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Tips for Financial Self-Care: 6 Ways to Treat Yourself and Your Wallet
Best Checking Accounts November 2021
Comparing ZipRecruiter vs. LinkedIn for Employers Seeking Workers
Dear Penny: Can I Refuse to Inherit My Mom's Dump of a Property?
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Tips for Financial Self-Care: 6 Ways to Treat Yourself and Your Wallet

Posted: 03 Nov 2021 01:00 PM PDT

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In times like these, we could all use a little self-care. Things like getting a massage, maintaining good sleeping habits, eating a vegetable or two, curling up with a good book and sticking with a somewhat regular workout could do us all some good.

Ah, but what about financial self-care? We're always being reminded to take care of our mental, emotional and physical health. But what about your financial health?

We all need that too, because we're all financially stressed. For example, a survey by the National Endowment for Financial Education found that a whopping nine in 10 Americans say the COVID-19 crisis is causing stress on their personal finances.

Financial self-care is about lowering your financial stress level by jettisoning bad habits and taking control of your money.

With that in mind, we've got six strategies for setting yourself up for financial success:

1. Treat Yourself — and Earn Money Back

Start getting money back whenever you buy groceries. A free app called Fetch Rewards will reward you with gift cards just for buying toilet paper and hundreds of other items.

Here's how it works: After you've downloaded the app, just take a picture of your receipt showing you purchased an item from one of the brands listed in Fetch. You can use receipts from grocery stores, convenience stores, drugstores, liquor stores and more.

For your efforts, you'll earn gift cards to places like Amazon or Walmart. You can download the free Fetch Rewards app here. Over a million people already have, so they must be onto something.

2. Set Goals with the Budget for People Who Hate Budgets

Part of financial self-care is building new and better habits — like sticking to a budget. Don't want to budget? Try the budget for people who hate budgets.

The 50/30/20 method for budgeting is one of the simplest ways to get your spending in check. No 100-line spreadsheets or major lifestyle changes required.

Here's how it works: Take your total after-tax income each month, and divide it in half. That's your essentials budget (50%). Take the rest, and divide it into personal spending (30%) and financial goals (20%).

Let's break it down: That's 50% for things like utilities, groceries, medications, minimum debt payments and other essential spending. Then there's 30% for fun: Thai takeout, your Netflix subscription, dressing up a skeleton on your lawn for Halloween.

That leaves 20% for your financial goals, like additional debt-reduction payments (anything above the minimum monthly payment) along with retirement savings and investments.

3. Knock $489/Year From Your Car Insurance in Minutes

Speaking of making new habits, when's the last time you checked car insurance prices?

You should shop your options every six months or so — it could save you some serious money. Let's be real, though. It's probably not the first thing you think about when you wake up. But it doesn't have to be.

A website called Insure.com makes it super easy to compare car insurance prices. All you have to do is enter your ZIP code and your age, and it'll show you your options — and even discounts in your area.

Using Insure, people have saved an average of $489 a year.

Yup. That could be $500 back in your pocket just for taking a few minutes to look at your options.

4. Save Up An Emergency Fund

Here's a real way to reduce the stress of financial "what ifs."

This past year has taught us the hard way that everyone should have an emergency fund. You need a place where you can safely stash your savings away — but still earn money on it.

Under your mattress or in a safe will get you nothing. And a typical savings account won't do you much better. (Ahem, 0.06% is nothing these days.)

But a debit card called Aspiration lets you earn up to 5% cash back and up to 16 times the average interest on the money in your account.

Not too shabby!

Enter your email address here to get a free Aspiration Spend and Save account. After you confirm your email, securely link your bank account so they can start helping you get extra cash. Your money is FDIC insured and they use a military-grade encryption which is nerd talk for "this is totally safe."

5. Reduce Your Fear of the Future — by Investing for the Future

Stop worrying about the future so much and do something about it. You'll feel better.

If you feel like you don't have enough money to start investing, you're not alone. But guess what? You really don't need that much — and you can even get free stocks (worth up to $200!) if you know where to look.

Whether you've got $5, $100 or $800 to spare, you can start investing with Robinhood.

Yeah, you've probably heard of Robinhood. Both investing beginners and pros love it because it doesn't charge commission fees, and you can buy and sell stocks for free — no limits. Plus, it's super easy to use.

What's best? When you download the app and fund your account (it takes no more than a few minutes), Robinhood drops a share of free stock into your account. It's random, though, so that stock could be worth anywhere from $2.50 to $200 — a nice boost to help you build your investments.

6. Leave Your Family up to $1M

Here's another source of worry in the COVID-19 era: Have you thought about how your family would manage without your income after you're gone? Chances are your checking account balance won't last forever.

If you want to leave your family up to $1 million, use something called term life insurance.

We suggest a company like Bestow. Maybe you've considered this before, but thought it was only for rich or older people. But we're hearing that people are getting it for as little as $16 a month.

You can take advantage of Bestow until you're 54 years old, but the sooner you take care of this, the cheaper it could be.

You don't even need to leave your house to get a free quote from Bestow — it takes minutes. Instead of leaving your family with what's in your checking account and a bucket of worries, they'll be able to afford the life you've always wanted for them.

To sum it all up: We're big believers in self-care, and it's always a good idea to look after your mental, emotional and physical health.

Just don't neglect your financial well-being, too.

Mike Brassfield (mike@thepennyhoarder.com) is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder. He's a big believer in self-care.

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

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Best Checking Accounts November 2021

Posted: 03 Nov 2021 09:00 AM PDT

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Do you remember why you chose your current checking account?

If you got started early, your parents might have helped you open a kids' checking or savings account at their bank's branch. Or maybe you went with the credit union down the street from your work after getting your first W2 job.

Whatever the reason, location likely played a big part. Thankfully, you're no longer confined to a financial institution for a checking account because of its proximity to you — or a brick-and-mortar site altogether, for that matter.

From higher interest rates to better benefits, it pays to expand your search beyond your local bank or credit union these days. Here's how to choose the right checking account for you.

10 Best Checking Accounts for November 2021

Account	Rewards	ATM Access	Fees
Chime Spending Accounts	0.50%	37,000+ MoneyPass ATMs	None	SEE DETAILS
Varo Bank Account	Up to 3%	55,000+ Allpoint ATMs	Out-of-network ATM	SEE DETAILS
Chase Total Checking	0.01%	16,000 ATMs	Yes, but may be waived	SEE DETAILS
TD Bank Convenience Checking	0.01%	1,900 ATMs	Yes, but may be waived	SEE DETAILS
Axos Bank Essential Checking	None	Fee reimbursements	None	SEE DETAILS
Ally Interest Checking	Up to 0.25%	55,000+ Allpoint ATMs	None	SEE DETAILS
Consumers Credit Union Free Rewards	2.09%	Over 30,000 ATMs	Overdraft fees	SEE DETAILS
Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking	0.03%	Fee reimbursements	None	SEE DETAILS
Chase College checking	None	16,000 ATMs	None	SEE DETAILS
Montgomery Bank New Start Checking	None	Low fee reimbursement	None	SEE DETAILS

Chime Spending Account

Best for Digital Features

Key Features

No monthly maintenance fees
Free access to in-network ATMs
A "Pay Friends" feature to give money to friends

4.5 out of 5 Overall

Chime is an online checking account that truly embraces the digital banking space — consider that its app has over 300,000(!) five-star reviews. The company's tagline is "banking that has your back" and it aims to do that through its Early Payday function (where you get access to direct deposit funds up to two days early), fee-free overdraft services and more.

Chime Spending Account

Fees

None

APY

0.50%

ATM access

37,000+ MoneyPass ATMs

Promotions

None

Prime perk

"Pay friends" feature

See Details

Chime doesn't charge overdraft fees, monthly maintenance fees, foreign transaction fees or minimum balance fees. You can also open an easy-to-access connected savings account — it allows you to automate your savings with features like the round-up tool, which will round up your transactions to the nearest dollar and dump the change into savings. Bonus: Chime has a "Pay Friends" feature, so you don't have to mess with cash, math or other apps to split the bill.

Varo Bank Account

Best for Keeping Track of Your Accounts

Key Features

No hidden fees
Early access to your paycheck
Tool to project your cash flow

4.5 out of 5 Overall

Varo has combined traditional banking tools with modern technology to help its customers become financially healthy. Its big selling points include Varo Perks — get up to 15% cash back with in-app purchases — no hidden fees and early access to your paycheck. You can also earn up to a whopping 3.00% APY with a Varo high-yield savings account.

Varo Bank Account

Fees

Out-of-network ATM and cash deposit fees

APY

Up to 3.0%

ATM access

More than 55,000 Allpoint ATMs

Promotions

None

Prime perk

Tools to analyze cash flow

See Details

With Varo, you'll pay no monthly service fees, no minimum balance fees, no foreign transaction fees and no cash replacement fees. You'll just pay out-of-network ATM fees and cash deposit fees if you deposit cash in-store through Green Dot. Varo keeps tabs on how much you spend across all your accounts, too, so you can better analyze and project your cash flow. It also allows you to set spending caps so you have a better handle on your money.

Chase Total Checking Account

Best for Promotional Offers

Key Features

A hefty sign-on bonus for new customers
Offers online, mobile and text banking
Lots of branch locations in the U.S.

3.5 out of 5 Overall

Chase Bank is a well-known entity in the financial world, and we had to include its Total Checking Account on our list. The account comes with a $12 monthly service fee, but it'll be waived if you have monthly direct deposits of at least $500. If you don't have direct deposit, you can also have the fee waived with a minimum daily balance of $1,500 (or $5,000 across multiple Chase accounts).

Chase Total Checking Account

Fees

Yes, but may be waived

APY

0.01%

ATM access

16,000 ATMs

Promotions

Yes

Prime perk

Branches in 33 states to avoid fees

See Details

This Chase account has other fees. For example, you can use a Chase ATM for free, but you'll pay a $2.50 fee for non-Chase ATMs in the U.S. and $5 for international withdrawals — so, this account isn't the best for frequent international travelers. Thankfully, the bank has branches and ATMs in 33 states around the U.S., so you can avoid the fees if you've got one nearby.

Bonus (literally): You can get $225 when you open a new checking account. Getting it is pretty simple, too, compared with similar offers — open a new Chase Total Checking® account* with $0, and set up direct deposit within 90 days of opening. Keep your account open for at least six months, or you'll lose the bonus at closing.

TD Bank Convenience Checking Account

Best for Mobile Banking

Key Features

Free online and mobile banking
A sizeable bonus for new customers
Monthly fee that can be waived easily

3 out of 5 Overall

TD Bank is another big name on our list. All TD accounts include free online and mobile banking, including mobile check deposit. The $15 monthly fee on this account sounds hefty at first, but it's waived if you maintain a $100 minimum daily balance. However, if you tend to keep a low balance, that fee — and the account's $35 overdraft fee — could pinch your wallet.

TD Bank Convenience Checking Account

Fees

Yes, but may be waived

APY

0.01%

ATM access

1,900 ATMs

Promotions

Yes

Prime perk

Get paid for opening an account

See Details

Anyone can open an account online, but the brick-and-mortar banks (and ATMs) are mostly located along the East Coast. With a $3 fee for using an out-of-network ATM, you might want to have a physical location nearby.

The best thing about this financial institution is it'll pay you — just for opening an account. You'll get $150 when you open a TD Convenience Checking account online (note: this offer expires Nov. 30, 2021). To get your bonus, you'll have to sign up for direct deposit and receive a total of $500 or more into your new account within 60 days of opening. Should be easy to achieve if you set your main paycheck up for direct deposit.

Looking for more ways to earn free money? For a $300 bonus and an interest-yielding account, consider TD Bank's higher-tier Beyond Checking account. You must meet certain criteria (and be a new customer) to earn this bonus.

Axos Bank Essential Checking Account

Best for Online Customers

Key Features

Up to 1.25% APY on certain accounts
Requires balance of only $1
Unlimited ATM-fee reimbursement in the U.S.

4 out of 5 Overall

Axos' Essential Checking account comes with no monthly, annual or overdraft fees. An Axos representative told TPH all its checking accounts require a $100 minimum opening deposit — but, after that, you only need a minimum balance of $1. Despite the low minimum balance, this bank rewards its customers with up to 1.25% APY on their balance (though Essential Checking accounts are not eligible).

Axos Bank Essential Checking Account

Fees

None

APY

1.25%

ATM access

Unlimited domestic ATM reimbursements

Promotions

Yes

Prime perk

Online bankers valued

See Details

Axos offers a lot if you're in the market for an online-only account. On top of no fees, Axos will also reimburse you by the end of the next business day for unlimited ATM fees within the U.S.

Regarding spending abroad — per a rep via live chat, you'll pay a 1% service transaction charge on purchases made in other countries. So, even though this online bank account is flexible, it isn't ideal for international travelers.

Ally Interest Checking Account

Best for No Fee Perks

Key Features

Any Allpoint ATM in U.S. free of charge
No overdraft fees
Up to 0.25% APY

4 out of 5 Overall

With Ally's online Interest Checking account, you can take advantage of no minimum required deposit and use any Allpoint ATMs in the U.S. for free. Plus, Ally will reimburse you up to $10 for other ATM fees within the U.S. As for no fees, there's more good news: In June 2021, Ally permanently suspended overdraft fees for all accounts.

Ally Interest Checking Account

Fees

None

APY

Up to 0.25%

ATM access

More than 55,000 Allpoint ATMs

Promotions

None

Prime perk

Account accessible online or through app

See Details

With a daily balance of $15,000 or more, this Ally checking account yields 0.25% interest. Below $15,000, it's 0.10%. That tops a lot of bank accounts, but it's not as impressive as we'd expect for an account with "interest" in the name — and that balance requirement is a beast.

You can access this account online or through the Ally app, so it's an accessible choice for anyone within the U.S.

Consumers Credit Union Free Rewards

Best for High Balance Benefits

Key Features

Earn 2.09% interest
All ATM fees in the U.S. are reimbursed
Branches in IL; anyone in U.S. can bank online

3.5 out of 5 Overall

Prefer to bank at a credit union? Check out the Consumers Credit Union Free Rewards Checking Account. The interest is solid and the rewards are pretty sweet — no monthly maintenance fees, good APY, early direct deposit and more — but the requirements are a bit hefty.

Consumers Credit Union Free Rewards

Fees

Overdraft fees

APY

2.09% (but up to 4.09% for all accounts)

ATM access

Over 30,000 ATMs

Promotions

None

Prime perk

Solid interest offers

See Details

With this Consumers Credit Union account, you'll earn 2.09% interest on your balance up to $10,000. You'll also have all ATM fees reimbursed, as long as you:

Make 12 debit card purchases each month without using the PIN (as a credit transaction).
Have at least one direct deposit or ACH credit of $500 or more each month.
Enroll in e-documents.

In addition to that, you can earn 3.09% or 4.09% APY on balances up to $10,000 if you meet CCU Visa credit card spending requirements: $500 and $1,000, respectively.

All CCU branches are in Illinois, but anyone can open and manage an account online and through the mobile app.

Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking

Best for International Travelers

Key Features

Easy-to-use app
ATM-fee reimbursements around the world
No fees or minimum deposit required

3.5 out of 5 Overall

Schwab Bank is loved by international travelers. The account offers unlimited ATM fee rebates for cash withdrawals at ATMs anywhere in the world. You can manage your account online or through the Schwab app for iPhone, and make deposits through the app, so this account keeps up with jet-setters.

Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking

Fees

None

APY

0.03%

ATM access

Unlimited ATM-fee reimbursements

Promotions

None

Prime perk

Free ATM rebates worldwide

See Details

The downside? Schwab's online-only High Yield Investor Checking account must be linked to a Schwab One brokerage account. Luckily, there are no fees or minimum deposits to open either account, as long as you open them together.

Neither account comes with monthly fees or a minimum balance, but "other account fees, fund expenses and brokerage commissions may apply" to the brokerage account once you begin investing, according to the Schwab site.

The checking account offers a variable interest rate. If you want to grow your savings through Schwab, you'll want to invest through the brokerage account.

Chase College Checking Account

Best for Responsible Students

Key Features

New applicants can qualify for a bonus
Lots of branches and ATMs in the U.S.
No monthly service fee

3.5 out of 5 Overall

The Chase College Checking Account is designed with the college student in mind. For anyone ages 17 to 24 with proof of college enrollment, there is no monthly service fee. However, it does come with some hefty insufficient-funds fees and fees for using non-Chase ATMs.

Chase College Checking Account

Fees

None

APY

None

ATM access

16,000 ATMs

Promotions

Yes

Prime perk

$100 for signing up

See Details

New Chase College Checking applicants can get a $100 bonus in their account just for signing up for paperless statements and making 10 qualifying transactions within the first 60 days. Debit card transactions count, so that should be easy.

No other rewards are a part of this account, but that's typical with a student checking account. Beyond that, the account comes with the accessibility of one of the nation's largest banks, so ATMs are plentiful and online and mobile banking is available.

Montgomery Bank New Start Checking

Best for No-Frills Banking

Key Features

Low minimum deposit to open an account
No service fees or required monthly balance
Free debit card

3.5 out of 5 Overall

The Montgomery Bank New Start Checking account is what you want in a second chance banking account. No frills, but no unnecessary fees, either. All it takes is a $20 minimum deposit to open the account. While this is a no-frills account, it offers a lot of benefits for those who are looking to get back on their financial feet again.

Montgomery Bank New Start Checking

Fees

$20 to open, and then none

APY

None

ATM access

$6 ATM-fee reimbursement per cycle

Promotions

None

Prime perk

Lots of freebies

See Details

This Montgomery Bank account is loaded with freebies and other extras, such as free direct deposit, unlimited check writing and a free debit card. You can also open interest-bearing accounts with the bank if you're interested in other options.

How to Choose a Checking Account

You probably already know that you need a checking account. It serves as the primary hub for your money. It's where your paychecks land, and, from there, you use the money to pay bills, buy the stuff you need and hopefully slide some of it into a savings account.

Picking a bank account is a surprisingly personal choice. What makes an account "good" depends largely on your financial situation and goals. Checking accounts come in a lot of varieties these days, each with different features and benefits. It's up to you to do the research and find the one that will benefit you and your lifestyle the most.

But we can tell you a few things that make any account good. Here are a few important features to keep in mind:

Fees: How much will it cost you to manage your money with this account?
Rewards: What do you earn in return for using the account?
Accessibility: What are the requirements to open this account and earn the rewards?
Mobility: Can this account travel and move with you?

Types of Checking Accounts

There are a few varieties of checking accounts out there that offer different benefits. You just need to figure out which kind will work best for you. Some of your options are:

Student Checking: These accounts usually feature minimal fees and no minimum balance. They also don't offer a lot of perks. They're bare-bones accounts designed for cash-strapped students who just need the basics.
Express Checking: This is the checking account for today's digital person. If you don't like going to the bank, this could be for you. These accounts are designed for use on computers, phone apps, ATMs or by telephone. You may actually get a fee for going to a live teller. The upside is fees are minimal as long as you keep banking digitally.
Joint Checking: Need to share a checking account with a spouse or another person? A joint account lets you both put money in and take money out as needed.
Fresh Start or Second Chance Checking: If you've run into financial trouble and have had your accounts closed, it can be tough to get a new account. These accounts are designed to minimize the bank's risk, but they allow you to open a new account. If you maintain it well for an extended period of time, it may open opportunities for you to upgrade.
Rewards Checking: Rewards checking offers the highest perks, such as annual percentage yield (APY) interest on the account balance. Debit card purchases could also receive cashback bonuses or earn points for things like airline travel or gift cards. Some, however, will come with an annual fee.

Pro Tip

Check out our current list of bank promotions for a chance to gain a monetary bonus when signing up for a new bank account.

Choosing a Checking Account vs. a Savings Account

First off, don't think of it as an either-or situation. Both a checking account and a savings account are essential components of a healthy financial setup. You want to have one location for more regular, everyday expenses (checking) and one for longer-term savings and goals (savings).

You can also mix and match. For instance, you might go for an online checking account and a savings account at a local credit union. You can also have multiple checking accounts; perhaps one offers a new-member bonus for an influx of free cash, while another offers free overdraft protection for regular spending. Alternatively, when it comes to savings accounts, one might offer a higher annual percentage yield, while another offers other saving products like a money market account.

Regardless of the checking account or savings account you choose, it's a good idea to have at least one of each.

Choosing a Bank vs. a Credit Union vs. a FinTech Company for Your Checking Account

Similarly, opening a checking account, period, is generally a good move, regardless of where you do it.

Keep your own habits and preferences in mind, especially when it comes to choosing between a brick-and-mortar and online-only setup. Consider fees, from initial to ongoing, as well to make sure the account doesn't end up costing you.

Don't get hung up on too many details: When it comes to personal finance, it ultimately comes down to what works for you and your situation.

So How Do You Choose? Our Methodology

We decided to see how some of our favorite checking accounts stack up against this criteria.

We graded 10 bank and credit union accounts on the factors that we like to see in any checking account — no fees, free ATMs, good rewards, easy setup and accessibility.

If an account has a monthly fee or out-of-network ATM charges, we highlighted some more positive qualities (think: a low minimum balance requirement, interest checking account offering or a free debit card). With that said, we prioritized those checking accounts that nixed monthly maintenance fees, featured savings accounts and had no-charge or reimbursed network ATM fees.

Here are the best checking accounts we found across (online) banks, credit unions and other financial institutions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Checking Accounts

When it comes to choosing the best checking accounts, there's a lot of information out there. Here, we're answering some of the most popular questions about checking accounts.

What is a Checking Account?

A checking account is a vehicle where you hold money at a bank, credit union or other financial institution. You typically use this account to pay for everyday expenses (think a cup of coffee or UberEats purchase) or bills (like that biweekly trip to the grocery store). Depending on where you have your account, you can access your cash in person, or via an ATM or debit card.

Unlike a savings account — which you typically use for an emergency fund or other financial goal — checking accounts should be fairly accessible for regular spending. For the most part, checking accounts do not accrue interest, like traditional or high-yield savings accounts do, but there are exceptions. For instance, high-yield investor checking accounts offer an APY.

How Can I Open a Checking Account?

Every checking account — whether it's through a physical or online bank, credit union or other fintech setup — will have its own requirements. Generally, to open a checking account, you need to be at least 18 years old (though guardians can sometimes co-sign an account for a minor) and have a government ID (such as a passport or driver's license). You'll likely also need to supply contact information and possibly an opening deposit.

Which is the Best Bank to Open an Account in?

The best bank to open an account will depend on your individual needs. If you prioritize banking at a physical institution with plenty of locations where you can interact with staff in person, you might choose to go with a big-name chain. If you prefer a bank where you might qualify for higher interest rates in lieu of having access to brick-and-mortar locations, an online setup might work best for you.

Of course, you want to consider fees — no or low is ideal — and the availability of banking products, too. For example, if you're interested in personal loans or small-business resources, you'll want to keep that in mind when you search for a bank. No matter your choice, it's a good idea to evaluate it over time; if a bank ends up not being a fit, you can always move to a different one. And you should if it'll mean higher rates, lower fees and access to better service.

What is the Best Free Checking Account?

The best free checking account will vary based on your wants and needs in a banking account. You'll want to look for an account that has no (or low) fees, a free debit card and easy access to your money — whether that means an ATM, a physical branch, an app or all of the above. Bonus: look for a free checking account that also offers a new-user bonus.

Right now, Chime, Varo and Axos are overall solid free checking account options. But again, it's essential to shop around and look for a checking account that's best for your individual situation.

Is Wells Fargo or Chase Better?

Wells Fargo and Chase are well-known financial entities and each offer checking accounts, among other banking products. However, both have monthly fees — which, in some cases, you can avoid if you follow certain stipulations — too.

Depending on your needs, one account might suit you better. For instance, each bank offers online and in-person banking; so, one could be a better fit depending on branch locations in your area. Another consideration: Chase tends to offer pretty significant new-user sign-on bonuses.

Evaluate Wells Fargo's and Chase's current offerings and see which one is a good fit for you.

What Bank is Good for a Checking Account?

What makes a bank good for a checking account weighs largely on what you prioritize in both a bank and an account.

As a whole, you want to consider fees (how much does it cost you to keep your money there?), rewards (do you earn anything for banking with them?), accessibility (what are the requirements to open and keep your account open?) and mobility (are there foreign transaction fees?). Bonus points if they give out a… bonus, too, for being a new account holder.

It's worth repeating: The best checking accounts will vary person-to-person based on their wants and needs.

How is Interest Taxed on a Checking Account?

The interest you earn on a checking account is considered taxable income. So, your bank, credit union or financial institution will send you a 1099-INT form each year your account earns interest over $10.

You file this paperwork along with your yearly taxes. And don't let this income being taxed deter you from saving money; a traditional or high-yield savings account is still a worthwhile tool for your money.

The Bottom Line When it Comes to Checking Accounts

We provided a lot of things to consider when opening a checking account.

To recap, the best checking account for you will depend on what you need and want. If there's a monthly fee but no network ATM fees, that account may be worth considering. Similarly, an interest-bearing checking account may rank higher on your list than online bill pay capabilities.

Ideally, you'll find an account with no or low fees that offers easy banking options, whether you prefer in-person or mobile banking, or something else. (And hey, a cash bonus and other perks don't hurt, either.)

Remember, you don't have to stick with the same checking (and savings) accounts, either. It quite literally can pay to shop around for better offers.

Contributor Kathleen Garvin (@itskgarvin) is a personal finance writer based in St. Petersburg, Florida, and former editor and marketer at The Penny Hoarder. She owns a content-writing business and her work has appeared in U.S. News, Clark.com and Well Kept Wallet.

*Chase Fine print:

"Checking offer is not available to existing Chase checking customers, those with fiduciary accounts, or those whose accounts have been closed within 90 days or closed with a negative balance. To receive the $225 checking bonus: 1) Open a new Chase Total Checking account, which is subject to approval AND 2) Have your direct deposit made to this account within 60 days of account opening. Your direct deposit needs to be an electronic deposit of your paycheck, pension or government benefits (such as Social Security) from your employer or the government. After you have completed all the above requirements, we'll deposit the bonus in your new account within 10 business days. You can only receive one new checking account-related bonus per calendar year. Bonus is considered interest and will be reported on IRS Form 1099-INT.

"Account Closing: If your checking account is closed within six months after opening, we will deduct the bonus amount at closing."

Editorial Disclosure

This content is not provided by the bank advertiser. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of the bank advertiser. This site may be compensated through the bank advertiser Affiliate Program.

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Comparing ZipRecruiter vs. LinkedIn for Employers Seeking Workers

Posted: 03 Nov 2021 08:08 AM PDT

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There's still a worker shortage in the United States. There are millions of unfilled job openings, with businesses across the country struggling to recruit the workers they need.

Is your business looking to hire new employees — qualified candidates who are a good fit for the job?

In that case, you've no doubt considered using a popular online recruitment platform like ZipRecruiter or LinkedIn. But what's the difference between the two? Which one is best for your needs?

In this guide, we'll go in-depth and do a side-by-side comparison between these two platforms — how they work, what they cost and what audiences they're aimed at.

Let's start with an overview of each:

ZipRecruiter: Post a Job on Multiple Job Boards

ZipRecruiter is useful if you need a job opening to be posted widely so you can hire someone quickly. ZipRecruiter isn't a job board itself. Instead, it's a marketplace that allows employers to post a job opening to multiple online job boards at the same time.

ZipRecruiter uses artificial intelligence to decide where to post your job vacancies, and it uses its matching technology to analyze millions of data points to find the best potential matches for your job.

ZipRecruiter for Employers

It's free for employers to try for four days. After that, there are various packages you can buy, depending on your needs. ZipRecruiter offers three different monthly plans, based on how many jobs you want to advertise.

You can pay extra for sponsored posts to give your job postings premium placement on job sites. There's also a "traffic boost" option that allows you to send out job postings via email, attracting more applicants. You can also sort through resumes on your ZipRecruiter dashboard.

Once you post jobs, ZipRecruiter's AI can promote your listings and send job alerts to candidates who are more likely to be interested and qualified. The AI tools can also help you right-size your recruitment efforts to keep your spending efficient and on budget.

The platform can also help you keep track of applicants, and it'll help you integrate your current applicant tracking system into its platform.

ZipRecruiter for Job Seekers

The site is free for job seekers. You can search for job posts based on factors like desired salary, location or various keywords.

You can post a profile on the site that potential employers can see. You can post your resume, references, social network handles or a profile picture, among other things.

LinkedIn: the Ultimate Networking Site

LinkedIn is the biggest professional networking site in the world, with more than 750 million members in 200 countries.

LinkedIn for Employers

LinkedIn can help employers connect with qualified candidates, especially for white-collar positions. Those professionals are the ones who mostly use the networking site.

You can pay to use "LinkedIn Recruiter," which is typically used by larger companies; or "LinkedIn Recruiter Lite," which is for smaller companies. With LinkedIn Recruiter, you can create an unlimited number of job postings.

You can create a job posting for free using a service called LinkedIn Jobs, but know that LinkedIn uses a pay per click model to promote your job vacancies.

LinkedIn for Job Seekers

Once you create an account on this networking platform, you build a profile and link yourself to other professionals you've worked with or who you know. Networking is a good way to look for a job, and LinkedIn says roughly half of hires on the site result from a personal connection.

Looking for a job posting? You can look on the LinkedIn Jobs page to get recommendations for job listings that might appeal to you.

LinkedIn is free for job seekers, although LinkedIn Premium costs $29.99 to $59.99 per month for job seekers. With those plans, you get more tools to help your profile stand out, you get the ability to message LinkedIn members you're not connected to, and you get more information on the people who are viewing your professional profile.

ZipRecruiter vs. LinkedIn: Pros and Cons

Each of these popular recruitment platforms have their pluses and minuses, depending on what you're looking for.

ZipRecruiter's Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Artificial intelligence helps you scale your recruiting efforts	Free trial only lasts four days
Can reach more than 100 job boards	No ability to post a company page
Has customizable job description templates for employers to use	Can be more expensive than other options

LinkedIn's Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Offers a vast networking platform	Can be confusing whether to sign up for LinkedIn Recruiter, LinkedIn Recruiter Lite, LinkedIn Premium or LinkedIn Jobs
Offers a manageable pay per click model to promote job listings	Not all prices are posted online

ZipRecruiter vs. LinkedIn: Applicant Tracking

Does your company use an applicant tracking system like Bullhorn, ClearCompany or Greenhouse? Both ZipRecruiter and LinkedIn work seamlessly with dozens of third-party applicant tracking systems.

Using ATS integration, these online platforms can help ensure that your job posts are up-to-date, eliminating friction for job applicants and making the interview process more efficient.

Both ZipRecruiter and LinkedIn's ATS integration can also generate valuable data for employers, from monitoring job posting quality to helping you tap into a resume database. The analytics can show you how well candidates respond to your job alerts or job ads and help you uncover ways to improve them.

ZipRecruiter vs. LinkedIn: What It Costs

This is the most challenging part for job posters like you to grapple with, because there are so many different pricing options, and not all the prices are posted online. In some cases, you'll need to ask each company's sales department for a quote.

Free options are few. Both recruiting platforms offer free trials: ZipRecruiter lets you post jobs for free for four days. LinkedIn offers a one-month free trial for its "Recruiter Lite" option.

ZipRecruiter's Pricing

ZipRecruiter has three monthly plans — Standard, Premium and Pro. Prices are based on how many jobs you need to post and how many job boards or job sites you want your job opportunities to be posted on. Prices start as low as $16 per day for one reusable job post.

"First we work with you to understand your specific hiring goals, strategy and budget," ZipRecruiter says on its website. "From there, we customize your campaign based on the number of jobs you have, the type of jobs you need to fill, the location, and industry. Plans can be tailored for a monthly subscription or pay-for-performance depending on your hiring goals."

LinkedIn's Pricing

On LinkedIn, you can post one job at a time for free. Free job posts appear in search results on LinkedIn, and they allow you to filter and manage job applicants. But they become less visible in search results over time to give newer job postings the opportunity to be seen by job seekers. Once your job posting gets 75 applicants, it gets removed from search results.

You have to reach out to LinkedIn to get a price quote for LinkedIn Recruiter, which is typically used by larger companies, and which allows you to create an unlimited number of job postings. However, a slimmed-down version called LinkedIn Recruiter Lite costs $119 per month, or $99.95 per month if you sign up for a year.

LinkedIn also has a service called LinkedIn Jobs, where you can post a job for free and then pay per click to promote it.

ZipRecruiter vs. LinkedIn: You've Reached Customer Support

With ZipRecruiter, you can reach customer service via the phone, live chat or email. The website also has a thorough FAQ as well as "how to" guides.

You can contact LinkedIn via live chat support, but not on the phone. The website has a help center where you find "how to" guides or submit a query.

ZipRecruiter vs. LinkedIn: Resume Search

Want to do a resume search? ZipRecruiter has a vast resume bank and provides unlimited resume searches for clients who purchase one of its premium plans. If you've purchased the cheapest plan, you'll have to buy resume searches.

LinkedIn doesn't have a huge resume database like ZipRecruiter. But on LinkedIn, you can use the site's search tools to look through users' profiles and find potential job candidates.

ZipRecruiter vs. LinkedIn: The Bottom Line

If you're an employer looking for an effective place to post jobs, these are two solid options.

LinkedIn allows you to contact potential candidates who fit your needs, so you can encourage them to apply. It also allows you access to a vast network of professionals.

However, ZipRecruiter offers you the ability to get your job posting out to more than 100 job sites. Also, hiring managers and HR directors can take advantage of how ZipRecruiter's AI streamlines the process of creating job postings, reaching qualified talent and tracking candidates.

Either choice can find you the employees you need.

Mike Brassfield (mike@thepennyhoarder.com) is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.

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Dear Penny: Can I Refuse to Inherit My Mom's Dump of a Property?

Posted: 03 Nov 2021 07:00 AM PDT

Dear Penny,

My siblings and I are being bequeathed our family home in my mom's will when she passes. My siblings currently live in apartments on the property. They are several years in arrears for rent they owe and do not maintain the property.

I have clearly stated for several years that I do not want to be a part of the shared property due to what I've witnessed over the years and the resulting personal and financial exposure that comes with it. Unfortunately, my mom didn't remove my name. She now has a cognitive impairment that prevents her from doing so.

Is there a way of removing my name from the asset and/or limiting the potential financial and personal liability that comes with it?

-D.

Dear D.,

You can't get your name out of your mother's will, but you'll be able to disclaim your inheritance when your mother dies. By doing so, you're simply refusing to accept your stake in the property that she bequeathed to you.

Disclaiming an inheritance isn't that unusual. People choose to do so for a host of reasons: They're buried in debt and they don't want creditors to seize the asset, or they're worried that the asset could make it harder for them to qualify for college financial aid, Medicaid or other benefits. Wealthy people sometimes disclaim an inheritance to reduce the size of their taxable estate.

Not wanting to own a poorly maintained property with potentially hairy family issues is as good a reason as any. In fact, you don't need to provide any reason for disclaiming.

There's really nothing for you to do right now since your mother is still living and unable to revise her will. You've been clear about the fact that you don't want this property, but if you do decide to disclaim it, you may want to communicate that plan to your siblings. That way, at least they'll know upfront that they'll be on their own for taxes and long-deferred maintenance. They can also plan accordingly in case inheriting a larger share than they expected jeopardizes any assistance they receive.

When your mom dies, you'll have to disclaim the property in writing within nine months. You'll need to provide a copy of the disclaimer to the executor of your mother's estate and the IRS, as well as file a copy at the courthouse in the county where your mother is living at the time of her death.

Once you've disclaimed the property, you won't be able to direct what happens to your share. It's important to note that disclaiming an inheritance is irrevocable, meaning that you can't change your mind later on. That doesn't sound like an issue since it's pretty clear you know this is the right decision.

Because the rules can get complex, I'd suggest consulting with an estate planning attorney when your mother dies. You want to make sure everything is handled appropriately so that you can be confident you're in no way liable for the property.

Inheritances can be the source of major family tension. Fortunately, it sounds like you can avoid any drama by walking away from your stake.

Robin Hartill is a certified financial planner and a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder. Send your tricky money questions to AskPenny@thepennyhoarder.com or chat with her in The Penny Hoarder Community.

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100+ Birthday Freebies — Celebrate With Free Stuff!

Posted: 03 Nov 2021 05:00 AM PDT

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103 Places to Get Birthday Freebies
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Clothes & Shoes
Beauty & Jewelry
Miscellaneous

Hooray! It's your birthday!

The last thing you should do is pay for stuff. So we've put together a list of 100 places where you can get birthday freebies, updated for 2021.

Most of these places require you to sign up for their email list or join their rewards club at least seven days before your birthday.

So get busy now and enjoy the free birthday stuff as it rolls in on your big day.

103 Places to Get Birthday Freebies

These restaurants and retailers will provide you with free treats for your birthday. Be sure to sign up in advance.

Food & Drink

1. A&W All American Food

Get a free root beer float on your birthday by joining the Mug Club.

2. ABC Liquor

3. Abuelo's

When you join the Mi Abuelo's Rewards program, you'll receive "special offers" on your birthday. You'll also receive a special offer upon joining.

4. Acapulco

Sign up for the Acapulco eClub and get a free entree on your birthday. Plus, you'll get a free appetizer with the purchase of an entree just for signing up.

5. Applebee's

Sign up for the email club, and get $5 off when you spend at least $25. You'll also get a free dessert on your birthday when you spend $15.

The exterior of an Arby's fast food restaurant.

6. Arby's

Sign up for Arby's emails and get a free small milkshake and curly fries on your birthday when you buy any sandwich. You'll also get 50% off the sandwich or wrap of your choice when you sign up.

7. Au Bon Pain

Join the Eclub, and get a free coffee and pastry on your birthday. You'll also get a travel mug just for signing up.

8. Auntie Anne's

Download the Pretzel Perks app, and get a free pretzel on your birthday.

9. Baja Fresh

10. Baskin Robbins

Create an account, join the Birthday Club, and get a free scoop of ice cream on your birthday.

11. bd's Mongolian Grill

Get a free meal on your birthday when you join the bd's Rewards eClub, plus get a $5 coupon just for signing up.

12. Benihana's

13. Big Boy

Joining the I Love Big Boy email club gets you a free meal on your birthday.

14. BJ's Brewhouse

Join Premier Rewards Plus and get a free Pizookie for your birthday. What's that? It's a big, warm cookie smothered in ice cream… yum. What's even better is you don't have to wait for your birthday – you'll also get a free Pizookie just for signing up.

15. Black Angus Steakhouse

Join the Prime Club to get a free steak dinner on your first birthday as a member.

16. Bojangles

Get a free Bo-Berry Biscuit with a purchase on your birthday as a member of the Bojangles' eClub.

17. Bruegger's Bagels

Members of the Bruegger's Bagels Inner Circle will enjoy a free bagel and cream cheese on their birthday, and another free bagel and cream cheese just for signing up.

18. Buca di Beppo

You'll receive a free pasta after signing up, as well as a $20 birthday gift for joining the eClub.

The sign of Buffalo Wild Wings is photographed.

19. Buffalo Wild Wings

20. Carvel

Join Fudgie Fanatics to receive a free treat for your birthday. You can get a small soft serve birthday cone, take $2 off any cake (except for a small square) or take $3 off any sheet cake.

21. Chevys Fresh Mex

Members of the eClub get a free entree on their birthday, as well as a free appetizer for signing up.

22. Chick-fil-A

Join Chick-fil-A One to get a "birthday reward."

23. Chili's

Get a free dessert for your birthday when you join My Chili's Rewards Club. Plus, as long as you spend $5, you get free chips and salsa or a non-alcoholic beverage with every visit!

24. Chipotle

Join the Chipotle rewards program to get free chips and guacamole on your birthday when you make a purchase of $5 or more. When you sign up and make your first purchase, you'll also get free chips and a choice of guacamole, queso blanco or salsa.

25. Cinnabon

Subscribe to Club Cinnabon to get a free iced coffee on your birthday and a free order of BonBites for signing up.

26. Cold Stone Creamery

Get a BOGO coupon for your birthday by signing up for the My Cold Stone Club. You'll also get a BOGO coupon just for signing up!

27. Culver's

Enjoy a free sundae on your birthday when you sign up for MyCulver's. You'll also get a BOGO value basket when you sign up.

28. Del Taco

If you join Del Yeah! Rewards, you can enjoy a regular-size premium shake for your birthday. If you've racked up more than 1,500 points, you'll get your choice of a shake or any dessert — except for Caramel Cheesecake Bites.

Plus you'll get two free The Del tacos when you sign up.

29. Denny's

Sign up for Denny's Rewards program online or via the mobile app. You'll get 20% off your next visit, plus during your birthday month you'll get your choice of a free dessert or a free Birthday Slam, which includes pancakes, eggs and your choice of bacon or sausage.

30. Dippin' Dots

Get free Dippin' Dots for your birthday when you join the Dot Crazy! Email Club.

31. Dunkin' Donuts

Get a free beverage on your birthday by signing up for the DD Perks Rewards Program.

32. Edible Arrangements

Join Edible Rewards and receive a free 12-count chocolate dipped fruit box (valued at $29.99) during your birthday month as long as you've spent at least $29.99 in the past calendar year. You'll also get a $5 coupon for signing up (valid for 30 days).

33. Einstein Bros. Bagels

Get a free egg sandwich with a purchase on your birthday when you join the Shmear Society — not totally free, but hey, you'll need something to help wash that sandwich down. You'll have 14 days to claim your reward.

34. Famous Dave's

Join the Famous Nation and get a free dessert with a value of up to $9.00 for your birthday.

35. Firehouse Subs

36. First Watch

Get a BOGO breakfast, brunch or lunch for your birthday as a member of the Sun EClub.

37. Friendly's

When you become a BFF Club member, you'll receive a free birthday sundae.

38. Godiva

As a member of the Godiva Rewards Club, you'll get a free birthday chocolate offer every year.

39. Habit Burger Grill

Be sure to join Habit Burger Grill's CharClub to enjoy a free Charburger on your birthday.

40. Hooters

Get 10 free boneless birthday wings when you sign up for Hootclub. You'll also get a free appetizer of $8.99 or less when you sign up — and after every eighth visit..

41. Houlihan's Restaurant and Bar

Email club members get a free birthday entree, plus $10 off just for joining.

42. IHOP

Sign up for MyHop and get free pancakes on your birthday. You'll also get free pancakes on the anniversary of your sign-up.

A woman smiles as she holds up a drink and a sub she got for free from Jersey Mike's Subs.

43. Jersey Mike's Subs

Get a free birthday sub when you sign up for the email club.

44. Krispy Kreme

Krispy Kreme Rewards members receive a free Original Glazed Dozen. You'll also get a free doughnut when you sign up.

45. Longhorn Steakhouse

As a member of the Longhorn Steakhouse's eClub, you'll get "special offers and coupons" on your birthday. You'll also get a free appetizer with the purchase of an entree when you sign up.

46. Marie Callender's

Join the eClub, and get $5 off the purchase of two entrees, plus two free slices of pie. You'll also get a special dine-in offer for signing up. The company also sends special offers for your wedding anniversary and allows you to add family members so they can get birthday rewards.

47. Moe's Southwest Grill

48. Nothing Bundt Cakes

Join the Nothing Bundt Cakes eClub and get a free Bundtlet on your birthday.

49. Olive Garden

Get a complimentary dessert on your birthday. No signup necessary..

50. On the Border

Join Border Rewardsand get a 'special surprise' on your birthday. Plus, when you sign up, you'll get a free dessert with the purchase of an entree.

51. Pei Wei

Sign up for My Wei Rewards and choose from these birthday freebies: crab wontons, traditional edamame, vegetable spring rolls or pork egg roll. The reward will automatically appear in your app seven days prior to your birthday.

52. Perkins

Members of the MyPerkins Club receive a "special gift" on their birthdays. Plus you'll get a 20% off coupon for signing up. You will also be able to add your children ages 12 and under so they can get birthday rewards, too.

53. Pinkberry

54. Pita Pit

55. Pizza Hut

Join the Hut Rewards program to get a "birthday reward."

56. Planet Smoothie

Join the Planet Smoothie Club and receive a free smoothie for your birthday.

57. Red Lobster

Enjoy a "birthday reward" when you sign up for the My Red Lobster Rewards program.

58. Red Robin

59. Rita's

Get a free Italian ice on your birthday when you download Rita's Ice App.

60. Romano's Macaroni Grill

61. Ruby Tuesday

As a member of So Connected, you'll get a choice of a free burger or a free garden bar entree on your birthday. You'll also get a $5 off coupon for signing up.

62. Sbarro

Become a member of the Slice Society to get a birthday surprise. You'll also get a free New York slice when you buy a beverage after signing up.

Lots of places let you eat free on your birthday, but kids eat free all year at places around the country.

63. Sonny's BBQ

Get a free Big Deal Combo meal on your big day by joining the 'Q Crew, plus a $5 coupon just for joining.

64. Sprinkles

Receive a free cupcake (make that a baker's dozen if you're a Red Velvet tier member) for your birthday when you join Sprinkles Perks.

Robin Hartill, an editor at The Penny Hoarder, sips an iced coffee she got for free on her birthday at Starbucks in Saint Petersburg, Fla.

65. Starbucks

Get a birthday beverage or food item as a member of Starbucks Rewards.

66. Subway

Sign up for the Subway MyWay Rewards program and the sandwich-making company will give you "something special" on your birthday.

67. TCBY

Sign up for TCBY emails, and receive your first 3 ounces free on your birthday — as long as you've spent $100 at TCBY over the past year.

68. Texas Roadhouse

69. The Melting Pot

Members of Club Fondue will get a "birthday voucher."

70. The Spaghetti Warehouse

Join the Warehouse Club, and get a free meal on your birthday, plus a free appetizer with an entree purchase for becoming a member of the club.

71. Tijuana Flats

Become a Flathead and receive a free dessert for your birthday. You'll also get a free Tijuana Trio when you sign up.

72. Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Download the Tropical Smoothie Cafe app to be eligible for a birthday reward. What you get depends on your loyalty tier, but it ranges from a $2 reward to a free menu item.

73. Uno Pizzeria & Grill

Join the Uno Extras program, and receive a birthday coupon, as well as a free individual pizza.

74. Waffle House

Make sure you're a member of the Waffle House Regulars Club to receive a free waffle on your birthday. You'll also get free hashbrowns when you sign up. Additionally, Regulars receive an Anniversary Bacon Coupon, seasonal coupons, and other offers throughout the year.

75. Wienerschnitzel

Join the Wiener Lovers' Club, and get a "free food" each year on your birthday, plus a free chili dog for joining.

76. Zaxby's

Entertainment

77. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

Join Alamo Drafthouse Cinema's Victory program and get a free movie ticket on your birthday every year. If you visit Alamo Drafthouse Cinema more than 50 times per year, you'll get two free tickets for your birthday.

78. AMC Theatres

Become an AMC Stubs Insider to get a free large popcorn during your birthday month. If you're a Premiere or A-List member, you'll also get a free large fountain drink.

People wait outside Best Buy on Black Friday.

79. Best Buy

My Best Buy members get a "birthday gift."

80. Harkins Theatres

81. Hard Rock

82. Redbox

Sign up for Redbox Perks and receive a free birthday rental (it must be used within 60 days). If you have made 50 purchases or rentals, you'll get two free birthday rentals.You'll also get a free one-night rental for signing up (that offer is valid for two weeks).

Clothes & Shoes

83. Anthropologie

As a member of the Anthro Loyalty program, you will get a "special treat to celebrate your birthday."

84. Banana Republic

When you sign up to receive Banana Republic's emails, you can opt to also get a "birthday gift."

85. Columbia

Members of the Greater Rewards program get a "birthday gift" in addition to a welcome gift from the sportswear and outdoor gear retailer.

Penny Hoarder senior writer Robin Hartill knows how to score the freebies on her birthday. Check out her haul.

86. Designer Shoe Warehouse (DSW)

Join the free DSW VIP Club to get a $5 birthday reward. You'll also get $5 on your birthday if you spend $200 annually as a VIP Gold member, and you'll get $10 if you spend $500 annually as a VIP Elite member.

87. Famous Footwear

Famously You Rewards members get a $5 birthday cash reward. You'll also earn double points on all of your purchases during your birthday month.

88. JCPenney

Receive a birthday gift when you sign up for JCPenney Rewards. If you are not a JCPenney credit card member, you must have earned points within the last 12 months. If you are a credit card member, you must have made a purchase with your JCPenney Credit Card within the past 12 months.

89. Kohl's

Members of the Kohl's Rewards program get a "special birthday gift."

90. Old Navy

When you join Navyist Rewards, you're eligible for one free "birthday surprise."

91. Torrid

92. Uniqlo

Download the Uniqlo app to get a birthday coupon during your birthday month.

Beauty & Jewelry

93. Aveda

You need to pay $10 to join Aveda's loyalty rewards program, but you'll receive a birthday gift valued at $23, as well as double points for your next Aveda purchase.

94. bareMinerals

95. Kendra Scott

Kendra Scott offers a 50% birthday discount on one fashion jewelry or color bar item. It also offers a 25% discount on fine jewelry, sterling silver jewelry or gold vermeil jewelry. You can also get 25% off a home goods item. Find out more information here.

96. Pandora

Members of the Pandora Club get a 15% discount during their birthday month. This offer can only be used one time and is valid on regular-priced jewelry only.

97. Sephora

Beauty Insiders are eligible to choose a free makeup or skin care gift for their birthday.

98. Ulta Beauty

As an Ultamate Rewards member, you'll get a free gift. If you've spent enough money to be a Platinum ($500) or Diamond ($1,200) member, you get an additional bonus gift.

During your birthday month, you'll earn double points on all of your purchases.

Miscellaneous

99. Ace Hardware

Ace Rewards members get $5 off for their birthday at participating locations. If you've spent $750 at Ace Hardware over a 12-month period, your birthday rewards get bumped up to $10 off, regardless of location.

100. Container Store

Join the POP! (Perfectly Organized Perks) program to get a birthday gift.

The exterior of a CVS is photographed in Florida.

101. CVS Pharmacy

As a member of the ExtraCare program, you'll get a free, $3 Extrabucks reward on your birthday, as well as 2% back every time you shop.

102. Swagbucks

As a birthday reward, "you'll receive a Swag Up for a 55 SB credit when you redeem your next gift card."

103. World Market

Members of World Market Rewards get a "surprise offer" on their birthday, plus a 15% coupon for signing up.

The Penny Hoarder Staff

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Wednesday, November 3, 2021