The timing also depends on the method of the return. If you take the unwanted item back to the store where you bought it, the person who waits on you can swipe your card and begin the process of reversing the charge right away. Mailing back an item to the retailer will naturally delay the process by the amount of time it takes for the package to arrive. Macy’s, for example, says it begins processing a credit card refund immediately after the returned item arrives in the mail....

Many employers do reimburse employees who use their own vehicles for work. Employee reimbursement for using your own automobile will vary somewhat by employer and sector, but most organizations compensate employees at approximately the Standard Mileage Rate set by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Standard Mileage Rate Effective January 1, 2023, the standard mileage rate for business travel is 65.5 cents per mile. This fixed, standard rate incorporates the cost of insurance, registration, gas, oil, and maintenance....

What Is a Personal Guarantee? A personal guarantee helps business owners get approved for a loan if the business doesn’t have its own credit rating. To make the guarantee, you promise to pay for business debts using your personal assets, including cash, real estate, and other assets or investments you might have. Ideally, the business will pay off any debts, and your guarantee is just a safety net. But lenders are more willing to let companies borrow money if they have a personal pledge....

Adding a teen driver to your auto policy will increase your premium, but many insurers offer discounts to help mitigate the increase. Before handing over the car keys to your teenager, discuss with them the expenses of owning an automobile, the cost of an insurance policy, and how their actions can impact your premiums. Is Insurance Mandatory for Your Teen Driver? The age at which a teen can obtain a learner’s permit varies by state, but existing best practices recommend issuing permits at age 16 and intermediate licensing at age 17....

What the Interviewer Wants to Know The interviewer really wants to know how sensitive you are and how well you accept criticism. An interviewer might also ask this question to find any “red flags”—qualities that would make you a weak candidate for the position. How to Answer, “What Do People Most Often Criticize About You?” This isn’t an easy question, so be careful how you answer it. You don’t want to imply that you consistently receive criticism on the job, but neither do you want to imply that you’re perfect....

The growth of online platforms and social media has enabled creative entrepreneurs to grow their businesses. Those with artistic abilities and talents now have the opportunity to earn an income with activities once considered hobbies. Pros and Cons of Being a Creative Entrepreneur Today it’s easier and more affordable to turn your knowledge and talents into income. There are many great reasons to become a creative entrepreneur including: Getting paid to do something you loveControl over your workFlexibilityDesigning a career that fits your lifestyle goals...

Buying a home at auction can be a winning strategy for some. However, it’s often more the realm of real estate investors who can deal with the lightning-fast nature of the process and cash-only purchases. Read more to see if you’re able to handle these hurdles. Why Homes Get Sold at Auction Homes can be sold at auctions for several reasons, but here are some of the most common:...

There are various methods banks use to calculate interest rates, and each method will change the amount of interest you pay. If you know how to calculate interest rates, you will better understand your loan contract with your bank. You also will be in a better position to negotiate your interest rate. When a bank quotes you an interest rate, it’s quoting what’s called the effective rate of interest, also known as the annual percentage rate (APR)....

You’ll most likely qualify for the deduction if: You meet the modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) requirements for a full or partial deduction. You took out and used the loan to pay for qualified education expenses only. You were the person who took out the loan. The student loan debt was for you, your spouse, or someone who was a dependent when you took out the loan. Your filing status isn’t married filing separately....

When you apply for a new account, banks and credit unions will run your name through ChexSystems and may choose not to open an account for you based on the information they find. The good news is that if you find that you have a history on ChexSystems, there are ways to clear up your report. Obtaining a Copy of Your Report You can obtain a copy of your ChexSystems report by visiting its website and requesting one....

Some startup costs can be deducted in your first year of business, while most must be spread out over several years. It’s complicated, but we’ll provide some clarification on what these deductions entail. What Are Business Startup Costs? New businesses can use startup costs to reduce business taxes. To be deductible, these startup costs must be for creating an active trade or business, or for investigating the creation or buying of an active trade or business....

Your position size is determined by the number of lots and the type and size of lot you buy or sell in a trade: A micro lot is 1,000 units of a currencyA mini lot is 10,000 unitsA standard lot is 100,000 units Your risk is broken down into two parts⁠—trade risk and account risk. Here’s how all these elements fit together to give you the ideal position size, no matter what the market conditions are, what the trade setup is, or which strategy you’re using....

Define Employee Credit Card Responsibilities If you issue credit cards to your employees, you need to implement rules that govern how your employees can use the credit card. They’ll be responsible for following these rules and for keeping the card safe and secure. Employee credit card policies may include, but are not limited to: Who can use the cardSpending limits per cardApproved expenses that may be charged to the cardRepercussions for inappropriate use of the card...

Unfortunately, full payment from the insurance company doesn’t always come through; the insurer can deny your claim for many different reasons. Even if your claim is approved, the settlement amount may be less than you expected. Both of these situations can add to your stress and frustration levels. If you’re having trouble settling your claim, what can you do? Learn what steps you can take to dispute the decision and try for a different outcome....

But that doesn’t mean that high school graduates know what to do instead of attending a four-year college or university. Over 60% of students responding to another ECMC Group survey said that they wished their high schools provided more information about the alternatives to a bachelor’s degree. If you’re pondering your job options after high school, your first step should be to gather as much information as possible—including associate degrees, certifications, and jobs that are open to high school graduates without postsecondary education....

Best Housing Markets by the Numbers The following are five markets to consider if you’re looking for the best place to buy a house. Cleveland, Ohio Cleveland may be a haven for homebuyers who are seeking big-city living at affordable prices. According to data from Realtor.com, the median home price is $190,000, which is a decline of 8.5% year-over-year. Overall, housing expenses in Cleveland are 12% lower than the national average, according to PayScale data....

Fix: Once you graduate, see if you qualify for a student loan forgiveness program or consider working for AmeriCorps. You should make your student loan debt a part of your debt payment plan and work on paying it off so you can use that money to reach your other goals. Fix: The first step is to stop using your credit cards immediately. Then you need to set up a budget and a debt payment plan that allows you to pay extra on the cards so you can get out of debt and stop paying high amounts of interest....

What should you do if you don’t have a social security number? Citizens born in the U.S. who did not get a social security number at birth can apply for one at a social security office. Non-U.S. citizens can apply for a card prior to or upon admission to the United States. The Social Security Act The social security number (SSN) was created following the passage of the Social Security Act of 1935 to solely track the earnings histories of U....

But there’s one often-overlooked factor that can make a big difference: your auto loan’s interest rate. The chart below shows the average 60-month auto loan rates by credit score Getting the best interest rate possible on a car loan can save you hundreds—if not thousands—of dollars on the total cost of your vehicle over the long run. While it may not always be possible to get the interest rates that you see advertised on TV, it is still possible to secure a good interest rate if you put in some preparation ahead of time....

There are many types of money market funds for many types of investors. Some funds invest in U.S. Treasuries, while others might invest in riskier assets for the sake of earning higher interest rates. Chances are there is an option to suit your risk level and savings needs. What Is a Money Market Fund? A money market fund is a mutual fund that invests in short-term, high-quality fixed-income securities. The goal of a money market fund is to have a net asset value that does not deviate from $1 per share....