Personal Finance
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![The best home printers for 2026 are:, Epson ecotank ET-8550 home printer, HP envy inspire 7220e home printer, Epson ecotank ET-3850 home printer, Canon selphy square QX10 printer, Epson LabelWorks LW-C410, Canon i-SENSYS MF754Cdw, Your questions about home printers answered, What is the best home printer?, How I tested home printers, Do you need a single-function printer or an all-in-one?, Should you buy third-party ink or refill kits?, Should you buy a refurbished printer?, Why you can trust IndyBest reviews, Best home printers 2026, tried and tested for your office setup]()
Best home printers 2026, tried and tested for your office setup
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![Understanding what settlement is When you are not in a position to pay your whole credit card dues, your bank can offer you a one-time settlement wherein you pay a part of the due and the remaining part is waived off. It appears to be a convenient solution but is not the exit point for your debt. It makes a "settled account" instead of a "closed account," which has a direct bearing on your creditworthiness. Settlement is similar to payment in full in the sense that it indicates that you did not pay your dues., Impact on your credit score Another con of settling credit card payments is that it has a negative impact on your credit score. A settlement is regarded as a negative item by credit agencies, and this can decrease your score a few points. A lower credit rating, in addition to impacting your access to future credit cards, also slows down your access to loans like home loans, car loans, or personal loans. Even if you are approved, you might end up paying higher interest on lending money to compensate the perceived risk., Long-term impact on credit trust History of the settlement stays on your credit report for years, cautioning lenders on your previous default on your debt. This disenfranchises trust and even results in rejection of loan or credit application. Landlords and employers under some financial situations even periodically check credit history, and a settlement mark can limit options beyond borrowing. Basically, temporary avoidance of payment can create long-term financial barriers., Alternatives to settlement which you should think of Instead of opting for settlement, it is better to employ other alternatives that will not hurt your credit record. These are rolling back dues into equated monthly instalments (EMIs), requesting reduction in interest rate from the financier, or requesting extension of repayment period. These can help smoothen repayment without hurting your credit reputation. You also have the choice of transferring balance to a lower-rate credit card. All of these options will delay payment but preserve your creditworthiness., Why paying in full is always ideal Pay bills in full may be a bummer when bills are at their peak, but it's ideal for enjoying a good payment history. Even if that requires taking time, paying the debt without settlement is a sign of command over finances and maintains your credit report healthy. A healthy credit score opens the doors of future borrowing with less cost, bestowing more freedom of finance upon you. Settlement is a band-aid approach with longer-term implications., Financial sobriety as ultimate safeguard Settlement avoidance is just a matter of prudent use of credit cards. Borrow what you can pay, keep an eye on spending habits, and have an emergency fund to cushion against any unplanned cost burden. When debt does accumulate, be cautious on repayment mechanisms instead of looking for loopholes. Establishing a good payment history not only works toward protecting your credit ranking but also keeps you in good financial health, thereby resulting in future prospects with confidence., Why settling your credit card debt can hurt your financial future]()
Why settling your credit card debt can hurt your financial future
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![Giving away your room (sometimes), Not providing a secure place to store valuables, Charging hidden extra fees at the time of booking, Not allowing your service dog on the property, Invading your privacy, Methodology, If your hotel does this, they're breaking the law]()
If your hotel does this, they're breaking the law
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![Why people use personal loans for appliances Consumer appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners are typically costly. If one is unable to spend, the majority of customers utilize personal loans to pay instalments over time. Personal loans being a non-collateral instrument, banks and NBFCs will release them promptly, generally within days, since they are well-liked for urgent purchases., The cost involved While easily accessible, personal loans are relatively expensive when compared to other means of financing. The interest rate varies between 11% and 20% a year, depending on your lender and credit score. Over a repayment term of two to five years, the cost of borrowing easily exceeds the original price of the appliance. Processing fees, penalties for prepayment, and default charges on EMIs add to the cost., Convenience versus risk The largest advantage of a personal loan is the flexibility — you can use the money to buy any appliance without any constraint. But because the loan is unsecured, non-payment will damage your credit rating and further borrowing will become harder. Unlike loans lent against assets like FDs or mutual funds, there isn't any collateral, and therefore lenders must charge higher interest to cover their risk., Better alternatives to consider Before you borrow a personal loan, you need to weigh the no-interest EMI plans offered by stores selling appliances and credit card companies. They divide the price into interest-free instalments. The second alternative is borrowing against an FD, which would be much cheaper with regard to the rate of interest. The choice depends on whether you have the capability to repay or need the appliance urgently., Impact on financial health A personal loan can be useful if utilized wisely, but frequent borrowing for consumer durables can fall into a debt trap. Appliances are depreciable assets with heavy interest payment on them not always being the best possible deal. It is advisable to save personal loans for essential items or emergencies rather than discretionary spending., Long-term value of borrowing for appliances In selecting a home appliance personal loan, the lifespan of the appliance and the loan tenure should be considered. When you are still paying EMIs years after the appliance is no longer working or needs to be replaced, the debt has outlived the asset. This imbalance undervalues the loan and that is why shorter tenures or alternative ways of financing could prove to be wiser for such an expenditure., Should you use a personal loan to buy home appliances?]()
Should you use a personal loan to buy home appliances?
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![What's sparking confusion for retirees about taxes, How does the 'senior bonus' work?, Taxes on Social Security were never eliminated, Hype, complexities and more can get your head spinning, How Social Security benefits are taxed, Taxes on Social Security benefits were not eliminated despite what you've heard]()
Taxes on Social Security benefits were not eliminated despite what you've heard
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![49. Massachusetts, 48. New Jersey, 47. Hawaii, 46. California, 44. Washington, 43. Connecticut, 42. Colorado, 41. Utah, 39. Alaska, 38. Minnesota, 37. Rhode Island, 36. New York, 34. Illinois, 33. Oregon, 32. Vermont, 31. Arizona, 29. Pennsylvania, 28. North Dakota, 27. Wisconsin, 26. Nevada, 24. Wyoming, 23. Georgia, 22. Idaho, 21. Iowa, 19. South Dakota, 18. Maine, 17. Florida, 16. Michigan, 14. Montana, 13. North Carolina, 12. Ohio, 11. Missouri, 9. South Carolina, 8. Oklahoma, 7. Kentucky, 6. New Mexico, 4. Louisiana, 3. Arkansas, 2. West Virginia, How Much You Need To Earn To Be Upper-Middle Class in Every State]()
How Much You Need To Earn To Be Upper-Middle Class in Every State
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![Can we put our children on our properties' deeds to avoid inheritance tax?]()
Can we put our children on our properties' deeds to avoid inheritance tax?
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![Savings at 30, 40, or 50?, In your twenties: it’s all about starting early, In your thirties: building consistency, In your forties: catch-up time, In your fifties: the final push, Don’t forget housing and social care costs, Pension boosting: Utilise tax relief, Pension boosting: Max out employer contributions, Pension boosting: Check national insurance contributions, How much you should have in your pension pot at every age]()
How much you should have in your pension pot at every age
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![1. Go paperless, 2. Choose a more
ethical current account, 3. Green your workplace pension, 4. Get to grips with ‘greenwashing’, 5. Divest ‘bad actor’ shares and buy funds that
do social good , 6. Ask about stewardship, 7. Go small and local
with a credit union, 8. Make a grassroots difference, 9. Spread the word!, Your pension pollutes more than planes — here's how to make your money do good]()
Your pension pollutes more than planes — here's how to make your money do good
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![Homeowner’s insurance premiums vary widely from state to state, but they are all going up]()
Homeowner’s insurance premiums vary widely from state to state, but they are all going up
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![How have these figures been calculated?, Under 35, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, Average amount Americans have in savings, according to their age]()
Average amount Americans have in savings, according to their age
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![How have these figures been calculated?, Under 35, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, Average amount Americans have in savings, according to their age]()
Average amount Americans have in savings, according to their age
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![The millionaire boomer next door: How 4 older Americans retired comfortably — and why some wish they worked less]()
The millionaire boomer next door: How 4 older Americans retired comfortably — and why some wish they worked less
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![What are Cathay Pacific's Asia Miles partners?, Cathay Pacific elite status, How to earn Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, How to redeem Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles sweet spots, Bottom line, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles: How to earn and redeem miles, book partner flights and more]()
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles: How to earn and redeem miles, book partner flights and more
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![33-year-old who has racked up over 1 million credit card points and traveled to 33 countries: How I maximize rewards]()
33-year-old who has racked up over 1 million credit card points and traveled to 33 countries: How I maximize rewards
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![Walmart and Amazon looking at creating their own cryptocoins]()
Walmart and Amazon looking at creating their own cryptocoins
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![The best credit cards for economy-class flyers, Comparing the best credit cards for economy-class flyers, United Explorer Card, Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card, Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard, Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card, Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card, JetBlue Plus Card, How I chose the best credit cards for economy-class flyers, Bottom line, Best credit cards for economy-class flyers: Maximize your miles, minimize your fees]()
Best credit cards for economy-class flyers: Maximize your miles, minimize your fees
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![How to choose a private pension, Who is eligible for a State Pension?, State Pension amount for 2025, What is the State Pension age?, Defined contribution/workplace pension, Defined benefit/final salary pension, The Self-invested personal pension, or Sipp, Martin Lewis warns UK savers over £20,000 tax-free ISA being ‘killed off’ , Pensions: How much you should save a month and when to start]()
Pensions: How much you should save a month and when to start
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![Cash or credit?, Small purchases, Avoiding fees, Psychological factors, Budgeting, Store discounts, Convenience, Good credit, Limits companies’ tracking, And a card?, Top 8+ Times When You Should Probably Still Use Cash]()
Top 8+ Times When You Should Probably Still Use Cash
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![The best rewards credit cards, Comparing the best rewards credit cards, Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, The Platinum Card from American Express, Ink Business Preferred Credit Card, Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card, Citi Strata Premier Card, Chase Freedom Unlimited, Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express, American Express Gold Card, Bilt Mastercard, What to consider when choosing a rewards credit card, How we chose the best rewards credit cards, Redemption options for rewards credit cards, Bottom line, The best rewards credit cards to add to your wallet]()
The best rewards credit cards to add to your wallet
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![When's the right time to buy a house? Ask yourself these questions first, personal finance expert says]()
When's the right time to buy a house? Ask yourself these questions first, personal finance expert says
