NEW YORK, February 27, 2023 (Newswire.com) - iQuanti: Personal loans are a versatile financial tool that millions of Americans take advantage of each year. You can use a loan to consolidate debt, cover a car repair or medical bill, tackle a home improvement project, and even start a business or go on vacation. Whether you're new to personal loans or familiar with them, consider the following before taking one out.  

1. Personal loans can be unsecured or secured

Many personal loans are unsecured. This means you don't have to guarantee them with collateral or a valuable asset you own, like a house or car. Some personal loans, however, are secured and require the pledging of collateral. If you default on a secured loan, the lender will have the right to seize your collateral. A key benefit of a secured loan is that it may be easier to qualify for than an unsecured loan.  

2. There are many personal loan lenders 

All personal loan lenders are not created equal. That's why it's in your best interest to shop around and compare lenders like banks, credit unions, and online lenders. When you do so, you should explore rates, terms, fees, and perks. If possible, prequalify for loans from a few different lenders so you can check and compare their offers without impacting your credit score. Prequalification can make it a breeze to find the right lender and loan for you. 

3. Some personal loans have restrictions 

While most personal loans are flexible and can be used for just about any expense, some lenders impose restrictions on how you may use their loans. Depending on the lender, you may not be able to use the loan proceeds for post-secondary educational expenses like college, university, or vocational expenses, or to make a down payment on a home. Read the fine print before committing to a loan to understand all the restrictions. 

4. Good credit isn't always required 

A good credit score may open the doors to lower interest rates and more favorable terms. But you don't always need good credit to take out a personal loan. Many lenders are willing to lend to borrowers with fair credit or even bad credit. These lenders will look beyond your credit score and consider other factors like your debt-to-income ratio and employment status. Keep in mind that the terms offered by these lenders may not be as favorable as terms offered to consumers with better credit scores. 

5. There are online and in-person loan applications 

These days, most lenders offer an online application process. You can visit the lender's website and share your basic personal and financial details. While you will need to submit additional material like identity verification documents, bank statements, and pay stubs, the initial application process should only take a few minutes. If you prefer to complete an in-personal application, make sure the lender you choose has a branch near your home. 

6. Personal loans could help improve your credit score 

Payment history accounts for 35% of your credit score. If you make your personal loan payments on time, every time, you'll be building and probably improving your credit score. Remember that if you miss a payment or even just pay it late, your credit score will be affected and go down instead of up. 

The Bottom Line 

If you use it responsibly and understand it's not a long-term solution, a personal loan can come in handy every now and then. Before you move forward, compare all your options and read the fine print to lock in the best offer and avoid unwanted surprises down the road.  

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NEW YORK, February 27, 2023 (Newswire.com) - iQuanti: Whether you're a new driver or relocating to a place requiring a car, you may be wondering how to budget for your first new car. New cars don't come cheap and can cost tens of thousands of dollars, which makes a personal loan a good idea. The good news is you can take steps to find the ideal vehicle without breaking the bank.

Here are some helpful hints about how to budget for your first new car: 

Do your research 

Your first step is to determine what kind of new vehicle you need and maybe even how long you plan on keeping it. There are basic vehicles to get you from point A to point B without bells and whistles. Others are luxurious and come with every tech and safety feature you can think of. There are electric vehicles, hybrids, and internal combustion cars. There are sedans, SUVs, crossovers, and pickups. Some vehicles are imported, while others are from American manufacturers. With so many choices, it's crucial to complete your research and decide which type of vehicle you want.  

Follow the 10% rule 

If you have plans to finance your vehicle, your monthly payments should be no more than 10% of your net income. This might mean you choose a compact sedan instead of a full-size, fully-loaded SUV. By doing so, you'll be able to make your monthly payments and won't have to worry about a potential repossession.

Consider the total price 

In a perfect world, you'd buy a car without worrying about other costs. The reality, however, is there are what amount to the hidden charges of owning a vehicle. For this reason, you should set aside another 10% of your net income to cover the cost of registration, gas, car insurance, repairs, and routine maintenance like oil changes and tire rotations. Without wiggle room in your budget, a car can quickly become a financial burden.

Decide if you'd like to buy or lease

You'll also need to decide if you want to buy or lease your new vehicle. While buying a car is usually the more cost-effective option, especially if you plan to drive it for a long time, leasing may make sense in some situations. A lease is worth considering if you prefer a new model with the latest and greatest features but can't afford to buy it outright. Keep in mind there are different kinds of leases. For example, dealer ads will often feature low-mileage leases, which have lower monthly payments but could be very costly if you exceed the mileage allowance and need to pay extra. A lease might be a good fit if you like driving a new car every few years. 

Save for a down payment 

In most cases, a down payment is required, even if you're leasing or using a personal loan to buy a car. Whether a deal with a low-down payment or no down payment at all is available, it's in your best interest to put down as much of a down payment as possible. A larger down payment means lower monthly payments. It can also make it easier for you to own your vehicle free and clear sooner.

Be strategic about when you buy 

There are certain times of the year when it's more likely to land a great deal on a car. By knowing when they are, you could save thousands of dollars on your purchase. If you can, wait to buy a vehicle at the end of the month, on Mondays, on Black Friday, on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day, or when a model has been discontinued.  

The Bottom Line 

Budgeting for your first new car is no easy feat. However, it's essential if you'd like to keep your finances in good shape. To budget for your new car, research, follow the 10% rule, consider the total price, decide if you'll buy or lease, save up for a down payment, and be strategic about when you buy.

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IMA ART Logo
IMA ART is first-of-its-kind luxury fertility and surrogacy concierge based in Beverly Hills

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., February 26, 2023 (Newswire.com) - IMA ART, introduced a first-of-its-kind luxury fertility and surrogacy concierge, dedicated to helping high-net-worth & ultra high-net-worth individuals on their private journey to parenthood.

Speak to any parent and they will tell you that a child is the most precious thing on Earth. Perhaps that makes parenthood the ultimate luxury; but for the estimated 15% of couples who run into fertility problems, it's a luxury that's unobtainable without recourse to fertility or surrogacy solutions. In addition, in most international jurisdictions, building a family through assisted reproductive technology is not available to singles and LGBTQIA+. 

The world's wealthiest are not immune from these family creation challenges, but until recently they lacked a luxury fertility and surrogacy provider with the fine touches and exemplary service suited to such high-end discerning clientele.

This is exactly the space that Beverly Hills-based IMA ART Fertility has chosen to occupy. From its iconic California location, Asian infused hospitality, exclusive positioning and beautifully designed website, it's clear this is a brand that exudes luxury.

"Our business originally started in Hong Kong, but it's no accident that we've chosen to set up in Beverly Hills. In this area, we have an amazing choice of five-star hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants, exclusive spas and all the trappings of pure luxury. Our clients may only spend around two weeks here with us, but we want to make that experience as easy and enjoyable as possible, so they are in the perfect frame of mind to undergo their fertility treatment," shared Ron Sonnenberg, Co-Founder.

Since rebranding and relaunching in Beverly Hills, IMA ART has made significant strides in establishing a reputation in this more rarified marketplace. 

"We've also connected with lawyers and insurance advisers who have been in this field for 20 years and they've all told us nobody is serving this high net worth and ultra-high net worth demographic in the way IMA ART is. We are an international business and operating in the luxury sphere is anything but a 9-to-5 job. We have to make ourselves available to our clients when they want us to be available - it's another element that sets us apart from other agencies operating in this space," Ron added.

"Our goal is to be recognized as the pre-eminent luxury fertility & surrogacy concierge. We want to be a brand that lasts and helps families create future generations," said Michelle Tang, CEO and Co-Founder of IMA ART.

About the Company: IMA ART is a high-value bespoke professional fertility advisory service. Creating a whole new personality; introducing an exclusive suite of discreet luxury fertility and surrogacy solutions in Beverly Hills. Learn more about IMA ART Fertility, at www.imaartfertility.com.

Ohio Derailment Image

AKRON, Ohio, February 24, 2023 (Newswire.com) - We The Patriots USA (WTP USA), a nonprofit public interest law firm, announced today that it will be hosting a press conference for all local and national media on Monday, Feb. 27, 2023 at 10 a.m. EST, at the front entrance of the John F. Seiberling Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse, located at 2 South Main Street in Akron, Ohio. The purpose of the press conference will be to discuss WTP USA's litigation against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and local officials over its handling of the train derailment disaster in East Palestine, Ohio. WTP USA will be the lead plaintiff in the case. An East Palestine resident, who will also be a named plaintiff, is expected to attend the press conference, along with lead Counsel Cameron Atkinson of Atkinson Law.

Brian Festa, Vice-President & Co-Founder of WTP USA, issued this statement today: "We feel very strongly that every journalist with an interest in honest reporting regarding the incident in East Palestine should be present at Monday's press conference. We will be providing details regarding our legal filing at that time, including the claims we are bringing against the EPA and certain Ohio officials. In our opinion, this is an environmental catastrophe that has seriously jeopardized the health and safety of the residents of East Palestine and the surrounding area, and we believe that public health and safety officials have not taken adequate action to address it. This lawsuit will seek to correct that."

Attorney Atkinson also provided comment: "Politics cannot trump human lives. On Monday, we will be asking a federal court to give the people of Ohio their dignity and rights back and to put an end to them being used as pawns on a political chessboard."

For press inquiries, contact We The Patriots USA at [email protected].

NEW YORK, February 24, 2023 (Newswire.com) - iQuanti: Wedding photographer Olivia Kalton knows a thing or two about the costs involved in making a wedding day happen. So when she got engaged, she decided to shop around and find the right credit card for wedding expenses she'd have to pay that would also give her the most bang for her buck.

She posted her "hack" on TikTok detailing how opening a new Chase Sapphire card helped her maximize her purchases and allowed her to convert all those points she earned on purchases into an all-expenses-paid honeymoon.

Though her TikTok doesn't specify if it was the Reserve® or Preferred® version of the card, we'll show you how you can use any card to help subsidize your wedding or honeymoon costs just for buying the things you already need.

Difference between a credit card and a personal loan

First, let's cover the basics to help you decide if you should use a credit card for wedding expenses or a personal loan for wedding expenses. While there are some similarities between a credit card and a personal loan there are also some major differences. 

Personal Loans

• Work like installment loans so you will receive the funds upfront in one large sum and repay the loan each month over a certain period
• They can be both secured or unsecured
• Personal loans have an end date
• Personal loan funds can be used for almost anything

Credit Cards

• Work as revolving credit, so you can borrow as much as you need (up to your limit) and then your payments depend on the outstanding balance.
• The payments don't have interest if the balance is paid in full each month
• Credit cards usually have interest rates
• Credit cards can be used for everyday purchases

How to earn a free honeymoon with your credit card

Step 1: Figure out which costs you'll have to pay.

Before you even start looking at cards, you'll need to know your budget and what you'll need to pay for. 

Step 2: Start saving

None of this works if you'll be left with a balance on your credit card at the end of the month. While free travel is always nice, it's not really "free" if you're paying compounding interest on your purchases, so start putting money away for your wedding ASAP.

Step 3: Ensure your vendors accept credit cards

Some of Olivia's commenters mentioned they had trouble paying with credit cards for wedding services, so shop around first to see what companies accept credit cards and which type. Some vendors will accept Visa or Mastercard but not American Express (due to their higher vendor fees). Knowing this ahead of time will give you a better idea of which card you'll need to get.

Step 4: Research your honeymoon ideas

You can do this after Step 5 if you want, but having an idea of where you want to go will help you determine which airlines, hotels, cruises, etc., you'll need to work with.

Step 4: Research credit cards

There are dozens of cards that offer membership or reward points for purchases, so you'll need to research and find the one that best fits your needs. In particular, look at:

• How many points you'll get for each spending category (some cards will offer more points for travel, while others give bonus points for groceries, online shopping, etc.)
• Their travel partners - Again, you can base your honeymoon off of your preferred cards' travel partners instead of Step 4. Regardless, see which travel partners (airlines, hotels, cruises, rental car companies, etc.) they work with so you'll know your options.
• The annual fee - Many premium travel cards come with hefty annual fees that should be considered in your expenses
• The welcome offer and terms - Most cards will offer you a lump sum of reward points, typically in the tens of thousands, if you spend a specific amount of money within the first few months of opening your card. This is usually a one-time offer, so you'll need to strategize your costs accordingly.

Step 6: Check award blogs and calculators

Now that you know how many points you'll earn off the bat (plus a rough estimate of how many points your purchases will earn), you'll need to find out just how many points it'll cost you to do your honeymoon. There are dozens of travel blogs and websites with calculators that help people figure these out, like Doctor of Credit or the /r/churning and /r/awardtravel subreddits.

Step 7: Open the card and start spending

Step 8: Keep a running tally of your total points and how close you are to your goal

Step 9: Convert the points with travel partners

This is it! Now that you've accumulated all those points, it's time to cash it in and book your trip! Keep confirmation records handy, just in case.

Bonus tip

Keep an eye out for promotional offers from credit cards and travel partners that offer bonus points. Some hotels will offer a % bonus if you buy points in bulk (i.e., 25% more points if you buy points directly from them), while others will have a temporary promotional period where your credit card points convert to a higher amount (i.e., instead of 1:1, 1:2, etc.)

Kazoo Magazine 2022 issues
Kazoo Magazine's 2022 covers: The Magic Issue (#24), The Ocean Issue (#25), The Future Issue (#26), The Brave Issue (#27)

BROOKLYN, N.Y., February 24, 2023 (Newswire.com) - The American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME) has recognized Kazoo, an independently published quarterly print magazine for girls, ages 5 to 12, for awards in the categories of General Excellence, Best Print Design, and Best Print Illustration. 

Kazoo is nominated for General Excellence-Special Interest, the most prestigious honor in the publishing industry; for Best Print Design for The Brave Issue (#27); and for Best Print Illustration for "Look for the Light" by Lucy Knisley in The Future Issue (#26). Kazoo is the only children's magazine recognized in 2023. 

In 2023, Kazoo published four powerful issues: The Brave Issue (#27), which inspires girls to dream boldly and make their voices heard; The Future Issue (#26), which encourages them to imagine—and build—a better tomorrow; The Ocean Issue (#25), which takes them on a deep dive into the science and secrets of the sea; and The Magic Issue (#24), which sparks their wonder and curiosity about the world. Every 64-page, ad-free issue is filled with visually stunning illustrations, clever comics, powerful fiction, and interactive stories, and each supports Kazoo's simple, yet still radical, mission: to celebrate girls for being strong, smart, fierce and true to themselves. 

The three 2023 ASME nods mark Kazoo magazine's eighth ASME nomination in just seven years, having previously been nominated in 2017, 2019, and 2021 for General Excellence-Special Interest and twice in 2022 for Best Single Topic Issue and Best Illustrated Story. Kazoo won the highest honor in the category of General Excellence-Special Interest in 2019.

This year, 243 national and regional media organizations entered the National Magazine Awards. Finalists and winners will be honored at the annual presentation of the National Magazine Awards at Terminal 5, in New York City, on Tuesday, March 28.

MORE ABOUT KAZOO MAGAZINE:

Kazoo: A Magazine for Girls Who Aren't Afraid to Make Some Noise is the story of a little quarterly magazine that could. We're print-only by design, ad-free by choice, and we launched in 2016 after running what was the highest-funded journalism campaign in crowdfunding history. With a full-time staff of one, Kazoo now reaches subscribers in 51 countries worldwide and counts among its contributors Stacey Abrams, Margaret Atwood, Amy Sherald, Greta Thunberg, and others. Our mission is as radical as it is essential: to celebrate girls, 5 to 12, for being strong, smart, fierce and true to themselves.

Representation matters, especially to kids, so celebrating all kinds of girls and women in our pages is not a quota to fill; it's part of our purpose.

[Kazoo's Media Kit: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0478/1254/2631/files/Kazoo_Media_Kit_2022.pdf?v=1646063959]
[Asme Announcement: https://asme.memberclicks.net/american-society-of-magazine-editors-announces-finalists-for-2023-national-magazine-awards]