Inflation has all but decimated our bank accounts over the past couple of years. Though it’s cooling down somewhat, costs are still untenably high across various categories.

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Americans are having a tough time getting by because of inflation, and more are living paycheck to paycheck. There’s only so much you can do to fight it; even the Fed is having a difficult time taming it.

So what can you do to battle inflation? One tool that could come in handy is a cash-back credit card. No, cash-back credit cards won’t spare you from all of the repercussions of inflation, but they can help in a couple of key ways, provided you use them responsibly and in a way that naturally fits in your financial life.

Cash-Back Reward Percentages Offset Inflation

“Cash-back rewards provide consumers with a way to offset the rising costs of goods and services due to inflation,” said Michael Kleinman, the owner of Centurion Payment Services. “By earning a percentage of their purchases back in cash, they can effectively reduce their overall expenses.”

It’s a matter of simple math. Basically, if inflation is at 6.4%, which is roughly where it is right now, and your cash-back rewards on travel purchases are 5%, as they are with the Chase Freedom Unlimited card, then you’re not getting gouged 6.4%; you’re enduring an inflation of just 1.4%.

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Invest the Cash-Back Rewards Money

What you do with the cash-back money matters significantly, too, in your private war against inflation. Kleinman recommends investing it to hedge against rising costs.

“Cash-back rewards can be used to invest in assets that appreciate over time,” Kleinman said, “such as stocks or real estate, which can help protect against the effects of inflation.”

What To Look For in a Cash-Back Credit Card

Not all cash-back credit cards are the same. When looking for a cash-back card, there are some important factors to consider.

“Firstly, you should look at the cash-back rewards program offered by the card, including the cash-back rate and any bonus categories,” Kleinman said. “It’s also important to consider any fees associated with the card, such as an annual fee or foreign transaction fees. Additionally, you should consider the card’s interest rate and any promotional offers, such as a sign-up bonus or 0% APR introductory period.”

You’ll also want to scrutinize the exact cash-back rates. What are you getting back and on what categories?

“If everything is basically 1%, yes it’ll add up over time but that’s still low enough that it can be easier to fall into a trap of spending more to earn more,” said Julie Ramhold, consumer analyst with DealNews.com. “Make sure the cards you’re looking at have good rates. Generally, things like gas may be as high as 4%, while restaurants and travel may be 3%, select other purchases could be 2%, and all other purchases could be 1%.”

You’ll also need to keep your eyes peeled for fees. Some cash-back credit cards tout steep ones that heavily dampen the payoffs.

“Cash-back cards lose their luster if you’re having to pay a fee to use them,” Ramhold added, “so, before applying for a new card, read the fine print and make sure the fees aren’t going to negate the overall perks of the card.”

Use Your Cash-Back Credit Card Responsibly

Think of your cash-back credit card as a partner in crime, rather than as a solution to inflation. This means that responsible spending and payment behavior will be paramount. Additionally, a cash-back credit card should naturally align with your spending goals. Don’t get one just because you want to fight inflation. Get one because it works with your lifestyle, too.

Ask yourself, “How does a cash-back credit card fit into my life and line up with my spending goals and budget?”

“If you’re trying to cut back on spending overall, a cash-back card might not be the smartest financial move to make right now,” Ramhold said. “However, if you’re trying to save on regular purchases, then it may be well worth it as those cash-back earnings can help to make things like higher grocery costs easier to swallow.”

Also, remember to always pay your balance in full or you’ll totally defeat the point of fighting inflation with your cash-back credit card.

“Carrying a balance from month to month means you will pay interest, which costs far more than any rewards you earn on those purchases,” said budgeting expert Andrea Wororch. “The average interest rate on credit cards these days hovers above 17%.”

Bear in mind that there isn’t a card out there that has a cash-back reward rate as high as inflation. So if you’re out to full-on win the war on inflation with a cash-back credit card, it’s not going to happen. The best you can do is get some savings and, ideally, use those savings to invest in something that is inflation proof, or at least fairly resilient in the face of inflation.

Don’t Stop at Cash-Back Credit Cards

There are other ways to get cash back on your purchases.

“You can earn extra cash back by using cash-back sites and apps,” Woroch said. “For instance, link your cash-back credit card to an app like Slide and then use the app to pay at participating retailers to earn up to another 10% cash back.

“You can also turn recent purchases you made with your cash-back card into even more money back in your pocket by taking pictures of your receipts using a rewards app like Fetch. The app gives you points for each receipt you upload, which can be redeemed towards free gift cards to a variety of stores including Amazon and Target. Other cash-back apps and tools include Honey and Dosh.”

Credit card processing is an essential part of any business, but it can also be a complex and confusing process. One of the most important decisions a business must make when it comes to credit card processing is choosing the right pricing model. The two main pricing models used by credit card processors are Interchange Plus and Tiered pricing.

Interchange Plus pricing is a pricing model that separates the fees charged by the card networks (interchange) from the fees charged by the processor. This means that businesses can see exactly how much they are paying for each transaction. On the other hand, Tiered pricing, also known as bundled pricing, groups all of the fees together into a single rate for each transaction, making it difficult to understand exactly how much you’re paying for each transaction.

Here are some key reasons why Interchange Plus pricing is the better option for businesses:

  1. Transparency: With Interchange Plus pricing, businesses can see exactly what they are paying for each transaction. This allows them to identify any potential issues or areas for improvement in their processing costs. With Tiered pricing, it can be difficult to understand how much you’re paying for each transaction, as the fees are bundled together into one rate.
  2. Cost savings: Interchange Plus pricing can be less expensive than Tiered pricing. This is because Tiered pricing often includes markups on the interchange rates, which can add up over time. With Interchange Plus pricing, businesses can see exactly what they are paying and can negotiate lower rates with their processor based on their specific needs and processing volume.
  3. Flexibility: Interchange Plus pricing allows businesses to adapt more easily to changes in the payments industry, such as the emergence of new technologies. Tiered pricing, on the other hand, can lock businesses into outdated pricing structures, which can make it difficult for them to adapt to new developments.
  4. Future-proofing: As the payments industry evolves and new technologies emerge, Interchange Plus pricing allows businesses to adapt more easily. Tiered pricing can lock businesses into outdated pricing structures, which can make it difficult for them to take advantage of new technologies and innovations.
  5. Control: Interchange Plus pricing gives businesses more control over their processing costs. Businesses can monitor their costs and make adjustments as needed, rather than being at the mercy of unpredictable bundled pricing.

It’s important to note that Interchange Plus pricing can also have some downsides, such as the possibility of additional fees, and the need for more monitoring and management. However, the benefits of Interchange Plus pricing far outweigh the downsides, making it the better option for businesses.

In conclusion, Interchange Plus pricing is the better option for businesses because it provides greater transparency, cost savings, flexibility, future-proofing and control. It’s important for businesses to understand the difference between Interchange Plus and Tiered pricing and to carefully review the fees and terms offered by different processors. By doing so, businesses can ensure they are getting the best deal and that their payments infrastructure is set up for success. If you’d like to learn more, please contact Centurion Payment Services today to learn more and get set up with the pricing model best for your business.

We are living in the digital era, where technology is growing at a fast speed. Every second you come across an innovation.

Within a short period, the innovations are embraced by people for increasing convenience. If you consider the business section, you will get to know about a lot of changes that take place now and then.

These days, business is not being carried out by using cash payments or checks. People prefer to use credit cards, debit cards, or QR scan for payments. Still, many businesses have not employed online payment systems or accepted credit cards. When small businesses do not have a merchant account, they cannot accept card payments or through QR scans. You will lose out on customers and face a reduction in the businesses. Sometimes the businesses have to shut down if they are not embracing the latest technology.

Merchant Accounts are essential for small businesses because then, they can accept payments in different modes. Just open a merchant account and observe the new opportunities to which you can open up. It will be a great way to add value to your company.

Here are some of the reasons that will help you understand why a merchant account is essential for small businesses.

#1 When You Have A Merchant Account, You Can Accept Different Payment Modes

The best aspect of having a merchant account for small businesses is to have the flexibility to accept different types of payment methods. If the customer is not carrying cash, then you can accept payment through credit cards, debit cards, or QR scanning.

It becomes so easy and convenient for the customers to purchase through an online payment system. If you do not have a merchant account, your business will accept payments only through cash. It will become inconvenient for the customer. In such cases, the customer will not be willing to visit your store again. When your business has a merchant account, it shows that you are prioritizing your customers. It will help minimize the inconvenience between the buying and selling process.

#2 Merchant Account Will Help In Increasing Sales

In a recent study, it was observed that customers tend to spend a lot when they use credit cards. With cash payments, people feel restricted and end up buying less than required. With credit cards, the situation is a bit opposite. This shows that your business will have good sales when you are accepting credit card payments or have a merchant account.

In a separate survey conducted for gauging the preferences of credit card payments over cash payments, the results were astonishing. People prefer to use credit card payments. They will choose credit card payments for payment flexibility and convenience. It will increase business sales and support overall business growth.

#3 Merchant Account Helps In Proper Money Management

Switching to a merchant account by embracing credit cards, debit cards, and online payments helps your business. It will support streamlining all online payments. You no longer have to count the cash and require manual efforts. The merchant account will maintain the transaction details and record them for a prolonged period. Moreover, you can also analyze cash flow forecasting.

#4 You Can Easily Avoid Bad Checks Or Other Issues

You can use the merchant account and the services offered along with it to avoid the issues of bad checks or any other issues. The transactions are hassle-free, and no cost is associated with the merchant account services. If you link your merchant account with another payment system, you can make recurring payments flexible.

#5 You Can Increase Customer Convenience — Have a Huge Client Base Of Happy Customers

When a small merchant has an account, it ensures that your customers are happy. What makes customers happy? First, your business products and services. Apart from that, customers are always looking for convenient services.
With a merchant account, you are making the payment convenient for them. It becomes easy for the customers to make payments through credit cards and debit cards. It will improve the customer experience and help you build a better network with the customers.

Summary:

Now that you know the significance of a merchant account, it is easier to integrate a merchant account into your business payment system. Having a merchant account is not just essential for small businesses but for every business. If you consider customers as your priority, you need to have a merchant account.

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Centurion Payment Services allows CBD credit card processing.

Today, the CBD industry is facing significant challenges with finding payment solutions that offer a convenient, transparent, and trustworthy service to CBD merchants. CBD vendors today face these problems on a daily basis due to the fact that the CBD industry seems to be seen not only as a high-risk business but is being projected in a bad light. Credit card processing for CBD merchants is now a scarce commodity, and one would expect that with the seemingly positive and favorable medical benefits that CBD offers to the general public, finding processors for CBD credit card transactions should not be such a challenge. The question is, how did we get here?

CBD Processing – The Journey So Far

CBD oil is basically gotten from the cannabis plant. Today, research points to the benefits that CBD provides for users with a potential for it to help in the alleviation of conditions like inflammation, anxiety, depression, seizures and more. CBD is taken from cannabis strains that are low in THC, however, despite its obvious difference from marijuana, cannabis is listed on Schedule I in the US, thereby making it illegal in line with federal regulations. Classifying CBD among the schedule I drugs has led to challenges for CBD vendors whose business is being viewed in the same light as businesses that market cocaine, as well as heroin.

But with the possibility that CBD offers great medical value, some US states have begun to approve the manufacture and the sale of CBD products. With this development, CBD merchants are in need of merchant accounts to process credit card payments from customers. Unfortunately, today, the number of solution providers that can offer CBD vendors with good credit card processing services is still on the low side. In terms of recommendations, you’d find it hard to locate a solution provider that offers low prices, transparent services, and top-notch customer support.

In fact, what most CBD merchants today are accustomed to is getting transaction rates that are very high owing to the fact that the CBD industry has been projected as a high-risk industry. CBD vendors today, also, face the challenge of rolling services, as well as funds holds from time to time. In recent times, the landscape of CBD processing is constantly evolving, and a lot of banks have taken drastic measures by terminating their business dealings with CBD merchants on very short notice.

INTRODUCING CENTURION PAYMENT SERVICES

Of course, CBD sellers appreciate the security and comfort that they get from being able to accept credit cards. For CBD vendors who need a fast and seamless way to set up a merchant account for their CBD business, there are very few trusted solution providers that are willing to help them out and Centurion Payment Services is one of them. With the reputation of CBD beginning to improve across the US, Centurion Payment Services is offering unmatched payment services for CBD vendors.

Although many banks, as well as, payment processors have distanced themselves from entering into partnership with CBD merchants because of its association with the blacklisted marijuana, many vendors of CBD, especially, the new companies always struggle to locate service providers that are willing to do provide them with the credit card processing service that they need to grow their business.

Are you a start-up that is looking for a way to cater to the payment processing needs of your CBD business, especially, for customers who want to make credit card payments? Or are you a big name in the CBD industry searching for a trusted provider that can offer you the lowest competitive rates for top-notch services? Centurion Payment Services can help you. Simply get in touch, and we will ensure that we link your business up with the industry’s best.

How We Will Help You

No matter what your payment processing problems are with credit/debit cards, let Centurion Payment Services provide you with the solution. We provide merchant accounts for CBD vendors. Centurion Payment Services has a proven record of helping numerous high-risk businesses to obtain merchant accounts. Even if your business has a processing risk that is high, there is no reason that you should be deprived of getting legit merchant services just like other merchants so that you can do business with online customers easily without any hassles. We provide accounts seamlessly for

As you very well know, applying to get a merchant account set up for your business (which is considered as high-risk”) is not only frustrating but is very much time-consuming. With us, that is not a problem anymore as we take pride in setting merchant accounts for CBD vendors up very quickly so that they can direct their energies on expanding their business. When you partner with us, we will link you up with our processor, the best payment processor in the CBD industry. Our processor will use their decades’ worth of experience and their in-depth knowledge of the industry to take you through the process seamlessly.

When it comes to e-commerce, Our processor is a household name that assists all kinds of businesses to be able to take payments in all forms. If you need something simple or something more sophisticated, Our processor in partnership with Centurion Payment Services can take care of it. Our processor has been around for over two decades with a customer base of over 1 million clients all over the planet. Here’s why Centurion Payment Services works with our processor –

OUR CREDIT CARD PAYMENT PROCESSING SOLUTION

Have you heard from a lot of persons that the business that you engage in has a risk that is so high that they can’t do business with you? Well, we assure you that we are very different and that is the reason that we are leaders in the industry. We strongly believe that CBD vendors have the right to own merchant accounts and carry out credit card processing for their CBD business just like low-risk businesses. Also, as you go about finding a perfect merchant account solution and a superb payment processor, it is important to verify that the solution you obtain easily blends in with your everyday business operations. Centurion’s partners possess the needed systems and tech to make all your dreams come through.

At Centurion Payment Services, we offer high-risk credit/debit card processing solutions for all kinds of CBD companies. Our credit service solution will help your business to significantly improve its online selling pedigree by making use of our secure credit card processors. Our credit card processing solution covers major cards such as Visa, American Express, as well as MasterCard and more. Centurion Payment Services prides itself in helping CBD vendors set up their own merchant accounts to give clients a seamless way to purchase CBD products and make payments using their debit cards or their credit cards. Although the CBD industry is regarded as a high-risk business, Centurion Payment Services treats every CBD merchant as if they were low risk.

Our processing options are unmatched by other processors who simply are not able to level up with our sophisticated partnership with a domestic bank. We can get accounts set up with a  domestic bank within 3 days. With Centurion, accepting all kinds of credit cards online no longer has to be a problem. Here’s what to expect when you partner with us –

Our Seamless CBD credit card payment processor is seamless

The domestic bank that we partner with offers full support to businesses that sell CBD products and gives you the freedom to be able to carry out sales. Centurion Payment Services processes credit cards for CBD merchants. We offer: No Reserve, easy and transparent pricing, no setup fees, and you can get funding in 24 hours. Get set up with a real merchant account for CBD processing, so you don’t have to deal with reserves, hold times on money, and astronomical start-up costs and rates.

Why Our Merchant Service Solutions For CBD Vendors Are Unique

There are a lot of processors out there that make so many promises and making the best choice from a variety of CBD merchants can be challenging. However, with Centurion Payment Services, you have the assurance that you are working with an experienced solution provider with a transparent process and low fees, as well as, a dedicated support team of professionals. Our services remain unmatched in the industry as we have been providing premium credit card payment processing for CBD businesses for years. The best part of the deal is that we partner with a domestic bank and our processor who does not label CBD businesses as high-risk just like other institutions have the habit of doing. Our commitment to giving our CBD merchants top-notch merchant services remains unwavering as we treat your venture just like every other low-risk investment. With Centurion Payment Services there are no shady gateways, no restrictions, and no credit card transaction declines.

Your merchant account will come with full features which you will likely never get from other processors. Get funded within 24 hours, an integrated processing solution, and very low rates that other competitors cannot match. Yes, we know that CBD products have been blacklisted by the government, as well as, financial institutions that refuse to endorse them even if they are not illegal due to the links that seem to exist between cannabinoids and marijuana.

Centurion Payment Services, however, is proud to say that we are a unique low-cost, trusted credit card processing partner of the CBD industry. In the past few years, we have consciously worked to build the kind of solid relationship with domestic banks that will ensure that your business gets the full support that it deserves. With our unique services, your CBD business can get a credit card processing platform that is not only open but also reliable 247.

Contact Us Today

At Centurion Payment Services, we are fully aware of the challenges that every CBD vendor out there faces and are dedicated to providing a credit card processing solution and a merchant account for all CBD vendors. We will not label your business as high risk and rest assured that your CBD products will get the best credit card processing solution that they truly deserve.

Centurion Payment Services is structured to officially process credit card payments for the CBD industry. We fully give our backing to CBD merchants which is why we are the standout choice for everyone who wishes to have a legal and compliant merchant account, as well as, a processing solution for credit card payments that is legitimate.

Are you a start-up that is looking for a way to cater to the payment processing needs of your CBD business, especially, for customers who want to make credit card payments? Or are you a big name in the CBD industry searching for a trusted provider that can offer you the lowest competitive rates for top-notch services? Centurion Payment Services can help you. With our new domestic  bank solution our processor, we can process cards with no stress for all CBD merchants at affordable rates. Simply get in touch, and we will ensure that we give you the best.