A brief overview of free credit score The credit score determines the financial status, such as whether you qualify for credit or a loan and most importantly, the interest rate that you pay on your loan. Any financial organization requires to know about your credit score. This helps them in determining if you are a safe customer to carry out transactions with. Your credit score has a major impact on the decisions that you make and the offers you avail because even a landlord can turn you down if your credit score does not measure up to the minimum requirements. The credit card score reflects how well you are able to manage your debt. If you are looking to improve your credit score, free credit score is the answer. One can apply for free credit through different services to monitor the progress of your credit. Here are factors that you should understand about credit scores and free credit score: Which are the key factors that influence credit score? Timely-payments can greatly impact your credit score.  It proves to lenders how reliable you are. Even a few payments that are made late can significantly affect your score. Thus, paying all your bills on time is essential for the good health of your credit. Your credit history determines your credit worthiness. The older your credit lines, the more information can be acquired. It proves how well you have been able to manage your credit score through the years. The total hard credit inquiries are those that occur when you apply for various loans such as student loan, personal, mortgage, etc. These are checks made by institutions to decide on whether your loan can be approved. Multiple hard credit inquiries can affect your credit score to a large extent. What are the factors that do not make impact your credit score? Surprisingly, our credit score is only determined by your payments and credit report information. Factors such your monthly income, alma mater, and family history are not considered. How can you get your credit score for free? Today, a large number of credit card companies offer free credit score. You can obtain your number from a bank or credit card issuer. Pay attention to your FICO. This score is considered to be the actual credit score. However, not all credit scores are calculated using FICO. There are many tools online that are great and allow you to see free credit score. These tools and services may money through advertisements from credit companies. How does free credit score aid in maintaining your score? If you know your credit score, it gives you a good idea of where the status of your credit is heading. You will have fair idea of how much you have to pay in interest before seeking a loan and whether you should actually go ahead with your application. Do free credit score services charge a fee? Most companies that offer free credit do not charge a fee. However, there are some companies that charge for this service. The fee may be a very nominal amount. What are the ways to improve your credit score? There are common cases where there may be mistakes or errors in your credit report. Fix these as soon as possible. If you notice any unpaid bills, make sure that you pay them off immediately. Keep tab on your future payments. Set reminders so that they do not slip off your mind and pay off the bill right away. Automating the process will effectively help. Even if you have a high credit score, refrain of using it as it will affect your credit score.

Everything you need to know about credit cards with no foreign transaction fee Are you planning to travel to a foreign country? Whether you are planning to travel abroad for a holiday or for your work, you need to take care of various things to make your journey and stay hassle-free. For instance, you should have your visa, travel permits, and passport in order. You should also consider the financial aspects, such as converted currency and traveler’s checks. However, traveler’s checks are slowly becoming redundant due to the prevalent use of plastic payment cards such as debit card and credit cards. Apart from convenience, these cards are also more secure compared to cash and checks that can be stolen or lost. With debit cards and credit cards, you can easily cancel the card with one call to the customer service center. Although using credit cards is simpler and safer, they can cost a lot if you use your national credit cards. This is because when you use your credit card or debit card in any foreign country, a foreign transaction fee will be charged whenever you swipe your card. To avoid additional charges, you can opt for credit cards with no transaction fees. Read on to know more about getting a credit card with no foreign transaction fee. What is a foreign transaction fee? Foreign transaction fees are added to charges added to any transaction that occurs in a foreign country. Even if you book a ticket through a website that is not based in your home country, you may be charged with foreign transaction fees if you use your credit card for the transaction. This foreign transaction fee can be as high as 3% on each transaction. So, if you are making any big purchases or even booking rooms through your credit card, you might end up with a huge credit debt at the end of your due date. When should you apply for a credit card with no foreign transaction fee? If you frequently travel to foreign countries. If you are going on a holiday abroad. If you frequently purchase goods from foreign-based retailers or merchants. If you often buy from online retailers not based in your home country. Are foreign transaction fees involved while using debit cards abroad? Yes, you will be levied foreign transaction fees when you use your debit cards in a foreign country. The foreign transaction fee is also called currency conversion fee. It is usually between $1 and $5. Also, if you use your debit card to withdraw cash from an ATM, you will be charged an international ATM fee along with additional charges. Which are the popular credit cards with no foreign transaction fee? Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite MasterCard TRIO Credit Card from Fifth Third Bank Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card Discover it Miles PenFed Premium Travel Rewards American Express Card How to apply for a credit card with no foreign transaction fee? First, you select a credit card with no foreign transaction fee that gives you the maximum benefits suitable for your requirements You can then apply online through the card company’s website by providing your personal information, mailing address, mention your credit score, mention your source of income, your annual income, credit history, and so on. You will go through certain verification checks similar to those required while applying for any regular credit card. Once all the processes are completed, you will receive your credit card.

4 frequently asked questions for choosing the best franchises to own in the US A franchise is a type of license that a party, known as the franchisee acquires in order to allow them to have access to the franchiser’s (a business’) proprietary knowledge, trademarks, and processes to allow the franchisee to sell a product or provide a service under the established business’ name. The franchisee pays the franchisor initial start-up and annual licensing fee. Choosing the best franchises to own in the US can be a tricky business. Here are some questions that you should ask before owning a franchise. What is the ideal budget when choosing the best franchises to own? The cost of a franchise depends on the industry and the business model. There are some business models that have an upfront fee of $10,000, while others can go up to $1 million. Before deciding to own a franchise, the prospective franchisees should consider the initial investment that would be required to own the franchise and how much returns should be expected from the business. The franchisee should consider their own lifestyle, wealth, income, and equity when choosing from the best franchises to own. What are the basic business skills required for own the best franchise? It is important for the franchisees to understand basic entrepreneurial skills. To succeed in a franchise, franchisees should be willing to take small and controlled risks to the least. This risk aversion comes with a fact that every business involves some level of risk and failure. To own some of the best franchises you need a specific set of operations which will tell you the best way of associating with the business. How to determine which franchisee is the best for you? When choosing the best franchises to own, you need to narrow down the reasons for choosing one primarily. Decide on the factor if you want own the franchise as a hobby, a part-time, or a full-time job. This will help you decide whether you want the franchise as a primary source of income or to build it as an equity. Evaluate your skill sets as you should possess prior professional experience that you were comfortable with before choosing from the best franchises to own across the country. This includes interacting with clients via cold calling or interacting with them from behind the counter. In the initial days of setting up a franchise, you might have to manage minimum wage employees and work on the field with clients and customers yourself. Which are some of the best franchises to own in the country? Based on the risk involved in the business, here are some of the best franchises that you can own: Ace Hardware currently owns and operates more than 10000 stores across seven countries. It has been franchising since the past 40 years and has a brand tradition of 93 years. They offer their customers a wide range of tools to maintain their gardens and houses and also provide advices regarding the same. Fast food chains and fancy restaurants is a very profitable business. Jack in the Box is one such franchise. Opened back in 1951, it started franchising around 35 years ago. Although the initial investment of setting up this franchise is around $1 million, it might turn out to be a profitable investment. Continuing to state the fact restaurant franchises are one of the most profitable businesses to own, Hardee’s is one of the franchises that need a initial investment capital of roughly $1.5 million. Fitness is very important nowadays, especially when many people have desk jobs that make them sit for most of their working hours. Being one of the youngest and one of the best franchises to own, Anytime Fitness has acquired great success by promoting a healthy lifestyle. The start up cost to own this franchise ranges between $80,000 to $100,000. Being in the cleaning and a restoration industry, Servpro has been franchising for the last 48 years. If you are looking to avoid food-based business and are considering to go for a more practical type of a business, Servpro might be the choice for you. The initial investment needed for this venture is around $150,000.

Points to consider before choosing the best financial adviser for your investments A financial adviser is one who creates financial plans for and sells financial products to their clients. They provide insights on savings and investments to their clients and provides advices investments, insurance, estate planning, taxes, retirement, and other financial decisions. What are the types of services provided by financial advisers? To find some of the best financial advisers, you first need to understand the types of services offered by them. Financial advisers provide three main types of services: Financial planning helps you in managing financial aspects such as savings, types, and insurance that will provide you maximum returns. The investment advisory services focuses on investment management that helps deciding what investments to own. Investments are a part of any ongoing financial process. One of the main services offered by financial advisers is the retirement income planning. It focuses on how to coordinate social security taxes, investments, pensions, and other retirement planning. The main aim is to align these investments that will eventually help in delivering paychecks in the form returns in the future. How are financial advisers compensated? The objective of the best financial advisers is to charge for the fees strictly on the services that they provide you. Financial advisers usually get compensated on factors like asset-based fee, hourly fees, and some even participate in commissions-based fees on the returns that you get from the investment. People who buy investments that they plan on holding for a long time, it is always advisable that you pay the commission to your financial adviser, thus making it a cost-effective way for you to compensate them. How to seek financial advisers with reputable credentials? If you want to hire the best financial advisers with reputable credentials: Look for advisers who have their CFP (certified financial planner) or PFS (personal financial services) designation or an adviser who is a chartered financial analyst. You can also check the potential of the adviser by verifying if they are a member of the NAPFA (National Association of Personal Financial Advisors). It is a membership group of fee-only advisers that requires a particular educational qualification. What questions should one ask before hiring a financial adviser? Asking the right questions will help you get the best financial advisers. Here is a list of questions that will help you select the same: You can ask the potential financial advisers about their ideal clients. The best financial advisers have an area of expertise. If a financial adviser tells that he or she works for young families, then he or she might not be the right adviser for you. Find a financial adviser that has experience in terms of providing services to every age group, at every stage of life The simplest question you can ask a financial adviser is to explain a financial concept to you. If they offer you a very generic or a very technical explanation to it that goes over your head, then they might not be the right advisers for you. Look for those advisers who can explain you tricky concepts of finance in a language that you can understand. Ask how a financial adviser wishes to be compensated. An honest answer entailing a clear explanation of all the fees and expenses that you might have to pay them based on your investment profile and the returns that you will get from it should be the norm when picking the right financial adviser. Answers like “you will not have to pay anything out of your pocket” should not be acceptable. How do I verify the credentials of financial advisers? To make sure of whether you are hiring one of the best financial advisers that are legitimate and have a good service record, you can Verify their records at FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc.), SEC, CFP boards, and other membership organizations that the adviser might be associated with. There are online websites, that can help you find which organization the financial adviser is a member of and if they have any complaints and grievances reported against them.

Essential tips for functional and elegant kitchen cabinets Having functional and good-looking kitchen cabinets are essential since these define how well your kitchen is designed. You need to pay attention to the kind of material you use since your kitchen is a place that would be filled with occasional smoke, spills, and condensation. Another factor to consider would be the general appearance of your kitchen cabinets, which should be in tune with the rest of your house. Whether you want to refurbish your existing kitchen cabinets or are looking for kitchen cabinets for your new house, here are few pointers that would help you out. What are the different types of kitchen cabinets that are available? Budget Kitchen Cabinets – These types of cabinets for kitchens start at $70 per foot. These are the least expensive types of kitchen cabinets which are off-the-shelf and are also called as stock. Mostly made of veneered particleboard, these are available in limited sizes and options. Mid-Level Kitchen Cabinets – With a cost of around $150 per foot, mid-level kitchen cabinets are available in made-to-order varieties in different sizes, finish, materials and different accessories depending on your requirement. These type of kitchen cabinets can be made of veneered particleboard and plywood. Premium Kitchen Cabinets – These types of kitchen cabinets are priced at around $500 per foot. These are mostly semi-custom models that are available in a lot of storage and style options. These are often made of premium hardware and materials such as plywood. What kind of materials are used to make kitchen cabinets? Most of the time, plywood is often coated with veneers of hardwood to make kitchen cabinets look good at low cost. High-end and premium kitchen cabinets are mostly made of wood. One of the least expensive types of wood used is red oak. It is mostly used in traditional style designs. The most common hardwood used in custom kitchen cabinets is white oak. With its golden tones and subtle grainy surface, it looks elegant as well as offers durability along with good strength. Cherry wood is often used to combine traditional and contemporary designs. It is sturdy and has a look of elegance with its fine grainy surface and reddish tones that become darker with age. What are popular trends in kitchen cabinets? Dark Finishes – This includes tones and hues of espresso and chocolate in wood or veneered plywood. It is a very versatile style that can be used for contemporary as well as traditional designs. Classic Cherry – Using classic cherry wood kitchen cabinets along with cherry-toned floors and granite cabinet tops. Specialty storage – Incorporating special racks for spices and utensil dividers never go out of style. These specialty storage kitchen cabinets not only make kitchens tasks easier but also quite organized. What are signs that indicate it is time to change your kitchen cabinets? If your kitchen cabinet is made of wood, there could be damage due to water that has to lead the wood to wrap, blacken or change colors. The exterior surfaces have started to lose their lamination. Molds have developed in the cabinets. The inside walls of the cabinet start to feel soft. Where can you find popular deals on kitchen cabinets? In Stock Kitchens Kitchen Cabinet Depot Wholesale Cabinets Kitchen Cabinet Kings The RTA Store Carolina Cabinet Warehouse Are there any affordable ways to remodel kitchen cabinets? You can paint or stain the wood surfaces of your kitchen cabinets to give them a new look. If your kitchen cabinets do not look worn out, you can remodel the cabinets with new and funky knobs and hinges to give a fresh look to your kitchen. Reface the cabinets by applying a light layer laminate veneer or wood over old cabinet surfaces. Buy cheap cabinets from Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore that stock used kitchen cabinets. Many furniture stores and cabinet makers’ shops often have clearance sales that offer great discounts in kitchen cabinets.

How to get rid of pet stains There is no denying that having a pet is one of the best things that can happen to a person. But if you are a pet owner, you would know how impossible it is to keep your house mess-free when you have a pet at home. Pet stains are a nightmare for every pet owner in the world. And why would it not be? They are stubborn stains on your carpet and rugs, which refuse to leave even after you keep scrubbing and cleaning them. Here are some quick pet stain removal tips that will help you keep your house free of pet stain and odor. What is a pet stain remover? A pet stain remover usually comes in spray bottles. The liquid solution is best if you want to clean the stain marks left behind by your pet. All you need to do is spray the pet stain removal solution on the stains and leave it for some minutes. After that, just wipe it off, and you will see that the stains have almost disappeared. Some of the most popular pet stain removal products in the market are Nature’s Miracle Advanced Pet Trigger Sprayer, Nature’s Miracle Advanced Pet Trigger Sprayer, and BISSELL Pet Power Shot Oxy for Carpet & Area Rugs. Pick a pet stain remover that best suits your requirement and budget. How to clean fresh stains? If you are present when your pet soils the bed sheets, carpet or some fancy tablecloth, the first thing to do is clear the area. Once you have the situation under control, take newspapers and paper towels and try soaking as much urine as possible. Press the paper towels on the bedsheet or the carpet and leave it there until the place is almost dry. After this, you can clean the area with water and keep it out to dry. How to clean old stains? Old stains are much tricky to tackle, so if you think that it is impossible to wipe an old stain that you discovered, it is best to seek professional help and call a carpet cleaner. Never use steam cleaners available in the market as a pet stain removal agent, as they will permanently stain the carpet and leave the odor there forever. Be careful if you use vinegar or ammonia to clean these stains, as these chemicals are strong and they make your pet want to pee in the same area again. Once the stain is removed, use a good quality pet odor neutralizer to make sure that your place no longer smells bad. How can you prevent your pet from staining your carpets? Many a time, even after training your pet, there is a chance that they have accidents and ruin your carpets, bed sheet and other expensive items. In such cases, you can make these areas unavailable and unattractive to the pets. Train your pets through positive reinforcement so that they go to the bathroom or the place you have kept for them, to pee and take a dump. Can you clean the pet stain without using a pet stain remover? Yes, you can clean pet stain using some natural ingredients which you easily find at home. For pet stain removal at home, you can make vinegar-baking soda solution and spray it on the stain. While vinegar is a great stain remover, baking soda removes the unpleasant odor. Another effective pet stain removal technique is using hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Hydrogen naturally breaks down the crystals in the urine and removes the stains, and baking soda is a natural odor eliminating agent. Add a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid to this mixture for best results. No matter how well you potty train your pets, there is no guarantee that accidents won’t happen. The best way to deal with a pet stain is to clean it immediately, as the more you leave it unattended, the worse will it be for you to scrub it off later.