Not all credit unions are available to the public, however, as most are created specifically for certain groups. These may include federal employees, educators, military, or employees who work at specific organizations. It’s important to first understand how credit unions work before applying for any type of account. Learn the differences between savings accounts at credit unions and savings accounts at banks, and the options that are available. Credit Union Savings Account Basics Savings accounts at credit unions work the same way as bank savings accounts....

In the event your luggage is mishandled, you may be able to get some recourse from the carrier. But if you want some extra certainty, it doesn’t hurt to use a credit card with insurance protection for lost or delayed luggage. What Is Lost or Delayed Baggage Insurance? Lost luggage reimbursement and delayed baggage insurance are two separate protections on a credit card. Select cards from Visa, Mastercard, and American Express offer protection for lost or damaged luggage, and some cards from Visa and Mastercard provide delayed baggage insurance....

Employee credit card use can be beneficial, though it may not be the best option for all businesses depending on their size and budget. Some businesses can benefit if they require the use of a credit card for daily tasks. Others, however, might consider these credit cards an added expenditure due to fees and interest, especially if they are rarely used. If you’re considering employee credit cards for your business, it’s important to take a look at some of the basics, compare the pros and cons of using business credit cards, and consider your options before deciding if they’re right for your business....

Your resume is a synopsis of your qualifications and experience showing what you have accomplished that is relevant to the job for which you’re applying. So, you don’t need to include everything you’ve ever done on your resume, especially if you’ve been in the workforce for many years or have shifted careers. In fact, you may want to have several versions of your resume. One with all your experience so you can keep track of it, a targeted resume that you can customize for each job you apply to, and a shorter version for career networking and job fairs....

Car insurance policies are like building blocks. You can add coverages when you need them or remove protections when they’re no longer required or useful. You have several options to reduce costs within your control when it comes to car insurance. Let’s review some of the key car insurance expenses, and whether you need them. How Much Car Insurance Do I Need? State laws mandate the types and levels of auto insurance coverages you must purchase before taking your automobile out on the road....

The USPTO has two different application filing systems: the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) and an international system (TEASi). The TEASi system is an e-filing system that allows you to file forms required under the Madrid Protocol. The Madrid Protocol is managed by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO. Filing with the WIPO through the USPTO allows you to to file one international trademark registration application in all Madrid Protocol countries....

The key to staying on budget as a retiree is to estimate an adequate amount for your emergency fund. You must also identify the right type of account to hold the money. Why Do Retirees Need an Emergency Fund? Emergency funds are meant to be used for unexpected costs, so you don’t have to sell off assets or run up debt to cover them. An emergency fund can also be a source of backup cash during your working years....

You can use the example below to calculate this amount yourself, use an online retirement income calculator, or hire a qualified financial planner to help you. Calculating Your Retirement Expenses To calculate your retirement expenses, consider each spending category, along with any changes you plan to make in retirement. For example, if you plan to move, will the cost of living be higher or lower than where you are now?...

Creditors still can try to collect such debts by turning them over to collection agencies or through other legal means. If a debt that has been charged off is later paid in full, the charge-off still can remain on the debtor’s credit report, but it will be listed as paid. If the account is settled for less than the original debt, it will be listed on the credit report as settled....

Who Uses Remote Deposit? Businesses: Businesses were the first users of remote deposit technology. Organizations see a large volume of checks, and they need to get funds available quickly for operations, payroll, and expansion. Individuals: Consumers also appreciate the convenience of making remote deposits. Busy individuals now demand accounts that enable them to deposit checks with a mobile device, saving trips to bank branches. Other organizations: Nonprofits, government bodies, and other organizations use remote deposit....

What Is a Tax Shield? A tax shield is a reduction in taxable income by taking allowable deductions. Stated another way, it’s when a business or individual deliberately uses taxable expenses to offset taxable income. Examples of Tax Shields Tax shields involve investments and purchases that are tax deductible. Some common examples include charitable giving, mortgages, and depreciation expenses. Charitable Giving Charitable giving is a deductible expense for both individuals and businesses, with some restrictions and limits....

This is an open-ended question, without a right or wrong answer, and it provides an opportunity for you to demonstrate, through your responses and body language, the qualities that most employers are looking for—determination, motivation, drive, enthusiasm, and a shared collaborative vision. What the Interviewer Wants to Know A question like this is intended to give your potential employer a sense of your work ethic, goals, drive, and overall personality....

How Are Property Taxes Calculated? Property taxes are determined according to the value of your property. They’re commonly known as a type of ad valorem tax, since ad valorem is Latin for “according to the value.” “Property taxes are calculated by applying a taxing district’s tax rate to the assessed property value,” Tom Parrish, retail lending director at BMO Harris Bank in Elmhurst, Illinois, told The Balance by email. “For example, in DuPage County, IL, outside of Chicago, assessed values are required by law to be based upon the three prior years of actual sales transactions within the jurisdiction, which would mean the 2020 assessed value would have been based on sales occurring during the 2017, 2018 and 2019 calendar years....

Gen Z—young adults born after 1997—are also poised to enter the housing market in the coming years. More than 85% of the younger Gen Z members want to own a home and expect to own their first home by age 30, according to a 2019 survey by mortgage loan company Freddie Mac. If this occurs, it would be three years sooner than the average homebuying age of 33. Buying a house in your 20s requires planning, and these tips can help....

Bonds are typically less volatile than stocks and some other investments. They’re also a popular way for investors to produce income from their portfolios. Learn what you need to know to start investing in bonds. How To Buy Bonds If you’re interested in buying bonds, there are a few paths you can take. Through a Broker If you have a brokerage account, you can purchase bonds through your broker. You can use your broker to purchase bonds on the secondary market from other investors....

If you’re earning points or miles on your stay, you may be able to redeem them as a statement credit against airfare, hotels, and other travel purchases. Your card may also allow you to use those points or miles to book your next trip—not to mention that some travel cards come with additional perks that can make your trip more comfortable. These perks include complimentary lounge access, hotel upgrades, and travel insurance....

How Investment Advisors and Financial Planners Get Paid The most expensive advice is free advice. Although this statement is often delivered as a joke, there is much truth to it: Like everyone else, professional advisors and planners need to pay the bills and put food on the table at home. Therefore, even if the fees may not be coming directly out of your pocket, and even if you can’t see clearly how they’re getting paid, advisors are getting paid by you in some shape or form....

You’ll likely need to think about purchasing motorcycle insurance—in fact, in most states, you may be required to do so. But before you do, it pays to be prepared. What sort of insurance do you really need? What determines how much you will pay? And how do you go about getting the best bang for your buck? Review Quotes From Multiple Carriers Just like with car insurance, the price you’ll pay in premiums on motorcycle insurance is based upon a variety of factors—some out of your control and some easily regulated....

Once the bureau receives your dispute, it’s required to investigate your dispute and remove the error from your credit report if it is determined that the information being disputed is indeed inaccurate. Unfortunately, the story doesn’t always end there. The dispute process sometimes fails to remove information from credit reports, even if the item in dispute is a factual error. However, if your initial dispute didn’t get the error removed, there are further steps you can take....

How Is Division of Assets Decided? The following factors will likely influence how your property gets split up: Marital Property vs. Separate Property Marital property is property acquired during the course of the marriage. Separate property is property that belonged to one spouse prior to marriage or that was acquired after legal separation or divorce. It also includes inheritances and gifts left to one spouse during the marriage. Prenuptial Arrangements and Division Consensus A prenuptial agreement can outline the terms for many financial issues that may arise during divorce....