Roo’s Financial Tips: Pay Off Holiday Expenses

Posted on December 28, 2012 by Speedy Roo

Roo holding cash with a thumb upStockings have been emptied, presents have been unwrapped and the tree is coming down. Yep, that’s right – Christmas is over. Now comes the part that all of us dread; it’s time to pay the bills. But don’t panic! I’ve got some tips for you to pay off all of those holiday expenses.

Know What You Owe
First and foremost, you need to know the total amount you owe for all of those wonderful Christmas gifts. Gather all of your credit card statements and bills, add up the balance – remember to calculate the interest rate for each balance.

Make a Plan
Once you have the total amount that you owe, make yourself a game plan. Depending on your situation, you may choose to: Tackle paying off your credit card debt one at a time, pay more than the minimum payment, cash in your credit card perks, call your credit card company to negotiate your interest rate, transfer balances to one card, or even return gifts that you don’t want.

Stop Using Your Credit Card
Now that you know the damage and you’ve got a game plan, stop using your credit card until the balance is paid. You will thank yourself for this one!

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Choose A Prepaid Debit Card That Fits Your Wallet

Posted on August 7, 2012 by Speedy Cash

Prepaid debit cards took off in the ‘90s as credit card companies realized that a large amount of U.S consumers were not able to qualify for their credit cards. Many different prepaid cards with varying fees have been tried and tested by credit card companies since. With so many options available, how do you choose a prepaid debit card that’s right for you? Speedy Cash helps you find the best prepaid debit card for your needs.

A smart, cost-effective alternative to credit cards and traditional bank cards, prepaid debit cards have many advantages: they’re safer to carry than cash, you can use them worldwide, there are no bills or debt associated to the card, and they’re easy to reload. Even better, almost anyone can qualify for a prepaid card because there’s usually no credit check!

Prepaid debit cards vary in effectiveness depending on a person’s needs. Before researching the cheapest prepaid debit card stop to think about how you will use the card. Ask yourself what benefits do I need from a reloadable debit card? Include prepaid card advantages like direct deposit, bill payments, pin/debit transactions, signature purchases, ATM usage, overdraft protection, transferring money, shopping online, and live customer support.

Make sure to research fees associated with the card’s transactions. It’s important to find a prepaid card that charges the least amount of fees for actions you’re more likely to make. For example, if you’re looking to use a feature such as direct deposit, look for a card with little to no fees for direct deposit.

For a prepaid card with flexibility consider the opt+® Visa® Prepaid Debit Card which offers 3 types of cards to fit your needs. The “Pay as you Go” option is designed for those making occasional purchases and there is no monthly fee. The “Monthly” card has affordable fee options for those who want to use it more often. Finally, the “Direct Deposit” card allows you to use it like you would a bank account. Enjoy free direct deposit, no transactional fees, and overdraft protection. All cards offer features to meet your spending needs and free ATM usage at any Speedy Cash store. To get an opt+ card visit a Speedy Cash location near you.

Find out more about opt+® Visa® Prepaid Debit Cards.

From Aug. 6 to Aug. 19, 2012 stop by a participating Speedy Cash location for a chance to win $100 loaded onto an opt+® Visa® Prepaid Debit Card. Find details on Facebook.

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5 Things to Know Before You Rent a Home

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Speedy Cash

While home ownership is the dream of many, situations and timing may not allow a lot of people to buy. Renting can be the best choice if you don’t want the hassle or expense of repairs and general upkeep of a home. Speedy Cash has hints for renting and ways to save money by leasing a home instead of buying.

Tenant Rights: Get everything in writing and negotiate the terms of your lease. Depending on the amount you’re paying for rent, the landlord could be persuaded to pay for water or trash service.

Renter’s Insurance: Get it. Renter’s insurance protects your belongings in the rental as well as liability for accidents that happen for which you’re responsible. You’re not paying homeowner’s insurance or other taxes associated with ownership, so renter’s insurance can be affordable.

Repairs: You and your landlord should have an understanding of who is responsible for which repairs and how long it will take to get started on them. Your landlord is responsible for providing a safe, functional living space and making sure the property is up to local and federal housing code.

What’s Included: Many rentals come with larger appliances like a refrigerator, stove/oven, and dish washer. Make sure you confirm that the appliances in the home when you tour will stay there. You can also look for a rental that is already furnished to save money on furniture.

Test Everything: Ring the doorbell, turn on the faucets and test the water, verify smoke alarms, overhead lights and fans, wall sockets, and, most importantly, the thermostat. If something’s not working, try to get the landlord to fix it before you move in.

While renting seems pointless to some, remember the money you save with no down payment, no interest from a mortgage, no property taxes, and no repair costs that come with owning a home. There are other options which include renting to own a home.

Find out more about rent-to-own.

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Rent-to-Own: A Modern Payment Option

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Speedy Cash

Why rent when you can own? If you can’t afford to buy it now Speedy Cash has your solution. Rent-to-Own wraps up the benefits of buying and renting all in one. Renting to own is a purchase agreement where property is leased through weekly or monthly payments, with an option to buy. This payment option can be a great alternative to only renting or only buying when considering all of your needs. Here are some of the benefits of rent-to-own so you can decide the payment option that’s right for you.

One great benefit of the rent-to-own process is that it can be used on a short-term basis. When you need to use property for only a short amount of time, you’re able to borrow the item as long as you’re making payments. When you’re done, return it! In most cases there are no obligations to buy and you won’t be held responsible for the remaining payments.

Renting-to-own can also be used as a long-term alternative. If you would love to buy an item such as a dishwasher but don’t have the cash you need upfront you can make a small down payment and leave with it that day. Your minimum weekly or monthly payments go toward owning the property. Keep making small payments to eventually pay the set value of the item, and you’ll own it.

Speedy Cash offers a service similar to rent-to-own known as Easy Pay Electronics, though when you leave Speedy Cash with your new electronic, you’re the owner. This payment option is a great alternative to buying when you don’t have all of the cash upfront. Take home your electronic with little money down and make small payments scheduled around your pay dates. Contact a store near you & ask if they participate in Easy Pay Electronics to get your new TV, Laptop or ipad today.

Consider rent-to-own when choosing how to pay for a high-dollar item. From furniture to your home, how you make big purchases affects your financial stability. Consider all of your needs and choose the payment option that’s right for you.

Find how to save money by buying at the right time.

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Save Money: Buy at the Right Time

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Speedy Cash

We’ve all heard about off-season sales, promotions and clearance events. It’s usually better to plan and wait for the right time to buy, than getting an item the instant you want or need it. Speedy Cash wants to help you save money by giving you the optimal times to buy some of life’s most essential items.

Furniture
Best Time to Buy: In January, stores lower prices on furniture to clear out the showroom because they bring in new models in February. November has the most sales on furniture, not necessarily the best prices.

Worst Time to Buy: February through April when new spring inventory is in at full price.
Other Tips: Look for furniture store sales around Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day.

Electronics
Best Time to Buy: TVs and home theater equipment are on sale in January up until the Super Bowl. Laptops and computers are on sale at the beginning and end of the regular school year. November brings Black Friday and Cyber Monday with many good deals- if you get up early enough and fight the crowds.
Worst Time to Buy: While older models go on sale in January, when new models come out, the new models are very high-priced. Who wants to buy an old model tablet or camera?
Other Tips: If you can’t wait until peak sales seasons, computer and electronic deals can be found on Mondays when manufacturers apply rebates.

Houses
Best Time to Buy: If you want to get a good deal, the fall and winter is the best time to buy.
For more selection and a wider-range of prices/options, the spring and summer is the best time to buy a house.
Worst Time to Buy: Peak market times when housing prices are highest: September and early spring.
Other Tips: It’s said that the best days of the year to buy a house cheaply are Easter Sunday and Christmas Day because of the lack of competition. To get a deal, look for a low-competition time.

Cars
Used
Best Time to Buy: The best time to buy used cars is October or early November when there are little to no bonuses or people are saving extra money for the up-coming holidays.
Worst Time to Buy: The used car market is sensitive around tax refund time. Mid-February to early June used cars are sold at a higher price because more people have money from refunds
New
Best Time to Buy: Greatest discounts for new cars can be found late in the year and around holidays like Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Worst Time to Buy: Early in the year when new models come out.
Other Tips: Occasionally sellers try to get the sale before the end of the month and could discount prices.

Vacations
Best Time to Buy: Most cruises for the next winter go on sale in April. September is a slow travel month and can be the best time to book holiday travel for deals.
Worst Time to Buy: January is the most popular month to book spring and summer travel. Try to book earlier or wait until after March for better “last minute” deals.
Other Tips: Booking and traveling mid-week (at low travel times) can significantly lower the price of a trip.

Appliances
Best Time to Buy: Good deals can be found on used refrigerators in May when many are remodeling their homes and upgrading appliances. Other large appliances are discounted in January and February to clear out older models.
Worst Time to Buy: New models are released in September and October raising prices.
Other Tips: Sundays are the cheapest days to buy appliances, as are holidays such as Memorial Day.

Find good deals at the right times of the year to save big! Use this guide to plan ahead and shop around for these necessary items at the best time of year to buy. Happy shopping!

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