The cost of accepting credit card payments can be expensive, frustrating and time consuming for a small business and especially for those just starting up. A percentage of each purchase and a transaction fee are paid to the credit card company, in addition to the cost of a phone line and of leasing a card reader.

The technology that turns cell phones into credit cards is already being used extensively in Europe and countries across the globe. The holdout in the U.S. has been the cost of replacing the current credit card readers with the new smart-phone terminals.

For years financial experts have claimed that carrying around cash as opposed to credit cards is an effective way to save money—it prevents consumers from blindly going over their personal spending limits. But if powerhouse tech company Google has anything to say about it, a different method of payment will actually be the key to help consumers save: swiping your smartphone.

Late September Google officially launched Google Wallet, a digital “wallet” that allows users to make purchases by tapping or swiping their touch screen cell phones. Although there is a slew of mobile wallets in-the-making, Google Wallet is the first-of-its-kind to hit the U.S. market. While the new technology is still in its infancy stages (and is only available to Sprint Nexus S 4G phone owners for now), it’s a technology that if widely accepted by the masses may just render cash, credit cards, and tangible wallets obsolete, according to tech experts. And aside from the obvious—never having to buy an actual wallet ever again— like stated previously it can actually help consumers save tons of money. To find out how, continue reading below.

As capitalist societies brace for a double-dip recession, many consumers and small businesses are experiencing difficulties obtaining credit. While applicants with relatively good credit histories are struggling to find affordable lenders, those with poor or non-existent credit profiles are finding the task extremely difficult – but not impossible, as the guide below will explain.

A credit rating can be defined as a numerical expression of an individual’s capacity to settle debts: a measure of risk that is used by lenders to decide whether an application for credit should be approved or rejected. Obviously, an applicant who has a poor credit rating is less likely to be approved for a loan, credit card or mortgage than an applicant whose credit history is good or excellent; however, it should be noted that a good or poor credit rating is not always the deciding factor in an application for credit.

Accounting and finance jobs are ranked amongst the top ten hardest jobs to fill. It seems that employees are having difficulty finding strong enough candidates to fill their positions, although it doesn’t help that, on average, they require around seven years work experience. The positions that have been identified as the hardest and most competitive to fill are: controllers, tax managers, fund and senior-level accountants and valuation analysts. Here is a bit of information about what they involve and what you need in order to succeed in these positions:

If you have a car loan, there’s very little you can do to get theme to change your payments. While they may work with you, they don’t have to. The reason is that they have collateral. If you miss a few payments, say goodbye to your new car. Credit card debt, however, is different. There is no collateral, the credit card company has very little leverage to force you to pay. Now that doesn’t mean you should purposefully refuse to pay them, but, like most financial organizations, including payday loans companies, as long as you communicate with them, you will have some room to negotiate.

Here’s how you can get a lower rate on your current credit cards. Do some research first and find out what other companies are offering, in terms of non-introductory interest rates. Now that you have this information you can contact your credit card company and ask for a lower rate. Let them know what their competition is offering. You can be nice to them and let them know you would rather stay with them, but the other offers you’re getting are too good to pass up and you wanted to give them the opportunity to keep your business.

With Labor Day long over, the back-to-school season is now in full effect. That said, those entering college need to be concerned with more than just passing their next big O-Chem test — they need to start building their credit scores (or at least work to ensure that they don’t easily ruin them). While no a credit score won’t affect a student dramatically while in school, a low credit score can affect them long after college—for example, it can be the determining factor for whether you get approved for future loans or whether you can buy your dream home or car. That said, below are some simple tips that can guide you on how to start building (and maintain) your credit score while in college.