Top 6 secured credit cards and their features
Top 6 secured credit cards and their features

Secured credit cards are a helpful tool for people with bad or limited credit. They also help finance day-to-day purchases while rebuilding the credit. Getting secured credit cards is easy as they have lenient approval requirements. The best secured credit cards also have low annual fees, and minimum deposits, and offer significant rewards on spending. Below is a list of some of the best secured credit cards and their features.

Discover It Secured Credit Card
Discover It is one of the best secured credit cards because it has no annual fee and, instead, offers 1 to 2% cashback on purchases. It requires a relatively low minimum refundable security deposit of at least $200, and an added feature of this card is the cash reward provided after 12 months from the registered period. Also, after a period of responsible use, automatic reviews determine if your card can transition to an unsecured card.

Citi Secured Mastercard
This card is ideal for beginners with limited or no credit and has no annual fee. The Citi Secured Mastercard requires a minimum security deposit of $200. Through its monthly reporting to all three major credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, the card helps you build your credit history. Though it does not offer any rewards, the Citi Secured Mastercard can be used all over the world.

Capital One Platinum Secured
Compared to other secured cards, the Capital One Platinum Secured requires a lower deposit. Usually, the credit line is as big as a security deposit, but with the Capital One Platinum Secured card, some applicants with better qualifications may get the initial credit limit of $200 by paying a deposit of $49 or $99. Customers can also pay the security deposits in installments instead of making the payment in one go. No annual or foreign transaction fee further makes it one of the best secured credit cards in the country. 

U.S. Bank Secured Visa Card
People with fair credit can get the U.S. Bank Secured Visa Card to build their credit score. It requires a minimum deposit of $300 and has no annual fee and no rewards program. You can choose your credit card due date and the auto-pay feature helps you pay your balance faster, eliminating interest and late fees. Also, if your secured card is lost or stolen, you will not be liable for unauthorized transactions.

Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit card
Strengthen or rebuild the credit with a Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card. Bank of America secured credit cardholders can earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases. With good payment behavior, the card can be transitioned to an unsecured card. There is no annual fee and the minimum security deposit requirement is $300. Bank of America will report the card history to the three credit bureaus to help you build your credit score over time.

Secured Sable ONE Credit Card
People with poor credit can apply for the Secured Sable ONE Credit Card. The card has $0 annual fees and gives attractive rewards that make it one of the best secured credit cards in the market. With this card, you can also earn 1 to 2% cashback in addition to a bonus on all cash back at the end of the first year. The card can be upgraded to an unsecured card in 4 months; this is a shorter duration compared to what other credit cards offer. You can also improve your credit score as monthly transaction reports are sent to the credit bureaus. Other notable benefits offered include cover for phone damage or theft if you buy your phone or pay your monthly cell phone bill with the card.

Secured cards are also best suited for those who have never owned a credit card. The credit history of the secured credit card will help you build personal credit inexpensively and this will help you qualify for a decent unsecured card in the future.

  • Top 4 credit cards for reward points

    If you have an impeccable credit record, you can get your hands on some of the best credit cards that offer reward points for every transaction. That said, some of the popular value-for-money credit cards offer more than just reward points—think huge savings on shopping, dining, traveling, and much more. Here’s a list of our top five picks of the best reward points credit cards.

    Citi Custom Cash Card
    You can earn 5% cashback on purchases in the top eligible spend category, up to the first $500 each billing cycle, and 1% cashback thereafter with this credit card. You can earn unlimited 1% cashback in all the other categories. Another benefit of the Citi Custom Cash Card is that there is no annual fee, and you get an introductory 0% APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months.

    Chase Sapphire Preferred® credit card
    The Chase Sapphire Preferred® credit card is a perfect choice if you travel often. You can earn 2X points on travel, dining out, or takeout and one point per dollar spent on other purchases. Plus, you earn 100,000 points if you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening. And the points are worth 25% more if you redeem them for travel. That’s a lot of value, but the card has a $95 annual fee.

    American Express® Gold Card
    This is one of the best credit cards if you want to collect points. You can earn a welcome bonus of 60,000 Membership Rewards® points if you spend $4,000 in the first 6 months. Plus, it offers 4X reward points on takeout and delivery. There’s also a $120 annual dining credit at select outlets, and you can get Uber cash of up to another $120 annually on Uber rides or Uber Eats orders. Some might find the $250 annual fee steep, but the Amex Gold Card does pack a punch.

    CapitalOne SavorOne Rewards Card
    This CapitalOne credit card makes for an excellent choice for beginners as it offers rewards on all popular spending categories, like entertainment, food, and shopping. Plus, it has a 0% introductory APR for 15 months. You can earn unlimited 3% cashback on dining, entertainment, streaming services, and at grocery stores, and you also get 1% cashback on all other categories. And all this comes with no annual fee. This is one of the best credit cards for collecting reward points if you spend a lot on these categories.

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  • How to keep muscle cramps away

    We bet, the thought of a muscle cramp makes you cringe. So how is a muscle cramp caused? To put in simple terms, it is a strong contraction or tightening of a muscle that happens in instant. Extremely painful, it can last for few seconds or go up to several minutes. The muscle does not relax, which is why you experience such acute pain. Not hard to notice, a muscle cramp often causes the involved muscle to harden.

    Most people experience a muscle cramp at least sometimes in their life. It is a common condition and can happen due to several reasons. The most common reason being extreme pressure being exerted on the muscle due to a rigorous workout.

    If you are constantly at the receiving end of excruciating pain due to constant muscle cramps, here are certain things you can do to avoid them.

    Drink enough water – It is true, water is the remedy to most health problems. You must ensure that your body is well hydrated at all times. The losses as much fluid and replenishing it with water will keep the muscles from contracting.

    Avoid popping pills – Constant consumption of medicines, birth control pills, steroids, etc. can affect the muscle cramp. You should try and minimize the intake of these medicines as much as possible.

    Limit smoking and alcohol intake – Smoking and drinking cause lack of blood circulation to the muscles. The legs especially fall prey to the effects of bad circulation. Regular smoking can lead this to aggravate thereby making muscle cramps extremely painful.

    Healthy food intake – Your body is a reflection of the food you eat. Make sure that you eat food that is healthy and gives your body enough vitamins, calcium, etc. Avoid eating greasy foods that generous on oils and fatty acids.

    Prescribed multivitamin tablets – It is possible that the natural foods you eat may not provide your body with all the required vitamins. Ask your doctor to prescribe you multivitamin tablets that you can take every day. This is help in the deficiency thereby controlling muscle contraction.

    Go gym easy – If you hit the gym, take your time and go slow on the workouts. Lifting weights and stressing other parts of your body can lead to your muscle reacting in the form of cramps. You have to first condition your body to exercise a little, before doing a full-fledged workout.

    Keeping these factors in mind and you will be able to effectively avoid cramps and the pain.

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  • Top 3 electric blankets that you can buy online

    Electric blankets benefit sleepers in many ways. While their primary function is to provide heat, these blankets also have therapeutic benefits. This product is especially useful for patients who have arthritis or fibromyalgia. Electric blankets are also energy efficient and can help you save some money on your heating bills during winter.

    Here are the three of the most popular heating blankets that you can buy online.

    Sunbeam® Quilted Fleece Heated Blanket
    The 10-hour auto-off feature is perhaps the highlight of Sunbeam’s electric blanket. Its wiring system’s design distributes heat evenly throughout the blanket. Moreover, this 100% polyester blanket keeps your entire body warm. It also features a dual temperature control system that lets you and your partner enjoy different temperatures with the same electric blanket. Sunbeam’s quilted fleece heated blanket has ten different control settings. Slip a duvet over it if you can feel the wires through the fabric or if you want to keep it clean for longer. You can purchase the blanket on Amazon for $79 approximately.

    Soft Heat Luxury Micro-fleece Electric Heated Blanket
    Many people might think that a microfleece blanket is too expensive for their daily needs. However, you should splurge on this product as it will provide you with the ultimate level of comfort. Moreover, this blanket also helps you save money as it uses less electricity to provide heat with a revolutionary low voltage technology. The blanket also features a dual heat setting that allows both partners to share one electric blanket with different heat settings. The blanket has an auto power-off system in case you forget to turn it off. Thus, it is energy efficient and also reduces the risk of a short circuit due to overheating. You can purchase the Soft Heat electric blanket from Amazon for around $185.

    Sunbeam® Microplush Heated Throw
    Sunbeam’s Microplush Heated Throw is an affordable option when you are looking to stay warm but don’t want to spend a lot of cash. The Microplush Heated Throw electric blanket offers only three heating modes and three-hour auto power off feature as compared to other products that come with more functions. However, its limited functionality does not make the product subpar as it still provides good heating. You can purchase this inexpensive electric blanket for around $40 on various shopping websites.

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  • 4 tips to slow down the aging process naturally

    Growing old brings a lot of changes in our bodies, both biologically and physiologically. Some of the most common signs of aging are dark spots, sagging skin, lines and wrinkles, patchy skin, and open pores. Though there are several other signs of aging, these are the ones that are the easiest to notice.
    Although the process of aging is inevitable, there are some ways to slow it down and prolong it as much as possible. These anti-aging products and techniques can help one fight the signs of aging. While plenty of products promise you anti-aging results, there are several natural ways to get the same results.
    • Add some vitamin A to your diet: Most dermatologists prescribe retinoids as a way of adding vitamin A to a patient’s diet. Retinol is a form of vitamin A which helps treat fine lines, uneven skin tone, textured skin, and dark spots. Therefore, just by adding retinoids to your skin care routine, you can prevent the early signs of aging. Thus, vitamin A is one of the best anti-aging supplements.
    • Focus on staying fit: One can stay fit by making changes to their diet and lifestyle. It is vital to eat nutritious food and exercise regularly to maintain a healthy weight. People who are fit can tackle the early signs of aging better than people who do not control their diet or lifestyle. Fit people have a healthy gut and high immunity levels which naturally slow down the aging process.
    • Drink plenty of water: Staying hydrated is vital for staying healthy. Water washes away most of the impurities in the body. Drinking water regularly also keeps your skin moisturized, and thus, helps fight the early signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines. Thus, people who do not drink water frequently can face skin problems when they grow old.
    • Get adequate sleep: Inadequate sleep can make your face appear dull and old. It is a vital activity as our bodies repair itself while we are sleeping. When you do not get enough sleep, your body is unable to replenish itself, leading to problems like dull skin with fine lines and wrinkles. Therefore, to prevent the signs of aging, one should ensure they get at least 7 hours of sleep every day.
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  • What are the symptoms of leukemia?

    Leukemia is a type of cancer that begins in the blooding-forming tissues of the body such as the bone marrow. The cancer causes white blood cells to grow abnormally. The exact cause of leukemia is not known. Some risk factors include genetics, exposure to certain chemicals and radiation or bone marrow disorders.

    Types of leukemia
    Leukemia that progresses slowly is termed as chromic leukemia and if the disease progresses rapidly, it is referred to as acute leukemia. Leukemia is also classified depending on the type of blood cell affected by the disease.

    • Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) affects a type of white blood cell called lymphocyte and develops at a faster rate.
    • Chronic lymphoblastic leukemia (CLL) affects lymphocytes and develops slowly.
    • Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) affects a type of white blood cells known as granulocytes and develops fast.
    • Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) affects granulocytes and develops slowly.

    Symptoms of leukemia
    Leukemia symptoms begin to appear as the production of white blood cells is disturbed in the bone marrow. The lack of white blood cells in the body can lead to the following symptoms

    • Frequent or persistent infections are a classic sign of leukemia as white blood cells stop functioning properly due to the cancer.
    • Anemia is a common leukemia symptom as cancer can affect the production of red blood cells.
    • Fatigue can result due to leukemia along with weakness, palpitations and breathlessness.
    • Pain or tenderness in the bones may be seen in children with ALL.
    • Bruising and bleeding can frequently occur due to low count of platelets. Petechiae, which are small red skin spots, can appear due to disturbances in the blood. Abnormal growth of white blood cells can also cause heavy menstrual flow, bleeding in the gums or nosebleeds.

    Often, leukemia symptoms go unnoticed as some of the signs resemble those of cold infections or flu. But if the infections persist or any of the symptoms occur frequently, it is a good idea to see a doctor to understand the cause for the same.

    Leukemia treatment
    The doctor may want to see how some leukemia symptoms progress or affect the health of the patient before starting any therapies. Patients with chronic types of leukemia may not need to begin treatment therapies immediately after diagnosis.
    The diagnosis can take place through physical exam to check for any lymph node swelling, liver health and anemia. Other diagnostic procedures for leukemia can include blood tests or a bone marrow test.

    Most often, it is possible to cure acute leukemia with standard therapies. However, in cases of chronic leukemia, even though the disease can be treated, a cure most often is not a possibility.

    Some treatment options for leukemia are chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, biological therapy and stem cell transplant. The treatment plan may depend on the patient’s age, state of health and type and severity of leukemia. Information about leukemia symptoms can greatly help in the timely diagnosis and treatment of the cancer.

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  • How Can You Find The Right Electrolyte Drink

    Electrolyte drinks are important for those who want to make up for the lost electrolytes from their body due to heavy exercising or playing a sport. You can also have the drink first thing in the morning to keep yourself energized and hydrated throughout the day. Choosing the best drink is a matter of understanding as to why it could be helpful to you and accordingly research your option, keeping a close look at things like added sugar and nutrient content. It could be a bit confusing to make sense of everything that is written on the label. But if you can identify what is added to the drink and assess whether the same is useful to you or not would help you to choose the ideal drink.

    Remember the term ‘best’ is subjective. Thus, what is best for you may not be as good for others and vice-versa. However, things like chemical additives and ingredients are universal. An electrolyte drink with limited or no sugar can be considered the best for most people. If you are not able to find something useful in the store, you can choose to make the drink at home.

    Contents of the drink
    Before choosing an electrolyte drink, it is required to understand what is it and who needs it and the difference between the several options available today. There are competing products and different brands in any market. Knowing the reason for you to drink this is the best way to narrow down to a product. For instance, some of these drinks are primarily sugar based with no or minimal nutrients. There are others as well that are full of beneficial nutrients and minerals. Some others contain proteins and amino acids as well.

    Different varieties with specific ingredients are geared toward specific audiences. It is the athletes who consume electrolyte drinks mostly. But there are people who spend most of their time working outdoors and do a lot of physical work. They can also use electrolyte drinks to replenish salts they lost through sweat.

    Electrolytes are basically minerals that keep an electric charge, moving nutrients to cells and removing wastes from the cells. Electrolyte drinks replenish lost minerals and electrolytes in the body that are lost due to vigorous physical activity.

    Consider the ratio of electrolyte
    People lose chloride, potassium, and sodium when they undertake strenuous exercise routine. Calcium and magnesium are also lost but not in huge amounts. Take a closer look at the ingredients of the electrolyte drinks that you are considering to buy. This will point out the differences between all the available brands. You must choose the brand that replenishes all the lost essential nutrients as there are some that only replenish a few of the minerals and salts and that too in limited amounts.

    Look for sugar content
    Most electrolyte drinks contain carbohydrate which is used to fuel the body. However, there are some which contain a high amount of sugar, a simple carbohydrate. Studies have shown that nobody needs more than 6% of these items in their drinks. Carbohydrates are most of the times added calories that are unnecessary and manufacturers add them for taste. More than 6% to 8% carbohydrate is too much per serving is somebody is not doing athletic training for quite a long period or in hot and dry conditions.

    Difference between proteins and amino acids
    There are some brands who boast of protein in their drinks which seem attractive. However, the truth is that protein is not an essential ingredient for a sports or energy drink. Though drinks containing protein may lower damage to the muscles and promote endurance, it is better to drink something with amino acids instead. They are vital parts of proteins but more elemental.

    Keep these important factors in mind when you shop for electrolyte drinks if you want to enjoy its benefits. As a rule of the thumb, go for the products that do not have added sugar and caffeine.

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  • Tips for decorating your 12 ft pre-lit Christmas garland

    Many preparations and decorations need to be done during Christmas. By the time Christmas rolls in, your decorations should be done, gifts for family and friends should be done and above all your Christmas tree should be in place. Many of us buy new things and new lights for our Christmas decorations. However, what do we do when we have many Christmas garlands lying around? Be it a short pre-lit garland or a 12 ft pre-lit Christmas garland; there are many ways to use them for decorations. Right before Christmas, you can find Christmas garlands for sale. Christmas lights can be found at your local store or any online store for great prices during a sale.

    Tips for decorating your pre-lit Christmas garland
    For people who have an excess of small or 12 ft pre-lit Christmas garland know the pain of finding ways to decorate these garlands. Here are some tips for you, if you too have an excess of these garlands:
    Door decorations: With longer garlands, it is always easier to use to around door. This can be done by adding a layer of huge Christmas leaves string or with other smaller decorations. Christmas lights around the door will give you a brighter and prettier way of using the Christmas lights. You can decorate indoors as well in the same manner.

    Staircase railings: It is always better to have a well-lighted Christmas. Another way of decorating your Christmas lights is to wrap them around your staircase railings. These lights can be used separately or can be added to some base to add more volume to the lights.

    On Christmas trees: There is nothing better than using pre-lit garlands on Christmas trees. Christmas trees are simply made for being decorated with lights. You can use different colored lights if you like or you can use same colored lights.

    Flower pots: Be it hanging pots or stationary pots, indoor, or outdoor flower pots, you can add a string of lights to them. These Christmas garlands can be added without further additions to the flower pots or added with other things such Christmas leaves and Christmas ornaments to add more decorations to the lights.

    Mantle decorations: Christmas is one such holiday where we cannot get enough of holiday lights. Another way of using Christmas garlands for decorations is to use them around your mantle. Add some amazing ornaments to the lights and make it more pleasing.

    Using up a vast collection of small and 12 ft pre-lit Christmas garland seems like a task. But once you get down to decorating, you will find that it is easier to use decorations with the lights, and it is easy to put them to good use.

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  • Why pick the best mattress

    When it comes to choosing the best mattresses for a peaceful sleep, the task can be extremely difficult. It has also been proved scientifically that a mattress also has an impact on quality of sleep. It is at such times that the role of best mattresses in the market comes in prominence. Thankfully, there are a number of brands in the market including Stearns Foster that offers best mattresses.

    Any mattress is considered to be among best mattresses when the mattress can offer relief to the pressure points in the body. There are many scientifically designed best mattress brands in the market including Stearns foster which will take care of this aspect.

    Selecting a mattress also depends on several factors and best mattresses brands are known to offer ample choices to the customers. You should choose a mattress that offers a soft base.

    It is important to test the mattress to judge the fact that if it could rank among the best mattresses in the market. It will be a great idea to lie down on a mattress before the final purchase. All the leading mattress brand manufacturers including Stearns Foster will happily offer this facility to the user as it increases the credibility of the brand. The customer also gets a satisfaction that they are choosing from the best mattresses in the market and are paying for the right product.

    A mattress should also be purchased only when it comes with a minimum of one year warranty. All the mattresses which are considered among the best mattresses fulfill this criterion and those from Stearns Foster are no exceptions to it.

    One should always research before buying a mattress. As there are a number of popular brands in the market, you should compare various mattresses before picking the best one.

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