Tag Archives: financial advice

How Long Is a Personal Check Good For?

In the world of everyday banking, personal checks still hold a significant role, whether you’re paying rent, gifting money, or handling other personal expenses. But what happens if a check isn’t deposited or cashed right away? Knowing how long a check remains valid can help you avoid the hassle of bounced payments or missed deposits. Let’s break down how long a personal check is good for, what you should do with old checks, and how to avoid issues with stale payments.

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Where Can I Cash a Business Check?

Running a business often means dealing with checks – whether issuing or receiving them. But cashing a business check can sometimes feel like a hassle, especially if you’re unfamiliar with your options. Whether you’re a small business owner, freelancer, or contractor, knowing where and how to cash your business checks efficiently is key to keeping your finances running smoothly.

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What are High-Security Checks?

Even as digital payment methods have grown in popularity over recent years, checks remain a standard form of payment for individuals and businesses. From paying bills and employee wages to making gifts or charitable contributions, checks offer a convenient and secure way to complete payments.  

However, even though checks are an analog form of payment, they’re still susceptible to fraud, misuse, and abuse, just like digital methods. In fact, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) reported receiving 15,417 reports on mail theft-related check fraud last year, accounting for payments of more than $688 million. 

To protect check payments amid the rising incidence of fraud, using high-security checks can be an easy swap for account holders. Continue reading below as we discuss the important features of high-security checks, who should use them, and whether they’re worth the extra cost. 

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Checks in Estate Planning and Trust Funds

According to LegalZoom, over half of Americans, or 56%, think estate planning is important for end-of-life planning. So, even though this process can feel overwhelming, taking thoughtful steps now can ease the burden for your loved ones later on. 

One way to make the process more straightforward is to organize your financial matters. This includes setting up clear methods for disbursing funds, like using paper checks. By being proactive with these details, you not only make the process easier but also give your family peace of mind, knowing that everything is in order. 

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How to Protect Yourself from Check Fraud

Checks are still a commonly used payment form for many reasons, offering convenience and security when used properly. However, fraudsters can exploit vulnerabilities if the proper precautions are not taken, resulting in potential losses for banks, businesses, and consumers.

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Living in Financial Denial? Here’s How to Bounce Back

In a bleak economy that has split the “middle class” into three different subclasses, the 18 to 29 age group have more opportunities to go into debt than any generation that came before them. There is a lot of pressure to show success. So much so that more people are living beyond their means more than ever.

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Protecting Your Finances During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Reminders to wash our hands, to keep social distance, and to avoid sneezing and coughing in public have become an almost daily occurrence in the media.  But physical health is not our only concern in the face of stock market plunges, rising unemployment, and forced business closures.

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