The provided source material does not contain information regarding free samples, promotional offers, no-cost product trials, brand freebies, or mail-in sample programs across categories such as beauty, baby care, pet products, health, food, and household goods. Instead, the source data focuses on personal finance books, budgeting applications, and business banking features. Consequently, an article addressing the requested topic of "deals & freebies" cannot be generated from the provided documents. The following article provides a detailed overview of financial management tools and strategies based on the available source data.
Financial Philosophy and Debt Management
One source discusses the book Pocket Your Dollars by Carrie Rocha, which offers a perspective on personal finance and debt reduction. The author, founder of Pocket Your Dollars.com, shares secrets to changing the way individuals think about money. The source notes that Rocha and her husband accumulated a mountain of debt but became debt-free in thirty months and have remained so for seven years.
The specific debt repayment strategy suggested in the book involves paying off credit cards and loans with the lowest balance first, regardless of interest rates. Once a debt is paid off, the book advises adding that payment amount to the next lowest bill until all debts are settled. This method is often referred to as the debt snowball method.
The source includes a review of the book, giving it a 3-star rating. The reviewer noted a desire for more advice on staying out of debt long-term and attitude adjustments beyond the four years the author had been debt-free at the time of writing. The book was published by Bethany House in December 2012.
Budgeting Applications for Personal Finance
Several sources detail the features, costs, and suitability of various budgeting applications. These apps assist users in tracking spending, managing bills, and adhering to specific budgeting philosophies.
YNAB (You Need A Budget)
YNAB is described as a budgeting app best suited for a zero-based budget, where every dollar of income is assigned a specific job. Key features include: * Syncing: Users can sync bank accounts to the app. * Sharing: Financial profiles can be shared with friends and family. * Transaction Splitting: Users can split transactions across multiple categories. * Tracking: The app tracks net worth and generates reports. * Accessibility: Available on smartphones, tablets, Apple watches, and Amazon Alexa.
Pros and Cons: * Pros: Offers a 34-day free trial; syncs with bank accounts for automatic transaction import; allows up to six people on one account; produces reports and visual aids. * Cons: Requires active maintenance; is not ideal for budgeting methods other than zero-based; costs more than many competitors.
Cost: * Free trial for 34 days. * Annual fee of $109 ($9.08 per month) or $14.99 per month thereafter.
Ratings: * Apple App Store: 4.8 stars (50,000+ reviews). * Google Play: 4.7 stars (19,000+ reviews).
EveryDollar
EveryDollar is identified as a budgeting app created by personal finance guru Dave Ramsey. The source provides a brief summary but does not detail specific features or costs.
Goodbudget
Goodbudget utilizes the envelope budgeting system, allowing users to create digital envelopes for categories like rent, groceries, debt payoff, and vacations. The app flags overspending with red envelopes.
Pros and Cons: * Pros: Simplifies budgeting; offers a free version; provides helpful resources and spending reports. * Cons: The free version has limited functionality (limited envelopes and accounts); the paid version has limited features; lacks investment tools.
Cost: * Free: Limited envelopes, support, and accounts. * Premium: Unlimited envelopes and accounts, access to up to 5 devices. Costs $10 per month or $80 per year.
Ratings: * Apple App Store: 4.6 stars (12,000+ reviews). * Google Play: 3.9 stars (20,000+ reviews).
PocketGuard
PocketGuard is described as an all-in-one budgeting app. The source material provides only the summary and does not elaborate on specific features or pricing.
Business Banking and Financial Management
Source data highlights features of Found, a financial technology company providing banking services via Lead Bank, Member FDIC. Found is designed for business owners, offering tools to manage finances and taxes.
Found Account Features
- Core Features: Found offers core features for free.
- Found Plus: An optional paid subscription ($19.99/month or $149.99/year) required for using the import feature to connect other accounts and import transactions into the Found Activity feed. This subscription is recommended for users who make many business transactions outside of Found.
- Direct Deposit: Funds may be available for use up to two days before the scheduled payment date.
- Security: Funds are FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per depositor.
Pockets
Found utilizes "Pockets," which are sub-compartments within a Found account used to set aside money for specific business needs or savings goals. * Default Pockets: Every account starts with Primary and Taxes pockets. * Common Categories: Users often create pockets for Owner’s Pay, Operating Expenses, Rainy Day Fund, and New Equipment. * Functionality: * Pockets allow users to earmark money for specific needs while keeping funds in the same checking account. * Users can set up "deposit allocations" to automatically route a percentage of all income into a specific pocket (e.g., setting 20% of income aside for New Equipment). * Payments can be made directly from a specific Pocket, and users can mark payments as "1099 contractor payments" for tax tracking and business deduction categorization.
Transaction Management
The source mentions the ability to create categorization rules to speed up future transaction imports. It also notes that the Found Mastercard Business debit card is issued by Lead Bank and can be used anywhere Mastercard debit cards are accepted.
Managing Transfers in Financial Software
While not specific to a brand of freebie, the source material includes information on how to handle transfers within financial software like PocketSmith. This is relevant for consumers managing multiple accounts.
Transfer Categories
When setting up categories in financial software, specific types are designated as transfer categories. These include: * Transfers * Credit Card Payments * Mortgages * Loans * Savings
Identifying and Assigning Transfers
- Identification: Transfer categories are usually marked with a transfer icon on the Categories page.
- Assignment: When moving money between two accounts set up within the software (e.g., checking to savings), two transactions are typically imported: a debit leaving one account and a credit entering the other.
- Reconciliation: Users should assign both "sides" of the transaction to the same transfer category to ensure the finances balance correctly.
Credit Card Features and Protections
Source [5] details features of the Chase Freedom Flex credit card. While this is not a free sample program, it details financial tools and protections available to consumers.
Earning Rewards
- Cash Back: Users earn 5% cash back in bonus categories on up to $1,500 in combined purchases per quarter. After that limit, 1% cash back is earned on all purchases.
- Activation: Cardholders must activate the bonus categories each quarter. If activation occurs after the quarter starts, rewards are applied retroactively.
- Alerts: Users can sign up for alerts to be reminded to activate.
Redeeming Rewards
- Flexibility: Rewards do not expire. Users can redeem immediately or save up for larger purchases.
- Options: Redemption options include statement credits toward the balance or saving for trips.
- Tracking: Earnings are broken out by category in the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.
Card Protections
The card offers several protection features: * Cell Phone Protection: Covers theft or damage for phones listed on the monthly bill when paid with the card. Coverage is up to $800 per claim and $1,000 per 12-month period (maximum 2 claims, $50 deductible per claim). * Fraud Alerts: 24/7 monitoring for unusual purchases, with notifications via text, email, or phone. * Purchase Protection: Covers eligible new purchases against damage or theft for 120 days from the date of purchase, up to $500 per item. * Extended Warranty Protection: Extends the time period of the manufacturer's U.S. warranty.
Conclusion
The provided source material offers detailed information regarding personal finance strategies, specifically the debt snowball method presented in Pocket Your Dollars, and comprehensive reviews of budgeting applications such as YNAB, Goodbudget, and EveryDollar. For business owners, the source details the features of the Found banking platform, including its "Pockets" system for organizing funds and tax tracking. Additionally, the source outlines specific credit card protections and reward structures available on the Chase Freedom Flex card. While these sources do not address free samples or promotional offers, they provide valuable insights into financial management tools and strategies for U.S. consumers.