Month: November 2014

The Advantages of Enrolling in a Debt Relief Program

    Finance Tips

Debt relief new york

The holiday shopping season is almost in full swing, and soon, Americans will be spending their hard-earned dollars on finding the perfect holiday presents for their loved ones. The National Retail Federations holiday spending forecast for November and December is bright, as consumers continue to gain confidence in the post-recession economy. Consumer spending is slated to increase at least 4%, with the average shopping spending $804, up from $767 from last year.

However, the holiday season can be a difficult time for those who are struggling with debt. Even those who are not in debt can quickly rack up thousands in credit card debt by not adhering to a spending plan or budget. As such, it’s important to help with debt and debt advice in order to have a happy holiday season that won’t stretch your finances beyond their means.

Debt relief programs offer a number of flexible debt relief options and solutions for those who in need of regaining of control of their finances. Don’t prejudge your financial situation. Debt counselling matches the right debt relief services with your financial needs and goals.

In addition to relief options, debt relief programs off expert financial planning advice, allowing you to make better, more informed financial decisions in addition to planning for your future. Visit here for more.

What Services Can Payment Processing Companies Offer Your Business?

    Finance Tips

Prepaid debit and credit cards

Although it still happens, it’s usually rare for businesses to only accept cash. Doing so not only limits the amount that customers can spend in their store (dependent upon what they have in their wallets, but it also creates a major inconvenience for shoppers who predominantly use credit and debit cards. However, thanks to all of the benefits that credit card payment processing includes, customers can have more options for payment when retail establishments, restaurants, and other businesses have the right technology in place.

Just what types of services does payment processing include? Here are a few common ways that businesses can accept credit cards and debit cards thanks to advances in technology.

  • Mobile Payment Processing: No longer do businesses need bulky cash registers at their counters. They now have the opportunity to accept credit cards on mobile devices, such as tablets and smartphones. This is especially useful for businesses that want to open up more checkout lines anywhere in the store or for restaurants that would like to offer their customers the chance to pay at a table.

  • Mobile Phone Payments: This option is a growing industry in the payment processing world. Mobile phone technology allows customers to pay at retail businesses using contactless devices to transfer funds. A good example of this is Apple Pay for iPhones; however, there are other retailers and companies developing their own versions of these apps.

  • Online Payment Processing: Finally, eCommerce, or online retail, is expected to reach over $1 trillion in revenue by 2015. Businesses that have expanded online need to have their payment processing include the ability to accept as many international currencies as possible all while providing low transaction fees. Online payment processing companies can also provide fraud protection and other risk management for these businesses.

Have questions about payment processing? Be sure to speak with a company that offers these services. You can also leave a comment below if you’d like to know more about these cutting edge payment solutions.

Three Reasons To Support Your Local Pharmacy

    Finance Tips

Pos system for pharmacy

Big retail stores are taking over these days, and when they have special departments for everything from home decor to pharmaceutical needs, the reasons to go to a smaller local pharmacy seem less convincing. So if you’re part of this trend, and you need a few reasons to convince you that your local pharmacy deserves your patronage, here are just a few reasons to get you thinking:

  • Many people choose to avoid local pharmacies because it’s common for small businesses to struggle with providing quick transactions and complicated coupon and/or customer loyalty programs. Bigger chain stores, on the other hand, tend to have the funds and the space to accommodate large retail POS systems.

    But small pharmacies are a bit different; because pharmacists have to manage controlled prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications and health supplies, they’re more concerned with investing in high-tech retail pharmacy POS systems, even if the software is a bit on the expensive side. Many small pharmacies even have pharmacy software that can rival any big chain store, and they’re able to provide all the extra perks (like loyalty programs and ultra-fast transactions) without a problem.
  • Having a better pharmacy POS system doesn’t take the place of a real-life pharmacist, but it does help the pharmacist organize and track things like sales numbers and product inventory. And when the pharmacy staff spends less time on these menial tasks, they’re able to spend more time focusing on the needs of their patients.

    Being able to discuss any medication complications and interactions with a certified pharmacist can be invaluable, even if you’re only taking over-the-counter medications. When you find a pharmacist around whom you feel comfortable, discussing sensitive health issues is much, much easier. Quite simply, no fancy self-check out lanes and no amount of useless coupons on a 5-foot-long receipt can take the place of a professional healthcare expert.
  • And finally, keep in mind that when you visit your local pharmacy, you’re supporting a business that provides jobs for your community. Most small businesses are incredibly dedicated to serving their local customers, and by keeping valuable jobs in the community, the entire area will benefit from a higher standard of living. While online shopping can be very convenient, it ends up taking money out of your community and could mean that your hard-working neighbors are left without jobs.

So now the conversation is being turned over to you — why you choose to go to a local pharmacy instead of a big chain store? Or, what’s making you hesitant to do so? Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section!