Author: Tracy Banks

  • Best Investment App Offers & Brokerage Bonuses April 2025

    Get a good bonus just for signing up or trading one stock. Check out these investment services to get special offers to buy stocks, save for retirement, and build your savings.

    • SoFi Invest: $50 Bonus BEST OFFER
      SoFi Invest: Earn $50 with Active Investing Account – Earn a $50 Bonus when you Fund a New SoFi Active Investing Account with $1,000, plus enjoy No Transaction Fees and No Account Minimums. Read more about Sofi here.
    • WeBull: 2 FREE Stocks BEST OFFER
      WeBull is offering a bonus for signing up where you get a free stock when you are approved for a new account. You will then again get another stock up to $1,200 when you add just $100 to the account. No trading needed for the bonus. You’ll also each get a share of free stock worth anywhere from $3 and $1,200 if you make a referral to a friend.
    • Moomoo: Sign Up & Get Up To 15 Stocks Worth $3-$2,000.
      Open account, get one free stock. Add $100 – $999.99, get five free stocks. Add $1,000+ and get 15 free stocks.
    • Public: Free Slice of Stock
      Public: Get $10 to Invest with Friends – Receive Free Slice of Stock (up to $10 value) when you download this Commission-Free Social Stock Trading App.
    • Acorns: $5 Free Bonus Invested
      Acorns: Get $5 in Free Investment Bonuses – Get 1 Free Share of Stock upon Account Approval and Trade for Free with this Zero-Commission Stock Brokerage Account.
    • Robinhood: Free Share of Stock
      Robinhood: Get 1 Free Share of Stock – Get 1 Free Share of Stock upon Account Approval and Trade for Free with this Zero-Commission Stock Brokerage Account.

    Honorable Mention Investment App Bonuses

    • Betterment: Free Portfolio Management
      Betterment: Get up to 1 Year of Free Investment Management – Get up to 1 Year of Free Account Management Services with a Personalized Investment Account.
    • NextSeed: $20 Free Credit
      NextSeed: Get $20 Free Credit for Small Business Investing – Get a $20 Free Credit to Invest in Small Businesses just for Opening a Free Account and Linking Your Bank Account.
    • Ally Invest: $3,500 Cash Bonus
      Ally Invest: Earn up to $3,500 Cash Bonus – Get up to a $3,500 Cash Bonus and Commission-Free Trades for 90 Days when you Open an Online Stock and Options Broker with Low Trade Fees.

  • 100+ Birthday Freebies April 2025: Free Food, Drinks, & More!

    100+ Birthday Freebies April 2025: Free Food, Drinks, & More!

    A birthday only comes one time a year so you want to make sure you are reaping all the benefits and free things you can get. Below is a complete list of restaurants and retailers that will provide you with birthday freebies for April 2025 and beyond. Be sure to sign up and plan a few days at least before your big day.

    Top Birthday and Free Food Favorites:

    Free Sweet Tea or Cookie at McAlister’s Deli

    McAlister’s Deli is an American chain of fast casual restaurants with over 350 locations in 29 states. The menu includes deli sandwiches, “giant spuds” (baked potatoes), soups, salads, and desserts, as well as catering items such as sandwich trays and boxed lunches. The chain is mostly known for its McAlister’s Famous Sweet Tea, which is available by the glass or by gallon. You can get a FREE sweet tea by signing up for the deli’s free rewards app and entering promo code DJders4625. Our two favorite sandwiches are The Rachel and Reuben at the growing fast-food chain.

    Free Original Sandwich at Schlotzsky’s

    Join Schlotzsky’s Lotz4Me Rewards and immediately receive a coupon for a FREE Original Sandwich. You’ll have 30 days to use the coupon. You will also receive $7 off after your 7th visit, plus exclusive insider news and other special offers. A FREE birthday meal coupon for one of Schlotzsky’s fresh, oven-toasted sandwiches is just one of the treats you’ll receive. You can also get BOGO (Buy One, Get One) Free BBQ Chicken & Jalapeno or Pepperoni pizzas every Wednesday. Click here to download the Schlotzsky’s Rewards app. Use the promo code D.j2007738 and scan the barcode on your receipt and we will both receive 10 bonus points and be rewarded instantly with a free sandwich.

    Jason’s Deli $5 Off Food

    This is our favorite because Jason’s Deli has some of the best food on the list with sandwiches, soups, and salads. To get the $5+ in free food from Jason’s Deli for your birthday make sure to go here to this link and avoid the pop-up asking for an email and fill out the complete form including the birthday. You just have to make sure it says Dest017727 in the promo code area and you should be good to go!

    Pages: 1 2

  • Financial Freedom should be your goal this season

    • <Bad Credit Basics: Why is credit score so important? How is it calculated? If your score is low, what can you do about it?

    • Bad Credit Cards: For individuals with poor credit, there are several trustable credit card issuers who can give you a line of credit and help improve your score.
    • Personal Loans: Help you build your financial future while providing money for your family.
    • How to Get Out of Debt? Follow these three simple steps to managing your money and become debt free.
    • Is Refinancing Right For You? This article will help you consider all the angles when making your decision.
    • Home Loans From Start To Finish: Buying a home is the biggest purchase you’ll ever make in your life. It’s important that you know what to expect from the moment you apply for your loan through settlement.
    • Beware of these credit scams: Tell everybody in your family and all of your co-workers if you get scammed online or from a lender in person. Before this happens to you read our take on the scams to avoid.
    • The Banklady Credit Library Stuff they don’t teach you in school but they should.
    • Find out how to avoid high Checking fees by using some of our suggested alternatives.
  • Beware of Fake Websites Impersonating FinCEN for Beneficial Ownership Information Report Due

    Beware of Fake Websites Impersonating FinCEN for Beneficial Ownership Information Report Due

    The FinCEN Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report filing deadline is approaching fast. It’s important to be aware of scammers trying to take advantage of this by creating fake websites that look like the official FinCEN website.

    What is the BOI Report and What is the Deadline?

    The Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report is a government mandate aimed at enhancing transparency within business ownership to combat financial crimes. However, it presents challenges for businesses, particularly small ones. Faced with a $175 per report fee from my accountant, I decided to file it myself. This led me to encounter numerous scam websites, highlighting the risk of falling victim to fraudulent activities.

    While the actual government website (fincen.gov/boi) is relatively quick to complete, navigating through the process can be a significant distraction for small business owners already juggling numerous end-of-year tasks and facing potential confusion and misdirection.

    Scam website BOIR(dot com). Watch out for scams online when dealing with government website impersonators that can steal your identity..

    The BOI Report is a new requirement for certain businesses to report information about their beneficial owners. The deadline to file the first BOI Report is February 28, 2025. Failing to file by the deadline can result in penalties of up to $592 per day.

    We love searching on Google and using AI and other searches such as Facebook search, but as you can see, there are many scam artists ready to take your money on things such as hotel searches and masquerading as government websites.

    The actual .GOV website to file the BOI report.

    How to Avoid Scams

    • Never enter your credit card information on a BOI Report filing website. The FinCEN BOI Report is free to file.
    • Only use the official FinCEN website: The legitimate website address is fincen.gov/boi. Look out for typos or lookalike domains such as boir.com in the address bar.
    • Be cautious of unsolicited emails or calls about the BOI Report. FinCEN will not contact you directly to request your filing.
    • Don’t trust TikTok or Youtube videos on this subject

    How to File a BOI Report

    The BOI Report can be filed electronically through the FinCEN website. You will need to create an account and gather some information about your business and its beneficial owners.

    Here are the steps to file a BOI Report:

    1. Go to the FinCEN (make sure it says .GOV in the url at the top of the browser) website
    2. Click on “File a BOI Report”
    3. Create an account or sign in to your existing account
    4. Follow the instructions to complete the BOI Report

    By following these steps, you can ensure that you are filing your BOI Report correctly and avoiding any scams.

    The biggest take from this is that here we have a fraudulent business taking advantage of a government report set up to be more transparent about financial crimes. Someone tell us how this makes sense and why no one is being arrested over this?

  • Top Cash Advance Apps for Rideshare and Delivery Drivers

    As a rideshare or delivery driver, having quick access to funds can be crucial. Whether it’s to cover unexpected expenses or to bridge the gap between paychecks, several cash advance apps now cater specifically to gig economy workers. Here are the top cash advance apps that stand out :

    1. Earnin: Ranks highly due to its swift funding process, easy application, and its loyalty program for returning users, making it perfect for rideshare and delivery drivers.
    2. Giggle: A great choice for Uber and Lyft drivers in urgent need of funds as it has a quick application process and does not require credit checks.
    3. Empower.me: Offers cash advances up to $250 with no credit check or late fees, while also providing budgeting and saving features. Not exclusively for rideshare drivers, it’s a fantastic choice for anyone.
    4. Dave: If you require a cash advance of up to $500, Dave might be your new financial companion. The app keeps track of your bank account to determine the cash advance you can afford.
    5. Belay: Ensures your hourly rate and pays the difference if you earn less than the guarantee for your pay period. It’s great for Uber and Lyft drivers aiming for more expected income.
    6. Lean: Offering cash advances up to $1,000 for gig workers, Lean ensures immediate payment after job completion.
    7. Moves: Tracks your earnings and provides cash advances of up to $2,000 for gig workers using 20+ different apps.

    Customer Reviews and Experiences of Cash Advance Apps

    Customer reviews and experiences provide a valuable insight into the real-world application of these cash advance apps. Users of Brigit often commend the app for its rapid processing times and the ease with which funds can be accessed, making it a lifesaver in urgent situations. Many rideshare and delivery drivers highlight the app’s user-friendly interface and the added peace of mind brought by the loyalty program.

    Giggle has garnered positive feedback for its no-credit-check policy, which many Uber and Lyft drivers appreciate, especially those who have faced financial barriers in the past. Users also praise the quick application process, noting that it significantly reduces the stress of waiting for approval.

    Empower.me is frequently lauded for its comprehensive approach to financial health. Reviews often mention how the budgeting and saving tools have helped users gain better control over their finances, making it a preferred choice for those looking beyond immediate cash advances.

    Users of Dave appreciate the app’s intelligent bank account tracking, which helps in planning and preventing over-borrowing. Many reviewers highlight the peace of mind this feature provides, as it ensures they only borrow what they can afford to repay.

    Belay receives acclaim for its income stability feature, which guarantees gig workers their hourly rate. This assurance is particularly comforting for Uber and Lyft drivers, who often face unpredictable earnings.

    Lean is well-received for its substantial cash advances and the immediate payment feature post-job completion. Gig workers who need access to larger sums of money commend this app for its convenience and efficiency.

    Lastly, Moves is praised for its high cash advance limits and integration with multiple income platforms. This feature is crucial for gig workers juggling various jobs, as it provides a comprehensive view of their earnings and ensures they have access to needed funds without delay.

    The key takeaway? As technology progresses, so do the offerings of these cash advance apps. Be on the lookout for more advancements that will continue to cater to the needs of gig economy workers.

    Alternatives to Cash Advance Apps

    While cash advance apps offer convenience, it’s worth exploring other financial tools to better manage your finances:

    • Checking accounts with overdraft protection: Shield yourself from overdraft fees.
    • Credit-builder credit cards: Enhance your credit score while handling minor expenses.
    • Emergency savings funds: Establish a financial safety net for unforeseen costs.