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How to Stick to Your Holiday Budget

Sticking to a budget at any time of the year can be tricky. And when you factor in gifts for friends and family, hosting or attending parties, and decorations, the holiday season can be all the more challenging to your bottom line. 

Below are some tips to help you stick to your holiday budget and keep financial stress off your Christmas list. 
Start budgeting early
The holiday season has a way of sneaking up on us. Start setting aside some spending money several months in advance. Better yet, work it into your budget for every month of the year. The earlier you begin to save, the less money you’ll need to put aside each month.  
Take everything into consideration
It’s easy to only focus on the price of gifts. But little things like wrapping paper, cookies, and even an increased power bill due to Christmas lights can quickly eat into your budget. Make room for every expense, no matter how small. 
Download a holiday app
There are plenty of holiday shopping apps available that can help you find the lowest prices, take advantage of coupons, earn cash back, and more. Also, learn how you can save money on your holiday shopping, which will help you stay under your original budget.    
Stick to cash
Once your budget is set, make an envelope for each category and put the appropriate amount of cash in each. Using a cash system will keep you from overspending, something that can be easy to do with a credit card. 
Shop online to save money on gas
You did a great job of sticking to your holiday budget, but you spent a fortune in gas running to stores all over town. Many [...]

By |December 20th, 2019|Tips and Hints|Comments Off on How to Stick to Your Holiday Budget|
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Get Out of a Debt Cycle in These 5 Steps

For many, debt isn’t just an obstacle. It’s a lifestyle. Once you fall into debt, it can be hard to pull yourself back out of it. Debt leads to borrowing, which leads to interest and more debt. And before you know it, you’re trapped in a vicious debt cycle. 

Fortunately there is a way out. Follow the five steps below to get out of your cycle of debt and achieve financial freedom. 
How to Escape a Debt Cycle
Step 1: Save up an emergency fund.
Your first thought is probably to throw every spare dollar at your debt. But one of the things that keeps people locked into a debt cycle is surprise expenses such as a car repair or medical bill. Before fully tackling your debt, build up a small emergency fund. That way your debt payback plan can remain uninterrupted by minor emergencies. 
Step 2: Consolidate debt and transfer it to a low (or no) interest rate.
There are a number of credit cards that offer low or even no interest rates for a select period of time if you transfer your debt to them. Doing this can free you up from interest payments that keep you trapped in a debt cycle. If possible, consolidate all of your debts into one loan or credit card. 
Step 3: Pay more than the minimum. 
Pay more than just the minimum on your balance each month. You’ll pay less in interest and will climb out of your debt cycle faster. 
Step 4: Live on a budget.
A key to breaking the debt cycle is maintaining a pattern of predictable spending. Create a budget so you know how much you’ll be allocating each month to food, bills, [...]

By |November 30th, 2019|Tips and Hints|Comments Off on Get Out of a Debt Cycle in These 5 Steps|
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Why Choose Cash Fast Loan Centers for a Payday Loan

There’s more than one option available if you’re seeking a payday loan. So why choose Cash Fast Loan Centers? Below are five good reasons why you should pick us for your next payday loan. 
We make it fast and easy to get the money you need 
When you come see us for a payday loan, you’ll be in and out in less than 15 minutes. Just bring the following items, and if you’re approved, you’ll walk out the door with cash in hand:

Your most recent checking statement
Driver’s license
Social Security card 
Checkbook
Your most recent pay stub 

We don’t even run a credit check as part of the loan process. After all, we don’t call ourselves Cash Fast Loan Centers for nothing.
We’re a reputable lender 
We’re a proud member of the Community Financial Services Association of America’s Best Practices. What does that mean? It means we’re required to follow strict standards that ensure responsible lending practices and protect your rights. Not all payday loan centers can be trusted, and we choose to hold ourselves to a higher standard.   
We guarantee the lowest rates in the area 
You won’t find a lower rate for a payday loan in the area. At Cash Fast Loan Centers, we offer the lowest rates — guaranteed. 
We keep your personal information confidential 
At Cash Fast Loan Centers, your personal information belongs to you. We don’t share your information with any other parties, and the entire process remains confidential. 
We’re conveniently located
We proudly serve the areas of Charlotte, Concord, and Gastonia in North Carolina, along with Rock Hill and Fort Mill in South Carolina. Our locations are open six days a week and [...]

By |October 31st, 2019|General|Comments Off on Why Choose Cash Fast Loan Centers for a Payday Loan|
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5 Ways to Avoid Being a Victim of a Payday Loan Scam

A payday loan is a good way to get the money you need when you need it and get yourself out of a bind. But it’s also a good way to fall victim to a scam. 

Below are some helpful tips to protect yourself from payday loan scams. 
Don’t do business with anyone who initiates contact with you
One of the more common payday loan scams happens when a person is contacted by a “payday loan company” by phone or email. The scammer pretends to be a representative of the company and offers the person a loan or claims the person owes money for a previous loan and tries to collect on it. 

These fake companies often use non-business email addresses like Yahoo, Hotmail, or gmail and may contain broken English or spelling or grammatical errors. They may also threaten to sue you, arrest you, or garnish your wages in an effort to scare you into paying up.   

If you receive a call like this, ask for the phone number and address of the company. A scammer will not want to give out any such information, but a reputable company gladly will. Better yet, only get a payday loan from a company for which you make the first contact.  
Don’t send any money in advance
If a company asks you to send money in advance for “taxes” or “processing fees,” it’s more than likely a scam. Reputable payday loan companies collect all fees at the time your payment is due. 
Check with the Better Business Bureau 
Before doing business with a payday loan company, check their rating with the Better Business Bureau. This will give you an indication of how trustworthy the company is. 
Check to see [...]

By |September 30th, 2019|Tips and Hints|Comments Off on 5 Ways to Avoid Being a Victim of a Payday Loan Scam|
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    How Cash Advances Fit Into Spring Cleaning Your Monthly Budget

How Cash Advances Fit Into Spring Cleaning Your Monthly Budget

Budgeting may seem like a tedious chore, but it’s an important part of life. You need to establish a solid budget to ensure that you have money to pay your bills, support your savings, and live comfortably. Many people aren’t sure how to properly organize their budget and may need assistance, which might include a cash advance loan.

Take a look below at a few helpful tips for managing your monthly budget this spring.
4 Spring Budgeting Tips
Budgeting is more than just writing down a list of expenses and subtracting them from your paycheck. It’s about structuring your assets into an easily manageable system so that you don’t find yourself stuck in a financial rut. Here are a couple of pointers to assist you with managing your budget this season.
Establish an objective
What is your goal for your budget? Do you just want to pay off your bills each month, or are you trying to build up your savings?

You need to establish what exactly you want to get out of your budget, even if it’s something as simple as paying off a loan. Having a clear goal is like having a target, and your budget is the arrow.
Prepare an emergency fund
Emergencies can happen at any moment. Is your budget prepared to handle one? No matter what your objective is, you should always have some type of emergency fund on standby in case something unplanned happens.

Ideally, your emergency fund is equal to approximately two months of take-home pay. If you are unable to secure an emergency fund right away, consider a cash advance near you to help you get started.
Regularly audit your budget
Make maintaining your budget an appointment. [...]

By |May 15th, 2019|Loans|Comments Off on How Cash Advances Fit Into Spring Cleaning Your Monthly Budget|
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Ask These 5 Questions Before Your Next Cash Advance

Before applying for a cash advance, it may be wise to stop and ask yourself some questions. Doing so will help you make the best decisions with your money and give yourself the best chance at a positive and successful loan experience.

What to Ask Yourself When Applying for a Cash Advance
Before applying for a cash advance loan, ask yourself the following five questions.
Which type of cash advance should I get?
Cash advances come in multiple forms, and it’s important to get the right type of loan for your situation. Two popular types of cash advances are payday loans and car title loans. A payday loan gives you an advance on your next paycheck, while a car title loan provides you with a larger sum of money using your car as collateral.   
What will I need to bring?
You’ll want to come prepared, so ask yourself what you’ll need for the application process. Depending on which type of cash advance you apply for, you may need some combination of the following:

Your most recent checking account statement
Your checkbook
Your most recent pay stub
Your driver’s license
Your Social Security card
A piece of mail to verify your address
Your car title
Your car registration information

Is the cash advance loan center reputable?
You don’t want to borrow money from somebody you can’t trust. Ask yourself if your local cash advance loan center is respected, reliable, and reputable.
How much time should I plan for?
Life can be hectic, and you might not have all day to spend at a cash advance center. Find out how long the application process takes and work that (along with [...]

By |April 30th, 2019|Tips and Hints|Comments Off on Ask These 5 Questions Before Your Next Cash Advance|
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How to Prepare for Tax Season in 5 Simple Steps

Spring means warmer weather and a new beginning. But it also means tax season. Read about some helpful tips for how to prepare for tax season and make this year’s filing a breeze.
Get Ready to Do Your Taxes
Know which forms you’ll need.
W-2, W-4, 1040, 1099, and so many more. There are different types of tax forms required for different types of jobs. Your employer should mail the appropriate form to you sometime after January 1. If you don’t have anything by March, you should probably ask your employer for them. It’s also wise to keep all of your tax forms in one place.
Decide how you wish to file.
You can take your tax forms to a tax preparation service or do them yourself. Most tax preparation companies charge a fee (which can eat up a large chunk of your return), but there are places who have volunteers who will do it for you for free.

If you wish to do it yourself, there are many easy-to-use online services that will walk you through the process step-by-step.
Make a list of your credits and deductions.
There are many things that can count as tax credits or serve as deductions from your taxes, such as having a child, buying a house, getting married, or donating to charity. Make a list of all your potential deductions to maximize your savings.  
Be prepared to pay.
It’s possible that you might receive a nice refund after filing your taxes. But it’s also possible that you might end up owing money to the government. There are several things that can help determine this but the main factor is how many taxes were taken out of [...]

By |March 29th, 2019|Tips and Hints|Comments Off on How to Prepare for Tax Season in 5 Simple Steps|
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The Difference Between Payday Loans and Car Title Loans

A loan is always there in a pinch. But just as there are many reasons for needing a loan, there are also several different types of loans. Two popular types of loans are payday loans and car title loans. Let’s look at the difference between the two to help you decide which one better fits your needs.
What is a Payday loan?
A payday loan is a type of short-term loan where the borrower simply writes a post-dated check to the lender for the amount of money needed plus some interest. The loan is paid out to the borrower immediately, and the check is not cashed by the lender until the agreed upon date. The agreed upon date is typically the day of or the day after the borrower’s next paycheck.

A payday loan can be executed very quickly, often in a matter of just minutes. You will generally need:

A checking account and your most recent statement
A driver’s license
A Social Security card
A checkbook
Your most recent pay stub

What is a Car Title Loan?
Taking out a car title loan means you’ll use your car as collateral to secure the loan. When you take out the loan, a lien will be placed against the title of your car. When you repay the loan, the lien is removed. It’s that simple.

You can still drive your car as much as you want while the lien is in place, so you are free to use your car to get to work to earn the money needed for your loan payment. And it’s also typically okay if you do not have full car insurance.

To take out a car title loan, you’ll [...]

By |February 26th, 2019|Loans|Comments Off on The Difference Between Payday Loans and Car Title Loans|
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How to Capitalize on Investing in 2019

For many people, a New Year’s resolution is to start saving money. For others, it’s to stop saving money and start investing money. But if you’re new to investing, you may not know where to start.

No worries. We’ve got you covered. Below are five good tips for anyone investing for the first time in 2019.
Investing in 2019: Your Guide
Gold
Gold is generally considered a safe investment and many investors use it to diversify their portfolio. The value of gold is based on supply and demand, and gold is used in everything from jewelry and computers to dentistry and the aerospace industry. One advantage of investing in gold is that it often performs best when the rest of the market is down, such as during wartime or a recession.
Real Estate
We’ve all heard of real estate moguls who’ve made a fortune from selling luxury beachfront properties. But you don’t have to be a high-end real estate agent to make a sound investment. If you have an extra room, you can turn it into rental space for a roommate or list it for rent on a vacation rental site. This is a great first step into the world of real estate investing.
Stock Market
You don’t need to know the ins and outs of the stock market to get some skin in the game. There are a number of good stock options for first-time investors that can get you off and running.
IRA
If your employer does not offer an IRA, you aren’t out of luck. Anyone can open an IRA account and begin contributing immediately. You can choose your level of risk, and an IRA can provide a long-term investment tool [...]

By |February 4th, 2019|Tips and Hints|Comments Off on How to Capitalize on Investing in 2019|
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5 Steps Toward Successful Budgeting for the New Year

The best way to save money is to form a budget. If your new year’s resolution is to sock away some cash, constructing a budget for the year is a good place to start.

A budget helps you visualize the money that’s coming in and out of your everyday life and plan ahead to reduce the chances of financial trouble. Below are five tips for budgeting for the new year that will keep you on track with your finances.
List your income and expenses
On a piece of paper or the computer, make two columns. On the left side, write down all of your expenses for the year. This includes your rent or mortgage, all of your bills, child care, car payments, student loans, and money for things like gas and groceries.

On the right side, list all of your estimated income for the year from any jobs, assistance, or other ways of receiving money.

Add up the total for both columns. If the number on the right side is larger than the one on the left, congratulations — you’re living within your means. If the number on the left is bigger, you’ve got some work to do.
Estimate accordingly
You won’t be able to list out all of your incomes and expenses right down to the last dollar. Some of your expenses, like electricity bills or gas, will fluctuate from one month to the next. And the same can be true for your income.

When writing down your expenses, overestimate the amount. Use a number that represents the most you can expect to spend. And when writing down your income, underestimate the amount with a number that represents the least you could expect. Doing [...]

By |January 1st, 2019|General|Comments Off on 5 Steps Toward Successful Budgeting for the New Year|
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