Citi Dividend Card Q2 2014 Categories

I had written before that I have a Citibank Dividend MasterCard. One of the benefits of this card is that it offers 5% cash back on rotating categories of merchants. The main problem I have with this arrangement is that I always forget which categories are currently offering 5% cash back when I am at the store. As a result, I often miss out on the bonus dividend dollars. In order to help me remember, I have decided to post the categories which change every three months here.

For Q2 2014, you will earn 5% for purchases from:

• The Home Depot
• Home Furnishing Stores
• Home & Garden Stores

Note that "Q2 2014" means from April 1 - June 30, 2014. Also note that even if you have a Citi Dividend Card, the enrollment is not automatic. You have to login and sign up for this offer at the Citibank website.

See also Discover Card Q1 2014 Cash Back Bonus Categories.

PF Stock

The Quick Guide to Setting Appropriate Credit Limits

Credit limits can be a bit of a prickly question, particularly following 2008's terrifying credit crash. How much is too much? How much is irresponsible? How low becomes restrictive and starts to eat into potential profits? It can be a complicated minefield. For companies who are not sure how much credit to allow individuals or businesses, we've put together a quick guide to setting appropriate credit limits which protect your business from defaulted payments, keep your clients from financial trouble and ensure that you don't put the dampeners on potential growth.

Everyone's different
It may sound simple but this is an important consideration to take into account when setting credit limits. Every client you take on is different, with different financial situations, different needs and different patterns of behaviour. Taking a closer look at each prospective client on an individual basis is an important way to get to grips with where their individual credit limit should be.


Many businesses set blanket credit limits, but a quick look at a sample of businesses in just one industry using RM Online's free company checking tool shows that there are radically different financial situations to contend with and, more importantly, varying degrees of risk to protect against. By showing a company's financial position, recording non-payments and CCJs and disclosing any legal issues, this tool clearly demonstrates why careful research needs to be conducted before credit limits are set.

Categorise your clients
It can help to segment your customers on the basis of your findings and research. Take a wide-angle view of the businesses you offer credit to and consider their similarities and differences. If possible, group them into categories ranging from the high risk to the low risk. If you can build profiles around each group then you can create different credit limits which fit each group, minimising how much work must be done to decide on each business's credit limit. If you will be delegating the setting of credit limits to staff, this process can be very helpful, particularly if it can be condensed into a short series of questions i.e.:

• What is the the company turnover?
• Does the company have any outstanding invoices?
• Has the company been flagged for non-payments?
• Has the company been given a CCJ?

Define your goals
If you have a clear idea of the effect you want to achieve with your credit limit, you can tailor your policy to help make it happen. For instance, if you want your customers to feel confident and spend more, higher credit limits can encourage bigger spends. Meanwhile if you are particularly vulnerable to non-payment, lower credit limits will provide peace of mind and ensure clients only have access to credit they can easily afford. The overall goal for most businesses will be to give low risk clients the freedom to make the most of your services and ensure high risk clients have structures in place to avoid slow or non-payment.

Monitor trends
This is an ongoing process and it is important to keep a close eye on the effect of your credit limits. Watch for emerging trends and focus on things like slow payment, delayed payment and customers who repeatedly hit their upper credit limit and consistently pay on time. Evaluating the effects of your limit over time will help you to find the perfect system which protects both your business and your clients, while giving low risk customers the freedom to help your business grow.

What is your approach to setting credit limits for your customers? Do you use a blanket approach or do you invest time and resources in tailoring limits to particular customers? Share your thoughts and experiences with our readers below.

Budgeting Tips: Simple Ways to Get Through the Month Until Next Pay Day

Too many of us struggle to get through the month financially these days, so here are some very simple ideas to spread your income more effectively:

Cope with emergencies
We all suffer from the odd emergency: washing machine breaks down; car need insuring; dog needs an operation; school trip needs paying for; too many birthdays arrive in a single month and so many more. Rather than stick this in a credit card, consider using Wizzcash. Despite what the press will have you believe, if you use it just for an emergency and pay it back in time, it can be cheaper in the long term. We've all put something on the credit card and only paid back the monthly minimum. With quick loan sites like Wizzcash.com you can choose how much to borrow and see instantly how much it will cost relative to the time frame you pay back the loan in. It’s not an ideal financial situation to be in, but at least you can retain clarity and control over the situation.

Make a shopping list and stick to it
How often do we come home with those little extras? We see something carefully placed by the supermarket marketing types and think we couldn't possibly get by without it. Don't fall in to their trap! Check your cupboards and fridge and list what you need, even making a weekly menu and sticking to it.

Use your local market
We've got so used to buying fruit and veg from the supermarkets, that we’ve forgotten just how cheap the local market can be. They get their produce from the same places, and if you leave it until near closing time, you can pick up some fantastic bargains. You also get an opportunity to blow off the cobwebs on the long lost art of haggling to carve out some good deals for yourself too - I recommend checking out the haggling guide here for some great tips.

Say "NO" more often
An invitation to a swift half after work can too easily result in a drinking session and a £50 bill. The children won't starve if their pleading for a McDonald's/Burger King/KFC is answered with "no". The toy they plead for in a pound shop won't last more than a day, and they'll have forgotten about it by the time you get home

Walk
This is a no-brainer. It keeps you fitter and costs nothing. Rather than drive a couple of miles, or even take the bus, walk. You'll meet neighbours you've never seen before, see things you never noticed in the car and the calories will drop off.

De-clutter on-line
You can quickly and easily bring in some cash by selling unwanted items on eBay. Even better though, use your local Facebook group as you can sell in hours, have the cash brought to your doorstep and there are no insertion fees.

Make lunch
Don’t stop off at the sandwich shop, café, pub or fast-food joint for your lunch, make it at home. In minutes you can make a delicious sandwich, salad or pasta. If you’re lucky enough to have microwave facilities at work, re-heat last night's left overs or warm up some soup. These will almost always be much cheaper and often far healthier too!

Money Tips #4: Shopping

Over the years, PF Stock has collected numerous money and tax saving tips from readers. In this series of posts, I have compiled some of the best money tips that I've received, each categorized by topic. In addition, I am including other money tips from the internet and from my own experience. I hope that this will come in handy my readers. Today's topic:

Tips for Shopping around (Online and in Stores)

• Always Google or check RetailMeNot for coupon codes for online purchases. Use ebates or another site to earn cash back on your purchases.
• Check websites for the best deals.
• Look at sale flyers online weekly and compare prices and coupons.
• I comparison shop online then search for coupon codes to save extra money.
• Compare prices every where online and check for coupon codes for free shipping.
• Always search online for coupons and sales, and if you don't 'need' the thingy wait for a coupon or sale (example: I like 3D movies but they cost way too much, I waited for Black Friday and got them for 1/2 price).
• Always price compare online before purchasing a desired product.
• If you are looking for a new computer, check out the Dell Home Deals Page.
• Shop around online, you can find great deals and compare prices.
• My tip is to set alerts from deals websites for the things you need so that when a good deal comes around, you can buy it and not have to worry about buying at retail.
• If you shop at Best Buy stores or shop online at BestBuy.com, it pays to join their Reward Zone.
• I always check prices on the internet for things I will be buying. I try to shop for groceries from the store ad. I stock up when items are on sale and try not to pay full price for anything.
• Shop secondhand shops for clothing and housewares!
• A good money saving tip would be look at other stores before jumping in and buying something because you wouldn't believe how many things I've looked at on one site and kept looking around and have deals on things. Another good tip is look for coupon codes before checking out on sites there are some really good codes out there for free that you can easily find with searches for free shipping and percent off of your total order which helps around the holidays and anytime! Hope I helped and thank you for the amazing giveaway good luck everyone!

Also See:
PF Stock Money Tips #1: Use Coupons
PF Stock Money Tips #2: Credit Cards
PF Stock Money Tips #3: Taxes

Thanks again to all of my readers who contributed most of these tips. If you have more money saving tips, please share them in the comments below. Your tip may be featured in a future compilation.

Money Tips #3: Taxes

Over the years, PF Stock has collected numerous money and tax saving tips from readers. In this series of posts, I have compiled some of the best money tips that I've received, each categorized by topic. In addition, I am including other money tips from the internet and from my own experience. I hope that this will come in handy my readers. Today's topic:

Tips for Taxes

• My advice is to not lie about your income. Be honest and pay your taxes.
• I use the internet as a tool to make sure I'm claiming every deduction and credit that I can qualify for.
• My father was an accountant and used to say the best thing was to break even every tax year and not give the government an interest-free loan of your money (by getting a refund). I know that I'd never be able to save the money otherwise so I always made sure to have plenty of tax deducted in order to get a nice refund check. Now I make that money work for me; I put some aside every year and put it into a CD.
• I make sure that I organize all year. I have folders I make in January for that year's taxes so that come tax time, I don't have to hunt for my receipts and paperwork.
• 
  
• Spend some time learning about every single deduction you are eligible for and then take them. Think; give away lots of stuff to charity; contribute as much as possible to retirement savings plans at work.
• File your taxes for free online. Many websites let you e-file and offer free online filing if you meet their criteria.
• Bloggers should keep track of all expenses throughout the year whether it is for mailing books for giveaways or hosting fees.
• Contact your local libraries, chamber of commerce, or city officials, to find out which agencies offer free tax filing for low-income families.
• Buy a copy of J.K. Lasser's Your Income Tax or the Ernst & Young Tax Guide
  to help with understanding tax laws and with preparing your taxes. Better yet, check out a copy of either one from your local library for free.
• I'm just anxious to get this done. Get your taxes done early so you don't get stressed about it come April 15.
• I came to realize the tax I paid on my car last year was tax deductible. Check for all the credits!
• I have added extra to my payroll deductions in order to make sure that I don't owe any additional taxes.
• If you have a complicated return work on it a little at a time so you will not be overwhelmed.
• If you find you owe every year and adjusting your with holdings just isn't working out make sure to take the number you owe each year, divide it by the amount of paychecks you get per year, and stick it in a high yield online savings account. I say add at least $5-$10 more per paycheck so you have a cushion. In the worst case, you will have extra savings!

Also See:
PF Stock Money Tips #1: Use Coupons
PF Stock Money Tips #2: Credit Cards

Thanks again to all of my readers who contributed most of these tips. If you have more money saving tips, please share them in the comments below. Your tip may be featured in a future compilation.

PF Stock

Money Tips #2: Credit Cards

Over the years, PF Stock has collected numerous money and tax saving tips from readers. In this series of posts, I have compiled some of the best money tips that I've received and categorized each one by topic. In addition, I am including other money tips from the internet and from my own experience. I hope that this will come in handy my readers. Today's topic:

Tips for using credit cards to your advantage

• Make sure to pay credit cards off in full in month. I keep a list of all our monthly charges, each charge goes right on the list, so I know exactly what we will owe. We don't buy unless we have the money ahead of time. Also, Get a credit card that doesn't charge a fee and look for one with rewards.
• Avoid credit cards and pay with cash. You will be surprised how much money you will save.
• My best tip is if you can't pay cash don't buy it. I am currently credit card balance free. (knock on wood)
• For travelers, check out the credit card threads on FlyerTalk. You can literally fly for free with the great sign up bonuses on so many credit cards.
• Get a Travel Rewards credit card and receive a sign up bonus.
• If you pay with cash you will spend less. It's too easy to hand over a card and not think about how much you're spending.
• Plan purchases and watch hidden costs if you have to charge. Getting 18 months no interest and not paying things off is costly. You pay interest on the whole purchase after 18 months even if you only owe a few dollars. BEWARE!
• Price match, use coupons in store and online, shop around before purchasing, take advantage of credit card rewards and other store loyalty programs etc.
• Order your credit report from the 3 major reporting agencies—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—for free once per year at annualcreditreport.com. I joined creditkarma.com to monitor my actual credit score for free too.

Also See:
PF Stock Money Tips #1: Use Coupons

Thanks again to all of my readers who contributed most of these tips. If you have more money saving tips, please share them in the comments below. Your tip may be featured in a future compilation.

PF Stock

IRS e-file – When Will I Get My IRS Tax Refund (2014)?

If you are wondering when you can expect to receive your tax refund from the IRS, you are not alone. In past years, the IRS published a table where you could look up when your federal tax refund would be deposited in your bank account (by direct deposit), or when your check would be mailed. It seems that this document, Publication 2043, either doesn't exist or doesn't provide a table anymore. From previous years, the IRS reported that most refunds were issued 7-15 days after the IRS tax return was accepted. Also, they stated that 90% refunds were issued in less than 21 days last year. The same results are expected in 2014.

You can also check the status of your income tax refund using this link. (And of course, en Español: ¿Dónde está mi reembolso?) You will need to enter your social security number, filing status, and refund amount to see your refund status.

I've heard some anecdotal stories about the IRS a long time to process refunds in 2013. So I will be curious how the IRS does this time around.

If you haven't prepared your tax return yet, I encourage you to use either TurboTax or H&R Block Software.

PFS