How to Increase the Revenue Value of Your Homepage by 851%

You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

I think this is a fitting quote to demonstrate the importance of a great homepage.

Once a visitor lands on your homepage, you need to impress them in a hurry.

Failure to do this typically results in a lost conversion with the vast majority of visitors never returning.

How can you ensure you make a good first impression?

And, more importantly, how do you boost conversions and increase the revenue value of your homepage?

There are countless strategies that work to some extent.

But I’d like to cover a handful I feel are the most practical and impactful.

I’ve researched each of these strategies and have implemented them on my own as well as my clients’ sites.

I’ve even seen some clients increase the revenue value of their homepages by as much as 851%.

This is not an exaggeration or some gimmicky hype to get you to click on my articles. This is stuff that works.

Let’s get down to business.

Make the load time lightning fast

Your first objective is to ensure a fast load time.

This is perhaps the most important factor of all because the rest of the strategies I’m going to discuss don’t really matter if the bulk of your visitors abandon your homepage prematurely.

Here’s a graph that illustrates how page abandonment increases as the load time of your homepage increases:

I suggest using the Pingdom Website Speed Test to accurately assess the load time of your homepage.

If it takes any longer than 5 seconds, you need to speed it up. Learn how to do it from this article I wrote.

Provide a clear value proposition

Once a visitor lands on your homepage, they should be able to tell right away what you’re offering and why it’s worth their time to check out your site in further detail.

This requires you to take one simple but incredibly important step: create a clear value proposition.

ConversionXL defines a value proposition as a clear statement that:

• explains how your product solves customers’ problems or improves their situation (relevancy),
• delivers specific benefits (quantified value),
• tells the ideal customer why they should buy from you and not from the competition (unique differentiation).

Here’s the value proposition I include on neilpatel.com:

It’s clear, specific, and to the point.

Below are some other good examples.

Dollar Shave Club pulls it off well:

So does Unbounce:

You get the idea.

For a more thorough explanation and tips on how to create a killer value proposition, check out this guide from ConversionXL.

Include a picture of a person

A few years back, there was a study that examined the impact of including a picture of a person on homepage performance.

The study involved A/B testing of two very different landing pages created for Highrise, a CRM software company.

The original design was pretty basic but fairly busy, meaning there was a lot of information.

However, the new design was very simple and included a large picture of a woman smiling.

The results were undeniable. Using the second design, with the woman smiling, resulted in 102.5% more sign-ups.

Here’s a comparison of the two designs:

What does this tell us?

It’s clear that including images of people (more specifically, people smiling) on your homepage can have a dramatic impact on conversions.

I actually follow this formula on my homepage for neilpatel.com, and it’s worked out wonderfully:

Other successful bloggers do the same.

Do you recognize this guy?

Here’s another one:

And here’s Marie Forleo:

This is Matt Barby:

Here’s Lewis Howes:

These people aren’t celebrities. They aren’t models.

They’re just bloggers. Successful ones.

They’ve figured out that a face on the screen vastly improves the profitability of the homepage.

Make your contact information easy to find

At first thought, placing your contact information in a conspicuous place on your homepage might not seem like a big deal.

It might seem like a mere footnote.

But it’s actually more important than you might think.

In fact, a study from KoMarketing found that

once on a company’s homepage, 64% of visitors want to see the company’s contact information.

And it’s not just your basic info like an email address.

Most people want thorough contact information like your phone, email, and address.

According to KoMarketing,

a lack of contact information will also deter buyers from moving forward with a Request for Proposal (RFP) and with filling out a form to request a demo or RFP.

I think this is important so visitors can tell for sure you’re a legitimate organization with a physical address and not some sleazy snake oil salesman who’s just looking to take their money and run.

The same goes for the About Us section

The same study from KoMarketing states that

once on a company’s homepage, 52% of visitors want to see ‘about us’ information.

This is one of quickest ways to establish trust and credibility with potential customers.

They want to make sure you’re legit.

Typically, the best location for your contact info and About Us section is the navigational menu at the top.

It’s above the fold and can be found in an instant.

However, if you have a fairly brief homepage, you could also place these sections at the bottom, like I do on neilpatel.com:

Don’t offer too many choices

There’s one mistake in particular I see countless companies make.

And that’s offering too many choices on their homepages.

Here’s an example of what I’m talking about:

I would venture to say that vast majority of visitors who land on this page feel overwhelmed or even paralyzed with all the information.

It’s just too busy.

Here’s the deal.

People tend to enjoy having different options and choices. But only to an extent.

Too many choices have a paralyzing effect, and many people will end up doing nothing.

Here’s a screenshot from The Harvard Business Review in which they touch on a 2000 study involving choice:

The point here is that you should keep your homepage fairly simple:

That’s exactly what I tried to do with the Quick Sprout homepage, and it’s worked out very well.

If you have a lot of different products, build some type of filter so that visitors can figure out what they need without being overwhelmed in the process.

Don’t force a sign-up—allow a guest sign-up

You know what I hate?

When I land on a website and want to test out a trial version or make a quick purchase but get hit with a long registration process.

I find it really inconvenient and flat out annoying at times.

And guess what?

So do most other people.

There’s an article written about this issue by User Interface Engineering (UIE) called The $300 Million Button.

I suggest you check it out if you are not sure what I am talking about.

Long story short, most first-time shoppers find it irritating when they have to register before they can buy something. In fact, many resent it.

I love a particular quote from one shopper who said,

I’m not here to enter into a relationship. I just want to buy something.

I think this sums it up perfectly.

Don’t make your customers jump through a bunch of hoops. Instead, allow them to complete their desired actions as guests rather than registered users.

That, right there, can have a dramatic impact on your revenue.

The article from UIE provides a concrete example of just how big of an impact it can have.

Here’s a screenshot:

Address visitor concerns

Let’s be honest.

It doesn’t take much for a would-be customer to turn around and hightail it out of your site.

And most people will have multiple concerns they’ll want addressed before they ultimately decide to make a purchase.

Here are some common concerns they may have:

• Your company doesn’t fully understand my problem
• What if your product doesn’t fix MY problem?
• Why should I trust your company?
• Why should I choose your product when there are so many other (and potentially more affordable) options out there?

Your goal is to quell any concerns or objections they may have.

But how do you do this?

It usually starts with acknowledging the problem your demographic is facing. Here’s a good example from Basecamp:

This lets visitors know that Basecamp understands how disorganization and confusion can create stress and hinder the progress of a project.

The suggestion is to let Basecamp help them get things back on track.

Including a few testimonials tends to be effective for proving that a product can fix a potential buyer’s problem. If it’s worked for countless other people, it will work for them too.

As for trust builders, here are some ideas:

• Include logos of companies you’ve worked with or have been endorsed by
• Include “trust seals” from third-parties such as the Better Business Bureau
• Mention awards or certifications your company has received

Finally, with proving value, explain why your price is what it is and what customers will get from you that they won’t get from competitors.

Create scarcity or urgency

If a visitor doesn’t convert right away, there’s a good chance you’ll lose them forever.

You want to strike while the iron is hot and while you’ve got them on your website.

One of the best ways to do this is to create scarcity or urgency.

I do this on neilpatel.com by having a feature that says “Training Starts in: X amount of time”

It begins counting down immediately after visitors land on my homepage.

I’ve found this to be effective for getting visitors to take action and for increasing conversions.

Now, there are a lot of different ways to create scarcity or urgency, and I don’t have time to fully discuss them here.

But what I suggest is checking out this post from Marketing Land that explains some techniques for using urgency psychology to improve conversions.

Note: There’s legit scarcity and there’s fake scarcity.

Using fake scarcity is a sleazy, underhanded tactic that most people will sniff out.

Always be honest.

Conclusion

There are many factors that ultimately determine the revenue value of your homepage.

It can be maddening trying to figure out what makes your visitors tick and wrapping your head around the psychology of user experience.

But I know for a fact that using these strategies will have a positive impact on the process.

You can use them to build instant trust, encourage further browsing, increase conversions, and ultimately boost your revenue.

What do you think is the single most important aspect of your homepage? What makes it profitable?

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This Study Says Your Debt Situation Could Determine If Someone Swipes Right

Is it time to freshen up your online dating profile?

Forget about listing your height. And please, no pictures of you with your mom, unless mom is really that cool.

Maybe…list your credit score? Confirm for the general public you have a job?

Because, surprise surprise: People are more likely to want to date you if you have a solid financial profile.

Don’t worry. No pressure.

LendingTree Confirms How Judgy We Are

Oh, to be a fly on the wall during this survey.

LendingTree showed more than 2,000 people fictional profiles for 10 men or 10 women, based on their romantic preferences.

Half the group got to see financial information about the profiles, including school debt, credit card debt, car loans and business loans.

The other half got to base their ratings on looks alone, much like me swiping through Tinder with frantic speed and near-crushing disappointment.

Some crucial stats from the results that I could have told you at the bar after two martinis:

Sixty-five percent of women said it was “extremely important” for their partner to have a job, while only 32% of men thought it was that important. (Which is 100% true, because every time you try to set me up with someone, my first question is, “Does he have a job?”)

Men’s attractiveness ratings only went up after viewing their financial profiles if their debt equaled no more than half their income. In fact, those reviewing men’s profiles rated a man with “good financial standing” almost two times higher than a guy with a not-so-great financial outlook.

Take for example “Man 8,” who I’m going to call Steven because it sounds like a solid name for a guy we’re about to be real tough on.

Based on looks alone, Fictional Steven got an attractiveness rating of 6, which we’ll be generous and say is above average. Good work, Steven.

But while Steven makes a respectable $35,000 per year, he also has $15,000 in credit card debt, a $10,000 car loan and $10,000 in student loan debt. Suddenly Steven’s money problems are a red flag, and he’s not as much of a cutie patootie. His rating dropped 35% to a 4.2.

Meanwhile, the most notable attractiveness difference for women once respondents learned their financial status was only 10%. Those viewing women’s profiles still thought they were pretty, even after seeing their financial profile.

Maybe the Best Place to Meet Someone is Personal Finance Class

If you’re suddenly worried about how your net worth will affect your chances of finding true love, relax.

There’s some good news from this study besides the relief that everyone still thinks ladies are pretty. (Phew.)

Student debt has less of a stigma than auto loans or credit card debt. So while your student loan burden may tie your stomach in knots, there’s a good chance your potential suitor totally understands — and maybe even has their own student loan debt.

Most people surveyed would date someone with bad credit, but when it comes to tying the knot with someone with bad debt, respondents weren’t as willing to volunteer.

That means you can probably squeak through the first few dates without presenting a credit report and two reference letters.

But you can’t hide from discussing finances forever.

Relationships are supposed to be built on honesty and trust, right? No matter how cute Steven is.

How to Fix Your Money Problems Before Your Date Embarrasses You

Excited to find your soulmate — or someone close enough — but worried about eventually revealing the truth about your financial situation?

Here’s what to do before you swipe right:

If you have no idea what your credit score looks like, Credit Sesame can help you get that reality check for free — and then show you some steps to raise your score, pronto. After all, Credit Sesame knows a bad credit score is seriously unattractive.  

Got a pile of credit card debt with a cringe-worthy interest rate? Even Financial can help you compare personal loan options so you can pay down your debt faster.

Even though prospective mates are more understanding of student loan debt, it still may be a good move to refinance yours. You can get lots of offers in a matter of seconds from Credible.

And once you think your finances are in good shape, sign up for a free monitoring service like TrueIdentity to make sure your information stays safe. After all, you don’t need someone else running your debt up again — you were good enough at doing that yourself.

Your Turn: Does a person’s financial situation make them more attractive to you?

Disclosure: Here’s a toast to the affiliate links in this post. May we all be just a little richer today.

Lisa Rowan is a writer and producer at The Penny Hoarder. Her dating profile does not include her height, but it does mention her job and her love of the great indoors.

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In Need of Reduced-Cost Health Services? Planned Parenthood Can Help

Let’s talk about Planned Parenthood. Let’s not argue about Planned Parenthood. Let’s just talk about it.

I don’t want to wage a war, but in light of the recent news of the proposed Obamacare repeal that would halt federal funding for Planned Parenthood for an entire year, it’s time to talk about all the services the organization provides.

I’ll leave the a-word out of it completely.

I want the women (and the men!) in my community to understand how Planned Parenthood helps people — particularly those in low-income areas — gain affordable access to important and sometimes lifesaving care.

See? Not so scary.

How Planned Parenthood Makes Health Care Affordable

The important thing to remember about Planned Parenthood is that it primarily exists to provide affordable health care to women who might otherwise have to go without it.

Three-quarters of the approximately 4.97 million patients it serves each year have incomes at or below 150% of the poverty line.

Planned Parenthood deals with the prevention and care of different diseases, infections and conditions, along with prenatal care, contraception and counseling services along with its free clinics, workshops and educational materials.

And depending on the individual’s situation, it’s often provided at little or no cost.

How it Works

Planned Parenthood offers most of its services on a sliding scale.

This means that it’ll use a “financial snapshot” of your last few weeks to create a pay scale that it believes is fair for your situation. The scale varies by location, but this cost calculator can give you a good idea of your range. If you’re unsure what counts toward your total monthly income, try filling out this income worksheet first.

The sliding scale allows Planned Parenthood to provide free and cheap services to the people who need it most.

Planned Parenthood also accepts most major insurance plans. If you do not have insurance, it’s often able to help you set up a payment plan that best suits your needs.

The state you’re in largely determines the amount of aid and in what form Planned Parenthood will give it. In New York, the state Medicaid program covers the total cost of birth control, STD testing, PAP tests, pregnancy tests and gynecological exams for anyone whose income is up to 200% of the federal poverty level.

The best thing to do is call your local Planned Parenthood, explain your situation and ask what it can do to help get you the care you need.

Services Planned Parenthood Provides at Low or No Cost

Planned Parenthood offers a range of services related to women’s physical, mental and reproductive health.

Depending on your health insurance and financial needs, you can take advantage of these services for little or no cost:

Primary Care Services

Primary care includes routine checkups and diagnostic care, along with referrals to outside physicians.

Contraception

Planned Parenthood provides the full range of birth control options, from pills to patches to intrauterine devices (IUDs). It also offers emergency contraception. Over the past several years, Planned Parenthood has been a strong voice in the fight to make birth control more accessible and affordable to everyone.

Cancer Screening and Prevention

Along with cervical, ovarian and breast cancer screenings, Planned Parenthood also offers HPV vaccines, which can help to prevent cervical cancer.

STD Testing and Treatment

Most locations provide these services and can help with diagnosis, treatment and prevention of STDs. Planned Parenthood is even testing a program for rural areas (currently Alaska, Idaho, Minnesota and Washington) that will allow patients to meet with a doctor via video chat before the office sends birth control or an STD test and treatment in the mail.

Transgender Hormone Therapy

As of right now, only certain Planned Parenthood locations offer hormone therapy services — the ones that do strive to provide treatment on the same income-based sliding scale. Planned Parenthood also provides a safe space for LGBTQ youth to find the information and support they need.

Men’s Sexual Health

While Planned Parenthood is largely regarded as a women’s resource, most locations provide sexual health services for men as well.

Education

Planned Parenthood educates parents, teens and young adults on sexual and reproductive health and safety. In 2014, Planned Parenthood reached more than 1.5 million people with its sex education programs.

Teens can now connect online and through apps that answer their questions and direct them to important resources.

If it wasn’t clear from that list of reduced-cost services, Planned Parenthood is really just out to make our society a healthier, safer place by making affordable medical care available to everyone.

And see? We avoided the a-word completely — which just goes to show that there is so much more to Planned Parenthood than is often presented to us.

Your Turn: What health care services have you received from Planned Parenthood?

Grace Schweizer is a junior writer at The Penny Hoarder.

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11 Ways the GOP Health Care Proposal Could Impact Your Wallet

On March 6, House Republicans released the long-anticipated plan known as the American Health Care Act that could potentially replace the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare.

While nothing in the bill has passed yet, there’s lots of buzz surrounding the proposal informally known as Trumpcare.

It’s not yet known how much the plan would cost overall or how many people would retain their health insurance if the changes become law.

But in case you’re wondering how the plan could affect you or your family, we’ve outlined some key changes, plus a few things that won’t change. Here’s what you need to know.

1. You wouldn’t pay a tax penalty for not having insurance — but when you finally decide to purchase insurance again, you could pay extra.

Under Obamacare, if you could afford health insurance but didn’t have it for three consecutive months, you face a tax penalty. According to NerdWallet, that penalty is whichever is higher: 2.5% of your total household adjusted income; or a flat fee of $695 for an adult, $347.50 for a child and up to $2,085 for a family in the 2016 fiscal tax year.

The proposed House Republican bill eliminates that tax penalty. It does, however, allow insurers to implement a 30% surcharge on your premium for a year if your coverage lapses for 63 days or more.

The 30% surcharge aims to encourage people to keep their insurance even if they’re healthy to help lower costs.

But if you opt to never get health insurance, you won’t pay the surcharge, whereas Obamacare penalizes you.

2. An insurer still couldn’t reject you, even if you have pre-existing medical conditions or a poor health history.

This part of Obamacare would remain intact. The new bill would not allow insurance companies to refuse you because of pre-existing health conditions or base your premiums on your health history.

3. …But insurers could charge you even more if you’re older.

The GOP plan allows insurers to charge older customers five times as much as younger ones, and states could set their own ratios. Under Obamacare, insurers can charge older patients up to three times as much as younger ones.

4. You’re more likely to qualify for tax credits, and that amount will increase with age.

If you earn $75,000 or less, or your household earns $150,000 or less, you’ll be eligible for tax credits. That means more people would be eligible for tax credits than under Obamacare, which only gives you subsidies if your income is under about $48,000 for individuals.

However, the amount of the credit will depend not on how much you make, but on how old you are. If you’re under 30, you’ll get a $2,000 credit. That credit gradually increases with age, eventually capping at $4,000 when you’re over 60.

Credits decrease by $100 for every $1,000 your income goes over the above thresholds.

5. You may no longer receive help with out-of-pocket expenses.

Obamacare offers subsidies to many lower-income individuals to help them pay for deductibles and copayments. Starting in 2020, these would no longer be available, according to The Wall Street Journal.

6. This bill allows adult children to stay on their parents’ coverage until they’re 26.

Thank goodness.

7. Even if you work for a large employer, it would no longer have to pay for your health insurance.

Large companies would no longer face huge fines if they don’t provide you with health insurance. Most reports say the plan is unlikely to change your coverage if you have an employer-sponsored plan. But still, if your employer did drop your coverage, it would become your responsibility to seek your own.

8. The plan would stop paying for new enrollees in the Medicaid expansion in 2020.

Thirty-one states and Washington, D.C. adopted Medicaid expansion under Obamacare to help cover those who don’t earn enough to afford health insurance. But according to The Washington Post, the federal government would no longer pay to cover new enrollees starting in 2020, although it would continue to cover those who remain enrolled.

9. If you purchase coverage under a plan that provides abortions, you wouldn’t receive a tax credit.

Even if you don’t get an abortion, just the mere fact that your insurance is willing to cover one would hit your wallet big time. The new bill would strip you of the $2,000 to $4,000 tax credit for buying one of these policies.

10. If you use Planned Parenthood, services might become more expensive or go away completely.

Under the GOP plan, federal funds for Planned Parenthood would disappear completely for a year. Current laws prohibit federal funding specifically for abortions, but the proposed bill would cut off all funding, including money that goes toward health screenings or supplying birth control at low costs.

On Planned Parenthood’s “Take Action” page, it argues that “2.5 million patients could be cut off from life saving care” under federal defunding.

11. You’d be able to save more money in a tax-free health savings account.

The new basic limit for an individual would be at least $6,550, and families would have a limit of $13,100, starting in 2018. This is an increase from $3,150 for an individual and $6,350 for a family allowed under Obamacare.

Your Turn: How would the GOP health plan affect coverage for you and your family? Let us know in the Facebook comments below.

Kelly Smith is a junior writer and engagement specialist at The Penny Hoarder. Catch her on Twitter at @keywordkelly.

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The Shocking Way 1 in 3 Spring Breakers Pays for a Week of Beach and Booze

Beaches, beer and bikinis. Stiff drinks, loud music and free-spirited members of the opposite sex. A sunny island getaway, far far away from mind-wracking midterms held in stodgy college classrooms.

That’s what spring break is all about.

But all that partying costs money. LendEDU, an online marketplace for student loans and loan refinancing, has a burning question: “How are all these cash-strapped college students footing the bill for a one-week destination getaway?”

Determined to get to the bottom of this, it polled 500 college students who are going on spring break excursions this year and who also have outstanding student loan debt.

Tsk-tsking and wagging its finger judgmentally, LendEDU calls the results of its survey “alarming and frustrating.” Turns out that 30.6% of indebted college students say they’re using money from student loans to help pay for their spring break trip.  

Really drilling down here, LendEDU gritted its teeth and scratched out some back-of-the-envelope math:

• 20.5 million students currently attend college in the U.S, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

• 55% of students will go on spring break, Orbitz reports.

• That means roughly 11.3 million students are going on spring break.

• An estimated 69% of all current college students will graduate with student loan debt.

• So roughly 7.8 million student debtors are going on spring break.

 

• Bottom line: A whopping 2.38 million students are about to tap into their student loans to pay for spring break.

Well, well! My goodness! What would the student loan fairy think about this? What would the church lady think?

In all seriousness, LendEDU finds this disappointing because of the severity of the student loan crisis in the U.S. In a previous study, LendEDU found that nearly half of college students incorrectly believed the government would forgive their loans. Another study found that more than half of parents who co-signed for a child’s student loan said their child’s late payments had jeopardized their retirement.

One. Trillion. Dollars.

Hey, we get it. Everybody’s gotta live a little. And in addition to tuition, books, a dorm room and lab fees, you are allowed to use student loan money for living expenses.

But burning a big chunk of your student loan on a Cancun getaway isn’t the wisest idea.

Student loan debt really is a serious problem. Americans owe $1 trillion in student loans. Here’s how to start paying off yours.

On a side note, LendEDU’s survey found that students are using their loan money for all kinds of unnecessary extras:

• Nearly a quarter (23.8%) spent student loan money on alcohol.

• A third (33.4%) used it for clothes.

• 6.6% used it to pay for drugs.

• 5.6% used it on gambling or sports betting.

Drugs and gambling instead of tuition? Naughty, naughty.

Please Tip Your Spring Breakers

Don’t let this be you.

If you’re a cash-strapped college student hell-bent on going on spring break, we have some tips for you.

• Here are 21 money-saving apps for spring break.

• Here are seven side gigs that could earn you money on spring break.

• Here are 10 affordable spring break destinations.

Your Turn: Have you ever used student loan money to go on spring break?

Mike Brassfield (mike@thepennyhoarder.com) is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder. His memories of spring break are a little blurry.

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Legit or Scam? Here’s What Happened When We Took Surveys on Valued Opinions

We’re all about ways to make extra money here at The Penny Hoarder. And one of the simplest ways is using paid survey sites.

You’re not going to make a fortune. But if you’re just sitting around watching TV anyway, why not make a few bucks?

Whenever we find out about a new survey site, we take if for a test drive before recommending it to our readers. Here’s what happened when we tried Valued Opinions…

The Penny Hoarder’s Valued Opinions Review

Valued Opinions is one of the easiest and highest paying survey sites I’ve ever used — all of the surveys I took paid at least $1.50.

The surveys also stay true to the website’s name and goals — it really does pay you for your opinions. I took surveys on tons of different topics, from my views on certain cultural trends to which video game consoles I’m interested in and why.

It also offered product testing as a way to earn extra money through its website.

Signing up is easy, and the layout of the website is inviting and simple to navigate. You fill out your personal info and the site determines which surveys you’re qualified to take.

When you first make your account, you’ll fill out different profiles about yourself, about topics like transportation, education, consumer habits, and others. The site uses this info to send you surveys you’ll almost always be qualified to take.

The image below is a what your dashboard looks like. Whenever there are available surveys, they’l be listed in the “My Surveys” section.

I’ve already taken a few today, so my list is empty. I get around 2-4 emails every day with available survey options.

Once you finish a survey, the site usually prompts you to take a few more. I didn’t end up qualifying for all of them, but I was able to take quite a few.

Although you can’t redeem your survey money for actual cash, you can redeem it for a Visa gift card, or purchase gift cards for major retailers such as Macy’s, Nike and Amazon in $20 increments.

The site charges a $2 fee, which is why the $20 gift cards cost you $22. Luckily, the surveys pay well, so it won’t take long to earn that extra $2.

The lowest amount you can redeem is $10, but it’s for retailers like magazines.com, which I don’t personally use, so I’m holding out for an Amazon card. I haven’t redeemed any awards yet, but the website states it emails you the gift card code within 24 hours.

Here’s a list of all the surveys I’ve taken within the last week. As I said before, these are some of the higher paying surveys I’ve seen out of the sites I’ve used.

None of them are under $1.50. The lowest one I saw, but ended up disqualifying for, was $1. They’re quick surveys, too — most only took 15-20 minutes.

In a little over a week, I’ve earned $11.50.

At this pace, it’ll only take me another week to earn the $22 I need to cash out my rewards for the Amazon gift card I want.

With its high paying surveys, interesting topics and short survey times, Valued Opinions is definitely worth checking out if you want to make a few extra bucks on your spare time.

Your Turn: What’s your favorite survey site?

Jacquelyn Pica is an Editorial Intern at The Penny Hoarder.

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What Do These 7 Work-From-Home Jobs Have in Common? They’re Open Right Now

Do you risk getting a speeding ticket every day while trying to get to work on time?

Do you hate eating soggy sandwiches? Do you find yourself staring at the wall of your cubicle?

So maybe your job isn’t that bad, but if you want to find a work-from-home job, we can’t say we blame you.

7 Work-From-Home Customer Service Jobs Open Right Now

To help your job search, here are seven work-from-home opportunities open right now!

Act fast before they’re gone.

1. Hotjar

Hotjar tracks how consumers use websites.

What’s working? What isn’t? How can sales be amped up? Fun fact: Its logo looks kind of like Tinder.

The global, fast-growing startup is looking for some heroes who work to create “WOW moments by consistently delivering world-class support with empathy and understanding.”

However, you’ll need to live on the East Coast or in Europe.

Job qualifications include strong English communication skills (fluency in German, French, Spanish and/or Japanese is a plus!); familiarity with HTML, CSS and Javascript basics; and experience in technical support roles. You also need to pass a background check.

It’s a plus if you have experience working remotely and a college degree, among other qualities.

Pay is competitive (the rep I spoke with didn’t share more details), and the benefits are pretty sweet. Think: 40 days of annual planned leave, 16 weeks of paid parental leave and a free Kindle.

Interested? Learn more about the job, then apply.

2. GoDaddy

GoDaddy has been around for a while.

Honestly, I think of its Super Bowl commercials. If those didn’t describe the tech company well enough, it’s expanded beyond web hosting and offers tons of web-based tools and products.

It needs a customer support agent to handle technical inquiries, resolve software issues and perform “root cause analysis,” which sounds super complicated to me.

To qualify, you need a working knowledge of computers, experience in customer service and the ability to multitask the crap out of things. Learning quickly and being able to talk through the phone, email and online chats are also necessary.

No word on pay or benefits, but I did reach out, so I’ll keep you posted.

If you want to learn more about how you can work with GoDaddy, check out the job listing. You can apply right there, too.

3. The Posture People

The Posture People helps companies reduce the risk of employee injuries (aka broken backs).

Right now, it’s seeking an administrative assistant/social media specialist to join its team remotely. It’ll be your job to oversee and manage internal projects, develop and execute communication strategies and manage social media.

You should have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, a personal laptop and a solid understanding of office management and social media practices. You also need knowledge of online apps such as Salesforce, Mailchimp and Google Analytics.

Compensation is considered “competitive.” You’ll work 8 to 10 hours a week on a flexible schedule — with future opportunities to amp up those hours.

Interested? Here’s the job listing You can apply there, too.

4. TeleTech

TeleTech is “a pioneer in customer service,” according to its site. The company has been ranked in FlexJobs’ 2017 Top 100 companies for remote jobs.

Fitting with the title win, it’s hiring work-from-home technical customer service representatives. You’ll work in the seasonal position to assist customers and troubleshoot any issues they might have with a product.

To qualify, you need six or more months of customer service experience, a high school diploma (or GED), a computer with high-speed internet, a webcam and a quiet home office.

Pay is $10.25 an hour.

If you’re interested in applying, visit TeleTech’s job page. Here’s the seasonal position. You can also search “customer service” to find eight pages of permanent listings in towns across the U.S. and Mexico.

5. Constant Contact

This email marketing software company serves more than 650,000 small businesses across the globe.

It needs some support reps to answer customer questions through the phone. In addition, you’ll work to provide online demonstrations and educate customers on product features.

To qualify, you should: put customers first, consider yourself a people person, listen actively and know a few things about computers.

If you’re interested in applying, check out the job listing, and apply online.

Do note that the job is listed for Waltham, Massachusetts, but the listing doesn’t state location restraints. I reached out to clarify, so I’ll keep you all updated!

6. Dekeo

This startup is an online marketplace for customizable clothes. Think: T-shirts, tank tops, sweaters and jackets.

As it ramps up business, it needs a customer service representative — someone who will help solve problems and tackle startup challenges. You’ll need to answer customer and supplier questions and establish best practices.

Your best qualities should include being a self-starter and a quick learner, and having a professional yet friendly attitude.

You’ll work 40 hours a week.

Pay nor benefits are listed, except: “Come join a fast growing team to make (an) impact in a flexible working space!” I reached out for more details, so stay tuned.

The business is based in Toronto. However, the job listing states no location requirements. If you’re interested, check it out, and apply online.

7. QuickMail.io

Two and a half years ago, one guy started QuickMail.io. It’s an internet app that lets users send automated emails and follow-ups if no reply is detected. (It’s very useful for you sales folks.)

The team of “a couple of dudes” is now looking for new friends — err, co-workers — and it needs a technical support hero.

As QuickMail.io’s hero, you’ll answer customer questions. You’ll also document and improve processes already in place, as well as work to improve user experience.

Here’s what the team is looking for: Someone who values actions over words, has solid interpersonal skills, can organize stuff, is self-directed and loves technology.

You also need a webcam and steady internet. You should have at least two years of experience in a similar role and know how to operate remotely full time.

No word on pay or benefits, but again, I reached out and will keep you in the loop.

If this sounds like you, you’ll want to apply now because the company’s looking to fill the positions ASAP. Check it out on We Work Remotely.

Your Turn: Tell us about your work-from-home job experiences!

Carson Kohler (@CarsonKohler) is a junior writer at The Penny Hoarder.

The post What Do These 7 Work-From-Home Jobs Have in Common? They’re Open Right Now appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.

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13 Simple House Cleaning Hacks to Save You Time and Money

Unless you’re vying for a guest spot on a reality show about dirty houses, you probably spend at least some of your day wiping down counters and wondering why nothing ever stays sparkling.

Wouldn’t you rather do your cleaning in less time and save money to boot?

We thought so. Here are a whole slew of cleaning hacks to make your life easier.

1. Use a Caddy for Your Supplies

It may not necessarily be a hack, but having a cleaning caddy is a smart move. When all your bottles, rags and other supplies are in one place, getting the work done is quick and easy.

For a tutorial on how to create your own home cleaning kit (including recipes for homemade solutions), head on over to the Empress of Dirt.

2. Discover the Many Amazing Uses of Vinegar

This isn’t just one cleaning hack. It’s six cleaning hacks, most of them very hands-off.

Here are all the miraculous things a little vinegar can do.

1. Microwave a bowl of equal parts water and vinegar for five minutes. The steam will loosen any food bits, and the vinegar will act as a disinfectant. Be very careful opening your microwave when the five minutes are up. Everything will be hot! Crack the door, and let it cool for two minutes. Then use a rag to easily wipe down the inside.
2. Soak the exhaust filters from above your stove in a mixture of vinegar and water to remove the cooked-on gunk. After soaking, rinse and return the filters to their rightful place.
3. Use a paper towel to rub some vinegar on cloudy glasses to make them shine.
4. Put vinegar in a baggie, and put it on your shower head. Use a rubber band to secure the bag and let it soak to remove buildup.
5. Boil vinegar and water in a pan that’s been burnt. You only need enough liquid to cover the burnt part. Once it reaches a boil, turn off the heat and let it cool so you don’t burn yourself. Then add a couple of tablespoons of baking soda and scrub to make the pot shine again.
6. Pull an old sock over your hand, spritz with vinegar and use it to wipe down dirty blinds.

3. Clean Your Grill With an Onion

Were you a little grossed out to hear that wire from grill brushes was accidentally ending up in food and being ingested? Yeah, me too.

Rather than using a wire bristle brush, use a long fork to spear half an onion. Rub the cut side on your grill grates for an alternate way to clean them.

4. Use a Potato on Your Cheese Grater

If you still use a hand cheese grater, you know what a pain they are to clean. Depending on the cheese you’ve used, there’s a good chance it’s been mushed down in between the grates and is mocking your attempts to remove it.

Rather than losing your sanity trying to clean all the crevices, pull out a potato and grate that. It’s hard enough that it should slough away the cheese, and then you can easily rinse off the grater.

5. Use Stale Bread or Rice to Clean Your Coffee Grinder

Coffee smells fabulous in the morning, but when you shift gears and decide to grind spices or nuts, you don’t want them to remind you of your morning cup of joe.

For a blade grinder, use some stale bread or dry, uncooked rice to absorb the coffee smell and clean out your grinder. If you have a burr grinder (also called a burr mill), bread won’t work, but dried rice may.

Be aware that uncooked rice can be harder than coffee beans and may tax your grinder’s motor. Some companies say using rice as a cleaner will void the warranty.

6. Make Stainless Steel Appliances Shine With Furniture Polish

Let furniture polish do double duty on your stainless steel appliances. Clean off any grime first and then spray on the polish and wipe dry.

7. Make Grease Stains Disappear With Rubbing Alcohol

To get a grease stain out of carpets or other surfaces, mix four parts rubbing alcohol with one part salt. Rub into the stain to lift the grease.

Then let the surface dry and wipe or vacuum up any leftover salt.

8. Bleach Your Cutting Boards

If only you could see the bacteria making itself at home on your supposedly clean cutting board.

Luckily, you can easily sanitize cutting boards by soaking them in a bleach solution.

Use 2 teaspoons of bleach per gallon of water for plastic boards and 2 tablespoons of bleach per gallon for wooden boards. You don’t need to soak them long — just a couple of minutes will do — and then rinse.

9. Try Lemons and Salt for a More Natural Clean

Of course, not everyone loves the idea of using bleach. For a more natural way to disinfect your cutting board, liberally sprinkle kosher salt on the board. Then cut a lemon in half and rub the lemon (cut side down) on the board.

The lemon juice should kill the bacteria, while the salt should scrub away any small particles of food that may be present.

Then you can use the other half of the lemon to scrub your faucets to make them shiny and clean as well.

10. Roll a Lint Brush Over Lampshades

Lampshades come in all sorts of shapes and materials, which can make it difficult to figure out how best to clean them.

A lint roller can be used on almost any shade to pick up dust and light dirt.

11. Blow Canned Air into Exhaust Fans

The exhaust fan in your bathroom could probably use a little TLC, but how on earth do you clean that?

Easy. Use some canned air (like the kind you would buy to clean a computer keyboard) and blow it into the fan to dislodge lint. Place a towel on the floor to collect the dust bunnies as they fall.

Even if you can’t see the dust in your fan, it’s a good idea to clean it on a regular basis. If too much lint builds up, your fan could burst into flames.

12. Remove Dust from Vents With a Knife and Rag

Another way to remove dust from vents such as those on window air conditioning units is to cover a butter knife with a rag and run it along the inside of each vent.

Despite what the commercials tell you, no special sham or wonder cleaning cloth is required.

13. Pull Out Dryer Sheets to Clean Baseboards

Finally, give your dryer sheets another purpose in life by whipping them out when it’s time to clean your baseboards.

Running a sheet along the baseboards will remove dirt and help repel dust. What’s more, they might just make the room smell temporarily fresher too.

Your Turn: What cleaning hacks can you add?

This post originally appeared on Money Talks News. Since 1991, MoneyTalksNews has been producing both video and print to help you make more, spend less and avoid rip-offs.

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Budget 2017: mobile phone users to face higher charges overseas

Adam Williams

phone-in-ameica.jpg

Using your mobile phone outside of the European Union is set to become more expensive as VAT will be added to your roaming charges.

Using your mobile phone outside of the European Union is set to become more expensive as VAT will be added to your roaming charges.

At present UK mobile users pay VAT when they use their phone within the European Union, but no such charges are applied when phones are used outside the EU.

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Budget 2017: free childcare and free school transport to be extended

Helen Knapman

uk-childcare.jpg

Free childcare for three and four-year-olds will double from 15 to 30 hours a week for working families in England, it’s been announced in today’s Budget.

Free childcare for three and four-year-olds will double from 15 to 30 hours a week for working families in England, it’s been announced in today’s Budget.

The move takes force from September 2017 and is worth up to £5,000 per child, according to the government.

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Budget 2017: pension freedoms turn into tax bonanza

Moira O'Neill

uk-tax-takings.jpg

The Treasury has admitted the pension freedoms announced in the March 2015 Budget and implemented in April 2015 have raised five times more tax than anticipated.

The Treasury has admitted the pension freedoms announced in the March 2015 Budget and implemented in April 2015 have raised five times more tax than anticipated.

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Moneywise Budget 2017 coverage

Below is a list of all our coverage for this year's Budget in handy form:

 

• Details of new NS&I three-year savings bond confirmed

 

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Congress Wants to Help You By Helping Your Boss Pay Off Your Student Loan

When you look at job listings, what do you usually check for on the benefits list? Health insurance, paid vacation, a 401(k) — maybe a 401(k) match, if you’re lucky.

What about student loan repayment?

A growing group of members of Congress want to make it easier for your employer to help you pay your student loans.

If the bill progresses, it may transform student loan repayment benefits from a surprising perk to a new human resources norm.

Your Boss Could Pay You AND Your Loan Servicer

A bipartisan bill in the House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee proposes a tax break for companies providing up to $5,250 per year to repay an employee’s student debt.

A few companies already offer this benefit, but they’re few and far between.

PwC is known for its repayment program, which contributes $100 per month directly to a junior staffer’s student loan balance. The benefit lasts for a staffer’s first six years of employment or until they move into a management position. More than 8,000 staffers have enrolled in the program, according to PwC Chief People Officer Michael Fenlon.

In 2016, Staples introduced a program that pays $100 per month for 36 months directly to a full-time sales employee’s student loan servicer.

“Only 4% of companies have a benefit that looks anything like this, and it’s expected to be as much as 26% in two years,” David Klein, head of loan refinancing firm CommonBond, explained in a Marketwatch video.

Is This Real Life, or Are We Dreaming?

In a press conference about the bill last week, Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Illinois, explained that by providing tax breaks to corporations that participate in such programs, lawmakers can help borrowers avoid default on their student loan debt.

But while the bill would be a salve for many recent graduates, it wouldn’t help those struggling the most to repay their loans: those still struggling to find employment opportunities that will help them make headway on their debt.

Lawmakers have proposed similar plans in previous sessions of Congress, but they’ve all faded away. With 36 bipartisan co-sponsors, this one may have staying power.

Your Turn: Would you try to get a position with an employer who offered a student loan repayment benefit?

Lisa Rowan is a writer and producer at The Penny Hoarder.

The post Congress Wants to Help You By Helping Your Boss Pay Off Your Student Loan appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.

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Budget 2017: sugary drinks, alcohol and cigarettes to go up

Hannah Nemeth

sugary-drink.jpg

The soft drinks levy has not raised as much tax as was expected, the Chancellor has revealed.

The soft drinks levy has not raised as much tax as was expected, the Chancellor has revealed.

Phillip Hammond confirmed that producers are already reformulating sugar out of their drinks, which means lower revenues for HMRC.

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Budget 2017: £2 billion for social care

Kyle Caldwell

social-care.jpg

Chancellor Philip Hammond announced in Wednesday's (8 March) Budget that an additional £2 billion will be spent on social care in England over the next three years. Out of that amount, £1 billion will be available for 2017-2018 to enable local authorities to arrange new care packages without delay.

Chancellor Philip Hammond announced in Wednesday's (8 March) Budget that an additional £2 billion will be spent on social care in England over the next three years. Out of that amount, £1 billion will be available for 2017-2018 to enable local authorities to arrange new care packages without delay.

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Budget 2017: personal allowance to rise to £11,500

Adam Williams

personal-allowance.jpg

Chancellor Phillip Hammond has reaffirmed the government’s plans to increase to personal tax allowance to £12,500 by the end of this Parliament in his Budget speech.

Chancellor Phillip Hammond has reaffirmed the government’s plans to increase to personal tax allowance to £12,500 by the end of this Parliament in his Budget speech.

As previously announced, workers will see their personal tax allowance rise to £11,500 from 6 April 2017 and the allowance will reach £12,500 by the 2019/20 tax year.

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Budget 2017: self-employed income tax bill to rise

Helen Knapman

self-employed.jpg

Self-employed workers have been dealt a blow in today’s Budget, as Chancellor Philip Hammond has announced a forthcoming increase in taxes.

Self-employed workers have been dealt a blow in today’s Budget, as Chancellor Philip Hammond has announced a forthcoming increase in taxes.

From, April 2018, Class 4 National Insurance Contributions (NICs) will increase from 9% to 10%. They will rise again to 11% in April 2019.

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Budget 2017: new tax on transferring pension overseas

Moira O'Neill

retire-abroad.jpg

Those retiring abroad might be hit by a new transfer charge on moving their pension to a ‘qualifying recognised overseas pension scheme’ (QROPS).

Those retiring abroad might be hit by a new transfer charge on moving their pension to a ‘qualifying recognised overseas pension scheme’ (QROPS).

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Budget 2017: missed opportunity to tackle housing issues

Hannah Nemeth

uk-housing-stock.jpg

Today’s Budget was noticeably lacking in any further information on government plans outlined in its recent Housing White Paper and missed the chance to ease the stamp duty burden on first-time buyers.

Today’s Budget was noticeably lacking in any further information on government plans outlined in its recent Housing White Paper and missed the chance to ease the stamp duty burden on first-time buyers.

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Budget 2017: plans to end subscription traps and overhaul small print

Moira O'Neill

struggling-with-small-print.jpg

A crack-down on misleading consumer practices, including those which end up costing people money they aren’t expecting, has been set out in today’s Budget.

A crack-down on misleading consumer practices, including those which end up costing people money they aren’t expecting, has been set out in today’s Budget.

To help people make better-informed choices about how they spend their hard earned cash, the Chancellor Philip Hammond highlighted some of the details in the government’s upcoming Consumer Green Paper.

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Budget 2017: dividend tax allowance to be cut to £2,000

Kyle Caldwell

calculator-div.jpg

Chancellor Philip Hammond has announced plans to make the tax-free dividend allowance less generous.

Chancellor Philip Hammond has announced plans to make the tax-free dividend allowance less generous.

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Your Green Thumb Can Help You Save Money: How to Start a Backyard Garden

As the days start getting just a little bit warmer, it’s time to start preparing for a great season of gardening. Growing vegetables at home can help you save money and know exactly what you’re eating. Plus, it’s rewarding to harvest a feast you’ve grown yourself!

You don’t have to have a big plot of land in the countryside to grow delicious vegetables. Once, I lived in a small urban apartment and was able to grow a feast of tomatoes, squash, peppers, eggplants and more in pots right on my porch.

Ready to start growing vegetables and pretty much cross them off your shopping list for the summer? Here’s how to start a vegetable garden.

Find Your Zone

Before you get started on your garden, take a look at this handy map to see what climatic zone you live in. The zones show the climatic conditions in different areas, based on the average low temperatures in the winter, and tell you what kinds of plants will grow best in your region. With this interactive online map from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, just type in your ZIP code to find out your zone number.

Be sure to consider plants to grow that thrive in your zone. If you live in Michigan but want to plant mango and lemon trees outside, you may end up disappointed when they fail to thrive. Work with your climate, rather than against it.

You’ll find plenty of plants that thrive in almost all climates, so do a little research. Ask around at your local garden shop, where staff can likely provide the best advice on veggies and fruits varieties that grow best in your zone.

Also consider how your zone will affect your timing. Burpee’s vegetable catalog features interactive information telling you when to plant each vegetable for the area in which you live. For example, the site tells me that in my particular zone (zone 3), I will need to sow my cucumbers in mid-June. If I lived in Orlando, I could start planting my cucumbers right now. Those few months make a key difference, since if I planted cucumbers now, they would quickly die.

Gardening for Beginners: First, Decide What to Grow

Part of setting up your garden is, of course, figuring out what you’d like to grow. You’ll only have so much space, so you’ll want to make the most of it! Choose to plant foods you enjoy eating, and consider the impact on your bottom line by planting these cost-effective vegetables.

Consider your garden’s location. Evaluate how much sun you have and what times of day different areas of your yard or garden receive sunlight. Different plants have different sun and shade needs. For example, basil and bell peppers like full sun, while arugula thrives in shadier areas.

Your garden’s size is also an important factor. Different plants have different space requirements. Some plants, like corn and broccoli, prefer a foot or two of space between rows, while beans only need half that space. And leafy plants, such as spinach and lettuce, are often just fine when they are planted only 4 to 6 inches apart.

Also, think about how often plants need to be watered and what is realistic with your schedule. If you won’t be around much, be sure to get lower-maintenance plants, and if you’re planning on leaving town for a chunk of time, think about who may be able to help water your plants when you’re away. It would be a shame to let months of work shrivel up when you’re on vacation for a week.

Short on Space? Have a Potted Plant Garden

You might not have an extensive backyard to grow a garden. But this doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy homegrown tomatoes and other veggies this summer! It’s possible to grow a bounty of tasty treats from pots right on your patio, or even inside your home.

Be sure to consider the sun and shade you have available, as well as the space needs of the vegetables you choose to grow. It’s also a good idea to specifically ask at a garden shop if the plants you’re considering growing typically do well in pots in your climate.

Gather Your Tools and Seeds

Now that you know what grows well in your area, how much space you’re working with and what you’d like to grow, it’s time to start gathering what you’ll need to put your garden together.

Think about seeds or starts, soil, fertilizer, mulch, a watering system (which can be as simple as a watering can or a mason jar, or as complicated as a sprinkler system), and any tools you may need and don’t already have (shovel, hoe, rake, etc.) A local gardening shop can share in-depth information on the fertilizing combinations and items that will work best in your particular area for the plants you plan on growing.

Once you have an idea of what you need, think of ways to save money on these items. Many plant stores have sales in the springtime, but also consider Craigslist, FreeCycle, garage sales, Facebook garage sale groups and other ways to source these materials inexpensively (or even for free!).

Be mindful that used gardening supplies, such as pots and shovels, can harbor diseases and pathogens that can be transmitted to your plants. For example, if you use a tool or pot that previously held or touched contaminated soil or a diseased plant, your plants may be susceptible to becoming infected.

Be sure to thoroughly clean all the dirt off and wash everything well before using. These sterilization guidelines will help “disinfest” certain gardening items from certain pests.

Prepare Your Garden

Prepare the soil by evaluating its texture and cultivating it to allow air in and provide drainage. Consider using mulch to keep out weeds and enhance soil fertility, and add a layer of compost to help fertilize your garden. Compost is usually free — you can collect veggie scraps and yard waste all year to create this “black gold.”

Consider Raised Beds

Raised beds help keep vegetables high and dry in areas with a lot of soil moisture. They also help keep neighboring plants, such as grass, from taking over your vegetable garden, and reduce soil compaction since you’re not stepping on the garden itself to access your plants. And then there’s the added benefit that raised beds mean less crouching during garden maintenance, weeding and harvesting.

If you’d like to build your own raised beds, follow these simple directions for different options. It doesn’t have to be a huge construction project, though. You can create raised beds by using logs to create an outline and then filling it up with soil. Concrete blocks can also do the trick, as well as a number of other simple materials.

Planting a garden doesn’t have to be complicated, and it’s a simple way to save money on food. Plus, there’s nothing like biting into a perfectly ripe tomato straight off the vine, or serving a salad fresh from your backyard. Whatever you decide to grow this year, enjoy it!

Your Turn: What tips do you have about gardening for beginners?

Kristen Pope is a freelance writer and editor in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

The post Your Green Thumb Can Help You Save Money: How to Start a Backyard Garden appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.

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