In today’s world, where cash transactions are gradually seeing a decline, credit cards have become a preferred mode of transaction, especially for the associated awards and perks that you may avail of from them. The more you use your cards, the higher rewards you earn. The annual fees for the card may make it quite expensive, but you may take advantage of the airline miles when you fly. The payoff is usually worth it for those cardholders who travel frequently and pay their card balance on time every month.

Here are three popular credit cards that may help you earn airline miles as you make purchases.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™
This is one of the best airline miles credit cards as it helps earn airline miles through everyday purchases and offers a lot of perks to cardholders. It has an annual fee of $99, which is waived for the first year. It requires an excellent credit score and has a variable annual percentage rate (APR) ranging from 17.74% to 25.74%. The first checked bags are free on the domestic American Airlines. In addition, the cardholders may enjoy free checked bags for four companions traveling on the same flight.

United MileagePlus® Explorer Card
This card has a zero introductory fee for the first year and then charges an annual fee of $95. Its variable APR ranges from 17.74% to 24.74%. When you use the card to fly United Airlines, you may earn 2 miles per every dollar and you earn one mile per dollar spent on other purchases.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card
This credit card is considered as one of the best airline miles credit cards for multiple reasons which include a low annual fee, a bonus of 40,000 points after spending the first $1000 within the first three months of the issuance of the card. It is ideal for business flights and has a large sign-up bonus in addition to annual bonus miles. There is an annual fee of $99. The card has a variable APR ranging from 17.74% to 24.74%. You may earn 1 point for $1 spent on purchases. They offer cards to their employee at no extra charge.

The annual fee and APR mentioned above are approximate and subject to change. These are some of the best airline miles credit cards available in the market. However, you need to make a choice keeping your preferences and your ability to make the credit card payments on time. The card will have a penalty if the payment is not made within the given period.

There are a number of factors to be considered when applying for a credit card. Apart from the annual percentage rate (APR) and the transfer fees, you also need to take a good look at the perks offered by the card. Here is a list of the top 10 credit cards of 2018.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The card has zero annual fees for the first year and allows you to earn 50000 bonus points after you spend $4000 on your purchases within the first three months of opening the account.

Discover it® Cash Back
One of the 10 best credit cards of 2018, Discover it® will match all the cashback that you have earned at the end of the first year. There is no limit to it. They have a 0% annual fee for the first year plus a 0% APR on the purchase and balance transfer for a period of 14 months.

Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
With a 0% annual fee and a 0% APR on the purchases for one year and balance transfers for 21 months, this card is widely preferred by consumers.

Citi® Double Cash Card
The card has a 0% annual fee and a 0% APR on balance transfers for a period of 18 months. It allows you to earn $150 cash back bonus after you spend $500 in purchases within the first three months of account opening.

Capital One® Quicksilver® Card
This credit card offers a 0% APR on purchases as well as balance transfers for a period of 15 months and allows you to earn $150 cash back bonus after spending $500 in purchases within three months of account opening.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®
The credit card has 0% annual fee and 0% APR on the purchases as well as balance transfers for a period of 15 months.

Bank of America® Cash Rewards Credit Card
There is no annual fee on the card and you earn 1% cashback on every purchase. You may also earn 2% at grocery stores and 3% on gas for the first $2500 spent every quarter.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Rated as one of the 10 best credit cards of 2018, Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express has an annual fee of $95 and a 0% APR for purchases and balance transfers.

Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card
With this credit card, you may enjoy a bonus of 50000 miles after you spend $3000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

Citi Simplicity® Credit Card
This is the only credit card that has no penalty rate, no late fees, and no annual fees. It has 0% APR on purchases and balance transfer for the first 18 months.

Remember, the cash back offers, interest rates, and other charges are subject to change. So, before you choose a credit card, make sure you consider all the costs and perks associated with the same so that you may avail of the maximum benefits from the card.

Having a poor credit score may affect you in several ways. Most banks and non-banking financial institutions consider your credit score before making a lending decision. However, if you have a bad credit, you may still apply for a bad credit car finance for the purchase of a new or a used car and manage to save yourself from high-interest loans.

Here are the four best car financing options you may consider if you have a bad credit history.

Auto Credit Express®
Auto Credit Express® helps individuals with a bad credit get a loan for a brand-new car or a used car. They have built a network of car dealers that make it easier for you to find a dealer. This will save you the hassle of visiting several dealerships and running credit report inquiries with each of them.

Auto Credit USA
You may apply for a bad credit car finance with Auto Credit USA as they will help you receive financing irrespective of your credit score. This, in turn, will help improve your overall credit score. The company strives to make it easier for you to purchase the car of your dreams by offering low payment terms. With low interest rates, you may figure out a way to make your regular monthly payments that fit your budget.

AutoStar USA
The lender offers a guaranteed bad credit loan approval for your car finance. They have an easy and straightforward loan application process, which will help you avail of a loan even with a bad credit score. They offer car finance for all new vehicles as well as used vehicles.

myAutoloan
With myAutoloan, you will be able to connect with lenders within a few minutes. Irrespective of your credit score, you will be able to find a lender who is willing to help you with the finance of your car. It also has an interest rate estimator that gives you an idea about the kind of annual percentage rate (APR) you might get.

Apart from these lenders, there are leading banks that offer poor credit loans, but they have a higher APR and are more stringent with their rules. It is best to connect with lenders and understand their terms before you make an online application. For an applicant with a bad credit score, the entire process may be strenuous, but with lenders willing to help you, it is now possible to get finance irrespective of your credit score.

A certificate of deposit (CD) is a time deposit that is quite similar to a savings account. It helps you earn interest and carries minimal risk. CDs are available in various denominations and have a fixed maturity period and a fixed interest rate. It is best to compare the CD rates before you decide to choose a particular bank. Given below are the 10 best CD rates of 2018.

Marcus by Goldman Sachs®
Marcus by Goldman Sachs® is an online portal that handles several banking products. It has a one-year CD, which earns an annual percentage yield (APY) of 2.55% and a five-year CD which gives an APY of 3.10%. The minimum deposit required is $500.

Citizens Access
This is an online-only service by Citizens Bank. It offers a one-year CD at an APY of 2.50% and a five-year CD at 3.10% with a deposit of at least $5,000.

Capital One 360
For a one-year CD, Capital One offers an APY of 2.50% and for a five-year CD, it gives an APY of 3%. The biggest advantage of it is that it has no minimum deposit requirement.

Synchrony Bank
This is an online bank that has a one-year CD with an APY of 2.45% and a five-year option at 3%. It has a minimum deposit requirement of $2000.

PenFed Credit Union
This credit union offers competitive interest rates and has a minimum deposit requirement of $1000. The APY for a one-year is 2.45% and for five years, the CD rate stands at 3%.

Barclays
The bank has a one-year CD at an APY of 2.45% and an online-only five-year option at 3%. Barclays does not have any minimum deposit requirement.

Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA) Bank
Rated as one of the top 10 best CD rates, TIAA bank has a five-year CD with an APY of 3.05% and a one-year CD with an APY of 1.65%. It has a minimum deposit requirement of $5000.

Connexus Credit Union
The CD rates of Connexus are 2.50% for one year and 3.25% for five years. It has a minimum deposit requirement of $5000.

Ally
One of the top Internet-only banks, Ally offers a CD rate of 2.25% for one year and 2.75% for five years. If you deposit a higher amount, you may earn a higher APY.

CIT Bank
The bank has a minimum deposit requirement of $1000 and a one-year CD lets you earn an APY of 2.20%.

Before you invest in a CD, compare the rates to make a wise choice. The CD rates of the above-mentioned banks and credit unions are subject to change, however, the current rates show that it is better to opt for a one-year CD instead of a five-year CD, considering its higher rate and high liquidity.

Capital One has been one of the premier providers of investment and financial solutions for a long time. It has gained immense popularity for its range of credit cards. For students, business owners, or individuals alike, who are attempting to rebuild their credit, these credit cards are among the best available in the market. If used responsibly, a credit card may help you build a good credit rating as well.

There is a simple and hassle-free application process for credit cards on Capital One. To get a credit card, you can simply go to their website and click on respond to Capital One mail offer or click on getmyoffer.capitalone.

How to ensure you get a Capital One mail offer
The following four steps help ensure that you increase your chances of getting approved for a Capital One credit card.

Starting good habits early: Everything from car loan payments to rent and credit cards, you must stay updated on the money you owe. You must ensure that you are always paying the bills on time. This can go a long way in building a good credit. Good payment habits and history is what credit card companies look for when considering applications.

Knowing your score: Your credit score refers to your creditworthiness. It depends on several factors, such as the number of recently opened accounts, how well you have paid outstanding bills, and the latest credit checks. Banks analyze this score judiciously. Generally, the higher the score, the more likely your application will be approved.

Balance your debt-to-income ratio: A debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is a straightforward comparison of how much you earn compared to how much you owe. Understanding this balance will come in handy to apply for a reasonable amount of credit. It helps to not get overwhelmed with monthly payments. Capital One will also check your DTI to ensure it does not approve your application for an amount more than what you are able to afford.

Looking for the right fit: Before applying to Capital One, you should take some time to check out the benefits and terms and apply for the card that suits your needs best. Credit card prequalification offers may also help, where-in Capital One will help you decide the card you should choose. They are certainly a good first step on the road to getting that application approved. It might be tempting to choose a higher-level card, but it is advisable to gradually make the move.

The application will either be accepted or declined in an instant. If you have received a mail from Capital One with the Get My Offer promotion, you will just need to click on the website mentioned above.

Modern advances in technology have made it possible for taxpayers to file their returns online without having the need to visit a tax filer. Since there are different types of income tax returns, it is important to understand which one is applicable to you. Choosing the right income tax return is the first step to file your taxes online. You may pick the tax form which corresponds to your current income bracket. This also allows you to claim credits, deductions, and the income that are applicable to you.

How to file U.S individual income tax returns
The standard federal income tax form for this is IRS Tax Form 1040, which is also known as the long form. If you are confused about which form to use, you may choose this one. You may download the form on your computer or collect it from a post office or local library near you. The due date for filing the form is 15th April. However, you may be granted a six-month tax extension, but it is advisable to make the payment by the deadline.

Filling out the form
There are step-by-step instructions, which may help you fill out the form, however, you may need to have a number of details ready to be entered. These include a proof of identification, social security number, filing status, residency status, date of birth, and a copy of your past tax return. You may have to provide the statement of wages earned, statement of interest and dividends from banks, and any proof of tax credit or tax deductions/exclusions. You may fill the form as per the instructions and provide the necessary details as and where asked for.

If you are not confident about filing the form yourself, you may seek help from a professional for the same. You may start by understanding the meaning of different terms associated with income tax filing, after which you may be able to fill the details appropriately by yourself. Once the form has been completely filled, you may file your taxes online and make the payment. Do keep in mind that the payment should be done by the due date. There is no extension granted automatically, but you may file for a six-month extension to file your return. It should be noted that a lot of taxpayers confuse the extension criteria and end up filing for an extension without paying their taxes on time.

Every year, thousands of people in the country apply for personal loans to meet their financial requirements. Personal loans may be utilized for any purpose and are straightforward and simple in application. Borrowers with a good credit score will have no issues with regard to the application and approval of their personal loan. However, the story is entirely different if you have a bad credit. Nonetheless, it is not impossible.

It is possible to get a bad credit personal loan from various lenders in the market. A score of 550 or lesser than that means a bad credit and most banks and financial institutions will not be willing to lend you money.

Tips to build a credit score
Here are certain steps that you may follow so that you are eligible for a bad credit personal loan.

• Rebuild your credit
  A credit score of 580 is considered to be fair. Hence, if your score is below that, you need to make efforts to reach the fair score. You will still have to pay a higher interest rate, but you will get access to the funds. You will have to collect your credit report and understand how the score is calculated. Report any errors you notice in the report and take small but consistent steps to improve your credit rating. These steps may include paying your credit cards debt on time, repaying any outstanding loans on time, and so on.

• Contact bad credit lenders
  There are various private lenders in the market who offer loans to bad credit holders. Get in touch with them and ask for a quote. The best is to apply for a pre-approval and check whether you qualify or not. Based on the same, you will be able to decide whether or not you may approach the lender.

• Apply for a secured loan
  It might become difficult to get an unsecured loan when you have a poor credit score, but you may always apply for a secured loan. There are a number of banks and credit unions that offer secured loans against a hypothecation of an asset. If you own an asset, you may use it for the loan and get funds against the same.

A bad credit score does not mean that you cannot raise funds at all. You might have to put in additional efforts for the same, but it is possible to get a personal loan with a bad credit rating.