How does inflation affect your wage? Use our tool to find out

The spectre of inflation has arisen in 2017, and coupled with poor wage growth is set to impact negatively on workers' living standards.

June's inflation figures of 2.6% and May's wage growth figures of 1.8% mean that your salary is growing slower than prices are rising. This means in real-terms your wage is worth less each month. 

How your wage is affected

The ONS has provided us with a handy tool (below) to calculate what increase you would need in your pay packet next year, to avoid devaluing your take-home pay.

For example, the average median wage was £28,200 between 2015 and 2016, according to the ONS. Based on calculations from the tool, if that pay packet rose at the average growth rate of 1.8%, it would devalue £226 against current inflation.

See the tool below and enter your annual salary to calculate how much your earnings could devalue. The tool is based on June 2017 CPIH figures released on 18 July 2017 and May 2017 growth in earnings figures released on 12 July 2017. See What is CPIH? for an explanation of how it differs from CPI.

 

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• Inflation falls to 2.6%
• CPIH replaces CPI as preferred measure of inflation
• How rising inflation affects your wage: Use our tool to find out

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Are credit scores overrated?

Checking your credit score is increasingly popular, with some consumers paying a £15 monthly fee to do so. Is this necessary, or are there cheaper ways to keep your finances in order? We investigate.

Most people will have seen adverts advising us to take control of our finances and shell out for a credit score subscription service.

The advertising campaigns of credit reference agencies have clearly been working as a poll of Moneywise readers found that 25% now check their score on a monthly basis. But is this really the best – and cheapest - way to track your financial wellbeing?

What’s contained in your credit file?

Credit files are compiled by each of the three major credit reference agencies - Callcredit, Equifax and Experian. They include basics such as name and date of birth, plus more detailed information, including:

• How much you currently owe, including credit cards, loans and mortgages
• What financial products you have applied for recently
• Details of any bankruptcies, County Court Judgments (CCJs), defaults or missed payments
• Financial links to others, such as joint bank accounts with your partner.

Your credit score is based on the information held in this credit file. Each agency scores you differently but in general the higher your score, the less of a financial risk you’re perceived to be.

Having a poor score can often make it difficult to get credit from mainstream providers, or mean that you are charged a higher rate than other customers.

• Beware: shopping around for a loan could hit your credit score

It can also make it difficult to take out a mobile phone contract as you are often credit checked by your network during the application process.

There are many misconceptions about what affects your credit score. Research by Equifax shows that 53% of men and 50% of women incorrectly believe that living with someone who has bad debts will harm your credit score – this is only the case if you have joint accounts with that person.

Also, 36% of men and 33% of women wrongly think that your credit score can be affected by previous occupants at your address.

What do lenders actually consider?

It is important to remember that banks look at a wide range of factors before they decide to lend to you, not just your credit score. The criteria used to judge you can vary between providers as each targets different types of customer.

Moneywise asked some of the UK’s biggest providers what they consider before approving a personal loan. As well as your credit score, the major providers say they will consider any existing accounts you hold with them, plus previous dealings you have had with the organisation.

Typically lenders focus more on your recent financial history, but the information held in your credit file goes back six years.

• Over half of Moneywise users have never checked their credit score

Some lenders delve deeper than this. Nationwide uses other criteria such as the demography of the local area in its decision process, while RateSetter has the ability to search social media profiles in some instances.

Each time you apply for credit a mark – known as a footprint – is left on your file. These remain on your file for a whole year. A lot of footprints on your file within a short period can be seen as a negative by lenders and can make it harder to be accepted in future.

Yet research published by TSB shows that many personal loan providers, for example, will only offer borrowers a personalised loan rate quote after performing a “hard” credit check.

Which credit agencies does your provider use?

All the lenders we asked use at least two credit agencies. See the table below for the full details. 

Provider	Callcredit	Equifax	Experian
Bank of Scotland	✔		✔
Barclays	✔		✔
Clydesdale Bank	✔		✔
First Direct	✔	✔	✔
Halifax	✔		✔
HSBC	✔	✔	✔
Lloyds Bank	✔		✔
Nationwide	✔	✔	✔
NatWest	✔	✔	✔
Ratesetter	✔	✔
Royal Bank of Scotland	✔	✔	✔
Sainsbury's Bank	✔	✔	✔
Tesco Bank	✔		✔
The AA	✔		✔
TSB	✔		✔
Ulster Bank	✔	✔	✔
Yorkshire Bank	✔		✔
Zopa	✔	✔

Source: Moneywise, 12 July 2017

Do I need to pay £15 a month?

If you’re about to apply for a large loan or mortgage then you may want to check your credit file with one of the agencies to make sure the details held are correct.

Both Equifax and Experian offer subscription services which cost around £15 per month and give users unlimited access to their credit file (Callcredit doesn’t offer this service). But while these agencies promote their fee-paying services, there are cheaper ways of accessing your credit file. 

Cost of accessing your credit file

Provider	Individual one-off report	Monthly subscription	Free access via	Rating
Equifax	£2	£14.95	ClearScore	Scored out of 700
Experian	£2	£14.99	CreditMatcher	Scored out of 999
Callcredit	£2	Not available	Noddle	Scored out of five

Source: Moneywise, 12 July 2017

Callcredit, Equifax and Experian are all legally obliged to provide you with your statutory credit report for a fee of £2. This will outline what personal details the agency holds about you, your financial links to other people, what financial products you currently have, any missed payments and what search footprints you have on your file.

• Your ex-partner could damage your credit rating, Brits warned

But each of the major agencies also has a free subscription alternative, although they offer less information than paid-for subscriptions. These are ClearScore, CreditMatcher, and Noddle.

What can I do to boost my credit chances?

There are a number of steps you can take to boost your credit score. Some top tips include:

• Registering to vote – being on the electoral roll makes it easier to confirm your identity and will boost your credit score.
• Closing unused credit accounts – having old credit cards (even if they have a small or no outstanding balance) can drag down your score.
• Making sure your details are correct – credit files may sometimes contain incorrect information, so make sure to check whether these are up-to-date before applying for a major product such as a mortgage.
• Maintaining a stable lifestyle – moving around frequently or going in and out of debt regularly will negatively affect your chances of getting finance. Make sure you clear existing debts before applying for more credit.

Moneywise verdict

It’s important to keep your finances in a healthy state, especially if you’re about to apply for a mortgage or large loan. However, for most people there is no need to pay £15 a month and to keep such close tabs on your credit score.

Instead, consider using that £180 a year subscription fee to pay down your debts or increase your savings pile. Then make a one-off check before you apply for any credit, to make sure there are no unexpected surprises.

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• Over half of Moneywise users have never checked their credit score
• Beware: shopping around for a loan could hit your credit score
• Your ex-partner could damage your credit rating, Brits warned

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High Protein, Low Cost: Find These Alternative Protein Sources for Less

Strange Reasons Your Credit Score Could Change

Credit scores aren’t static. They don’t rise and fall like temperature. No, credit scores are simply a snapshot evaluation of your credit report information at a given point in time. But when the information on your credit reports changes, your scores will generally be different the next time they’re calculated.

Certain credit events may lead to a predictable difference in your credit scores. For example, if your credit report shows a new missed or late payment, a new collection account, or a new tax lien filed against you, you can presume that your credit scores will be impacted. But it’s not always this clear cut. Sometimes your credit score changes for less than obvious reasons.

• Related: How Often Does Your Credit Score Change?

Lower Credit Card Credit Limits

You may already be aware that your credit card balances can impact your credit scores significantly. More specifically, it’s the relationship between your credit card balances and your credit card limits that can influence your credit scores.

This relationship is known as your revolving utilization ratio. As you use up more of the available limit on a credit card, your revolving utilization ratio rises, and your credit scores will generally fall as a result.

Obviously, charging up a higher balance on your credit cards and failing to pay off that balance in full each month is usually the primary cause of an increased revolving utilization ratio. However, ringing up a large balance on your credit card accounts isn’t the only action that can cause your utilization ratio to increase.

If your credit card issuer lowers your account limit, your utilization level could automatically increase, even if you don’t charge one additional dollar on the card. It’s simple math: A $1,000 balance on a $5,000 credit limit yields a utilization ratio of 20%. If your card issuer drops your limit to $3,000, however, that same $1,000 balance suddenly represents a 33% utilization ratio.

While it has nothing to do with your spending — your card issuer simply changed your terms, resulting in a higher utilization ratio — it doesn’t really matter why your utilization ratio rises; the negative impact on your credit scores will be the same.

• Related: Why Is Credit Utilization Such a Big Deal?

The Issuer Closed Your Credit Card Account

As noted above, credit scoring models aren’t designed to ask why your utilization ratio increased, only whether your utilization ratios are now higher. And if a card issuer closes your credit card account, that can reduce your overall available credit, thus triggering an increase in your revolving utilization ratio. When this occurs, your credit scores are almost sure to decrease, and the decrease could be considerable.

Credit card issuers may close an account for a variety of reasons, including late payments, other new credit problems (even on unrelated accounts), or account inactivity. Regardless of the reason, if a card issuer closes your account while you have outstanding balances on any other credit card, your revolving utilization ratio will increase, and there go your scores.

• Related: When Is it Safe to Close a Credit Card?

Filing Bankruptcy Can Lead to a Higher Credit Score. Yes, Really.

Did you know that filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy could actually improve your credit scores? Stay with me. If higher credit card balances and balances in default can lower your credit scores, then it shouldn’t be inconceivable that a decrease in balances and balances in default can lead to higher scores.

A Chapter 7 bankruptcy wipes away all the debts on your credit reports if they are statutorily dischargeable. This has the same effect as paying down your balances. Of course, any such increase is not likely to be a big one relative to the harm caused by the bankruptcy filing, and the fact that your debts may actually be in default.

Related Articles: 

• Three Things Nobody Tells You About Your Credit
• What Is a Good Credit Score Range?
• Revolving Credit vs. Installment Loans: Why the Type of Debt Matters to Your Credit Score
• Debunking Four Common Credit Myths

John Ulzheimer is an expert on credit reporting, credit scoring, and identity theft. He has written four books on the topic and has been interviewed and quoted thousands of times over the past 10 years. With time spent at Equifax and FICO, Ulzheimer is the only credit expert who actually comes from the credit industry. He has been an expert witness in over 230 credit related lawsuits and has been qualified to testify in both federal and state courts on the topic of consumer credit.

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Common Work-at-Home Scams You NEED to Stay Away From

By Holly Reisem Hanna You've seen it before: Get paid thousands to start Easy jobs from home No experience necessary Earn thousands today Unfortunately, in the work-at-home niche, scams abound. Some work-at-home scams are more obvious than others (and occasionally legit opportunities may sound like a scam, too). It's hard to weed out the legitimate, […]

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Mother-daughter team up to train dogs for the deaf

Leonardo walked through the sliding glass doors and up the staircase of the Monroe County Courthouse. The yellow lab/golden retriever mix passed through the metal detector at the top of the stairs, and a sheriff’s deputy used a metal-detecting wand to scan Leonardo’s vest.Fortunately, all it contained was poopie bags and business cards.Natalie and Linette Martino of Saylorsburg trained Leonardo as a service dog for a hearing-impaired California woman. He [...]

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Here’s How a Proposed Spending Bill Could Affect Your Financial Aid Award

Sometimes, keeping up with all of the complex decisions being made in this country feels like an insurmountable task.

And it might be — I mean, no matter your political leanings, the sheer volume of issues up for debate means that staying up to date will leave you dizzy, at best.

The truth is, there’s a lot on the line for people from all walks of life as we navigate a confusing landscape of upheaval and realignment. The decisions being made affect all of us in one way or another.

We have to pay attention sometimes — and this is one of those times.

So let’s talk about a federal spending bill that was up for consideration last week, because it has the potential to affect you or someone close to you (like your teenager who’s gearing up for college).

Wait, What Exactly Are We Talking About?

The fiscal year 2018 House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill was approved by the House Appropriations Committee with a vote of 31-21 on Thursday.

It still needs to pass through the House and the Senate before heading to President Donald Trump’s desk for his signature, but the subcommittee approval is the first step in the process of instating the new budget.

This bill (which is different than the budget Trump proposed in May) affects the Federal Pell Grant Program, among many, many other things.

And the Pell Grant Program? Well, that affects how much federal financial aid low-income college students are given each year.

A Pell Grant is a need-based subsidy provided by the federal government that helps low-income students pay for college. A Pell Grant is awarded based on a number of factors, including income and whether the student is enrolled full time or part time, and is the foundation on which the rest of the student’s financial aid is structured.

What Does This Spending Bill Propose?

The bill will cut about $2.4 billion from the Education Department’s budget, and will rescind another $3.3 billion out of the Pell surplus. (Here’s a brief overview of the Pell surplus, along with a bit of its history.)

The bill will also freeze the maximum Pell Grant award at $5,920 per year, meaning that over the next several years, the money awarded will have less purchasing power behind it as inflation and the cost of college continue to rise.

“The current maximum Pell Grant covers the lowest share of college costs in over 40 years,” according to Jessica Thompson, policy and research director for the Institute for College Access & Success.

Freezing it at this amount is a move that Thompson calls an “assault on equitable access to higher education,” as students will have to start borrowing more than their higher-income peers in order to achieve the same level of education.

This will only serve to perpetuate the vicious cycle that many low-income families are trapped in — a sickening merry-go-round of too-little aid, too many loans, too-high interest rates, and, in many cases, the need to drop out of college indefinitely (thus leading to lower-paying jobs and, subsequently, a cross-generational lack of access to higher education.)

Trump must sign the bill by Oct.1, which is the start of the 2018 fiscal year. That’s when we’ll find out what the future of the Pell Grant Program will be — and what that means for students who depend on that financial aid.

Grace Schweizer is a junior writer at The Penny Hoarder.

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

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This Is Why You Could Get an Amazing Deal on a Gently Used Car This Summer

If you’re in the market for a different car this summer, the outlook is sunny.

If you need to trade in a vehicle to make that switch, things could get a little cloudier, but we’ll get into that in a minute.

Vehicles were flying out the door at dealerships due to the booming economy over the last few years. Unfortunately for car dealers, all those new cars they leased are now flooding the lightly used car market, which could make this summer the best time to buy a car we’ve seen in years.

Here’s what you need to know to take advantage of the hot summer car market.

Sedans and Subcompacts Are the Way to Go

When gas was upward of $4 per gallon, people were dropping their SUVs and pickup trucks like crazy. That’s not the case anymore. With gas prices down, SUVs, crossovers and pickups are all the rage.

This has led to sedans and subcompacts overflowing dealer lots, and dealers want to get rid of them. Badly.

Research the market and see if there is a car that looks right for you. If your budget can handle it, the best deals are on those lightly used end-of-lease vehicles that are returning to dealerships. In other words, the best values are on 2- to 3-year-old vehicles with very low miles. You might be able to get a used car with fewer than 20,000 miles on it for dramatically less than you’d pay for a new one. There are good deals on older vehicles this summer too, but the best bang for your buck is with a newer used car.

Skip the Trade-In and Sell it Yourself

The flip side of this summer’s buyer’s market is that dealers don’t really want your old car. If you try to trade it in, you may get a fraction of what it’s worth. Instead, look up your vehicle’s make, model, year and mileage on websites like autotrader.com to see what similar cars are going for.

For instance, my 1998 Lumina shows a $300 to $600 estimated trade-in value on Kelly Blue Book. On Autotrader, I can find similar cars going for $2,000 or more. Even if I sell it for less than what others are selling for, I’ll still come out ahead compared to the trade-in value.

Here’s the caveat: If you have an SUV, crossover or pickup to trade in, you may still get a good offer. Those vehicles are a hot commodity right now, and dealers are much more willing to shell out decent coin to get them.

The Buyer’s Market Will Continue (for Now)

If you’re ready for a different vehicle right now, there are some great deals out there. But if you’re not quite ready yet, don’t sweat it; sources like Morgan Stanley believe used car prices will crash in the next couple years.

As always, go in with a plan, know what you’re willing to pay and negotiate a better price. This summer, you hold all the cards.

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

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

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Everyone’s Flipping Out Over $3 Groceries, but Do We Really Need Brandless?

Do the labels on your groceries matter to you?

Or do you brush aside brand loyalty and grab whichever option is cheapest?

A new company is trying to meet you in the middle with a fixed-price selection of groceries, household and personal items in its online store, where everything costs $3.

Brandless, which launched last week, is trying to remove the “BrandTax” from the stuff you buy on a regular basis. All its products have minimalistic labels that explain only the product and nothing about Brandless itself.

Ignore that “BrandTax” is suddenly a compound, trademarked buzzword here. It is actually a real thing.

Brandless identifies it as “the hidden costs that come with buying a national brand.” A lot of the hidden costs come not from the quality of the product, but instead from the way the product is marketed to customers.

Big brands spend big money to get their products in front of customers, whether through ad campaigns, partnering with rebate apps, paying for prime shelf space at grocery stores or all of the above.

So instead of fighting to get its products on your grocery store shelves, Brandless is going directly to consumers by selling online. It’s disrupting something, right?

Not this time. Not yet.   

Grocery Shopping Is More Complex Than Ever

Online shopping and its myriad algorithms have had a major hand in upending the game where companies with big budgets get the most airtime. Seemingly endless options lead most shoppers to choose many items based on price alone, rather than their attachment to a certain brand. The glut of options online and savvier shoppers at grocery stores mean the only thing left to compete on is price.

“Brandless is about limiting the choice,” co-founder Tina Sharkey told Marketplace. “It’s about curating the just what matters. It’s overwhelming to use a web service with a database of millions and millions of products to figure out the ones you want, how to shop, how to identify the values.”

Brandless is up to 115 products so far, with categories for food, personal care and beauty items, and even office supplies and basic kitchenware.

Everything Brandless offers looks nice, but what market gap is it really trying to fill?  

The company isn’t even claiming that it’ll save you tons of money. It’s about getting quality without high prices. But that just-right Goldilocks combo does come with a catch. Orders don’t get free shipping until you’ve spent $72. Brandless B.More members who pay $36 per year only have to spend $48 to get free shipping.

Brandless will grow, but with current offerings of just more than 100 products, there’s no compelling reason to go online, choose $50 or more worth of home goods, and wait patiently for them to arrive.

Is Store-Brand Stigma Over?

Shoppers have already found ways to deal with the paradox of choice, a phrase coined by Barry Schwartz, who argues, “With so many options to choose from, people find it very difficult to choose at all.”  

Now, some store-brand products have cult followings (we see you, Trader Joe’s everything). Some entire chains, like Aldi, have built a whole business model on shoppers caring more about price tags than looks.

At warehouse clubs, part of the appeal is access to a lot of private-label goods. On Amazon, the company’s own lines are some of the fastest selling.

And grocers are relying so much on their private-label brands being moneymakers, they’re suing each other over naming rights.

People are done caring about what’s fancy. They have abandoned some of the need to keep up appearances. They’ve moved on to cheap and easy.

So the barbecue sauce you could snag from Brandless for $3 might cost less at your local grocery store. Same for the cotton balls, the dish soap and the bag of pasta. Brandless makes it easy to shop by values — organic, gluten-free, kosher, non-GMO — but elevated house brands have cropped up in traditional grocers too.

“Everything’s $3” is a nice calling card, but it may not be enough during these grocery wars.

Lisa Rowan is a writer and producer at The Penny Hoarder.

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

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This Is Why it Could Soon Get a Lot Easier to Sue Your Credit Card Company

How closely do you read the fine print when you sign up for a credit card, bank account or payday loan?

By signing on a bunch of dotted lines without having fully squinted at all the legalese details, you may have given up your right to sue your financial institution as part of a class-action group.

But a new rule the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau adopted last week seeks to give you the right to sue.

Is Arbitration-Free the Way to Be?

By limiting customers to arbitration or individual small-claims lawsuits, financial institutions prevent customers affected by the same practices from pooling their power as a group. Arbitration can be prohibitively expensive, and filing in small-claims court can take a long time and comes with fees of its own.

The CFPB illustrates the issue with this example in a video: If your bank charges you $20 by mistake and won’t give you a refund, you probably don’t have the time or money to sue the bank on your own. You just say “Goodbye, money, nice knowing you” and resign yourself to the power of the bank. But who knows how many other people who use the same service have experienced the same inconvenience?

The new rule wouldn’t prohibit arbitration clauses as long as those clauses don’t restrict consumers from taking part in group legal action. Specific language for such clauses in new contracts will have to follow guidelines set forth by the CFPB. If you open a new account after the rule goes into effect, you’ll have this additional protection.

The new rule could go into effect next year, unless Congress blocks it using the Congressional Review Act, which allows lawmakers a final say on new federal regulations. If Congress doesn’t like the CFPB rule when it gets published in the Federal Register, members have 60 legislative days (days when Congress is actually in session) to vote against it by majority vote.

Why Big Banks Hate Class-Action Lawsuits

By limiting the ways consumers can take legal action against them, financial institutions almost guarantee they won’t have to answer to customers after messing up.

When the CFPB collected data for a 2015 report to Congress about arbitration practices, it asked consumers what they’d do in the event of noticing an incorrect fee on their credit card bill.

“Consumers rarely consider bringing formal claims in any forum, arbitration or litigation, as a response — even after exhausting more informal procedures, such as customer service,” the report noted.

Consumers were also found to be “generally unaware” of the arbitration clauses in their credit card contracts. They also don’t know about arbitration clause opt-outs they might have been able to sign up for. Only 2% of consumers with credit cards told the CFPB they would consider legal action to resolve an issue involving a small amount of money.

“By forcing consumers to give up or go it alone — usually over small amounts — companies can sidestep the court system, avoid big refunds, and continue harmful practices,” the CFPB said in a press release. “The CFPB’s new rule will deter wrongdoing by restoring consumers’ right to join together to pursue justice and relief through group lawsuits.”

Lisa Rowan is a writer and producer at The Penny Hoarder.

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

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Pilot Flying J Will Celebrate National Hot Dog Day All Week With Free Food

For whatever reason, hot dogs seem to be popular these days.

If you use Snapchat, then you know the dancing hot dog has gained serious attention lately.

I’m talking about this dude:

You know what that means? It means this year’s National Hot Dog Day is going to be one for the ages.

If you’re in the mood for a free hot dog (or maybe another treat!) this week, you’re in luck: A popular travel center is offering free food (including hot dogs) in observance of National Hot Dog Day.

Sorry, dancing hot dog man, we’re about to eat all your friends.

How to Get Free Food From Pilot Flying J This Week

Starting July 19, Pilot Flying J will offer a free roller-grill item to anyone who brings in this coupon. If you don’t have a printer, don’t worry — you can show the cashier the coupon on your phone.

Pilot Flying J will limit this deal to one per customer per day (I know, bummer), but the good news is it’s valid in the U.S. and Canada.

If you’re not a fan of hot dogs, you can choose from cheese smokies, cheeseburger links, Tornados, chicken rollerbites, tamales and eggrolls.

The deal runs through July 26 at 11:59 p.m., which means you could eat free food every day for a week.

Pilot Flying J is a chain of truck stops in North America that has more than 750 locations. You don’t have to be a truck driver to enjoy it, either — its stores are open to everyone.

So, whether you’re a hot dog lover or not, get ready for some free food this week from Pilot Flying J.

Enjoy!

Kelly Smith is a junior writer and engagement specialist at The Penny Hoarder. Catch her on Twitter at @keywordkelly.

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

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Hurry to IHOP to Feast on a 59-Cent Stack of Pancakes This Tuesday Only

It’s July, and I’m sure you’ve I’ve already given up on New Year’s resolutions, so I’m all ears when it comes to this delicious food deal.

And since I’m oh so nice, I’m here to share it with you. (How does that Chainsmokers song go? “If we go down, then we go down together?”)

Get ready — cheap pancakes are coming.

How to Get Cheap IHOP Pancakes This Week

There’s something so beautiful about IHOP. Whether you’re 16 and there at 1 a.m. because there’s nothing better to do or 35 and taking your kids in for a treat, it’s pretty charming.

Plus, what’s life without some fluffy buttermilk pancakes?

No matter how old you are, you’ll want to take part in IHOP’s 59th anniversary celebration, which will include 59-cent short stacks of buttermilk pancakes

You read that right: three delicious pancakes for a little more than half a buck. I’ll take it!

The offer is valid on July 18, the breakfast chain’s 59th anniversary, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sorry, but the offer is limited to one short stack per customer (but I know you could eat more), and only dine-in customers are eligible.

You don’t need a coupon either. Just head in and order your 59-cent pancakes.

Thanks, IHOP! Turning 59 looks good on you. 

Kelly Smith is a junior writer and engagement specialist at The Penny Hoarder. Catch her on Twitter at @keywordkelly.

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

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How You Could Earn an Extra $180 This Year… Doing Pretty Much Nothing

How would you feel if you had an extra $180 right now?

You’d probably feel preeettttty good — I know I would.

And recently, I figured out an easy way to earn that over the course of the next year. All you need is the help of your favorite technological devices.

Here’s what you’ve gotta do…

How to Get Started With SavvyConnect

The key is to use a platform called SavvyConnect.

Install its software on your devices — phone, tablet, computer — and let it work in the background. While you browse the internet, it “unobtrusively includes you in behavioral market research.”

In return for your contributions, SavvyConnect will pay you $5 per device, per month. If you install three devices, that adds up to $180 over the course of a year!

And once you install the software, it requires ZERO effort on your part.

The software is compatible with iPhones and iPads running iOS 8.0 or higher, but you can’t download it onto a Macbook (I tried). I guess two out of three ain’t bad. You can also download it on Android devices running OS 4.1 and newer, as well as on computers running Windows XP SP3 or higher.

If you aren’t comfortable sharing your information, there are still other ways to earn with SavvyConnect.

The easiest? Refer your friends and family to the platform.

For every project your referrals complete, you’ll earn $5-$15. And for every project completed by someone they refer (indirect referrals), you’ll earn another $2-$6.

Don’t forget they’re earning money, too.

“In order for you to qualify for these incentives, your referrals (direct or indirect) must install and keep active the SavvyConnect software,” the website explains.

Alternatively, you can complete surveys with parent company SurveySavvy — once you fill out an online profile, it’ll send relevant surveys your way.

And, as a member of SavvyConnect, you might be eligible for “exclusive high-paying” surveys, according to the website.

There is one notable downside to the company: It pays via check. In the mail. I don’t know about you, but that seems pretty archaic to me.

Still, if you’re (nearly) effortlessly earning money, it might be worth tolerating the old-fashioned payment method!

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

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

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Hertz is Hiring Work-From-Home Sales Agents — and You’ll Get a $150 Bonus

Sales jobs suck sometimes, but you might feel more in control of how much money you make.

Plus, sometimes you find companies that offer a wealth of bonuses — like Hertz.

Right now, Hertz is hiring a work-from-home sales specialist. Per the job listing, Hertz promises a $150 sign-on bonus, plus a $500 guaranteed bonus in your first month of bonus eligibility.

You can also get paid up to $1,100 in bonuses your first year.

Another “bonus”? You’re working from home!

Hertz is Filling Work-From-Home Sales Jobs

As an Express Rent sales specialist you’ll work 40 hours a week.

Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. all week, so that’ll be the window you need to make yourself available. Overtime is possible, too.

You’ll receive a “competitive” base hourly pay, as well as all those bonuses. (I reached out about base pay and will update this article as soon as I hear back.)

As noted, you’ll be working with the Express Rent sector of Hertz. This allows customers to walk up to a kiosk at any number of locations — airport or otherwise — and select a rental car through a live video chat with a representative.

And surprise! That’s your face on the video.

Hertz is looking for someone driven by sales, as you’ll hustle to sell additional products like extended coverages, upgrades and fuel options.

You’re Qualified to Work in Sales at Hertz If…

Hertz is looking for someone who has at least a year in sales and customer service. You should be able to operate a computer and type at a decent speed.
Because you’ll be on video, you should also be able to “project a professional appearance,” as well as engage with a variety of customers.

You should understand maps and driving directions, too.

Training is approximately five weeks long and all virtual.

If you’re interested in this work-from-home opportunity, here’s the complete job listing. You can apply right online, too.

If you’re not into video chat or sales, our Facebook jobs page shares a ton of other opportunities.

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

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

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The Minimalists Break Down Getting Rid of Stuff and Simplifying Your Life

Hiring Managers Are Definitely Googling You. Here’s How to Impress Them

Find $2,000 in Savings Every Year Just by Visiting Your Local Library

My public library has saved me a bundle over the years.

This year, I’ve saved about $2,000 using my library as a free resource, and it’s really paying off —  my family is excited to use what we’ve saved to take a five-day vacation to the San Juan Islands this summer.

The following estimates are based on personal experience and savings, but they should work for most small families.

1. Books, of Course

With the convenience of Amazon and the prevalence of inexpensive e-books, it might be tempting to buy a new book occasionally. If you were to buy all the books your family reads, the cost would add up.

Interlibrary loan programs make it possible to reserve even brand-new releases for pickup. Sure, you’ll have to wait awhile to read the bestsellers, but your piggy bank will thank you.

If your family purchases two books per month for around $15 each, getting those books for free from the library will save you around $30 per month. That’s a savings of $360 per year.

2. Movies and Television Shows

Opting out of cable, satellite and Netflix could easily save you at least $50 per month, depending on your current entertainment solution.

For example, the basic Netflix subscription starts at $7.99 per month, and Dish network’s lowest price is $49.99 per month. To cut the price and still give everyone something fun to watch, our solution is to check out your library’s free-to-borrow DVDs.

The DVD section at your local library likely stocks your favorite action and romance movies, and it will often carry full volumes of television series and popular documentaries. Making the switch from Dish Network saved my family $600 per year.

3. Internet and Computer Access

If you’re looking to reduce your monthly internet bill (who isn’t), the library has computers and free internet available for use. You typically need to be a member of the library and have to sign up for an allotted time to use the internet.

Before I had a computer, I used the library computers to apply for jobs online. Library computers often pack otherwise expensive programs like Microsoft Word that can help you build your resume or complete school projects.

Xfinity’s cheapest plan for internet service is $19.99 per month, but you can only get that price if you live on the West Coast. Prices for Spectrum are higher on the East Coast, starting at $44.99 per month. If you don’t pay for the internet at home, you could save at least $240 per year.

4. Meeting Rooms

If you have a playgroup or writer’s meetup, or you need a place for business meetings, some libraries have free conference rooms available.

Before I discovered this, I researched office spaces for my writing group. The cheapest space I found near me was $25 per hour through Davinci Workspaces. Our monthly meetings would have cost $50 to $75 each.

Instead, I reserved space at the library. It only required a fully refundable deposit. Check your local library’s web page for more information about its available rooms and requirements. Holding meetings at your local library could save you or your group over $600 per year.

5. Free Storytime and Games

As a mother to small children, I know how important it is to get them out of the house for some entertainment now and then.

There’s a fair number of places that provide play equipment but charge a fee or require you to buy food or beverages. A monthly visit to the local pizza play place would cost $12 for one child to play and eat.

Skip it and go to the library’s free storytime instead. My library also has some floor puzzles and lots of board books for little ones. There is also a park across the street, so I pack sandwiches and make it a whole day of free fun. This small change has saved me $144 per year.

6. Events for the Whole Family

Instead of taking classes that cost money, you can take advantage of the free events offered at your library. My local library has a summer reading program that offers free books and coupons for fast-food restaurants and theme parks at the end of the program for adults and children. In the past, we’ve scored discount tickets to our local theme park and savings at Dairy Queen.

Your library may also offer writing groups, book clubs and presentations on a variety of topics. Some of the informational talks I’ve seen offered included finance, gardening, parenting and retirement planning.

My local library also has a community theater that offers free performances a few times a year in exchange for a donated book or can of food. If you pay to see children’s theater at the regular price, tickets cost around $15 per person.

So if a family of four attended one play per year that would be $60. Or if your family paid for movie tickets at $10 per person that would be $40. You can see how checking out events at your library a few times a year could  save you $100 or more.

7. Used Book Sales

A few times each year, my library has a used book sale to raise funds and make room for new books. I use these sales to buy stocking stuffers and birthday add-ons for my 7-year-old.

These sales are also a chance to treat myself to a few books that would cost me around $15 each new. Most of the used books are on sale for $1 or $2.

For example, at my library’s sale you could buy 25 early reader books for $2 each —  saving you $50 a year. Even with more than one child, that’s a great assortment of books for your child’s library at a fraction of the cost of new copies.

While it may be an inconvenience to run to the library for things you could buy without leaving the house, the savings have been well worth it for me.

By visiting your local library as an alternative for education and entertainment, you could save at least as much as I did — over $2,000 per year. Even if you only take advantage of a few of my recommendations, you’ll likely wind up with enough savings to take a trip or pay off some debt.

Melissa Uhles is a freelance writer, novelist, and mother. Living as a creative person in expensive cities for many years ignited her frugal spirit.  

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

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Class Action Alert: Get Up to $105 From These 5 Companies’ Settlements

Watching ‘Game of Thrones’ With Your Parents’ Password? You’re Not Alone

I’m not big on gifts. I live in an apartment the size of a postage stamp with no room for anything that isn’t a necessity.

So when my older brother asked me what I wanted for my birthday last year, it was easy. I wanted his Netflix password.

For the past few months, I’ve been using his account from about 300 miles away.

I don’t own a TV, but there are still a few shows I like to keep up with like “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” and “Insecure.” And while I’m not a fan, I know pretty much everyone else in the world will be at home Sunday night to catch the new season of “Game of Thrones.”

All three shows are on HBO, and I don’t pay to watch those either.

Instead, I use my mom’s Xfinity account. While I don’t have access to local networks, like ABC and NBC, I can watch live broadcasts on HBO, HGTV, Food Network and other cable channels she has at home.

I’m Not Alone in My Netflix Password Sharing

My only responsibility? Pay my monthly internet bill. I am a 28-year-old millennial and, according to a new Reuters study, I’m not alone.

Of the people in my age range (25 to 34) who answered a recent survey, 15% said they stream video content with an account and password that belongs to someone they don’t live with.

About 21% of adults between ages 18 and 24 said they use someone else’s account to access streaming services like Netflix, Hulu and HBO Go.

While younger adults are the most likely to satisfy their entertainment needs by freeloading off an account someone else pays for, about 12% of all people said they did the same.

Honestly, I’m surprised the numbers aren’t even higher.

The Gravy Train Will Keep Running — For Now

If you, like me, are happily saving money on subscription services by not paying for them at all and using someone else’s, you should know those companies are probably aware of what you’re up to.

But stopping you is not at the top of their priority list — at least not yet.

According to Time, HBO Go and Netflix would love it if you’d stop freeloading, but they also know implementing strict usage rules might alienate existing customers. Instead, the companies look at this as a means of advertising their services.

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings even said a kid who uses a parent’s or sibling’s account is more likely to eventually sign up for an individual account when they are financially able.

Hastings sees password sharing as a way to make sure you know exactly what you will miss if you ever get sick of asking mom for the new password or want something else for you birthday from your older brother.

If the rules changed overnight and suddenly cut my access to my brother’s Netflix and my mom’s cable, I would probably try to tough it out for a bit before I gave in.

Eventually, though, I’d probably pay for HBO Go first and then Netflix. The rest of the cable channels are nice to have for an uneventful Friday night, but I don’t see myself ever paying for cable again.

Desiree Stennett is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder. When her birthday comes around this year, she’ll probably ask her brother to get a Hulu account and give up the password to that too.

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

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This Post Will Make You Think Twice About Throwing Away Your Receipts

Honestly, I’ve always hated receipts.

They usually roll around like tumbleweeds in the backseat of my car.

Or, after a night out, my purse is stuffed with ’em.

The worst mess occurs in my inbox after a night of impulse shopping on Zappos.

They’ve always reminded me of money I’ve spent, which I don’t love thinking about. And just when I do need them — for a return or a warranty — they disappear. Just like that.

But recently, I discovered I need to treat receipts with more care. That’s because I could be earning money back with them.

Do I sound crazy? Probably, per usual. But here’s what I’m talking about.

1. Take a Picture of Your Receipt Using Ibotta

Ibotta is an easy-to-use cash-back app that’s partnered with more than 50 retailers, just about anywhere you’d do any kind of shopping.

Before heading out on a grocery run, I find items on my shopping list within the app. Strawberries? Check. An ear of corn? Check. I add each cash-back opportunity to my rebate list within the app.

Then I shop.

When I get home and am unloading my groceries, I take a photo of my receipt then scan the items’ barcodes.

Bam. Cash back.

Some cash-back opportunities I’ve recently taken advantage of include:

• 25 cents back for any item

• 25 cents back on strawberries

• 50 cents back on frozen fruit snacks

• $1 back on a box of tea

• $5 back on a case of Shiner Bock beer

The app works the same for stores like Walmart and Target, too. Even drugstores like CVS.

The app is free to download. Plus, you’ll get a $10 sign-up bonus after your first rebate. 

2. Don’t Delete Your Amazon Receipt

That’s my first inclination.

*Delete.*

I don’t really want evidence of my online shopping binge to linger, but I found a free tool that makes me reconsider. Paribus gets you money back for your online purchases when an item’s price drops.

For example, I buy a pack of cat toys on Amazon. (This, unfortunately, is not abnormal.)

Next week, the price drops $1. Paribus registers that change and contacts Amazon to get me a refund. I’ll get 75% of that difference; Paribus takes a 25% service fee.

Paribus is partnered with more than 25 online retailers, so chances are, you’ll get some money back.

Signing up is free.

Bonus: Read about seven other ways to save money each time you buy something online.

3. Use Your Receipt to Earn Cash After Eating Out

If you’re a fan of eating out, there are a bunch of ways to save money — without even planning your night out ahead of time.

Subtotal is an app that allows you to earn money back — just by looking at your receipt’s subtotal.

When your server brings you the bill, open the app. Find the restaurant you’re dining at, and enter the bill’s total. Subtotal then generates a barcode, which your server will scan to pay — like a gift card.

You can score up to 10% back, which automatically appears in your credit or debit card account within a week.

Some of our favorite restaurants featured on the app include 8.1% cash back at Applebee’s, 5.25% cash back at BJs Restaurants and 7.5% cash back at California Pizza Kitchen.

There’s also 8.1% cash back at Krispy Kreme and 6.75% back at Papa John’s.

Check out the full list of eateries, and download the app for free for Apple devices and Android devices.

4. Take Those Silly Surveys… Seriously

You know that 4-foot long CVS receipt I mentioned?

There’s, of course, a link to a survey at the end of it. Sure, you think you’ll never win anything for telling CVS you had a positive experience and that your cashier was a delight.

But you actually can.

Penny Hoarder Lisa Rowan has won money from CVS because she took the time to hop online.

I have to say, I treasure my Chick-fil-A receipts. More times than not, I have a survey offer. I answer a few quick questions and get a free chicken sandwich.

Yum.

5. Check For Coupons or Specials

I’ve been complaining about that long CVS receipt, but it actually contains some pretty sweet deals, including $5 back on my next purchase.

It’s also tailored to the items I typically purchase, so I often receive coupons for stuff like packs of gum and boxes of razors, which I’m always stocking up on.

Now, my only issue is keeping track of that receipt and remembering it the next time I venture into the store…

6. Don’t Forget Those Tax Deductions

Here’s your taxes 101 refresher: Tax deductions are expenses you can subtract from your taxable income, so they lower your tax bill.

Don’t forget to keep track of tax deductions (yup, keep those receipts) because they’ll add up.

Here are a few examples of deductions:

• Charitable contributions (anything you donate to Goodwill!)
• Home office equipment
• Payments you make to your traditional IRA
• Some higher education tuition and fees
• Mileage if you use your personal vehicle for work purposes
• Relocation expenses (if you moved for a job)
• Student loan interest you’ve paid

Want to know more about deductions? Here ya go.

7. Remember: You Might Have a Warranty on That Product

If your favorite pair of socks gets a hole or your backpack’s zipper gets all janky, remember to check into the product’s warranty.

Many companies offer lifetime warranties — including these 43. Oftentimes, you’ll have to hold onto your receipt to nab these perks.

Carson Kohler (@CarsonKohler) is a junior writer at The Penny Hoarder. She’ll never look at receipts the same way again.

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