Though debt such as student loans, car loans, and mortgage on the house is part of life, it does become a hindrance that affects your savings and future financial goals. As per the Federal Reserve, Americans owe more than $4 trillion in consumer debt, and this number does not account for mortgages. So, if you’re facing crushing debt and want to avoid bankruptcy, you can always engage the help of debt settlement companies. Here is a list of top 10 debt settlement companies that can help you in a financial crisis. National Debt Relief The National Debt relief offers a debt settlement service that lasts for around two to four years and charges a 15% fee. They cover all kinds of debts, including unsecured debts. Freedom Debt Relief With average fees and AFCC accreditation, Freedom Debt Relief is one of the oldest debt settlement companies in the country. They are present in 37 states and have been in operation for over 17 years. Guardian Debt Relief Guardian Debt Relief specializes in working with customers who have a debt of more than $10,000. They usually charge a 20% fee and a monetary fee of $200, which goes into the settlement account.

Gift cards can be used to pay for several products and services across multiple platforms. Corporate gift cards, holiday cards, and even cash back cards are the most popular formats to redeem online or at kiosks. However, the process of redeeming them is anything but simple. And if not done correctly, you may miss out on many discounts and exclusive offers. Here are five common gift card mistakes to avoid while shopping. Buying from auction websites Gift cards can be used for several retail purposes. But never buy cards that are auctioned off from websites like eBay. You cannot verify the authenticity of these cards being sold online. Moreover, scammers can skim and track the magnetic data on such cards before they are auctioned off. Once you activate the card, scammers can also use it to avail of all the inclusive benefits. So it’s best to avoid buying from such auction websites. Consider only reputable retail and eCommerce stores that offer such redemption options. Keeping cards unused You might often end up receiving gift cards of no specific use. For example, somebody might gift you a $500 card that can only be redeemed for auto spares and accessories. Here, the best thing to do is exchange it on platforms where consumers can buy and sell gift cards.

Life after retirement can be financially challenging as one no longer receives a fixed monthly paycheck. That’s why i ndividuals must plan properly and invest in the right schemes early on. An annuity ensures guaranteed returns or income to individuals during their retirement years. But that does not mean one can sign up for any plan in the market. Individuals must take some time to research while keeping a few important things in mind. Future financial needs The most important factor to consider when investing in annuities is one’s future financial needs. Individuals must ask themselves what their lifestyle will be like after retirement and what kind of expenses they will have to meet. Based on this, one can decide how much to invest in an annuity plan and when to start withdrawing . If someone cannot determine their future financial needs, they can consult a financial expert for guidance. Although the professional may charge a fee, they can help one assess their needs and pick the right annuity, which is very important. Current financial situation Before purchasing an annuity, individuals must also assess their present financial situation. If someone has outstanding credit and finds it hard to meet expenses, they should consider waiting a while before buying an annuity.

The eyes are one of the most important sensory organs, they play a massive role in the day-to-day life of a person and greatly help them carry out their life with ease. From the outside, they may look simple, but the reality is far away from that, they are immensely complex organs that require a lot of care and attention. In addition, the eyes also need various vitamins and nutrients that help them function properly.  Eye health and Problems  In the USA, more than 3.4 million people suffer from eye problems. In cases like these, a lot of people prefer to use lenses either in the form of contact lenses or eyeglasses to lessen their discomfort. There are many eye-related problems that plague the lives of people but, there are many ways to counter them as well. Some of the eye problems are:   Blurred vision : Many people, suffer from blurred vision where they are either able to see the objects near them pretty clearly but struggle to see objects that are far away, or are able to see far away but can’t see what is near them clearly. These problems are caused because of the structure of the eye, making it difficult for the light to be refracted.

Credit cards are easy to use and super convenient when used properly. But, these cards can also be devastating to your financial health and can have a negative impact on your credit score if you use them wrong. Poor or irresponsible credit card usage can lead to debt, which can affect your long-term financial stability. Read on to learn about which credit card habit of yours might be doing more harm than good. Not paying your credit bill in full One of the most common credit card habits that will hurt you, in the long run, is not paying your credit card bills in full. Paying only the minimum due or only part of your bill does not really allow you to make any progress on paying off your balance. In fact, in such cases, you are more likely to end up paying more interest. Plus, you are also damaging your credit score and raising your credit utilization. It is a good practice to only spend how much you need and pay off all of it at once. Not checking your statement often Not checking your credit card statement can also lead to trouble. There could be a chance that you forgot about some expenses.

Tax return filing is a strenuous process for many people. Although preparing tax returns may feel unpleasant, it is crucial to avoid making mistakes. While mistakes may not necessarily involve an audit from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), they may invite additional penalties or smaller refunds. Due to these factors, it is imperative to be aware of the common errors people make when filing their tax returns and ensure to avoid them. Not following the latest tax news Changes in tax laws may impact how you file your returns. Therefore, it is essential to keep up with the news. You should know which tax return you are filing and have access to the most current information about the same. For instance, people over 65 qualify to file for Form 1040-SR, while non-resident aliens who earned their income through work efforts in the country during the tax year must file Form 1040-NR. Tax preparation software can help you choose the correct form. Being unaware of your filing status Knowing your tax filing status can help you save time and money. For instance, filing as the head of the household (someone who has a dependent and pays for over 50% of all household expenses) offers more favorable tax rates than filing as a single taxpayer.

In recent years, there has been a rise in online financial fraud incidents. Scammers and fraudsters use fake websites, emails, text messages, and phone calls to steal people’s personal data, including bank accounts and social security numbers. They employ various methods to deceive individuals into giving away their valuable private information, all with the intention of stealing their hard-earned money. To prevent financial fraud, here are some mistakes you should avoid. Don’t fall for claims that say you have won a prize One common method scammers use to obtain private information is by posing as representatives of popular brands or organizations. They may claim that you have won a lottery or that someone entered you into sweepstakes and you have won a large sum of money. But to receive this money, you will have to pay a fee. Under this pretext, they might steal your bank account information and siphon off all your savings. Do not fall for calls from scammers pretending to be from an organization you know Often fraudsters pretend to be representatives of the government. They use real names of federal agencies such as the Social Security Administration, Medicare, or the IRS. Some even make up names that sound official.

Planning for the future is a long-term process that needs to address multiple factors. The ideal financial planning could help you and your family live stress-free after retirement and in the moment. However, as finances could involve various factors like market conditions, family situations, earning capacity, and mental framework, it is possible to make mistakes. So if you are considering safeguarding yourself and your family financially, here are six planning mistakes you should avoid. Procrastinating the plan Planning isn’t the most exciting topic, and several people even shy away from discussing it. Some common reasons that most people avoid planning are because they have just started earning, do not have much money, or believe they have a plan in their head. However, this could significantly hamper saving in the long run. Therefore, it is imperative to start planning earlier so that you are better able to estimate expenditures and savings. Mixing insurance and investment Investments help earn income, while paying insurance helps with risk management. But many consider the latter a part of their investments. You should note that while an insurance plan could help financially support you and the family during emergencies, it will not add to your wealth.