Doing your taxes is an integral part of maintaining your financial history. You pay them on everything you buy, and all the money you make, whether it is from your earned income or money you made on assets, equates to taxes. They help pay for public utilities and maintain many important parts of society. Although taxes sound great in theory, they really are a big pain for many. They can be something that is a pain in the butt for many, and you probably hear people who complain about it.  [Read more…]

Making financial decisions feels like a game sometimes

There are endless amounts of articles, self-help books, and opinion pieces that claim to be the holy grail of financial planning, and examples of the mindsets to use in your day-to-day. [Read more…]

David Fredston and Sole Source Capital Bring New Approach to Lower-Middle Market

As we analyze the private equity landscape at the close of 2020, it’s worth noting one firm that has brought a unique approach to a number of noteworthy deals in the second half of the year: Sole Source Capital.  [Read more…]

When you’re looking for a job, there are a few things that you have to pay attention to and be wary of. Some of these things will be extra incentives, while some might end up becoming future nuisances. Regardless if they are positive or not, it’s important to be aware of them, so you can either correct them or take advantage of them. Here are several details to pay attention to regarding your job. [Read more…]

Preparing for your retirement is an important way to help ensure your financial future. However, with the markets becoming increasingly volatile in recent years, many Americans have been looking into building not only wealth but also wealth protection. The 2020 economic crisis continues to have a significant impact on the financial sector and world markets. While millions of Americans rely on popular plans such as the 401(k), traditional IRA, and Roth IRA, their nest eggs could be at risk over the long run. [Read more…]

Bills can get overwhelming. When things get out of control, and you’re drowning in debt, filing a Chapter 13 bankruptcy can help. But, of course, you’ve worked hard over time to accrue possessions, such as your home. Can you get debt relief through bankruptcy without losing your home? Yes.  [Read more…]

Looking to improve your company’s cash flow? For any business, managing their cash flow is crucial not just to their success, but to their survival. The question is, how can you ensure you have a continuous cash flow of cash? [Read more…]

Your credit score is an algorithmic calculation that quantifies whether a person qualified and trusted to manage and use credit. It does this by analyzing and evaluating various factors and influences – at many levels and from a variety of sources. [Read more…]

Whether you’re an avid gamer or a dedicated artist in your spare time, our hobbies often have a habit of representing a significant drain on our bank accounts. In an ideal world, of course, we would all be able to fill our downtime with plenty of rewarding and absorbing activities that do not cost the earth, it rarely seems to work out that way.

However, hobbies offer an excellent outlet for all of us. They enable us to forget about the stress and commitments of everyday life, and to take some time to ourselves to indulge in something that we truly love doing. So, if you are wondering how you can make your hobbies fit in with your finances, then read our tips below.

Look for the Best Introductory Offers

While very little in life comes free, there are plenty of opportunities to make the most of offers and deals that make our hobbies that much more attainable.

For gamers, for instance, there is a staggering variety of games available online that offer excellent introductory offers to help you get the most out of your money – including live casino from @Mansion in Canada, which offers new players 100% extra on up to £200 when you sign up.

Similarly, for those who enjoy photography, many of the best photo editing apps will offer ‘try before you buy’ trials that will give you an opportunity to get to grips with the tech – and decide whether it is the right option for you – before you sign up for a significant financial commitment.

Turn it into a Side Business

These days, with the help of the internet, almost any hobby can be used to start your own business. Whether you are keen to invest all your free time into growing a digital storefront, or simply want to make your one of a kind designs and creations available to a lucky few, creating a line of income that supports your passion is an incredibly rewarding and exciting prospect.

Take a look at this article, which offers some insight into the signs that you are ready to turn your skill or hobby into a lucrative business opportunity. There will, of course, be plenty of sharp learning curves to deal with along the way, but with the right commitment and perseverance, there is every chance of success on the horizon for anyone with a passion for their skills.

Teach Others

Again, this is a venture that has been made more attainable than ever with the help of the internet. Teaching others, and imparting the knowledge you have gained over the years, is not only a rewarding experience, but, as you grow your reach, you will find opportunities to generate some income – simply by investing your time and energy.

Consider writing a blog, or creating video content about what it is you are passionate about. From crochet and cookery to woodwork and music creation (and everything in between), you will find that there is already a strong community looking to learn from the experts, and develop their own skills under your guidance.

For gamers, streaming has reached an all-time high, with millions of hours being created – and viewed – each and every month. Signing up to a popular streaming site, such as Twitch, will enable you to develop relationships with likeminded individuals around the world.

Hobbies can be expensive, but they offer an incredibly rewarding experience to us, and should never be neglected just for that reason. There are plenty of options available to anyone looking to save money – or, of course, earn a little extra on the side – while still indulging their passions, and making the most of their spare time.

An online personal loan is one of those borrowing options that a borrower can use for various purposes. That’s why it’s no wonder that it’s on the list of today’s most popular loan types. A personal loan is commonly used for debt consolidation, financing home renovations, paying for car repairs, covering medical expenses, etc.

When it comes to the interest rates, this loan option has APRs ranging from 6% to 36%. The information on your credit profile, such as your credit score and debt ratio, plays a big role in the interest rate you can get for the loan.

Consider the interest rate of your online personal loan because it’s the primary factor on how much the loan will cost you during its lifespan. Compare the best online personal loans rates from Match Financial for you to have an idea regarding this matter.

Upgrade

As one of the trailblazers of fintech, Upgrade is indeed a personal loan provider you can trust. This lending company is one of the companies that helped shape the online and mobile banking industry.

It’s also well-known for providing online personal loans with reasonable annual percentage rates. Upgrade offers an average interest rate of 8% for its personal loans to borrowers.

SoFi (Social Finance Inc.)

Social Finance Inc., better known as SoFi, has been one of the leading lending companies that offer personal loans with inexpensive interest rates. Borrowers can obtain a personal loan amounting up to $100,000 with APRs of 12.86%. Of course, that percentage may vary according to your credit score and the term of your loan.

Prosper

In 2005, the US-based lending company Prosper was established. Like the two lending companies mentioned above, Prosper also carved its name among the top personal loan providers today.

Borrowers can obtain loans amounting from $3,000 to $50,000 with repayment periods of up to 36 months from Prosper. The average interest rate of personal loans at Prosper is approximately 14.20%.

When Should You Apply for an Online Personal Loan?

Be smart when it comes to getting an online personal loan. It’s advised that you only apply for it when you need money for important expenses or investments. For example, you can use the cash you get from this loan for home renovations. Improving your house is an investment that can boost its market value and bring you profits in the future.

Another reason for obtaining an online personal loan is if you need to get rid of high-interest debts. Personal loans are commonly used for debt consolidation, which allows you to pay off your debts at a lower interest rate and monthly payment. Using a personal loan this way benefits you because it can repair your credit score.

It’s also wise to choose this loan option if you don’t have sufficient money to pay for your utility or medical bills. Such matters are under the category of essential expenses. The bottom line here is that you should only apply for an online personal loan if used for an important purpose.

Tips Before Submitting Your Personal Loan Application

Before applying for an online personal loan, there are things that you need to consider to boost your chances of getting your application approved.

• While you can avail of an online personal loan even if your credit score is fair or poor, it’s still advisable to have a good to exceptional credit to enjoy advantageous interest rates. So, before you decide to choose this loan option, make sure to build or improve your credit.
• Inquire from different loan providers and compare what they have to offer. The APR, extra charges, repayment term, and loan amount should be your top considerations when comparing lenders.
• Missed or late payments should be avoided when you’re tied in a loan contract because it can ruin your credit score. So, make sure that you create a budget plan to ensure that your repayment fits your monthly budget, and you make on-time payments.

Is It a Good idea to Pre-Qualify for a Loan?

The answer to this question is yes. Getting a loan prequalification is beneficial to you because you’ll know beforehand the loan amount you can take in your financial situation and whether the lender is willing to approve it. Another good thing about prequalification is that it won’t hurt your credit score.

You can obtain a loan prequalification from different lenders to compare what they have to offer. Make sure to pick the one that can provide you with the most favorable interest rate and then formally apply for the loan.

Takeaway

Whenever you apply for an online personal loan, you should see to it that the interest rate is affordable for your financial situation. Upgrade, SoFi, and Prosper are three lending companies that offer the most affordable rates right now. Just review this article for more information on how to find the best personal loans with lower interest rates.