It's possible to make $100s just by opening up a bank account. But sorting through the best offers can be tricky.At Money Crashers, we comb through hundreds of deals every month to find you the most lucrative sign-up bonuses – some worth up to $1,000. We also rank the best high-yield checking accounts, cash back credit cards, and more.Don't want to miss out? Here are the best bank promotions for the month of October. Top Bank Account Promotions (October 2018) 1. TD Bank Premier CheckingSM - $300 Cash Bonus Apply online for a new TD Bank Premier account and you'll get a $300 cash … [Read more...]
Brian Martucci
Prosper Review – Online Loan Marketplace for Peer-to-Peer Lending
Prosper, a popular peer-to-peer (P2P) lending network that offers unsecured personal loans with terms of 3 or 5 years, has embraced the sharing economy with gusto. By matching individual borrowers with individual or institutional investors willing to lend funds at competitive interest rates, Prosper cuts out the middle man (traditional banks or credit unions). Relative to those institutions, Prosper has more relaxed approval standards and faster funding times for borrowers.The platform earns money through origination and servicing fees. Its top competitors include other P2P lenders, such … [Read more...]
Lending Club Review – Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Financial Lending
Lending Club bills itself as the world's most popular peer-to-peer (P2P) lending network. As a classic example of the emerging sharing economy, the platform connects thousands of individual and business borrowers with regular people willing to fund their loans. In doing so, it eliminates the need for borrowers to approach traditional banks and credit unions - whose lending standards may be much more stringent than Lending Club's - to obtain financing. Lending Club accepts borrowers with all sorts of motivations, from debt consolidation and credit card refinancing to funding a down payment on a … [Read more...]
Xero Review – Online Accounting & Bookkeeping System
Xero is a full-service online accounting and bookkeeping system that caters to freelancers, solo entrepreneurs, and small to midsize business owners. Its easy-to-use bookkeeping tools make it a simple solution for people who can't afford an in-house accounting team to keep track of corporate finances.Xero bills itself as an alternative to QuickBooks. It shares many of the same features, including bank account integration, invoicing and expense tracking, payroll services, and tax tracking. Like QuickBooks, it also targets accounting and bookkeeping professionals, providing generous … [Read more...]
SoFi Review – Personal Loans and Refinancing for Qualified Borrowers
Even college graduates who find great jobs can struggle with debt for years after leaving school, especially if they have expensive private student loans. And, for borrowers who can't make ends meet, it's nearly impossible to discharge student debts in bankruptcy. The result is an unending cascade, possibly decades long, of financial repercussions.SoFi aims to change this glum reality. Using peer-to-peer lending between members of the public and qualified student borrowers, it launched earlier this decade with a student loan refinancing product for graduates of more than 2,000 U.S … [Read more...]
Marcus by Goldman Sachs Review – Fixed Rate, No Fee Personal Loans
Marcus by Goldman Sachs® is a fixed-rate, no-fee, unsecured personal loan provider positioned as a straightforward and potentially lower-cost alternative to credit cards. Its biggest selling point bears repeating: Loans from Marcus by Goldman Sachs® never carry fees, ever.You can borrow up to $40,000 in a single loan from Marcus by Goldman Sachs®, much higher than credit limits allowed by most entry-level cash back credit cards and bank-issued unsecured personal loans. Though loans from Marcus by Goldman Sachs® have multiple use cases, they're particularly useful for consumers looking to … [Read more...]
Best 30 Ski & Snowboard Brands for Clothing and Gear – How to Buy for Less
Surprisingly, some cold weather destinations made our list of the top outdoor vacation destinations to visit on a budget.But not everyone is a fan of cold weather. Winter brings a host of unique risks and challenges not present in warmer seasons. If you live in a cold climate, you no doubt have a winter preparation checklist that will help you find fun outdoor winter activities. After all, winter is an ideal time to get outside and stretch your legs, as long as you have the right clothing and gear.And what better way to take full advantage of the cold season than to spend a day on the … [Read more...]
What Is an Accessory Dwelling Unit (Granny Flat) – ADU Costs & Benefits
How's your appetite for a major home improvement project? What if that project could build equity, significantly boost your property's value, and generate income?Most home improvement initiatives can't do that. In fact, the list of home improvement projects that decrease resale value and drain homeowners' personal savings is far too long. Accessory dwelling unit (ADU) additions are different. Whether you're looking to renovate an older house or build equity in a new construction home, an accessory dwelling unit is highly likely to add value, versatility, and verve to your little patch of … [Read more...]
20 Best Small Business Credit Cards – Reviews & Comparison
Small business credit cards are increasingly popular business financing options, particularly for entrepreneurs who don't qualify for traditional business loans and don't have access to networks filled with deep-pocketed family members, friends, and colleagues. No matter what your business does, a credit card can probably help - as long as you use credit wisely and avoid making purchases your company can't afford.Small business credit cards typically have higher spending limits and more generous rewards programs than consumer cards. Some have additional benefits, such as low APRs, … [Read more...]
16 Home Improvement Projects That Help Reduce Homeownership Costs
The age-old debate over the relative merits of renting or buying a home rages on. In fact, it's doubtful that a definitive settlement is on the horizon. There are simply too many variables at play, and too many unique factors affecting individual homeowners' situations, to make a blanket judgment on the matter.But one thing is for sure: renting and homeownership both come with their fair share of costs. Even if it makes more financial sense for you and your family, you surely know that owning a home isn't cheap. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that the average household pays $2,127 in real … [Read more...]
Types of Driveways for Your Home – Materials & Costs
If you live in a detached single-family home, there's a good chance you have your own driveway. Which means that you're responsible for its maintenance and upkeep. Lucky you!Though nothing is guaranteed in the world of real estate, upgrading or resurfacing your driveway is one of many home improvement projects that can reduce your homeownership costs. A well-done driveway upgrade may even increase the resale value of your home.Driveways come in several different flavors. This guide covers four: aggregate (gravel), paving stone, asphalt, and concrete. In the sections that follow, we'll … [Read more...]
