Straight Line of the Day: Springtime Ends Mandates in Germany! Need lyrics for “MaskEra – The Musical!”
Masks Forever: Germany Plotting to Mandate Masks Annually From 'October to Easter' Breitbart | 06/18/2022 | Kurt Zindulka
Lawmakers in Germany are reportedly considering instituting mask mandates every year during the winter months, likening the move to requirements for winter tyres on automobiles.
A report from the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag has claimed that the Social Democrat-led 'traffic light' coalition [?] government is making preparations to pass legislation requiring German citizens to wear masks in public from October to Easter annually to supposedly stem the spread of respiratory diseases such as the Chinese coronavirus.
OK, I’ll get the bawl rolling:
I was born in dear old Scranton That is why it’s “Let’s Go Brandon.”
No good, huh?
Well, how about:
Don’t be stupid; don’t be sulkin’:
All your pistols are ReVolken.
And, by the way . . .
What is this German obsession with disease and government equalling tires and traffic lights?
I guess they’re German, so it makes sense.
“There is now an AutoBan.”
Heh.
♩♪
When I was just a little girl I asked my mother — What will I be? Will I be pretty? Will I ever smile? She put a mask on me . . .
Debbie Conetta joins a growing team at Playrcart – the pioneer in transactional advertising LONDON, UK: British AdTech pioneer Playrcart is delighted to welcome Debbie Conetta to its management team in the role of Commercial Retail Director. The newly-created role will involve sourcing and managing new retailer relationships across beauty, consumer packaged goods (CPG), grocery […]
BidMind's omnichannel programmatic advertising platform offers brands and agencies a way to reach new audiences and help plan, run, and measure Mobile, Web, Audio, DOOH, and CTV ad campaigns, now in Latin America. Dover, DE – BidMind, an omnichannel programmatic advertising platform, announces the expansion of the company's array of services to the LATAM region, […]
World's top-ranked translation management solution secures new funding, led by global investment firm Carlyle, recruits Edmund Ovington to lead US operations New York, New York — Memsource, the industry's highest-ranked translation management solution, announced today it secured €15M in fundraising, led by global investment firm, Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) and its existing investors. The funds will […]
This is a Honey Cake made using only honey as the sweetener, no sugar, so you can really taste the honey (such cakes are rarer than you think!). You’ll love how it’s soaked with rich honey syrup, flooding the cake with extra honey flavour and making the crumb beautifully moist.
This sweet gem is brilliant as a pudding-like dessert to finish off a cosy dinner, or served for afternoon tea with friends.
Honey Cake
I had a load of home-harvested honey gifted to me by people in my life who keep their own bees. Thinking how to best I could flatter such a lovely ingredient, I developed a slightly mad obsession with creating a cake that used honey and no sugar whatsoever. Sounds simple enough, right?
WRONG!
Turns out, it’s much harder than it seems. For one, sugar plays an important part in making cakes rise. When creamed with butter, sugar creates little air pockets as the cake bakes. When you remove sugar from the equation, cakes have a tendency to be very dense, as I discovered from various honey cake recipes I tried.
The other problem? Pretty much all the ones I tried don’t actually taste of honey. What’s the point then, I ask??!
So I am chuffed to present my own honey cake recipe which I think does the cake justice both in name and the eating! It was broadly adapted from this Greek Honey Cake. If you do an ingredient comparison though, you’ll see that the end result bears little resemblance. The most distinct difference is the absence of sugar in my recipe.
Ingredients in Honey Cake
Straightforward ingredients in this recipe! The key ingredient is of course, honey (imagine that! ).
Honey – Not all honey is created equal! The better quality the honey, the stronger the honey flavour and the better the result. To be honest though, while I don’t want to encourage you to use dirtcheap mass-produced honey since it can sometimes be bulked out with sugar syrup, even if you use an regular mainstream brand the honey flavour will still absolutely come through in this cake.
Butter (at room temperature) – When recipes call for butter at room temperature or softened butter, the butter needs to be firmer than you probably think. Ideally it is 18°C / 64°F. This is soft enough to whip, but still cool enough that when you touch it, you don't end up with a slick of grease on your finger.
Butter that is too soft can lead to greasy cakes that do not rise as well as they should. In fact, this is one of the most common problems in cake making!
Here’s a quick way to bring butter to room temperature: Cut fridge-cold butter into 1.5cm cubes (1/2″ thick slices if you have a US stick of butter). Scatter on a plate. Microwave 2 cups of cold tap water for 4 minutes on high in large mugs or a jug. Remove the warmed water, quickly put the butter plate in its place and close the door. DO NOT turn the microwave back on. The residual heat in the microwave air will soften the butter in 5 minutes.
Large eggs at room temperature – The eggs need to be at room temperature and not fridge-cold, to ensure they incorporate into the batter easily.
A quick way to warm up fridge-cold eggs: Place eggs in a large bowl, cover with warm tap water (just warm, not hot) and leave for 5 min. Wipe dry and use per recipe.
Egg size ("large eggs"): 50 – 55g / 2 oz per egg is the industry standard of sizes sold as "large eggs" in Australia and the US. If your eggs are significantly larger or smaller in size, just crack the eggs into a jug, whisk and measure out 200g / 7 oz.
Flour – Just all purpose/plain flour for this recipe. Self-raising flour will work as a substitute but the cake will contain more baking powder than the recipe calls. This will cause the baked cake to dome a little in the middle.
Baking powder – To make the cake rise. If yours has been sitting in the dark corners of the pantry for a while, test it to make sure its still alive!
Milk – Full-fat is better though low fat is fine too.
Salt – Just a bit, to bring out the other flavours in this cake. It’s generally good baking practice to add a pinch of salt into sweet recipes.
Orange zest (optional) – Recommended but not the end of the world if you skip it. A pinch of orange zest magically enhances the honey flavour in this cake. You won’t be able to taste the zest in the cake unless you have a very refined palette. (I don’t. Hence why the flavours of my recipes are usually kapow! rather than subtle!
Flaked almonds – For decorative purposes, for flavour and for shielding the surface of the cake so it doesn’t get too dark when baked (neat huh!)
Next is the honey syrup we use to soak the cake.
Honey – Yes, more honey! I told you, you won’t definitely won’t miss the honey flavour in this cake!
Water – To thin the honey a bit, so that we can safely simmer the honey for 5 minutes without it getting too thick.
Lemon juice – Just the finest touch, 3/4 tsp. It adds a very delicate but welcome hint of lemon freshness. It’s such a small amount you’re probably wonder what’s the point?? But you really can taste the little twang it brings! Having said that though, it’s not a deal killer if you skip it. Not like making this cake without, say, honey.
How to make Honey Cake
The secret to this cake really lies in the balance of ingredients. The cake-making steps themselves are very bog-standard!
First up, making the cake.
1. The cake
Whisk dry ingredients: Place the dry ingredients in a bowl and whisk together.
Cream butter and honey: A standard cake making step often deployed for butter and sugar. But here, we’re doing this step with honey instead! Beat it for a good 3 minutes on medium-high, a bit longer than you usually go for when baking with sugar as the honey is denser.
Add eggs one at a time, alternating with flour – Switch to a wooden spoon. We’re going to mix in the eggs one at a time, alternating with portions of flour. So, add one egg, then mix until incorporated. The mixture will curdle at first, but keep stirring and it will come together after around 30 seconds.
Add flour in four lots – After the first egg is mixed in, add 1/4 of the flour and mix just until you can no longer see flour. Add another eggn, mix until incorporated. Then 1/3 of the remaining flour. And so on, with the 2 remaining eggs.
Why switch to a wooden spoon after creaming the butter? Because a beater will aerate the eggs too much, causing the cake to dome rather than finishing with a nice flat surface. This shape will cause the honey syrup to run down the sides instead than soaking into the cake – and we can’t have that)!
Finish batter – Lastly, stir in the milk and orange zest. The finished batter is quite thick and will look a bit like whipped cream (but much denser!) rather than completely smooth, as per the photo.
Scrape into pan – Scrape the batter into a baking paper-lined pan and smooth the surface. Even if you have a non-stick pan its best to line it with baking paper to ensure the cake doesn’t stick.
Sprinkle the batter surface with the flaked almonds.
Bake for 45 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Then take the cake out of the oven but leave it in the pan. Next, we’re going to SOAK it in honey syrup!
2. Soaking in Honey Syrup
My favourite step is here. Nope, not the soaking part. I mean the cake-poking part! So satisfying …
Simmer the honey and water for 5 minutes to reduce. This concentrates the honey flavour, while heating the honey thins it so it gets absorbed more readily by the cake.
Add lemon juice and simmer for a further 2 minutes.
Poke holes in the freshly–baked cake. Bamboo or metal skewers work well. Poke with gusto, all the way down to the base – around 30 or more holes. Poke between the almonds so you don’t disturb them. (See … it’s a game … hence the appeal! )
Honey syrup – Pour over the honey syrup in 4 goes, waiting between each pour for the syrup to soak in before doing the next. Use a spoon if needed to spread the syrup evenly across the surface.
TIP: If your cake has a slight dome on it, lightly press the dome down with a spatula after baking to flatten the surface, else the syrup tends to just run off the cake and down the sides. Not the end of the world as it then gets absorbed by the base and sides of the cake. But it is nicer when the syrup has soaked the middle of the cake too.
And we’re done! See the section below for serving suggestions …
Serving and storing Honey Cake
This Honey Cake is best served warm because the cooler it gets, the denser it becomes. So serve it freshly made or else leftovers also reheat perfectly, making it ideal for making ahead too. To reheat, just 30 seconds in the microwave for a slice will do, or covered in the oven for around 15 minutes.
With its honey syrup-soaked crumb and crunchy toasted almond topping, I like serving this cake plain because there’s plenty of taste and texture going on here already. However, if you want to jazz it up, I would never discourage that! Try a big dollop of cream or vanilla ice cream (or BOTH!) with a an additional sprinkle of lightly toasted almonds (flakes or slivered), and a drizzle of extra warm honey. SO GOOD!
I think I just talked myself out of serving it plain – Bring on the toppings, on second thought!!! – Nagi x
Recipe video above. All too often, honey cakes lack any discernible honey flavour. But you can't miss the flavour in this one, that's for sure! You'll love how this is made only using honey, no sugar at all, and how the soft cake gets soaked with honey syrup hot out of the oven.Serve warm for the best eating experience. Brilliant as a pudding-like cake dessert to finish off a cosy dinner.
Course Cake
Cuisine Western
Keyword honey cake
Prep Time 15minutes
Cook Time 45minutes
Servings 10
Calories 376cal
Author Nagi
Ingredients
Honey cake
1cupplain flour(Note 1)
1 1/2tspbaking powder
1/2tspcooking salt(kosher salt)
225g (1 cup)unsalted butter, at room temperature (Note 2)
2/3cuphoney
4large eggs, at room temperature (Note 3)
1/3cupmilk, preferably full-fat, slightly warmed
1pinchorange zest, optional (brings out honey flavour)
Prepare cake pan: Butter and line a 20cm/8 in round pan with baking paper (base and sides).
Whisk Dry ingredients: Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a small bowl.
Cream butter and honey: In a separate bowl, cream the butter and honey for 3 minutes, scraping down the sides halfway, until smooth and fluffy. (Speed 6 handheld beater or stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment).
Add eggs and flour – Add one egg, mix with a wooden spoon for 30 seconds until incorporated into the batter (mixture splits at first but then comes together). Then add in 1/4 of the flour and mix until you can no longer see flour. Repeat again – mixing in 1 egg, then a portion of flour – until you've used all the eggs.
Milk and zest: Add the milk and orange zest, stir until the batter is almost completely smooth. The batter should be quite thick, but soft.
Bake 40 minutes: Scrape batter into the prepared pan, smooth the surface and sprinkle with almonds. Bake for 45 minutes or until a knife inserted into the centre comes out clean.
Soak: Remove cake from the oven. Poke about 30 holes all across the surface using a skewer (between the almond flakes). Pour 1/4 of the hot Honey Syrup across the surface. Once it mostly sinks in, repeat 3 more times, waiting between pours for the syrup to soak in. Then leave the cake to settle for 15 minutes.
Serve: Serve warm. I find it easiest to serve slices straight out of the pan, but you can turn it out if you want to present it nicely. I typically serve it plain. However Topping Options suggested above would never be turned away!
Honey Syrup
Simmer: Bring the honey and water to a gentle boil for 5 minutes over medium-low heat. Add the lemon juice and boil for 2 more minutes.
Remove from heat then use immediately
Notes
1. Flour – Self-raising flour can be substituted but the cake will dome more (as it contains additional baking powder). After baking, lightly press down on the dome to flatten the surface so the honey syrup doesn’t completely run off! Cake flour is not suitable, it will make the sponge too soft.2. Softened butter – Don't let the butter get too soft. This is a common error with baking recipes that call for butter to be creamed. Target 17°C/63°F for the butter. This is soft enough to be whipped, but you should not be left with a thick, shiny slick of grease on your finger when you poke it. Greasy fingers = butter too soft = greasy cake that doesn’t rise well.If the butter is >20°C/68°F, I would chill the butter a bit before using else your cake may end up greasy.3. Eggs – 50-55g / 2 oz per egg is the industry standard of sizes sold as "large eggs" in Australia and US. Eggs need to be at room temperature so they incorporate properly into the batter. Quick way to warm up fridge-cold eggs: Place eggs in a large bowl, cover with warm tap water (just warm, not hot) and leave for 5 min. Wipe dry, then use per recipe.Leftovers will keep for 4 days in the fridge. Warm before serving as the crumb firms up when cold!
Whether you're a would-be runner, a casual jogger or even a competitive runner, chances are you've contemplated spending big bucks to find the best running shoes.
Maybe you have existing problems with your feet or knees that could be alleviated by a good pair of stability shoes, or you might be looking for running shoes to take your pavement pounding to the next level.
Whatever your reasons for needing a pair of legit trail runners, it's important to understand exactly what you're paying for and if the potential extra cost will help you reach your fitness goals — or if you're just buying into a lot of hype.
We spoke to foot doctors for help identifying the best options in the running shoe market.
8 Best Running Shoes for Every Type of Runner
Best for daily runners: Hoka One One Mach 4
Best for occasional runners: New Balance 1080v12
Best for runners with high arches: ASICS GEL-Nimbus 23
Best for runners with low or flat arches: Brooks Dyad 11
Best for runners with bad ankles: Brooks Adrenaline GTS
Best for treadmills runners: Brooks Ghost
Best for sidewalk runners: Mizuno Wave Inspire 16 Waveknit Road Running Shoe
Best zero-drop running shoe: Altra Escalante 2
The best running shoes can cost an arm and leg — but they don't have to. If you're on the hunt for new running shoes, here's what to look for. The prices listed are suggested retail but you may run into sales on manufacturer's websites and from online shoe retailers.
Many of the running shoe manufacturers release new versions regularly. For instance, the popular Brooks Adrenaline GTS is on No. 22 in 2022. You can save money by looking for models from previous years, knowing that the shoes don't change that much. There may be limited selection of colors and sizes, but this tactic will help you reap some serious savings. Watch online sellers like Zappos and keep your eye out for coupons — then you will be paying Penny Hoarder prices!
Best Running Shoes for Daily Runners
Shoe: Hoka One One Mach 4
Price: $130
Why they're the best: "I like the Hoka One One Mach 4 for a daily running shoe since it's both stable and lightweight, with a good fit," says podiatrist and foot surgeon Kimberly Hoang Nguyen of Philadelphia Podiatry. Keep in mind that other reviewers say traction isn't the best on this model, meaning these make better road running shoes than trail running shoes.
Best Running Shoes for Occasional Runners
Shoe: New Balance 1080v12
Price: $160
Why they're the best: This versatile New Balance shoe has an incredible midsole and outsole, according to George P.H., founder of physician-backed Shoethority who goes by initials rather than a conventional last name. "Occasional runners often have an excessive heel strike; this shoe's sole helps protect their feet and knees from striking impact." Lightweight, and with improved heel-counter and lacing (as compared to the previous 1080v11 model), this shoe allows for less pressure on the foot (especially the heel) while also providing a snug fit around the midfoot. "Put short, you get the same incredible sole but an even better upper," says the Shoetority founder.
Best Running Shoes for Runners with High Arches
Shoe: ASICS GEL-Nimbus 23
Price: $120
Why they're the best: For runners with high arches, Nguyen recommends this Asics running shoe. "The FlyteFoam cushioning helps with impact while running, and this shoe has a GEL unit in the heel that allows for softer landing," she says. "The shoe also has an inner heel counter that helps keep your foot in place."
Best Running Shoes for Runners with Low or Flat Arches
Shoe: Brooks Dyad 11
Price: $130
Why they're the best: Nguyen likes these Dyad running shoes for their roomy toe box — which makes them a great choice for wide feet or heavier builds. The cushioned shoes also have durable support and enough stability for overpronators (think: ankle rolling too far downward and inward with each step), and enough space to accommodate a custom insert.
Best Running Shoes for Bad Ankles
Shoe: Brooks Adrenaline GTS
Price: $140
Why they're the best: According to Eric Barber, founder of the shoe review blog Steady Foot, one of the best shoes for runners with bad ankles is the Brooks Adrenaline GTS line (they are up to 22 versions now). Among other reasons for his choice, Barber cites the shoe's versatility and "exceptional cushioning and ankle support" which helps runners with weak or injury-prone ankles. Prices start at $140 but watch for sales of last year's models. In July 2022, the Adrenaline GTS 21 was on sale for $110 on the Brooks site.
Best Running Shoes for Treadmill Runners
Shoe: Brooks Ghost
Price: $140
Why they're the best: With an extra-thick sole that keeps the feet energized as you run on treadmills, there's a reason the testers over at Shoethority love Brooks Ghost running shoes. "There's a little extra support in the midsole, helping you maintain good foot posture without feeling stiff. Most importantly, the upper keeps the foot stable and secure while still being light and well-ventilated — which is important when you're indoors," says George P.H. of Shoethority.
Why they're the best: If most of your running takes place on hard surfaces like a sidewalk where you need extra shock absorption, Nguyen recommends this Mizuno Save Inspire running shoe. "The mesh upper portion of the shoe makes it very soft and breathable," she says. It also has more cushioning than many other running shoes, which should provide a soft ride and extra comfort on high-impact runs.
Best Zero-Drop Running Shoe
Shoe: Altra Escalante 2
Price: $130
Why they're the best: When it comes to zero-drop running shoes (aka the "barefoot" shoes that have become popular), the Altra Escalante reigns supreme. With a quality lacing system, an insole that stays springy (even after months of use) and a highly breathable stretchy upper, it's easy to see why runners love this shoe.
"It combines a zero drop with the kind of cushioning modern runners are used to," says the Shoethoirty founder. Meaning, you can use it to easily transition from regular running shoe to zero-drop model. "There's also a lot of toe space thanks to the extra-wide forefoot. Together with the zero drop build, this gives you an easy, natural running gait that's easy on your joints."
Are Running Shoes Worth It?
The short answer is yes, and as it turns out, picking the right running shoes can not only help keep your feet and joints happy, but might even give you an advantage over your running buddies.
"Running shoes are a necessity since this is one of the few equipment items that a runner actually needs, as they hit the ground with three times their actual body weight," says Nguyen. "Running shoes help to provide arch support and cushioning, promote performance and aid in the prevention of injuries."
If you're ready to invest in premium running shoes, foot and ankle surgeon Tom Biernacki says the technology built into some high-end models can make a difference.
"Nike Vaporfly Next % shoes are a major breakthrough in running technology, and were recently used to break the marathon world record," he said. "These shoes have actually been declared illegal by many running governing institutions, as they're very light and have a carbon plate that's been shown to create a springlike effect— in what some say is an unfair advantage."
Despite the light weight and springiness of these shoes, the main reason they've been blacklisted in competitive environments is the prohibitive price tag. "Some runners simply can't afford a $250 – $400 range shoe for a high school event," says Biernacki.
3 Tips for Finding the Right Shoe
Finding the best running shoes for your needs (without spending the equivalent of a down payment on a car) isn't always easy. Here are some general tips for picking the right running shoes.
1. Make sure the shoes fit your foot shape and foot width.
"My biggest tip would be to make sure to fit the shoe properly," says Biernacki. "Try on shoes later in the day when your feet are more swollen, and be sure to test the toe box room while standing (not sitting)."
Ideally you want some wiggle room between your longest toe and the tip of the shoe to ensure you don't have any bad friction points.
2. The right running shoes for most runners are cushioned and supportive.
You're not looking for the best running shoes for Olympic competition. You need the best running shoes for you — meaning adequate cushion and support based on your age and the type of running and exercise you plan to do.
"Younger people in general can find decent results with a more minimalist shoes or more unique shoes," says Biernacki. "But in our experience the older, the stiffer or the less athletic runners would benefit more from a more supportive shoe with a slight heel lift (8-12mm), more cushion and more support, like a shoe from Brooks, Asics, Hoke, On, or Nike."
3. Bring your inserts to the running store.
"If you have custom orthotics, try them out in your running shoes to make sure it is the proper fit with these devices in," says Nguyen. "Remember, if running shoes aren't comfortable while trying them on in the store, they won't be any more comfortable when running."
Contributor Larissa Runkle frequently writes on finance, real estate, and lifestyle topics for The Penny Hoarder.
This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
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People say lots of things that used to be true, like "There's no such thing as easy money," or "You have to spend money to make money." Yeah, not true.
Companies are willing to pay you real money for some pretty basic tasks, such as testing apps, reviewing websites and completing surveys.
If you know your way around an app or a website, you can find all sorts of opportunities to make easy money through a site called Freecash.com.
You can pick the most interesting quick cash tasks from your Freecash dashboard, complete them in your free time and cash out whenever you want — no matter how much or little you've earned.
Free time is the only thing you'll have to spend to make money. And if you have enough time on your hands, you could add more than $1,000 to your budget this month.
Earn $1,000 for Completing Simple Tasks
You could scrape the internet to find all sorts of "get paid to" opportunities. But that would be a waste of time, time that could be spent earning money.
Freecash has already compiled some of the best opportunities from about a dozen companies, from offerwall companies to market research firms. Freecash has paid out over $13 million to users since 2019 and is currently paying out over $50,000 each day.
It's all straightforward. Complete a survey. Install an app and register. Create an account on a website. Play a game and reach a certain level. Test an app or website. Take on whatever sounds interesting to you.
Once you complete a task, you'll be awarded digital coins that you can convert into a cash balance — basically, 1,000 coins equals $1. And many opportunities pay thousands of coins for your time and effort.
Other "get paid to" sites hold your earnings until you accrue enough money to cash out. That could be $15, or it could be $25. But with Freecash, you can cash out with as little as $1 earned.
You can transfer your earnings to an Amazon gift card, Visa gift card, PayPal, Bitcoin or digital items for games like Fortnite and Counterstrike: Global Offensive. And there are even more types of gift cards you can choose from.
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Start Earning from Whatever Device You're on Right Now
Ready to add another $100, $500 or $1,000 to your budget this month? All you have to do is create a username and password to open your Freecash account.
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This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
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You survived the interviews. You deftly explained where you see yourself in five years. You managed to sparkle even when you talked about your greatest weakness.
Now there's just one thing standing between you and your dream job: a credit check.
But what happens when you have a lackluster credit score? Will past missteps haunt your career prospects for years to come?
What Shows up on a Credit Check for Employment?
First the good news: Employers don't see your credit score when they run your credit. Instead they see a modified version of your credit report.
Here's what appears:
Open accounts with the account numbers redacted
Payment history
Outstanding balances
Amount of open credit
Accounts in collections
Bankruptcies from the past seven to 10 years, depending on the type of bankruptcy
Foreclosures from the past seven years
Now here's the bad news: The things employers look for when they check your credit — primarily negative payment history or a high credit utilization ratio — are the top two factors that can crush your credit score.
So if you have a low credit score, your credit report will probably have information that could be a red flag to employers.
If a company does check your credit for hiring purposes, you don't have to worry that your score will be affected. The pull is what's known as a soft check, which has no impact on your score. A hard check, which occurs when you apply for credit, can ding your score by a few points.
Pro Tip
If your current employer wants to check your credit, they'll need your written consent to do so.
When Do Employers Do Credit Checks?
For a lot of applicants, a credit check is unlikely to be an issue. A 2020 survey of more than 1,500 human resources professionals by the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS) found that just 6% of companies ran credit checks on all employees.
Obviously, credit checks are most common for roles that involve handling money or sensitive information. If your personal finances are in trouble, employers may worry you're more likely to embezzle money or commit fraud.
But some companies run credit checks simply because they think that if you can manage your own money well, it's a sign that you'll be a good employee — though a growing number of state and local governments oppose the practice. At least 11 states, Washington, D.C., plus Chicago, New York City and Philadelphia, limit the use of credit checks for candidates who don't deal with finances or sensitive data.
Employers usually do credit checks at the end of the hiring process. Most do them after a conditional job offer has been made, though some conduct them following a job interview.
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you have to consent in writing for an employer to pull your credit.
What to Do Before a Hiring Manager Runs Your Credit
If you're a job candidate and you've been asked to consent to a credit check, you'll want to know exactly what the employer will see on your reports.
The best way to do this is by obtaining a free credit report from all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com. Ordinarily, you're only entitled to one free report per year from each bureau, but due to the pandemic, you can receive a free report every week through December 2022. However, checking your reports this frequently probably isn't necessary.
Pro Tip
Your credit reports are genuinely free on AnnualCreditReport.com. Unlike some sites, you don't need to fork over your credit card info for a temporary trial to obtain them.
If you find any inaccurate information, it's vital that you dispute it pronto with the bureaus — and let the hiring manager know that you're disputing it as well.
But when the report contains negative information that's correct, the proactive approach is best. If you've made mistakes in the past, ask to talk with the hiring manager before they run your credit.
If your credit troubles are the result of hardship, like a death in the family, a layoff or a divorce, you may want to explain the circumstances to the hiring manager, though be careful about offering TMI.
You'll be in a better position to make your case if you can explain how you're working to fix things and why your previous mishaps won't affect your job performance.
If the employer opts not to hire you because of what they found in your credit reports, they're required under the Fair Credit Report to notify you. They'll also need to give you a copy of the credit report they used to make the decision, a summary of your rights and ample time to dispute the decision.
While this process may seem stomach-churning, it helps to understand the employer's reason for checking your credit: It's usually about risk mitigation. They want to make sure they're not hiring someone who's likely to steal from the company or its customers, rather than judge you for missing a credit card payment.
Why You Need to Check Your Credit Reports, Not Just Your Score
Regardless of whether you're on the job market, you need to regularly monitor your credit reports. And no, signing up for a credit score monitoring service isn't enough.
While these services can be helpful, only the reports furnished by the official bureaus will show you what's really causing any credit troubles.
Think of the credit score as your temperature. If you develop a fever, it could be a sign of an underlying problem. Obtaining your credit report is like getting lab work. It's the only way to get to the root of the problem.
Trust us: Even if you're not job hunting or applying for credit soon, it will pay off to address these problems now. Finding a job is stressful enough. Don't add unnecessary pressure down the line by neglecting to keep up with your credit report.
Robin Hartill is a certified financial planner and a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder. She writes the Dear Penny personal finance advice column. Send your tricky money questions to AskPenny@thepennyhoarder.com.
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Debbie Conetta joins a growing team at Playrcart – the pioneer in transactional advertising LONDON, UK: British AdTech pioneer Playrcart is delighted to welcome Debbie Conetta to its management team in the role of Commercial Retail Director. The newly-created role will involve sourcing and managing new retailer relationships across beauty, consumer packaged goods (CPG), grocery […]
BidMind's omnichannel programmatic advertising platform offers brands and agencies a way to reach new audiences and help plan, run, and measure Mobile, Web, Audio, DOOH, and CTV ad campaigns, now in Latin America. Dover, DE – BidMind, an omnichannel programmatic advertising platform, announces the expansion of the company's array of services to the LATAM region, […]
World's top-ranked translation management solution secures new funding, led by global investment firm Carlyle, recruits Edmund Ovington to lead US operations New York, New York — Memsource, the industry's highest-ranked translation management solution, announced today it secured €15M in fundraising, led by global investment firm, Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) and its existing investors. The funds will […]
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