Payday Loans Blog

Earth day is Thursday, April 22,  and what better time to work on going green and doing things that can save the earth? These simple tips can not only help you save the environment, but these tips can help you to do so no matter what your budget is.  You can reduce your bio footprint as well as save yourself some money on everday products and services.   You don't always have to invest a llarge amount of money in order to help save the environment. 

1. Shut down or unplug your electronics.  You can also help save electricity by plugging appliances into a power strip, so that you can turn many things off at once.
   
2. Do your laundry in cold water. Using cold water can reduce your energy bills as well as reducing your carbon emissions.
   
3. Use filtered tap water instead of water bottles.  Recycle the filters after a few months of use to help the environment even more.
4. Use the website swapstyle.com to exchange used clothes instead of buying new. Buying used will reduce manufacturing which will reduce emissions.
   
5. Swap or sell your dvds, cds or books for other used media using swapacd.com, swapadvd.com, or paperbackswap.com. There are also sites where you can just sell your products for cash, such as amazon.com, half.com and ebay.com.
6. Use refurbished electronics. Refurbished electronics aften sell for less than half of the original price.  You may want to make sure warranties are still in place. This could reduce the amount of products sent to landfills.
7. Use products make of recycled materials.  Many kitchenware products are made from recycled products. Try to find ones that are and use them. 

Check City offers a number of Financial Services to help you save money no matter what you are doing. We have Free Money Orders, Check Cashing Services, Online Payday Loans and Title Loans just to name a few.  Try one of our money saving options to give you an economic and financial boost no matter who you are and how much money you make.

Long term planning is important, especially with all of the natural disasters and economic problems our country and the world is currently facing. These 6 simple steps can help you to better prepare for your financial future and the financial future that lies ahead for all of us. Check City offers helpful solutions as well with our many financial services. We have everything from Money Orders to Title Loans and all at affordable prices.  Keep reading to find out  the six tips for long term investments and how they can help you.

1. Understand the Big Picture: Understanding the overall big picture is an important step in planning for your financial future. Don't do what everyone else is doing, just because they are doing it. Look at your individual needs, what you need for your financial success in the future and what your family can benefit from.  What someone else or another family does, isn't necessarily always the best idea for you and yours.
   
2. Budget: It doesn't matter if you are planning for the month, or for years from now, budgeting is one of the most important ways to save money and to make sure you have enough for what you need, and even sometimes what you want. However, if you make a budget and can't stick to it, it won't help you too much so you must also learn how to use instead of abusing that budget. 
3. Know What you Need: This should actually probably come before the budget is made. When you know what you need right now, and what you will need in the future, you will be able to more accurately budget your resources.  You may not ever come up with an exact number, but it is important to know a round about figure so you can plan based on at least the estimate.
4. Allocate your Budget and Investments Wisely and Properly: The allocation of your assets is one of the most important factors of the investment and budgeting process.  If you choose to put your money into the wrong place, you could come up empty handed or with even less than you started out with. 
5. Don't Let Emotions Dictate Your Choices: Investments become scary when they are controlled by your emotions and emotional connections to them.  Instead, be mechanical and scientific about your decisions. Don't pull out of a market or investment because you are having a bad day, or because the market is in fluctuation at the time. Pull out because it is the smart thing to do and you have reviewed your options and have found pulling out or selling to be the only plausible choice. Do the same when purchasing.
   
6. Monitor and Adjust:  Monitoring and adjusting your budgets and investments is always a good idea. When you notice something is going wrong, or may be about to go wrong, analyze what is happening and why, and see if there is anything you can do by your own power so that you can prevent the negative events from happening. This could also help you get a jump on positive investment decisions you could be making.

Check City offers you financial services in many different areas.  With our Free Money Orders you can walk into any of our Store Locations with cash and walk out with the money you need in the form of a Money Order which can be used to pay your bills, and give you the benefits of having a check without a bank account.

Do you have a big event coming up, such as a wedding, or even just a small occassion that you want to dress up a little? A centerpiece is a great way to make any table look fabulous and spruce up any event, or dinner party. These centerpieces can be anything from homegrown flowers to candles or even a bowl of fruit.  It can be something very simple presented in a beautiful way. With decorations and centerpieces especially it is all about presentation. 

• A clear vase, with beautifully colored flowers creates a colorful and lively centerpiece (great for spring events and weddings)
• For a more dramatic effect, use an oversized vase with oversized flowers
• Use a see through glass bowl filled with water and topped off with floating candles
  
• You can also use the same type of idea with marbles or other colored beads or rocks resting at the bottom of the bowl
• If beaches and sandy coasts are your theme, try arranging cleaned shells and other things found in and near the ocean for a more neutral centerpiece
• For a funky theme try putting colored m&ms or skittles in a clear and cleaned Coke, rootbeer, or other glass bottle to give your guests a snack for both their eyes and their mouths
• Garland and pine cones work well for winter themed and Christmas centerpieces
• Lemons, limes and other fruit in a wooden bowl, give a little pop of color to an otherwise bland table setting

These are just a few simple ideas to help you get started. Once you get your creative juices flowing I'm sure you will come up with more and possibly even better ideas.  The best idea, is to use the theme of the event, and work with it. Be creative and think outside the box. Are you constantly looking for ways to save money? Check City offers you great services at great prices. Did you know you can get a FREE Money Order by visiting Check City Online or in one of our many Conveniently Located Stores. With that Money Order you can then pay your bills, buy groceries and do a number of other things that may have been off limits to you before because of your money situation. At Check City there are no credit checks, and you don't have to have a bank.

Western Union and Check City have a similar philosophy, they strive to help the world around them by offering services that help people in their times of need. Western Union is all about connections, they are striving to bring people together and keep people together by offering ways for them to connect. They currently offer Money Transfers and Money Orders to over 40,000 locations in 200 countries and their service area is still growing. Their goal is to be able to reach all corners of the earth, where people reside, and give them a way to connect with their friends and families. 

With globalization and migration becoming an ever popular trend, people are constantly relocating from country to country. Check City, partnering with Western Union offers you a way to keep in contact with your loved ones when they move away, or even if you do.  You can send our Money Transfers to anywhere there is a Western Union location and your relatives or friends can pick them up by bringing in a valid picture I.D.  The process is simple and easy. These money transfers may be done online, or by walking into one of the many Check City locations found throughout the United States. 

Check City also offers Free Money Orders via Western Union.  They are a great alternative to a traditional bank account and can be used to pay bills, make purchases or be cashed at some check cashing businesses, banks or retailers. It is like having cash in your pocket with your name on it. Visit Check City today to get started with one of our great Western Union services. 

While complaints about lender being too reckless have been circulating, they have also been accused of not lending enough.  Currently, the banks have reported that they have over $1.29 trillion stored up idle cash.

This amounts to about 98 cent per every dollar of existing business loans. The recent demands for more liquidity have recently lowered loans to $1.32 trillion or by 14%.

The idle cash buildup has been attributed to the lack of demand on the part of the borrowers. The borrowers are cautious about borrowing because of the recent down turn of the economy and concern about the regulators needing more liquidity to prevent another national crisis.

The idle cash is not good for the banks either. As the money sits in the bank it is not gaining any interest for the bank. If the banks were earning 5% interest on the $200 billion worth of lacking loans since June 2005, they would have earned an additional $10 billion simply in interest revenue.

As their profits decrease the returns in equity have also dropped by about 33% in comparison to the levels before the financial crisis. As people become more cautious, there is less demand from customers and fewer loans granted by the banks.

KBW believes that as the economy recovers people will remain cautious and the banks will rise back up to a return on equity of 10-14%. This is slightly lower than the 19-20% that was common previous to the financial crisis.

After a review of the top three banks in America, Citigroup Inc., JPMorgan Chase & Co., and Bank of America, it was discovered that Citigroup Inc. currently holds the largest ratio of idle cash to corporate loans.

One of Citigroup Inc.’s biggest investors is the United States government with a 27% stake. They hold $193 billion in cash and deposits with other banks as of December 31.

Citigroup Inc. currently holds $1.15 per dollar of existing corporate loans. This reaches a total of $167 billion.

Following Citigroup Inc., JPMorgan Chase & Co. is second for their high ratio of idle cash. In their September report to the Securities and Exchange Commission they said about $1.08 per dollar of existing corporate loans.

Bank of America was third in the rankings. They are the biggest United States lender.

The deposits and idle cash of Bank of America totaled $146 billion. This is about 64 cents per dollar of commercial loans.

The Bank of America spokesperson said, “Generally speaking, our cash balances are higher this year than in previous years as a result of more stringent liquidity requirements that require stable sources of funding…[Loans declined recently] because of lower demand and the fact that some clients are taking advantage of the robust bond markets to manage bank debt levels.”

Obama continues to ask banks to lend more and to help lower the 9.7% unemployment rate.

Check City offers easy and convenient services that allow you to take control of your finances with few simple steps. Net-Spend Prepaid Debit Cards allow you to use a card to pay for your purchases or bills without ever opening a bank account. Money orders are also a great way to make payments without cash if you do not have a checking account. To find out more about debit cards and money orders that do not require a bank account visit Check City’s website.

To read more about the banks idle cash visit:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aSqgAm6EE7_g

Ebay and Amazon are the most convenient and often the best way to sell the things that you do not need anymore. There are fraudsters, but those are only the buyers, so as a seller it is perfectly safe. Right? Wrong! 

Marc Chouinard from Email Security Matters decided to conduct a study to see if he could catch any scammers who were on the buying end. He positioned himself as a seller and posted an advertisement. Soon enough, someone contacted him who seemed less than trustworthy.  

The schemer stated that he could not pick up the item himself, so he would send someone else to get it for him and send a money order in advance. Marc received the money order an entire month later for 2,000 Canadian dollars when the item had only cost 50 dollars. In the letter with the money order, the schemer says that the extra money is for the shipper who will pick up the item and that Marc should send the extra money to the shipper through the Western Union. 

The question here is, who would trust a stranger with so much money? Only a criminal who had obtained the money illegally would let another person handle their money. If they are successful in persuading you to follow through with their instructions, you will unwittingly be drawn into their scheme. Unless you are able to prove your innocence to the law enforcement you will be considered equally guilty and given the same sentence as the criminal. 

Money orders are generally more trusted by sellers than personal checks because checks can bounce. The amount on the money order is paid in advance, so the payment is certain. Money orders are a safer way to go, but it is important to wary of the frauds involved with the marketing industry. 

Money orders also help protect your privacy. To take advantage of this reliable, easy, and faster way to pay your bills, visit Check City’s website. The service is free and you do not even need a checking account! 

Yesterday I told you all about the services Check City offered.  From title loans to payday advances we have everything you need to get the money you need when you need it.  We will even buy your gold!  Today I tell you about Check City’s free money orders, Netspend Prepaid Debit Card, and Prepaid phone cards.   You can save yourself so much money with all of Check City’s great services found in our stores and online.  We offer special mortgage services if you live in Utah as well. They are easy and affordable and we have professionals standing by to help you.

Money Orders:

Money orders offer you an easy, reliable way to make purchases and pay bills--even if you don't have a checking account.

To obtain a Western Union money order, just stop by one of our comfortable, conveniently-located stores. Money orders are accepted by almost any business, government agency, or bank. And best of all, our money orders are completely free.

Netspend Prepaid Debit Card:

With a Netspend Prepaid Debit card from Check City, you can:

Use your card anywhere Visa or Mastercard is accepted--worldwide. With a Netspend Prepaid Visa card, you gain the convenience of using your card anywhere Visa or Mastercard is accepted--from your corner grocery store to a restaurant in New York.
Take advantage of easy loading options. Your Netspend Prepaid Debit card makes it easy to add funds to your card by transferring money from your bank account--or by bringing cash to any Check City location.
Pay your bills. With a Netspend Prepaid Debit card, you can pay bills online or over the phone.
Manage your money. Every Netspend Prepaid Debit card includes powerful account management tools and free money transfers to help you manage your money more effectively.
Spend smart. Netspend Prepaid Debit cards give you all the convenience of a credit card--without forcing you to go into debt.
Stay informed. Your Netspend Prepaid Debit card offers account alerts that send information about every transaction right to your email inbox or cell phone.
Applying for a Netspend Prepaid Debit card is easy. Just visit a Check City location near you. Our friendly staff will answer your questions and walk you through the process.

*NetSpend Visa (R) and MasterCard (R) Prepaid Cards are issued by MetaBank, member FDIC. NetSpend is an authorized Independent Sales Organization ("ISO") of MetaBank. Subject to funds availability. Transaction fees, terms and conditions apply. All trademarks, service marks and registered marks are the properties of their respective owners. © 2001-2009 NetSpend Corporation.


Prepaid Phone Card:

At Check City, we can help you choose the best phone card for your unique situation-based on the places you call most, the times of day you prefer to make calls, and many other factors. Stop by any Check City location to check out our large selection of prepaid phone cards, talk to our friendly and knowledgeable staff, and find a phone card that matches your personal needs and situation.

With so many services I bet you weren’t aware of all of the services Check City can offer you and your family. Here is a small list with concise descriptions of all of the services we offer. We can give you, payday loans, check cashing, title loans, free money orders, money transfer, gold buying services, prepaid debit and phone cards, insurance, mortgages and of course our latest and most talked about service tax services. Not only do we offer a great number of services, but we do so at affordable price! These are prices and services your whole family can count on.  It’s easy and anyone can do it.  Just read about a few of our following services.                             

Cash Advances:

Just visit a Check City Store near you--or apply for a cash advance online. Either way, the process only takes a few minutes. Here's how it works:

You write a personal check for the amount you need (plus our standard fee) and walk away with cash
Check City holds the check until your next payday or some other date you specify
To qualify for a cash advance, you must have a steady source of income, a checking account in your name, and a state or federal ID
*Cash advance loans should be used for short-term financial needs only, not as a long-term financial solution. If you are experiencing credit difficulties, we encourage you to seek credit counseling. Although we strive to assist every applicant, not all loan applications will be approved.
 

Check Cashing:

First, Check City will cash checks many traditional financial institutions won't. Our stores are open much later than any bank-with most locations open until midnight and some stores open 24/7. Finally, we value your check cashing business and we're willing to earn it. That's why we've made it surprisingly easy and convenient to cash almost any type of check.

This includes:

Payroll checks
Cashier checks
Government checks
Insurance drafts or checks
Money orders
Tax refund checks
Personal checks
Out of state checks
To cash a check, just bring your check and a picture ID into one of our comfortable stores, fill out a quick customer information form, and walk out with your cash.

Fees apply for check cashing services. Please contact a Check City location in your area for additional details.

Title Loans:

With a title loan, there are usually no credit checks. You can choose from a variety of payment options. And best of all, you get to keep driving your car. Obtaining a Check City title loan is easy:

Bring your car and title, a picture ID, and proof of residence to a Check City store near you
Complete a simple application form
Wait a few minutes while we perform a quick inspection, process your application, and offer you a loan amount based on a percentage of the value of your car
Drive away with the cash you need
By accepting our offer, consumers who receive a title loan will be granting us a lien on their vehicle. Please contact a Check City location in your area for additional information.

With the snowy weather rolling in all across the country this year, I figured I should give a little reminder on safe snow driving and some good things to have in your car regardless of where you live.

This year the winter snow has spared almost no one.  From California to Washington, D.C. and from New Hampshire almost all the way to Florida, snow can be found on the streets, on the housetops and on the ground.  Even Texas and Arkansas didn’t escape the snow this year.  This is why now is a great time to remind people of what they should keep in their cars in case of emergency, especially if you live in a state gets more snow than others.

ALWAYS keep a blanket, extra pair of gloves, or at least some kind of coat in your car.  You never know when a storm could hit or you could have car problems.  It is important to have something warm in your car so that if one of these things does happen you are prepared and don’t freeze trying to get help.  A pair of boots could be suggested as well.

Secondly, make sure you have enough gas in your car to get where you are going.   It is not always the best idea to let you car get below 1/4^th of a tank during the winter season in case an emergency does arise.  If you want, you can even keep an empty gas can in your trunk, which is a good idea anyway in case you do have to run and get some extra gas from the gas station.

Third, if you don’t know how to drive in the snow, either don’t drive or have someone help you. When you are an inexperienced snow driver, you are putting others at risk as well. 

Here are a few simple trips to help when driving in the snow.  Never slam on the breaks unless absolutely necessary, especially when the roads are icy.  Instead you should pump or tap the breaks lightly and early, until you come to a stop, this should help to avoid sliding. Also, don’t overcorrect if you do hit a patch of ice. Sometimes people panic when they hit a patch of ice and go to the right or to the left, usually when they panic they overcorrect by jerking the wheel back towards the road in a quick motion. This usually causes the vehicle to spin and may make the slide worse. Instead, pump your breaks slightly and ease the car back onto the road or lane.

Don’t forget about jumper cables either.  Car batteries always seem to have slightly more problems during the winter months.  They get cold and sometimes have a harder time starting. Jumper cables are almost a necessity when traveling because you never know when you will need a jump or even when you could help someone else out with a jump.

Check City offers services to keep you from being caught in a winter financial storm.  Western Union has partnered with us to bring you a few different services including FREE money orders!  These money orders are accepted by most government agencies, businesses and banks, making it easy to save you money and of course, they are free.

Western Union and Check City also offer money transfers.  These money transfers are easy, all you have to do it take the money you want loaded onto the money transfer, along with a picture ID and we can deposit the funds directly into the bank account of the recipient or transfer the money to any Western Union agent location around the world.  If you receive a money transfer, you can pick them up at any Check City location as well with a picture I.D.

 

Food and groceries often are a substantial monthly bill for all Americans. Here are some tips that will help you decrease your monthly expenses when it comes to groceries:

1. Use your freezer. Do this by purchasing staples such as ground beef, chicken breast or cheese in bulk and freeze what you can’t use immediately. This will allow you to take advantage of a price break on family-sized portions. You will also benefit from this by always having these items on hand when you need them.

2. Make more food when you cook. Stews, soups, and casseroles all make great leftovers. Store the remainder away for another meal or to send to work or school for a delicious and healthy lunch. Not only will this save you money- it will save you time!

3. Plan ahead and buy groceries on sale. Groceries get expensive when you run to the store everyday to buy what you need for that evening. Instead, plan out the meals for the week and do all your shopping at once. This will not only save you money on your grocery bill, but also on your gas bill.

4. Look for deals. At the grocery store, it’s no coincidence that the foods with the highest markups are located on the shelves at eye level. Look higher up, farther down, or on end-caps to find generic brands or better deals.

When you need a little extra cash to help you make it through the month you should come to Check City to get a cash advance. Getting a cash advance is easy and the process takes just a few minutes. To qualify for a cash advance, you must have a steady source of income, a checking account in your name, and a state or federal ID just bring these things into a Check City location near you and you can walk out with cash in hand.

You can also get money orders to use to pay your bills. At Check City you can receive a money order completely free.