The Penny Hoarder |
- 3 Phone Games That Could Earn You $83 Every Time You Play
- Is Your Data Secure in a Period-Tracking App?
- How to Become a Recruiter
- The 5 Best Free & Paid Budgeting Apps Including Mint, YNAB
- 32 Money Saving Hacks to Beat Inflation in a Downturn
- 17 Best Bank Promotions, Bonuses and Offers — July 2022
- Inflation Is Killing Us. Here Are 8 Ways to Make Quick Money
- Investing in a Recession: How to Prepare for a Downtown
- Earn Extra Money by Joining Online Focus Groups
- 16 Scholarships for Adults Returning to College
- Tampon Alternatives to Get You Through the Shortage
| 3 Phone Games That Could Earn You $83 Every Time You Play Posted: 28 Jun 2022 12:50 PM PDT Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners. So many of the usual ways you can win money require pure luck. We're looking at you, scratch-offs and lottery tickets. But luck is unreliable — we prefer to use skill. And we've found three great iPhone games that let you put your skills to the test for a shot at winning $83 every time you play — plus chances to bag much more. No pressure. You can play casually for free and competitively when you've developed a winning strategy. Either way, you don't have to worry about spammy ads disrupting the experience. See if you can win your first prize pool in these strategy games on both iPhone and Android phones. With some practice and a bit of luck, you can join the growing ranks of players who've won tens of thousands — even hundreds of thousands of dollars — from the larger prize pools. 1. Solitaire CashWho hasn't played Solitaire on their phone, computer or with real cards on their coffee table at home? There's a free iPhone app called Solitaire Cash that lets you play for real money. You could get paid up to $83 per win. You might be thinking: There's got to be a catch. This is definitely one of those spammy apps, right? Wrong. There really isn't a catch. Sure, you can pay to play in some higher-stakes tournaments, but there's no pressure. And, in fact, there aren't even any annoying ads. With each game, you'll battle it out against at least five other players. Everyone gets the same deck, so winning is totally a matter of skill. The top three players who solve the deck fastest can win real money — anywhere from $1 to $83. To get started, just download the free app and start playing your first game immediately. App Store Rating: Over on the App Store, Solitaire Cash has over a million downloads and more than 128,000 ratings, averaging 4.7 stars out of 5. To get started, just download the free app and start playing your first game immediately. 2. Bubble CashBubble Cash is a free iPhone app based on a classic bubble-shooter format that lets you play for real money. You could get paid up to $83 per win. You'll battle it out against other players within your skill level to see who can clear the board fastest. Everyone gets the same layout, so winning is totally a matter of skill. The top three players who clear their board fastest can win real money — anywhere from $1 to $83. This isn't a mindless shooter. It's more of a fast-paced puzzle game, in which you'll need to put a little thought into each shot you take. Line up your shot, match the colors, anticipate your next move and then blast away. If you're playing for free, your winnings could be in virtual currency, or up to $83 in real cash, if you're playing competitive matches. Winners can even get invited to championship matches to set their bubble-shooter sights on winning much more money. To get started, just download the free app and start playing your first game immediately. App Store Rating: Bubble Cash has more than 53,000 ratings on the App Store, averaging 4.6 stars out of 5. To get started, just download the free app and start playing your first game immediately. 3. Bingo CashHow can you make bingo more fun? You do it by adding strategy. Bingo Cash expands on the classic formula to include strategy, rather than relying on the pure luck of pulling the winning card at the beginning of a match. You don't just earn points by marking squares when they're called — the faster you mark a square, the more points you'll earn. As the game progresses, players earn power-ups that they can use when they feel the time's right. These powerups let you mark an additional square, double the points of one of your scores or buy more time to mark a space. Don't worry. Bingo Cash won't throw you to the wolves. The game has a matchmaking system so you'll go up against players of similar rank. The top three players in a game can win real money — anywhere from $1 to $83. Like the other games mentioned here, you can play either casually or competitively for real cash. App Store Rating: Bingo Cash has an exceptional rating of 4.7 stars out of 5, the average from over 18,000 reviews. Join the Fun and Win Real Money So far, players have won more than $1.5 million playing Solitaire Cash, Bubble Cash and Bingo Cash. You can cash out your winnings via PayPal or Apple Pay. And there are no ads to annoy you during the game, even if you opt to play for free. It's easy to get started. Download Solitaire Cash, Bubble Cash and Bingo Cash free on the iOS App Store. Solitaire Cash not available in AZ, AR, IN, IA, LA, ME, MD, SC, MT, SD Bubble Cash not available in AZ, AR ,IA, LA, MD, SC Bingo Cash not available in AZ, AR, IA, LA, DE, SC 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. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Is Your Data Secure in a Period-Tracking App? Posted: 28 Jun 2022 11:00 AM PDT The U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade last week has reignited the conversation about privacy within period-tracking apps. With abortion now outlawed or restricted in many states, privacy experts are cautioning that data entered into period-tracking apps could be used against a user who had or considered having an abortion. That data could be vulnerable to a subpoena in a criminal case or even sold to a third party — like an activist group on either side — that's interested in that type of information. Any information stored digitally could also be exposed in a data breach. There are ways to better protect your data in a health app — like using a paid app that only stores information on your device — but there isn't a 100% risk-free option to track periods in an app. You'll have to weigh the potential security risks against convenience for yourself. Should You Quit Using a Period-Tracking App?So what should you do right now? Here are some options to protect your info:
Your Data Has Already Been SharedThere have already been examples of period-tracking apps choosing to share personal health data with third parties. Flo — a women's health app with more than 100 million users — shared sensitive information with Facebook, Google and other platforms until the practice was outed in 2019. Flo reached a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission last year over misleading users that data would be kept private. Flo no longer shares your personal data and has announced plans to launch an "anonymous mode" for increased identity protection. There's a history of data sharing in less specific health apps, too. A 2019 study published in The BMJ medical journal found that 79% of health apps shared data from their users outside of the app. "Sharing of user data is routine, yet far from transparent," researchers concluded. Many health and fitness apps — from Apple Health to Fitbit to Garmin Connect — offer the ability to track periods, so keep those apps in mind when evaluating your security. HIPAA Won't Protect YouUnlike what you share with a medical provider, period-tracking apps are not bound by HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), which protects your health information. Health care providers and your health insurance company do have to keep your medical records and anything you tell them private. All this means that any information in a health or period-tracking app isn't protected under HIPAA and could be disclosed without your consent or knowledge, depending on privacy policies. Beyond apps sharing your information for their own use, the major concern is that your data could be subpoenaed in an investigation or court case or purchased by a third party. Where Your Data Is Kept MattersHow your data is stored in a health or period-tracking app and the app's privacy policy are important. You don't own health data stored in the cloud by a period-tracking app. The company owns that information and can be subpoenaed to release it to a court. The bar is lower for a subpoena than a warrant, which means your data is less secure. Your information could also be at risk if the company has a data breach. However, you do own data that is only stored locally on your device. A search warrant would be required to obtain that information, offering more protection for your period-tracking data. Be sure to read through the app's disclosures about data and privacy before just clicking that you agree and review any policies that you've already consented to. What you find may influence your decision to use or quit the app. Michael Archambault is a senior writer with The Penny Hoarder specializing in technology. Johna Strickland is a senior editor with The Penny Hoarder. This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 28 Jun 2022 09:00 AM PDT As remote work becomes more and more of a thing, recruiters are increasingly vital to remote-leaning companies. If you think of yourself as a "people person" drawn to the HR world, then becoming a recruiter might be a good, rewarding career fit for you. Yes, these are the people who write the job descriptions and post the jobs, but there's a lot more to recruiting than that. "You are essentially the gatekeeper of culture," says Ariel Chan, a former recruiter for ClearLink, a media company based in Salt Lake City, Utah, and owner of The Penny Hoarder. "So it's extremely important that you're vetting them properly because it could make or break their whole team structure or their team culture." If that sounds interesting to you, the good news is that there's not necessarily one right way to become a recruiter. Finding the right balance between experience and personality will help you find your way into this career path. So what should you think about if you want to become a recruiter? Here are a few ideas to get you started. What Is a Recruiter?Recruiters work in the human resources department and help hiring managers fill new and vacant roles. They're responsible for finding qualified candidates, conducting initial interviews, creating and posting job descriptions, extending job offers, and more. HR recruiters may also be referred to as talent acquisition specialists, recruitment coordinators, corporate recruiters, hiring specialists, HR generalists and other titles. What Do Recruiters Do?A recruiter is like a matchmaker for a company. They know what the hiring manager is looking for and they do everything they can to find that perfect fit. They talk with potential applicants, but they are also adept at networking with peers and other recruiters to find candidates by word of mouth. What Is a Typical Day for a Recruiter?Recruiters handle many different duties during a typical day, everything from conducting phone interviews to coordinating with hiring managers. "I want to stay on top of what new resumes are coming in, so I do dedicate a chunk of time in the morning to reviewing resumes, seeing if there's anything interesting," says Chan. "If there's something interesting, I'll request phone interviews. The rest of the day is filled with phone interviews or meetings with hiring managers." Recruiters also schedule interviews, review resumes, meet with hiring managers, research candidates, update job descriptions, post jobs, talk with candidates and more. Because of all the time you'll spend interacting with candidates and hiring managers via Zoom, on the phone or in person, you should be comfortable with your communication skills. It doesn't hurt to be an extrovert, but plenty of introverts work as professional recruiters as well. According to Glassdoor, where users self-report salary data, early-career recruiters earn about $41,000 a year, and experienced recruiters can earn up to $73,000. The average pay is $52,000. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated the annual median wage at just above $63,000 in 2020, with a 10% growth in demand for this occupation over the next decade. After all those meetings, initial phone screens, and chats with hiring managers, perhaps the best part of being a recruiter? Making job offers! How to Become a RecruiterThere isn't just one path to this promising career. Here's a quick overview before we go into more detail:
Focus on an Educational Track that Builds Recruiting SkillsRecruiting is all about interpersonal and communication skills, so consider a bachelor's degree program that helps with those areas. After reviewing the profiles of more than 100,000 recruiters, LinkedIn found the most common bachelor's degrees were:
LinkedIn also noted that, in some cases, a bachelor's degree isn't as important as it used to be. "I don't think it's necessarily the type of bachelor's degree," Chan says. "It's about personality, work ethic and communication skills. If you communicate well with your potential candidates, as well as your hiring managers — that's the most important thing in being a successful recruiter." Your safest bet is to earn a bachelor's degree that's geared toward working with others. Then get as much experience in those fields as you can while in school, whether that's through job shadowing, an internship, a part-time job and so on. Keep Your Sales Skills SharpWith little experience, you might not be able to jump right into a recruiting role out of college. One great alternative? Sales. Sales and recruiting are essentially two sides of the same coin. As a professional recruiter, you're selling your company and a position to potential candidates. Both jobs use many of the same interpersonal skills. Good salespeople get to know the other person and how their products or services could help them. A good recruiter might approach an applicant about one specific job early in the recruitment process. Then after talking with them and reviewing their skills and qualifications, the recruiter recommend that person for another job opening within the company. Seasoned salespeople who are looking for a change may do well to consider the possibilities of a recruiting career. Know the Types of Recruiting JobsRecruiting positions are as varied as the industries recruiters work in. Recruiters are out there every day looking for people to fill sales, management, IT, pharmaceutical, legal positions and much more. Corporate recruiters work in almost every industry. If you have an idea what field you would eventually like to recruit in, you might want to look for temporary work in those fields while in college or during your free time. The more experience and familiarity you have with IT, the more likely you are to land a role as an IT recruiter. But if you can't get that perfect role right away, don't lose heart. It's never a bad idea to take whatever recruiting role you can get while you build the experience to land that ideal position. Like other careers, the dream job in recruiting doesn't happen overnight. Finding Success as a RecruiterHere are some expectations to have and ways to keep advancing in the field. Stay ConnectedWhether you're an introvert or extrovert, staying connected on social media, online networking, and recruiting services is incredibly valuable as a recruiter. You'll need to master platforms such as Indeed, ZipRecruiter and LinkedIn. They'll be incredibly useful, helping you connect to other recruiters, potential candidates and other companies, and stay on top of ongoing trends in your industry. "LinkedIn has something that's specific for recruiters who are searching for people, and it allows you to filter and search pretty much anyone who has a LinkedIn profile that is willing to be found," says Chan. "We actually do find a lot of people through LinkedIn Recruiter, especially some very niche roles that aren't easy to come by." When you need to fill positions, these contacts will be a great lifeline. They may know someone who is a great fit and may have even interviewed them, which would already give you a head start on what you need to know. "With other recruiters, we do things like candidate sharing pretty often," Chan adds. "I have colleagues that have moved on to other companies as well, and we're constantly thinking of each other. So that sort of connection is pretty important as a recruiter." Another great way to stay connected is through job fairs and networking events. Once you're in the recruiting industry, make sure you are always looking out for those types of social events to build your network. Keep LearningOnce you've landed that first recruiting job, make sure you are always looking for new opportunities to learn. SHRM and HRCI offer recruiting certifications that will help you build your resume and learn some of the hard skills associated with recruiting. Think about joining a professional recruiters association like the American Staffing Association or the Top Echelon Recruiting Network. These organizations will help you connect with other recruiters to network, learn, and strengthen your recruitment and hiring process. Take the opportunity to also develop your skills with recruiting software. Learning how to use these platforms will help you find and track applicants efficiently, making your job easier and helping you fill open positions quickly. As you network, you can also find out best practices through other recruiters. Ask questions about their strategies for the recruitment process, job interviews, and how to find the most qualified candidates – then think about whether any of those methods will work for you. Like any career, continuing education is an important part of learning and growing as a recruiter. Be Aware of Common PitfallsChan gives one note of caution for recruiters who are starting out: "Burnout happens pretty fast. It can be really overwhelming when you're handling so many different roles at the same time," she says. "You're working with a lot of different personalities and a lot of different communication styles with different hiring managers. Some like certain things and some don't. So being able to cater to those individual styles is something that I've had to learn along the way." She also encourages new recruiters to be seen as a recruiting partner instead of an "order taker" in their company. She says there should be an equal relationship between the hiring manager and the recruiter. "This is my expertise, so if I feel like three rounds of interviews during the hiring process is plenty and this is the salary range we should go with, I hope the hiring manager hears that," Chan says. "A lot of recruiters will have to learn as they start to further themselves along their career. And that's how they can really set themselves apart as a great recruiter versus someone who just does the job." Robert Bruce is a Senior Writer for The Penny Hoarder. This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The 5 Best Free & Paid Budgeting Apps Including Mint, YNAB Posted: 28 Jun 2022 06:50 AM PDT Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners. Budgeting can seem like a nightmare with tricky spreadsheets and a million paper receipts but a budgeting app can do the heavy lifting for you. A budgeting app can help you budget with ease, take control of your finances and work toward your goals. Whether your focus is trimming expenses or paying off debt, budgeting — with an app or otherwise — is a powerful strategy to make your financial life less stressful. To help you achieve more financial freedom, we rounded up the best budgeting apps — both free and paid — for Android or Apple devices. These apps aim to simplify budgeting, automate mundane tasks and even connect to your bank account to pull in and categorize purchases automatically. 5 Best Free & Paid Budget Apps
What Is the Best Budgeting App for You?There are several things to consider when you're looking for a good budgeting app.
We're recommending a range of budgeting apps that cover all the bases: paid, free, nice-to-have extras, super basic, no syncing, all the syncing (including tracking your net worth), automatically adding transactions, manually logging transactions, just for you or shared with someone else. Whatever your style, there's a budget app that's right for you.
TruebillThe Best Budgeting App   Key Features
Truebill  Known for trimming bills, Truebill isn't a stranger to The Penny Hoarder community as we've recommended the app before — and with good reason. Truebill offers tools for budgeting, managing subscriptions and negotiating bills. Truebill is an excellent all-in-one app for those looking to get their financial world in better shape. Truebill takes top billing for allowing you to calculate and create an allowance, so you know exactly how much money you have to spend each month. You can also set up goals for categories you want to watch, such as eating out at restaurants or shopping in general. If you're new to budgeting, Truebill is a solid option that walks you through the process. The app offers additional features — such as spending insights — that can help you build better budgets. You can see where your money is going each month and receive alerts if you are headed toward overspending. We love Truebill's subscription management feature, too, that checks your bank account for any recurring charges. It's a great way to discover subscriptions you may have forgotten. If you have a high cell phone or cable bill, Truebill can even negotiate it down to a lower rate. Truebill does take a cut of that savings for the first year if your bill is reduced. While TrueBill is free, you'll pay $3 to $12 each month for premium features. How much you pay is up to you.
Pro Tip If you're new to budgeting, check out our free Budgeting 101 course in The Penny Hoarder Academy. We'll walk you through everything you need to know to get started.
SimplifiThe Budgeting Runner Up Key Features
Simplifi  The Simplifi app isn't nearly as popular as it should be. The simple layout and design of the app — one of our favorite features — makes budgeting feel approachable and less intimidating. But a simple design doesn't mean a lack of features, as Simplifi packs in effective tools to help you establish a budget and stay on track. With Simplifi, you can connect all of your financial data, including bank, credit card, loan and 401(k) accounts, so you can see everything all together. From there, you can set financial goals and budgets while keeping track of your spending. Your overall spending plan even gives you an overview of planned spending vs. what you're actual spending. If you want to save for a big purchase, such as a car or a down payment on a home, Simplifi can calculate how much money you'll need to set aside each month to meet your goal. If you update the goal or alter the time frame, Simplifi will recalculate everything for you — without you lifting a finger. One of the reasons we like Simplifi is because the budgeting app is backed by Quicken, a finance giant with millions of customers. Simplifi builds on a wealth of knowledge that Quicken holds in the financial space. Simplifi is easily worth the $3.99 to $5.99 a month to use and there's a 30-day free trial so you can give it a test run.
MintThe Solid Classic Option from Intuit  Key Features
Mint  Mint is another option familiar to personal finance enthusiasts. For quite a while, Mint was the best budgeting and finance app you could download. To this day, Mint remains a solid option, even as competitors have added different services, like Truebill, and aced the app design, like Simplifi. Mint is an all-in-one app for managing your personal finances, allowing you to connect your bank accounts, watch your income and track your spending. Mint can connect to your bank account — and other accounts — to automatically log every transaction and help you categorize them. In addition to budget planning, you can monitor your credit in Mint and receive notifications if there are changes to your credit report. Mint makes it easy to keep an eye on your credit score, which looks simple but is critical to your future. While Mint is free to use, a premium subscription at $4.99 a month unlocks specific features, including automatic subscription cancellation, spending projections and spotlights on your spending habits. If you're searching for the perfect budgeting app, give Mint a try. Many people find that the free plan is perfect for their financial needs.
YNAB (You Need a Budget)A More Detailed Budgeting App Key Features
YNAB  YNAB — also known as You Need a Budget — is a comprehensive, zero-based budgeting app that breaks down your spending and earnings into granular details. We love the features in YNAB, but the interface can be more intimidating than other budgeting apps that hold your hand throughout the process. If you want to dive into the nitty gritty of your personal finances, YNAB is one of the best apps you can download — seriously, it could be life changing. YNAB connects to your bank accounts to automatically import your transactions and syncs in real time across multiple devices. You can start budgeting on your phone, then pick up where you left off on a tablet or computer. The YNAB app offers the same features as our other recommendations, including the ability to set up and track goals or keep a close eye on your net worth. We also love the built-in loan calculator that looks at interest rates and shows how much money you'll save by paying down your debt faster. Other YNAB features include smart categorization that learns how you sort purchases and adjusts to future spending and an ad-free experience. It's nice to skip the temptation ads can offer when you're trying to get your financial house in order. YNAB is free for 34 days to give you a solid month of budgeting plus a few days for analysis. You don't have to put in a credit card to sign up, so you won't end up with a forgotten subscription if you decide YNAB isn't for you. YNAB also offers a yearlong free trial for college students. YNAB costs $14.99 a month or $98.99 a year.
BuddyBudgeting in Manual Mode Key Features
Buddy  Buddy introduces itself as your new financial companion — aka the joyful budgeting app — and we couldn't agree more. A little on the basic side, Buddy still helps you create budgets and track your expenses. You can even share your budgets with someone else, such as your partner or roommate. Buddy is our favorite option for people looking to handle their finances together. So why is Buddy at the bottom of our list? Buddy is a great budgeting app but you can't link a bank account or card, which means you have to manually input each transaction. To some, this is a deal breaker. For others, it's the power of a budgeting app but with more privacy because your bank account isn't involved. If you are OK with adding transactions, you'll find a plethora of wonderful features within the Buddy app. In addition to creating simple budgets and tracking expenses, you can break down spending into custom categories and view insights into your current plan and spending history. Buddy even allows you to personalize the app to put some fun in budgeting with custom colors and themes. Buddy is free but if you want everything the app has to offer, you'll need a subscription. Select features require a premium subscription, which is $2.99 to $4.99 a month. Annual subscriptions are $16.99 to $49.99. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is the Best Budgeting App? What Is the Easiest Free Budget App? Is Mint Still the Best Budgeting App? Mint is an excellent budgeting app and we highly recommend it, especially for those who like a free app with a paid premium option. Overall, we like TrueBill and Simplifi more though. Truebill offers a host of additional features, including subscription management, and Simplifi offers a simple interface that is approachable for beginners. What Is the Best Budget App for Couples? Buddy is our top budgeting app pick for couples or other people who share a budget. Buddy does have some limitations though, such as having to manually add transactions. We also reviewed the best budgeting apps for couples and came up with several other options. What's the Best Budgeting App for Beginners? What Is the 50/20/30 Budget Rule? Two common ways to budget are the 50/20/30 and 70/20/10 methods. Both follow the same idea of budgeting by percentages. With the 50/20/30 method, you spend 50% of your income on living expenses and bills, 20% on financial goals (i.e., extra debt payments, investing) and 30% on personal things, like vacations and dining out. The 70/20/10 rule puts 70% of your income to living expenses and personal spending, 20% to savings goals and investing, and 10% to debt or donations. Michael Archambault is a senior writer for The Penny Hoarder specializing in technology. 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. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 32 Money Saving Hacks to Beat Inflation in a Downturn Posted: 28 Jun 2022 05:00 AM PDT Inflation is hitting everyone where it hurts — our wallets. The cost of everyday essentials like food and gas is eroding away the buying power of everyday Americans. Paychecks don't stretch as far. Grocery bills hurt more. It can feel impossible to get ahead. Money saving tricks, both big and small, can make a difference. If you're looking to add some breathing room to your budget — despite 40-year high inflation — our 31 top money saving hacks can help. Groceries1. Ask What Day Your Grocery Store Marks Down ItemsGrocery stores usually discount items that are close to expiring on a specific day of the week. Asking a store associate what day and time they mark down items is a super savvy way to score discounted meats, bread and veggies. 2. Skip Grocery Delivery and Go With Pickup InsteadGrocery delivery is incredibly convenient — and expensive. Tips and fees on an Instacart order can easily add $20 to $30 to your grocery bill. If you're trying to break the grocery delivery price trap, try pickup instead. Opting for grocery curbside pickup is a much cheaper alternative that's still fast and easy. It's also a smart way to stick to your grocery list because you won't be tempted to buy random extras in the store. It's also often easier to find the cheapest price per unit if you can see all available products on a single page instead of scouring the shelves. Lots of stores offer free or very cheap pickup options, including BJ's Wholesale Club, Aldi, Kroger, Target, Albertsons and Walmart. 3. Buy Frozen and Canned Vegetables and FruitsFrozen and canned goods last longer, have similar nutritional value as fresh produce and cost much less. "Buying things like broccoli, carrots, peas and cauliflower frozen or canned is the best way to get a longer shelf life and reduce food waste," said Jessica Ayala, a full-time banquet chef in Orlando, Florida. "Be honest about the fresh foods you'll actually eat in a reasonable amount of time." 4. Buy Meat on Sale in Bulk and Freeze ItEverything is more expensive these days, but meat, poultry and fish are outrageous — prices on meat were up 14.2% year over year in May, according to the Consumer Price Index. Pricey cuts have penny pinchers across the country ditching meat. Going meatless a day or two a week and turning to cheaper alternatives, like beans and lentils, can be a great way to cut costs. Think about eggs, too. There are dozens of affordable dinner ideas starring eggs. If you aren't quite ready to give up your carnivorous ways, look for larger sizes of meat (think 3 pounds or more of ground beef, family packs of chicken breasts) to go on sale. Buy a couple packages at a time, break them down into 1-pound packages and freeze them. Here are some other inflation hacks to save money on meat at the grocery store.  5. Meal Prep (Seriously, At Least a Little)Meal prepping doesn't need to be labor intensive and scary. Here's how to start meal prepping so you'll actually stick with it. And if you need more inspiration, check out these hacks for budget meal planning. 6. Watch for Holiday SalesKeep an eye out for holiday deals — like when canned beans go on sale for Cinco de Mayo or BBQ sauces during Fourth of July. Load up on discount candy the day after holidays like Valentine's Day, Easter and Halloween. While you're at it, check out this month-by-month guide on the best time to buy almost everything, like computers in August and swimsuits in September. Pro Tip Did you know that 18 states have tax-free holidays? You'll be limited on what you can get sales-tax free but you could still save on clothing, shoes, electronics and school supplies. 7. Avoid Drinking Your MoneyDrink water instead of buying soda or juice. Nix the bottled water and go with filtered water or tap instead. Make coffee at home instead of grabbing Starbucks. Make an alcohol budget and stick to it — or ditch the booze entirely if you want to save big bucks. 8. Buy (Certain Things) in Bulk at Warehouse ClubsBuying everyday essentials in bulk is a solid way to save money. Just make sure to shop smart if you're buying in bulk. While it can be tough to fork out membership fees to warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam's Club, some offer specials that allow you to join at a lower price. Check Groupon and other coupon sites to score a cheaper annual membership. You can also try online bulk suppliers like Boxed, which delivers orders to your door without charging annual membership fees. 9. Shop SeasonallyThe best way to save money on fresh produce is to buy fruits and vegetables when they're in season. Here is a list of when different produce is in season across the U.S.  10. Serve Smaller PortionsServe dinner in smaller portions on smaller plates. It makes you more aware of what you're eating and less likely to throw away scraps of uneaten food. It's also better for your waistline. 11. Check High and Low on the Grocery ShelvesNext time you go to the grocery store, check the top and bottom shelves. Grocery stores know that most people only look at the middle area, so that's where more expensive items tend to be. 12. Check the Cost Per Unit PriceEach item at the grocery store has a corresponding tag on the shelf. In the top left or right corner, you'll find the "cost per unit price." This is the best way to truly compare prices, especially when buying in bulk. 13. Check Out Local Food PantriesAsking for help can be hard, but food pantries provide a legitimate way to get food for free. If you've experienced a job loss or change in income, it makes sense to contact your local food pantry to see what's available instead of going hungry or taking on debt. You can use this food pantry locator tool from Feeding America to find food banks in your area. You can also call United Way's 211 service to find other local resources. 14. Freeze Your BreadIt will get moldy, like surprisingly moldy in no time during the summer. "Kitchens and restaurants use this trick everyday to reduce food waste and save money," Ayala said. From hot dog buns to whole multigrain loafs, you can prolong the shelf life of bread by as much as four to six months by freezing it. Another great bread hack? "Crush up bread that's on the verge of going bad, add some seasoning and make your own bread crumbs you can cook with later," Ayala suggested.  15. Embrace That Crock-Pot LifeIf you're trying to feed a family, cooking in bulk with a slow cooker can save you tons of money and time. Making big batches of soup — and freezing some for later — is also a good way to utilize things in your kitchen before they go bad. (Remember: Try to extend the shelf life of everything in your kitchen.) 16. Purchase Versatile IngredientsFor example, pick a protein like chicken and learn to prepare it in a way you like. One day you can pair the chicken with a salad, the next day add it to a rice and beans (or quinoa) bowl, and the next day chop the chicken into strips and add it to a cheese quesadilla. Another option is steak and potatoes one night, steak fajitas another night and a steak and bean rice bowl another. Stocking your shelves with these 11 pantry essentials can also save you money. 17. Eat the Same Thing for Breakfast Every DayAn easy breakfast staple, like oatmeal, can cost less than 10 cents a serving and you can change up the toppings. Or for an even leaner budget, skip breakfast altogether if it works for your health and diet. You may even see some health benefits, according to intermittent fasting research. 18. Reorganize Your Fridge and FreezerThe average American household wastes about 31.9% of its food — a whopping $1,866 per household per year, according to a 2020 study published in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics. We've all been guilty of it. Leftovers get shoved to the back of the fridge, veggies get gross in the crisper. We get it. Going through your fridge — and pantry and freezer — is a great way to take inventory, so you're not buying duplicates or letting good food go to waste. While you're at it, watch some videos on YouTube from professional organizers who offer low-cost ways to rearrange your fridge so food is more visible and accessible. Gas19. Check Out Fuel Reward ProgramsSign up for a fuel rewards program that'll save you money on frequent purchases at a given gas station. Many grocery fuel reward programs can also help you save, too. 20. Use Gas Discount Apps to Save at the PumpApps like Upside or GasBuddy can help you find the cheapest gas when it's time to fuel up. 21. Pay for Gas in CashThere's other ways to save money on gas besides using gas rebate apps. Some solid inflation hacks to save money on gas? Buy your gas in cash (many gas stations give you a discount) and check your tire pressure.  Car and Travel22. Consider Becoming a One-Car HouseholdIt may sound extreme — but so are the savings. No gas or car payment. No car insurance bill or new tires in the winter. No parking fees or tolls. With Uber, Amazon same-day delivery, work from home jobs and telehealth visits here to stay, you may not need a second vehicle as much as you think. And going down to a one-car household could literally save you thousands of dollars a year. Explore public transportation options in your area and plan out errands with your partner. And remember: Ditching your car isn't a forever commitment. You can pocket the savings for a couple years, then reevaluate your budget in the future. 23. Save Money at the AirportThe truth is airline tickets are super expensive right now, and prices aren't likely to come down anytime soon. Certain budget airlines are still offering decent deals if you're flexible on your schedule and destination — just keep an eye out for hefty baggage fees and other costs. If you're catching a flight this summer, save money at the airport by bringing an empty water bottle and packing some snacks. You can also rent out your car using apps like Turo and TravelCar to make some money while you're away. 24. Start Walking and BikingWith gas prices through the roof, it makes sense to start walking and biking more. Using an e-bike is a super frugal — and healthy — way to save money on your daily commute, especially if you're replacing a car. Plus there are a surprising number of apps, like A Healthy Wage and Sweatcoin, that will pay you to exercise — a win win. Shopping25. Check Out Cash-Back and Rebate AppsThere's lots of cash-back and rebate apps out there that can add some jingle to your budget. Many reward you for scanning your receipts while others deposit cash back to your account when you make a purchase at a participating store with a linked card. There are also browser extensions like Capital One Shopping and coupon sites that can help you save money on everyday purchases. 26. Cut Back on Pet ExpensesYou love your pet like family. But if your furbabies are draining your wallet, it's time to cut back. Learn how to save money on dog food (hint: buy in bulk or make your own) and explore ways to save money on pet care. You could even start a pet sitting side hustle to bring in extra income. 27. Learn Money Hacks for Household ItemsHere at The Penny Hoarder, we admire a frugal spirit. And when times are tough, finding smart ways to repurpose everyday household items just makes sense. Like using Windex to clean your makeup brushes or vinegar to clean your dishwasher — genius-level inflation hacks right there. 28. Threaten To Break Up With Your Phone, Internet, Cable and Insurance ProvidersSometimes they'll give you a lower rate to keep you as a customer. Try asking for the retention department when you call.  Entertainment29. Be Smart About Your Streaming ServicesMultiple streaming services can almost cost as much as a cable TV subscription. To minimize the bite, take advantage of free trials and free TV apps. Another smart way to save? Ask friends or family if they want to share streaming accounts. Set up profiles under a shared account and then Venmo or Cash App your friend an agreed upon amount each month for sharing. 30. Cancel Subscriptions and Non-Essential MembershipsMonthly subscriptions and memberships add up quickly. Five bucks here, $8 dollars there. Before you know it, you're spending $80 on random subscriptions you may not really use. Trying to cut costs fast? There are apps that help you manage your subscriptions — and some even help you cancel a subscription or negotiate better pricing. 31. See If You Qualify for Discounts Through This Federal ProgramMillions of Americans now qualify for discounted internet access thanks to an expanded federal program called the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Qualifying households get a one-time $30 monthly voucher toward their high-speed internet bill and $100 to purchase a laptop or desktop computer. Some internet providers are also offering discounted plans in collaboration with the ACP, which can help stack savings on savings. There's a couple ways to qualify. If you already receive Medicaid, a Federal Pell Grant (for the current award year), SNAP benefits, WIC, a veterans' pension or survivors benefits — or one of these six other programs — then you qualify. The other way to qualify is by your income: A single-person household can't earn more than $27,180 a year (hello, college students and retirees), while a family of four can't exceed $55,500 a year. It's 200% of the federal poverty line. It's quick and easy to apply for an ACP voucher and you can learn more about the program here. 32. Save On Date Nights and Still Have Fun This SummerThe cost of dinner and drinks is a real mood killer these days. No one likes the idea of staying home after being cooped up for two years, but when times are tough, it makes sense to explore cheap date night ideas. (Playing sexy MadLibs with a bottle of cheap wine could be surprisingly entertaining). Finally, it can be hard, but don't let inflation kill your summer fun. In fact, here's 100 free summertime activities that will get your mind off your money — at least for a little bit. Rachel Christian is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance and a senior writer for The Penny Hoarder. This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 17 Best Bank Promotions, Bonuses and Offers — July 2022 Posted: 28 Jun 2022 04:56 AM PDT Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners. So, you're looking for a new bank account. You've got several factors to consider — ATM access, interest rates, monthly account fees, minimum balances, online bill payments and more. Another factor: sign-up promotions and bonuses. Banks and credit unions frequently run promotions to entice prospective customers to open a new account — and they often come with cash. You have to meet specific criteria, such as making a minimum opening deposit, and generally the account must remain open for a certain amount of time — at least long enough to earn the cash bonus. Many banks offer such sign-up bonuses, but often, they aren't advertised. We did some digging to find the best bank promotions currently on offer. Best Checking and Savings Account Offers of July 2022Keep an eye on what each promotion requires, as well as any limitations. Recurring direct deposits and maintaining a minimum balance are common requirements in securing bank bonuses. Also pay attention to any monthly fees the account might carry; over time, these could weigh out the actual cash bonus. 17 Bank Promotions That Give you CashBank Promo Payoffs Up to $500
Aspiration AccountBest for Financial Beginners Key Features
Once you open a new account, Aspiration will send you a debit card. Use it to make at least $1,000 of cumulative transactions within 60 days of account opening. The FDIC-insured account offers up to 3.00% APY on savings accounts and allows fee-free withdrawals at more than 55,000 ATMs. You'll earn up to 5% cash back when you make debit purchases at socially conscious businesses. Aspiration Account  Bonus amount $150 How to get it Open a new account and spend $1,000 within the first 60 days. When you get it Within 120 calendar days of opening. More information Monthly fees are on a "Pay What is Fair" policy. Expiration None More Information About Aspiration Account The Aspiration Account boasts unlimited fee-free ATM withdrawals at all in-network (Allpoint) ATMs, plus up to 5% cash back on Conscience Coalition debit card purchases. You can even opt to plant a tree with every purchase roundup. You can access your paycheck up to two days early and earn up to 3.00% APY on your savings. Aspiration Plus AccountBest for Socially Conscious Clients Key Features
Once you open a new account, Aspiration will send you a debit card. Use it to make at least $1,000 of cumulative transactions within 60 days of account opening. The FDIC-insured account offers up to 1.00% APY on savings accounts and allows fee-free withdrawals at more than 55,000 ATMs. You'll earn up to 10% cash back when you make debit purchases at socially conscious businesses. Aspiration Plus Account Bonus amount $200 How to get it Open a new account and spend $1,000 within the first 60 days. When you get it Within 120 calendar days of opening. More information $5.99 monthly fee when you pay annually ($7.99 month-to-month) Expiration None More Information About Aspiration Plus Account The Aspiration Plus Account boasts unlimited fee-free ATM withdrawals at all in-network (Allpoint) ATMs, plus up to 10% cash back on Conscience Coalition debit card purchases. You can even opt to plant a tree with every purchase roundup and get carbon offsets for your gas purchases with Planet Protection. You can access your paycheck up to two days early and earn up to 5.00% APY on your savings. Chase Total CheckingBest for Basic Checking Key Features
The Total Checking $12 monthly fee can be waived if you receive monthly direct deposits totaling $500 or more, keep a daily minimum balance of at least $1,500 in your new checking account, or keep a daily minimum balance across all your Chase accounts of at least $5,000. Deposits via person-to-person payments do not qualify. Access to 16,000 fee-free ATMs and more than 4,700 branches. The non-Chase ATM fee is $3 in the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands and $5 outside of those locations. Chase Total Checking Account  Bonus amount $200 How to get it Receive a qualifying direct deposit within 90 days of account opening. When you get it Within 15 days of meeting requirements More information $12 monthly fee, which can be waived. Expiration July 20, 2022 More Information About Chase Total Checking Account The Total Checking account carries a $12 monthly service fee, but you can have it waived if you receive monthly direct deposits totaling $500 or more, keep a daily minimum balance of at least $1,500 in your new checking account, or keep a daily minimum balance across all your Chase bank accounts of at least $5,000. Direct deposit via person-to-person payment apps do not qualify. Chase offers access to 16,000 ATMs and more than 4,700 branches. TD Bank Convenience CheckingBest for Young Customers Key Features
TD Convenience Checking is not a glamorous checking account. It doesn't earn interest, and there aren't any cash back rewards. However, it's easy to waive the $15 monthly maintenance fee: Just maintain a $100 minimum balance. Customers who are 17 to 23 years of age automatically have the fee waived and also don't have to pay fees for overdrafts. TD Bank Convenience Checking Account  Bonus amount $150 or $350 How to get it Meet direct deposit qualifications within 30 days and and then an additional 20 days for the $500 bonus. When you get it No later than 140 days after account opening. More information For savings bonus, you must maintain a daily balance of $20,000+ for 90 days. Expiration Oct. 31, 2022 More Information about TD Bank Convenience Checking The TD Convenience Checking account is a great account for first-time banking customers. There are no monthly fees or overdraft fees for members who are 17 to 23. However, you cannot earn interest on this account. If you are over 23, there is a $15 fee, which you can waive by maintaining a $100 daily balance. TD Bank Beyond CheckingBest for Overdrafters Key Features
TD Beyond Checking offers more perks than the Convenience Checking, including two fee-free overdrafts per year, out-of-network ATM fee reimbursements, and free checks. The account does earn interest, but the monthly fee is higher ($25) and harder to waive. Bonus terms for the TD Beyond Checking are similar; coupled with the savings promotion, you could earn $500. TD Bank Beyond Checking Account Bonus amount $300 or $500 How to get it Meet direct deposit qualifications within 30 days and and then an additional 20 days for the $500 bonus. When you get it Within 140 days of opening. More information For savings bonus, you must maintain a daily balance of $20,000+ for 90 days. Expiration Oct. 31, 2022 More Information About TD Bank Beyond Checking The TD Beyond Checking account is great for unique perks, like free checks, ATM fee reimbursement, and overdraft fee coverage (two a year). To waive the monthly $25 fee, you'll need to earn $5,000 in direct deposits each month, maintain a $2,500 minimum balance in the checking account or maintain a $25,000 balance across all TD accounts. Chime Referral BonusBest for Referral Bonus Key Features
If you refer a friend and they open a new account and receive a direct deposit of at least $200 in the first 45 days, you will each receive $75. Make sure to use the referral link from your account to get the cash bonus. Chime is great for beginners, offering fee-free overdraft, automatic savings account, early paycheck deposit and 60,000+ fee-free ATMs. Referral bonuses are capped at $1,000 each calendar year. Chime Referral Bonus Account  Bonus amount $100 per referral, plus $100 to the friend you refer How to get it Referred friend receives $200 direct deposit. When you get it Within two business days of account opening. More information Be sure to use a unique referral link from your own account. Expiration None More Information About Chime Referral Bonus Account Though not technically a bank*, Chime is becoming increasingly popular as an online financial institution for banking customers of all ages. Top features include early access to direct deposit, fee-free overdraft, 60,000+ ATMs, a 0.50% APY for the high-yield savings and plenty of features to automatically grow your savings. Alliant Ultimate Opportunity SavingsBest for Fans of Suze Orman Key Features
Not only does Alliant Credit Union's Ultimate Opportunity Savings Account (in partnership with Suze Orman) have one of the best APYs currently available (0.60%), it pays out its bonus pretty easily. No massive balances or monthly direct deposits to think about. Alliant Opportunity Savings  Bonus amount $100 How to get it Deposit at least $100 a month for 12 months. When you get it Within four weeks of completion. More information Balance must be $1,200 at the end of 12 months. Expiration Dec. 31, 2022 More About Alliant Ultimate Opportunity Savings Account The Ultimate Opportunity Savings Account from Alliant Credit Union has a lot to like: 80,000+ fee-free ATMs, no monthly fees if you opt in to online statements, a leading mobile app, and a strong APY at 0.60%. Huntington Asterisk-Free CheckingBest Regional Bonus Key Features
This offer is only available to customers who live in CO, IL, IN, KY, MI, MN, OH, WI, SD, PA or WV. This account does not earn interest. Huntington Asterisk-Free Checking  Bonus amount $150 How to get it Open a new account and make cumulative new deposits totaling $1,000 within the first 60 days. When you get it Within 14 days of meeting bonus criteria. More information Account must remain open for at least 90 days. Expiration Oct. 7, 2022 More Information About Huntington Asterisk-Free Huntington's Asterisk-Free Checking Account doesn't pay out any interest, but the lack of a monthly maintenance fee does make it appealing for an easy checking account. Key features include mobile banking, the No Overdraft Fee $50 Safety Zone and the 24-Hour Grace Overdraft and Return Fee Relief. "New account" is defined as money not currently in another Huntington account; money transferred from one account to another does not qualify. The bonus offer cannot be combined with any other checking offer. Huntington 5 CheckingBest for Quick Bonus Payout Key Features
This offer is only available to customers who live in CO, IL, IN, KY, MI, MN, OH, WI, SD, PA or WV). This account earns interest (currently a 0.02% APY, which is quite low). It also has a monthly maintenance fee of $5, which is waived if you have at least $5,000 across every Huntington bank account. Huntington 5 Checking Account Bonus amount $200 How to get it Open a new account and make cumulative new deposits totaling $1,000 within the first 60 days. When you get it Within 14 days of meeting bonus criteria. More information Account must remain open for at least 90 days. Expiration Oct. 7, 2022 More Information About Huntington 5 Checking Account While the Huntington 5 account does have a monthly $5 fee, you can waive it by having $5,000 across accounts with Huntington. By upgrading to this account, you'll get a higher bonus and earn 0.02% interest on your balance. Plus, you get five free ATM withdrawals. Plus, you get five free ATM withdrawals outside of the Huntington network. "New account" is defined as money not currently in another Huntington account; money transferred from one account to another does not qualify. The bonus offer cannot be combined with any other checking offer. SoFi Checking and SavingsBest for High APY Key Features
SoFi's Checking and Savings account is attractive enough without the bonus. You can access your paycheck up to two days early, earn cash back when shopping locally, qualify for a 1.25% APY and avoid overdraft fees (up to $50 of coverage). The bonus (up to $300 for qualifying direct deposits) is simply the cherry on top. The qualifying direct deposit amounts for the three bonuses are: $1,000 - $1,999 for $50; $2,000 - $4,999 for $100, or $5,000+ for $300. SoFi Checking and Savings Account  Bonus amounts $50, $100 or $300 How you get it Earn qualifying direct deposits in a 30-day period. When you get it Within 14 days after the 30-day evaluation period. The fine print High APY depends on monthly direct deposits. Expiration July 31, 2022 More Information About SoFi Checking and Savings The SoFi Checking and Savings Account is one of the best on our list. You can access your paycheck up to two days early, earn up to 15% cash back when shopping locally with your debit card, opt into automatic savings features, and access more than 55,000 fee-free ATMs. You'll need monthly qualifying direct deposits to earn the 1.25% APY, but there's no direct deposit minimum to hit. And the best part? The account is fee-free and even includes overdraft coverage up to $50. M&T Bank EZChoice CheckingBest for Beginners Key Features
The EZChoice Checking account from M&T Bank is the most basic package offered. It's great for beginners because it has no monthly maintenance charge and no monthly minimum balance requirement. Plus, there's unlimited check writing. You will need $25 to open the account and have qualifying direct deposits totaling at least $500 within the first 90 days to earn the bonus. This offer is only valid in select states. M&T Bank EZChoice Checking  Bonus Amount $150 How you get it Make qualifying direct deposits totaling at least $500 within 90 days of opening the account. Whey you get it Within 90 days after the direct deposit. The fine print There's a $50 early close-out fee if you close the account within 180 days of opening. Expiration July 31, 2022 More Information About M&T Bank EZChoice Checking Account M&T Bank has 700 branches and 1,800 ATMs with operations in New York, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, Virgina, West Virginia, Vermont, Massachusetts and Washington, DC, but you can also do your banking entirely online. M&T Bank MyChoice Plus CheckingBest for Loan Seekers Key Features
The MyChoice Plus Checking account from M&T Bank requires extra work to avoid a monthly fee ($14.75): Either maintain an average daily balance of $2,500 or receive $1,500 in direct deposits each month. With this account, you qualify for discounted loan rates with M&T. You will need $25 to open the account and have qualifying direct deposits totaling at least $500 within the first 90 days to earn the bonus. This offer is only valid in select states. M&T Bank MyChoice Plus Checking Bonus $250 How you get it Make qualifying direct deposits totaling at least $500 within 90 days of opening the account. When you get it Within 90 days after the direct deposit. The fine print There's a $50 early close-out fee if you close the account within 180 days of opening. Expiration July 31, 2022 More Information About M&T Bank MyChoice Plus Checking Account M&T Bank has 700 branches and 1,800 ATMs with operations in New York, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, Virgina, West Virginia, Vermont, Massachusetts and Washington, DC, but you can also do your banking entirely online. M&T Bank MyChoice Prem. CheckingBest for CD Rates Key Features
The MyChoice Plus Checking account from M&T Bank requires extra work to avoid a monthly fee ($24.95): Either maintain an average daily balance of $7,500 or $25,500 across all M&T accounts. With this account, you qualify for discounted loan rates and premium CD rates with M&T. You will need $25 to open the account and have qualifying direct deposits totaling at least $500 within the first 90 days to earn the bonus. This offer is only valid in select states. M&T Bank MyChoice Premium Checking Bonus amount $250 How to get it Make qualifying direct deposits totaling at least $500 within 90 days of opening the account. When you get it Within 90 days after the direct deposit. More information There's a $50 early close-out fee if you close the account within 180 days of opening. Expiration July 31, 2022 More Information About M&T Bank MyChoice Premium Checking M&T Bank has 700 branches and 1,800 ATMs with operations in New York, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, Virgina, West Virginia, Vermont, Massachusetts and Washington, DC, but you can also do your banking entirely online. Albert AccountsBest for Cash Back Key Features
Albert is an all-purpose personal finance app that lets you spend, save and invest your money. There are no monthly maintenance fees, no minimum balances and no commissions (if you choose to invest). While you won't earn a traditional APY, Albert gives users a 0.10% annual cash bonus on funds in savings, plus up to 20% cash back. New members are eligible for a $150 bonus. Albert Accounts  Bonus $150 How you get it Receive a qualifying direct deposit of at least $200 and spend at least $100 every 30 days for 90 days When you get it Upon meeting requirements over a 90-day period More information Must be new to Albert Expiration None More Information About Albert Accounts Members of Albert don't have to worry about monthly fees or minimum balances, and they can take advantage of several cool features, like 55,000 fee-free ATMs, early paycheck access, cashback rewards, Smart Savings (automatically analyzes your money and helps you to save), unlimited transfers, annual cash bonuses, the ability to invest, and a cash advance up to $250 (no interest, no credit check) instead of overdraft fees. Perhaps the coolest part is daily access to finance experts called Geniuses; pay what you think is fair for their advice. Just keep in mind that Albert is not a bank but an app (banking services are provided by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC). BMO Harris Smart Advantage AccountBest for Fee-Free ATM Network Key Features
Get a $300 bonus for opening a new BMO Harris Smart Advantage account and earning at least $4,000 in qualifying direct deposits within 90 days. The bank has physical branches in Indiana and you have to live in IL, IN, MN, WI, MO, KS, AZ or FL to take advantage of this account, which grants you unlimited fee-free transactions at over 40,000 Allpoint network ATMs in the U.S. BMO Harris Smart Advantage Account  Bonus amount $300 How you get it Receive direct deposits of at least $4,000 within 90 days. When you get it Approximately 100 days after opening. More information Monthly fees can be waived with paperless statements. Expiration Sept. 30, 2022 More Information About BMO Harris Smart Advantage Smart Advantage is BMO Harris' most popular checking account. It requires no minimum balance, charges no monthly fees when you opt for paperless statements and gets you fee-free access to 40,000+ ATMs nationwide with the Allpoint network. BMO Harris Smart Money AccountBest for No Minimum Balance Key Features
Get a $300 bonus for opening a new BMO Harris Smart Money account and earning at least $4,000 in qualifying direct deposits within 90 days. The bank has physical branches in Indiana and you have to live in IL, IN, MN, WI, MO, KS, AZ or FL to take advantage of this account, which grants you unlimited fee-free transactions at over 40,000 Allpoint network ATMs in the U.S. BMO Harris Smart Money Account Bonus amount $300 How to get it Receive direct deposits of at least $4,000 within 90 days. When you get it Approximately 100 days after opening. More information There is a monthly fee if you're over 25. Expiration Sept. 30, 2022 More Information About BMO Harris Smart Money Account Like Smart Advantage, BMO Harris' Smart Money has no minimum balance required. It's also noteworthy for having no overdraft or NSF fees. With this account, you will get unlimited fee-free transactions at in-network ATMs (40,000+ nationwide). However, you'll pay a monthly fee if you're 25 or older. BMO Harris Premier AccountBest for High Interest Possibility Key Features
The highest bonus at BMO Harris comes from the Premier Account with Relationship Packages that reward you with more perks for banking more with BMO. The account earns interest, and the amount you earn increases with the amount of funds in the account. You also get unlimited access to any ATMs, in-network or not. BMO Harris Premier Account Bonus amount $500 How to get it Receive direct deposits of at least $7,500 within 90 days. When you get it Approximately 100 days after opening. More information There is a monthly fee. Expiration Sept. 30, 2022 How to Search for a Checking Account Bonus on Your OwnInstead of listing approximately 193 bank promotions, we kept this list short and sweet — only highlighting the best bank promotions for checking and savings accounts. But maybe you're interested in banking with your local credit union, opening a small business checking account or exploring what investment accounts are available. There are often cash bonuses attached to these accounts too. Banks don't always make finding these promotions easy, so here are a few tips to help you get your hands on that cash bonus.
Overall, be smart. Don't let the promise of a cash bonus blind you. Read the fine print so you don't get stuck paying high monthly fees, interest rates or closing penalties. With the proper due diligence, you can earn a checking account bonus — or any other bank promotion — while also choosing the best bank for you. Will Opening a Bank Account Hurt Your Credit Score?If you're worried that opening a new bank account or closing an old one will hurt your credit score, don't be. Your bank accounts are not included in your credit report and therefore have no effect on your credit score, unless you have an outstanding negative balance that the bank turns over to a collection agency. Sometimes when you go to open a new account, banks will do a soft credit check. However, that won't affect your credit score. Timothy Moore covers bank accounts for The Penny Hoarder from his home base in Cincinnati. He has worked in editing and graphic design for a marketing agency, a global research firm and a major print publication. He covers a variety of other topics, including insurance, taxes, retirement and budgeting and has worked in the field since 2012. 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. *Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by, and debit card issued by, The Bancorp Bank or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC. ¹The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") for the Chime Savings Account is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed APY is effective as of November 1, 2021. No minimum balance required. Must have $0.01 in savings to earn interest. 2The average national savings account interest rate of 0.06% is determined by FDIC as of November 1, 2021 based on a simple average of rates paid (uses annual percentage yield) by all insured depository institutions and branches for which data are available. Visit https://www.fdic.gov/regulations/resources/rates/ to learn more. 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. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Inflation Is Killing Us. Here Are 8 Ways to Make Quick Money Posted: 27 Jun 2022 01:23 PM PDT Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners. Talk about sticker shock. All these rising prices are absolutely demolishing our bank accounts. With inflation at a 40-year high, the cost of groceries, gas and just about everything else is going through the roof. For years, inflation remained at or below 2%, but now prices are up a whopping 8.6% compared to the previous year — the biggest price spike since 1981. What can you do about it? You can try to earn some extra cash, and we've got a list of ways you can do just that. Every little bit helps. 1. Let This App Pay You up to $83 When You Win Solitaire GamesLots of us already play Solitaire on our phones for fun or just to pass the time. Want to see if you can win money at it? There's a free iPhone app called Solitaire Cash that lets you play for real money. You could get paid up to $83 per win. You might be thinking: There's got to be a catch. This is definitely one of those spammy apps, right? Wrong. There really isn't a catch. Sure, you can pay to play in some higher-stakes tournaments, but there's no pressure. And, in fact, there aren't even any annoying ads. With each game, you'll battle it out against at least five other players. Everyone gets the same deck, so winning is totally a matter of skill. The top three players who solve the deck fastest can win real money — anywhere from $1 to $83. Over on the App Store, it has over a million downloads and more than 15,000 ratings, averaging 4.7 stars (out of 5). To get started, just download the free app and start playing your first game immediately. 2. Get Paid for Your Opinion (as Soon as Today)Got opinions? Get paid for them! Sure, there are a lot of online survey sites out there. The catch is that, with a lot of them, it takes forever before you can actually get paid. You find yourself taking tons of surveys before you ever see a single cent — if you even qualify for the survey at all. That's why we like a website called Survey Junkie. It rewards you no matter what — even if you don't qualify. And it lets you cash out a lot faster than its competition — you could even get paid today. You get points for every survey you take, and once you've earned 500 points, you can cash out and get your first $5. A lot of sites make you wait until you've earned $20 or $25 worth of points before you can claim your earnings. Most people get their money within seven days of signing up — but the pace is entirely up to you. Plenty of folks cash out the same day. And you can choose to get paid via PayPal or with digital gift cards. No, you won't necessarily get rich taking surveys online, but it's an easy way to make a little extra cash while you're killing time. Signing up takes about one minute, and you'll immediately earn points just for creating your account. You'll be that much closer to cashing out. 3. Earn 70% Higher Interest On Your Savings (One of the Highest Available)Interest rates at most banks these days are downright pitiful. You'll be lucky if you earn a quarter at the end of the year. But an online bank called Vio has one of the highest earning rates you'll see — 1.03% APY* (Annual Percentage Yield) on your money market savings. That's 70% higher than the average high-yield savings account. Not only does it pay well, it also costs nothing to open an account. You just need to transfer at least $100 to keep it open. Security is also top notch. You can depend on bank-level encryption, FDIC insurance up to $250,000, with the highest level security you can obtain. There's a reason why it's been named the best high-yield savings account by websites like Fox Business, CNet and CNBC. And it has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. If you're ready to save smarter and earn more, open a free Vio Cornerstone Money Market Savings Account. Get started here. 4. Get a Free Slice of a Fortune 500 Company From This AppDo you think it's too late for us non-millionaires to get our hands on a piece of a Fortune 500 company? Well, it's definitely not. We found a free app called Public that lets you own slices of stocks, so you can invest in companies without having to pay for an entire share, if you don't want to.* They'll even give you a slice of a popular stock for free when you download the app and sign up. It takes just minutes to download the app, and when you finish setting up your account, Public will give you the free slice of stock you select during signup as a bonus. 5. Get Paid up to $600/Week to Drop off Starbucks
Your city is filled with two things: Starbucks, and people who want Starbucks. An app called Doordash will pay you to pick up and deliver an extra latte when you're already out and getting your caffeine fix. And it's not just coffee. You can deliver from Chipotle, Chick-fil-A, Five Guys and hundreds of other restaurants in your area. With Doordash, you set your own hours and work as much or little as you want, meaning how much you make is up to you. You'll earn money for each delivery, plus tips. Jose Neri, from California, reports earning $500 to $600 a week working just lunches and dinners. The best part? No passengers — that grande, no-whip macchiato will be the only thing to hear your beautiful singing voice. If you sign up for Doordash now, it's possible to get your first paycheck this week. 6. Turn Your Junk Mail Into CashYou know all those flyers and advertisements you get in the mail each day? The ones you never wanted but have no idea how to opt out of? Well, you can turn them into cash. The Small Business Knowledge (SBK) Center is a market research company that wants to get a peep insight your mailbox. Join its consumer panel, and start shoveling that junk mail into a postage-paid envelope and, at the end of each week, send it over to the SBK Center. No, you won't be rolling in extra cash, but you can earn up to $20 every six to 10 weeks. 7. Find Out If You're OverpayingWouldn't it be nice if you got an alert when you're shopping online at Target and are about to overpay? That's exactly what this free service does. Just add it to your browser for free, and before you check out, it'll check other websites, including Walmart, eBay and others to see if your item is available for cheaper. Plus, you can get coupon codes, set up price-drop alerts and even see the item's price history. Let's say you're shopping for a new TV, and you assume you've found the best price. Here's when you'll get a pop up letting you know if that exact TV is available elsewhere for cheaper. If there are any available coupon codes, they'll also automatically be applied to your order. In the last year, this has saved people $160 million. You can get started in just a few clicks to see if you're overpaying online. 8. Sell Someone Else's StuffSelling Craigslist freebies is a great way to make a profit quickly, because you get the items for free. You could even have cash in hand today. Go to the free section on Craigslist and look for things that are close to you and easy to sell immediately. They could be scraps from a job site or metal items you can sell, for example. For a quick turnaround, avoid items like furniture or electronics. These can be good to sell, but they'll take longer. Cash in your treasures by reselling on Craigslist, including them in a rummage sale or selling to specialty buyers, like a pawn shop or a local business. So, don't let sticker shock get you down. And don't let it destroy your bank account. Even though prices keep rising, earning some extra money can help you weather the storm. Mike Brassfield (mike@thepennyhoarder.com) is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.
*Capital One Shopping compensates us when you get the extension using the links provided. **See viobank.com for more details 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. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investing in a Recession: How to Prepare for a Downtown Posted: 27 Jun 2022 12:15 PM PDT Stocks have fallen into a bear market this year and the Federal Reserve is aggressively raising interest rates in an effort to cool soaring inflation. Many experts believe an economic recession is right around the corner. So what's the average investor to do? While there's no such thing as a "recession-proof" investment, certain stocks, mutual funds and investment strategies can help your portfolio survive an economic downturn better than others. Why Making Your Portfolio "Recession-Proof" Is Harder Than It SoundsIf you believe that a recession is imminent, you might think it makes sense to allocate more funds to investment-grade bonds, since such investments tend to hold their value better than stocks during recessions. Alternatively, if you believe the economy will grow even faster than expected, you might try to invest more of your money in stocks. The return on stocks is typically better than bonds during periods of economic growth, which is most of the time. Simple, right? In principle, yes. But to correctly allocate your funds in anticipation of a recession, you first must correctly predict the recession. This is much harder than it sounds. Keep in mind, also, that the U.S. stock market is itself one of the strongest leading indicators of a recession. Analysis shows that most investors reallocate their investments in response to an economic downturn only after the stock market has already declined in response to those expectations. This is frequently described as the market "pricing in" the cost of the recession or other seemingly relevant investment information.
Pro Tip If you're new to investing, there's a lot to learn. Our guide to investing as a beginner breaks down everything you need to know.
4 Tips for Investing if You Think a Recession Is NearFor all the challenges facing individual investors, how can you make intelligent and responsible investment decisions before a recession hits? Here are some tips. 1. Don't Be Swayed by the PanicThe first step is to recognize that most of the noise surrounding you about the market is just that — noise. The worst investment decisions are often made during times of emotional distress, e.g., after the loss of a job, the death of a loved one or as anxiety mounts over a possible recession. The sooner you can block out emotions and evaluate your personal situation objectively, the better. "Come up with the proper asset allocation, continue to invest into it and don't stop," said Thomas Kopelman, a financial planner and co-founder of AllStreet Wealth. This can mean periodically checking in with a trusted advisor. Make sure you are working with someone who can maintain their objectivity and has a fiduciary duty to put your interests ahead of themselves or their firm.
Need help creating a diversified portfolio? Check out these 7 tips.
2. Reconsider Your Risk ToleranceCan you tolerate the fluctuations in your investment accounts associated with a garden variety recession? What about a repeat of a historical worst-case scenario? If the answer to either question is "no," it might make sense to re-evaluate your risk tolerance. If you can't stomach the thought of volatility, going with a more conservative asset allocation — even if it means a lower expected rate of return — might be a better solution.
Pro Tip Investing isn't 100% risk-free but there are several low-risk investment options for people who hate the idea of losing money.
3. Consider the Costs of Missed OpportunitiesNext, consider the chance that you — and everyone around you — ends up being wrong. Can you tolerate the FOMO (fear of missing out) associated with what you "could have had" if you left your portfolio untouched? Remember, that if you are a dedicated devotee of index investing vs. active management, all publicly available information is useless for making investment decisions. Your best bet is to ignore all of the hype and just keep doing what you've been doing. "Just remember that as certain as the future seems, it has a habit of surprising us. Markets are unpredictable, full stop," said Erik Goodge, a certified financial planner and president of uVest Advisory Group, LLC. 4. Prepare for the WorstWork on building a good emergency fund in case of a layoff and review your insurance policies to make sure you can afford any out-of-pocket costs associated with a major illness or accident. "It might sound counterintuitive, but one of the best steps to protecting your portfolio during a recession is to have cash on hand," Kopelman said. "The worst thing you can do is set yourself up to sell investments during a downturn because you don't have enough money in your emergency fund," he added. But What if You Just Can't Stomach a Hands-off Approach?If, after all these steps, the idea of leaving your investment accounts completely unchanged sounds a little too zen for your comfort level, consider the following strategies for mitigating risk while capturing future returns. 1. Consider DividendsInvesting in a diversified pool of dividend paying stocks can help you avoid falling into a "value trap." Sometimes big dividends can be a sign that the dividend payment is too high and unsustainable relative to the underlying fundamentals of the issuing company. But generally, it's a good sign when a company consistently increases its dividends to shareholders. It's usually a signal of financial strength and healthy cash flow — traits that help companies weather a recession. Plus a healthy dividend delivers passive income to your portfolio — something you'll appreciate during a turbulent market. 2. Look at Bonds and Other Income-Producing InvestmentsBonds play a crucial role in portfolio diversification because this asset class historically has little correlation to the stock market. Bond mutual funds and newly issued individual bonds "become more appealing to investors as interest rates rise because you can earn more income," said Cody Lachner, a certified financial planner and director of financial planning at BBK Wealth Management. But whether it makes sense to buy bonds now "depends on your income needs, current level of diversification and risk tolerance," Lachner noted. Options might include high-yield bonds or bonds issued by emerging market economies. The average investor can get diversified exposure to a mix of bond types through two low-cost Vanguard ETFs: Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund ETF Shares (BND) and the Vanguard Total Corporate Bond ETF Shares (VTC), according to Nasdaq. Financial experts also suggest exploring Series I Savings Bonds from the U.S. Treasury Department. These savings bonds are offering an impressive 9.62% return now through October with very low risk. The high rate won't last forever, but I bonds do serve as a hedge against inflation — something few other investments can promise. There are a couple big caveats though: You must hold I bonds for at least a year before you can cash them in and there's a $10,000 purchasing cap per year. 3. Invest in QualityLook for stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) that represent companies with strong balance sheets, stable margins and consistent earnings. These companies should withstand market turbulence better than their weaker counterparts. Look for strong performers in sectors like utilities, health care and consumer food staples, which tend to perform better during economic downturns than some other industries like airlines, travel and car manufacturers. Utilities and health care stocks may not be very sexy or appealing during bull markets because growth tends to be modest. But during bear markets and recessions, purchasing shares of companies that supply consumers with everyday essentials is a smart way to diversify your portfolio. 4. Think GloballyThese days, "broadly diversified" generally means including international investments. Returns between U.S. and international stocks tend to be cyclical. Allocating some of your investments overseas can help reduce the volatility associated with a portfolio invested solely in U.S. companies. 5. Look at Mutual Funds and ETFsHandpicking individual stocks is tricky and time consuming. The average investor is better off exploring mutual funds and ETFs that either track a broad market index (like the S&P 500) or a specific industry sector (like health care). Investing in funds gives you exposure to dozens of different companies with a single purchase — instant diversification. Taking this approach during a recession is a smart way to invest in several companies in well-performing sectors without concentrating your risk in any single company. The take home message here is to consider in advance the potential outcomes associated with different scenarios: both in your personal life and across the economy in general. By doing so, you will be much better prepared to withstand most (if not all) of what the stock market has to throw at you. Rachel Christian is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance and a senior writer for The Penny Hoarder. David Metzger is a fee-only wealth manager in Chicago. He is a certified financial planner (CFP) and a chartered financial analyst (CFA). 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. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earn Extra Money by Joining Online Focus Groups Posted: 27 Jun 2022 08:51 AM PDT A few years ago, I was invited to participate in a focus group. I visited in-person along with about 15 other people. For two hours, we vented all of our feelings about the ways a particular health insurance company interacts with its customer base. At the end, we each walked out with $125. The health insurance company wanted consumer feedback on their products and customer service, and it compensated us for providing our insights. Focus groups can be a lucrative side hustle when you break down per-hour pay. You get to be a part of a company's market research efforts, magnifying your opinion above those of other potential consumers. These days, you canto participate in paid focus groups in person or online. Today, we'll focus on the online space. These focus group platforms to earn anywhere from $20 to as much as $600 per hour. Online Focus Groups: A Viable Side HustleFocus groups can pay extremely well for the amount of time you actually "work." They can provide surges of side hustle income all at once. However, they're not likely to sustain you in lieu of traditional income. Earnings can be extremely inconsistent. First of all, you won't qualify for every survey, as each focus group has a specific demographic it's targeting. Often, though not always, the highest-paying surveys also have the most exclusive demographic requirements. The company may be looking to work with construction foremen who work with specific brands of equipment, for example, or with mobile app developers who use a specific type of programming. In addition, some consumer research companies will only allow you to participate in one focus group every six months. Just because work is sporadic doesn't make this a bad side hustle. When the money does come in, you're getting paid so much per hour that it's worth setting aside 30 to 90 minutes of your time. What You Do in a Paid Focus GroupMost focus groups require between 30 minutes and 90 minutes of work. When you're doing a focus group remotely, you may be asked to fill out a multiple choice survey. Most of the time, though, you'll complete a phone or Zoom interview with a live person. Topics for focus groups are unlimited: You could find yourself answering questions about your favorite margarita recipe, how you're coping with parenting in the 2020s, or a survey related to your profession. Some focus groups may require you to dedicate some time outside the interview itself. For example, you might have to give a specific product a test run or keep a journal of your experiences. This extra time is often accounted for in the compensation. Need a banking service that's built for gig workers and freelancers, helping you save for taxes and keep track of your expenses? Check out Lili. (It's free!) 5 Sites to Find Online Focus Group Jobs
These market research companies pay well for your time and consistently update listings for more opportunities. We surveyed current listings for hourly pay and estimated average hourly pay given the jobs currently available. 1. RespondentAn overwhelming percentage of the focus group opportunities listed on Respondent are remote. The majority of the listings are not city-specific, allowing you to qualify regardless of where you live. Current job listings range between $20 and $250 per hour, with the average focus group paying around $120 per hour. 2. WatchLABWatchLAB doesn't have as many opportunities listed, but it does regularly update its inventory on its Facebook page. Jobs are often city specific, though there is a wide variety of cities with opportunities available. Pay for WatchLAB focus groups ranges from $75 to $900 per hour, with the average focus group paying around $125 per hour. 3. FocusscopeFocusscope is another smaller consumer research company. It updates its users regularly about new opportunities on its Facebook page, and most studies are now completed remotely. Focusscope pays $75 to $250 per focus group, with an average payout of $100. 4. FindFocusGroups.comFindFocusGroups.com isn't solely a consumer research company. It is also a job listing board. It aggregates opportunities available across the country, and allows consumer research companies to submit listings. You can search these focus group listings by state. The average focus group pays around $125 per hour, though there are currently jobs listed for pay ranges anywhere from $75 to $595. Pro Tip Participating in medical trials can be another lucrative way to hustle together some extra cash. 5. User InterviewsIf you're looking for online or over-the-phone focus group opportunities, User Interviews listings are plentiful. However, compared to the other companies on this list, more of these focus group opportunities are in-person. Use filters while you search to ensure you're only being shown the remote opportunities. A portion of the listings on User Interviews are medical studies rather than focus groups. Participating in medical trials can be another lucrative way to hustle together some extra cash. Listings on User Interviews pay between $25 and $500 per hour — though few studies get close to the $500 mark. The average focus group pays $60 per hour. Pittsburgh-based writer Brynne Conroy is the founder of the Femme Frugality blog and the author of "The Feminist Financial Handbook." She is a regular contributor to The Penny Hoarder. Information from Penny Hoarder writer and editor Tiffany Wendeln Connors is included in this report. 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. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 16 Scholarships for Adults Returning to College Posted: 27 Jun 2022 07:10 AM PDT Applying to college and figuring out how to pay for it is a rite of passage for many high school seniors. But what about adult students who have been out of school for a while? There's no school guidance counselor to show you the way, parents probably can't help you through the FAFSA, and chances are you have a lot of other financial considerations— like how to keep paying your bills while putting yourself through school. The good news is that there are scholarships specifically intended for adult students, which can make going back to school a lot easier on your budget. So who exactly qualifies for a scholarship as an adult student? We'll dive into that next. Who's Considered an 'Adult Student'?While eligibility requirements will vary depending on the scholarship, an adult student (or "nontraditional student") is generally anyone beyond the age of a high school senior. This might be someone who took a break between high school and college, or someone in the workforce looking to return to school. It might also be a single parent, a later-in-life learner, or a graduate student looking for financial relief from their accumulating student loans. In other words, "adult student" can mean a lot of things. The key thing to hone in on for these scholarships is whatever makes your application stand out and to make sure that you have the qualifications to apply for the specific scholarship. Some of them are for women exclusively and others are for specific majors. What could make your application stand out could be your status as a single parent, or it might be that you want to go back to school to further your career in a specific industry— like hospitality or engineering. It might also be that you can demonstrate financial need, which many scholarships will ask about. Whenever searching for scholarships, you should also consider what kind of degree you're hoping to get, since some scholarships may be specifically for undergraduate or graduate degrees, while others are for those attending a vocational school. Pro Tip By focusing on what makes you unique, you'll be able to find the scholarships that are looking to reward adult students just like you. 16 College Scholarships for Adult StudentsOne more tip before you scroll through these scholarship opportunities: Fill out the FAFSA. The FAFSA doesn't just help you get financial aid from your school. Some financial-need-based scholarships (aka most of them) require information from your completed FAFSA, as well. Translation? FAFSA is your first step in qualifying for any and all student aid — whether its scholarships, grants, or student loans. Another thing to keep in mind? There's no age limit to receive federal financial aid, including Pell Grants, which you don't even have to pay back after graduation. So go ahead and fill out that application, and once you do, check out this list of scholarships for adult students. Most of these scholarships are recurring year to year and if you are too late to apply for 2022, remember them for next year. 1. AfterCollege Succurro ScholarshipEnter to win this $500 scholarship by completing a free profile at AfterCollege. To qualify, you must be enrolled in an accredited, degree-seeking program (anything from your associates to an undergraduate or a graduate degree qualifies) with at least a 2.5 GPA. Applicants must fill out a quick form and submit a short (200-word), "resume-style" personal statement highlighting their goals. The deadline to apply is June 30, 2022. Deadline for 2023 not available yet. 2. College JumpStart ScholarshipThe College JumpStart Scholarship is open to adult learners and provides a $1,000 scholarship to a student "committed to using education to better [their] life and that of [their] family and/or community." Applicants must submit a 250-word personal statement based on one of a handful of required prompts. You should be enrolled in a two- or four-year college or a vocational school, or plan to enroll in the next 12 months. The fall deadline for applications is Oct. 17, and the spring deadline is April 15. 3. Courage to Grow ScholarshipAny college student (who's also a U.S. Citizen) with at least a 2.5 GPA may apply for this $500 scholarship that recognizes one winner each month. Applicants must explain why they deserve the scholarship in 250 words or less. The award is sent directly to the winner's school. Some previous winners listed on the site mentioned they applied several times before being selected. Pro Tip If you're a senior adult, you can take college courses for free or cheap, and many institutions offer the chance to earn credits toward a degree. Here's how to find them in every state. 4. Dr. Angela Grant Memorial ScholarshipCancer survivors or students with family members affected by cancer may apply for a scholarship worth up to $5,000. Applicants must write an essay outlining their personal achievements and career goals, and give two personal references. Undergraduate and graduate students may apply between Jan. 1 (when the application is posted online) and May 1 (the date by which it must be postmarked). This foundation awards between one and three awards each year.  5. HotelPlanner.com ScholarshipMilitary vets and their family pursuing a degree related to technology may apply for one of these $1,000 scholarships from HotelPlanner.com. The company awards 10 scholarships two times per year. Applicants must submit a 500-word article describing what they plan to achieve with their degree, their financial need, and if/how their military experience sparked an interest in technology. The fall deadline is Dec. 15 and the summer deadline is Aug. 15. 6. Executive Women International ASIST ScholarshipExecutive Women International (EWI) offers the Adult Students in Scholastic Transition (ASIST) scholarship to women and men looking to improve their economic outlook through education. Applicants must apply through their school's chapter. Qualified applicants move to a national round where EWI awards 13 scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $10,000. The application period opens each January. EWI gives preference to applicants facing economic, social, or physical challenges. 7. Imagine America Adult College GrantsAdult students attending or enrolled in an eligible Adult Skills Education Program (ASEP) can apply for a $1,000 award from the Imagine America Foundation. Interested students must complete the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) Student Success Assessment before submitting their application. 8. Niche "No Essay" Sweepstakes ScholarshipSet up a free Niche account to enter this monthly sweepstakes with a $2,000 cash prize. This scholarship is open to all high school seniors, college, or graduate students who plan to enroll within the next 12 months. The scholarship can be used to cover any education related expenses including tuition, books, or even housing. New winners are selected every month and there's no limit to how many months you can apply throughout the year! 9. Return 2 College Scholarship ProgramAnyone 17 and up who is starting college in the next year or is already enrolled can apply for this $1,000 scholarship. You must submit a three-sentence essay that explains why you are getting your degree. If three sentences doesn't seem like enough, no worries — you can submit up to 12 entries to more fully explain your academic goals. Awardees can use the scholarship toward any level degree. The deadline to apply is Sept. 30. 10. 'Scholarship Detective' Launch ScholarshipThis scholarship search engine offers two annual $1,000 scholarships to raise awareness about their free online service, which helps students of all ages find scholarships based on eligibility requirements. The application shouldn't take you long to complete, with the longest section requiring a 140 character (between 20 and 40 words) explanation of how you plan to use the scholarship money. The deadline to apply is Aug. 31. 11. SuperCollege ScholarshipAny student pursuing higher education or planning to start may enter this annual random drawing for $1,000 — only incomplete applications will be disqualified. The winner may use the money for tuition, books or any other education-related expense. The deadline for the next scholarship is June 30, 2022. Details for 2023 not released yet. Pro Tip You have your own tuition to worry about, but do you also have college-bound kids? Here's how to help them pay for college without sinking your own financial ship. 12. Unigo $10K ScholarshipIf you're enrolled in college or plan to be, you can apply for this $10,000 award. Applicants must write a 250-word essay on the following topic: 'Would you rather be smart, funny or rich? Why?' The deadline is Dec. 31, and winners will be announced in March. Visit Unigo for a list of the website's other scholarships. There's something for everyone, and the essay requirements are usually brief! 13. Single Parent ScholarshipsFor any adult student who's also the sole provider for a child—you might want to check out this list of Single Parent Scholarships on Scholarships.com. These opportunities range in value from $1,000 to $20,000, with application deadlines throughout the year. Not a single parent? Use Scholarships.com to find out which scholarships you may be eligible for anyway.  14. Jeannette Rankin Women's Scholarship FundLow-income women 35 and older who are working on a technical or vocational education, an associate degree or their first bachelor's degree are invited to apply for this scholarship fund. The application cycle is open from November until February. 15. PEO Program for Continuing Education ScholarshipPEO offers a maximum $3,000 grant to a female adult student in the United States or Canada whose educational journey has been interrupted. The need-based grant is open to any woman who has had at least 24 consecutive months as a non-student sometime in her adult life and is within 18 consecutive months of completing her degree. Applicants must do an interview at the chapter level to qualify. Contact your local chapter to apply. 16. Society of Women Engineers ScholarshipWomen studying full-time for their bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, technology, or computer science may apply for various scholarships from the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). Adult students and re-entering students who have been out of school for a minimum of two years prior to the beginning of the current course of study can apply. The scholarship is available to full- and part-time students entering any year, including graduate school. Sophomores through graduate students typically apply between December and February, while first-year students apply between March and May. Add to your skill set without going back to school. We have great deals on courses you can complete from home. Lisa Rowan, Larissa Runkle, Tiffany Wendeln Connors, and Jacquelyn Pica contributed to this post. 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. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tampon Alternatives to Get You Through the Shortage Posted: 27 Jun 2022 05:00 AM PDT The reality of the tampon shortage is sinking in at checkout counters and in bathrooms across the country. Supply chain issues and inflation have teamed up to make an already complicated time of the month increasingly stressful. You've probably noticed the roughly 10% price jump on your favorite tampons. Maybe your go-to brand is sold out all together and you've had to resort to a different variety. Or, perhaps you've driven from store to store in search of what you need. Even worse, if you've taken a peek at online tampon prices, you might have gasped along with the rest of us. Many products are unavailable online, too. The price hike on tampons — when you can actually find them — is even more frustrating considering the so-called "pink tax." The term refers to the markup on products marketed to women compared to similar items marketed to men. This includes hair care products, shaving cream, razors and deodorant, among other products used by men and women. So, what can you do to see yourself through the tampon shortage? We've done the research on alternatives to tampons and came up with a robust list. Some options, like the menstrual cup, have been around for a while and can save you up to $100 a year even in non-shortage times. Others, like period underwear, are relatively new and while an investment up front, they can be worth it for long-term savings. 5 Tampon AlternativesWe rounded up five alternatives to tampons and found the best cost-saving options, so check out this list for ideas to see you through the tampon shortage. You might actually opt to stay with the new product and continue to save money. 1. The Menstrual CupA menstrual cup is a reusable bell-shaped cup, typically made of rubber or silicone. While the cup seems to be catching on fast, some versions of this period hack have been available since the 1930s. Easily ordered from Amazon or directly from companies like Saalt, Lena, Intimina, Super Jennie, and Moon Cup, these eco-friendly cups could completely change your period experience. When properly maintained, most cups last for 10 years. Plus, with prices ranging between $20 and $40, they are a cost effective alternative to tampons. We did the math, so you don't have to. A 36-count box of Tampax brand tampons is currently selling on Amazon for $30. According to the FDA, tampons should be replaced every four to eight hours so that's three to six tampons in a 24-hour period. Say a period lasts (on average) four days. That's 12 to 24 tampons. By month three, you will have saved between $10 and $20 with the menstrual cup. If you change tampons more often or have a longer period, your savings kick in earlier. Multiply those savings over 10 years and, well, you can clearly see why the cup is cost effective. 2. The Menstrual DiscThe menstrual disc is a saucer-shaped disc usually made from silicone. While smaller than its cup cousin, the disc is no less mighty. In fact it has an even higher capacity and a few other characteristics that can make it a more flexible choice for some women. And you guessed it, it's also reusable. Expect to pay between $35 and $40 each if purchased directly from companies like Lumma, Flex, Cora, and Hello Disc, but some discs sell for less on Amazon. Since these little saucers are reusable, they are an excellent cost effective alternative to tampons. We noticed that compared to the cup, the recommendation for disc replacement is far shorter, some in as little as two to three years. Still, a cost saving alternative to tampons.  3. Period UnderwearPeriod underwear looks like normal bikinis, boxers or boy shorts but feature a built-in pad. After some rinsing, they can be laundered with the rest of your clothes. This alternative to tampons might appeal to pad wearers who want a reusable option but aren't interested in inserting cups or discs. Per pair, period undies are $12 to $38 from companies such as Knix, Proof, Thinx, TomboyX, and Period. We also found this highly rated Innersy 3-pack for $21.99 direct from the company or $25.99 from Amazon. Since you'll likely need multiple pairs for each period day, period underwear is on the pricey side but the investment may be worth it over time. 4. Cloth PadsCloth pads are reusable menstrual pads made from natural fibers such as cotton, bamboo and hemp. They often come in bold colors or lively prints, adding some lightheartedness to an otherwise not so enjoyable time for many women. Prices range from $12 to $20 per pad, available from Aisle, Party Pants, Glad Rags, and Tree Hugger. This alternative to tampons is great for people with sensitive skin since reusable pads are made without chemicals or synthetic fabrics. 5. Disposable PadsAh, the old standby where many of us started our period journeys. Disposable pads are typically made from synthetic or semi-synthetic fibers. Available in a wide range of sizes with characteristics like ultra-thin, maxi, overnight, scented or unscented, wings or wingless and anti-bunch — disposable pad prices are as varied as the options. Packs of 32- to 48-count can be found for between $7 and $10, making disposable pads the most cost effective alternative to tampons in the short term. And with sustainable brands like Cora and Joni you can still feel good about disposing of your pads. Which Tampon Alternative Is Right For You?A few handy quizzes can help set you on the right path and some of the considerations will be how much money you want to spend, your individual preferences and what is most convenient for your lifestyle. Put a Cup In It offers product comparisons and this useful quiz to help you identify the right cup for you. Period Nirvana has some easy to read charts comparing menstrual disc versus menstrual cup and offers a quiz to help you find the perfect cup or disc for you. With any tampon alternative you use to get you through the shortage, read the directions and be sure to properly care for reusable products. Even after the shortage is resolved, we might not go back to costly tampons because we love to save money on menstrual products. Period. Save even more money on feminine hygiene products by making your own pads or getting help from services that offer free supplies.  What You Need to Know About Tampon AlternativesHere are three things you should know before buying tampon alternatives. 1. Tampon Alternatives are (Mostly) Cost EffectiveEven without a shortage driving up the cost of tampons, most alternative menstrual products are cost effective right out of the gate, while others require an investment up front but pay off over time. But especially right now, the most popular alternatives are sure to save you money. This is not only because of the cost of tampons, but also due to the possibility you might have to drive to two or three stores to find them. With gas prices on the rise, you want to avoid that and do what you can to save money on gas. 2. Tampon Alternatives are SafeSome alternatives function similarly to tampons (if you use tampons, you get what we mean) but are made from medical grade plastic, rubber or silicone. And some function like pads, but are washable and consequently, reusable. While most of us have been using tampons for years, it might surprise you that alternatives can actually be safer because they are less likely to harbor bacteria. When used and maintained as directed, they are a safe and healthy choice. 3. Tampon Alternatives are Environmentally FriendlyIt's always nice to know that in addition to saving money, you're helping reduce waste. Most alternative menstrual products are reusable which makes them not only a smart choice for your wallet, but also for the earth. Although some reusable alternatives are made with plastic, they can last up to 10 years. So, instead of throwing away three to four menstrual products a day made with materials that can contain up to 90% plastic, which takes years to break down, you're reusing one product (or a handful of products) with far less environmental impact. Contributor Veronica Matthews writes on lifestyle topics from North Carolina. 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. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| You are subscribed to email updates from The Penny Hoarder. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States | |
No comments:
Post a Comment