The Best Free Cloud Storage Providers

The best free cloud storage providers give you a place to park your data without opening your wallet. Instead of eating up precious disk space by storing files on your computer or mobile device, you upload those files to an online storage service such as Dropbox or SpiderOak, which are among our top picks. You’ll be able to access your data anywhere there’s an Internet connection, and sharing even large files is often as easy as sending someone a link.

Overhead is cheap for cloud storage companies. Major providers, including Amazon, Google Drive and Dropbox (all cloud storage providers with whom I’ve stored my own data), have been locked in a price war. Lesser-known companies also have to keep things cheap to survive. That means it won’t cost you a lot to move your files online — and in some cases, it won’t cost you anything at all.

In a previous article, my colleague Heather tackled the Best Cloud Storage Providers for small businesses. Free cloud storage accounts are more suited to personal use, although some very small businesses may be able to use a free option in limited cases. In this article, I take a more in-depth look at the best free providers. Here’s a quick look at my picks:

The Simple Dollar’s Top Picks for Free Cloud Storage

• Best Free Cloud Storage for Ease of Use: Dropbox and Sync
• Best Free Cloud Storage for Productivity: Google Drive and Box
• Best Free Cloud Storage for Security: SpiderOak and MEGA

Below, you’ll find what sets these companies apart from dozens of other free cloud storage options. I’ll also discuss the tradeoffs associated with free cloud storage, as well as some of the questions you’ll want to keep in mind as you compare providers.

Six Best Free Cloud Storage Providers

Best Free Cloud Storage for Ease of Use: Dropbox and Sync

Dropbox

First things first: Dropbox doesn’t offer a ton of free storage — only 2 GB. But if that’s enough for you — or if you’re open to shelling out $10 a month for a huge 1 terabyte of space — few providers compare in terms of ease of use and features. (Dropbox also offers you the chance to earn more free space by completing tasks like referring friends or linking your social media accounts.)

Experts have long hailed Dropbox for its intuitive interface, which lets users drag and drop their files to store them and share them between computers and mobile devices. I’ve been using a free Dropbox account to store personal files for a few years now, and can personally attest to this simplicity.

Mobile apps, available for iOS, Android, Blackberry, and Kindle Fire, also stand out for ease of use. A file versioning feature retains changes to your files for a month, allowing you to restore older versions within that time frame. Dropbox doesn’t impose a file-size limit. It also offers SSL encryption on all plans.

Sync

Relative newcomer Sync is a bit more generous than Dropbox with free space, giving users 5 GB. You can also upgrade to two more feature-rich business accounts: 500 GB for $49 per year, or a whopping 2 terabytes for $98 a year. Like Dropbox, you’ll also have the opportunity to earn more free space by referring friends.

Sync also boasts a clean, streamlined, easy-to-use interface. You can easily send files to recipients that don’t have Sync accounts — they can access your data via a link as long as they have Internet access. File size and bandwidth aren’t capped, and Sync doesn’t care how many computers or devices you use to access your account. You also get full file version history, preview and restore functions.

Best Free Cloud Storage for Productivity: Google Drive and Box

Google Drive

You’ll get a healthy 15 GB of storage for free on Google Drive, which puts it in the top tier of providers judged solely by free space. You can also step up to 100 GB for only $1.99 per month, or one terabyte for $9.99.

There’s much more to like about Google Drive than free space, however. It boasts integrated apps that let you create, save, and sync documents, spreadsheets, presentations, surveys, and drawings. Like Dropbox, a file versioning feature lets you recover older versions of files and see revision history. I write my articles for The Simple Dollar in Google Docs, and find this feature particularly helpful to see how each assignment has evolved.

The kicker is that files created using Google Drive apps such as Google Docs don’t use your free storage space. However, if you’re a digital hoarder and happen to use Gmail or Google+ photos, beware that files stored in those two applications will count against your storage. Experts also say security could be beefier: Your files are transferred encrypted, but not stored that way.

Box

Box offers its users 10 GB of free storage, and you can upgrade to 100 GB for $5 per month. It really shines by offering users more than two dozen of its own apps and compatibility with 1,000 more — many of which are free. These include Box for Office as well as a Google Docs app. Mobile support is also impressive — iOS, Android, Windows, and Blackberry are all covered.

Experts say Box makes collaboration between users seamless, including task management and discussions within Box. Security is also a strong point, with encryption for both transfers and stored files. The biggest downfalls of the Box free plan are a low 250 MB limit on individual files and the lack of file version history, both limitations that Google Drive doesn’t have.

Best Free Cloud Storage for Privacy: SpiderOak and MEGA

SpiderOak

First, the numbers: SpiderOak offers only 2 GB of free storage, and it costs a pricey $7 a month to upgrade for just 30 GB. But if you’re paranoid about security, you might be willing to overlook those limitations.

Data is encrypted for both transfer and storage. Beyond this, SpiderOak has what it calls “zero-knowledge privacy” — this is a fancy way of saying you are the only person on the planet who can access your data; not even SpiderOak itself can do this. In fact, if you forget your password, you can no longer access your files, because SpiderOak will not store that information on its servers.

If you do want to share files, you can create a secure “share room” that others can access only with a unique URL or password. Experts also say SpiderOak syncs data seamlessly between multiple computers and mobile devices.

MEGA

If you want a lot more space with above-average security, MEGA offers an impressive 50 GB for free; for a little more than $10 a month, you can step up to 500 GB. Like SpiderOak, MEGA can’t access your data. That’s because it’s encrypted on your computer, stored that way on MEGA, and sent back to you before being decrypted. Unlike SpiderOak, however, users can reset their passwords.

You can share files with a public link, but can’t password-protect shared files or folders like on SpiderOak. Experts say uploads and downloads are fast, and the interface is intuitive. There is a 10 GB bandwidth limit, but that’s unlikely to be an issue for the vast majority of users. Mobile apps are available for iOS, Android, and Blackberry.

Free Cloud Storage 101

Why do some companies offer free cloud storage?

It seems crazy for companies to let you park your data on their servers without paying a dime. Why do they do it? Overhead is relatively cheap in the cloud storage industry, but more than that, most providers are hoping you’ll like their service, run out of space, and convert to a paid plan. After all, finding another free provider and transferring your data is a hassle — that’s what they’re betting on, anyway.

What kind of trade-offs will I need to accept with free cloud storage?

Yes, you can store your files for free with many cloud storage providers, but you won’t get all the fun stuff that paid users receive. Here are some common limitations of free cloud storage accounts:

• Space: This is the biggest, most obvious tradeoff. Some providers may only give you a couple of gigabytes to work with. (See the next section on shopping tips for a discussion on how much storage is enough.)
• File size: Some providers will impose a size limit on individual files, making it impossible for you to upload your favorite videos, for example.
• Fewer security options: You may not have the option to password-protect shared files, or you might not get more advanced file encryption.
• Customer service: Your access may be limited with free plans, whereas paid users may get priority 24/7 support.
• Fewer features: Some providers may limit your access to other perks such as file recovery, easier-to-use desktop clients, or ad-free storage.
• Multiple users: You’ll often need to buy a business plan if you want a multi-user account that allows more than one person to access the same file at the same time.
• No guarantees: Finally, you’ll need to accept a major limitation that applies to all cloud storage, whether you have a paid or free account: There are often no guarantees to protect your data from loss. While any cloud storage company lives and dies by its reliability and security, it’s still ultimately up to you to keep another copy of any file you upload to the cloud in at least one other spot. This common-sense strategy will also protect you in case of temporary outages, which have hit major providers including Dropbox and Google Drive.

How to Shop for the Best Free Cloud Storage

Keeping the above limitations in mind, I’ve put together a list of questions to keep in mind as you try to find the best free cloud storage provider for your needs.

• How much storage do you need? Depending on your provider, you may be limited to just a couple of gigabytes of free storage. Others are more generous, providing up to 50 GB. Take a realistic look at your files. If you’re storing mostly text documents, you may not need as much as you think you do — 2 GB of space could store more than 37,000 average-sized Word documents, for example. But the same amount of storage could only handle 460 songs or just one feature-length movie. Also consider how much it will cost you if you want to upgrade to a paid plan.
• Do you have a business? Unfortunately, most free cloud storage plans are targeted to individual users because of storage limits and user restrictions. If you need a plan that lets you allocate storage and file permissions among multiple users, you will likely need to step up to a paid business plan.
• How do you want to access your data? At a minimum, you’ll be able to access your cloud files using your web browser. However, some providers offer computer-based apps that simplify the process. Most are made for Windows and Mac systems; fewer support Linux. Many also have mobile apps so you can manage files on the go. Android and iOS apps are common, but some providers support Blackberry and Windows phone users, too.
• What kind of restrictions can you live with? If you anticipate storing very large files in the cloud, check to see whether your provider has a file size limit. For instance, Box won’t let its free users store individual files bigger than 250 MB. You’ll also want to make sure you can use your account with multiple computers and devices, and check for any bandwidth limits that will restrict the speed of uploads and downloads.
• Do you want productivity apps? Most people will be fine chugging along creating documents in Microsoft Office or other preferred software, but a handful of cloud storage providers have integrated productivity apps that make creating, syncing, sharing, and storing content seamless. In fact, I’m typing this article using the Google Docs app included with Google Drive. My changes are saved automatically every few seconds, I can get to my documents anywhere I have Internet access, and it’s easy to share my work with others without sending emails and attachments for them to download. Also consider whether your cloud storage provider will integrate with any other apps you use regularly.
• What kind of sharing capabilities do you need? Most cloud storage providers let you share a file by generating a public link to it. Once you send that link to the recipient, he or she can access your file. If you need more control over what the recipient can do with your file, look for a provider that lets you set certain permissions. For instance, when I share a document through Google Drive, I can designate whether the recipient can view it, comment on it, or actually edit it.
• Are you nervous about security? SSL encryption is standard for most cloud storage providers, but sometimes not on free accounts. If the provider does encrypt your data, see whether it’s stored encrypted, or simply uploaded and downloaded that way. Additional features include two-step verification (where you must take an additional step, such as entering a code, after entering your password) as well as the ability to password-protect certain files or folders.

How I Picked the Best Free Cloud Storage

First, a word about the term “free”: Many cloud storage providers have a free trial, during which you can try out the provider’s service for a limited period of time. However, only some providers give you free space and access to at least some of their services indefinitely. I only considered cloud storage providers who offer the latter — free trials didn’t cut it since they’re only good for a month or so.

For the best free cloud storage providers for ease of use, I primarily weighed the simplicity of the interface, the amount of free storage space provided, and the cost of upgrading to more space.

For the best free cloud storage for productivity, I examined how seamlessly users can complete common tasks such as creating and editing documents, sharing files, and linking their accounts to popular third-party apps and programs. I also considered storage space and whether the provider integrated any of its own productivity apps with its storage services.

Finally, for the best free cloud storage for security, I looked at additional privacy features providers offered beyond standard data encryption, such as end-to-end encryption, additional password protections, and zero-knowledge privacy. Ease of use and storage space were also considerations.

Though I’ve had first-hand experience with a couple of the companies I recommend (Google Drive and Dropbox), I also relied on expert and user reviews to judge intangibles such as ease of use and customer service. I placed special emphasis on detailed, comparative reviews as I narrowed the field.

What’s Your Time Worth?

If you’re ready to reclaim hard-drive space and send your data into the cloud, you’ll have plenty of choices, even if you don’t want to spend a dime to get started. Any of the providers above, including Dropbox, Google Drive and SpiderOak, are good choices.

Remember to consider how much it will cost to upgrade to a paid plan if you hit your storage limit. Though it’s possible to hop from free provider to free provider, it’s probably worth the cost of a cup of coffee to avoid the hassle of transferring your files over and over again. After all, your time is valuable, too, and making data storage as easy and quick as possible is the main reason to consider cloud storage in the first place.

Looking for business-friendly options? Check out our post on the Best Cloud Storage Providers for small businesses.

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Getting Married? Say “I Don’t” to These 10 Common Wedding Scams

If you’ve recently said yes — or heard it uttered while sweating on one knee — congratulations!

But once you’re done basking in the glow of the 800 likes you got on your rock’s Instagram pic, it’s time to start getting serious.

You’ve got a big event to plan.

Where there are big events, people spend big money. And where people spend big money, scammers take advantage of opportunity.

Ah, the algebra of paranoia.

Watch Out for Wedding Scams

We’re not suggesting there’s a conspiracy theory around your upcoming wedding, but be vigilant.

Real couples have fallen victim to matrimonial manipulations before you. In fact, wedding scams were on SiteJabber’s list of the top consumer complaints in 2015.

But we’ve got your back.

Here are 10 of the most common wedding scams to watch out while planning your big day.

1. Dreadful Diamonds

If you’ve yet to pop the question, be especially careful when purchasing stones from afar.

It’s hard to judge the quality of a diamond — or the honesty and professionalism of its seller — when you only see it on a screen.

If you found a deal that’s too good to be true, it just might be. Check out consumer reviews to ensure the seller is the real deal.

And don’t spend a penny until you read our ultimate guide to how to buy an engagement ring!

2. Deficient Dresses

For lots of brides, the dress is a crystallization of the day itself. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime garment representing how beautiful she’ll feel, how happy she’ll be and how long she’ll remember her special day.

For these reasons, it would be an especially nasty thing to have ruined by a scammer.

If your dream dress is important to you, beware online knockoffs at deep discounts. They may show up at your door only to be a poor, shoddily made approximation of the picture.

Worse yet, you may never get your money back when you inevitably return it.

3. Poor Planners

If this whole wedding-planning thing has your head spinning, you’re not alone.

If you can afford it and want to avoid the headache entirely, hiring a wedding planner might be a good option. But like any other service professional, the market’s got its superstars — and those who aren’t so great.

In this couple’s experience, the planner simply never made a limo reservation. That’s just one of a plethora of big problems you don’t want to face at a very critical time.

Make sure the person making the phone calls for you… will make the phone calls.

Need some help? Check out sites like Bride and The Knot, where the topic is well-covered.

4. Phony Photographers

You probably hope you’ll remember every single instant of your wedding day for the rest of your life.

Unfortunately, though, our human memories are imperfect. Besides, you can’t be everywhere at once. There might be stuff going on across the room you won’t even know about unless someone takes a photo of it.

What if those photos are of poor quality? Worse yet: what if those photos never get into your hands?

That makes your wedding photographer a very important person.

One way to make sure you have a good one: ask to see three or four full wedding portfolios from potential photogs.

“Don’t be fooled by a photographer who only shows you a shot here or there from several different weddings,” says wedding planner Sarah Chancey.

“You want to know your photographer will do an incredible job from start to finish.”

5. Crappy Cakes

Wedding cakes are one of the reasons I’ll never actually get around to opening the bakery I pipe-dream about: Look how pretty they are!

I was one of those people who could barely color inside the lines, let alone craft flowers out of fondant.

But again, if you’re going to spend $1,000 on what amounts to flour and butter, make sure you do your research. Otherwise, the finished product might surprise you. In a bad way.

It’s funny online, but not on your wedding table.

6. Finicky Fine Print

You’re probably going to sign a bunch of contracts over the next few months.

We know it can be time-consuming and boring to read the fine print. But there are some pretty crazy terms out there — some it’s in your best interest not to accept.

For instance, this hotel charges couples a $500 fine if a party member leaves a negative review of their establishment online.

So, it bears repeating: Read the fine print.

7. Odious Officiants

Yep, this really happened.

Make sure your officiant’s the real deal, so your wedding is binding legally as well as emotionally.

8. Contemptible Crashers

You remember the movie.

Turns out, it’s real. The Knot even put together this guide on how to catch ‘em in the act.

Before you dismiss it as harmless fun — the more the merrier, everything’s already paid for, right? — keep in mind you don’t know anything about these people.

They might ruin the party, offend your guests, bomb your photos…

9. Rotten Robbery

… or even steal your wedding gifts while you’re not watching.

Unfortunately, this behavior isn’t limited to strangers who make their way into your reception. Even folks you know might be tempted by the glittering pile of booty your guests brought.

And don’t forget about the stuff you’ve already got.

Home burglars are often on the lookout for public wedding announcements — so they can target the house you’ll leave empty while you’re honeymooning, according to CNBC.

10. Petty Price-Gouging

What amounts to an industry-wide scam is actually considered totally acceptable.

Everything will be more expensive if you say you’re getting married. You might pay double for the exact same hairdo or bouquet if it’s officially wedding-related.

Depending on how you feel about it, consider “scamming” those vendors right back and keeping mum. It’s a rip-off to upcharge just for adding “wedding” to the product description, after all!

Don’t Overspend on Your Special Day

In our opinion, if you spend the American average of $26,000 — or even the more typical $10,000 — for a single day’s party, you’re scamming yourself.

Good thing we’ve got lots of ideas on how to put on a stellar ceremony without breaking the bank. This couple saved over $20K!

Bonus: A lot of these cost-savers avoid the above vendors entirely, bringing your chances of falling victim to a scam… to zero.

Your Turn: Have you ever been the victim of a wedding scam? Let us know in the comments.

Jamie Cattanach (@jamiecattanach) is a junior writer at The Penny Hoarder. She also writes other stuff, like wine reviews and poems.

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A Surprisingly Easy Way to Predict Future Investment Returns

In August of 2010 the renowned investment research company Morningstar released the results of a study they had conducted to determine the best way to predict future mutual fund returns.

Specifically, they compared two big factors:

1. The mutual fund’s expense ratio, which is the ongoing cost of owning the fund.
2. Morningstar’s own star rating system, which factors in variables like the fund’s past performance, its process, and its managers in addition to its cost.

Morningstar’s star rating system performed very well. Across all types of investments (stocks, bonds, etc.), the highest-rated mutual funds outperformed the lowest rated funds 84% percent of the time. And this is what you would expect given the number of variables factored into these ratings and the expertise of Morningstar’s staff.

But even with all of that expertise and precision, they still couldn’t top the power and simplicity of cost as a predictor.

In every single case, across every single type of investment, the least expensive mutual funds outperformed the most expensive mutual funds.

Cost won out 100% of the time.

What This Means for You

This was a surprising result, and in many ways it’s counterintuitive. We’re used to paying more for higher quality things, and this flies in the face of that conventional wisdom.

But in other ways it makes complete sense. After all, every dollar you pay in fees is a dollar that isn’t being invested in your future and isn’t taking advantage of decades of exponentially compounding returns.

Regardless, it’s the truth. Lower cost investments tend to perform better than higher cost investments. It’s the surest way to predict which investment will provide the best returns.

And that means that when you’re choosing your own investments and you’re deciding between two or more similar options (e.g. two different S&P 500 mutual funds), the very first thing you should look at is how much each fund costs.

The less you have to pay, the more likely you are to get the results you want.

As Morningstar wrote in their report: “Investors should make [costs] a primary test in fund selection. They are still the most dependable predictor of performance.”

Investment Costs to Watch Out For

All of that brings up one very obvious question: How do you know how much an investment costs?

There are actually a number of different fees to watch out for. Here are some of the major ones you’ll encounter.

Expense Ratios

Every mutual fund or exchange-traded fund (ETF) that you invest in will have an expense ratio that covers the cost of running the fund. It’s expressed as a percentage because the fee is calculated as a percent of the money you have invested in that particular fund.

Expense ratios range anywhere from 0.05% in the best cases to 2.00% and above in the worst. And since fee this is taken out of your investment every single year, you’ll want to do everything you can to minimize it.

12b-1 Fees

A 12b-1 fee is usually already included in the expense ratio, but it’s also listed separately because it’s technically a cost of marketing the fund as opposed to a cost of running the fund.

Since you really don’t care whether the fund is marketed to other people, you should probably try to avoid these fees.

Sales Loads

Sales loads are a fancy way of saying commissions. Sales loads can be charged either when you buy a mutual fund or when you sell it, and they are paid out to the people who sold you the fund in the first place.

These loads are charged in addition to the mutual fund’s expense ratio, which means that loaded funds are extra costly. The good news is that it’s easy to find funds that don’t charge these fees.

Quick note: When you work with a financial advisor who doesn’t charge you anything, they’re typically making their money by selling you investments with sales loads. And yes, that money is coming directly out of your pocket, so you are paying them — even if it doesn’t feel like it.

Trading Fees

Some investment platforms charge you to make trades. That is, you’ll pay them a small (or large) fee whenever you buy or sell an investment, including ETFs and mutual funds.

It can sometimes be worth it to pay these fees in order to get access to certain funds or features, but it’s also fairly easy to avoid them by using an investment company like Vanguard or Schwab.

Internal Fund Fees

Mutual funds and ETFs incur fees through their own internal trading activity that you have no control over. After all, they have to buy and sell their investments, too, which means they run into trading fees, taxes, and the like. All of these reduce the overall return of the fund.

There’s no direct way to measure this, but Morningstar calculates something called a tax cost ratio that attempts to quantify it. The lower the ratio, the more tax-efficient the fund is.

You can also look at a mutual fund’s turnover ratio, which measures how often a fund trades in and out of different investments. The lower the ratio, the less likely the fund is to incur these costs.

Management Fees

Your 401(k) might pay an advisor to manage the investments for them. Or you might have a financial advisor yourself who charges you a fee for managing investments.

A good financial planner can be well worth the cost, but it’s still a cost that needs to be factored in and considered carefully.

Administrative Fees

Does your investment account charge you an annual maintenance fee? Does your 401(k) charge you bookkeeping or legal fees? These are the kinds of administrative fees that might seem small, but again can add up quickly.

Taxes

We all have to pay our fair share of taxes, but you certainly don’t have to pay more than your fair share.

Using tax-advantaged accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs can minimize the amount of taxes you have to pay. And if you’re investing within a taxable account, you’ll want to be careful about making too many trades that force you to pay taxes on the gains.

For more on tax-efficient investing, this is a good resource: Principles of tax-efficient fund placement.

You Get What You (Don’t) Pay For

John Bogle, the founder of Vanguard, is famous for his twist on an old saying: “In investing, you get what you don’t pay for.”

The research bears that out. Lower cost investments perform better than their higher cost counterparts. It’s an easy way to improve your chances of investment success.

Matt Becker is a fee-only financial planner and the founder of Mom and Dad Money, where he helps new parents take control of their money so they can take care of their families. His free book, The New Family Financial Road Map, guides parents through the all most important financial decisions that come with starting a family.

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More IFAs recommending Isas for retirement planning

Rachel Lacey

goldpig.jpg

More advisers are suggesting savers use individual savings accounts (Isas) alongside pensions to prepare for retirement, according to new research from Met Life.

More advisers are suggesting savers use individual savings accounts (Isas) alongside pensions to prepare for retirement, according to new research from Met Life.

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'Gold timers' enjoying the cost of no children

Rachel Lacey

oldmanwithtwowomen.jpg

Half of 60-something parents admit they love spending money on themselves now that the financial commitments of having children are behind them.

Half of 60-something parents admit they love spending money on themselves now that the financial commitments of having children are behind them.

According to a new report from Warner Leisure, the sixties are the best stage for parents’ finances as they swap demands for pocket money, new clothes and gadgets, for spa treatments, holidays and theatre trips.

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China: keep calm and carry on

Gary Adams

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‘I could escape this feeling…’ must have been on the minds of many recently as they saw China’s stock market spasms slash the value of their investments.

‘I could escape this feeling…’ must have been on the minds of many recently as they saw China’s stock market spasms slash the value of their investments.

But, as ever with financial news, obeying your instinct carries the danger of making you part of the herd, which so often runs into calamity, inspired by nothing more than panic and short-termism.

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8 Creative Ways for Kids to Make Money That Don’t Involve Your Wallet

Tired of handing out money to your tweens and teenagers every time you turn around?

Encourage them to find creative ways to earn their own cash right in your neighborhood — no gas money or extra driving required!  

This’ll not only create a fantastic work ethic, but will also hone their math and budgeting skills and make them feel empowered.

Your children will learn priceless lessons that will last them a lifetime. Plus, check out these going rates!

1.  Babysit or Become a Mother’s Helper

Trustworthy, responsible and willing sitters are wildly popular among parents.

While payment arrangements are different, experienced sitters can expect to receive $8-$20 per hour per kid, depending on the location. In our area, babysitters earn about $12 an hour.

If your tween isn’t quite old enough to watch children on their own, why not encourage them to become a “mother’s helper”?

Girls or boys between the ages of 9 and 12 make terrific in-house playmates to young children, while the parents enjoy uninterrupted time to get things done at home. These helpers can earn about $5 an hour.

2.  Help Out at Birthday Parties

Know any families planning to throw a birthday party?

Perhaps they’d consider hiring your tween to help run the games or crafts so the adults can serve food and focus on the birthday girl or boy!

We hired our neighbor’s girls this summer to help with a party. They were quite capable and a big hit for the 7-year-olds in attendance!

In addition to paying them each $10, we shared pizza, cake and ice cream. They loved being a part of my son’s big day!

3.  Walk Dogs or Pet Sit

Talk to pet owners in your area!

Are there after-school dog-walking opportunities? Maybe a neighbor’s planning a vacation and needs someone to feed the cat and change the litter box while they’re away?

My daughter’s 14-year-old friend earns $5 per day from her neighbors whose pets need some extra TLC.

4. Sell Crafts at Craft Fairs or Online

Have your kids become avid knitters, jewelry makers or whittlers? Help them open an Etsy store to earn some extra bucks to support their craft! The average price of an item sold on Etsy is $21!

Are crafts fairs popular in your area? Rent a booth, and give your child direct sales experience.

We know some youngsters who have done well selling their crafts. They even had to learn to file their own tax returns!

Fees to rent a booth vary widely, so consider how many sales your child will need to make to recoup the cost.

5.  Plan a Summer Camp

Have creative teens who like to work with younger kids host a “summer camp” for the neighborhood!  

Offer a morning time slot from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. — the perfect time of day to beat the heat.

Activities can range from crafts and games to fort-building in the backyard. Ideal campers should be between ages 5 and 10.

Make sure there’s always a parent present in case of emergencies!  

Suggest a rate of $25 per week, per child. Creating flyers and posting on social media pages are great ways for kids to advertise their camp!

6. Grow and Sell Vegetables

Start a mini community-supported agriculture (CSA) network by opening a vegetable stand!

Create a vegetable garden in a sunny spot in your yard. Not only is a garden a healthy ongoing gift to your family, it’s also a great educational experience.

As produce grows, set up a stand in your yard to sell your goods. Check the prices at your local grocery store for an idea of what to charge.

Not going to be home? Invest in a metal lock box so people can slip money in when they drive by and can’t pass up your fresh harvest.

7.  Offer Lawn Services or Vacation Plant Watering

A responsible teen can easily charge $20 for mowing, and an extra $10 to do the weed-whacking.

We paid a neighborhood boy $20 per visit to mow our new yard for a month while we were moving.

Consider approaching families going on vacation. They’d probably be happy to come back to a nicely mown yard.

Ask if they need flowers, gardens and other plants watered while they’re away. Your kids could collect a $10 flat fee for keeping their thirsty plants healthy!

8.  Give Music Lessons

Is your teen a whiz at the piano or guitar?

Offer music lessons to families with budding musicians! Music schools and professional music teachers are pricy — a 30-minute lesson can cost $25 or more.

Encourage teens to use their talents to teach younger kids the basics and beyond. We once hired a high school friend to teach piano for $15 per half-hour lesson.

Creating a schedule with several students could help your child create a steady income!

Your Turn: Will you let your kids try one of these moneymaking opportunities?

Kristen Erickson is single mama to four way-cool kiddos ages 13 to 4, works full time at a structural design firm, and writes and blogs on the side. She is almost debt-free and an expert on raising content and healthy suburban children on a shoestring budget! Join her on her journey at http://ift.tt/1Jc9amR.

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My Journey to Making $40K a Month as a Full-Time Blogger

Initially, I interviewed Michelle back in December of 2013. Since that time she’s had AMAZING success with her blog. So I thought it would be fun to catch up with her and find out how she did it and what’s next for this professional blogger. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your blogging […]

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Pay Off Your Student Loans Early (and Save $1000s) With This Super Obvious Solution

There’s no way around it: Student loans suck.

And sometimes they’re so massive, paying them back can be completely overwhelming.

Even if you’re bringing in decent income — and especially when you’re not — it can feel like you’re throwing money into outer space without ever making a dent in the seemingly insurmountable number.

That’s kind of how Douglas Hicks felt after graduating with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado — and $50,000 in student loans.

Though he had a good job, he had the same dream many of us do: to buy a house.

He wanted to reduce his student loan payments so he could afford a mortgage, but felt hindered by the giant number.

That is, until he stumbled across a website for people just like him.

With its support, he’ll finish paying off his loans sooner than anticipated, not only allowing him to buy a house, but also saving him more than $9,600 in the end.

Keep reading to find out about what kicked him into gear…

Where These Grads Found Motivation… and Hope

When Hicks decided he wanted to buy a house, he started looking into refinancing his student loans.

During his search, he came across a website called Student Loan Hero.

The site prides itself on its wealth of free information — from tutorials to calculators — all available to help you wade through the muck and monotony of paying back your student loans.

“It’s kind of a support group for me,” Hicks explains. “They send you a weekly email with stories of different people and how they paid off their student loans. It’s a way to keep me focused on the long-term goal of paying off my loans earlier.”

Without Student Loan Hero, he thinks he “probably would’ve lost focus.”

“I’d have found something else to put my extra savings money towards, as opposed to student loans,” he explains.

“It’s kind of a weekly reminder to keep up the fight.”

Julie Fulesday has a similar story: She had about $55,000 in loans after getting her MBA at the University of Pittsburgh.

“These loans, they’re [equal to] a mortgage payment; they’re two car payments,” she says. “It was killing me that I was paying such heavy interest. I was always looking to shorten that process, and to save some money.”

So, like Hicks, she was delighted when she found Student Loan Hero.

“It provides hope,” she says. “I think when you find a community undergoing some of the same experiences you are, you realize you’re not the only one.”

With the help of the site’s tools and guides, she plans to pay off her loans four or five years early. She especially likes reading about the “couples who have found such creative ways to save and be frugal” because “there’s always something that gives you ideas.”

Her savings: $10,000 – $12,000.

As for what she’ll do with the money, Fulesday says: “I would envision there may be a baby in the house by that time.”

“I hear children can cost a lot,” she adds with a laugh. “But I can tell you that the month I don’t have to pay student loan debt, regardless of what we’re doing in our lives, there will be a big celebration of some sort.”

Could Student Loan Hero Save You Thousands?

If you’re in the same boat as Hicks or Fulesday, refinancing your student loans could end up saving you a significant amount of money.

Exactly how much depends on the lender you choose, as well as a number of other factors like your loan profile, career, income and credit score.

“Student Loan Hero gave me a list of different consolidation plus refinancing options,” Hicks explains. “It was a good way to do a side-by-side comparison without having to go to 100 different websites… It saved me a ton of time over researching individual companies one at a time.”

“I thought it gave you a pretty objective point of view from what’s out there in terms of consolidating and refinancing,” he says.

Not only did it save Hicks time, but as mentioned above, refinancing his loans also is going to to save him thousands of dollars.

If you’d like to learn about your options, check out this list of six banks to refinance and consolidate student loans.

Your Turn: How do you stay motivated to pay your student loans?

Sponsorship Disclosure: A huge thanks to Student Loan Hero for working with us to bring you this content. It’s rare that we have the opportunity to share something so awesome and get paid for it!

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When Thrifty Met Spendy: Love, Money, and Financial Compatibility

If you’re fighting with your sweetie, there’s a good chance it’s about money. A study by SunTrust found that more than a third of couples experiencing tension in their relationships said money was the reason. That eclipsed the No. 2 response, annoying habits, by 10%. And even worse, arguments about money early in a relationship raise a couple’s risk of divorce more than fights over any other subject.

Interestingly, while couples with large gaps in their credit scores are more likely to part ways later on, it also turns out that savers and spenders are more attracted to each other than they are to those with similar financial leanings.

As Valentine’s Day and the inevitable engagement announcements approach, you may be wondering whether you should give every prospective mate a financial compatibility test to see whether you’re a good money match. Can a frugal saver ever really be happy with a splurger? Will someone who’s content to scrape by annoy a go-getter who’s always searching for a money-making side hustle?

I’ll answer from a personal perspective, as a saver who married a spender: I like to think so, but it does take some work. Below are five time-tested strategies to help nip money arguments in the bud, maintaining marital harmony in the process.

Tip #1: Maintain Perspective

There are a lot of factors contributing to our financial identities, many of them stemming from circumstances beyond our control. Depending on a person’s background and upbringing, money can symbolize different things to different people.

I come from a fairly frugal line of Midwesterners. Hand-me-downs and home-cooked meals were the norm; there wasn’t a lot of “keeping up the Joneses” mentality where I was raised. We just made do and that was that. My parents divorced midway through my childhood, making things even tighter, but I managed to scrape through college and grad school without much debt thanks to scholarships, grants, and work-study jobs.

My husband’s parents immigrated to the U.S. in the late ’60s, and while they toiled at blue-collar jobs, projecting an image of wealth was important to them — they wanted friends and family back home to know they’d “made it” and were doing OK. Whatever they had went toward the best for their children. My husband was funneled into the Ivy League, and though he did well, he has the student loan debt to match.

To me, if you’re fortunate enough to have extra money, you put it away for a rainy day. It’s safety and security. To my husband, it represents a payoff for his hard work, and because of that, he sees no reason not to enjoy it.

That’s not to say we can’t change our habits now, but in moments of mutual financial exasperation, it helps to remember that we’re not deliberately trying to annoy each other — we’re simply reverting back to what’s familiar.

Tip #2: Talk About Your Game Plan

It’s hard to talk about money, but it’s crucial to get on the same page before misunderstandings arise.

A financial game plan means more than sitting down and hashing out a budget (though this is definitely an important part of the process). Experts say it should also be about prioritizing your main goals and planning how to best achieve them. It’s also figuring out what the biggest sticking points in your plan might be, and tackling them specifically.

For my husband and I, our major goals are threefold: saving enough for a comfortable retirement, funding college savings accounts for our sons, and staying out of credit-card debt.

So far, we’ve done pretty well with them, but one of our sticking points is whether to send our kids to public or private school. My husband has fallen in love with one private school in particular, but I don’t think we have room in the budget without radically reshuffling our priorities.

Our compromise? Go public, and put money that might otherwise go toward private school into our kids’ college savings accounts so that it can grow and benefit them down the road. If the need arises — if public school somehow fails to meet our kids’ needs — then private school could become our Plan B and we’ll be better prepared financially for it.

Tip #3: Exploit Your Partner’s Strengths

Sometimes it’s hard to acknowledge that someone with a very different viewpoint may, every once in awhile, be onto something. But coming from different perspectives can actually make a spender-saver relationship well-balanced and strong, experts say.

My husband, for instance, is a stickler for quality goods. But if we had my way, we’d skimp on a lot of things in order to save some extra cash. Of course, that doesn’t always pay off in the long run. So I’ve come to accept and even welcome his mantra (“You get what you pay for”) when it comes to at least some important purchases that we hope to have for the long haul, like furniture.

It’s also worth noting that few people fit neatly into stereotypical boxes. My husband loves to splurge, but he’s also a major hustler who’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever known. I’m a saver, but I also don’t obsess over every dollar and probably am not as proactive about money as I should be. So while our dominant financial personalities are at odds, we still manage to find and appreciate the similarities, too.

Can a saver and a spender still live frugally ever after?

Tip #4: Consider Keeping Separate Accounts

Many couples automatically merge bank accounts when they get married. But some experts say keeping at least some of your finances separate can help nip arguments in the bud.

My husband and I have maintained separate checking accounts, but merged our savings. It might not work for everyone, but it’s a happy medium for us — we each manage our own day-to-day spending without micromanaging the other, but deposit a significant chunk of our respective incomes into the joint account for major bills, long-term goals, and our safety net.

Most importantly, we don’t “keep score” regarding who pays what. To successfully maintain separate accounts, you’ll need to decide who’s responsible for what: My husband, who makes more than me, gets most of the biggies, like our mortgage and utility bills, and he’s responsible for paying down our credit cards whenever we charge something. I pay a few little things, like preschool tuition, my student loans, Netflix, and a couple of miscellaneous other accounts, but my biggest job is padding our savings.

Tip #5: Learn to Compromise

Most happy couples know that finding common ground is the key to a strong marriage — and it’s really no different when it comes to money. Compromise is key.

Indeed, we’ve learned to give each other a bit of a pass in certain areas. My husband is a passionate “Star Wars” fan, and he’s determined to pass that love along to our sons. They have more shirts and light sabers than I care to count, but as long as things don’t get too crazy, I look the other way. He also has a penchant for crazily patterned golf pants, and even though they’re threatening to take over his closet, I let it go.

And my husband knows that even though I’m typically a tightwad, I’ll happily spend on travel and, to a lesser extent, home decor. As long as my purchases don’t significantly impact our long-term goals, he obliges, knowing I’ve paid him the same courtesy.

Are You a Spender? A Saver? Take Our Quiz

Are you a banker type? A hustler? Prone to splurging? If you aren’t sure what your dominant financial personality is, take The Simple Dollar’s Money Personality Quiz below. Make sure your significant other takes it, too — it could be a good jumping-off point for some candid conversations about how you view money, maybe preventing some arguments along the way.

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Love Don’t Come Easy, But Cash Can: 10 Creative Ways to Make Money on Valentine’s Day

Face it: Not everyone is super stoked about Valentine’s Day.

While the impending day of romance offers a world of promise to besotted lovers, it can loom over lonely singles like a dark cloud of lacy hearts and syrupy-sweet Facebook posts.

If you’re feeling the latter, we’ve got the perfect way to save the day from feeling like a total bummer: Make money!

Take advantage of the lovesick holiday and put some cash in your pocket.

Even if you’ve got a date, you could stand to profit this year if you’re flexible. February 14 falls on a Sunday, so if you can shift your plans elsewhere in the weekend, you might be able to double the benefits of the holiday.

Try these tips for making money on Valentine’s Day:

1. Sell Gift Cards

Whether you’re free on the 14th or not, profit by selling an unused gift card now. Help someone shop for the perfect gift or plan a classy night out on a budget.

This is a great time to unload gift cards you have left over from the holidays — or still floating around from last year.

On a gift-card exchange site like Raise, you can sell your unused gift cards for near face value. That turns your unwanted gift into cash!

2. Be a Hair Stylist or Makeup Artist

While it’s not quite the occasion a wedding or junior prom may be, a big date night means people will want to look pretty.

You could earn more than $20 an hour helping them make it happen!

If you’re already a professional hair stylist or makeup artist, prepare for a surge in business on this lovestruck weekend.

For amateurs, this may just be a way to make some extra money on the side. Charge a small fee, or barter to exchange favors, helping friends or family members prepare to paint the town a sultry shade of red.

3. Be an In-Home Chef

You may be well-versed in the culinary arts, already successfully working as a private chef or just looking to make some extra money on special occasions.

If you’re comfortable in the kitchen, offer your talents as a service for the night.

If you’re already in the business, you could command a higher fee on Valentine’s Day due to potentially higher demand.

If you’re just getting started or prefer to keep cooking a hobby, reach into your network for lovebirds who might want to splurge on a romantic dinner.

4. Take Stock Photos

Taking stock photos while people are on dates might sound creepy, but stay with me.

Valentine’s Day will be a unique opportunity to capture photos of packed restaurants or other venues.

Dining rooms will be beautifully lit and decorated, setting the mood for a romantic night. Patrons will be dressed to the nines and smiling a little more than usual — hopefully.

You can sell stock photos of happy people dining out for a plethora of uses throughout the year.

Note: you may need a model or property release, depending on the content and intended use of the photographs.

Also, restaurant owners or managers reserve the right to ask you not to take photographs on their property. They may not take too kindly to you showing up unannounced on a busy night.

To avoid conflict, contact businesses ahead of time to ask permission. Or, find areas where people are gathered outside.

In warmer climates, look for busy streets with lots of outdoor dining areas. In cooler places, find opportunities for iconic rom-com shots, like ice skating.

5. Set Up a Photo Booth

If you’re still not convinced on the stock photo thing, consider selling your photography skills directly.

Set up a photo booth, or just hang out with your camera near a popular date spot, and offer to capture the romantic moments.

6. Drive With Uber or Lyft

A busy night out for consumers means high traffic times for Uber or Lyft. If you’ve been thinking about driving with a rideshare service, this could be a good time to start.

As long as you know your city well, a busy night can give you a crash course in the work.

If you’re already a partner and don’t have a date, take advantage of your free time to profit from surge pricing!

7. Babysit or Take Care of Pets

Take the load off parents: Offer to watch their kids while they go out for a romantic evening.

You could make $50-$100, and chances are, the younger kids will be sleeping most of the time you’re there.

And for those friends who think of their pets like kids? Offer pet-sitting services so they don’t have to worry about getting home early.

You could earn $40 an hour just stopping by to put food in a bowl or take the dog for a walk.

8. Deliver Food

Sign up with a service like Dapper Deliveries to be a freelance food delivery driver for those who prefer to… stay in.

As with other contract services, how much you earn depends on how many deliveries you make and how fast you work.

But Dapper states the average pay-per-delivery — including a delivery charge and potential tips — is $8.

9. Sell Romantic Gifts

We’re suckers for small, sweet gestures — so roses sell like hotcakes on Valentine’s Day.

Join the crowd and have some fun providing a tiny spark of romance to the special evening by supplying them. Partner with restaurants in your area, or hawk gifts on the street.

And be creative! Roses may be overdone, but what about stuffed animals or chocolates?

Or put your talents to work offering to draw caricatures, put on a quick show or play a love song.

10. Work on Your Passion Project or Side Hustle

Want to steer clear of the mushy love stuff altogether? Maximize your me-time on Valentine’s Day to make progress on your personal projects.

Holidays are a killer time for creative work! Everyone who would be vying for your attention via email or social media is occupied with other plans, freeing you to focus.

If you’re not happy about being alone on Valentine’s Day, put it to use.

Channel your disappointment, sadness, anger or boredom into something creative that will grab everyone’s attention in the morning.

Just edit out any bitterness before it goes public, and you should have a masterpiece.

Your Turn: Will you be putting your free time to work for you on Valentine’s Day?

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

Dana Sitar (@danasitar) is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder. She’s written for Huffington Post, Entrepreneur.com, Writer’s Digest and more.

The post Love Don’t Come Easy, But Cash Can: 10 Creative Ways to Make Money on Valentine’s Day appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.

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Entrepreneur uses community involvement to expand business

Randy Page of Bushkill realizes a good business plan calls for good community involvement, a modus for many successful businesses.Page says he doesn’t rely on advertising for his Liberty Tax office at 21 Fox Run Lane in Marshalls Creek he opened five years ago or any of the other offices he opened, including the three in Brooklyn opened between 2007 and 2010 before moving to the Poconos and opening offices here or the one on Route 940 in Mount Pocono he took over four years ago. [...]

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Restaurant and gift shop proves a successful combination

Poconos resident Deborah Snyder grew up in Ohio where combined gift shops and restaurants are common.“There was nothing like that here,” explained the owner of Comfort and Joy on Route 611 in Scotrun, a business she opened seven months ago with husband Dan Snyder. (The couple married the day after Christmas.) “I just love the whole concept and said, ‘I want to do that here.’ I don’t know anybody else who is doing this.”This [...]

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Deeds Done, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016

Coolbaugh TownshipBarbara Gruca, Peter and Stacey L. Sullivan Gruca, Daniel and Donna M. Gruca, Zbigniew and Margaret Gruca, Richard and Stacey Puchalik, Wally Puchalik and Eva Puchalik to Daniel and Julieta Ugaz Theander, Lot 66, Section 5, Timber Trails, $420,000Eldred TownshipElmer Jr. and Mary C. Jacobs and Dawn Jacobs Doheny to Kerwyn and Melissa Jeffers, Lot 115, Sky View Acres, $207,000Middle Smithfield [...]

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‘If–‘

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream — and not make dreams your master;
If you can think — and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings — nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And — which is more — you’ll be a Man, my son!
— Rudyard Kipling

I was in either second or third grade when I first heard this poem. It was being read aloud at a library that I was visiting that day, with a tall thin man with a deep voice intoning the words.

The poem stuck on my heart for a very long time. As I grew, I came to realize that the poem was a recognition that the path to adulthood – or to any goal or to any dream – wasn’t a straight road. It was a bumpy one, full of side journeys and missteps and unexpected events. Just wanting a goal isn’t enough, and it’s never going to be a straight path to that destination.

The part I find most interesting about this poem is that it does not focus on the external “ifs,” but instead on the internal “ifs.”

The ‘External Ifs’

An external “if” is something where the power to determine if that thing happens or not is in the hands of someone or something else. You have essentially no control over “external ifs.” They’re just a part of life. You have no control over things like an early transmission failure in your car or upper management failing at the company you work at or cancer caused by some completely unknown reason. You can’t control those kinds of things, mo matter how much you try. I include the past in the class of “external ifs,” because you can never change the past.

The only thing you can control is how you respond to them. You can get angry or depressed, which won’t help a bit. Or you can decide to make the best out of the difficult situation you’ve been handed.

I could sit around all day thinking about things like “what if I wasn’t blind in my right eye?” or “what if I wasn’t deaf in my left ear?” or “what if I had a functional thyroid gland?” or “what if I had gone to IMSA?” or “what if I had applied to different colleges?” or “what if I had majored in different subjects?” Those things are “ifs” that I have no control over. They’re external ifs, and it’s basically a waste of time to think about them.

The ‘Internal Ifs’

On the other hand, an internal “if” is something where the power to determine whether that thing happens or not is primarily in your hands. You have full control (or close to it) over “internal ifs.” You get to decide what you’re going to do today, for example. You get to decide how you spend money and how you spend time and how you spend your energy.

You get to decide if you’re going to work hard today… or if you’re just going to read websites all day and count the minutes until something else happens.

You get to decide if you’re going to buy unnecessary stuff at the store… or if you’ll stick to your grocery list and buy low-cost versions of things.

You get to decide if you’re going to live in a large house that has more than enough room… or if you’ll live in a smaller home that has just the right amount of space.

You get to decide if you’re going to live in an expensive part of the country… or if you’ll love in an area with a lower cost of living.

Those are internal “ifs.” Those are choices where you have the control. They’re choices about the present and the future of your life.

The Battle Between External and Internal

Something I’ve observed many times in my own life is that I trick myself into thinking that I can solve external ifs. It’s something that a lot of people do, at least from what I can tell.

If I buy this item, other people might like me more. I’ll be the person with the cool new gadget or the cool new game.

If I make it appear like I’m working but not actually do too much, I’ll keep my boss happy and keep my job.

If I buy my wife some flowers, she’ll be happy with me and won’t mind if I spend a day with the boys.

You get the idea. However, the reality is that you simply can’t fix external challenges with a single internal choice. You can change the nature of your situation over time, but that moves things back to a completely different internal “if.”

For example, if I put in a genuine effort to be a socially friendly person and work on winning friends, I won’t need this item or anything else to make other people like me more.

If I actually work hard at my job and consistently produce a lot of good work, my job security will go up for the right reasons without having to “play” my boss.

If I work on having a strong daily relationship with my wife, I won’t need to bribe her to “let” me spend an afternoon with my friends.

But that’s just one battle.

The Battle Between Different Internals

Another constant battle that’s happening is the one between internal “ifs.” Even among the things we can completely control, different options can benefit us in different ways.

If I eat another slice of pizza, I can enjoy that delicious taste and texture a little more. On the other hand, if I push away my plate right now, I’ll keep a lot of unnecessary calories and salt out of my system.

If I buy this book, I’ll have the freedom to read it wherever and whenever I want. On the other hand, I could wait and check it out from the library, saving me $15 or so.

Almost always, the battle between “ifs” takes the form of the short term against the long term, or of convenience over cost-effectiveness.

If I eat that slice of pizza, I’m choosing a short term burst of pleasure over my long term health.

If I buy that book, I’m choosing the pleasure of walking out of a bookstore with that book and the greater convenience of reading over the cost savings of getting that same book at the library.

Inundated with ‘Ifs’

The reality is that we are absolutely inundated with “ifs” in our life. Every single moment of our lives is loaded with “ifs.” Right now, even, I’m faced with ifs. If I stay focused on this article, I’ll get it done sooner and can move on to other things without stress. On the other hand, if I get distracted into something else, it’ll probably be more personally entertaining for the moment. If I walk to the kitchen and grab one of the cookies our family made yesterday, it’ll probably be yummy… but do I really need that sugar?

Ifs. All the time. Without end.

The thing is, it’s easy to just float along and make all of those decisions right on the spur of the moment. I’m walking by the cookie container so I’ll just instantaneously make the decision to grab one. I’ll switch to my browser window real quick and read an interesting website for a bit.

The problem with that is there’s really no long-term thought at all in such spur-of-the-moment decisions. When I snag that cookie, I’m not really thinking of the broader impact. I’m thinking about fifteen seconds of pleasure in my mouth. When I visit a website instead of writing, I’m not really thinking of anything beyond being entertained for the next few minutes.

But how does one break through of all of this?

How does one let go of short term temptations? How does one let go of the things out of our control? How does one keep from getting fatigued by all of the “ifs”?

My Simple ‘If’ Strategy

Over the years, I’ve come up with a very simple “if” strategy with which I deal with all of these things.

I try, as often as possible, to choose the “if” that gives the best long-term benefit.

Let’s look at some of the “ifs” described above to see what I mean.

Rather than dawdling when I should be working, I try to stick to tasks and get lost “in the zone” of work, meaning I’m so absorbed in what I’m doing that I lose track of time.

Rather than eating that extra slice of pizza, I put it aside.

Rather than buying that book, I see if it’s available from the library and check it out from there.

The problem with this strategy, obviously, is that it’s not particularly fun or enjoyable in the short term. If you’re always choosing the long term, your short term is going to be fairly barren of pleasure because your life is primarily full of the consequences of things outside of your control and the consequences of your earlier choices.

However, once you get through that initial “valley” that isn’t particularly enjoyable, the long term benefits start paying off.

You have a secure job. You have money in the bank. You have strong relationships. You have a well maintained and energy efficient home. You have greater personal health and personal energy.

In short, your day-to-day life becomes better.

The problem is getting through that valley.

The ‘Valley’ of ‘Misery’

The reason people instinctively make short term choices all the time is because the pleasure from that short term choice is obvious and immediate. It feels good in the moment to eat another slice of tasty pizza or to spend an hour reading entertaining websites. It might not feel so good to turn down that pizza or to spend that hour working your tail off.

Sure, those longer “ifs” might end up with a better life for you, but that doesn’t make today better.

How do you make things better in the now without sacrificing the long term?

The trick, I’ve found, is to choose the short-term choices that have the least long-term drawbacks.

For example, instead of feasting on pizza, find foods that are healthier that you also really like and eat those to your heart’s content instead. One of my favorite meals is pasta with sauteed mushrooms and onions. It’s really a very healthy meal, so I don’t feel bad about eating extras. The same is true (for me) when I cook scrambled eggs with onions and garlic in them (do you see a pattern with the onions?). I splurge on foods that I love, but I try to choose carefully from among the foods that I love.

When I’m working, rather than interrupting that work with quick browses of a fun website, I remind myself that if I hammer on that work hard for a while, it will be completely done and I can actually focus on more fulfilling things without any guilt. I can work on an article and interrupt it with distractions, which means I won’t get done until 4, or I can focus down on it, get done at 2, and have two hours of solid time to do whatever it is that I want to do!

Similarly, I’ll often choose to do something I love rather than buying something to supplement it.

For instance, instead of lusting over books by browsing Amazon and book-related websites and magazines, I just read what I have on the shelves at my house or what I see at the library. I really don’t read much “book news” at all. Instead, I prefer to just curl up with one of the books I already have and spend the time I would otherwise spend tempting myself with books on actually reading them instead.

Both of these choices tend to give me something pleasurable in the short term while still keeping the long term in mind.

Reflecting on My ‘Ifs’ – and Getting Better

The thing is, I’m nowhere near perfect at following up on the “right” ifs. I might consciously know that skipping that cookie or extra slice of pizza is the better choice, but sometimes I’ll still make the bad choice.

This brings me back to the choices of the past. Really early on in this article, I suggested that reflecting on the “ifs” of the past and daydreaming about what could have been if you had chosen better was a bad idea. It is, but that doesn’t mean that a bit of reflection on the choices of the past is a bad thing.

It’s actually a good thing.

Quite often, I’ll think back on the choices I’ve made recently that I know are poor ones, and I’ll try to figure out why I made that choice. Why did I impulsively choose to grab that extra slice of pizza? Why did I walk out of that bookstore with two books in my arms?

I’ll think about things like this while I’m in the shower, or while I’m shaving the hairs from my chin, or while I’m driving one of my children to a practice. Reflecting on such things brings about two results. First, sometimes I gain insights as to why I made such a poor choice. Second, I reinforce that making such short term choices all the time is not a good thing for the long term in my life. It does not make my life better. It does not make me a better person, either.

And slowly, ever so slowly, I begin to naturally choose long term “ifs”… and I set myself up to take on better short term “ifs.”

And slowly, ever so slowly, my life becomes better and better.

The Slow Additive Effect

The thing with those long term choices is that you don’t see any benefit at first. You don’t see it for a month or two, and if those long term choices are isolated, you might not see it at all.

But if you keep stepping up for those long term “ifs,” if you keep pushing away the extra slice of pizza, if you keep yourself focused when you’re working and do your best to produce good results, if you get a little exercise, if you choose not to spend money on something you can get for free with a little patience, slowly, ever so slowly, your day-to-day life gets better.

Your belly gets a little smaller. You have a little more energy in the mornings and in the early afternoons. You have more money in your checking account and, eventually, in your savings account. Your boss begins to trust you more at work. You begin to have stronger relationships with your spouse, your coworkers, your friends – and maybe you even build a few new relationships.

It’s slow – ever so slow. But turning away from those short term “ifs” and turning toward those long term “ifs” adds up if you keep doing it.

Things will get better, no matter what kind of hand life has dealt you.

Final Thoughts

Even today, some thirty years after I first heard the words of Kipling’s poem, the truth of it comes through loud and clear.

Your life is what you make of it. You can’t change the situation that you have, but you can make the best of it. You can improve it slowly over time.

The catch is that it all relies on the everyday choice. It relies not on some big life-changing initiatives, but on the simple decision to not fill your plate to the brim and to not buy that extra thing at the store that you don’t need. You’ll forget about those things in fifteen minutes anyway.

What if you started approaching the multitude of choices in your life with that perspective? What if you started making daily choices that are centered around building a better life for the long term rather than what gives you a little burst of pleasure right now?

What if?

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Don’t Pay to Pay Your Taxes: Use One of These 8 Free Filing Sites Instead

April 18 looms on my calendar. No matter how organized I am or how early I prepare, tax day always gets my stomach’s butterflies fluttering.

But the days of sitting in an uncomfortable, overheated office to wait for a pro to pluck away at your tax return are over.

Thanks to the power of technology, electronic tax return filing is as routine as checking your sports scores or your bank account online. With a few clicks, you can get the agony of filing your annual tax return over and done with — and get on with life.

Wondering where to start? Overwhelmed by promises shouted on TV commercials?

Don’t dive in — or pay up — until you read these options for filing your taxes for free.

If you live in a state that collects income tax, you may have to pay a nominal fee to file through the services below. If you don’t have to file a state tax return, chances are good you can spend precisely zero dollars to e-file.

Take a look below to see which free (or nearly free) filing option is best for you.

1. The IRS

The IRS offers two versions of its FreeFile program.

If you make less than $62,000 per year, you can file your federal return for free through online software.

The IRS doesn’t directly provide this service, but partners with 13 tax preparation companies — like H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt — to facilitate your process.

Some state returns are available for free through these companies, so check for your state before choosing one to use to file your federal return.

If you make more than $62,000 per year, you can e-file your taxes for free directly through the IRS. While the tool provides basic calculations, it doesn’t hold your hand through the process like the IRS’s partnerships at the lower income level.

Also, state tax prep isn’t available at this level.

2. United Way MyFreeTaxes

If you make less than $62,000 per year, take advantage of the United Way’s MyFreeTaxes program to file state and federal taxes online for free.

The site notes 70% of Americans qualify for this free filing service, powered by H&R Block.

3. TurboTax Federal Free Edition

If your tax return is simple — maybe just one or two W2s — filing with TurboTax online could be your best option.

In previous years, I’ve filed my federal taxes through TurboTax for free, then ponied up $30 or so to prepare my state returns. This year, federal and state tax preparation is free via TurboTax’s 1040EZ/A Absolute Zero guarantee.

If you make less than $100,000, don’t own a home or business and didn’t deal with investments or major medical expenses, this is a great option for you.

But watch out — you won’t be able to prepare and file for free if you need to report any 1099 earnings.

4. H&R Block Free Edition

H&R Block offers a free option for those filing simple returns.

Its online Free Edition allows you to e-file federal returns for free, with a state return add-on option for $9.99.

If you’re expecting a hefty refund, you can get an additional bonus from H&R Block.

When you e-file, choose to receive $100 increments of your refund in gift cards from your favorite retailers (think Amazon, Target and Nordstrom). H&R Block will kick in an extra 5% toward the gift card amount.

5. TaxSlayer

If a 1040EZ is all you need to file, TaxSlayer will help you do it online for free.

The Free Basic Edition offers a deduction finder, and you can add your state return for $23.99.

Active-duty military members save 50% on any preparation and filing package through TaxSlayer offers, including state returns.

6. TaxAct

If you simply need to file a 1040EZ/A, federal and state returns are free with TaxAct.

If you get a refund, you can choose to receive it on American Express Serve — a prepaid debit card that doesn’t require a credit check or minimum balance.

7. Liberty Tax Service

Wondering if Liberty Tax Service offers a free filing option? It does, but you wouldn’t guess it looking at DIYTax — no Statue of Liberty logos here.

DIYTax promises free, easy e-filing for 1040EZ/A and state returns.

You can even earn cash using the site: Refer a friend, and if they file a return with DIYTax you’ll earn $5. Your friend will earn $5 too!

Here’s another offering backed by Liberty Tax: ESmart Tax offers free e-filing of 1040EZ forms. But, state returns cost $26.95.

8. EFile

EFile.com offers free basic federal filing and advises this option if you’re single with no children and no mortgage.

If you need to file a state return and expect a refund, choose to have the fee for your state filing deducted from your refund.

If things get complicated, EFile promises to charge for only the least expensive service you need. There’s no pressure to get a deluxe package if you won’t use all the perks.

Bonus: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA)

Want to talk it out? Sit down with an IRS volunteer.

If you make $54,000 or less, have a disability, are elderly or speak limited English, it’s free to use the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program.

Electronic filing also is available in some locations.

Search the IRS database of VITA centers — a lot of them are at local libraries — to see if you need an appointment.

The IRS also offers Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) at some locations. It’s free if you’re over 60, and volunteers are well versed in financial concerns for retired individuals.

All volunteers are certified by the IRS, and many have professional backgrounds in accounting and finances.

Your Turn: What’s your favorite way to file your annual income tax returns for free?

Lisa Rowan is a writer, editor, and podcaster living in Washington, D.C. She stocks up on antacids during tax season.

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