Educational Posts on Loyalty Programs

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How to Get a Free FICO Credit Score from all 3 Credit Bureaus

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Credit scores are a quick way for banks, insurance companies, and others to rank us based on our past behavior. Keeping track of your credit score is an important way to monitor your progress towards a better financial future. But how do you get a free FICO credit score? There are actually many ways how to check your credit score for free. Follow along, and I’ll show you how.

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SafetyNet: Job Loss Insurance for Financial Peace of Mind

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Even in a healthily growing economy –like the one we enjoy in the U.S. today– layoffs and business closures happen. In fact, in August 2018 alone, the information services sector lost 6,000 jobs, the retail industry lost 5,900, manufacturing lost 3,000, durable goods lost 4,000, and auto manufacturing lost 3,000. That’s more than just a list of numbers; it’s more than 20,000 Americans who found themselves unexpectedly out of work.

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Even: Master Your Money for Better Financial Health

The Even app is a financial lifesaver for the 80 percent of Americans living paycheck to paycheck.

Do you live paycheck to paycheck, counting the days between each infusion of cash so you can buy essentials and cover your bills—and rarely, if ever, having anything left over to stash away for a rainy day? If so, you’re far from alone. According to a survey of U.S. workers conducted last year, nearly 80 percent said they struggle to make ends meet. And that wasn’t just the low- and mid-income earners either. Nearly 10 percent of respondents making $100,000 or more a year said they usually or always live paycheck to paycheck.

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TrueConf: Video Conferencing Made Easy

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If you’re looking for effective, interactive video communication, a company called TrueConf makes it simple to connect desktops, mobiles, phones, H.323/SIP endpoints and much more across your entire organization. RewardExpert had the opportunity to speak with TrueConf Chief Business Development Officer, Dmitry Odintsov, about what sets TrueConf apart from other businesses offering video conferencing and how it can help business owners save time and money.

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Invest in the Next Big Thing with SyndicateRoom

Grapfical image of investments and revenue

The opportunity to be an early investor in the next Google or Facebook or Uber is something no investor would pass up. But getting access to red-hot startups in the early days has traditionally been restricted to institutions and venture capital firms. Now, a UK company called SyndicateRoom is opening up access to these companies, providing everyday investors with the opportunity to put their money into fast growing startups and become so-called tech investment “Dragons,” allowing them to invest alongside some of the biggest names in venture capital. “We’re an online investment platform offering investors access to highly-vetted startup investments,” said Marcin Zaba, SyndicateRoom’s head of marketing, who spoke to RewardExpert. “Investors can invest directly into individual companies or via our funds.”

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$5 Dinners is Helping Families Spend Less on Groceries

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According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the average monthly grocery expenditure for a moderate-cost meal plan for a family of four is about $966.50—or a little more than $11,500 a year. Erin Chase, founder of $5 Dinners, a website focused on budget-friendly family recipes, believes hard working Americans don’t need to spend nearly that much for healthy, nutritious meals. She cut her own food bill in half using a combination of strategic grocery shopping, meal planning and couponing, and now she’s helping others do the same.

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SCOTTeVEST’s Patented Pockets Take the Hassle Out of Travel

there is a man in the vest

Mobile phone, tablet, charger, sunglasses and reading glasses, keys, wallet, passport and more. When you’re on the go —whether just across town or to the other side of the globe— where do you stash all of these essentials? The answer is no longer limited to ‘my bag,’ ‘my briefcase’ or ‘my purse’ thanks to SCOTTeVEST’s innovative garments engineered for the everyday adventurer.

RewardExpert spoke with Scott Jordan, the company’s co-founder, to learn more about the inspiration behind his line of tech-enabled vests, jackets, hoodies and more as well as his plans for SCOTTeVEST’s future.

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850 FICO: Do you really need the highest credit score?

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While many people struggle to improve their credit scores, there are some super prime consumers who have earned a perfect credit score of 850. The higher your credit score, the better terms you’ll get on loans and perks on your credit cards. But do you really need the highest credit score possible to get the best loan interest rates and credit card benefits? And what steps can you take to improve your credit score?

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Why the Free Checked Bag Benefit Doesn’t Always Mean “Free”

Woman holding a suitcase

The airlines are making a killing by charging us for checked bags. In 2017, airlines made over $4.5 billion from this additional source of revenue. Now, checking a bag is getting more expensive for travelers because United and JetBlue are increasing the first checked bag fees from $25 to $30. And the other airlines are sure to follow.

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Take the Road to Success with MyCorporation

People listening to a woman in the office

Owning your own business is a career path that millions of people dream about. The idea of being your own boss, with the freedom to do what you want, when you want, and cash in on the profits at the same time, is quite appealing to many individuals. However, turning that dream into a reality is easier said than done. One company called MyCorporation is helping to make the road easier for budding entrepreneurs, providing guidance every step of the way.

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Allianz Tuition Insurance: Helping Families Protect Their Higher Education Investment

There is a group of students who walks and the logo of allianztuitioninsurance.com

In today’s increasingly expensive economy, a college degree can mean the difference between long-term financial security and a paycheck-to-paycheck existence. In fact, according to data from the Social Security Administration, a U.S. male with a bachelor’s degree will earn approximately $900,000 more in his lifetime than one with only a high school diploma. The same male with a gradate degree would earn $1.5 million more.

Of course, enrolling in college isn’t enough to guarantee financial success—you have to actually finish your studies. Statistics show that this may be easier said than done, with one in three students forced to leave college for at least one semester and 41 percent failing to earn a four-year bachelor’s degree within six years of enrollment.

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Hawk Incentives Helps Businesses Build Loyal Customers With Incentive Programs

there is a company logo and a girl with packages

Customer reward programs are popular with today’s consumers. In fact, a survey commissioned by Hawk Incentives, a division of Blackhawk Network and a leading provider of rewards and incentives to organizations across the globe, found that the average American adult belongs to 6.2 such programs. That number was even higher for consumers in the Millennial generation at 6.5 on average.

We recently spoke with Theresa McEndree, the company’s Vice President of Marketing, to learn more about Hawk Incentives’ reward program services and survey insights as well as how RewardExpert readers can design effective loyalty programs for their own businesses.

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Leave Your Computer Issues to Bask

there is a logo of Bask and a who presses "support" button

We’ve all been there. Something is acting up on your computer and you have no idea how to fix it. As a consumer, you dread taking your machine to the store and having to leave it there for several days and pay a hefty fee. Or if you’re a business, there’s the frustrating call to the IT department and putting in a ticket.

With Bask, you can take a break from the hassles of IT and just make a simple call. One of the technicians will help you over the phone and get you back to your work (and your life) fast.

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Protect Your Precious Cargo With CargoNet

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It’s a major problem that many Americans have never heard of—cargo theft. The FBI defines it as the criminal taking of any cargo, including goods, money or baggage, and it can have a significant financial impact on both a company and the broader U.S. economy. Companies like CargoNet offer solutions to the cargo theft issue.

Ryan Shepherd, general manager of CargoNet, a Verisk business, spoke to RewardExpert. He said companies need to start taking cargo theft seriously, now. “Any assumption that your company is safe simply because you’ve never had a theft incident is a mistake that can end up costing you,” he said.

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Meet the Writer Who Believes You Can Afford Anything You Want

there is a lady near the car, looking to the sea and the text: Afford anything

How often do you scroll through your social media feed, looking at other people’s outfits, new homes or exotic vacations and wishing you too could afford to live the kind of life that would make your Instagram friends green with envy?

Paula Pant knows exactly what it feels like to be on the receiving end of such feelings. When she quit her job ten years ago, bought a one-way ticket to Egypt and spent the next two years backpacking around the world, she was the object of a fair amount of envy.

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14 Southwest International Destinations for Your Next Getaway

Map with Southwest international destinations

Southwest Airlines is my favorite domestic airline due to their awesome customer service, no-frills approach and great benefits, like the Southwest Companion Pass. But did you know that there are 14 Southwest international destinations to choose from?

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Factom Safeguards the Information We Care About Most

Lock on the left with Factom logo on the right

Let’s face it: the world is full of cyber-criminals looking to steal your data online and use it in malicious ways. We all recognize the need for heightened security when it comes to sharing and securing information.

But what about the information that should be shared with the world? Information like distributed records, information and other documentation that should be available and accessible to others—how do you keep some information transparent while also safeguarding it?

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Petplan: Insurance for Pet Parent Peace of Mind

Woman playing with her dog

One in three pets will experience an unexpected health issue each year according to Petplan, a pet insurance company on a mission to ensure healthier, longer lives for North America’s four-legged family members. Unless they have insurance coverage, these emergencies can take a vicious bite out of pet parents’ budgets. In fact, the average cost of an unexpected trip to the vet ranges from $769.56 in North Dakota to $1,521.18 in California.

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Credit Utilization: Everything You Need to Know to Increase Your Score

Credit Utilization: Everything You Need To Know To Increase Your Score

To increase your credit score, you want to focus on what you can change the quickest. Credit utilization is the second largest factor in your credit score. And it is the one you have the most control over on a monthly basis. Simply put, the lower your balances versus the amount of credit you have, the better your score will be. We’re going to discuss everything you need to know to increase your credit score by controlling your credit utilization rate.

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10 Passive Income Ideas to Rock Your World

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The only thing better than making money is making money while you sleep. That’s the whole concept behind passive income. You can spend more time with your family and friends, perfect your golf swing or learn another language. The possibilities are endless because you’ve set up passive income streams that provide you a paycheck without needing to clock in. Here are the 10 best passive income ideas that will rock your world.

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