US and China Near Deal that Would Suspend Planned Tariffs

The Trump administration and China are close to finalizing a modest trade agreement that would suspend tariffs that are set to kick in Sunday, de-escalating their 17-month trade war.

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Spend One Minute Doing This to Earn 5 Cents/Gallon in Points to Save on Gas

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There are a lot of ways to save money on gas. You can drive across town to find the cheapest gas station. You can obsess over finding the quickest route. Or you can spend one minute downloading an app that automatically earns you points to save money when you fill up your tank.

Sound easier? We think so, too. With the Exxon Mobil Rewards+ app, you automatically earn points to save money every time you fill up at Exxon or Mobil stations. Until February 2020, you can earn 5 cents per gallon, compared to the app’s usual offer of 3 cents.

It also lets you pay easily and securely through the app — without swiping a card. 

Watch Your Savings Pile Up With the Exxon Mobil Rewards+ App

If you’re consistent about it, that nickel discount really adds up. 

Consider this: The average American driver goes through roughly 650 gallons of gas per year.

At a current average price of about $2.30 per gallon, that means your typical American spends about $1,500 a year on gas.

At that rate, this app could save you $32.50 per year — free money that you could pocket or that you could spend on whatever you want.

Oh, you’re a two-car family? That’s $65 in the bank.

If you drive a lot, you’ll save even more.

You’re a VIP at 11,500 Stations

It’s easy to be consistent about using the app whenever you get gas, too.

That’s because Exxon and Mobil have about 11,500 gas stations scattered across the North American landscape. Seriously, they’re everywhere. You can earn points to automatically get discounts at all of those stations.

Even if you’re not the kind of driver who actively hunts for a particular kind of gas station, the odds are good that, wherever you are, you’ll find an Exxon or Mobil station nearby. Just Google it. There’s probably a station, like, one minute from you.

The Easiest Way to Save on Gas

It takes just a minute to download the app on Apple or Android and connect your payment information (credit, debit or Apple Pay). Once you’re parked next to a gas pump, you just press a button in the app, and the app turns the pump on. Plus, doing everything through the app means you won’t risk subjecting your credit card to illegal skimmers attempting to steal your credit card information. 

Here are some nitty-gritty details about the app:

• When you buy gas with the app, you earn rewards points.
• Once you have 100 rewards points, you can start redeeming your points on gas purchases.
• Until February 2020, you can earn points to save 5 cents per gallon on gas this way. That’s a temporary increase from the typical 3 cents per gallon with this app. So if you’re thinking about signing up, the sooner the better.
• If you’re filling your tank with premium gas, you can earn points to save 10 cents per gallon through February 2020.  

We can’t think of an easier way to save on gas. If you’re ready to start earning and saving at the pump, download the app and get started. 

Mike Brassfield (mike@thepennyhoarder.com) is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder. He drives a lot and would love to save on gas.

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.

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Here’s How I Bought a Car for Only $400 (and It Wasn’t a Lemon)

I remember when my sister and brother-in-law decided to lease a new Ford Fusion Hybrid in 2015. As strictly a used-car owner, I envied how shiny and clean it was. It was quiet, complete with the latest technology and great on gas. 

The only downside, in my opinion, was its lease price of $390 a month. Four years earlier, I’d only paid $10 more for an entire car. 

That’s right, I bought a car for 400 bucks.

How to Buy a Car at an Auction

I purchased my 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier in a pretty nontraditional way: at a car auction.

Auto auctions allow buyers to purchase used cars through a bidding process, which usually results in lower prices than buying at a dealership. 

Many car auctions are only open to car dealers and require a dealer license to participate, but a quick Google search will turn up auto auctions open to the public all over the country. What’s more, online auto auctions like eBay Motors make it possible to buy a car from the comfort of your own home.

Car auctions aren’t as widespread as established car lots, and you’re at a greater risk of ending up with a beater car. But if you’re careful, you can score a serious deal like I did.

My Experience Buying a Car at Auction

I was working for a newspaper at the time, and my company was trying to get rid of some of the old cars in its delivery fleet by selling them via blind auction to employees. 

When we got the notice about the deal, I honestly didn’t give it much thought. After all, I had a great vehicle — a 1999 Lexus RX 300 — that had been with me through college and on numerous trips up and down the east coast. It was my baby. It was dependable and got me where I needed to go. 

There was only one issue: My boyfriend at the time and I were cohabitating and sharing one car between us; that wasn’t quite working out. Buying a new car wasn’t high on our list of priorities, but we couldn’t resist the chance to put in a small bid when the opportunity presented itself. 

Back then, my idea of car buying was limited to visiting a car lot and shelling out hundreds in monthly payments or saving up over time to purchase a decent used car. I had never given a car auction a serious thought. 

I chose a fairly low bid of $300 on the Cavalier, thinking I’d never win. Then the woman running the auction contacted me and said my bid was tied with one other person and requested we both submit a counterbid. I upped my bid by $100 and was geeked to find out I’d actually won the thing.

Now, I consider myself pretty darn lucky. Not only was the initial cost low, but the car turned out to be a gem. 

It was immobile when I purchased it, but all it needed was a new battery and spark plugs. The mileage was low, and it had air conditioning; the AC on my Lexus had stopped working. 

The Cavalier lasted a good three years before it was totaled in a hit-and-run accident — had I not been rear-ended, I would have gotten more years out of it. What’s more, the insurance company ended up paying me $2,400 — which is $2,000 more than I initially paid for it.

Could You Try Buying at a Car Auction?

Car auctions don’t always dole out dream-come-true deals, but Diana Gerjes, a general manager at Interstate Auto Auction, said newcomers to an auto auction should be in good shape to make a successful buy as long as they do their homework first. She recommends seeing how the vehicle runs in advance of placing a bid.

“If they allow you to test-drive, definitely take advantage of that,” Gerjes said. “That’s the first thing I tell people.”

She advises first-timers not to get caught up in the excitement of the whole event and end up bidding on something they haven’t test-driven first. 

Checking the value of the car beforehand is another essential task, Gerjes said. Potential buyers can check sites like Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds to gauge the average value of the vehicle so they don’t bid more than the car is worth.

5 Tips for Buying a Car at Auction

Although I didn’t test-drive my vehicle or refer to the Kelley Blue Book value, I ended up with a diamond in the rough. 

Here are a few pieces of advice from my personal experience of buying a car at auction.

1. Know Something About Cars — or Bring Someone Who Does 

Don’t ask me about the difference between a catalytic converter and a carburetor. I’m not going to know my transmission is going bad by how my car’s running. 

Despite my total ignorance of all things automotive, I was lucky my live-in boyfriend knew a thing or two about cars. I also had family members I could call on should a problem arise. 

Some car auctions also offer limited-time guarantees on certain aspects of the car’s condition.

2. Set Aside Money for Repairs 

Generally, cars sold at auction are there for a reason. High mileage, engine or mechanical issues or past accidents might be what’s keeping the vehicle off a traditional dealership lot. 

While your low bid could get you a great price, like mine did, you should factor in the cost of potential repairs or cosmetic work, if so desired. 

Interstate Auto Auction warns that sedans could require repairs ranging from $300 to more than $1,000, while trucks, vans, SUVs and high-end luxury vehicles might need repairs ranging from $600 to more than $2,000. 

CarMD’s 2018 Vehicle Health Index offers comprehensive information on which types of vehicles have the lowest frequency of repairs and which have the lowest average repair cost. The report found that the 2016 Audi Q5 had the fewest “check engine” related problems and a 2017 Hyundai Tucson had the lowest “check engine” light-related repair cost at $66.67. 

Don’t forget to consider towing costs if you cannot drive the vehicle off the lot. Though my car initially didn’t run, we had no towing costs because we used our other vehicle to pull it around the block to our apartment complex.

3. Know the Car’s History

You can’t always accomplish this, but it’s great to have a little background intel on the vehicle in question. If you have the car’s vehicle identification number (VIN), you can check its history on a website like CARFAX. 

I knew the cars from the newspaper delivery fleet had to be in decent condition, because the company regularly serviced them. Now, if the auction was held right after a bad flood in the area, I might consider how water damage could play a role in the car’s history.

4. Keep the Vehicle’s Potentially Short-Term Future in Perspective

I bought my car with the mindset that it might not last very long. Considering I probably would have spent $400 in transportation costs over the next few months without it, I thought if the car made it three months, I would have gotten my money’s worth. 

With these types of deals, it’s safe to assume the car may not outlast a brand-new model leased from a certified dealer. But it was also comforting to know I wasn’t shelling out a $400 payment every month in a lease I was bound to for years.

5. Always Bid an Odd Number 

This is probably going to be my No. 1 rule the next time I’m part of any blind auction. 

When I found out my initial bid matched someone else’s, I could have kicked myself for not bidding $301 instead of $300. I could have saved $99 — or $99.99 if they’d allow me to bid $300.01. 

Of course, bidding odd would not have the same effect at a live auction, where someone could instantly outbid you.

Nicole Dow is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.

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Benefits of bundling home insurance with auto insurance

When it comes to spending money, we are always looking for ways to save. Insurance is no exception. With both home and auto insurance, finding ways to save money can seem like an impossible task. But did you know that one of the most common discounts offered by insurance companies is a discount for bundling home and auto insurance?

According to a study done by InsuranceQuotes in 2017, bundling home and auto insurance saves a national average of 16.1 percent on annual premiums. If you’re required to have both home and auto insurance anyway, why not bundle them together to save some money? This is a quick and easy way to put money back into your pocket each month.

Learn about the pros and cons of insurance bundling, also called multi-policy discounts, and some insider tips on the best way to bundle.

Pros and cons of bundling home and auto insurance

Pros

Money savings off annual premiums
Depending on the state you reside in, you can save anywhere from 6.9% (if you live in Florida) to 23.2% (if you live in Mississippi) on annual premiums by bundling.

• Simplified insurance contacts
  When you bundle your insurance, you only have one insurance company, one agent and one customer portal. There is convenience and peace of mind in having one person to contact if something goes wrong and one place to manage your accounts.
• Lower deductible
  With many insurance companies, if you bundle home and auto insurance, you only have one deductible that applies to both types of insurance.

  Cons

• Competition avoidance
  If you feel that you’ve gotten a good deal with the bundle discount, you may be less likely to shop around for other quotes each year to ensure you’re still getting the best deal.
• Getting lost in the discount
  It is easy to get distracted by the discount percentage and fail to pay attention to the price of the insurance. Just because a company offers a higher bundle discount does not mean it is the best deal.
• Affiliate situations
  Some insurance companies that offer bundles only provide insurance for part of your bundle and use an affiliate for the other part. That means you may end up working with more than one insurance company, agent and customer portal.

  Should you bundle home and auto insurance?

  Bundling your insurance policies makes sense in a lot of situations, but it’s not the right choice for everyone. Here’s how to find out if bundling your insurance is a good idea for you.

  When you should bundle

  • If you’ve got average- to high-priced homeowners insurance and car insurance with a relatively good driving record, it may be in your advantage to inquire with insurance companies about bundle discounts so that you can save a percentage on each policy by combining them into one.
  • If competitive home and auto insurance bundle quotes show you that bundling will give you the coverage that is the same or better than what you already have and will save you money off annual premiums, bundling is an ideal option for you.

  When you shouldn’t bundle

  • If you know you’re the type to bundle and then never check competitive pricing again, bundling may not be the best option for you. Getting a discount does not mean you’re getting the best deal. Insurance companies can increase premiums over time. Check regularly to ensure you’re not spending more than you must.
  • Bundling might also not be a good option for you if you have a high-risk auto insurance policy (expensive car or poor driving record). Some car insurance companies specialize in offering cheap car insurance for this type of consumer that is often less expensive than the bundle price.
  • You should also not bundle your policies if it means sacrificing or limiting your insurance coverage or if the bundle price is higher than the price of the individual policies combined.

  Tips on bundling and how to bundle

  We recommend comparing quotes on home and auto insurance yearly, both separately and bundled. You can get most of your home and auto insurance quotes online. If you need assistance, an independent insurance agent can help you get quotes from multiple companies to find the best value option. Also, don’t forget to ask insurance companies what other discounts you may qualify for beyond the multi-policy or bundle discount.

  The best home and auto insurance bundles

  Here are some of the best bundle offers from insurance companies:

  • Progressive: Progressive states that customers who choose a home and auto bundle can save 10%.
  • State Farm: State Farm offers savings of up to $854 per year doing a home and auto insurance bundle with them.
  • Allstate: Allstate offers up to 10% off auto and 25% off home premiums by bundling.
  • USAA: If you bundle home and auto insurance with USAA, it offers up to 10% in discounts off annual premiums.

  Note that some of these offers may not be available in every state. Some states might also have additional savings options.

  If your insurance provider isn’t on this list, that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t offer bundled discounts. Talk to your provider to see if bundled home and auto insurance is an option your company provides and if it would be beneficial for you.

  The post Benefits of bundling home insurance with auto insurance appeared first on The Simple Dollar.

  
  
  
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The Cheapest Renters Insurance Companies in Florida 2019

Hurricane Irma held the world transfixed as Florida’s beautiful beaches were battered by relentless rain, whipping winds and tons of flooding. The category-4 hurricane created over $50 billion worth of destruction that is still in repair today, and it is an event that remains fresh in the minds of renters and homeowners alike.

Hail, hurricanes, flooding and high winds are all widespread in Florida. That creates a need for a different kind of renters insurance with specialized features that cover things like sinkholes, lightning and hurricanes. Florida has a weather system all its own, so renters must be diligent in ensuring maximum coverage for all types of events.

The Florida Housing Finance Corporate reports in a new study that the number of renter households in 2017 exceeded 2.5 million. With so many renters and so many potential natural disasters, renters insurance is a necessity to protect your home and all of your belongings inside.
Best renters insurance companies in Florida

As tourism continues to rise, visitors are more common. It is essential to ensure your belongings are covered, as well as theirs. Renters insurance will protect your home, your belongings and any guests on the property.

The cheapest renters insurance companies in Florida

There are many excellent insurance options for Florida residents, and here we have the best renters insurance companies in the state for 2019:

• Castle Key
• Citizens
• Peoples Trust
• Security First
• State Farm

To assess each company, we examined their ratings. Both J.D. Power and the Better Business Bureau judge customer satisfaction on price, claims processing and overall customer service. AM Best uses a grading system to judge a company’s financial strength.

J.D. Power and AM Best ratings are not available for all Florida insurance companies, but we include Demotech financial ratings where possible.

These companies are not only the cheapest renters insurance companies but also come highly recommended by their customers.

Rankings for cheapest renters insurance companies: Florida

Company	J.D. Power	AM Best	BBB	Demotech
State Farm	3 out of 5	A++ (Superior)	A+	A (Exceptional)
Security First	N/A	N/A	A+	A (Exceptional)
Citizens	N/A	A (Excellent)	A+	A (Unsurpassed)
Peoples Trust	N/A	N/A	N/A	A (Exceptional)
Castle Key	2 out of 5	B (Fair)	C	A (Unsurpassed)

Best Florida renters insurance for best claims service: Castle Key

Castle Key is a specialized division of Allstate that provides renters insurance to Floridians. Allstate is already a well-respected renters insurance company, with excellent claims service and extra protections that will come in handy with Florida’s unpredictable weather. Allstate has 5 out of 5 rating from J.D. Power for how it handles claims.

Best Florida renters insurance company for discounts: State Farm

State Farm offers good insurance coverage in a variety of areas, which means you can save on your renters insurance by bundling it with your auto insurance and get more discounts for both kinds of insurance. State Farm helps you save if you have safety features like smoke alarms or a security system.

Best Florida renters insurance company for private coverage: Citizens

Citizens is available exclusively to Florida residents as a not-for-profit government organization. It is a popular solution for those who cannot find private coverage, and Citizens offers exclusive savings like discounts for homes with storm windows and shutters and homes in compliance with Florida Building Codes.

Cheapest Florida renters insurance company: Security First

Security First is also a Florida-based renters insurance company with unique coverage and affordable pricing. While most companies feature discounts for adults 65 and older, Security First offers discounts for those 55 and older. It also offers discounts for wind-resistant homes, similar to Citizens renter insurance. While your rates will be unique to you, Security First often offers the lowest insurance rate.

Florida is on par with the national average cost of renters insurance, costing about $185 per year, while the national average is $181 annually.

These are the average rates for the best Florida renters insurance companies:

• Security First: $142
• Citizens: $160
• Peoples Trust: $170
• Castle Key: $175
• State Farm: $181

Given the specific needs of Florida renters, companies have worked to adapt their policies for better coverage. With several services exclusive to Florida only, it helps to ensure better customer service, fast claims processing and, most importantly, greater affordability for better coverage.

Frequently asked questions

How much renters insurance do I need in Florida?

Renters insurance is especially prevalent in Florida, given its propensity for damaging storms. Consider extra protections based upon where you live. Areas closer to shore will need flood insurance more than someone living near Disney. Florida also experiences strong winds from frequent storms, and areas closer to shore could require more coverage than other areas. Some companies provide wind coverage, but not all. Determine how much risk you have and how much coverage you’d need to replace your belongings to find out how much insurance you need.

What is the best renters insurance company in Florida?

Unlike other states, there are many Florida renters insurance companies that specifically cater to the changing Florida landscape. Where you live will significantly determine the kind of coverage that you need, and that, in turn, will help determine which company is right for you.

Why do I need Florida renters insurance?

Florida has more lawsuits than other states, so renters insurance will provide the extra protection you need. Renters insurance can also protect your belongings from the storms Florida tends to get. Also, many landlords require renters insurance, so check your lease. While your landlord’s policy covers the building, your belongings inside are not covered unless you pay for an insurance policy.

Will renters insurance cover roommates?

Renters insurance only covers the individuals listed on the policy. If your roommate is not on your policy, he or she is not included. If they have coverage and you are not listed on their policy, you are not covered. Roommates should provide their own coverage.

The post The Cheapest Renters Insurance Companies in Florida 2019 appeared first on The Simple Dollar.

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Sell Clothes, Cars or Campers on Facebook Marketplace. Here’s How

Maybe you’re moving and none of your old appliances match the new digs. Don’t throw out your old microwave — and hang onto that toaster, too. Facebook Marketplace can help you find a buyer for your unwanted stuff — household stuff, furniture, toys and even vehicles. If not for Mother Earth, do it for the money.

Since its launch in 2016, the free-to-use commerce platform has become wildly popular among down-sizers and upcyclers alike. Deb Liu, Facebook’s Vice President of Marketplace and Commerce, told The Penny Hoarder in an email that more than one-third of Facebook users now turn to Marketplace every month.

“Marketplace is fostering economic opportunities for people,” she said. “Many people are decluttering and selling things they no longer need and making extra money in the process.”

The Penny Hoarder also profiled three entrepreneurs who used Marketplace to launch their side businesses. They, along with Liu, shared their insider secrets for how to sell on Facebook Marketplace — regardless if it’s a few pairs of clothes you’ve outgrown, or a $5,000 trailer you’ve renovated.

What Sells (and Doesn’t Sell) on Facebook Marketplace?

Before you fire off a listing into the ether, take stock of what you want to sell to see if Marketplace is the right platform. Are you trying to sell new or gently used clothing, furniture and toys to your community? Great. Those items do fantastically.

Pro Tip

Maybe your item isn’t the best fit for Marketplace. That’s OK too — here are 14 other websites or apps to sell stuff online.

Marketplace has also added additional features for larger sells, like vehicles and home rentals because users were naturally using their News Feeds and buy-and-sell groups for those types of transactions already. The new features formalized those growing trends.

“Cars is now one of the most popular categories,” Liu said. “In fact, my husband sold our family minivan on Marketplace within two days of listing it.”

It’s important to know what items aren’t allowed on Marketplace. According to the company’s commerce policies, several categories are banned: all services, weapons, drugs, home-health items, gift cards, event tickets, animals and adult products.

Many people are decluttering and selling things they no longer need and making extra money in the process.

An additional restriction is placed on recalled products. A recent investigation by Consumer Reports underscored the prevalence of recalled baby products being sold online (many times unbeknown to the seller).

Listing prohibited products on the Marketplace could lead to disciplinary action, such as being banned. So be sure there are no restrictions on your item before creating a listing.

How to Create a Marketplace Listing

Creating a listing is quite simple — and free. First, you will need a Facebook profile (duh).

The Marketplace icon looks like a miniature storefront. On desktop, it’s along the left column, under your name. For mobile users, it’s either on the top or bottom toolbar, depending on your device. You can also go directly to www.facebook.com/marketplace.

From there, click the “Sell Something” or “Sell” buttons on the desktop or app version respectively. Once you begin the listing process, Facebook will prompt you to choose what category of listing: items, vehicles or housing? A follow-up form will request more information.

1. Items for sale — Select an item category (e.g. antiques, tools, musical instruments, etc.). Then, title your listing in 100 characters or less. Settle on a price and double-check your location is correct. An item description is optional but highly recommended. Lastly, upload between one and 10 photos before submitting your listing for verification.
2. Vehicles for sale — The vehicle selling form asks for specifics about the type of vehicle (car, truck, RV, boat?), its year, make and model. You will need to share additional information such as VIN number, condition, fuel and transmission type (if applicable). You must include a price, but the vehicle description is optional. Upload at least one photo, up to 20.
3. Housing for sale or rent — Home listings require the most information up front. First thing’s first: Is it for sale or rent? Then specify if the property is an apartment, house, townhome, or just one room. How many bedrooms and bathrooms? Monthly rent or sales price? Be prepared to fill in additional fields about square footage, lease length, laundry, parking, AC/heating, pet friendliness and more. For this listing type, the description is required. In 6,000 characters or less, outline information about amenities, utilities, deposits and show times. One photo is required with a 50-photo max. 

How to Sell on Facebook Marketplace Effectively

We’ve covered the basics. Selling on Facebook Marketplace is pretty straightforward stuff. If you know the relevant information about what you’re selling and have a photo or two already shot, creating a listing could take as little as 30 seconds. But just because it’s simple doesn’t mean you should blast through the process. Making your listing successful will take a little more time. And that extra effort will pay off.

Use High-Quality Photos (and Staging!)

One of the easiest ways to make your listing stand out is through high-quality photos. As in not just one.

“Post as many pictures from different angles as you can,” said Sara Chen, who upcycles dressers and resells them on Marketplace.

Quality photos help Sara Chen’s furniture-flipping side gig rake in between $2,500 and $3,000 per month.

Liu, VP of Marketplace, says she has a section of her home that she uses to stage the items she’s selling. Her biggest piece of advice for photos is to keep them “authentic.”

“Avoid filters, and be sure to capture the item at multiple angles, so interested buyers can see what they’re getting,” Liu said.

Write Useful Descriptions With Keywords

Keywords are terms or phrases people commonly type in to Marketplace’s search bar. Based on what’s included in an item’s description or title, relevant results will pop up. That’s why it’s crucial to fill out a description for each listing, even if it’s optional. Your item’s description is a place to tailor your listing to exactly what people are searching for.

It’s also a place to answer some buyers’ questions before they even have to ask — saving you time in the long run. 

Pro Tip

If you’re selling furniture, home decor or counter-top appliances, include the dimensions or risk being bombarded with never-ending questions about length, width and height.

Sarah Lemp, who renovates RVs and campers and then sells them on Marketplace, recommends being honest with buyers in the description.

“I try to be really up front if I sell anything that has damage. I just tell people,” she said. “I have a lot of people that have said, ‘Thank you so much, now I trust what you’re selling to me.’”

When Kevin Mullan started searching Marketplace for a fire truck to renovate, he realized the importance of keywords from the buyer’s perspective.

“You can’t always type in fire truck and get exactly what you’re looking for,” Mullan said.

Keywords weren’t the only thing plaguing Kevin Mullan as he launched his side business. Read how a decommissioned fire truck became Tapped 419, Toledo, Ohio’s hottest side hustle.

Namely because the phrase “fire engine” is equally popular. Depending on which phrase you use, different results will appear, especially if the listing writer isn’t thinking about keywords.

Don’t make that mistake and risk missing out on potential customers. Include specific details and alternative phrases that may be helpful to people searching for your item. For example, if you’re selling a fire truck, use both “fire truck” and “fire engine” in your listing description.

Price Competitively

To master how to sell on Facebook Marketplace, you need to set the right price.

Starting off, there are often three prices. What you, as the seller, want to make. What the buyer wants to spend. And then there’s a middle number between the two — it’s how much the item typically sells for on Marketplace.

“Pricing it realistically,” is a critical component of a successful listing, Lemp said.

That takes a little research. Try searching on Marketplace for exactly what you’re selling to get an idea of the range of prices, and plot yours along that scale.

Pro Tip

If you’re asking a price on the high end of the spectrum, make sure your listing is higher quality than your competition.

“There have been times where we listed something and priced it really high because I was really ambitious, and I thought ‘Sure this is going to sell,’” Lemp said.

While you may think it doesn’t hurt to aim high at first, overly ambitious prices can sometimes backfire.

Sarah Lemp found her niche overhauling vintage trailers and reselling them to first-time owners. So far, her RV- and camper-flipping side hustle has earned her $22,000 in profit.

“Anybody that’s following my post is going to get notifications that I’m lowering [the price],” she said. “Then it starts to raise suspicion: Then they’re like ‘Why does this person keep lowering it? Is it in that bad of shape?’”

Cross-Post to Buy-and-Sell Groups

Once you’ve crafted a killer listing, it’s time to publish it for the world to see. 

Yes, you could post it in the general Marketplace along hundreds of other listings and call it a day. But the right buyer may never see it. To get your item in front of a niche audience, cross-post your listing into a relevant buy-and-sell group.

Facebook Groups is one of Chen’s favorite features. When she lists her upcycled dressers for sale, she selects relevant antiquing and furniture groups in her area to post the listing.

“Posting to local groups definitely helps me grow my business,” she said.

To add your listing to a group, you first have to be a group member. So if you aren’t yet a part of any local buy-and-sell groups, get a sense of the ones in your area and what type of items they cater to. You can join as many as you want. Some are open to all, and some may have a light screening process to join.

Once you’re a member, you can cross-post your Marketplace listing. The process is straight forward: No matter what type of listing you create, the final field before clicking “Post” will prompt you to “select your audience.” Posting it to Marketplace is required, but you may also opt to post your listing to your personal News Feed as well as up to 10 buy-and-sell groups.

Be Flexible and Responsive

Facebook Marketplace is fast-moving. Don’t leave people hanging – and remember to be polite! Users are often your neighbors.

Your listing is live. Congrats! The work isn’t over, though. 

Depending on how thorough your descriptions were, you will receive a varying amount of questions. Even if you wrote a beautiful description, not everyone reads them. Be prepared to respond.

Because Marketplace is based on your local area, the people inquiring about your item or room or vehicle are probably going to be friends, friends-of-friends or someone you may potentially run into at the grocery store.

“You never know,” Chen said. “Don’t be rude to people.”

Being flexible with availability and meetup locations can really pay off. Most of the time, buyers expect flexibility on the price, too. Chen, Lemp and Mullan all advise: Get ready to haggle.

“You have to be ready to not be offended” at lowball offers, Lemp said. “If you’re a nice person to work with, you’re more likely to get a good deal.”

Adam Hardy is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder. He specializes in ways to make money that don’t involve stuffy corporate offices. Read his ​latest articles here, or say hi on Twitter @hardyjournalism.

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.

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The Most Congested Roads in America

Congested roads take up so much of our time. Preliminary 2019 reports from the Federal Highway Administration reveal that road and street travel has increased this year to an all time high of 2.1 trillion vehicle miles in the United States alone, and traffic does not seem to be going away anytime soon. But what’s causing all this traffic?

What causes roads to become congested?

Congestion is basic supply and demand — the demand for road space exceeds the supply of road space. This means that congestion or traffic will occur when the number of cars on the road outnumber the available space on the road itself.

We measure congestion by the delay of a commute rather than the duration of the commute itself. This delay is impacted by an area’s population, economy, infrastructure and the availability of rideshare and delivery services. For example, the older the city, the older the infrastructure, which often results in inefficient roadways incapable of supporting a modern supply of vehicles.

The resulting impact on you, the driver, means an excessive amount of time spent in a car. This is of course time that could have been spent with family, friends or at work.

World cities with the worst commutes

Speaking of old cities, the cities with the worst commutes are among the oldest in the world. INRIX Research, the world leader in mobility analytics and connected car services, recently released their 2018 Global Traffic Scorecard in February. In it they identified and ranked the most congested cities in the world using billions of data points from cities, Departments of Transportation, road weather conditions, connected vehicles, journalistic incidents and more. The following cities were found to have the worst commutes in the world, spending days in traffic annually:

1. Bogota, Colombia
   272 hours per person annually or 11+ days lost in congestion
2. Mexico City, Mexico
   218 hours per person annually or 9+ days lost in congestion
3. Moscow, Russia
   210 hours per person annually or 8+ days lost in congestion
4. Istanbul, Turkey
   157 hours per person annually or 6+ days lost in congestion
5. São Paulo, Brazil
   154 hours per person annually or 6+ days lost in congestion

When you consider the recent geopolitical turmoil causing shockwaves through South America, it’s no wonder that some of the worst congestion in the world occurs there. With limited financial resources to make improvements to infrastructure in the midst of growing urbanization, traffic is a problem that gets worse by the day and no solutions in sight.

Other cities have topographical and geographical constraints that make building roadways difficult and driving on them dangerous. All these factors culminate into the most congested roads and worst traffic globally.

American cities and roads with the worst traffic

As far as the United States is concerned, many older cities are among the most congested. To show this impact, we discovered the cities with the most congested roads using expert data from the INRIX Research 2018 Global Traffic Scorecard and ranked them based on city congestion levels to create an ultimate list of the top 6 American cities with the worst traffic.

Many of the top cities with the worst traffic in the U.S. have been faced with aging and confined infrastructure tasked with handling a growing population. Between 2010 and 2018, for example, New York City estimates they’ve added an additional 223,615 residents. The largest influx of residents is in the Bronx, which experienced a 3.4 percent increase in population over that 8-year period.

1. Boston, MA

Boston, Massachusetts is the first on our list with a congestion decline of 10% in 2018, but the highest number of hours lost to congestion. Boston drivers lost 164 hours in congestion and $2,291 each for the year. The city lost $4.1 billion overall.

The monetary cost of this congestion is determined by using travel time unit costs. These unit costs are calculated by the U.S. Department of Transportation using a variety of studies including an analysis of business costs, traveler surveys and the value travelers place on time versus money.

Boston is working on ways to improve congestion, which includes adding adaptive traffic signals, bike lanes, and dedicated bus lanes. As far as I-93 goes, there is a project proposed to improve the I-93/I-95 interchange but is currently on hold.

2. Chicago, IL

Chicago, Illinois is second on the list, but possibly moving up the rankings since congestion in 2018 was up 4%. Drivers lost 138 hours in congestion and lost an average of $1,920 each that year. The city overall lost $6.2 billion to congestion.

The Illinois Department of Transportation is considering a plan to widen I-55, otherwise known as the Stevenson Expressway. This would add two new “managed” lanes in each direction. Technology and protocol would be applied to these lanes to dynamically manage the traffic congestion allowed to them. For example, if commuter traffic is heaviest traveling east, the DOT can widen the median to allow for more eastbound lanes.

The I-55 connects the I-94 and I-90, so it would have an effect on these roads as well. However, the project currently has no funding and is facing opposition from advocacy groups.

3. New York City, NY

New York City, New York is third on our list. It is reported that in 2018 the city’s congestion was down 4%, but drivers still lost a whopping 133 hours to congestion.

For New York City, the cost of congestion is an annual average of $1,859 per driver which amounts to a total cost of $9.5 billion for the city. New York City also has the most congested road in the country. The Cross Bronx Expressway frequently tops this list for its inability to handle the densely populated area it is located in.

Currently a $119 million dollar project is underway to add a new lane to the Major Deegan Expressway in order to more easily connect local traffic onto the Cross Bronx Expressway. This is just the first of many improvements planned for the Major Deegan Expressway and the Cross Bronx Expressway. All improvements are expected to be complete by the end of 2022.

4. Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles, California comes in as the 4th worst city in the U.S. for time spent in congestion. Its congestion levels did not change from 2017 to 2018. However, the city’s drivers lost 128 hours in 2018, putting the average annual cost of congestion at $1,788 per driver. The city as a whole lost $9.3 billion.

Since INRIX’s study has been completed, improvements on the US-101 have been made. ExpressLanes have been installed and local partners are testing innovations to improve traffic flow. Only time will tell the impact of these improvements in the city’s traffic congestion.

5. Pittsburgh, PA

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is in fifth place as drivers lost 127 hours in traffic in 2018. With that said, the city saw a 5% increase in congestion levels compared to the previous year. This brought the average annual traffic cost for drivers in 2018 to $1,776 and $1.2 billion for the city as a whole.

There are no current plans to renovate I-376, but there is a $14.55 million improvement project underway for the city. This plan includes a concrete reconstruction of Route 19 (which intersects with I-376), median barrier replacement, lengthening on-ramps, sign structure replacements and other ramp construction work.

6. Philadelphia, PA

Last but not least, in sixth place is Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The city did not see a change in congestion levels from 2017 to 2018. However, the city’s drivers did lose 112 hours in congestion with an average annual cost of $1,568 each and $3.3 billion total.

Lucky for Philadelphia drivers, I-76 is receiving upgrades as part of an $8 million project. These upgrades will include electronic variable speed signs to give drivers advance notice of delays. Existing shoulders on the highways will also be altered to be used as additional lanes during peak rush hours.

Is traffic only going to get worse?

Road congestion causes delays and drivers are stuck with the financial burden. So is traffic only going to get worse? Well, it depends. Global population is at a slight incline, but many countries are implementing policy changes to limit the number of cars on the road. These changes encourage citizens and tourists to take public transportation or alternative methods of transportation, like rideshare or scooter services. This not only has an effect on decreasing road congestion, but CO2 emissions, too.

Ultimately, road congestion in your area is going to come down to the local government, culture, and infrastructure. If you are frustrated with your current commute, perhaps research an area with a smaller population or city density and consider making a move. Regardless of where you live, be safe on the roads, be prepared for anything with the best auto insurance and be patient with your fellow commuters.

The post The Most Congested Roads in America appeared first on The Simple Dollar.

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2019's most viewed properties on Rightmove revealed

2019's most viewed properties on Rightmove revealed

The list includes some of the most expensive and luxurious properties in the UK - including the home of former West Ham striker Andy Carroll

Stephen Little Thu, 12/12/2019 - 10:38

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Not everyone on property websites is looking to buy. In fact, many of us spend our time clicking through looking at properties we can only dream of affording.

Rightmove has revealed the top five most-viewed homes for sale in 2019 and in top spot is the home of former West Ham striker Andy Caroll.

1. High Road, Essex, £5 million

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Source: Rightmove

This nine-bedroom mansion – previously owned by former West Ham striker Andy Carroll - has a replica Angel of the North sculpture in the driveway and comes with a huge mirror above the bed in the master bedroom.

Other mega-mansion must-haves include a home cinema, two dressing rooms, an annexe games room and a massive garden - perfect for summer barbecues.

2. Glenborrodale Castle, Scotland, offers above £3.75 million

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Source: Rightmove

This magnificent castle dates from 1902 and is ideal for buyers who want to live out their Game of Thrones fantasy.

The property also boasts a detached coach house, a gym and a boathouse and jetty. With glorious views of Scotland, the grounds of the castle extend to an incredible 132 acres.

3. Beetham Tower, Manchester, £3.5 million

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Source: Rightmove

This classy penthouse on the 45th floor has some spectacular views across the city, including Old Trafford.

It also boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, a cinema room and multiple terraces from which to enjoy the high life.

4. Overdale, Cheshire, £3.95 million

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Source: Rightmove

After a hard day’s work, what better way to relax than by taking a dip in a glamourous indoor swimming pool or a hot tub?

Live the millionaire dream in this seven-bedroom family home that has almost everything you could want in property, including some stunning views of the Cheshire countryside. 

5. Canonteign Manor, Exeter, £3.95 million

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Source: Rightmove

This elegant Grade I-listed home was once garrisoned for the King during the Civil War and has since been inhabited by a succession of prestigious families.

It features 10 bedrooms and has 10 acres of private countryside and an outdoor swimming pool.

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