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After months of uncertainty, the Biden Administration has approved a third stimulus check for Americans hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
With unemployment set to expire for millions of people, it’s clear that Americans still need additional coronavirus relief. But you may be wondering if you qualify for stimulus payments.
Stimulus Check 101: 5 Things You Need To Know
This article is going to tell you who is eligible for the second stimulus check, which is expected to be rolled out later this year.
1. What’s Included In Second Stimulus Check?
Here is what Senate Republicans have included in the second stimulus check, which is part of the Cares Act 2. The following benefits have been finalized:
The new legislation gives $600 to most eligible Americans. Congress is specifically looking to help lower-income Americans who make less than $40,000 a year.
2. When Will I Get My $1.400 Stimulus Check?
The Treasury Department and IRS started sending stimulus money to Americans on December 29, 2020. In the best circumstances, it could have taken a day or two or up to two weeks to get your payments.
The IRS says there’s been a delay due to them sending the checks out to old account numbers and other technical problems. The agency says it should all be fixed now.
3. Who Qualifies For Third Stimulus Check?
Here’s who is eligible for the third stimulus check
- A third $1,400 payment would go to each eligible U.S. citizen who earns less than $75,000 a year ($150,000 for couples who file taxes jointly).
- Dependents could qualify for a second $1,400 stimulus payment, which doubles what they could receive in the first stimulus package.
4. How Will My Stimulus Check Come?
Your stimulus check will come in either of three forms: a paper check, via direct deposit or on a prepaid Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) card.
The IRS says EIP cards are being sent to Americans via mail.
5. Can I Track My Stimulus Check?
Like the last stimulus, you can track our stimulus. pretty easily. Although, the IRS has stated that they’ve had some technical issues on their website, it should work if you keep checking.
Here are two ways to track your stimulus money:
Last Words
It may take some time, but you should do all you can to get your money. After all, as a hard-working taxpayer, you’re entitled to get what’s yours.
And don’t forget to check for other avenues that may have hidden money and property for you. At AtlantaFi.com, we make it easy for you.
Here are some forgiveable loans and grants your small business can apply for.
Interested in other ways to save or make money? Check out our Money Section:
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Did you get your last stimulus check? Because another one is on the way.
The Biden Administration’s nearly $2 trillion coronavirus relief plan has been approved. That means a third stimulus check is coming for most Americans.
The relief package being floated in government circles — the American Rescue Plan — includes stimulus money that can help needy Americans. The plan passed with zero Republican support, but because the Democrats were able to get a simple majority, we have a package.
But let’s get to the good stuff: When is your stimulus coming? We’re going to tell you that and more.
Third Round Of Stimulus Checks: Everything You Need To Know
Government cash has been distributed to Americans in waves since the coronavirus pandemic began last March. Not only is the money needed to shore up the economy, but regular Americans are struggling to find work as unemployment numbers start to creep up again.
It’s understandable that you’d have some questions about the new stimulus checks and we’re going to answer them. Here is everything we know about the third stimulus checks.
1. How Much Will The Third Stimulus Check Be?
Because the IRS and Treasury Department facilitated sending out the $600 at the beginning of the year, the third round of stimulus checks is for $1,400.
For those keeping score, that’s a total of $2,000 in government help, which many nations across the globe have committed to on a monthly basis.
2. When Will The Stimulus Checks Arrive?
While the political wrangling often takes days in Congress, the actual process of getting that money into the hands of Americans will be swift.
Hours after the relief package was approved by President Biden, the White House said it would be making its way to American bank accounts in days.
Of course, that won’t be the case with everybody. If may be months before the payments arrive, analysts say.
3. What’s Taking So Long?
The IRS has gone on record to say that their online systems have been overwhelmed when stimulus checks are involved. The truth is that for all Americans to get paid, it’s going to take some time.
Congress painstakingly approved a relief package in April 2020 that took weeks to go out. In the last week of the year, U.S. lawmakers freed up more than $900 billion for a stimulus package that gave each Americans $600, and that also took time for some U.S. citizens.
Final Thoughts
If you need help finding out what’s up with your money, go to IRS.gov, the official site of the Internal Revenue Service, and see if they can help you.
With many workers still preparing for layoffs, lawmakers are poised to approve more stimulus money down the road.
Up Next: How To Track Your Stimulus Money
Interested in other ways to save or make money? Check out our Money Section:
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After a lot of infighting, Congress has finally approved a second stimulus payment for $600 to most Americans.
Now, $600 is not really a lot of money. We could waste it really fast if we’re not careful. So, that’s why we need to use it wisely. Here are some ways to spend your stimulus money.
Smart Ways To Spend Your Stimulus Money
Hopefully, we can get $2,000 in stimulus payments, which President Biden is in favor of. Because this proposal has yet to gain steam in Congress, the thing to do right now is to save as much money as you can. Here are some ways to do that:
1. Start An Emergency Fund
If you don’t have an emergency fund, you should consider starting one. An emergency fund doesn’t have to be a huge amount of money.
What it needs to do is cover a certain amount of months for when times get rough. Target two to three months for now and see how it goes.
2. Pay Off Your Debts
If one thing is certain in all this, it’s that you need to have as much capital as you can. If you’re in debt from credit cards or late payments, you can put the stimulus money to good use.
Pay off your debts from the largest bill to the smallest. This way, you’ll escape those large interest payments that cost way more than the original balance.
3. Open A Savings Account
When great way to save money is by opening a savings account. Here’s how to go about it: Look for banks that have savings accounts with attractive APR, annual percentage rate, or interest rate stated in yearly terms.
The better your APR, the more money your savings account can generate.
4. Invest It In Your 401(K)
If you don’t know, a 401(K) is an employer-supplied retirement account. Typically, your job will match your contributions.
If you have some extra money hanging around (like a stimulus check) you could choose to add this money into your 401(K). This is an attractive option because your 401(k) is TAX FREE!
So all the money you put there won’t be taxed until, hopefully, it has multiplied through the years and you can live on it. Learn more about a 401(k) here.
5. Donate It
There are many charities that are looking for money right now. If you’re a foodie, you could choose to give to restaurant workers who are having a hard time.
The local hair salon industry is another segment that is accepting donations.
You also could simply give some of the money to people you know personally, whether they be friends or family. The point is to just give!
Up Next: When Is The Second Stimulus Check Coming?
If you’re looking for more ways to save money, here are some resources you should know about.
Interested in other ways to save or make money? Check out our Money Section:
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The COVID-19 pandemic has changed much about our daily lives in very different ways. One way t has impacted many of us is that the global health crisis has allowed us to reconsider our personal finances.
The frivolous spending that we have become accustomed to may be a thing of the past. But what else has it taught us?
Money Lessons From The Pandemic
In this article, we’ll explore some things that the pandemic has taught us about our finances.
1. Save Money Now
It’s easy to say “save money,” but as we all know, you have to get out of debt first.
Some ways to climb out of debt include:
- Paying your credit card bill every month
- Lower the bills that you pay every month
- Not overspending when you shop
- Never borrowing money that you can’t pay back
- Cut out or trim some daily expenses
2. Cut Back On The Things You Don’t Need
A huge part of staying out of debt involves cutting back on spending. This is especially true when it comes to buying things you don’t need.
Do you really need that new air fryer? Take an inventory of the things you already have before you buy new stuff.
If you’ve already bought things you seldom or never use, consider selling those items.
3. Create An Emergency Fund
If you don’t have an emergency fund, you should consider starting one. An emergency fund doesn’t have to be a huge amount of money
What it needs to do is cover a certain amount of months for when times get rough. Target two to three months for now and see how it goes.
4. Generate Income From A Side Gig Or Hobby
First of all, a side hustle is a job that is usually done in your spare time and outside of the traditional 9 to 5 working hours of corporate America.
When you think of all the ways you can make money, you should be able to find something you’re passionate about.
Check out these hobbies you can turn into cash right now.
5. Count Your Blessings
No matter what, live your life appreciatively. That means that you’ll want to count your blessings for the things you do have.
You only get one life. Make it count by living intentionally.
If you want to learn more, here’s how to live your best life now.
Are you trying to become more financially literate? Check out Money Mondays at AtlantaFi.com, where we’ll share strategies to save and make cash.
If saving money is something you’re serious about, AtlantaFi.com has a lot of resources to help you.Read more: -
After years of splurging and the promotion of unchecked consumerism, saving money is the thing to do now. One way you can keep your cash is to look into lowering your energy costs.
In the winter, your heating bill becomes your highest home expense other than the mortgage. Conversely, in the summer, your air conditioner usually is the culprit that runs up your energy bill.
But it doesn’t have to be that way!
This article will show you some great ways to lower your energy costs in your home to save money.
1. Cut Your Ceiling Fans On
One of the main and best ways to save energy is by using your ceiling fans rather than your heating or cooling unit.
When it comes to ceiling fans, make sure that you turn them the right way depending on the season.
- In the summer, turn your fan to run counter-clockwise.
- Your fan should run clockwise in the winter.
2. Open The Curtains And Blinders
You can use natural sunlight to heat up your home if you’re intentional about it.
On a cold day, open your curtains to get additional sunlight into your living space. Not only will this brighten up your home, but it will warm it as well.
3. Invest In A Cheap Fan
You can also save money by buying a $20 fan that circulates air in the room you’re in.
Here are some great cheap fans to consider.
- Honeywell TurboForce Circulator Fan
- Comfort Zone 3-Speed Floor Fan
- Lasko Premium Box Fan
- Hurricane Classic Clip Fan
- High Velocity Personal Fan
4. Make Sure Your Appliances Are Working Properly
Sooner or later, your appliances are going to need some attention. They don’t last forever, so at some point, they’ll malfunction or stop working as they did.
What you want to do is maintain your appliances, especially the big ones like your washer or dryer. Those cost big money.
5. Apply For Utility Discounts
Depending on your age or other qualifications, you may be able to get a discount on your utility bills.
Many cities, states and municipalities give older residents or military veterans a break on their heating bills.
Final Words
Finally, keep a tab on what you’re spending on energy. Once you see that number in print, figure out how to cut it in half.
Remember, here are the steps you can take to lower your energy costs.
- Cut your ceiling fans on
- Take advantage of sunlight
- Buy a cheap floor fan
- Keep your appliances in working order
- Get a discount (if you qualify)
Keep the ideas coming. If you think of some other ways to save, let us know!
Are you trying to become more financially literate? Check out Money Mondays at AtlantaFi.com, where we’ll share strategies to save and make cash.
If saving money is something you’re serious about, AtlantaFi.com has a lot of resources to help you.Read more: -
One of the best accessories you need when you’re shopping is an app that allows you to save money. There are several good apps in the app store that can save you cash when you shop.
Whipping out your phone at the cash register may seem a bit odd to you, but the money you save won’t be. In fact, you’ll love it.
Most shopping apps allow you to save money in the following ways:
- Cash back on purchases
- Discounts applied at checkout
- Rebates applied for future purchase
What Is The #1 Shopping App?
When you’re talking about shopping apps, it really depends on what you’re trying to buy. For groceries, you may put one app on your phone, but for clothes or electronics, you may download another.
Another app may be best for showing you the cheapest price. That’s why you may choose to have more than one shopping app on your phone.
Here Are The Best Shopping Apps To Save Money
Let’s look at some apps you can use to save money.
Last Words
If you love to save money (who doesn’t?) you can put these lessons to good use to keep more of your cash.
Want to save money on groceries and cut your bill in half? Of course, you do.
Are you trying to become more financially literate? Check out Money Mondays at AtlantaFi.com, where we’ll share strategies to save and make cash.
If saving money is something you’re serious about, AtlantaFi.com has a lot of resources to help you.Read more: -
Congress has approved $600 in stimulus money for most Americans and there may even be more on the way. But no matter how much stimulus money you receive, what if you could double that cash?
The way to double your money is by taking it and using it wisely. This article will explore several steps that will allow you to double your stimulus payment and more.
How To Double Your Stimulus Money
If you’re thinking about a get-rich-quick scheme to double your money, that’s not a realistic plan. The best strategies take time and effort. And using money you already have to turn it into more cash is the same thing.
Let’s look at some ways you can stretch that stimulus check.
Create An Emergency Fund
If you don’t have an emergency fund, you should consider starting one. An emergency fund doesn’t have to be a huge amount of money.
If you take $600 and put it away, you may find that it’s easy to add $20 here or there to it every time you get paid. If you add $100 a month to it, in six months you will have amassed $1,200. In one year, that can be $2,400. You get the picture.
Invest With Robinhood
Robinhood is an app that allows you to make investments in the stock market. The quick and easy process allows you to make extra money by investing in the right stocks.
Because Robinhood is commission-free, you won’t have to pay anyone but yourself when you make and profit from a transaction.
Invest In Your 401(K)
If you don’t know, a 401(K) is an employer-supplied retirement account. Typically, your job will match your contributions.
If you have some extra money hanging around (like a stimulus check) you could choose to add this money into your 401(K). This is an attractive option because your 401(k) is TAX FREE!
So all the money you put there won’t be taxed until, hopefully, it has multiplied through the years and you can live on it. Learn more about a 401(k) here.
Invest In Real Estate
Another way to make quick cash and more than double your money is to get into real estate.
You can learn about the foreclosure process and buy one and flip it or turn it into a big payout.
Download Cashback Apps
Here are several apps that allow you to make money online and even get cash back for purchases. All you have to do is download:
Once you download these apps, some of them let you scan receipts to get points, which can be converted into gift cards with cash on them.
Conclusion
Personal finance shouldn’t be this mysterious thing that you have to guess about. Being good with your money should be second nature to you because it’s your cash.
No matter what you choose to do with your money, always have a plan to make more of it.
Interested in other ways to save or make money? Check out our Money Section:
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Congress painstakingly approved a more than $900 billion stimulus package to keep Americans afloat during the coronavirus pandemic. Aside from a $600 one-time payment (will it be $2,000), there are other things in the bill you may want to know about.
We’re going to show you what’s in ihe stimulus package for you.
Although a first wave of payments in April 2020 came and went, millions of Americans are still hurting financially and need monetary aid.
Here Are The Stimulus Package Details
A co-author of the $908 billion package, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, told the media in early December that lawmakers were close to approving a $600 stimulus to Americans in need. But there was much debate over certain add-ons that President Trump wanted inside the bill, including spending for a border wall.
Many critics have slammed the $600 stimulus as a slap in the face, but others are grateful for any paltry sum.
Here is what the stimulus package includes:
- $600 direct payment to most Americans
- $300 additional pay for unemployment benefits
- Reopening of the Small Business Loan Program
- Moratorium extension of eviction protection
- Aid for nutrition assistance
- Aid for child care and schools
“We made major headway toward hammering out a bipartisan relief package,” said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, told reporters.
With many workers still preparing for layoffs, lawmakers are poised to approve more stimulus money down the road in 2021.
Up Next: How To Track Your Stimulus Money
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You’ve applied for the job and added your resume online and studied the top interview tips. Now you’re just waiting for your would-be employer to call you. Here’s how to prepare for a job interview in Atlanta.
You’re going to earn that job and get hired because you’re going to be prepare on the interview. Here’s how to do it.
How To Prepare For A Job Interview
No matter if you have a job interview planned with Home Depot in Smyrna, CNN downtown or with the CDC off Clifton Road in the middle of Atlanta, you need to know how to win the interview. The size of the company shouldn’t matter: If you’re ready, you’re ready.
The key is to prepare yourself well before the day of the interview. Here are five steps to do it:
1. Research The Company
To build confidence in what you know about the company you’re hiring with, you need to research it. Take your time to read up on the organization.
The only way to get comfortable is to know what you’re talking about. Some questions may be about the company’s history or recent accomplishments. Do your homework.
2. Write A Script
Write out a script of what you’re going to say on the interview. This is not a time to leave your answers and articulation to guesswork. If you actually write out what you’re going to say, it will do wonders for your nerves.
Writing out an interview script will also allow you to anticipate the pace of the conversation and where to take it.
3. Match The Job Description With Your Skills
Clearly match what the job description says and how your skills match up. The interviewer won’t be the one that ties yours skills with the requirements of the job — that’s your job.
4. Have Specific Examples Of Your Accomplishments
Don’t rely on your resume to tell your narrative. Be prepared to itemize your accomplishments in a way that brings it home. Talk about that time you saved your previous employer thousands of dollars. Mention that promotion and why you got it.
5. Anticipate The Interviewer’s Questions
The interviewer will have a set of questions that you need to be prepared for. Typically they will ask you about how you handled a less than ideal situation. They may also ask you what you feel your biggest weakness is. You’ll want to mention something that you’ve since corrected.
6. Finish Strong
As the interview nears to its conclusion, remember to smile often. Accentuate your strongest points. Gesture in the affirmative and look the interviewer in the eye when it’s appropriate.
At the end, always give a firm handshake. And always, always send a thank-you note or email a day or two after the interview.
What Are Some Signs That Your Interview Went Well?
You may be wondering after the interview if it went well. Some signs that would indicate that are:
- The interviewer tells you that it went well.
- Your references were contacted.
- Your thank-you email is well received.
Up next: How to write a resume that wows Atlanta employers
How To Write A Resume That Will Attract Atlanta’s Top Companies
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If Walmart is your favorite store, you’ll surely love its new membership service, Walmart Plus, which offers customers free, unlimited same-day delivery service, fuel discounts and more.
In this article, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about Walmart Plus.
The Bentonville, Arkansas-based company has been testing an Amazon Prime rival for some time now and is ready to debut amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Here are three things to know about Walmart Plus.
What is Walmart Plus and What Do You Get With It?
Walmart Plus is the company’s new membership plan similar to Sam’s Club, which it owns. Here are some of the top benefits that come with Walmart Plus:
- Unlimited free delivery
- Scan & Go shopping in the Walmart app
- 5 cents a gallon fuel discounts at Walmarts
How To Sign Up For Walmart Plus?
Walmart says the new membership service began on September 15, 2020. So basically, you get two weeks free service before your plan begins on October 1.
The two-week grace period is also plenty of time to see how your benefits pan out when you order from Walmart.com for same day, next day or two-day delivery.
You can sign up for Walmart Plus at walmart.com/plus.
How Much Does Walmart Plus Cost?
Walmart Plus costs $98 a year or $12.95 a month, the retailer says. If you want to test out the service before committing to buy it, there’s a 15-day free trial period.
Walmart is obviously trying to compete with Prime here, making the price a tad bit cheaper than Amazon’s monthly membership costs.
Last Words
Walmart says it will add even more perks to Walmart Plus “in the future,” but doesn’t elaborate.
If saving money is something you’re serious about, AtlantaFi.com has a lot of resources to help you.Read more:
