Regardless of economic conditions or inflation, precious metals remain relevant in the market. That’s why investments in precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum are considered safe hedges against economic and financial turbulence. But, investing in precious metals is a major financial decision, and just like every other type of investment, it involves some benefits and drawbacks. Understanding certain aspects before diving in can help protect oneself against potential financial repercussions. K now the various ways to invest in precious metals While buying precious metal in its concrete form may seem like the most obvious way of investing in it, it’s not the only strategy. Many people also buy gold, silver, or platinum futures, wherein they essentially sign a contract to purchase or sell the precious metal at a specified price and on a specific predetermined date. Those who opt for futures investments do not physically possess the precious metal but only the contract. Yet others may choose to invest in gold, silver, or platinum exchange-traded funds (ETFs), exchange-traded receipts (ETR), bonds, etc. Understanding the pros and cons of each method of precious metal investment helps one make the best financial decision. Check if the precious metal is allocated When investing in precious metals, one should always choose allocated ones, which guarantee the highest safety levels.

As many parts of the world are steadily moving toward a cashless economy, debit cards are becoming highly popular and accepted modes of payment. These cards can be used for shopping at all major retail stores and withdrawing money instantly. Also, most debit cards offer lucrative benefits, such as rewards, cashback, and no annual fees. But to get the most out of debit cards, it is important to avoid certain mistakes. 1. Using too many debit cards As different banks offer different deals and benefits on debit cards, many tend to use multiple cards to benefit from a variety of offers. But such deals and offers come with additional fees, so, the more cards one has, the higher the aggregate fee one would have to pay. These extra charges can increase the expenses. So, it’s best to have a maximum of three cards to avoid spending too much money on fees. 2. Using debit cards for big purchases A debit card uses the funds deposited in the cardholder’s bank account. So, if one tries to pay an amount that exceeds the total balance in the account, the transaction may bounce. For this reason, it’s best to use a credit card for large transactions so that one can repay the amount flexibly until the deadline.

Life insurance is one of the best financial support tools, providing protection and security to an individual’s loved ones during unforeseen circumstances like the policyholder’s passing. While this insurance offers various benefits, navigating its different aspects can be challenging. Lack of research before choosing a policy may often lead to mistakes that may result in higher premiums or complications during the claims process. Avoiding such mistakes is important to ensure the financial safety of beneficiaries. Not knowing about the types of policies Before purchasing a life insurance policy, an individual must research the types of policies that they can buy. Life insurance policies are basically divided into two types – term life insurance and permanent life insurance. Term life insurance A term life insurance policy is designed to offer coverage to an individual for a limited period. This period is predetermined and is usually 10, 20, or, in some cases, 30 years. If an individual passes away within the policy’s coverage period, their beneficiaries will receive the sum assured. Permanent life insurance A permanent life insurance policy offers coverage without any preset time limit. This means that regardless of when the policyholder passes away, their beneficiaries will receive the sum assured.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers loans to active-duty military personnel, veterans, and their spouses. These VA loans can help veterans buy homes without a down payment. Additionally, VA loans come with low interest rates. While VA loans can be beneficial, one must understand exactly what to expect when applying for such loans. So, one should understand the terms and carefully avoid mistakes that can interfere with the loan approval process. 1. Ignoring the credit score The minimum credit score requirements for VA loans vary from one lender to another. Nonetheless, if one’s credit score is incredibly low, then their VA loan application may be denied. Even if one doesn’t get a rejection from the lender, they may be charged a higher mortgage rate, which would mean more expensive monthly loan installments. For this reason, one needs to always check their credit score before applying for a VA loan. In fact, if possible, one should try to boost the score to improve their chances of getting the loan approved. 2. Not exploring all options Many national banks and other lenders are authorized to offer VA loans. Each lender offers attractive rates and special features to lure as many borrowers as possible.