Govenor Wolf buys beer, wine at Mechanicsburg Wegmans

MECHANICSBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf appears to be a fan of Yuengling.To celebrate the new wine-to-go ability at the Mechanicsburg Wegmans, the governor was seen with a six-pack of Yuengling Lager on Thursday.After a champagne toast, Wolf bought the first bottle of wine sold at the site.“As I have always said, my goal is modernize the sale of liquor, wine and beer in order to bring Pennsylvania’s wine and spirits system into the 21st century. I applaud the [...]

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How to Score an Awesome Deal on a New Car this Labor Day Weekend

Want to hear a crazy secret about me?

I love buying new clothes!

Wait…..

Did I really admit that out loud?

While I don’t want to lose my “man card,” the truth is undeniable.

But, here’s the thing. Part of my love of new clothing is based on my profession. Because I’m a financial advisor, people expect me to look professional and put-together. In that respect, clothing is actually an important business expense.

But wait…..

Here’s another secret about me that will not surprise you: I also love saving money.

So yeah, I do enjoy buying nice business attire and clothes that help me feel my best, but I never pay full price. As a result, shopping holidays like Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become important days for this hobby.

Of course, it is well known that certain holidays and calendar dates are best for specific types of purchases. According to Consumer Reports, for example, November is the best month to shop for televisions and major appliances.

And February? The second month of the year offers the best pricing on mattresses, winter sports gear, and coats. May, on the other hand, offers superior pricing on laptop computers.

Then there’s September, and specifically Labor Day Weekend. According to the experts, Labor Day weekend is easily the best time to shop for a new car. Why? Because you’ll often find the lowest prices and lucrative offers on financing to boot.

Don’t believe me? Thomas King, vice-president at J.D. Power and Associates, told Fortune Magazine that Labor Day Weekend is basically the “Black Friday of car sales.”

There are two main drivers of this situation, King explains in the Fortune write-up. First, new models are hitting dealerships right about now, which brings in buyers who want to check out their favorite car’s new look. Second, savvy buyers also come out to search for deals on last year’s models.

And most of the time, they find them.

5 Tips to Save On a New Car this Labor Day Weekend

While not everyone needs a brand new ride, there are times when buying a new car makes sense. You might want a new car in order to secure an ironclad warranty, for example. Or perhaps you have had bad experiences with used cars and want to avoid someone else’s lemon. If you commute a considerable distance to work, a new car might also give you peace of mind.

No matter your reason, you should look for ways to save as much as you can. If you’re shopping for a new car this Labor Day weekend, here are some tips that can help you get the best deal:

Score big on last year’s model.

I already mentioned this concept, but it’s definitely worth repeating. Since new car models tend to hit the market around this time of the year, buyers can often score awesome deals on new cars that just so happen to be last year’s model.

If driving a 2017 model isn’t a big deal to you, shopping for a new 2016 model of your favorite car is a smart idea. Since dealers want to sell older models as quickly as possible, you can usually negotiate a lower sales price.

Conduct research online before you head to the dealership.

Thanks to the internet, it has become easier than ever to research car prices before you hit the dealership. Websites like TRUECar, for example, offer details on the actual prices consumers paid for new and used cars. Armed with this information, you can walk into the dealership knowing what the new car you’re after is actually worth.

Apply for the BuyPower Card from Capital One.

Rewards credit cards make it easy to earn points and cash back you can use, but one rewards card goes the extra mile to offer strong rewards you can use towards a brand new Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac vehicle.

It’s 5 percent Earnings on the first $5,000 spent every year and 2 percent after that. Plus, there is no limit to how much you can earn or redeem.

Regularly using your card on everyday purchases helps generate Earnings, which can be put towards any new Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, or Buick vehicle of your choosing. Planning is key, so apply for the BuyPower Card from Capital One and you could be on your way to even more savings on Labor Day car shopping in the future.

Best of all, you can combine Earnings with most current GM offers at your local Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac dealerships. For more important information about the BuyPower Card from Capital One, click here.

Look for special deals on financing.

Speaking of special deals and promotions, one of the biggest incentives for buying new is the opportunity for a deal on financing. Each year, many different car brands roll out 0 percent financing options on brand new models, which helps you pay zero interest on your purchase.

A recent study noted that the average new car loan surged over $30,000 in early 2016. That’s a huge expense for most families, but you can sweeten the deal by not paying interest on your new car for five years or longer!

Final Thoughts

Shopping for a brand new car can be super exciting, but you should make sure you’re financially prepared for the purchase and take special care to look over your monthly budget before you fully commit. Also be sure to conduct some serious online research before approach your favorite dealership.

With due diligence, you should be able to get a deal that meets both your transportation and monetary needs. And there is no better time to score an awesome deal than Labor Day weekend!

Thank you Capital One for sponsoring this post! This is a paid endorsement. All opinions are my own and were not directed by Capital One. 

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Before You Pay $600 for an EpiPen, Try These Strategies

What would you do if you needed a specific drug to save your life in the event of an emergency — but you couldn’t afford it?

The internet erupted in outrage last week when EpiPen manufacturer Mylan announced it was dramatically raising prices. An EpiPen two-pack, used as a life-saving stopgap when an allergy sufferer goes into anaphylactic shock, now has a list price of more than $600.

Mylan’s been Monday-morning quarterbacking ever since, first announcing a savings program that would reduce the price of filling a prescription, then announcing it would manufacture a generic version of the injection device.

But many concerned allergy sufferers aren’t waiting for Mylan to make good on its generic promise. If you carry an auto-injector in case of a dangerous allergic reaction, you might be scrambling for a way — any way — to figure out how to afford your prescription.

Here are some proven ways to save money on your EpiPen — as well as the ones you’ll want to skip, no matter how budget-friendly they seem.

Smart Ways to Save Money on EpiPens

If you have the time and patience for a little research, you may be able to snag a decent deal on your prescription cost.

Call Around

Editorial intern Kelly Smith phoned our local pharmacies to get an idea of what competing chains in our area charge.

“I’m scared to check,” admitted the person who picked up at CVS Pharmacy. But they did, and quoted us $734.99 for an EpiPen two-pack. They didn’t have any alternative options available.

Walmart quoted an EpiPen two-pack price of $683, and mentioned they accept discount cards (more on those in a moment). They didn’t have a generic option available.

Publix gave us a whopper price of $761.95 for an EpiPen two-pack, and told us to search online for “My EpiPen Savings Card” to take $300 off the price (see below). The pharmacy also offered competing auto-injector Adrenaclick for $516, although the savings from the EpiPen Savings Card would be a better deal.

Ask Your Doctor

Doing your smart-shopping research is helpful, but don’t forget your doctor is on your side, too. Ask them for recommendations and make sure they don’t check the box on the prescription pad that excludes generics.  

Since doctors are in frequent contact with pharmaceutical reps, they’re also your first link to coupons, discount programs, and even grants to help pay for an auto-injector prescription.

Call Your Insurance Company

Pour a fresh cup of coffee or grab a snack before trying this next tactic: getting in touch with your health insurance provider.

Your insurance benefits information may not specify your cost for something as expensive as an EpiPen, but a representative from the company may be able to look up your specific coverage and out-of-pocket cost.

I asked our company’s insurance provider about the cost if one of our staffers needed an EpiPen prescription filled. Since the provider considers the medication to be a tier-two drug, we would pay only the $35 brand-name prescription copay specified in the short version of our benefits.

A closer look at the tiered-prescription explanation for our plan has us scratching our heads, since tier two is described as “mid-cost medications.” Let’s just not remind them about that price hike.

Asking your insurance administrator for guidance is even more essential if you have a state or federally funded benefit program, like Medicare, Medicaid or TRICARE.

Enrollment in these programs often excludes you from coupons that can dramatically reduce the cost of your prescription. However, GoodRx notes that a typical Medicare copay for an EpiPen two-pack is between $15 and $270 if you’ve already met your deductible.

Samantha Dunscombe – The Penny Hoarder

Look Into the Mylan Discount Program

If you’re looking for a Mylan EpiPen, try getting the My EpiPen Savings Card to bring your cost down from about $600 to about $300 for a two-pack. If you qualify, which you should if you’re over 18 and have commercial insurance, you can download the card right away.

If you have a government insurance program like Medicare, Medicaid or TRICARE, you’re not eligible.  

Consider Going Generic

A generic version of the Adrenaclick dispenser is available in dosages for children and adults. Its producer, Lineage Therapeutics, offers a discount program advertising a $0 copay for some qualified individuals filling their prescriptions at participating pharmacies.

If you have commercial insurance and aren’t insured by an employer-sponsored insurance program for retirees, you’re probably eligible (here’s the fine print).

The discount form notes that commercially insured patients may receive their auto-injector prescription for free, while those paying out of pocket may receive up to $100 off each of up to three auto-injector packs. There’s also a mail-in rebate option if the pharmacy isn’t able to administer the discount at time of purchase.

That same generic auto-injector is also listed at $150-$400 at various retailers after discount coupons offered on GoodRx. Paying $150 for a generic version of a prescription doesn’t feel nice, but it’s still way better than the more expensive alternatives.

Can You Buy EpiPens From Canada?

Many Reddit users are pretty big fans of heading north to buy EpiPens at a more reasonable out-of-pocket cost — Canadian pharmacies sell them for as little as CA$109 (about US$83).

The problem? You can’t actually bring it home.

While the Drug Enforcement Administration allows American residents to import Canadian-bought prescriptions, we couldn’t confirm with them whether EpiPens were eligible. When we asked the Food and Drug Administration, press officer Theresa Eisenman was pretty clear via email that this would be a bad idea.

Importing unapproved prescription drugs for personal use is a potentially dangerous practice. Neither FDA nor the American public have any assurance that unapproved products from foreign sources are effective, safe, or produced under current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).‎ Unapproved drugs may be contaminated, sub-potent, super-potent or counterfeit.

While Americans can purchase from Canadian online pharmacies with a valid prescription, the FDA and Consumer Reports both warn against this option, since many of those outlets don’t meet FDA standards. Your order might be cheap, but it might not include the correct medication or dosage — and you won’t know until it’s too late.

“The public health risks of unapproved drugs from foreign sources outweigh any potential cost savings,” wrote Eisenman.

Whatever You Do, Don’t DIY

Do not, we repeat, DO NOT fall into an internet black hole and start believing you can or should cobble up your own adrenaline injection method. It’s a terrible idea.

“Anyone using this approach would require extensive medical training to do it effectively and safely, without contamination or accidental intravenous injection,” Dr. James Baker of Food Allergy Research & Education told PBS NewsHour.

While auto-injectors are designed so that any regular Joe can administer the medication to someone having an allergic reaction, that lifesaving dose of adrenaline is precisely measured — not to mention regulated by the government. Trying to DIY a solution could be a recipe for disaster.

How to Get the EpiPen You Need

So, what’s your best bet? Talk to the medical pro who wrote your prescription.

They’ll be best prepared to answer questions and figure out what discount options may be available to you. It might still be expensive, but this is one of those situations where saving money can’t be the top priority — your health and safety are more important.

Your Turn: How much did it cost to refill your EpiPen prescription?

Lisa Rowan is a writer and producer for The Penny Hoarder.

Editorial intern Kelly Smith contributed research to this post.

The post Before You Pay $600 for an EpiPen, Try These Strategies appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.

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East Stroudsburg food pantry honors guests

The New Life In Christ food pantry in East Stroudsburg recently presented certificates of appreciation to several people for supporting the food pantry in helping the less fortunate. From left are state Sen. Mario Scavello, Jessica Dokachev of Second Harvest Food Bank in Nazareth, the Rev. Dr. David Phillips of New Life (presenting the certificates), Paul Lynch of Second Harvest and state Rep. Rosemary Brown. (Photo provided) 

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BWA members & friends have ‘bigger’ reason to celebrate

Brodhead Watershed Association will hold its annual Members & Friends Celebration from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 30 at Northampton Community College's Pocono Hall, Tannersville. This year, it’s all about how BWA’ s work in the local watershed affects the Brodhead and beyond, touting the theme “We’re part of something bigger.”  BWA honors those who have proven their dedication to protecting our water quality.The guest of honor will be Craig Todd, who [...]

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Pocono Dome is suddenly closed

The Pocono Dome is closed and its future is unclear. A sign in front of the entrance says so, and a billboard facing Route 33 in Sciota says it is for sale.The ambitious 89,000 square foot indoor sports facility in Hamilton Township may have been buried under the weight of its own grandiose vision.Gregory Bush of Sciota and two associated businesses, Pocono Dome, LLC and Sciota Enterprises, LLC defaulted on a $2.9 million loan from Wayne Bank in Honesdale in 2015. [...]

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Best Bad Credit Business Loans for 2016

Being able to raise working capital to stock up on inventory, buy equipment, or pay your employees is a must to keep things running smoothly when you own a small business. While bad credit can be an obstacle to getting a loan from a traditional bank, online lenders offer a way for getting the money your business needs quickly, even when your credit is far from perfect. These lenders look beyond your credit score and consider other factors, such as how long you’ve been in business and how much revenue you’re bringing in, when gauging your creditworthiness. But short- and long-term business loans are not your only choice when you need financing. I also looked at alternatives, such as invoice financing, inventory financing, and merchant cash advances.

The Simple Dollar’s Picks for Best Bad Credit Business Loans

• Best for New Businesses With No or Bad Credit: OnDeck
• Best for Small Businesses With Less than $100K in Annual Revenue: Kabbage
• Best for Established Businesses With Higher Revenues: Dealstruck
• Best for Invoice Financing: BlueVine
• Best for Inventory Loans: Fundation
• Best for Merchant Cash Advances: Capify

How I Picked the Best Bad Credit Business Loans

For this roundup of the best bad credit business loans, I looked at an exhaustive list of criteria to make my final selections. Here’s everything I took into consideration when deciding which lenders rose above the crowd.

• Funding amount: Small business owners tend to have very different borrowing needs than the average Joe. While you may not be able to borrow as much as you would with an SBA or bank loan, the lenders featured here offer loans in the six-figure range, which is helpful if you need capital for a large expense.
• Minimum credit requirements: The best lenders understand that your credit score alone isn’t necessarily a measure of your business’s ability to repay a loan. These lenders give you some leeway for approval that a traditional bank may not.
• Time in business/revenue requirements: Besides your credit score, online lenders are interested in how long your business has been established and its profitability.
• Funding speed/convenience: Online lenders are appealing because their loan application and funding process is faster than traditional banks. I narrowed my scope to include lenders that make it possible to obtain capital without a lengthy wait time.
• Website design: A clunky website can lead to frustration when you’re trying to pin down a loan for your business. The best lenders have user-friendly website designs that are transparent and easy to navigate.
• APR and fees: One trade-off of being able to get a small business loan when you have bad credit is that it often entails paying a higher interest rate or more in fees. The best lenders feature the most competitive rates and keep fees as low as possible.
• Repayment terms: Before you take on any loan, you need to understand how the payments add up and how long the repayment term is. The goal is finding a loan with terms that are suited towards your business structure.
• Reputation: When borrowing money, you should be concerned with how reputable the lender is. The online lending marketplace is fairly new, but the best lenders are the ones whose track records have proven them to be trustworthy.

The Best Bad Credit Business Loans

Small business term loans allow you to borrow a specific amount of money and repay it over a set period of time. These three online lenders offer term loans to newer and established businesses that lack a stellar credit rating.

Best for New Businesses With No Credit or Bad Credit

Learn More on OnDeck.com's secure website

OnDeck earns high marks for convenience and speed, with borrowers able to get their hands on up to $500,000 in funding in as little as 24 hours. You can choose between short- and long-term loans, with repayment periods extending up to 36 months. Payments can be made daily or weekly, depending on what works best for your business.

A credit score of 500 is the minimum needed to qualify, assuming you’ve been in business for at least 9 months and you’re generating $75,000 or more in revenue annually. That makes it better suited to businesses that are still in the growing stage and maybe haven’t had as much time to build up their credit history. An OnDeck loan might be just what you need if you’re ready to take a newer business to the next level.

Who it’s good for: OnDeck loans are good for businesses that have bad credit or a thin credit file, but have the means to repay a loan quickly.

Who should look elsewhere: While OnDeck works with borrowers in more than 700 industries, certain business aren’t eligible for loans. Those include pawn shops, used car dealers, attorneys, travel agents, and gun sellers.

Best for Businesses With Less Than $100K in Annual Revenue

Learn More on Kabbage.com's secure website

A working capital loan from Kabbage can put up to $100,000 in your PayPal or bank account almost immediately after you’re approved. There’s no minimum credit score needed. You just have to be in business for at least 12 months and have $50,000 in annual revenue. Kabbage term loans are worth a look if you run a small business, like a specialty boutique or a repair service, that has modest but steady revenues.

I spoke with a Kabbage customer service rep to clarify how its rates and fees work. It doesn’t charge a traditional APR. Instead, you repay either 1/6 or 1/12 of the loan amount each month, depending on your loan term. You also pay a monthly fee of 1.75% to 13% of the loan amount, based on approval.

With the six-month plan, the fee is higher the first two months, then it drops to 1% for the remainder of the loan term. With a 12-month loan, the fee is higher for the first six months and is reduced to 1% for the remaining six months. The lower the fee, the more money you’ll save.

If you borrow $60,000 for six months with a 3% fee, your regular payment would equal $10,000 per month. For the first two months, you’d pay an additional $1,800 per month for the fee. After that, the fee would decrease to $600 per month. Altogether, you’d pay a total of $6,000 in fees, which works out to an APR of 34.26%.

Who it’s good for: Kabbage’s flexible qualification requirements make it attractive to smaller businesses that aren’t generating a ton of revenue. It’s also suited towards business owners with credit scores below 500.

Who should look elsewhere: You’ll want to set your sights somewhere else if you need to borrow more than $100,000. Also, the effective APR can be high if you’re charged a higher monthly service fee.

Best for Established Business With Higher Revenues

Learn More on Dealstruck.com's secure website

If you’ve got at least two years of operating history under your belt and $150,000 or more in annual revenue, Dealstruck could be the lender for you. Borrowers who have a credit score of at least 600 can qualify and loan amounts go up to $500,000.

Dealstruck recently updated its repayment terms. Currently, term loans are available for 12, 24, or 36 months. There’s a 4.99% origination fee, which is something to keep in mind if you’re applying for a larger loan. If you were to take out a $500,000 loan, the origination fee would cost you $24,950, which is certainly not chump change. By comparison, OnDeck’s origination fee for a first time loan is 2.5-4%, which would cost between $12,500-$20,000. You should note that both Dealstruck and OnDeck deduct the origination fee upfront from the loan proceeds.

With a term loan from Dealstruck, you can pay the balance down over the course of 36 months. That can be helpful if you need a bigger loan and more time to pay it off, like with the purchase of a large piece of equipment. It also helps to simplify your budgeting and long-term forecasting when you have a fixed payment.

Who it’s good for: A Dealstruck loan makes sense if you want to stretch out repayment so the monthly payments are as low as possible and you meet the minimum in-business requirements.

Who should look elsewhere: While Dealstruck’s rates start at 9.99%, that rate applies to borrowers whose credit scores are 675 or better. A score of 600 will get you an APR somewhere in the neighborhood of 22.99% to 27.99%, so Dealstruck may not be for those who qualify for a lower APR elsewhere.

Bad Credit Business Term Loans At A Glance

Lender	Borrowing Limits	Credit Requirements	Annual Percentage Rate (APR)	Origination Fee	Repayment Terms
OnDeck	$5,000 to $500,000	One owner must have a 500+ credit score. At least 9 months in business and $75,000 in annual revenue.	Short-term loans: APRs starting at 9% Long-term loans: APRs starting at 5.99%	1st loan: 2.5-4% of loan amount 2nd loan: 2.25-3% of loan amount 3rd+ loan: 0-3% of loan amount	Short-term loans: 3 to 12 months Long-term loans: 15 to 36 months
Kabbage	$1,000 to $100,000	No minimum credit score needed. At least one year in business and $50,000 annual revenue.	Borrowers repay 1/6 or 1/12 of the loan amount each month, based on the loan term. A fee ranging from 1.5% to 13% of the loan amount	None	6 or 12 months (minimum loan amount of $15,000 required for 12-month term)
Dealstruck	$25,000 to $500,000	600+ minimum credit score. At least 1 year in business and $150,000 in annual revenue.	APRs starting at 9.99% for qualified borrowers.	4.99% of loan amount	12, 24, or 36 months

The Best Alternative Financing for Businesses With Bad Credit

If you have outstanding invoices, inventory that you plan to purchase or daily credit card receipts, these alternative lenders may be able to help meet your funding needs. You can use your unpaid invoices, the value of your future inventory, or your credit card sales as collateral for financing, and not have to rely on your credit score alone.

Best for Invoice Financing

Learn More on BlueVine.com's secure website

BlueVine is designed for businesses that need an advance of up to $500,000 on their outstanding invoices and can’t afford to wait for financing. One of its best features is the fact that it takes just minutes to apply and funding is available in as little as one day.

There’s no origination fee and you can advance as much as 85% of your outstanding invoices. You then pay BlueVine back over a period of 1 to 12 weeks, along with a weekly fee, equal to a percentage of the advance amount. The standard rate is 1% per week, but you’ll need to go through the quote process to find out if you qualify for a higher or lower rate.

So what kind of business should consider BlueVine? Invoice factoring can be a boon for service-based businesses that don’t have any inventory or cash receipts to borrow against. If you run a small marketing firm or you’re a website designer, for instance, invoice financing could fill temporary cash flow gaps.

Who it’s good for: BlueVine offers financing to borrowers who’ve been in business for at least three months, so this one’s ideal if you’ve got a newer business and you need fast financing.

Who should look elsewhere: BlueVine doesn’t work with small businesses in the medical or healthcare industries.

Best for Inventory Financing

Learn More on Fundation.com's secure website

Fundation offers conventional term loans to businesses that need to beef up their inventory. You can apply online in less than 10 minutes and have access to the funds within three days. You’ll be charged an origination fee if you get a loan from Fundation, which ranges from 2% to 5%. Your individual fee is based on your credit rating, time in business, annual revenue, and how much you plan to borrow.

Certain businesses may benefit more from Fundation’s financing than others. For example, let’s say you operate a seasonal business that earns most of its revenue during the summer months. You need a loan to purchase inventory for the coming season and you anticipate being able to pay it off in 12 months or less once the inventory sells.

In that scenario, getting an inventory loan through Fundation might make sense. The inventory serves as the collateral for the loan, and you’re not stuck paying for this season’s inventory two or three years into the future.

Who it’s good for: Fundation is a solid choice if you’re looking for convenient financing to purchase the inventory your business needs, particularly for seasonal businesses.

Who should look elsewhere: Fundation only works with businesses that have at least two years of business history, so if your business is newer than that, you won’t be able to get funding.

Best for Merchant Cash Advances

Learn More on Capify.com's secure website

Out of all six lenders I’ve included, Capify has the most generous borrowing limits. You can get an advance as low as $5,000 or as high as $1,000,000 — if you’ve got the debit and credit card sales to back it up.

Capify charges a factor rate instead of an APR to assess fees and interest. This rate is expressed as a decimal point. I spoke with a Capify representative who advised that factor rates and repayment terms are customized to each borrower’s needs, so if you’re interested in getting an advance, you’ll have to go through the free quote process for more details.

If you run a business like a boutique or restaurant that does a high volume of credit card sales on a daily basis, a merchant cash advance from Capify may be more attractive than a term loan or invoice financing. You can pay the advance back from your daily receipts and the amount you pay can go up or down, based on your sales. If you find yourself in a lull, your payment adjusts accordingly so you’re not straining to keep up with what you owe.

Who it’s good for: A merchant cash advance from Capify is good for businesses that have steady credit and debit card receipts and need money to cover payroll, hire employees, or renovate their premises.

Who should look elsewhere: Repayment is made on a daily basis so if you don’t have daily cash flow, an advance from Capify probably won’t work for your business.

Bad Credit Business Alternative Financing At A Glance

Lender	Borrowing Limits	Credit Requirements	Rates and Fees	Repayment Terms
BlueVine	$20,000 to $500,000	530+ credit score or higher. At least 3 months in business and a minimum of $10,000 in monthly revenue.	Borrowers pay a weekly fee, with a standard rate of 1% per week.	1 to 12 weeks
Fundation	$20,000 to $500,000	600+ credit score or higher. At least 2 years in business and $100,000 in revenue.	APRs start at 7.99%. Origination fee ranges from 2% to 5%.	1 to 4 years
Capify	$5,000 to $1,000,000	60+ days of credit card processing history. At least $5,000/month in credit card sales.	Borrowers are charged a factor rate, which is tailored to their specific needs.	Repayment terms are also determined on a case-by-case basis.

Did You Know?

How do the interest and fees compare?

One of the most important things you can’t afford to overlook when choosing a bad credit business loan is cost. Invoice financing terms, for example, are going to be different from what you’d get with a term loan, but they may be more favorable for certain kinds of businesses than others.

In my line of work, I’m sometimes waiting 30 to 60 days for a client to pay an outstanding invoice. Fortunately, I have minimal operating expenses and other clients that pay more regularly. On the other hand, the wait time to get paid could be tough for those who run a service-based business with employees. Think cleaning companies, subcontractors, or caterers.

If they know that cash is on the way, however, they could borrow against their invoices to pay their workers, then when the client makes good on the invoice they can pay the finance company back. Stretching out repayment over 12 or 24 months with a term loan wouldn’t make sense in that scenario.

Watch out for potential pitfalls

Taking on a loan can help you grow your business or stay afloat when cash is tight, but it’s not without certain risks. There are two things in particular that you need to consider thoroughly before committing to a bad credit business loan.

1. Cost: Borrowing money for your business when you have bad credit almost certainly means paying more in interest and fees than you would if you had good credit. If you’re taking on a six-figure loan, a higher APR can add thousands to your total payoff. That’s why it’s absolutely crucial to understand how the lender calculates the interest on your loan and how the fees break down. Essentially, you have to be sure any return on investment you get from having access to financing justifies the cost.

2. Liability: Even when a lender isn’t asking for collateral, they may ask you for a personal guarantee or a blanket lien. Both can put your personal assets at risk if something goes awry and you’re not able to make good on what you borrowed. The lender could seek a judgment against your business and you personally, meaning they could attach your bank accounts or property to try and collect. If a lender’s asking for a personal guarantee or a blanket lien as a condition for borrowing money, you need to fully understand what that means before signing on the dotted line.

Improve your credit rating for better loan terms

Bad credit business loans can be very useful, but they can also be an expensive way to meet your financing needs. Working on raising your personal credit score and establishing a positive business credit history are wise moves if you want to expand your borrowing horizon.

Boost your personal credit score

• Pay bills on time. When a lender checks your personal credit score, it’s most often your FICO score they’re looking at. Thirty-five percent of your FICO score is based on your payment history, so paying on time is the best way to make your credit shine.
• Pay down balances. Thirty percent of your FICO score is based on your credit utilization. This refers to how much of your total available credit you’re using. To keep your score moving up instead of down, shoot for using 30% or less of your available credit.
• Keep old credit accounts open. The age of your credit history influences 15% of your credit score. Leaving older accounts open can work in your favor where your score is concerned.
• Utilize different types of credit. Ten percent of your FICO score is based on your credit mix. Revolving lines of credit (like credit cards) and installment loans are weighted differently, so using both is a good way to balance your score out.
• Minimize how often you apply for credit. Applications for new credit show up on your credit report and count towards 10% of your score. Each time you apply, a few points are shaved off, so forgo the temptation to open new accounts unless you absolutely need to.

Build good credit for your business

• Incorporate your business. When you’re running a business as a sole proprietor, there’s no dividing line between your personal and business assets, income, or credit. Incorporating allows you to establish a separate credit identity for your business, apart from your personal score.
• Establish vendor credit. One of the easiest ways to get credit in your business’s name is to set up vendor or trade accounts. You can then register with Dun & Bradstreet to create a business credit file. If you’re paying your invoices on time and keeping your tradeline balances low, those two things can work together to help your business credit rating.
• Get a business credit card. Business credit cards can be a great way to earn some money-saving rewards and build credit for your business. You’ll have to use your personal information to apply and offer a personal guarantee, but your account activity will show up on your business credit report. Again, paying on time and using 30% or less of your credit limit are the smartest ways to raise your business credit score.

The Bottom Line

Having bad credit doesn’t mean that a small business loan is out of your reach and working towards raising your personal and business credit score can put you in a stronger position to find lower rates in the future. OnDeck is a good place to start if you’re looking for term loans, but ultimately it’s going to depend on your business, so shop around and consider the alternatives. Also, it’s always a good idea to give the fine print a thorough read-through before you commit to anything. After all, the lender will be looking closely at your financials and business background, so it’s just as important that you perform your own due diligence to be sure that you’ve made the right choice for your business.

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Shocking New Study Shows Recessions May Save Lives

Shocking New Study Shows Recessions May Save Lives

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Pancakes for Dinner? Yes, Please! Kids Get ‘Em Free at Denny’s All Month

Pancakes, pfannkuchen, crêpes — or my personal favorite, panqueques — whatever you call them, whatever format they come in, they’re delicious.

And right now, kids can get them for FREE at participating Denny’s diners across the country.

The promotion runs every day from 4 to 10 p.m. for the entire month of September. For one child to eat free, all you have to do is buy one adult entrée.

Here are all the syrupy details…

How to Get Free Pancakes at Denny’s in September

Denny’s recently upgraded its pancake recipe to include fresh buttermilk, real eggs and a hint of vanilla, and now claims they’re 50% fluffier.

Who better to judge than the ultimate pancake-eaters themselves — kids?

So, to put its new flapjacks — and kid-friendly sizes and flavors like cinnamon, strawberries and cream and chocolate chip — to the test, the restaurant’s inviting kids to try them for free.

“Kids ages 10 and under can enjoy Denny’s pancakes in any of these dishes for free every day in September from 4-10 p.m. with the purchase of one adult entrée at participating locations,” notes Denny’s.

To clarify, it’s “one for one,” meaning one kid can eat free per adult entrée bought. (I called my peeps over at Denny’s to make sure.)

Still, a pretty good deal — and to sweeten the stack, Denny’s will donate $1 to No Kid Hungry every time you use the hashtag #ShareMySlam on Twitter or Instagram.

So get panqueque-ing, and don’t forget to share!

Your Turn: What’s your favorite pancake topping?

Susan Shain, senior writer for The Penny Hoarder, is always seeking adventure on a budget. Visit her blog at susanshain.com, or say hi on Twitter @susan_shain.

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Ditch the Cube: These 5 Companies With Amazing Offices are Hiring Right Now

Millennials are well-aware the days of the dull, gray, depressing “Office Space” cubicle are fading. We know what we want in a workspace, and it’s better than that.

Whether it’s an open floor plan, exotic decor or simply the freedom to make a space our own, we want to love where we work. Companies all over the country are figuring this out, and are advertising the beauty of their offices as much as the strength of benefits packages.

These five companies boast some seriously cool offices you’ll love — and they’re hiring right now!

1. Junior Copywriter With J. Walter Thompson

Image from jwt.com

JWT is an over-150-year-old international advertising agency headquartered in New York.

The company is praised for its colorful open-floor office, which encourages the meeting of creative minds. No private offices in the space mean everyone kind of works as equals, so get comfortable!

The agency is hiring for several creative positions, including a junior copywriter. In this full-time position, you’ll write copy for broadcast, print, digital and social media content for the agency’s various clients.

The position requires one year of experience as an employee or intern. To apply, follow the link here.

2. Graphic Design Intern at Zappos

Image from themuse.com

The online shoe retailer is looking for a visual design intern to join its Las Vegas-based team for the summer of 2017. If you’re a graphic design major or just have a strong handle on design, apply now.

If you’re not based near Vegas, housing is available! Interns are also paid hourly and receive the same 40% discount all Zapponians enjoy.

You’ll work on website design projects, as well as marketing, internal projects and more.

Instead of the clean, modern look of many internet companies, Zappos encourages a bit of creative, organized chaos in its office.

The space sticks to traditional cubicle design and encourages employees to make their mark both on their individual space and on conference rooms. Take a free tour, and you’ll likely see everything from paper-mâché fireplaces to signs and streamers for every holiday.

3. Sustainability Associate at Method

Image from themuse.com

You’re probably familiar with Method’s sustainable cleaning products. They’re the ones in the elegant, minimalist bottles on shelves in Target, Lowe’s, Safeway, Whole Foods and most grocery stores.

The company is hiring a full-time, San Francisco-based sustainability associate.

This associate will collect and report sustainability metrics, support new product development and handle ingredient assessment and third-party certifications.

Located in San Francisco’s financial district, the Method HQ is proud to #keepitweird. The colorful, sleek office mirrors the company’s beautiful products and encourages innovation and creativity.

Plus, everyone works reception once a month, “costumes welcome.”

You’ll welcome office guests and answer phones alongside a co-worker you don’t normally work with, so you can see the business from a different perspective.

To apply for this position, you should have a bachelor’s degree in environmental science or related field and one to three years’ experience. Apply here.

Note: If you get an interview, they will certainly ask you, “How will you keep Method weird?”

4. Communications Manager at TNTP

Image from TNTP

The Brooklyn-based education nonprofit is looking for a communications manager to work from home (anywhere in the U.S.) or in-house at the TNTP central office.

The position involves writing for TNTP’s Publications Department, including blog posts, reports, op-ed, internal communications, concepts for infographics, social media content and more.

Benefits include:

• Competitive pay

• 100% employee medical coverage, plus majority of costs for partner/children

• Dental, vision and life insurance

• Parenting benefits

• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match

The small Brooklyn Heights headquarters encourages an inclusive environment where employees are “encouraged to bring their whole selves to work each day.” The cozy space also helps you connect with a clean, open floor plan.

5. Gintern With ILoveGin

Image from ILoveGin/Instagram

No, that’s not a typo. This is an internship all about drinking gin.

The monthly gin and tonic club — your G&T has a club! — ILoveGin is hiring a Gintern to travel around the U.K. and parts of Europe sampling new gins and tonics.

And you’ll get paid to do it.

This is a part-time, work-from-home position beginning in early 2017 that requires travel.

Your workspace could be a craft gin maker in Edinburgh one day and a launch event for tonic water in London the next. The internship lasts about six months, with the opportunity to move into a full-time position.

You need to be at least 18 years old, live in the U.K., hold a driver’s license, love gin and know a good G&T when you taste one.

The position offers a salary up to £20,000 (US$26,225), the ability to set your own hours, “lots of free gin” and “more free G&Ts!”

Are you salivating yet? If you’re interested and qualified, apply here.

Your Turn: Have you seen any open jobs in cool offices lately?

With research from Kaitlyn Perta, an editorial fellow at The Penny Hoarder.

Dana Sitar (@danasitar) is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder. She’s written for Huffington Post, Entrepreneur.com, Writer’s Digest and more, attempting humor wherever it’s allowed (and sometimes where it’s not).

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Deal of the week: Buy and sell unwanted gift cards using Zeek

Tom Wilson

zeek.png

Zeek is an app-based exchange where you can offload unwanted gift vouchers for retailers you don’t use, or boost your spending power by snapping up other people’s vouchers at a discount.

Zeek is an app-based exchange where you can offload unwanted gift vouchers for retailers you don’t use, or boost your spending power by snapping up other people’s vouchers at a discount.

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Want to Work From Home? These 8 Fast-Growing Careers are in High Demand

You want to work from home, but don’t know where to start. After all, you don’t want to jump into a career in a dying industry or one that doesn’t have many remote jobs.

So the question is: Which industries are growing AND have lots of work-from-home jobs?

I may have found some answers in a recent CareerBuilder study about the changing labor market. The study argues that lifestyle changes, technological advancements and globalization are driving economic growth, and lists 17 careers correlated with these trends.

I pulled out eight careers from the list predicted to grow faster than average — and frequently have opportunities to work from home.

Here they are… (you’re welcome).

1. Personal Financial Advisor

PeopleImages/Getty Images

Median salary (2015): $89,160

Projected growth (2014-2024): 30%

As a personal financial advisor, you’ll help people manage their finances by offering advice on investments, taxes and retirement, among other things.

You’ll likely need a bachelor’s degree (plus a master’s or certification), but 20% of financial advisors are self-employed — meaning you could meet with clients on your own schedule.

2. Information Security Analyst

opolja/Getty Images

Median salary: $90,120

Projected growth: 18%

Want to protect your company’s information from cyberattacks? As an information security analyst, that’d be your full-time job.

Because the job relies so heavily on technology, you could eventually find many opportunities to work from home (examples here and here).

3. Software Developer

vladans/Getty Images

Median salary: $100,690

Projected growth: 17%

We know you know: Remote job boards are filled with software developer jobs.

But you don’t need a degree to get them. You can attend a coding bootcamp, a free coding university, or even teach yourself online.

Once you’ve nailed down your skills, you can apply to jobs like this or this.

4. Computer Support Specialist

Portra/Getty Images

Median salary: $51,470

Projected growth: 12%

If you’re technically inclined, but don’t have the patience to become a programmer, consider becoming a computer support specialist.

I see work-from-home opportunities in this field all the time — just like this sweet gig with Automattic or this one with Knack.  

5. Medical Records Technician

Mapodile/Getty Images

Median salary: $37,110

Projected growth: 15%

Want to be part of the booming health care industry, but don’t want to touch people? How about becoming a medical records technician?

You might not even need an associate degree to enter this hot career. After you gain experience (and as it grows more and more digital), you may be able to find remote opportunities similar to this or this.

6. Technical Writer

Pekic/Getty Images

Median salary: $70,240

Projected growth: 10%

Although most writing isn’t exactly lucrative, technical writing is an exception. And jobs in the field are in demand!

To get started, you’ll usually need a bachelor’s degree, plus experience in a field like engineering or computer science.

As with other types of writing, you’ll often be able to work remotely. For example, here are two technical writing jobs open right now at GitHub and Spatial Front.

7. Customer Service Representative

Neustockimages/Getty Images

Median salary: $31,720

Projected growth: 10%

You may wonder why I write about customer service jobs so often. Here’s the answer: They’re one of the easiest ways to work remotely — they often don’t require much education or experience.

Just in the past week, we’ve written about part-time, seasonal and sports-related customer service jobs. Hint: If you don’t see any that are a good fit, keep checking our Facebook page.

And if you want to work remotely, but loathe the idea of customer service, this post is for you.

8. Interpreter / Translator

Ryan J Lane/Getty Images

Median salary: $44,190

Projected growth: 29%

Do you speak another language? You’re in luck: As the world gets more connected, the need for multilingual people is growing.

While many interpreters and translators work in person, there’s also an abundance of work-from-home opportunities.  

Case in point: this freelance translator job or this gig for Vietnamese speakers.   

Like I said, these eight careers are growing — some much faster than average — and if you want to work from home, I’d say they’re worth exploring!

Your Turn: Do any of these careers appeal to you?

Susan Shain, senior writer for The Penny Hoarder, is always seeking adventure on a budget. Visit her blog at susanshain.com, or say hi on Twitter @susan_shain.

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Five Key Things to Think About If You’re Considering a Path to Early Retirement

Going down a path toward retiring early, whether you’re in the middle of your career and looking to just shave a few years off or you’re early in your career and looking to shave off a decade or two, is like running a very long footrace on uneven ground. You can see that amazing finish line in your head, but there’s a lot of ground to cover first and some real potential for something unexpected to happen.

Almost all financial success that we experience in life comes from thinking through the options carefully and making a smart decision. This is true from the small stuff, such as whether to buy store brand pasta or not, to the big stuff like, well, retiring early.

If the idea of spending below your income level throughout your career in exchange for the ability to retire early or increase your career options later is an appealing one to you – and it is very appealing to me – then I encourage you to think through these five key things very carefully.

1. Children will almost definitely delay your early retirement.

I would be “retired” right now if I did not have children. Because Sarah and I chose to have children, my “retirement” will probably come shortly after our youngest graduates from high school, and he’s in early elementary school.

That’s a pretty big change, but it reflects the reality and the expense of having children. I don’t regret the choice to have children, but I’m also not in denial about the financial impact they’ve had on our life.

Unless you’re neglectful, children come with a lot of expenses. You’re feeding and clothing and housing a child for eighteen years. You provide toiletries for that child, learning materials for that child, household supplies for that child, medical care for the child. You’re also likely to buy the child gifts and treats at various points.

There’s also the impact that having a child has on your career. You’re going to wind up taking time off for your child. Your child is going to devour spare time that you might have otherwise used on a side gig or on self improvement or on career advancement. Your child is also going to eat into your sleep time, especially when the child is young, but also during the teen years.

That’s not to say that having a child isn’t rewarding. It is very rewarding. However, those rewards are very personal in nature and don’t show up in a financial balance sheet.

If you’re considering having children – or already have children – and you’re also considering early retirement, you need to recognize that the presence of children will slow down your progress toward that goal. Take that into consideration when making either decision.

2. You won’t be “keeping up with the Joneses.”

If I look up and down the block we live on, virtually everyone has newer cars than we do. Our two vehicles are currently seven and thirteen years old and the oldest vehicle owned by any of our neighbors, by our best estimation, is also about seven years old. We drive the old cars on our block, in other words.

My children are close friends with a few kids on the block and they all have neat toys and gadgets that far outstrip what our own children have. The same goes for the adults in each house, too.

The thing is, I could get really worked up over this. I could feel jealous about it and want to buy a new car or a bunch of new gadgets to “keep up.”

But why? How does that really fulfill what I want out of life?

Even though I have that perspective, there are still times when I feel pangs of jealousy. I sometimes want to have all of the things that they have, even though I know in a broader sense that I am making the best choice for me in the long term.

You’ll have to deal with that contradiction constantly, and when you choose to “keep up with the Joneses” – or keep up with people in your social group or keep up with people in your online communities – you’re going to end up paying the price in terms of achieving your early retirement goals.

Buying things that you personally value is fine, but when that value is hyperinflated by a desire to “keep up,” it’s a purchase that ends up not having much lasting value. Mastering this idea is harder than it sounds, but it’s essential for early retirement.

3. You have to be somewhat selective in your “little treats.”

Many people fill their life with little treats, like stopping at a coffee shop to pick up a morning latte and a bagel or stopping at a bookstore regularly or stopping at a convenience store in the evening to pick up a six pack of beer.

Often, people consume far more “little treats” than they think they do. These “little treats” are often very forgettable, in that they’re low cost, consumed quickly (or just added to collections without a second thought), and then completely forgotten within an hour or two.

The catch is that the costs of these little treats add up, while at the same time the frequency and forgettability of these treats makes them essentially meaningless in terms of providing lasting pleasure. They provide a very small, very short term burst of pleasure in exchange for a chunk of your future.

The best solution is not to give up “treats,” but spread them out so that you also get joy out of the anticipation and they’re no longer forgettable. You can get almost as much joy out of a monthly visit to a coffee shop, for example, than you do out of a daily stop, because that monthly stop is a genuine treat and feels special.

Mastering that distinction and breaking away from the daily and weekly routines that center around little treats is a very big key in any financial turnaround, but many people choose to frame that change as utter misery. Without it, however, the resources you need for early retirement just flow right out of your pockets without building any kind of future for yourself and, at the same time, you’re sacrificing the anticipation and the “specialness” of many of the treats in your life.

It’s a difficult shift, but a necessary one.

4. You will be criticized by people you trust who think you’re being a fool.

In fact, you’re probably better off just keeping your plans to yourself in mixed company, because you’ll almost always be greeted with disbelief and strange criticism when you mention your plans.

Most people simply don’t accept that early retirement is even possible for themselves or for someone at their approximate income level. Remember, 76% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, and paycheck to paycheck life is in direct opposition to early retirement. You can’t possibly retire early if you’re living paycheck to paycheck, so 76% of the people in America have immediately closed off the possibility of early retirement for themselves. Even among the rest of Americans, many are saving for a normal retirement or even a slightly late retirement.

The idea that someone is doing something different is usually met with a pretty critical response, and you need to accept that you’re going to hear some criticism – most of it unfounded – if you choose this route. People will basically tell you that early retirement is impossible or imply that you must be living like a hermit when neither one is remotely true.

Don’t let such criticism bother you, but be aware that it will come. Know how to handle it politely. My typical response is that even if things don’t work out exactly like I want, I’m pretty happy with my life right now and I will have plenty for a traditional retirement.

5. You need to have a plan for what to do after you “retire.”

Let’s say you do retire early. You’re done working at, say, age 50 or so. What are you going to do then?

At that point, you have more than three decades left in your life, most of which should involve pretty good health. You suddenly have tons of free time. How will you fill it?

The reason for thinking about this question now rather than later is that, if you don’t have a good vision for this time, why are you retiring early? Without some kind of a plan for the years after retiring, it’s kind of fruitless to retire early.

For me, retirement is more of a tool to launch another career path, one that won’t necessarily earn a lot of money but will provide a lot of personal enjoyment. The day when I walk away from “work” isn’t a day when I become idle. It’s a day when I leap into new plans.

What are your plans? And, if you don’t have those plans, why are you retiring early?

Final Thoughts

Early retirement isn’t an easy path. It’s one that’s fraught with temptations and distractions and big questions about why you’re even doing this.

Thinking about those things early on, before they’re in the way of your progress, can make all the difference between success and failure.

Let these ideas be food for thought for you as you think about your own journey toward retirement, early or otherwise.

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What Do I Want to Do With My Life? How to Find Your Dream Job

By Holly Reisem Hanna You know how some people grow up knowing what they want to do from a very young age? Yeah, well, that wasn’t me. Every year in my School Days Keepsake Album, it would ask the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” And every year I would […]

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Do TRESemme, Shell or Citizens Bank Owe You Money?

“Natural” is an increasingly overused term found on the labels of food, drinks and even hair care products.

Recently, I came across a TRESemme class-action lawsuit that accused the manufacturer of falsely labeling some of its shampoos and conditioners as “natural” when they allegedly contained several synthetic ingredients, including a chemical known to release formaldehyde. Gross!

I’ve purchased “TRESemme Naturals” shampoos and conditioners in the past, but of course I didn’t keep my receipts. That’s OK — I can still get up to $5 without a receipt as long as I submit a claim form by Oct. 24, 2016.

And it also only takes about two minutes to fill out the claim form online!

If this one doesn’t apply to you, don’t worry. Here are five other open settlements you might be eligible for:

1. Angie’s List Membership

lpurple_queue/Getty Images

If you paid for a membership to Angie’s List at any time since 2009, you could get $5, $10 or four months of free subscription to the online service from a class-action settlement.

The Angie’s List class-action lawsuit accused the subscription-based online review company of manipulating search results, contradicting its claim that “businesses do not pay” to be on “the List.”

To benefit from this settlement, you must submit a claim form no later than Nov. 15, 2016.

More information is available here.

2. Synchrony Bank TCPA

Koray ISIK/Getty Images

Did Synchrony Bank call you on your cell phone without permission between 2008 and 2016? You could be entitled to a portion of this $7 million class-action settlement. The actual amount each person receives will ultimately depend on the number of valid claims filed.

Synchrony Bank (formerly known as GE Capital Retail Bank) was accused of using an automatic dialing system to place calls to U.S. residents regarding a bank account that did not belong to the call recipient.

The class-action lawsuit claimed that this act violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. Synchrony decided to settle the allegations by establishing a $7 million settlement fund.

Those who want to receive a portion of this settlement need to file a claim by Nov. 14, 2016.

Find out if you qualify here.

3. Shell Ski Free

Salish Krishnamurthy under Creative Commons

Did you loyally fill up at Shell stations due to a “Ski Free” promotion? If so, then you could get up to $40 from this class-action settlement.

According to the lawsuit, Shell gas stations in California, Michigan, Oregon and Washington falsely advertised that customers could get a “free” ski lift ticket after purchasing 10 gallons of gas.

Instead, Shell consumers said they got a coupon for a “two for one” deal, not the advertised voucher good for a free lift ticket.

You don’t have to provide a proof of purchase, but you must fill out a claim form no later than Oct. 25, 2016.

Learn more here.

4. Citizens Bank Robocalls

kirsty pargeter/Getty Images

If you received a robocall from Citizens Bank, you could get an estimated $280 from a class-action settlement.  

The $4.5 million Citizens Bank settlement resolves allegations the financial institution used an automatic telephone dialing system to call consumers in violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

U.S. residents who received an unsolicited phone call from Citizens Bank between 2009 and 2015 must filed a claim form by Oct. 27, 2016, if they want a portion of the TCPA class-action settlement.

Click here for more details.

5. BMW MINI Cooper Water Pump

The Pug Father under Creative Commons

If you’ve ever owned or leased a BMW MINI Cooper, you could get up to $500 from a recently settled class-action lawsuit.

The settlement resolves claims that the water pump in certain MINI Coopers is defective and fails earlier than it should, resulting in engines overheating.

Class Members who own a MINI R55, R56, R57, R58, R59 or R60 vehicle made between October 2006 and November 2012 are included in this settlement and have until Oct. 21, 2016, to file a claim form.

BMW has agreed to pay for either the actual cost of the water pump or $500 in reimbursement.

More info available here.

Your turn: Let us know if you filed a claim for any of these settlements. We want to hear from you!

Melissa LaFreniere is the News Editor of TopClassActions.com

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