Monday, June 6, 2022

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%%title%% · %%sitename%% How to Use Samsung Pay

Posted: 06 Jun 2022 09:00 AM PDT

If you own a Samsung Galaxy device, there's a strong probability that your device supports Samsung Pay, the company's mobile payment and digital wallet service. Using Samsung Pay, you can leave your credit and debit cards — even your loyalty cards — in your purse, bag or wallet. Simply tap your smartphone or watch to a payment terminal and, tada, you've paid.

Samsung has been offering its mobile payment solution since 2015, so even if you're carrying around an older Galaxy smartphone, there is a strong chance that you have the feature all ready to go.

What Is Samsung Pay?

Samsung Pay launched in 2015 with one of the first smartphones to support the mobile payment and digital wallet being the Galaxy S6. Similar to offerings such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, Samsung Pay allows users to tap a smartphone or watch at supported payment terminals to pay for purchases.

Samsung Pay uses the same technology as other contactless payment solutions, known as NFC (near field communication) to communicate with supported terminals. Prior to the Galaxy S21, many Samsung smartphones also supported MST (magnetic secure transmission), which allows contactless pay at terminals that don't normally support the function. That technology has since been dropped though.

NFC allows two devices to communicate wirelessly when in close proximity. It's similar to RFID (radio frequency identification) tech, which is used with library books, passports and more.

The Samsung Pay app on Android also allows users to keep track of loyalty cards, gift cards and vaccination passes from supported partners. The app gives users access to cash back rewards and other savings when shopping, too.

Is Samsung Pay Safe?

Samsung Pay is backed by Samsung's security platform, Samsung Knox, which is a proprietary security and management framework for smartphone data security. All of that complicated information simply means that your financial information is safely stored within your Galaxy device and monitored for security.

All transactions made with Samsung Pay are also covered by your bank's fraud protection program and you provide authentication at set up. Before you pay at your favorite stores, you'll also need to authenticate your device using either a PIN, fingerprint or iris scan, meaning that not just anyone can pick up your device and pay.

As with Apple Pay and Google Pay, Samsung Pay never transmits your actual card information to payment terminals. Rather, Samsung Pay creates a random, unique identification number to be used with each transaction. You don't need to worry about someone potentially capturing your smartphone's payment signal.

Pro Tip

Samsung Pay is only available on Samsung devices but Google Pay is widely available on Android Devices. Apple Pay is also only available on Apple devices.

How to Use Samsung Pay

Before getting started, make sure your Samsung smartphone supports Samsung Pay. (We'll talk about Samsung smartwatches in a minute.) Nearly all modern Galaxy devices support the feature, but check Samsung's website if you are unsure about your device.

Set up Samsung Pay

Step 1: Open the Samsung Pay app on your smartphone. If you accidentally deleted the Samsung Pay app at some point, you can re-download it from the Google Play store.

Step 2: Within the Samsung Pay app, tap Get Started, then enter a PIN to keep the app — and your information — safe and secure.

Step 3: Next, tap the Menu button (shown as three horizontal lines) in the top left corner of the screen, then tap the Cards option.

Step 4: Tap the Add Card button (a credit card icon with a plus button), then tap Add Credit/Debit Card.

Step 5: Follow the onscreen instructions to add your card to Samsung Pay. You may need to accept terms and conditions and verify your information before the card can be added.

Using Samsung Pay

When you want to use Samsung Pay, check to see if the store supports contactless payments. Supported payment terminals may have a Samsung Pay logo or a contactless pay symbol (it looks similar to the WiFi logo). If a terminal has stickers for Apple Pay or Google Pay (G Pay), it will also support Samsung Pay because they all use the same NFC technology.

If you are unsure, ask the cashier. Retailers are becoming familiar with shoppers asking about contactless payments and they should be able to tell you if their system supports the feature.

Step 1: Open the Samsung Pay app on your smartphone.

Step 2: Tap the Pay tab and select the credit or debit card you wish to use.

Step 3: Verify your identity by entering your PIN or using your device's biometric security feature, such as a fingerprint or iris scan.

Step 4: Tap the back of your smartphone to the payment terminal. You will receive an on-screen notification when the payment has been processed.

Samsung Pay on Galaxy Watch

If you have a Samsung smartwatch, you can choose to make contactless payments without ever touching your phone. Before you try, make sure that your smartwatch is compatible with Samsung Pay and that it is set up and connected to your smartphone.

Most of Samsung's smartwatches going back to the Gear S2 support Samsung Pay. If you have any of the Samsung Galaxy smartwatches, you can use Samsung Pay. If you're not sure, check with Samsung.

Set up Your Smartwatch

Step 1: To begin setting up your smartwatch, launch the Galaxy Wearable app.

Step 2: This next step varies depending on which Samsung smartwatch you own. You will need to access the Samsung Pay settings following one of these methods:

  1. Tap Watch Settings > Apps > App Settings > Samsung Pay.
  2. Tap Apps > Manage Apps > Settings (gear icon) next to Samsung Pay.
  3. Tap the Home tab > swipe to and then tap Samsung Pay.

Step 3: In the Samsung Pay settings, you may be prompted to sign into your Samsung account. Select the Payment Cards option.

Step 4: Tap Add Credit or Debit Card and enter your information. You can either scan your card or choose to Enter Card Manually.

Step 5: Follow the on-screen instructions to add your card to Samsung Pay. You may need to accept terms and conditions and verify your information before the card can be added.

Step 6: Once completed, tap the Done button.

Paying With Your Smartwatch

When it's time to pay, check the terminal for a contactless pay symbol or the logos for either Samsung Pay, Apple Pay or Google Pay since they all use NFC technology for transactions.

Step 1: Hold the Back button down on your smartwatch to launch Samsung Pay.

Step 2: Swipe on the screen to select the card you wish to use.

Step 3: Tap your smartwatch to the payment terminal. You will see a notification on your screen when the payment has been processed.

Other Samsung Pay Features

Storing Loyalty and Membership Cards

The Samsung Pay app can also store your membership cards for your favorite restaurants and other retailers so that you don't need to carry them around. If you have a stack of frequently used loyalty cards, you may want to consider adding them for easier access.

To add a membership or loyalty card, open Samsung Pay on your smartphone, then tap Memberships at the top of the screen. Browse through the available membership cards and select the one you want to add. If it's not listed, tap the Add a Card Not Listed Here button to enter the information manually.

Earn and Redeem Cash Back

You can earn cash back and other rewards at participating retailers with Samsung Pay. To take advantage of this feature, open the Samsung Pay app and browse the available Cash Back Awards shown on the Home tab.

When you are ready to redeem your cash back, open Samsung Pay, then tap the Menu button (shown as three horizontal lines) and Cash Back Awards. From here, tap More options (three vertical dots), then tap Redeem Cash Back. You will need at least $5 in rewards to cash out.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is there a monthly fee for Samsung Pay?

No, there is no monthly fee. Shopping with Samsung Pay is the same as swiping or inserting a debit or credit card at checkout. You will not incur any additional fees for using Samsung Pay when shopping.

What banks support Samsung Pay?

Samsung Pay works with many major banks, including Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citi, Discover, CapitalOne, PNC, USAA, TD Bank and more. For the full list of supported banks and networks, visit Samsung's website.

Can Samsung Pay be hacked?

As with any technology, there is always a chance of a breach or intrusion. However, Samsung does take precautions to ensure your financial information remains secure, including utilizing its Samsung Knox security platform on Galaxy devices. 

Additionally, your card information is never transmitted wirelessly when making a contactless payment. Instead Samsung Pay uses a unique identifier to keep your credit or debit card information private and secure.

Is Google Pay better than Samsung Pay?

Google Pay and Samsung Pay have similar features. Both offer contactless payments and the ability to earn cash back and rewards. One downside is that Samsung Pay is only available on Samsung devices, while Google Pay is available on nearly all Android smartphones. 

One isn't necessarily better than the other, so try them both if you have a Samsung device and see which one works best for you.

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.

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20 Cheap At-Home Date Night Ideas Whether You’re Together or Apart

Posted: 06 Jun 2022 06:58 AM PDT

Relationships are complicated, and longer term ones benefit from regular date nights. You can turn off the rest of the world for a little while, and just be a couple. There are a lot of ways to have date nights, whether you are in the same room, or hundreds of miles apart.

Many couples have had to deal with one person being far away. Remote working isn't the only reason couples may be apart. It could be a military deployment, an out-of-town assignment, or a regular regional route. Thanks to technology, there are some ways to re-create a date experience via long distance.

Coming out of a pandemic but heading into economic uncertainty because of supply chain issues and inflation seems like a big damper on romance. Not necessarily! You can still celebrate your relationship and loved one on a budget.

Sometimes being creative with your time together is more rewarding and romantic than a fancy (and expensive) dinner out. The only inflation you will have to deal with is how much more you enjoy your sweetheart.

A couple hold hands as they enjoy dinner in their backyard.

We Have Lots of Date Night Ideas for Just a Few Dollars

If you've been with your sweetie for a while, it can be tough to find something special to do when you're spending most of your time together. And if you have a long-distance relationship, it's hard to establish a connection when you're apart.

But there are still free and low-cost ways to keep up the date night tradition.

Although they've been married for over a decade, Kenny and Celina Beaumont have always realized the importance of romance — especially after having kids.

"If we're not happy and having fun," Celina told us in an interview, "our household's not going to be happy and having fun."

So they've kept their long-standing date night tradition alive through the pandemic with some pretty adorable dates — one of which you may even have seen a glimpse of on John Krasinski's "Some Good News." (Look for the fine dining experience around 7:55!)

But dinner dates are just the beginning. Here are some of our favorite at-home date night ideas.

At-Home Date Night Ideas if You're Together

  • Fancy dining experience
  • Ballroom (or any other kind) of dancing
  • Game night
  • Virtual home town tours
  • At home DIY spa
  • Relationship scavenger hunt
  • Do a jigsaw puzzle
  • Play sexy MadLibs
  • Find a starry sky
  • Go on a late-night drive

If you were already cohabitating, there are plenty of ways to set aside some special time for each other.

1. Fancy Dining Experience

You can definitely recreate the restaurant experience at home, complete with dressing up for the occasion and actually sitting down and being waited on. That's exactly what the Beaumonts did. According to Celina, Kenny and the kids had been conspiring about the idea for several days before surprising her.

They printed real menus, got dressed up and dined al fresco on a three-course meal at "Jack & Olivia's" — so named for their kids. Kenny cooked up the steaks, while the kids made the salad and dessert.

2. Ballroom (or Any Other Kind of) Dancing

You might not make it out to your local Arthur Murray studio, but that doesn't mean you can't learn how to dance. Some couples' counselors suggest that a tango or two can be as good for your relationship as it is fun.

Crank up a YouTube video, clear out a spot on the living room floor, and give it a whirl. After all, nobody except your SO — and maybe the cat — is watching. Make you could even do a TikTok dance challenge. Just think, you could go viral.

3. Game Night

It might not sound like the peak of romance to some, but sitting down to a game of Scrabble or Chess together is a great way to spend some quality time while also giving your brain a workout. If you're really geeky, you might even take on a match or four of Magic: The Gathering.

We recommend adding fancy duds to the equation to make it feel even more date-y.

4. Virtual Hometown Tours

If you didn't grow up in the same place as your SO, and you've yet to show them around in person, Google Earth offers a great date night opportunity: a virtual tour of your hometown, complete with stops at all the most important places.

Even if you hail from the same place (or have already gone home to meet the parents), you could use Google Earth or Google Maps to show your sweetheart around your college campus — or explore a city you're hoping to visit together someday.

5. At-Home DIY Spa

Treat yourself — and your beau — to some DIY indulgence. Whether you give each other manicures, facials, or massages, it's bound to be a whole lot more affordable (and considerably more fun) than it would be in a salon. Check out this list of spa treatments you can do at home.

6. Relationship Scavenger Hunt

Use your imagination and create a fun date by leaving clues for each other, which will lead to a payoff for the winner(s). The easiest way to create a scavenger hunt is by first deciding what the prize will be. Both of you agree on how long you want it to last. Then plan it by working backwards from the last clue. Here's a site with a lot of romantic scavenger hunt ideas.

7. Do a Jigsaw Puzzle

This can be a fun competition (who can get their section done first!) or a romantic cooperation. Two sets of eyes can make a puzzle come together quickly. Build rewards for finishing the corners or the outline. Plus when your hands are busy it is easier to talk about things.

8. Play Sexy MadLibs

Why not get a little ridiculous. Download these Mad Libs — a word game where one person gets a list of words from the other without context -— or make your own. Concentrate on being silly and spicy.

9. Find a Starry Sky 

Looking up at a star filled sky next to your love is just about as romantic as it gets. You can slow down time and feel part of the bigger whole, just from your backyard or a (safe) local park. If you do a little research first (try using a free skywatching app like Star Walk 2 or Sky View) you will know the best time to lay out, and which part of the sky to look at.

If there is a lot of light pollution, binoculars and telescopes bring the nighttime sky much closer. Extra bonus points for knowing some romantic starry quotes, maybe some E.E. Cummings.

"Yours is the light by which my spirit's born/you are my sun, my moon, and all my stars."

10. Go on a Late Night Drive

This isn't exactly at home, but starts there. Even though gas is a little expensive, this will be worth it. Drive around fancy neighborhoods and imagine living in the houses, or through downtown and see what it actually looks like when you aren't scouting for a parking place. Drive out to the beach or shore, or over a bridge and stop at the other end for a kiss. Driving with no place to go, just listening to music and chatting, is incredibly romantic.

Tips for Successful At-Home Date Nights

Even with the best of intentions and lots of planning, it's easy for an at-home date night to feel like … well, just another night at home.

Here are some tips to keep it feeling romantic.

  • Put away your phone. Celina and Kenny say they make a point of putting their screens down during dates.
  • Wait until after bedtime. It's fun to get the kids in on the action — but if they go to bed earlier than you do, those couple hours of quiet can be a great time to rekindle your connection.
  • Look for the silver linings. Although staying home is hard in a whole lot of ways, it also offers a lot of opportunity for closeness, especially in a world where we're usually running all over the place.

"We never get to spend this much time with each other," Celina said of her family. Try to look at your at-home dates as an opportunity to slow down and enjoy yourselves.

A woman FaceTimes with her boyfriend.

At-Home Date Night Ideas if You're Apart

  • Virtual coffee (or cocktails)
  • Reading to each other
  • Live streaming concert or events
  • Virtual movie nights
  • Art therapy
  • Attend a virtual art lecture together
  • Write letters to each other
  • Take an online class together
  • Feed travel or house dreams
  • Take a goofy quiz together

Many couples have had to deal with one of them being far away. It could be a military deployment, an out of time assignment, or a regular regional route. Maybe one of you is newly working remotely miles away. Thanks to technology, there are some ways to recreate a date experience even if you're miles apart.

According to Earthweb, 14 million Americans are in long distance relationships. 60% of long distance relationships are successful. Of that 40% who aren't, the 63% of the time, the culprit is a lack of planning for their future. Couples who are apart exchange an average of 343 texts a week!

11. Virtual Coffee (or Cocktails)

Video call applications like Zoom and FaceTime make it easy to re-create classic low-stakes, first-date ideas like grabbing a drink or a cup of coffee. It's a good way to catch up on what is going on, make plans for when you are together again, and give a sense of normality to the relationship.

12. Reading to Each Other

This one's super romantic whether you're at home together or apart. If you're not in the same place, you can read to each other over video chat or over the plain-old phone.

The options are endless: You could pick a book neither of you have read before or revisit an old favorite.

13. Live Streaming Concerts and Events

From superstars to local up-and-comers, lots of entertainers have transferred their live shows to streaming services. Many are free, though it's nice to drop a tip for these struggling artists.

Re-create the concert experience at home with a cocktail and maybe a band T-shirt, and enjoy unlimited bathroom breaks without having to snake through a pushy crowd.

14. Virtual Movie Nights

There's nothing quite as cozy as snuggling up with your sweetheart for a movie, whether at the theater or on the couch at home. But even if you're stuck apart, you can spend time in front of the silver screen together.

A browser extension called Teleparty easily syncs Netflix, Disney, Hulu and HBO videos for multiple parties while also providing a scrolling text chat along the right side of the screen.

If your movie or TV show is on another service — or if, quaintly and adorably enough, you're going to watch the same DVD in separate houses at the same time — you can always hop on the phone and queue up the video. Don't forget the popcorn!

15. Art Therapy

A seriously romantic idea for the bold: paint each other while on a video chatting app like FaceTime.

Rather than draw each other, you could simply spend time together being creative, whether that means knitting, cross-stitching, painting or something else entirely. You could even make plans to give each other the products of your art session.

16. Attend a Virtual Art Lecture Together

During the pandemic many museums started virtual curator tours of new shows. Google has an Arts & Culture app that lets you explore farflung arts destinations, insert your face into famous art works, and see famous art works at a macro level. If there is a city you both love to visit, choose one of the museums where you can see both familiar and new works.

17. Write Letters to Each Other

Here's a low-tech romantic, long distance night that will only cost you a stamp. Write each other a romantic letter, and set up a time to read them out loud together over the phone or facetime. Sometimes it is easier to write how you feel than say it out loud. Best of both worlds — you get to write it and they get to hear it. Swoon.

18. Take an Online Class Together

You can sign up for online classes or study a language together. Duolingo is a free language app, and you can work on exercises and lessons virtually, practicing on one another. Or learn about mountains and maybe plan to meet on one soon. One extremely popular course is The Science of Well Being, offered through Yale, for free.

Working together on something that is low stakes can be fun and romantic, low cost and take only a couple of hours a week.

19. Feed Travel or House Dreams

Keeping a long distance relationship warm is going to involve some fantasizing, but we're talking PG level here. Pick places you want to visit, or live, and go house hunting online. It is fun to look at homes you may never see IRL.

Or head over to home share sites like Airbnb or VRBO, and pick a fantasy place to go. Maybe you will be on an island in the Caribbean, or a villa outside of Rome. It might turn into a real trip some day, or lead to finding a part of the world you didn't know you would be interested in.

20. Take Goofy Quizzes Together

There are plenty of websites that have quizzes, ranging from specifically about relationships, like the Love Language Quiz, which 80s movie character you were in high school, or play trivia games. You can each pick quizzes and the person with the best score gets to pick the next one. It's always fun to laugh with your hunny bunny.

Tips for Successful Date Nights Spent Apart

Here are tips to make it feel more like you're actually together.

  • Get dressed. It's all too easy to lie around the house in pajamas all day and even attend your dates that way. Wearing real clothes can make you feel more like you're on a real date.
  • Connect often. If you can't be with each other in person, spending digital time together is extra important. Maybe try to move your date night tradition from one night a week to two or three. Text each other every morning a picture of the clouds or breakfast, or one at the end of the day of the moon.

The Penny Hoarder contributor JoEllen Schilke writes on lifestyle and culture topics. She is the former owner of a coffee shop in St.Petersburg, Florida, and has hosted an arts show on WMNF community radio for nearly 30 years. Jamie Cattanach is a former contributor. 

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

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16 Best Early Morning Jobs for Early Risers

Posted: 06 Jun 2022 05:15 AM PDT

For many people, getting up bright and early is the best way to get a jump-start on their workday. A quick run, followed by a shower and a cup of coffee, gets these early birds off on the right foot.

If you find yourself in the latter category as a morning person, your career options are plentiful as well.

16 Best Early Morning Jobs

Here are some ideal jobs for early birds.

Airport-Related Jobs

1. Flight Attendant

Want to spend your days in the air, but have no desire to become a pilot? Airlines need flight attendants to keep everyone safe on the plane in addition to serving drinks and meals, cleaning up and helping people use those tricky in-flight entertainment systems.

This is a great job for early risers, since a 7 a.m. flight starts boarding far earlier, and flight attendants need to be there well in advance. While airlines have different requirements, generally you need to be at least 21 years old and have a high school diploma or GED.

Estimated Pay: Salaries can range from less than $50,000 per year to more than $116,000, with the median annual income being $79,869.

2. Airport Ticket Agent

When people need to check in two hours before their early flights, airline ticket agents need to be there to greet them, help them check their bags and offer assistance in getting to their gate.

This is also one of the best early morning jobs for travel lovers with other commitments, like kids to pick up from school and other regular obligations. You can often work at one airport and keep a somewhat regular schedule, yet you can still have a lot of travel perks.

Early morning shifts can begin at 4 a.m. or even earlier, so this is definitely a job for an early bird. Of course, some shifts last late into the evening hours as well, so be sure to find out the specific schedule of any position before committing.

Estimated Pay: ZipRecruiter says ticket agent salaries have been seen as low as $17,500 and as high as $89,000. The average ticket agent in the U.S. makes $41,484 per year.

3. TSA Agent

If you don't mind the potential of a little drama while enforcing security protocols, a TSA agent position could be a good fit.

TSA agents screen passengers, cargo and bags for dangerous and prohibited items, as you know if you've ever been through an airport. They also keep passenger traffic moving through the security checkpoint entering terminals. The TSA says the ideal agent is a people person, dependent, adaptable, observant and detail oriented.

Estimated Pay: Airport security-related salaries within the TSA range between $28,000 – $42,000 per year – the "d band" on the TSA's pay scale. With each increasing pay band, TSA employees make more money, with the highest topping out at $172,500 for the most high-ranking positions.

4. Air Traffic Controller

Someone has to direct all those early-morning flights. While air traffic controllers work all hours of the day, some have the opportunity to start before the sun rises.

As an air traffic controller, you will monitor and direct aircraft movement, control ground movement on airport and taxi runways, issue landing and takeoff direction, and transfer flight control to other nearby towers.

Air traffic controllers must have a degree from an Air Traffic Training Initiative Program, as well as having completed courses at the Federal Aviation Administration academy.

Estimated Pay: The median pay of air traffic controllers in May 2021 was $129,750 – which comes to $62.38 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Some people swear they produce their best work after 10 p.m. And these night owls have plenty of career options. 

Food Industry Jobs

A woman rolls out dough as she prepares to bakes pastries.

5. Baker

Since picking up a muffin or croissant is a morning ritual for many, someone needs to be there nice and early to make sure the tasty treats are ready.

You could start your own baking business or work for someone else, but either way, working at a bakery is a good way to start your workday in the early morning hours. To get this gig, you should have food service and baking experience, though some bakeries will train people eager to learn the ropes.

Estimated Pay: The salary for bakers ranges between $29,800 to $40,763 with the average annual income coming to $35,200, according to Salary.com.

6. Barista

Every morning, hordes of uncaffeinated workers stop at their local cafes for a cuppa joe to help them start their day. Baristas and cafe workers have to be at work bright and early to get everything ready.

Job duties typically include preparing drinks, serving customers, cleaning and running a cash register. Restaurant and barista experience is helpful, but many coffee shops are willing to train the right person who can have a smile on his or her face at 4 a.m.

Estimated Pay: Baristas are typically paid hourly wages which come to a median of $24,514, Salary.com finds.

7. Supermarket Stocker

If you venture into your local supermarket in the early morning hours, you'll likely see a stock team working hard at filling the shelves and getting groceries ready for people to pick up that day.

To keep the aisles clear for shopping rushes, supermarkets typically have crews working late or early shifts stocking the shelves. Be ready to do some heavy lifting during your shift as you organize and stock a variety of cans and boxes.

Estimated Pay: The average stocker gets paid just under $14 an hour for an annual total of $26,930.

On-the-Road Jobs

A mail carrier puts a piece of mail in someone's mailbox.

8. Mail Carrier

Spend your workday making the rounds and delivering letters and packages to people along your route as a mail carrier. People who work for the post office have to show up for the early morning shift to get the mail organized and ready for the day before they hit the road and start delivering. Many shifts end in the early afternoon.

To qualify for this gig, you must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, have a good driving record and be able to pass a number of screenings (including criminal, drug and medical checks).

Estimated Pay: The majority of mail carriers make between $25,382 to $37,603 with the national average at $36,036.

9. Truck Driver

You don't want to get stuck in rush hour traffic if you're a truck driver. That's why many drivers start early (think 4 a.m. or earlier) to beat the rush and get a start on their days on the road.

To qualify for a driving job, you need to obtain a commercial truck driving license, pass medical exams and demonstrate the attention to detail and aptitude needed to safely maneuver your huge vehicle through tricky situations, like heavy traffic, bad weather and big cities.

Estimated Pay: The average base salary for a truck driver in the U.S. is $69,054, per Indeed.

10. Refuse and Recyclable Materials Collector

Refuse and recyclable materials collectors start their days long before you hear the trucks rumble through your neighborhood first thing in the morning. Trucks typically have drivers and helpers.

If you're driving, you will need a commercial driver's license. While experience is preferred, drivers and helpers typically learn the details of their jobs as they work, including how to operate dumpster trucks and side-loaders. Refuse collection experience is preferred, especially for drivers, though helpers can have diverse backgrounds, including construction and manual labor. Many of these jobs also require people to pass a background check and drug test.

Estimated Pay: As with any other job, garbage collector salaries vary by state. But the national average comes to $15 per hour or $30,000 annually.

11. Rideshare Driver

With more than 2 million drivers working for Uber and Lyft these days, the rideshare industry isn't going anywhere. If you're a sociable person who would love to set your own flexible schedule, then driving for rideshare might be one of the best early morning jobs for you.

Early birds who live near an airport can definitely benefit from travelers trying to get to their early morning flights. Requirements include the obvious: a driver's license, proof of vehicle registration and insurance, and a Social Security number.

Estimated Pay: Keep in mind that many Uber and Lyft drivers only work part-time. However, rideshare drivers who work full-time hours make a median annual salary of $37,102.

Office Jobs

12. Morning News Producer

If you love working with people in an intense environment, consider becoming a morning news producer. The producer typically runs the show and organizes the director, studio crew, reporters, field crew and photographers, getting everyone ready to put together a high-quality newscast each day. Duties include monitoring the wire for stories, finding leads, communicating with everyone, making sure the timing is right, and editing and organizing the show so the flow is perfect.

You'll need relevant experience for these positions, and a college degree in broadcasting is very helpful, in addition to good communications skills and social media savvy.

Estimated Pay: A morning news producer's salary can range from $16,500 to as high as $121,000 per year. The national average is $51,172, ZipRecruiter reports.

13. Freelancer

Freelance writers typically set their own hours and work whenever they have the time or find the inspiration. For this job, you need to be able to write well and adhere to deadlines. No formal training is required, but having a collection of published clips is a good way to get your foot in the door. This is also a great option because you work remotely and have the option to work in a different time zone. The office is in New York but you're in California? No problem.

If you work for a design firm, you typically have to keep office hours, but if you work as a freelance graphic designer, you can largely keep your own hours, aside from specified times to meet with clients. This means you can wake up at 4 a.m. and work until noon if that's the schedule that best suits you. You need a good eye for design, and many find a college degree in graphic design or a related field to be very helpful.

Estimated Pay: The national average for a freelancer is $67,169 per year, which works out to about $32 an hour for part-timers. In the freelance world, salary ranges vary greatly depending on your chosen field (e.g. writer, designer, programmer, etc).

These are the best freelance websites for all sorts of specialties.

14. 911 Operator

If a tense, high-drama morning position is what you are looking for, then you might think about becoming a 911 operator.

These resilient men and women receive calls for ambulance, police and fire department assistance while also dispatching emergency personnel to the source of the call. They also log their calls, track emergency vehicles and provide detailed information on reports of events that happened during their shift.

Requirements can vary by state, but most 911 operators have a college degree in a related field, like criminal justice, emergency management or communications. During training, operators learn a variety skills including advanced first aid and CPR, basic telecommunications, suicide prevention, critical incident stress and more.

Estimated Pay: The median salary for a 911 Dispatcher in the U.S. is $43,000 per year. (Salary.com)

Physically Active Jobs

A personal trainer works with a client as they do crunches with a medicine ball.

15. Personal Trainer

Personal trainers can set their own hours, which works out well for many early birds – as most clients prefer early morning sessions.

To get a job in this industry, you'll likely need a personal trainer certification, as well as a first aid and CPR qualification. While your hours might lean heavy toward early morning, you'll still need to be available other times throughout the day. You can either work directly for a gym or go solo with your own personal trainer business.

Estimated Pay: According to PT Pioneer, personal trainer salaries vary widely based on hours worked and region of the country. The salary range falls between $23,000 and $76,000 per year.

16. Military Member

"In military basic training, there's no such thing as sleeping in," Military.com says. "You'll get up at 5 a.m. every single day."

Joining the armed forces is a huge commitment. But if you don't mind the early hours while serving your country, then the military might be a great option. You'll also receive other great benefits, like health care, free food and housing, paid vacation, tuition assistance and a guaranteed retirement.

Estimated Pay:  Service members are paid based on years of service and rank. Base pay can start in the mid-twenties and gradually increase to six figures for long-tenured service members. Keep in mind that the military also pays a housing allowance and other financial perks that also increase as tenure grows.

Kristen Pope is a freelance writer for The Penny Hoarder. Senior writer Robert Bruce contributed to this article. 

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

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How to Afford Music Festivals Without Going Broke in 2022

Posted: 06 Jun 2022 05:00 AM PDT

After two years of postponed shows and cancellations, music lovers are flocking to big festivals across the country.

While festivals themselves are amazing, the damage they inflict on your wallet isn't. Travel, lodging, meals, admission and incidentals all add up quickly.

Just take a look at 2022 ticket prices for some popular music fests around the country: 

  • Bonnaroo in Manchester, Tennessee: $350 and up for four days
  • Coachella in Indio, California: $449 and up for three days
  • Lollapalooza in Chicago, Illinois:  $350 and up for four days
  • Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas, Nevada: $359 and up for three days
  • Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival in Okeechobee, Florida: $350 and up for four days

Most ticket prices don't include options lile parking, camping, meals and other add-ons, let alone Insta-worthy VIP experiences or glow-in-the-dark rave fans.

When you tally everything up, it's easy to spend $1,000 per person at a festival by getting swept up in the moment — or making rookie mistakes.

Save bank and enjoy the experience with these pro tips on how to afford music festivals.

Save Money on Tickets

The sooner you purchase your festival tickets, the better. You'll need to plan ahead to get the best price.

Presale Tickets

Presale tickets are the most affordable. They usually go on sale anywhere from nine months to a year before the festival.

You'll need a presale code to get the cheaper rate. Some festivals, like Coachella, let you register for the advanced presale on their website.

Enter your name, mobile number and email, and you'll get notified with a code when the presale starts so you can grab your early tickets.

It's also easy to find presale codes online by Googling the name of the festival + presale code.

Tier Tickets

Miss the presale? Buy your tickets as soon as possible anyway. They will only get more expensive as the event nears.

Most festivals release tickets in "tiers." As one tier sells out, the next tier becomes available — at a higher price.

For example, when Bonnaroo 2022 tickets first went on sale, a four-day pass cost $299. But two weeks before the event, the same tickets cost a whopping $350. And that's before an extra $67 in taxes and fees are tacked on at checkout.

Should You Layaway?

Many music festivals, like Ultra and EDC, let you set up a payment plan so you can spread out the cost of your ticket in installments over the next few months.

Most layaway programs include additional fees. They're usually pretty modest, between $15 and $30.

If your monthly budget can't stand a $200 to $400 blow all at once, spreading the cost over four or five interest-free payments is a solid alternative.

Just make sure to factor in the installment payments in your monthly budget so you're not caught off-guard by automatic charges.

Score Last-Minute Tickets

If you're willing to take a risk, you can usually score a last-minute ticket at a rock bottom price the day of the event.

Scalpers and festival-goers unable to attend the event may offer tickets at a steep discount to recoup some of their original cost.

Patricio Solano, 35, has nabbed discounted tickets for his friends through festival Facebook groups and message boards.

"In the days leading up to events, people won't be able to make it, and a lot of times you can get the passes online from people at a fraction of the cost," Solano said.

It's never a guarantee though, and festivals are notorious for scammers. So proceed with caution.

Make a Festival Budget and Plan Ahead

Start mapping out your budget for the festival as soon as you buy your tickets.

Which expenses are you responsible for? Which ones can you split with friends?

Decide how much money you're comfortable spending the entire festival and divide that number across each day.

Overestimate how much you'll spend. Festivals are full of surprises — good and bad —  so you don't want to come up short on money due to unforeseen circumstances. No one likes to borrow money from friends or rack-up credit card debt.

Keep Your Money Safe

Some people like taking cash to festivals because it's easy to use and can help you stick to a budget.

But cash is also really easy to lose. Especially when you're in a crowded, unfamiliar place and possibly under the influence of, ehm, a lively festival atmosphere.

Festivals are also notorious havens for bad actors who take advantage of good vibes by stealing phones, wallets and other belongings.

If you're hesitant to use cash, consider bringing a prepaid credit card or app-based bank card with an allocated budget loaded on it instead.

Whether you go cash or card, keep your money on you at all times. Buy a fanny pack or a money belt and get in the habit of checking on your belongings throughout the day.

Pro Tip

You might look to your smartphone or smart watch to pick up the tab if vendors accept contactless payments. Some common ways include Google Pay, and Apple Pay.

Save Money While Getting Your Rave On

You bought your ticket — but you still need to figure out how to get to the festival.

You'll also need to decide where you'll sleep and what you'll eat without going broke.

Getting There

People sip on drinks while sitting in lawn chairs at a camp site at a music festival.

Where to Stay

  • Many festivals have on-site camping but you'll be expected to bring your own tents and supplies. Find out ahead of time how much camping passes cost and what items are permitted so you know in advance if you can bring things like your own firewood and portable stove.
  • If you're going with a group, consider pooling your resources to rent an RV.
  • An Airbnb can be an inexpensive alternative to pricey hotels near the venue.
  • If you don't mind sleeping in a room with strangers, staying at a hostel can save you big bucks. You may get a free breakfast too and the opportunity to meet new people.

What to Eat and Drink

  • If you're not camping on-site, look for accommodations that include a kitchen. This way, you can buy groceries, cook for yourself and save money on food while you're in town for the event.
  • It's easy to splurge on food and drinks at a festival. Make sure to bring a CamelBak or a couple bottles of water with you, and check out these other super simple tips for saving money on food while traveling.
  • If you decide to leave the festival grounds for a hot restaurant meal, don't forget to check online food deals before you go.
  • Set a food and drink budget for yourself at the festival and withdraw cash prior to the event so you don't overspend.
  • Challenge someone to a friendly bet at the beer tent. If you win, the other person has to buy you a drink.
  • Make your own hummus, Lunchables, granola and other snacks to take with you.
  • Double check the festival rules about food and alcohol before you go. You don't want to spend tons of money on booze just to have it confiscated at the entry gate.
  • If you're staying off-site, eat before you go to the festival and avoid that $12 hot dog and $15 slice of pizza.

How Fellow Penny Hoarders Save Money at Music Festivals

When you want to know how to get things done, it's important to talk to the experts — that is, the people who attend music events.

We asked a group of dedicated festival-goers on Facebook for their best money-saving tips and tricks.

  • "Basically just be willing to barter," said Brenton Rhein, of Orlando, Florida. "Talk to your neighbors and see what you can pool together. Most people are willing to do this, and it'll save everyone money in the long run."
  • "Make things and be creative with each festival," Jeremy V., also of Orlando, recommends. "I always hand make things as a side hustle, so that I can use it for trades or cash. I leave festivals with money made."
  • "Plan meals with your group and all pitch in on ingredients and labor. We made stir fry, bacon grilled cheese and a huge breakfast everyday. We didn't spend much on food inside the fest, and spent maybe $80-$100 per couple on the groceries," said Alex Gallo of Woodstock, Georgia.
  • "Don't spend money on souvenirs and merchandise at the festival," said  Solano, a Florida resident. "Most of those are available online at a cheaper price and you run the risk of losing whatever you bought at the festival."
  • "We had a big group," said Florida resident Courtney Lord. "[We] assigned certain snacks and drinks to singles and couples brought food. Everyone was responsible for bringing their own case of water."
  • "Goodwill and DIY for outfits," recommended Alexa Mucci, a resident of New York City. "Lots of people spend a ton of money on their rave gear or festival fashion, but you can repurpose thrift store finds or make really creative stuff out of cheap material and fun dollar store stuff."

Think Outside the Box

Here are a few other ways to save money on music festivals.

Become a Volunteer

Festivals always need volunteers to help with things like distributing wristbands at the gate, selling programs and cleaning up after the event.

In return, you'll get free access to the festival. You might even score other perks like free food and tips.

"You usually work about five to six hours per day and get the rest of the time to enjoy the festival," says Kelli Wheeler from Orlando.

Just make sure to sign up as a volunteer as early as possible because positions fill up quickly.

Write about the Festival

Come up with an interesting story angle and pitch it to a website that might be willing to pick up some of the cost to send a freelance writer to cover the event.

Enter Contests

When all else fails, sometimes you just need to make your own luck.

Bands, music venues and radio stations randomly give away free festival tickets. You may need to be caller number X to get a pair of free tickets on the radio.

"I went to Okeechobee for free because I entered [around] 10 different online contests," Mucci said.

Give it a Google and add your favorite bands on social media so you can learn about giveaways and contests.

Rachel Christian is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance and a senior writer for The Penny Hoarder. Lisa McGreevy is a former staff writer at 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.

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The 7 Best Savings Accounts for Kids of 2022

Posted: 06 Jun 2022 05:00 AM PDT

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Do you remember how old you were when you had your first bank account? I opened my first account alongside my mom (who was listed as the joint owner) at a nearby credit union when I was in the third grade. For years, that account served as a savings vehicle where I put money from holidays, eighth-grade graduation and — at 15 years old  — my first job.

That's actually not too outside the norm: In 2020, 49% — nearly half — of American children had a savings account, according to Statista.

And money management should start early for kids. Parents should make trips to the bank with them — and make them a big deal — beginning around age 6. You can help them open a savings account, and use that experience to introduce different money concepts, like how they'll earn interest by leaving their money in the bank.

Good news: Many big-name banks offer accounts for minors, and lots of them are low- or no-fee. Here's what you need to know about the best savings accounts for kids and other bank products.

Why You Should Open a Bank Account for a Minor

It may be tempting to hold on to your children's money for them in your own savings account or let them keep it in a piggy bank. But it's a good idea to open a bank account for them for several reasons.

Opening a bank account can:

  1. Help kids learn the value of money, from saving to spending it.
  2. Help them understand compound interest and how it makes their money grow.
  3. Help them learn to delay instant gratification by saving toward a goal.

Opening an account is also a great way to teach, or reinforce, good budgeting habits. Your child can start learning about saving for college, put money in a high-yield savings account or create a sinking fund (typically, money outside of a traditional savings account or emergency fund) for a summer vacation. By starting early, they'll have a better understanding of how money can be a tool to help them achieve their goals and learn about financial responsibility.

How to Open a Bank Account for Someone Under 18

While a minor can have a bank account in their name, an adult must open the account. So, a parent or guardian can open a joint checking or savings account with their child, thereby becoming the joint account holder. An immediate family member other than a parent or guardian, like an older sibling, can usually open an account with a minor, too.

Some accounts cater to young children, while others focus on teens. Different banks and states may also have rules about the age of a minor on an account, so you'll want to do your due diligence.=

For the most part, you can open accounts online or in person. Bank requirements will vary, but you typically need:

  • Your child's Social Security Number (SSN).
  • Their passport or birth certificate.
  • Your (the parent or guardian) own identifying information.

What You Should Look for in Savings Accounts for Minors

Before deciding on an account, you'll want to consider the following and make a checklist of the most important features for you and your family:

  • Is there a minimum deposit required?
  • Is there a monthly fee?
  • What's the annual percentage yield (APY) of an account?
  • Is there a daily balance requirement?
  • Is there a service fee?

And some additional questions you may want to consider:

  • Do you get a free debit account?
  • Is there a mobile banking app?
  • Are there add-ons — financial education materials, the opportunity to meet with a financial advisor etc. — available?

Other features may be important to you — say, the ability to transfer money into your child's account as often as you want. Or the ability to have multiple accounts within the bank or credit union to take advantage of more than just a checking or savings account.

Keep in mind that if a brick-and-mortar bank isn't for you and your kid, an online bank or other financial institution is worth looking into for an account. For this assessment, we focused on large banks with physical locations who also have strong online offerings and mobile apps.

7 of the Best Savings Accounts for Kids

Bank Min. Initial Deposit Min. Daily or Avg. Monthly Balance Monthly Service Fee APY

Bank of America Advantage Savings Account
$100
n/a
$0 if you're younger than 18
0.01%		 GET DETAILS

Chase Savings Account
$0
n/a
$0 if you're younger than 18
n/a		 GET DETAILS

PNC Bank "S" is for Savings Account
$0
$300 average monthly balance
$0 or $5
0.01%		 GET DETAILS

Wells Fargo Way2Save Savings Account
$25
$300 minimum daily balance
$0 or $5
0.01%		 GET DETAILS

TD Simple Savings Account
$0
$0 if you're younger than 18
$0 if you're younger than 18
0.02%		 GET DETAILS

Capital One Kids Savings Account
$0
n/a
n/a
0.30%		 GET DETAILS

Alliant Credit Union Kids Savings Account
$5 (Alliant will cover)
$100 average daily balance to earn interest
$0 (if you choose e-statements)
0.60%		 GET DETAILS

Bank of America Advantage Savings

Best for Easy Account Access
3.5 out of 5 Overall
Key Features
  • 24/7 access online
  • $100 required opening deposit
  • ots of branches and ATMs around the U.S.
Get Details
Bank of America is a well-known investment bank and financial services holding company. BofA exists outside of the U.S. — it's the second-largest bank in the world — and has 4,600 branches and over 16,000 ATMs. On top of checking and savings accounts, Bank of America offers a host of financial products such as auto loans, credit cards and IRAs.
Bank of America Advantage Savings
APY
0.01%
Opening balance required
$100
Monthly maintenance fee
$8/month (can be waived)
Mobile app
Yes
More Information About Bank of America Advantage Savings

BofA used to have a couple of account options set up for minors, but has seemingly rolled them into a general savings account. Just about anyone can open a Bank of America Advantage Savings account, but there are special considerations for the under-18 crowd. For example, the monthly fee is waived if the account holder is a minor. If you're looking for a checking account — and you're a student under 25 — Bank of America also offers an Advantage SafeBalance Banking account with no monthly or overdraft fees.

Chase Savings Account

Best for Physical Branches
3.5 out of 5 Overall
Key Features
  • Companion checking account for minors
  • Autosave feature through Chase checking
  • 5,000 branches
Get Details
JP Morgan Chase Bank, typically referred to as just Chase or Chase Bank, is one of the "big four banks" in the U.S. The financial giant has over 5,000 physical branches and around 16,000 ATMs in the country. Founded more than 200 years ago, today, Chase is one of the biggest banks worldwide and has a variety of banking services.
Chase Savings Account
APY
n/a
Opening balance required
$0
Monthly maintenance fee
$5/month (can be waived)
Mobile app
Yes
More Information About Chase Savings

While the Chase Savings account is relatively low-frills (no interest is a bummer, for sure), Chase has a large number of brick-and-mortar branches and ATMs for members who prefer easy access to their money and in-person support. Looking for other minor-friendly banking options? Chase also has a fee-free debit card for kids. Additionally, if your minor is at least 17 and heading to college, Chase is offering a $100 bonus for opening a new Chase College Checking account. Your teen can redeem the offer online and they'll receive the money after following a couple of easy steps. (Psst, mom and dad — this is another teachable moment for your teens since they have to be organized and follow the required steps to earn this money.)

PNC Bank "S" is for Savings

Best for Financial Literacy
4 out of 5 Overall
Key Features
  • A particularly kid-friendly account
  • Interest on balances as low as $1
  • Offers an interactive online experience
Get Details
PNC is a bank and financial services company based in Pittsburgh, PA. It was founded over 170 years ago and has nearly 2,700 locations throughout the U.S. Whether you want to take out a student loan or manage your financial life through its Virtual Wallet account, PNC offers a number of different services for its members.
PNC Bank "S" is for Savings
APY
0.01%
Opening balance required
$0
Monthly maintenance fee
$5/month (can be waived)
Mobile app
Yes
More Information About PNC Bank 'S' Account

This PNC savings account aims to help children learn about finances through its interactive online platform. The "Sesame Street"-themed learning center is an interactive experience for kids, who can learn about goal-setting; saving, sharing and spending; and even receive money tips from Elmo and gang.

Wells Fargo Way2Save Savings

Best for Fee-Free Banking
3 out of 5 Overall
Key Features
  • You can set up automatic transfers
  • No monthly fee for members under 24
  • Approximately 12,000 ATMs
Get Details
Wells Fargo is another large financial services company with locations around the globe (in 35 countries, to be exact). Founded over 90 years ago, Wells Fargo has over 5,000 retail branches and 13,000 ATMs. The institution offers a variety of banking services and products for members to manage money.
Wells Fargo Way2Save Savings
APY
0.01%
Opening balance required
$25
Monthly maintenance fee
$5/month (can be waived)
Mobile app
Yes
More Information about Wells Fargo Way2Save Account

The Way2Save Savings account offers free online transfers between Wells Fargo accounts and free online statements to help teach minors about money management. Unlike some savings accounts for minors that charge a monthly fee once a member turns 18, this account waives fees for those 24 and younger — one less thing to worry about paying for.

TD Simple Savings

Best for No Minimum Balance Requirements
4 out of 5 Overall
Key Features
  • No fee or daily balance requirement
  • Companion checking account
  • Bonus for checking account users
Get Details
TD Bank has many branches in states in the northeast and on the east coast. With roughly 1,200 locations, TD Bank offers loans, various types of bank accounts, small business banking and more. The chain also offers mobile and online banking, and typically has new-member monetary bonuses.
TD Simple Savings
APY
0.02%
Opening balance required
$0
Monthly maintenance fee
$5/month (can be waived)
Mobile app
yes
More Information About TD Simple Savings

The TD Simple Savings account waives monthly maintenance fees and the daily minimum balance requirement for all savers 18 and under. Members can take advantage of instant-issue debit cards, and TD also offers a number of online guides for personal finance education. Need a checking account, too? Right now, the TD Convenience Checking account is offering new members a $150 bonus when they follow certain guidelines.

Capital One Kids Savings

Best for Fee-Free, Interest-Earning Saving
4.5 out of 5 Overall
Key Features
  • Top-rated app
  • High APY
  • 70,000 ATMs
Get Details
Capital One is a bank holding company that offers everything from credit cards to savings accounts. Beyond commercial and consumer banking, Capital One does a lot of business with its credit card division (you've likely seen commercials with celebrities promoting these popular cards). Capital One boasts over 700 branch locations and 70K ATMs nationwide.
Capital One Kids Savings
APY
0.30%
Opening balance required
$0
Monthly maintenance fee
$0
Mobile app
Yes
More Information About Capital One Kids Savings

This straightforward, no-fee account from Capital One offers a solid 0.30% APY. You can establish automatic savings plans and savings goals so your kids can watch their balance grow — fee-free. Teens will also appreciate its easy-to-use mobile app and tons of ATM access.

Alliant Kids Savings Account

Best for High APY
4 out of 5 Overall
Key Features
  • APY 12x higher than most competitors
  • Geared toward kids under 13
  • Alliant will cover required opening balance
Get Details
Alliant is a credit union based out of Chicago. While located in Illinois, prospective members across the U.S. can join if they meet certain requirements (such as being a member of a qualifying organization or related to a current member). Alliant Credit Union offers 24/7 account services, and has checking and savings accounts, auto loans and more.
Alliant Kids Savings Account
APY
0.60%
Opening balance required
$5 (Alliant will cover it)
Monthly maintenance fee
$0 (if you choose e-statements)
Mobile app
Yes
More Information About Alliant Savings

The Alliant Kids Savings Account offers an APY 12x higher than most banks, so your child will earn some extra money on their savings in no time. While there are fees associated with the account, they're easy enough to avoid. And once your child turns 13, they can move to an Alliant High-Rate Savings account to continue saving.

Check Out Your Local Credit Union

It's always worth checking in on your neighborhood credit union to see what, if anything, they offer in terms of a youth savings account . Or, they may be able to offer more personalized service, an account with a higher APY or other perks.

A quick note: There are money accounts for children outside of traditional bank accounts that are known as UTMAs, which stands for Uniform Transfers to Minors Act. In these types of accounts, gifts of high value (money, real estate, etc.) "can be transferred to a custodian for the benefit of a minor," according to the U.S. Social Security Administration, until the child becomes a legal adult. The savings are tax-free for the minor until they assume the account. But the assets are considered part of the custodian's estate and are taxed accordingly.

Roth IRAs, Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (UGMA) and 529 College Savings Plans are other examples of savings vehicles for the under-18 set.

Pro Tip

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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Savings Accounts for Kids

We know you have a lot of questions about savings accounts for kids. We've rounded up the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.

What's the Youngest Age a Child Can Be to Have a Bank Account?

You have to be 18 to open a bank account on your own. However, a parent or guardian can open an account for their child at any age if they choose to have their name on it and help manage (or jointly own) the account. Sometimes an older sibling can be a joint owner of an account for a younger sibling, too.

If you're under 18 or shopping around for an account for a minor, make sure to look for bank accounts that cater to children. A variety of big and small banks have accounts that offer special incentives for the under-18 crowd, such as targeted educational material or a reprieve from monthly fees, usually for kids 17 and younger. However, some institutions extend these incentives until a member has graduated from college.

What Are the Best Savings Accounts for Kids?

Capital One offers a comprehensive savings account for minors — decent APY, no fees, etc. But ultimately, the best savings account for kids will be any account that lets them save money for low or no fees. From there, you can seek out specifics that will help them meet their savings goals.

The best children's savings account will depend on several factors. For instance, your kid might respond best to a teen checking and savings account that offers a mobile app and online banking. Or, they might prefer an account with a competitive interest rate, even if it means they have to adhere to a particular average monthly balance to earn it.

What is the Best Kind of Account to Open for a Child?

Look for a savings account with low or no fees, that has savings tools and that offers opportunities to open other banking products (like a checking account) for further saving and earning. And don't forget, you can always switch accounts: If one falls out of favor with you or your child, it can pay (quite literally) to open an account elsewhere.

There are a few items you want to prioritize when shopping around for a kid's savings account for children. For instance, a bank account that requires a high minimum balance or charges a two-digit monthly fee, likely wouldn't be ideal. Especially for a child who might be opening their first account with the proceeds of a lemonade stand or some birthday cash — money that isn't regularly coming in.

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

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: 06 Jun 2022 04:50 AM PDT

Nearly 20 million consumers held unsecured personal loans at the end of 2021, according to TransUnion, putting the average per borrower at just under $10,000. At some point, you might also consider taking out a personal or unsecured loan, too, especially if you are low on savings and a big expense is on the horizon.

Before taking on that financial burden, what exactly do you need to know? What are the pros and cons of unsecured loans? How does an unsecured loan affect your credit score? And how do you qualify?

Let's break down the basics of unsecured loans.

What Is an Unsecured Loan?

An unsecured loan is simply any type of loan that doesn't require collateral. With a mortgage, the house itself is the collateral. That's a secured loan. If the homeowner defaults, the bank can choose to take the house as collateral. With an unsecured loan, the bank looks at other factors — such as a good credit score — during the approval process, but doesn't require an asset as collateral.

Examples of Unsecured Loans

There are many types of unsecured loans, though the most common tend to be credit cards, student loans and personal loans.

  • Credit cards: If used responsibly, credit cards can be a great way to build your credit score and make the most of your financial situation. They can also help in a pinch if you need a quick line of credit for something urgent. Credit card interest rates will vary based on your credit score and history, though the national average APR or annual percentage rate is around 16%, according to data from the Federal Reserve.
  • Student loans: A student loan can help you pay for higher education, which is the only option for many students especially as costs increase. While federal student loans offer some advantages over private loans, both are still unsecured loans.
  • Personal loans: You might take out an unsecured personal loan for something like a home improvement project, wedding or other big-ticket items. A personal loan has no restrictions on how it can be used. A personal loan is approved for a set amount and given to you in a lump sum.
  • Personal line of credit: A personal line of credit functions more like a credit card than a loan, creating a revolving, unsecured line of credit that you can utilize at any time. You'll only pay interest on the amount you borrow, not the full line of credit, similar to a home equity line of credit.
  • Debt consolidation loan: A debt consolidation loan is a type of unsecured loan that can be used to pay off multiple debts with higher interest rates, such as credit cards. Many require a credit score in at least the mid-600s to qualify.
  • Payday loans: Cash advance or payday loans are also unsecured loans because you don't provide any collateral.
  • Buy now, pay later loans: You may not think of "buy now, pay later" options as a loan but financing offered by companies like Afterpay and Klarna are a type of unsecured loan.

Pro Tip

If you're ready to get rid of your student loans, these tips can help you pay off your student loans faster, no matter how much money you make. 

Payment terms on unsecured loans fall into two categories:

  • Revolving loans include credit cards or a personal line of credit. There is a credit limit that can be drawn from, repaid and spent again.
  • Term loans, however, work more like secured loans in that the borrower makes pre-set payments until the loan is repaid by the end of the term. Some examples include student loans, personal loans and loans to consolidate debt.

Unsecured vs. Secured Loans

Maybe you're not sure about an unsecured loan and feel like a secured loan would better fit your needs. There are several differences between secured and unsecured loans.

Unsecured loans Secured loans
Not backed by collateral Backed by collateral
Riskier for the lender Riskier for the borrower
Lower borrowing limits Higher borrowing limits
Higher credit score requirements Lower credit score requirements
Higher interest rates Lower interest rates

Types of Secured Loans 

Some of the most common types of secured loans include:

  • Mortgage loans: A  mortgage is secured by your house. Stop making payments and the bank can come after your home, the collateral in this case.
  • Home equity loans: You can also use the equity in your house as collateral to get a home equity line of credit or home equity loan. Like a mortgage, your house is on the line if you can't make the payments.
  • Secured personal loans: A secured personal loan is simply a personal loan with collateral, such as a car, certificate of deposit or savings account.
  • Car loans: A car loan works like a mortgage. Your car is the collateral.
  • Secured credit cards: A secured credit card requires a cash deposit — unlike an unsecured credit card — that becomes your line of credit. A secured credit card can help build credit if you have no history or a low credit score.
  • Business loans: A secure business loan can be backed by equipment, real estate, inventory or another asset.

Unsecured Loans Pros

Before taking on unsecured debt, you should know the good and bad of what you're dealing with.

  • No need to leverage assets as collateral: Your house or car aren't on the line with an unsecured loan. So if you have a sudden loss of income and can't continue making payments, the bank can't take those essential items. A lender can still take legal action against you though.
  • Faster approval process: Since there's no need to evaluate assets, you can usually get approved for an unsecured loan by an online lender within a few days. The lender will take a look at your credit history and credit score to determine where you'll get approved and for how much.
  • The potential to take out a smaller loan: Depending on your point of view, this could be a pro or a con. A smaller unsecured loan means less risk for you and the bank. It's also a way to build — or rebuild — your credit history without taking on too much debt.

Unsecured Loans Cons

  • Higher interest rates: Because unsecured loans don't have collateral, interest rates are often higher than secured loans. Your rate will depend on two factors: your credit score and the amount you want to borrow. Higher interest rates can mean higher monthly debt payments, so you'll want to make sure the loan makes sense for your budget. Interest rates can range from about 4% to 36%.
  • Good credit scores required: A good credit score shows the bank that you may be less of a risk. You're not only likely to get approved but could also receive a higher loan. It's possible to get a personal loan with a lower credit score, but lenders tend to prefer a score of at least 720. A credit score in the mid-600s or higher can give you a wider choice of lenders, as well as better interest rates.
  • The bank can still come after you for defaulting: Even though the loan is unsecured, the bank still has options if you fail to make payments. A lender could sue you for the loan balance and obtain a lien on your assets. If the lawsuit is successful, your wages could be garnished and your credit report would take a major hit.

How an Unsecured Loan Can Affect Your Credit Score

Once you apply for an unsecured loan, your credit score may take a mild hit, which comes from the credit inquiry itself as well as the potential increase in your debt to income ratio.

On the flip side, the inquiry will eventually go away. And as long as you're making your payments on time, your score should begin to trend upward again.

Making payments on your unsecured loan will also improve your payment history and lower your debt-to-credit ratio, which can help increase your credit score.

Taking on any loan is a great responsibility. But if you stay on top of payments and manage the loan responsibly, you can build your credit score and possibly secure better terms the next time you apply for a loan.

Pro Tip

Despite what you may have heard, carrying a small month-to-month balance on a credit card does not help your credit score. 

How to Qualify for an Unsecured Loan

Here's the factors that may play into whether you get approved for an unsecured loan and how much the loan will be.

  1. Credit history and score: Your credit score plays a huge part in determining whether or not you'll get an unsecured loan. Most lenders are looking for at least a 600 to qualify with better terms and interest rates for higher credit scores. Some lenders do offer loans to people with lower scores or no credit history.
  2. Income: Many lenders have a minimum income requirement to qualify for an unsecured loan. Others don't have an income requirement at all or have a very low minimum.
  3. Debt-to-income ratio: Also called DTI, your debt-to-income ratio represents the percentage of monthly debt payments to your monthly income. Lenders use DTI to assess a borrower's ability to repay. Many lenders prefer a DTI at or below 36%.
  4. Savings and assets: Unsecured loans don't require collateral, but a lender may look at your overall financial situation to determine your ability to take on the loan. If you have the ability to cover financial emergencies, you may be less likely to miss payments and more likely to qualify for the loan.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Before you take on debt, it's always good to do your research and make sure you're prepared. When it comes to unsecured loans, here are some frequently asked questions.

How Much Can I Borrow in an Unsecured Loan?

An unsecured loan may be as small as $500 up to $100,000. Whether you need to pay for an emergency or finance a big expense, your payment will be lower and you may pay less interest if you borrow just what you need. So while it might be tempting to get extra, it's smarter to stick to your estimate and keep your repayment length as short as possible given the higher interest rate.

What Are the Terms of an Unsecured Loan?

Repayment terms for unsecured loans can range from a few months to several years depending on the loan and lender. A longer loan term means lower monthly payments but more interest paid over time. Ideally, you'll take on the shortest loan term that makes the monthly payment manageable. You may also pay an origination fee, which is important to include your calculations.

How Much Is Interest on Unsecured Loans?

Interest rates for unsecured loans can vary greatly from around 4% up to 36%. To set your interest rate, a lender may consider your credit score, income, debt-to-income ratio, the size of the loan and the repayment terms.

Which Unsecured Loan Is Right for Me?

Finding the right unsecured loan for you depends first on how you plan to spend the money. If you're financing an education, start with more favorable government student loans, then consider private student loans. If you want easy access to a revolving loan, a credit card or line of credit may be best. Similarly, a debt consolidation loan is best for debt, not tuition. Next, research your options for that type of loan and compare terms offered by various lenders to find the unsecured loan that best meets your needs.

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.

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Dear Penny: Will I Owe My Husband Alimony if We Separated 10 Years Ago?

Posted: 05 Jun 2022 07:00 AM PDT

Dear Penny,

I've been separated for more than 10 years after a 30-plus-year marriage. The past 10 years, I've supported the family home, paid off all outstanding bills and paid off the credit card debt of over $15,000. 

I also sold the family home last year and split the proceeds equally. Before selling the home, I couldn't afford an attorney for a divorce. (I made half of what I make now, and holding on to the house took most of my money.) I filed on my own behalf, but it never went anywhere because they need documentation from both parties which (on his part) never happened. 

I now have money to hire an attorney, but I am nervous about my savings and retirement accounts and money from the sale of the family home. I still work and now make over $80,000. But the problem is he has no job and is living off the sale of the home. He is 62 and could file for retirement but wants to wait a while longer. 

A few years ago, I was advised by an attorney that a judge could require me to pay alimony because it was a long-term marriage and I'm the only one with income.   

I am looking into investing the money from the sale of the house. Hopefully, that should not be an issue because I split those funds. However, I'm worried about my retirement accounts that have grown substantially these past 10 years. Also, for the past seven years I've contributed $50 a month for my five grandchildren in a 529 plan.

I really want the divorce because I know it will make me feel better, but I  don't want to fall back into another struggle financially. Before I hire an attorney, do you have any advice for moving on with my life? 

-D.

Dear D.,

Meeting with an attorney isn't the same as hiring an attorney. You're not signing up to serve your husband with divorce papers by scheduling a meeting. You can ask the same questions you pose in your letter to someone who knows your state's divorce laws.

Please just take the first step and book a consultation with an attorney. In the meantime, I'll offer my non-lawyerly take on the financial issues you raise.



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Your retirement funds would probably be split if you divorce. Money you saved plus the earnings before getting married would likely be yours. But money saved and earned while you were married would probably be divided.

The rules vary by state. In a nutshell, it's typically a 50/50 split if you live in one of the nine community property states. But the other 41 states use a process called equitable distribution. Essentially, the court tries to divide assets fairly, but not necessarily equally.

Obviously, you don't want to share the past decade's worth of gains with your estranged husband. But that's a reason to not delay any longer. You want this divorce. By dragging this out, you're risking part of your future gains.

Court-ordered alimony is a possibility, but it's not necessarily a given. Again, the laws vary by state. A judge would consider a slew of factors, including your husband's ability to support himself. Presumably, your husband has managed on his own for 10 years without alimony. Perhaps that could bolster your case against spousal support.

As for the 529 plans for your grandchildren, your husband could go after that money if you own the plans. But you owe taxes plus a 10% penalty when 529 funds are used for non-educational purposes. For this reason, most couples choose not to split 529 plan assets when they divorce.

Obviously, divorce has humongous financial consequences. But consider the consequences of not divorcing. While you're married, you can't remove your husband as the beneficiary of any workplace retirement account, like a 401(k), without his consent. Your husband is still your next of kin, meaning he could make medical and financial decisions on your behalf if you're incapacitated. If you live in a community property state, you're jointly responsible for any debt your husband racks up while you're still married.

You've had the past 10 years to worry about every possible scenario. I don't want to downplay the seriousness of this decision. But often when we spend a long time stewing over a big decision, the outcomes we imagine are far worse than the reality.

Look at what you've accomplished in the last decade: You've doubled your income. You've paid off debt. You've been the sole breadwinner. You may have financial hurdles ahead, but I think you can overcome them.

Attorneys are expensive. So are divorces. But you've been stuck in limbo for 10 years. Moving on will be priceless.

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

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

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How To Score Cheap Concert Tickets in 2022

Posted: 05 Jun 2022 07:00 AM PDT

There is nothing more disappointing than missing out on tickets to see your favorite artist live in concert.

Especially after two very long years of canceled gigs, postponed tours and ticket refunds.

With pandemic restrictions mostly lifted, pent-up demand is driving concert ticket prices sky high across the country.

It can be really, really hard for an average person to get those prized concert tickets from big name artists without paying an arm and a leg.

Certain concert tickets are so expensive in part because experienced brokers gobble up a big chunk of tickets during the presale and general sale, often enlisting illegal bots to make bulk purchases.

Tickets are then resold on secondary market sites like StubHub, Vivid Seat and Ticketmaster, with anywhere from a 50% to 5,000% mark-up.

Yep, it's a pretty wacked-out system: Artists sell their tickets low to save face before bots and scalpers scoop up hundreds of tickets to inflate prices, leading to an outrageously expensive night out.

How expensive?

In May, Harry Styles announced a one-night-only show in New York City.

Tickets started at $25, but sold out almost immediately. Within hours, prices soared from $600 to $11,000 for a single resale ticket on Ticketmaster's secondary market, according to Newsweek.

Yeah, that's the definition of a lot.

Live Nation, parent company of Ticketmaster, all but gloated about surging consumer demand in its Q1 earnings report, noting that average resale ticket prices are up almost 20% compared to the first quarter of 2019.

"We have sold almost 20 million more tickets to our concerts this year than at this point in 2019," noted Live Nation President and CEO Michael Rapino in the May 5 report. "Concert fans are showing no signs of slowing down — they are paying more for the best tickets … and spending more onsite."

Skip the Scalpers, Bypass the Bots

Resale prices rise with high demand. And demand has been breaking records as a seemingly endless procession of big-name musicians hit the road again.

This means you may never get an inexpensive (even relatively so) ticket to a popular artist's live show unless you can snag one at face value before the bots swoop in — or wait until the last-minute to buy your tickets.

Here are a few tips and tricks on how to get cheap concert tickets to your next unforgettable show.

Get In On the Presale

Buying concert tickets at face value — especially to high-profile stadium shows like Beyoncé or Justin Bieber — is no easy feat.

The presale period might be the best time to snag cheap tickets before the sale is opened to the general public.

Here are a few ways to get in on that presale action.

Become a (Super) Fan

Joining an artist's fan club can get you early access to their ticket sales.

You can join a fan club (check the artist's website for details), sign up for email lists or follow the social media accounts of your favorite artists to receive early-access presale codes.

Some musicians also have street teams of volunteers. In exchange for spreading the word about your favorite band by putting up posters and posting about them on social media, you may be able to score discount tickets or at least a presale code.

Whip Out Your Credit Card

While you always want to be cautious signing up for (and using) a credit card, that small but mighty piece of plastic can sometimes be your ticket to the presale realm.

Ticketmaster, the main site for concert ticket sales, often offers exclusive presale opportunities to Chase, Citibank and American Express cardholders.

A growing number of credit card companies also let you redeem your cash back points for live event tickets.

Capital One Entertainment, for example, allows cardholders to purchase or redeem rewards for tickets to hundreds of thousands of events worldwide, including sporting events and live music.

Whether you carry one of Capital One's travel cards or a simple cash-back card, you can get access to presale events along with curated "exclusive" packages that can include things like meet-and-greets not available to the general public.

Search Online for Presale Codes

As a last-ditch effort to get your hands on a presale access code, you can simply take to the internet with a Google or Twitter search. "Artists name" + "presale" will generally get you where you want to be.

Buy Tickets the Day They Drop

To purchase concert tickets to your dream show during the general sale period, you need to be quick — and come prepared.

Create an Account

Prior to the day tickets go on sale, create a user account on whichever website you'll be using to purchase your concert tickets.

Nothing slows you down more in those frantic moments between loading your cart and checking out than having to create an account and fill out all of your information.

Make a Plan

Set yourself up for success by making a plan. Look at a map of the venue to see how the different sections are labeled and decide which area you'd like to be in.

That way, on the day of the sale, you won't end up panic-picking seats you're not totally thrilled about.

Watch the Clock

Don't just set an alarm for the exact moment the tickets are supposed to drop. Some sales roll out in phases, and the first bunch may drop a few minutes before the designated time (although there's no telling when).

Either way, you'll want time to log into your account and get ready, so make sure you set a reminder for 15 minutes before the actual on-sale time.

Speed Counts

Get online using the fastest Wi-Fi or wired internet connection you can. A slow internet connection could seriously impede your chances when you're competing against thousands of other fans (and machines).

Grab Your Ticket on the Go

Most ticket sale sites have a mobile site or phone app, so you don't have to miss a sale just because you can't be tied to your home computer.

Depending on the speed of your device, it might even make sense to buy concert tickets on your phone instead of your regular computer if your mobile device gets the job done faster.

Up Your Chances

If you plan on going to the show with a friend, have that person try to buy tickets at the same time on a different device.

This will up your odds of getting concert tickets on the first try.

If you both (magically) end up buying two tickets, you can sell the extras through a verified resale site. (Just remember to be a good groupie and resist the urge to rip off other fans by jacking up the price.)

Strength in (Smaller) Numbers

If you're going with a big group, you might have to split up.

Buying a large chunk of tickets is difficult, since even one already-bought seat could make the site cancel your entire order. Decide ahead of time who will sit with whom and plan on buying tickets in pairs instead.

If you're really on a budget, you can also save money by sitting solo.

Blocks of seats are more popular (and more expensive) than single seats, so venues and ticket brokers often sell isolated single seats at a discounted rate.

People wait in line to get into a concert.

Look For Last-Minute Tickets

In the same way that waves of tickets may be released a bit early, some tickets may be held until hours, days or weeks later. Check back once in a while to see whether there are any more tickets available.

When scalpers and resellers fail to sell all their extra tickets, they offer cheap prices at the last minute so they can recoup some of their initial costs.

The day before or the day of an event is the best time to find cheap concert tickets if you missed the presale window.

It might be tough to wait until the very last minute to secure your tickets, especially if you're traveling to the show and need to arrange accommodations.

But if you live nearby the venue and can keep your calendar clear that night, waiting until the last minute can be a great opportunity to get cheap tickets.

Just make sure to buy tickets from verified, third-party sites like StubHub, SeatGeek, RazorGator, Vivid Seats and TicketsNow.

You'll still pay fees but they're generally cheaper than Ticketmaster's bevy of charges.

You can also try aggregator sites, like Ticketwood, which scans the web for the best deals from several resale sites at once.

Other Ways to Get Cheap Concert Tickets

Even if you didn't beat the bots, there's other ways to get cheap concert tickets — if you're willing to get creative.

Go for the Cheap Seats in Cheap Cities

Be willing to compromise for nosebleeds if seeing Taylor Swift live is really super important to you. You'll always pay more for seats close to the stage.

And remember: Some tour dates and venues are cheaper than others. If you live within driving distance of two major cities, check ticket prices for both sites. You might find tickets are cheaper in Louisville, Kentucky, for example, than in Nashville.

Try the Box Office

You can always shave a little off the ticket price by going directly to the venue's box office. Most theaters and arenas have a box office where you can buy concert tickets directly, avoiding ticket seller service fees. Box office hours are limited so make sure to check what hours they're open before you visit.

Work the Event

Contact the venue to see if event staff or security get free tickets or discounts. You won't get to hang out and relax like a standard concert goer, but you could save a ton of money on tickets or get access to a sold out show.

Win a Ticket

Sometimes bands, music venues and radio stations offer free concert tickets. You may need to be caller number X to get a pair of free tickets on the radio. Follow your local radio stations or favorite bands on social media so you can learn about giveaways and contests.

Try Groupon

Groupon offers great deals on lots of local events and activities — including sports tickets and concerts.

You can score discounted tickets on Groupon, especially for shows less than two months away. For example, lawn seats for Train and Jewel in concert in Tampa were available for $20 on Groupon — but went for $35 on Ticketmaster. The seats probably won't be great, but it's a way to save money.

Grace Schweizer is the email content writer at The Penny Hoarder

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.

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