Need to make a big purchase but don’t want to overspend? Ditch your credit cards, which can rack up some pretty serious interest and encourage you to spend funds you don’t have. A debit card is a perfect solution — it’s the plastic version of cold hard cash, so you won’t spend more than you have in your checking account.

And when you apply for a debit card, you’ll be in good company. The Federal Reserve Bank of Francisco found debit cards to be the most used financial instruments, surpassing cash and credit cards.

But how are you supposed to open a new debit card? Below, you can learn everything you need to know about opening debit cards responsibly.

1. Choose Your Account

The first step is to choose an account that’s right for you. Now, you shouldn’t select the first account provider you stumble across. Your search should involve heavy research and a comparison of essential factors.

When you’re choosing a debit card, keep an eye out for these key determinants:

• ATM networks
• Fees
• Rewards and interest
• Mobile app capabilities

Some of these factors will matter to you more than others. For example, if you hardly use physical cash, you won’t have to worry about finding a debit card provider with many accessible ATMs in your area.

One non-negotiable factor is whether your account provides insurance from one of two agencies: the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). This insurance will keep your funds safe and reimburse you if your bank goes under.

2. Provide the Necessary Documentation

When you open a debit card, you’ll need to provide two forms of ID. Some acceptable forms of ID include:

• Driver’s license
• Social security card
• State identification card
• Passport
• Birth certificate

Debit cards have few other eligibility requirements, so you don’t have to worry about providing your credit score or other information.

3. Provide Your Initial Funds

Most banks will require you to supply a minimum opening deposit. These amounts can range from $25 to $100, but some require much higher amounts.

4. Open Your Account

Once you’ve found the right provider and have your ID and initial funds on hand, you can open your bank account. 

Many institutions will let you open your account online. However, small branches will require you to open a debit card account in person.

5. Request a Debit Card

Depending on the specific account you open, you may or may not receive a physical card. Some institutions will have you request the card.

If you get a virtual card (like the business ones from https://bentoforbusiness.com/features/virtual-debit-cards/), you won’t need a physical object at all. Instead, you’ll just have to set some time aside to learn how to use it.

At this point, you can load your card with funds via checks or cash. Before you can start spending the money on it, you’ll need to activate it and set up a PIN. You can often complete these steps through your online banking account or mobile app.

Using Debit Cards Responsibly

Using debit cards is a great way to manage your money. As long as you do your research before you open one and follow basic security tips (like choosing a not-obvious PIN), you’ll be in good shape.

For more financial tips, check out other articles on our site!

98 percent of basements in the U.S. will suffer water damage at least once in their lifetime.

A flooded basement is caused by a leak in the foundation, which can be caused by soggy ground around your home, or it could be due to faulty plumbing. It is, therefore, important that you check for water damage regularly near the base of your home.

If your basement flooded recently, here are some things you can do to mitigate damages and quickly deal with the issue:

Cut Off the Power Supply To the Basement

When you experience basement floods, the first thing to do is deal with safety matters.

Water in the basement is an electrical hazard for house occupants and should be eliminated immediately. If you can access the circuit breaker, turn off the supply. If you’re unable, call in an electrician immediately.

Any electronic component that has come into contact with water is risky to use. So, ensure that the electrician checks everything before you can restore the power supply.

Pump Out the Water

After you’ve ensured your safety, it’s time to focus on water removal.

You must remove as much excess water from the basement as possible. This will prevent mold growth and make any miscellaneous cleanup easier in the long run. If you don’t have a sump pump, call in an emergency plumber immediately.

Remove Damp Items From Your Basement

You should remove all damp items such as books and papers from the basement. These can be placed in plastic bags or other water-resistant containers.

Also, don’t forget to move valuable electronics to higher ground.

Wipe Away Dirt and Grime with a Wet Vacuum Cleaner

If you have a wet vacuum cleaner, use this equipment to lift away dirt and grime that may have accumulated on your flooring after the flooding incident.

Do not use any cleaning products while you are doing this because they could react with the water and cause additional damage to your belongings in the basement.

Begin Repairs Immediately After You’ve Pumped Out Water

If you’ve managed to remove excess water from the basement relatively quickly, then you should begin repairs for flood prevention.

If there are cracks in your foundation, seek an emergency foundation repair service immediately. This will prevent more water damage and other problems with your home’s structural integrity.

Call in Mold Removal Services There Is Mold in the Basement

If you see mold in your basement after a flooding incident, do not attempt to remove it. This is because mold remediation requires specialized equipment and techniques and could further damage your property.

You can call upon local cleaning and restoration services instead to mitigate potential damage and give your home back its former glory.

Call Your Home Warranty Provider

If your home warranty provider covers flooding incidents, be sure to get in touch with them immediately. You may have many things to worry about, but if you are insured for flooding damages, there’s no need to fret.

If this is news to you, kindly read this guide: Home Warranties: How Much & How to Choose.

Learn How To Deal With Flooded Basement

Flooding may be an aggravating occurrence, but you can take steps to limit damage in your home. If you’re proactive about the situation, you can quickly minimize any damage and get back on track with life.

We hope that this article will help you deal with a flooded basement. If you want to read more interesting content, keep browsing our blog.

There’s nothing more exciting than getting rid of the shackles of employment and building your own business. Starting a fun, fashionable clothing business is a massive accomplishment. That said, getting it off the ground is a lot of work.

One of the biggest things you’re going to have to do is learning how to buy clothing wholesale. If you’ve never worked with clothing distributors before, you might be wondering how to establish those relationships. Thankfully, we’ve compiled this handy guide for you!

Read on to learn how to buy from wholesale suppliers!

Tackle the Paperwork

Before you start contacting wholesale suppliers for your business, you’re going to want to make sure that all of the legal aspects of starting a clothing business are in order. In fact, many wholesalers won’t even talk to you unless you can prove that you’re a legitimate business owner.

The first thing you want to do is legally form your business. This might mean forming a limited liability corporation to protect your assets. If you go with this option, you’ll also have to draft articles of incorporation.

You’ll also want to obtain a business license and lease or buy retail space for your store. Once this is all in order, then you can move to the next step.

Research Wholesale Suppliers

There’s no shortage of wholesale clothing suppliers out there. Start by doing your research on the wholesale suppliers that pique your interest.

Which brands do they carry? Are there any requirements for placing an order? Some suppliers don’t have any requirements to purchase clothing from them — you just create an account and order clothing for your store.

Other wholesalers, particularly ones that require proof of business ownership, will require you to get in contact with them in order to order clothing. Be prepared with your business license, resale permit, and your tax ID number. You might have to submit copies of those items in order to establish an account.

Maintain Your Relationships

It’s not enough to simply set up an account with clothing distributors. You also need to keep that relationship in good standing. Building a trusting, respectful relationship with distributors can net you better pricing, payment terms, and access to exclusive pieces.

How do you do this?

Always approach the distributor in a friendly manner. Be mindful of your account representative’s time when contacting them. You’ll also want to make sure to make your payments on time (or early) and give them a head’s up if you’re running into some financial issues.

You’re Ready to Buy Clothing Wholesale!

Learning how to buy clothing wholesale might sound like a complex process, but once you start developing your relationships, it’ll feel like a piece of cake! Just remember that relationships with clothing distributors need to be nurtured in order to receive the best deals. Before you know it, you’ll have the clothing business of your dreams!

Starting your own business is a challenging and exciting process. You’re bound to have tons of questions as you get on your feet. Check out the rest of our blog for loads of great tips and tricks that’ll make life easier for you!

Since 2014, the average cost of solar panels has dropped almost 70%. Today, around 3% of United States electricity comes from solar power. 

If you’re thinking about enlisting your home in solar energy, you’re making a great choice!

Keep reading to learn 5 reasons why giving your home solar power is an excellent idea.

1. Increase Your Property Value

If you hire a solar power company to install solar panels on your home’s roof, you’ll increase the property value of your home at the same time.

If you ever sell your current home in the future, you’ll be able to sell it for more when it’s equipped with solar panels. Think about how enticing it would be for potential buyers to invest in a home with little to no electricity bills for years to come.

You’ll make a big return on your home investment, and your buyers will be buying into something that saves money and is better for the environment.

2. Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

A lot of the energy we use to power our homes comes from fossil fuels. When fossil fuels burn, they release detrimental emissions into our environments.

Using that energy increases one’s carbon footprint, which in turn causes damage to the planet.

Solar energy comes from the sun, though. No fuel is required to produce it. By investing in solar power, you’ll play your part in creating a better future for the planet.

Going green is good for your family, the environment and great for business too!

3. Lower Your Electricity Bills

Electricity costs can eat away at one’s pockets and raise monthly expenses. When a solar company installs a solar panel system on your home, though, you’ll generate free power for 25 or more years to come.

Even if you don’t produce all the energy needed to power your home, you’ll still save money and reduce your utility bills by using solar power.

You’ll be less impacted by price fluctuations in energy. Plus, in some cases, you can actually sell your excess power back to the power grid.

4. You’re Self-Sufficient

Whether it’s a hurricane or a snowstorm that could take out your power, when the power goes off, you inevitably suffer. Adverse weather, natural disasters, and other issues can cause anyone on the grid to lose power.

However, when your home is solar-powered, you’ll have electricity whether everyone else does or not. Being self-sufficient delivers peace of mind knowing that you and your family are taken care of, even if the power goes out.

5. You’ll See a Return on Your Investment

As we mentioned earlier, the price of solar panels has decreased significantly in the last 7 years. The average American who invests in solar power sees a return on their investment (ROI) of at least 20%.

In addition to saving money through solar installation, there are lots of incentives and tax breaks one can take advantage of.

Solar Panels Are the Future, and The Future Is Now

Are you thinking about installing solar panels in your home?

With the right solar power company, you’ll better protect your home, save money, increase the value of your home, and help the environment, all just by installing a solar panel system on your home.

If you enjoyed this article, check back daily for more guides and tips for homeowners and how to make your property the best it can be!