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October 2021

Business

The Best Way to Get Out of Credit Card Debt

Federal Reserve reported that consumer debt hit an all-time high record before COVID-19, and now, the situation has got even worse.As a rule, people don’t even realize how they’ve accumulated so much debt and how it’s gone out of control. That’s why it’s important to stop and look around to take some measures to get out of credit card debt. Below, you can find basic steps and you’ll also know who can help you with a reliable and low-cost merchant cash advance in the U.S.

Getting Out of Credit Card Debt: Getting Merchant Cash Advance

Being equipped with the right knowledge and tools is paramount in any situation during your lifetime. Otherwise, you’re going to end up with misconceptions and fall into a trap. The same is with debt accumulation. Even if you’ve fallen into the trap of credit card debt, there are steps you can take to save the situation.

First of all, you shouldn’t ignore your credit report, which, by the way, you can get for free. The latter helps you keep your progress under control so you can better focus on improving your score.As a result, you can enjoy more favorable interest rates in the future. So, let’s start.

  1. Assess Your Financial Situation and Cut Your Expenses

Make a list of all your debt, including your monthly bills. Create such review based on the balance and the annual percentage rate (APR). Then, focus on cutting your expenses. You can do this by sticking to your budget and figuring out where you can cut expenses from and enjoy more income.

  1. Negotiate With Your Bank

Yes, this is quite doable. Just turn to your bank or credit card issuer for favorable deal. Why not try a new repayment plan or an agreement?This is a fine strategy to use. Only, remember not to agree to those payments that you can’t manage.

When negotiating, you can also ask them to stop the interest.What about a lower lump sum payment?Request for a lower interest rate. Besides, you can turn to a provider of credit counseling services, to a debt settlement business, or an attorney who can help you with your debt.

  1. Combine Your Credit Debt& Use One Account

If you have balances on more than one card, you can enjoy a lower interest rate by bringing together your credit debts. If you have overwhelming debt payments, you can consolidate them into a single account. Making one payment each month can be of great help.

What if you have bad credit because of the situation you’re in and you can’t have access to the funds you need? No worries. You can turn to a reputable high risk alternative online lender in the U.S. for a merchant cash advance or another type of financing. A true high risk expert can easily approve you for the funds you need at the lowest possible rates.

How to Get Out of Credit Card Debt

If you’ve fallen into credit card debt, this can be a traumatic experience with a severe impact on your life. The good news is that you can take certain steps to cut your credit card debt and better manage your spending.

Author Bio:Michael Hollis is a Detroit native who has helped hundreds of business owners with their merchant cash advance solutions. He’s experimented with various occupations: computer programming, dog-training, accounting… But his favorite is the one he’s now doing — providing business funding for hard-working business owners across the country.

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Business

5 Useful Ways to Use Mac Automator

Did you know that your Mac has a built-in robot that can do many tasks for you, saving you tons of time? If not, that’s okay.

More than 22 million MacBooks were sold in 2020, and almost none of those users are aware of the Mac Automator. That means that these millions of people are wasting time completing repetitive tasks manually because they are simply ignorant of the robot they already own.

Are you on the lookout for Mac shortcuts that can save you time, which also helps you to save money? Then you need to know how to use Mac Automator, the free automation tool that can help you manipulate images and files at scale.

So what exactly can Mac Automator do to make your life easier? Keep reading to discover five of the main ways to start using this application.

1. Scale Down Image

If you are a photographer, designer, or someone else who works with lots of images, you know the pain of having to scale down large image files. After all, large images would slow down web pages if they were uploaded at full size.

Luckily, images don’t need to be full size to look good on a web page. Most people use small screens, such as smartphones or laptops, anyways. So an image that is only 1,200 pixels wide is more than sufficient. But images coming out of modern cameras can be up to 6,000 pixels wide.

Of course, you can edit photo sizes one by one using Preview on Mac. You can also do it one at a time when using photo editing software.

But the easier way to scale your images down to a consistent size is to use Automator.

You’ll start by opening Automator and creating new automation. Add the collection of photos to be edited in the left column. Then add the “scale images” function to the right column. Then save the app to your desktop.

You’ve essentially created a brand new app on your MacBook. To use, all you need to do is drop individual photos or a folder containing a collection of images onto the application’s icon.

You can edit the app at any time change the desired resolution. Or create multiple apps, each for a different resolution.

2. Rotate Images

Depending on how you take images, you might end up with many photos that are all sideways or upside down. This happens when using smartphones, as the orientation can get messed up when phones are held horizontally.

The slow way of fixing these photos is to open each one separately and click the rotate button multiple times until they are correct. But the easy way of resolving these on an ongoing basis is by creating an app with Automator.

Again, you’ll start by adding “Photos” to the left column. In the right column, you’ll add the “Rotate Images” function. You can select the orientation for each app and name the app on your desktop accordingly.

You can make multiple apps, each rotating images in a different direction.

3. Use Mac Automator to Convert Files

Take a lot of photos with your iPhone? Then you’ve probably experienced the frustration that comes along with HEIC files. These are the native format of photos taken on iPhones these days.

But not all websites accept uploads of HEIC files. So if you need to take a picture of a document, license, or something else and upload it to an app or website, you may have your photo rejected.

You’ll need to convert these image files to a widely accepted format, such as JPEG.

To do this, you’ll create a new application and again add “Photos” to the left column. On the right, you’ll add the “Change Type of Images” function. Choose the “To Type” according to your preferences, such as the universally accepted JPEG.

You can create other apps to convert to different files types as well.

4. Turn a Website Into a Native App

Most people don’t realize that websites can be standalone apps on their Mac. But they are used to having website-based apps on their iPhones.

For example, they might visit the Facebook website, Instagram website, or their bank’s website on their computer. But on their iPhone, they would just open the corresponding app, which functions much smoother and is easier to open and find.

And using Mac’s Automator, you can actually turn any website into an app that lives on the dock of your Macbook. This works by using site-specific browser (SSB) technology.

With the Safari save website as app function in Automator, you just need the URL of the site you’d like to convert to an app. And in a minute or two, you’ll have an app that can be customized to your liking.

5. Create a Custom Function

Want to get a little creative with your MacBook? If you know a thing or two about programming, you can script your own automation with this helpful robot.

Of course, Automator has tons of native functions already built-in. In fact, you can find hundreds in the library, each containing variables that can be adjusted for maximum use cases.

Or you can use Apple Scripts or Java Script to create unique commands that empower your desired workflows. First, you can add the run script action to your workflow. Then, enter the script code and any commands you’d like it to perform as a result.

Want increased customization without having to write commands yourself? Many third-party applications have custom-coded Automator functions that automatically add to your library when you install the software.

For example, many Microsoft tools like Outlook, Word, or Excel will come with Automator functions ready to go.

Learn How Your Computer Works

Mac Automator is one of the most powerful yet underutilized tools in the hands of all MacBook owners. If people took the time to learn how to use the expensive computers they hold in their hands, they could get a lot more done with far less effort.

Are you looking for more tips like this? Visit our blog today to keep reading.

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Business

Top Challenges faced by MSMEs in India: Solutions to Overcome them

Navin was once reading an interview of the young entrepreneur, Mr. Kaushal Dugar. Mr. Dugar used innovation in technology and supply chain to start ‘Teabox,’ with a vision to build India’s first global tea brand. This kicked Navin, a young adult with entrepreneurial dreams, towards driving faster on this path of starting a new business. He got to know about various government schemes through the Udyami helpline, low business loan interest rates, and collateral-free loans for new businesses offered by banks and financial institutions. He then ended his search by taking a business loan at an affordable rate.

Today, the ‘Make in India’  initiative by the Indian government is integral to the growth of entrepreneurship across the country. Therefore, small and medium-sized entities, popularly known as the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), are very significant for strengthening the Indian economy. Their success encourages young people, like Navin, from small towns to pursue self-employment through business innovations.

Main Challenges faced by MSMEs in India

Despite the crucial role played by the MSMEs in Indian economic growth, the sector is facing several challenges that prevent it from reaching its true potential.

Financial Challenge

A critical challenge in this sector is the lack of financial literacy. As MSME owners are from remote regions, they are typically unaware of the special financial privileges given to them by the government. Unlike big companies, they do not enjoy creditworthiness as their owners do not have sufficient assets to offer as collateral to the lenders. Lenders often lack the faith of regular receipt of loan EMIs and repayment of loans. Consequently, they are compelled to borrow from the unorganized sector.

Solution

MSME owners should be updated about the latest schemes and benefits offered by the government and lenders offering low business loan interest rates, easy processing, and flexible loan repayment structure. Such information can be procured by reading news updates, regularly approaching government officials, and being part of local groups. The government also educates and informs people through advertisements in newspapers, TV, and social media.

Ineffective Marketing

MSMEs are struggling to cope up with the current competitive market due to a lack of managerial and marketing skills, inadequate knowledge of market trends, absence of market analysis to boost sales and acquire new consumers, etc. MSMEs face challenges to stand firm against big business houses due to the lack of professional exposure towards levels such as branding, marketing, distribution.

Solution

There are various groups formed by the government or the MSMEs themselves to help other MSMEs learn the nuances of the business and thus, procure more customers and orders. They may charge nominal fees for their services. MSMEs may consider being part of such groups. It helps them connect with peers and professionals for better marketing and pricing strategies to withstand competition.

Technology and Infrastructural challenges

Indian MSMEs face these challenges due to a lack of up-to-date knowledge of the latest technological developments in the market. In certain cases, the inability to use computers and basic invoicing and accounting software results in limited expansion of business.

Besides, the main infrastructural issues in semi-urban and rural regions are frequent power cuts, restricted water supply, poor internet connectivity, poor roads, etc. This adversely affects the productivity and profitability of the MSMEs.

Solution

MSME owners should enroll themselves in government IT development programs to get better access to modern technology. For instance, knowledge of basic technologies like the business loan EMI calculator can help them ascertain the EMIs payable over a period of time.

Installing power generators or solar panels can help to overcome the power cut issue.

Unskilled Labor

India has a large pool of human resources, yet industries are facing challenges in procuring skilled manpower. Also, poor employee management and lack of training facilities lead to wastage of time and money.

Solution

MSME owners should organize in this area and combine their efforts to provide on-the-job training to new employees, higher wages or recognition to deserving persons, better training infrastructure, etc.

Conclusion

In short, MSMEs need to utilize the limited resources in an optimum and collective manner. They should be educated and informed about business loan, schemes, and skills to help the sector grow.

The government also rolls out different schemes to empower the MSMEs to overcome the obstacles. Being aware of such schemes and taking their benefits, and helping the MSMEs in business expansion.

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Featured

5 Common Mistakes with Designing Logos and How to Avoid Them

There are many common misconceptions about logo design ideas, like that “it’s easy to make one,” or that a logo-making app can invent it for you. There’s a lot that goes into making any one of seven different types of logo design, whichever you choose.

How do you pick the right logo fonts and colors, or the right logo design software designing your company logos without making disastrous mistakes along the way?

Keep reading to find out what the top common mistakes with designing logos are and how you can avoid them.

1. Too Complex

A logo design shouldn’t be too complex. Simple logo designs are best today for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is our form factor. Most of the time (61% of the time, in fact) people are looking at a website or app on their phone instead of a computer.

You need a logo to look good in all situations, including a business card. Complex logos have issues with color, readability, imbalance, and more.

Keep it simple.

2. Too Abstract

On the other end, simplicity can breed too much abstraction. Instead of looking at something you can understand, sometimes logos end up being weird pieces of art you might see in a modern museum of art.

A bit of abstraction from reality isn’t a bad thing, as long as people can still relate to it. This can also happen with complex logos that are trying to do too much.

If you’re going for something abstract, it’s best to have it hint at something real to keep people involved.

3. The Colors Are Off

Color theory is a deep field that involves sciences like psychology, physics, and anatomy. Keep in mind that color-blindness is a very common phenomenon in the world. It might not be worth staying up nights deciding between two subtle shades that only you will notice.

On the other hand, what you should be paying attention to is the overall flow of emotional or cultural significance in relation to your company image. You also don’t want colors to clash on accident.

Try to follow color theory as closely as you can and you’ll avoid a lot of pitfalls.

4. Creating Your Design in Living Color

Color is one of the last steps in your design. Even if you know certain features will be a company brand color, it’s best to create the design through all the phases before adding color.

If your design doesn’t work in black and white, it won’t work in color.

5. Use the Right Software for Your Needs

There are a number of free software choices out there, but they’re quite limited or far too complex to understand. They also often lack the capability of conforming to industry standards.

At the same time, you don’t need a whole graphics suite to obtain professional results. Ask a printshop what file types they expect and they can give you the standards they expect your files to live up to. You can often find a standalone product to suit those needs.

Likewise, you can see what file types and resolutions can get served on your website or app in advance and make sure you’re meeting those standards.

Avoiding The Top Mistakes With Designing Logos

There are dozens of horrible mistakes with designing logos that anyone can make, professional or hobbyist alike. Some are more glaring than others, such as the top five on this list.

Keep browsing to know more about what makes a good logo design software package or how to think like a designer!

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