If you are a regular Instagram user, earning money with Instagram may sound like a dream come true. Instagram has more than a billion monthly active users.
If you are able to attract and monetize even a small percentage of those users, you may be able to pad your bank account in a big way.
Turning your social media obsession into a side hustle could be a fun way to earn money. You will need to get creative in order to really monetize your Instagram account.
Even if you already love Instagram and have carefully curated your account, you may need to make some adjustments before you are ready to earn money from it. You need to ensure that your audience is ready to receive your monetization attempts well.
Do not bombard your followers with irrelevant or inappropriate offers. Otherwise, you are bound to lose them.
As you learn more about the platform and your audience, you will be able to adjust your strategies to bring in even more money. Here are a few great ways to get started.
Brands will work with Instagram users who have a large following that marketers want to appeal to. If you’re hired by a brand, you’ll typically need to create original content that features the brand in a positive light.
For example, you may post a picture of a product and write about why you use it. Many of these sponsored posts include links to the brand’s site, @mentions of the brand, or branded hashtags. Some companies may even require that you use all three, depending on the nature of the sponsored post.
If you create content that drives traffic back to the brand, then they will typically ask you to create even more sponsored content. Some brands may also ask you to join an official ambassador program.
As you choose brands to work with, make sure that they truly resonate with your audience. You should never take a sponsored post deal unless you believe that the product will help your audience. It is too easy to lose the trust of your followers otherwise.
If you create sponsored posts for brands that will work in the best interests of your followers, then you will likely have more long-term success.
If the idea of creating sponsored posts sounds like a good fit, then you will need to look for brands to work with. The best place to start is by thinking about brands you use on a regular basis that you would definitely recommend to your audience.
Approach the brands that you think would resonate well with your audience. Although cold pitching can be slightly scary, it is important to approach potential brands in a professional way.
Always come prepared with the statistics about your followers and think about how you would like to be compensated. Your time and followers are extremely valuable. Never sell yourself short.
If you need more help finding brands, then check out these websites:
These are just a few of the options available. If you do not have luck with one platform, then try another. It may just take a little time to find the right platform and brand to work with.
Instagram is a powerful tool that business owners can use to gain more customers for their own products and services. When you gain followers, you are also gaining potential customers that you can build a relationship with.
Building a loyal tribe of Instagram followers is one way to help take your business to the next level. You can post pictures of your products that highlight them in uniquely beautiful ways. Instagram is the perfect place to post relevant pictures that are appropriate for your business’s audience.
A few different ideas for your business’s Instagram account include:
These are just a few ways to get your business Instagram account started. Always be creative with your Instagram account and be responsive to the preferences of your followers. If no one liked the behind-the-scenes shots, then you know to avoid those in the future. Each audience and customer base is different, so you’ll need to adjust your approach as you go along.
You may have seen “#affiliate” on a social media post. When someone is using affiliate marketing, they are earning a commission every time a reader clicks a link that leads to a sale for the associated brand. The influencer promotes the product, but only earns a profit if their link leads to a sale.
You can use affiliate marketing on your Instagram account. The process is simple.
First, find a product or brand that you would like to promote. Next, find its affiliate sales program and secure your unique affiliate URL. Finally, create an Instagram post that utilizes the specialized URL. When your followers click through and buy the product, you will earn a commission for each sale.
This is a relatively simple way to earn profits through Instagram. However, you should educate yourself on the specifics of affiliate marketing in your home state before you get started. You need to be transparent with your audience about the use of affiliate marketing. Otherwise, you may run into legal problems. The rules are fairly simple to follow, just make sure you understand which ones are relevant to the state where you’re based.
You can find affiliate marketing opportunities with many different brands and products. If you have a specific product in mind, then check out the company’s website. Most companies already have an affiliate program. Reach out to find more information about it.
There are also several affiliate marketing platforms that you can work with to promote multiple brands and products. A few of the popular ones include:
Instagram is mainly designed to help share your photographs with others. So, you could just use the platform to promote your photography. It sounds simple, but it can be an effective way to earn money if you are a talented photographer.
Whether you are a professional or not, Instagram can be a place to market your art to a large audience. You will need to work to build a following, but a loyal tribe could pay off. Using hashtags effectively can also help to expand your base of potential customers.
If you choose this route, then make sure to add watermarks to your artwork. It would be heartbreaking to have your photos stolen off of Instagram. Watermarks help to diminish that risk.
Each time you post photos or art for sale, include details about it in the comments. Potential buyers will likely be more interested if they are aware of your inspiration or how you made the picture.
Instagram is just one way to promote your photography skills. Check out this article to learn more about making money from your photos.
Brands may be willing to pay you for placing their products in your videos. If you are good at creating short videos for Instagram, then this method may be lucrative for you.
Reach out to brands that would work well for your audience and offer to include them in your videos. You will need to get creative with this method. Find ways to connect the product to your audience with the video.
This is very similar to sponsored post creation. However, the product should be featured in a more casual way in the video than it would be in other sponsored post content.
If you have worked hard to build an Instagram following but want to quit, then you may want to think about selling your Instagram account. This is an easy way to cash out if you are too tired or too busy to capitalize on your audience.
ViralAccounts and Social Tradia are both online marketplaces for Instagram accounts. You just need to list your account on the platform, then the potential buyers will analyze it. If they like what they see, then they will give you a quote. Always get multiple quotes before you decide to buy or sell anything.
All of these ways to earn money on Instagram sound great, but you will need to build a strong following before any of these options become lucrative.
If you plan to monetize your Instagram account, then you need to build a loyal fan base that trusts your opinion. Here are a few ways to get started building your account’s reputation.
In order to gain more followers, you should publish several high-quality posts per day. You should not publish all of the posts at one time. Instead, schedule them so they’re spread out throughout the day. Otherwise, multiple posts may work against you.
Of course, this one is obvious. However, the importance of high-quality photos cannot be overstated. No one wants to see weird or irrelevant photos show up on their feed.
Make sure that you take great pictures. Do not be afraid to use special effects to make your pictures stand out. The pictures you take are helping you gain (and keep) followers.
Instagram has hundreds of thousands of competitors wanting to capitalize on the same users. Ensure that your content stands out from the crowd.
You do not have a ton of space available to direct followers back to your business or website. So, you need to use the small space you do have effectively.
Make sure that your bio contains all of the information that followers would want to know about you. Include your contact information, if appropriate, and a theme or tagline that describes your content.
You can also include some keywords and appropriate hashtags to help your future followers find you easily. Remember that your account is just one of many. You need to help your audience find you and follow you easily.
Hashtags are how people find your great content. You need to include relevant hashtags with all of your posts.
Do some research on the hashtags that others in your space are using. Try to include at least one relevant hashtag with every single post. You are missing the chance to gain new followers if you do not include these hashtags.
It is easier to just post pictures and leave it at that. However, by engaging with your followers you create a connection. Audience members that feel connected to you are more likely to stay a part of your following.
Try to communicate with your followers every single day. Do not fake it, just try to create a genuine connection with your followers. They may spread the word and help you gain even more followers.
Everyone would like their Instagram following to take off overnight. However, you should expect it to take time to build a strong following.
It may not be easy, but it can be worth the effort. If it were easy, then everyone would do it. Just focus on building a loyal following and then implement the monetization strategies as they feel appropriate.
If curated appropriately, Instagram accounts can be a good way to earn money. You will need to make an effort to build an audience large enough to monetize. However, the payoff may be worthwhile.
Consider using a variety of monetization strategies in order to gain the best results. It may be the most effective way to monetize your Instagram account.
Instagram is not the only social media account that you can earn money with. You can also make money with Facebook and Twitter.
Are you considering making money with your Instagram account? Which strategies would you pursue? Let us know in our Facebook comments.
Every once in a while, we all need to find a notary. A notary is someone who verifies your identity when you sign legal documents and verifies that you understand what you’re signing and are willingly signing it.
You might need a notary when signing a contract or deed.
You may have to do a bit of research to find a notary near you. However, notary services do not have to be expensive.
There are many cheap and free options for all of your notary needs. If you are interested in making your next notary process more affordable, then keep reading.
Instead of paying a huge fee to get your signature notarized, you can find affordable options in your area. It may take some effort to find these more affordable options, but you can potentially save a lot of money if you need to get things notarized often.
Once you find a free or cheap option, you will be able to use that option for a quick turn around in the future
It may surprise you to know that you have a notary working in your office. Of course, not every company has a notary available but many people have become a notary for a variety of reasons. If someone in your office is a notary, then they may be able to notarize your papers in a quick and affordable way.
It is likely that you have a notary in the office if you work at a large organization.
Many hotels offer affordable notary services to hotel guests. If you absolutely need a notary, then you could contact a nearby hotel and ask about their notary services. They may be willing to assist you if you are a member of their rewards program.
If you are a AAA member, then you may have free access to a notary. Many AAA branches have free notary services available to their members. Call your local branch to see if this is an option for you.
If you are a student, then you should ask around campus to find a notary. Many colleges have free notary services available to their students. Although it is not usually advertised, you can ask a counselor or campus library desk to help you find out more about your school’s notary offerings.
If you are a part of the military, then you likely have access to free notary services. Many officers are even authorized to act as a notary for other members of the military and their dependents.
Even if you are not a part of the military, you may be able to use the notary services offered on a military base. However, you will need to be authorized to go onto the base in some capacity.
Most local government offices such as city hall or the courthouse will have a notary on staff. Usually, these notary services are available to the public.
Typically, you will need to pay a small fee in order to use their services. Check with your local government offices to find out an exact price before you decide to drive down there.
Many banks have a notary on staff, although they’re not required to. Smaller banks and local credit unions are even more likely to offer free notaries because it is a relatively easy way to add value to their customers.
If you are already a member of the bank, then you will likely have free access to their notary services. If you are not a member of the bank, then you will probably have to pay a fee.
It may be worth opening a free checking account with no fees in order to gain access to a free notary, especially if you anticipate a large need for a notary.
Public libraries are not just places filled with books and magazines. In addition to a great selection of free entertainment, public libraries offer a large range of services.
One of these is notary services. Some libraries offer them for free, while others charge a small fee. Either way, it might be a good option for your notary needs.
You can find out if your local library offers a notary service by checking out their website or giving them a call. Even if you do not use the local library for notary services, you may want to check out their other services as options to save money.
If you belong to any kind of organization, then you should see if there is a public notary available. Many groups offer this service to their members as a way to add value to the membership.
If you already have a real estate agent, then you may already know an affordable notary. Many real estate agencies have a notary available for their own business purposes.
If you really need help getting a document notarized, then your real estate agent may be able to help you out.
You likely have home or auto insurance (or both). If you have insurance of any kind, then you may be able to use that company to assist with notarizing documents. Although it is not a common method, you could ask your insurance agency for help notarizing a document if you are really in a bind. Usually, notaries are happy to help.
UPS offers notary services to its customers. You do not need to have a mailbox through the UPS store in order to use this service.
It may seem odd to get something notarized where you mail your packages. However, UPS stores offer a wide variety of business services, including notary services.
One thing to note is that you will not find a notary at every overnight delivery service store. A prime example is Fedex. The company stopped offering notary services after an employee notarized a forged signature.
This is another mail service company that offers notary services to its customers. Typically, you do not need to make an appointment in order to have your documents notarized through this store. Plus, the hours of these stores usually extend beyond normal business hours, which can be helpful if you are trying to get something notarized quickly.
Many police stations offer public notary services to their community. Not every police station does, but it is worth calling your local police department to find out.
If a police station does offer notary services, then there will likely be a small fee attached.
If you have not been able to find an affordable notary through any of these other options, then look in a local directory. You can find a notary in a local phone book, a Google search, American Association of Notaries’ Notary Locator, Notary.net and 123Notary.com.
Through one of these searches, you should be able to find an affordable notary near you.
If you happen to need a notary while you are traveling aboard, then you may have a more difficult time. Although it will be more of a challenge to find a notary whose services are recognized in the U.S., it is not impossible.
You can also have a document notarized by a local foreign notary and then have the document authenticated for use in the United States. There is a simplifies process for this in the 116 countries that are party to the Hague Apostille Convention.
One thing to note, if you need to find a notary on a cruise ship, then that may be an impossible task. Notaries are only allowed to witness your signature on documents while located in the state where their license was issued.
While on a cruise ship, you are likely floating through international waters, so notaries are unable to witness your documents. Your best option while on a cruise is to attempt to make one of the options below work for you while the ship is in port.
If you know that you will be abroad for an extended period of time and are aware of a need for documents to be notarized while you are gone, then you may want to give someone the power of attorney until you return home. This will allow your trusted person to sign documents for you, instead of you having to go through the hassle of finding a notary while on your trip.
If you are able to get authorized to get onto an overseas base, then you should be able to find a notary on the base. There are military bases throughout the world, so this may be an option.
Every U.S. Consulate and Embassy offers notary services. You will likely need to make an appointment in order to use these services. Also, this option is not necessarily cheap or free. However, it is a secure way to notarize a document if you absolutely need it done before you return to the states.
There are many affordable options when it comes to a notary. Of course, we all love to save money. However, there are some things that should be avoided when it comes to finding a notary. Never compromise the integrity of the transaction in order to save a few dollars.
Many companies are now offering virtual notary services. Although this sounds like a great idea in our very digital world, most states will not accept a virtual notarization. Virtual notary services are often expensive, too. Since most states will not accept the document, it is not worth the expense.
Of course, some places will charge more than others. However, you should not allow someone to rip you off. Most states have set limits for the amount that a notary should charge you. Only a few states have no limit.
The range for fees is between $2 and $10. Check out this list to see what the limit is for your state. Do not let someone overcharge you for a notary service.
As with all things, some notaries are shady people. Some will offer to do things that are not in agreement with their duty. If a public notary is offering to perform an illegal act, then just find another notary.
A few of the illegal things include notarizing your document without you physically present, drafting the document that you are having notarized, or not recording the transaction.
Trust your judgment. If something does not feel right then you should move on to another notary.
Notaries are public servants who will help verify your signature on legal documents. Although their services are not always free, there are many cheap and free options available.
It may take some time and effort to find the most affordable notary in your town. However, it may be worth the upfront time investment if you anticipate a need for many notary services in the future.
I would recommend looking into all of your options before deciding on a notary for long-term use. Cheap is great, but there is likely a completely free option available to you somewhere. Even if you only save a couple of dollars on each notarized document, that can add up depending on your need for notary services.
You may have heard about stocks and mutual funds as a way to invest your money. Bonds are another way to invest, and they’re a good way to diversify your portfolio.
Bonds are less risky than stocks, but generally pay lower rewards. Financial experts recommend that near retirement age, more of your portfolio should be in bonds. That’s because as you age, you have less time to recover from a crash in riskier stocks. Many bonds are seen as safer than stocks or equity funds.
Make 5% with Worthy bonds. Start with $10 and take your money out at any time.
If you are at all interested in making money through bonds, you should first understand what they are and how you can make money through them.
Let’s take a look at the ways you can make money with bonds.
One way to earn interest on a bond is through interest. Most bonds are issued with a “coupon” noting the interest rate that the issuer will pay you on an annual basis. That’s generally based on the prevailing interest rate as well as the viability of the company or organization.
The most basic thing to understand about bonds is that bond prices have an inverse relationship to interest rates. If interest rates go up, the bond becomes less valuable and its face value goes down.
Here’s an example to explain why. Let’s say you buy a bond with a face value of $1,000 that pays a fixed 7% interest per year (7% is its coupon rate). If the prevailing interest rates rise and new bonds are paying 8%, buyers won’t want to pay $1,000 for your 7% bond. You’ll have to lower the price enough that the bond will offer 8% for a buyer.
Another thing to know when you think about investing in bonds is that some bonds have floating interest rates. That means the coupon rate will change as prevailing bond rates rise or fall. Floating-rate bonds are more popular with buyers when interest rates are expected to rise. But they come with a risk. If interest rates fall, then your coupon rate will fall too.
Bonds with fixed interests rates are often considered more stable due to the fact that you know what you are getting into when you buy the bond. However, they also have a risk. If prevailing interest rates rise, your coupon rate won’t rise with them and you’ll lose out on potential income you could be earning elsewhere.
If you sell your bonds before their maturity date, then you may experience a capital gain. It is also possible to experience a capital loss. Whether or not you are able to earn money through this method will depend on what the market interest rates are and the status of the bond issuer.
If the market interest rates have increased since you bought your bond, then you will likely lose money on the sale of your bond. Investors will have no incentive to buy your bond if it is less valuable than other bonds on the market.
However, if prevailing bond rates have fallen, then your bond will be more sought after by investors and you will likely be able to sell it for a profit.
Also important is the bond issuer’s credit quality. If it has deteriorated, then you will likely lose money on the sale of the bond. No investor will be willing to take the risk without a significant decrease in the bond price.
However, if the bond issuer has gained credibility over time, then you may be able to sell your bond for a profit.
As with most investments, you can buy bonds through a broker. Today, many brokers have online platforms to make the process smoother. But know that you also have the ability to buy the bond directly from the issuer.
If you are looking for a brokerage to work with, then check out a few of our favorites below. All of these are based online, and you can remotely buy and sell bonds from the comfort of your home.
If none of these options work for you, then check out our complete guide to the best free investing apps of 2018. You may just find the perfect fit for your bond trading needs.
Worthy Bonds is one way to invest in bonds. It’s not only an investment platform that works to optimize your returns, but it also helps small businesses throughout the country. When you invest in Worthy bonds, it uses that money to provide loans to small businesses. The interest it earns on those loans goes back into your portfolio as your own interest earned.
The platform offers 5% fixed annual returns on bonds purchased through the site. Worthy Bonds advertises that its small-business loans are “fully secured by liquid assets having a value significantly greater than the loan amount.” The implication is that the loans, and therefore your bonds, are safe.
Also, your money is liquid so you can take it out at anytime.
One drawback to Worthy Bonds is that it only offers bonds — not stocks or mutual funds — through its platform. That limitation can be acceptable if you are only interested in buying bonds or if you can buy other types of investments through another brokerage account.
However, if you’re more interested in simplifying your accounts, then you may want to find a brokerage account that offers you all of the investment options.
One benefit to the service is that you can work with Worthy Bonds through an app. That means you can buy and sell bonds at any time.
Ally Invest is one online trading platform that allows you to buy and sell both bonds and stocks. The platform offers one of the lowest trade fees available.
It also has a very friendly interface that allows you to buy and sell bonds easily. One of the best features of Ally Invest is that it gives you access to award-winning customer service. It’s always good to have someone who can answer your questions. Plus, there’s a mobile app so you can keep track of your investments on the go.
If you are interested in learning more, then check out our full review of Ally Invest.
M1 Finance is designed to make building an investment portfolio easier. Through the platform, you’ll be able to create a portfolio that includes bonds.
The goal of the platform is to allow you to automate your investment strategy. Once you let the platform know what you are trying to build, then you will need to add money.
If you are looking to build a diverse portfolio that includes bonds, then this may be a good option.
Investing in bonds is a good way to diversify your investment portfolio.
As we said before, bonds are generally considered a less risky investment than stocks. However, bonds are not entirely risk-free, and it is dangerous to assume that bonds will automatically earn you money. In fact, some bonds are very risky investments. Before you decide to purchase bonds, you should learn more about the ins and outs of bonds.
One important thing to remember is that not all bonds are created equal. Bond issuers — the organizations that are borrowing the money — may be trustworthy, or not.
The riskiest bonds are called junk bonds. The stability and credibility of the issuer affect the interest rate of the bond.
For example, when the U. S. government issues a bond, the interest rate is relatively low because the investors generally trust the U. S. Treasury to pay out the value of the bond.
However, when a less trustworthy investor issues a bond, it is forced to offer a higher interest rate. It is more likely that the less trustworthy issuer will default on the bond, so the higher interest rate is meant to compensate for the higher risk of the investment.
The price of a bond is significantly impacted by several factors. The following three are the most important factors that investors should look at before purchasing a bond. Make sure you are getting a fair deal based on the current market values.
Interest rates. Interest rates fluctuate over time. If overall interest rates are high, then bond prices will generally be lower. As mentioned before, a bond has an inverse relationship to its interest rate.
Issuer’s credibility. If the company or organization issuing the bond is not performing well, then you would expect a higher interest rate. Although the higher interest rate is appealing, the bond would generally be considered riskier than a bond with a lower interest rate.
U.S. Treasury bonds, known as T-bills, are considered very safe because the U.S. government is unlikely to default on its payments.
Maturity date. If the bond issuer requires you to commit your money for a long period of time, then you will earn a higher interest rate. The bond issuer will be forced to pay for the fact that it is using your money for several years, or even decades.
Bond prices fluctuate as the market experiences ups and downs. As you are looking for bonds to purchase, you should expect to see bonds available at a variety of prices. The price is determined by a variety of factors including the current interest rates, the credibility of the bond issuer, and more.
You are unable to make money on bonds unless you actually start buying and selling bonds. Of course, you should think about your bond purchases before you make your investments. However, remember that you will eventually have to pull the trigger and make the investment.
Make sure to find the best investment platform for you. Then go start making money with bonds! They may be a great way to diversify your investment portfolio and build your savings or retirement accounts.
When you think of typical nurse duties, you generally conjure up an image of a hospital with patients that need assistance. Although many nurses are needed to physically work in hospitals, there are many opportunities for registered nurses (RN) to work from home.
It may seem unlikely that you can find a work-from-home job with your RN license. However, there are many places hiring! Let’s take a look at the common places that hire nurses to work from home.
Aetna is one of the largest healthcare and life insurance companies in the U.S. The insurance giant regularly hires RNs for telecommute positions across the country.
The Atena careers web page has many options available for RNs to work from home. Just filter your search using the telecommute filter to see what is currently available.
CareNet is a healthcare service that offers 24-hour assistance to its patients. The focus of the company is on telehealth services, which makes it the perfect place to find a work-from-home job.
The company has a strong focus on bilingual patients, and especially encourages bilingual nurses to apply. Check out CareNet career opportunities here.
McKesson is a large player in the healthcare industry. The company offers nurses the opportunity to work from home as implementation consultants and telehealth providers.
The roles are very different. As an implementation consultant, you will assist in the design and implementation process of new healthcare programs. As a telehealth nurse, you will perform typical nursing duties over the phone.
To find open positions, check out the McKesson careers page.
Cigna is another healthcare giant that provides work-from-home opportunities for RNs. The most common job available through this company is a medical case manager. The company hires for other positions, but on a less regular basis.
To find out more about Cigna’s job opportunities, take a look at the Cigna careers page.
UnitedHealth Group regularly hires RNs to work from home. The company is known for providing solid jobs with good benefits.
Many of the jobs offered by UnitedHealth Group require you to travel within your local area. Although the job is not strictly from your home office, it is still based in your home.
To find out more, visit the UnitedHealth Group careers page.
Catasys is a company that works with medical organizations to lower the costs of their operations. It does that by identifying patients with behavioral health disorders that contribute to other medical conditions. In other words, it’s looking for patients with substance abuse, anxiety or depression issues that keep them from seeking care.
As an RN, you can be employed as a Care Coach. This role is responsible for helping patients enroll in the Catasys OnTrak program, a year-long program to treat behavioral disorders. It will be your duty to help the patients through the entire process.
The job is mostly conducted from home. However, there are some required in-person meetings.
MediTelecare is a company that is focused on connecting patients to appropriate mental healthcare professionals. As a telehealth clinical psychologist, you will conduct phone evaluations of patients remotely.
You will need a valid RN license and a doctoral degree in psychology in order to be considered for most of these opportunities. To find out more, check out the MediTelecare careers page.
You may have heard of this nonprofit organization, which is researching cures for these kinds of cancers. Additionally, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society works with patients to build better treatment plans.
The company offers nursing positions that can be done from home. Although there are many opportunities, the most common position is a genetics nurse consultant. The consultant works with patients and families throughout the process of genetic testing.
Prior to the testing, you will provide information to the families. After the testing, you will help them understand the results and what to do with the information. For this role, you will need an RN license, a Master’s degree and experience with genetic counseling.
To find out more about available opportunities, visit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society site.
The Hartford is an insurance company that employs RNs. The company will have you review workers’ compensation claims. The position is entirely remote and comes with great benefits.
If you are interested, then check out The Hartford’s career page.
CVS is the large pharmacy chain that many people receive healthcare through. As an RN, you can work from home in two different positions. The first is through the Home Infusion program, which would require you to make home visits to patients and provide infusions.
The second option is managing a nurse hotline, which would be entirely from home.
Check out the CVS jobs site to find out more about these options.
Johnson & Johnson has a variety of work-from-home opportunities that pop up from time to time. Although the frequency of these opportunities is low, it is still worth mentioning this option.
If you want to work with the company, then you will want to check Johnson & Johnson careers page frequently.
This healthcare consulting firm works with a variety of healthcare organizations to provide additional support.
McBee hires nurses to review medical records and assess different treatment options. You may also be asked to relay relevant information to insurance reviewers. Many of these opportunities are part-time, which may be exactly what you are looking for.
The McBee careers page has more information about these opportunities.
Mercy has more than 40 clinics and specialty hospitals in its network. However, the company also offers work-from-home opportunities. As a remote nurse with Mercy, you would take calls and provide answers to patients. A basic requirement is that you have five years of experience in a hands-on healthcare environment.
Find out more about the opportunity on the Mercy careers page.
This company provides staffing services to medical organizations. The jobs it fills range from administration to care management. Many roles require an RN license. With the variety of roles, you may find something that suits your needs and skill set.
If you are interested, then you should visit the Dr. Catalyst careers page.
Anthem hires RNs for work-from-home positions with good benefits packages. Some of the positions it hires for include nurse medical manager. Be prepared to assist patients over the phone.
Find out more on the Anthem careers page.
BioMarin works with patients that have very rare disorders and diseases. Although the conditions may vary, the company claims to offer high caliber care to each patient.
To reach that goal, BioMarin hires nurse clinical coordinators who assist the patients through the process. Most of the duties will be conducted remotely. However, some in-person visits may be necessary. Due to this, you may need to travel locally on occasion.
In order to work in this role, you must have experience working directly with patients. The company also prefers to hire RNs. Find out more about these opportunities on the BioMarin careers page.
You have likely heard of this healthcare giant. The size of the company allows it to post work-from-home opportunities on a regular basis. Within the company, there are many different types of roles for RNs to fill.
Just check out the Humana careers page to get started.
Best Doctors offers healthcare services remotely. Through the telehealth option, the company is able to assist many patients who cannot travel.
The telehealth company has work-from-home positions that RNs can fill on a semi-regular basis. You may need to visit the job board at Best Doctors several times before finding an open position.
Express Scripts provides infusion treatments in patient homes. Although you will need to travel to the patient, the job is based in your home. Occasionally the company has other roles that are completely based from home.
Keep an eye on the Express Scripts career page to see opportunities as they arise.
As the name implies, FoneMed provides patients with over-the-phone care. As an RN with FoneMed, you will field calls and answer questions from patients. Some of the positions are location-dependent but can be done from home.
You can find out the details of each job posting on the FoneMed careers page.
The purpose of this company is to match patients to the correct medical specialist. As an RN, you would contact patients that have requested medical information and then set up appointments for them. Throughout the process, you will need to answer a variety of medical questions for the patient.
To get started, check out the 83Bar website.
Citra Health Solutions works to simplify the overwhelming world of healthcare. The goal is to provide streamlined service to its patients. Citra Health hires RNs to help manage the healthcare process. Some of the jobs are completely home-based. Others require some travel.
Find out more about opportunities, check out the Citra Health Solutions website.
Sykes Assistance Services Corporation hires RNs to provide phone assistance to patients. You may also help schedule appropriate appointments for these patients. You can learn more out this opportunity on the Sykes Assistance Services Corporation website.
Allegiance Benefit Plan Management works with companies to create medical packages as a part of their benefits plans. As an RN, you could be hired as a case manager or medical review nurse. Both positions are completely remote, but your level of interaction with patients will vary.
If you are interested, visit the Allegiance Benefit Plan Management website.
Amedisys offers a limited number of opportunities to work-from-home RNs on an irregular basis. Most of the opportunities seem to require you to travel locally to see patients, but you would be based from your home office.
You should check the Amedisys site regularly for opportunities if you are interested in working with them.
AxisPoint Health has a variety of opportunities available for RNs. One disadvantage to this company is that they may require that you obtain additional RN licenses for other states. It will depend on the current needs of the company, but obtaining these extra licenses may not be worth the effort.
Take a look at your current options on the AxisPoint Health career page before you decide to apply.
Alere focuses on providing accurate diagnostic systems for a variety of healthcare problems. On an irregular basis, the company hires RNs to answer patient questions over the phone. You would need to become very familiar with the Alere products. If you are interested in learning more, then check out the Alere careers page.
Change Healthcare hires medical coders to work from home. It requires that you have experience in medical coding and an RN license. Some of the postings have location requirements, but the duties can be done from home.
Find out more on the Change Healthcare careers page.
Auto Injury Solutions works with auto insurance companies to validate claims. As an RN, you would work over the phone to clarify medical terminology and other potential issues with claims. Although you will need to attend an in-person training, you will quickly transition to your home office.
The company offers a competitive benefits package. Learn more at Auto Injury Solutions.
BroadPath Healthcare Solutions has several opportunities for RNs to work from home. The company prefers that you have experience in a clinical setting in addition to a current RN license.
There are a variety of opportunities available, but you may need to check the BroadPath job listings regularly.
Evolent Health works with healthcare organizations and has a need for RNs to fill several remote roles. In order to find the best opportunity for you, check out the Evolent Health job search page. Some of the requirements of the jobs include experience in the field and educational credentials to support your license.
HealthHelp posts work-from-home opportunities for RNs. Typically, the duties include working with patients, collecting data, and even performing clinical intake. In order to be considered, the company prefers candidates with at least two years of clinical experience.
Find out more through the HealthHelp careers page.
eQHealth Solutions hires RNs to perform case manager duties remotely. You will help patients through the treatment process by creating medical plans and overseeing the care of your patients. The job is based from home, but it may require some local travel to your patients.
In addition to your RN license, you will need between three and five years of hands-on experience to be considered. To find out more about the requirements, check out the eQHealth Solutions site.
As the name suggests, this company works with organizations to provide medical coding support. The company hires RNs with medical coding experience to work from home with the company.
If you are interested, take a look at the AviaCode site.
CareCentrix works with patients and insurance companies to lower the overall cost of healthcare. The company offers many work-from-home opportunities. As an RN, you will likely assist patients by phone as they work through their home care regime. The basic goal of the job is to help the recovery process go smoothly for patients.
With many openings becoming available regularly, the CareCentrix job search page is a great place to start looking for an opportunity.
GeBBS Healthcare Solutions occasionally lists remote opportunities for RNs. The most commonly listed job is a surgical clinical reviewer. You would be responsible for consulting with medical staff and ensuring quality care for the patients.
You can find out more about these opportunities on the GeBBS Healthcare Solutions career page.
iMedX works with medical organizations to provide medical coding and transcription services. As a remote RN, you would likely be required to work some weekend and night hours.
Specifically, the company hires workers for its second and third shifts. If this type of schedule interests you, then check out the iMedX careers page.
WellStar hires RNs to work as remote case managers. Although the company has a good reputation for flexible work arrangements, you need to be aware of the location requirements of each job. You will be able to work remotely, but your license may need to be current in a specific state.
Find out more about WellStar opportunities on its career page.
Registry Partners works with a variety of medical organizations to review records and ensure efficient care. The company offers RNs to work remotely as VPS data abstractors. The duties include reviewing medical records in the PICU and NICU areas, which means you need hands-on experience in those areas.
If you have the experience, then you should check out the Registry Partners careers page.
Piedmont Healthcare offers part-time work-from-home opportunities to RNs. Most of the jobs require some local travel to provide at-home care to patients. However, most of your duties can be performed from your home.
Check out Piedmont careers for more information.
Molina Healthcare is a large player in the healthcare insurance industry. The company regularly hires experienced RNs to work from home. Based on the large size of the company, there is a wide range of opportunities.
Take a look at Molina Healthcare’s career page to see if any of the postings are a good match for your experience.
Integrity Management Services works with government programs to reduce fraud. You would need to have some experience working with Medicaid or another public assistance program.
In order to apply, you will need to email your resume to the address found on the Integrity Management Services career page. The company tends to post openings on job boards, but not on its own website. You can always email the company to ask for more information.
Interim Healthcare is focused on providing in-home care to geriatric and disabled patients. It is likely that you would need to make visits to your patients, even though the position is considered remote. Be sure that you can fit patient visits into your day before applying for a job with Interim Healthcare.
IntellaTriage works with medical organizations to provide triage solutions. The company hires RNs to work over the phone for a variety of clients. Typically, you will need to work weekends and holidays with Intellatriage.
If you are interested in working with Intellatriage, then check out the IntellaTriage employment page.
PharmMD works to connect patients to their pharmacies in a better way. It offers remote call center positions to RNs who will review any prescribed medications to ensure nothing overlaps negatively.
To find out more, visit the PharmMD careers page.
Piper Clinical Solutions works in the dental insurance industry to assess claims properly. As an RN, you would work to review each claim before it is effectively processed.
The requirements of the company are rigorous. It prefers RNs with eight-plus years of medical experience and vast experience with medical coding.
If you meet the qualifications, then you can find the postings on the Piper Clinical Solutions careers page.
Study.com offers a different type of job for RNs. You would be asked to create lessons for nursing students. Typically, the company prefers writers that have a background in teaching medical subjects. The hours are very flexible, which may be exactly what you need.
If this sounds interesting, check out the Study.com careers page.
Many online schools hire RNs to teach their courses. However, you will need to also have an advanced degree (MSN or Ph.D.) to land a job. A few of the options include Excelsior College, Strayer University and Kaplan. Take a look to see who is hiring now.
Many colleges hire RNs with at least an MSN degree to review applications. You would be responsible for admitting the most promising students in the program. One college that is hiring is Western Governors University.
Livongo hires RNs to educate patients with diabetes about the condition over the phone. You can find out more about this opportunity on the Livongo careers page.
GEIS Writers hires RNs and other medical professionals to create medical content. If you have your RN license and decent writing abilities, then take a closer look at GEIS Writers.
This large federal government agency hires remote works to provide triage services over the phone. If you are interested in working with the agency remotely, find out more from the VA careers page.
Regularly searching through each company’s site is one way to find a good opportunity. If you need a more expedient way to find a job, then consider using FlexJobs or Indeed as a part of your search.
It may take some time to find the right job for you. Do not give up! The right opportunity will eventually present itself. Just keep searching until it comes along.
Working from home may sound like a dream come true. Maybe you imagine how great it would be to avoid long and expensive morning commutes and stay in your comfiest clothes all day. You could save money on gas, vehicle wear-and-tear, career clothes and maybe even lunches.
Plus, if you are a great multitasker, then you may be able to take care of your family at the same time.
Of course, remote work is still work, and every job has pros and cons. Just like a regular 9 to 5, a work-from-home job will require effort and dedication from you.
However, if you know that a work-from-home job is right for you, check out these websites to find your dream job.
If you have ever looked for any kind of job, then you have likely come across Indeed. It is one of the largest job sites in the world. In addition to traditional jobs, the site also has remote listings.
Employers can post directly to the site. However, Indeed also pulls job postings from thousands of other sites to create a comprehensive view of the job market. The site has millions of postings and many of them are work-from-home opportunities.
To search, type in the keyword or job title you’re looking for. In the “Where” box, type “remote.” That should turn up a number of opportunities. You can narrow them down by looking in the left sidebar for ways to filter. For example, you can filter by salary range, job type (full-time, contract, part-time, temporary) and company.
You may also want to glance at the postings located in “Remote, OR.” Sometimes work-from-home jobs are accidentally placed under this location. It’s worth taking a look!
Like Indeed, Glassdoor is a job site with millions of job listings. In order to search for jobs, just type “Remote (Work From Home)” in the location box.
The great thing about Glassdoor is that, in addition to job postings, the site also lists important information about companies. Through Glassdoor, you can find information about salaries, the hiring process, benefits, and reviews by people who have worked there.
It can be frustrating to sift through work-from-home opportunities and realize the number of scams out there. You may even be wary of applying to any work from home job because it may not be legit.
FlexJobs solves those problems.
Every job posted on FlexJobs has been screened by their team. Before a job is posted to the FlexJobs board, the company is thoroughly vetted to ensure that it is a legitimate opportunity. That’s great news for anyone searching for a work-from-home job. Instead of spending your time vetting job postings, you can just spend your time applying to the jobs.
Just choose the “Can be done from anywhere” option on the job board and start applying!
Unfortunately, FlexJobs is not a free job board. The service starts at $14.95/month.
However, the site offers multiple sales every year, so you may be able to get the service for less if you time it right. Personally, I bought FlexJobs at a 50% discount for one year. I thought it was worth the cost to have access to so many legitimate opportunities.
AngelList is a good place to look if you want to work in the tech startup industry. Companies are popping up on a regular basis and need good people to fill their positions.
Many startups are focused on technology and seem to be very open to at home workers. The nature of the startup game lends itself to remote working environments.
The site has over 20,000 startups connected to its platform. Once you sign up, you will need to create a profile with your resume and other relevant information. After you get your profile set up, just start looking for jobs. If you see something you like, you can star it
Companies will also be able to “star” your profile for their job searches. If there is a match, then you will be invited to continue with the application process.
This is a great feature because you don’t have to send out cover letters to companies that are not interested in working with you. That can save you time during your job search.
Like other job boards, the Penny Hoarder Work-From-Home Job Portal has plenty of opportunities. Like FlexJobs, the staff screens every opportunity that is listed. That means that there should be no scams waiting for you on the job portal.
All you need to do is go to the board and start searching. The posting helpfully includes details about the potential employer. Best of all, the portal is free to use.
Remote OK is focused on finding jobs for digital nomads. Although digital nomads may live a life of travel, their jobs can be done by at-home workers, too. Most of these jobs are centered around technology. Although there is a “non-tech” option, the best jobs on this site are for the tech-savvy among us.
Yes, you can sip your espresso and explore your remote work options on Jobspresso.
The job site only lists remote jobs. You will not need to sift through traditional jobs because everything is remote.
You can browse through all the job postings or narrow your search by career category. An important thing to look out for is a time zone or state requirement. Some work-from-home jobs still have a location requirement, even if you would be working from your home.
The job board here is very diverse. If you aren’t exactly sure what you what to do from home, then this may a good place to see your options listed out.
As the name suggests, Skip the Drive wants to help you find a work-from-home opportunity. The site has a fun calculator that will help you determine how much you will save through working from home. That number may be just the motivation you need to start applying to remote opportunities.
The jobs on this site generally link back to Indeed postings. However, you may find jobs on here that aren’t on Indeed.
PowerToFly is specifically focused on finding flexible work opportunities for women in tech, mostly mothers that want to build a better work-life balance.
To get started, you will need to fill out a profile. Then just start looking through the “Remote Jobs” category.
In addition to a focused job board, PowerToFly has resources that aim to help women reach their goals. The platform has webinars, mentoring and events that are focused around finding the perfect job. If you have been struggling to find a remote opportunity, then learning from these resources may be helpful.
If you are intrigued by the idea but not necessarily looking for a new job right now, then you can choose the “happily employed” option. The platform is similar to LinkedIn in that it hosts job searchers and happily employed professionals all in one place.
Stack Overflow is focused on developer jobs. If you have the right skills, then there are plenty of remote opportunities available.
This is only a good option if you have the skills to land a developer job.
Working Nomads is another job board that focuses only on remote opportunities. The focus of the board is tech. However, there are a few other options.
You will likely need strong software skills to land most jobs on this board.
In order to use Virtual Vocations, you will need to create an account. Although this is a slightly time-consuming process, the quality of this job board makes it worth it.
There are multiple filters that you can use to narrow your search effectively. The toolbar contains filters for category, type, weekly hours, career level, travel requirements, date posted, geographic description, and education level.
Simply filter down the results to your ideal search. With the short list of selected options, you should be able to find virtual assistant jobs that suit your interests and needs easily.
Using a job board for its filters sounds too simple to matter. However, you will quickly realize the overwhelming amount of opportunities available once you start searching for a remote job. It can be daunting to sift through job postings, but this filtered board will take care of that for you!
Hire My Mom is a job board that is just for moms looking for jobs in small businesses. The focused job board requires that job seekers have at least one to two years of experience in the field they want to work in.
Unfortunately, it is not a free job board. The membership fee is $29.95 per quarter. If you are serious about finding a job, then it may be worth the cost.
Upwork is a place to find remote, freelance work. Although you will be unable to find a full-time job on this site, it may be a good place to find work during your job search.
Sometimes finding a full-time opportunity takes some time, but life doesn’t wait while you’re job hunting. If you need to earn an income, then freelancing may be the right remote opportunity for now.
The job board has many opportunities for freelancers in a variety of fields. It is free to sign up. However, if you land a job through Upwork then you will have to pay a service charge of 8.75% of the quote. It is a hefty fee, but if you need to find work quickly, this is an option.
If you are looking for remote writing opportunities, then check out ProBlogger. Most of the opportunities on this site are remote freelance opportunities. However, there are some part-time and full-time roles available.
You will only be able to find writing jobs on this site. It is worth looking at if you have decent writing skills and a need for work.
If you’re looking for a work-from-home job, check out these tips to find legit opportunities.
Some job postings sound too good to be true, and they are. When searching for a work-from-home job, you will need to be careful. Unfortunately, there are people that would like to take advantage of you.
The best thing to do is use your best judgment and conduct your own research on a job post if it seems too good to be true.
Luckily, there are countless remote opportunities available. It can be overwhelming to simply search for any work-from-home job. You need to narrow your search. With a more defined search, you will likely have a better chance of landing a job.
Many of your skills in your current job are transferable to an online job. Think about the skills you already have and how they could be utilized in a remote setting.
You may hope to watch your kids, travel, or multitask in some way while working from home. You need to be realistic about the amount of time you have available to work.
Some remote jobs have flexible schedules, but others have set times that you will need to work. Determine what you can add to your life before committing to a work-from-home job that you actually don’t have time for.
Many people that work from home were able to negotiate that flexibility with their employer. You may want to discuss this possibility with your boss. If you feel that your job can be done from home, then just ask. The worst they can do is say no!
In order to work from home, you may need to consider nontraditional opportunities. For example, combining multiple part-time contract jobs with less regular freelance work may be necessary. It is important to stay open to opportunities. Use those jobs to build your skills for the next big opportunity.
Finding a work-from-home opportunity can be hard work. With several job boards to choose from, the search can quickly become overwhelming. Just focus on job boards that generally match your interests well. It is pointless to look at a job board that will not have appropriate jobs for you.
The competition for work-from-home opportunities can be fierce. As you are applying, try to make your application stand out. Consider the skills you’ve gained not just from jobs, but also from volunteer work or hobbies.
Then, keep trying. The right opportunity is worth searching for!
Have you searched for or found a great work-from-home job? How did you do it? Let us know on our social media accounts!
If you have a smartphone, then you are likely familiar with the convenience of apps. These apps help you with everything from saving money, to entertaining yourself, to staying current with the news.
While there are thousands of free apps, a lot of the best apps come with fees. Although app fees are typically not going to blow your budget, they can add up quickly.
You may not want to stop buying apps because they are useful and fun, but you probably want to stop seeing the money disappear every month.
There are ways to download apps for free — apps you’d normally have to pay for. Of course, we are not talking about the illegal methods of downloading content. You have many options for downloading apps free and legally to your phone.
Let’s take a look at some of the ways that you can download paid apps for free. After this list, we’ll provide some advice for getting free apps.
There are millions of Android apps available. It might seem overwhelming to find the free apps, but it doesn’t have to be.
The good news is that there are plenty of places to find free Android apps. You just need to know where to look.
Paid Apps Gone Free is an Android app that maintains a comprehensive list of all the apps you used to have to buy but are now free. It is a great resource for anyone looking for free apps. Instead of scrolling through the store on your own, you can just take a look at the list.
Reviewers in the Google Play Store have given the app 4.3 out of 5 stars. The relatively high rating is an indication that this app may be worth downloading. One honest user review said, “Excellent app, does what it says well. My only complaint is there’s no option to purchase and remove ads. They’re not bad, but I always prefer an ad-free experience and I have no problem paying a nominal fee for it. Hopefully, when it leaves beta it comes with a premium option.”
Tip: Learn how to get free Google Play credits here!
However, the owners have posted a warning in the store that “scummy developers are shamelessly stealing content from our app and using our app name ‘Paid Apps Gone Free’ to deceive users.”
Before you download the app, you can confirm that it is the real deal by checking the creator of the app. The legitimate company that created this app is called Chiki Softworks.
It is a worthwhile option for anyone who wants to find paid apps for free.
myAppFree was originally known as “App of the Day.” Although the name has changed, the basic principle has not. You will be able to find free paid apps through this app every single day.
According to the app, some of the daily offerings are not completely free. The company claims that each discounted app will only cost 10 cents. The fact that you will have to sometimes pay makes the title of the app somewhat misleading. However, many of the offerings will be completely free.
myAppFree curates different selections based on your preferences. According to the Google Play Store, the app is rated as 4 out of 5 stars by users.
AppSales is an app that keeps track of Android app sales. The developers have a manual review process that ensures the list of discounted and free apps is optimized. After the developers look through the daily app sales, they highlight only the apps that have the deepest discounts or have gone free.
Another great feature of AppSales is that it allows you to look at the price history of an app. This information will be able to guide your decision to download an app. You may find the best time to buy the app at the best possible price or a seasonal gone-free trend that you can wait for.
The app also allows you to create a personalized watch list. Through this list, you’re able to see all of the discounts and gone-free sales for apps that you really want to buy. Instead of having to look up each app separately, all of the information is in one place.
GetJar is a large online app store that is very similar to the Google Play Store. In fact, it has been around for Android users for almost as long as the Google Play Store.
GetJar is a safe and convenient way to download many kinds of free apps. The original purpose of the app was to serve as a place for developers to beta test their apps. However, the site evolved into a larger app store with many free options.
You can find a variety of apps through this store. Some of the apps are not even available in the regular Google Play Store yet. The site has hundreds of options, which should allow you to choose something that interests you free of charge.
Aptoide is a similar marketplace to GetJar. The site has hundreds, if not thousands, of free app downloads available. The apps are in a range of categories, so it is likely that you can find something worth downloading.
In addition to a large selection of free apps, Aptoide carries many discounted paid apps you might be interested in as well.
Play Store Sales is a website that monitors Android app discounts, as well as apps that have gone completely free. The store is easy to navigate and contains many apps available for download.
Even if the app is not free, you may find discounts are still worth checking out.
Google Opinion Rewards is a creative way to get Android apps for free. Once you download the app, it will ask you simple questions through the app. As you answer each survey, you will earn up to $1 in Play credit. Over time, these credits can add up.
Eventually, you can use those credits to purchase paid apps. Although this method is not exactly free, it gives you an easy way to earn free apps. The surveys are very simple and shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to complete.
The rating of the app on the Play Store is 3.9 of 5 stars. The main complaint seems to be the infrequency of the surveys.
One reviewer of the app had this to say: “I’ve had this app for almost 3 years. At first, I got a consistent amount of surveys. Sometimes 2-3 a day. But lately, I’ve been lucky if I get a survey once a month. It was nice while it lasted tho. I was able to use the credit earned to purchase in-game products from other apps. Unfortunately, now it’s time to part ways. This app just takes up space now and is collecting dust. Thanks for the fun ride.”
You may receive surveys every day, or just once a month. The frequency will just depend on your personal details and the demand for surveys. Sometimes your location will trigger a survey, so you should leave location tracking on to maximize your chance of receiving a survey.
You may not realize it, but Amazon has an app store that is dedicated to Android apps. In an effort to entice people to use Amazon’s app store instead of the Google Play store, it offers a free paid app every day.
In order to access the Amazon store, you’ll need to download the app directly from the Amazon website. Then you’ll need to have an Amazon account to access the store.
If you have difficulty installing the app, you will likely need to adjust the security settings of your device. In the settings menu, choose “unknown sources” and enable that feature.
In other words, you need to verify that you are comfortable with the risks of unknown apps before your phone will allow you to continue. Once you have the Amazon app store installed, you will be able to download one free app per day.
You always have the option to take a look at the Google Play homepage. Many apps go on sale regularly.
It is a simple idea, but you may be able to catch a good sale!
You may not be ready to buy a paid app without a trial. It can be hard to know whether the features will be useful for you until you actually install the app and use it. One way to deal with this dilemma is to use the Google Play store refund policy.
According to the policy, you can return apps just like unwanted purchases from a regular store. You have to do so within 48 hours of an app purchase. Although there are some restrictions, the policy seems to be very comprehensive.
If you are on the fence about buying a paid Android app, then this is a great way to test the waters. Instead of committing to the purchase, this test run could help you determine whether or not the app is a good fit for you.
Try not to abuse this policy. Only use it if you feel that you actually have a need for the app.
Apple has sold over a billion iPhones over the course of the past ten years. Needless to say, it is an extremely popular phone.
Because that popularity, many apps have been created. Lots are free, but many of them require a fee.
Check out these methods to download iOS paid apps for free.
AppAdvice will help you find iOS apps for free. It’s a resource that filters through the millions of apps available each day in the Apple App Store.
It offers articles on the best apps for certain uses, for instance the best travel apps. It also has information about apps being offered at a discount and paid apps gone free.
The amount of resources available on this website is very impressive. Plus, AppsAdvice is available as a free iOS app itself.
AppAdvice was given 3 out of 5 stars by users. One user that seemed to reflect the feeling of many others had this to say: “I used to love the old version of AppAdvice, the new version seemed to slow the app down. When you open the app it takes a while to load. Maybe in a future update, they will make it faster to load. I love this app so much and it has the potential to much better than this.”
According to some reviewers’ comments, the app has recently undergone some changes that caused some bugs. Obviously, these bugs are annoying, but hopefully, AppAdvice will continue to release quality information.
iOSnoops is a website that keeps track of iOS apps that have gone free that day. The website is updated on a daily basis, so you will always have the latest information available. iOSnoops has a variety of ways to check out the free apps of the day.
Through the “Daily App Deals” section, you can see the complete daily list of gone-free apps. However, the list is only updated each morning, which means that apps that become free later in the day are not included.
That’s where the “Real-Time App Deals” section comes in handy. It helps you see as soon as an app goes on sale, which means that you will never miss a free (or discounted) app opportunity.
If you have difficulty remembering to check a website in order to see the app deals, then iOSnoops has a solution. The company streams its finds on Twitter, so you can see the deals as you are checking social media.
AppShopper is another website where you can find and download free iOS apps. The platform is extensive, with a large number of available apps.
The number available for download each day varies, but you should have around 10 options most days. That is a lot of free apps!
Even though there are a large number of apps, AppShopper is easy to navigate. You should be able to find something interesting each day. 14. App Store Homepage
Apple regularly runs specials on its apps that allow you to snag paid apps at a steep discount, or completely free.
It is very simple to get one of these deals. You just have to monitor the homepage regularly. Although it is a basic way to get free apps, it is still an effective way to download paid apps for free.
You may own both types of devices, or have a house divided among iPhones and Android phones. In this case, you may want simple methods that will work for both types of smartphones. The following option is a good resource for anyone who uses either an iPhone or Android smartphone.
Freapp offers a free downloadable app every day. In addition, the company also monitors available discounts at both app stores. The discount information is valuable because it means you won’t have to check into the Apple or Google Play app stores each day.
The apps and games can be either for Android or iOS, but sometimes they are not compatible with both operating systems.
Freapp has a website, plus Android and iOS apps. With the app, you can receive push notifications about free and discounted apps each day. If you are interested in trying many apps for free, this is a good option.
Before you start downloading apps, keep in mind a few words of advice.
Yes, there are many ways to download apps to your smartphone for free. However, lots of them are not legal. It’s best to keep things on the legal side.
For instance, when you download apps from illegal sites, you may also unwittingly install malware on your device. Free apps are not worth the potential cost of getting hacked. Think of all the personal information on your phone that could be compromised if your phone was hacked.
Plus, you don’t need to steal potentially hacked apps from the internet when there are many free, legal ways to download apps to your smartphone.
The Apple App Store and the Google Play Store both have many useful apps that are already offered completely free. Instead of hunting for a paid app that does the same function, you may want to just find a comparable free app. In some ways, this is the simplest method.
However, you should be aware that many free apps have in-app purchases that drive up the price over time. Before you decide to download an app, check to see if there are any in-app purchases. It may be best to avoid an app with a large number of in-app purchases.
Once you start searching for free apps, you will find that there are many options. Although it may be tempting to download every single app, you should probably avoid the temptation.
Too many free apps will clutter your phone. Plus, they’ll take up precious storage space on your phone. If you’re anything like me, you’re constantly running out of storage. Use your storage space on things that matter to you, like pictures, not a bloated collection of apps that you don’t use.
Free apps are always fun to try out. However, if you know that you probably won’t use an app, don’t bother to download it.
Developers give away their paid apps for free as a way to market their apps. Without the enticement of a free download, there are many apps that you would never consider downloading to your phone.
The developers of the apps are hoping that you will like their app. You may even decide to review it. These reviews are very important to the continued success of an app. Due to this marketing strategy, there will always be new free apps available for you to download legally.
It is likely that the top apps on your wish list are not on sale today. In fact, they may not go on sale for a while. However, if you are willing to wait for discount, your patience may pay off.
Even popular apps typically go free at some point. If you wait for the right time to download, then you may be able to snag that prized app for free.
In order to capitalize on that gone-free moment, you will need to practice patience. Resisting the impulse to download an app immediately could pay off.
Keep in mind that not every app will become free, though. After a waiting period of your choosing, you may want to just go ahead and purchase the apps on your must-have list.
As you look for free apps to download, remember that you have many choices. Free is always a good thing, but try to limit your downloads to only apps that interest you. If you can’t find something you like one day, then you may just need to wait until the right app comes along.
What are your favorite ways to get paid apps for free? Let us know on our social media sites!
Many people find it difficult to make a conscious choice to save their money. It is much easier to just spend it. Although spending money can be fun sometimes, saving money is a necessary part of a healthy financial life.
You may want to save more, but have a hard time forcing yourself to set aside the money you would like to save each month. Or, you may have trouble determining exactly how much you are able to save. Digit can help to solve both of those problems.
Summary
Digit is helpful, but the price may not make it worth it for every saver. If you are able to practice saving discipline, then you likely do not need the help of Digit along the way. However, if you need help saving, then Digit may be the way to get started.
Digit is an app that connects to your checking account and automatically withdraws money from your account every couple of days.
The app does not transfer large amounts of money but instead withdraws $5 to $50 at a time. You may not even really notice an impact in your checking account. The idea is that your Digit savings account will grow effortlessly.
Digit will not help you to become rich in savings overnight. But if it saves $100 to $200 a month, that’s $1,200 to $2,400 in a year.
Like other savings apps, Digit is also helping to instill a healthy habit of saving over time. The more you are able to save, the healthier you financial future will be.
One of the best things about Digit is the automation of savings into a separate account. Over the course of several months, you will notice how your savings grow.
It’s likely that this growing Digit savings account will give you a good feeling. You can perpetuate that feeling by continuing to save. Once you realize that saving money is doable and not extremely painful, you may be able to save more money even without the help of Digit.
Although the small account you will build with Digit is a good source of emergency cash, it is not likely that it will drive you to a major goal. Saving for a large purchase like a home or car will require more a more extensive saving effort that Digit is not set up for.
The Digit savings account will likely be able to help you out with smaller things like car repairs, doctors’ appointments, or school supplies.
Digit has an algorithm programmed into the app that will analyze your spending habits before transferring money. The app also monitors your checking account balance, upcoming bills and upcoming income to ensure that it does not take out too much money. The goal of the app is to create savings that you almost do not notice.
Once the app has studied your financial situation, it will transfer small amounts of money from your checking account to your Digit savings account. The transfers typically happen every two to three days. For a rainy day fund, the average transfer amount is $10 to $30.
In order to see how much you have saved, you will need to check the app. You can check the app as often as you like.
Digit offers a variety of features that help to make saving money easier. Let’s take a look at the most important features.
You can choose to set up as many small savings goals as you want. For example, you may want to save for a beach vacation, a college class, an impending car repair, or anything else you can think of.
In the app, you will be able to set up the savings goal and the name of the goal. When Digit transfers money from your checking account, it will divide the money among each of the accounts. You can slowly watch yourself accomplish all of these small savings goals through Digit.
The automatic nature of your savings is the most important feature of Digit. The entire app focuses on the idea that you can save money effortlessly. The idea is to have the company save money for you without you even noticing it.
Although the automatic savings is a great thing, it will be taken in small amounts. Remember that this method of saving will probably not help you reach your large goals. It is a great way to save for small goals. However, bigger things like retirement or a home need to be saved for in a more intentional way.
Many people prefer to manage their money on the go. Digit allows you to do this easily through their app. Not only does the automatic savings happen through the app, but you also have control over your money through the app.
You can set goals, transfer money, monitor your accounts and more through the Digit mobile app. Digit is available for iOS and Android devices.
Digit Pay is a specific savings goal that will help you eliminate credit card debt. The service will allow you to make automatic payments from your Digit account to any major credit card company.
In order to use this feature, you will need to activate the “credit card debt” goal in the Digit app. Once you have activated this goal, Digit will continue to save through the same micro-transfer method. However, once a month Digit will make an extra payment on your credit card debt for the amount that you were able to save that month.
It may not seem like a big help, but extra payments of any kind will help you pay off your credit card debt faster. Do not underestimate the power of extra payments, no matter how small.
Every three months, Digit will reward you for any money you have saved in your Digit account. It will pay you a small bonus calculated based on the average daily balance your Digit account over the past three months.
The bonus is 1% is on an annual basis. This means that every three months, you will receive a bonus of 0.25%.
Your account will need to be active for a three-month period in order to be eligible for the bonus.
Once your money is saved in the Digit app, you may not need to touch it for a while. That is the whole idea behind the savings app. But eventually, you will want to access your money to pay for your goal.
The money stored by Digit is accessible to you at any time. Simply follow the prompts in the app to withdraw your money.
Although you can take the money out whenever you want, it is not advisable to take it out until you reach your savings goal. Try to wait until you’ve hit the mark, but if an emergency comes up then you will have easy access to this money.
If your checking account balance is getting dangerously low, then Digit will transfer money from your Digit savings account to your checking account. It is the reverse of micro saving, but it will help you get out a tough situation.
By transferring money back to your checking account, Digit may help you to avoid overdraft fees.
Digit claims that it will pay your overdraft fee if the app causes an overdraft. You will not have to worry about the app accidentally causing a mountain of fees that you are on the hook for.
This feature just means that you have less to worry about when it comes to using Digit.
Digit does not have any account minimum requirements for its users. This is a great feature, especially for new savers. You want to be able to build your savings slowly from scratch.
The lack of an account minimum will allow you to save at your own pace. You may reach your goal and then decide to clean out your account. Digit will not penalize you for having a lower account balance.
In the beginning, Digit will offer you a free trial period for 30 days. At the end of your free trial period, the app is charged as a subscription service. Each month, Digit will charge you $2.99 for its services.
That means Digit will cost you less than $36 per year. Depending on how much you are able to save, this may or may not be worth it for your situation. Before you decide to purchase the app, think carefully about how these features will (or will not) help you reach your savings goals.
Yes, Digit is a legitimate company that seems to be safe to work with. The company is a startup funded by Google’s venture capital branch. This means that Digit is not a scam trying to steal your account information.
Additionally, any money you save in your Digit account is FDIC insured for any balance up to $250,000. It is unlikely that you will reach that large amount in your micro savings account, but it is nice to know that it would be insured.
Digit’s overdraft policy adds a layer of protection against overdraft fees. Any time that Digit overdrafts your checking account, it will pay the fee for you. This policy may offer you peace of mind if you know that you may be close to that overdraft penalty.
It is easy to sign up for Digit. Simply go to the Digit website and start the sign-up process. You will need to share your phone number, email address and checking account information to get started.
You can sign up through the app or through the website. However, the app is where most of the features are available, so downloading the app is an important place to start.
Within two or three days, Digit should start transferring money to your automated savings account. You can text Digit to “save more,” “save less” or “pause” savings at any time.
I had the chance to interview two current users of the app. These two users both seemed to enjoy using Digit, but each had different complaints about the app. Think about your own situation and how these problems might apply to your use of Digit.
Maddy Osman a travel blogger at TanksThatGetAround.com had this to say about her experience.
Since September 17, 2018.
I had recently started using Acorns to round up my transactions and put that money towards funding my retirement savings. I wanted to see if I could use that same process to save money quickly and painlessly.
My favorite thing about Digit is that it works in the background to get me to save.
My least favorite thing is that it’s not as advanced (in terms of customization) when it comes to other options on the market. Its monthly subscription cost is high, relatively speaking.
I’d say I’m happy overall but I’ll probably end up switching to Qapital (which I first started using around the same time as Digit). I feel like I have more control with Qapital.
And though Digit offers a savings bonus, which could be useful if you’re saving a large lump sum, Qapital is completely free to use. I hate the idea of paying a monthly subscription for a financial product, especially if I’m slow to add enough money to make it worth it.
Just give it a try — you get 30 days free before you have to pay for it.
Add rules à la Qapital so that people can create multiple justifiable reasons to save.
| Another user, Ann Marie O’Braskin, shares her personal experience with Digit below. |
I signed up a year or so ago, but just started really using it a couple of months ago.
I wanted to automatically start saving in small increments.
I love the fact that it takes your upcoming bills into account. It’s more intelligent than just setting up a recurring transfer (which I could just do on my own). And it actually moves the money to another account, so you can’t earmark it for one thing and accidentally use it for another.
Yes, very.
Start with a couple of small goals so you can see how quickly the small savings add up!
I’d love to get push notifications to let me know how much I’ve saved instead of having to open the app.
Digit offers an easy way to save, but it is not for everyone. The micro-transfer feature of Digit is a good way to start saving if you have trouble saving. However, if you are a pro saver, then Digit is likely not a useful app for you.
Digit is the perfect way to get started for someone who has not been a successful saver so far. The app will give you the confidence you need to get started saving quickly.
By reaching smaller goals slowly, you may realize that saving is possible. Once you realize the possibilities of savings, you may be more able to motivate yourself to save on your own in the future.
Take a look at your own savings goals and practices before deciding to work with Digit.
When it comes to your finances, the most basic budget planning can be daunting. You may have trouble setting the right goals or sticking to the plan. Shouldn’t there be an easier way?
New budgeting tools and apps are popping up all the time. In most cases, the new technology has been helpful in making our lives and finances simpler. However, some apps can make your life more confusing. I have taken a closer look at the available budgeting apps to find the best ones for you.
You Need A Budget is a perfect tool for anyone who is ready to dive deeper into their finances. The program offers a very intense budgeting strategy that will help you keep track of every single dollar. It is truly an amazing tool for hardcore budgeters. But if you don’t have the time or energy to track every single dollar, then YNAB is not for you.
However, if a hardcore budget follower lives inside of you, then you may want to get started with YNAB ASAP! The message of YNAB is to create a solid budget but remember to not stress out about the changes that will inevitably happen along the way.
In addition to needing a strong commitment to your budget, you will also need to make a financial commitment to the software. You will have to pay $83.99 per year for the service (or $6.99 per month). If you are a student, then you will be able to get a 12-month free subscription by providing your .edu email address.
Although it comes with a price, you can try the program for free. YNAB offers a 34- day trial, so test it out before you decide to pay for the software.
Once you start with YNAB, you need to put in the time to make it work for you. It won’t solve all your money problems overnight, but it could help you get a better handle on your expenses quickly. Many of the inputs need to be manually set up by you, but after the initial effort, it should be easier to work with over time.
YNAB is a browser-based tool that also has iOS, Android and Alexa device compatibility.
Personal Capital is an easy way to take charge of your investments. The platform uses a combination of robo-advisors and human advisors to help you build a better financial future. The best part is that many of the financial planning tools offered by Personal Capital are free.
Through the platform, you will be able to access an investment checkup, a 401k fee analyzer and a spending tracker. All of these things need to work together in order for you to build a stable financial future. The 401k analyzer may help to save you thousands of dollars in fees over the course of your life. Additionally, the tool tracks your spending to ensure that you are able to meet your savings goals.
As you work with Personal Capital, you can build a solid financial picture on the dashboard, which is a free feature. With all of your finances in one place, you will be able to see if you are on track to meeting your goals. If you are not on track, the platform will offer suggestions on how to get closer to your goals. A few of the indicators shown on the dashboard are your net worth, available cash and portfolio details.
It is free to get started. But if you want to engage a human to help manage your portfolio, you’ll pay 0.89% a year, which is higher than some other robo-advisory services. If your balances are more than $1 million, those fees are discounted. So this service may make more sense for someone who’s already amassed a big nest egg.
The program is browser-based, but there are apps for iOS and Android devices.
Prism is a free app that concentrates on managing your bill payments. Once you download it and sign up for the service, you connect all of your bills to the service. You’ll also link your payment accounts — your bank account and maybe a credit card account if you like to pay some bills with a credit card.
The app keeps track of your upcoming payments and can send you reminders about due dates. Then you’re able to pay your bills directly through the app. You can either pay the bill then or schedule it for an upcoming date.
Prism helps you track your spending too. It allows you to see how much you’ve spent on every bill in the current month, as well as past months. The app will also notify you if a bill looks out of the ordinary.
The app is free, and you can use it on iOS, Android, Windows 8 and Kindle devices.
Mint is one of the best personal finance tools available for free. It can help you build a budget that suits your needs and then help you to keep on track. The app will track your spending and continually make recommendations to refine your budget. It will even send you an alert if you are about to go over budget.
In addition to tracking your spending, the app also tracks your bills. You can see all of your bills and accounts in one place. The reminders to schedule payments and get alerts about your bills can really help you see where your money is going every month.
Since the app is very versatile, you will have the ability to adjust your budgets as your needs change. Life is unpredictable. Thus it’s good to have all of your financial information in one place to help you make decisions along the way. The app will allow you to manage your finances from your phone. So it is a great tool for anyone with a busy life.
In addition to bill pay and expense tracking, Mint also offers a free credit score. If you need help improving your score, Mint will offer insight on how to get to where you want to be.
Mint is available for free for iOS and Android.
Pocket Guard is a simple app that can help you keep track of your finances without a hassle. The app can track all of your purchases and help you see exactly how much money you have left to spend for the month.
When you sign up for the app, you will be asked to link most of your financial accounts. This includes your credit cards, checking accounts, savings accounts, investments and any loans that you need to pay off.
As you spend money each month, the app will break that spending into categories to help you understand where your money is going. Through this analysis, you may be able to find ways to trim your spending habits. Or at least move the money to categories that you actually want to spend money in.
Based on your bills, spending habits and goals that you set, Pocket Guard will create a simple budget for you to follow. The app will also help you find ways to improve your financial health by negotiating for lower bills and saving more money with high-interest savings accounts.
Throughout the month you can check the app to see what you have available to spend. The app factors in your bills and savings goals before giving you the “safe to spend” number. So it will always be easy to know where you stand for the month.
You can always check the app before you make a purchase to ensure you have the money to spend. This is a free app for iOS and Andriod, so it is worth checking out.
You might feel slightly overwhelmed by the idea of managing your finances completely by yourself. That is totally understandable. At times it might feel like the only way to manage all of your accounts is through a personal assistant. Although hiring a personal assistant may be unrealistic, Albert aims to be the next best thing.
Albert is an easy-to-use app that can keep track of all of your accounts. It also monitors your spending habits and asks you about your goals. After gathering this information, Albert will offer personalized advice to help you improve your financial situation and reach your goals.
In addition to the advice, Albert will set up a budget that’s designed to help you stick to it. Albert will also automatically transfer money into your savings account every month. This auto-savings feature can really help you if you’re not disciplined enough to stash spare cash in savings on your own.
Most of the features offered by Albert are free. But if you pay a small monthly fee, then you can gain access to human experts to help you with your financial decisions. The fee for the Albert Genius package is actually up to you. The company allows you to pay what you think is fair for their services.
There’s no word on exactly who those “geniuses” are. So when it comes to complex decisions — especially those about investments — you still may be better off hiring a human whose credentials you’re able to check.
Tiller is a platform designed to track your spending in one easy spot. Instead of multiple budgeting spreadsheets, Tiller will track your spending from all accounts in one place. Through this one spreadsheet system, you should gain a better understanding of where your money is going.
The tool will allow you to track all your spending in one place. That is a great advantage, especially if you have multiple accounts. Instead of logging into each bank or financial institution to determine where you stand, you can just check one spreadsheet.
The system will automatically update your spreadsheet on a daily basis. You will be up-to-date everytime you check the spreadsheet.
Once you get a handle on your tracked expenses, it will be easier to create an effective plan for your finances. The spreadsheet is customizable, so you can tailor the information to your needs.
Tiller is currently only available on Google Spreadsheets. The company plans to be compatible with Microsoft Excel soon.
It is a good choice for those who want to see their tracked daily expenses each day. However, if you are looking for something that you can check on the go, then this may not be the best option.
A large part of managing your money well is knowing where your money actually goes. Wally can help you track all of your spending in one easy place. The app will show you exactly how much money you have spent each month. And it informs you about how much money you have left to spend.
The app will track which categories you spend the most money in, what days of the week you spend the most money and more. One thing that sets Wally apart from other apps is that Wally can convert the amount spent in another currency, which will help you stay on budget even if you are out of the country.
The app is 100% free, but you may want to pay for some of the upgraded features occasionally. You can use it on iOS and Android devices.
You may have heard of the envelope budgeting method. It is a popular way for people to get their debt under control and keep their spending in check. The simplest version of the envelope system is that you take a look at your variable spending categories. Next, you set up an envelope for each category and then place the monthly amount of cash in the envelopes. If you run out of cash in the envelope, then you cannot spend the money from a different source. You can find out more in our article on the envelope budgeting system.
The envelope system is a great one, and it has worked for many people. However, it can be difficult to commit to only spending cash in our digital world. That’s where Mvelopes comes in.
Mvelopes is an app that combines the effectiveness of the envelope system with modern technology. The app will force you to divide up your spending categories and place a limit on each one. Once you have set the categories, you will need to stick to the spending plans. You can keep track of the totals through the app.
The main drawback to Mvelopes is that it is a paid service. The lowest plan starts at $4 per month. Although that is a fairly low price, it is important to remember that you could accomplish the same goals through this method with cheap envelopes and cash.
This app is only a good fit if you want to try the envelopes system, but know that you cannot make it work without the technology.
Quicken is another app that will allow you to view all of your finances in one place. You will have the ability to link your bank accounts, investment portfolios, retirement accounts, and credit cards to Quicken.
After you link all of your accounts, you will have the option to create a custom budget. The app will guide you on creating the perfect budget based on your income and expenses.
Quicken also allows you to see your bills as they come in. This will give you the chance to protect yourself from potential overdraft charges if you have set up autopay.
Overall, the app seems to have all of the tools you would need to create a successful financial picture. However, the reviews for the iOS version of the app are fairly poor. (1.5 of out 5 stars).
Before you decide to go with Quicken, check into the updated version of the app. If they have not reduced the bugs, then this may not be the best choice for you. This is especially important if you plan on using the mobile version of this service.
Good Budget is a great option for anyone who needs to take a significant other into account. Many budgeting apps do not allow for you to add a partner to your spending habits, but Good Budget does. By syncing your accounts, you will be able to see how the budget is being affected by both spenders.
If you are sharing your finances with a partner, then this may be the best option to work together.
The app is based on the envelope system, which is used to divide your spending into categories. You can use up to 10 categories for free. After that limit, you will have to pay for extra envelopes.
At each payday, you will add to your envelopes. Remember, you can only spend what is in the envelopes each month. The electronic envelope system may be just what you need to keep your spending on track.
You can share your data between iOS and Android devices.
Only use Simple if you are willing to switch to a new bank. The budgeting app is actually a completely new bank that acts as your checking account. But unlike many conventional banks, Simple has many budgeting features that will help keep your spending on track.
As you go through the month, you can check in with the app to see how much spending money you have available. It will let you know if you are getting close to your limit. You’ll also be able to track your spending with the app.
Overall, this is a great banking and budgeting app that kills two birds with one stone.
Money Dance is an easy to use personal finance tool that can help you keep track of everything. The platform will connect to your bank accounts, bill payment systems, and investment accounts.
In addition to the convenience of connecting multiple accounts, the platform is also capable of handling multiple currencies with ease. If you live abroad or plan to one day, then this feature will come in handy.
Money Dance is available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Linux. As a personal user, you only need to purchase one key. You will have the ability to use that key on multiple devices. Currently, the price is $49.99. Although it is more expensive than some of the other options, the comprehensive platform might be worth it. You can always choose to enact the full refund policy within 90 days.
Other Resources to Help You Develop a Great Budget
Building a strong budget is an important part of your financial future. By spending your money effectively and using your resources wisely, you will be able to create a solid financial future. Creating the right budget for you and your family can seem challenging, but it does not have to be.
The best way to make it simpler is by learning more about the basics of budgeting. Throughout your journey to financial success, you should be building your financial knowledge. Budgeting basics are no exception to this rule!
Learning how to create a budget that works for you does not have to be painful.
You can learn a lot by reading articles and books that will help you understand the importance of creating a strong budget. Continue learning about the different categories and recommended percentages as you work to create the right budget for you.
Creating and sticking to a budget can be a daunting task at times. As we all know, life is expensive. We cannot always plan for what is ahead, but we can make an effort to spend wisely today.
It is important to keep a positive mindset when working with a budget. Remember that budgeting is absolutely not a bad thing! Too many people think that budgets are constricting, but they do not have to be. If you create the right budget and keep your long-term goals in mind, it should be easier to stick to the plan.
Do not feel too bad if you go over budget occasionally. It is not healthy to beat yourself up about it. Just use the tools available to get you back on the right track!
What tools will you start using to manage your budget?
If you don’t like the idea of being locked into a cell phone contract for two years, take heart. There is an alternative. A prepaid cell phone plan may be right for you.
Prepaid plans are inherently different from the typical contract plans. Prepaid plans allow you more freedom and flexibility of coverage options. Instead of signing a contract for a set term with unchangeable features, you can choose to change it up over time.
Prepaid plans are even known to be less expensive than traditional contract plans.
Before you make the switch to a prepaid plan, you need to consider a few factors.
First, you need to decide what you need in in a cell phone plan. What features are you using now? Do you wish you had more of one thing, like data? Obviously, the more you want from a plan, the more expensive it will be. However, if you decide what you need in advance, then you can ensure you buy the right prepaid plan on your first try.
It can be incredibly frustrating to run out of minutes, texts or data. Think carefully about what you need before you buy a plan, and look at what your past usage history has been. Otherwise, you will likely choose the wrong prepaid phone plan.
You also need to decide what you can afford. Do not buy a plan that is completely over budget. If you cannot afford the plan you want, then you need to create a compromise between your wallet and your cell phone habits.
Look for some middle ground that gives you a plan you can live with, but does not completely blow your budget. This can be an especially tricky balance if you have a family of cell phone users on your plan.
Finally, you need to be comfortable with the coverage offered by the plan. Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and U.S. Cellular are the only companies that operate their own coverage networks. All other companies fall into the category of mobile virtual network operator (MNVO).
Basically, these companies buy access to the networks and then set their own rate. Although the network is the same, MNVO customers typically get secondary preference to the network’s coverage. As a customer on an MNVO, you may experience less reliability.
If you live in a rural area, then you need to be especially careful about this. Finding an affordable prepaid plan is great. However, if you do not have coverage at your home or in areas you frequent then it is not a good purchase. Check that the coverage will work for you before you decide to buy the plan.
Let’s take a look at the best prepaid cell phone plans on the market today. Remember to decide what you need in a plan before you choose a prepaid plan.
Straight Talk has a variety of plans that offer different levels of data usage, plus unlimited talk and text. You can choose your plan based on your needs.
The best offer available through Straight Talk is the unlimited nationwide plan. It is $45/month and offers 10GB of data plus unlimited nationwide calls and texts. Currently, I am on the unlimited nationwide plan. I have had no complaints about the plan or coverage. And, the affordable price tag works for me.
The other plans range from $30 to $60 a month, with a variety of options in between. The unlimited international plan offers unlimited calling to certain foreign countries. If you have family in another country, this could be a great option. It is $60 a month, which could be a good deal. It just depends on the amount of time you spend on the phone.
One bonus is that you can sign up for a longer term than just one month, which gives you a discounted rate for the same plan. The downside is that you would be locked into that prepaid plan for the duration of the term.
I would recommend testing out the plan for a month or two, then signing up for a longer plan to get the best rate if you like the service. When you choose to sign up for just one month, the plan will expire 30 days later.
Straight Talk has contracts with the four biggest national carriers. Depending on where you live, you will be using one of those four networks. That wide range of coverage is a great feature.
The prepaid cell phone plans offered by Straight Talk are affordable. They are best for people that need access to data on their phones.
If you never use data, then there are less expensive options available. For example, if you can get by with mostly Wi-Fi coverage, then you should consider other plans. Otherwise, you may be spending unnecessary money on this data heavy plan.
Republic Wireless offers a great plan with no data for just $15 a month. As mentioned above, you may not need cellular data if you have access to Wi-Fi most of the time. Think about the areas you frequent. If you are constantly able to connect to free Wi-Fi, then why bother paying for data?
The company offers an unlimited talk and text plan for only $15. You will not have access to any data unless you decide to pay for it. You have the option to add data right from your phone, so if you absolutely need data then you will be able to buy it on the spot for $5/GB. It is a steep price for data, but if you are in an absolute bind then it’s a good last-minute option.
Although this $15 unlimited plan is cheaper than the $45 Straight Talk unlimited plan, remember that you will not have the 10GB of data offered by the Straight Talk plan. Before you choose the Republic Wireless plan, be sure that you can survive without data.
Republic Wireless uses Sprint and T-Mobile networks to support their coverage, but it is heavily supplemented by Wi-Fi use. So if you are on a call, then you may be using wifi instead of network coverage.
One downside to Republic Wireless is that it does not support most smartphones. If you were planning to bring your own smartphone to this plan, that may not be an option.
Republic Wireless is a great option for anyone who does not need access to data on a regular basis but would like unlimited calls and texts.
Ting offers a tiered billing system that allows you to only pay for what you use. That means that if you go over a certain number of talk minutes or texts, then you will be billed for the next tier. You do have the option to set limits from your phone, so it is unlikely that you’ll exceed your intended usage accidentally.
The base plan is just $6 a month, but for $12 a month you have access to 100 minutes of talk and 100 texts. You have the option to add data as needed, but it is relatively expensive. I would not recommend signing up for this plan if you have any desire to use data.
The best part about Ting is that you can decide what you want to pay. Basically, you can design your own custom plan to create the best situation for yourself. That means you can create a plan that is text-heavy and talk-light, or vice versa. However, adding data will cost you more than it should.
In contrast to Republic Wireless, approximately 80% of phones work on the Ting network. It is likely that you will be able to bring your own phone, but it is not a guarantee.
Ting is another good option for anyone who does not need access to data. The ideal user does not need unlimited minutes but uses less than 100 minutes and 100 texts per month.
The Boost Mobile Unlimited plan is a great deal that offers four lines for $120 a month. All of the lines will receive unlimited talk, text, and data. Plus, the plan users can share access to 30GB of mobile hotspot streaming and video streaming in HD.
Boost is a company owned by Sprint, so you will be using the Sprint network exclusively with this plan. With each line, you will have the option to bring your own phone or buy a new one.
The Boost Unlimited plan is a great deal for many people. However, if your family does not use their phones extensively, then you can spend less on plans through Ting or Republic Wireless.
The Unlimited plan is advertised as a limited time offer, so if you are interested, you should jump on this right away. Thirty dollars a line is a great price for a family, especially because the unlimited access to data will likely end any data wars happening within your family.
Cricket Wireless offers many cost effective plans, but its Group Save discount options allow you to maximize your savings. In fact, you can save up to $70 a month if you add enough people to your plan. It is a great way for large families to have access to an affordable plan.
The Group Save discount starts when you add just one line, and the discount grows for each line until you add the fifth line. After five lines, you can add more but you are not saving any extra money. For five lines, you would pay just $130. For four lines, you would pay $110. These affordable prices could help your family stay on budget.
Each line will receive unlimited calls and texts, plus 5GB of data per line. The amount of data each person receives is enough to use it often, but not all of the time. Make sure that you and your plan members are capable of staying within that data limit. Otherwise, the Boost Mobile Unlimited plan may be a better option.
Cricket uses AT&T’s network exclusively, but the data speed is noticeably lower, at only 8 Mbps. Overall, the Cricket Group Save discount plan is a good option for a family that does not need access to tons of data.
Many people use their phones every single day, but if you do not then a daily plan might be the best option for you.
The AT&T prepaid daily plan gives you the option to only pay for days that you actually use your phone. On days that you do use your phone, you will be charged $2 each day. That $2 fee gives you unlimited access to minutes and texts, plus the texts can be sent internationally at no extra charge. However, data is an additional charge of 1 cent/5KB or a $1 day pass for access to 100MB.
The best part of this plan is that you only have to pay for days that you use your phone. But it is only a good deal if you use your phone for less than 15 or 22 days in the month. If you use it more than 15 days a month, then you could sign up for the Republic Wireless $15 plan for a better deal. If you use it for more than 22 days a month, then you could sign up for the Straight Talk Unlimited plan to get more bang for your buck.
T-Mobile offers a bare minimum amount of service for an equally small monthly payment.
The Pay As You Go plan will only cost you $3 a month, but the service you receive is minimal. The $3 will get you 30 of a combination of talk minutes and texts. For each minute or text you go over, the charge is 10 cents.
The low price is the best part of this plan. However, it is only a good idea for people that will not exceed the limit.
If you know that you rarely use your cell phone but would still like to keep it around, then this Pay As You Go plan is a good option. But if you go over the allotted talk minutes or texts, remember that texts and minutes at 10 cents a piece will add up quickly.
Virgin Mobile has several plans that offer a good value, but the 5GB plan offers you the maximum use of your money.
The 5GB plan is $35/month and it includes unlimited calls and texts. The 5GB of data is offered as 4G LTE data, so you should not have any problems with speed. There are affordable add-ons for international calling and mobile hotspots.
The next tier is almost identical to the Straight Talk unlimited plan. It is $45/month and includes 10GB of data, plus unlimited calls and texts. The difference is that Virgin Mobile runs exclusively on Sprint’s network, but Straight Talk has access to all four major nationwide networks. You will have to decide which network will work best in your area based on coverage maps.
In addition to the great price of the 5GB plan, Virgin Mobile members also have access to exclusive member benefits. These benefits mostly include coupons for deals on pizza, flowers, clothes, and more. Although I would not recommend making your decision on these perks, they are definitely a nice bonus.
Most phones are compatible with Virgin Mobile, so you are able to bring your own phone to this plan. Or you can buy one through Virgin Mobile, but expect to pay a high retail price.
The Virgin Mobile 5GB plan is a great option for almost everyone. If you use your phone on a regular basis and would like access to data, then this is an affordable option.
You may think of Metro PCS when you hear Metro by T-Mobile. The two companies merged several years ago, but both brands still exist. The new Metro by T-Mobile plans offer the power of T-Mobile with the no-contract appeal of Metro PCS.
The Metro by T-Mobile 10GB plan includes unlimited talk and text, but it is only $40.
The price and features are very similar to the Virgin Mobile 5GB plan and the Straight Talk Unlimited Plan. It offers more data than the Virgin Mobile plan for a slightly higher price. However, the largest difference is the network each company uses. Metro uses the T-Mobile network, Virgin uses the Sprint network, and Straight Talk has access to all four major national networks. You just need to determine which network offers the best coverage in your area.
With this plan, you will have access to a large amount of data. Plus the ability to talk and text to your heart’s content. It is really a great option for anyone with a large need for data, but no desire to sign a contract.
For each of the plans, you have the option to buy a phone or bring your own. If you bring your own phone, then you could potentially save some money.
Buying a used cell phone is not complicated, but you will want to do some research to ensure that you get the best deal possible. For tips on how to find an affordable used cell phone read about the best places to buy used cell phones.
Do you have a prepaid cellphone plan? Which one do you use? Let us know on social media.
What if you could work from home? It might allow you to spend more time with your family, control your own income, or just finally break away from your demanding boss. Whatever your reason is, make sure that it is a good one that will motivate you to get up and “go to work” every day.
Once you have decided that working from home is your goal, you need to decide how you are going to support yourself and your family. Luckily, there are many ways to earn a living from the comfort of your home.
In the beginning, you may want to test out multiple methods of earning. Through this testing, you will be able to find out what you enjoy doing and if the pay is worth it to you. You may have to work on multiple sources of income to create a full-time income, but it is completely possible to build a full time living from home.
While some home businesses require a large upfront investment to get started, others have a much lower barrier to entry. These ideas cost nothing at all to get started.
Taking surveys will not make you rich, but the income can be a great way to supplement your other earning endeavors. You have many options when it comes to earning money through surveys, but here are a few of our favorites.
Through this online platform, you will be able to earn Swagbucks points for a variety of task, including surveys. You will also be rewarded for watching videos, answering questions, shopping online, testing games, and more.
All of these activities translate into points that can be redeemed for gift cards. They have some very useful gift cards (like Amazon) that might be as good as cash for you.
This company will ask you for your opinion on a variety of issues and products. In exchange for providing this information to VIP Voice, you will have the opportunity to win vacations, cash, electronics and more.
Again, this company will provide surveys for you to take. Once you give your opinion through Survey Junkie, you will be rewarded with points. You can redeem these points for cash (via PayPal) or a gift card.
Personally, Survey Junkie is my favorite way to take surveys, but you may want to sign up for a few platforms to have more survey-taking opportunities.
Remember that these surveys will not make you rich. Sometimes there will be many surveys available and other days there will be none. Do not rely on surveys to support yourself full time, but you may want to use them to supplement your income.
People hate doing their own errands, so you can step in and take over for them. It is relatively easy to get started, especially if you have a car. You could deliver groceries, pick up the dry cleaning, or pack up for a move. Whatever the errand, you can tackle it and get paid in the process.
To get started you might want to check out TaskRabbit. It is an easy way to connect to clients in your area without having to pay to market yourself.
Let’s face it, kids are everywhere! Most of those children have parents that need a break sometimes, or maybe even child care during the workday. Whatever their needs are, you can step in to take care of those kids and get paid.
Other people need help taking care of elderly relatives. This is another opportunity you can take to provide a much-needed service and earn some money.
Becoming a babysitter, nanny, or caretaker of the elderly is not a difficult process. First, you have to decide if you are capable of taking care of people. It is a huge responsibility to take care of someone’s child or an aging parent. You should not pursue this path if you are not ready for the responsibility.
If you have decided that you are ready and willing to take care of children or the elderly, then start meeting clients. The best way is to build up references from family or friends that you have helped out in the past.
Spread the word in your community through Facebook, Craigslist and other platforms. Most areas have a “Babysitters of X City” group on Facebook. Find it and connect with parents in your area. You can also post flyers around town.
You can find potential customers through websites like Care.com, TaskRabbit.com, and SitterCity, too. Some cities also have babysitting or nanny agencies that will connect parents to caretakers. These third-party options all have a fee associated with them, but you may be able to thoroughly vet the family through these companies.
Taking care of other people all day is hard work, but most nannies and babysitters are compensated well for their time. Before you start a job, make sure that you are clear about your compensation expectations to avoid any awkwardness later.
Freelancer writers are everywhere! Think of all of the online content that you have access to. A large portion of that was created by freelance writers. The sheer amount of online content that needs to be created indicates that there is always room for more writers in the space.
Writing is a great option for anyone that loves (or at least likes) to write. You do not need to have an advanced degree in English or Journalism to become a freelance writer. In fact, most businesses just care that you are able to consistently meet deadlines and create good content.
Freelance writing is definitely not a get-rich-quick scheme, but there is an opportunity to slowly build your income over time. In the beginning, you will likely have to take jobs that pay much less than you’re worth. However, it is important to take those opportunities and build a portfolio of writing samples that you can leverage into higher paying gigs.
Jobs boards are a good place to get started. A few of the best are:
There are many other boards, but these seem to have a relatively high success rate.
Keep in mind that the best way to build a client base is to build a network. You can do this by connecting with other writers through Facebook, conferences and courses.
You don’t have to buy a course, but Earn More Writing is a great one if you want to get a jump start on your freelance writing career. The creator of the course is a successful freelance writer who makes well over six figures. She shares her best tips on how to get started.
Social media is everywhere and businesses need help when it comes to managing their social media accounts. Many times, the business owner is just too busy to manage their own social account. However, they may realize the importance of building a strong social media presence.
As a social media manager, you would be responsible for posting to their accounts and building a presence that is appropriate for the business. You may want to educate yourself through the many free online sources out there to gain more knowledge about your favorite platforms before you get started.
Next, contact all of the local businesses in your area to see if they need your services.
You can start selling your own stuff right away to earn some extra cash fast.
What can you sell? Almost anything! Here are a few ideas to get started.
Many of us have old cell phones, tablets, laptops, video game consoles, and similar items collecting dust around our homes. Either we got the new version of the item, it stopped working one day, or we just are not interested in using it as much nowadays. You can turn those old electronics into cash. Decluttr is one of the easiest ways to sell your old electronics. Read 24 Places to Easily Sell Your Used Electronics to find out more.
If your closet is overflowing with clothes that you never wear, then it might be time to turn those outfits into cash. ThredUp and consignment stores are a great place to get started. Check out our post on the best places to sell your old clothes!
Again, your closet may be filled to the brim with shoes that you never wear. I am guilty of this! Eventually I plan to sell these shoes for cash. Check out 29 Best Places to Sell Your Shoes.
Novels, textbooks, short stories, even vintage magazines. All of these can be worth money to the right buyer. You can sell to individual buyers, used bookstores or to a company like Bookscouter.
With all of the home streaming services that are available now, do you ever actually use that pile of DVDs in your living room? If you don’t, then you should consider converting the stack of DVDs into a stack of cash.
Decluttr is an easy way to sell your DVDs fast, but you can also sell them to used bookstores or a specialty site like SecondSpin.
As your life changes, you may decide that you no longer need some of your furniture. You can sell it for cash through a variety of platforms including Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.
And so many more items. Be sure to check out our post on the best apps to sell your stuff. Just remember to research a fair price so that you and the buyer are both happy.
Although selling your own stuff is a great way to clean out your house, it is an unsustainable way to make a living. Unless you have many houses full of valuable items, it is unlikely that you could support yourself for very long in this way. However, if you want to ramp up your earning, you can buy items with the intent to sell them.
When you are buying the items, make sure to find the best deal possible. You want to follow the general concept of buy low and sell high. Finding items under market value is a one way to make a living selling things. You can look for deals at your local thrift store or garage sales. In particular, look for designer clothes and collectible items — they’re the items in highest demand.
Once you have bought the items, you can sell them via Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Amazon, eBay and more. It may help to focus on one area at a time. Build your knowledge in one category of items before adding another category to your abilities.
By investing in a few supplies or web services, you may be able to earn even more from a home business. The ideas below cost less than $100 to start.
Yes, it is possible to build a full-time income from a blog. Although it will be hard work, it is absolutely possible. The process to start a blog is really simple, but after the initial setup, you need to be willing to put in the time to make it successful. Blogging is in no way a get-rich-quick scheme, but if you work hard then it is possible.
Before you begin, read How to Start a Blog in 10 Minutes or Less. It outlines what you will need to do in order to get started blogging.
People tend to avoid doing things around their house for a few reasons. They are either scared that they will end up making the problem worse, they have no idea where to get started, they don’t have time, or they just do not want to do it. No matter their reason, you can step in and help them out. In the process, you will be able to earn some cash.
If you aren’t exactly sure what a handyman does, don’t worry. Most handymen have a list of tasks that they offer to customers. Some have a more extensive list than others, but make sure you only agree to tasks that you are capable of doing. Here are some task ideas to get started with.
Painting the inside or outside of a home is a difficult task, but only because of the size of the job. Many homeowners decide to hire someone to do this job. That’s where you come in.
You may want to start with indoor painting because it requires less equipment. Eventually you can reinvest your income to buy better equipment to tackle larger jobs. You should double check that your state does not require any licensing before you get started.
Windows are notoriously difficult to clean, and some maid services typically won’t do windows. Many homeowners and shops will pay someone to do the job right.
Once you’ve built some experience cleaning windows on the ground level, you could invest in the right equipment to safely tackle windows that are higher up. Don’t expect to start on a huge building, but you may be able to work your way to the top.
Tile, carpet, wood. All of these floor types are time-consuming to install correctly, and many people do not want to do this backbreaking work. If you are willing to do the job, then you should not have a difficult time finding customers.
Things break, which is just the nature of a home. Many times, the owner has no idea how to fix the problem. People will call you about the strangest breakages, but if you are handy with tools you will likely be able to figure it out.
Before you get started as a handyman, make a list of everything that you are able to do. It might be a good idea to make some flyers, post in platforms like Facebook and Craigslist, and print some business cards.
The key is to do a good job. Once you have done a few jobs well, you can pick up more by word of mouth.
If you love animals, then this might be the perfect way to earn money. People will typically pay between $15 and $50 a day for you to take care of their pet. The payment will depend on the level of care they expect and the type of animal involved.
In addition to pet sitting, you can also offer to walk dogs. Dog walking is a fun way to get some exercise and earn money at the same time. You can find clients through word of mouth, fliers, or apps like Rover. Rover is a useful app that will connect you to potential clients in your area. It may be easier to get started through the app, but finding clients through your network will work too.
You can become a virtual assistant if you have access to a phone, computer, and internet. The type of work will depend on the client, but you should expect to do research, writing, scheduling, and more.
If you are interested in seriously pursuing a career as a virtual assistant, then you should consider taking the 10K VA course. The creator is a successful VA who offers great advice on how to build your business.
Businesses everywhere need graphic designers to create logos, artwork and more for their websites and storefronts. You may be able to succeed as a graphic designer if you have an artistic eye, good computer skills and the right software.
You can choose to create very basic logos or complex designs for a higher price.
If you are crafty, then this one is for you. People want to buy fun, crafty gifts or locally sourced products, which means that you can create something to sell in your community.
A few things that you can consider selling are:
Making soap is not too difficult, and it can be a fun project. Get started with an online tutorial and try to experiment with your own soap to create a unique project.
If you are an artist, then paint what inspires you! You can sell your paintings through Etsy, local craft fairs, or your own website.
Got a flair for style and design? You could start a jewelry-making business. Invest in a few supplies and up your game with free tutorials online, or classes at local bead stores. You can sell your wares online or at local fairs and festivals.
Although the idea of cleaning up other people’s messes does not sound glamorous, it will pay the bills. You can start a cleaning service for almost no cost.
You can find clients through Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and your family and friends. You can also post fliers around town If you do a good job, then you should not have a problem finding clients.
Think back to your school days. Were you good at a particular area of study like math, science, or English? Maybe you are still really great at these subjects. You may be able to leverage that knowledge into cash.
The best way to get started is by posting flyers around campuses, or getting an advertisement sent home to the parents. You can also sign up for an online platform like Tutor.com.
Not only are tutors hired to help prepare for tests like the SAT and ACT, but also for students struggling in their everyday classes. You can help a student learn, and build your own income at the same time.
If you live in a popular tourist destination, then this is one way to really earn some income. The key is to create a tour that people love and promote to their friends. Make sure to take the group to all of your favorite sites and explain all of the details that only a local would know.
You can get started by creating your own website, posting to Facebook Marketplace, or signing up for a travel agency connection service like Vayable. Be aware, however, that sites like Vayable charge a fee, so you’ll have to part with some of your revenue.
Working from home is a great thing for some people, but it is not for everyone. You need to have the willpower to force yourself to get things done. Be honest with yourself before you get started. Do not start working for home without a solid plan that will work for you.
Although it can sometimes be difficult, working from home could change your life for the better.
Which work from home job do you want to try? Let us know on our social media sites.