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Number One Rule of Home Resale Value: Location You often hear real estate agents repeat the phrase: location, location, location. If you choose a home in a desirable location, chances are that the location will stay desirable, and in turn, will attract a large pool of home buyers later down the road. Alternatively, if the location is less than desirable, it is possible that the future sales price of your home will be less than the prices of other homes in locations that are more desirable....

But what if a cashier’s check is lost or stolen? In certain circumstances, your financial institution can cancel or issue a stop payment on a cashier’s check, though you’ll likely have to fill out some paperwork. Cashier’s Check Basics Cashier’s checks are often used for significant transactions and large purchases (such as a down payment on a home) when both buyer and seller need assurance the check will clear. To get a cashier’s check, you must have the full amount of the check already available in your account....

If you own an iPhone, you might complete banking transactions directly from it, such as transferring money or setting up automatic payments. You can even deposit checks simply by taking pictures of them through the banking app. Many banks and credit unions offer the ability to use your phone’s camera and a secure application to save a trip to the branch. If you’ve never done it before, here’s how the process works and what you need to do to deposit checks with your iPhone....

Security code numbers are designed to be a fraud prevention measure that businesses can use to verify purchases when a physical card is not present. By asking for a CVV code, a merchant can be reasonably certain the person using the card is the cardholder and has physical possession of it. Where To Find the CVV Security Code In most cases, CVV codes are located on the back of the card, but sometimes, you’ll find them on the front....

There are many benefits to getting out of debt. When you carry debt year after year, you put yourself in a financially vulnerable position where you have a negative net worth. By getting out of debt, you free up money that you can then use to grow your wealth. Your debt can also limit your opportunities. Being debt-free gives you the freedom to pursue a more rewarding career opportunity or to start your own business....

Interest rates are quite low, historically speaking: In the 1980s, double-digit interest rates were common, with rates rising above 17%, at times. Now, you can potentially qualify for a loan with a rate in the low single digits. As a result, you may have an opportunity to lock in a low rate for the long term. Shop Around for the Best Rates Sometimes shopping is fun, but that’s not the case when it comes to mortgages....

What does a dream job look like? While everyone will have their own definition of the ideal career, for most, it’s a matter of finding work that fits with your career values. Look for a role that uses your skills, provides a supportive work environment, and allows work-life balance, and you’ve created the perfect recipe for professional happiness. Of course, finding that perfect role can be challenging, to say the least....

Even with those concerns, cryptocurrency may truly be the gift that keeps on giving. Here’s a look at how you can send cryptocurrency correctly, when you may have to pay gift taxes, and other tips for a successful cryptocurrency gift. How To Get Cryptocurrency Typically, before gifting cryptocurrency, you need to own it. For that, you need an account with a cryptocurrency exchange or a brokerage that allows cryptocurrency transactions....

Double-Entry Accounting Double-entry bookkeeping is also known as double-entry accounting. The underlying principle of double-entry accounting is that Assets = Liabilities + Equity. If assets go up, liabilities or equity must go up as well. Credit sales are reported on both the income statement and the company’s balance sheet. On the income statement, the sale is recorded as an increase in sales revenue, cost of goods sold, and possibly expenses. The credit sale is reported on the balance sheet as an increase in accounts receivable, with a decrease in inventory....

We all know the formula: Save more and spend less. But that knowledge alone is usually not enough to change your behavior without concrete action steps. Before you get started, it’s wise to think about your goals—the things you want, and why you want them—so you’ll be more motivated to do it. Pay Yourself First One of the most important steps to take is prioritizing saving. You probably know exactly how much you spend each month on your rent or mortgage payment—you need to make that payment or you’re out on the street....

You should be prepared for the fact that some agents will not negotiate a commission with you, because some agents don’t have to. Some have enough business to justify not negotiating, Some have to pay higher percentages to their brokers, and others just might not want to reduce their commissions. How Real Estate Agents Are Paid Commission percentage splits vary among brokers, depending on the company policy and agent production....

Exclude Kid as Driver The fastest and most simple way to get your kid taken off of your car insurance is to exclude them as a driver. Some carriers will charge you a fee to exclude drivers who live in your home. The cost will still be less than insuring a teen or young adult driver on your car policy. When you think about not having your children on your car plan, you must be aware that they may not drive your car at any time....

You can, and sometimes taking a stress leave is the right thing to do. In a 2021 Gallup survey, some 44% of employees experienced a lot of daily stress the day before. You may not see your situation strictly as needing a “stress” leave, but you may see it as experiencing burnout, anxiety, or depression. You need to apply for a leave of absence for any of these reasons in a similar way....

There are several ways to send money electronically, and the best option depends on your needs. Learn more about these options and how they work. Person-to-Person Apps and Services You have a lot of options when it comes to how to send money online. Multiple services allow you to make personal payments online for free if you pull funds from your bank account. Sending funds from debit cards, which are linked directly to your checking account, also is usually free....

Fear and uncertainty can become a driving force of emotions during retirement planning conversations. One study found that only 29% of 55- to 64-year-olds express confidence that they will have enough to replace their current lifestyle expenses during retirement. If you are planning on retiring in 10 years or less, running a basic retirement calculation can help you to see if your projected retirement savings is enough to give you the freedom to retire....

Signals of Overvalue A stock is thought to be overvalued when its current price doesn’t line up with its P/E ratio or earnings forecast. If a stock’s price is 50 times earnings, for instance, it’s likely to be overvalued compared to one that’s trading for 10 times earnings. Some people think the stock market is efficient. They’ll say that value is factored into stock prices almost right away. But others, like fundamental analysts, think you’ll always find wrongly valued stocks in the market because people sometimes depend on their feelings instead of their logic when they invest....

Before trading the aftermarket movers, let’s first look at what “after hours” is? Why do stocks move after hours? How to find after hours (big) movers and the pros and cons of trading after hours and some trading strategies. While this time period provides the official open and close for the day, and most of the daily volume occurs between these times, trading also takes place outside these hours. Pre-market trading is from 4 a....

These responsibilities are the same as employer responsibilities for payroll taxes, including federal income taxes. Overview of the State Income Tax Process If you have employees working in a state which requires state income tax, there is a process you must follow. As you can see, the process for calculating, deducting, paying, and reporting these taxes is similar to the process for federal income tax withholding. State Tax Agencies To find out about state income taxes, sales taxes, and other state taxes, go to your state’s department of revenue and look for the business tax division....

Difficulty: Average Time Required: Several days Do Your Homework Figure out what you need, what you want, and what is possible before you begin writing your RFP. Don’t issue an RFP for a machine that can produce 1,500 widgets an hour if you’ve never sold more than 25 a month. There’s no point in issuing an RFP for a high-powered car when a messenger can get through traffic just as fast on a bicycle....

Customize Your Resume Skills Section Customize the skills section of your resume to match, as much as you can, the requirements listed in the job posting. The closer a match your skills are to the job requirements, the better your chances are for being selected for an interview. For example, if you are applying for an administrative position, include in your skills section Microsoft Office skills, QuickBooks skills (if you have them), and other software programs you can use....