By now, everybody has heard of cryptocurrency at least once.

Rumors and reports about Bitcoin values or Ethereum-based apps have reached everyone’s attention. However, not everybody knows how crypto investing works.

Crypto investing functions in a similar way to many other investment markets. First, you decide what your financial goals are. Then, you search for the best investments to help you achieve those ends.

This second step is where most crypto portfolios begin. Several types of cryptocurrencies exist, each with different values and advantages.

These differences can make investing in crypto challenging for beginners. Fortunately, we can make this easier! Keep reading to learn more about building a crypto portfolio.

How Buying Cryptocurrency Works

Buying cryptocurrency is similar to purchasing stocks. First, you’ll go to a crypto exchange. Nearly all crypto exchanges are digital platforms you can access online.

Different exchanges offer various types of cryptocurrencies. Almost all of these include crypto assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

However, some exchanges may carry lesser-known crypto assets. For example, you may wish to buy crypterium instead of more considerable crypto assets.

The beauty of crypto transactions is their anonymity. Blockchain technology allows users and traders to make crypto transactions privately.

This way, none of your information becomes vulnerable. People can also deal directly with other traders instead of going through brokers.

Storing Your Investment Portfolio in a Crypto Wallet

Crypto assets are fundamentally digital. As such, you’ll need a digital place to store these funds that is safe from hackers and online pirates.

That’s where the crypto wallet comes in. This online wallet stores your crypto assets in secure servers that only you can access.

All you have to do is create an account with that crypto wallet. Then, each crypto asset you purchase goes directly to that wallet once the transaction clears.

Sometimes, you can even use these wallets to convert your crypto assets to cash. For example, many cities have at least one Bitcoin ATM (or BTM). These devices let you log into your crypto wallet and exchange your assets for cash.

Crypto Investing Tips

Once you have a crypto wallet, you can begin purchasing crypto assets. The question is, which cryptocurrencies should you buy?

This question could have various answers depending on your financial goals. However, make sure you can trust the company selling your prospective cryptocurrency. Ensure they have a reputable team and a trustworthy track record.

Also, remember to diversify your portfolio. Some assets are riskier than others, so don’t put all your money in one crypto.

Several tools can help you keep an overall idea of how your investments perform. This way, you can keep track of your gains and losses.

Start Your Crypto Portfolios Today

As you can see, beginning crypto portfolios is a straightforward task. Most of the effort goes into choosing the right cryptocurrencies.

So, consider your financial goals. Do you want to focus on using crypto as a currency to make transactions? Or, would you rather use it as an investment to gain wealth?

Once you know your goals, you can begin building your portfolio.

We hope you enjoyed this article! If so, check out our other cryptocurrency content today.

If you’re struggling to make ends meet and thinking of borrowing cash, you’re far from alone. According to recent research, the average American has over $90,000 in debt, from student loans to mortgages to credit card debt.

Of course, while debt is a normal fact of life in the U.S., it’s worth noting that some lending options are better than others. Avoiding the predatory terms of payday loans, for example, is always a safe bet! If you’re ready to get started, here are some payday loan alternatives to keep in mind.

Borrow From Family or Friends

Hoping to avoid hefty fees, high interest rates, and the application process? Some of the best alternatives to payday loans are friend and family loans. Note, of course, that this option isn’t without risk: if you can’t repay the loan, you may put your relationship under strain.

Ask Your Lender for a Payment Plan

If you’re already in a financial bind, ask your provider if they’d be willing to offer a payment plan. Under this plan, you’ll have smaller payments each month, though you may have to pay additional fees and interest.

Boost Your Income

Whether you create another income stream, find a higher-paying job, or ask for a promotion, boosting your income can be a more valuable long-term alternative to payday loans. There are plenty of options available to you, though many of them will involve time and effort up front.

Consider Other Loan Options

If you’re set on taking out a loan, don’t forget that there are many ways to avoid high payday loan fees. Here are a few options to consider:

“Bad Credit” Personal Loans

If bad credit is keeping you from applying for a loan, check into bad credit loans. People with scores as low as 580 can prequalify with multiple lenders to compare interest rates and terms before applying. If your credit score is under 580, getting a co-signer to take out the loan with you may make your lender more likely to grant you one of these loans as well.

Pawn Loans or Car Title Loans

Both of these loans can be easy to get, though for title loans you’ll need to own your car or have equity in it. You’ll also need to be sure about putting your item up for collateral: if you can’t repay the loan, you could lose it! Still, options like this service can be a great way to manage debt or cope with an emergency in a pinch.

Peer-to-Peer Loans

As the name suggests, peer-to-peer loans match individual borrowers with investors. There are many online platforms to choose from, each with their own rates and terms. Some platforms will even work with borrowers who have less-than-perfect credit.

Try These Payday Loan Alternatives

Whether you boost your income or seek out another lending option, it’s a good idea to consider these payday loan alternatives before you subject yourself to predatory interest rates and fees. Work with the lenders in your area or reach out to lenders on online platforms to find the best terms for your needs!

Want more of the financial tips and tricks you need to know? Be sure to take a look at our other content for additional guidance.

Yeah, you know, you should take care of that old junker sitting in your yard or driveway. You may have even received complaints from the neighbors or threats from the local government ordering you to get rid of it. But with all the time and hassle it would take, you tend to keep putting it off.

But turning your old junk car into cash can be easy and profitable. To see how, let’s take a look at why selling old cars is the right move, and some tips on how to make the process quick and easy.

Why You Should Consider Selling a Junk Car

The most obvious reason why you should offload your old junk car is that it’s a waste of real estate. If you have a garage, that junker is taking up valuable space that would be better used for the things you actually want to keep.

And if you’re storing it out in your yard or driveway, it’s arguably an even worse waste of space. A junk car sitting out in plain view is a serious eyesore. And it has a way of sapping the surrounding property values, which the neighbors tend to not appreciate.

Junkers sitting out can also be damaging the environment. Did you know that a single quart of motor oil can pollute 250,000 gallons of water? And that’s to say nothing of whatever other chemicals or heavy metals that could be leaching out of an old, broken-down car.

And most significantly, selling your old car can not only earn you money in the short term, but save you money in the long run.

Some states require that any car, no matter the condition, must have an up-to-date registry. And in some localities, having junkers sitting out in the open can open you up to fines. Getting your old car off your property can save you a tidy sum in potential penalties.

Tips for Turning an Old Car Into Cash

When it comes to getting cash for junk cars, the biggest favor you can do for yourself is to work with a quality salvage. Buying and selling junk cars is their entire business, and they can help you navigate the formalities. And almost all of them offer free pick-up, so the convenience alone makes them the obvious choice.

As for your responsibilities, you want to make sure you have as much information about your car as possible. Having things like the car title, make, model, year, mileage, body condition, engine condition, and signs of damage prepared when you go to sell will streamline the process and help you get the highest quote possible.

And that’s about it. Depending on your locality, you may need to fill out some extra paperwork, but your salvage company should be able to help you out with that as well. Then it’s only a matter of setting a time for pick up and collecting your cash payment.

Do Your Due Diligence Before You Sell Your Car for Cash

The most important thing to remember when you try to turn your old car into cash is to do everything by the book. Dealing with a proper salvage broker can help expedite that process, with their representatives walking you through each step.

But getting cash for old cars is far from the only way to procure some quick income. For more ideas on how to raise some quick cash, be sure to follow our latest business news and guides.

Did you know that only half of all small businesses last for longer than five years?

Between creating products and services, investing in marketing, and maintaining day-to-day operations, business ownership gets very overwhelming. It’s no wonder that many businesses don’t make it past their first few years of existence.

One thing you can do to lighten the load is to automate your accounting process. You’ve probably heard of other small business owners using QuickBooks, but if you haven’t used it yourself, you may be wondering whether it’s right for you.

Here, we break down some of the main benefits of using Quickbooks, the types of businesses it works best for, and why it pays to start automating your business finances.

It Helps You Stay Organized

Have you ever had a dispute over an invoice and had a hard time navigating your business’s financial records? Do you spend countless hours each month going through transactions and resolving errors? Do you dread tax season more than any other time of year?

When you use Quickbooks, all of this stress goes away. With automated invoice creation, tax preparation, and even check signing functionality, you’ll spend less time tracking your money and more time focusing on your business.

You Can Access Your Data Anywhere

QuickBooks offers both desktop and cloud-based versions of their software. However, if you work with other employees or contractors, the cloud-based version is the right choice for you.

It allows you to access all your financial data from anywhere, using any device. It’s perfect for business owners on the go and makes it easy to share information with contractors whenever you need to.

It Scales With You

Quickbooks has a lot of capabilities, including integration with other systems, in-depth business plans, and other customizable features. However, you don’t have to pay for the features until you need them.

Quickbooks also offers scaled pricing to make sure you’re getting the best value possible and only pay for what you need. After all, Quickbooks was built with small businesses in mind. They understand the budgetary constraints that come with running a startup or small business.

Using QuickBooks Is Easy From Day One

Quickbooks was built with the customer in mind, and their goal is to make your financial accounting easier. They understand that you may not have a Finance or Accounting degree but that you still need to manage your company’s finances.

That’s why they prioritize the usability of their software, and there’s plenty of help out there for when you need it. You can take courses and certifications in Quickbooks. And because 80% of businesses use QuickBooks, you’re sure to know someone in your professional community who can help you out.

Get Started With QuickBooks Today

As you can see, there are many advantages to using QuickBooks for your business accounting needs. Its storage options, organization, and ease of use all make it a great choice for small business owners looking to make their day-to-day financial lives a little easier.

Looking for more of the latest business news? Take a look at the other articles on our site!

The past few years have been an exciting time to be an investor in precious metals. The popularity of cyber-currencies such as bitcoin has brought around renewed interest in non-dollar forms of investments, and the rising price of gold is evidence that more and more Americans are looking to make this kind of financial move.

Investing in a gold IRA is one such way to build your financial status up over time. If you’re not familiar with a gold IRA or how to invest in gold, there’s a lot of important information to get familiar with.

What should you know about investing in a gold IRA? Read on, and we’ll walk you through the basics.

What is a Gold IRA?

Everyone knows that holding a retirement account of some sort is important to maintaining financial stability through your later years. However, there are all sorts of retirement accounts out there that you’ll have to choose between.

A gold IRA is a retirement account where physical gold is held as an asset for the eventual benefit of the account holder. As opposed to the value of the account being linked to some amount of paper money, it’s linked to a certain physical amount of this kind of precious metal.

Outside of this key distinction, this kind of retirement account functions in the same way that any other retirement account would.

Benefits of a Gold IRA

What’s the main benefit of having this kind of retirement account? Many savvy investors hold a gold IRA as a way to diversify their portfolios. Gold value often moves in a different direction than the value of paper money.

This means that should the market or the value of the dollar run into problems, the value of gold should rise. In this way, having a gold IRA or working with gold IRA companies provides investors with a risk-averse option.

You can read more about the different types of gold and their benefits at https://www.raremetalblog.com/carat-vs-karat-whats-the-difference.

How to Invest in Gold

The first thing you’ll need to do if you’re interested in investing is to find the gold IRA company that you want to work with. There are a great many out there.

These companies will have different requirements, fee structures, and benefits. You’ll need to do your research and see which makes the most sense for your own particular situation.

Once you’ve chosen a company and opened an account, you’ll need to invest a certain amount of money. When your money has cleared, your account representative will talk you through how to purchase gold with the funds in your account.

The purchase process will vary from company to company, but once you’ve made your purchase, you can sit back and watch the process go.

Understanding Gold IRAs

If you’re looking for a savvy way to build wealth and protect your stability, investing in a gold IRA can be the smart way to go. The above information an help you understand how best to go about opening this kind of account.

Need more financial advice and information? Keep scrolling our blog for more.

Buying a startup could be seen as a risky proposition by some people.

That said how much confidence do you have your startup of choice will get off the ground with flying colors?

By making the right moves and with a little luck, you could position your startup for success in the years to come.

How Good Are Your Money Management Skills?

When giving your startup the best possible chance to succeed, one of the keys of course will be finances.

With that in mind, will you make the right financial decisions to place your startup in good position?

Before starting a company, you want to be as sure as you can that financial issues will not cloud the situation.

For example, what do your finances look like these days?

In the event you are having financial struggles, is starting a company now in your best interests? You may decide it is better to wait further down the road. That is with the hope things will trend better for you financially sooner than later.

Since you want your startup’s performance to be good right out of the gate, what resources can help you measure it?

One option is to turn to a SaaS valuation calculator.

That Software as a Service (SaaS) calculator gives you a better read on the value of your startup. Such information can help you when it comes to making any key decisions tied to your startup.

When looking at your ability to manage money in a startup, you also want to not have a cloud of debt hanging over you.

Such debt can saddle you with trouble now and down the road if not careful.

That debt can be the product of having too many outstanding loans to pay off. It can also be a product of sizable credit card debt you’ve not efficiently addressed.

No matter the reason for the debt you’re carrying, your focus should be on getting it down as soon as possible.

When you look at money management, the hope is you do not see a lot of red flags staring you in the face.

Where Will Your Startup Operate Out of?

One of the big choices facing you when it comes to your startup will be where to operate out of.

Yes, this is a decision that can and likely will have a financial impact on you. As a result, it is important to decide correctly. 

One option would be to rent or buy office space away from your home. This can be even more of a need if you will have employees working under you. The same is true if you will have customers coming to you to buy goods and services.

If you will not have employees and everything in your startup is online, you may opt to work full-time at home. This can be more convenient for you for several reasons. Among them would be no long commutes to and from work and the comfort of being under your own roof. Both can save you money over time.

Think it over and decide what is best for your startup needs.

As you push ahead with a startup, are you confident finances will fall into place?

If you are looking for a top financial advisor, you are most certainly not the only one. As millions of us take stock and re-assess our financial priorities, demand for qualified financial advisor services has skyrocketed. What this means is that finding a financial advisor that is right for you might be harder than ever.

However, there is no need to panic. As this financial advisor guide demonstrates, finding the right advisor for you simply requires a little bit of know-how about the industry. Read on to find out exactly how to find a financial advisor that will help you meet your money goals.

1. Know What You Need

The first and most important step before seeking financial advisor advice is to know exactly what your goals are. There are many different official designations for financial advisors in America. It is important to determine which one is right for you. For example, if you want to grow your investment portfolio, you might want to consult a Certified Fund Specialist (CFS).

Meanwhile, you might be looking for a financial advisor near me who specializes in arranging structured settlements for people in your situation. You can learn more here about how to find a structured settlement advisor who can help you get the outcome you are looking for.

2. Check Those Top Financial Advisor Credentials

When seeking financial advice, always check the credentials. Any worthwhile advisor will have easily furnished credentials and qualifications from an accredited, nationally recognized system. CFP, PFS, CFA, the list goes on.

One reliable way to check this is to head to the National Association of Financial Advisors and search the name of your potential advisor. This should give you a full list of their credentials and experience. If you can’t find these, choose someone else.

3. Understand How They Get Paid

There are two types of financial advisors in this world – those who work for a fee and those who work on commission. Each has its merits, but it is important to know how compensation impacts service. Commission-based advisors are cheaper.

However, they earn commission by pushing financial products, often highly volatile ones, onto customers. This makes some commission-based advisors less trustworthy. Fee-based ones are more expensive but more likely to be actually looking out for your best interests.

4. Ask the Right Questions

When you think you have found the right financial advisor for you, it is time to get down to brass tacks. Do not shy away from asking the questions that you need answers to before you make your choice. Before you hire them, always ask:

  • How do you make money from your services?
  • Are you contractually bound to sell financial products on behalf of another company?
  • How long have you been practicing?
  • Have you ever filed for bankruptcy?
  • Can you provide me with at least two references of current or former customers?
  • Can you walk me through different projections for my financial future?

Make Your Money Work for You

Finding a top financial advisor is essential if you want to make your money more productive. For more tips on making your money work for you and boosting your lifetime wealth, you have come to the right place. Our dedicated Money guides have all of the advice you need to start planning your financial future.

By now, you’ve almost certainly heard of Bitcoin. Around 46 million Americans have now invested in cryptocurrency, making it one of the fastest-growing commodities in recent years. So, how much is Bitcoin worth?

That’s actually quite a complicated question. This article tells you everything you need to know about the value of bitcoin.

The Value of Bitcoin in Dollars

Of course, one way to look at the value of Bitcoin is to examine how much it’s worth in US dollars. As of the 23rd of July 2021, the value of a single Bitcoin was $32,528.13. While this is a lot of money, the value of Bitcoin has actually decreased quite significantly in the last few months.

Months ago, the price of Bitcoin was well over $40,000. One thing that you’ll notice about Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies is that the value is quite volatile. On any given day, the price can easily increase or decrease by thousands of dollars.

This can be quite scary as a first-time investor, but these kinds of fluctuations tend not to scare Bitcoin veterans.

The value of Bitcoin in dollars is also significant if you want to buy Bitcoin through a site like ByteFederal.

The Value of Bitcoin as an Investment

A lot of the value in Bitcoin comes from its potential as an investment. The price of bitcoin is susceptible to a huge upswing, so it makes sense to see the value in terms of what it could be worth rather than what it’s worth right now.

For this reason, many people see Bitcoin as more valuable when the price is lower than when the price is high. This is because you can buy Bitcoin at a low price and then sell it for a higher price.

This is why many investors will enthusiastically buy Bitcoin as the price goes down. They’re confident that the price will go back up, so cheap Bitcoin has a lot of value to them.

The Value of Bitcoin as Technology

Some believe that Bitcoin will usher in a financial revolution. Some Bitcoin enthusiasts go so far as to believe Bitcoin will revolutionize global finance. Some argue that Bitcoin will eventually replace the global banking system by creating a worldwide, decentralized currency.

People with this view don’t necessarily worry about the price in the short term as they believe Bitcoin will be worth a huge amount of money in the long term. People who believe in Bitcoin to this extent are generally very reluctant to sell their coins.

The Value of Bitcoin Depends on Your Perspective

This article has demonstrated that the value of Bitcoin depends on your perspective. If you’re someone who just wants to spend your coins, the current Bitcoin to the dollar exchange rate is very important.

On the other hand, if you’re a long-term investor, the value is much less clear-cut.

If you want to learn about other Bitcoin-related topics, check out the rest of our blog posts.

Moving for many people is right up there with going to the dentist and having to do their taxes. 

No, moving tends to be a hassle more times than not even if it will lead to better circumstances down the road.

That said what can you do to make your next move a little less taxing?

Use All the Resources Necessary

When you decide a move is needed in your life for one or more reasons, here are a few tips to help you out:

  1. Go over the finances – One of the reasons people tend to move is so that they can save some money. That is on rent or a mortgage, life needs and so on. If you are in a financial pickle now, you may come to the conclusion that moving is in your best interests. You could end up saving money with a move when it comes to what you pay in rent or on a mortgage. Before thinking of moving somewhere, look at the cost of living in the proposed area you’d be relocating to. If you will see sizable savings and are okay with relocating, then a move can make a lot of sense. Also take into account the costs to move and if they will be worth it.
  2. Getting online – Unless you have a set place to move to due to work, taking care of family etc. odds are the web will play a role. So, you can go online and research what is out there. That is when it comes to available homes or apartments/condos, what neighborhoods are like and so on. Once you have found an area to move to and in fact gotten there and settled in, the work is not done. There is always the chance you will have one or more questions when it comes to your new neighbors. If you get their full name, you can always go online and do a little background detective work on them. In doing a free people search online, you may well get some worthwhile info. That is finding out if the person for instance has any criminal record. If they do have such a record, it would depend on the severity of the record to how much concern you should have with it. Also look to social media sites to learn more about neighbors when you have their full names in hand.
  3. Take advantage of surroundings – Finally, odds are you will need to take a deep breath after the move is done with. That said look to acclimate yourself to the new area as you begin to settle in. Not only is meeting some of the neighbors a good thing, you want to learn what your new area has to offer. Getting involved in the local community could prove beneficial to you as time goes by. That is especially true if you have young children with you. By settling in and using the resources around you, it should begin to feel more like home in no time at all.

When moving to a new neighborhood is in your plans, will things go smoothly? 

The New Year is the perfect time for renewed motivation in every aspect of our lives. Whether it’s going running twice a week, stopping smoking or reducing your drinking, January is the month when we are full of good intentions and ready for a new challenge. 

The same applies to our financial lives. Many people start the year with a financial to-do list and goals that they want to achieve. But what are the most popular financial resolutions people are setting this year? Let’s take a look.

  1. Save more

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the most popular financial resolution this year is to save more money. Nearly half (49 percent) of the respondents to a recent Experian study said they wanted to put more money away every month. There are lots of different ways you can do this, from budgeting more effectively to cutting back on unnecessary spending and transferring your existing savings into a high-interest account. 

  1. Improve your credit score

Building a good credit score is one route to affordable and accessible credit. If you’re looking to borrow money, whether it’s a short term loan from a lender like Wonga or a mortgage from the bank, taking steps to improve your credit score will allow you to access the best possible rates. Find out more about the steps you can take to boost your credit score.   

  1. Create a personal budget

31 percent of the respondents to the Experian study said 2020 would be the year when they created a personal budget. Tracking your money and seeing where it goes every month can be a hugely valuable exercise. It can help you reduce your spending in certain areas and assign more of your income to debt repayments and savings.

  1. Pay off a credit card entirely

Are you stuck making the minimum payments on your credit card and unable to clear the balance? This could be the year when all that changes. If you have a credit card debt you’re struggling to clear, a balance transfer credit card, which offers an interest-free period of up to 24 months, could give you the breathing space you need to finally clear that credit card debt. 

  1. Pay your credit card balance in full every month

Have you ever thought about limiting your credit card spending to an amount you can afford to pay off in full every month? Repaying your full balance at the end of the month will help to improve your credit rating and reduce the amount of money you waste in interest payments and fees.

  1. Not open any more credit cards

A positive step that 20 percent of respondents said they wanted to take this year was to not sign up for any more credit cards. The average number of credit card accounts per South African consumer increased from 1.4 to 1.5 over the last year, with an average debt of R16,481. There’s no right number of credit cards, it all depends on how many you can manage responsibly. However, as a very simple rule, the fewer you have, the better!

What are your financial resolutions for the new year? Please share yours with our readers in the comments below.