repaying the loan. Most borrowers must also be 18 years of age or older. Be prepared to provide your driver’s license or some other form of official identification. Not only will this prove your age and address, but it also protects you against identity theft. Some lenders don’t have a minimum credit score in order to secure an auto loan. However, remember that the higher your score is, the lower your APR will most likely be. If you want to shave […]
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How to Choose a Payment Processing System for Your Business

[…]system allows a fraudulent payment to go through, it could be the end of your business. That’s why it’s crucial that you choose a payment system that offers quality fraud protection. Find a payment processing service that flags and rejects risky transactions. They should also encrypt data during the time of the transaction and also encrypt any data that’s stored in your system. Limits Some payment gateways set a limit on the number of transactions that your business is allowed to process every month. Once you hit that limit, that’s it. You can’t process anymore. For small businesses, this isn’t […]
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How to Know if You Are a High-Risk Merchant

[…]return policy. This will make customers second guess investing in a product they either can’t or shouldn’t afford. Questionable Products Again, you may be considered high risk due to your industry. If you sell adult entertainment or drug paraphilia, some lenders may refuse to work with you for guilt by association. Since the public perception of businesses of your nature is negative, lenders may not want to be seen supporting you. International Operations in the US If your company is located overseas, but you sell to customers in the US, there’s a good chance that you’ve been flagged as high […]

A Guide to the Different Types of Credit Cards

[…]off the balance each month is essential to get the most from a standard credit card. That’s how you’ll avoid interest charges and keep credit use low. Rewards Credit Card You can earn points or miles for every dollar you spend with a rewards credit card. You can redeem these points for merchandise, travel, gift cards, or cash. Many rewards cards offer bonus points in specific spending categories like dining or travel. That makes them perfect for those with high spending in those areas. To maximize your rewards, consider using the card for everyday purchases. And pay off the balance […]
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The Pros and Cons of a Cash Advance Loan

[…]out on these extras. It’s worth remembering, however, that these credit card rewards aren’t the reason you’re applying for a loan in the first place, so they shouldn’t have a huge impact on your decision. Interest Is Added Immediately Depending on the options available, some loans won’t add interest from the start. With cash advance loans, however, interest is immediately applied. This is part of the tradeoff of being able to get access to your money so fast. Finding the Right Cash Advance Loan for You They’re not perfect, but a cash advance loan can be incredibly helpful. If you […]

What Defines a High-Risk Merchant?

[…]These fees can range from $20 to even $100 each. What Can I Do as a High-Risk Merchant? Don’t get discouraged if you’re considered a high-risk merchant. There are many things you can do to keep your business in good standing. Lower Your Chargebacks Many e-commerce businesses deal with a lot of chargebacks. This is especially true if you sell clothing or shoes. Make sure your product description matches what you’re selling. Include a detailed size chart to ensure your customers purchase the right size. Reduce your chargebacks so you can lower the related fees. Get Healthy Cash Reserves Many […]

When to Start Investing for Retirement (And How to Choose a Plan)

[…]plan, it gives you more time to spend living in the present moment. And when you retire, you’ll be happy you took the time to think about how you’re going to make the most of your older years. Future Retirement Planning Starts Here Investing for retirement is the key to happy, long life. It avoids putting pressure on loved ones to cover your life expenses when you get older. And it helps you make clear decisions about your finances when you’re younger. Being cautious about spending now means you have more funds to take adventures and make new memories in […]
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How to Effectively Shop Around for the Best Payday Loan Interest Rates

[…]from such deals and go for something a bit more middle-of-the-road. Payday Loans Interest Rate – Find the Best One for You Financial troubles can make anyone’s logic go out of the window and result in bad decision-making all around. But if you don’t want to be stuck in a vicious cycle of loans and high-interest rates, then it’s important to find the best payday loans interest rate for you before committing to anything. Find a company you can trust like First Financial and get a loan of $5,000 in as little as 24 hours. Don’t let a gap in […]
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Leveraging Benefits and Rewards of Student Credit Cards

[…]you are not actually leveraging the benefits that your card offers you! While this doesn’t harm you since you’re spending the money no matter what, it is not actually going to benefit you. Using Student Credit Cards Credit cards have so many benefits. However, if you use them incorrectly, you are not going to be able to reap those benefits. So how should you use student credit cards? How do you reap the benefits of credit card rewards? By following this guide, you’ll better understand how to use student credit cards to your advantage! You can check out the different […]
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Buying Smart: Easy Finance Hacks for Homebuyers

[…]the best rate possible, it’s important to enter into the process with a good credit score – this can save you thousands of dollars over the lifetime of your loan. In the lead-up to your application, you can boost your score by paying down debts, increasing your credit limits, disputing errors, and more. For most of us, buying a house is amongst the biggest investments we’ll make in our lifetime. Regardless of if it’s your first time, it’s important to enter into the process armed with the right information and a few handy hacks to boot, whether that pertains to […]
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A Guide to Starting a Green Business

A Guide to Starting and Growing a Green-Building Business If you’re looking to start a business in the green-building industry, you have come to the right place. The green-building industry is booming, as more people are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of sustainable construction practices. Many factors need to be taken into account when starting and growing a green-building business. Including drafting a proper business plan to finding the right staff and investing in the right software. Dive into the details with this helpful guide from First Financial. Business Plan Essentials The first step to starting a successful green-building […]

Is Taking Out a Personal Loan a Good Idea?

[…]guide, we will tell you all the pros and cons of using loans for credit card debt. Plus, we’ll give you tips for paying down credit card balances if you don’t qualify for an affordable loan. Keep reading to learn more. Taking Out a Personal Loan to Pay Off Credit Cards In 2023, the average interest rate on credit cards is a little bit over 20%. This is an average, so some credit cards have lower APRs, and others have higher interest rates. On average, personal loans have lower interest rates than credit cards. In 2023, the average is around 10–20%. The […]

What Is APR?

[…]on the type of loan. In these cases, the higher rate is not necessarily due to the borrower’s creditworthiness or lack thereof. It is due to the bank’s perceived risk. For example, secured loans naturally have lower interest rates. Secured loans include auto loans and home loans (mortgages). We call them “secured” because the lender can take your home or car if you default on the loan. On the flip side, unsecured loans tend to have higher interest rates to offset the lender’s risk. Risk on unsecured loans is higher because the lender has no way to make up for […]

Changing Your Mindset About Money to Improve Your Life

[…]can open doors for career advancement. Practical Savings Tips You Need Today Saving money doesn’t have to be complicated — it simply requires discipline. Here are some tips to try: Set up automatic transfers into savings accounts each month so that saving becomes second nature. Try using cash envelopes where only specific amounts of cash can be spent on certain items. Create budgets detailing exactly where every dollar should go. Use apps to track your spending habits. Changing your mindset about money takes time, but it’s worth it as it can improve every aspect of your life. Start by understanding […]
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Changing Your Mindset About Money to Improve Your […]

What is Bitcoin Tax-Loss Harvesting?

[…]cap for bitcoin was a little over $1 billion. Later on, this number would explode more than 1000-fold to a value of more than $1.2 trillion! However, the market cap as of January 2023 is closer to $300 billion.These are the kinds of huge swings up and down that the world of cryptocurrency is famous for. These swings are also one of the reasons why so many people are interested in crypto tax-loss harvesting. You will get $ 10 of Bitcoin when you sign up. Get Started Today! GET STARTED Video: What is Bitcoin Tax-Loss Harvesting? The bigger the dips in the […]

What is a Bitcoin Employee Benefit Plan?

[…]The good news is with a Bitcoin Employee Benefit Plan, you can start “stacking sats” on auto-pilot. Before you know it you’ll have a decent amount of bitcoin in your pocket. Bitcoin Employee Benefit Plan is technically a custodial wallet. This means you are not in full possession of your bitcoin. Thankfully, it allows you to move your bitcoin to a self-custody wallet. Portfolio Diversification As an employee, it makes sense for you to have a portfolio that is diverse. This is so you are not putting all your eggs in one basket. For example, you could have some gold, […]

Bitcoin IRA

[…]no guarantee it will continue to rise in price, but with a limited number of minable coins (21 million), there’s a built-in scarcity. Cons of a Bitcoin IRA A major downside to Bitcoin IRAs is that you can’t move your current crypto holdings to an IRA account. Instead, you have to use a designated firm to make a purchase for your crypto IRA. This is for the sake of compliance rules. However, using a firm will add to the cost of each transaction. Along with trading fees, there may also be set-up fees. If you already have a large amount […]

What Are High Risk Merchant Services?

[…]the service provider considers your business venture to be “high risk”. In other words, they’re not confident that your business is going to make enough money through their services in order to justify them giving them to you. This is where high risk merchant services come into play. These services are available to essentially anyone, regardless of credit score, products sold, or otherwise. They ensure that you’re able to make card transactions, and thereby help to either improve the success of your business or, at the very least, keep it afloat. Who’s Considered High Risk? We’ve discussed what high risk […]

Cash Discount Processing: Everything to Know

[…]legal questions. Businesses may be hesitant to implement a cash discount because they aren’t sure if it’s entirely legal. Businesses using a surcharge are more likely to run into legal issues. Although legal in most states, surcharges for credit cards have to be clearly displayed at the point of sale. Some states have outright bans on surcharges for credit card transactions. Cash discount programs, however, are legal anywhere in the United States. With a cash discount program, the vendor adjusts the price of each product or service to account for the cost of processing fees. When a customer pays cash, […]

Start a Local Small Business

[…]sure you’re ready yet? You might want to go back to school in order to earn your bachelor’s degree in business before jumping into being an entrepreneur. Degrees in finance, accounting, management, communication, or a general business degree can provide you with skills and knowledge that will help you establish your business. Many online programs make it possible for you to work or even run your own business while earning the degree. An additional benefit might be that you’ll make some useful contacts who can mentor or partner with you later. Engage with the Community Once you’ve got your business […]

Side Gig: The Essential Guide

[…]and interests. Don’t be afraid to apply for jobs slightly out of your comfort zone – you never know what you might end up loving. The most important thing is to stay positive and keep exploring until you find your perfect career. Ready to get started on making that moola with a side gig? Whether you’ve been laid off or just looking to supplement your income, remember that there are so many options out there! No matter your skill, experience, or preference, you’re sure to find the work you are looking for. For more informative resource guides, check out First […]

Bitcoin Savings Account

[…]Bitcoin development is ongoing, and therefore you may experience changes down the line. We’re sure you have plenty of questions on how a Bitcoin Savings Plan works. Let’s discuss the five things you should be aware of when trading in cryptocurrency. Disclaimer: First Financial does not provide any investment, financial, tax, legal or other professional advice. We recommend that you consult with financial and tax advisors to understand the risks and consequences of buying, selling, and holding Bitcoin. 1. The FDIC Does Not Insure Cryptocurrency Cryptocurrency is the new kid on the block, and as a result, regulators are still working on […]

What Happens if You Don’t Pay Back a Loan?

[…]if you miss payments. But the good news is, if you miss one by just a few days or a week, it’s not likely it’ll be reported. Don’t make a habit of late payments though. Just one might be reported, which can damage your credit score. And if a few get reported, this can really sink your score. Either way, the blemish can stay for up to 7 years on your credit report! This means it can take a while to rebuild your credit score, so you want to avoid this at all costs. You’ll Default on Your Loan A loan […]

What Are Payday Loans?

[…]Payday Loans Right for You? The answer to the question “what are payday loans” is they’re a quick and easy way to get fast cash when you’re in a bind. However, they’re not without their pros and cons, so make sure you carefully weigh them up before you get one. If you do decide they’re right for you, then the next step is to take out a loan from a reputable company. We at First Financial are here to give you the options you need fast! Ready to get started? Then apply for a payday […]

Financial Strategies to Help Young Veterans

[…]can do without. For example, review your auto insurance plan and remove the coverage you don’t need. Avoid Debt Pitfalls If you have existing debt, focus on paying that before taking on additional debt. Factor it into your budget to make sure you don’t accumulate interest. If possible, avoid high-interest loans and credit cards to minimize the chances of getting into debt. Find a Job or Start a Business Ex-military members have talents and skills that are highly valued in most workplaces. Finding a job in San Diego can help you complement your income. Sometimes, it can be challenging to […]

Getting Through an Economic Downturn

[…]San Diego (look for free therapy), or exercise more, do so for your own health and your family’s sake. If you don’t take time for yourself and become overwhelmed, it becomes even more difficult to care for yourself and your family. You can also try group meditation. Consume Consciously When you have limited money and products are more expensive, it’s smart to scrutinize the purchases you do make. If you aren’t sure about the quality of a product or service, check reviews on pet items, home appliances, and more. Be honest about whether you need an item now or if you […]

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First Financial® & First Financial Online® are Federally Registered Trademarks

©1996-2023 First Financial®, All Rights Reserved. All other products and company names are trademarks of their respective companies. First Financial® does not provide any investment, financial, tax, legal or other professional advice. We recommend that you consult with financial and tax advisors to understand the risks and consequences of buying, selling and holding Bitcoin.*Not all lenders can provide up to $5,000. Must be 18 or over, outside of New York, South Dakota and Hawaii to sign up for a Bitcoin Savings Account.