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Money luck superstition is something that has been around for over 3,000 years.
Left Hand Itching has been a superstition since the dawn of time and there are a lot of people who still believe in it. Some say that if someone has a left hand itchy they are likely to receive money. Others say that the more itchy one’s left hand is, the faster they will receive money.
You may believe the meaning of life is found in one simple saying like left hand itching.
It sounds like a fortune cookie, but this quote has been around for centuries and also holds some weight when it comes to true wisdom about finances. However, there are many other sayings people use for their good luck charms such as “Toes on Head,” “Praying Hands,” “Rubbing Stone,” and “Clenched Fist.”
Let’s explore some of the most common superstitions surrounding money and take a look at whether these beliefs are plausible or not.
Seriously, what does it mean when your left hand itches?
We will cover the origins of money luck and left hand itching.
More importantly, what it means for you today.
What does it mean when your left hand itches?
It is normal to have an itchy left hand. More than likely, it is caused by many things such as dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, and seborrhea (dry, scaly skin).
However, there are money superstitions with your left hand that we need to investigate.
What exactly is the left hand itching meaning?
Left Hand Itching is means you are expecting to come into money soon.
Believed to be an omen of good luck for money and prosperity, but it can also mean the opposite depending on how you look at it.
The itching could be anything: winning the lottery, getting an unexpected raise at work, or even just finding a quarter on the ground.
All possibilities are endless and no one can really tell what will make your left hand itch until it happens for them!
Signs of Left Hand Itching
Left hand itches are a sign of money luck superstition and the origin is unknown.
Some believe that this is because the left hand represents one’s heart and when your body senses an issue, you scratch yourself with your dominant hand which then symbolically cleanses and clears the area. There are also those who say that scratching on the left side helps to balance out yin-yang energy in order to create good fortune for oneself or others.
Therefore, if someone has been having bad luck recently they should scratch their right hand to rebalance the yin-yang energy.
This is a good example of how people often put extra meaning into random occurrences, so if you’re feeling lucky this weekend and left hand itches start appearing on your body, don’t worry about it!
Left Hand Itching Lottery
Left hand itching is considered a positive sign for lottery winnings.
Itching the left hand means luck will come to you, and it could be an indication that your luck has changed.
Winning the lottery is however very unlikely with the odds of 1-in-292 million. More than likely, you will be struck by lightning or die from a bee sting (source).
If you ever have a chance to buy the lottery, it’s good luck if you’re itching your left hand.
It is said that some of the numbers associated with scratching your left hand will appear to you.
For Mary Shammas, her lucky numbers were the birthdays of her five family members and she ended up winning a $64 million jackpot. Check out this left hand itching lottery post.
Your lottery number for left hand itching is yet to be determined for that winning jackpot.
This is a left hand lottery where you scratch your left palm with the date and then follow it up with a rubbing of your right hand. The numbers are picked at random from 1-100, but there’s no saying what number will appear on those palms.
There is many superstitions behind this tradition, but anything is possible with itchy left palms.
Superstitions for Left Hand Itching
There are many superstitions for left hand itching. Remember, left hand itching is a superstition that has been passed down through generations.
Here are some left hand itching superstitions to look for:
The superstition believes if your left palm itches, then you’ll have a lot of money luck coming in soon.
Left hand itches when you’re about to get or win money. If your left palm is itching, then lookout for a good opportunity that will arise soon.
Left hand is the dominant hand for people that itch their palms, and left-handed people are more likely to be money handlers.
The left hand is more sensitive than other parts of your body, so if you have itchy palms, then know that good luck will come your way soon.
Left hand itching on afemale means a positive sign that will bring even more fortune and money.
Left handing itching on a male means you are going to attract money to you.
However, don’t spend all your money on lottery tickets because this isn’t going to bring you any luck!
Left Hand Itching Spiritual Meaning
Left hand itching spiritual meaning is when one’s left hand, sometimes the palm of the hand, starts to itch and tingle.
It is common for people to itch their left hands when they are troubled by something or experiencing some sort of life transition like moving, going on vacation, starting college, or getting married.
Left hand itching may be a spiritual connection and it can also have other meanings.
This type of body language is an indication that the person needs help and guidance in order to figure out what direction he wants his life to go next.
Left Hand Itch & Being Left Handed
Almost every culture associates left-handedness with bad luck or misfortune.
One of the most popular cultural beliefs states that right-handed people are lucky while left-handed people have bad luck.
In some cases, people believe that if someone holds their left hand outstretched they will receive negative energy from others around them causing illness, sadness, or even death.
In other cultures, some believe that left handed individuals are unlucky and should never undertake any activity with their hands as they might get cut off or fall sick due to this condition.
Top Money Superstitions
Money superstitions are beliefs and practices that people have about money. Some of these can be harmless, while others may cause harm to the person who follows them.
It has been said that superstitions are most popular for all, with specific beliefs such as good luck. Belief in superstitions decreases with age.
Money is one of the most commonly used symbols to represent good fortune and wealth.
The belief is that money can make you lucky or unlucky depending on how a variety of factors. Let’s discuss some of the most common money superstitions.
Spiders & Money
It is a simple, common superstition that if you have a spider crawl into your pocket or purse it means “money luck” is coming soon.
Would you consider money and spiders in the same sentence? But, there are two types of superstitions with spiders and money.
If you observe a spider spinning a web, then your income with increase due to your hard work.
When a spider crawls into your pocket, that means you will always have money.
The idea of catching spiders in order to avoid bad luck is not very scientific.
Whistling
Did you just whistle money away?
Many people have superstitions about money, but this Russian superstition is one of the more interesting ones. Russians don’t whistle in a roof because they might lose their money if it goes up into the air and returns to them.
In addition, they do not whistle inside in fear of putting themselves in poverty.
Ring in the new year with cash in your hand
The New Year is approaching, and you might be wondering what to do with that cash in your hand.
The old wive’s tale claims that you need to have cash in your hand before midnight on December 31 if you want to be prosperous for the coming year.
On New Year’s Eve, put all of your cash in one pocket and don’t set it down anywhere until after midnight.
Another superstition says putting your purse or wallet on the floor can make you lose money.
Heads Up Penny
What does it mean to pick up a penny if it is heads up?
Most people would say that if a penny is heads up, it means it has been picked up.
Since a heads up side of a penny brings good luck, the tail side brings bad luck.
We have all heard the saying, “heads up for luck and tails for bad luck.” This superstition drives that saying.
So, when you find a penny with the “good” side up, will you pick it up? What about if the “bad” side is up, will you leave it be?
Or do you prefer the penny saving challenge?
Purse on the Floor
A common superstition about money is that putting your purse on the floor will cause you to lose money. This superstition probably originated from an old wives’ tale.
Sweeping the House
A common superstition is to NEVER sweep your house before or after 6:00 p.m.
If you sweep at night, it means that you are sweeping away any good fortune and money that may have come into the home during the day.
Friday the 13th
Another superstition is some people will put a dollar bill under their pillow to make sure they have enough money for the day ahead or will not walk around on Friday 13th because it’s considered bad luck.
Bird Droppings
If a bird poops on you or your car – it will bring your financial luck.
In fact, bird droppings bring great wealth. That is what has been said before.
Good Luck Charms
Many people believe in good luck charms, so they carry one around in their pocket, wallet, or shoe.
Many times someone’s lucky charm has a significant meaning to them. One that may or not be spiritual in nature.
One thing is for sure… they carry it everywhere they go.
Money Attracts Money
Money attracts money is a saying which means that the more you have, the more likely you are to attract people who also want to be wealthy.
This is because when someone starts making more money, they usually want to be in a place where other wealthy people are, which is why many wealthy individuals live in expensive neighborhoods.
It takes money to make money.
As frustrating as that concept is, there is some truth to the statement. You cannot always have a negative bank balance and have the mindset that things you quickly change.
If you see positive growth, you are going to focus on continuing the money growth.
It all comes down to your motivation – in fact, use one of these millionaire quotes to help you reach success.
Medical Truth for Left hand itching
This is an unusual symptom that your body may be experiencing. It could signal something serious like an allergic reaction or a parasitic infection.
It is natural to scratch your hands.
When the itchiness becomes too much, you can use your other hand to help relieve the pressure. If the itchiness is in your fingers, try using a piece of cloth to cover them. If the itchiness is in your palm or wrist, then you can use some ice cubes wrapped up in a thin cloth.
Also, refer to a doctor for a specific cause of your left hand itching. The more common medical causes can be many things such as dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, and seborrhea (dry, scaly skin).
Does your Left Hand Itch?
Despite the fact 63% of Americans believe in superstitions, most people do not realize how much money is involved with their rituals.
Left hand itching is one of the most common money superstitions.
Left hand itching is a superstition that has been around for centuries and continues to be passed down from generation to generation.
There are many superstitions for top of left hand itching, but none have been proven scientifically. It is important to remember that left-handedness has no correlation with your luck or money status in life!
Left hand itching is a highly-common superstition that has been around since ancient times.
It means luck and money are coming your way because the left hand symbolizes wealth in many different cultures, though it’s not always true.
If you are experiencing an itch on your left palm, then there may be some truth behind this old saying.
Or does are you experiencing right hand itching?
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!
Did the post resonate with you?
More importantly, did I answer the questions you have about this topic? Let me know in the comments if I can help in some other way!
Your comments are not just welcomed; they’re an integral part of our community. Let’s continue the conversation and explore how these ideas align with your journey towards Money Bliss.
Looking for an app that does it all – automate savings, track spending, investing, and get a free $250 cash advance?
Welcome to my Albert App Review.
Looking for an all-in-one personal finance app that will help you manage your money, save for your future, or even get a free cash advance when you need it?
In that case, you’ve come to the right spot!
In this Albert App Review, I’ll go over everything you need to know about the popular Albert app, and I will discuss its features, benefits, how the app can help you, and more.
You can sign up for the Albert app here.
The Albert app is becoming more and more popular as a money tool that can simplify your life. Instead of needing a bunch of different financial apps, Albert can help you consolidate your phone and need less. The app is a one-stop shop for your monthly financial needs – it automates savings, helps you manage your budget, and has spending, borrowing, and investing tools. With this easy app and the wide range of tools that you can use, Albert has many benefits.
This app reduces the need for multiple apps since it offers a wide range of tools and features.
If you’re looking for a money saving app, Albert can be a great option to start with. There’s a reason why it’s one of the top money apps in the App Store!
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Albert is one of the most popular personal finance apps, and it is designed to make it easier to save and invest all in one place. This app has features for saving, investing, and budgeting.
Quick Summary – Albert App Review
Albert app is a financial management tool that helps you to save, spend, and invest right in the app
The Genius feature allows you to ask any money question and get a real response from a real person
Albert app’s cash advance feature can get you up to $250
The app is free, but some features do require a monthly subscription
Albert App Review
What Is The Albert App?
The Albert app is a personal finance app that will help you manage your money better by making it easier to save and invest all in one place. This app has features for saving, investing, budgeting, and more.
It has many different features, such as budgeting tools, real-time alerts, and a helpful service where you can ask an expert money questions and get real answers catered to your situation. The app strives to make financial management easier and more organized for everyone.
Albert makes it easy to manage your finances, eliminating the need for visits to physical bank branches or formal phone calls with a financial expert. With the ease of using an app, you can easily track your financial well-being, helping you stay organized, reach goals, and find smart ways to save, spend, and invest. Albert stands out by simplifying your personal finances, all while keeping things very easy to use.
Albert also has a feature where you can get a small cash advance of up to $250 with no late fees, interest, or credit check. This advance is repaid from your next paycheck, giving you the option to avoid high-interest personal loan lenders for those in need of quick cash.
There are no hidden fees, and it is free to sign up. They do have a paid subscription plan that you can sign up for which will give you access to different features such as financial advice from experts. I talk about the paid part further below.
Does The Albert App Give You Money?
Albert provides instant cash advances to users who need small amounts of money before their payday. They do not charge late fees, interest, or run a credit check for this feature.
This can be a great way to not pay high rates on payday loans for when you just need a little bit of cash.
How it works is that the Albert app will send you up to $250 from your next paycheck straight to your bank account. Then, you simply repay them when you get paid. You can pay a small fee to get your money instantly, or you can wait 2-3 days and get the cash advance for free.
Albert Instant is available to all members of the Albert app who qualify, whether they are a paid subscriber or not. Now, not everyone will qualify. To determine your eligibility for a cash advance, they look at things such as if your income is direct deposited into your connected bank account, if your bank account has been open for at least 2 months and has a balance greater than $0, and if you’ve received consistent income in the past 2 months from the same employer.
Albert App Features
The Albert App has many other features, such as:
Banking with Albert
Albert has a user-friendly banking service through its partnership with FDIC-insured Sutton Bank. This includes features like no minimum balance requirement and access to your paycheck up to two days early.
With an Albert account, you can also earn cash back rewards, such as getting a cash back bonus on gas, groceries, and more when you purchase items with your Albert debit card. You can earn an average of $2.00 per gas tank fill-up. You do need to be a Genius subscriber to take advantage of this benefit.
The app also has fee-free ATMs for their paid subscribers at over 55,000 ATMs (when using the Albert Mastercard debit card).
Albert Savings
Albert Savings is the app’s automatic savings tool that is available to Genius subscribers. It saves money from your linked bank account to your Albert Savings account.
This automated savings tool helps you build up your funds without the stress of manual transfers. It analyzes your income and expenses to calculate the amount you can save comfortably. Or, you can manually set your own savings schedule.
The Albert saving feature can help you to save more money and reach your goals.
The money in your Albert Savings account is yours, and you can withdraw it at any time.
Albert Budgeting
The Albert Budgeting feature is super handy and packed with a bunch of useful tools to help you manage your money with ease.
The Albert app has budgeting tools to help you track your income and expenses, find fees that you shouldn’t be paying, and watch your financial progress. The app will send real-time alerts and notifications to help you stay on track with your budget. But, that’s not all.
Other features of Albert Budgeting include:
The Albert app can negotiate your bills so that you can save money. The app will help you lower your bills such as for cable TV, internet, cell phone, and more.
The Albert app also makes it easy to see all of your budgeting info in one quick place, such as tracking your recent bills, seeing how much you’re spending in different categories, and more.
The app will categorize your spending so that you can see where your money is going (this can help you to realize where you may need to cut back)
Also, the app will help you find hidden charges and subscriptions that you may not be using.
These are all very helpful features that can help you save a lot of money in the long run.
Albert Investing
If you’re new to investing or you’re looking for an easier way to invest, the Albert Investing side of the app can make getting started much, much easier.
With Albert Investing, you can start an investment portfolio that matches the amount of investment risk you want to take on and your financial goals. The app even provides investment guidance and lets you start investing without any minimum investment amount needed.
So, that means that you can start investing with Albert Investing with just $1.
You can get started investing in the app by answering some questions (the app wants to learn more about you so that it can make selections based on your personal situation). The app will then choose individual stocks or funds for you to invest in (or, you can choose these yourself if you know what you want to invest in). You can even ask the app to only invest in themes as well, such as companies that are interested in sustainability and the environment. You can then continue to invest automatically or on a recurring schedule. The auto-investing feature can be a great tool if you are looking to save time and invest regularly without really thinking about it.
Albert Genius
This is one of my favorite parts in the app.
The Albert Genius service gives you financial advice from a team of expert financial advisors (this is a team of real human experts that you are able to talk to – not a robot), available through a paid monthly subscription in the app.
You can ask their experts any money question that you have, whether it’s a big or small question, a general question, or something more specific to your personal situation. Your questions can be about anything from credit cards, budgeting, student loans, investing, credit card rewards, life insurance, your personal financial life, and more. These experts will help you answer your questions 7 days a week too. And, there’s no limit to the amount of questions you can ask.
This is a very nice feature to have access to.
Some of the questions you can ask include:
How do I start a budget?
How do I lower my car insurance? Am I paying too much?
How much can I personally afford to spend on a house?
How can I improve my credit score?
How much money should I have in my emergency fund?
Should I use extra cash to pay off debt or invest?
Can you help me to better under travel miles and credit cards?
There are so many different questions that you can ask the team at Albert!
Albert Protect
Albert Protect is a feature for paid subscribers on the app.
The Albert Protect feature monitors your money around the clock. The app will alert you if something suspicious comes up for any of your connected financial accounts or your identity. The app continuously watches for suspicious activity on your credit report, the dark web, data breaches, and unusual charges.
How Does The Albert App Work?
Signing up for Albert is easy!
Simply click here to get started.
Or, you can head to the Google Play or App Store, depending on your device (Android or iOS), and download the app. Once installed, the app will walk you through the setup process. There’s no need to worry about a credit check as Albert doesn’t require one for signing up.
Next, you’ll be asked some questions about yourself such as your name and age. The app is trying to learn more about you. Here’s what Albert says specifically about the questions that they ask: “We do this in order to best serve your needs: a 19-year-old single student has different financial objectives and priorities than a 37-year-old professional with two kids who will be starting college soon.”
Then, you’ll be asked to connect your financial accounts to the app. So, you may connect your bank account that your bills come out of, your credit card accounts, student loans, mortgage, investments accounts, and more. You can connect as many or as little as you want. This information helps the app better serve you so that it can give you recommendations, track your spending, give you alerts, and more.
After you sign up, you’ll have access to the many features mentioned above to help you manage your finances. As you learned above, there are a lot of tools in this app, so I recommend just playing around in the app at first to better familiarize yourself with it and see how it can help you. Maybe sit down for a few minutes at a time until you understand how to use the app in the best way for your financial situation. That’s exactly what I did when I first downloaded the app because it was a little intimidating at first trying to see all of the different things that the app can do. But, it’s so nice that everything can be done right from one app!
To sign up for the app, they do require that you be a U.S. citizen or resident, be at least 18 years old, and have a bank account with a U.S. financial institution. Unfortunately, at this time, the app is not available to those outside the U.S.
How Much Does Albert App Cost?
The Albert app has a lot of different features, so you may be wondering what the cost is or if there are any monthly fees.
The great thing is that many of the tools and features on the Albert app are free.
For example, the Albert App has a fee-free cash advance feature to help you cover unexpected expenses. If you need some extra cash until your next paycheck, you can get up to $250 as a cash advance, with no cost. There are no late fees, overdraft fees, or maintenance fees associated with this service.
You can also start investing with as little as $1 and use the free cash advances feature (as long as you meet eligibility requirements) without the need for a subscription.
Now, the Genius subscription does have a cost.
If you’re looking to unlock all of Albert’s helpful budgeting, saving, and investing tools, you might want to consider their Genius subscription. This subscription starts at just $14.99 per month and gives you access to some helpful benefits like cash bonuses and personalized financial advice. Keep in mind that the true value of the Genius subscription depends on how often you use the app and all its features. So, if you’re a frequent user of the app, it could be a great investment in your financial well-being.
Is Albert App Safe to Use?
Yes, Albert is safe to use.
Let’s start with the basics – the Albert app isn’t a bank, but it teams up with FDIC-insured Sutton Bank to offer you banking services. That means that the money in your Albert Cash account is safe because it’s protected by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (also known as FDIC). That’s a fancy way of saying your funds are insured for up to $250,000.
Your Albert Savings accounts are held at FDIC-insured banks, including Coastal Community Bank, Axos Bank, and Wells Fargo.
When it comes to data security and privacy, Albert takes that seriously too. The app has security measures to protect your sensitive personal and financial information.
As for customer service, if you ever face any issues with the Albert app, you can easily reach out to their support team for assistance. Many Albert app reviews have mentioned their responsive customer service.
Pros and Cons of Albert
Like with any personal finance app, there are pros and cons. I can’t write an Albert app Review and not talk about the pros and cons, so that you can make the best decision for yourself.
Some of the benefits of using Albert include:
The app aggregates all of your accounts – Albert gives you an overview of your financial life by combining all your accounts in one place.
Savings and investments – The app offers customizable savings goals and can create a custom portfolio for your investment needs. It will also keep track of your transactions and help you identify potential savings opportunities as well as avoid late fees.
The Albert app is safe – Your information is kept safe with the same level of security used by major banks, as well as FDIC insurance.
Albert Genius – This feature provides personalized money advice from financial experts (real people, not a robot!) to help you make smarter financial decisions. You can ask any money question and will get personalized advice.
Free cash advance – Get a cash advance on your next paycheck without any late fees using Albert Instant, or access your paycheck up to two days early with direct deposit.
Free ATM withdrawals – This is a feature paid monthly members get to have.
While Albert has many helpful tools and features, there are some potential downsides to using the app such as:
App-only functionality – All features of Albert are limited to the app, which may be inconvenient for some people who prefer to be on their computer instead of their cell phone.
Fees – While many features in Albert are free to use, some, such as the Albert Genius service, require a subscription fee. The fee is quite affordable for the services you receive, though.
No phone calls – If you need to talk to customer support, there is no phone number to call. Instead, it’s all done through the app, text message, or email.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to commonly asked questions about the Albert app.
Is Albert a trustworthy app?
Yes, Albert is a trustworthy app. Your banking money is FDIC-insured, with coverage up to $250,000, and your investments are SIPC-insured. The app has many financial tools and you can even get personalized advice from experts.
How much can you borrow with Albert?
The maximum for a cash advance is $250.
How do you get $250 from Albert app?
Albert offers a cash advance feature called Albert Instant. After you enable this feature and meet the requirements, you can access funds quickly, sometimes up to $250.
Does Albert give you money right away?
In some cases, Albert can provide instant cash advances or help you get your paycheck up to two days early via direct deposit, depending on your employer and banking situation.
How long does it take to get money from Albert?
Getting your hands on the cash you need from Albert is all about the service you’re using. If you’re in a hurry, instant cash advances could have those funds in your pocket right away. But for paycheck advances and other features, it might take a couple of days before you see the money.
What are the requirements to get a cash advance on Albert?
Requirements for a cash advance with Albert include a history of consistent income, using the Albert app for a certain period, and having a bank account linked.
Does Albert hurt your credit?
Albert does not directly impact your credit score as it is not a lender. However, using the app’s guidance to improve financial management can help you work towards building or maintaining a higher credit score.
Does Albert need your social security number?
Yes, when signing up for the Albert app, it will ask you for your SSN. This is because it is an investment app and they need to verify that it is actually you signing up.
Is Albert or Chime better?
Albert and Chime are different financial apps with different features. Albert focuses on money management, investing, and advice, while Chime is a mobile banking app offering checking and savings account services. Your choice should depend on your financial goals and preferences.
Why is Albert taking money from my account?
If you’re already an Albert user, this may be a troubleshooting question that you have (and perhaps you searched Google and found this blog post). Albert takes money from your account (such as your bank checking account) to fund the services you’ve opted into, such as investments or automatic savings. You can check the app’s settings or contact Albert to learn more,
Is Albert app affiliated with a specific local bank?
Albert is backed by Sutton Bank.
Is the Albert app reliable and secure for banking?
Yes, Albert is a reliable and secure app for managing your finances. It is FDIC and SIPC-insured and has a variety of financial tools and resources to help you improve your financial situation.
How is Albert app customer service?
I did some research and I found great Albert app reviews on their customer service. The Albert app has customer service options within the app and online. They do not have an option to call their customer service and speak on the phone. But, if you’re like me, you probably prefer to get your questions answered via text message or email anyways.
Is Albert app legit?
Yes, the Albert app is a legitimate personal finance app that can help you manage and improve your finances. Millions of people (last I checked, over 10,000,000 people use this app) use the app’s many helpful tools. The app is available for people on Apple or Android devices and it has great reviews.
Who is Albert app best for? Who should not use it?
The Albert app is a helpful all-around financial app that can help many different people. If you’re looking for an all-in-one app to help you save, spend, borrow, and invest, Albert might be a good fit for you. The app is helpful for people who:
Want fee-free cash advances up to $250 (this is a feature that many people like because they don’t have to sign up for high-interest rate loans when they just need something for a short amount of time)
Need an app that gives you an overview of all your accounts in one place
Are interested in automatic savings and easy investing tools
Albert takes the work out of managing your finances and may be helpful for people who are trying to stay on top of their personal budget without having to juggle multiple apps.
However, Albert may not be the best fit for everyone and not everyone needs to have it. So, if you fall into any of the below, then this may not be the app for you
If you’re an experienced investor looking for more advanced trading tools, then this may not be the best investing app for you (the Albert app is basic in this area because I think it caters more to those who are new investors or are looking for something easier to manage)
If you’re someone who doesn’t feel comfortable linking their bank accounts to a third-party app (you will need to link accounts in order to get full use of the app – I understand that some people may not want to do this)
Albert App Review – Summary
I hope you enjoyed my Albert App Review.
I think this is a very helpful app, and I can see why it’s one of the most popular money apps today.
Albert is an app designed to help manage your saving, budgeting, investing, and more, all in one easy app. The app has all of the different money tools that you would want, plus some extras that you may have not realized you needed yet.
Albert is an app that helps you to manage many different parts of your financial life right from your cell phone (it’s not available on computers).
They even have the Genius feature (one of my favorite parts of the app), which is an in-app chat where you can ask one of their experts anything related to money, from credit cards, buying a car, student loans, and more. This is very helpful if you ever have questions about money.
And, if you need cash now, Albert may be able to give you a small advance of up to $250. There are no late fees, interest, or a credit check. If you want to avoid personal loan lenders who have high-interest rates, and only need a small cash advance, then Albert may be a place to start with. How this works is that they send you $250 from your next paycheck. You simply repay them when you receive your next paycheck.
You should keep in mind that investment options don’t include retirement plans and customer service can only be reached via email and text. Though the app’s budgeting tools are more basic compared to budgeting-focused apps, the Albert app still has many, many benefits to help you manage your finances effectively and it’s all from one easy-to-use app.
You can learn more about Albert here.
What’s your favorite personal finance app? Do you use the Albert app?
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Like getting your driver’s license or starting college, opening a credit card signifies a milestone of adulthood. You can find a vast array of choices in credit cards for college students, those new to managing credit, or those rebuilding their credit. But once that plastic is in your hands use it responsibly to build credit.
Having a credit card opens new financial doors. They make it easier to rent a car, pay for a hotel room without pre-authorization holds placed on your bank account, and cover emergency expenses, which ideally won’t happen, but it’s good to have one just in case. The right credit card can also deliver rewards like cash back, gift cards, and travel discounts.
Plus, with responsible credit card use, your credit score rises. And a high credit score leads to lower interest rates on things like car loans and a mortgage.
How to Use a Credit Card Responsibly
From the time you activate your card, you’re gaining access to untapped funds. But borrowing this money comes at a price. That price is the interest rate.
Before you get set to swipe or dip for your first purchase, think about your overall financial situation, monthly budget, and the best way to use your credit card to build credit without going into debt.
1. Understand Your Credit Card Terms & Conditions
Before you start using your credit card, read the terms and conditions that came with it. Take note of these numbers:
Credit limit (how much you can borrow on your credit card)
Interest rate (the price you pay to borrow that money)
Grace period (how many days you have each cycle before you pay interest)
Late fees (penalty charges if you pay your bill late)
Over-limit fees (additional charges if you exceed your credit limit)
Penalty APR (a new, higher interest rate if you pay your bill late)
Cash-advance fees (for withdrawing cash from an ATM using your credit card)
Due date
Reviewing the interest rate, late penalties, and fees, gives you incentive to make a plan to pay your bill in full every month. By law, your credit card statement must show how much you will pay over time if you don’t pay your bill in full each month. Just a glimpse at that chart can cause an eye-opening revelation, offering incentive to charge only what you can afford to pay off.
2. Create a Budget & Stick to It
It’s tempting to max out your credit card each month and worry about paying the bill when it comes due. Instead, calculate your monthly budget to determine where and how you’ll use your credit card.
Maybe you will pay for groceries on your card to rack up rewards points. If you have a grocery budget of $400 per month, don’t charge more than that amount.
If you get into a situation where you need to use your card for an emergency and have to pay it off over time, recalculate your budget with that new monthly credit card payment in mind.
3. Pay Your Credit Card Balance in Full & on Time
Your credit score drops when you open a new credit card account. That’s because of a hard inquiry in your credit file. A new card also reduces the average age of accounts, which is another factor in your credit score.
New accounts also represent a credit risk because people might forget to pay the bill. Establish automatic payments immediately so you don’t miss a payment and hurt your credit score just as you’re trying to build credit.
To avoid interest charges, pay the balance in full each month. That should be easy to do if you’ve been smart about budgeting for credit card payments.
4. Minimize Your Credit Card Utilization
Your credit utilization ratio, the percentage of available credit you’re actually using, factors heavily into your credit score. Aim to use no more than 30% of your credit limit each month.
For example, if you have a credit card with a $5,000 limit, your goal limit to manage your credit utilization ratio is a max of $1,500. Once you’ve charged that much, don’t charge more until you’ve paid it down. Ideally, don’t charge more than you can pay off in full each month.
5. Avoid Cash Advances & High-Fee Transactions
Having a credit card can save you in a true emergency. But avoid using it if it’s going to cause you to pay high fees. For instance, paying federal taxes with a credit card comes with fees of up to 1.98% of your total tax bill on top of any fees and interest charges your credit card company imposes.
Cash advances also have high fees. Most cash-advance fees equal the greater of 5% of the advance amount or $10. So if you take out a cash advance of $500, it costs $25 plus interest if you don’t pay your bill in full when it’s due.
Balance transfers also come with high costs, typically 3% to 5% of the transfer amount. However, if you’re transferring a balance to a 0%-interest credit card to pay down debt faster, those added fees could be worthwhile.
But read the fine print so you know what you’re getting into with a balance-transfer credit card. For example, if you make one late payment, your interest rate could skyrocket.
6. Regularly Review Your Credit Card Statements
Most credit card apps make it easy to set up push notifications to warn you of potential fraud. But it’s easy to miss a text message or email. Take an active role in fraud protection by reviewing your credit card statements each month and verifying transactions.
If you spot any discrepancies or unauthorized charges, report them to your credit card company immediately. Use the app to turn off your credit card while the credit card company investigates the questionable charges.
Use a free app like Evernote Scannable to save credit card receipts, and cross-reference those reports against your credit card statement.
7. Monitor Your Credit Score
Monitor your credit reports from each of the three credit bureaus — Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax — to spot and correct errors promptly.
Many credit card companies, including Capital One, Chase, and Discover, offer free credit monitoring when you open a card. These services help you track overall trends in your credit score or spot negative marks on your credit reports that could be driving your score down.
But these services usually don’t track your FICO 8 score, which is the credit score most lenders use to determine creditworthiness. If you’re applying for new credit or a loan, use MyFico.com.
8. Use Credit Card Rewards Wisely
Once you’ve started building credit, you’ll get offers for rewards credit cards. But earning rewards for your purchases makes it that much more tempting to justify racking up debt. If you lose track of your budget, the interest will negate those rewards.
To make the most of your rewards card, always pay your bill on time. It also helps to understand how much points are worth, how you can earn bonus points, and how to redeem points for the greatest value.
I use an easy-to-read Excel spreadsheet to track the best way to redeem points for each card, and also to remember each card’s bonus categories. For those who lean heavily on their phones, freemium apps like MaxRewards and AwardWallet serve a similar function. Tracking is especially helpful for cards like Chase Freedom and Discover it, with bonus categories that rotate quarterly.
Final Word
Building or rebuilding credit can be a rewarding experience in more ways than one. Responsible credit use leads to a higher credit score, which can yield lower loan rates, nicer places to live, better jobs, and a path to financial freedom and security.
Today’s cards also come with many benefits, including purchase and price protection, which comes in handy when buying electronics or big-ticket items. Review the benefits of each card in your wallet so you can always choose the best one.
On the other hand, credit card debt can make you a prisoner to high interest rates. Knowing how and when to use credit, when to take on more credit, and when to avoid your cards can help you create a stable financial future.
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Dawn Allcot is a freelance writer and content marketing specialist who geeks out about finance, technology, and travel. Her lengthy list of publishing credits include TheStreet, Chase Bank, Forbes, and MSN. She is the founder and owner of Allcot Media Marketing and GeekTravelGuide, where she shares her love for roller coasters, family travel, healthy living and keto foods.
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