Hard Pulls vs Soft Pulls: What Applying for Credit Really Costs

In today's episode, Ralph Estep Jr. and Juliet focus on what an LLC actually changes for a growing freelancer, along with a new marketplace repayment rule, holiday pay-later plans, and credit applications. In This Episode ✓ Marketplace open enrollment and the end of the repayment cap on excess premium credits ✓ Nearly 2 in 5 holiday spenders plan to use buy now, pay later ✓ Employers think workers have enough saved, and workers say otherwise ✓ What a hard credit pull really costs, and how rate shopping works ✓ What an LLC changes for a freelancer, and when an S corporation makes sense ✓ Hosting Thanksgiving for 12 without leaning on a credit card ✓ Money move: sell something you don't use, up to $75 If you've ever wondered whether an LLC will cut your tax bill, this episode gives you a straight answer. Resources Watch live: https://www.becomingfinanciallyconfident.com/live Christmas Bonus giveaway: https://www.becomingfinanciallyconfident.com/giveaway Year-End Personal Tax Review: https://www.becomingfinanciallyconfident.com/yearend Book a call: https://www.ralphestepjr.com/schedule HealthCare.gov open enrollment: https://www.healthcare.gov/get-answers/ NerdWallet 2026 Holiday Spending Report: https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/studies/holiday-spending-report myFICO on rate shopping: https://www.myfico.com/credit-education/blog/rate-shop IRS self-employment tax: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/self-employment-tax-social-security-and-medicare-taxes Follow Becoming Financially Confident LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/becomingfinanciallyconfident Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1HpWqv8jp9/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becomingfinanciallyconfident Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/becoming-financially-confident-7556 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@becoming.financial Have a money question? Send it here: becomingfinanciallyconfident.com/voicemail Companies Mentioned NerdWallet The Harris Poll Transamerica Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Walmart <p