Iconic Barrett Twp. store changes hands

Warren "Mickey" Miller first arrived in secluded, scenic Barrett Township from his native Waverly around the time America became involved in the Korean War.Miller at the time was a college student working a summer job at Theo B. Price, the store still located on Route 191/390. He fell in love with the area and with a local resident named Maryann, whose last name was Schaarschmidt.Schaarschmidt's grandfather, Theodore B. Price, had bought the place of Miller's summer employment [...]

Source Business - poconorecord.com http://ift.tt/2suud12

5 Ways to Throw a Pride Party On a Sparkly, Shoestring Budget

It’s easy to come up with a good reason to throw a party.

Birthdays, graduation, retirement, getting a new job, leaving an old job, your dog’s bark mitzvah.

With June being Pride Month and all, now’s a good time to throw yourself a Pride party, don’t you think?

5 Frugal Tips for Throwing a Fabulous Pride Party

As with any party you host, the point is to have a good time with friends and family, not blow your rent money on expensive decorations and bakery cake.

Here are a few ways to throw a Pride party and still have money left over to pay the bills.

1. Send Free or Low-Cost Invitations

The key to a good party is having, y’know, guests.

Email free invitations to everyone on your guest list using a website like Evite, Canva or Punchbowl. Some sites allow you to skip the inbox altogether and text invitations right to your friends’ cell phones.

If snail mail is more your speed, hand make your own invitations or hire someone from Fivver to design them for you.

2. Make Your Own Groovy Decorations

Party decorations aren’t too expensive at dollar stores, but making your own lets you personalize them while saving a few bucks.

The possibilities are endless with these DIY balloons, which pair nicely with these DIY sparkly garlands.

If you’ve got the space, think about setting up a DIY photo booth complete with props.

By the way, every party needs a pinata.

3. Track Down Free Dance Music

Some hosts like to spend hours finding just the right tunes to get the party started and keep it rocking for hours.

Other hosts (like me!) want someone else to do all the work so all that’s left to do is plug in the speakers and hit play.

To pull this off, a free streaming music service is what you want.

• Spotify has a bunch of artist- and staff-curated playlists.

• If you use Pandora, check out its Pride Party radio station.

• iHeartRadio has an Instagram account to go with its Pride radio station.

• Check out the Gay Pride Dance Party playlist on Google Play.

• Tidal has at least one free playlist filled with pride anthems and subscribers have access to even more music. If you’re not a paid member, Tidal offers a free month to try before you buy.  

4. Make a Delicious Cake

All parties need cake, and nothing says “Pride party” like rainbow-colored confections.

There are a gazillion recipes online that explain how to make a colored layer cake from a boxed mix or from scratch.

You can also make a gluten-free, raw sugar-free, egg and dairy-free, kosher or vegan rainbow cake for guests with dietary considerations.

Rainbow or not, cakes can be a real pain to make. If you’d rather whip up some rainbow cupcakes, Martha Stewart can hook you up.

Whatever you make, go ahead and jazz it up with sprinkles. You know you want to.

5. Play Fun Party Games

If you’ve got some spare cash, you can always buy pre-made games online. The Penny Hoarder way, though, is to DIY games for your party.

• Pull trivia questions off the internet and find out who knows the most about gay rights, history, culture or whatever Pride-related questions would most appeal to your guests. (Do you know who co-organized the first Pride march?)

• Have a costume contest. I mean, obviously.

• Take your costume contest a step farther and play your own version of Match Game.

• Movie bingo is a perpetual favorite of mine, though it tends to work best with smaller groups. Create some bingo cards filled with popular words, scenes or short phrases from the flick you’ll be watching, turn on the movie and go. Things get funny pretty quick.

• The popular guessing game Who Am I is a great icebreaker for guests who don’t know each other.

To play, people mingle around with an index card taped to their forehead or on their back with the name of a person or character on it. (Names centered around one theme make the game a bit easier.)

Since no one can see their own card, they’ll need to ask other guests questions until they figure it out. Everyone is friends before you can say “Nathan Lane.”

The whole point of a Pride party — or any party, really — is to just have fun.

Don’t worry if your cake’s rainbow colors are out of order or half the balloons deflate early. Your guests will still enjoy themselves.

Just don’t forget to invite Babadook.

Lisa McGreevy is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder. She probably wouldn’t ace a trivia quiz but she’d kill it in a costume contest.

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, one of the largest personal finance websites. We help millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. In 2016, Inc. 500 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the No. 1 fastest-growing private media company in the U.S.

source The Penny Hoarder http://ift.tt/2rxETa1

The Penny Hoarder’s Ultimate Guide to Making Extra Money With InboxDollars

Sites that pay you to take surveys, play games, watch videos or search the web are appealing, no?

You’re mindlessly making money — or at least more mindlessly than your 9-to-5 gig.

But finding legitimate reward sites might seem near impossible. You’re either plagued with pop-up ads, bombarded with emails or, even worse, scammed.

That’s why we test all the sites we write about. So I signed up for InboxDollars, an online rewards club.

The site claims you’ll earn cash — not points — for taking surveys, playing games, watching videos or searching the web.

But do you really? Here’s what my experience was like.

How to Sign Up for InboxDollars

Signing up was easy, which is always promising.

I clicked over to the page that claimed I’d get a free $5 sign-up bonus. Sweet.

I entered my email, created a password and confirmed my account via email. Then I started answering questions (because nothing in life is free). I answered quite a few questions — about my race, income, degree, marital status, kids (or not), even my medical history.

The types of questions seemed on par with every other survey site I’ve visited. And although there was a generous number of questions, the survey itself breezed by quickly. Then I watched some introductory tutorials — none of which lasted more than a minute or two.

That was it; I earned my first $5.

I got distracted a few times, but I suspect the process didn’t take more than about 15 minutes.

How to Start Earning Cash With InboxDollars

Once you bank your initial $5, you can start earning cash.

Keep in mind you need to earn at least $30 to cash out. Users have reported that InboxDollars will waive a $3 transaction fee if you wait to cash out at $40.

Here are some ways to stack up that $40.

Make Money Taking Surveys

Navigate over to the “Surveys” tab at the top of the webpage.

There, you’ll find your notification dashboard, which aggregates surveys you might qualify for (based on those answers you gave when you signed up).

Each survey lists the estimated completion time, as well as how much you can earn and the topic at hand.

Many of the offers I’ve seen offer something like 50 cents for a 26-minute survey. Or 25 cents for a 9-minute survey. I saw a couple that offered up to $4.50.

You’ll also earn “spins,” which you can use on the “Billy’s Spin & Win” game. You’ll find your number of spins at the top of the “Surveys” page.

I had somehow accumulated 18, so I spun and won some “sweeps” (more on that later), cents and survey tokens, which banked me an extra 25 cents after I finished my subsequent survey.

Also, if for some reason you’re caught BSing the answers and clicking through these surveys mindlessly, it’ll affect which surveys you qualify for in the future. That’s what InboxDollars says, at least. I’m not sure how it knows.

Make Money Watching TV and Videos

Watching TV and watching videos are two separate categories on InboxDollars, but they offer essentially the same thing: cents for views.

The TV shows and videos are just segments from random channels you probably haven’t heard of. I watched something about football on “The Fumble.” My co-worker also caught me watching a video about how to make maple-glazed butternut squash. Yum.

For each video, you’ll earn a cent or two. More often than not, a scratch-off card will pop up at the end. This is a fun tool the InboxDollars team is testing out.

You’ll click and hold down your mouse to scratch off the card. If three of the six results match, that’s what you get. I’ve earned anywhere from nada to 5 cents. There’s also a $10 result — but I haven’t scored that yet. I typically win a cent

Each show I’ve watched thus far has been less than 2 minutes, and I found that earning money this way was more mindless (and more fun) than taking the surveys.

Make Money Surfing the Web

This is another super easy way to add some cents to your cash count.

For any four random searches you make through the InboxDollars search engine, you’ll earn 1 cent and three sweeps.

What’s a sweep, you’ve been wondering? It’s short for sweepstakes.

Each sweep represents an entry, like a raffle. (You’ll see how many sweeps you have next to the ticket-stub icon on your dashboard.) You can enter your sweeps into contests to win more sweeps or cash.

I entered all of mine in to win $25 in cash. (For that one, it was 20 sweeps for one entry.)

Fingers crossed.

Other Ways to Make Money With InboxDollars

You can also earn points by playing games, shopping, reading emails and signing up for products or services.

For example, if you sign up for the Fabletics VIP membership, you can bank a $20 reward. You can also join VIP Voice to earn $1.75, or opt in for free samples of socks for 25 cents. Been meaning to sign up for that Target REDcard? Get $3 if you do it through InboxDollars.

You’ll also want to keep an eye on InboxDollars’ social media channels.

There, it posts WinIt codes. Copy and paste the code into the WinIt box. (Click the “My Stuff” tab, then WinIt.) You can win a number of items. I scored eight sweeps, which I then put toward more rewards.

My Final Review: The Pros and Cons of InboxDollars

Overall, InboxDollars is super easy to navigate. I’ve tried other paid survey sites and just end up overwhelmed.

It also does a nice job of breaking down the offers by categories. And you’ll always see the amount of money you’ve earned at the top your window, which is exhilarating… in its own Penny-Hoarding way.

Which leads to another point: I love that the site rewards you in dollars — not points. On similar sites, it always looks like you’ve racked up so many points. But when you cash out, you get, say, a $10 Amazon card. Here, you know exactly what you’re getting.

You’ve probably figured out by now, though, this isn’t going to bring you big bucks.

I’ve played with the site for about 24 hours now, and I’ve earned $7.63, which includes the $5 sign-up bonus. InboxDollars does say it’s dealt out more than $50 million to its users, as of last year.

You also have to earn at least $30 to cash out, so at the rate I’m moving, it’s going to take a while. However, I could sign up for offers — like VIP Fabletics or those free socks — to hit that threshold more quickly.

I mentioned at the beginning that InboxDollars doesn’t plague your inbox either. And it really doesn’t — if you know what you’re doing.

When you sign up, you’ll opt in for three “PaidMail” opportunities a day, which pop in your inbox. These can bank you a few cents just for opening. But you can also get these sent to your InboxDollars inbox, so I opted out and just view them from there.

On the surveys side, I grew a bit frustrated.

I mentioned a 9-minute survey for 25 cents earlier. Well, I took that survey, and I know it took me way longer than nine minutes.

Also, just because a survey is suggested in your dashboard doesn’t mean you’ll qualify. I’d answer up to 10 questions before being told that I can’t take it.

However, I do think it says something that the site entertained me. I even found myself growing a bit addicted, feeling like I was checking in on my Neopet or something. I kept checking for new surveys, spinning Bob’s wheel and watching videos about how to prep sweet potato quiche — all of which actually earned me some money.

In conclusion, InboxDollars probably won’t supplement your income, but it’s a fun way to poke around the internet and waste some time. If you’re already doing that, you might as well earn some extra money… right?

If you want to give the site a try, sign up for that $5 bonus here.

Let me know what you think of InboxDollars. I’d love to chat with a pro to hear about all the moola you’ve made!

Disclosure: Clink! Clink! Clink! That’s the sound of pennies hitting our piggy bank, thanks to the affiliate links in this post. It’s a better savings plan than stopping traffic to pick up loose change — and safer, too!

Carson Kohler (@CarsonKohler) is a junior writer at The Penny Hoarder. After work, she plans to go home and learn how to make cupcakes… while earning a few cents. Thanks, InboxDollars!

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, one of the largest personal finance websites. We help millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. In 2016, Inc. 500 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the No. 1 fastest-growing private media company in the U.S.

source The Penny Hoarder http://ift.tt/2sqpbBz

This Might Be the Best Time Ever To Start Driving With Uber in New York

When did the Jetsons become real life?

With news of Airbus working on flying taxis, Amazon adding drones to its workforce, and CocoJet printing chocolate bars, we’re well on our way.

And now this…

Almost 10% of Americans who traded in a vehicle last year didn’t get a new one.

That’s according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll published May 25, and the news is having an (un)surprising effect.

We’re Living in an Uber World

The same poll found that 39% of adults used ride-hailing services like Uber last year, and 27% of that group said they did so several times a week.

Perhaps more remarkably, the poll found that almost a quarter of adults sold or traded in a vehicle in the past 12 months. Most got new vehicles, but about 9% of that group turned to ride services as their main way to get around.

Similar percentages said they also plan to do that in the upcoming 12 months, and Uber is noticing.

Rachel Holt, head of U.S. and Canada operations for Uber recently told reporters, “Looking at less-mature regions, trips were up 600% in February, year on year.”

Growth in ride-heavy New York City is impressive, too. A recent report by the New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission shows the number of Uber trips climbing to over 250,000 per day from less than 100,000 just two years ago.

Are all these people just hoping to be on the new season of “Cash Cab?”

This Might Be the Best Time to Start Driving in NYC

Supply and demand, right? If you’ve considered driving with Uber in New York City’s five boroughs, this might just be the best time to do so.

And to convince you of that, Uber is now offering incentives for new NYC driver partners. Unfortunately, these discounts won’t apply for those hoping to drive in the city’s suburbs.

Here’s a taste:

1. Cash in on the new driver incentive.

Pocket $250 when you complete 40 New York City trips within your first seven days of activating your Uber account.

2. Note the $5,000 first-month guarantee.

To promise you those initial start-up fees are worth it, Uber guarantees you’ll make $1,250 in net fares per week — or $5,000 in your first month.

If you don’t, it’ll pay you the difference.

However, you’ll need to complete 65 trips with 65 unique passengers — 25 of those must originate in Manhattan below 110th Street during peak hours (listed in the fine print here). Really, that’s most of Manhattan.

3. Rent a car, and get a $415/week credit.

If you don’t have a vehicle, you can rent a new car.

As long as you complete 65 trips per week in your first two weeks of driving with Uber, you’ll get a $415 credit. You’ll also need to rent from an Uber-approved dealer.

To read all the details, head over to Uber’s New York City Guarantee hub.

If you want to give this whole “Uber in the City” thing a try, now might be your best time so you can reap some of these sweet incentives. They’ll last until June 30th.

The initial sign up process is still easy; just fill out your information here.

What’s the Catch?

But… (there’s always a but)… there are start-up fees. Let’s explain those really fast.

New York City requires all Uber driver partners who drive within the five boroughs to possess a Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) license. Before you can get your TLC license, though, you need a Class E license or a CDL.

On average, these licenses (along with the other requirements) cost about $525 to $625.

Here’s a breakdown, according to Uber:

• TLC license application fee: $250
• For-Hire Vehicle Exam: $150-$250
  
• Drug test: $100
• Fingerprinting: $25

Drivers also need a vehicle. If you already have one in the city, great. It must be at least a 2006 model and pass all inspections.

If you don’t have a car, you can choose to rent one through an Uber-affiliated dealer.

If you don’t have $625 sitting around (or a car)…well, that’s where the big Uber driver incentives come in.

Want to Drive Outside the City?

Let’s be honest, driving in NYC might not be your cup of tea — it’s pretty hectic.

If you want to drive with Uber in New York — outside the five boroughs — you’re in luck, as the company is expanding to the rest of the state.

The best part? You won’t need the pricy TLC license, which makes signing up to drive much easier.

As an Uber contractor, you’re responsible for setting your schedule and motivating yourself to work — no one is keeping tabs on you. Your earnings will be calculated by adding a base fare, plus time and distance traveled after your pickup, and Uber charges a service fee (20-35% depending on your city).

If you want to give it a try there are a few things to keep in mind. You must be at least 21 years old, have three years of driving experience, have an in-state driver’s license, a clean driving record and be able to pass a criminal background check.

Finally, your car must be a four-door, seat at least four passengers (excluding the driver), be registered in-state and be covered by in-state insurance.

If you want to give it a try, here’s a link to sign up.

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

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

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, one of the largest personal finance websites. We help millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. In 2016, Inc. 500 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the No. 1 fastest-growing private media company in the U.S.

source The Penny Hoarder http://ift.tt/2sqlZ9l

St. Luke’s Father Tom, 66, dies

Rev. Tom McLaughlin, the longtime priest of the Church of St. Luke in the heart of Stroudsburg, and an influential leader in the community, died Tuesday after a long illness.McLaughlin held his last mass in March 2015, taking a leave of absence following his declining health. McLaughlin dealt with numerous health challenges for many years, and by then, serious cognitive health concerns compounded other health issues.McLaughlin, who was 66 years old, was at St. Luke’s for [...]

Source Business - poconorecord.com http://ift.tt/2sbFPDa

Fed raises key rate and unveils plan to reduce bond holdings

The Federal Reserve has raised its benchmark interest rate for the third time in six months, providing its latest vote of confidence in a slow-growing but durable economy. The Fed also announced plans to start gradually paring its bond holdings later this year, which could cause long-term rates to rise.

Source Business - poconorecord.com http://ift.tt/2s1ycjY

William Shatner Needs Your Help: Priceline is Hiring 75 Work-From-Home Reps

Whenever I think of Priceline, I think of this guy:

It’s the Priceline Negotiator. The one with the frantic chorus that sings out behind him. “Priceline Negotiator!!!” (Yes, the exclamation points are necessary.)

Well, the Negotiator needs your help now.

Priceline, one of the country’s largest travel sites, is recruiting about 75 work-from-home customer support agents between now and the end of the year.

Priceline is Hiring Work-From-Home Customer Support Agents

Your job as a customer support agent is to answer incoming calls from Priceline customers. Chances are, you’ll assist these folks with changes to their lodging or transportation needs.

The job can be challenging. Think: Multitasking between several applications, researching solutions, speaking with customers, adjusting agendas…

However, don’t fret. You’ll have an opportunity to learn the ropes during the certification process..

Do You Meet Priceline’s Job Qualifications?

First, you’ll want to see if you meet the basic qualifications.

For that, fill out this quick application through NexRep (that’s the company who’s hiring for Priceline; they’re cool, we swear). It doesn’t take long, and no, it won’t spam your inbox.

In short, it basically spells out the requirements including:

• You’ll need two monitors. But honestly, having two monitors is super nice. And you can snag one for something like $80 on Amazon.

• You’ll need to have Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer.

• You’ll need to be able to do basic internet searches and be familiar with Mac OS or Windows operating systems.

• You’ll need to be able to type at least 35-40 WPM. (Check your WPM — and practice — with these free tools.)

• You should have customer service experience. A call center background is a plus.

• Major plus? Travel or hospitality industry work experience.

• You should have some travel experience… as in you travel at least once a year and have used an online site to research and book your reservations. Maybe this is the perfect excuse to book your vacay now.

Priceline’s Hours of Operation and, Most Importantly, Pay

The gig is open seven days a week from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. EST, and NexRep asks that you work at least 10 weekend hours (five hours on both Saturday and Sunday).

In total, you’ll need to work 25 hours a week. But it’s all on your schedule.

And you’re welcome to work more, as long as you schedule hours within Priceline’s hours of operation (1 p.m. to 1 a.m., seven days a week).

Pay starts at $10 an hour.

If you’re interested, go ahead and fill out the job application here. It’s pretty quick and painless, I have to say.

And if you’re not? We have plenty of other work-from-home opportunities on our Facebook jobs page.

Disclosure: This post includes affiliate links. We’re letting you know because it’s what Honest Abe would do. After all, he is on our favorite coin.

Carson Kohler (@CarsonKohler) is a junior writer at The Penny Hoarder. She’s booking her vacation riiiiighhhhtttt now.

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, one of the largest personal finance websites. We help millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. In 2016, Inc. 500 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the No. 1 fastest-growing private media company in the U.S.

source The Penny Hoarder http://ift.tt/2t2IdvK

Tell an Amazing Dad You Know About These 8 Fabulous Father’s Day Deals

Dads are incredible — they’re always there to fix things, whether it’s a broken pipe or a broken heart.

Father’s Day is this Sunday, June 18. Have you made plans yet? If you haven’t, don’t worry! We have deals for you.

Already have plans? Take advantage of these freebies anyway — free beer and ice cream never hurt anyone.

8 Penny Hoarder-Approved Father’s Day 2017 Freebies

Get free stuff for Dad by taking him to any of these eight places for Father’s Day 2017. Here’s what he could score.

1. Free Bag of Coffee at First Watch

If you bring your dad to First Watch for a meal Sunday, June 18, he’ll get a free small bag of premium coffee.

2. Free Meal at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s

Dads get a free meal at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s on Sunday, June 18, with the purchase of another meal of equal or greater value. Doesn’t every dad deserve curly fries?

3. Free Firehouse Sub

Firehouse Subs is offering a coupon for a free medium sub with the purchase of an additional sub, side and drink.

4. Free Hooters Wings

Make your dad feel special this Father’s Day by taking him to Hooters, where you’ll get 10 free wings with the purchase of 10 wings and a beverage.

5. Free Pie at Shoney’s

Shoney’s has a special Father’s Day menu, and dads get a free slice of pie Sunday, June 18 — contact your local restaurant for details on the free pie and flavor. The restaurant is also expanding its buffet on Sunday to include garlic shrimp, fried chicken, peach cobbler and more.

6. Free Meal at Spaghetti Warehouse

Dads eat free at Spaghetti Warehouse on Sunday, June 18! Dads can opt for the 15-layer lasagna or any of their original recipe spaghetti entrées.

7. Free Beer at World of Beer

World of Beer is offering dads a free select draught or $5 off this Sunday. Also, if you buy a Blue Moon, you get to keep the glass. Cheers!

8. Free Combo Meal at PDQ

On Sunday, June 18, dads get a free combo meal at PDQ with the purchase of any meal, including kids meals, all day long.

Jacquelyn Pica is an editorial intern at The Penny Hoarder. She may or may not have already made plans for Father’s Day.

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, one of the largest personal finance websites. We help millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. In 2016, Inc. 500 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the No. 1 fastest-growing private media company in the U.S.

source The Penny Hoarder http://ift.tt/2rshawW

Internet Savvy? This Work-From-Home Internet Analyst Job Pays $13/Hr

Grace C. & More is hiring an Internet Analyst to research search engine results and provide feedback to the company.

You’ll also measure the relevance and usefulness of web pages and provide comparative analysis of sets of search engine results .

This work-from-home job pays $13 per hour.

Although the Internet Analyst job is part-time, it’s a great way to gain experience that could lead to high-paying specialized analyst positions in other industries.

Research analyst jobs are hot right now. For instance, information security analysts make about $92,000 per year.

Market research analyst jobs, a close cousin of internet analyst jobs, currently pay only about $62,000 per year. But the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the number of available market research analyst jobs will grow 19% by 2024. The Bureau says that’s “much faster than the average for all occupations.”

Applicants for this position must have:

• Excellent web research skills and analytical abilities
• A passion for analysis and also be internet savvy
• In-depth knowledge of American social, media and web culture
• Strong comprehension and written communication skills in English
• A college degree or equivalent experience (degrees in-progress are acceptable). Advanced degrees a plus
• A high-speed internet connection and an Android, Windows or Apple smartphone

You’ll be required to take and pass a three-part qualification exam before you’re hired.

Apply here for the Internet Analyst job at Grace C. & More

If this job doesn’t strike your fancy, keep an eye on our Jobs page on Facebook. We post new opportunities there all the time.

Lisa McGreevy is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder. She’d love to hear about your favorite work-from-home job so swing by Twitter and look her up @lisah.

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, one of the largest personal finance websites. We help millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. In 2016, Inc. 500 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the No. 1 fastest-growing private media company in the U.S.

source The Penny Hoarder http://ift.tt/2spfwv5

Philips Is Hiring More Than 200 People Around the World to Work From Home

If you’ve been keeping an eye on our site for good work-from-home opportunities but have always missed out because you’re not based in the U.S., this one’s for you.

(But don’t worry, Penny Hoarders in the U.S. — there are options here for you, too!)

Philips, the innovative giant behind countless products you use every day (like your toothbrush and TV), is looking to hire more than 200 employees to work from home in 30 countries around the globe.

The company currently has more than 200 work-from-home openings in a wide range of fields, including copywriting, nursing, customer service, engineering — and everything in between.

Many of the positions are full-time, and come with some pretty awesome benefits. Employees at Philips have the potential to receive benefits such as a 401(k) plan, upwards of three weeks of flexible time off, medical, dental and vision insurance, education reimbursements and a wide variety of deals and discounts on Philips products.

The company offers flexible work arrangements, including from-home opportunities and compressed workweeks for people who need more freedom in their schedules.

If you’re interested in learning more about working at Philips and what career opportunities are available in various countries around the world, visit the company’s career page here.

To find the work-from-home opportunities that are currently open, simply type “home based” into the search bar at the top of the page.

If you want to be the first to know about more awesome job opportunities like this one, be sure to like our Jobs page on Facebook!

Grace Schweizer is a junior writer at The Penny Hoarder.

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, one of the largest personal finance websites. We help millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. In 2016, Inc. 500 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the No. 1 fastest-growing private media company in the U.S.

source The Penny Hoarder http://ift.tt/2s1rtGN

10 Smart Ways to Use Leftover Beans (Smart Staple Strategies #2)

For the next few weeks, we’re going to talk about some smart strategies for using leftover staple foods – things like rice, beans, pasta, and so on. Here’s what you do when you cook a bit too much and don’t know what to do with the rest!

Personally, beans are my number one staple food. I love so many different kinds of foods that utilize beans, from 13 bean soup to bean burritos, from lentil casserole to “chili.” Beans go so well in so many different types of dishes and so many different culinary traditions, and I love so many of them!

Whenever I make beans, I almost always cook them from their dry state, allowing them to cook for a long while in boiling water and then soak in that water until they’re ready to eat. This provides me with a great source of beans for whatever recipe I’m making at the time, but I often find myself with tons of leftover beans.

Naturally, I scoop up those leftover beans into a large container and pop them in the fridge – a bean lover like myself isn’t going to let perfectly good beans go to waste. However, the question then becomes what am I going to do with those beans?

Here are ten things I love to do with leftover beans. Note, of course, that not all of these work perfectly well with all types of beans, but most beans will work reasonably well for most of these uses.

Strategy #1: Freeze extra beans in a small container.

This one is so easy! All I do is measure out an amount of beans equal to a typical can of beans, put them in a small freezer-safe resealable container designed to hold about a pint of food, and pop that container right in the freezer with a little masking tape label reminding me of what it is. Look! I say to myself when I open the freezer door. I have a pint of black beans right there, and there are a couple of pints of pinto beans!

Whenever I need those beans, I’ll just pull them out of the freezer a day or two beforehand and let them thaw in the refrigerator. A single pint-sized container replaces a can of beans in any recipe and they’re usually tastier because I boiled them myself from dry beans at home. If you’re suddenly in a pinch, you can always defrost them in the microwave.

Strategy #2: Make soup.

A bunch of leftover beans screams “make a big pot of soup!” to me whenever I see them. That’s because there are so many ways to utilize beans in soups. You can make a traditional vegetable bean soup, where almost any chopped up vegetable works with a few basic seasonings, some broth, and some salt. You can puree some of the beans and make a very thick and hearty blended bean soup. You can add lots of chili powder and tomatoes and broth to make a great “chili” soup. The possibilities really are endless.

My parents have this annual tradition of making a large pot of soup on New Year’s Day for all of their friends to stop by at their convenience to have a bowl and talk about the new year together. Their soup is just a big collection of white beans, vegetables, and a big ham bone dropped into the soup, where the ham bone is left over from Christmas dinner, many of the vegetables are remnants from the fall garden harvest, and the beans are (usually in part) left over from other meals over the last few months. The soup is gently seasoned, warm, and delicious!

Strategy #3: Make refried beans.

You have leftover beans. Make refried beans! Refried beans work as an ingredient in many things such as burritos and tortilla soups and even as a sandwich topping (seriously, I do this quite often). It’s easy, too – just saute a few onions in a skillet, mash up some cooked beans, and put them right in the skillet along with the onions to cook a little bit. The onion residue on the pan soaks right into the beans, making a delicious paste that can be used in almost infinite ways.

Strategy #4: Make burritos.

If you want to put those refried beans right to use, make some burritos. Load them up with the refried beans you just made, add some whole beans as well, and add whatever toppings you like – cheese, lettuce, salsa, tomatoes, picante sauce, chicken, steak, eggs, whatever. It’s all welcome here!

Beans add a lot of bulk and earthy flavor to burritos and can actually vary the flavor and texture of the burritos quite a bit depending on the type of bean used. Black beans add a certain flavor (I love them with eggs and cheese in a breakfast-style burrito), while lentils and pintos are completely different.

Strategy #5: Mix them with eggs for breakfast.

Speaking of mixing eggs and beans, that’s the foundation of many delicious breakfasts around our house. I’ll often scramble eggs and toss in a bunch of cooked beans just as the eggs are starting to curd up – a bit of salsa on top and some shredded cheese makes for a wonderful hearty breakfast for everyone involved.

The best part? You can easily scoop that bean/egg/cheese scramble right into a tortilla shell and wrap it up tight for a great breakfast the following day! There’s no need to let any of that good stuff go to waste!

I often like to cook some onions and green peppers right in with the eggs and beans. I’ll start by sautéing diced onions and green peppers, then when they’re a bit browned, I’ll add a bit more butter or oil and then cook the scrambled eggs right in that same skillet. It does darken the eggs a bit, but that skillet meal is to die for and leftover beans are a key part of it!

Strategy #6: Make a savory bean casserole.

Almost all beans can be tossed together with other savory vegetables, a little bit of broth, and a handful of shredded cheese as a binder, with a bit of shredded cheese on top to make a very easy and delicious casserole that works as a side or even as the main course for many meals.

My mother-in-law makes a fantastic savory casserole using leftover lentils, leftover brown rice, some broth, and some cheese. Here’s that recipe, if you want it; if you ever find yourself with leftover lentils and leftover rice, this is a great way to use that stuff!

Strategy #7: Make hummus (or ‘hummus’).

Hummus is essentially chickpeas blended with olive oil and spices, and chickpeas are merely a type of bean. The truth is that you can make “hummus” by blending almost any bean with some olive oil and spices.

I like to make a black bean “hummus” by adding some olive oil, a bit of garlic, a tiny bit of onion powder, and a dash of chili powder. All you need is a bunch of leftover black beans for this. Some of the less flavorful beans can be made into a “hummus” with literally whatever flavorings you like to make a savory snack.

Strategy #8: Make a bean dip.

You don’t have to blend all of your beans into oblivion with olive oil to make a great dip, either. Simply mixing beans together with something else to bind them together can make for a great dip.

You can simply layer beans with things like fresh salsa, onions, guacamole, and sour cream to make a great seven-layer dip for tortilla chips. You can mix beans with cream cheese and taco seasoning, layer some cheese on top, and bake until nice and warm to make a great hot dip. You can even just season them well with things like Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, garlic powder, and dry mustard and mix them thoroughly with mayonnaise to make a really interesting savory dip. There are many, many possibilities!

Strategy #9: Make veggie burgers.

One of my favorite things to do with well-cooked leftover beans is to simply form them into patties with a bit of beaten egg as a binder and cook them on the grill. They cook quite well and form very solid patties. Pile the condiments high and you have yourself a delicious sandwich!

You can also mix a lot of things into the bean patty depending on the flavor you want to create. Try putting garlic right in there, or some sauteed onion, or some cayenne pepper, or some feta cheese. You can make a lot of varieties on the old black bean burger!

Strategy #10: Add them to a salad.

If you’re preparing a tossed salad, consider adding some rinsed beans directly to the salad to add some body, texture, and protein to the mix. It can make an ordinary salad seem quite a bit more hardy with just that simple addition and significantly change the flavors and textures, too.

I like adding beans to salads where I’m using a southwest-style dressing with a bit of zip to it. I’ve also seen light-colored beans added to tossed salads with Italian-style dressing as well. In both cases, adding a few extra beans just completely changes the salad’s character.

Next time, we’ll look at some awesome strategies for using extra pasta!

The post 10 Smart Ways to Use Leftover Beans (Smart Staple Strategies #2) appeared first on The Simple Dollar.

Source The Simple Dollar http://ift.tt/2rvAd4G

8 Steps You Probably Haven’t Taken to Finally Get Rid of Student Loan Debt

When I was at my brokest and plagued with student loan debt I couldn’t possibly repay, my first instinct was to ignore it.

Not my Penny Hoarder-est moment, I admit.

But what can you do when you’re choosing between groceries and the electricity bill, and the federal government asks for $300? I laughed and swept it under the rug… and racked up 10s of thousands in interest and fees over the years

I wish I’d known there were better options. If I’d have tried these tricks right after leaving college, I might not be sitting on $58,000 in debt right now.

I hope you can learn from my mistakes — and the troves of financial wisdom I’ve gained since joining The Penny Hoarder.

When it comes to paying off student loans, here are some smart ways pay them down faster — before they balloon to an unmanageable amount.

1. Figure Out What You Owe

The first step to paying off student loans is knowing what you owe.

Considering you often sign off on student loans as a teenager without a clear understanding of what they even are, we understand if you’re not 100% sure where to begin.

Credit Sesame will let you see how much money you owe and to whom (even if you’ve defaulted on loans). It’ll show your balance on both private and federal loans and offer tips to help reduce your debt and raise your credit score.

2. Lower Your Interest Rate

For some, this could be one of the best ways to pay off student loans.

Try getting a lower interest rate on your federal and private loans by refinancing with a company like Credible. Other companies offer similar services, but we like that the average Credible user saves about two interest points on their current federal loans

Refinancing will generally mean replacing your laundry list of loans with one (or a few) loans that bring all of your student debt under one umbrella.

This could simplify your life with one monthly payment, instead of several. It may also lower your monthly payment, improve your interest rate and/or give you more time to pay.

It might seem like a small difference, but a lower interest rate can mean a lot of savings over time. It’s helping grad Ashley Williams save more than $18,000 in interest over the life of her loan!

Enter your info at Credible to find out what your new interest rate could be.

3. Consolidate Federal Loan

While you can refinance your federal loans with a company like Credible, you should first apply for a direct consolidation loan through the Department of Education.

If you qualify, this will combine all your eligible federal loans under one umbrella — one monthly payment, one lender and one interest rate.

Your interest rate will be the weighted average of rates on your existing loans, so you can do the math to determine whether private refinancing might be a better deal.

The benefit of a federal direct consolidation loan is you can sign up for an income-driven repayment plan. These plans limit your monthly payment to a percentage of your discretionary income and give you more time — sometimes twice as long — to pay back your loan.

Pro? This option could make your monthly payments easier to swing. Con? With a longer repayment period, you might pay more in the long run because of interest.

4. Chip Away at Your Debt With More Small Payments

You know how much you owe, but you obviously want to owe less, right?

An app called Qoins can help you get debt-free without really thinking about it.

After connecting your accounts and choosing the loans you want to pay off, you’ll just go about spending money (smartly) as you always do.

Qoins uses a round-up feature, so for each purchase you make, it rounds up to the nearest dollar. That spare change automatically goes toward making extra payments on your debt each month.

Users report saving an average $50 per month to put toward their debts

Even better: If you download the app now, you’ll bank an extra $3. Every little bit counts, right?

5. Enroll in an Income-Driven Repayment Plan

Even if you don’t consolidate your loans, you could benefit from an income-driven repayment plan. These plans could help you avoid default or deferment, so you can continue to make steady progress on repayment.

These loans come in four different (but similar) varieties:

• Pay As You Earn (PAYE Plan)

• Income-Based Repayment Plan (IBR Plan)

• Income-Contingent Repayment Plan (ICR Plan)

• Revised Pay As You Earn (REPAYE Plan)

Learn more about the details of each here.

6. Cut Your Expenses

Maybe you’re struggling to make your student loan payments simply because you’re spending too much money somewhere else.

No judgement here — everyone’s financial situation is unique. But if you’re falling behind on bills, it’s worth taking a look at your budget.

New to managing a household budget? This spreadsheet can help.

And try these tips to save money on your everyday expenses:

• 20 clever ways to enjoy shopping for clothes without the huge bill

• 31 ways to save money on baby gear, clothes, diapers and more

• 14 apps to help you save money on gas

• 23 brilliant strategies to get everything you need for free

If you need help setting aside the money you’ll save, let these apps do it for you.

7. Start a Side Hustle

When you can’t cut spending anymore, it’s time to bring in more money.

If you’re strapped for time, start small. These 12 apps will help you earn extra money for doing almost nothing. Or try something a little more lucrative, like cashing in your aluminum cans for $150 a month.

When you have time to take it a step further, try launching a flexible side hustle, like reselling clothes and other thrift store items, or driving with Uber and Lyft.

Or, have a spare room? Might as well list it on Airbnb to make some money off it.

If you’re a good host with a desirable space, you could add hundreds — even thousands — of dollars to your savings account with Airbnb.

(Hosting laws vary from city to city. Please understand the rules and regulations applicable to your city and listing.)

These gigs let you earn more money when you’ve got the time and energy to hustle — and take a break when you’re worn down by a day job, family responsibilities or school.

You could bank an extra $50 or $100 a month without a ton of effort, and that money can make a huge dent in your student loans.

Need more inspiration? Here are 32 ways to make extra money this month.

8. Declare Bankruptcy (If You Have No Other Option)

If all else fails, you can discharge your student loans in bankruptcy — in limited cases.

It’s hard to do, and not very common, but if you’re in dire straits, it’s worth looking into. For your student debt to be considered “undue hardship,” you have to meet the following criteria:

• You’re unable to maintain a minimum standard of living.

• Your situation is not likely to change.

• You’ve made a good-faith effort to repay loans to this point.

A lot depends on your personal circumstances, so always consult an attorney if you’re considering filing bankruptcy.

Paying Off Student Loans

Student loan debt is a ball and chain weighing a lot of us down.

But you don’t have to be chained to it forever. Options like these can make a big difference on your financial situation and help you get rid of that debt once and for all.

Disclosure: We don’t hesitate to pick pennies off the sidewalk when we spot them. But the affiliate links in this post help our earnings grow even quicker. Plus, it’s a lot cleaner than sidewalk money.

Dana Sitar (@danasitar) is a senior 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).

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, one of the largest personal finance websites. We help millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. In 2016, Inc. 500 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the No. 1 fastest-growing private media company in the U.S.

source The Penny Hoarder http://ift.tt/2rhluej

The Comprehensive List of What Needs to Be Above the Fold on Your Homepage

The majority of people have the attention span shorter than a goldfish.

When it comes to your website, it’s probably hurting you.

According to HubSpot, “55% of visitors spend fewer than 15 seconds on your website.”

You’d better grab their attention in a hurry.

But how do you do that?

By placing the most important information above the fold.

It’s one of the most tried-and-true web design best practices.

And it’s one that has received a lot of debate.

I’ve heard some people say you need to follow the original formula religiously and keep key information above the fold.

I’ve also heard other people say that it doesn’t really matter because most people are willing to scroll.

And this makes more sense as of late, considering the number of people using mobile devices.

Everyone has their own opinion, and that’s okay.

But in this post, I’ll share my take on what needs to be above the fold on your homepage.

I’m going to cover the key elements and absolute essentials and condense them into a comprehensive list so you’ll know precisely what to include.

What exactly does “above the fold” mean?

Before I dive in, allow me to give you a formal definition of “above the fold” so that we’re on the same page.

According to Tech Target,

above the fold is the portion of a web page that is visible in a browser window when the page first loads.

In others words, it’s what visitors first see without scrolling.

Although we usually think of websites when referencing “above the fold,” this term actually originated with traditional print publications.

It was simply the upper half of the front page of a newspaper where the top story was printed.

Like this:

Why is above the fold so important?

It’s simple.

• It’s what people see first.
• It’s what attracts the most attention.
• It’s where visitors spend the bulk of their time.

A 2011 eyetracking study from Jakob Nielsen found that visitors spend 80% of their time above the fold.

It’s easy to see why people make such a big fuss about deciding what to include above the fold.

While there will always be some debate as to how important placing content above the fold is, there’s no denying that it is important.

And the way I see it, there are a handful of vital elements that need to be included.

Unique selling proposition (USP)

Here’s a screenshot of the definition of a USP from Tech Target:

It’s absolutely essential that you include this above the fold.

Your USP is the way visitors get their bearings after landing on your site.

It’s your way of instantly showing them what you’re offering and how they’ll benefit by exploring your website further.

Here’s the USP for Quick Sprout:

Bam! Visitors instantly know what’s up.

It doesn’t matter what industry you’re part of or what niche you specialize in, a clear, well-crafted USP is a vital element of your above-the-fold content.

Some “explainer” copy

So, your USP provides visitors with an initial orientation.

But it doesn’t usually explain all the details.

This is why you need to include a bit of “explainer” copy that tells first-timers what your product does.

Here’s a great example from the Ahrefs homepage:

It’s brief and concise, but visitors can quickly tell what they can accomplish by using Ahrefs.

In this case, they can learn what’s helping competitors rank high and what steps they can take to outrank them.

Notice that it doesn’t drone on paragraph after paragraph with long-winded copy.

It matter-of-factly elaborates upon the USP and explains what the product does.

In turn, this should raise the interest level of visitors and encourage them to keep exploring the website further.

Your brand logo

This is a biggie.

In a world with super-saturated industries, where companies often have to scratch and claw their way to the top, brand recognition is of the utmost importance.

That’s why you want to establish consistent branding across the board and take every opportunity to reinforce your brand identity.

Take a look at the homepage of any major company, and I can pretty much guarantee they’ve included their brand logo above the fold.

Below are just a couple of examples.

Here’s HubSpot’s homepage:

And here’s Dropbox’s homepage:

It’s your way of letting visitors know who you are, and it plays a role in your long-term brand building.

Simple navigation

Let’s say a visitor has just landed on your homepage for the first time.

After seeing your USP and explainer copy, they have a pretty good idea of what you’re offering.

And after seeing your brand logo, they associate it with you.

At this point, you’ve piqued their interest, and they want to learn more.

It’s your responsibility to provide them with the framework to explore your site in a streamlined, systematic fashion.

This, of course, is done through simple, intuitive navigation.

Allow me to provide you with a few examples of brands that do this really well.

First, there’s ConversionXL:

Next, there’s Buffer:

Finally, there’s Pat Flynn’s Smart Passive Income:

Pat’s homepage incorporates a feature that I’m a big fan of.

The “Start Here” page.

It’s not necessary for every website, but it’s a great way for some sites to give first-timers a quick and easy way to get acquainted with the site, providing them with the best content to accomplish that.

Notice that all three of these examples feature simple, easy-to-spot navigation.

This way visitors can quickly find what they’re looking for with minimal effort.

This is crucial for encouraging visitors to browse your site in-depth and for getting conversions.

Contact info

This element is more important than you may think.

According to a web usability report from KoMarketing,

51% of people think ‘thorough contact information’ is the most important element missing from many company websites.

On top of this,

64% of people want to see contact information on a vendor website homepage.

It’s especially important if you’re running an e-commerce store, selling online.

People want to be sure you’re a legitimate business and not a scam artist who’s going to take their money and run.

Having full contact information tends to put your visitors’ minds at ease once they land on your homepage.

Your CTA (sometimes)

The fact that I put the word sometimes in brackets may have made you raise an eyebrow.

I mean, why would you not include a CTA above the fold?

This is the absolute basics of homepage design, right?

But here’s the deal with CTAs.

Several studies have been done to determine the impact of CTAs placed above the fold versus below the fold.

One of the more interesting studies involved The Boston Globe.

The experiment was simple.

They ran an A/B test where the CTA was first placed above the fold on the homepage and then below the fold.

Here’s what the first homepage looked like with the CTA above the fold:

And here’s the second version, where the CTA was below the fold:

Conventional logic would suggest that the first version with the CTA above the fold would outperform the second version, right?

Not exactly.

In fact, the results were virtually the same, and there were no significant differences in conversions.

This tells us that maximizing conversions isn’t about simply placing your CTA above the fold.

Anyone can do that.

It’s more about nailing it with all the other elements and writing great copy.

If you pique the interest of visitors, many will make their way further down your homepage and ultimately stumble upon your CTA.

That being said, I generally recommend placing your CTA above the fold as long as it makes sense and flows with the rest of your content.

This tends to be the approach of most successful brands.

However, you never want to force it.

Your main priority is to motivate visitors and to write compelling copy.

Also, be sure you’re not overwhelming visitors by stuffing the page wtih several CTAs above the fold, e.g., signup forms, a link to your product, etc.

Instead, keep it simple, and focus on a single CTA.

Like this:

Conclusion

The formula for what to include above the fold on your homepage is pretty straightforward.

Here’s a recap:

• A well-written USP
• Some brief explainer copy
• Your branded logo
• Simple, intuitive navigation
• Contact info – especially important if you’re running an e-commerce store

The CTA is optional and doesn’t typically affect conversion rates as much as you may think.

But if you can incorporate it in a seamless, non-disruptive way, by all means, include your CTA above the fold.

While there are other elements you could include, these are the essentials.

By putting them all together, you should be able to entice a sizable portion of your readers to continue browsing and even go through your sales funnel.

What do you think the most important element to include above the fold on your homepage is?

Source Quick Sprout http://ift.tt/2saPqKo

Why Did Walmart Choose the Worst Fruit Ever to Make Available Year-Round?

Attention Walmart shoppers: This winter you’re going to see cantaloupes on Walmart shelves.

You’re going to be tempted to skip over them. Probably because you think they “look good but taste like a piece of wood,” as Shawn Baldwin, Walmart’s senior vice president of produce and global food sourcing, told Bloomberg.

But Walmart thinks you’ll be missing out if you decide to pass this winter.

That’s because the mega grocer spent the past six months choosing its top 20 picks from a variety of 100 cantaloupe seeds, and after meticulous taste testing, its employees chose one that is promised to taste as good as a summer melon in the dead of winter.

The new cantaloupes, which are not genetically modified, were chosen to be strong enough to make a long journey to American stores but still be as delicious as cantaloupes grown in season here at home.

Walmart even gave the fruits a special name — Sweet Spark — which beat out its alternative name, Winter Wonder.

But Walmart, Were the Cantaloupes Even Worth it?

The special melons, which are about 40% sweeter than Walmart’s current winter cantaloupe, will only be available at Walmart stores. The company will start selling the fruits in 200 stores with a full rollout this fall, according to Bloomberg.

It’s not clear how the pricing of this new cantaloupe will stack up against what Walmart used to sell you, but we’re not getting the impression that it will be much different for your wallet.

Still, I have a few questions:

Why put so much effort into cantaloupes?

Does anyone even like cantaloupes?

Let’s be honest. Aren’t cantaloupes just the filler fruit we all use to bulk up our fruit salads, then get annoyed with when they get in the way when we’re headed for the grapes or strawberries?

Walmart, I appreciate the work you put in so we can have sweet fruit for the winter months, but I think that effort would have been better spent making sure my pineapples were sweet year-round. Just saying.

Desiree Stennett (@desi_stennett) is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder. She is willing to take a strong stance against cantaloupes and most of the melon family, even when they’re in season.

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, one of the largest personal finance websites. We help millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. In 2016, Inc. 500 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the No. 1 fastest-growing private media company in the U.S.

source The Penny Hoarder http://ift.tt/2t25ZZ2

Deciding Between a Double Major and a Dual Degree? You Should Read This

When I was a newly minted high school grad, my friends and I spent the summer speculating on what our upcoming college experiences would be like.  

Since it was all so new to me, I had to learn new lingo along the way, like what a FAFSA is to what CLEP means.

But the one thing that has eluded me to this day is the difference between a double major and a dual degree.

I did a little research to come up with the answer, and I’m happy to share my homework with you.

What’s a Double Major?

When you pursue a double major, it means you’ll graduate with only one degree but you’ll have two areas of specialization.

Some students decide to pursue a double major to boost their GPA or to increase their visibility in the job market.

For instance, you could earn a Bachelor of Arts degree with double majors in Sociology and Spanish to pursue jobs in international business.

Earning a Bachelor of Science degree with double majors in Marine Biology and Environmental Science could position you for a job in oceanic research.

What’s a Dual Degree?

A dual degree is pretty much what it sounds like — it means you’re pursuing two separate degrees at the same time. (Yikes!)

That also means a lot more classes and a whole lot more work. (Goodbye, social life.)

Students pursue double majors when they are equally passionate about two areas of study and don’t want to have to choose between them.

Others get dual degrees that complement each other professionally.

For example, a student may earn a Bachelor in Legal Studies and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree concurrently with the intent of becoming a corporate attorney.

Which is Better: Double Major vs. Dual Degree?

Each degree path has its own pros and cons.

Double majors give you a diversified skill set to take with you in the work world, but it doesn’t mean you’ll automatically earn a higher income than your single-major peers.

A dual degree programs allow you to complete two degrees in less time — and for less money — than if you pursued each degree concurrently.

On the other hand, it will severely curtail your ability to establish and maintain connections with your peers and classmates.

To help decide what’s best for you, consult with a college advisor who can make recommendations based on your academic record.

Lisa McGreevy is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder. She has mad respect for anyone pursuing a double major or dual degree. One major was more than enough for her.

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, one of the largest personal finance websites. We help millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. In 2016, Inc. 500 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the No. 1 fastest-growing private media company in the U.S.

source The Penny Hoarder http://ift.tt/2saixgM

Women Dominate Student Loan Debt

A new study shows that it takes women two years longer than men to pay off their student loan debt. Learn why women have a harder time paying off their debt than men.

Source CBNNews.com http://ift.tt/2tmedKW

Five Ways to Save on Your Summer RV Rental

Summertime is perfect for packing up the family and hitting the open road. And whether you want to camp or simply travel in style, renting an RV (recreational vehicle) adds features to a vacation that you just can’t get anywhere else.

Like a portable “tiny house,” most RVs feature ample room for sleeping, full or partial kitchens, and space for games and fun. If you’re going to traverse the country, doing so in an RV is a lot more comfortable than, say, cramming your kids three-deep in the back of your Toyota Corolla.

How Much Does It Cost to Rent an RV?

Before you rush out to rent a RV for your summer trip, however, it’s important to know that comfort comes at a cost. While renting an RV helps you avoid many of the spending pitfalls of traditional vacations (like hotel charges, airfare, and dining out constantly), renting an RV isn’t exactly cheap.

First, you have to pay for the cost of your rental, which can vary dramatically depending on a variety of factors.

When I searched for a 10-night rental out of Indianapolis for late summer dates, a standard RV that sleeps five rang in at $1,000 for 10 nights. A larger RV that sleeps up to seven people was a bit more at $1,100.

Paying $100 per night isn’t bad at all, but you have to remember the extras, too. Not only will you have to pay for gas for a giant vehicle that might be getting less than 10 miles per gallon, but you have to pay for campground space, too. And that can vary dramatically (more on that in a bit).

How to Save Money When You Rent an RV

The bottom line: Renting an RV can be as cheap or as expensive as you make it. If you want to spend a week in a luxury rental at a campground with lots of amenities, you can. But if you want to save money, cheap RV rentals provide an extremely authentic way to see the country and spend less than you would at a resort or staying at hotels along the way.

To find out the best savings strategies for families to use, I spoke to Kevin Broom of GoRVing.com. Here are some of Broom’s best tips for families who want to score a cheap RV rental this summer:

#1: Shop around for the best RV rental deal you can find.

Flexibility is the No. 1 rule of budget travel, and RVing is no different: Renting an RV at off-peak times has its perks. “Typically, the best deals are during the winter months and during the school year,” he says. “But some RV rental companies offer hot deals and one-way rentals to move their inventory around the USA.”

The best way to save on a rental is to shop around among dates that work with your schedule. At GoRving.com, you can also compare RV rental types to search for the right size rental for your family. You can usually get away with paying a lot less for a smaller RV. Larger vehicles that sleep more people tend to cost more.

Compare options until you find the best rental with the lowest price on dates that work for your family, and you’ll be good to go.

#2: Choose your campground carefully.

The price of campground rental space can vary dramatically depending on the locale. Luxury parks with awesome amenities can be a lot of fun, but you’ll pay out the nose to stay there.

The best way to save on rental space is to shop around and plan your trip ahead. If you wing it and go wherever the road takes you, it could very well lead you to a luxury campground where you’ll pay $150+ per night for a Jacuzzi site. Yes, those exist.

State and national parks offer some of the most affordable camping in the country, on the other hand, though it’s smart to book ahead since they can fill up fast. Most states have their own websites set up to direct you to camping opportunities. You can also explore federal campsites on the U.S. National Parks Service website.

• Related: How We Plan Frugal Family Vacations in National Parks

#3: Prepare your own meals in your RV.

Cooking your own food instead of dining out at restaurant is a money-saving travel idea that transcends all vacation types. But, with a rental RV, this strategy becomes especially simple. You’re basically living in your car, which is also a small house on wheels. Most rental RVs have either a full or partial kitchen with plenty of room to cook and a refrigerator to keep things cold.

You can make freezer meals ahead of time and cook them on the road. Or, you can stop at the store (park in the baaaaaaaack of the lot!) and buy ingredients as you go.

Eat all your major meals in your RV and pick up snacks for the road, and you’ll save money no matter what.

#4: Bring your own ‘extras.’

Broom says some RV rentals tack on charges for “kits” that help you avoid bringing too many supplies from home. “The RV can be equipped with a kitchen kit (pots, pans, dishes, utensils). The fee varies, but it’s normally about $100 for the rental period,” says Broom. “If you want to add in personal kits (sheets, blankets, pillow, and towels), the fees vary, but are normally about $50 per person.”

Save money and bring your own, he says. RV rentals offer these kits as a convenience, but adding them on isn’t necessary.

#5: Bring your pets along for the ride.

Boarding your pet while you travel can be extremely costly, ringing in at $25 to $50 per day or more in some parts of the country. Whether you check your dog into a pet hotel or hire an in-home dog-sitter from a service like Rover.com, those costs can add up quickly over a longer trip.

This is one reason why renting an RV can be such an affordable option, says Broom. “Sixty-three percent of RVers travel with their pets – dogs, cats, and even birds,” he says.

Instead of boarding your furry family member, bring them along for the ride. Not only is it frugal but, depending on your pet, it could make your trip extra fun.

Final Thoughts

While renting an RV isn’t as cheap as tent camping, it can be a smart alternative for families who want to experience the great outdoors without the hassle of a tent. Not everyone wants to sleep on the ground or forgo luxuries like a microwave while they travel, after all.

With a rental RV, on the other hand, you access the fun side of camping with the comfort of a hotel. And that’s what people like.

Whether you’ll save money over staying in a hotel really depends on the type of trip you choose and how many savings strategies you employ. But no matter what, you and yours will have a boatload of fun.

Holly Johnson is an award-winning personal finance writer and the author of Zero Down Your Debt. Johnson shares her obsession with frugality, budgeting, and travel at ClubThrifty.com.

Related Stories:

• A Basic Guide to a Cheap and Incredibly Fun Family Camping Vacation
• The Secret of Inverse Vacation Planning
• Five Ways Your Camping Budget Can Go Up in Flames
• Cheap Vacations to Take This Summer

Have you ever rented an RV before? Did it help you save money?

The post Five Ways to Save on Your Summer RV Rental appeared first on The Simple Dollar.

Source The Simple Dollar http://ift.tt/2s0fKse