If you walked into the East Stroudsburg Wal-Mart, you were likely to see Danny Ockenhouse smiling as he greeted you to the store. Confined to a motorized wheelchair, it didn’t stop him from directing shoppers to product areas or checking receipts of those leaving.But not anymore. After almost 21 years of employment, Ockenhouse is gone.The store eliminated his job in what appears to be a chainwide mandate that replaces greeters with hosts who have different [...]
Source Business - poconorecord.com http://ift.tt/29o4b2x
الجمعة، 8 يوليو 2016
This Company Makes It Easy for Military Spouses to Work from Home
“Being an Army brat and now an Army wife, everywhere is home!” says Jocelyn Velazquez.
Daughter of a 20-year Army vet, wife to a 13-year Army NCO and former Ranger instructor, and mother of four — with a fifth on the way — Velazquez is no stranger to the rootless existence of a military family.
Though she considers Indiana home, she’s lived with her family in Fountain, Colorado, for the past two years. Before that, they were in Dahlonega, Georgia, and prior to that, she and her husband met in Colorado.
Few of us will be surprised to read this experience; we’ve heard it many times from military families. What we civilians may not consider, though, is one major side effect of the lifestyle: military spouse unemployment.
Imagine trying to hold a decent job — let alone build a career — when you move to a new city almost every two to three years.
And you’re raising your kids alone while your spouse is deployed.
And your resume shows inevitable job-hopping, and you have to admit to a potential employer you might not stick around…
Unemployment among military spouses is historically two or three times higher than the national average. And when they’re employed, the barriers to career advancement mean military spouses earn much less than other civilians.
Thankfully, Velazquez found a unique opportunity for mobile income.
How R. Riveter Provides Portable Careers for Military Spouses
Velazquez has been a contractor with high-end handbag maker R. Riveter since January 2014.
Military spouses Lisa Bradley and Cameron Cruse launched R. Riveter from a Georgia attic in 2011. In September 2014, they ran a Kickstarter campaign and raised more than $42,000 — beating their $35,000 goal — for better equipment and a larger space to meet the growing demand for their products.
The company’s mission and concept are as elegantly simple as its handbags: Riveters around the country handmake pieces of the bags from recycled military materials and leather, then ship them to a central location for assembly and sale.
Remote Riveter employees can sign up for hands-on leather work, basic sewing or industrial sewing, depending on their skills and interest.
Velazquez cuts leather, which she says consists of “a lot of stamping.” She also recently started cutting canvas, which makes up the bulk of some bags.
It’s been a learning experience, she says. “The number of skills I acquire with this position are unmeasurable.”
What It’s Like to Be a Riveter
Pay for R. Riveter’s contractors is per part and varies depending on the specific part, so Velazquez can earn as much or little as she wants based on how much work she puts in.
She also has the flexibility to take the job wherever her husband’s position takes their family.
“I am able to take my work with me anywhere we move,” she said. “I also do not have the worries of losing a job because we are being stationed somewhere else.”
Plus she gets the benefit of raising her kids without sacrificing income.
“Being able to work from home also allows me to be a stay-at-home mom and experience my children grow into the little monsters they are!”
The company helps Velazquez and Riveters like her set up a portable work-at-home business with almost no barrier to entry.
How to Become a Riveter
R. Riveter sends contractors the materials they need to create pieces.
Depending on your existing setup, you may want to purchase some tools to get started. But if you already have a sewing machine, you may be all set!
Velazquez has purchased new tools to make her job easier, but she says it wasn’t required.
Once you’re up and running, the company offers consistent work. You’ll receive materials and sell back pieces as fast as you can produce them — a huge benefit over other common contract work.
The other major benefit is being part of a network of military spouses, says Velazquez.
“We take pride in what we are working for and the message we are trying to spread,” she explains. “We empower each other, we are… a large, widely spread, empowering family.”
The company promotes this sense of community and pride at every step.
Regardless of where they are in the country, Riveters feel a connection to those doing the same work. If there’s any drawback, Velazquez says, it’s “not seeing the wonderful ladies I work with everyday.”
Every piece of every R. Riveter bag comes with the stamp of the contractor who created it, and customers can meet the Riveters on the company’s website. It even includes their locations, so you can see where in the country each piece of a bag comes from!
The company also supports military members and spouses by partnering with like-minded non-profit, veteran-owned and military spouse founded organizations.
The Shark Tank Effect
“R. Riveter products represent the humble and courageous spirit of the military spouses we currently empower, and hope to employ with The Sharks,” Cruse told ABC when the company appeared on a military-themed episode of “Shark Tank” earlier this year.
From their appearance on the show, Cruse and Bradley struck a deal with investor Mark Cuban for $100,000.
In less than six months since bringing Cuban on board, the company has more than doubled the size of its operation. From 13 Riveters in January 2016, the company grew to 31 by June.
They updated their flagship store in Southern Pines, North Carolina, and expanded production to keep up with “the Shark Tank Effect” — the wave of business that rolls in after a company appears on the popular show.
How to Become a Riveter
The company is growing, and its mission is to provide as many military spouses as possible with mobile income.
So they’re always accepting applications!
If you want to become a Riveter, fill out the application here. Just be patient while you wait for a response.
Since the “Shark Tank” appearance, the company has received more than 1,000 applications for remote Riveters, and they’re reading each carefully…
If you’re in the area, they’re also hiring for on-site positions at their Southern Pines FabShop.
Your Turn: Are you a military spouse? How has military life affected your career?
Dana Sitar (@danasitar) is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder. She’s written for Huffington Post, Entrepreneur.com, Writer’s Digest and more, attempting humor wherever it’s allowed (and sometimes where it’s not).
The post This Company Makes It Easy for Military Spouses to Work from Home appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.
source The Penny Hoarder http://ift.tt/29wr46l
Should you be worried about peer to peer lending?
Peer-to-peer lender Funding Knight has been rescued by investment firm GLI Finance, potentially rescuing 900 investors who are at risk of not getting their money back after the company entered administration last month.
Source Moneywise http://ift.tt/29uqLKb
Love Social Media? Want to Work From Home? You Should Apply for This Job
Customer service jobs don’t generally come very highly rated.
From making four-adjective lattes to dealing with disgruntled parents who’d rather be anywhere than shlepping their kids through the mall, the broad umbrella of customer service includes a lot of less-than-pleasant stuff.
But if you have some customer service experience and tech know-how — and if you love tech and social media — we may have just found your dream job.
Social media managing platform startup Edgar is hiring a customer service professional.
Oh, yeah — and you get to work from home.
Interested yet?
Meet Edgar
If you’ve always wanted to experience the startup office culture — sans office — now might be your chance.
Edgar helps bloggers and other web producers schedule social media updates and market their content ahead of time, so they can have a life away from their screens.
This bootstrapped and profitable company has been around since 2014, and it’s grown consistently each month since. That means it can turn down venture capital investors and continue to do things its own way — and also that you don’t have to worry about the safety of your new position.
And looking at the listing and other recruiting materials, I have to say the company culture sounds awesome. Edgar values independence, flexibility and autonomy, and all its employees work from home — and meet up twice a year for karaoke-filled company retreats.
“Outside working hours, my life is completely my own,” says one happy Edgar employee in the company’s video.
Sound good? Let’s get you that job, then.
Ready to Upgrade Your Customer Service Job?
As a customer service professional with Edgar, you’ll spend your time helping answer customers’ questions and troubleshooting their technical difficulties, as well as performing what the listing promises is only “a wee bit of salesy stuff.”
You can live anywhere in the continental U.S., and you’ll work full time, 40 hours a week, from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. or 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. EST. (Hey, those times align pretty darn perfectly with a school day, don’t they?)
As far as required skills, Edgar’s looking for someone whose “greatest talent in life is putting people at ease making people feel heard. (Or juggling chainsaws, because that’d be SO COOL.)”
So you’ll need to be “motivated, proactive” and “want to make lots of people super happy!”
You should have some verifiable customer service experience — but since that’s such a broad-reaching skillset, you almost definitely do. You’ll get bonus points if you’ve worked in technical customer service before, however.
You should also be “sweatpants-level” comfortable with social media and “totally into technology.”
And there’s no mention of needing a bachelor’s degree.
The perks sound pretty baller, too: a 401(k) plan with matching options, health care, twice-yearly company retreats, parental leave “for your never-sleeping-again needs” and other “perktastic perks” like housecleaning and home office upgrades.
Sounds super awesome, right? I know I’m tempted, and I love my job.
If you’re ready to apply, head on over to the listing and fill out your information. Note that you’ll be asked to link to an online resume that’s not a LinkedIn page, so set that up if you haven’t already.
Then, cross your fingers. And if you get the job, let us know — and send us video of you embarrassing yourself on karaoke night.
Your Turn: Will you apply for this awesome remote position with a tech startup?
Jamie Cattanach is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder. Her writing has also been featured at Word Riot, DMQ Review, Hinchas de Poesia and elsewhere. Find @JamieCattanach on Twitter to wave hello.
The post Love Social Media? Want to Work From Home? You Should Apply for This Job appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.
source The Penny Hoarder http://ift.tt/29sEQ9G
How to Reach Baby Boomers, Gen-Xers and Millennials with Your Online Marketing
There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach to marketing.
This is especially true when it comes to marketing to different age groups.
When dealing with different age groups, genders, income levels, etc., you need to be flexible and understand the psychology and habits of each customer base.
Easier said than done.
This is where customer segmentation comes in. Customer segmentation is the practice of dividing your audience into different types of people.
There are all kinds of ways to segment your customers. Some businesses choose to segment by value, frequency of purchase/visit, product interest, acquisition channel, etc.
Without segmentation, I don’t think I would have gone very far in business. Using the power of segmentation in my email marketing, content creation, and analytics has allowed me to give the best value to my customers.
Segmentation is especially important in reaching different generations of customers.
When it comes to age groups, there are three primary generations you may need to reach at any given time.
- Baby boomers – born between 1946 and 1964
- Generation X – born between 1965 and 1980
- Millennials – born between 1981 and 2000
I’ve seen a lot of marketers make mistakes when it comes to segmenting by generation.
- The biggest mistake is thinking that members of a particular generation are all the same—they buy in the same way, respond in the same way, and can be reached in the same way. That’s simply not the case.
- The other mistake is assuming that every generation can be reached in pretty much the same way. Again, that’s not true. There is enough difference between generations to make us realize that our marketing should differ when attempting to reach different generations.
That’s why I wrote this article. I want to dispel some myths around marketing to different generations.
First, I’m going to explain each generation—the facts and figures. Then, I’ll provide a quick list of the best marketing methods for reaching that generation.
How can you use this article?
- If you’re selling to all three generations, segment your marketing by generation. Use the marketing techniques most likely to appeal to that specific generation.
- If you’re selling to just one generation, tailor your marketing around the techniques that will effectively reach that generation.
Ready for action? Here we go.
Baby boomers
A little over 76 million Americans fall into this age group. Baby boomers were born between 1946 and 1964. The “boom” refers to the way the population spiked around this time—post World War II.
Of the three generations, Baby Boomers tend to have the most disposable income and account for nearly half of all retail sales.
This generation is still growing as many boomers enter retirement and live longer lives due to improved healthcare.
If you’re a young person, you may think of the Baby Boomer generation as “old-fashioned” or not tech savvy.
And you’d be wrong.
Digital marketing—even the most advanced methods—works for baby boomers!
In fact, 85 percent of baby boomers consistently spend time browsing and shopping online, and “66 percent of people over 50 in the U.S. routinely make purchases from online retailers.”
Fewer baby boomers than Millennials own a smartphone, but still a 43 percent ownership rate is quite high!
When it comes to tech spending, boomers are the most liberal. They “spend more money on technology than any other age group.”
Nearly half the Internet population is comprised of people aged 45 and up.
And if you want to talk about social media, this age group has got it covered! (Especially Facebook.)
However, reaching this demographic requires a different approach from the approach you’d use trying to reach someone in their 20s or 30s.
For instance, a mobile marketing campaign is likely to yield only marginal results. Although 28.3 million baby boomers use smartphones, I still wouldn’t recommend it as a viable strategy simply because most view smartphones as more of a communication device rather than a tool for shopping.
MarketingSherpa’s research indicates that baby boomers are the least likely to use a smartphone to make a purchase.
You may also think that social media wouldn’t be a viable medium for reaching this generation.
However, baby boomers account for more than a fifth of all social media users. It’s just that they primarily stick to traditional networks such as Facebook.
So using something like Instagram or Snapchat marketing probably wouldn’t be as effective.
I also found it interesting that baby boomers spend more time consuming content than any other generation. In fact, roughly 25 percent spend 20+ hours each week consuming content.
What’s the best way to beach baby boomers?
- Facebook. The majority of baby boomers have a Facebook account. Targeted ads and relevant content will catch their attention.
- Slower paced videos. GIF-style videos, live videos, or videos backed by high-intensity music don’t hold as much appeal for them. Use videos to pack in a lot of information, and don’t be afraid of using longer videos.
- Content marketing. Baby boomers consume a lot of content, so content marketing will be effective. Be willing to invest liberally in content marketing of all varieties—it’ll bring the biggest ROI.
- Blogging. Blogging is a method of content marketing, of course, and it’s one of the most effective.
- Email. An active email marketing campaign is always important and will be effective in marketing to this demographic.
- Direct mail. Baby boomers are more likely to respond to direct mail campaigns than any other generation. If you are reaching this demographic, don’t be afraid to give it a try.
- Coupon marketing. Many baby boomers have been brought up in environments where saving money was important. A smart and targeted coupon marketing approach will be effective in reaching this generation.
Generation X
This is the generation that’s most overlooked. For some reason, it seems that Millennials get the majority of the attention these days.
The Open Forum calls Gen X “the forgotten generation.”
AdWeek also recognizes that they’ve been “largely overlooked.”
But unless you’re exclusively marketing to people under 40, you’ll want to gain a better understanding of this generation.
Even though they account for only 25 percent of the population, they have high spending power. Right now, they’re earning more money than any other generation. They are certainly willing to spend that money.
As they age and progress in their careers, their spending power will increase.
According to American Express, Gen-Xers claim “29 percent of estimated net worth dollars and 31 percent of total income dollars.”
Most tend to be financially stable and have a penchant for saving. Many remain traditional in the way they respond to advertising and marketing.
Among them, 43.3 million use social media, 38.2 million are on Facebook, and 37.3 million have smartphones.
And when it comes to shopping online? This generation is definitely all in!
Generation X is considerably more tech-savvy than baby boomers but not nearly as tech-savvy as Millennials.
What’s the best way to reach Gen-Xers?
- Digital video. 78.7 percent of Gen-Xers download or stream video online at least once per month. Video holds appeal across generations, but Generation X seems particularly attached to it.
- Facebook. It’s safe to say that this generation is firmly in the camp of active Facebook users.
- Twitter. 8.5 million use it regularly. Don’t give up on finding these people on Twitter.
- Blogging. Content of value will help you reap rewards when it comes to this demographic. Keep a laser focus on their pain points and aspirations, and deliver with your content.
- Educational content. Gen X is recognized as an educated generation with higher high school graduation rates than previous generations. Over 10 percent of this generation are actively pursuing continuing education.
- Email. Mobile and desktop email alike will continue to appeal to this generation.
Millennials
This is my generation and the age group that many marketers try tirelessly to appeal to. And with good reason. They’re growing!
We’re the only generation who will understand terms such as “twerking,” “on fleek,” “turnt,” and, of course, “bae.”
Unlike baby boomers and Gen-Xers who haven’t always been exposed to computers, Millennials grew up with technology and have never known a world without them.
Some can’t even remember a pre-Internet world.
As a result, this demographic is incredibly tech-savvy.
Ninety-one percent are regular Internet users, and the average person of this generation spends 25 hours online per week.
When it comes to smartphones, they aren’t just seen as a way to communicate. They’re a way of life.
This age group is also likely to be active on a variety of social networks beyond just Facebook and Twitter. For many, social media is a primary means of communication.
Social media is the vehicle for peer influence: “68 percent are influenced by their friends’ social media posts when making a buying decision.”
Unlike older generations who often have a lesser understanding of pop culture, many Millennials have an appreciation for memes and Internet humor.
They simply get things that baby boomers don’t.
In other words, they’re “hip” and “with it” or whatever the kids are saying these days.
If you’re looking to reach this age group, it’s imperative to have a strong online presence. It’s wise to put plenty of effort into online branding and take reputation management seriously.
Mobile marketing and social media are your best avenues, and “Millennials are 247 percent more likely to be influenced by blogs or social networking sites.”
Text/IM/SMS? It’s a thing, especially among this generation.
Mobile and portability are key. Millennials are more likely to incorporate wearables into their everyday lives, not giving it a second thought.
Many Millennials are also eager to embrace the life of a digital nomad, exercising their mobility to its fullest extent.
Because this generation has arguably the shortest attention span of the three, it’s important to get to the point with your content and use plenty of visuals.
If you need to deliver long-winded information with a lot of stats, keep in mind Millennials often respond favorably to infographics.
What’s the best way to reach Millennials?
- Mobile marketing. Everything is about mobile. If your marketing isn’t mobile-first, it’s ineffective with or invisible to this generation.
- Social media. Go deeper than just Facebook and Twitter. Find the niche networks where your target audience hangs out.
- User-generated content is big. Millennials aren’t just content consumers; they are content creators.
- SMS marketing. Because mobile.
- Influencer marketing. Whether it’s a social media friend or a well-known influencer within a niche, Millennials respond to peer recommendations.
- Video. The on-demand video revolution is changing the style and consumption of video marketing. The authenticity and real-time nature of Periscope, Snapchat, and other video platforms appeal to Millennials.
Conclusion
In order to cast the widest net and reach the largest percentage of your customer base, it’s essential to tailor your marketing campaign to individual age demographics.
You won’t succeed by trying to appeal to everyone. You succeed by appealing to the right people in the right way.
By understanding the different mindsets and tendencies of different generations, you can make your marketing efforts go farther and build relationships with people of all ages.
Are there any specific techniques you’ve found to be effective for reaching a targeted age group?
Source Quick Sprout http://ift.tt/29n6WjY
Banks demanded to explain overdraft fees by Treasury Committee
Andrew Tyrie MP, chairman of the Treasury Committee, has demanded 13 banks explain their overdraft fees, amid concerns consumers are being let down by a lack of effective competition in the sector.
Source Moneywise http://ift.tt/29UXJkj
Does This Purchase Make My Life Better?
If you want one powerful burning question to cut through your financial situation like a hot knife through butter, this is the one.
Does this purchase make my life better?
In other words, if you were to exchange an amount of money equal to the price of that item, does your life end up better than if you kept that money in your pocket?
It’s a question I use all the time when it comes to the non-essential purchases in my life, things from meals eaten at restaurants, gadgets, beverages, entertainment items, and so on, and using that question seriously is a valuable part of my financial arsenal.
I find this question valuable because it helps you to quickly separate needs, important wants, and trivial or momentary wants. Needs almost make the question seem silly. Important wants make the question seem worthwhile but you begin to see how this item actually is important to you. Trivial wants – which is what most wants really are – begin to look terrible.
For example, “short term” expendituress look terrible. Things that provide a quick burst of pleasure and then are quickly forgotten, like a latte at the coffee shop or a massage or a movie at the theatre end up completely missing the boat when it comes to whether it makes your life better.
“Competitive” purchases look terrible, too. When you buy something solely to “keep up with the Joneses,” it doesn’t benefit your life at all. It just makes your life have a visual appearance of being more comparable to your neighbor, which brings essentially no life value to the table.
Purchases of things you could have borrowed look terrible. While the item itself might actually benefit your life in some real way, the fact that you didn’t borrow it means that you threw money out the window, which is a negative against your life almost any way you slice it.
Unnecessary items that you didn’t shop for patiently look terrible. As with the example above, if you’re buying something that you didn’t strictly need right now and then discover it for a lower price in the near future, it’s a big negative because of the money you lost. (Over a longer period, that matters less because you paid more for the time you got to use it.)
So what looks good in this light?
Things that you actually need look quite good in this light. Basic food staples, basic household staples, maintenance on the things you rely on every day – those things look absolutely amazing in this context. Those are the things you actually need each day, so when you think of a day without them, it becomes really clear how important they are.
Quality, reliable versions of things that you use a lot also tend to look really good. This doesn’t mean expensive versions, but well-researched versions that are actually high-performance “bang-for-the-buck” versions, like a Victorinox chef’s knife and paring knife if you cook a lot. Anything that you use frequently that registers as a “best buy” in Consumer Reports or another highly respected magazine (like Cooks Illustrated) that is used to actually fulfill a need (like cooking at home) usually qualifies here.
Self-improvement usually registers well provided you follow through with it. Items that provide genuine lasting improvement to your career or your life are almost always cost-effective, but you have to follow through with the purchase. All of the books and exercise gear in the world is worthless if you don’t use it to improve your career outcomes or your physical health.
If you’re going to buy a self-improvement item, buy the least expensive version, the “trial” version, and use that first. For example, a gym membership is a great expense if you use it several times a week, but it’s a terrible expense if you don’t use it. So, one approach you can take is to ask about a short term gym membership and ask whether or not you can use that as a discount toward a longer membership if you find yourself sticking with it over a few months. Don’t buy the expensive long term membership before you’re sure that you’re going to stick with it or else that smart purchase becomes a terrible one.
Time savers can be a good expense provided that you use the time well. For example, if you hire someone to take on some household chores for you, that can actually be a beneficial use of your money provided that you do something with that time that returns a benefit to you that’s greater than the expense.
Even things that you want can end up being good expenses here, provided they’re well-considered and you’ve made the effort to find the best value for your dollar on that item. If you spend some time really figuring out whether this item would give you a net benefit in your life compared to the cost (which you can do during downtime, such as during a car trip) and then spend some time researching it and finding the best bargain (which directly pays you back for the time invested), a “want” can often be a worthwhile purchase.
Here are a few more things to keep in mind.
First of all, the “opportunity cost” of the money you spend is really important. Whenever you spend a dollar, you’re actually losing all of the other things you could have potentially done with that dollar. If you spend $15 on a book, that’s $15 you could have spent elsewhere or saved for the future.
In other words, it’s really worth your while to maximize the value you get from every dollar you spend, both through bargain hunting and through thinking through that purchase. Does that purchase you’re considering really make your life better? Or is it just something you want in the moment, something that actually has a heavy opportunity cost?
Second, it is really easy to convince yourself that something will make your life better in the moment, so you’re usually well advised to think about small and common purchases in advance.
Let me give you a clear example. When Sarah and I lived in this little apartment right after college, it was placed right next to a convenience store. It was literally less than 100 steps from the front door of our apartment to this convenience store.
Because it was so convenient, I used to go there all the time to buy beverages and other odds and ends. It became a crutch of sorts; I’d walk over there after work and buy a beverage, or I’d go there when I had the munchies.
The convenience of the store meant that I never really thought about it too much, and it was all for small purchases anyway. I never really thought of it as a big deal until one day when we were just beginning our financial turnaround and I started to look at the sheer number of transactions that took place at that grocery store.
Every single one was a small transaction, for a bottle of Gatorade or a roll of paper towels or a chocolate bar or something similar. Yet, each one was an overpriced transaction and most of them were utterly unnecessary. Those purchases most decidedly did not make my life better. Not only were they non-essential and completely forgettable, they were much more expensive than if I had made the same purchase at a grocery store.
I would not have reached this realization during my convenience store visits. It wasn’t until I really thought about those purchases elsewhere that I came to the realization that it was very wasteful.
So, spend some time when you’re not close to your purchases thinking about whether those purchases really make your life better. You’ll often find that your perspective on whether things improve your life is very different when you’re not caught up in the moment.
Finally, recognize that saving money for the future makes your life better and is a level of quality that other purchases should overcome. Taking that $20 and putting it in your savings account makes your life better than before. It reduces the stress of an emergency. It makes retirement easier.
This should be your baseline to compare purchases to, the improvement that your life undergoes when saving money. Does spending that money cause a bigger improvement in your life than that? If not, you should think very carefully before spending.
Make this question a repeating theme in your head.
Does this purchase make my life better?
Does this purchase make my life better?
Does this purchase make my life better?
You’ll find that the more naturally that question comes to the surface and the more accurate your answers become, the better your life becomes because the average quality of your money use is going to go up.
Good luck!
The post Does This Purchase Make My Life Better? appeared first on The Simple Dollar.
Source The Simple Dollar The Simple Dollar http://ift.tt/29UMA2Y
How I Finally Started Investing in My Future With Just $5 and My Smartphone
So, I have a confession.
Although I work for a personal finance blog, I know absolutely nothing about investing.
OK, correction — almost nothing. The only thing I DO know is I should definitely be doing it.
Investing is the very best way to save money. You just add time and magically, your money multiplies. That’s why they call it “making your money work for you.” You can earn cash by just kicking up your feet and waiting.
But since time is the only fertilizer your money-seeds need to grow more of themselves, it’s imperative you start investing early.
For instance, if you’re 21, you can retire comfortably at 65 if you invest just $25 per week. It’s as simple as knocking the money you spend on your morning latte into your Roth IRA instead.
But even 10 years later, it’s significantly more difficult to get ahead of the curve — your $25 per week is closer to $50.
And if you let it go too long, you may find yourself halfway through your career with absolutely nothing saved for retirement. It’s (unfortunately) far from unheard of: Almost half of American working-age households have zero retirement savings.
But luckily, it doesn’t have to be that way.
Why You Need to Start Investing
Even if you have your retirement plans situated, investing can help you meet your savings goal for another big, long-term project, like buying a home or taking a travel sabbatical from work.
But if you’re like me, you have no idea where to start, and it can be intimidating.
I mean, I couldn’t have told you the difference between a Roth IRA and a 401(k) two months ago, and I still only have a vague, eighth-grade knowledge of “the stock market.”
Luckily, I found an easy, automatic way to start investing before I lose any more time.
Confession number two: I spend way too much time on my cell phone.
Whatever, I get to embody some of the millennial stereotypes if everyone’s going to make fun of me for them anyway.
So when I came across an app to help me get started investing — right now — I decided to give it a try.
Stash Makes Investing Simple — and Fun
Stash is an app available for both Android and Apple devices, and it makes it super simple to (finally) take the dive into investing, even if you don’t have a whole lot of cash to spare.
You can start investing with as little as $5.
And what’s more, you can have as little knowledge as you do spare change.
Stash spells everything out in terms you can understand, so you’ll be able to invest your money how you want, without re-enrolling in Economics 101.
In fact, thanks to Stash, I finally understand exactly what an ETF is. Here’s a sample of its crystal clear explanation:
“Most people start Stash with small amounts of money. We like it that way, because it’s affordable, and less intimidating. But if you’ve only got $100, it’s risky to buy one share of a stock — that’s putting all your eggs in one basket. It’s better to spread investments around. Unfortunately, buying stock in 50 different companies at around $100 per share will run you $5,000. Yikes! Instead, you can invest in a fund that includes 50 companies. One of the most popular types of funds are Exchange Traded Funds, or ‘ETFs.’”
Most of Stash’s investments are ETFs.
But since about 1,800 ETFs are available to the consumer, Stash curates the best ones and then categorizes them by your preferences and goals. It gives them understandable names that actually mean something to people like you and me.
For example, instead of “PIMCO Enhanced Short Maturity Active Exchange Traded Fund,” you’ll invest in what Stash has called “Park My Cash.”
What’s more? You won’t have to spend exorbitant management fees for the privilege of investing your money in a way you can understand.
Stash charges just $1 per month until your account reaches $5,000, at which point you’ll be charged 0.25% of your account balance per year.
And did I mention your first three months are free?
How to Start Investing with Stash
You know you’ve got $5 you’re waiting to turn into junk — so why not turn it into more money instead?
You’ll start by linking your bank account and choosing how risky you want to be with your investment. You’ll have the chance to use a calculator to see how much money your investments might make, depending on your choices.
Once Stash can verify and connect with your bank account, you’ll see your initial deposit of $5 or more come out in two to three business days.
And when it does? Congratulations: You’re officially an investor!
But this is just the beginning. Now, you get to decide exactly where your money goes as it slowly multiplies.
Under the “Discover” tab, you can explore new funds to invest your Stash in based on your goals, desires and beliefs.
For instance, you might want to invest in green energy sources or cybersecurity, or tech companies that simplify your life by building the devices you love.
Stash makes it simple to identify which ETFs best support your personal ideals — and provide the best, risk-managed potential for returns.
If you care less about what your money does while it’s out of your hands and more about how much you’ll get back, you can skip the themed accounts and simply let your stash accrue with the Moderate Mix — a recommended, conservative-risk ETF.
Or take a page out of a professional’s book and pick “Follow the Experts” or “Roll with Buffett” — what better way to feel good about where your funds are going?
No matter what, you’ll get just enough information to feel confident your investment funds are going where you want, and have the best chance to get you what you want — without the confusing detail.
Automate Your Investments and Profit in the Long Term
Once you’ve gotten started, stay on a roll: Even with the magic of compound interest, that $5 isn’t gonna do much by itself.
Good thing Stash actually gives you another $5 just for signing up. But keep it going.
Set up “Auto-Stash” to pull a set amount from your bank account at regular intervals, so you can help your investments grow over time.
You can add to your existing ETF choice or diversify your investments by buying new shares — all at the touch of a finger, from your cell phone, with the simple security of a 4-digit PIN.
Plus, you can make free money by helping your friends get on the right financial track? You’ll earn $5 apiece for each friend you refer, up to $100, to be deposited directly into your Stash.
I know I was thrilled to find a way to finally start investing, and then automate it so I didn’t have to think about it.
For now, I’m just investing $5 per week — I’m working on building a plush emergency fund before I worry too much about my long-term goals.
But I love that Stash helps me set it and forget it, and the ticking clock sounds less scary and more comforting.
Your Turn: Are you investing yet? What are your long-term money goals?
Disclosure: Here’s a toast to the affiliate links in this post. May we all be just a little richer today.
Jamie Cattanach is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder and (finally) an official investor. Her writing has also been featured at Word Riot, DMQ Review, Hinchas de Poesia and elsewhere. Find @JamieCattanach on Twitter to wave hello.
The post How I Finally Started Investing in My Future With Just $5 and My Smartphone appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.
source The Penny Hoarder http://ift.tt/29zEHk6
Gerrity's to build shop-like facade at Mount Effort plaza
Gerrity’s Supermarket, which will anchor the Mount Effort Shopping Plaza, will have a shop-like façade and other features to comply with a recently adopted ordinance aimed at improving aesthetics in Chestnuthill Township.The front of the building will feature colors like Bottle of Bordeaux, a flat, light burgundy; some chocolates; and cream colors. “The picture doesn’t do it justice,” Gerrity’s co-owner Joe Fasula said of a rendering he [...]
Source Business - poconorecord.com http://ift.tt/29zBAsx
Source Business - poconorecord.com http://ift.tt/29zBAsx
Monday is 7/11 and That Means Free Slurpees for Everyone!
It’s that time of year when an ice-cold beverage really hits the spot.
And when that ice-cold beverage is free — well, then it hits your wallet quite nicely, too.
This Monday, July 11, 2016, is 7-Eleven Day, also known as “Free Slurpee Day.” That’s because simply entering any participating 7-Eleven convenience store between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on 7/11 (get it yet?) gets you a free small Slurpee.
But wait, there’s more…
Want 11 Free Slurpees This Summer?
That’s right — Free Slurpee Day is only the kickoff of Slurpee Week, when you have the chance to earn free Slurpees for the rest of the summer.
Here’s how the promotion works:
Download the 7-Eleven app for your smartphone, then scan your app when you buy seven Slurpees between July 12 and July 18. Once you’ve purchased the seventh drink, you’ll see codes for 11 free Slurpees in your app’s “Scan & Save” section.
You can only use one free Slurpee code per day, and you have to redeem them all before August 31.
Your Turn: Are you going to get your free Slurpee on 7/11? Will you celebrate Slurpee Week, too?
Kelly Gurnett is a freelance blogger, writer and editor who runs the blog Cordelia Calls It Quits, where she documents her attempts to rid her life of the things that don’t matter and focus more on the things that do. Follow her on Twitter @CordeliaCallsIt.
The post Monday is 7/11 and That Means Free Slurpees for Everyone! appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.
source The Penny Hoarder http://ift.tt/29FUYXH
Moneywise First 50 Funds update: Commercial Property funds
In July's magazine, we ran the Moneywise First 50 Funds, which includes two property funds that have since been suspended, meaning investors can't get their money out.
Source Moneywise http://ift.tt/29UmwoK
Eight Cheap, Last-Minute Summer Getaways
With summertime well underway, most people are gearing up for their annual warm-weather vacation. Americans expect to spend an average of $941 per person on their summer trip this year, according to a recent survey from American Express, with all kinds of vacations and excursions planned.
From beach vacations and relaxing mountain retreats to theme parks, water parks, and city adventures, American vacation plans tend to come in all shapes and sizes – and reach from shore to shore and beyond. Among respondents to the survey, 72% planned to travel domestically and another 15% were planning an international trip.
Eight Cheap Getaways for Summer 2016
If you haven’t planned anything yet, it’s not too late to dream up a fun summer trip for this year. To help with the planning aspect, we rounded up some of the best last-minute travel deals to consider this summer season — before it’s too late.
1. Go all-inclusive.
We’ve shared the benefits of an all-inclusive vacation before. With the price of food, drinks, entertainment, and even on-site childcare taken care of, all-inclusive resorts offer tons of value and make the planning and budgeting aspect of your trip a breeze.
Because summer is off-peak season for the Caribbean, it’s fairly easy to find a cheap getaway depending on your dates. What’s more, Barcelo all-inclusive resorts in both Riviera Maya and Punta Cana are offering discounts that can make summer travel to an all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean even cheaper.
At Barcelo Maya Beach, for example, you can get up to 30% off room rates for last-minute trips planned this summer. And at Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, you can get up to 35% off your last-minute getaway.
Both Barcelo properties offer a number of restaurants to choose from (with 20 restaurants at the Riviera Maya location alone), swimming pools, water parks, spectacular spas, and special activities for kids.
Meanwhile, another all-inclusive resort brand, Club Med, is also offering sweeping discounts for summer travel. During their summer WOW event running through August 23, 2016, you can get up to 50% savings at more than 45 of their properties around the world. You’ll also score up to $300 in airfare credit per adult, free stays for children under the age of 4, and a slew of other perks meant to offer more value for each dollar you spend.
2. Visit Cape Cod.
If you’re planning a domestic vacation instead, why not try out cool Cape Cod for your summer getaway? Near Boston and Providence, R.I, Cape Cod is within easy driving distance of several large airports. (From downtown Boston, you can even take a train to Hyannis or a high-speed ferry to Provincetown to keep your trip car- and traffic-free). Once on the Cape, you can enjoy sweeping ocean views, swimming and other water sports, boating and sailing, miles of rail trails for biking, and all the fresh local seafood you can eat.
Summer is peak season in this traditional vacation spot, but We Need a Vacation offers details on beachy cottages and cozy cabins with last-minute availability this summer. Both nightly and weekly rates are available, and many of the cabins are oceanfront or waterfront.
Score some cheap airfare — or drive, if you live in the Northeast — and you can turn a peak-season beach vacation into a pretty cheap getaway by making your own meals in your vacation rental and creating your own entertainment, whether it’s building sandcastles and splashing in the waves or simply playing cards on the porch enjoying the sea breeze.
3. Check out a dude ranch.
A dude ranch may not come to mind when you’re dreaming of a summer getaway, but Coffee Creek Ranch in California might be worth a look. Set in a scenic region in the northern part of the state, Coffee Creek Ranch offers all-inclusive vacations that keep both the parents and the kids entertained.
During select weeks this summer, kids stay for 50% off. They offer private cabin rentals, and three meals a day and horseback riding are included along with other family-themed activities.
Since not all of their specials are available on the Coffee Creek Ranch website, you may need to give them a call to get the best deals.
4. See everything Puerto Rico has to offer.
If you love the outdoors, there are few places in the world with as much to offer as Puerto Rico. From mountain zip lining tours to its own tropical rainforest, beautiful beaches, and an eclectic culture, Puerto Rico offers a wide range of attractions that appeal to nearly any type of traveler.
Fortunately, several cheap travel deals are available for summer adventure and relaxation-seekers this year. The Condado Plaza Hilton in San Juan recently announced a special vacation for shopaholics and beach lovers. Rates start at $191 per night and include a full breakfast for two, gift cards for the local mill and spa services, and discounts at local retailers. Plus, you’ll also qualify for a discount on local water sports rentals. And of course, you’ll have access to beautiful, historic old San Juan and breathtaking beaches nearby.
The El Consquistador Resort in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, is also offering a smart deal for families who travel this summer. In addition to discounted rates that start at $240 per night, families will get a $50 nightly resort credit and complimentary water park passes to the on-site Coqui Water Park. Guests at El Conquistador Resort also have access to Palomino Island, one of the most beautiful private islands in the entire Caribbean.
5. Take an inexpensive, all-inclusive guided tour around India.
Are you part of the 15% of Americans who would love an international trip this year? If so, smarTours is offering an “Incredible India Trip” that includes airfare, taxes, fuel surcharges, ground transportation, sightseeing, meals and an English-speaking tour for a lead price of $1,299 per person. Since most people pay over $1,000 for round-trip flights to India alone, this is truly a spectacular deal.
Not only will you see the Taj Mahal, but you’ll have time to take in the local culture, enjoy and learn about Indian customs, and dine on locally-sourced food. This tour is eight days long and offers several departure dates near the end of summer.
6. Finally make that trip to Hawaii.
Hawaii is on nearly everybody’s bucket list, but some of this year’s travel deals might finally make your dreams come true. Specifically for trips to Maui, Honua Kai Resort & Spa is offering a deal many Hawaii-lovers simply cannot refuse.
Their “Fall 4 Maui” package requires a minimum stay of four nights in a studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, or three-bedroom suite, and includes:
- Oceanfront breakfast for two at Duke’s Beach House for four days
- A welcome amenity complete with Honua Kai souvenirs
- $400 activity credit toward any island adventure of your choice
Rates start at $392 per night, and the deal is valid for stays after August 15, 2016.
7. Head south to Charleston, S.C.
The state of South Carolina is notorious for its alluring charm, endless greenery, and world-class hospitality. And this summer, several deals in Charleston are making last-minute visits affordable as well.
At two downtown Charleston hotels, the Kings Courtyard Inn and the Fulton Lane Inn, rates start at $179 per night this summer through the end of August. That rate includes a daily continental breakfast, afternoon wine and hors d’ouevres, and wireless internet access.
With beautiful beaches nearby, lovely sunset cruises available at the local harbor, and plenty of fresh seafood everywhere you go, there’s a lot to love about a last-minute summer getaway to charming Charleston.
8. Take in a summertime cruise with the whole family.
If you want a vacation that will never leave you bored, a summertime cruise might be in order. With various cruise operators, you can score summer deals for as much as 40% off to cruise destinations all over the world.
Through the cruise deals page on Orbitz, you can find seven-night Western Caribbean cruises that start at $499 per person, plus seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruises on MSC Cruises from $399.
With some of these deals, other perks like spa vouchers, on-board credits, and internet and soda packages are also included. Make sure to browse cruise options on Orbitz by your departure port, the length of your desired cruise, and your chosen destination to find the best deals.
The Bottom Line
No matter where you want to go or when, there are plenty of summer travel deals to be had. Whether it’s cheap airfare, an epic hotel deal in your area, or a week-long guided tour to some amazing destination abroad, this year’s deals are truly better than ever.
Do you have any cheap summer travel plans this year? Where are you going?
Related Articles:
- Why I’ll Never Feel Bad About My Vacation Spending
- Planning Ahead for a Summer of Inexpensive Family Adventures
- 10 Frugal Summer Vacation Ideas for People Who Don’t Fly
The post Eight Cheap, Last-Minute Summer Getaways appeared first on The Simple Dollar.
Source The Simple Dollar The Simple Dollar http://ift.tt/29BgJbx
الاشتراك في:
الرسائل (Atom)