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college savings strategies

5 College Savings Strategies to Consider

March 21, 2023 by Jennifer Leach Leave a Comment

Want to save money for college? There are savings strategies you can employ to help you save without feeling the struggle. Keep reading to learn how you can begin saving money for your child’s future.

5 College Savings Strategies

Saving for college can be overwhelming, but with some smart strategies, it’s totally doable. Here are 5 college savings strategies that you might find helpful:

  1. 529 Plans: 529 plans are investment accounts designed specifically for college savings. They offer tax advantages and can be used for tuition, room and board, and other qualified expenses. Some plans are even portable across state lines, so you’re not limited to the plan offered in your state.
  2. Automatic Savings: Set up automatic savings to take a portion of your paycheck each month and deposit it into a separate account for college savings. This is an easy way to make saving for college a habit.
  3. Scholarships and Grants: Research scholarship and grant opportunities. There are many scholarships available for students based on academic achievement, athletic ability, and other criteria. Applying for grants and scholarships is a great way to supplement your college savings.
  4. Reduce Expenses: Look for ways to reduce your expenses to save more money for college. For example, consider living at home or with roommates, and cook at home instead of eating out.
  5. Work During College: Consider working during college to help cover expenses. Look for part-time jobs, internships, or co-op programs that can provide valuable experience while earning extra money.

Is starting a college savings plan worth it?

Yes, starting a college savings plan is definitely worth it! College expenses can be one of the biggest financial challenges that families face, and a college savings plan can help you prepare for those expenses and reduce the burden of student debt. Here are some reasons why starting a college savings plan is a good idea:

  1. Reduce the Burden of Student Debt: One of the biggest advantages of starting a college savings plan is that it can help reduce the burden of student debt. By saving for college, you can reduce the amount of money you need to borrow and lower the interest you’ll pay over time.
  2. Tax Advantages: College savings plans, such as 529 plans, offer tax advantages. Your contributions grow tax-free and are not subject to federal taxes when withdrawn for qualified education expenses.
  3. Flexibility: College savings plans offer flexibility in terms of how you can use the funds. They can be used for tuition, fees, room and board, textbooks, and other qualified expenses at a wide range of colleges and universities.
  4. Peace of Mind: Saving for college can give you peace of mind knowing that you’re prepared for your child’s future educational expenses. It can also help you avoid having to make tough financial decisions down the road.
  5. Start Early: Starting a college savings plan early can give you more time to save and let your investments grow.

Bottom line

The key to saving for college is to start early and be consistent. Even small contributions can add up over time, so don’t be discouraged if you can’t save a lot at first. Stay focused on your goal and keep working towards it, and you’ll be able to achieve your college savings goals.

529 plan

How does a 529 plan work?

March 21, 2023 by Jennifer Leach Leave a Comment

Curious about how a 529 plan works? If you want to save money for your child’s college education in the future, a 529 plan is an account that can help you with that. Read more about how it works and if it’s right for you.

What does a 529 plan do?

A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings plan designed to help individuals save for future college expenses. Here’s how it works:

  1. Account Setup: The account holder (usually a parent or grandparent) opens a 529 plan account and designates a beneficiary (the student who will use the funds for college expenses).
  2. Contributions: The account holder can then make contributions to the account, which are invested in a portfolio of mutual funds or other investments offered by the plan. The contributions are made with after-tax dollars, meaning that they are not tax-deductible at the federal level, but some states may offer state tax deductions for contributions.
  3. Tax Advantages: The earnings on the investments in the account grow tax-free, meaning that you do not have to pay taxes on the gains as long as they are used for qualified educational expenses. Qualified expenses include tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for enrollment or attendance at an eligible educational institution.
  4. Withdrawals: When the beneficiary attends college, the account holder can make withdrawals to pay for qualified educational expenses. These withdrawals are not taxed at the federal level, and some states also offer tax benefits.

It’s important to note that if you withdraw money from a 529 plan for non-qualified expenses, you will be subject to federal income tax and a 10% penalty on the earnings portion of the withdrawal. However, the contributions can be withdrawn tax-free and penalty-free at any time.

Who should save under a college 529 plan?

A college 529 plan can be a good savings option for anyone who wants to save for a beneficiary’s future college expenses. Here are some common scenarios in which a 529 plan might be a good choice:

  1. Parents: Parents who want to save for their child’s college education can open and contribute to a 529 plan. They can start contributing as soon as their child is born, giving the investments more time to grow.
  2. Grandparents: Grandparents can also open and contribute to a 529 plan for their grandchildren. This can be a way for them to help pay for their grandchildren’s education while also reducing their own estate for tax purposes.
  3. Other family members: Aunts, uncles, and other family members can also open and contribute to a 529 plan for a beneficiary.
  4. High-net-worth individuals: High-net-worth individuals who want to make a large contribution to a beneficiary’s education fund can use a 529 plan as a tax-efficient way to do so.

It’s important to note that 529 plans have contribution limits, which vary by state and can change over time. It’s also important to consider other savings options, such as a Coverdell Education Savings Account or a custodial account, and to consult with a financial advisor to determine the best savings strategy for your situation.

save money for college

7 Ways to Save Money for College

March 17, 2023 by Jennifer Leach Leave a Comment

You want to sav money for college for your kids. How can you get there? What’s involved and most importantly how can you get started? Here are 7 ways to help you reach that goal, of putting money away to save for college for your kids.

7 Smart Ways to Save Money for College

1. Start a 529 plan

A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings plan designed specifically for education expenses. By starting one for your child, you can contribute money over time, and the funds can be used for qualified education expenses, including tuition, books, and room and board.

There are two types of 529 plans: prepaid tuition plans and college savings plans.

Prepaid tuition vs college savings plans

Prepaid tuition plans allow you to lock in the cost of tuition at participating colleges or universities, while college savings plans allow you to invest money in a variety of mutual funds and other investment options.

529 plans offer several tax advantages that make them an attractive option for college savings. First, contributions to a 529 plan are made with after-tax dollars, but the funds grow tax-free while they are in the account. Additionally, when funds are withdrawn to pay for qualified education expenses (such as tuition, books, and room and board), the withdrawals are also tax-free.

Each state has its own 529 plan, and some states offer more than one plan. It’s important to research the plans available in your state to determine which one is right for you. You may also want to consult a financial advisor to help you select and manage your 529 plan.

Overall, a 529 plan is a great way to save money for your child’s college education, as it provides tax benefits and allows your money to grow over time.

2. Use a high-yield savings account

If you’re looking for a low-risk savings option, consider using a high-yield savings account. These accounts typically offer higher interest rates than traditional savings accounts, which means your money will grow faster over time.

One of the benefits of a high-yield savings account is that it can help your money grow faster over time. For example, if you have $5,000 in a high-yield savings account with an interest rate of 2%, you would earn $100 in interest over the course of a year.

In contrast, if you had that same $5,000 in a traditional savings account with an interest rate of 0.1%, you would earn only $5 in interest over the same period.

Another benefit of a high-yield savings account is that they are typically FDIC-insured, which means that your money is protected up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution, in case the bank fails.

It’s important to note that high-yield savings accounts may have restrictions or requirements, such as minimum balances or limited transactions, so it’s important to research the account thoroughly before opening one. Additionally, the interest rates on these accounts can fluctuate over time, so it’s important to monitor the account regularly to ensure that you are still getting a competitive rate.

Overall, a high-yield savings account can be a great option for saving money for college, as it offers a low-risk way to earn interest on your savings

3. Set up automatic savings

Consider setting up automatic transfers from your checking account to your savings account or 529 plan. This way, you won’t have to remember to make contributions, and you’ll be less likely to spend the money elsewhere.

To set up automatic savings, you’ll need to log in to your bank account online or through your mobile app.

From there, you can typically navigate to the “transfers” or “automatic payments” section and set up a recurring transfer.

You can choose the amount you want to transfer and the frequency (such as weekly, biweekly, or monthly), and you can select the date you want the transfer to occur.

Setting up automatic savings has several benefits.

First, it makes saving easier and more convenient. You don’t have to remember to transfer money manually, and you don’t have to worry about accidentally spending the money elsewhere.

Second, it helps you stay on track with your savings goals. You can set a specific amount to transfer each month, which can help you reach your college savings goal more quickly. Finally, it can help you develop good financial habits.

By making saving automatic, you’ll be more likely to prioritize saving and less likely to overspend.

It’s important to note that you should only set up automatic savings for an amount that you can afford. Be sure to review your budget and expenses to determine how much you can realistically save each month. Additionally, you should monitor your account regularly to ensure that the automatic transfer is occurring as expected and that you are not over-drafting your account.

Overall, setting up automatic savings is a great way to save money for your child’s college education. It’s easy, convenient, and can help you stay on track with your savings goals.

4. Use cashback rewards

If you have a credit card that offers cashback rewards, consider putting those rewards directly into your child’s college savings account.

Cashback rewards put money back into your pocket from purchases you’re already making. Some examples include Ibotta and Dosh.

I use Dosh to save money when I order takeout. For example, the takeout Chinese restaurant down the street gives me $3 cash back on an order of $20. You can use Ibotta to get coupons and discounts on grocery purchases. For example, you might get $3 off a $4 purchase of Kraft Mac n’ Cheese

I also have a cashback rewards p[program tied to my debit card. On qualifying purchases, I earn rewards which accumulate in a balance and I can redeem for cash or rewards like gift cards, electronics, home goods, and more.

5. Reduce unnecessary expenses

Look for ways to cut back on unnecessary expenses so you can redirect that money towards college savings. This might mean canceling subscriptions, buying generic brands instead of name brands, or eating out less frequently.

One of the easiest ways to save money for college is to simply reduce your expenses. This means taking a closer look at your spending habits and identifying areas where you can cut back.

One way to reduce your expenses is to create a budget.

A budget is a plan that outlines your income and expenses, and helps you manage your money more effectively. To create a budget, you’ll need to track your income and expenses for a month or two, and then categorize your expenses (such as housing, transportation, food, and entertainment). Once you have a clear picture of your income and expenses, you can identify areas where you can cut back.

For example, you may be able to reduce your housing expenses by downsizing to a smaller apartment or house, or by refinancing your mortgage to get a lower interest rate.

You may also be able to save money on transportation by carpooling or taking public transportation instead of driving your own car.

Additionally, you can save money on food by cooking at home more often and packing your lunch instead of eating out.

Another way to reduce your expenses is to look for ways to save money on everyday purchases. This can include shopping for sales and discounts, using coupons, and buying generic or store-brand products instead of name-brand products.

By reducing your expenses and creating a budget, you can free up more money to put towards your child’s college savings. It’s important to be consistent with your budget and to track your expenses regularly to ensure that you are sticking to your plan.

Reducing your expenses is a simple and effective way to save money for college. It can help you free up more money to put towards your child’s education and develop good financial habits.

6. Consider a part-time job

Encourage your child to get a part-time job and put a portion of their earnings towards their college savings account. This will not only help them save money, but it will also teach them the value of hard work and financial responsibility.

Many high school and college students work part-time jobs to earn money for expenses, and this can also be a great way to contribute to their college savings.

Working a part-time job can help your child develop good work habits and financial responsibility, as well as provide them with valuable work experience. It can also help them save money for college by providing a steady source of income that they can put towards their college savings.

There are many different types of part-time jobs available for students, including retail and customer service jobs, food service jobs, tutoring and babysitting jobs, and freelance work. Your child may also be able to find part-time work that is related to their intended major or career field, which can help them gain valuable experience and connections.

When looking for a part-time job, it’s important to consider factors such as the pay rate, hours, and job responsibilities. Your child should also consider how the job will fit in with their school schedule and other commitments, such as extracurricular activities and homework.

Working a part-time job is a great way for your child to save money for their college education. It can help them develop important skills and experience, as well as provide them with a steady source of income that they can put towards their college savings.

7. Research scholarships and grants

Start researching scholarships and grants early, as some have early application deadlines. This will help you get a better idea of what types of scholarships and grants are available, and what your child needs to do to be eligible for them.

Researching grants and scholarships can be a great way to save for college because it allows you to potentially access funding that doesn’t need to be repaid. Here are some steps you can take to start your research:

  • Start early: Begin researching grants and scholarships as soon as possible. Many scholarships have early deadlines, and some require you to apply a year or more in advance. Starting early gives you more time to prepare and apply for scholarships.
  • Use online search engines: There are many online search engines that can help you find grants and scholarships based on your criteria, such as your field of study, academic achievements, or demographic background. Some popular websites include Fastweb, Scholarships.com, and CollegeBoard.
  • Check with your school: Many schools have their own scholarships or grants available to students. Contact your school’s financial aid office to learn about any opportunities available to you.
  • Look for local scholarships: Many community organizations, foundations, and businesses offer scholarships to students who live or attend school in their area. Check with your local library, community center, or Chamber of Commerce for information on local scholarships.
  • Research federal and state grants: The federal government and many state governments offer grants to students based on financial need or academic achievement. Check with the Department of Education or your state’s higher education agency to learn about any grants you may be eligible for.

By taking the time to research grants and scholarships, you may be able to significantly reduce the cost of your college education. Be sure to carefully read and follow the application instructions for each scholarship or grant you apply for, and don’t be discouraged if you don’t receive funding from every opportunity you pursue.

cheap foods

13 Cheap Foods to Buy for the Budgeter or the Broke!

February 7, 2023 by Jennifer Leach Leave a Comment

Cheap foods! We’re covering them in this article. If you’re looking for the cheapest foods to buy at the grocery store, we’ve got you covered.

If you want to save money on groceries, it’s important to know what kinds of foods are the most affordable. Not all foods are created equal when it comes to price, so you may find that cutting back on certain things can help you save more than others.

cheap foods on a budget

Important things to know about buying cheap foods

Grocery stores are the cheapest place to buy food. Most grocery stores have their own private-label brands that are much cheaper than popular name-brand foods. Look for these when making your next shopping list!

When it comes to meats and seafood, frozen options tend to be cheaper than fresh options.

Since they’re flash-frozen immediately after being caught/slaughtered, they retain more of their nutrients than fresh options that have been sitting around in a refrigerator for days or weeks before they’re purchased by consumers like yourself.

You’ll also find them at lower prices because they don’t require as much packaging materials since they don’t need refrigeration until after you take them home with you!

In addition to frozen meats and seafood, canned goods are another great way to save money while still getting delicious meals on your table every night of the week (or whenever else it is that you want something tasty)! They’re also easier to store than other forms of food storage like glass jars or plastic containers which means less clutter in your kitchen cabinets!

You don’t have to spend a fortune to eat healthy at the grocery store. Here are some of our favorite cheap foods!

13 Cheap Foods to Buy for Your Home

Cheap Food #1: Pinto Beans

Pinto beans are a great source of protein and fiber, which helps keep you full. They’re also low in calories and carbs, so they won’t spike your blood sugar or make you feel sluggish. If you’re looking for something quick and easy, try mixing pinto beans with rice and salsa for an easy burrito bowl!

Cheap Food #2: Eggs

Eggs are another great source of protein. They’re also one of the cheapest foods at the grocery store—you can buy a dozen eggs for less than $3! You can even use them as an ingredient in other dishes like quiche or frittata, which will keep things interesting without breaking the bank.

Cheap Food #3: Applesauce Pouches

Applesauce pouches are another budget-friendly way to get your fruit fix without having to spend too much money on fresh fruit (which can spoil quickly). Just make sure that when buying these pouches that they don’t have any added sugar.

Cheap Food #4: Rice

Rice is a filling food that can be purchased cheap and last a long time. Rice that’s stored in a cool, dry place can last a long time. It can be used as filler to stretch meals, like adding it as a side when you make a chicken dish or casserole.

It’s a gluten-free food which is excellent for people sensitive to gluten.

You can turn it into a dessert, like rice pudding. You can even grind it and make rice flour. There are so many different uses and applications for rice. It’s a good staple to have in your home.

Cheap Food #5: Potatoes

Potatoes are one of the best fresh vegetables you can buy from the store. You can buy an entire large bag of potatoes for a few bucks and eat them all week long!

  • Mashed potatoes
  • Potato patties
  • Hash browns
  • Baked potatoes

Use potatoes as a side dish for your dinner, eat them as main dish, pair them with eggs and veggies for breakfast. This versatile food is also very filling and a staple for your cheap foods grocery list.

Cheap Food #6: Frozen vegetables

Frozen vegetables tend to be cheaper than fresh vegetables and some consider them healthier than canned veggies, depending on various factors.

Canned veggies vs frozen veggies

Here’s what to consider…

Advantages of frozen vegetables:

  • Retain nutrients: Frozen vegetables are usually blanched (briefly boiled) before they are frozen, which helps to preserve their nutrients.
  • Convenient: Frozen vegetables are a convenient option as they can be easily stored in the freezer and quickly cooked.
  • Fresh taste: Frozen vegetables are often flash-frozen at the peak of their freshness, which helps to retain their taste and texture.

Advantages of canned vegetables:

  • Convenient: Canned vegetables are a convenient option as they are already cooked and can be easily stored in the pantry.
  • Nutrient content: Some vitamins, such as vitamin C, can degrade over time, but the canning process helps to preserve some nutrients, particularly for vegetables like tomatoes, which release more of their nutrients when cooked.
  • Affordable: Canned vegetables are often less expensive than fresh or frozen vegetables, making them a budget-friendly option.

Both canned and frozen vegetables can be healthy options, as long as you choose those without added salt, sugar, or unhealthy fats. To maximize their nutritional value, it’s best to choose vegetables that are minimally processed and as close to their natural state as possible.

Cheap Food #7: Canned meats

Canned goods tend to have a long shelf life. That means you can store them in your pantry for sometimes up to years. They’re great to use for every meal of the day from breakfast to dinner.

You can use canned tuna to make tuna sandwiches for lunch. There’s canned soup to have a hot soup dinner. There are many different canned goods available to which can run under a buck to a few dollars each.

Cheap Food #8: Chicken

Chicken is versatile. You can use it in nearly every meal of the day. It’s one of the cheapest meats you can buy from the grocery store whether it’s canned, fresh, or frozen. If you’re trying to include meat into your cheap foods grocery list, chicken is a great option to have on your list.

Cheap Food #9: Canned fruits and vegetables

Canned fruits and veggies are canned goods and much cheaper than the fresh version, many times. Peaches, cherries, pears, peas, asparagus, and more can be canned and stored on your shelf for a longer period of time. These are great for storing and perfect for making into a cheap meal or dessert.

Cheap Food #10: Baking ingredients (flour, sugar, etc.)

Baking ingredients like flour and sugar allow you to make baked goods from home and enjoy dessert on a budget:

  • Pies
  • Cakes
  • Cookies
  • Breakfast crisps and crumbles

With a few added ingredients, you can prepare a homemade sweet treat for your family to enjoy.

Cheap Food #11: Peanut butter

Peanut butter, like many of the items in this list are:

  • Versatile
  • Convenient
  • Shelf stable
  • Easy to use and prepare

Peanut butter ideas for breakfast can include peanut butter toast, peanut butter french toast or pancakes. Peanut butter ideas for lunch can include a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, peanut butter rice noodles, a peanut butter based dressed salad. Peanut butter dinner ideas include: peanut butter veggie stir fry, peanut butter chicken, peanut butter honey-glazed salmon.

Cheap Food #12: Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes like potatoes, are one of the cheapest produce foods you can buy from the grocery store.

Cheap Food #13: Turkey

Turkey is a healthy alternative to beef and other expensive cuts of meat. It’s also a cheaper option that can be great for:

  • Spaghetti and meat sauce
  • Turkey loaf
  • Turkey burgers and other meal ideas

Cheap foods vs Expensive foods

Cheap foods are low-priced for one or all of these reasons:

  • Abundant supply: Potatoes are widely cultivated in many countries and are one of the most widely grown crops in the world. This leads to a large supply of them and helps to keep prices low.
  • Ease of cultivation: Potatoes are relatively easy to grow, which means that they can be produced in large quantities and at a lower cost compared to other crops.
  • Long shelf life: Potatoes have a long shelf life and can be stored for several months without spoiling, making them a convenient and affordable staple food for many households.
  • Versatility: Potatoes are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from mashed potatoes to french fries. This versatility contributes to their popularity and affordability.
  • Low cost of transportation: Potatoes are relatively lightweight and take up minimal space, which makes them easy to transport and reduces transportation costs. This also means that they can be exported to other countries relatively easily, which contributes to their widespread availability and low cost.

Grocery List on a Budget

Need help creating a cheap foods grocery list? Here’s an example to get you started…

Here is a grocery list of cheap foods that you can consider buying:

  1. Rice
  2. Pasta
  3. Grains (such as oatmeal, cornmeal)
  4. Legumes (such as beans, lentils)
  5. Potatoes and sweet potatoes
  6. Canned vegetables (such as tomatoes, corn, green beans)
  7. Canned fruits
  8. Eggs
  9. Peanut butter
  10. Frozen vegetables
  11. Chicken, turkey or canned meat
  12. Baking ingredients (such as flour, sugar, yeast)
  13. Onions, garlic, and other basic spices
  14. Carrots, bananas, and other fruits and vegetables that are in-season

It’s important to keep in mind that prices for these items may vary depending on your location and the time of year, so be sure to compare prices and buy items that are in-season and on sale.

cheap foods cheap foods cheap foods cheap foods

 

How to Spend Your Tax Refund

7+ Smart Money Skills that can Make You Rich

December 9, 2022 by Jennifer Leach Leave a Comment

Top money skills you have got to have as a millennial to live richly. Not sure about you, but am I the only one that wants to get rich in 2020?

Living rich is about being wealthy but not necessarily the way you might be thinking.

Sure, living rich can be about having a ton of money and living a super luxurious, wealthy lifestyle but it’s also about being rich in culture, rich in family and support. And just having and leading a rich and fulfilling life.

Learning money skills is fruitful for all walks of life and for everyone from people working fun retirement jobs to teens earning a side hustle, young adults, millennials, and more.

I’m gonna share some top money skills to help you get there and yes money can help you become wealthy as well as live rich in other ways and I’ll teach you how. Keep reading.

Top Money Skills Required for a Rich Life

Did you know that becoming rich doesn’t mean making more money necessarily?

There are a ton of ways that you can change your lifestyle and habits to help you become rich, like saving money.

You want to be be financially mindful and make small changes to help you grow your wealth and ultimately become rich. This post will show you some small ways to save money and grow your wealth in the process, like investing in meal prep containers instead of buying disposable plastic bags, for example.

These methods will beef up your wealth in no time. Take a look!

For more on money-making and money-saving hacks, check out these posts:

  • 17+ Online Weekend Jobs for Extra Money
  • 5 Things This Millennial Did to Pay Off Her Car Loan in 6 Months
  • 10 Easiest Things to Flip

1. Money Skills #1 | Save Money

It’s all about using practical money skills.

The first step to building your empire is do you have money in the bank can you do that by saving money. Regardless of how much or how little you might be making you can still save.

Here are some tips and tactics to help you start saving money beginning this month.

  • Start a savings account
  • Pay yourself first
  • Budget
  • Savings goals
  • Check your progress
  • Keep pushing

Open a Savings Account

The first step to starting to save money is to actually have a savings account.

So if you don’t have a savings account make sure you open one. A savings account can be opened with your local bank or you can check with an online bank to open a savings.

I recently joined Chime which which is an online bank and I absolutely love them. Here’s my link if you want to join Chime and if you refer your friends and they open direct deposit, you both get $50 so if you let them share them.

Pay Yourself First

when you get your paycheck, make sure to automatically distribute a set amount of money to your savings account. This is called paying yourself first.

So the whole idea is that when you get paid the money will instantly hit your savings.

And there’s no work that you have to do at all. You won’t touch the money and you will just start saving on auto pilot.

It’s a really easy way to start saving money. It’s automated and you won’t be tempted to spend that money.

Put Yourself on a Budget

Budgeting is so crucial to your savings plan. Budgeting is really simple and it’s all about monitoring your spending habits so you don’t overspend. This can help you avoid living paycheck to paycheck. You also eliminate the stress that you have revolving around money.

Try Mint. This app is so awesome. It’s free and easy to use. I use Mint myself and love it!

Create Savings Goals

Creating goals is a good way to start moving toward objectives that you have in the future. So if you have a goal of saving say $10,000 make that a savings goal and start moving towards that.

Check in on Your Results

there’s really no point in making goals for yourself if you don’t check in. You have got to monitor your results and see how you’re doing along the way so, don’t forget to check in periodically and see how you’re doing.

This does give you some great motivation to keep pushing and moving toward your savings goals. This could be something as little as checking your results once a week or once a month. It’s super easy.

Keep Pushing Yourself

This one is simple, just keep pushing and moving forward. There may be obstacles that fall in your way but you can get through it and you can meet your goals. There are tons of ways to save, like getting free Netflix (one of my favorite hacks) to satisfy your entertainment needs.

2. Money Skills #2 | Get Life Insurance

It’s one of those things a lot of people put off but the truth is, sometimes when you need it the most, it might be too late.

Many people think getting life insurance is complicated and stressful. It really isn’t, especially if you go through a simple-to-use carrier like Ladder.

They guide you through the process to help you figure out the right kind of life insurance for your situation and with affordability in mind, policies start at just $5/month.

Can’t beat it.

Click here to learn more about getting your life insurance set up.

3. Money Skills #2 | Check Your Credit

You get one free credit check per year.

Make sure you’re taking advantage of it. Checking your credit every year is a great practice to have to make sure your credit report is free of errors and your credit is maintaining and improving over time.

I personally use credit karma to check my credit, but there are a ton of other places we can go to get free credit reports to you.

Now, your credit report is free which means you can see the contents of your credit like your accounts and balances but your credit score may not be free so if you’re curious about your score you may have to pay a small fee to see that when you check your credit annually. I just wanted to share that says there’s no surprise there.

If you find that you have weak credit and you want to improve it, that’s definitely a great decision.

You won’t use your credit all the time but in life you will probably need credit for those large purchases like buying a house or buying a car.

How to Build Your Credit

And if your credit is poor, that could mean literally adding hundreds of dollars to your monthly payment or worse, not qualifying for that asset (house or car) at all.

You don’t wanna find yourself in that position so if you have bad credit I highly recommend that you get with a credit repair company to help improve it. I do have a recommendation for that, it’s the company Lexington Law.

I have many friends and family members that have used Lexington Law to help rebuild their credit.

You pay them on a monthly basis and they have several plans to fit every budget so you can definitely find an affordable option for you.

You won’t be paying them forever. The goal is to work with them to help eliminate credit errors, dispute inaccuracies, get bad credit items off your credit report and other strategies and tactics that they use to improve your credit.

They have a helpful app where you can monitor everything and they email you often throughout the month to keep you updated on how things are progressing.

They also tell you when late items or negative reporting items have been taken off your credit report and they track everything so you can see how your score and credit is improving over time. You can check out Lexington Law here.

4. Money Skills #3 | Reducing Your Spending

The truth is we all spend money unnecessarily sometimes. And many times it is those little purchases right under your nose that you don’t even realize are drying up your bank account every single month.

There are ways to reduce your spending and live richly, be happier, eliminate stress, and gain peace of mind.

First, track your spending. This can be challenging to do manually so I recommend you use an app. I use the Mint app which I also use for budgeting.

Money skills

They put all of your spending into different categories and they’ll alert you when you’re spending more for the month so you can back off of that.

Like, for example when the pandemic hit, like a lot of people I was buying a lot of food. I wasn’t necessarily hoarding or stocking up but when something in life is out of your control, sometimes you want to try to gain a little control in any way you can and for me that was through making sure my family had plenty of food.

The whole idea of this was really to eliminate the need to go to the grocery store often.

Before, I would go grocery shopping around once a week but I had to change that to around once every month to month and a half, just so I didn’t have to make frequent trips and be around people so I could stay healthy.

Other ways to reduce spending:

  • Lower your utility usage
  • Cut back on subscriptions (like subscription boxes, etc.)
  • Cut the cable (we went from $200+ per month to around $30 with streaming providers like Hulu and Netflix)
  • Cook at home
  • Stop eating out
  • Enjoy no-spend weekends
  • Exercise at home
  • Do your hair and nails at home (no more salon visits)

These changes do not have to be permanent so don’t panic but they are easy ways to cut your spending so you can start saving more and moving more quickly towards your money goals.

5. Money Skills #4 | Invest

Investing is so much fun. If you’re a beginner and new to investing, don’t let it overwhelm you. Investing is just a good way to have your money work for you and today there are more and more tools and apps than ever to help you start investing easily.

I really like Acorns. You can sign up for Acorns for free and it helps you invest your spare change. So you link it to your bank account and it kind of works on autopilot, investing your spare change for you.

They have a really neat app to help you monitor everything too.

6. Money Skills #5 | Pay Off Debt

Work toward paying off your debt. If you’re deciding between saving and paying off your debt, saving should always be done first and paying down your debt should be done second.

But if you have extra money available, throw that toward your debt so you can pay it off that much faster. I paid off my car loan in under six months. I read stories of others paying off student loans and mortgages and other kinds of debt quickly too.

Refinancing and Consolidation to Lower Your Debt Load

Money skills

You can also consider refinancing or consolidating your debt.

I did this with my student loan several years ago and it helped me lower my payment and drastically reduce my interest-rate. So it was a win-win all around.

Keep in mind, every time you refinance, you don’t necessarily save. Although you may have a lower monthly payment, if you extend your term that means that you are paying more overall in the long term. Though, this may be a necessity for some who are struggling to pay bills every month.

Like if you can refinance a car loan to lower your payment by $100 every month and you need that hundred dollars for living, by all means do it and when you get back on your feet you can look at paying that down over a quicker pace to make up for anything.

Simple Trick for Payment Relief If You’re Struggling

And, if you’re struggling or living paycheck to paycheck, a neat tip a lot of people don’t know is to actually reach out to their creditors.

Your creditors are on your side, believe it or not.

They want to get paid and if you talk to them to keep them in the loop, letting them know what’s going on, they can assist you by offering payment options, payment delays, forbearance or other ways to help you keep the account in good standing, keep your services, and pay your debt.

Money Hack for Debt Payoff

Ask this company to pay your credit card bill this month. Not, just the minimum payment, the whole bill!

Think about all the debt you racked up on that card, funding your vacation last year, attending your bestie’s destination wedding, “treating” yourself to a great Christmas, etc. Now, breathe a sigh of relief at the opportunity to have this website pay off your entire bill!

Curious how it works?

Is your credit card company ripping you off?

Do you have an insane interest rate or pay a monthly or annual fee? Credit card companies get rich off consumers. There is a way out though.

A company called Even could pair you with a company that pays off your whole bill, as early as tomorrow!

Here’s how it works: Even will match you with a loan that’ll cover your credit card tab. Use that loan to pay off your debt, then make monthly payments to repay the loan. Easy!

The benefit is lowering your monthly payments and help in paying off that debt a lot faster! And, no credit card payment this month! Bonus!

Even Financial is free and easy to get started with.

You can actually check online to see what you qualify for, in about 60 seconds (and it doesn’t affect your credit score).

No waiting in a bank lobby to speak with a personal banker.

No hanging on the phone, waiting in a queue to talk to a representative.

Find out instantly, online, painlessly with Even.

Is it worth it?

We think so.

And, you can stop kicking yourself for indulging in buying that 75 inch TV for yourself as a Christmas gift to you!

This Woman Saved Almost $2,000 Instantly

Money skills

Imagine going from paying $200/month to $50!

That’s a huge savings, at $150/month.

What could you do with $150/month?

  • Save it
  • Pay it toward other debts
  • Stash it away in your retirement account

Through consolidating your debt, this could be you!

By refinancing, she was able to save money, lower her interest rate and save money on the spot.

Not to mention, she skipped a month’s payment, which got put right back into her pocket.

Want to see if this will help you get rid of your credit card debt? Visit Even’s website and get an answer in under a minute.

7. Money Skills #6 | Side Hustling

Oh my gosh, getting a side hustle is something you definitely want to do!

Its a top money skill to keep in your back pocket.

With a side hustle, that means that you’re making more money you can save, save faster, invest more and pay off your debts more quickly.

If this is an option for you, definitely jump on it.

My First Side Hustle

Shortly after college when I landed my full-time job, a few years into it I found myself wanting to make more money.

Although I wasn’t struggling or living paycheck to paycheck I just wanted more so I took on a side hustle and that was copywriting.

I did that for several months until I landed my side hustle in online retail which ended up affording me the opportunity to quit my day job because I was making so much money in that side hustle! I won’t go into that story as you’ve probably heard it before.

I mentioned it often on a blog but in a nutshell I started an online store while I was working my 9 to 5 and about a year into it I was able to replace my day job income so I quit that job and ran business full-time!

And in its peak I was making up to $30,000 per month.

This happens all the time to entrepreneurs all over the world. Their side hustle outpaces their day job and when this happens, you’re in the awesome position to leave your day job and many people do. And so that’s how it went for me.

Skills That Make Money

Do you have these skills that make money?

  • Excellent communication
  • Well-organized
  • Fast typist
  • Basic computer skills

The core practical money skills can help land you a ton of different side hustles.

Here are 13 online weekend jobs to check out for side hustle income.

8. Money Skills #7| Invest in Real Estate

I’ve already touched on investing a bit up above but this is a little different and it’s about investing in real estate. Many people think that you need a ton of money to invest in real estate. Real estate investing goes beyond flipping houses or buying foreclosures or tax liens. You can actually invest in real estate with very little money with sites like Fundrise.

Fundrise let’s you get a piece of the pie by investing in a real estate portfolio with very little money up front. This is a cool way to make a lot of money with little investment to start. This company really gets me excited and I recommend you check them out.

Other Ideas to Up Your Money Skills and Upgrade Your Life

Instantly save an extra $500 per month. Here’s a deep dive how to do just that!

Why Save Money?

Saving money provides so many benefits, from more peace of mind, money aside for a rainy day, a cushion to help break the blow when an unexpected expense arises, etc.

Last summer my husband needed 3 root canals?

Ouch! Do you know how much one root canal costs?

Mine a few years ago was $1,000 WITH dental insurance.

And, I needed a bunch of small repairs done to my car (in the same summer) in order to pass state inspection, including tires, brakes, etc.

That put me back almost a $1,000.

These are life things.

It happens to everyone.

Nobody is immune.

So, when you have to make an emergency trip because of a funeral, or you have to pay that car insurance deductible because somebody hit your parked car in the grocery store parking lot, or your need to pay medical expenses, or other reasons, a SAVINGS ACCOUNT WILL SAVE YOU!

Saving is good.

And, it’s pretty easy to do.

Here are 22 effortless ways to save $500/month! And even more ways down below how to save $1000 fast!

How to Save $500/Month Starting This Month

You can save more by making more and by saving more. Making more money means you have more disposable income, that you can put towards savings, among other things.

And of course, saving money helps you save, right?

Making Money Money to Save More Money

1. Take surveys (this company is popular and a fun, free way to make money daily)

2. Start an online store (I opened a little e-commerce store and made around $500 my first month easily, on 1 hour per week)

3. Start a blog (I went zero to $1,000/month in just 4 months on my first blog)

4. Freelance writing

5. Freelance graphic design

6. Digital marketing

7. Get an online job

8. Get paid to shop (with this cashback website)

9. Monetize your social influence (start getting paid to be a social media influencer)-this training shows how to reach $10,000/month working with brands 

10. Write ebooks

11. Create online courses

How Can I Save $1000 Fast?

12. Save money on groceries with

17. Move (move in with roommates or move back home temporarily)

18. Sell your car (and take public transit or bike/walk where you need to go)

19. Set up your direct deposit to pay yourself first

20. Create a budget – I use Mint

See where your money is going. Track spending patterns. Avoid going over budget and more.

No spreadsheets needed.

Do it with your phone using the Mint app!

21. Track your spending

22. Get a personal finance app

Increasing Your Income by $1,000

Increase your income by $1,000/month by consolidating your debt. Hang on with me for a sec, let me explain.

First, think about your debts. You have…

  • Credit cards
  • Student loans
  • Auto loan
  • Personal loan
  • Other loans possibly

Each loan or credit account has an interest rate and monthly payment. If you combine them all into one, you can likely lower your interest rate, and lower your monthly payment.

I did this my student loans a few years ago and went from $200/month or so to $50/month!

Let’s look at an example..

  • 1 credit card 10% $2,000 balance
  • 1 student loan 5% $10,000 balance
  • 1 student loan 11.99% $8,000 balance
  • 1 auto loan 8% $5,000 balance

The average of the interest rates is 8.74%.

What if you could combine all those debts for an interest rate lower than that?

Or, what if you could negotiate your balances lower to reduce your payments?

These are just some of the options that may be available with this company.

Are you tired of debt controlling your life?

Debt is hard to ignore.

It’s easy for your debt balances to balloon out of control and take over your entire life. It can feel overwhelming and become more and more difficult to fend off the collections calls.

How can things change?

You have to find a company that can work on your side to help you reduce your debts.

These professionals have these amazing accolades:

  •  TopConsumerReviews – rated #1 for Debt Consolidation
  •  TopTenReviews – rated #1 for Debt Consolidation
  •  ConsumersAdvocate – rated #1 for Debt Consolidation
  •  ConsumerAffairs – rated #1 for Debt Consolidation
  •  40,191 reviews on ConsumerAffairs with a 4.83 out of 5.00 rating
  •  24,642 reviews on TrustPilot with a 9.4 out of 10 rating

What People Are Saying Working with Them…

Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating

Best decision I’ve ever made!”

They really care about “you” and making your life easier. They answer all of your questions and are very detailed.

“Saved me from drowning in the debt.”

I was up to my eyeballs in debt and National Debt Relief saved me from drowning in the debt.

Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating

“Helped me settle my debts that were choking me.”

National Debt Relief helped me settle my debts that were choking me.

Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating

Getting Started..

 

Is it really possible to get $1,000/month back every month through debt consolidation?

Absolutely!

Want to find out how?

Fighting debt is one of our top money skills.

Don’t delay. If you’re serious about finally taking control of your debts, you’ve got to check out National Debt Relief. Click here to learn more about how they can help you and click here to get a free quote.

Final Word

There you go, 7 money skills to help you level up your life. What do you think about these money skills? Practicing any not on the list? Comment below to let us know!

For more on money-making and money-saving hacks, check out these posts:

  • 17+ Online Weekend Jobs for Extra Money
  • 5 Things This Millennial Did to Pay Off Her Car Loan in 6 Months
  • 10 Easiest Things to Flip

Recommended Resources to Increase Your Income and Save Money

Credit Firm

Credit is something that you definitely need in life.
It affords most people the ability to buy house and buy a car as well as finance other large expenses and sometimes even unexpected costs that can arise.
Even if you have no plans to make a large purchase in the near future it’s still a great idea to make sure your credit is in check. There are so many little things that can impact your credit and often times you may be unaware Of these things impacting your credit score.
A high credit score of forts you a low interest-rate and a low payment where as a low credit score can mean the exact opposite and sometimes not even qualifying for that purchase you’re looking to make.
So with a choice of paying more or paying less, of course you want to pay less in to do that you want to make sure that you have the best credit score possible.
So take a look at Credit firm, which is a company that can help you review and improve your credit. It’s really great to have experts on your side and to take away the overwhelm and stress of trying to manage your credit on your own.
Take action starting today and check out credit firm.

Respondent

If you’re in a pickle and looking to make a few hundred dollars extra this month, look at online panels. I’ve done multiple panels, earning $100+ for each one. They are free to join and pay anywhere from $40 to $400+.
The most I’ve earned has been $400 on a single panel. It’s like taking a survey but you’ll be doing it interview-style, talking to the researcher on the phone, via email or online.
Check out all the open online panel opportunities on Respondent.

Rakuten

Did you know that you can save money on your online shopping? It’s like getting paid to shop. All you do is install the free cashback browser extension from Rakuten and you’ll get a popup when you land on a partner retail website. Click “Activate” to activate your cashback and after checkout, it will be applied to your Rakuten account. I earned around $28 very quickly after joining.
It’s not part-time income kind of money but it is extra money that you can get absolutely free, for doing what you’re doing anyway, online shopping.
Join using my affiliate link and you’ll get an instant $10 for signing up (it’s totally free).

Acorns

Considering investing? Not sure where to start?
Acorns helps you invest your spare change on autopilot.  They round up your purchases and invest the difference for you. It’s fully automated investing, right at your fingertips. Take control, grow your money and more. This is one of my favorite investment companies.
Learn more and sign up to Acorns.

Chime

Looking for an online bank? Today, there are so many available, it’s tough to pick one.
I joined Chime within the last 6 months and I absolutely love them!
They send me daily balance notifications, alert me when a charge is declined, they have savings accounts and much more. I love their overdraft protection feature and it’s easier than ever to transfer money to friends and family. Their apps is one of the most streamlined, easy-to-use online banking apps I’ve encountered.
I found them through a discussion in a Facebook group I was spying on. It was a business group and the discussion was about how the girls in the group used Chime for their business banking for their sole proprietorship and it’s helped them separate business and personal expenses.
It’s a great use for that and also perfect for your personal banking.
Check them out here!

 

 

How to watch Netflix for free

11 Cheapest Ways to Live

December 8, 2022 by Jennifer Leach Leave a Comment

Curious about the cheapest ways to live? There are many different ways to live cheaply. And, there are also many different reasons why you might want to do that.

You may be looking for a better financial situation, or maybe you just really enjoy being frugal and don’t want to spend money on unnecessary luxuries.

Whatever your reason is, it’s important to know how you can make this lifestyle work financially before jumping into it head first. So here are some ideas of how you can live cheaply!

11 Cheapest Ways to Live

Living on a small budget is tough, and if you’re in a situation where you have to tighten the purse strings it can seem even tougher. However there are many ways you can live cheaply without feeling like you’re living rough. There are 11 of the cheapest ways to live that I can think of and I’ve tried most of them.

Hopefully they’ll help you to find ways to reduce your bills and save money in your own life, so do give them a try!

Cutting back your spending

1. Cut back on your spending.

2. Cut out the things you don’t need, like $3 lattes and expensive gym memberships.

You can also use coupons and shop at secondhand stores to save money when shopping for clothing and other household goods. If these options aren’t feasible for you, then consider eating at home more often by cooking from scratch (less time spent eating out means less money spent).

3. Buy in bulk if possible; it will save you money over time! For example, instead of buying a pack of gum every week from the convenience store, buy several packs at once from Costco or Amazon Prime Pantry so that they last longer than normal without going stale (and sometimes even cheaper).

Buying groceries in bulk is also an option if there’s an option near where you live—they usually offer discounts based on how much food comes in one package so be sure to ask before making any purchases!

Housesitting

Housesitting is a flexible job that can help you find new places to live while also giving you some extra cash.

It’s a good way to save money on living expenses while traveling or taking time off, and it’ll give you experience showing houses in your area when you’re ready to buy one of your own.

If all this sounds intriguing, here’s what you need to know about housesitting:

What is housesitting?

Housesitting involves staying at someone’s home and taking care of it while they’re away.

Usually, the house will be rented out by guests who want someone trustworthy there to watch over the place during their absence—but sometimes people will hire housesitters for longer periods of time so that someone else can maintain their property during an extended stay abroad or move-in transition period (such as after selling one home and buying another).

In any case, housesitters must be comfortable with a variety of responsibilities including watering plants, checking mail and newspaper deliveries (if applicable), maintaining electric/gas bills (if applicable), answering calls from repairmen if there are problems with pipes or appliances, etc., as well as keeping an eye on pets who may live in these homes as well!

Camping

Camping is one of the cheapest ways to live, and it can be an enjoyable way to save money.

If you already have a tent and sleeping bag, camping can be very cheap.

If you need an RV or camper, however, it could cost a lot more than living in your house. The best thing about camping is that no matter how much money you spend on equipment (or don’t), there’s nothing more satisfying than sleeping outside under the stars

Other temporary housing options

  • Live in a hotel. You may need to do this if you’re moving out of your house and don’t have time to find another place to live.
  • Live at a hostel or dormitory. If you’re concerned about safety, you can stay in an all-female hostel that has security cameras throughout the building and 24-hour staff presence.
  • Stay with friends or family members who live close by or nearby. This is an ideal option if they have room for you, but keep in mind that it could cost them money to have someone else living with them since they’ll be splitting things like utilities and groceries among themselves (and possibly other guests).
  • Stay at a boarding house or bed & breakfast by yourself for cheap rent prices without having any responsibilities other than paying rent on time every month (which also means not having roommates).

Live in an RV

If you’re looking to live on a budget, you may be tempted to buy an RV and hit the road. After all, they’re roomy and cozy, have all the amenities of home and can be parked for free almost anywhere.

However, RV ownership is not for everyone. If you’re going to invest in an RV, make sure it’s worth it by considering the following:

Cost of purchase?

RVs come in all shapes and sizes—from tiny teardrop trailers (which retail for around $2,000) to luxury fifth wheels (priced at over $100,000).

If your goal is simply to save money while living out of your vehicle while traveling across America or Canada every summer vacation when you’re retired—then buying a cheap camper might be right up your alley!

But if you have kids who are still little and need plenty of space…or if friends often stop by unannounced…or if pets require fenced-in yards where they can roam freely without fear that they’ll run off into traffic…then it would be wise consider purchasing something larger than the average teardrop trailer.

Tiny home

The tiny home movement is one of the most affordable ways to live in today’s society. Tiny homes are typically less than 400 square feet, and can be mobile or stationary.

Some people build their own tiny homes from scratch, while others purchase them pre-fabricated. Either way, it can be an extremely cost-effective way to live if you know how to find cheap materials and supplies!

Living with a roommate or in a group house

  • The benefits of living with other people

Living with a roommate or in a group house is a great way to cut your rent costs. You often have more space than you would in an apartment, and it’s usually cheaper than living alone. If you want to live in a specific area but can’t afford the high rents, this option could be ideal for you.

  • The drawbacks of living with other people

While having roommates or sharing your home with others may sound like fun, it does come with its downsides. These are some things to consider before deciding if this type of housing is right for you:

  • You’ll likely have less privacy than when living on your own (or even sharing an apartment).

While sharing rooms will allow for more affordable rent payments, it also means that someone else can see into parts of your life that wouldn’t normally be seen by others—like when you’re getting ready in the morning or relaxing at home by yourself.

You might also be less likely to decorate walls because they may feel like they belong more to the whole house than just one person; however, depending on how much time those walls are visible throughout each day/weekend/etc., this might not matter as much!

There are many different ways to live very cheaply.

There are many different ways to live very cheaply. If you want to live for free or almost-free, there are a few options:

  • create your own ‘tiny house’
  • move into an RV (aka motorhome)
  • find a room in someone else’s house and split the rent with them
  • try living with roommates or in group houses

If you’re more of an outdoorsy person, another option is living in a camper van! You can do this right now by renting one at a campground and traveling around until you find somewhere you like.

Or if that doesn’t sound appealing, maybe someday soon they’ll manufacture smaller vans than they do now–and then it will be really easy and fun to travel around while also saving money on rent!

Final Word

We hope that this article has given you a few new ideas for how to cut back on your spending. If all else fails, there are always roommates and group houses. That’s what we did when we were just starting out!

How to watch Netflix for free

How to Watch Netflix for Free

July 18, 2020 by Jennifer Leach Leave a Comment

Netflix is one of the largest paid streaming companies in the world. They have millions of subscribers and if you’re reading this, chances are you’ve probably heard of Netflix too. I bet you didn’t know that you can watch Netflix for free.

People love Netflix for a variety of reasons. It’s definitely a cheaper option compared to regular cable TV. So, you get to enjoy all of the original programming, movies, and TV shows while sticking to your budget.

I’ve been a big fan of Netflix and a paid subscriber forever.

The last time I checked, my dad was actually still participating in their rent-over-mail service!

If you’re trying to hold onto your Netflix subscription or join Netflix but want to keep on it for free, beyond their 30-day trial, keep reading.

How Much is Netflix?

You can get into a Netflix plan for between around $9 to $16 per month.

Plans vary based on your needs and how many screens you play it once, along with other factors. So the expense isn’t that high, especially compared to cable but if there’s an opportunity to save that $200 per year or so, why not take advantage, right?

Here are some ideas to help you get Netflix for free.

How to Get Netflix for Free?

1. 30-Day Free Trial

This first one I’ve already spilled the beans on and it is getting their 30 day free trial.

This is the easiest way to get Netflix for free. So, they give you a whole 30 days to test and try out their service. Any plan that you choose will give you the first month for free and this time will help you decide if Netflix is really for you.

If you really had no intention on paying for Netflix, keep in mind that they will collect your credit card information up front to charge you after 30-day trial ends so to avoid getting charged, just make sure to set an alarm or an alert on your phone or computer so you can cancel before the trial ends.

What you may not know is after your 30-day trial, if you do decide to continue with the service on a paid basis, if you decide to cancel within a few months afterward, Netflix will actually try to keep you on by offering you another 30 days for free!

This is a little incentive that a lot of people don’t know about so keep this in the back of your mind as well if you’d like to get another free month during the time that you have the service.

2. Join A Friends Netflix Plan

Next, you can join a friends Netflix plan.

All you have to do is get them to share their login credentials with you and then you can sign in and access, having full rein over Netflix.

I’ve never done this myself but I have had several people do this with me on my paid plan and this is how it went.

First I had my sister join my paid plan while she was in college. She was on a budget and trying to cut costs but wanted to enjoy Netflix so I let her use my plan with me.

Next, we have two other friends that currently use our plan and we’ve had this arrangement for years, no issue. They are childhood friends that we’ve known for a long time and really don’t mind sharing our Netflix subscription with them.

Plus Netflix offers a way for you to set up your own custom profile. That way what your friends watch won’t be mixed up with what you’re watching and the suggestions and preferences that Netflix serves you will truly match the kind of movies in media that you enjoy watching.

3. Get Free Netflix from Your Other Carriers

Ok, so you might not know this but if you have other services like cable, Internet, cell phone, subscriptions or anything else, a lot of those companies will offer really amazing perks and one of them might be a Netflix subscription.

For example T-Mobile offers Netflix On Us where they pay up to a certain portion of your Netflix bill.

I recently learned about this and as I am a T-Mobile customer I will definitely be taking advantage of this so I can save up to $16 a month or so. Even if they cover half of my bill which is around eight or nine dollars that’s still money saved in my pocket and I can get excited over that.

So to see if this is an option for you, do a little research and check all the companies that you have services with to inquire if they offer free Netflix or other freebies.

How to Reduce Your Netflix Bill

If you’re trying to save money on your existing Netflix bill here are four ways to cut down your bill fast.

1. Discounted Netflix Gift Cards

Finding a discount on Netflix gift cards is an awesome way to help you save on your Netflix subscription. You can do this with a lot of things actually and this is how it works.

You can buy a gift card at a discount and instantly save by using that card.

For example, you can buy a $100 Netflix gift card for $80. So you get a $100 value for 20% off. And that’s exactly how it works. You can do this with all kinds of gift cards from Best Buy, Walmart, Target, Amazon, the list goes on and on and on.

Here are the places where you could buy those discounted gift cards:

  • Raise
  • Cardpool
  • Giftcard Granny

The above sites are a mix of discounted gift card sites where you can buy gift cards on sale and gift card exchanges where you can buy and sell gift cards.

If you have gift cards that you don’t use or will never use, consider selling them on a gift card exchange.

My sister did this a few years ago when she got a red lobster gift card for her birthday from my husband. His heart was in the right place and as he is a big seafood lover he wanted her to enjoy that experience as well.

Unfortunately not knowing that she hates seafood.

So she sold that gift card in a gift card exchange to get the value out of that card!

2. Split the Cost

With splitting the cost the whole idea is to get a Netflix account that you in a bunch of your friends share. Instead of one person paying for the plan and the other friends getting access for free, everybody split the cost evenly.

So if there’s a $16 a month plan and you and your three friends want to get in on it then you would split the cost, $16, for Waze. So everyone would pay about four dollars per month toward the Netflix plan.

This is a really easy way to save around 70% to 80 With splitting the cost the whole idea is to get a Netflix account that you in a bunch of your friends share.

Instead of one person paying for the plan and the other friends getting access for free, everybody split the cost evenly. So if there’s a $16 a month plan and you and your three friends want to get in on it then you would split the cost, $16, four ways.

So everyone would pay about four dollars per month toward the Netflix plan. This is a really easy way to save around 70% to 80% per month in Netflix subscription fees.

3. Get a coupon

Next, get a coupon.

Had to keep on site and search for Netflix coupons and then use that promo code when you check out on Netflix.com to save money on your subscription.

One of my favorite coupon sites that I frequently use is retailmenot. And there are a ton of other coupon sites as well.

4. Cancel the Plan

If push comes to shove the biggest way to save with Netflix it is to cancel your Netflix plan and save your entire subscription cost every month.

This doesn’t mean that you have to give up media and TV necessarily. A lot of other services offer free video options like Amazon prime and there is always YouTube.

How to Make Sure You Can Afford Netflix

Here are some ideas to help you ensure that you have enough money in your budget to pay for Netflix. This is a key money skill which can be the difference between living richly and not.

This is great if the option is above just don’t work for you but you still really want Netflix. So what you can do is increase your income and or reduce your other expenses so you can make room for that Netflix expense.

1. Take Paid Online Surveys

Survey taking is the perfect gig for making a little extra cash on the side. You get the flexibility of a part-time job with the ability to take the income really into your hands making as much or as little as you’d like to you.

With paid online surveys he will partner with market research companies will pay you for your honest opinion. You walk into the survey site from your phone or desktop computer and take as many surveys as you’d like.

You get paid for each survey that you take and you earn money in various forms including beer direct deposit, PayPal, Venmo, gift cards, rewards and other ways ways.

i’ve been taking surveys often on for years and I absolutely love it. Here are some of my favorite survey sites:

  • Survey Junkie
  • Inbox Dollars
  • Swagbucks

If this sounds, you can read more about taking paid online surveys.

2. Online Weekend Jobs

Online weekend jobs let you work from home, which saves money on commuting to a second job. You can also work these jobs on the weekend, which provides a nice separation from your primary job.

Some ideas:

  • Affiliate marketing (I took this course which helped 10X my affiliate income in 3 weeks)
  • Blogging – learn how to start your own blog in this free guide
  • Freelance writing – I made $5,000 in year 1 and $25K+ in year 2

Here are 9 more online weekend jobs to check out.

3. Lower Your Utility Bill

There are things you can do to whittle your bill down to nothing. You can make these changes starting today, like timing your water usage, negotiating with the utility company, etc.

What Do You Think About Free Netflix

Is free Netflix hard to get?

It doesn’t have to be with the tips we shared in this article.

Everybody should be able to enjoy it and Netflix. I think that it makes it within reach for everybody, whether you get on a plan with your friend, find ways to lower your bills, shop at the dollar store to save on groceries, or make extra money so you can include it in your monthly budget. This advice will help you save some money on your Netflix subscription.

I hope you enjoy it comment below to let me know what you think.

 

Our Favorite Reviews

ProfileMate is about learning from your Instagram competition. When you can learn from that competition, you can gain valuable insight to help you improve your self as a brand, doing things like growing your traffic and increasing your revenue.
And these are just a few examples of how you can benefit from checking out the competition. With ProfileMate you can check out your Instagram competition and this resource is perfect for influencers, small businesses, agencies, marketers, and more, you’ll be able to do in depth analysis of your Instagram competition. Easy to use. Read the review.
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How to Spend Your Tax Refund

How to Spend Your Tax Refund

February 24, 2020 by Jennifer Leach Leave a Comment

How to Spend Your Tax RefundTax Day is April 15th and you might be wondering how to spend your tax refund.

It comes every year and with it, our Facebook feeds, Twitter and Instagram accounts are full with everyone updating and showing off friends & family playing with the new “toys” they got with their tax refund!

Some people get a new car every year, or go on a family vacation, or go to an extravagant dinner they couldn’t have otherwise afforded.

For many families, tax season is the best time of year.  Soon, they’re taking pictures of the latest Disney vacation, or the latest piece of technology they purchased. What does all this have in common? People are spending when they should probably be saving.

Let’s be real. Saving just isn’t as fun as spending but what if I told you that saving your tax return each year sets you up for opportunities to have more spending money throughout the year?  Would you be interested in hearing more?

It’s true that a little delayed satisfaction can go a long way here. Let’s take for example, a family of four and a $1,500 tax refund. Believe it or not, that amount is modest by some standards.

This $1,500 could provide…

  • a nice vacation for a family of four including hotel lodgings, fun and meals, OR
  • an action packed staycation at local attractions, museums & theme parks OR
  • an elegant night on the town (or two), OR
  • a down payment for a newer, nicer car on a trade-in.

But what if, instead, that same $1,500 was used to pre-pay your family’s electric bill (average $150/month) for 10 months?  That would provide instant cash access of $150/month for 10 months!

Think of all the fun your family could have each month with that extra money. You could go to a museum, or go to the movies and dinner, or save a couple months and go to the local attractions.

You could eliminate a bill that you pay each month, freeing up room in your regular budget and allowing you to create a new budget item of “FUN!”

Other Ideas for How to Spend Your Tax Refund

Alternately, you could choose to pay off a debt, freeing your family of the burden of monthly payments and opening up that money for spending. You could also save or invest that money and see real dividends!  That same $1,500 saved, or better yet, invested, could provide you with some real earning potential over the course of just a few years.

For a relatively conservative example, let’s say that your family invested the $1,500 in a return that yielded 4% compounded annually. The first year you would have $1,560.00. Doesn’t sound like much, does it?

Let’s say you decided to do the same again with your return (each year being $1,500) for an additional 3 years. In a matter of 4 years, your family would have $6,369.70. Doing this for 10 years in would leave you with a comfortable $18,009.16. Now THAT is something to get excited about! Think of all the ways you could spend all that money.

I think you might agree it was worth the time and energy spent saving. Sometimes the best way to spend your tax refund is not at all!

How to Spend Your Tax Refund

Dollar Store Shopping

Shopping at the Dollar Store: Is It Really A Deal?

February 24, 2020 by Jennifer Leach Leave a Comment

Dollar Store ShoppingEveryone loves to get something at a discount. I mean, who doesn’t seriously L-O-V-E a good deal?  However, one thing we all need to learn is how to discern if a deal really is the good bargain it seems to be.… A good deal has to actually be a good deal.

The Truth About Shopping at The Dollar Store

If you like to shop at a dollar store you might be making the mistake of assuming any item for a dollar is a good deal but that might not be true.

Here are a few tips to review before your next trip to the dollar store to make sure you are getting the real deals that are offered.

Make a List.

How many times have you run into a dollar store to pick up a couple of items and $76 later, you come out, hands full, with stuff you never intended to buy. You need a list of items to buy so you can avoid mindless shopping and blowing your budget on items you just don’t need!

What items should be on your list:

  • Office supplies
  • Art/School project supplies
  • Books
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Home Décor
  • Party Décor
  • Small Door Prizes
  • Stocking Stuffers
  • Hostess gifts (bath & body lotion, wash, pretty scented items)
  • Beauty Products (shampoo, soap, hair accessories, hair spray, cotton swabs, and etc.)
  • Batteries (they seem to last just as long as more pricey brands

What should NOT be on your list:

  • Medicine, (from a financial perspective alone, 8 pills for $1 isn’t a good deal!)
  • Toys
  • Plastic Wrap
  • Paper products like paper plates, cups, toilet paper- quantity and quality issues make this a no deal.

Something else you should not have on your list is any item you have not priced out prior- for example, food.

A can of vegetables seems like a great buy- it’s just a $1, right? But had you shopped at your grocery store, you could have gotten them for .50 cents or less on sale. It turns out that isn’t such a great deal after all. Another great example of this is meat. Our local dollar store sells bologna, ham, turkey, etc. for $1.

But it’s a 1/8 of a pound so I am paying $8 for a pound of meat! No. Again, any item that you have not calculated at a comparable price at another store should not be bought at the dollar store. Chances are you will be overpaying.

Something to remember; always check the quantity of any item you are buying. $1 for a product simply packaged smaller is not a good deal, even when it feels like it! Run the numbers before you shop!

Our Favorite Reviews

ProfileMate is about learning from your Instagram competition. When you can learn from that competition, you can gain valuable insight to help you improve your self as a brand, doing things like growing your traffic and increasing your revenue.
And these are just a few examples of how you can benefit from checking out the competition. With ProfileMate you can check out your Instagram competition and this resource is perfect for influencers, small businesses, agencies, marketers, and more, you’ll be able to do in depth analysis of your Instagram competition. Easy to use. Read the review.
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Dollar Store Shopping

4 Things You’re Probably Paying Too Much For

February 24, 2020 by Jennifer Leach Leave a Comment

4 Things You're Probably Paying Too Much For (1)Have you ever received a bill in the mail to renew a service and you realized that 1) you were already paying for that same service with another company and 2) you were already covered for the same service by an even different company?

Here’s an example:  Are you paying for towing assistance through a company like AAA? 


Take a look at your car warranty.  Are you paying to include that?  Now check your automobile insurance policy.

Are you covered for towing? If you so then you’re already paying for that service.

I mean, you’re working your online weekend job for extra money. You don’t wanna blow that extra money by paying too much, right?

Here’s a list so you can do your own inventory and find some savings in your budget where you too, can cut the fat!

Roadside Services

So, we’ve discussed this. But start here. Take a look at what you are currently paying for, what might have duplicate coverage and what you’d be able to drop altogether.

You can save money by not renewing your roadside service and dropping the monthly towing and car rental package on your insurance because it might be covered under your car warranty.

Before you drop anything, make sure the service you keep is what you truly need, you don’t want to be under-prepared, but you also don’t want to be double-paying for services you already have covered elsewhere.

My roadside assistance is offered through my auto insurance.

There are auto clubs where you can pay a low monthly fee to get roadside too, or check in with your credit card company, bank, etc. You could have the service and not even know it!

TV Services

Here we’re talking about – Netflix, Redbox rentals, Hulu, Roku, Dish, Cable, Direct TV. 

All of it.

Many people have multiple subscriptions but a quick analysis of your viewing habits can show you what your true needs are. 

It doesn’t make sense to keep two services when one does the job.

You can save $1,022.40 this year by dropping an $80/month satellite service and skipping a $2.40 weekly trip to the big red box. 

Instead, just keep the streaming movie and TV series subscription. You might have to wait for a few weeks to watch the latest movies, but you probably won’t hate all that extra money you saved!

Phone/Internet/TV Services

We all know this, but how many of us actually DO this?

Bundle, Bundle, Bundle!

When I bundled my TV, phone, and internet, my deal was so awesome it was like I got internet free!

Check with your provider to see what options are available.

If you are going with a TV service as listed above, and you have internet or phone services, then be sure to get a bundle price.

ALSO- never feel bad asking for a discount. If you see a new customer offer, (especially when you are out of contract) be sure to ask if they will extend the deal to you.

You will have to speak to the customer retention department (rather than customer service) but they will likely offer to give you the same deal if you express your desire to go elsewhere if they can’t extend the offer to their loyal customers.

Internet

Unless you work from home then perhaps you should investigate using your cell phone as a hot spot to provide internet service for your devices.  For just a little more a month (and sometimes it is a provided service, depending on your cell plan) you can use your cell phone service to also stream the internet. 

Make sure to check into this before forking over a monthly internet service.

Alternatively, you could cut the data service from your cell phone provider and use Wi-Fi on your phone instead. Think about how and where you use the internet and make the choice that will work best for you and your family.

Summary

Use these tips to start reviewing areas where you may be over paying, and start saving today! And don’t stop there! Make a list of other areas you thought of and get to work, saving your hard-earned dollars. Your piggy bank will squeal in delight!

Our Favorite Reviews

ProfileMate is about learning from your Instagram competition. When you can learn from that competition, you can gain valuable insight to help you improve your self as a brand, doing things like growing your traffic and increasing your revenue.
And these are just a few examples of how you can benefit from checking out the competition. With ProfileMate you can check out your Instagram competition and this resource is perfect for influencers, small businesses, agencies, marketers, and more, you’ll be able to do in depth analysis of your Instagram competition. Easy to use. Read the review.
Keysearch is the only tool you’ll ever need for keyword research. Regardless of what industry you’re working on or what projects you have in the works, if you have to do keyword research can you search is what you need. Check it out.

4 Things You're Probably Paying Too Much For

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