<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?><!-- generator=Zoho Sites --><rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"><channel><atom:link href="https://www.defynance.com/blogs/author/monica/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><title>Defynance - Blog by Monica</title><description>Defynance - Blog by Monica</description><link>https://www.defynance.com/blogs/author/monica</link><lastBuildDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2026 11:14:25 -0700</lastBuildDate><generator>http://zoho.com/sites/</generator><item><title><![CDATA[Beyond the Pay Gap: The Hidden Burden of Student Debt on Women]]></title><link>https://www.defynance.com/blogs/post/beyond-the-pay-gap-the-hidden-burden-of-student-debt-on-women</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.defynance.com/student debt-1.png"/>On International Women's Day, it's important to recognize the disproportionate burden of student loan debt carried by women in the U.S., who hold almost 67% of the nation's $1.7 trillion total.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm__vc1FTYjTue3vZZNrr6pfw" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_az-8ywY4RB-E-rxkoKa93g" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_3kwTtg4kQTyxw8PIDVtNEA" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_WgjA-pgwS_Of0kcpF4RksA" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center zptext-align-mobile-center zptext-align-tablet-center " data-editor="true"><p style="text-align:left;"></p><div><p style="text-align:left;margin-bottom:12pt;">Did you know that women in the U.S. hold nearly<a href="https://www.aauw.org/issues/education/student-debt/">&nbsp;<span style="font-weight:700;font-style:italic;color:rgb(255, 0, 0);">two-thirds</span></a> of the nation’s <span style="font-weight:700;">$1.7</span> trillion student debt?&nbsp;which is nearly <span style="font-weight:700;">67%</span> of all U.S. student loan debt, or approximately<span style="font-weight:700;">&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.aauw.org/issues/education/student-debt/"><span style="font-weight:700;color:rgb(255, 0, 0);">$929</span></a> billion. As we mark <span style="font-weight:700;">International Women’s Day,</span> it’s crucial to shine a light on the hidden financial struggles women face.</p><div><p style="text-align:left;margin-bottom:12pt;"><span>Women, particularly women of color, carry a heavier student debt load than men, women earning a bachelor’s degree graduate owing an average of </span><a href="https://www.aauw.org/issues/education/student-debt/"><span style="color:rgb(255, 0, 0);">$2,700</span></a><span> more than their male peers a burden that compounds over time due to systemic inequities like the </span><span style="font-weight:700;">gender pay gap</span><span> and</span><span style="font-weight:700;"> higher education costs</span><span>. This debt doesn’t just affect their wallets; it shapes their futures and restricts opportunities.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;margin-bottom:12pt;"><span>One of the biggest reasons of this disparity is the&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.investopedia.com/wage-gaps-by-gender-5082675"><span style="color:rgb(255, 0, 0);">gendered wage gap</span></a><span> from the beginning of the career. Women graduating with a bachelor’s degree are expected to earn&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.aauw.org/resources/research/deeper-in-debt/"><span style="font-weight:700;color:rgb(255, 0, 0);">$35,338</span></a><span style="font-weight:700;">&nbsp;</span><span>on average, which equates to approximately </span><a href="https://educationdata.org/student-loan-debt-by-gender#:%7E:text=Women%20are%20also%20more%20likely%2Cloan%20debt%20belongs%20to%20women." style="color:rgb(255, 0, 0);">81%</a><span> of what men are anticipated to earn. Female borrowers typically require more education to earn a wage equal to less-educated men. Women earn just </span><a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/03/04/gender-pay-gap-in-us-has-narrowed-slightly-over-2-decades/"><span style="color:rgb(255, 0, 0);">85 cents for every dollar compared to what their male counterparts</span></a><span> make, leaving them with less income to allocate toward student loan payments. According to an </span><a href="https://www.aauw.org/resources/research/deeper-in-debt/"><span style="color:rgb(255, 0, 0);">AAUW</span></a><span> study, this pay gap directly impacts their ability to repay debt while men pay off </span><span style="font-weight:700;">13% </span><span>of their student debt annually, women can only afford to pay </span><span style="font-weight:700;">10%.</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;margin-bottom:12pt;"><span>Other contributing factor is the higher enrollment of women in for-profit institutions. Women make up</span><a href="https://capseecenter.org/research/by-the-numbers/for-profit-college-infographic/"><span style="font-weight:700;color:rgb(255, 0, 0);"> 63%</span><span> o</span></a><span>f students at for-profit colleges, compared to </span><span style="font-weight:700;">55%</span><span> at public four-year colleges. Compounding this issue, the average tuition at for-profit colleges is double that of public colleges—</span><span style="font-weight:700;">16,000 versus 8,000</span><span>, respectively. </span></p><p style="text-align:left;margin-bottom:12pt;"><span>Many of the fields that attract a higher proportion of women, such as </span><span style="font-weight:700;">education, social work, and healthcare</span><span>, require significant education but offer lower salaries. Surprisingly, some of the industries with the largest pay gaps had the greatest shares of female workers. A study from </span><a href="https://www.gao.gov/blog/women-continue-struggle-equal-pay-and-representation#:%7E:text=Image&amp;text=Perhaps%20surprisingly%2C%20some%20of%20the%2Cgaps%E2%80%94including%20manufacturing%20and%20construction."><span style="color:rgb(255, 0, 0);">GAO (Government Accountability Office)</span></a><span> looked at the gender pay gap across 14 broad groups of industries, and found that the pay gap was largest in the health care and social assistance industry. In these fields, women made up 77% of workers and earned only 43 cents on average compared to every dollar earned by men.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;margin-bottom:12pt;"><span>Women disproportionately shoulder the burden of care giving, often taking on unpaid roles caring for family members, particularly older relatives or those with disabilities. Unpaid care work is essential to the functioning of society, but it often goes uncounted and unrecognized. By&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2023-09/progress-on-the-sustainable-development-goals-the-gender-snapshot-2023-en.pdf"><span><span style="color:rgb(255, 0, 0);">2050</span></span></a><span> women globally will still be spending on average </span><span style="font-weight:700;">2.3</span><span> more hours per day on unpaid care work than men based on the current trajectory.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;margin-bottom:12pt;"><span>These factors are hindering women's economic security, wellbeing, and career expectations. Many women delay purchasing a home, starting a family, or saving for retirement due to student loan obligations. The stress of student debt can lead to anxiety, financial insecurity, and limited career choices. Women may feel forced into jobs that prioritize immediate loan repayment rather than pursuing fulfilling, long-term career growth.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;margin-bottom:14.04pt;"><span style="font-weight:700;">Key Steps To Alleviate the Financial Burden on Women:</span><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;margin-bottom:12pt;"><span style="font-weight:700;">Decrease the Wage Gap:</span><span> Ensure fairer wages across genders through legislative measures like the </span><a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/17"><span><span style="color:rgb(255, 0, 0);">Paycheck Fairness Act</span>.</span></a></p><p style="text-align:left;margin-bottom:12pt;"><span style="font-weight:700;">Make Education Affordable:</span><span> Reduce tuition costs and increase grant access to lower the need for excessive borrowing.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;margin-bottom:12pt;"><span style="font-weight:700;">Extend Loan Forgiveness:</span><span> Expand </span><span style="font-weight:700;">income-driven repayment plans</span><span> and </span><span style="font-weight:700;">loan forgiveness options</span><span> tailored to women-dominated fields.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;margin-bottom:12pt;"><span style="font-weight:700;">Increase Funding for Public Colleges and Universities</span><span>: Provide sufficient funds and support so that women have tuition- and debt-free options to complete their education.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;margin-bottom:12pt;"><span style="font-weight:700;">Improve Financial Literacy: </span><span>Women’s empowerment and financial literacy go hand in hand. As an example, teaching women to find the best ways to fund their education more affordably, and enabling them to negotiate salaries and benefits will help them gain financial freedom.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;margin-bottom:12pt;"><span>The student debt crisis is more than a financial issue; it’s holding women back from achieving their potential and living life to the fullest. We hope that this </span><span style="font-weight:700;">International Women’s Day, </span><span>we make progress in tackling the hidden burden of student debt—one step closer to a fairer, more equitable world.</span></p></div>
<p></p></div><p></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Mon, 10 Mar 2025 21:29:23 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[2025's Financial Forecast: Goals and Strategies for a Brighter Year]]></title><link>https://www.defynance.com/blogs/post/2025-s-financial-forecast-goals-and-strategies-for-a-brighter-year</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.defynance.com/student debt.png"/>Happy 2025! With a new year comes a renewed focus on financial well-being. Many Americans are looking to solidify their financial foundation and achieve long-term goals. So, what are the top trends we'll see in personal finance this year?]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_FL9aI9LUQ0GqlKdMawCp9Q" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_mKnicCGHSxiaz9pi15a1Xw" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_AnthBrktSmuEySHQ9Kq4Iw" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_ytZDgQ0tQ1yNOoaCOeu3Hg" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center " data-editor="true"><p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Happy 2025! With a new year comes a renewed focus on financial well-being. While some economic uncertainties linger from 2024, a spirit of optimism is taking hold. Many Americans are looking to solidify their financial foundation and achieve long-term goals. So, what are the top trends we'll see in personal finance this year?&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;">1. Debt Demolition:</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">&nbsp;High interest rates remain a concern for many, making debt payoff a top priority. A recent survey by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bankrate.com/investing/financial-advisors/personal-finances-outlook-survey/#debt" title="Bankate" rel=""></a></span><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="https://www.bankrate.com/investing/financial-advisors/personal-finances-outlook-survey/#debt" title="Bankate" rel="">Bankate</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt;">&nbsp;revealed that over 20% of Americans named debt reduction as their primary financial goal. This focus is especially strong among older generations – Gen X and Baby Boomers are prioritizing debt repayment at a higher rate than younger demographics.</span></p><p style="text-align:justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;">2. Building a Safety Net:</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">&nbsp;The importance of a robust emergency fund can't be overstated.&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.usbank.com/business-banking/business-resource-center/how-to-prepare-unexpected-expenses-in-business.html#:%7E:text=Unexpected%20expenses%20can%20derail%20your%2Cfor%20long-term%20financial%20stability."><span style="font-size:12pt;">Unexpected expenses can derail even the best financial plans</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;">. Experts&nbsp;typically recommend saving enough to cover&nbsp;</span><a href="https://investor.vanguard.com/investor-resources-education/emergency-fund#:%7E:text=To%20prepare%20for%20income%20shocks%2Cmonths%27%20worth%20of%20living%20expenses."><span style="font-size:12pt;">3-6 months of living costs</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;">. 2025 is a great year to prioritize building this safety net, ensuring you can weather financial storms with peace of mind.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;">3. Saving for the Future's Sake:</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">&nbsp;Whether it's retirement, a child's education, or that dream vacation, saving for long-term goals continues to be a significant motivator. With a focus on responsible budgeting and smart investing strategies, 2025 can be the year you make significant progress towards those milestones.</span></p><p style="text-align:justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;">4. Boosting Income Streams:</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">&nbsp;While inflation may be cooling down, increasing your income can be a powerful financial booster. Consider exploring opportunities to negotiate a raise, take on a side hustle, or invest in skill development that can lead to higher-paying jobs.</span></p><p style="text-align:justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;">5. Financial Literacy for All:</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.allianz.com/en/economic_research/sustainability-research/financialliteracy.html#:%7E:text=Being%20financially%20literate%20is%20a%2Cprocess%2C%20from%20childhood%20to%20adulthood."><span style="font-size:12pt;">Financial literacy is no longer a luxury – it's a necessity</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;">.</span><span style="font-size:10pt;vertical-align:super;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">&nbsp;In 2025, a growing number of people are prioritizing financial education. This includes learning how to budget effectively, manage debt responsibly, and invest for the future.</span><span style="font-size:10pt;vertical-align:super;">&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:16pt;font-weight:700;">Taking Charge of Your Finances in 2025</span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">No matter your financial goals, 2025 is the perfect time to take action. Here are some steps to get you started:</span></p><ul><li><p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;">Set SMART Goals:</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">&nbsp;Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals will keep you on track</span></p></li><li><p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;">Create a Budget:</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">&nbsp;Track your income and expenses to identify areas where you can save.Several free budgeting apps are available online.&nbsp;</span></p></li><li><p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;">Develop a Plan:</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">&nbsp;Break down your long-term goals into smaller, manageable steps.&nbsp;</span></p></li></ul><p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Remember, financial wellness is a journey, not a destination. With the right approach, 2025 can be the year you build a strong financial foundation for the future.</span></p><p style="text-align:justify;">&nbsp;</p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;"><div style="text-align:justify;"><div><span style="font-size:12pt;">Ready to take control of your finances in 2025?</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;">&nbsp;At Defynance, we specialize in assisting recent graduates with student loan refinancing - we can put you on the fast track to eliminating your student loan debt. Want to learn more? Visit <a href="http://www.defynance.com/" title="www.defynance.com" target="_blank" rel=""></a><a href="http://www.defynance.com/" title="www.defynance.com" target="_blank" rel="">www.defynance.com</a> and embark your journey toward financial freedom!</span></div></div></span></div>
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</div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Fri, 03 Jan 2025 15:44:02 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Important Factors To Consider When Refinancing Student Debt]]></title><link>https://www.defynance.com/blogs/post/important-factors-to-consider-when-refinancing-student-debt</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.defynance.com/Blog covers/BLOG THUMBNAIL WEBSITE.jpg"/>As confusion and uncertainty around student debt repayment mounts, more and more&nbsp;borrowers are considering student loan refinancing options. Rece ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_jDCjtbSRS1CVbWBkL5WzKA" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_D49oeYz-S4arGMr0goyD5A" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_hO5BL5UFSEu41L3fqanjJQ" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_ekPJC-CxQ7G1m9Cp-c3rUA" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center " data-editor="true"><div><p></p><p></p><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://defynance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/photo-1434030216411-0b793f4b4173-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-8645"></figure><p></p><p><br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">As confusion and uncertainty around student debt repayment mounts, more and more&nbsp;borrowers are considering student loan refinancing options. <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/09/education-dept-gives-another-sign-student-loan-payments-may-not-restart-in-may-.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Recent developments</strong></a> indicate that the student loan repayment freeze may get extended further.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify;"><br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">When you refinance, a lender pays off your existing loans with a new one at a lower interest rate. That can save you money in the short and long term.&nbsp;To begin exploring student debt refinancing, you should keep a few key considerations in mind:&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify;"><br></p><h2 style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Credit History</strong>&nbsp;</h2><div style="text-align:justify;"><br></div><p style="text-align:justify;">Make sure to have a good credit history by making timely payments not only towards student debt but also other obligations like mortgages, car&nbsp;payments, and any credit cards. A high credit score can help you qualify for lower interest rates.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify;"><br></p><h2 id="higher-interest-rates" style="text-align:justify;"><strong><strong><strong>Steady Income</strong>&nbsp;</strong></strong></h2><div style="text-align:justify;"><strong><strong><br></strong></strong></div><p style="text-align:justify;">A steady income would give you an edge over other applicants. A strong work profile ensures that you can repay your loan installments on a timely basis without any defaults. Also, a good professional background is an indication of career growth and rising income which can be utilized to secure the best loan possible.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify;"><br></p><h2 id="college-choices" style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Debt-to-Income ratio</strong>&nbsp;</h2><div style="text-align:justify;"><br></div><p style="text-align:justify;">A debt-to-income ratio is the percentage of gross monthly income that is used to repay debt, such as student loans, credit cards, auto, and housing payments. The debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is a measure of the borrower’s financial health. Typically, a DTI of 50% or less is at least required to secure a loan.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify;"><br></p><h2 id="lack-of-guidance" style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Co-Signer Requirements</strong>&nbsp;</h2><div style="text-align:justify;"><br></div><p style="text-align:justify;">Many refinancing lenders will require a co-signer if you have a weak or substandard credit profile. Be prepared by having a co-signer identified beforehand. Finding someone on short notice is not only difficult but unfair to the co-signer if you are not giving them enough time to potentially take on such an important financial obligation.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify;"><br></p><h2 style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Interest rate comparison</strong>&nbsp;</h2><div style="text-align:justify;"><br></div><p style="text-align:justify;">Get in touch with all the major student loan lenders in the market. Compare what they are offering especially in terms of interest rates. Evaluate every option possible to find the one which best suits your needs.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify;"><br></p><h2 style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Beware of Frauds</strong>&nbsp;</h2><div style="text-align:justify;"><br></div><p style="text-align:justify;">Once you start searching for student loan refinancers, you might become a target of loan scammers. <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-student-loans-work-how-avoid-scams" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Here is an article</strong></a> to help you avoid falling prey to such scams.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify;"><br></p><h2 style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Lender Selection</strong>&nbsp;</h2><div style="text-align:justify;"><br></div><p style="text-align:justify;">Choosing the right lender is the most critical part of the refinancing process. A thorough study about the lender is necessary. Some of the key considerations are:&nbsp;</p><ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Approval requirements&nbsp;</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Options available in case you lose your job&nbsp;</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Co-signer requirements&nbsp;</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Prepayment option&nbsp;</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Options available in case of Death or Disability&nbsp;</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Default or Late fees&nbsp;</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Lender’s reputation&nbsp;</li></ul><div style="text-align:justify;"><br></div><p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Consider Income-Based Repayment Plans</strong>&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify;"><br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Income-based student refinancing is an innovative approach for student debt refinancing. Utilizing <a href="https://defynance.com/refinancers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Income Share Agreements (ISA)</strong></a>, repayment becomes a percentage of your income. ISAs also provide inherent consumer protections. Defynance is the only one that offers them today. You can learn more and apply <a href="https://defynance.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>here</strong></a>.&nbsp;</p></div></div>
</div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Wed, 28 Feb 2024 20:52:57 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Credit: Friend or Foe?]]></title><link>https://www.defynance.com/blogs/post/my-credit-is-bad-now-what</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.defynance.com/Blog covers/BLOG THUMBNAIL WEBSITE -2-.jpg"/>Today, it’s nearly impossible to get through life without a form of credit. And for many people, that’s&nbsp; not a bad thing . However, it can be a des ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_Prn1I7fTRXmwhVsNL9-q3g" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_rZBGtDr-SuOmKeivKkkFtA" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_DQwOJeOGTKGm8D0uGfd7AQ" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_Zi948ZnsQWWQvqDcb54nPQ" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style> [data-element-id="elm_Zi948ZnsQWWQvqDcb54nPQ"].zpelem-text { border-radius:1px; } </style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center " data-editor="true"><div style="color:inherit;"><div style="color:inherit;"><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">Today, it’s nearly impossible to get through life without a form of credit. And for many people, that’s&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.thebalance.com/what-does-an-800-credit-score-mean-4156928#targetText=As%20of%20April%202017%2C%2020.7%2Caccording%20to%20data%20from%20FICO." target="_blank">not a bad thing</a>. However, it can be a destructive thing if used improperly, so it’s always important to be mindful of how credit decisions can affect you. Every time you apply for a credit card or take out a loan, make sure you are doing everything you can to stay on the bank’s good side, or it can come back to bite you. Many future decisions in life are based on how you handle these responsibilities.</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><h2 style="text-align:justify;font-weight:600;"><span style="font-size:26px;">Why credit is your friend</span></h2><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">Credit opens up doors to many opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable to you. The ability to get a college degree and own your own home is incredibly difficult without any money. Even as early as 18, you can start building credit. When managed well, this access can open up many doors, like owning a home or getting a degree. In this case, having the ability to take out a loan is great and can make many things that felt like they were out of reach, affordable. Many credit cards also give cash back rewards on everyday purchases. If you keep your balance low on these cards and don’t accumulate interest, it’s basically free money. Just remember not to carry a balance month to month and rack up interest.</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><h2 style="text-align:justify;font-weight:600;"><span style="font-size:26px;">How it can be your foe</span></h2><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">Credit is fun to have, but dangerous when misused. If you end up taking out too much debt and carrying high balances on cards, you can get stuck in a cycle of debt. If this becomes the case, it’s not too long before credit becomes your enemy. Once your score is hurt, it also becomes hard to get it back up. Many&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://defynance.com/lowest-worst-credit-score-300-debt/" target="_blank">negative actions</a>&nbsp;will stay on a report for years, keeping your score low. With a low score, you lose access to good interest rates. Having high-interest rates will increase your risk of defaulting and keep you buried. It could even prevent you from owning a home because no company will want to take a risk on you. You could end up waiting even longer to achieve your goals if you mismanage your credit.</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><h2 style="text-align:justify;font-weight:600;"><span style="font-size:26px;">How to build your credit score</span></h2><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">Many different factors go into forming your&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://defynance.com/5-easy-ways-improve-credit-score/" target="_blank">credit score</a>, like how much of your available spending limit you use and if your payments are made on time. By knowing what factors will affect your score, you can learn to maximize it. The best way to keep your credit score as high as possible is to always make payments on time, keep your card’s balance low, and diversify the types of credit you use.</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">Having a good credit score while having student loans can be difficult. That’s why&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://defynance.com/" target="_blank">Defynance&nbsp;</a>offers an income share agreement that has the ability to eliminate your student loan debt. An&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://defynance.com/what-is-an-income-share-agreement/" target="_blank">income share agreement</a>&nbsp;allows you to pay only what you can afford, leaving you the freedom to live your life. Payments in these agreements are flexible and always affordable. They are interest-free and also protect you by preventing you from making payments if your income is below $25,000 a year.</p></div></div></div>
</div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Sat, 24 Feb 2024 17:51:57 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[#ProTip: Check your Credit Report at Least Three Times a Year for FREE!]]></title><link>https://www.defynance.com/blogs/post/protip-check-your-credit-report-at-least-three-times-a-year-for-free</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.defynance.com/Blog covers/5.jpg"/>If you have a credit card in your wallet, you have a credit history. If you have a loan or have borrowed money for a large purchase, you have a credit ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm__dsbKAD0TeaqHXdS566UNQ" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_Ol7VaVzpQaWlmR4m1gTFIA" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_FFU7ODQPRxyFnX_fUDF55w" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_8wMDfatQQtSAVLiW8rCJ-A" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style> [data-element-id="elm_8wMDfatQQtSAVLiW8rCJ-A"].zpelem-text { border-radius:1px; } </style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center " data-editor="true"><div style="color:inherit;"><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">If you have a credit card in your wallet, you have a credit history. If you have a loan or have borrowed money for a large purchase, you have a credit history. When it comes to financial dealings, it’s good to know your history. You don’t need to know every little detail though, and that’s where a credit report comes in.</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">Your credit report plays an important role when it comes to financial milestones like purchasing a home or buying a car. It tells the story of your credit history by letting potential lenders know if you pay your bills on time and how much debt, if any, you are carrying. You will want to ensure that it demonstrates your responsibility in terms of finances so it’s a good idea to review it on a regular basis.</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">Thankfully, under federal law, you have the right to get one free report each year from the three national credit bureaus (<a href="https://www.equifax.com/">Equifax</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.experian.com/">Experian</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.transunion.com/">TransUnion</a>). To make things easy, you can request your reports online from a single website:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.annualcreditreport.com/">AnnualCreditReport.com</a>.</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">By providing some identifying information like your name, places you have lived, Social Security number and your birthday, you will be able to get a detailed report that outlines all of your credit related data.</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">Be proactive and check this report at least three times each year or before you apply for a loan, insurance, or credit. Not only is it a good way to identify signs of potential identity theft, it’s also important to make sure there are no mistakes or errors that would cause you to miss out on lower interest rates.</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">Since you can get one free report from each bureau annually, consider spacing them out over the span of a year and get one every four months. This way, you can catch any discrepancies early to reduce any negative impact it may have. You have worked hard to build a good credit report so make sure to check it often.</p></div></div>
</div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Sat, 24 Feb 2024 17:51:41 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Does my credit score really matter?]]></title><link>https://www.defynance.com/blogs/post/Does-my-credit-score-really-matter</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.defynance.com/Blog covers/7.jpg"/>Credit is a pretty important factor in a lot of decisions, but does credit really matter? Credit will affect a lot of decisions in your life, includin ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm__oeuEFudS5WiAKa75JSPIw" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_yrxsxho7SmeTWOezHU0dpw" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm__YELtAB5QbucrclEFr0czg" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_esMAY7f4QFeLRvMcQYMIqQ" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style> [data-element-id="elm_esMAY7f4QFeLRvMcQYMIqQ"].zpelem-text { border-radius:1px; } </style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center " data-editor="true"><div style="color:inherit;"><div style="color:inherit;"><div style="color:inherit;"><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">Credit is a pretty important factor in a lot of decisions, but does credit really matter? Credit will affect a lot of decisions in your life, including mortgages, car loans, and credit card approval. If it’s important for you to secure any type of funding to purchase something, then credit more than likely will be a factor. However, even if your credit is bad, you can still get approved for some loans, just not at as great of a rate as you could get.</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">If you don’t plan on using debt to get you through some of the bigger purchases in life, then your score may not be as relevant. In the end, it does matter what your score is anytime you try to secure any type of credit. The lower your score is, the worse the rate you will get from a lender.</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><h2 style="text-align:justify;font-weight:600;"><span style="font-size:26px;">What else matters?</span></h2><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">Besides your credit score, there are some important factors that will go into your decision. One thing that a lot of creditors will look at is how stable your income is and how much of it goes towards other debt. This is called the debt to income ratio, which is just the amount of debt you pay each month divided by the amount of income you make each month. Typically, this should be under 60%, but the lower the better.</p><p style="font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><h2 style="text-align:justify;font-weight:600;"><span style="font-size:26px;">If my credit isn’t good, what do I do?</span></h2><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">First, you should know what factors go into your score. Knowing this can consciously help you&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://defynance.com/5-easy-ways-improve-credit-score/" target="_blank">improve your score</a>&nbsp;and make you aware of what factors matter. The main factors are the average length of your credit, the number of accounts you have, the total percent of revolving credit used, and your payment history. A big part of your score is just making sure you make your payments on time and don’t overuse your credit card. If you have a high revolving credit balance, work on paying that off. This is also good because typically revolving credit has higher interest rates than loans.</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">While your credit score may not be the only thing, it’s definitely an important part of many&nbsp;<strong>lending decisions</strong>. If you focus on improving the factors that make up your credit, over time it will fix itself. The good news is that many of the items that show up on a credit report aren’t permanent. Waiting until the negative points on your report disappear and continue to keep a clean record will improve your score.</p></div></div></div></div>
</div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Sat, 24 Feb 2024 17:51:25 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why You Should Learn How to Code]]></title><link>https://www.defynance.com/blogs/post/6-successful-job-interview-tips-to-get-you-hired1</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.defynance.com/Blog covers/code.jpg"/>Did you know that 8 out of 10 top companies in the world are from the tech sector? And not only that, but almost a quarter of S&amp;P500 is also from ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_5plu3QY1SgGj72ykBeNwcw" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_BNNI12nwSNSXK-K3YD7WWg" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_dycE5_hcQkGvfxnNA58AtA" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_XAxJ2iWHQzetrVphrAClHA" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center " data-editor="true"><div style="color:inherit;"><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">Did you know that 8 out of 10 top companies in the world are from the tech sector? And not only that, but almost a quarter of S&amp;P500 is also from tech. That doesn’t tell us why we should learn to code, and it also does not mean that everyone in these companies knows how to code, but what it tells us is how much technology is dominating the world and how much people value that dominance.</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><em>“Everybody in this country should learn how to program a computer… because it teaches you how to think.”</em></p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><em>–</em><strong><em>&nbsp;Steve Jobs</em></strong></p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><strong><em><br></em></strong></p><h2 style="text-align:justify;font-weight:600;"><span style="font-size:26px;">Where to start?</span></h2><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">The truth is, coding has made things easier by giving us lots of solutions for the real world. It doesn’t matter if you are a non-programmer, beginner, or experienced person; there are multiple reasons you should learn to code.</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><h2 style="text-align:justify;font-weight:600;"><span style="font-size:26px;">Attractive Salary and Multiple Career Opportunities</span></h2><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">Technology is vast, and we can find it all around us. Coding is a fundamental skill for programming. There are plenty of job opportunities or freelance gigs available if you know how to code. Currently, there is a shortage of programmers, and thus, they are in high demand. The average salary for these jobs is also attractive because it requires critical thinking and situation analysis.</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><h2 style="text-align:justify;font-weight:600;"><span style="font-size:26px;">Coding improves your problem-solving skills</span></h2><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">Apart from easy job search, coding literacy can help you to improve your problem-solving skills. Coding forces you to find logic in simple behaviors; it teaches you how to structure big problems and divide them into small chunks. It is a healthy exercise for the left side of your brain.</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><h2 style="text-align:justify;font-weight:600;"><span style="font-size:26px;">Coding can help you save time in the long run</span></h2><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">Have you ever been in a situation where you spend an entire hour every week to format the same report for your boss? Understanding coding can help you to automate your monotonous copy-paste weekly reports and spend your time elsewhere in your job. From macros in excel to some advanced automation tools are at your disposal. To use them effectively, you, of course, need to know some basic programming.</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><h2 style="text-align:justify;font-weight:600;"><span style="font-size:26px;">Coding can allow you to pursue passion projects</span></h2><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">Coding is a fantastic skill for you if you’re the sort of person who has tons of ideas and wants to get started on everything yesterday. Not having to look elsewhere for a coder saves both time and money, plus it means you can keep changing and redesigning as your idea develops.</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><h2 style="text-align:justify;font-weight:600;"><span style="font-size:26px;">Anyone can do it</span></h2><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">Unlike other tech skills that require a degree, there are free resources to start learning to code.</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">These are some great and free resources that can help you get started:</p><ul><li style="text-align:justify;"><a href="https://www.freecodecamp.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FreeCodeCamp</a></li><li style="text-align:justify;"><a href="https://www.w3schools.com/">W3Schools</a></li><li style="text-align:justify;"><a href="https://www.codecademy.com/">CodeCademy</a></li><li style="text-align:justify;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/">YouTube</a></li></ul></div></div>
</div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Sat, 24 Feb 2024 17:51:07 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to Get a Job After College]]></title><link>https://www.defynance.com/blogs/post/how-to-get-a-job-after-college</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.defynance.com/Blog covers/BLOG -7-.jpg"/>You just got your degree, now what? In most cases, you’re either going to begin working or pursuing another degree. If you’re one of the many who are ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_azYXJu2CRBiKvjeiuQQncw" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_b5bfIZo5RUWD_Y5E4LPgVg" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_iFAJCvYFTXGxiSwupR3UQg" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_E-MA0ZSzT3-YgcgezGgwXA" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style> [data-element-id="elm_E-MA0ZSzT3-YgcgezGgwXA"].zpelem-text { border-radius:1px; } </style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center " data-editor="true"><p style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:1.75em;color:rgb(101, 101, 101);font-size:16.8px;">You just got your degree, now what? In most cases, you’re either going to begin working or pursuing another degree. If you’re one of the many who are looking to work afterwards, it can be difficult to find the right job after college.&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.washington.edu/doit/what-can-students-do-improve-their-chances-finding-employment-after-college" target="_blank" style="outline:0px;color:rgb(30, 39, 88);">53% of graduates</a>&nbsp;are either unemployed or working in a job that doesn’t require a Bachelor’s Degree. With companies&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/05/there-are-more-jobs-than-people-out-of-work.html" target="_blank" style="outline:0px;color:rgb(30, 39, 88);">strugg</a><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/07/there-are-about-1-million-more-job-openings-than-people-looking-for-work.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="outline:0px;color:rgb(30, 39, 88);">ling to fill job</a><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/05/there-are-more-jobs-than-people-out-of-work.html" target="_blank" style="outline:0px;color:rgb(30, 39, 88);">s</a>, now is a great time to bolster your resume and land that job.</p><h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:0.4em;line-height:1.4em;font-weight:600;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);letter-spacing:-0.03em;"><span style="font-size:26px;">Update Your Resume</span></h2><p style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:1.75em;color:rgb(101, 101, 101);font-size:16.8px;">Your resume is the first impression that the person who will be hiring you has, so you want to make sure it’s in tip top shape. Make sure that you have all your most recent positions listed with the correct dates and have 3-4 points about each position. Also, do not make the points a copy and paste of the job description, make them quantifiable achievements you had. For example, as the manager of XYZ Stores, do not put “I managed day to day operations of the store”. Instead use something like “Increased sales of stores by 20% by implementing….” and so on. You want to highlight what you achieved in the position to make yourself stand out. Make the reader know what you bring to the table. Use this&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://resumegenius.com/how-to-write-a-resume" target="_blank" class="broken_link" style="outline:0px;color:rgb(30, 39, 88);">link</a>&nbsp;to write an amazing resume.</p><h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:0.4em;line-height:1.4em;font-weight:600;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);letter-spacing:-0.03em;"><span style="font-size:26px;">Utilize Your Network to help you get a job after college</span></h2><p style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:1.75em;color:rgb(101, 101, 101);font-size:16.8px;">The phrase “It’s not about what you know, but who you know” is a phrase for a reason. If you have a connection to someone in an organization, it greatly increases your chances of getting an interview and getting hired. Referrals make up 7% of applications, but 40% of hires, so getting a referral will greatly increase your odds of getting hired. Attend a career fair or networking event in your area to get in front of people who can refer you to their HR department. A personal connection is better than sending a resume online.</p><h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:0.4em;line-height:1.4em;font-weight:600;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);letter-spacing:-0.03em;"><span style="font-size:26px;">Use Job Board Websites</span></h2><p style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:1.75em;color:rgb(101, 101, 101);font-size:16.8px;">However, sometimes you need to just put your resume out there and hope for the best. Sites like&nbsp;<a href="http://indeed.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="broken_link" style="outline:0px;color:rgb(30, 39, 88);">Indeed</a>&nbsp;are great when you’re looking for a job. Even if you don’t know anybody, you can still get an interview with a strong resume and cover letter. If you updated your resume and wrote a solid&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/guide/how-to-write-a-cover-letter/" target="_blank" class="broken_link" style="outline:0px;color:rgb(30, 39, 88);">cover letter</a>, you still have a good chance of getting an interview. Make sure you apply to all the relevant jobs that you can. It may be time consuming, but it’s worth it to get a good job. Remember to tailor your cover letter and resume to the job you’re applying for to increase your odds.</p><h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:0.4em;line-height:1.4em;font-weight:600;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);letter-spacing:-0.03em;"><span style="font-size:26px;">Ace the Interview to Get a Job After College</span></h2><p style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:1.75em;color:rgb(101, 101, 101);font-size:16.8px;">Once your resume gets you into the interview room, you still have to impress more than the other candidates. Make sure you practice some&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.thebalancecareers.com/behavioral-job-interview-questions-2059620" target="_blank" style="outline:0px;color:rgb(30, 39, 88);">common interview questions</a>&nbsp;so that you can answer many scenarios. Try to think of about 5 stories that you can bring up that follow the S.T.A.R. method; make sure they cover different skills through scenarios you’ve been in. Having some stories that can cover a variety of questions will allow you to speak in any situation and ace the interview.</p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span id="more-8523" style="color:rgb(101, 101, 101);font-size:16.8px;"></span><span style="color:rgb(101, 101, 101);font-size:16.8px;"></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:1.75em;color:rgb(101, 101, 101);font-size:16.8px;">Getting a job can be a long and frustrating process, but you can make it as easy as possible for yourself. The more you practice and continue to apply to programs, the better you will get. You will start to understand what the hiring managers look for and can begin to tailor to them. If you are struggling to find a job, don’t give up hope. There’s plenty of positions out there for you.</p></div>
</div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Sat, 24 Feb 2024 17:50:51 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[6 Successful Job Interview Tips To Get You Hired]]></title><link>https://www.defynance.com/blogs/post/6-successful-job-interview-tips-to-get-you-hired</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.defynance.com/Blog covers/BLOG -3-.jpg"/>Now that you have received a call to interview for your dream job, make sure to make the most of this opportunity.&nbsp;&nbsp; A job seeker undergoes m ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_HsGPG7NlRfe9yL6HihcUSQ" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_GLT36NRhQlqw9iO36NOAhA" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_wUJ04m49QjeMBx6HbW505g" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_YuKWMyxFTqOeQzBApTQ8JQ" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style> [data-element-id="elm_YuKWMyxFTqOeQzBApTQ8JQ"].zpelem-text { border-radius:1px; } </style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center " data-editor="true"><div style="color:inherit;"><div style="color:inherit;"><span style="color:inherit;"></span><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">Now that you have received a call to interview for your dream job, make sure to make the most of this opportunity.&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style="color:inherit;">A job seeker undergoes multiple phases during the hiring process. The interview is the most crucial phase as you interact with the company speaking to people who are responsible for the hiring decision. Even the smartest and most qualified individuals can find the interview process overwhelming.&nbsp;</span><span style="color:inherit;">Here are a few tips to successfully get through this process.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><h2 style="text-align:justify;font-weight:600;"><strong><span style="font-size:26px;">Research</span></strong>&nbsp;</h2><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">When selected for an interview, do thorough research about the company. Learn about its mission, vision, culture, values, and history.&nbsp; The company’s website, social media, news articles, and review websites like Glassdoor, Salary.com, etc. offer invaluable insights.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">Also, researching the interviewer or people on the interviewing panel on LinkedIn or other social media channels could aid you in understanding their mindset. Additionally, common links like college attended, hobbies, and other interests can help in establishing instant rapport&nbsp;and even start to build a relationship with them.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">Knowing the company and the people interviewing you goes a long way to show how prepared you are and how much you want the job.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><h2 style="text-align:justify;font-weight:600;"><strong><span style="font-size:26px;">Prepare &amp; Practice</span></strong>&nbsp;</h2><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">Make a list of commonly asked interview questions. Frame answers to these questions based on your experience and qualifications and the company’s requirements. These questions are generally asked at the beginning, which gives you an opportunity to make a good first impression.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">Secondly,&nbsp;<a href="https://myinterviewpractice.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>practice</strong></a>&nbsp;answering more job-focused questions with someone to make them conversational. Make sure to keep your answers focused and concise. Consider the&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.themuse.com/advice/star-interview-method" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">STAR</a>&nbsp;</strong>(Situation, Task, Action, Risk) method to exemplify your skills. Through this method, you can illustrate how you possess a particular skill that is required for the role.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><ol><li style="text-align:justify;">Identify a&nbsp;<strong>situation</strong>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<strong>task</strong>&nbsp;where you demonstrated that skill.&nbsp;</li></ol><ol start="2"><li style="text-align:justify;">Describe the&nbsp;<strong>actions&nbsp;</strong>you took to resolve the matter.&nbsp;</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Discuss the&nbsp;<strong>results</strong>&nbsp;of your actions.&nbsp;</li></ol><div style="text-align:justify;"><br></div><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">Other strategies include consulting with a mentor or someone who has been in a hiring position before. Utilizing your professional network to connect with someone inside the company to get more insights about the company and the people you are interviewing with.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><h2 style="text-align:justify;font-weight:600;"><strong><strong><strong><span style="font-size:26px;">Be On-Time</span></strong><span style="font-size:26px;">&nbsp;</span></strong>&nbsp;</strong></h2><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">As the saying goes, “If you’re early, you’re on time. If you’re on time, you’re late.” Reach the venue at least 15 minutes before the interview. Acquaint yourself with the surroundings and make observations. This extra time helps you to adjust to the environment and can even calm down any&nbsp;<a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/career-transitions/201503/10-ways-calm-your-interview-anxiety" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>anxiety</strong></a>&nbsp;before the interview.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><h2 style="text-align:justify;font-weight:600;"><strong><span style="font-size:26px;">Professional Conduct</span></strong>&nbsp;</h2><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">Keep your conduct as professional as possible when you interact with anyone from the company. Right from what you wear to how you communicate, always be professional. Even if the company culture seems casual, do not presume it to be so when you go for an interview. During the interview, make sure to listen before you respond. Listening is crucial to understanding, which is necessary to respond effectively. However, in case of any confusion, do not hesitate to ask a follow-up question to get a better understanding before answering.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">You should aim to come across as confident yet coachable. You definitely don’t want to come across as arrogant or a know-it-all. Always be yourself. Employers are looking for a skill set, experience, and also someone who will fit well into the culture of the company and internalize its values.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><h2 style="text-align:justify;font-weight:600;"><strong><span style="font-size:26px;">Ask Your Questions</span></strong>&nbsp;</h2><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">In the end, you might get an opportunity to ask any questions you have. Prepare a few insightful questions regarding the company, the expectations they have for the role, growth prospects, benefits, and compensation. Check out this&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thebalancecareers.com/questions-to-ask-in-a-job-interview-2061205" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>link</strong></a>&nbsp;to frame the most appropriate questions.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><h2 style="text-align:justify;font-weight:600;"><strong><span style="font-size:26px;">Post Interview</span></strong>&nbsp;</h2><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">As a common courtesy, thank your interviewer for their time and send a thank you email shortly after the interview. It may not get you a job offer but will certainly give you an edge by demonstrating your character and professionalism.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">Succeeding in job interviews takes research, practice, and persistence. The more effort you put into your interview preparation; the more success you will obtain in securing job offers. To find more information visit&nbsp;<strong><a href="/Defynance%20for%20borrowers/Resources" title="Defynance ROEP.&nbsp;" rel="">Defynance ROEP</a></strong><a href="/Defynance%20for%20borrowers/Resources" title="Defynance ROEP.&nbsp;" rel="">.&nbsp;</a></p></div></div></div>
</div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Sat, 24 Feb 2024 17:50:37 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[My Credit is Bad, Now What?]]></title><link>https://www.defynance.com/blogs/post/protip-check-your-credit-report-at-least-three-times-a-year-for-free11</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.defynance.com/Blog covers/9.jpg"/>You’re certainly not the first adult to ruin your credit. For some of you, this has happened, not once but twice. In fact,&nbsp; 68% of Americans &nbsp; ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_Prn1I7fTRXmwhVsNL9-q3g" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_rZBGtDr-SuOmKeivKkkFtA" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_DQwOJeOGTKGm8D0uGfd7AQ" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_Zi948ZnsQWWQvqDcb54nPQ" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center " data-editor="true"><div style="color:inherit;"><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">You’re certainly not the first adult to ruin your credit. For some of you, this has happened, not once but twice. In fact,&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2016/01/25/nearly-70-percent-of-americans-destroy-their-credit-before-turning-30.html" target="_blank">68% of Americans</a>&nbsp;destroy their credit by the age of 30. The good thing is, it can be fixed. The bad thing is, the longer it takes to fix it, the more it will continue to have a negative impact on your life. While many of us received our first credit card as a teenager, a great percentage of us have never received the proper education and consulting necessary to go with it. Because of this, we have been more prone to ruin our credit, way before we understand the smart way to utilize it.</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><h2 style="text-align:justify;font-weight:600;"><span style="font-size:26px;">So, your credit is bad, now what?</span></h2><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">The first thing you should do is find out how bad is&nbsp;<em>Bad</em>.</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">When calculating your credit score, a number of factors weigh-in, to determine your creditworthiness. The two most popular scoring companies for rating credit scores in the United States are FICO and VantageScore. While both companies may utilize different approaches when it comes to calculating credit scores, they meet in the middle on those factors that matter the most. Such factors include:</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><h3 style="text-align:justify;font-weight:600;"><span style="font-size:26px;">Your Payment History</span></h3><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">The sum of all charges you have made via your account in general, including debit, credit and savings accounts.</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><h3 style="text-align:justify;font-weight:600;"><span style="font-size:26px;">Credit Utilization</span></h3><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">The amount of revolving credit you’re currently using divided by the total amount of revolving credit you have available. In other words, it’s how much you currently owe divided by your credit limit.</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><h3 style="text-align:justify;font-weight:600;"><span style="font-size:26px;">Credit Mix</span></h3><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">The types of accounts that make up a consumer’s credit report. The credit mix determines 10% of a consumer’s FICO score.</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><h3 style="text-align:justify;font-weight:600;"><span style="font-size:26px;">Credit Inquiries</span></h3><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">A soft credit inquiry refers to all credit inquiries where your credit is&nbsp;<em>not&nbsp;</em>being reviewed by a potential lender. A hard inquiry occurs when a financial institution, such as a lender or credit card issuer, checks your credit when making a lending decision. They commonly take place when you apply for a mortgage, loan or credit card, and you typically have to authorize them.</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><h3 style="text-align:justify;font-weight:600;"><span style="font-size:26px;">Total Debt and Balances</span></h3><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">The sum of all short- and long-term debt. Net debt is calculated by subtracting all cash and cash equivalents from the total of short- and long-term debt. Short-term debt adds all categories of debt due in less than 12 months.</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">Payment history for FICO, accounts for 35% of your score, meanwhile, credit utilization accounts for another 30%. There are other major factors to consider still. Do you have negative remarks on your credit report, such as bankruptcies, or even collections?</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">Negative information can stay on your credit report for over seven years from the date of the last activity and up to ten years for bankruptcies. With these factors dragging your score down, lenders will either avoid you or hit you with unrealistic interest rates, leaving you with little to no money left in your pocket each month.</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">As bad as all of this sounds, there’s hope. No matter what negative items are reporting on your credit account right now, you can have them removed and start&nbsp;<a href="https://defynance.com/5-easy-ways-improve-credit-score/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rebuilding your credit</a>&nbsp;within the next thirty days. That’s right—repossessions, evictions, late payments, etc. But you have to start now.</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><h4 style="text-align:justify;font-weight:600;"><strong><span style="font-size:26px;">Your next move should be to consult with a&nbsp;<a href="https://linktr.ee/leslietmitchell" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">professional credit repair specialist.</a></span></strong></h4><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">Make the move today that will change your life tomorrow. Speak with a professional now.</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;">If student loan debt is causing you headaches, an&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://defynance.com/what-is-an-income-share-agreement/" target="_blank">income share agreement</a>&nbsp;may be able to get you out of your student loan debt.&nbsp;<a href="https://defynance.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Defynance</a>&nbsp;has a product that will let you refinance your student loan debt using a debt-free income share agreement.&nbsp; It’s best to explore all available options when dealing with your credit!&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><br></p><hr style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16.8px;"><em>This article was written by at the forefront of her Entrepreneurial professions, Leslie T Mitchell has taken the world of business by storm. Most recently, her hosting of “Woman on Assignment”, a television show that focuses on an accelerated approach towards empowerment, through teaching the modalities of establishing a solid financial infrastructure. Has reached and impacted thousands through her following and present community. We would like to present a blog that she has worked tirelessly on, as a non-profit life aid tool for the public.</em></p></div></div>
</div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Sat, 24 Feb 2024 17:50:24 +0000</pubDate></item></channel></rss>