credit cards Archives

3 secrets to building a successful business

Chasing your passions can be scary because it comes with many risks. When I was 25, I left behind a job that paid $150,000 a year so I could help people understand media and technology. Since then, I’ve flourished — and I’d like to teach you three essential tips for starting a business.

Although I knew everything would work out in the end, there were many trials and tribulations. But I knew I had to follow my passion, teaching others about tech and the digital lifestyle.

Here are three lessons I wish I had known before starting. This way, you can learn from my mistakes — and my success.

1. Use credit cards

First, let me get this out of the way: Starting your own business can be expensive. Sure, it might seem obvious, but let me stress that again. You don’t know how expensive it truly will be until you begin.

At least, that’s how it was for me. That’s why I used this helpful trick. Use your credit card instead of digging into your savings and draining your bank account.

Pay as many expenses on credit cards as you can. This helps you in the long run. You’re establishing credit and earning points.

2. If people don’t grow with the company, it’s OK to let them go

When your company grows rapidly, new challenges sprout up like daisies pushing through concrete. For example, you may need your employees to pivot, take on new tasks and adjust to company changes. You might think you hired flexible people who can adapt as needed.

Sadly, this often isn’t the case. People may think they’re adaptable when, in reality, they aren’t seeing any growth opportunities. They might even grow complacent and think they’re earning their stay by doing the bare minimum.

You want employees who go above and beyond. People who can flourish under changing times are golden. As much as you might love the employees you’ve worked with, you must let them go if they aren’t adaptive. Otherwise, they might hold the company back.

3. Follow the rule of thirds

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Are Amazon extended warranties worth it, or a scam?

While warranties can last a few years, recalls can occur anytime. Some defects are harmless and only affect functionality, but others can be dangerous.

When you buy a TV, blender or smartphone on Amazon, you’ll see a message asking you to purchase an extended warranty. Sure, you can, but should you?

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‘Kim, what do you use for …?’

You asked. Here are my answers.

Holding your passport: I love this passport holder (click the 10% off coupon) because it blocks RFID and also holds an AirTag (17% off today!). It has enough room for your boarding passes, cash and credit cards, too.
Holding your iPad: I use this super-handy tablet stand ($15.97, 20% off!) in my studio to read scripts and in the kitchen to follow recipes, watch shows and video chat with Ian. It has a handy place for the plug.
Keeping safe in hotels: I don’t trust locks in hotel rooms. That’s why I pack a doorstop alarm that emits a loud sound if someone opens the door. Get this two-pack for $11.99 while it’s 33% off.
Protecting your identity: For starters, I shred everything — I mean, every single thing — with my name on it. I’ve used this Amazon Basics shredder ($33, 11% off) a lot for over four years.
Not using gross airplane blankets: That’s why I carry my own travel blanket ($29.95, 14% off) because it’s always cold on planes. This makes a great Mother’s or Father’s Day gift, btw.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

My shredder is so lonely: Stop preapproved credit cards and insurance offers coming to your physical mailbox with OptOutPrescreen. You can stop offers for five years or forever. I picked forever.

Don't cancel this after a loved one dies

Open/download audio

It’s typical to cancel credit cards, utilities, and subscriptions after someone passes. But a common mistake is pulling the plug on this too soon.

There’s no fun in these funerals: Scammers are creating 24/7 fake funeral livestreams on Facebook and tricking people into handing over their credit card info. They use real photos and details about a person who’s passed, then they ask for a card “to verify your location” and secretly set you up for recurring payments.

$2,834

Average credit card balance for 22- to 24-year-olds. That’s 26% higher than a decade ago. Why? Gen Z has embraced the buy now, pay later options at checkout. Talk to your Gen Zers, and remind them, “If you can’t pay for it now, you won’t be able to pay for it later.”

What’s in your wallet?

Let’s talk about cash. No, I’m not asking you for any. Here are a few fun facts. Last year, only 20% of all purchases in the U.S. were paid for in cold, hard cash — and nearly half of Americans abandoned Benjamins altogether in a typical week.

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Review: This not only keeps your keys organized, but also makes them hard to lose

Last year, I downsized to a smaller wallet that fits in my front pocket (which you can see here). There is no need to carry all those credit cards and loyalty cards around when many are stored digitally on my phone.

I did the same thing a few years ago with my keys, cutting down the excess bulk I take with me each day. A smaller, lighter keychain can also prove easier to lose.

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Life upgrades you didn’t know you needed

Get the best night’s sleep of your life with a Bluetooth sleep mask.
A high-tech mug warmer will keep your java nice and hot.
This power bank is small enough to fit in your pocket and works with iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and others.
You’ll use this combo phone stand, Bluetooth speaker and clock every day.
Protect your debit and credit cards from thieves with this slim RFID-blocking wallet.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

“I took it personally”: When cybersecurity expert Grant Smith’s wife was tricked by a phony U.S. Postal Service text, he made it his mission to get justice. A few months later, he’d cracked the case, recovering over 390,000 stolen credit cards. He handed the info over to authorities. And they say chivalry is dead!

A new credit card fee: Several credit card companies, including Citibank and Synchrony Bank, are charging a $1.99 monthly fee for paper statements. Printing and mailing costs financial institutions $600 million, so they want us to pay for it. Call your card company and ask them to email you the “Schumer box.” It’s an easy-to-read table of all their fees.

⛽ New pain at the pump: When you swipe a credit card at a gas station, it usually checks for a $1 balance, lets you fill up, then charges the full amount. Thieves have caught on. They can use practically any stolen card to rack up hundreds of dollars in free gas. To not get taken, use Apple Pay, Google Pay or the gas station’s app.

Money move: Sign up for text and email alerts from your bank. Yes, it’s a bit annoying to approve purchases, but this has notified me a few times someone got their hands on my card. In your banking app, go into Settings and look for Alerts or Notifications. Smart move, for sure.

Never hurts to ask: Some credit cards offer extended warranties on anything you buy with the card. If your expensive vacuum or laptop craps out, it’s worth asking Amex or Chase if they’ll pay to repair or replace it.

🔒 They’ll thank you later: Identity theft for kids under 19 is skyrocketing. Parents, create and lock or freeze your children’s credit ASAP so thieves can’t use their info for loans or credit cards. When they’re older, you can help them unfreeze it.

In Telfair County, Georgia, a fisherman stumbled upon critical evidence from the 2015 Craigslist murder of an elderly couple. He first pulled up a .22-caliber rifle, then discovered driver’s licenses and credit cards belonging to the victims. This find has revitalized the investigation, with more clues headed to the crime lab.

Scammers have a clever new way to trick shoppers into wasting money

While some people still prefer to stroll into a second-hand store looking to score a bargain, many have shifted focus to online offerings. There is a growing demand for trendy, previously-owned items. Tap or click here to see vintage figurines sold for an astronomical price.

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Bots are scamming people on Twitter for donations - Here's how to spot their tricks

Payment apps like Venmo, Cash App, Google Pay, Zelle and PayPal are great for paying for goods and services and sending money to friends. You can even use some of them to split a bill at a restaurant. They’re an easy alternative to credit cards that are becoming more widely accepted as time goes on.

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Skip the card: How to pay with your phone or smartwatch

Credit cards have been around for nearly three-quarters of a century and have evolved to the point where you don’t even need to swipe your card or insert it into a chip reader. Using Radio-frequency identification (RFID) or Near-Field Communication (NFC), you need only hold your card close to the reader or tap it to complete a transaction.

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