Camille and Michael Winzalevitch spent many cold nights in their Long Pond home. Their fixed incomes didn’t allow them to replace their fussy, old oil burner, so they used propane heaters, a wood burning stove, and 12 dogs and cats to keep them warm.Now that’s changed.The couple won a new heating system in a promotion sponsored by R.J. Groner, a Stroudsburg plumbing, heating and cooling company.Pocono Record Digital Sales Manager Stephanie Fairbanks broke [...]
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الجمعة، 4 نوفمبر 2016
Deal of the week: Fee-free investing for children
Even the most modest-sounding percentage based charge can have a hugely erosive effect on our wealth over time, so if you’re looking to invest for children you might want to consider ETFmatic, a robo-adviser that’s promising to waive all platform charges on its childrens accounts.
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7 Surprisingly Easy Ways to Make Extra Money With Just Your Car
Do you love driving your car around town? There are tons of opportunities to earn money while you do it!
Whether you want to launch a new full-time career — or just make some extra money on the side — here are some great ways to turn your vehicle into a money-making machine.
Drive With Uber
If you like spending time in your car, finding the best routes through town and chatting with all kinds of new people, this is a great way to make money doing it!
As an Uber partner driver, you’re responsible for setting your schedule and motivating yourself to work — no one is keeping tabs on you. You get 80% of everything you earn as a driver (Uber keeps 20%.).
If you want to give it a try, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- You need to be at least 21 years old.
- You need at least three years of driving experience.
- You’ll need an in-state driver’s license, a clean driving record and be able to pass a criminal background check.
- You’ll need a four-door car that seats at least four passengers, registered in-state and covered by in-state insurance.
Here’s a link to apply with Uber.
Earn Up to $25/Hour Delivering Groceries
Want to get paid to navigate your city without driving strangers in your car? Sign up to deliver groceries with Instacart!
This app and website lets people who don’t feel like battling crowds at the grocery store skip it. Instead, you’ll act as their personal shopper, picking up and delivering their grocery order.
If you’re interested in giving it a try, Instacart is currently recruiting for drivers in these two cities:
You should be at least 21 years old. To apply, you’ll take a short online quiz to ensure you can identify common grocery store items — like a lemon or an 18-pack of eggs.
After that, your city’s manager will call you to set up a time for a 15-minute phone interview to learn about your background and experience.
They tend to look for people with past customer service experience and candidates who have experience doing plenty of shopping for either their roommates, families or themselves.
Carpool to Work
Did you know some cities will pay you to carpool to work? Here are four cities that will pay you to help reduce traffic and congestion!
If you start or join a new carpool in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, you can make up to $2 per day over a 90-day period, up to $130.
In the counties near Birmingham, Alabama, drivers make up to $70 over 90 days for taking alternative transportation or carpooling.
Commuters who live, work or commute through San Mateo County, California can receive a $50 gift card for retail or online stores when they start or join a new carpool.
People who drive on the busy highway between Boulder, Colorado and Denver can make more than $75 for carpooling or vanpooling.
Get Paid to Test Drive Cars
Working through a company like BestMark, you’ll go to car lots and pose as a potential buyer.
So you get to test drive a car, which is pretty cool.
It also means you listen to the sales pitch, which is less exciting. But then you report back on your experience and get paid!
Our CEO Kyle Taylor got his start doing automotive mystery shopping, and made $60 for each dealership visited.
Set Your Own Schedule as a Mobile Mechanic
Want to work for yourself on a flexible schedule as an auto mechanic?
YourMechanic offers unique opportunities for anyone who wants to work in the automotive service industry.
Instead of running an auto-body shop, this “mobile mechanic company” sends a specialist to a customer’s home or office when their car needs service.
YourMechanic has technicians in more than 700 cities nationwide and is actively hiring now in 53 cities.
The company handles marketing, scheduling appointments, ordering parts, invoicing and customer support — so all you have to do is show up when a customer needs you.
In this position, you’ll set your own hours through the YourMechanic app — as many or little as you want, any days, evenings or weekends you prefer. The company schedules service calls for you within your availability.
You’ll be doing basic repair and maintenance, “no engine overhauls or major transmission work.”
Pay is between $40-$60 an hour. You’ll work as a contractor and provide your own transportation. If you want something less hands-on, the company also has work-from-home positions.
Fill out the online application here. A service advisor will call you for a phone interview and to get you set up. Then you’ll set your hours and get to work!
Rent Out Your Car
If you own a reliable vehicle, but leave it sitting in your driveway all the time, turn it into an income stream by renting it!
Through Turo, you can rent your car to a community of approved drivers.
You’ll create a calendar to let travelers know when your car is available, and you’ll be notified when someone requests your car. You’ll coordinate a meeting place, or deliver the car right to the traveler at the airport or other location.
Turo will dynamically set your car’s rental price based on market value, location, time of year and other data. For a car with a market value of $10,000, Turo suggests you could earn about $1,800 a year renting it just five days a month.
You’ll earn 65% to 85% of the trip price, depending on the vehicle protection package you choose. If you provide your own commercial rental insurance, you’ll earn 90%.
Put Ads on Your Car
You’ve seen these drivers around town. By letting companies display ads on their car, they get paid to drive their normal routes!
To qualify for these opportunities, you’ll have to drive regularly in high-traffic areas — no one wants to pay you to park their ad in the garage. When vetting advertising companies, keep these tips in mind to spot a scam.
Check out vehicle advertising opportunities with these legitimate companies:
If you’re already driving with Uber, you could earn even more money placing ads inside your vehicle with Vugo.
Your Turn: Do you want to get paid to drive around?
Disclosure: A toast to savings! Thanks for allowing us to place affiliate links in this post.
Dana Sitar (@danasitar) is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder. She’s written for Huffington Post, Entrepreneur.com, Writer’s Digest and more, attempting humor wherever it’s allowed (and sometimes where it’s not).
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The Election’s Almost Over! Celebrate with These Election Day Freebies
You’ve studied your voter guide, talked with friends and family, and watched countless “Saturday Night Live” sketches about the election.
It’s finally here!
And to celebrate making it through what seems like the longest election ever, we’ve found some freebies and deals you can enjoy on Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Can’t find a freebie in your area? It’s not you, it’s them: Some states and cities prohibit rewards for registering to vote or doing the deed.
That’s why you’ll see offers that give something free to people who show up wearing their “I voted” sticker. It’s not the act that makes them eligible for the freebie — it’s the sticker. Get it? Slick.
Where to Get Your Election Day Freebies
See more Election-Day freebies? Let us know in the comments, and we’ll update this post!
1. Krispy Kreme
Get a free Krispy Kreme donut by wearing your “I Voted” sticker into a store on Nov. 8. Not all locations are participating, including the entire states of Connecticut and Maryland, so check the list before you go.
2. Tijuana Flats
“Guac the Vote” at Tijuana Flats on Tuesday by showing your “I Voted” sticker. You’ll get to choose a free small side: queso, guacamole or salsa. The chain will keep a tally on Facebook of which side is winning — in the chips-and-dip election, that is.
3. Zipcar
Zipcar members can #drivethevote on Nov. 8. Between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Election Day, select Zipcars will be available for free to voters heading to the polls or going out to celebrate. Make a reservation (do it now!) and you’ll see the discount applied once the reservation is confirmed. You’ll still pay taxes and fees on your rental.
4. 7-Eleven
It’s not a freebie, but it’s pretty good: Visit 7-Eleven on Election Day and pour a cup of coffee in a 7-Election cup. Scan your 7Rewards app at the register and you’ll get your coffee for just $1.
Your Turn: What’s the best freebie you’ve gotten for showing your “I Voted” sticker?
Lisa Rowan is a writer and producer at The Penny Hoarder. She voted early.
The post The Election’s Almost Over! Celebrate with These Election Day Freebies appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.
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Here’s How to Get Free Baby Stuff From Walmart (You Have to Act Fast!)
Parents-to-be or new parents should jump on this deal quickly: Walmart’s offering a free baby welcome box while supplies last.
Packed with product samples, Walmart’s offer allows families to “get a head start with Baby’s development,” according to the website.
The best part? (Besides snuggling with your bundle of joy, that is?) It ships totally free.
How to Get Free Baby Stuff from Walmart
All you have to do to get this freebie is head to Walmart’s baby registry page and click on the “Welcome Box” link near the top quarter of the page. Once the welcome box page opens, simply enter your name, your baby’s birth or due date, email and shipping address. You can opt out of Walmart emails before submitting your request.
In a few weeks, you’ll receive a box with product samples and coupons. Recipients of previous baby box offers reported getting a pacifier, wipes, a diaper, nursing pads and baby-friendly laundry detergent.
But the box is only available while supplies last, so don’t procrastinate, parents!
Walmart’s Other Baby Boxes
This free offer is separate from Walmart’s Baby Box program, which offers age-specific boxes of samples and coupons for newborns through toddlers. Walmart automatically delivers the next stage box as your baby grows; you pay $5 shipping for each.
Your Turn: Have you ever received a free Walmart baby Welcome Box? What was in it?
Lisa Rowan is a writer and producer at The Penny Hoarder.
The post Here’s How to Get Free Baby Stuff From Walmart (You Have to Act Fast!) appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.
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American Express is Hiring Work-From-Home Travel Counselors — Apply Now!
Were you a travel agent before more and more people started to book travel online?
Do you miss helping people plan vacations of a lifetime?
Then you might be interested in this news: American Express is hiring a work-at-home travel counselor.
You’ll need experience in the travel industry, and might have to work some crazy hours. But if you’re sick of going into an office, it might be a good gig for you.
How to Work From Home for American Express
As a work-at-home travel counselor, your main duty will be creating “memorable travel experiences” for cardholders by “providing knowledgeable and consultative service based on your own experiences and expert knowledge of the travel industry.”
To be eligible, you must have at least two years of recent experience selling domestic and international travel, with a strong background in international air booking. AmEx also highly prefers candidates who have experience in a call center and with car and hotel bookings.
You’ll need customer service, communication, time-management and sales skills, as well as knowledge of both established and emerging domestic and international destinations.
Applicants can live in any state except Alaska — but if you live within 35 miles of one of the company’s call centers (Lawrenceville, Georgia; Phoenix, Arizona; Salt Lake City, Utah; or Sunrise, Florida), you’ll be required to work on-site.
Since the call centers are open 24/7, your shift might be less than ideal. According to the listing, new hires will receive shifts between 5 a.m. and 2 a.m. on any day of the week — and won’t be eligible for the next shift bid until at least three months after completing training.
No word on the pay (I’ll update you if I hear back!), but if you work from home, AmEx will provide high-speed internet and land-based telephone service.
Think it sounds like a good fit? Click here to learn more.
Your Turn: Are you a former travel agent? Will you apply for this job?
Susan Shain, senior writer for The Penny Hoarder, is always seeking adventure on a budget. Visit her blog at susanshain.com, or say hi on Twitter @susan_shain.
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How We Plan Frugal Family Vacations in National Parks
It’s early November, so what have I been doing lately? I’ve been planning next year’s summer family vacation. We’re going to Yellowstone!
November? Really?
The truth is that the fall is actually a great time to start thinking about next year’s travels, particularly if you want to enjoy the beauty of the world on a nice, tidy budget. One of the best ways to do that is to camp and, at the same time, take advantage of one of the best bargains offered to American citizens, our national park system.
The national parks of the United States contain a nearly infinite array of natural beauty, from the northern landscapes of Denali to the gorgeous vistas of Glacier, from the stunning forestry of Acadia to the unbelievable hot springs of Yellowstone. Yosemite. Grand Canyon. Joshua Tree. Shenandoah. I could go on and on and on. Suffice it to say, there is more stunning beauty to be found in our national parks than you can possibly explore in a lifetime.
Even more amazing is the fact that you can see all of this beauty on what amounts to a shoestring budget. A vacation centered around a national park can actually be very inexpensive!
So, why post this in November? It might seem a bit out of place to post this now, but the reason leads right into my first tip…
Plan Way Ahead
One of the biggest savings offered by a national park vacation is the fact that you can camp instead of staying at a hotel. That move alone saves hundreds upon hundreds of dollars over the course of several days of vacation.
The problem here is that many of the campgrounds in national parks and around national parks tend to fill up several months in advance, particularly at the most popular parks in the national parks system like Yellowstone. You usually can find a place to camp somewhere reasonably near a national park even close to the trip, but you’re likely to be camping a substantial distance from the park (meaning a long commute into and out of the park) or else be gunning for a “first come first serve” campground (meaning you’ll have to get lucky to get a camping spot).
The best route is to simply start planning now and reserve a spot at a campground as early as possible. Tools for finding such a campground are listed below, but the key thing to remember is to start planning ahead now.
If You Have a Fourth Grader, Get in For Free
The National Park Service currently offers the “Every Kid in a Park” program, which gives every fourth grader in the United States a free year-long national parks pass for their family. That means you don’t even have to pay an entry fee to visit those national parks that require one, further reducing the cost of a national park vacation.
The process for signing up for this free pass is very simple. Your fourth grader can do it on his or her own and will learn about the national park system in the process.
For us, the occasion of our fourth grader picking up a national parks pass means that we’re planning a vacation that centers on Yellowstone, but actually involves stops at other national parks as well for a day or two. Since the pass works for all national parks, this is a great time to plan a trip to multiple national parks for multiple days.
Do It at Your Own Pace
The idea of hitting multiple parks over the course of a number of days brings me to my next point. A national parks trip is a highly self-directed trip, which means you can do things at your own pace without having to carefully plan days or make appointments.
Most of the trails and majestic sights that you’re going to see in a national park will be there tomorrow or the day after. You don’t have to schedule things. You don’t have to rush to jam everything in on a single day or two. You can do things at your own pace.
Furthermore, there are opportunities for all different levels of physical exertion in our national parks. Most parks feature amazing sights that require almost no trail walking and there are trails and hikes available in most parks with a huge variety of different lengths and different difficulties. Some are basically walks along an elevated boardwalk for half a mile through a beautiful forest, while others might involve many miles of hilly trail hiking – and we’re not even talking about backcountry hiking. You can find something that perfectly matches your fitness level and desire to hike and you can spread different walks and hikes throughout the trip. You can even see many beautiful sights from your car window if you so choose.
Drive
Driving to a national park is actually a great way to save money on the trip as compared to flying, particularly if you’re traveling as a family. Driving allows you to pack your camping gear with you instead of having to mail it or take it through airport luggage. It also greatly enhances the freedom of the trip and allows you to make stops and side journeys along the way.
For example, on our upcoming Yellowstone trip, we’re planning on spending most of two days in Badlands National Park on our way to Yellowstone from Iowa, then spending a day at Devil’s Tower National Monument. If we so choose, we can also stop at Mount Rushmore and at Custer State Park on the way (all but Custer are free thanks to our free pass, as described above). If we flew for this trip, we’d miss all of those things.
Use the Library as a Great Planning Resource
Your local library likely has a travel section that has a ton of books on any national park or part of the country that you might wish to visit. Even if they don’t happen to have a book on your specific destination, it’s very likely that the librarian can acquire one for you via interlibrary loan.
I think that using a travel guide is still the best tool for planning a vacation, simply because it takes pieces of information that are spread out all over the place online and puts them all in one single volume where you can find everything you need.
I typically check out several travel guides during the planning stages of a vacation, such as when we’re figuring out what campgrounds we’re going to use, where we’re going to stay, and what trails and sights we might want to see. While I don’t usually mark things down in stone this far in advance, I do usually reserve campsites based on travel guide recommendations as far in advance as possible as well as make lists of recommended hikes and recommended things to see in the national park.
If possible, I’ll often check out those travel guides again close to our trip and take them with us. This can sometimes be “hit or miss” depending on other travelers, as sometimes others check out such travel guides during the summer months.
Eat Simple… But Tasty
One of the biggest money savers when it comes to a national park trip is food. Rather than eating at restaurants all the time as would often happen on vacations, the entire trip is much more conducive to eating simple meals at your campsite.
While I tend to get into preparing interesting meals in a Dutch oven over a campfire, you can prepare lots of different, tasty, simple meals without any tools. For example, this article from Country Living offers a ton of simple recipe ideas that work well while camping that go far beyond simply making sandwiches for every meal (though sandwiches should be a staple – a simple sandwich is practically designed for camping).
This is another reason why driving to a national park is helpful. It enables you to take a cooler along, which you can use to keep items cool, plus it gives you a secure spot to stow food away from wildlife at night. It also makes grocery shopping easy, since you can simply go to a grocery store somewhat near the national park and fill up the back of your vehicle with food you might want to have on the trip.
Strategize Your Camping Gear
The biggest cost that people bring up when it comes to a camping trip is the cost of gear. You’ll need some kind of shelter at the very least, which means you’ll either need to have a tent or come up with some other form of housing (which is likely to be much more expensive).
Here’s the thing, though: if you camp regularly and make camping part of your family’s activities (particularly during the summer), the cost per trip for a family tent and sleeping bags and other materials goes way down. Let’s say you invest $100 on a simple family tent and then buy a few sleeping bags to boot at, say, $25 each. That’s $200 in gear – expensive, right? Well, consider the fact that you can use that gear over 20 camping trips. That means your cost per trip for that gear is $10 per trip. It quickly becomes dirt cheap. (There’s also the fact that you can use sleeping bags at home for various things, such as sleepovers and for winter blankets on the coldest nights.)
Another thing worth noting about camping gear is that many people overdo it in terms of what they need. Out of inexperience, they buy everything that they think they might possibly need and then find out that they don’t need a lot of it. If you’re going on a typical tent camping family vacation, all you need is a tent that comfortably houses your family, sleeping bags (and that’s even kind of a maybe, as you can use blankets), something with which to start a fire, and a flashlight or two (which you probably already have). Additional gear is unnecessary until you can figure out why you need it, so just take it all slowly and frugally.
Final Thoughts
If I include the prorated cost of our camping gear and all of the cost of driving, eating, campground fees, and everything else, our family’s summer national park vacation will cost us substantially less than $100 a day. There’s almost no vacation we could possibly take that would be less expensive than that. Not only that, the trip offers us a unique opportunity to see the natural beauty our nation has to offer.
I consider that to be an incredible bargain, but part of that bargain comes from starting our planning the fall before our trip. If this kind of trip sounds intriguing to you, I encourage you to start planning now.
The post How We Plan Frugal Family Vacations in National Parks appeared first on The Simple Dollar.
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This Might be the Easiest $50 You Ever Make: Just Test-Drive a New Car
Want to get paid to drive without taking on a full side hustle?
Visit your local Hyundai dealer for a test-drive and get a $50 gift card for Target, Amazon or Visa.
Just fill out a few prompts online, head to the dealership, and drive!
How to Get a Free Gift Card From Hyundai
To get your gift card, visit hyundaiusa.com and click “Find a dealer” in the upper right corner. Enter your ZIP code and select a dealership. Make sure it’s the one you’ll be able to visit, since the offer will be limited to that location.
From the dealer’s website, click on the new inventory link from the menu at the top of the page (each dealership’s site varies slightly, but this page is easy to identify). Once the inventory page loads, a box will pop up asking for your contact information and the make, model and year of the car you’d like to test drive.
After entering all this information, click “Get Your Code.” Print your coupon or write it down if you don’t have a printer. You can also text the code to your phone.
Take it to the dealership you selected for your test drive by Nov. 12, 2016. A salesperson will validate your coupon so you can get your gift card.
It’s that easy!
Your Turn: Have you ever visited a car dealership for a test-drive promotion? What was it like?
Lisa Rowan is a writer and producer at The Penny Hoarder.
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The 5 Best Tools You Should Be Using to Market Your Local Business
Mobile devices and local searches go together like peanut butter and jelly.
If you’re a local business, guess what method people use to find you?
They’re looking for your business on their mobile devices. If you’re not aware of this or optimizing for it, you’re leaving money on the table.
Smartphones and tablets have made it easier than ever before for prospective customers to search for businesses in their areas and to find any pertinent information to influence their purchasing decisions.
In fact, “60 percent of American adults use smartphones and tablets to search for local product and service information.”
Furthermore, “50 percent of consumers who conducted a local search on their smartphone visited a store within a day, and 34 percent who searched on a computer/tablet did the same.”
Within seconds, potential customers can see what product/service a business offers, get directions, and find contact information.
I do this myself all the time. I live in a big city. There are always great new places to discover, and I know I can find these places, check what they offer, and discover their ratings with just a few taps on my phone.
Because of the simplicity and convenience of the local search, one thing is true for smart local businesses who capitalize on it: increased sales.
In theory, one out of every two individuals who find your business through their smartphones will actually visit your business that very day.
Studies have even found that “18 percent of mobile searches lead to a sale within one day.” That’s pretty impressive!
But we need to ask a question: how do you capitalize on this sales-ready segment of the population? How can you make sure your business is placed front and center before their eyes?
It doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, if you use these four tools, you’re virtually guaranteed a position at the top.
I’ve seen businesses rise from having zero online presence to dominating their local markets simply by using these tools. You can do it too.
Here are the tools you should be using.
1. Google My Business
Did you know that 46% of all searches on Google are local searches?
That’s right. Nearly half of the people checking out your business online will be located within your immediate geographical area.
To ensure that prospects are finding your business, you’ll need to be active on Google My Business.
I personally can’t even count the number of times a week I use my smartphone to search for business info via Google.
I also find myself using the “Okay, Google” voice search feature more and more. It’s quick. It’s easy. It’s hands-free. By and large, it’s quite accurate in matching my voice commands.
Getting set up on Google My Business is simple. First, visit the site: http://ift.tt/1s5Xo45.
Next, register and fill out all pertinent business information.
I also recommend including plenty of pictures (at least five) so that prospective leads can get a better sense of what your business is all about.
Once you’re set up, you can painlessly manage everything from your dashboard.
More specifically, you can:
- Stay updated on customer reviews
- Get insights on the way people are interacting (e.g., the number of views and clicks you receive)
- Check the number of requests for driving directions to your business
- See the number of people ultimately visiting your website
For me, the more data, the better.
The more information I can accumulate, the easier it is for me to spot patterns and trends so that I can make necessary adjustments.
That’s why I really like this tool. It gives me comprehensive data so that I can make highly informed decisions.
Like most platforms from Google, Google My Business is intuitive and user friendly, so there shouldn’t be much of a learning curve.
You can also update your profile when necessary to ensure your information is always current.
2. Yelp
In my opinion, Yelp is the second most important tool after Google.
Some marketers have even gone so far as to say that having your business listed on Yelp is more important than having a website.
While I wouldn’t go that far, I do think being featured on Yelp is pretty much a necessity these days.
As of March 2016, Yelp received 145 million unique visitors per month and is one of the go-to sites for finding information on local businesses.
People use it to find contact info, business hours, pictures, reviews, and more.
If you’re able to get a solid list of reviews and a strong rating, you can bet that your sales are going to increase and your brand equity will grow.
To get set up, you’ll need to first claim your business and visit the mobile download site to use the mobile app for business owners.
From that page, Yelp will send you a link so that you can manage your page from your mobile device.
Using this app is awesome because you can:
- Seamlessly manage your page
- Engage with customers
- Track visitor engagement
- Monitor leads
- Respond to reviews and overall feedback
Just remember you’ll want to fill out your profile completely and include enough info to answer any common questions customers may have.
Again, I recommend including plenty of pictures.
3. Facebook Pages Manager
The fact that I mentioned Facebook probably doesn’t come as any surprise.
Facebook is a huge deal, so it only makes sense that you’ll want to use Facebook Pages Manager. Visit this page to download the app.
Simply download the app for your iOS or Android device, and you can manage your business’s presence on Facebook with the utmost level of control and efficiency.
Use it to do the following:
- Post updates, photos, and videos
- Respond to comments on your page
- View and reply to messages
- Get push notifications for page activity, tips, and reminders
- View your Page Insights
- Manage your settings and page roles
This app serves as a streamlined way to manage your Facebook account from your mobile device and stay in close contact with your customers.
I like it because I can stay on top of things no matter where I’m at—even if I’m out of the country.
Having a presence on Facebook and advertising on Facebook matters.
For better or worse, people trust Facebook. Facebook serves as a tool for people to discover new friends, keep up with the news, stay in touch with family, and, yes, discover new places to eat, drink, shop, and play.
Not being on Facebook is the 1980s equivalent of not being in the phone book. I’m not going overboard when I say your business needs to be on Facebook.
4. Bing Places for Business
Okay, so Bing isn’t nearly as big as Google or Facebook. That’s true.
But that doesn’t mean that it can’t still be a viable resource for marketing your business locally. Bing relies on the same basic premise as Google My Business does, only it does so on the Bing search engine.
It’s easy to hate Bing or totally neglect it. I get that. But listen to this: Bing controls 33% of search!
In my opinion, a third of all search engine users is no small chunk.
Getting set up is pretty straightforward. Visit Bing Places for Business.
You must first claim your listing. Next, fill out your profile, and verify your listing.
Think of it like this. Many of your competitors are likely to be so fixated on Google that they completely overlook Bing. Maybe you were even tempted to neglect Bing.
Getting on Bing takes just a few minutes, giving you an advantage over your competition. By taking the time to get your profile up and running, you can pull in a larger chunk of your target market and win their business.
5. YP for Business
Remember back in the day when people manually thumbed through the Yellow Pages directory to find information on businesses in their area?
Well those days are gone.
But like most companies with any type of longevity, the Yellow Pages has been smart enough to reinvent itself so that it’s still practical in our modern era.
Now you can get your business listed free on the YP for Business app.
According to its website, “60 million consumers search YP every month for local businesses,” which is nothing to sneeze at.
Here are some other interesting stats:
- Over 15 million consumers have downloaded the YP app.
- The YP app and mobile web drive more than three calls to a local business every second.
If you’re looking to round out your local marketing efforts and get exposure to the largest percentage of your demographic, I definitely recommend listing your business there.
It only takes a few minutes, and your reach can grow considerably.
Some added benefits of using Yellow Pages include having the ability to check out the number of impressions, clicks, and leads you generate.
You can also maintain a comprehensive vantage point of your online presence, online reviews, and social activity.
I would also imagine that the YP for Business app would be an effective way to reach a lot of the older demographic of Gen Xers and Baby Boomers, who have fond memories of the original Yellow Pages.
Conclusion
To get your business in front of potential customers, you must have a presence on some key sites.
Because people are using these sites so frequently, taking the time to register your business and fill out your profile in its entirety can pay good dividends in the long run.
Don’t forget the key statistics, correlating searches, and sales.
Remember: 78% of local mobile searches result in offline purchases.
That’s huge! If you’re a traditional brick-and-mortar establishment, you can most definitely cash in by featuring your business in the right online places.
The bottom line is that there’s a growing trend of people using their mobile devices to search for local businesses.
Being active on these five online spots not only allows you to be more competitive and claim your piece of the pie but can also be the catalyst for your business thriving in the long term.
Which of these tools do you find yourself using the most to find info on businesses in your area?
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Your Email Address Could Help You Win $1,500 (and 25 Free Books!). Here’s How
As a Penny Hoarder, very little motivates me as much as free money.
But as an English major and bonafide, unabashed nerd, free books are a very close second.
That’s why I was stoked to hear about this sweepstakes from Penguin Random House: It offers the chance to win both of those things.
And as tempted as I was to keep the secret to myself (and increase my chance of winning!), I just had to share it with you.
After all, what’s a good story without a few friends to tell it to?
Win $1,500 — and Free Books! — From Penguin Random House
Penguin Random House is giving away a bunch of free money and a 25-book “library” of its 2016 releases to one lucky winner.
The books will be in the genre(s) of the winner’s choosing, and will definitely keep their weekend reading supply stocked through the end of the year.
Even if reading isn’t your thing, it’s hard to argue with free cash… and if you win this sweepstakes, you’ll get lots of it.
Specifically, you’ll win a $500 shopping spree at ShopStyle, a fashion site that’ll keep you wrapped up in seasonal scarves and sweaters while you dive into your new books.
You’ll also get a $1,000 Visa gift card to use however you see fit. (With the holidays coming up, I’m sure you’ll find no shortage of places to put that extra money!)
Entering couldn’t be simpler: Just click here and provide your email address and genres of choice.
Penguin Random House publishes a huge range of material, and 2016 was a great year for books (if nothing else). You could win Alton Brown’s “Everyday Cook,” the newest Dean Koontz and John Grisham books, and work by Elizabeth Gilbert — who, yes, has continued to write after “Eat, Pray, Love.”
You’ll also be prompted to sign up for the publisher’s newsletter, which will get you 20% off your next order.
It’s totally free to enter, so what do you have to lose… other than the five minutes it’ll take to unsubscribe from the sponsors’ email newsletters?
The drawing closes at 11 p.m. ET on Nov. 18, so don’t put it off. And if you win, don’t worry, you can keep all the money for yourself.
But is it cool if I borrow a few of your books?
Your Turn: What’s your favorite book?
Jamie Cattanach is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder and total bookworm. Her writing has also been featured at The Write Life, Word Riot, Nashville Review and elsewhere. Find @JamieCattanach on Twitter to wave hello.
The post Your Email Address Could Help You Win $1,500 (and 25 Free Books!). Here’s How appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.
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Opodo and eDreams to improve pricing and website transparency following investigation
Travel companies Opodo and eDreams have made “significant changes” to their websites and pricing practices to ensure consumers aren’t mislead.
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What to Do When You Get a Debt Collection Notice for an Account You Don’t Recognize
Sometimes you get a debt collection letter in the mail and you know exactly why you got it and what you owe. Other times you get one and you’re left scratching your head, wondering why you owe this company money, or even who the company is. So what do you do when you get a mystery letter in the mail asking you for money you’re not even sure that you owe?
Search Your Memory Banks
You might not recognize the company, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t owe the money. Have you let any accounts get past due? Do you have any older debts that simply “went away?” Because, barring the statute of limitations on debt, debt doesn’t just “go away.” You might not recognize the company in question, but it could just be that they purchased the debt as a third-party debt collector.
Look Into the Company
You first need to find out about this company. Third-party debt collectors run the gamut from totally legitimate to totally slimy (and there’s no shortage of outright scammers, as well). If the company in question has a number of complaints from the Better Business Bureau, it might not be in your best interests to communicate with them on the phone. Instead, you should contact them by mail, where you can have more control of the situation.
Be Careful How You Communicate With an Unknown Debtor
Communicating with a legitimate debtor is a must, however it’s in your best interests to tightly control how you communicate with them. First and foremost, never admit that the debt is yours, either verbally, in writing, or by making a payment, until you are absolutely convinced you are legally obligated to pay the debt. How can you be sure that you actually owe the debt?
Begin by sending off a debt validation letter. Companies collecting debt are legally obligated to prove to you, upon request, that they actually own the debt. This is known as debt validation, and it will also help weed out fake debt collectors. There are rules for this under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: If the company does not respond to your request to validate the debt in a certain period of time, the debt is not legally yours — or at least, the company cannot legally collect it.
If you are provided with a debt validation letter, make sure that you’re still legally obligated to pay back the debt. Like crimes, most debts have a statute of limitation. Once the debt reaches a certain age, it can no longer be collected — the clock has run out, as it were, and you’re no longer obligated to pay the debt.
The debt collection agency can take you to court over it, but there’s not much point. If they do, all you have to do is show the judge your debt validation letter and cite the relevant statute. It’s called an affirmative defense — you’re not disputing that the debt is yours, just pointing out that it was so long ago you no longer legally owe it.
If You Still Legally Owe the Debt
In the event that the debt is yours and you’re still legally obligated to pay it, you should communicate with the company to come up with a repayment plan. The best way to do that is to call up the collection agency and talk to them about how you can repay the debt.
Make sure to get any agreement that you come up with in writing before you start making payments. Making a payment on a debt is often considered a de facto agreement to the terms — so don’t cut a check or make any other kind of payment before this stage, lest you inadvertently lock yourself into terms you didn’t agree to. Any reputable debt collection agency is going to be happy to let you read the terms and see them in writing before you make a payment.
Once you’ve done that, your job is just to make sure you keep making those payments on time. Not making a payment on time can mean that you’re no longer covered by the terms you agreed to. At that point you can go into default or even just be at the mercy of the debt collection agency’s standard terms when it comes to collecting debt.
Related Articles:
- Ask These Three Questions to Expose a Fake Debt Collector
- How to Deal With Debt Collectors: Your Consumer Rights
- In What Order Should I Pay Off My Debts?
The post What to Do When You Get a Debt Collection Notice for an Account You Don’t Recognize appeared first on The Simple Dollar.
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الخميس، 3 نوفمبر 2016
3 Work-From-Home Research Jobs That’ll Let You Embrace Your Inner Nerd
Are you an information junkie?
We just found three gigs that could be perfect for digital natives who know how to find the answer to any question online.
These flexible online research jobs let you work from home. They could be a fit whether you want to make a full-time income or just a little extra money around classes or taking care of kids.
They’re also a fun, interesting way to make extra money while you learn about an array of new topics!
1. Wonder Researcher
Wonder helps customers save time by providing research and resources to answer a variety of questions.
The company is recruiting freelance researchers to work from home and complete customer requests. You’ll set your own schedule, choose which and how many research requests you complete, and get paid per request.
Wonder says “top researchers can earn up to $20-$30 per hour.”
We know from former researcher and TPH staff writer Jamie Cattanach that typical pay is $13 and up per request. The time it takes to complete the research is up to you, but could mean you make around $13 an hour.
“You have to complete a research project gratis to qualify, and that’s about a two-hour time investment,” Cattanach points out. But overall, “It’s not bad. And if you’re genuinely interested in learning, it’s awesome.”
To apply: Start your application here. You’ll fill out your basic info and why you want to be a researcher. Then you’ll complete a trial research assignment.
2. Research Analyst With Animalz
Content marketing startup Animalz is looking for a “highly analytical and organized” research analyst to join its 18-person team.
Animalz writes about the tech world for software companies and entrepreneurs. Your job would be researching and compiling the information for these articles.
You’d also copy edit and check articles for SEO before they go to the customer.
The company is looking for someone comfortable with online research who can “find compelling and significant arguments and data” to conceive and support articles. You should be a skilled editor, but also able to “wear many different hats” to work with the startup team.
To apply: Email your resume, cover letter and work sample to this address.
3. Expert With JustAnswer
Through JustAnswer, you can offer your services as an expert in one or more of over 175 categories, like health, legal, pets and one called “homework.” You can apply in as many categories as you want, and required credentials vary by category.
Once accepted, you can set your own hours and work as much or little as you want.
Users will post a question and choose what they’re willing to pay. If your answer is accepted, you’ll receive 20%-50% commission via PayPal, according to The Work at Home Woman.
To apply: Choose your categories here, and submit your application and credentials. You should receive a response within 5-10 business days if you’re in the U.S. or Canada, but it could take up to 20 days if you live anywhere else.
Your Turn: Do you want to get paid to browse the internet all day?
Dana Sitar (@danasitar) is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder. She’s written for Huffington Post, Entrepreneur.com, Writer’s Digest and more, attempting humor wherever it’s allowed (and sometimes where it’s not).
The post 3 Work-From-Home Research Jobs That’ll Let You Embrace Your Inner Nerd appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.
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Debt collector forced to write off £414m
A debt recovery firm has agreed to provide redress to more than half a million consumers after being reprimanded for shoddy due diligence and debt collection practices by the financial regulator.
Motormile Finance UK Limited (MMF) will pay redress totalling £154,000 and write off claims to outstanding debts of £414 million.
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PPI tops financial complaints table again
About 43,000 complaints were made about payment protection insurance (PPI) policies between July and September 2016, accounting for more disputes than every other financial product combined according to the latest complaints figures from the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).
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4 Cool Seasonal Jobs to Keep You Warm All Winter (Some Include Housing!)
Once the thermometer reads 70 degrees, my Floridian self is cold.
I lived in Missouri and Colorado for a bit, and my extremities nearly froze off. Now I’m back in Florida, where winter living’s good.
I cheers everyone who faces winter batches of snow head on. But don’t you get tired of it?
Come join me in Florida for a season. (I didn’t really mean for that to sound like a mermaid coaxing you to the warm shores. But it does. And I won’t take it back.)
4 Seasonal Jobs for Those of Us Who Hate Snow
Rather than snagging a winter gig on the slopes (though we have you covered if that’s your thing), we found four seasonal jobs for those who really just despise the snow.
One’s in Florida, but you could also find yourself under the Arizona, California or Texas suns.
No more oversized, suffocating coats, folks — for the most part, at least. You’re safe to break out the tank tops and swim trunks.
Key: Housing is provided or discounted at all of these places.
1. Work at a Resort in Death Valley National Park
Maybe I went a little over the top finding sizzling seasonal jobs. After all, Death Valley is one of the hottest place on earth, according to the World Meteorological Organization.
That’s where Panamint Springs Resort is located. This family-owned, western-style operation sits inside the national park’s border and holds a hotel, restaurant, campgrounds and a gas station.
The 24-room motel has an immediate opening for a housekeeper — perfect for you fellow Type As out there. This is an entry-level position, and you’ll be responsible for stripping rooms, cleaning rooms and bathrooms, restocking amenities, folding and organizing linens and making beds.
You’ll work full time and earn “competitive wages,” according to the listing. Big perks? Housing and meals are provided. Plus: Merch discounts.
Interested in working in Death Valley this winter? Find out how to apply on CoolWorks.
2. Live the Island Life in the Florida Keys
Hello, paradise.
I’ve been dying to take a trip down to the Keys, so working on this island for the winter sounds like absolute heaven.
Ocean Reef Club started out as a small fishing village, but now employees more than 600 associates.
And, right now, it’s upping staff for all those snowbirds coming to town and needs employees in the following departments: food and beverage, culinary, inn operations, salon and spa, member fitness and housekeeping.
All associates are provided housing in one of two three-story, dorm-style buildings at $75 per week — that’s $300 a month to live on an island. Other perks include access to a volleyball court, fitness classes, the pool, movies, paddleboards, golf carts and bikes — just to name a few.
There’s a lot to explore in the area, so I’m already sold. Are you? You can search for job opportunities on its website.
3. Drive (Pink!) Jeeps Through the Grand Canyon
All right, the Grand Canyon gets cold at night, but still, there’s no snow. Plus, this is just too fun not to include.
Pink Jeep Tours, Inc. (it’s just what you think) needs a customer service supervisor and tour guide supervisor for the upcoming winter months.
Not only will you get to explore the Grand Canyon in a spiffy pink Jeep, the company also offers competitive pay and awesome benefits, including medical, dental, vision and life insurance, a 401(k) and paid time off.
Employee housing is also available at the Grand Canyon location. There’s a Las Vegas location, too, if that’s more of your speed.
So you might have to pack a few coats for this gig, but there’s no ice involved. You can find all the information on CoolWorks.
4. Work at a Luxury Resort in Southwest Texas
Snow here is uncommon, and the lush golf course greens will keep your mind fixed on Mother Nature’s good side.
Lajitas Golf Resort and Spa is a 27,000-acre “oasis.” Nestled between mountain ranges, the resort rests in the arid part of Texas (the west side, according to my research). It hosts a golf course, spa, restaurant, saloon (score!), three pools and tons of outdoor activities.
Right now, the resort is hoping to fill several positions, including front desk clerks, a front desk manager, a human resource manager and line cooks. Overall, the positions seem flexible: full-time, part-time, you name it.
The resort has low-cost employee housing (only for full-timers, though) available from $47 to $175 bi-weekly. The spaces are furnished, so start searching. Bonus: You can even bring your pet.
Other benefits include medical, dental and vision insurance and paid time off. You can spend your free time hiking, biking, rafting, swimming or sight-seeing.
Life on the ranch doesn’t sound too shabby. If you agree, you can find more details online and apply there, too.
Do note that these four wintertime dream jobs (in my book, at least) are only here to help fuel your wanderlust. If you want to see what else is out there, check out CoolWorks. We really like it; the jobs are pretty cool.
Your Turn: Have you taken a seasonal gig to explore a new area?
Carson Kohler (@CarsonKohler) is a junior writer at The Penny Hoarder. After recently completing graduate school, she focuses on saving money — and surviving the move back in with her parents.
The post 4 Cool Seasonal Jobs to Keep You Warm All Winter (Some Include Housing!) appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.
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Here’s How to Get Black Friday Deals Without Shopping on Black Friday
Even though you’ve only just recycled your pumpkins and turned your calendar to its fresh, new November page, it’s already happening.
Black Friday madness has arrived, three whole Fridays before the date itself.
Groupon just launched its 12 days of doorbusters program, and Walmart’s early bird deals are online. Other stores’ holiday ads are already starting to leak and circulate the web.
But if Black Friday just isn’t your style, no sweat: You’re in good company.
And if you use this sweet credit card trick, you’ll still be able to nab the deals without all the hassle — and without waiting until the end of the month.
Talk about hacking the system, right? Here’s how.
How Price Protection Can Help You Get Black Friday Deals Early
This trick, courtesy of reddit user PedroDaGr8, is as simple as it is brilliant. And you likely have all you need to pull it off inside your wallet right now.
Remember that dense packet of cardholder benefit information you received last time you got a new credit card? In case you just glanced at it, shrugged and tossed it in the trash (don’t worry, we won’t tell), here’s some awesome news for you.
Many credit cards come with a free price protection service to help you get the lowest price on purchases made with your card.
That means if you buy something and then find it advertised elsewhere at a lower price, the credit card company will refund you the difference.
And that means you can shop early and still get Black Friday prices — no madness necessary.
Here’s how to do it:
1. Once the circulars for your favorite retailer come out, figure out which doorbuster deal you’re interested in. Save the advertisement — you’ll need it to prove the lower price to the credit card company.
2. Purchase the item before Black Friday (within your card’s given constraints — usually 90 days, but we’ll get to this in a second) and save your receipt. Note: You don’t have to buy the item from the same store it’ll be on sale at — you just have to make sure it’s the exact same item.
3. Happily eat your giant Thanksgiving meal and spend the following Friday hanging out with your family, watching football, hiking off the stuffing or whatever your favorite holiday pastime may be.
4. Once the Black Friday deal is live, submit your benefits claim to receive a check, voucher or account credit for the difference between the price you paid and the Black Friday price.
5. Try not to be too smug about your awesome credit-hacking skills.
Cool, right? But before you go crazy, there are a few specifics to keep in mind.
The Fine Print
First of all, make sure you buy the same product that’s going on sale. If you accidentally buy one that doesn’t go on sale, you’re going to be stuck paying full price.
To make absolutely certain it’s the same thing, go by the model number. It’s much more reliable than the product name or the picture!
Also, this might be obvious, but this strategy only works if your credit card offers price protection. Many companies do, but not all — and some only offer it on specific cards.
And keep in mind, some items and promotions might be excluded.
We’ve gathered the details for a few popular cards below, but bottom line: Call your credit card company for full eligibility details and terms before you commit to a purchase.
You don’t want to find out you’re stuck with full price after the fact — especially since you might not be able to make a return during the holidays.
Discover
This is probably the easiest offer to take advantage of — it’s available to all card members and excludes little aside from some computer components. Plus, Discover specifically confirmed to me over the phone that Black Friday deals are included.
Discover offers price protection within a 90-day window and will reimburse up to $500 per item, up to $2,500 per year.
Citi
Citi offers its price protection service, called “Price Rewind,” within a 60-day window. Its guide to the benefit specifically notes it includes “special promotions such as Black Friday or door buster sales.”
Citi’s system automatically searches an unspecified group of “hundreds of online merchants” to find better prices for you, but you can also submit a benefit request for reimbursement on a deal you find on a store’s website or in its circular.
Cardholders are eligible to receive up to $500 per item with a yearly max of $2,500.
Chase
Chase offers 90 days of price protection to customers with certain cards, including Sapphire and Freedom.
However, it excludes a number of items, such as cell phones, cell phone service plans, food, and seasonal decorations and costumes. Per a phone rep, the service covers Black Friday sale prices as long as they don’t involve a rebate, but you might want to double-check your card has the benefit.
MasterCard
MasterCard offers price protection on certain eligible cards — its Gold, Platinum and Worldwide cards, for example — within a 60-day period for up to $250 per item with a max of four claims per year. We were able to confirm that Black Friday sale items are eligible, so long as the entire purchase price goes on your MasterCard.
Interestingly, just about every price protection service excludes jewelry and boats, so if you were hoping to up your bling-filled yacht game this Black Friday, you might be in trouble.
They also generally exclude the cost of shipping and tax, and don’t cover price differences influenced by a rebate.
How to Make the Most of This Black Friday Hack
PedroDaGr8 also offered some helpful hints concerning purchase timing.
“I try to buy as close to [Black Friday] as possible,” they write, “because that allows me longer to monitor the price and then file my claim.”
Since most card companies only allow you to file your claim once, it can be to your benefit to wait as long as possible before making your purchase. That way, you’ll have ample time within your price protection window in which to find the lowest sale price.
PedroDaGr8 points out that Black Friday prices aren’t always the lowest you’ll find. Some doorbusters might go even lower if they don’t sell as well as expected, and TVs often go on sale at the beginning of the year to gear up for the Super Bowl in February.
If you wait until just before Black Friday, you’ll have until late January to find a lower price if your card gives you 60 days. Cards that allow up to 90 days of price protection will give you until nearly the end of February.
That said, if you see a Black Friday price you’re happy with and want the item now, you’ll still have reason to smile if you take the plunge early. You hacked the system — and you didn’t even have to interrupt your holiday weekend (or abandon your pumpkin pie) to do it.
Your Turn: Will you use this credit card hack to get Black Friday pricing before Thanksgiving?
Jamie Cattanach is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder. Her writing has also been featured at The Write Life, Word Riot, Nashville Review and elsewhere. Find @JamieCattanach on Twitter to wave hello.
The post Here’s How to Get Black Friday Deals Without Shopping on Black Friday appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.
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5 Startlingly Simple Money Moves Millennials Should Start Making Right Now
Congratulations, new grads!
Here’s your bill…
If not in so many words, this is certainly the sentiment college graduates are welcomed into the “real world” with now.
Debt practically feels like an inevitable part of becoming an adult.
Students graduating with loans this year owe an average of $37,172 in student loan debt, the Wall Street Journal reported in May.
If you took out federal student loans throughout college, you’re likely on a 120-month (10-year) repayment plan and could be debt-free by your early 30s.
But if you hit a rough patch or defer payments for any reason, you could extend the timeline for years.
Avoid letting debt loom over you into middle age by creating a plan early and managing your money well right now — before it gets the best of you.
Here are five strategies to help you wrangle your budget and pay back your student loans faster:
1. Create a Grown-Up Budget
The first step to paying off debt is to get your finances in order.
Map your income, monthly bills and spending on necessities like groceries to get a baseline of what’s coming in and where it’s going.
Where do your student loans fit into your budget?
If you’re already making monthly payments, can you actually afford them? Or are they a huge strain on your budget? What needs to change so you can afford them?
If you’re not already making payments, how much room is in your monthly budget to start paying down debt?
Write this information into a document or spreadsheet so you have it available to help you make decisions about your debt repayment.
2. Take Stock of Your Student Loan Debt
School’s out; you can’t avoid them anymore.
If you haven’t looked at your student loan agreements since you registered for your first semester of courses, it’s time to dust them off and put together a game plan.
You may have loans from several sources — more than one federal loan and possibly additional private loans. Multiple monthly payments and interest rates can make repayment cumbersome — and cost you money.
Revisit your loan agreements, and use the Department of Education’s student loan repayment estimator to find out just how much you’ll pay over the life your loans.
Then figure out how you can reduce that amount.
If you’re already struggling to afford monthly payments or you’re shocked by how much you’ll pay over time in interest, refinancing could help.
Student loan refinancing combines your complicated loans into one simple monthly payment. You may be able to reduce how much you owe each month and/or get a lower interest rate to save money over time.
Find a new rate and options at Credible.com, a marketplace that lets you see personalized rates from multiple refinancing lenders.
Seeing your offers on Credible won’t affect your credit score or share your information with lenders before you’re ready to proceed with an offer.
3. Check Your Credit Score
Do you know your credit score?
Do you know which of your actions affect it?
Improving your credit score could mean better repayment options and a lower interest rate when you refinance your student loans.
If you haven’t gotten one recently, credit reporting agencies Experian, TransUnion and Equifax each owe you a free credit report once every 12 months. Get those at AnnualCreditReport.com.
If you use a credit card (or cards), you could be eligible for a higher credit limit after graduation.
If you get a new job or a significant pay hike, try calling your credit card company to ask for an increase to your credit limit.
Cut your spending and pay off your card’s balance each month, and this can be a simple way to improve your credit score.
A higher credit score could mean a better deal if you refinance your loans. It could help you get a lower interest rate and favorable repayment terms — saving you money in the long run!
4. Start Saving (Again)
You may have spent the first 18 years of your life saving money for college expenses — and the past four years just scraping by.
But it’s time to start thinking about saving again. Start with a 401(k) through your workplace. If that’s not available, consider an IRA.
You may not be ready to think about retirement, but the earlier you start, the more money you’ll save and earn in interest before retirement.
With an average liberal arts salary, if you start saving at 21, it would take just $25 per week to save over $683,000 by the time you’re ready to retire at 65. At that rate, your annual retirement income would be over $78,000!
Then, automate additional savings through your bank or with an app to build an emergency fund and savings account.
Building an emergency fund of even a few hundred dollars can buoy you through a rough patch. It can ensure you don’t have to sacrifice debt repayment when money is tight.
5. Revisit Your Taxes
Since you’re no longer in school, make sure you know what you’ll be paying in taxes and what credits or deductions you qualify for.
To avoid owing money to the IRS in April, you may want to adjust the withholding on your W-4 from what you’re accustomed to.
Use the IRS Withholding Calculator to help ensure you’re withholding enough to cover what you owe.
While you pay off your student loans, you can also save money by claiming the Student Loan Interest Deduction. If you’re eligible, you can deduct the amount of interest you pay on student loans, up to $2,500 a year.
Save Money by Repaying Faster
Paying off student loan debt won’t only reduce your stress by getting rid of those pesky monthly payments — but it’s definitely a perk.
Paying faster will also likely help you save money.
While you enjoy the immediate effects of deferment or making minimum payments, your massive student loan bill continues to collect interest.
The longer you take to pay off student loans, the more you’ll pay in the end.
Enact these strategies now, and you could save thousands of dollars in unnecessary payments — and headaches.
Your Turn: What steps are you taking to pay off student loans faster?
Sponsorship Disclosure: A huge thanks to Credible 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!
Dana Sitar (@danasitar) is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder. She’s written for Huffington Post, Entrepreneur.com, Writer’s Digest and more, attempting humor wherever it’s allowed (and sometimes where it’s not).
The post 5 Startlingly Simple Money Moves Millennials Should Start Making Right Now appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.
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