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Cryptocurrencies work using an electronic distributed ledger system called the blockchain. Blockchain technology enables anyone with an internet connection to participate, which is part of why many people look at cryptocurrencies as investments that can grow in value over time. If you want to invest in cryptocurrency, it’s essential to understand how cryptocurrencies work, where to buy cryptocurrencies, and how to invest safely. Keep reading to learn more about how to invest in cryptocurrencies and if investing in cryptocurrency makes sense for you....

Stuff to Sell to Pay Off Debt If you have several big-ticket items, you may want to check out Craigslist or another place where you can list your items online. If you have specialty items, a bidding site like eBay is a great choice to sell your stuff. If you have a bunch of miscellaneous items, you may want to hold a yard sale or two to raise money for your items....

When you evaluate your budget, you compare what you spent against what you planned to spend. Ideally, you should reflect on your budget at the end of every month and use that information to plan your budget for the next month. You should also sit down and assess your total budget and your overall financial goals at least once a year. Evaluating your budget requires a series of steps but is a low-effort process that doesn’t take as long as setting up your first budget....

Fortunately, if a firm holding your money goes belly-up, you’re often (but not always) protected, at least to some degree, so the odds of watching 100% of your account balance disappear are relatively low. Even when Washington Mutual Bank failed in 2008—the largest bank failure to date—customers did not lose money, thanks to FDIC insurance. Bank and Credit Union Failures Banks and credit unions are generally very safe places to keep your money....

To qualify for Medicaid, you must meet the requisite income and resource limits. Different groups of people may qualify for Medicaid, and there are different income limits for each. Limits may also extend to the amount of resources you own (think land, cars, and bank accounts). The number of people living in your household also counts. Learn more about Medicaid, what it covers, who is eligible, Medicaid requirements, and how to appeal Medicaid denial....

Other debtors (the people who file bankruptcy) might be concerned about continuing to pay for the property that serves as collateral on debts they owe. Find about your options and how you can keep your car (or not) after filing for bankruptcy. What Options Do I have in Chapter 7? Every car loan involves two agreements. The first agreement is the promissory note, which is the financial agreement between the lender and borrower....

For some first-timers, these benefits can make the difference between becoming a homeowner and remaining a renter. A 2021 survey by the National Association of Realtors found that first-timers represented 34% of homebuyers. In the survey, 28% of first-time buyers indicated they relied on a gift or loan from relatives or friends to make a down payment, and 29% cited saving for a down payment as the most difficult part of the homebuying process....

However, you don’t want to go overboard and overwhelm the hiring manager—this isn’t a party or family gathering. Read on to learn how to show your personality at a job interview. Why Personality Matters Employers want to know that you are qualified for a position, but they also want to know how well you’ll fit in with the company culture. The only way to assess this is to get a sense of your personality....

People sometimes make business decisions based on fear. They are not looking ahead and making long-term plans. Instead, they are constantly in a flight-or-fight mode, simply dealing with one disaster after another. Many people handle their personal finances in a similar crazed manner. They are operating from a place of fear, which affects their daily decisions about their money and prevents them from making wise long-term decisions and goals. Here’s how you can stop worrying about money and start making better financial decisions....

Before you embark on a GoFundMe campaign, however, it’s important to understand how GoFundMe works, how crowdfunding compares with traditional business funding options, and the steps involved with starting a GoFundMe campaign. We’ll explore its ins and outs, and help you determine if using GoFundMe is a good fit for your business. What Is GoFundMe? GoFundMe is a crowdfunding platform that can be used in a multitude of ways, both for personal and business initiatives....

There are a few reasons to share your pronouns—whether you’re meeting in person, over a video chat or phone call, or communicating via email or online job applications. Review information on when to use gender pronouns during a job search, when you might choose not to use them, and how to include your preferred pronouns on LinkedIn and in your resume, cover letters, email, and job applications. Benefits of Using Pronouns One reason to use pronouns is that someone’s gender may not be immediately clear from their name....

What Are TIPS? TIPS are Treasury notes whose amount goes up with inflation and goes down with deflation. The securities’ value adjusts after the Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjusts. The CPI is the most common way to measure inflation. Like a plain Treasury note (T-note), TIPS provides people who invest with a semi-annual interest payment that has a fixed rate. The interest payment is found by using the adjusted value of the bond....

What Is an Immediate Annuity? An immediate annuity is a tool in the form of a contract that pays income over time based on assets you provide to an insurance company. Payments often begin in the month after you purchase the annuity, but the details may vary, as they depend on your contract. How It Works When you use a single premium immediate annuity (SPIA), you deposit a lump-sum of cash (your “premium payment”) with an insurance company....

Learn more about these kinds of payments and the rules regarding them. What Are Income Payments on Form 1099? Income payments on Form 1099 are payments made from a business to someone who’s not an employee of the company, such as other businesses, individuals, freelancers, subcontractors, independent contractors, or vendors. These payments are reported to the IRS using Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Payments, or Form 1099-NEC, Nonemployee Compensation. These are information forms similar to a W-2 form....

When you compare the current dollar value with that of the past, U.S. inflation has reduced its purchasing power. So as prices rise, your money buys less— reducing your standard of living over time. The Inflation Rate The inflation rate is the percentage increase or decrease in prices during a specified period, usually a month or a year. The percentage tells you how quickly prices rose during that period. Gas prices will be 2% higher next year if the inflation rate for a gallon of gas is 2% per year....

Here’s a quick look at the most significant economic indicators of the day and what they tell us. Consumer Price Index The inflation rate accelerated yet again, reaching 7.9% in February, a fresh high since 1982. That means consumer prices were 7.9% higher this February than last February, and that’s because they rose 0.8% during the month—the fastest pace in four months. In January, the inflation rate was 7.5%. Gasoline was one of the largest contributors to the February uptick, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said, and that was before the most recent spike caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine....

When writing a cover letter for an internship position, it’s important to share your most relevant qualifications with the hiring manager. When you don’t have much (or any) formal work experience, you can include school activities, volunteering, educational programs, and other learning experiences. What To Include in a Cover Letter Your cover letter should include your contact information, a greeting, the reason you’re writing, why you’re a qualified applicant for the position, and a closing....

This question can be a way to show how you are qualified for the job. You can also use it to demonstrate that you are motivated by challenges and can handle difficult tasks. Get advice for what to say—and what not to say—in your response to this question. What the Interviewer Wants to Know Your answer to this question will help give interviewers a sense of what kind of employee you would be: Are you a clock watcher, or someone looking to grow your skills and take on new responsibilities?...

This is a relatively straightforward question, but it’s still important to be strategic with your answer. You don’t want to take yourself out of consideration for the role, but you also don’t want to promise more flexibility with work hours than you can handle. By demonstrating your willingness to adjust, as much as you can, to your employer’s needs, you will set yourself apart as a potential employee dedicated to the company’s success....

In general, you’ll want to be cautious and moderate in your response, but take into account your own long-term preferences. Here’s what you need to know about how to respond to this type of inquiries, whether you’re interested in a full-time role or not. What the Interviewer Wants to Know Interviewers may ask about your openness to a full-time position for a few reasons. First, it’s possible that a full-time role may be opening up soon....