The New Discover It Card Review - 18 months 0% APR on Balance Transfers

One of the largest credit card providers, Discover Card, has made a major redesign in its credit card offerings. They have cancelled the Discover More and Discover Motive card line and introduced the new Discover "IT" card. The new card design has been talked about this past year and has noted a enhanced cash back program and a friendlier fee structure. It has a good cash back of 5 percent on purchases in certain categories, which change on a quarterly basis, and 1 percent on all other purchase all year round. Cardholders receive a generous 5% cash back at restaurants and movies right now through March of 2013 on up to $1,500 in purchases with free and easy sign-up. 

Other benefits include no annual fee, no over limit fee and no foreign transaction fee. Discover won’t charge a late fee for the first late payment and paying late won’t result in an APR increase. Choose your own due date and pay up to midnight ET online or by phone. Talk to a real person any time with 100% U.S.-based service. 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months. Then the variable purchase APR applies, currently 10.99% – 20.99%. 0% Intro APR on purchases for 6 months. Then the variable purchase APR applies, currently 10.99% – 20.99%.

I can recommend this card because of the great 0% 18 month balance transfer deal alone, but there is so much more. Fees, where did the fees go? You have no annual fee, no fee for first late payment, no over limit fee, no fee for payments by phone, and no foreign transaction fees. There are also no APR hikes for late payments.

All eligible purchases made with your Discover card are protected for up to $500 during the first 90 days if they’re stolen or accidentally damaged. The extended warranty insurance will extend the terms of the original U.S. manufacturer’s warranty and any purchased warranty for up to 1 extra year, on warranties of 3 years or less. 

With so many benefits why not try the new Discover It Card today.

For More Information Go To Discover it™ - 18 Month Balance Transfer

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Things to Look Out For When Going For an Online Course

E-learning short courses (Photo credit: London College of Fashion short courses)

The Internet has made it tremendously easy for anybody having access to a computer or laptop, to learn anything from guitar playing to cooking and DIY home improvement projects to stitching or embroidery. You can simply search on the Internet for your desired course or skill, and you will find many people offering these courses, online classes, or training DVDs. Some of them are available for free, but even the paid ones are significantly low priced as compared to what you will be paying for a regular course. Most free courses will only scratch the surface as far as course contents are concerned. In order to get the real deal, you will have to find a proper, paid program.

What to look for in an Online Course

However, there might be some con artists or self-proclaimed experts when it comes to online courses, so you need to remember the following things while going for an online course or training program that asks for a payment.

• Take a look at the website and its contents. Does the website contain nothing but a lengthy sales page that repeats the same hyperbole and flowery promises again and again? Does the content seem like it is written by someone who possess above average knowledge and grasp of the topic? 
• Get in touch with the course provider with some questions about the course contents. Not only will it let you know a thing or two about the course, but it will also give you an idea of the responsiveness or customer support that you will be getting. Remember that you might be having some queries later on, so the course provider should be ready to respond to these questions. 
• If the course relates to a field that keeps evolving (e.g. search engine optimization), you must make sure that the provider has been updating the contents on a regular basis. True that not all courses will need to be updated, for example, cooking or guitar playing, but the course provider should be updating the course to keep it in line with the new standards or developments in the industry. 
• How trustworthy is the course provider? Do they have some web presence? Can you see some contact details with physical address or there’s nothing to know about the real person behind the course. Remember that real professionals and experts will take pride in their course or classes, and they will market themselves as a brand, rather than trying their best to hide their true identities. 
• Always do a little research to make sure you are not paying ridiculously more than the average price for a course of similar nature. True that the price might vary a little, depending on the institute or professionals offering that course, but anybody charging an extraordinary amount should have solid reasons to back that price. 
• Be careful when going for an online degree or certification. Make sure that the institute is chartered or authorized by the concerned authorities or organizations before wasting your time and resources for acquiring a degree that will be discarded in the job market.

About the Author: Natasha is a student who loves to write about learning or training resources online. She enjoys using Muk Yan Jong and a training DVD to learn more on martial arts.

Top Investment Tips for Over 50's

retirement (Photo credit: 401(K) 2013)

Post-retirement survival is a major concern with the 50plus person. They look forward to securing their lives financially in the years following retirement. Right investment is the only solution to mitigate their worries about what life would be once they have retired from full-time professional engagement. You are approaching the retirement age if you are in your 50’s now. Delaying investment planning will do no good to you. Rather, it will cost you the comfort of a financially secure life. So, do hurry up planning investments to reap fruits for your twilight years. Here are some feasible investment tips and advice for your benefit. 

If you age 50 or more, the time span of investment is shorter for you. You are definitely looking to have stable returns on investment, at this stage. Make sure to choose from low-risk investment options. Needless to mention, lower risks mean lower returns. Investment plans such as government stock and grade bonds which offer fixed interest as sure return will benefit the 50 plus people like you. Isn't it the safe investment advice to support your post-retirement life? 

Investment in shares to reap gains in a short time is one of the promising tips but with some risk for the 50 plus. Counted among conservative investment plans, shares involve risk factors but of a low level. It may incur temporary capital loss and lower the possibility of good returns that you expect from such investments. However, you can go for it if you don’t mind taking risk to some extent. 

Do you belong to the group of balanced investors? If yes, medium to long-term investment plans would work to your benefit. You are looking to ensure both – capital security and income surety. Balanced investment plans involve market volatility. If the market dips, returns go down. When the market rises, returns go up. The balance of ups and down in the market ensure balanced returns over a long term. There is no reason to fear market volatility. 

Doing a business after professional retirement is not a bad idea. You can start a business of your own in the same niche you have been into till the retirement age. It is because doing a known business is much easier and less challenging than doing a new one. More, you can better utilize your professional expertise and experience in this way. If you are looking to retire in your 50’s, investing in a business is advisable. Having a futuristic business model and a business planning is the key to max out returns on this sort of investment. Having business goals and setting a time frame to achieve them helps a lot as well. 

Being 50 or 50 plus is not too late for investment. You can invest irrespective of your age. What matters is proper evaluation of your needs, investment purpose and expected returns. Hope, you and others in the group of the 50plus will benefit from these investment tips.

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The Benefits of a Wireless Network in Your Office

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The future of business operations is the virtual office. It's unimaginable how a modern business could function today without wireless data technology. From data storage and analysis to networking and communication, almost every part of business uses computers in some way. 

The addition of a wireless Internet connection has further revolutionized computer usage. If you do not have a wireless network set up in your office, it's time you learn about the benefits of having one.

The greatest benefit of using a wireless Internet connection is the capability of multiple users connecting on a single network. Before we had wireless Internet, we had to use wired cable connections to go online, which severely restricted mobility. If your office is still using this outmoded technology you do not know the freedom wireless connections give. When you set up a wireless network in your office it will allow you or anyone your working with to connect their device.

Wireless data technology gives you increased flexibility and and allows your productivity to increase. With the wireless office, sharing data is made so much easier. When working on a project with someone else, wireless technology allows you to share data easier and faster. Instead of sharing external storage devices, a wireless network allows you to share data from one source. Network software even allows you to work on the same data or documents at the same time.

Wireless networking in your office can even save you money in the long run. Your office doesn't have to buy and maintain bulky hardware which not only saves money but also can save your office energy dollars. Maintenance is simplified because wired technology needs IT support which is expensive. With simplicity, reduced maintenance, and ease of use making your office a wireless office is your only choice. 

How to Check Your Credit for Free

Image via CrunchBase

Credit is a large portion of how most Americans do business in today's world. It can be the means to secure a home, purchase a car, or even assist in applying for a job. Many Americans don't know what their credit score is or if there is even damage to their credit report. A credit report can show past amounts that are due, whether an individual is a late payer, and can help discern if a person's identity has been taken and used for credit-related purposes.

You have worked hard throughout your life to keep your credit intact and don't want to be a victim by paying bills that don't belong to you. Some of these credit reports can cost money you don't have. However, there are several ways one can access this information for free both online and off.

1. FreeCreditReport.com - Millions of people use FreeCreditReport.com regularly in order to receive their free annual report. The downside to most online methods is that they don't include your credit score. This score can be very important when dealing with banks, retirement methods, and/or insurance plans.

2. Rent-a-Car Locations - Some rental car companies commit to a credit check when you apply. Those rental companies will accept or reject your application to rent a vehicle based on your credit score. Oddly enough, some of them will print out the reason for your rejection by handing you a receipt of the actual score itself. In some areas, Hertz Rent-a-Car prints this number for you in bold. All it will cost you is five to ten minutes of your time to apply.

3. AnnualCreditReport.com - Another online method you could explore is using AnnualCreditReport.com. It's similar to FreeCreditReport.com as it will scan for your information from the three major credit reporting agencies. Unfortunately, this report doesn't include your actual credit score either. Getting your actual number could cost between $7.95 and $10 depending on what site you go to in order to get it.

4. Three Major Reports - Each of the three major credit reporting agencies provide an annual credit check that you can obtain for free. Each one can be visited individually at any time. Many people will spread each visit throughout the year in order to have three separate monitoring methods. As each one will give you one free report per year, you could get one in April, August, and December and have a quarterly view of your credit statistics. These companies are:

  Experian

  TransUnion

  Equifax

5. Aspects of Banking - Various methods of banking could net a credit report including your score. Some lenders will provide a credit report or synopsis including the score number during a loan or new account procedure. Although most of the time they will require a follow-through of the cash loan or new account, some of them don't. It's quite a bit of effort just to find your credit information for free, but the whole process could be illuminating to find out how your credit looks to the banking world.

It's always a good idea to make sure your credit is in sound condition. Any discrepancies you find should be dealt with immediately for they could hinder your benefits and insurance claims. Keep your eye on your credit rating and take advantage of free information. It's your credit, it should belong to you.

Author Byline:

Allison once she graduated from college, as it allowed her to combine her two passions: writing and children. She has enjoyed furthering her writing career with www.nannyclassifieds.com. She can be in touch through e-mail allisonDOTnannyclassifiedsATgmail rest you know.

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Maintaining Positive Cash Flow in Your Business

If you do not have good cash flow, your business will suffer. As in your own life, the lack of cash flow can cause bad decisions to be made.

You may say my company makes lots of money. You pay all your bills and even have cash reserves for future projects. You don’t have cash flow projections, and you’re doing fine. 

The problem with good revenue flow is that all that cash could cover up bad business practices. The problem comes when the revenue falls.

Here are a few good tips for your cash flow management.

1. Always keep a percentage of cash as a reserve

When starting a business, you have an initial stake in cash. Many businesses make their first mistake by thinking everything will go well. In the first year of a new business, many things can go wrong. 

Business owners are great with business ideas but bad with the management of day to day operations. Keeping a percentage of cash in reserve will soften the bumps along the way of your new business.

Evaluating a company's financial statements helps you decide how to improve your business’s finances and plan long-term growth. Financing cash flow is a favorable option for businesses that generate revenue for sales but don’t have assets to offer as collateral.

Cash flow financing means borrowers use cash as collateral to secure a loan.

2. Accounts receivable collection times can be a nightmare

In the best scenario, you serve your client and expect prompt payment. But in reality, your client doesn’t see things the same way. Their business is on their minds, not paying you. 

Don’t let collections become a major part of your business day. You need to convey to your clients through invoices and communication that you want to be paid in a timely way.

3. Set up terms and discounts on your invoices

You’re not in the financing business. Offering credit to your clients is a courtesy, not a requirement. Do not let them abuse it. It’s OK to have terms on your invoices but don’t go overboard.

3. Don’t pay fees

Whether it’s late fees on your bills or NSF fees to the bank, it’s just unnecessary. Keeping track and being aware of what’s happening in your business is your job.

4. Discounts aren’t always necessary

It is not unreasonable to charge a reasonable price for your goods and services. Yet many companies fear losing business by not giving discounts. You will find when making business-to-business sales that your customers are not looking for unreasonable prices. 

They are counting on you, and they like your product or service. They want to buy from you and know you need to make a profit.

5. Don’t forget to pay yourself

There are two kinds of business owners, the ones that like to grow companies and are entrepreneurial and the others that look at the company as a cash machine. 

There are problems with both types. The business builder gets their satisfaction out of seeing a company flourish. The big spender looks for the company to furnish a high lifestyle. 

You need to find a happy medium between the two. The amount of pay an owner takes has to balance with the company's state. Finding the balance is the trick.

Cash flow is the lifeblood of your business. How you manage it determines if your company prospers or fails.

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