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Reference

Financial glossary

401(k)

401(k) is a retirement savings plan offered by many employers in the United States, allowing employees to save and invest a portion of their paycheck before taxes are deducted.

50/30/20 Rule

50/30/20 Rule is a simple budgeting framework that helps you allocate your income into three categories: 50% for needs, 30% for wants, and 20% for savings or debt repayment.

ACH Transfer

ACH Transfer refers to the electronic movement of money between banks in the United States, facilitated by the Automated Clearing House Network. It's primarily used for transactions like direct deposits, payroll, and bill payments.

Amortization

Amortization refers to the process of paying off a loan through regular installments over time, where each payment covers interest expense and reduces the principal balance.

Annual Fee

Annual Fee refers to the amount you pay each year for the privilege of using certain credit cards. It is a form of maintenance cost for keeping your credit account open and active.

APR (Annual Percentage Rate)

APR (Annual Percentage Rate) is the yearly cost of a loan expressed as a percentage, including interest and fees, helping you understand the true cost of borrowing.

APY (Annual Percentage Yield)

APY (Annual Percentage Yield) is the annual rate of return on an investment or savings account, expressed as a percentage, considering the effect of compounding interest over a year.

Balance Transfer

Balance Transfer refers to the process of moving an outstanding credit card balance from one card to another, often to take advantage of lower interest rates.

Bitcoin

Bitcoin is a digital currency that operates without a central authority, allowing users to send and receive value through a decentralized network using blockchain technology.

Blockchain

Blockchain is a digital ledger that records transactions across multiple computers in a way that makes the records secure and unchangeable.

Bond

Bond refers to a loan made by an investor to a borrower, typically a corporation or government, that pays interest over a fixed period before returning the principal amount.

Budgeting

Budgeting is the process of creating a plan to manage your money by allocating future income towards expenses, savings, and debt repayment.

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— The DollarScout editorial team