MAKE MONEY ONLINE POSTS: 11/01/17

الأربعاء، 1 نوفمبر 2017

Pediatrician joins Geisinger Mount Pocono Clinic

Pediatrician joins Geisinger Mount Pocono ClinicAkiko Kawamura, M.D., has joined the medical staff at Geisinger Mount Pocono as a pediatrician providing care for children from infancy to 18.Board certified in pediatrics, Dr. Kawamura specializes in preventative care and wellness, routine primary care and acute illnesses.Dr. Kawamura earned her medical degree from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where she also completed a pediatric residency. [...]

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We’re Thankful for These 6 Super Easy Ways to Make Extra Money in November

Halloween is over, and every store from Macy’s to Walgreens is already changing its decor to drive home an important point: Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner, and your budget is about to take a hit. A big one.

In fact, according to Deloitte’s annual holiday spending survey, Americans spent $1 trillion during the 2016 holiday season, and that number is expected to jump by at least 4% this year. The average family will spend $1,226 this season, Deloitte reported.

If your bank account is not ready to shell out your share, November is your last chance to rake in some extra cash before you become the worst gift-giver in the family.

Scrambling to figure out how to earn a little extra this month before those Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals? Don’t worry — we’ve got some ideas for you.

Get Cash Back on Thanksgiving Dinner Ingredients

Whether you’ve got a long list of purchases on your pre-Thanksgiving grocery run or you’re just picking up a few stray cans of cranberry sauce at the last minute, you can earn cash back on nearly all of it with Ibotta.

Here’s how it works:

Before your next trip to the grocery store, browse the app’s cash-back offers. They change every week, so check each time you shop.

When you earn at least $20 cash back, you can request payment via PayPal or Venmo. And right now, Ibotta is giving new users a $10 sign-up bonus for redeeming their first receipt — so that first $20 won’t be hard to hit!

Got Personal Health Insurance? Get Paid for a Research Study

If you purchased private medical insurance this year, you could qualify for a Joany research study that will pay you for your answers.

If you can check off each of the following requirements, you can take the survey here:

You bought insurance through your state exchange, Healthcare.gov, through a broker or directly through a health plan, such as Oscar or Aetna.

You don’t receive your health insurance through an employer.

You are not currently enrolled in a short-term plan.

You currently have this health insurance active.

You are not on Medicaid, Medicare or VA health insurance.

You don’t receive your health insurance through your school/university.

You will be asked to upload or text a photo of your insurance card to verify your eligibility and may have to answer some additional questions to make sure your insurance policy is still active. Once the process is complete, you get paid.

Make Your Home Work for You

Whether you’re hopping a plane for a formal Thanksgiving at grandma’s or a more relaxed Friendsgiving with your college besties, you can put your empty apartment to work while you’re on vacation if you list it on Airbnb.

Family visiting you this year? Putting your listing up early and renting out your guest room before your mom arrives could help you pay for her gift.

If you want to give Airbnb hosting a try, we’ve got a few tips to make sure your listing brings in as much cash as it can:

Make your space available during high-demand times. Think: concerts, conventions and sporting events in your area.

Be a good host, and make sure your place is stocked with the toiletries you’d expect at a hotel — toilet paper, soap and towels.

Be personable. A lot of travelers turn to Airbnb for the personal touch they won’t find at commercial properties.

Here’s the link to sign up as an Airbnb host.

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

Turn Your RV Into a Cash Cow

If you can’t rent out your home, RVshare, a peer-to-peer rental marketplace that allows you to rent your RV to other travelers, can help you use the RV sitting in your driveway to stretch your gift-giving budget.

How much you’ll earn per day will vary based on your location and the type of vehicle you have. You can even get an estimate for how much you could make with your specific RV before signing up.

Ahead of the Gift-Buying Curve? Don’t Miss Out on Deals

This holiday season, consumers are expected to spend more shopping online than in stores, according to Deloitte. If you’re truly a Penny Hoarder, you might want to do even more of your shopping online.

If you do, don’t forget to create a Paribus account.

Paribus is a tool that gets you money back for your online purchases. It’s free to sign up, and once you do, Paribus will scan your email archives for any receipts. If it discovers you’ve purchased something from Target — or one of the more than 20 other retailers listed on its website — it will track the item’s price and automatically issue you a refund anytime there’s a price drop!

That should help give you peace of mind if you’re worried about buying at the wrong time and missing out on the best deals.

Forget Netflix and Chill. Try InboxDollars and Cash

Downtime might be hard to come by when you’re running from store to store looking for the perfect gift for dad, but we’ve got an idea that might convince you to trade in your Netflix-watching time for a different kind of video streaming.

Now, most of the videos you watch on InboxDollars won’t be as entertaining as binge-watching “Stranger Things,” but you’re getting paid — so who cares?

The videos are sponsored by brands that need to get them in front of as many eyeballs as possible. Every time you watch one of the ads, InboxDollars will credit your account with a little bit of cash. You’ll get a free $5 just for signing up.

Give a few of these ideas a try, and you can see your holiday funds spike — a month early.

Desiree Stennett is a staff 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.

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Hospitality props Monroe jobless rate fall

Monroe County’s unemployment rate fell one-tenth of a percent in September to 5.7 percent.The county and the state continue to report higher rates than the rest of the country.The state’s rate also declined one-tenth of a percent to 4.7 percent, while the nation’s rate fell by two tenths of a percentage point to 4.2 percent.Over the year, Monroe’s rate fell eight-tenths of a percentage point, while both the state and national rates dropped [...]

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Got a Car? Use These 5 Tips to Earn Extra Cash and Fuel Your Savings

Summer has come and gone, which means road trip season is over.

You’ve poured your hard-earned money into your vehicle these last few months with gas, maintenance and, admit it, one too many bags of Funyuns on the road.

Now it’s time to turn your car into a bonafide cash cow so you can save money for next summer.

Here are five tips that will help you save — or make — more money driving.

1. Save up to $460/Year on Car Insurance

The end of the month is a hard time for everyone. Bills are due, and you’re trying to remember what month comes next.

Car insurance is a particularly painful expense around this time. But here’s a secret: You could probably save money by switching plans.

A service called Gabi will help you find a new car insurance plan that fits your needs. And here’s the best part: You don’t even have to fill out any forms.

Just link your insurance account to Gabi, and it will scan your existing plan and coverage, compare other major insurers’ rates for the same coverage and help you switch on the spot. You could save as much as $460 a year, which will buy a ton of Funyuns.

2. Change Your Whole Insurance Game and Pay by the Mile

When your vehicle insurance bill comes due each month, you probably ask yourself, “Why the heck am I paying this much when I just use my car to go to the store?”

It’s eternally frustrating seeing that triple-digit number each month when your mileage might have stayed in the single digits most days.

It doesn’t have to be this way, thanks to MetroMile, a company that lets you pay by the mile for car insurance.

Philadelphia resident Susan Gibbons switched to MetroMile and lowered her payment to $35 per month after spending 30 years with State Farm. By paying by the mile, Gibbons estimates she saves $720 a year on insurance. It makes sense for urban dwellers like her, so it could make sense for you, too.

3. Turn Your Car Into a Moneymaking Machine With Driving Apps

Your car takes a lot from you. Gas, oil, blood, sweat, tears and, most of all, money.

Make your vehicle pick up some of that financial slack by trying out a ride-sharing service.

Lyft helped this couple earn $1,500 a week while still raising kids. Talk about flexible.

Uber is another ride-share option that offers similar flexibility and moneymaking opportunities. With its relatively new tipping option, you can also turn on that charm for which you’re so famous and snag a few extra bucks.

And you can help people find an on-demand meal a little more nutritious than your favorite onion-flavored corn chips (OK, we might have a problem) by driving for UberEats. You don’t even need a car for this food-delivery service; you can use your bicycle.

4. Get Cash Back on the Gas You Buy

Maybe you’re one of those people who likes the cold wind in your hair, and fall is your ideal road trip season. Or you might just have a crummy commute.

Either way, there are dozens of gas station credit cards out there that can help you mitigate those gnarly fuel-up fees with cash back. But which one is right for you?

Birch, a platform that customizes reward credit cards for users based on their spending habits, can help you answer that question. And then some.

It’s easy as linking your spending account to the service, then waiting for a rundown of credit cards for which you should consider applying. There’s no fine print: It’s laid out plain and simple.

Now you can rest easy while racking up the miles.

5. Turn That Big Empty RV Into a Rolling ATM

An RV is practically useless most of the year, besides serving as a giant trophy proudly proclaiming to your adventurous nature to the neighborhood.

So when traveling season passes, what good is letting the mold just build up inside old faithful?

RVshare, a peer-to-peer rental marketplace, lets you put your empty RV to good use by renting it to fellow ramblers. Enter your vehicle specs here to find out how much you could make.

The payoff depends on the on your location and the type of vehicle you have. We ran a quick hypothetical and found that Class A models made in the past 15 years can earn you $185 to $375 a night here in St. Petersburg, Florida!

That’s a smart way to make your pricy RV pay for itself — or to at least bank some cash for your next big road trip.

Alex Mahadevan is a data journalist at The Penny Hoarder. He considers Funyuns to be a vegetable and, therefore, a healthy, reliable road trip snack.

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5 Genius Tricks for Anyone Who’s Fed Up With Paying Insane Overdraft Fees

It’s that dreaded moment.

You open up your banking app on your phone and see your checking-account balance with a minus sign in front of it. Your brain mumbles that dreaded word … overdraft!

You know what comes next. Not only did you spend the last of your money, you spent more than that. If you spent $35 but only had $10 in your account, the bank is going to get that other $25, make no mistake about it.

Then it’ll charge you $34 dollars for an overdraft fee. Why? Yeah, it’ll take money from you because you have no money. Now your account shows minus $59.

It’s time to stop this nonsense. While it might seem hard to keep your bank account above water, there are some simple ways to keep it afloat.

Get Paid Before Payday (No Loans Required)

If you arrange your monthly bills (think Netflix, car insurance, cell phone, etc.) to come out of your account just after your regular paydays, you can make life a lot easier. If you know you always get paid on the 15th and the last of the month, why not set up your payments to come out on the 2nd and the 17th? Give yourself a couple days of cushion for those pesky weekends.

Want a little extra protection? Consider jumping ship to a new bank that can get you your own money faster.

Chime is an online bank that is changing how banks operate. Not only does it offer options to help you save money without thinking about it, but you can even get your paychecks up to two days earlier than your co-workers.

To take advantage, make sure you sign up for direct deposit so that Chime can add money to your account as soon as it receives notification from your employer. It then immediately posts the funds to your account. Serious bonus: It has zero fees.

Say Goodbye to Overdraft Fees Forever

I once had a checking and banking account at a large national bank that would actually charge me a $6.95 monthly “account maintenance” fee for the savings account if I didn’t have at least $25 in it.

Not cool.

If you’re not sure what fees your bank is charging you, or even if you think you do, consider Trim your new best friend. Trim is a simple app that can save you a ton of money.

Simply sign up and connect your bank account to the app. Then, Trim analyzes your spending habits. You can also easily set up alerts. It’s payday? Great! My rent is due? Crap.

Not only that, it will also review all of your subscriptions that are connected to your account, like Netflix and Hulu. Didn’t know you were still paying for Hulu? Trim will let you know. And if you share a link to the app on Facebook, it will even cancel the unused subscription for you, as part of its premium service.

Boost Your Bank Account With a Side Hustle

What makes your bank account go? Your job. So, if you’re not keeping up enough speed, you may want to improve your earning horsepower. At The Penny Hoarder, we’re all about great side gigs. Think about it. If you’re earning more, you’ll have a little more cushion in that bank account. That means less chance of an overdraft. Here are a couple of options you can do in your spare time:

Do you have an extra bedroom — or even a spare couch? Consider renting it out through Airbnb. Simply create a listing with photos and set your price. Do you want to rent it out daily, weekly or by the month? You may find more success by targeting the type of clientele you would like to find. Don’t have a spare bedroom? See if anyone wants to camp in your backyard!
Do you have a newer car and like to drive? Consider signing up to be a Lyft driver. Lyft drivers can choose their own hours and make great extra cash simply by helping people around town.
How about making money on the money you spend? Wait. What? Dosh is a new cash-back app that pays you back for making purchases at more than 100,000 hotels, online stores and restaurants — including Marriott, Cost Plus World Market, Target, Chuck E. Cheese’s and a lot more.

Plus, it’s simple:

             Download the app and sign up.
             Securely connect a debit or credit card.
             Live your life and watch the cash-back roll in.

In addition to cash back, you can also collect a $25 bonus for booking your first hotel

through the app, as well bonuses for referring friends and local businesses.

Ask Your Bank for Help… but Remember to Say ‘Please’

OK, so you’ve already overdrafted. If you’re not a chronic offender, your first move is to try to undo the damage.

That means calling your bank and giving them your most humble and honest mea culpa. My bad.

Then ask for forgiveness. Many banks will forgive those outrageous overdraft fees just for asking. Remember, you are the customer and they need your business. Remind them that you’ve been a loyal customer.

Do you have other business with them, such as credit cards or loans? Bring that up. Be nice, but be firm in reminding them that you are a good customer who made a one-time error. You don’t want to jump ship, but you will if you need to.

Avoid Insane Overdraft Fees With Your Savings Account

It may sound impossible to have a savings account if you can’t keep your checking account in the black, but it’s worth thinking about.

Most banks will give you the option to have a savings account that is linked to your checking account. If you can manage to keep $100, or even $50, in this account, it can act as emergency funds that the bank pulls over in case of an overdraft. The key? There is no overdraft fee attached to this process.

Beware any overdraft protection services that your bank offers. Many of them come with crazy fees that will hurt you as much as help.

Your Best Weapon for Avoiding Overdraft Fees

Your checking account is your primary vehicle for your finances. It pays to keep it in tip-top condition so you can keep your financial progress on course.

Nothing rocks the boat like an overdraft fee. Luckily, you can minimize the damage and avoid them altogether by making a few changes in the way to do banking.

Full steam ahead!

Tyler Omoth is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder who loves soaking up the sun and finding creative ways to help others. Catch him on Twitter at @Tyomoth.

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6 Tools You Need in Your Life if You’re Always Stressing About Money

If someone told me to stop thinking about my finances, I’d think:

That’s impossible.
That’s impossible.
That’s definitely impossible.

I think about my finances entirely too much. (Or is it just enough?)

That credit card bill due at the end of the month, my retirement savings, the looming electric bill after a steamy, hot month or a frigid winter…

These are the financial fears that haunt me on a daily basis.

There are, however, easy steps you can take to stop thinking about your finances — or at least ease your money stress a little bit.

1. Let This Bot Optimize Your 401(k)

Saving for retirement is a daunting chore — perhaps the most daunting in the world of personal finance. If you’ve ever typed your information into one of those retirement calculators, you’ve probably thrown your laptop across the room and declared, “I give up.” (Just me?)

But a 401(k) will help you out, and if you already have one open, know you’re on the right track.

Now, you just need to make sure it’s working hard for you. That’s where Blooom will help you out. This company is an SEC-registered investment-advisory firm that optimizes and monitors your 401(k).

Enter your information into its system: your name, age and when you hope to retire. Connect your 401(k) account (it’s safe, I swear!), then boom. (Or Blooom?)

Within a few minutes, you receive a free 401(k) “health report,” which tells you what’s going well and what needs some improvement. Are you paying too many fees? Is your mix of stocks and bonds not properly allocated for your age?

If you want Blooom to take over, you can opt in for a $10-per-month service. Within a few hours, Blooom will reconfigure your 401(k) without you doing a thing. And, better yet, it keeps an eye on it from then on.

2. Cut Down Your Monthly Bills

Whenever I receive a cable and internet bill from Spectrum, I cringe. Due again?!

I always thought this was a bill I couldn’t escape — that I was locked into paying. (Because, you know, I need internet to live.) However, did you know there are ways to negotiate it — without making a single phone call and sitting on hold for approximately 3,493 minutes?

Trim is a cute little bot that’ll negotiate your internet and/or cable bills for you.

Once you sign up, upload a PDF of your latest bill. You can find this using your online account. The process takes about two minutes. Afterward, Trim’s AI system begins negotiating to see if it can reduce your monthly bill. Trim pockets 25% of the reduction, and you get the rest.

If your bill can’t be reduced, Trim will keep an eye on things and keep trying. For example, if there’s ever a power or service outage, you’ll get reimbursed.

It’s nice knowing this little guy is on your side!

3. Stop Worrying About Tracking Prices

I do this all the time: I buy something from Amazon, then, a few hours later, the price drops.

Seriously? Why does this world hate me?

That’s where Earny is helpful. You guessed it — he’s another adorable little bot! When you sign up (Earny is free!), you just enter your email address. Then Earny keeps track of your online shopping receipts. If the price of an item you’ve already ordered drops, Earny will claim that difference back for you.

It works with a number of retailers, including Amazon, Jet, Overstock, Target and Zappos. At the end of the month, you could snag a hearty refund.

The nicest part of it all? You don’t have to do a thing after signing up.

4. Start Saving Money (Without Thinking About It)

Tucking away money from each paycheck is a tough thing to do — because it’s payday, hey!

The best way to smuggle little chunks of your paycheck into a separate account is to automate the process so you don’t have to think about it. An app like Acorns can help with that.

Acorns is a micro-investing app that allows you to execute a set-it-and-forget-it method. (Kinda like the Ronco Rotisserie.)

Set up your Acorns account so it dumps spare change from your debit or credit card transactions into an account. For example, spend $1.20 at the gas station, and Acorns will stash 80 cents away. Or set up your account so that every two weeks, it saves $20.

The best part is that Acorns invests the money for you, so it’s not just sitting there idly, collecting dust.

Also: You’ll snag a $10 sign-up bonus!

5. Earn Cash Back on All Your Purchases

With so many credit card offers available these days, it’s hard to know what’s a good offer.

Or if you’re getting roped into a bundle of fees.

But we can tell you one of our favorite cash-back cards is the Barclaycard CashForward World Mastercard.

Why? First, there are no annual fees. Second, if you spend $1,000 within the first 90 days of opening the card, you’ll bank a $200 bonus. (You’re thinking: $1,000 is a lot to spend. Well, hate to break it to ya, but take a look at what you spent on groceries these past three months.)

You’ll also earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases.

Cha-ching without doing a thing!

6. Set Up a Passive Income Stream

The point of passive income is to sit back, relax and watch the money roll in, right? Well, not exactly. There are some upfront tasks you’ll need to do.

But if you want to explore this world — you know, get your toes a little wet — there’s an app that can help you earn cash rewards on your purchases.

It’s called Dosh. The idea is that you’re spending money on your normal everyday items and earning money back — without having to scan bar codes or take photos of your receipts.

I signed up a few days ago, and within two minutes, I banked $6. The first $5 was from linking my credit card, and the additional dollar was from linking my debit card. Those are the two cards Dosh will comb through to find out which of my purchases qualify for cash back.

Some examples of these opportunities (available right now) include:

Up to 7.5% back from Bed Bath & Beyond online
Up to 6% back from Ray Ban online
Up to 4.5% back from The Container Store online

There are plenty of local restaurants, breweries and coffee shops with available offers, too.

Once you collect $15, cash out! (Or do good and donate it to charity.)

So next time I’m lying in bed at night, staring at the ceiling and counting my money, alongside those annoying sheep, I’ll just start ticking off the tips on this list instead. Then I’ll fall soundly asleep.

Carson Kohler (@CarsonKohler) is a junior writer at The Penny Hoarder. She stresses about money entirely too much, but she’s learning to cope — with the aforementioned tools.

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Set It and Forget It: This Free App Literally Pays You for Walking Around

Winter is coming.

That means I’ll be wearing chunky sweaters and eating fatty comfort food for the next few months. I don’t have to worry about slipping into a bikini (thank goodness) or showcasing my tank-top arms…

…at least until April swings around.

I do this every year — put on some pounds, then bloat with regret when the weather warms.

And it’s not just my physique — it’s my mental state, too. I feel awful when I don’t work out and gorge instead.

Yet I do it every year. I have zero motivation. Maybe it’s like the movies, and I need someone to hang a king-sized Snickers bar in front of my face while I run. Or maybe if someone offered me some cash…

Yup. My Penny Hoarder ears perk up when I hear the word “cash.”

I dig into my bank of resources and find this article: apps that’ll pay you to get healthy. I start with item No. 1: Achievement. (Formerly known as Achievemint.)

Apparently, this is an online program and app that connects to more than 30 other health and fitness apps (think: Fitbit, MyFitnessPal or Apple’s Health app). It tracks your fitness and nutrition data and rewards you with points, which convert to cash.

So say if I hit 20,000 steps one day; I could earn about 50 points. It’s a lofty goal, I know, but money is a good motivator. Even if I were to only hit a few thousand steps per day, I’d still earn points. I could even rack up points for Tweeting about my health.

Set it and forget it.

Because it sounds way too good to be true, I scoured social media to see what folks were saying— if this could actually be a legitimate solution to my winter hibernation.

5 Steps Real People Took to Earn Money With Achievement

Because Achievement rewards users six points for sharing their progress on social media, people are talkin’.

Here are some of the ways people are capitalizing on their health.

1. Post Photos of Pretty Food

A lot of people claim to get annoyed by food photos clogging their social media channels, but I really don’t understand how. It’s like candy for the eyeballs. In this case, without the sugar.

@achievement another delicious variation on the #EggInTheFrame http://pic.twitter.com/bdtcv0a6ej

— dawn ellen miller (@car2nerr) September 13, 2017

2. Earn points by doing what you do each day.

You know that built-in Health app in your iPhone? Well, it automatically tracks your steps, so you don’t even have to think about earning points. Just do your thing!

Dancing the night away! Exercise can be fun! @achievement

— Lindsay Girl (@lindsay11101999) October 21, 2017

3. Earn Points Getting Your Fitness On

You don’t have to invest in a trainer or even a gym membership to earn points. You can work out in your living room or take a run. Even if you don’t feel like it.

Didn’t want to but I did, all about #health @achievement http://pic.twitter.com/ItmQkVBI2I

— Pam Kitani (@PK_a_boo) October 20, 2017

4. Earn Points By Sharing Results

Any amount of change — physical, mental or all of the above — is exciting, especially when you’re tracking it on social media. And earning points toward money. That’s nice, too.

Didn’t want to but I did, all about #health @achievement http://pic.twitter.com/ItmQkVBI2I

— Pam Kitani (@PK_a_boo) October 20, 2017

5. Share The Money!

This actually works. It’s neat seeing people talking the money they’re making!

I just got another $10 reward from @achievement I love earning free money while staying healthy.

— Kelly Davis (@exhaustednugget) August 14, 2017

How To Start Using Achievement

You can find this gem in the iTunes and Android stores. Or, enter your email address on its website and get started.

After entering basic information, it’ll prompt you to connect any apps, including the built-in Health app and Twitter.

When I signed up, I earned 50 bonus points right off the bat.

Once I hit 10,000 points, I can cash out for my first $10.
Just as soon as I pry myself from the couch…

Carson Kohler (@CarsonKohler) is a junior writer at The Penny Hoarder. She’s not a huge fan of working out or eating healthy. But she’s gonna try.

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Have a Fuzzy and Healthy Movember With These Awesome Resources

It’s November, which means cool weather, pumpkin-spiced everything and gloriously mustachioed men walking the streets.

That’s right, it’s officially Movember, when men of all ages set aside their razors to raise awareness and money for a variety of men’s health issues.

Now, I can’t grow a mustache, so November is a particularly rough month for me. But for the Movember Foundation, it means millions of dollars that go toward research in the areas of prostate cancer, testicular cancer, suicide prevention and mental health.

Last year, the nonprofit raised more than $16 million in the U.S., with about $12.2 million going toward programs and awareness.

While you should totally grow a mustache (if you can) and donate to the cause, you should also take a look at your own health and wellness.

Here are some cheap ways to make sure you stay healthy this Movember.

1. Get Screened This Movember to Ensure Your Long-Term Health

Prostate and testicular cancers are deadly diseases that affect thousands of men each year. And you don’t have to have the best health insurance or a lot of money to prevent them.

You can make an appointment at your local Planned Parenthood health center for a low-cost screening for the diseases. If you have a primary physician, you can easily do it through them, as well.

2. Move in Movember With These Cheap Workouts and Inexpensive Gyms

Working out does more than help you stay healthy, grow those muscles and lose weight. When I don’t work out, it affects my physical and mental wellbeing.

If you’re a gym rat looking for a less expensive way to pump iron, check out our comprehensive list of the best gyms to fit your budget.

If you’re more inclined to avoid the iron, you can run, walk or swim your way to a healthier lifestyle. You can also try Zumba or yoga, or you can even build your own gym for $100.

3. Check Up on Your Sexual Health in Movember

Stop snickering. Your sexual health is as important to your overall wellness as anything. That’s why you should get tested for sexually transmitted infections this Movember.

Try a Planned Parenthood health clinic, where you can get tested on a sliding scale based on your income and other factors.

If you qualify for Medicare Part B, you’re eligible for certain STI testing once a year.

You can also check with the Centers for Disease Control to find a testing center near you.

4. Movember Is About Your Mental Health, Too

Guys tend to avoid talking about mental health, but the Movember Foundation has specifically stressed awareness about mental health and suicide among its goals.

Here are nine ways to get free or cheap mental health care if you don’t have insurance.

Among them are training clinics, which are usually part of universities. They’ll charge you on a sliding scale that could be as low as $0.

There’s always the internet, where you can find resources on anxiety and depression and OCD, as well as therapies for them.

These tips should keep you in tiptop shape this month and beyond. But we can’t help you with the actual pronunciation of “Movember” — mow or muh? We’re clueless.

Alex Mahadevan is a data journalist at The Penny Hoarder. He’ll give Movember another shot, but will probably spend November with some weird-looking facial hair.

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How to Buy Luxurious Bed Sheets — Without Losing Sleep Over the Price Tag

Sexual Harassment and the Gig Economy: Here’s What You Need to Know

Sexual harassment in the workplace is against the law, but that doesn’t stop it from happening.

Studies show at least one quarter of all women and 15% of men say they have been sexually harassed at work.

Regular employees can report an offender to Human Resources, but freelancers, independent contractors and side gig workers typically don’t have that option.

But the absence of legal protection doesn’t mean there’s nowhere for gig economy workers to turn.

Some companies have sexual harassment policies in place to help protect freelancers. And even if you’re working with one that doesn’t, you still have options.

How Do Some Gig-Economy Platforms Handle Harassment?

Some companies that routinely hire gig workers have anti-harassment policies in place. Others? Not so much.

I looked at a few of the companies that are popular with freelancers and independent contractors to learn about their sexual harassment policies and what steps they take to protect workers.

Here’s what I discovered.

Care.com

A lot of communication between caregivers and care seekers takes place on Care.com’s website. The platform’s messaging system is designed to spot offensive words and other inappropriate content and stop it before it reaches the recipient.

Messages, job posts and member profiles all contain a “Report to Care.com” button for users to easily report inappropriate interactions.

“If Care.com learns a member may be unsafe or has acted inappropriately, we immediately remove the member from Care.com,” according to Care.com’s Safety FAQ webpage.

The company has “a dedicated Safety team that investigates all content flagged by our members. Once a flag is received, the Safety team investigates on a case-by-case basis. If the content violates our terms, we will immediately close the user’s account.”

Care.com’s Safety Center also provides tips and resources specifically tailored to caregivers.

“Caregivers do comprise a large portion of the gig workforce, and while they are not employees of Care.com, they are members of our community, and their safety is of great importance to us,” said Nancy Bushkin, Care.com’s vice president of global public relations and corporate communications.

Fiverr

Fiverr’s Terms of Service “condemns” harassment and does “not tolerate users who engage in targeted abuse or harassment towards other users.”

Sam Katzen, Fiverr’s senior manager of public relations, told me the company “take[s] any allegation of inappropriate conduct very seriously. Due to the digital nature of our marketplace, our Trust and Safety team is able to promptly investigate and take action in the event of an issue.”

“Disciplinary measures for harassment of any kind can include immediate removal from the marketplace as well as account suspensions.”

Lyft

According to Lyft’s Terms of Service, riders and drivers are not permitted to use its platform to harass anyone.

However, Lyft also acknowledges “It is possible for others to obtain information about you that you provide… and to use such information to harass or harm you” and “disclaim[s] all liability, regardless of the form of action, for the acts or omissions of other Users.”

Lyft provides a Critical Response Line for drivers and passengers to call “if you are involved in an incident that you believe threatens your personal safety.”

I reached out to Lyft to ask what happens after a driver calls the hotline, but the company did not respond.

Shiftgig

Shiftgig’s website doesn’t offer any information about what workers should do if they encounter harassment while working a Shiftgig assignment, so I reached out to the company.

“In order to protect our Specialists from harassment at work, we share our anti-harassment policy and training course when we onboard new Specialists to the Shiftgig platform,” said Shelby Eversole, the company’s social media and public relations manager. “We also encourage Specialists to review anti-harassment training regularly after they are hired.”

Eversole didn’t offer details about what the policy and training courses include.

Eversole says Shiftgig staffs its Specialist Success hotline seven days a week to support its workers with whatever they may need, including issues related to harassment.

Taskrabbit

Taskrabbit’s Terms of Service say users are not permitted to harass other users.

However, the TOS also requires users to agree they will not hold Taskrabbit responsible for the conduct of any user, “including… stalking, harassment that is sexual or otherwise.”

Since Taskrabbit’s support resources aren’t available to people who aren’t registered as Taskers, I emailed the company to ask about its anti-harassment policy and procedures.

Taskrabbit did not respond.

Uber

Uber, UberEATS and UberRUSH’s community guidelines clearly forbid “sexual conduct between drivers and riders, no matter what.” Uber advises riders they could lose access to Uber for violating this policy or for “making comments or gestures that are aggressive, sexual, discriminatory, or disrespectful.”

Drivers can tap a “Help” button in the Uber app to report incidents that occur during a ride so its customer support team can “follow up.”

I reached out to Uber to ask what happens after a report is filed with the company but they did not respond.

What to Do if You’re Sexually Harassed While Freelancing

I checked in with Jason Bent, associate professor of law at Stetson University College of Law, for some tips on where to turn when the human resources department isn’t an option.

Of course, every sexual harassment situation is different and requires its own approach.

“There is no one-size-fits-all answer to how an independent contractor should respond to sexual harassment while working,” said Bent.

Note: Professor Bent’s observations should not be considered legal advice. If you’ve been sexually harassed, please consult an attorney for legal advice specific to your situation.

Report the Incident

If you’re sexually harassed while working a gig, your first priority is to get yourself to safety and to call 911 if the situation warrants.

Next, report the incident to the company you’re freelancing with as soon as possible.

It can be very difficult to file a sexual harassment report, so don’t hesitate to call on a trusted friend or family member as you go through the process.

Keep Careful Records

Document everything you think might be relevant to your sexual harassment case.

Hang on to email and text messages, work invoices and copies of incident reports.

If you have difficulty downloading incident-related content from your computer or mobile phone, take screenshots instead.

Take notes on what happened while the experience is still fresh in your mind.

“Generally speaking, independent contractors would probably do well to keep careful records of anything that might be considered sexual harassment,” said Bent.

“In any subsequent legal case or in any investigation conducted by the client, the details of the alleged harassment will be important. Good records would help the complaining contractor in any investigation or proceeding.”

Check Your State and Local Laws

Unfortunately, reporting a sexual harassment incident to a company doesn’t guarantee it will be investigated.

If you aren’t satisfied with the way your situation was handled, legal action could be the next option.

Bent notes that while federal employment laws don’t protect independent contractors from sexual harassment or provide its victims any recourse, some state or local laws might. An attorney can tell you for sure.

Take Care of Yourself

Sexual harassment in the workplace can be a difficult experience, especially when you’re unmoored from the protections of employment law and human resource departments.

You are not alone.

Sitting down to talk things out with a mental health counselor can help. If you don’t have insurance, here are some affordable or free ways to access mental health care services.

If you’re an assault victim in crisis and need immediate assistance, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673).

Lisa McGreevy is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder.

source The Penny Hoarder http://ift.tt/2A7Nq92

Live in a Football Town? Here’s Why You Might Want to List Your Place on Airbnb

Football season. Throwing the ole’ pigskin around. Tailgating. Blocking and tackling. Frozen tundra. A rocking home crowd at the stadium.

It’s the fourth quarter, and your team is going for it on fourth down. The crowd rises to its feet …

Yeeeeeaahh, that’s what I’m talkin’ about. That feeling. There’s nothing like it.

That’s why football fans travel for football. They travel for college football. They travel for NFL football.

Well, if you live anywhere near a football stadium and you have a spare room, you can make bank off of it. Try listing your room on Airbnb for the next big game.

Heck, rent out your whole apartment or home if you’re able to vacate it for a day or two and crash on a friend or relative’s couch. You can make hundreds of dollars this way.

Airbnb, the website where people can list their space for travelers, has grown to offer more than a million listings. Now it’s increasingly taking aim at the sports-travel market, sponsoring half marathons and partnering with NFL teams like the Buffalo Bills.

Want to get in on the action? We reviewed dozens of Airbnb listings near NFL and college football stadiums, and here’s what we learned:

1. Just a Room Will Do

Many listings on Airbnb offer unoccupied houses and apartments to travelers. But you don’t need that much real estate to play this game.

All you need is a room. For example, check out these Airbnb listings for rooms near Lambeau Field in Wisconsin, where the Green Bay Packers play.

Here’s a private room in a four-bedroom home. It rents for $37 per night, or $140 on game days.

“We will interact with guests as much or as little as they wish,” the hosts write. “Please keep in mind that we may have other guests staying at the same time in another room.”

Here’s one for a “quaint old-fashioned room” in the host’s house. She charges $62 a night, or $165 on game days.

2. Big Game? Charge More

Experienced Airbnb hosts learn how much they can charge. Check out this host who lists a two-bedroom condo near the University of Alabama, a college football powerhouse.

“Rate for Florida, A&M, and Auburn nights is $1,000 per night. Rate for other SEC games nights is $800 per night. Rate for non-conference games would be $250 to $600 per night, depending on game.”

Supply and demand. Strategic pricing. When Auburn plays Alabama, it’s a big, big deal in those parts.

Don’t know how much rent to charge during special events? That’s a common problem for beginning hosts.

Make sure you try the Airbnb calculator to see what your place is worth on a regular night, and to give you a baseline.

3. Be Prepared for a Crowd

Know that hardcore football fans travel in packs.

Here’s an Airbnb host near Penn State’s football stadium who’s prepared: “There is 1 bed only. I do provide 2 twin air mattresses. The space *allows* 6 people, but it is not designed for more than a single couple. If you wish to maximize the value by bringing more than 2 people, informal sleeping arrangements should be expected.”

If that sounds like a lot of guests, just know that he charges $599 a night on game weekends.

This host near the Denver Broncos stadium has the same idea: “With two living areas with sleeper couches, you can sleep up to 12 people comfortably including the air mattress in the downstairs living area.”

If you don’t want a crowd, you need to say so. Follow the example of this host who’s renting out a one-bedroom apartment for Buffalo Bills games: “Please note I will no longer tolerate two people signing up and showing up with 6-8 people. You’ll be charged for the extras.”

4. Don’t Neglect the Basics

If you’re a newbie host, here are a few basic tips. Taking a few simple steps can make the difference between a great experience and a less-than-satisfactory one.

Be a good host, and make sure your place is stocked with the toiletries you’d expect at a hotel — toilet paper, soap and towels.

Be personable. A lot of travelers turn to Airbnb for the personal touch they won’t find at commercial properties.

Hosting laws vary from city to city. Know the rules and regulations applicable to your city and listing.

5. Don’t Get Greedy

During the most recent Super Bowl in Houston, the locals jumped at the chance to make a profit. Houstonians charged an average $150 per night to “Airbnb” their home or apartment over Super Bowl week. Options ranged from a four-story townhome listed for $10,000 a night, to a pull-out couch in someone’s living room for $20 a night.

But some overestimated how much they could charge. With a flood of new Airbnb hosts, supply exceeded demand, forcing some hosts to start slashing their prices.

Still, it’s clear that there’s money to be made if you live near a football stadium.

If you’ve never been an Airbnb host and you have more questions about it, a good place to start is right here.

Mike Brassfield (mike@thepennyhoarder.com) is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder. He once slept on somebody’s floor to attend a football game.

source The Penny Hoarder http://ift.tt/2z5GFqA

How to Effectively Use Social Proof to Increase Conversions

Many factors can influence a customer’s decision making.

How can you get them to buy products from your company instead of your competition?

You have to find a way to influence their opinions.

You can achieve this by leveraging social proof.

The goal is to create a positive perception of your company. It’s power in numbers.

Let’s say a prospective customer is searching for a product online.

They know what they want, but they’re not sure which ecommerce store to buy it from.

What are some things they may be looking for?

Company A has over 500 reviews. Company B has only 7 reviews.

Which one do you think has a better public perception?

Look at the factors in this graphic as a reference point.

Obviously, the company with more reviews will seem more attractive to the new customers.

That company feels more reliable.

Over 500 people took the time to write a review, so they must be legitimate, right?

Honestly, the quality of the product is irrelevant here.

Company B could potentially have a far superior product, but if nobody knows about it, it’s useless.

Don’t get me wrong: quality is obviously important.

If you’re selling a product that’s faulty or has lots of problems, social proof can backfire.

You may get hundreds of reviews, but if they’re all negative, it could put you out of business.

Regardless of your company type, industry, or current reputation, I’ll show you how to improve your conversions by using social proof.

Use celebrity endorsements

Don’t let the term “celebrity” throw you off.

Unless you have lots of connections, it’s probably not realistic for you to land a superstar like Jay-Z, Shaquille O’Neil, or Tom Cruise to endorse your product.

If you want someone like Selena Gomez to recommend your company on her social profiles, it will cost you $550,000 per post.

That’s outrageous.

Instead, look for regular people with large followings, especially on social media platforms like Instagram.

Here’s an example of how Bose used Russell Wilson to create social proof:

Over 250,000 people viewed this video.

If Russell Wilson says it works, then it must, right?

That’s the power of social proof.

Keep in mind that the Federal Trade Commission requires social influencers to clearly disclose their relationships with brands they promote.

That’s why Russell used the #Ad hashtag in this post.

I know what you’re thinking.

Maybe Russell Wilson isn’t an A-list celebrity, but he’s still an NFL quarterback.

You can also find local celebrities or regular people with lots of social media friends.

Browse through your followers. Do you see anyone with 10k, 20k, or maybe even 50k followers?

Reach out to them directly to see if they’d be interested in becoming a brand ambassador for your business.

You may even have better success with these people as opposed to celebrities with millions of followers.

Why?

It’s easier for someone with 20k followers to stay more engaged with their fans.

Get out there, and try to find people to endorse your brand and products.

It doesn’t have to be Justin Timberlake—anyone with a large social following can help you generate social proof.

Proudly display your best numbers

Let your numbers do the talking for you.

How many people bought your product or downloaded your ebook?

Tell your customers.

Post this information on your website in real time.

Here’s an example from Nosto:

What screams social proof louder than 22 billion?

Here are some other options you may consider using:

How much money have people saved by using your business?
How many social media followers do you have?
How many customers have you served?

But if you don’t have impressive numbers, omit them.

For example, let’s say you have only 450 Instagram followers.

That’s nothing to brag about.

First of all, if that’s the case, you need to learn how to build a larger Instagram following.

But don’t include that number on your website.

Instead, show off your strengths.

If you have 30,000 followers on Twitter, that’s something you’ll want to showcase.

Here’s another example from Kissmetrics:

The homepage shows how many companies use their behavioral analytics and engagement platform.

It creates social proof.

If it said, “10 companies use our service,” nobody would be impressed.

But 900 is nothing to sneeze at. It’s impressive.

Take a look at your best numbers to see which ones are worth displaying on your website.

Display visual proof of your product in action

Photos are powerful social proof.

Images can help reinforce the idea that your product works.

Remember the example of Bose we looked at earlier?

Russell Wilson had the speakers under water. And it was effective. Why?

Because it’s one thing to tell people that something is waterproof, and it’s another to show them.

That’s why you should include before and after photos on your website.

Proactiv has been doing this for years:

This page on their website encourages users to upload their own before-and-after photos.

They want to hear from their customers because it will show any skeptics that the product works.

It’s a great idea.

Plus, storytelling is an effective way to engage and persuade someone.

Think about your brand, products, or services for a minute.

What kinds of images would generate social proof?

Let’s say you’re a carpet cleaning company. You could show dirty rug vs. clean rug.

Before and after photos work well for anyone involved in the health, wellness, and fitness industry.

Here’s another example from a fitness company:

Do you look like the guy on the left?

Well, we can make you look like the guy on the right. And we promise to do it in 90 days or your money back.

It’s an impressive marketing strategy.

Visual evidence of your product working will improve conversions.

Give your customers incentives for writing reviews

Let’s take our last point one step further.

Sure, you can always post photos on your website.

But they’ll mean a lot more to prospective customers if they see reviews from other users.

That’s why people research companies on websites like:

Your company should have a profile on as many of these platforms as possible.

This will increase your chances of getting more reviews.

It’s all about customer preferences.

Some people may trust only Yelp reviews, while others will check your ratings on Google.

If you have one but not the other, you’re alienating potential new clients.

Encourage people to upload photos when they leave a review.

Earlier we discussed how visual evidence could impact a buyer’s decision making.

Based on the graphic above, we know user photos are far more important when it comes to generating social proof.

Customers may feel a professional photo on a company website could be glamorizing the product.

To some extent, they’re right.

Obviously, you’re not going to willingly share images that portray your business in a negative light.

But customers feel they can trust other customers.

Here’s a helpful tip for convincing customers to leave reviews.

Be direct, and ask for a review.

There’s nothing wrong with this approach.

If you have a brick and mortar location, make sure your staff understands the importance of customer reviews.

Before a customer leaves, train your staff to say, “Don’t forget to write a review on Yelp.”

If a customer bought something from your ecommerce store, send a follow up email with a direct link to your profile on a review website.

Look how Zappos accomplishes this with their email campaign:

The message is short and direct. All they’re asking for is a review, nothing else.

What’s the incentive they offer?

“Help others.”

Make sure you give your customers a good reason to leave a review.

Providing valuable insight to other consumers may work for people, but other customers may need some extra motivation.

Here’s an example from The Body Shop:

Let’s be clear.

You’re not offering an incentive for customers to leave a positive review.

Obviously, that’s what you’d prefer, but you can’t control that.

Notice how The Body Shop just says, “Tell us what you think.”

It doesn’t specify good or bad.

Either way, as a customer, you will get 10% off your next purchase if you write a review.

This incentive can be the extra motivation customers need to generate social proof for your business.

Create surveys and share the results

Sometimes people won’t take the time to leave a full review.

It’s understandable.

You have to realize people are busy, and an incentive may not persuade all your customers.

Here’s where you can use a survey to your advantage.

Rather than typing customized reviews, a customer can simply click on some predetermined survey responses.

It’s quicker, takes less effort, but can be just as effective.

Here’s an example from Nordstrom:

It’s easy to build a survey online.

Check out these sites:

Share the survey results on your website to create social proof.

Look how 4Change Energy does this:

If you’re not having much luck generating customer reviews, see if your customers will respond better to surveys.

Get testimonials from experts in your industry

Customer opinions are valid, but does the customer always know what they’re talking about?

An expert is another matter.

If you have customers with high credibility, see if they are willing to give your business a testimonial.

Figure out which experts in your industry may be relevant to include.

For example, if you’re a mattress company, getting a positive testimonial from a chiropractor makes sense.

Other experts to consider for various industries could be:

Lawyers
Doctors
Teachers
Physical therapists
Mechanics

Here’s an example from Kissmetrics:

Follow this template.

Try to include the expert’s:

full name
company
title
photograph

How did your company help them? Be specific.

In the example above, the testimonial says “30% lift in conversions.”

All of these factors help contribute to social proof.

You’re allowed to brag

Growing up, your parents may have told you not to brag.

I’m here to tell you it’s okay to do that.

Let everyone know about your success and what you’re good at.

I’m not saying you should brag about how much money you made last month, but boast about anything that establishes your credibility.

Were you featured in a respected publication?

Did a popular website use your business as a reference or resource?

Check out this example from Roma Moulding:

Forbes Media is a “global media, branding and technology company, with a focus on news and information about business, investing, technology, entrepreneurship, leadership and affluent lifestyles.”

They are recognized across the world.

Getting featured on their website is a big deal.

Don’t be afraid to share information like this with your customers.

If a company such as Forbes says you’re legitimate, then you must be, right?

That’s the power of social proof.

Come up with a customer referral program

We’ve already established that customers trust other customers.

Customer referrals can generate social proof.

If someone had a bad experience with a brand, they won’t recommend that company to their friends and family.

If you get a referral from someone you trust, it implies they had a good experience.

They want you to get the same positive interaction.

Look at the impact referrals can have on your business:

You increase the chances of getting a conversion through customer-to-customer recommendations.

Let’s take this a step further.

Yes, your customers may love your business.

But will they go out of their way to spread the word?

Maybe.

Like with reviews, sometimes people need some extra motivation.

Offer an incentive, like Airbnb does:

It doesn’t need to be over the top.

Just give them some encouragement to share your brand with their friends.

Trust me, it works.

Use Facebook

We’ve discussed the importance of generating social proof through Instagram and review websites such as Yelp or Google Local.

But that’s not enough.

Encourage customers to review your brand on Facebook.

Facebook has such a wide reach, you can’t afford to leave it out of your social proof strategy.

Think of it like this.

How many followers do you have on Facebook?

How many friends do your followers have?

You’re indirectly connected with all those people even if they don’t follow you.

If your customers comment and write reviews on your Facebook page, it will show up on the news feed of all their friends.

It’s great exposure for your brand.

Here’s something else to consider: Facebook is the top platform for positive reviews.

Comments on your Facebook page are more likely to paint your company in a positive light than on other review websites.

How can you encourage people to write reviews on your Facebook page?

Engage with your customers. Like their posts. Respond to their comments. Make sure your profile is active.

All of these factors can help generate social proof on Facebook.

Conclusion

Customers trust other customers.

One of the best ways to improve your conversions is by leveraging social proof.

This strategy won’t cost you anything.

Sure, it might involve some promotional giveaways, but for the most part, it’s free.

Display your best numbers. Show your customers how many people visited your website or downloaded your app. It gives your company more credibility.

You can also brag about certain achievements, like being featured in a popular magazine.

Encourage customers to review your products. It’s even better if they upload their own photos. People trust user photos more than professional ones.

Images are a powerful way to prove your product works. Incorporate some visual demonstrations and some before and after shots whenever possible.

Get an endorsement from a celebrity or expert. It doesn’t have to be Brad Pitt, but find someone with a large social following and send them some free products.

If you follow this advice, you’ll create social proof for your product or service and improve your conversions.

What incentive will you offer your customers to review your brand on Facebook?

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A Deeper Look at My ‘Wishlist Strategy’ for Curbing Spending

In the past, I’ve mentioned the strategy of using a wishlist to curb my spontaneous spending impulses. It turns out that the simple act of adding something I want to a wishlist is an incredibly effective way to cut through momentary desires, keeping me from spending money on something I might want in the moment but that I’ll end up forgetting and/or regretting over the long term.

It’s a really simple strategy that takes advantage of a psychological tic that I have and, from what I’ve seen, many other people have as well.

Here’s how it works.

On my phone, I have the Evernote app for jotting down notes. For this to work, you really need some sort of note-taking app available to you most of the time, and I use Evernote. You might prefer to use some other app for taking notes, or even using a pocket notebook. Although I use a pocket notebook for a lot of things, I find Evernote works far better for this particular task, the reason for which I’ll explain in a bit.

Whenever I find myself wanting something bad enough that I’m considering buying it, instead of actually going to the checkout or clicking through the shopping cart on the website, I simply add the item to a “Wishlist” note in Evernote. I simply keep a note going named Wishlist. When I want an item, I go into that note and, at the bottom of the note, I add a quick description of the item in just a few words along with a link to that item from some website.

Here’s the interesting part – the addition of that new item to the wishlist feels like I have “taken action” on that item and it causes the immediate desire to at least somewhat go away. Virtually every time, the simple act of putting that item on my wishlist takes the edge off of that desire to make an impulsive purchase, at least enough so that it’s easy to move on and not actually make that purchase right now. That keeps my money in my pocket where it belongs and ensures that I don’t spend it on something I might not truly want all that much.

But what if I’ve stumbled across something really cool that I do actually end up wanting? Here’s the neat trick. Once a month, I review the wishlist. I usually do this around the first of each month (which is actually why I’m writing this today, as I’m writing this right after having reviewed my wishlist).

I start by going to the bottom of the list and adding the name of the month and the year, followed by a dashed line. All new items after that point are added below that line. Then, I scroll back up, find the line from two months ago (so, if I’m doing this on November 1, I look for the September line), and delete that line. This leaves just an October line and a November line.

At that point, I go through everything above the top line, one at a time, and ask myself if I really want that item. Do I really want this game I added to my list? Do I really need that cool notebook? Does it really make sense to buy this thing or that thing?

What I almost always find is that my desire for that item has faded significantly since I added it. Most of the time, my desire has completely disappeared. If I find that I don’t really want that item much any more, I simply delete it from the list. It’s gone, and I never spent the money on it. This is the end result of 90% of the stuff I add to the wishlist.

What about that remaining 10%? I usually give each of those remaining items some additional thought. Is this something I really, truly want? Or is it just an appealing thought? Maybe this item is touching on a desire that can be addressed in some other way.

Often, the items that make it to this point end up eventually turning into purchases, but these are planned purchases. I’ve turned off the “urgency” for these purchases, so I’m okay investing the time and effort necessary to research those purchases and find how to meet those desires in a cost-effective and reasonable way.

So, let me show you in a very practical way how this works.

This morning, I went through my wishlist, as I do at the start of each month. The task is one that I have scheduled as a recurring task at the start of each month, so this is a natural time to do it.

I started by adding a line at the bottom that said “November” with a bunch of dashes after it. That way, in the future, when I add more items, they’ll just go below that line.

Then, I scrolled back up and found the line that said “September” and deleted that line.

Now, there were a few items above that line that were still there from previous months. They were items that I decided that I still wanted, but I hadn’t actually bothered in the last month to buy them.

To me, that’s a clear indication that I should just delete those things. If they sat there for a month after review and I still didn’t feel like taking action, they should probably just go. That’s not always true, however – sometimes items stick around for an extra month or two because I didn’t have enough money in my budget to afford that particular item.

So, very quickly, I deleted all but one of those items that was above the “September line.” The one item that remained was one that I suspected I could find for just a dollar or two if I kept searching, so I left it there. I poked around online for that item for a few minutes, but still haven’t found it for a price that low yet (it’s an item that was overproduced and I expect it to eventually hit the bargain bin).

Anyway, this leaves me with the 11 items I added during September that I haven’t looked at since I added them.

I walk through each of these fairly quickly, asking myself whether I still want this item. Is this something I still am interested in spending my hard-earned money on? Is this something I actually want? Might I just want something similar to this?

Believe it or not, most of these items end up leaving me with a sense that, no, I don’t want that item any more. There were such items as a sous vide cooking tool, three different books, a pocket chess set, and some fountain pen ink in that group.

I deleted all of them.

This left me with four items that I was actually still interested in – two books, one board game, and one “gadget,” for lack of a better term. The books all ranged in price from about $8 to about $16. The board game appears to be commonly on sale for about $40. The “gadget” runs about $110.

Those are all items that I’m interested in, and that interest has sustained over more than a month. In other words, those are items that I am actually considering buying.

What happens now?

First of all, I work out my hobby spending budget for the month. All of those items would come out of my personal hobby spending. Can I afford them this month? I figured out that, given other things I planned to use that money for, I could afford either one book and the game, or both books. The others would have to wait.

The next step was to start bargain hunting for those items. I started digging around for the lowest price I could find on those books and on that board game. The books are a bit harder to bargain hunt for, especially since one is already in paperback – the hardcover book (the more expensive one) could be one that I could wait on until the paperback comes out.

The board game, however, can net some serious savings if I do some shopping around for it – and I manage to find it at about 60% off of MSRP surprisingly quickly. So, I allot about $20 of my hobby budget and pick up that game.

For the other unpurchased items, I added the books to my Amazon wishlist (which a few people use for gift-giving purposes in my family) and deleted them, leaving me with just two items to look at next month (the gadget and the “overstocked” item). I have a sense that the gadget will end up just being deleted next month.

So, what happened here?

I had 11 items that I really really wanted and almost bought impulsively in September. But, rather than giving into that temptation, I just added those items to my wishlist instead.

When I finally reviewed that wishlist on November 1, I simply deleted seven of those things because I realized I didn’t really want them any more. That eliminated the vast majority of what I might have spent impulsively. It would have been wasteful spending, because I would have just bought things I wanted on the spur of the moment, things not connected to any lasting desire.

I ended up putting two of them on a gift giving wish list, eliminating them as well. Again, that’s money I didn’t spend, and it also gives some of my relatives who insist on giving gifts from Amazon wishlists something that I’ll actually like as an idea.

I found one item at a 60% discount. If I had bought it on the spur of the moment, it would have cost me $40. Because I was patient, I gave myself time to shop around (and time for it to wind up on sale), so it only cost me $16.

I was able to realize that the one remaining item doesn’t quite fit into my budget and that it could wait a bit longer. That’s okay, because I understand why I’m passing up on it.

So, to put it all in a nutshell, I went from spending hundreds on impulsive desires to spending only $16 on one of the few items I actually wanted beyond a momentary impulse. It’s all because of the “wishlist” strategy.

I strongly encourage you to consider using a wishlist yourself. It’s a very, very effective way to handle impulsive spending desires. It turns postponement into an “action” that feels like you’ve actually done something toward the purchase, which often pops that balloon of desire quite effectively.

Good luck!

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