With the growth of mobile technology, phones have become an indispensable part of people’s lives today. This, however, has also resulted in climbing rates, making phones an increasingly expensive purchase. To make phone ownership easier for customers, several companies offer ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ (BNPL) personal loans. These plans divide the payments into smaller chunks and generally have no associated interest or fees. Here are some of the top BNPL providers to finance phone purchases. Affirm Affirm has many different BNPL plans that allow customers to choose between a few payment schedules. One of the most popular is the pay-in-four, where the purchase is divided into four equal installments paid in regular, two-week intervals. Depending on the purchase and retailer, buyers can also opt for 3-, 6-, and 12-month plans. While the pay-in-four plan charges no interest, the monthly plans may have an interest rate of anywhere between 0% to 36%. Afterpay Afterpay also has similar plans. When shopping from their partnered retailers, customers can purchase their phones with a BNPL plan on a pay-in-four or a monthly basis. The pay-in-four plan has no associated fees or interest charges. However, the monthly plans can only be used at select retailers for purchases over $400 and may invite an interest of 0% to 35.99% APR.

Most people’s daily activities, such as traveling to and fro from work or grocery stores, heavily depend on fuel. But the more fuel one needs, the more they must pay for it. This is where gas cards come in and help with cost reduction. Personal fuel cards make it incredibly easy for households and organizations to manage their fuel expenses, particularly because they can be easily regulated through the card. So, here are some popular gas credit cards one should consider: AARP® credit card from Chase The AARP® credit card from Chase offers several rewards on gas spending, and contrary to its name, one doesn’t have to be an AARP member to avail oneself of its benefits. Cardholders do not have to pay any annual fees and can earn 3% cashback on every dollar they spend on gas and at restaurants. Furthermore, one can earn 1% cashback if one buys anything else using the card. The best part about these credit cards is that the rewards never expire. Ink Business Cash® credit card With the Ink Business Cash SM credit card, cardholders can avail themselves of 2% cashback on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at restaurants and gas stations.

People have been increasingly investing in cryptocurrency, a form of digital currency. Some reasons behind its popularity include the near impossibility of counterfeiting or double spending, cheaper and quicker money transfers, and decentralized systems that don’t collapse due to central issues. Given its quick rise to fame, the market remains volatile, leading to several costly errors. Here are some mistakes to avoid when selling or investing in cryptocurrency to avoid losing money with these investments. Ignoring trading costs Market traders make several trades in a day. However, all these trades are not free; they often have a transaction fee. Some payment portals may also charge more for every deposit or withdrawal. Keep an eye out for these costs, which could add up over time and affect profits. Not working with a trading strategy Without a pre-set trading strategy, one is more likely to run into losses. A trading strategy lets one define how to pick tokens and when to buy or sell them. What’s more, this makes trading much easier in the long run. Forgetting about portfolio tracking Another common mistake people make is leaving their investments. Keep tabs on the portfolio by tracking returns regularly. Study the state of the market as well to edit trades as needed and maximize returns.

Stock options can be worthwhile derivatives for investors, however, trading them without weighing their pros and cons can be a mistake. Upon buying an option, one gets the right to buy or sell an asset at a certain price and within a set time frame. Options can strengthen an investor’s portfolio when traded using strategies that minimize the risk and maximize the returns. So, here are a few strategies one must consider while trading options: 1. Covered call One of the most popular option trading strategies is buying a naked call option. The covered call strategy reduces investment risk and helps generate some income. To pull off this strategy, one must purchase the underlying stock as they normally would while simultaneously writing (or selling) call options on the same shares. A call option gives one the right to buy a stock, and a put option gives them the right to sell a stock. For instance, if one uses a call option on a given stock that represents exactly 100 shares of stock for every call option, for every 100 shares of stock one would buy, they will sell a call option against the purchase. So, if the stock price increases rapidly, one’s short call is covered by the long stock position.

Since their introduction, cryptocurrencies have become one of the most talked-about topics in the financial market. However, the currency is volatile, and money invested in it could see massive drops in value. So, if one is ready for the risk, there is no better time to invest in them than today, especially with some tokens at an all-time high. Check out the five top cryptocurrencies to consider investing in today. 1. Solana (SOL) Solana is one of the top picks in cryptocurrency, primarily for its utility. It is popular as it helps developers create decentralized applications (dApps). The network is also significantly quicker than other blockchains and has lower associated fees for higher scalability. The blockchain’s native token is the eponymous Solana or SOL. In addition to Solana’s thriving future, note that it is the fourth-largest cryptocurrency, with a market capitalization of about $80 billion. 2. Bitcoin (BTC) Investors looking for a more stable cryptocurrency should consider Bitcoin. It was the first cryptocurrency and largest by market capitalization, with a valuation of about $1.3 trillion. It also boasts mainstream acceptance, including 11 new Bitcoin exchange-traded funds, or ETFs. Through Bitcoin ETFs, mainstream investors can track its performance without directly owning the currency.

An employee might have various benefits during their tenure, such as the ability to contribute to a 401(k) plan—a retirement savings plan that offers tax advantages to savers. Depending on the type of 401(k) plan one picks, the individual may gain benefits such as a reduced taxable income. However, without the proper understanding of a 401(k) plan, one could make multiple mistakes that could affect an individual’s long-term savings. Switching jobs before becoming vested in a 401(k) While an employer might match funds in one’s 401(k) account, the employee is not eligible to keep the money until they are vested. This process could be immediate or take years. For example, if the employee leaves the employer before matching the fund’s vest, the former will lose all of them. However, the employee would still be able to keep funds contributed from the paycheck. The individual should check the company’s policy before deciding to leave. Missing out on employer match Multiple employers provide matching funds if one contributes to a 401(k), which gives the employee additional incentive to save. For instance, the employer might offer 50% matching on an individual’s contributions up to 6%, meaning one would receive as much as 3% of the salary as an employer match.

In today’s digital age, a prepaid debit card offers a secure and convenient way to manage finances. Unlike traditional bank accounts, prepaid cards require no credit check and often incur lower fees. But with so many options available, finding the right no-fee prepaid debit card can be overwhelming. Having the right knowledge will make it easier to make an informed decision based on one’s needs and budget without the chance of regretting their choice later. Understanding prepaid debit cards Here’s what one needs to know about prepaid debit cards: 1. Controlled spending Prepaid debit cards function similarly to debit cards linked to a checking account. However, users load money onto the card instead of drawing funds from an account beforehand. This allows for controlled spending within the available balance, eliminating the risk of overdraft fees and emptying the account. 2. Secured Prepaid cards offer access to a payment method without impacting one’s credit score. By loading a specific amount onto the card, one can easily track and manage spending. In cases of loss or theft, the financial loss is limited to the remaining balance on the card. Prepaid cards are widely accepted for online and in-store purchases, offering a secure alternative to carrying cash.

The use of cash for transactions has slowly declined. Moreover, it has been replaced by other payment options, with debit cards being the most preferred choice. A debit card is typically linked to one’s current account and lets users swipe it at stores to purchase products or services. It also offers a range of benefits to its users. The key to grabbing the best offers will depend on the type of card one has. 1. Empower Debit Card The Empower debit card has a monthly maintenance fee of about $8 but a $0 minimum deposit requirement. Additionally, customers can earn up to 10% cash back on purchases and a 0.01% APY. Customers can use the accumulated rewards to balance the $8 monthly fee. 2. ACE Elite® Visa® Prepaid Debit Card (Pay As You Go) Those who are not frequent users of prepaid debit cards could consider this pay-as-you-go ACE Elite® Visa® Prepaid debit card. There are no monthly fees with this card, and there are no fees for international withdrawals. Customers also get early access to direct deposits. Empower also gives customers a 14-day free trial. 3. Bank of America Debit Card A debit card from the Bank of America offers customizability for those looking to earn cash-back rewards on most purchases.