Saving Money

  • Personal finance, Saving Money

    What is a bank statement loan?

    What is a bank statement loan?

    A bank statement loan also called a self employed mortgage is a mortgage loan considered an alternative loan. The reason for this is because traditional mortgage loan documents that would be required to secure the loan like your W-2s or paystub‘s or other documents may not be required for this kind of loan.

    Bank statement loans offer a new flexible wait for people to qualify for loans.

    Today with the rise of alternative jobs like gig work and related careers, it can be more challenging for people to qualify for loans so banks started offering these alternative type Lowes called bank statement loans.

    How do bank statement loans work?

    With bank statement loans applicants use their bank accounts to validate their income and cash flow.

    So while a traditional mortgage loan would require tax statements and other income documents, these are not required for a bank statement loan.

    So it offers some flexibility in qualifying for lending however documents are still required and you will still have to meet other loan requirements like a minimum credit score, enough liquid reserves, possibly a business license and other requests that the bank may have.

    It will vary from lender to lender so keep that in mind.

    As you can imagine, bank statement loans carry more risk the traditional mortgages so to account for this higher level of risk you can expect to get a higher interest-rate compared to traditional mortgage.

    Applicants are usually ok with this trade-off considering they may not be able to qualify for a traditional mortgage loan in the first place. You could always start off with a bank statement loan and then refinance into a traditional mortgage later on in the future.

    Who is a bank statement loan for?

    For people who may have difficulty qualifying for a traditional mortgage loan, a bank statement loan can be a solution.

    This is for people who might have high cash flow or strong bank statements but may lack in other areas like they may be new to their business or have slightly challenged credit.

    Business owners like freelancers, consultants attorneys, investors, agents and other small business owners are likely candidates for bank statement loans. This is because they might encounter some difficulty when trying to obtain traditional mortgage loan documents so this loan program can be a solution for them.

    Advantages of bank statement loan program

    • Traditional bank mortgage loan documents are not required
    • Lower credit thresholds
    • Higher DTI (debt-to-income) ratios

    Disadvantages of bank statement loan program

    • Higher interest rate

    So, advantages of a bank statement mortgage loan include higher loan limits and less stringent requirements for qualification like a higher debt to income ratio and using bank statements to qualify instead of other documents like paystubs.

    Bank statement loans can also be used to buy primary homes, second homes, and investment properties.

    Then of course the main drawback is a higher interest-rate. To compensate for the higher risk you may be asked to put more money down as well, as much is up to 30% down depending on the lender.

    And bank statement loans are an  alternative form of financing so they are not offered everywhere and they are not available by every lender.

    Is a bank statement mortgage loan worth it?

    It can be worth it.

    It really depends on the personal situation of the borrower. If there are no options to buy a house other than a bank statement loan then this may be a good short term solution until you can secure a traditional mortgage loan which promises a lower interest-rate which can lower your monthly payment.

    And if you consider the alternative which is either not buying the house or paying cash for the house which requires a lot of cash upfront then bank statement mortgage loan does not seem that bad. They’re actually a very viable option for many borrowers.

    You can look at renting versus taking a bank statement to see which would be the better opportunity for you.

    With renting you’re basically contributing to paying someone else’s mortgage loan. It’s kind of like throwing away money. So take the cost of your monthly rent and multiply it by the number of months that you may have to have a bank statement mortgage loan before you can refinance it to traditional loan.

    With that number then take the difference in interest you would pay between distinct steam and loan and traditional loan and multiply it by the  Time for you to get into a traditional loan and compare this number to the previous number. Which ever number is higher is going to be the more costly option.

    So it might be right or it might be that statement loans go with option that’s cheaper for you or maybe not. Sometimes it’s not all about money at the end of the day and happiness really outweighs all.

    How to find a bank statement loan?

    Bank statement loans or non-qualified mortgages can be tricky to find. Not all banks offer them and to get started I would recommend contacting your own personal bank just to see if it’s an option that they offer.

    And if it’s not something they offer, ask if there’s a company they recommend or an alternative that they talk to their customers about or that their customers have used for a mortgage loan.

    You can also look at trying to find a mortgage lending company that specializes only in mortgage loans. Those types of financial institutions offer a variety of different mortgage loans including banks statement loans. Other than that you can do a thorough search online looking at Google and other search engines.

    You can also look at joining forums and groups online like Facebook groups that talk about bank statement loans or mortgage options for business owners or self-employed people.

    Do you need a bank statement?

    Yes, you will need a bank statement for a bank statement loan.

    That’s the whole thing behind bank statement loans.

    The mortgage lender is looking for proof that you can support paying for mortgage payments and so the last for your bank statement. Getting a bank statement is usually a pretty simple process and your bank probably already sends this to you monthly anyway whether you get them mailed or online.

    And if you don’t, it’s as simple as a phone call or email to your bank can get you your last three months or however many past bank statements you need.

    What are bank statement mortgage loan rates?

    Bank statement mortgage loan rates are higher than traditional mortgages, no doubt.

    This is because bank statement mortgage loans are considered more risky than regular mortgages. You’re going to find that their requirements are a little more lenient and to compensate for that risk, you’ll find rates around 6% to 8% depending upon the market. If you compare that to mortgage rates today which are at 2.5 to 4% or so, you can see that it’s a bit higher.

    Should this scare you away?

    Maybe but also consider that you don’t have to have your bank statement mortgage loan forever and many people will often refinance into a traditional mortgage when the time is right.

    Here’s an example of when this scenario might make sense.

    An example of a scenario where a bank statement loan might make sense

    Consider you are self-employed and you’ve been with your business for 13 months.

    You’re making good money earning $150,000 per year as your salary and you have a family of four which includes you, your partner and two kids. Your partner is a stay at home parent and they are not working.

    You’re looking to buy a house and you’re finding that banks are requiring you to have two years of self-employed history before they can consider your income from your employment.

    So that means if you apply for a mortgage loan, since you have less than two years of self-employed history you cannot use your self-employed income on the loan application.

    So without your self-employed income on the loan application you have to consider other kinds of income you may be able to use to qualify.

    Since your partner does not work and you don’t have any other income streams coming in, the loan application would have zero income and so it would likely be declined.

    So what can you do?

    You can look at a bank statement mortgage loan possibly.

    A bank statement mortgage loan looks more heavily on your income flow and so 13 months in your business with $150,000 salary may work for this type of loan.

    In the end you get what you want, which is a house that you can buy with a non-traditional mortgage, the bank statement mortgage loan.

    You compromise with the higher interest-rate you receive in exchange for being able to buy a house now rather than wait another year for you to have two years of history which is required from more traditional mortgage types.

    And then later down the road once you meet the time in self-employed requirement, you can refinance for a traditional mortgage loan which will likely help you reduce your interest-rate and may also lower your monthly payment.

    Are bank statement loans right for you?

    This type of mortgage loan may be right for you depending on your situation. As with everything you should weigh the pros and the cons and see what falls more in your favor.

    Sometimes it’s just better to wait until you can get past that hurdle that’s making it tough to qualify for traditional mortgage and then just get that later down the road. But bank statement loans can be a fit for people that need a mortgage loan right now so it is an option.

    How to get a bank statement loan?

    You’ve done your research and due diligence and you’re ready to take the plunge and get a bank statement loan.

    So how do you do it?

    First, find a mortgage lending company that offers bank statement loans. Review the terms thoroughly and if it’s a good fit for you move forward with the application.

    During the application process you’ll be asked questions about your income and employment. You will be asked other questions as well and as you’re getting qualified you’ll get your credit checked and go through some of the other procedures required for a traditional mortgage loan.

    From here the process may vary from bank to bank depending upon who you get your loan from.

    What do you think?

    I hope this has answered some questions about alternative mortgage loans. If you have any questions about bank statement loans, comment below and I’ll do my best to help.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

     

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  • Saving Money

    4 Everyday Things You’re Paying Too Much For

    4 Things That You’re Probably Paying Too Much For

    You’re paying too much! 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?

    Stumped?

    Here are some examples:

    • Streaming cable services
    • Subscription boxes
    • Insurance
    • Other monthly subscriptions

    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!

    If you’re struggling financially, this is going to definitely help. And for more, head to these 17+ online weekend jobs to help you make some extra cash on the side.

    You’re Paying Too Much for Road-side 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.

    For example I get free roadside services from a number of different companies that I work with. Like my auto insurance includes free roadside assistance.

    I also have roadside services with a number of credit cards and banks that I work with. So for me, because I have free coverage from so many places and if I had free coverage from one place it would be exactly the same, there’s really no need to buy roadside assistance.

    Because this expense isn’t something that you normally think of, you might forget that you’re actually covered. So before you start researching roadside services to invest in, check your benefits to see if you already have this.

    You’re Paying Too Much for 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!

    You’re Paying Too Much for Phone/Internet/TV Services

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

    You’re Paying Too Much for 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.

    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!

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  • Saving Money

    5 Clever Hacks How to Score Free Starbucks

    In this article we are going to take a look at some real life hacks to help you get a free Starbucks drink. If your eyes pop out of your head reading this then you are a total Starbucks fangirl just like me!

    I was introduced to Starbucks pretty young I think, at least for thinking about drinking coffee.
    free Starbucks

    And that was around age 18. 

    I had a good friend and co-worker who was a few years older than me and she introduced me to coffee. I started with frappuccinos and sweet iced coffee drinks and within a few months I was drinking hot coffee lightly sweetened with cream and Splenda semi-regularly. 

    There’s something about coffee and there’s something special about Starbucks coffee. 

    It feels like such an indulgent treat to grab a Starbucks though there’s one thing I don’t like and I’m sure you don’t either, is that Starbucks is expensive!

    Around the time of the pandemic in 2020, I was heading to Starbucks at least three or four times a week just to keep my sanity. Being quarantined in the house was a lot. 

    It felt overwhelming and with the entire city shut down and the only places open being restaurants in drive-thrus, Starbucks became a weekly ritual that I really look forward to. 

    I’m sure my waistline wasn’t happy with that although I did try to stick to lower calorie hot coffee drinks rather than the calorie-laden frappuccinos and other high-calorie Starbucks drinks.

    Think about how much money you spend on Starbucks. 

    If your regular order is around $4 and you do it three times a month then you spend nearly $150 per year on coffee!

    But let’s be honest.

    Who only goes to Starbuck three times a month? It’s really lmore like three times a week. 

    Am I right?

    And then if you add drinks or treats for your family like your partner or your kids then the bill can really add up. Now, sadly my 8-year old is hooked on Starbucks lemonades and any time I go for myself, he always wants to tag along and my once $5 tab has now ballooned to nearly $20 every time I hit Starbucks. 

    Whether you can relate or not, I know that you’ll appreciate this article where I’m going to share seven awesome genius ways to get a free Starbucks drink. Keep reading. 

    How to get a free Starbucks drink

    free Starbucks

    1. Starbucks Birthday

    You may not know this but when your birthday rolls around once a year there are actually a ton of birthday freebies that you can get.

    I’ve gotten free Jersey Mike’s Subs, free ice cream, free coffee, free breakfast and a whole bunch of other cool freebies. 

    There are actually people that just drive around to all the places that offer free birthday goodies and stock up. And I don’t blame them, to be honest. Well Starbucks is one of those places where you can get free Starbucks on your birthday.

    How it works?

    In order for this to work you do have to make sure that you’re part of the Starbucks rewards program. The rewards program is free to join and all you have to do is be a member of the rewards program and have made at least one star-earning transaction within 7 days of your birthday. 

    Then, you get a free birthday treat!

    I recommend you install the Starbucks app your phone. It really makes the rewards program easy to access and you’ll get a notification when your birthday rolls around that you have a freebie on your account.

    Read more about this free Starbucks birthday hack.

    2. Free Starbucks Gift Cards

    free Starbucks Drink

    Next, you can get free Starbucks gift cards through a couple different websites. These websites pay you in free gift cards in exchange for your honest opinion. 

    In addition to taking paid online surveys for Starbucks gift cards, you can also earn free Starbucks gift cards when you play games, watch videos, browse the internet and perform other tasks from the comfort of home.

    These are the sites you’ll want to check out.

    All three sites are free to join and they offer a variety of rewards in exchange for your time from free Starbucks gift cards to free gift cards from other popular retailers like Amazon, Sephora and others. Some of the sites even pay you cash!

    Click the links above to join the site. To earn it the most in free service gift cards, I recommend that you join all three to give you the greatest amount of money to spend on the free gift cards.

    3. Starbucks Free Refills

    free Starbucks drink

    A lot of people don’t know this but yes Starbucks does offer free refills! 

    If you use your Starbucks rewards card or the mobile app you can get free brewed coffee refills. This isn’t allowed on all drinks however but, you can get free refills on hot or iced coffee including cold brew, and hot tea or iced tea.

    So no free refills on your chocolate chip frap, sadly.

    Another caveat is that this is for in-store enjoying only. That means if you leave the Starbucks store and try to come back for a refill, you won’t qualify. And this isn’t available in the Drive-Thru either.

    It’s really great if you like meeting with your friends at Starbucks or if you work out of a Starbucks. You could order one of the qualifying drinks and get free refills all day long. What a bonus!

    Go Get Your Free Starbucks

    There you go! I hope you enjoyed reading about these easy and clever ways to support free Starbucks. Have you ever tried one of these Starbucks hacks before? Comment below and let me know 

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  • Saving Money

    Starbucks Birthday Hack | Best Birthday Freebie

    Alright guys, this is what you’ve been waiting for, the Starbucks birthday hack is about how to get free Starbucks drinks. If you’re a Starbucks lover like me you’re going to definitely want to listen in on this one. There’s a right way to do this and a wrong way to do this and I have done both! Let’s get into it.

    I am a Starbucks fanatic, I have to admit it.

    Free Starbucks drinks

    In fact when the pandemic hit in 2020, I was so glued to Tik Tok, especially all the Starbucks savvy drinks and treats being touted all across the platform. I probably spent $50 a week or more just on Starbucks during this time.

    Pretty terrible if you ask me, especially from a finance blogger, no less.

    But, everyone has their vices and for me it’s got to be Starbucks coffee. Not to mention during a time when the world is drab and dreary getting through this crazy pandemic, indulging in Starbucks made me happy and I could afford it, luckily, so I did It!

    Please no judgment.

    I have a lot of favorite drinks and I usually go through drink phases.

    Lately I’ve been loving their medicine ball. The medicine ball is a combination of two teas, steamed lemonade and honey. It is super delicious and although most people order it when they’re sick, I love to order it all the time because it’s just so good.

    Before that I was enjoying the viral sensation which was the iced white chocolate mocha with pumpkin cold foam or sweet cream cold foam and caramel drizzle.

    Before that I really loved their hot chai’s which is a chai tea latte. My son gets lemonade every single time we go and although my husband is not a coffee snob like me he usually enjoys either a medicine ball or a caramel macchiato and over the holiday break he was really loving the salted caramel hot chocolate!

    Ok, enough swooning over there tasty drinks.

    The truth is, Starbucks is expensive. So much so that a lot of people have found sneaky little ways to get around paying five bucks for a drink.

    The average American actually spends over $1000 a year just on coffee.

    Pretty crazy right?

    I could not go back to indulging in Starbucks every day as it really can put a good hurting on your wallet. What if you could get free Starbucks? That could save you some money!

    There are a ton of ways to get free Starbucks, actually.

    In this article I’m gonna go over this Starbucks birthday hack which details how to get free Starbucks drinks on your birthday. And because I know you’re probably interested in this, I’m also going to dive into how to get free Starbucks drinks all your round. Here we go.

    THE Starbucks Birthday Hack for Free Starbucks

    Free Starbucks drinks

    This is so easy it’s probably gonna make you roll your eyes.

    So Starbucks has a rewards program. It’s a free app that you can install on your smart phone and the way it works is with the app, they will notify you of any upcoming sales or deals that they have like their Bogo events that are pretty popular.

    You can also place orders on the app so you don’t have to wait in line and you can just head over to Starbucks and grab your ready-made drink.

    You can buy gift cards on the app.

    You can add your debit card and credit card to the app.

    And when you use the app to pay, you earn stars which is Starbucks currency. The more stars that you have on your account then the more free Starbucks that you can get. And best of all, you can get your Starbucks birthday drink for free on your birthday!

    Here’s how it works…

    Starbucks Birthday Hack | How to Claim Your Birthday Freebie

    free Starbucks

    It’s called the Starbucks birthday reward and the way it works is on your birthday you will receive one complementary handcrafted beverage or one complementary food item or one complementary ready to drink bottled beverage.

    You can redeem your birthday reward at any participating Starbucks store.

    The only exclusions are for multi-serve food or beverage items like a tray of their cranberry bliss bars, for example.

    In order to qualify for the Starbucks birthday reward, you have to join Starbucks Rewards which is through the Starbucks app, at least seven days before your birthday, along with providing your birthday and your account information and make at least one start earning transaction before your birthday each year.

    Your birthday reward is automatically added to your account on your birthday and you get your freebie on that date only.

    To redeem your Starbucks birthday freebie, you should scan the member barcode in the Starbucks app or present your Starbucks card in order to get your birthday reward.

    Ok, so that is straight from the Starbucks website.

    In a nutshell, you want to make sure that you have the Starbucks app installed on your phone and be in enrolled in their rewards program at least seven days before your birthday plus make a Starbucks star-earning transaction.

    Now I mentioned above about earning stars through the Starbucks app. It’s really easy to do. Basically you’re going to pay with the app and you can do this one of two ways:

    • Pay with a Starbucks e-gift card on the app or,
    • Sync your debit card or credit card on the app and pay with that

    For the gift card purchases on the app, you earn two stars per one dollar that you pay and for using a synced card, you earn one star per one dollar.

    If you’re not a fan of getting a Starbucks gift card which is how you can earn the most stars, you can simply just sync your debit card and/or credit card to the app and when it’s time to pay, make sure you have the app open on your cell phone and just hand it to the barista so they can scan your synced card through the app so you can pay for your purchase.

    So that’s how you earn your Starbucks birthday reward.

    They made some changes to the Starbucks birthday program.

    Before, as long as you were enrolled in the Starbucks rewards program you could get your birthdate freebie. And then they changed it, which is when I tried to take advantage but failed and they made it that you had to enroll in the rewards program 30 days before your birthday.

    It’s nice that there’s just a seven day enrollment prior to your birthday requirement which makes it more doable for you to claim your free Starbucks.

    How I get free Starbucks all year

    There are other legit ways to get free Starbucks and save money.

    I mentioned above that a Starbucks birthday hack is great for your birthday but that there are other cool ways you can get free Starbucks and I’m going to share those with you.

    The Starbucks hacks are great for getting free Starbucks handcrafted beverages, any Starbucks drink or any Starbucks snack or bakery item or treat. Basically anything that you can buy from Starbucks you can use these hacks for which is pretty cool.

    1. Earn Free Starbucks Gift Cards

    The first way to get free Starbucks drinks is with Starbucks gift cards.

    Check out Swagbucks, which is one of my favorite sites to redeem free Starbucks gift cards up to $100 in value.

    This is one of my favorite Starbucks hacks because it’s super easy to do and doesn’t cost you anything other than some of your time.

    Sign up to get a free Swagbucks account and then you can start earning free Starbucks gift cards just by doing small tasks and things that you would you anyway.

    Some of the things that you can do at Swagbucks to earn free Starbucks gift cards includes sharing your opinion, shopping online, playing video games, listening to music, watching videos and other small tasks.

    Aside from Starbucks gift cards, Swagbucks also offers other free gift cards to your favorite retailers like Amazon and others. You can check them out right here and be on your way to redeeming a free drink at Starbucks with their five dollar sign up bonus!

    Swagbucks is a legit, super well known and popular survey company. They are free to get started with and it takes just a few seconds to sign up. They paid their members out over $300 million! I’ve been a swag bucks Member for years now and I absolutely love the platform. It’s a really cool way to get free gift cards and free stuff.

    Click here to get started with Swagbucks.

    Some other favorites for free gift cards include Survey Junkie and Inbox Dollars.

    2. Join Starbucks Rewards Program for Free Drinks

    free Starbucks Drink

    I mentioned up above about the Starbucks rewards program and how you need to be enrolled in it to claim your Starbucks birthday hack drink.

    Other than the Starbucks birthday program that they offer, you can get free Starbucks by earning stars when you purchase using the app. I went over the two ways that you can purchase and earn stars up above. They are both super easy and you’ll be stacking at stars faster than you know it.

    The last time I visited Starbucks a weeks back, I got three drinks totally for free because I had hundreds of stars on my Starbucks rewards program account!

    How to Join the FREE Starbucks Rewards Program

    You can sign up here to join the Starbucks rewards program for free.

    Once you sign up for registration and complete your profile I recommend that you add your debit card and/or credit card so you have them synced to the app.

    This makes it super easy to pay for all your Starbucks purchases just by showing your card and using it digitally through the app. That means you don’t even need to take your physical cards with you to Starbucks when you pay. As long as you have your cell phone with the app installed, you can flash that to the barista who will charge your card from the app.

    It’s super convenient, it means no more touching the icky, germy card reader and you don’t have to exchange dirty cash either. I mention all the dirt and germs because we are still in the heart of the pandemic and if you can go cashless and go cardless, that’s the best way.

    3. Free Starbucks Drinks thru Rewards and Points

    Another cool way to get free Starbucks gift cards is by earning rewards and points through popular programs from Survey Junkie, American Consumer Opinion and My Points.

    These survey companies are market research companies that collect consumer information to make better products for the public. This might sound all complicated but it’s really simple.

    In a nutshell, they pay you for your time in free Starbucks gift cards.

    You can also earn free gift cards to other places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Sephora and other retailers that you love. Each of the sites is free to join.

    I recommend that you join them all so you can really earn the most free Starbucks drinks or free gift cards from other retailers.

    Can you tell how much my love for Starbucks is shining through here?

    4. Starbucks BOGO Specials | Buy One Get One

    Bogo is buy one get one and these events are plentiful at Starbucks. If you plan on participating in one of Starbucks Bogo events, I recommend you get there early.

    I usually don’t mind waiting but with my eight-year-old in the backseat kicking in screaming, a 45-minute wait for a free Starbucks drink feels way too long.

    And that’s how long I had to wait the last time I got my free drink from Starbucks.

    You can totally avoid the wait if you go during a reasonable time during off peak.

    So I would not go around lunchtime or during the morning rush or in the evening because that’s when most people are going to go. How to get your free Starbucks drink through their BOGO special is to make sure that you have the Starbucks app installed and keep an eye out for notifications of upcoming Bogo events.

    They usually send you a message a day or two before they’re planning on having the Bogo event so you can plan and prepare. Then on the day of Bogo you can set out to your favorite Starbucks location and grab your free Starbucks drink.

    These free Starbucks specials are totally legit and a really fun way to indulge and enjoy your favorite drink for cheap. Some of their specials are buy one get one free while others are buy one get one 50% off and other specials.

    5. Free Starbucks Events

    Keep an eye out for Starbucks events where you can get freebies from your favorite coffee chain.

    For example, at my sisters old workplace they had a Starbucks in the office building. Around the holidays when they were trying to get rid of all of their holiday mugs and holiday coffee, they often ran sales where you could buy one get one free or buy Starbucks stuff for as much is 80 to 90% off!

    Talk about a crazy good deal.

    If you look at my sisters kitchen cabinet now you’ll see that it’s filled with tons of Starbucks cups. And Starbucks cups and Starbucks mugs are super high-quality so if you invest in one you know you’re going to keep it for years.

    Be Good to the Environment and Save on Starbucks

    This last Starbucks hack is something that a lot of people don’t know.

    You can actually save $.10 on your drink if you bring your own cup. This means you can bring your own portable coffee cup to Starbucks or you can buy one of their soft cups then when you order, hand it to your barista who will fill that cup with your drink and you instantly save $.10.

    It’s a cool way to save money and while it’s not a ton of savings, you are saving the environment which is priceless.

    This works for their drip hot coffee.

    When You Get a Free Starbucks Drink You Feel Like You’re Winning

    I hope you enjoyed reading about the Starbucks birthday hack I mentioned as well as other cool ways to earn free Starbucks. For more ways on how to save money and make money, and check out some of my favorite articles below:

    Get Paid to Upload Receipts

    7 Remote Weekend Jobs to Make Money Online

    7 Fun Jobs You Can Do Online

    Read more

  • Saving Money

    Fetch Rewards Review: Get paid to upload receipts

    fetch rewards reviewIn this Fetch Rewards review, you’re going to learn everything about this handy little free app. From how to get paid to upload receipts, earning rewards for referring your friends, and effortlessly saving money with this free app in your back pocket.

    If you’re a saver like me and you’re always on the hunt for new and exciting ways to save, you’re going to love this! There’s definitely more you can do than just coupon!

    You can use Fetch to save money on groceries, everyday purchases, even health/dental-related costs like the cost of prescriptions and more.

    There are plenty of ways to save all around us. It’s difficult to spot all the opportunities but don’t worry, that’s why I’m here! I am obsessed with making money (like these fun online jobs) and saving money.

    On this blog, Millennial Nextdoor, I dedicate it to you! My goal is to help you find all the smart money-making and money-saving strategies to help you reach your financial goals a little bit faster.

    Fetch Rewards can you help you get there! Keep reading and lets get into the review!

    Fetch Rewards Review: What is Fetch Rewards?

    Fetch Rewards is a free money-saving app that rewards you for your everyday shopping. This can be shopping for food, groceries, personal care items like lotion, bath salts, clothing, and a lot more. It’s like getting paid to shop. That might sound so cheesy but that’s really one of the best ways to describe it.

    Once you start using Fetch, you’ll be totally hooked! Just like I was!

    Basically, this is how it works:

    You install Fetch Rewards app on your phone or mobile device (like your tablet) then, you can start taking advantage of all the ways to save.

    One way to save is to get paid to upload receipts. Gran all your receipts. You know, the ones you tend to save unconciously. For me, these receipts live in my car, in the center console, in the sides of my car where I stash water bottles, and they’re also in my wallet and in the bottom of my purse.

    Pull out all those.

    Then, start scanning them for money!

    For eligible purchases, you’ll accumulate points on your Fetch account and you earn/save with Fetch when you accumulate enough points to redeem for rewards. The rewards are awesome and include things like gift cards to Amazon, Dunkin Donuts, Ulta, and other major retailers. You can also get other rewards like your favorite magazine subscriptions, entries to sweepstakes and more.

    Everyone falls in love with a different reward. For me, it’s all about the free gift cards!

    You can also save with Fetch by syncing your purchase email to the app. That email address where you make all your online purchases. Sync it to the app and it will scan your online purchase receipts and automatically apply eligible purchases to your account. Easy!

    Pros and Cons of Fetch Rewards

    Here are some of the pros and cons of using Fetch Rewards…

    Pros: 

    • Free app
    • Get paid to shop
    • Tons of rewards available to suit everybody and what they love

    Cons: 

    • Limited reward options (gift cards, sweepstakes entries, and magazine subscriptions)

    Like with everything, there are advantages and drawbacks. You can see the pros outweigh the cons. The best thing is that the app is free and you can get free money and rewards!

    I still think it’s worth pursuing.

    What is Fetch Rewards?

    fetch rewards review

    The Fetch Rewards app rewards you for shopping.

    You sync your receipts either online or in person (by taking a picture of them) and earn points based on eligible purchases. Then you can redeem those points for rewards!

    How to Get Started with Fetch Rewards?

    There is a super easy four step process to get started with Fetch Rewards:

    • Sign up for free
    • Set up your profile
    • Snap pics of your receipts
    • Get paid!

    Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how it all works…

    Sign Up for Fetch Rewards

    First, you’ll sign up to Fetch Rewards.

    You can join with virtually any device connected to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. It’s totally free to install with no strings attached.

    After joining and installing the app on your device, it’s time to complete the signup process which you’ll do with either Google, Facebook, or Email. This is where you create a login and password so you can access the app by logging in easily in the future.

    Complete Your Profile

    Next, you will complete your profile. You answer a few general, basic questions about things like your birthday, gender, etc.

    Earn Points by Snapping Photos of Your Receipts

    There are many products eligible for points, from ice cream brands, soap companies, name brand cereals, and a lot more.

    Other than earning rewards from your grocery purchases, you can also shop from restuarants, pet stores, convenience stores and gas stations plus other places. Once you have receipt in hand just take a picture of it with the app. You’ll find out right away about eligible purchases and get the points instantly added to your account on Fetch.

    Earn Points and Redeem Rewards

    Once you have points on your account, you can start getting rewards! There are plenty of different kinds of rewards as I mentioned above. My favorite are the gift cards. My favorite gift card vendor is Amazon but you also get gift cards from Ulta, Adidas, Dunkin and other places.

    How to make the most from Fetch Rewards

    There are other ways to earn with Fetch other than syncing your receipts. You can also make money from:

    • Friend referrals
    • Prescriptions

    The refer-a-friend program is golden. You love Fetch. So, share it with friends and family and earn points every time your friends and family join the app. The referral bonuses are literally thousands of points. I saw it hit 7,000 points over the holidays and they are running promo campaigns all the time to give you incentive to share with others.

    Everyone who installs the Fetch app and signs up can participate in the referral program. Don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity. It’s as simple as head to your account, grabbing your referral code and sharing with your network!

    The prescription benefits are under their SingleCare program which lets you save up to 80% on your prescriptions.

    Prescriptions are expensive. As a thirty-something, we head to the pharmacy monthly and almost everyone in my household is on medication or supplements. Those costs do add up. Take advantage of this free way to save on prescriptions. The first time you join SingleCare and complete a transaction, you get 5,000 points! Then 1,000 points every time thereafter!

    All you do is to the Me Tab in Fetch Rewards app and go to SingleCare. Present your digital card to your pharmacist when you’re going through checkout and they’ll check for eligible savings. The SingleCare points are added to your account within 24 hours.

    fetch rewards reviews

    Fetch Rewards App Is It Worth It?

    fetch rewards app

    Totally!

    You can shop almost anywhere and earn points on your everyday purchases.

    Shop from your favorite places like:

    • Target
    • Walmart
    • Publix
    • And, other places

    And, get rewarded for shopping!

    Click here to learn more about Fetch and sign up!

    Read more

  • Saving Money

    10 Cheap Housing Options to Avoid Being Homeless

    You’re going to learn about cheap housing options to keep a roof over your head. I saw this documentary on YouTube the other day and it was so heartbreaking. In the heart of the pandemic, this couple suffered from reduced hours at work, which caused them to fall behind on rent.

    Their landlord was unwillingly to grant them an extension and when they took action and went to court for an extension, unfortunately they lost. So, now they live in their car.

    Luckily it’s just the two of them and they don’t have kids but the documentary told their story, including how trying to find a place to live now is so difficult with an eviction on their record.

    Don’t let this happen to you.

    Things get tough and housing is the most important thing. A roof over your head is SO IMPORTANT. I couldn’t imagine being homeless yet so many people in the U.S. are. Here are some cheap housing options to look into if you’re struggling. These will help you save money avoid being homeless like this couple I watched in the documentary.

    10 Cheap Housing Options to Keep Your Housed

    1. Move in with family

    If you have family that is willing to take you in, live with them. If you can, pay them a small rent, too. This will help things out, trust me. Use the time you stay there to get on your feet.

    2. Move into a storage shed

    Check the rules in your area for this as it may vary from place to place. Get a storage shed and you can get them cheap for around $30 to $80 per month, then move your stuff in and you’ve got a place.

    I have seen so many people do this. They outfit the storage space with a bed, lamps, some furniture, all their stuff and they’re set.

    This can be a short term or long term solution for you. Many people who travel a lot do this to save money on housing. Others who need a super cheap place to stay do this to avoid being homeless.

    3. Rent out your place

    AirBNB out your home. This works if you own or you rent. What you’ll do is rent out the entire home other than one room, which is the room you’ll stay in. Do this everyday and you’ll make enough to pay for your housing payment plus some, most likely.

    4. Stay in your shed

    While AirBNBing your home, if you want to rent the entire place, you can stay in your shed. Add a small bed, your essentials and you’re set. People prefer to stay in an entire place without the owner living there I think, so this will make your AirBNB listing more desirable and help you rent it out more which will make you more money.

    5. Move to a cheap condo

    Opt for buying a condo instead of a house. You may get a smaller space but even with the HOA fees, you’ll pay far less usually WITH the perks of homeownership.

    6. Get roommates

    There are tons of apps out there to match you with roommates. A roommate can literally cut your rent payment in half.

    If you’re paying $1,000 a month, get a roommate who pays 50% and you’re now paying $500 a month.

    Plus, if you go half on utilities, groceries and other bills, you can save even more!

    7. Live in a motel room

    have you seen those motel rooms advertised on the side of the highway on the billboards? They offer a furnished motel rooms for one to $200 per week. This is a cheap housing option you can take it vantage of you want to save money on rent.

    8. Live in a van

    Then living is something more and more people are adopting. You buy everything and then outfit it full-time and you just found yourself a cheap form of housing. This may require some investment up front if you want to install a refrigerator and other appliances including a bed.

    But there are cheap ways of getting around this deal. If this sounds interesting to you, how to YouTube and check out the van life Youtubers. There are a ton of channels in this niche that you can learn French so you can start your van life journey.

    9. Live in an RV

    This works well if you do your work online. Michelle from Making Sense of Cents did this traveling around in her RV while logging in making full-time living. You could choose to include or not include the travel part but RV living is being adopted by today and it’s a form of housing you can take advantage of.

    10. Live in a tiny home

    Tiny homes take less space and require less energy to power them. So if you live in a tiny home you could save money big-time on everything from the housing payment to the cost of the utilities and much more. Check with the tiny home builders in your area and see what options are available to you..

    Read more

  • Saving Money

    When You Desperately Need Money | Best Cashback Apps 2021

    You desperately need money! Don’t worry, you aren’t alone.

    Desperately need money

    If you’re like me you’re always downloading new apps to your cell phone.

    For me the apps that I install are usually entertainment-related like games or social media apps but why not start using apps that can actually make you money? Psstt…you can! I will show you how with these best cashback apps to save money (keep reading).

    Whether you do your shopping online or in person in stores, there are plenty of different ways to take advantage of money saving apps. Did you know that there are actually apps to help you earn free cash back and rewards can help you save money?

    One thing I totally love about cash back apps is that many of them let you use your coupons and still get cash back. That’s like getting a double reward.

    And, one of my favorite ways to use cash back rewards is to bundle it with cash back savings from other sources like your credit cards.

    For example, one of my cards gives me rewards every time I use it so I can bundle that with a cash back app to earn even more rewards and cash.

    Not to mention many cash back apps InboxDollars or Swagbucks will actually give you a sign up bonus for joining. It’s not a huge amount, usually $5 or $10 but, bring money is free money, right?

    With all the different cash back apps that exist I have put together a roundup of  my favorite cash back apps to save money at least two savior up to $1,200 a year without making any big changes to the way you shop.

    Before we dive in, don’t forget to bookmark this post so you can come back to it later let’s get started.

    Desperately Need Money? Best Cashback Apps for Instant Savings

    1. Rakuten

    best cashback apps for saving money 2020

    Rakuten, formerly Ebates Is probably the top cashback app that I used. It’s free to join and if you join using my link you will get a $10 sign up bonus totally free. 

    They offer a couple different ways for you to get cash back.

    First, you can use the browser extension. You simply install the browser extension for free and it will activate any time you land on one of their partner websites. They partner with thousands of stores and retailers including Old Navy and Best Buy and other stores that you probably shop and have heard of. 

    Head to one of Rakuten’s partner sites the extension activates and all you have to do is accept the cashback offer to accept the savings and it will be applied to your Rakuten account as soon as you check out.

    The other way you can get cash back is by shopping on their portal. You just log in to their site then, find a retailer in their portal which will take you to the retail website and shop as normal.
    After you finish out you’ll have your cash back by to your Rakuten account.

    Get your free $10 bonus and join Rakuten today.

    2. Swagbucks

    best cashback apps for saving money 2020

    Grab a free $5 bonus when you join Swagbucks. This popular cashback app gives you a ton of different ways to make money easily from your cell phone or computer.

    You can do things like:

    • Watch videos
    • Shop online
    • Discuss stuff on the internet
    • Play games
    • Take surveys
    • And, more!

    You will never get bored with Swagbucks.

    If you are looking for some ways to earn a little extra cash, this is the site for you. They are top rated, with a nearly perfect rating on Trustpilot. They’ve paid out over $400 million dollars to their members.

    Swagbucks is free to join and if you refer your friends and family, you can earn some extra cash as a referral bonus.

    Head to Swagbucks to sign up and claim your free $5 for joining.

    3. Checkout 51

    best cashback apps for saving money 2020

    Get your $5 bonus for creating a free account with Checkout 51. This is a cashback app that you need for your grocery shopping. It’s a must have to have installed on your smartphone. If you’re not using Checkout 51 now, you are really leaving money on the table.

    This is the best cashback app to save money on groceries. They offer a ton of cashback offers on the app available for you to claim, including getting free cash rebates on your grocery trip.

    Grab cashback on popular grocery items like produce (fruits and veggies), pantry items (like soups and cereals), personal care items like shampoo and soap, dairy (milk, eggs, butter, etc.), snacks, frozen foods, and more.

    Don’t worry, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get rewards with Checkout 51.

    This app is perfect for everyone.

    You don’t need to have a smartphone to download Checkout 51, you can  simple create a free account on your computer and start earning your cashback and money-saving offers.

    They are constantly refreshing their offers and now, they even offer savings on gas!

    To get started, click here to grab your $5 bonus for joining Checkout 51.

    4. Ibotta

    best cashback apps for saving money 2020

    Ibotta is another favorite of mine for getting cashback on grocery shopping. When you desperately need money for groceries, this is THE app to use.

    Can you tell it’s one of my favorite grocery apps?

    They’ve paid out over $600 million dollars to their 35+ million members. This top cashback apps is one that I’m super excited to share with you.

    Ibotta gives you many ways to get free cashback. They can even score you cashback on everyday shopping items, like clothes, party purchases, and more. It really is like getting paid to shop.

    How it works?

    Join Ibotta for free. Then, take advantage of their multiple ways to get free cashback. They work with top brands like Walmart and Target to get the best cashback savings for their members.

    It is super easy to start generating savings from your weekly or monthly grocery trips. Your cashback is credited to your Ibotta account and then you can redeem it.

    They even offer an incentive for referring your friends. Perfect when you desperately need money.

    As a top way to save on groceries, you have got to join Ibotta.

    Click here to join Ibotta and start saving.

    Final Thoughts on The Best Cashback Apps to Save Money

    I think a lot of us have been there. You desperately need money. You’re looking at your empty bank account. Wondering what to do.

    There are plenty of opportunities to save money all around us. I hope you enjoyed my favorites here, the best cashback apps to save money!

    Take advantage of the apps I mentioned above for a chance to score free cash for things you’re doing anyway. If you have any questions, comment down below!

    Recommended Resources to Increase Your Income and Save Money When You Desperately Need Money

    Along with the best cashback apps to save money, these are some of my very favorite resources I personally recommend to strengthen your financial picture, help you save and make more money. Enjoy!

    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.

    Respondent

    If you’re in a pickle and desperately need money, this is perfect when you’re 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.

    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.

    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.

    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.
    Desperately need money? Best Cashback Apps to Save Money    Best Cashback Apps to Save Money

    Read more

  • Saving Money

    5 Things This Millennial Did to Pay Off Her Car in 6 Months

    Wondering how you can pay off your car loan early? Check out how this millennial did it in under half a year! | 5 Things This Millennial Did to Pay Off Her Car in 6 MonthsIf you’re thinking about paying off your car early, you aren’t the only one.

    And, it’s a great idea! A car payment is one of the biggest monthly expenses you’ll have.

    It’s a great idea to work toward paying it off early so you can free up that income to save it, invest it, put toward another expense or purchase, etc.

    So, how can you pay off your car early? How did this millennial pay off her car in 6 months?

    Keep reading to find out!

    How to Pay Off Your Car in 6 Months

    This millennial owned a 4-year old SUV and had a car loan.

    She was determined to pay it off and put together a plan to achieve that goal, which she did in under 3 months, eek!

    Now, can YOU do this?

    Yes!

    You definitely can, but if it takes you longer, that’s totally cool too. Create a plan that fits your lifestyle best. Would it be worth it to live off ramen noodles for a year just to pay off your car early? For some yes, for some no. So, keep yourself in mind, don’t push yourself too hard and above all, keep your eye on the prize. Check out these 5 things this millennial did to pay off her car in 6 months…

    1. She Made a Plan

    This might sound so gimmicky but you gotta start with a plan. This is so simple. You don’t need to type it out or create a fancy report, though you could if you wanted. Just put your ideas on paper, in your planner, cell phone, on a piece of printer paper, etc.

    Write down…

    • Your goal
    • Your plan
    • How you’ll execute
    • How you will hold yourself accountable and track your results

    For me it was about checking in every month to see how much closer I was to my goal. I did this by checking my balance online and reviewing my budget to make sure I wasn’t financially or emotionally suffering in other areas of my life, to reach this goal. And, I wasn’t so I kept trucking forward.

    2. She Made Extra Money

    This is not a must but it definitely helps. Take up a side hustle. Use that extra money toward making a larger car payment to pay off your car loan faster. Here are some ideas:

    • Make $200/month taking online surveys (this one is a favorite)
    • Try Online Panels which pay $40 to $400+ each all online
    • Start an e-commerce store to make an extra $500/month with Shopify (I’ve done this over and over again with ease)
    • Make $250/month helping out neighbors (doing things like dog walking, babysitting, landscaping, washing cars, etc.)
    • Take up an online job (like copywriting, editing, graphic design, etc.)

    There are a ton of ideas. Check out these 8 online jobs for college students. Psst…they’re great even if you’re not in college!

    3. She Saved Like a Crazy Person

    Up your savings game to put that money toward your car loan debt.

    Ideas:

    • Try grocery pickup (this one WORKS!)
    • Carpool
    • Use one car instead of two for your family
    • Move to a cheaper area
    • Set a family budget
    • Cut out Starbucks and fast food
    • Try gas-saving apps like Gas Buddy
    • Use coupon/deal sites like Rakuten which gives you deals (for free) on your online shopping

    4. She Made Lifestyle Changes

    Here are some examples:

    • Cutting out fast food
    • Eliminating pricey memberships (like gym, subscription boxes, etc.)
    • Cutting back on expensive entertainment
    • No vacation this year
    • Lowering grocery bill by using cash-saving grocery apps (like Ibotta)

    5. She Reduced Expenses

    Like #4, reducing expenses is a big part of lifestyle change. Try using cashback sites to get a little money back off your purchases.

    You can also do things like reduce your spending, join a personal finance app like Mint to track how you spend money, cook at home, and other habits to lower your everyday expenses.

    Recommended Reading

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    How to pay off your car loan early doing these 5 things! 5 Things This Millennial Did to Pay Off Her Car in 6 Months

    5 Things This Millennial Did to Pay Off Her Car in 6 Months

    Read more