A substantial portion of the population today prefers digital payments over any other option. And among the top choices are credit cards. However, digital payments make it all the more important to be careful. A lot of things can slip through the cracks when people do not pay attention to their card usage and spending habits. It is important to break these habits before the credit card bills pile up. Making partial payments Many credit card users have the habit of making partial payments when their bills are generated. Although this is perfectly acceptable with the credit card issuer, the practice can impact the user’s credit score. The interest also adds to the total amount payable during the next cycle. If not paid in full, some credit card bills can take years to clear. Foregoing statement checks It is important that users check their credit card bills regularly. A thorough inspection can guarantee that there are no additional or unnecessary costs. People who do not habitually check their bills might end up paying for expenses that were not made in the first place. It can cause discrepancies and fraudulent activities to go undetected. Paying late Making late credit card payments is another habit that benefits no one.

Debit cards make our daily lives much more convenient. Whether we wish to withdraw money or buy our favorite products from the store, these cards make everything possible. Unlike credit cards, we also do not have to bear charges or pay high interest rates at the end of every month. But although debit cards have so many positives, we must use them wisely. There are a few common mistakes people must avoid.  Not keeping a record of all transactions All debit card holders know how beneficial that piece of plastic is. It makes all shopping transactions easy by completing them with just one swipe. However, after someone swipes their card and checks their account statement, they may often realize their balance is still the same. Sometimes, a debit card transaction can take a few days to reflect in the balance. So, it is vital to keep an offline record of one’s transactions and update it regularly. If a person has a joint or shared checking account, they must also record their partner’s debit card usage and transactions. If they do not do so, they might accidentally use the card for a transaction without realizing that their account balance is low.

A debit card makes it easy to access money from the bank or an ATM. One could easily spend what’s in their account without carrying cash or writing a check. However, each bank sets its terms and conditions associated with a debit card. Those who sign up for one online without a second thought might often incur unwanted charges. With this in mind, here are four mistakes to avoid when applying for a debit card. Going for the first available option Several banks offer a series of debit card options to customers. However, in a hurry to get things done, people apply for the first card they see online. Doing so may result in paying higher fees than one should or signing up for features that one does not need. Individuals must always take their time when applying for debit cards to ensure they sign up with a suitable provider. Not reading the fine print One of the common mistakes people make when applying for a debit card online is ignoring the fine print. While a bank may offer a debit card free of charge, it might be conditional on eligibility criteria. For example, one might incur charges if they do not spend a certain amount within the first year, such as $500.

Although the world is shifting to digital transactions, people continue to use checks as a mode of payment. Moreover, many people prefer to secure or guarantee future payments with post-dated checks. However, since checks are not readily available, one needs to know how to order them. This knowledge is especially important for those ordering for the first time. So here are a few ways in which one can order checks to meet their financial needs. Banks If one has a bank account, one can easily order checks. Moreover, if one has previously ordered checks from their bank, they can reorder by visiting the bank’s website. However, those who are ordering checks from their bank for the first time would need to connect with a customer service representative or visit the bank in person for details. To ensure security, one will have to verify their identity by presenting a valid government-issued photo ID. Similarly, one can also order checks from a credit union. Some banks and credit unions like Wells Fargo, Chase, Bank of America, Navy Federal Credit Union, and Ally Bank offer the first few checks for free. Online printers If one wishes to order checks with customized designs, one can easily do so through online check printers.

Online payments have evolved to a point where “buy now, pay later” is a frequently used transaction method today. Millions of shoppers across the country use the option of paying a certain percentage of the purchase price of a product now and paying off the remaining amount in a predetermined number of equal installments over time. Buy now, pay later has multiple benefits, but buyers must be aware of and avoid its pitfalls too. 4 common buy now, pay later mistakes to avoid Taking multiple loans in a short space of time The option of purchasing things that one has always wanted and paying a portion of the price later is quite alluring. Thus, some individuals buy several products and services at once or within a few days or weeks without thinking about the accumulated credit. One thing people should not forget is that buy now, pay later schemes are like bank loans. So, as easy as they may make getting access to money and products in a given moment, it also requires users to pay back the remaining amount to banks, with an added interest percentage if they cannot pay on time. So, if people use this payment scheme several times in a short period, then their debts will also keep rising and they are likely to face mounting deadlines and interest amounts within no time.

Freight factoring is a common financial tool to provide immediate funds to trucking companies by selling their shipping invoices to the factoring companies. This provides financial stability to the trucking companies with quick capital. Although this is a popular financial practice, many fraudsters can see this as an opportunity to commit factoring invoice scams. Read on to learn the three facts about freight factoring frauds and how companies can avoid them. Fake invoices to get immediate cash flow Some companies may be experiencing shortage of cash flow. This issue, coupled with the daily expenses, makes the business owner commit factoring invoice fraud. Trucking company owners may create one or more false invoices and submit them for payment to the factoring company, among other legitimate invoices. This is a quick way to get funds and that is why it is an easy way to get funds even though the main intent may be to return them to the factoring company in full. Many low amount invoices may get sanctioned without review, leaving room for fraud. The best way to avoid such a situation is to thoroughly review all the invoices systematically and ensure that the invoice amount corresponds to the services provided by the trucking company.