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Apache is functioning normally

June 11, 2023 by Brett Tams

When you’re young and adventurous, international travel is the dream. You jump at any opportunity to go abroad without a second thought, start packing your suitcase, and promise yourself you’ll work out the details later.

Source: Giphy.com

But traveling — especially post-pandemic traveling — requires a bit of planning if you want a safe, inexpensive, and (relatively) stress-free trip. ️

Whether you’re traveling with friends or going solo, staying for one week or six months, traveling is much easier when you plan ahead with money-saving tips. Here are our best ideas to make your next international trip easy on your mind and your wallet.

What’s Ahead:

1. Be flexible with your dates and destinations

If you have flexibility in terms of where and when you travel, you have a major advantage: the ability to plan your trip around whatever amazing deal you can find. Without limitations on where and when you can travel, you can search within a specific timeframe or geographical area and shop around for low airfare and accommodations.

If you’re totally set on a particularly expensive destination, try to plan your trip for the off-season. You can often save big by traveling during less popular times, even in expensive areas. Conversely, if you have a specific window of time for travel, shop around for a destination that offers a good bang for your buck for that time of year.

A little flexibility goes a long way when you want to save on international travel.

Read more: Affordable international travel destinations that won’t empty your wallet

2. Decide what’s important to you and prioritize your spending

Before you hop on a plane with cash burning a hole in your pocket, take some time to think about your spending plan while you’re away.

I don’t necessarily mean you have to budget — although if that’s your style, stick with it. What I do suggest is you think about how you want to spend your money while traveling — starting with what’s most important to you.

Do you want a direct flight, or is a layover okay?
Do you love museums, or is seeing one enough?
Do you want to stay in a specific neighborhood, or wherever’s affordable?
Are you a big foodie, or is your dining experience an afterthought?

For example, if food is your thing, plan to spend big at restaurants. You’ll probably have to cut back in other categories — like lodging, cultural attractions, or transportation — but that’s okay. Giving this some thought before your trip will help you prioritize your favorite things.

Read more: How to travel for cheap: 7 ways to see the world for less

3. Get travel insurance

If you’ve traveled at all since COVID-19 upended the world, you know how different it is. After months — even years — of lockdown, many of us are jumping at the chance to travel abroad again. But after enduring such a lull in travel, it’s even more disappointing when things don’t work out.

That’s why travel insurance is a lifesaver.

The last thing you want is to plan an epic trip and miss half of it due to a flight cancellation. So even though you might bristle at the added expense of travel insurance, work it into your budget and enjoy the priceless feeling of security should something go wrong.

Like credit cards and bank accounts, there are lots of options when it comes to travel insurance. Several popular credit cards provide travel insurance, so you might already be covered. If not, shop around for a policy that fits your needs and budget. Sites like SquareMouth.com, TravelInsurance.com, and InsureMyTrip.com can help.

Read more: Best credit cards for travel insurance

4. Save digital copies of important documents

You know that feeling when you misplace your phone? Your stomach kind of drops, and panic sets in. (And approximately 12 seconds later you find it on the kitchen table.)

Imagine that feeling — x100 — when you misplace your passport while traveling internationally.

I know — you’ll do your best to keep all your stuff secure and organized. But things happen, you misplace this, you forget that. You’re human, and you should have a backup plan.

Make digital copies of all your important documents before you leave. Store them in multiple places, and make sure they’re accessible to you while abroad. I suggest making copies of the following documents:

Passport
Travel insurance paperwork
Vaccination information
Visa
Driver’s license
Travel itinerary

Store photos on your phone, in your email, in the cloud, and give copies to a trustworthy person at home.

5. Learn language basics

If you’re traveling to a country that speaks another language, take some time to learn key phrases and words.

Learning a new language opens all kinds of doors when you travel. The better you can communicate with locals, the more you’ll get out of your trip. Plus, having some basic language skills means you can better navigate outside of the main touristy areas — potentially saving you money by staying, eating, and shopping in under-the-radar locales.

Learning language basics can also give you a better cultural understanding of wherever you’re traveling. Not to mention locals will appreciate your interest in their language and culture.

If you’re thinking there’s no way you’ll ever learn to speak another language, start small. You don’t have to be fluent to reap the rewards of language skills. Instead, think about some simple words and phrases you know you’ll need often.

There are tons of accessible, free ways to learn a new language these days. You can download an app like Duolingo or Memrise, join a language exchange, or even take a community college class.

6. Have some local cash before you land

There are a million and one things to plan when traveling abroad, and it’s easy to neglect to get local cash before departing. You might just plan to use your card and withdraw money when you get there — but you can’t always count on this strategy.

You never know when you’ll have trouble with a card, and you’ll definitely need money when you land — to feed yourself and get to your lodging, at a minimum. So take the extra step of getting some local currency before you even step foot on the plane. And be sure you have enough to get situated when you get there.

Oh, and don’t wait until you get to the airport to exchange your cash. If you go to your bank or credit union, you’ll pay a lot less in fees and pay lower exchange rates than you will at an airport kiosk.

7. Get a local SIM card for your phone

Roaming data and temporary data passes are expensive, and there are better — and cheaper — ways to use your phone abroad.

Of course, you can always connect to Wi-Fi. But if you want to be able to use your phone without a Wi-Fi connection — say, to find the nearest pub while walking the rural English countryside — you can avoid exorbitant roaming fees by buying a local SIM card instead.

After you land at your destination, go to a local telecom store and buy a SIM card. Look for a pay-as-you-go or temporary SIM, which you might see being marketed to travelers. Choose a popular telecom store with lots of locations — that way, if you have issues later on, it’s easier to find help.

All you have to do is replace your regular SIM card with the temporary one (unless your phone allows dual SIM cards — then you can have both in at once) and make sure your roaming data is turned off. Voila! You’ve got yourself a working phone.

8. Stay in a local neighborhood

Rather than paying an arm and a leg for a bland hotel in the main tourist zone, look for a rental in a local neighborhood when planning your accommodations abroad. Aside from getting a unique experience, there are lots of benefits to doing this:

You can often save money by staying even a short walk from the hot spots
You’ll experience more of the local culture and cuisine
You can meet the locals — whether it’s an Airbnb host, a barista down the block, or a neighbor

If you’re traveling somewhere for an extended period of time (and depending on your risk tolerance), you can wait to find your long-term accommodations until you get there. Find a place to stay for a week or two while you get a feel for the area and chat with the locals. You’ll have a much better idea of where you want to be — plus some insider tips — by getting situated first.

9. Book a walking tour

If you ask me, there’s no better way to explore a new city than on foot. You see more, you start to orient yourself, and you can stop in whatever shops, cafes, and museums you see along the way.

To start your trip off on the right foot (literally), book a walking tour as soon as you arrive. They’re a great way to immediately learn about the city and scope out the places you want to revisit. Plus, walking tours allow you to meet other travelers. If you’re traveling solo, you’ll likely meet other people interested in exploring with you.

They don’t cost much — in fact, a quick Google search usually turns up lots of free walking tours.

10. Use local currency when paying with a credit card

When you’re traveling abroad and paying with a credit card, you may be prompted to choose between local currency or U.S. dollars when checking out. You may not realize it, but you’ll likely pay more by selecting your home currency.

Even if your card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, there’s usually a fee associated with paying in your home currency. The only real benefit is seeing what you’re paying in terms of the currency you’re familiar with. But this convenience comes at a price — usually around 3% of the charge — which can really add up over time. If prompted, always choose the local currency when paying with a credit card.

11. Use public transit

One of the best ways to save money when traveling abroad is to use public transit. And I promise it’s not as scary as it seems!

The reality is, Ubers, Lyfts, and cabs will quickly eat away at your budget. While convenient, they’re not cheap. If you can, rely on public transit to get where you need to go.

Depending on where you’re traveling, public transit may include:

Trains
Buses
Subways
Trams
Ferries

The ins and outs of navigating public transit vary widely, but it’s not as intimidating as it looks. Taking public transit will give you a chance to practice a foreign language and give you more of a local’s perspective on the city.

Plus — and I can tell you from experience — you’ll feel a huge sense of accomplishment (and relief) after navigating a foreign city’s public transit system.

One more note: it’s not a bad idea to set aside an emergency stash of money for a cab. If you’re out late or, for whatever reason, don’t feel safe taking the bus or train home, a cab is always worth the peace of mind.

12. Make use of grocery stores

No, you don’t have to go full Julia Child while abroad, but grocery shopping and cooking in a new country is a worthwhile adventure in itself. Plus, shopping for snacks, groceries, and ingredients — and cooking meals yourself — can save you a fortune while traveling.

When I went to Iceland, my flights and rental car were relatively inexpensive. Meals out, however, were pricey. I ended up saving a lot of money by shopping for groceries and cooking at home. There were some… interesting meals, but I saved money I wanted to spend on other things — like museums and awesome lodging.

If your hotel room, rental, or hostel has a kitchen, you can cook simple meals at home. Have fun browsing the shelves at grocery stores, specialty shops, and farmer’s markets for fresh and exotic ingredients, and see what culinary masterpiece you can cook up.

If your lodging doesn’t include a kitchen, you can still stock up on snacks. You can easily piece together a cheap and delicious picnic with grab-and-go-items.

Read more: 9 ways to save money on food and drinks while traveling

13. Check out local meet-ups

No matter how far from home you are, you can find community at a variety of local meet-ups. A quick online search can help you find free local meet-ups in whatever city you’re in — no need to spend on every experience while traveling. Plus, if you’re traveling solo, you’re almost guaranteed to meet other solo people with similar interests as you.

Not sure where to start? Check out these ideas for inspiration:

Creative Mornings — a live gathering of creatives who want to inspire, connect with, and learn from one another.
FuckUp Nights — a series of events showcasing stories of professional failure, vulnerability, and empathy.
MeetUp.com — a platform to help you find groups, events, and activities wherever you are.

If you meet locals during your stay, ask them about local events and meetups. It goes without saying, but stick to gatherings that feel safe.

Summary

International travel isn’t out of reach — especially if you take the time to plan wisely. There are lots of great ways to save on flights, food, transportation, and accommodations, as long as you’re willing to do your research.

Remember to take care of yourself and be a responsible traveler, too. The more effort you put into planning a safe, responsible, and wallet-friendly trip, the more enjoyable it will be.

Featured image: Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com

Apache is functioning normally

June 11, 2023 by Brett Tams

After the steady rise in interest rates, many South Africans might have had a crash course on how severely interest charges can affect their monthly budgets.

“Interest rates can fluctuate from time to time, so it is important to know what this means for your monthly expenses, especially for the big-ticket items like home loans, vehicle finance agreements and credit cards,” said the regional director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, Adrian Goslett.

Consumers must understand that interest is the fee a lender charges for lending money to a borrower.

“It is vital to know that interest is purely an expense. When you buy on credit, the corresponding interest charges mean you will pay double, if not triple, the original amount.

“That is why it is better to minimise your lines of credit as far as possible and only take on good debts, such as home loans, rather than bad debts like a car loan or store account,” Goslett explained.

To understand why all debt repayments have become more expensive over the last year, consumers should understand the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) meets every second month to decide whether to change the country’s interest rates to combat inflation.

“When the repo rate changes – up or down – so does the prime rate by the same percentage. This, in turn, affects all your monthly repayments,” Goslett explained.

Anyone with a home loan will notice the interest payable is included in your monthly repayment amount, so you don’t have to do the calculation yourself.

But, if you want to prepare yourself ahead of time, you can use an online calculator for an indication of how much more your monthly repayment amount will be.

If you are interested in finding out how much interest you will pay for the duration of your loan, know it is tricky to calculate because the amount is based on the outstanding balance of your loan and its remaining period.

This is known as compound interest and means the amount you owe the bank increases daily.

“There are several online calculators to help consumers calculate the interest on their home loan. For example, BetterBond has an amortisation or repayment calculator that shows how repayments are structured for the capital and interest amounts you will ultimately pay.

“This can be a helpful tool to help homeowners visualise how much they could be saving by paying a little extra into the home loan each month,” said Goslett.

He added that if, when you start paying your loan, you pay more than the minimum amount, it will reduce the amount of interest you pay over the years. It also reduces the loan’s term over which you will pay and saves you money.

“When the bank structures your repayments, they do it so that over the first few years, most of the monthly repayment goes to paying off the total interest and only a fraction to the capital amount (the actual price you paid for the property).

“If you focus on paying extra into your home loan in the first 10-odd years of the loan term, you can maximise your savings on interest charges,” Goslett explained.

Those still unsure how interest rates work are encouraged to speak to a financial advisor for further insights.

“You do not want to get into a situation where you do not fully understand the implications of taking on credit.

“While you might need to take on a certain level of debt to build future wealth, it should only be based on what you can actually afford.

“Once you have worked that out, speak to a real estate professional to find out what homes are available in your price range,” Goslett concluded.

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Source: brakpanherald.co.za

Apache is functioning normally

June 11, 2023 by Brett Tams

Only after you have gotten in the habit of making regular increased payments towards your debt should you begin exploring other debt elimination tricks like debt negotiation and debt consolidation. All of the shortcuts in the world can’t help you get out of debt if you do not first develop the self-discipline to live within your means and devote additional income to paying down your debt.

This next part of my Debt Free in Seven Steps system is to find these short cuts that can help you get out of debt faster–and for less.

Step Four: Negotiate interest rate reductions from your creditors and/or consolidate balances in lower rate accounts.

What’s Ahead:

First, call your card companies!

The first step anybody with credit cards should take is to request an interest rate reduction from your credit card companies. Why in the world would a credit card lower my interest rate? Four times out of five they might not. But if you ask, and ask again, they will likely give you a rate cut to keep you as a customer. If you haven’t noticed your mail box overflowing with “pre-approved credit card offers”, the consumer lending industry is lucrative but it’s also competitive.

Call your credit card’s 800-number and just ask to have a lower interest rate. Tell them you received balance transfer offers and will take your balance elsewhere if you can’t get a better rate. If they say no, ask to speak with a supervisor. If that proves fruitless, call back again tomorrow. Most credit cards will eventually lower your rate if you harass them, and it’s a move that will save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars.

This debt negotiation tactic will work best if you are in good standing and don’t have a number of late payments in the last year. If, however, you are being charged a higher interest rate or “penalty APR” because of your late payments and are now paying on time, call and request a return to your usual rate. Most creditors will not refuse such a request from somebody who is paying in good faith.

Balance transfers

If your credit score is good, you may be able to qualify for one or more credit cards with 0% balance transfer offers for a year. Compare and apply for balance transfer credit cards and move high-rate balances onto the 0% card. Do NOT, however, use the new cards—or the old ones for that matter—to make new charges. Cut ’em up. The point of getting the new credit cards is only to save money on getting out of debt.

Debt consolidation

Another tool at some debtors’ disposal is debt consolidation, or the process of moving two or more credit cards or loans into a new loan, usually with more favorable terms like a lower interest rate. Mortgage lenders frequently advertise mortgage refinancing and home equity lines of credit as debt consolidation options, and introductory-rate credit cards make balance transfers a tempting debt consolidation option.

Be careful, however, with debt consolidation. Most people are in debt because at some point they spent beyond their means. Consolidating debt frees up credit and lowers the minimum debt payment you make each month, making it tempting to loosen your spending belt a bit. A few months of a dollar hear and two dollars here can add up quickly to yet another ugly debt.

If you decide to consolidate debts into a credit card balance transfer, for example, cut up your old credit cards and do not activate the new card—use it only to carry the transferred balance. The less available credit you have at your disposal, the less likely you are to backtrack.

Moving on…

Once you have taken advantage of any debt negotiation or debt consolidation techniques, it’s time to move onto Step Five: Automate Your Debt Payments. Or, check out all the articles in my Debt Free in Seven Steps system.

Source: moneyunder30.com

Apache is functioning normally

June 11, 2023 by Brett Tams

Last Updated: April 6, 2020 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner – 45 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read my disclosure for more info.

Lately, I’ve been hearing more and more about families relying on credit cards for their emergency savings fund.

This is something that scares me as while credit cards may work for some, I believe that emergency savings funds are a better solution for the average person. Whatever emergency fund amount you decide on, it’s better than nothing in my mind.

As I stated in the article Everything You Need To Know About Emergency Funds, 26% of Americans have no emergency fund whatsoever.

Also, only 40% of families have enough in savings to cover three months of expenses, with an even lower percentage having the often recommended six months worth of savings.

There are many things you should think about when it comes to whether or not you should use a credit card as your emergency fund.

What’s your financial situation?

Different people need a different emergency fund amount.

Some of the things you will want to think about when determining your emergency fund amount is the stability of your job, your income when compared to your expenses, whether you own a house and/or car or not, your health, and more.

Basically, the “riskier” your situation, the larger the emergency fund you will most likely want. If your situation is quite risky, then using a credit card for your emergency fund may be a bad idea because there is a large chance you may rack up credit card debt that you are unable to pay off whenever an emergency arises.

How much risk are you willing to take on?

By relying entirely on credit cards, you are going to be taking on a lot of risk.

You never know if something may come up, how big the expense may be, and whether or not you will have enough credit to fund the expense.

Plus, the interest rate on your credit card may hover somewhere near 25%, which can make for an expensive bill if you are unable to pay your credit card bill before interest accrues.

When does using a credit card for your emergency fund amount make sense?

Now, I understand that different techniques work for different people. There are situations where using a credit card for your emergency savings fund may not be a completely bad idea. If you know that you can pay off a large expense within one month (such as if you have a large income but a low level of expenses), if you have a lot of credit card debt at high-interest rates that you are trying to pay off (your money may be put to better use by paying off your debt first), and so on.

However, the problem with this thinking is what happens if you lose your job? Many have emergency funds that exist so that they can support themselves if they were to lose their job. What would happen if you relied on credit cards but lost your main source of income?

It would lead to a lot of credit card debt. Unmanageable credit card debt…

Having a “real” emergency fund can be much more worthwhile.

There are many other reasons to have a fully-funded emergency fund:

An emergency fund can help you if you lose your job. No matter how stable you think your job is, there is always a chance that something could happen where you may need money fast.
An emergency fund is wise if you don’t have great health insurance. This is another reason why we have a well-funded emergency fund. We do not have the greatest health insurance, with our deductible being over $12,000 annually. Having an emergency fund can help protect us if something were to happen to either of us.
An emergency fund is a good idea if you have a car. You just never know if it may need a repair.
An emergency fund is a need if you own a home. One of the lucky things that homeowners often get to deal with is an unexpected home repair.
An emergency fund can protect you in many other areas as well. This can include if you have a medical cost for your pet, if you have to take time off work for something, you need to go somewhere far to visit someone who is sick, and so on.
An emergency fund is always good to have because it can give you peace of mind if anything costly were to happen in your life. Instead of building onto your stress because of whatever has happened, at least you know you can afford to pay your bills and worry about more important things.

As you can see, there are plenty of positives of having an emergency savings fund. However, I know that different things work for different people and that some prefer to use credit cards in the case of an emergency.

What do I think?

I think everyone should have some sort of emergency savings fund. Even if you can only manage $500 to $1,000 right now, that is better than nothing. $500 to $1,000 can still most likely help you by for at least a little bit. Plus, you can still put money towards high-interest rate debt after you build up your specific emergency fund amount.

My problem with using credit cards as your sole source for an emergency fund is that it may lead to more debt in some situations.

Do you rely on credit cards for your emergency savings fund? What do you think of relying on credit cards for your full emergency fund amount?

Apache is functioning normally

June 11, 2023 by Brett Tams

The Citi Dividend 5% categories for the second quarter of 2023 being Gas and Home Improvement.

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Citi is different than the other cards in that you have a $6,000 annual cap rather than a $1,500 quarterly cap. Thus, you can get 5% back on up to $6,000 in this quarter, you can save the entire amount for a different quarter, or you can use part up each quarter. Hopefully most people took advantage of the categories last quarter.

Source: doctorofcredit.com

Apache is functioning normally

June 10, 2023 by Brett Tams

Too many people are afraid of their credit scores.

Many don’t know what their credit score is, many don’t know how to have a good credit score, and many just have an overall negative attitude about them.

This doesn’t have to be true for you, though.

I believe a credit score can be used to a person’s advantage. A good credit score can help you earn great rewards through credit cards, it can help you get certain jobs, it can help you buy your dream home, and more.

Related article: How Your Credit Score Affects Your Life + Credit Sesame Review

Plus, the great thing is that it doesn’t have to be hard to increase your credit score.

However, it can sometimes be easy to ruin your credit score if you’re not careful.

Below are four ways you may be preventing yourself from having a good credit score.

1. You spend too much on your credit cards.

If you have a credit card, you have a credit limit. However, just because you are given this limit doesn’t mean you should try to reach it.

In fact, you should always try to be below 30% of your credit limit if you want to have a good credit score. So, if your credit limit is $1,000, you do not want to spend more than $300 as this can impact your credit score.

It’s also important to note that even if you are paying your balance in full each month that going over 30% of your credit limit can still negatively impact you. This is because your balance is reported on a monthly basis to the credit bureaus. In this case, it is best to pay off your balance or at least some of it before your next credit card statement goes live so that your utilization rate stays low.

2. You cancel old credit cards.

According to FICO, 15% of your credit score is from the length of your credit history. The longer your credit history then the higher your score may be.

If you have old credit cards that carry no annual fee, you may want to think twice before you cancel them. Yes, it can be great to simplify your life, but that old credit card may be lengthening your credit history and, therefore, improving your credit score.

I have one credit card that I signed up for the day I turned 18. The credit card stinks and pretty much offers no benefits. However, it’s the card I’ve had the longest. To keep it active, I just buy one thing a year (such as gum)!

Side note: There are many reasons for why you may want to cancel your credit cards, though. If you are horrible with credit cards and can’t seem to have them without having credit card debt, then it may be your best idea to cancel them.

3. You pay your bills late.

According to FICO, 35% of your credit score is from your payment history. One or two late payments most likely won’t prevent you from having a good credit score, however, continually missing payments most likely will.

No matter what the bill is that you are paying, you should always pay it on time. Paying a bill late may lead to interest charges, late fees, and a drop in your credit score.

Yes, companies can report late payments to credit agencies. If you do happen to accidentally pay a bill late, do not panic, though. If you are quick enough you may be able to ask for some leniency from the company and ask them not to report it.

I once underpaid my monthly mortgage payment by $10. I must have clicked the wrong number because I’m still not even sure how that happened. Luckily I caught it quickly enough and my mortgage company realized that it must have been a mistake. They waived any late fees and also did not report it to anyone.

Related article: How To Live On One Income

4. You never check your credit report.

When was the last time you checked your credit report?

Sadly, many don’t ever check theirs!

You want to check your credit report at least once a year because there may be errors on it and this may be preventing you from having a good credit score. Errors can then lead to your score dropping and that’s a big reason to check!

You can receive your credit report for free each year so there is no reason for why you shouldn’t do this. You can get one free credit report from each of the credit bureaus once each year, so you may even want to time that out so that you can receive one every four months and stay as up-to-date on your credit report as you can.

How have you damaged your credit score in the past? Do you have a good credit score? Why or why not?

Apache is functioning normally

June 10, 2023 by Brett Tams

Don’t get us wrong; we love PayPal.

The OG payment app has been around since 1998 and still manages to offer an excellent jack-of-all-trades experience. You can send money to friends, handle payments as a business, and even earn 5% back on PayPal purchases through certain rewards cards.

But 24 years is a long time to let competitors catch up. And while none have managed to topple the titan, contenders like Venmo, Wise, Payoneer, Zelle, and Cash App have gained serious ground by offering a better experience for certain users. Some let freelancers get paid with fewer fees. Others let you pay your friends overseas in their currency of choice. And one is perfect for sending payments to people who don’t have any payment apps installed (e.g., your parents or grandparents).

So which payment app is best for what? And most importantly, which is best for you?

Let’s investigate the 10 best alternatives to PayPal.

What’s Ahead:

PayPal alternatives overview

Venmo: Best for paying friends
Wise: Best for international transfers and currency conversions
Google Pay: Best for sending money through Gmail
Payoneer: Best for receiving online payments as a freelancer
Square: Best for receiving in-person payments as a freelancer/small business owner
Stripe: Best for receiving online payments as a small business owner
ProPay: Best for receiving offline payments as a freelancer/small business owner
Zelle: Best for sending money to people who don’t use payment apps
Cash App: Best for converting received payments into hard cash
Apple Pay: Best for sending, receiving, and paying at the register for iPhones and Apple Watches

Venmo

Fees for personal use: 3% credit card processing fee
Fees for business use: 9% merchant fee plus 10 cents per transaction; Venmo tax applies to all transactions marked “goods and services”

Venmo is so widespread these days that “Do you have Venmo?” has become the new “Cash is king.”

Even though Venmo is technically a subsidiary of PayPal, the numbers show that the former is now nearly as popular as its big brother. PayPal handled a total of $330 billion in transactions in 2021, while Venmo handled $230 billion — up a staggering 44% from the previous year.

And there’s a reason why so many people use Venmo as their go-to payment app: it’s simple, safe, and reliable. Transfers are free, payments to friends and family are free, and the app even has a built-in “newsfeed” showing who among your friends is paying whom for what. There was even a time when Venmo showed you the precise amounts they were paying for rent, food, and more, but naturally that TMI feature was retired.

While popular, Venmo isn’t perfect. It takes between one and three days to withdraw your Venmo funds to your bank account, or you can pay a 1% instant transfer fee. Plus, if you use it to invoice clients, there’s no “tip” option on their end — they have to manually initiate a separate payment.

There are also a few default settings I’d strongly recommend you change if you download Venmo.

Settings > PIN code and biometric lock. Set a 4-digit PIN so that if someone borrows or steals your phone, they can’t Venmo themselves the maximum $3,000 (happens more often than you’d think).
Settings > Privacy > Private. Unless you really want your entire friends list to see who you’re paying and for what, I see no reason to broadcast this sensitive data. Turn it off.

Pros and cons aside, Venmo is so popular that someone’s bound to ask you to use it. Luckily, once you succumb to peer pressure, you have a rock-solid PayPal alternative waiting for you.

Get Venmo for iOS or Android.

Wise

Fees for personal use: Sending rates from 0.41%; conversion rates from 0.41%
Fees for business use: Same as personal, plus a $31 account setup fee

There are plenty of apps to help you split the cost of a pizza with your buddies, but what about your international friends? Wise, formerly TransferWise, helps with that. You can send money to consumers in 51 countries, with new currencies added on an ongoing basis.

Wise is custom-built for any international payment or money transfer you want to make. I just have to enter how much I want to send in USD, then choose the currency of the receiving party. Right there, it shows how much I’ll pay for a monthly fee. There are bank fees and Wise fees, but they are minimal.

To send $100 USD to Europe using Wise’s personal account, I’d pay $0.16 in bank/debit card fees, plus a $0.96 Wise fee. Compare that to $5 per transaction fee for a personal international bank transfer with PayPal payments. That alone makes this perhaps the best PayPal alternative around.

Wise business members pay a fixed fee of $1.40 to send money. PayPal, in contrast, charges a 1.50% international business payments fee in addition to the standard fee (2.89% and up).

I’ve only been a Wise payment recipient, so I had to check out how paying someone works. It’s pretty simple – well, as simple as paying internationally ever is. You’ll need the email address, full legal name, and mailing address of the person. You’ll also need the International Bank Account Number (IBAN) of the recipient, as well as the type of account it is and the name and address of that bank.

The business side of Wise has some advanced features, including invoicing and compatibility with Stripe. You’ll also pay a one-time $31 fee to set up your account for international banking.

Get Wise for iOS or Android.

Google Pay

Fees for personal use: 9% credit card processing fee
Fees for business use: 9% merchant fee plus $0.30 per transaction for transactions under $3,000. Rate drops to 2.5% for transactions above $3,000; 2.2% for $10,000+; and 1.9% for $100,000+.

Google Pay allows you to send money from your bank account or GoogleWallet through Gmail for free. Just look for the $ symbol when you’re composing an email and input the amount of money you want to send. If you’re like me, you already do most of your communication through Gmail, so this may boost Google Pay to the top of your list.

Signing up for Google Pay is easy if you use your Google account for most of your business interactions. You just have to download the app and add your phone number. Google automatically pulls in all your frequent contacts.

The interface with Google Pay is not all too different from Venmo’s. You just choose a name from your contacts and input the amount you want to pay. You can also add a note.

One feature I like with Google Pay is that you can easily split payments with friends. Just tap on “Split with Friends” from the Pay screen and choose the friends from your contacts. There’s also a Scan QR Code feature that will make it easy to pay a business that accepts Google Pay.

Speaking of business use, Google Pay has the same weakness Venmo does when it comes to paying vendors. You’ll have to figure out the tip and add it to what you’re paying. But these apps are designed to keep things as simple as possible, so that’s one unfortunate by-product.

Get Google Pay for iOS or Android.

Payoneer

Fees for personal use: N/A
Fees for business use: $0 for payments from other Payoneer customers; 3% credit card processing fee; 1% ACH debit fee; marketplace fees (Network, Fiverr, et al) vary by marketplace; 0% to 1% receiving account fee

Payoneer is an online payment system and peer-to-peer payment solution that allows you to transfer money to anyone anywhere in the world, in addition to making purchases. It provides you with a pre-paid Mastercard that you can use anywhere Mastercard is accepted.

As a freelancer, I’m familiar with Payoneer through sites like Upwork. The service is useful, but if you’re not a freelancer, there are better options. Professionally, what I like about it is that you can send payment requests to clients and they can pay you directly through the app.

Payoneer is another great option for freelancers who are crossing international borders with their work. You’ll pay no fees on the money your clients send to you, and if you send money, there are no fees as long as the recipient is a Payoneer member. Otherwise, you’ll pay 3% for a credit card payment and 1% on ACH transfers.

But, chances are, if you’re using Payoneer, you’ve encountered it on one of the many platforms that use it. Upwork is where I’ve seen it, but it’s also a payment option on Fiverr, Wish, and Airbnb, among many others. If you pay for products and services on sites like that, a Payoneer account for personal use could come in handy, but otherwise, it’s mostly for freelancers and small business owners.

Get Payoneer for iOS or Android.

Square

Fees for personal use: N/A
Fees for business use: First card reader is free; 2.6% credit card processing fee plus $0.10 per transaction; 3.5% plus $0.15 fee for payments that are manually keyed in

Not every in-person business operates in a storefront with a cash register. Square helps with that, equipping small business owners and freelancers with a way to easily swipe a card. The reader attaches to a phone or tablet, allowing you to accept payments anywhere.

I made the mistake of not using Square when I had an in-person event where I needed to accept cards a few years ago. I used the PayPal reader because I figured I already had an account so it would be easier. The swiper didn’t work, so I had to manually enter every single credit card. It was a pain.

For the next event, I ordered a Square reader and never looked back. It works every time, which comes in handy when you have a line of customers holding credit cards. Fees vary from 2.6% + $0.10 for swiped cards to 3.5% + $0.15 for manually keyed transactions, so while it might come in handy to be able to swipe your buddy’s credit card to pay you back for dinner, one of the apps built for personal payments will likely be better for that.

But Square isn’t just for taking in-person payments on the go. You can use it as a one-stop shop for all your business’s sales. You can send invoices directly from the dashboard, set up gift cards that you sell directly through their site, and even take sales on your website using their platform.

What I like about Square, though, is that you can see, at a glance, your total daily sales. If you’re regularly collecting money from customers — in person or online — having this easy access to your progress comes in handy.

Is it for personal use? Not really. You could swipe your friends’ cards using the reader, but the fees will cut into whatever you’re taking.

Get Square for iOS or Android.

Stripe

Fees for personal use: N/A
Fees for business use: First card reader is $59; 2.9% credit card processing fee plus $0.30 per transaction; 3.4% plus $0.30 fee for payments that are manually keyed in; 0.8% fee for ACH transfers

Another option geared toward the needs of small businesses is Stripe. The payment platform can be integrated with your online store or used separately by directing customers to pay you there.

Stripe is for business. You could use it to send money to friends, but the fees make it cost-prohibitive. Fees start at 2.9% + $0.30 for each successful card charge. You can also accept international transactions, with an additional 1% fee added to each transaction.

Compared to its direct competitor Square, Stripe has higher fees but better tools for online integration. If you’re swiping customer credit cards in-person, use Square. If you accept most payments online and want to offer options like recurring billing and subscriptions, use Stripe.

I’ve used Stripe to accept payments from clients, and I loved the easy sign-up process. They do require identity verification, but all I had to do was snap a photo of my driver’s license and set up two-factor authentication to start accepting payments.

What I like most about Stripe is the dashboard. When you log in, you can see, at a glance, how much you’ve made today, as well as your financial activity over the past seven days. You can also see any disputes customers have filed on previous charges.

Yes, you can send invoices using Stripe, and that’s how I get paid for what I do. But where Stripe really shines is in its API. You can easily add Stripe to your website to start taking payments, and, in fact, if you use one of the top web hosting services, you probably see Stripe as an option when you’re setting up your e-commerce store.

Stripe also has terminals and mobile payment options. You don’t need a card reader to accept in-person payments — simply hold the card in front of your phone and the camera will capture the information you need. If you regularly take payments on the go, it’s worth considering.

Get Stripe for iOS or Android.

ProPay

Fees for personal use: N/A
Fees for business use: $39.95 signup fee; $39.95 annual renewal fee; 2.60% credit card processing fee; 3.55% fee for payments that are manually keyed in; $0.35 bank transfer fee

ProPay offers payment processing tools for businesses of all kinds. Whether your business is small, on the road, or global, they can work with you.

ProPay is for the business that’s serious about accepting payments on the go. You can swipe cards using the ProPay JAK™ card reader. If you aren’t near your card reader, you can manually input the information. You can also opt to securely save a customer’s payment information to make things go more quickly the next time they buy from you.

One thing I love about ProPay is that it works even if you are offline. I’ve sold items at libraries, book fairs, craft fairs, and even in the parking lot after an event. You aren’t guaranteed to have Wi-Fi or even cellular connectivity at all times, and this app comes in handy for that. The transaction is logged the next time you go online.

For personal payments, this is another app that won’t really help you much. But if you’re a freelancer or work in direct marketing, this is a great app for processing payments.

As for fees, they depend on the type of card being used and the account you have. Rates start at 2.40% for swiped transactions. The complete rate chart is posted here.

Get ProPay for iOS or Android.

Zelle

Fees for personal use: None
Fees for business use: None (though there are no business-specific features)

You may already know Zelle as “the payment app my bank wants me to use.”

That’s because while competitors like PayPal and Vemno were marketing themselves to businesses and individuals respectively, Zelle was chatting up the banks. As a result of all that relationship-building, Zelle now interfaces with over 1,000 banks and banking apps worldwide, making it extremely easy to send and receive money directly through your banking dashboard.

The other benefit of using Zelle is it makes it way easier to send money to people who don’t use payment apps at all. For example, let’s say I wanted to send $200 to my grandparents to help them pay for a new fridge. If I said to them, “Do you have Venmo or Cash App?” they’d probably look at me like I was speaking a foreign language.

I don’t want to stress them out with the prospect of downloading an app (or buying a smartphone), so I’ll just send it via Zelle. They’ll receive an email from Zelle that shows them step-by-step instructions on how to enroll and put the money in their account, no apps required.

The other benefit to Zelle is simplicity. You simply send and receive money with no fees ever. That’s it. There are no newsfeeds, social features, nada. And frankly, the only reason I don’t recommend Zelle over Venmo is because the latter is just more recognizable.

Get Zelle for iOS or Android.

Cash App

Fees for personal use: 3% credit card processing fee; 0.5% to 1.75% instant transfer fee ($0.25 minimum); $2 ATM withdrawal fee with Cash Card
Fees for business use: 2.75% transaction fee

Like Venmo, Cash App is another one of those payment apps that everyone’s heard of, and everyone uses. It’s extremely simple, with a no-frills dashboard and no fees for personal use, and for better or worse it lacks the social features of Venmo.

At first glance, Cash App seems to be the Paris Hilton of payment apps: popular just because it’s popular. There’s no option to tip contractors, not much to appeal to business owners, and until you verify your personal information, you’re capped at sending $1,000 every 30 days.

Pretty soon, Cash App’s initial value proposition — barebones simplicity — may start to feel limiting when you see competitors offering compelling features like bank dashboard integration, currency conversions, and free credit card readers.

Thankfully, Cash App starts making way more sense when you learn about the Cash Card. The Cash Card is a debit card linked to your Cash App balance that lets you withdraw your funds from any ATM for a $2 fee.

That’s a big deal for folks who want their cash instantly, since the alternative is to:

Initiate an instant transfer for a fee ranging from 1% to 3%
Find an in-network ATM, or pay out-of-network ATM fees of ~2.5%

Let’s say you receive a $300 payment and want to convert it into cash. With Cash App, the total fee would be $2 or 0.67%. With another app, you could pay up to 5.5% or $18.33 in fees alone, plus having to wait up to 30 minutes for the “instant” transfer to your bank account.

True to its name, Cash App is the best payment app for converting received payments you receive into cold, hard cash.

Get Cash App for iOS or Android.

Apple Pay

Fees for personal use: 5% instant transfer fee (min. $0.25, max $15)
Fees for business use: No additional fees for merchants (though standard credit card issuer fees may apply)

Apple Pay offers more than just another way to send and receive money from friends. The app will also let you securely store all your credit and debit cards in a neat-looking virtual stack. Then, when you reach the register, you can just pull up the card you want to use, hover your phone near the payment terminal, and wait for payment to clear. No need to fiddle with your wallet or let your card out of your sight!

Apple Pay also works with Apple Watch, so you can simply pull up your card there and hold your wrist over the payment terminal until payment clears, signaled by a gentle tap from your watch.

For online stores and in-app purchases, you’ve probably noticed that Apple Pay isn’t quite as widely accepted as PayPal, but it’s getting there. Apple boasts that as of late 2022, over 85% of U.S.-based retailers accept Apple Pay — even vending machines and taxis.

As you might expect, Apple Pay is a perk reserved for iOS users only. In fact, it’s one of the apps that comes factory-installed on Apple devices. At least Android users like me still get Google Pay.

Get Apple Pay for iOS.

Benefits of online payment apps

First, it can help to take a look at the overall features of online payment apps. Online payment apps make it easy for a business of any size to collect money from customers. Peer-to-peer payment apps make it easy to transfer money to your friends.

Here are some benefits to consider:

Easily pay friends and family members
Transfer funds from your bank account to someone else’s with a few clicks
Set up recurring payments to friends or family members
Avoid carrying cash around with you
Skip the trip to the ATM before you go out with friends
Accept secure payments for products or services on your small business website
Set up a Point Of Sale system in a brick-and-mortar business using a tablet
Accept payments on the go using a card swiper
Provide an alternative to personal checks, which can be risky

Some of these won’t appeal to you, while others will. By looking through all the various features that are available, you can start to narrow down what you’re looking for in a payment app.

Features to look for in a payment app

As you’re researching payment apps, there are some features to consider. You may not even realize you can do some of these things using a payment app until you see one offering it.

Fees. Of course, we’d all love for everything to be fee free, but we know there’s a cost associated with some financial transactions. I look for an app that at least has a “friends” option, letting me send money without fees to people I know personally. Often you’ll have to link up a checking account to do this, though, as credit card-based transfers will typically incur a fee.
Social feeds. This isn’t something I look for, but with peer-to-peer payments, some find social updates valuable. When you pay your buddy for your half of those summer concert tickets, this lets all your other friends know about it.
Security. Yes, the verification process can be a pain with some of these apps, but I like it. It means that the platform takes security very seriously, which boosts my confidence that my financial data is safe with them.
Send to email. Some peer-to-peer payment platforms let you send email to someone else using an email address or information from your contacts list. You can even send money within some email and messenger apps with just a tap on the screen. I found this comes in handy when you’re interacting with someone about upcoming plans. You can submit your share of the funds within the same message string to make sure the other person sees it.
All-in-one functionality. Some apps combine the best of peer-to-peer and online payments, letting you pay using the same app. You’ll need to identify which businesses accept payment that way, but it can be a handy way to manage your budget.
Expand payment options. Businesses face the ongoing issue of keeping things as convenient as possible for customers. The more payment options you can offer, the less likely you’ll lose customers who are limited in how they can pay.
International payments. The internet has opened businesses up to reach out to an international customer base. Being able to accept payments across multiple currencies with minimal fees is a huge bonus if you want to go global.
If your business uses financial software, check for integrations. Being able to import information about your transactions can help you stay on top of things while reducing your own workload.

Summary

The beauty of payment apps is that you don’t have to choose just one. You can have a half dozen installed on your phone, so long as you protect yourself with extra layers of security like PIN codes and biometric logins.

And knowing which payment app to use in which scenarios can save you time, stress, and hundreds on fees.

Apache is functioning normally

June 10, 2023 by Brett Tams

Philadelphia is perhaps most known for its historic sites, like the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. It certainly played a role in the birth of our nation, but it has much more to offer as a travel destination. There’s amazing museums, street art, markets, and more to enjoy, plus incredible food, including those Philly cheesesteaks.

If you’re planning on spending time there, whether a weekend or a week, you’ll want to time it right and do some smart planning to make sure you get the most for your money. Here, you’ll learn about some of the fun things to do when visiting Philadelphia, plus ways to have a memorable trip.

Best Times to Go to Philadelphia

The best time to go to Philadelphia is in the spring, from around March to May. The average temperatures during this time are in the 50s to low 70s. The weather is warm without being too hot, and it’s not too crowded with tourists.

Early fall can also be a nice time to visit before it gets too cold, with average temperatures in the same range.

You might also considering visiting when some of the city’s biggest events are happening:

• The Philadelphia Flower Show in March

• The Kensington Derby and Arts Festival in May

• The Odunde Festival in June, the largest African-American street festival in the nation

• The Philly Bike Ride in October.

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Bad Times to Go to Philadelphia

Winter is the least busy time to go to Philadelphia since it can get very cold and snowy.

However, because of this, hotel prices may be lower, so it may be enticing if you’re looking for how to save money on hotels in Philadelphia.

Summer travel is also a less desirable time to go to Philadelphia because of the crowds and hot weather, which can be in the 80s and humid. But if you don’t mind the warm temperatures, you’ll find plenty of tourists soaking up this historic city.

Average Cost of a Philadelphia Vacation

Philadelphia can be pretty affordable for a city destination. It’s possible to visit Philadelphia at nearly any budget. If you want a central location, Center City is a popular place to stay, with hotel prices around $500 to $600 a night during a weekend in May. If you’re looking for a more affordable place to stay, check out hotels near Fairmount Park, which can run between $300 to $400 for the same weekend.

What about a longer trip? In terms of total costs, not including getting to and from Philadelphia, expect to pay $1,319 for one person for one week, and $2,638 for a couple. If you’re budgeting for a trip and ready to start saving, you should think about where to keep travel funds. A high yield savings account can be a good choice as it keeps your money secure and earns interest; online banks often offer the best rates.

You may want to avoid “book now pay later” travel options if possible, and instead try to save money ahead of time so that you don’t pay extra in interest.

If you’re thinking about booking a trip to Philadelphia but are worried that you may have unforeseen circumstances and have to cancel your trip, you can look into travel insurance. If you pay for your trip with certain credit cards, they may provide travel insurance for certain situations. You should understand how credit card travel insurance works when deciding whether to purchase private travel insurance or use your credit card protections.

10 Fun Must-Dos in Philadelphia

There’s a lot to do in this large, historic city. This list of the top 10 must-dos in Philadelphia includes top-rated attractions and ideas from travelers who’ve been there and done that. You’ll find free activities as well as things that are pricier and that you might want to charge and earn credit card rewards.

Depending where you’re staying, you may be able to visit Philadelphia without renting a car. The city is very walkable, and there are buses, trains and above-ground trolleys in some parts of the city. The city also has an inexpensive shuttle service that stops at historic and cultural destinations around Center City, called the Philly PHLASH.

Now, here’s the list of the top 10 fun things to do while visiting Philadelphia.

1. Check out the Liberty Bell

Although the Liberty Bell doesn’t ring, it’s one of the most famous bells and is an iconic symbol of freedom. Its chime summoned people to hear the first reading of the Declaration of Independence in July of 1776. The Liberty Bell Center is free to visit year-round and does not require tickets. It’s located in front of Independence Hall, the next item on this list.

2. Immerse Yourself in History at Independence Hall

The Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence inside of Independence Hall in 1776. The framework for The U.S. Constitution was created there as well, and it’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

To visit this important site in the founding of our nation, you can tour Independence Hall daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Guided tours are available year-round for a $1 ticket. Also, be sure to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled tour time to go through security screening. phlvisitorcenter.com/IndependenceHall

3. Chow Down on a Cheesesteak

A trip to Philadelphia is not complete without a delicious, classic Philly cheesesteak, which is said to have originated in the 1930s. What is it exactly? Chopped meat, onion, and cheese sandwich on an Italian roll. Two of the most popular places to get a Philly cheesesteak include Geno’s Steaks and Pat’s King of Steaks. They are both located at the intersection of South 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue in Philadelphia, in South Philadelphia. A cheesesteak will cost you $12 to $15. genosteaks.com/menu/ and patskingofsteaks.com/

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4. Wander Through Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens

One of the best things to do in Philadelphia is to take in the Magic Gardens, a unique indoor and outdoor art installation by local Philly artist Isaiah Zagar. The Magic Gardens contain multiple, brightly colored tiled passages over and underground. The installation includes such surprising, creatively repurposed materials like bottles, ceramic shards, cement and even bicycle spokes.

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens is located on South Street in Philadelphia. The attraction is open year-round between 11 am and 6 pm, but is closed on Tuesdays. Tickets cost between $8 and $15. phillymagicgardens.org/

5. Run up the ‘Rocky’ Steps

If you pass the front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, you may see people racing up the stairs and jumping around with their arms up. That’s because the first of the popular boxing films featured the character of Rocky Balboa, played by Sylvester Stalone, running up the steps to a soaring soundtrack. A statue commemorating Rocky is located at the bottom of the stairs.

The movie is almost 50 years old, but still has a dedicated following. This is a fun stop for film buffs, and read on to learn why you’ll want to go inside after you climb those steps.

6. Explore the Philadelphia Museum of Art

The Philadelphia Museum of Art includes more than 240,000 works spanning 2,000 years. It includes many famous works from the Renaissance, and an array of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist canvases. You’ll see masterpieces by such famed artists as van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Klee. Whether your taste in art runs Medieval or modern, you’ll find something to admire.

The museum is open Thursdays to Mondays, and closed on Christmas, Thanksgiving, and July 4. Hours vary by date, but it’s generally open between 10 am and 5 pm. Tickets cost $25. There’s also a Pay What You Wish day on the first Sunday of every month and every Friday night after 5 pm. philamuseum.org/

7. Visit the Barnes Foundation

If you want to see even more art, the Barnes Foundation is another top thing to do in Philadelphia. Although less well-known than the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Barnes Foundation includes a large collection of French impressionist and Post-impressionist paintings. The Barnes Foundation has an impressive 181 Renoirs, which is more than any other collection. It also includes 69 Cezannes, as well as African art.

The Barnes Foundation is located in the Franklintown neighborhood. Is open Thursday through Monday, from 11 am to 5 pm. Admission ranges from $5 to $25 depending on your age. barnesfoundation.org/

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8. Tour Reading Terminal Market

Reading Terminal Market is 130 years old and located below a former railroad terminal in Center City, Philadelphia. There are many vendors selling flowers, Amish baked goods, spices, Spanish olives, hoagies, books, crafts, and more. Reading Terminal Market is free to enter, and is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm. readingterminalmarket.org/

9. Snap Selfies at the Love Sculpture

Philadelphia is known as the City of Brotherly and Sisterly Love. And the colorful steel LOVE Statue by artist Robert Indiana certainly says it. You’ll find this Pop Art favorite at John F. Kennedy Plaza, with the four letters of the word “love,” stacked up; it’s a popular place to take photos.

There are actually multiple LOVE statues in the city. There’s also another LOVE statue on the University of Pennsylvania campus and an AMOR statue at Sister Cities Park, a few blocks from Kennedy Plaza. The statues are all free to visit.

10. View the Delaware River Waterfront

The Delaware River separates Pennsylvania from New Jersey, and the waterfront area can be a fun thing to do in Philadelphia. It includes multiple attractions and parks, like Cherry Street Pier, Race Street Pier, Blue Cross RiverRink, and Spruce Street Harbor Park. The waterfront has great views of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, which connects Philadelphia and New Jersey. If you’re traveling with pets, the Delaware River waterfront can be a perfect place to take a stroll with your dog while you’re visiting Philadelphia.

The Takeaway

Philadelphia is a unique destination that brings history to life, but also has an array of art and other attractions to take in. Plus, there’s great food to sample in this city. A trip to Philadelphia can be both fun and educational, as well as affordable, provided you know a few smart hacks.

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FAQ

What are things to do in Philadelphia for free?

There are many things to do in Philadelphia for free, like visiting sites including the LOVE sculpture, the Rocky steps, or the Liberty Bell. Free activities are one way to hack how families afford to travel.

What is Philadelphia most popular for?

Philadelphia is probably most famous for historic sites like the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. However, other popular and well-known attractions include Love Park, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Reading Terminal Market and the Rocky Steps.

How can I spend a day in Philadelphia?

Philadelphia’s Historic District has several attractions within walking distance of each other and would be a good way to spend a day in Philadelphia. The Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Elfreth’s Alley, and Franklin Square are all located in Philadelphia’s Historic District. Or you might visit some art attractions for a day, such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Barnes Foundation, and Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens.

Photo credit: iStock/Ultima_Gaina

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Apache is functioning normally

June 10, 2023 by Brett Tams

Ever forget your wallet when making a grocery store run? Or maybe you need to pay your friend back for those T-Swift concert tickets, but sending them cash is a hassle.

Payment apps take care of these problems by storing your payment cards and allowing you to quickly spend and send money without going to an ATM.

There are dozens of payment apps to choose from, so we’ve found the top 10 apps that offer low fees and flexibility for your payment needs.

What’s Ahead:

Overview: 10 best payment apps

Best for Google users: Google Pay
Best for Apple users: Apple Pay
Best for Samsung users: Samsung Pay
Best for low-fee transactions: PayPal
Best for sending money to other countries: Xoom
Best for sending small amounts of money: Venmo
Best for sending small amounts internationally: Western Union
Best for easy account setup: Cash App
Best for credit union members: Zelle
Best for Facebook and Instagram lovers: Meta Pay

Google Pay: Best for Google users

Compatible with: Android and iOS
Payment limits: You can send up to $5,000 in one transaction (or $500 if not verified). There is a $2,000 purchase limit, and $2,500 daily purchase maximum.
Cost to send money: No fees, but doesn’t allow you to use a credit card to send money to friends and family.

Google Pay is a simple-to-use app for Android and iOS users that offers quick payment options at checkout, both in stores and online. Google Pay is accepted at most digital checkout locations in grocery stores and other retail locations, making it an easy way to pay without pulling out your wallet.

Google pay can store your payment cards, such as debit and credit cards, and allows purchases via ACH or attached card without additional fees. Google Pay also allows you to send money to family and friends for free, though withdrawing funds to an attached debit card comes with a 1.5% fee (or $0.31, whichever is greater).

Google Pay is available for free to download and it directly integrates with your Google account. This means you can sync your Google Pay account across multiple devices, including your phone, tablet, and computer (using Google Chrome).

Visit Google Pay to learn more.

Apple Pay: Best for Apple users

Compatible with: iOS
Payment limits: Up to $10,000 per message and $10,000 in a seven-day period.
Cost to send money: 1.5% fee for instant transfer withdrawals.

Apple Pay is a mobile payment app for iOS which allows you to make payments in stores and online, as well as send money to others. Apple Pay stores credit cards and debit cards, and also has a built-in wallet that can be used to make payments or transfers.

Apple Pay is connected to the Apple Cash service, which allows users to pay iMessage contacts directly through a message. Apple Pay can be used on iOS devices, Apple Watch, and on Mac computers.

There are no fees to send money to family and friends via bank account or debit card, but there is a 3% fee for payments made by credit card. And there is a fee charged for instant transfer withdrawals from your Apple Cash account balance. The fee is 1.5% of the transaction, with a minimum $0.25 charge, and maximum of $15.

Visit Apple Pay to learn more.

Samsung Pay: Best for Samsung users

Compatible with: Select Samsung devices
Payment limits: Lite limits receiving money to once per day. You can send money eight times per day, 10 times per week, or 15 times per month and total transactions cannot exceed $500. Limits can be raised by providing more personal information.
Cost to send money: Samsung states fees may apply but doesn’t divulge what those fees are, so watch closely.

Samsung Pay is a mobile app for select Samsung devices that offers touch-free checkout in stores. Samsung Pay is now part of Samsung Wallet, which can store your payment cards, such as debit and credit cards, as well as store loyalty cards and even gift cards.

Samsung Pay also offers a rewards portal, giving users cash back for shopping through the Samsung Pay app. The app is available for free to download on select Samsung devices and does require a Samsung account to use. But the wallet will sync between your Samsung devices, keeping your payment options available on all of them.

To send money to friends and family you will also need a Samsung Pay Cash Account. There are two plan levels, lite and full.

Visit Samsung Pay to learn more.

PayPal: Best for low-fee transactions

Compatible with: Android, iOS
Payment limits: No limits on total money you can send from your verified account. Up to $60,000 in a single transaction, but may be limited to $10,000.
Cost to send money: If paying with a credit card, debit card, or PayPal credit you pay 2.9% plus a fixed fee. 1.75% for instant transfers ($0.25 min, $25 max).

PayPal is one of the original peer-to-peer payment apps, offering direct transfers from your debit card or bank account to family and friends for free. PayPal is also available with merchant accounts, allowing businesses to accept payments and manage payments to employees and contractors.

PayPal offers unlimited transfers to verified accounts. You can send up to $60,000 in a single transaction, but you may be limited to $10,000. There may also be additional verification needed on larger transactions.

Fun fact: I bought a used car by transferring funds through PayPal. It only took a few days, but additional verification was needed.

PayPal is available on most iOS and Android devices and is free to download. There are fees for paying with a credit card (2.9% plus a fixed fee), or for business payments. And PayPal also charges for instant transfer withdrawals to your bank account, charging 1.75% (minimum $0.25, maximum $25).

Visit PayPal to learn more.

Xoom: Best for sending money to other countries

Compatible with: Android, iOS
Payment limits: Initial limits are $2,999 in 24 hours, $6,000 in 30 days, and $9,999 in 180 days. Can increase limits by giving Xoom more personal information.
Cost to send money: Cost varies depending on which country you’re sending money to.

Xoom is an international money transfer service that is a subsidiary of PayPal. Xoom supports over 160 countries around the globe and is available in 14 languages. Xoom users pay low exchange rates to send money internationally.

Xoom is a mobile app that is available on both Android and iOS devices. Users can deposit funds with a debit card or bank account, or use their PayPal account balance. Xoom also offers an international bill pay feature within the app.

Xoom charges fees based on the currency being sent to the country you are sending money to. Money can be sent to family or friends and arrives instantly in most cases, but some transfers might take two to four business days to complete.

Visit Xoom to learn more.

Venmo: Best for sending small amounts of money

Compatible with: Android, iOS
Payment limits: $299.99 weekly, but can be raised to $60,000 weekly with additional verification.
Cost to send money: $0 if purchasing from authorized merchants, 3% if paid by credit card, 1.75% fee to transfer Venmo balance out of Venmo ($0.25 min, up to $25 max).

Venmo is another PayPal subsidiary company and payment app that is ideal for smaller transfers between family and friends. But Venmo also offers merchant services, allowing you to checkout at online retailers using the app.

Venmo allows you to pay with your bank, debit card, credit card, or Venmo balance, and you can transfer up to $999.99 per week ($19,999.999 for verified accounts). There is a $5,000 limit per transfer.

Venmo charges a 3% fee for transfers using a credit card, but no fees for using your debit/bank account/Venmo balance. There are no fees for standard withdrawals from the account, but there is a fee of 1.75% (minimum $0.25 fee, maximum $25 fee) for instant transfer withdrawals.

Visit Venmo to learn more.

Western Union: Best for sending small amounts internationally

Compatible with: Android, iOS
Payment limits: $3,000 limit per transaction. Can be raised to $50,000 by providing additional information.
Cost to send money: Varies based on currency, amount, and location.

Western Union is a well-known money transfer company that now offers a digital payments app for sending smaller amounts. Users can send up to $500 daily through Western Union to over 200 countries around the globe.

The app is available on iOS or Android devices, and accounts can be funded via bank account, debit card, or credit card. Currency exchange rates are available in real-time within the app, and it also offers international bill pay as well. And you can send money directly through the Western Union mobile wallet to users in supported countries who also have the wallet installed.

Fees are charges based on the currency exchange rate, amount, transaction type, country of origin, and the country you are sending money to. There is a $3,000 limit for sending money, but this can be increased to $50,000 with additional verification.

Visit Western Union to learn more.

Cash App: Best for easy account setup

Compatible with: Android, iOS
Payment limits: Initial limit of $250 per transaction or seven-day period. Limits can be raised by providing more personal information.
Cost to send money: Free using debit card. 3% fee if sending by credit card. $2.50 ATM fee (can be waived if $300 in direct deposit per month).

Cash App is a simple-to-use payment app that allows you to open an account with just your phone number and a linked debit card. Cash App is owned by payments company Square, and allows users to pay via a user’s $Cashtag, phone number, or QR code. Cash App also supports international transfers between the U.S. and U.K. with no additional fees.

There are no fees to send and receive payments via debit card, credit card, or Cash App balance, and a 3% fee for using a credit card. There are also fees for instant withdrawals or ATM withdrawals. The instant withdrawal fee varies from 0.5% to 1.75% with a minimum fee of $0.25 per withdrawal. ATM fees are $2.50 per transaction, but are waived for users that receive $300 (or more) per month in direct deposit to Cash App on a monthly basis.

Cash App limits sending money to $250 per seven-day period, and receiving money to $1,000 per 30-day period. These transfer limits can be increased by providing more personal information, such as your date of birth and the last four digits of your Social Security number.

Visit CashApp to learn more.

Zelle: Best for credit union members

Compatible with: Depends on bank or credit union’s app
Payment limits: If your bank or credit union doesn’t offer Zelle, your limit is $500 per week. If they do, contact your bank or credit union for limits.
Cost to send money: Zelle doesn’t charge fees, but your bank or credit union may.

Zelle is not your typical payment app. It is directly linked to your credit union or banking app, and can be used to send payments for free.

Fun Fact: I use Zelle to pay my landlord every month.

Zelle does not charge fees, and is only used with a participating bank account, or directly with your debit card. You can pay family and friends if they have access to Zelle within their banking app, and transfer funds directly to them.

Zelle does not allow you to link or pay with credit cards, and all balances are stored directly within your bank account, and not on the Zelle platform. Payments are initially limited to $500 for Zelle users without a participating bank, but if you are using Zelle within your banking app, you will need to contact your bank about the payment limits.

Visit Zelle to learn more.

Compatible with: Android, iOS, but users must have a Facebook or Instagram account.
Payment limits: $2,000 for unverified users, $10,000 for verified users in a 30-day window.
Cost to send money: No fees, but you can only use a debit card or PayPal account to fund transfers.

Meta Pay offers no-fee money transfers using your debit card or PayPal. You can use Meta Pay within the Facebook app, the Facebook Messenger app, and through Instagram. Payments may take some time to arrive, though, as payments may not clear for up to five business days.

Meta Pay is integrated into the Facebook Marketplace, allowing you to check out with Meta and make no-fee payments quickly. Meta Pay is also being integrated into other online retail shops, allowing you to pay by logging in with your Facebook or Instagram account.

You cannot connect a credit card directly, but Meta Pay does integrate with PayPal, which allows you to pay with a card. Payments are limited to $2,000 for unverified accounts, and up-to $10,000 for verified accounts within a 30-day window.

Visit Meta Pay to learn more.

What are payment apps?

Payment apps allow you to make payments using your phone

These apps can make paying at the store easier if you’re always fumbling through your bag trying to find the right card to pay with. Payment apps generally allow you to link your credit cards or bank accounts to the app. Then, you can make payments directly from the app without having your credit card, debit card or checks present.

Depending on the app you download and your phone, you may be able to pay by tapping your phone at a point of sale rather than swiping a credit card. Other payment apps or phones could allow you to pay by displaying a code that the cashier can scan.

Payment apps allow you to send money to friends and family

The apps generally allow you to send money to an email address or a phone number but other apps let you send money to your friends through social media, too.

It’s important that you look into the details of how payment apps work. Most payment apps allow you to make and receive payments for free if you’re using a bank account or an in app balance. However, if you use a credit card, you may have to pay a fee to send or receive money.

Additionally, apps may charge other fees if you want to move the money out of your app account and into your bank account. Apps may also have limitations as to how much money you can send within a given day, week or month.

What to look for in a payment app

Compatibility

Not all payment apps work on all devices Some are iOS only (Apple Pay), while others offer limited compatibility with certain operating systems. Make sure the payment app your choose works with all of the devices you plan on using it with.

Fees

While many payment apps do not charge fees, there are caveats to each (they have to make money somehow, right?) Look for fees when sending money, especially if you are thinking of using a credit card. And make sure to select “family & friends” when sending money to avoid fees and tax implications.

Limits

If you are planning to use a payment app regularly, make sure you know the limits. While some allow you to send $10,000 or more, some have much smaller payment limits. And the limits on these apps are typically confined to a window of time, such as 7 days or 30 days. Understanding the limits can help you choose the best app for your personal needs.

Security

While most payment apps offer encrypted payments and don’t store your payment information directly, it’s important to find an app that publishes security details publicly. This helps ensure your bank accounts and credit cards are stored safely. Also, only use apps that offer pin numbers or biometric access controls, further protecting your money if you accidentally lose your phone.

Summary

Payment apps make paying for your purchases or sending money to family & friends easier than it’s ever been. With direct connections to your accounts, you can quickly send money or “tap to pay” at your local store, without worrying about forgetting your wallet or having to withdraw cash.

But not all payment apps are created equal, and you’ll want to check into the fees and limits of each to make sure you don’t get ripped off. And, as always, keep your apps protected by enabling features like biometric access controls, two-factor authentication, and lock screen controls on your device.

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June 10, 2023 by Brett Tams

damircudic | E+ | Getty Images

The Federal Reserve is likely to temporarily pause its aggressive interest rate hikes when it meets next week, experts predict. But consumers may not see any relief.

The central bank has raised interest rates 10 times since last year — the fastest pace of tightening since the early 1980s — only to see inflation stay well above its 2% target.

“We are living in uncharted territory,” said Charlie Wise, senior vice president and head of global research and consulting at TransUnion. “The combination of rising interest rates and elevated inflation, while not uncommon from a historical perspective, is an unfamiliar experience for many consumers.”

“A pause is not going to make things better,” he added.

More from Personal Finance:
Even as inflation rate subsides, prices may stay higher
Here’s the inflation breakdown for April 2023, in one chart
Who does inflation hit hardest? Experts weigh in

Although the Fed’s rate-hiking cycle has started to cool inflation, higher prices have caused real wages to decline. That’s squeezed household budgets, pushing more people into debt just when borrowing rates reach record highs.

Even with a pause, “interest rates are the highest they’ve been in years, borrowing costs have gone up dramatically and that isn’t going to change,” said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate.com.

Here’s a breakdown of how the benchmark rate has already impacted the rates consumers pay:

Credit card rates top 20%

The federal funds rate, which is set by the U.S. central bank, is the interest rate at which banks borrow and lend to one another overnight. Although that’s not the rate consumers pay, the Fed’s moves still affect the borrowing and savings rates they see every day.

For starters, most credit cards come with a variable rate, which has a direct connection to the Fed’s benchmark rate.

After the previous rate hikes, the average credit card rate is now more than 20% — an all-time high, while balances are higher and nearly half of credit card holders carry the debt from month to month, according to a Bankrate report.

Mortgage rates are near 7%

Although 15-year and 30-year mortgage rates are fixed, and tied to Treasury yields and the economy, anyone shopping for a new home has lost considerable purchasing power, partly because of inflation and the Fed’s policy moves.

The average rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage currently sits at 6.9%, according to Bankrate, up from 5.27% one year ago and only slightly below October’s high of 7.12%.

Adjustable-rate mortgages, or ARMs, and home equity lines of credit, or HELOCs, are pegged to the prime rate. As the federal funds rate rose, the prime rate did, as well, and these rates followed suit.

Now, the average rate for a HELOC is up to 8.3%, the highest in 22 years, according to Bankrate. “While typically thought of as a low-cost way to borrow, it no longer is,” McBride said.

Auto loan rates are close to 7%

Even though auto loans are fixed, payments are getting bigger because the price for all cars is rising along with the interest rates on new loans.

The average rate on a five-year new car loan is now 6.87%, the highest since 2010, according to Bankrate.

Keeping up with the higher cost has become a challenge, research shows, with more borrowers falling behind on their monthly loan payments.

Federal student loans are set to rise to 5.5%

Federal student loan rates are also fixed, so most borrowers aren’t immediately affected by the Fed’s moves. But as of July, undergraduate students who take out new direct federal student loans will see interest rates rise to 5.50% — up from 4.99% in the 2022-23 academic year and 3.73% in 2021-22.

For now, anyone with existing federal education debt will benefit from rates at 0% until the payment pause ends, which the U.S. Department of Education expects could happen in the fall.

Private student loans tend to have a variable rate tied to the Libor, prime or Treasury bill rates — and that means that those borrowers are already paying more in interest. How much more, however, varies with the benchmark.

Deposit rates at some banks are up to 5%

While the Fed has no direct influence on deposit rates, the yields tend to be correlated to changes in the target federal funds rate. The savings account rates at some of the largest retail banks, which were near rock bottom during most of the Covid pandemic, are currently up to 0.4%, on average.

Thanks, in part, to lower overhead expenses, top-yielding online savings account rates are now over 5%, the highest since 2008’s financial crisis, according to Bankrate.

However, if the Fed skips a rate hike at its June meeting, then those deposit rate increases are likely to slow, according to Ken Tumin, founder of DepositAccounts.com.

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Source: cnbc.com

1. Be flexible with your dates and destinations

2. Decide what’s important to you and prioritize your spending

3. Get travel insurance

4. Save digital copies of important documents

5. Learn language basics

6. Have some local cash before you land

7. Get a local SIM card for your phone

8. Stay in a local neighborhood

9. Book a walking tour

10. Use local currency when paying with a credit card

11. Use public transit

12. Make use of grocery stores

13. Check out local meet-ups

Summary

Read more:

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First, call your card companies!

Balance transfers

Debt consolidation

Moving on…

What’s your financial situation?

How much risk are you willing to take on?

When does using a credit card for your emergency fund amount make sense?

Having a “real” emergency fund can be much more worthwhile.

What do I think?

Related Posts

1. You spend too much on your credit cards.

2. You cancel old credit cards.

3. You pay your bills late.

4. You never check your credit report.

Related Posts

PayPal alternatives overview

Venmo

Wise

Google Pay

Payoneer

Square

Stripe

ProPay

Zelle

Cash App

Apple Pay

Benefits of online payment apps

Features to look for in a payment app

Summary

Read more:

Best Times to Go to Philadelphia

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Bad Times to Go to Philadelphia

Average Cost of a Philadelphia Vacation

10 Fun Must-Dos in Philadelphia

1. Check out the Liberty Bell

2. Immerse Yourself in History at Independence Hall

3. Chow Down on a Cheesesteak

4. Wander Through Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens

5. Run up the ‘Rocky’ Steps

6. Explore the Philadelphia Museum of Art

7. Visit the Barnes Foundation

8. Tour Reading Terminal Market

9. Snap Selfies at the Love Sculpture

10. View the Delaware River Waterfront

The Takeaway

FAQ

What are things to do in Philadelphia for free?

What is Philadelphia most popular for?

How can I spend a day in Philadelphia?

Overview: 10 best payment apps

Google Pay: Best for Google users

Apple Pay: Best for Apple users

Samsung Pay: Best for Samsung users

PayPal: Best for low-fee transactions

Xoom: Best for sending money to other countries

Venmo: Best for sending small amounts of money

Western Union: Best for sending small amounts internationally

Cash App: Best for easy account setup

Zelle: Best for credit union members

What are payment apps?

Payment apps allow you to make payments using your phone

Payment apps allow you to send money to friends and family