Innovative Way to Accept Credit Cards

Sure it is easy to set up and accept credit card payments if your business is a bricks and mortar business. But what about those who aren't? These businesses could consist of landscaping companies which are often ran out of the home of the owner, small start up businesses like antique dealers or sales professionals, vendors who take their business to a location like food carts, or even freelance workers who sell their stuff at expos or other types of flea markets. Sure they can just as easily accept credit cards from their homes but that will be a tedious project with no payment guarantees. It would involve recording each customer’s contact information along with their credit card numbers, the date it expires, and the CVS security code and manually entering this all into the credit card terminal when you arrive home. It is a long and tedious process and the risk of a declined card or fraud are extremely high since you are processing the card without the customer or their card physically there. A common trait between these types of business is the lack of a fixed point of sale location.

Accepting credit cards does not have to be a stationary thing. The big boys in the merchant account industry offer wireless terminals. These terminals are big, bulky, and often slow. They also usually have the traditional fees associated with them causing many business owners to cringe at the idea of signing up for a contract. However, like every other technology out there, the merchant service industry is turning innovative. Developers for all the big companies are coming out with mobile credit card processing options. These options are often at lower cost and fit the life of those who do not have a fixed POS.

With mobile credit card processing services like Pay Anywhere out there, there is no reason for a business not to accept credit cards. Own a landscaping business? How convenient is it to allow your customers to pay at their doorsteps with a credit card rather than receive a check that you have to take to the bank? Customers will even want to see this process in action. It is a savvy feature that is also energy efficient. The reader which comes free plugs into the phone and runs off of the phones battery. It is paperless as receipts are e-mailed to the customer rather than printed off, and secure as no data is stored during any process of the transaction. The best part about this service, from an entrepreneur stance, is the low fees. Traditional merchant accounts will fee a user for processing the card, batching the machine at the end of the business day, a monthly rental fee, and even a monthly minimum fee. These fees factor in to a business’s decision on accepting credit cards as it can become costly.

The fees with mobile credit card processing are different. For example Pay Anywhere only charges users a processing fee. The fee is 2.69% plus an additional 19 cents for every card swiped. This is huge for someone who knows they will not be using the device daily. It is a manageable fee that is relatively similar to what processing fees are for standard credit card terminals.

Funny Message from Scottrade

I recently requested some information from Scottrade about opening a new brokerage account. They asked for a telephone number, but rather than giving them my home or work phone, I instead supplied them with my Google Voice phone number. For those who are not familiar, that is a free telephone number that you can access through Gmail.

I had not gotten around to funding the new account, so one of their representatives with a thick foreign accent called me up to see if he could answer any questions. The way that Google Voice works, if I'm not available to answer the phone (the usual case), it sends the caller to voice mail and will try to transcribe the message to Email for me. Here is what my Email said:

Hi, this message for the rich and I just can't calling from Scott Chen moving. Com that you regarding a new account opening to send a I try to find out see if the but i mean, i think you're so opening up. I was call today Give me a call if you have any questions, our number 408 So I was, 370 800 cents of a good day. Bye.

OK. Now, I'm not so sure if it was Scottrade calling or if it was actually Scott Chen calling me. I later listened to the recording, and to be honest, the voice mail was not particularly intelligible either. I think that the man's name was Justin, but he spoke so quickly that I couldn't get the return phone number straight!

So I think that the moral of the story here is that if one is working in customer service, they ought to practice speaking clearly.

DC

In a financial jam? Instant payday loans from MyPaydayLoanCash.com can help you get back on your feet today!

Money Market Rates 8/11

Here are the latest money market interest rates of the banks that I've been tracking on my blog. Note that these rates are sorted by APY, and represent institutions that I have accounts at, or have otherwise mentioned in my blog:

1.10% Discover Bank Online Savings
1.04% Ally Bank Online Savings
1.00% American Express High Yield Savings
1.00% Urban Partnership Bank
1.00% ING Direct Orange Savings
0.85% FNBO Direct Online Savings
0.80% HSBC Advance Online Savings
0.55% Western FCU Money Market
0.25% E*TRADE Complete Savings
0.15% Citibank Ultimate Savings
0.15% Chase Plus Savings
0.07% PayPal Money Market* (closed)

NOTES: *The PayPal Money Market fund is NOT FDIC insured. PayPal closed the Money Market fund as of 7/29/11. This result is not surprising since the PayPal money market fund has been at or near the bottom of these rankings since 2009. It is also not FDIC insured, so clearly there are better choices available. The PayPal Money Market fund will be removed from the list in the future.

In some cases, MMA interest rates are tiered. If this is the case, I usually report the interest rate at the $10,000 tier in these updates.

Rates are believed to be accurate as of 8/2/11. I did not include banks that had special, or introductory rates in the list because they are not ongoing interest rates. I am also not including non-liquid accounts such as CD's in the list. At the request of readers, I added American Express and FNBO Direct to the list of institutions. Discover Bank currently has the highest interest rate of the banks that I'm tracking.

It seems that the general interest rate trend is down. I was especially disappointed that the interest rates for Citibank and Chase were so low. Since I still have significant funds in these institutions, I think that it is time for me to consider moving some money around to other institutions.

So, that is the latest list of money market rates. Please let me know if you know of any higher interest rates.

DC

In a financial jam? Cash loans online from MyPaydayCashLoan.com can help you get back on your feet today!

Last Chance to Get a Free Dell Monitor

A little while back, I mentioned that OptionsHouse was offering a free Dell computer monitor to new customers who deposit $5,000 or more. (See: Whats the Best Gift Received from a Bank or Brokerage?) I had considered taking them up on the deal. So a few weeks ago, I applied for a new OptionsHouse account and deposited $5k. In less than two weeks, I received my new 24 inch Dell monitor.

The monitor itself is a widescreen flat panel display with a maximum resolution of 1920 X 1080. It is a nice replacement for the 17-inch Dell CRT that I've had for over 10 years. Although the screen is much larger than my CRT, it is weighs about one fourth as much and doesn't get quite as hot as the old monitor.

Anyway, if you are interested in taking advantage of the deal, this is really your last chance. The OptionsHouse offer will expire on July 31, 2011. The offer is available from this link to the OptionsHouse.com website. According to their website, you have to keep the account open for at least 180 days. I did some checking, and found that the 24 inch Dell monitor (ST2420L) they are giving away retails for about $220, so it is a pretty generous gift. For a deposit of $100k, they are offering a 27 inch Dell U2711 which is worth $1100. Lastly, if you have $250k to reach the highest tier, they will give you a 30 inch Dell U3011, which costs $1500.

These last two tiers are pretty steep, but I think most readers could afford to deposit $5k if they want a new monitor. Also note that you have to enter promo codes DELL24, DELL27, or DELL30 as appropriate when applying.

DC

Don't Open a Short-Term CD at Ally Bank

It is not a good idea to open a CD with a term of 9 months or less at Ally Bank. The reason is based on simple math. Here are the latest CD yields from Ally Bank High Yield CD (as of 7/11/2011):

3 Month CD = 0.44%
6 Month CD = 0.94%
9 Month CD = 0.99%

Instead of opening one of these shorter term CDs, it is a better choice to open up an Ally Bank No Penalty 11 Month CD with an APY of 1.19% APY. Because it has no early withdrawal penalty, you can withdraw your money from the 11 Month No Penalty CD at any time. The yield beats out any of the shorter term CDs that Ally Bank offers, so there is no need for any of the shorter term CDs which will charge an early withdrawal penalty. Also, there is no minimum deposit requirement on Ally Bank CDs, and Ally is FDIC insured.

DC

Need quick cash? Secure cash advances online from CashAdvancer can help today!

When It Comes To Saving Money, Look Up - At The Roof Over Your Head!

Housing is the greatest living expense for most people, so therefore it’s an area where saving money can have a huge impact. Consider the home you currently live in. Is it too large for you and/or your family? Perhaps downsizing to a smaller home is something you should consider.

From 1970 to 2004, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average household shrank by 27 percent, but the average square footage of homes grew by 66 percent. There are several theories as to why this is happening. First of all, people want a higher standard of living. Maybe it’s about keeping up with the Joneses. Maybe it’s because of the breakdown of the American family, which makes us need more space in which to avoid one another.

Whatever the case, do we really need the extra space? In 1950, a family of four could live well in a 1,500 square foot home. Why can’t we do that today?

Aside from the price tag attached to a larger home, consider the higher property taxes and insurance rates. A bigger home also costs more to heat, cool, maintain and repair.

Renting vs. Owning
Consider renting – it’s controversial advice for Americans, who’ve been taught that part of the American Dream is to own a home. But in recent years, this American Dream has become a nightmare as mortgage rates and rising unemployment have forced many to lose their homes. While mortgage rates have hit on the high side, rental rates have remained quite manageable.

If you purchase a home, be realistic about the size of the home. Do you really need five bedrooms, or can your family make do with three and save the difference? When it comes to this question, size really does matter. And remember: you can search the sale papers each Sunday for the rest of your life, and you’ll never find a coupon for $30,000 off on a new home.

When you search for a home, shop for a mortgage. By doing so, you can find the best rate from lenders you may have never even heard of. Learn to negotiate, whether you are renting or buying, in order to get the best deal.

Insuring Your Home
If you own your home, you know you must have homeowner’s insurance. The price you pay for that insurance can vary by hundreds of dollars, depending on the company you purchase your policy from. When seeking to purchase this type of insurance, shop around. Check consumer guides, insurance agencies, companies and online insurance quote services. This will give you an idea of the price ranges and tell you who’s got the lowest prices.

You may want to consider purchasing your car and homeowner’s insurance from the same insurer. There are often discounts for doing so.

When shopping for a home, consider factors that could save you money and save you 5 to 15 percent on your premiums:

• The home is close to a fire hydrant.
• The home is near a professional, not volunteer, fire department.
• The home’s heating, electrical and plumbing systems are less than 10 years old.
• If you’re in the eastern portion of the country, consider a brick home, which is more wind-resistant.
• If you are buying home in an earthquake-prone area, look for a wooden frame house because it will more likely withstand that type of disaster.

Maintaining Your Home
Remember that there are things you can do on a regular basis to maintain your home that will save you money. These things include:

• Close the fireplace damper when not in use.
• Fix leaky faucets.
• Unclog slow-running drains.
• Inspect and test smoke and fire alarms. Replace the batteries regularly.
• Inspect and replace filters regularly in your air conditioner, furnace and pool. Keep the compressor unit of central air conditioner clean as well.
• Inspect the foundation for water penetration, settlement and cracks.
• Clean the gutters and downspouts.
• Inspect and treat the exterior wood for splintering, decay and damage.
• Check the roof for leaks or warping.
• Check for loose or cracked caulking around tiles, sinks, tubs, showers, toilets and counters.
• Inspect and replace weather stripping around doors and windows.
• Trim trees or shrubs touching the roof or exterior of the home.

About the Guest Author
Angye M. is the contributing editor for AmericaOneUnsecured.com. They help consumers nationwide obtain personal loans and business loans. If you are interested in writing a guest post, please contact PF Stock at the Email address listed in the sidebar.

Money Market Rates 6/11

Here are the latest money market interest rates of the banks that I've been tracking on my blog. Note that these rates are sorted by APY, and represent institutions that I have accounts at, or have otherwise mentioned in my blog:

1.15% Discover Bank Online Savings
1.15% American Express High Yield Savings
1.00% Ally Bank Online Savings
1.00% Urban Partnership Bank
1.00% ING Direct Orange Savings
1.00% FNBO Direct Online Savings
0.80% HSBC Advance Online Savings
0.55% Western FCU Money Market
0.30% E*TRADE Complete Savings
0.20% Citibank Ultimate Savings
0.15% Chase Plus Savings
0.07% PayPal Money Market*

NOTES: *The PayPal Money Market fund is NOT FDIC insured. In some cases, MMA interest rates are tiered. If this is the case, I usually report the interest rate at the $10,000 tier in these updates.

Rates are believed to be accurate as of 6/1/11. I did not include banks that had special, or introductory rates in the list because they are not ongoing interest rates. I am also not including non-liquid accounts such as CD's in the list. This month at the request of readers, I added American Express and FNBO Direct to the list of institutions. Discover Bank and American Express are tied for the highest interest rate of the banks that I'm tracking.

I was surprised that the interest rates for Citibank and Chase were so low. Since I still have significant funds in these institutions, I think that it is time for me to consider moving some money around to other institutions.

So, that is the latest list of money market rates. Please let me know if you know of any higher interest rates.

DC

Need fast cash? Payday Loans Online from 60MinutePayday.com are exactly what you need.