Perhaps you work a 9 to 5 job, but still don’t have enough money to buy the things you need or want. Maybe you want to save more or start investing but it’s a challenge due to a lack of funds. There are many things you can do to fatten your wallet while even perhaps enjoying yourself.

Design Printables to Sell on Etsy

If you’re more artistically minded, you could create printables and sell them on Etsy. These can be anything — from budget printables to artwork that people frame. Whatever the case, these are easy to create and sell over and over again, even though you’ve only worked on them once!

Looking to design your own printables and sell them on Etsy? You can watch this free workshop to see how you can do this and earn upward of $10,000 a year! They also have a program that helps you earn even more.

Related: What Can I Sell For $1,000?

Answer Questions For Money

Are you an expert on a specific topic? If so, you can answer questions and earn money talking about what you already know. With sites like Just Answer, you can make your own schedule and get paid to answer specific questions, like “How do I get my kids to stop fighting?”.

Keep in mind that sites like Just Answer do require education, certification, or other relevant experience in the field you want to be considered an expert in. You’ll need to prove that you know what you’re talking about, so don’t boast if you’re unsure!

Related: How to Create Passive Income Streams on a Low Budget

Invest in Dividend Stocks

Investing in and following the stock market can be a lucrative pastime. If you are considering stock investing, it is important to research and follow past trends to make an informed decision on what may be a worthy investment.

Many websites and blogs offer advice on how to invest your money, and finding an online broker that offers low commissions is entirely possible with today’s investment technology. But one of the easiest ways to invest in the stock market is to invest in dividend stocks.

These stocks will typically pay you each quarter (some pay at different times) just for holding a stock option. That means you’re getting paid without having to trade or sell stocks. And the longer you have them, the more you make.

Related: How to Start Investing in Stocks With No Regrets

How I Found Money to Start Investing

Clean Houses

Sometimes, people are just too busy to keep their houses or apartments clean, so becoming a house cleaner in your spare time is a great way to earn extra money. Like many small businesses, you can start by advertising on social media websites about your services and what they entail.

The times you are available to clean are important as potential clients can make decisions based on your availability versus when they want their house to be cleaned. If you do a good job, you may be able to pick up constant work from clients, giving you a steady stream of extra income.

In order to start your own cleaning business, there are a few things you might want to do before trying to get new clients. This includes starting a website and connecting it to an online booking system so people can schedule within your availability.

You’ll also want to invest in proper cleaning supplies and marketing materials — like social media ads or coupons for people in the area. Of course, this can cost as little as a few hundred, but commercial cleaning supplies can also run into the thousands. Take your time with your investments and upgrade as you grow.

Become a Content Writer

There are many opportunities to become a content writer for websites all over the internet. Many websites are looking for people to write articles about a certain field such as sports, gaming, or food, but there is almost no limit as to what you can write about on some sites.

This is easy to do in your downtime and from anywhere that has an internet connection.

There are many ways to get clients and writing jobs, but remember:

• Don’t be afraid to cold pitch to websites and blogs you admire or want to write for. Email them, you never know what they’ll say!
• Keep your writing portfolio up to date. The more you write, the more you should include in your portfolio.
• Niching down may make it harder to find clients initially, but it can help you build rapport with potential clients and showcase that you know what you’re talking about.
• If you can do 5 articles per week for $100 each, that’s $500 per week or $2,000 per month. Not a bad deal!

Related: Side Hustles Explored: How to Become a Freelance Writer

22+ Websites That Pay Writers for Guest Posts

4 Common Misconceptions About Freelance Writers

Download Apps That Pay Real Money and Complete Short Tasks

There are many apps out there that can help you earn more money each day. These include survey apps and apps that pay you for playing games on your phone. My favorites are Swagbucks, Cashy, Mistplay, Survey Junkie, and Branded Surveys.

• Swagbucks – A website and app that makes you money for answering polls, taking surveys, and playing games.
• Cashy – A gaming app that makes you money via PayPal by playing games on your phone.
• Mistplay – Another gaming app that allows you to trade coins for gift cards when you play games on your phone.
• Survey Junkie – A website and an app that pays you to take surveys.
• Branded Surveys – Another website that allows you to take surveys and earn cash.

Make Money In Days Wrap Up

These are just a few ideas of how to make money during your spare time, but there are plenty more things to do out there. All you need to do is find something you are passionate about and make an income out of it.

The post 6 Super Easy Ways to Make $100 a Day first appeared on My Debt Epiphany.

The post 6 Super Easy Ways to Make $100 a Day appeared first on My Debt Epiphany.

You probably don’t want to waste this cash and use it unwisely. If you’re looking for some wise ways to use $50k in cash, you’re definitely in the right place.

In this blog post, I’ll walk you through some great options to help you make the most of your money and even grow it.

Is $50k a Lot of Money?

$50,000 is a sizeable amount of cash and you’re wise if you’re trying to think carefully about how to use it. There are tons of ideas, but not all of them are helpful.

What is $50k in money?  Depending on how you received your funds, you may have to account for taxes, fees and other deductions. Still, you can accomplish one or several goals with this amount of money, so let’s consider starting with some of those goals.

Think First…Set Some Goals

To make the best decision on which ways to use $50k in cash, take a moment to reflect on your life and goals. Most goals we set for our lives to require finances and investing wisely. Is there something you’d like to do and accomplish within the next few years?

How could this money help you bring your goals to fruition? Approaching the decision from this mindset can prevent frivolous spending, so you don’t regret the choices you make with your funds.

Related: How to Achieve Goals You Set This Year

Where Can I Put My 50k in Cash?

Where you put your money depends on how soon you plan to use it. You shouldn’t keep the cash in your regular checking or savings account for long so it doesn’t get used on expenses that aren’t a priority.

You may want to transfer some of the funds to a high-yield savings account so it can earn interest. Long-term options such as transferring money to a CD or a brokerage account may also be a good idea, but it depends on your plans.

As you decide how liquid (or not liquid) you’d like this money to be, here are some solid ideas to help you make good use of 50k in cash.

1. Pay Off Debt

Paying off debt is always a good option whenever you have extra money or can budget for additional debt payments. According to an Experian study, the average American has $96,371 in consumer debt. This includes everything from credit card balances and student loans to car loans, personal loans, and mortgages. That’s a huge burden!

Consider using some of your cash to pay down high-interest debt. This isn’t the most exciting way to use the money, but you’ll be setting yourself up for success by freeing up more cash flow. Plus, you’ll save on interest you could be paying long-term if you don’t pay down your debt quickly.

2. Boost Your Emergency Fund Savings

Americans need a solid emergency fund more than ever. While financial experts recommend setting 3 to 6 months of expenses aside for emergencies, I understand that this can be challenging for most families.

I teach an online masterclass to help people save a full emergency fund quickly. But one of the best ways to boost your savings is with windfalls, bonuses, or other unexpected cash. If you receive or accumulate 50k in cash, consider using some money to build a full emergency fund.

Related: Emergency Fund Tips: How to Grow Your Account Fast and Where to Start

3. Invest in your IRA 

An IRA or individual retirement account is a great way to invest for retirement outside of your 401(k). I’ve personally never had a 401(k) as an option, so I’ve used different types of IRAs instead to save for retirement.

Right now, the maximum annual contribution limit for a traditional or Roth IRA is $6,500. With $50k in cash, you can easily max out your IRA for the year as well as your spouse’s account to boost your retirement savings.

4. Invest With a Brokerage Account

A brokerage account is an investment account that allows you to buy and sell different types of securities such as stocks, bonds, ETFs, and mutual funds. A brokerage account holds your investments and follows an index such as the S&P 500.

The great thing about brokerage accounts is that there is no maximum amount you can contribute each year. There are also no withdrawal fees or penalties to withdraw funds. Meanwhile, retirement accounts like 401(k)s have maximum contribution limits. Several financial institutions offer brokerage accounts such as Charles Schwab and Vanguard.

Related: How to Start Investing in Stocks With No Regrets

50k Invested For 10 Years

Want to see how much your $50k investment could be worth in 10 years? I love using this free compound interest calculator from Investor.gov. Over the past 10 years, the stock market had a positive return rate of 9.5%. But I plugged a more conservative return rate of 7% into the calculator.

As you can see, if you invested $50,000 and didn’t contribute anything additional for 10 years, you’d still have almost $100,000 with an average 7% rate of return.

5. Invest in Real Estate

Depending on the real estate market in your area, $50,000 can go a long way if you want to invest in property. This amount is enough to put 20% down on a $50,000 home. Or, you can buy a fixer-upper and use the money to make home upgrades.

Some real estate investor even purchase properties out of town or out of state if the prices are better. You’ll likely need to do a lot of research and educate yourself before investing in real estate. However, this can still be a way to build wealth or even start a real estate investing business.

Best Way to Invest $50k in Property

There are several ways to invest $50k in property. You can use it for a down payment, invest in home upgrades, or even buy a fixer-upper in cash.

You can also consider investing in commercial property through crowdfunded real estate projects.

6. Fundrise

Fundrise is a crowdfunded real estate platform that allows you to diversify your portfolio by teaming up with other investors to fund commercial and residential projects.

Fundrise is a long-term investment and the company does charge a 0.15% investment advisory fee. I also like how the company shares return rates from previous years right on the website for transparency.

7. Invest in Government Bonds 

Bonds are a lower-risk investment than stocks because you are loaning someone else money, and they pay it back plus some interest. Government bonds are a debt security that’s issued by the government, which helps support government spending.

These bonds are low risk since they’re backed by the government, and some pay interest quarterly. I probably wouldn’t invest the entire $50,000 in government bonds but this is an option to try out if you think it could work for you.

8. Save For a Home Down Payment

Homes are expensive and $50,000 down payment could be a sizable contribution to help you become a homeowner.

Buying a home also comes with many other expenses, such as closing costs, moving costs, home repairs, and so on. You may want to use some of this money to save for furniture or home upgrades you know you’ll need.

With a home purchase, I always advise people don’t spend more than 30% of their income on home costs each month. Even if you have a $50,000 cash cushion or down payment, it’s important to make sure you can afford the home and live comfortably.

9. Build a Profitable Niche Website

If you’ve always wanted to start a niche website – whether a blog or e-commerce site – you can easily do this for way less than $50,000. Niche sites are great because you can grow your traffic and monetize your site with display advertising, affiliate marketing, sponsored content, and even products.

First, you’ll need to think of a good theme for your website and perform some market research to narrow down your niche and target audience. Then, you will need a self-hosted website. I like Bluehost and Hostgator personally, and they are both affordable options.

With some funds to invest in the project, you can hire

Related: How to Make Money with a Blog or Niche Site

10. Start a Business

Have you been thinking of starting a business? This could be another great way to use $50k in cash. Lack of funding is something that holds a lot of entrepreneurs back from pursuing their venture.

Take some time to carefully plan out your business, perform market research, and plan for startup expenses. You may even want to utilize free resources from the SBA such as business mentorship and grant resources as well.

11. Travel

You may want to travel or book the trip of a lifetime when you have $50k in cash. There’s nothing wrong with this as long as you’re not drowning in debt and have a stable financial situation. I wouldn’t recommend traveling to Australia for a month when you have no emergency fund and $10,000 of credit card debt.

However, you could easily split the money up like this:

• $7,000 to pay off your credit cards and a personal loan
• $10,000 to top off your emergency fund
• $5,000 to $8,000 on a fun family trip
• $10,000 to retirement savings or investments
• The remainder toward general savings or other goals

Related: 9 Ways to Make Money While Traveling

Best Tips and Tricks to Plan a Frugal Last-Minute Vacation

12. Put Money Into a CD

A certificate of deposit of CD is a bank product and savings tool that helps you earn interest on your money. The only catch is that you can’t withdraw your money from the account before the term ends unless you pay a penalty fee.

However, CD terms can range from as little as 3 months to 5 years or more. CD rates are also very high right now, with many banks offering 4% or 5% interest. While I couldn’t recommend putting the entire $50,000 into a CD, you can consider this option for some of the money if you want a low-risk investment.

13. Bonus Ideas: How to Double $50k

Want to double 50k in cash? There are several ways to put your money to work from you and actually grow $50,000 to a bigger amount.

• Invest it. As you can see from my example above, investing in the stock market can likely double your funds in 10 years. And that’s if you let it sit and do nothing.
• Flip a house. If you’re interested in real estate investing and can find quality partners, you may be able to double your money by flipping a property. This will require a ton of work but can be worth it for the right person.
• Start a rental business. Rental businesses are great because you typically can buy your items once and rent them out several times. You will need to invest in things like insurance and other costs, but this is a strategic way to double your investment.
• Invest in other small businesses. Make money from supporting someone else’s success. Even if you don’t have an awesome business idea, you can participate in peer lending and invest in a business that is profitable to get a nice return.

These are just a few creative ways to double $50,000. Which ideas appeal to you or what would you add? Also, how would you best use $50k in cash?

The post 13+ Wise Ways to Use $50k in Cash first appeared on My Debt Epiphany.

The post 13+ Wise Ways to Use $50k in Cash appeared first on My Debt Epiphany.

It’s a question many of us may think about but dare not say out loud. Selling something for $1,000 seems like a huge purchase.

The thing is, people are making these types of transactions every day.

If you’re wondering what you can sell for $1,000 or more, there are several high-ticket items to consider.

What Sells For Big Money?

The items that sell for big money are usually high-value items. This doesn’t always mean the item costs a lot of money.

It could just mean there’s a big demand for a specific item, making it very high value.

Brainstorming a List of Items to Sell For $1,000

The best place to start is by brainstorming a list of items that could be sold for $1,000. Look around your home at your possessions and ask yourself: what can I sell for $1,000?

I’ve also done some research on this topic to help narrow down some general categories of high-value items. This includes things like:

• Antiques
• Electronics
• Furniture
• Tickets
• Luxury items
• Artwork

Artwork is something I wouldn’t have even considered adding to the list. But I went to eBay and saw quite a few art pieces for sale for around $1,000 under the ‘Collectibles’ category.

Then, consider which items you could get more easily than others. You’ll earn bonus points if you can find some valuable items used and fix them up to restore it to its original potential.

Best Things To Sell Right Now

Here are some of the best things to start selling for $1,000. These items are often in high demand, so you can expect them to sell quickly and for a lot of money.

1. Laptops

Most have laptops and computers in their homes as a necessity. With laptops especially, you get what you pay for. This is why I’m more than willing to spend $1,000 on a quality laptop, even if it’s gently used or refurbished.

Last summer, my old Macbook that I bought in 2017 crashed and I had to spend more than $1,300 on a Macbook Air. Apple products are especially expensive so if you know how to work on computers or can sell a high-value used laptop, you can make $1,000 quickly.

2. Vehicles

Another popular item to sell for $1,000 or more is cars. The average used car costs around $20,000 to $25,000. You can get a better deal if you’re able to sell a car privately rather than getting a quote from a dealership.

You can also consider selling other types of vehicles like a motorcycle or four-wheeler. Even an old RV can be sold for $1,000+.

3. Gym Equipment

Have a lot of specialty gym equipment? Items such as a bench press, elliptical, or a home gym set can also be sold as a bundle for $1,000.

Exercise bikes are also very popular and a Peleton bike costs anywhere from $1,495 to $1,825. Refurbished Peleton bikes start at $995.

4. Concert Tickets

Concerts can be pretty expensive, depending on who the singer is. I’ve heard some pretty crazy stories about the price of Beyonce and Taylor Swift tickets. If you can manage to get a few tickets to a major artist, you may be able to sell them for $1,000.

5. Bed Frame / Smart Bed Equipment

Smart bed equipment such as Sleep Number and Tempurpedic can cost thousands of dollars. If you can sell some of these items gently used, such as an adjustable bed frame, you’d have a good chance of still selling it for at least four figures.

6. Antique Furniture

Have you ever been antiquing before? This can be a fun way to hunt for gems and high-value items you can resell. There are tons of YouTube videos with tips on how to shop for antiques and determine their value.

You may even want to sell to antique dealers who can pay top dollar for your items.

7. Shoes

Certain types of shoes are not cheap these days. I know because I have a son who loves brands like Nikes and Jordans. They are nice-looking shoes, but I also have a secret plan to resell them when my son’s feet grow.

If you have a shoe collection or can buy name-brand shoes for cheap, you can easily sell a few pairs for a total of $1,000.

Stockx is actually a site we use to buy gently-used shoes from, and you can also resell shoes to them too.

8. Jewelry

Another item to sell for $1,000 is valuable jewelry made of real gold or diamonds. This includes necklaces, wedding rings, high-end watches, and more.

Be sure to shop around with different buyers to get the best price. You can try pawn shops or sites like Worthy that will inspect your jewelry items and offer you a fair price.

9. High-Value Electronics (Smartphone, tablet, camera)

Electronics are getting more and more expensive. Some people consider buying these items used to save money, but you can still make a good profit depending on what the item is. Newer models of smartphones, tablets, and cameras can be sold for top dollar as well as original or classic models for collectors.

Check online to see how much your items are selling for both new and used to guide your pricing. Sites like Buyback Boss make it easy to resell your used smartphones and other electronics.

10. Your Space or Spare Bedroom

Have a spare room? Consider renting it out on Airbnb. You can earn hundreds or more per week by renting out your spare room especially if you live in a prime location. If you live near restaurants, tourist attractions, or a major city, you can easily earn $1,000+ per month with Airbnb.

Airbnb provides a lot of tools to help with your listing, and they handle the finances so you won’t have to worry about collecting payment. You can also use this site to estimate how much you can earn based on your location and other factors specific to your listing.

Related: How to Make Extra Money Renting Out Space in Your Home

What Can I Sell to Make Money Online? Creative Services

You can also sell creative services if you’re looking to make $1,000 quickly. You may be wondering what could I sell for $1,000 that I actually know how to do?

Don’t worry, there are tons of valuable services and skills you can use to generate this income. Below are a few ideas to get you started.

11. Freelance Writing

If you like to write, consider becoming a freelance writer and getting paid to write blog posts, website copy, and other content. I’ve been a freelancer since 2016 and can firmly say that this is the most profitable type of work I’ve ever done.

You can set your own rates and choose which clients you work with. As a newbie writer, you can easily start charging $100 per article. With experience and expertise, you can earn more. Check the link below to see sites that will pay you for a guest article and feel free to check out my other site, ChonceMaddox.com to learn more about earning money as a writer online.

Related: 22+ Websites That Pay Writers for Guest Posts

How to Become a Freelance Writer

12. Graphic Design

Graphic design is another valuable skill you can offer, especially if you’re looking to make money from home. People are always looking to hire someone to create logos, website designs, templates, and more. Consider offering your skills on Fiverr or 99 Designs.

13. Printables and Templates

Printables are digital downloads that you can sell online. The most popular type of printables includes planning sheets, checklists, trackers, and even printable stickers. Visit Etsy to see how many people are successfully selling printables online.

Also, check out this free E-Printables Workshop to learn how you can earn $1,000 per month or more by creating and selling your own printables.

14. Virtual Assistant

Sometimes, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel to make more money. Virtual assistants (or VAs) help bloggers, entrepreneurs, and small business owners with regular tasks and make decent money doing it.

If you prefer a support or assistant role, this is a great option for you. VAs can help with everything from scheduling social media content, checking emails, blog management, research, paying invoices, and more.

The good news is that most clients provide training and will teach you their processes so you don’t need a lot of experience or credentials to get started. You’ll earn around $20 to $30 per hour as a VA depending on your experience.

Related: How to Become a Virtual Assistant

15. Pinterest Management

Love Pinterest? Consider becoming a Pinterest VA. Pinterest VAs are a specific type of virtual assistant that solely helps clients with their Pinterest account. This can include making and scheduling pins, research, joining group boards, optimizing boards, and so on.

Some Pinterest VAs charge by the hour but many charge a flat-rate fee of around $400 to $500 for monthly maintance services. Learn more about becoming a Pinterest VA here.

Related: How This Pinterest VA Earns $1,200/month

What Can I Sell For $1,000? SO Many Things!

Yes, $1,000 is a lot of money, but there are so many high-value things you can start selling to meet this goal. Consider a mix of selling physical items and selling creative services to make $1,000 even faster.

I truly hope this list gets your creative wheels going. You can definitely do this and I want you to come back to this post and comment below once you’ve hit your goal!

The post What Can I Sell For $1,000? first appeared on My Debt Epiphany.

The post What Can I Sell For $1,000? appeared first on My Debt Epiphany.

It sounds like a dream, but it is possible, and there are many legitimate ways to earn free PayPal cash.

With just a few clicks, or taps on your smartphone, you can get rewarded with real money for doing simple tasks such as watching videos, testing a service, taking surveys, downloading an app, playing games, shopping online, referring a friend, and more.

While the amounts may not be huge, it all adds up and can help cover some of those extra expenses that pop up from time to time.

If you’re ready to start earning free PayPal money fast and easy, here are some great ideas to get started.

What Is PayPal?

PayPal is an online payment system that allows users to send and receive money without sharing any financial information. It’s one of the most popular payment services in the world, and it’s easy to use.

All you need to do is link a PayPal account to your bank account or credit/debit card. Then, you’re ready to go.

Not only is PayPal secure and convenient, but it also offers some great rewards. Many online stores offer bonus points when you use PayPal to complete transactions. Some banks even offer cashback rewards for PayPal deposits.

But first, here’s a quick overview of some of the options I’ll cover in this post:

1. Get Paid For Taking Surveys

No matter what your interests are, there’s probably a survey site out there that pays you cash rewards or a PayPal deposit for completing surveys.

Here are some of the most well-known survey sites that offer free money online:

Branded Surveys

Branded Surveys is a great way to make some extra money by taking surveys in your spare time. It’s easy to sign up and get started, and you can earn points for completing surveys on a variety of topics. When you accumulate 500 points (equal to $5), then you can request a payout via PayPal.

It’s easy to start getting rewards in no time. You also get a 50-point sign-up bonus for creating an account and another 50 points for completing your initial profile survey.

The more paid surveys you complete, the further your point total will build. Each point is equivalent to one penny. So make sure to utilize Branded Surveys today so that amassing rewards won’t be just easy but speedy as well!

Survey Junkie

Survey Junkie is one of the top-rated survey sites out there – and one of my personal favorites! It’s a great option for anyone who only has a few minutes at a time to spare and wants to make some extra money.

All you have to do is sign up with Survey Junkie and take surveys to earn points. You can then transfer your points into cash when you reach the minimum threshold of $5. And if that wasn’t enough, Survey Junkie even offers a signup bonus to new users when they join.

MyPoints 

MyPoints is an online rewards program that allows you to earn points for shopping online, taking surveys, dining out, and discovering content. With MyPoints, you can redeem your points for gift cards or cash rewards toward your favorite brands.

You can also get free gift cards with coupons and promo codes.

Be sure to complete your profile questions when you join. This will give you access to more surveys and reward you with 5 points for every 10 profile questions answered. 

As an added bonus, MyPoints provides 5 points for surveys you don’t qualify for and a 25 disqualification point maximum per day. Plus, when you initially join the website as a new member, your $10 joining bonus will be waiting for you.

If you want to receive money through PayPal, you must accumulate at least 1,590 points or $10 before you can start cashing out.

Opinion Outpost

Opinion Outpost is an online survey platform that enables users to take surveys and earn rewards for their opinions. The company partners with leading brands to develop surveys that are tailored to the user’s interests and demographics.

The platform offers two ways of accessing surveys — through a personalized dashboard or via email invites. Surveys typically take 10 minutes to complete and pay between 5-30 points each. Each point earned is worth $0.10, so a 5-point survey would earn you $0.50.

Points can be exchanged for payments of $10 Paypal or gift cards from popular retailers when the minimum 100 points ($10) is attained. Sign-up bonuses may also be available from time to time.

2. Get Free PayPal Money By Shopping

As we all know, shopping online is convenient and often cheaper than going to the store.

But did you know that there are actually ways to get free PayPal money by shopping? You can even earn free money, cashback rewards, discounts, and other bonuses by using some of the following websites.

Inbox Dollars

InboxDollars is an online rewards platform that makes it easy to get paid for online shopping, taking surveys, and more. It’s very similar to Swagbucks by offering cashback from purchases made with select retailers and a multitude of third-party offers.

When you first sign up for InboxDollars, you are immediately rewarded with a $5 bonus, making it even easier to reach the minimum cash-out amount of $30.

Rakuten

Rakuten is an online cashback website that makes it easy to save money on your purchases. All you have to do is go through the Rakuten website and click on the store you want to shop at.

You’ll get a percentage of your purchase price back as cashback.

The best thing about Rakuten is that it gives a $30 BONUS upon joining and up to 40% cashback at over 2,500 stores.

However, keep in mind that they only pay out four times per year. So if you don’t reach their minimum withdrawal amount ($5 in cashback), your balance will be rolled into the next period until it reaches the minimum required amount.

Related: Rakuten (Ebates ) Review: Earn Cashback For Everyday Shopping

Shopkick

Shopkick is an app that rewards shoppers for making purchases at participating stores. The rewards, called “kicks”, can be redeemed for gift cards or PayPal transfers. With Shopkick, it’s easy to get started earning kicks: just start shopping and scanning items in the store.

Plus, any earnings are credited instantly, so you can start cashing out right away with a minimum cashout amount of just $2.

Even better, the app offers a signup bonus where users can earn extra kicks with their first purchase – giving you even more chances to redeem those rewards. Use my code EPIPHANY to earn a $5 sign-up bonus.

3. Get Free PayPal Money By Completing Short Tasks

There are many websites and apps out there that will pay you free PayPal money instantly for completing short tasks.

These tasks can be anything from writing a review to watching videos, playing games, or downloading an app. Here are some of the most popular free PayPal money-earning apps and websites:

Swagbucks

Swagbucks is a great way to make some extra money in your spare time. With Swagbucks, you can complete surveys, watch videos, shop online, and search the web earn points. Points can then be redeemed for PayPal cash or gift cards.

You just need at least 2,500 points (or $25) before you can redeem your points for cash or gift cards. Plus, when you sign up with Swagbucks, there’s an added bonus of $10.

Upside

Upside provides you with a fantastic opportunity to get cashback rewards on purchases of gas, groceries, and restaurant items when linking a credit or debit card.

You can even take surveys or watch videos for additional points that can be redeemed as gift cards or PayPal transfers.

To get started, simply download the app and sign up with your email address. There’s also a signup so you’ll start earning immediately.

Sign up for Upside and download the app here

Use my code to earn an extra 15%/gal back when you sign up: CHONCE5236

The minimum withdrawal for PayPal is $15. It won’t take long before you can transfer some extra cash back into your account.

Related: Saving Money on Fuel: Upside Review

UserTesting

UserTesting is an amazing way to get free PayPal money by completing short tasks. With UserTesting, you can make money simply by testing websites and apps for their users and providing feedback on your experience using the site or app.

You’ll receive $10 per 20 minutes of testing that you complete. To get started, create an account and take a sample test which you must pass in order to be eligible for any testing opportunities.

When the cash-out time comes around, the minimum cash-out amount needed to receive a gift card or PayPal transfer is noted on the website.

No need to worry about points or other forms of currency as UserTesting pays directly with real money.

Field Agent

With Field Agent, you can complete tasks such as mystery shopping, product testing, and surveys. You’ll get paid for each task you complete, with the amount varying depending on the task. The minimum cashout amount for PayPal transfers or gift cards is $10.

Field Agent also has a signup bonus of $2 when you create an account and complete your first task. You’ll also be able to refer friends and earn money for each person who signs up using your referral link.

You’ll earn points for completing tasks. Redeem points for rewards such as gift cards or PayPal transfers.

Watch Out For Scams

It’s important to be aware that scammers can claim to offer free PayPal money in exchange for your personal information. Many of these sites will ask you to submit your personal information to get a code, but that code won’t actually do anything.

These fraudulent sites may also require you to complete surveys or tasks that never result in any payment.

The best way to avoid getting scammed is by doing research on the website or app before using it. Make sure there are legitimate reviews of the site. Also, never give out your personal information unless you’re completely sure the website is safe and secure.

Summary

If you’re looking for a way to make some extra cash online, these cash prizes and free PayPal money options are great opportunities to do so.

Not only is it a great way to make some money, but all these apps and websites are also easy to use and understand. So get out there and start earning!

With online purchases, referrals, and signup bonuses available – you can make money in no time.

The post How to Get Free PayPal Money in 2023 first appeared on My Debt Epiphany.

The post How to Get Free PayPal Money in 2023 appeared first on My Debt Epiphany.

Blogging is a lot of hard work, and while I know it’s a popular side hustle option, most new and aspiring bloggers I talk to don’t realize that it costs money to get started and to keep going.

Let’s Face It

You can make a lot of money blogging each month. That’s the enticing juicy carrot that attracts many people.

However, you have to work hard, treat your blog like a business, and invest in it. This means you need to spend time and money learning about everything from:

• Marketing and improving your content
• Basic WordPress skills
• Creating graphics
• Learning SEO

I struggled a lot in the past with telling people ‘I’m just a blogger and I write online’. There’s nothing small about being a blogger. It’s hard work and often requires you to become somewhat of a content marketing genius if you want to have a profitable blog.

Most importantly, you can’t expect the reward of being able to monetize your blog without having an expectation that there are going to be expenses. If you’ve ever wondered: how much does it cost to run a blog? you’re in the right place.

In this post, I’ll break down my monthly, annual, and periodic blog expenses and why I have them.

My Monthly Blog Expenses

I’m pretty reasonable when it comes to my blog expenses, thought I’d share how much I spend monthly to keep my blog going. This will give you some great context if you’re looking to start a blog or already have one and are wondering how much you can expect to spend.

Tailwind – $19.99

Tailwind is an absolute must for me. I promote my blog’s posts on Pinterest and Tailwind helps me schedule pins out automatically 24/7. Pinterest has been one of the best tools I’ve used to grow my site’s traffic. Currently, it’s my #2 traffic source, right behind Google search.

Without traffic, my blog would cease to exist and make money. As a blogger, you want people to come to your site, read your posts, and get the help they need. No one will visit your site if they can’t find it, so marketing your content is super important.

Instead of sitting on Pinterest all day and pinning things one by one, Tailwind can help you schedule out your pins weeks in advance. It’s definitely worth the price, and you can even save money by purchasing their annual plan.

Freshbooks – $15

Freshbooks is actually a tool I used to send invoices for my freelance writing work. Sometimes, I also need to send invoices to brands for sponsored partnerships so this tool comes in handy.

When I first started blogging and using this platform to get freelance writing clients, I would invoice them on PayPal which takes a chunk out of your earnings. As my invoicing amounts got higher, PayPal’s fees got higher.

This is why I signed up for Freshbooks because they only charge less for PayPal transactions.  Freshbooks saves me so much money and they also have other features including expense tracking.

Social Media Scheduling – $19

I schedule content for social media because it’s easy and I can map out my posts in just one weekly sitting. I use the Facebook scheduler or my Facebook page and Hootsuite schedule Twitter posts. Both are free to use.

However, I pay $19/month for Planoly’s premium plan to schedule Instagram posts and Instagram stories whenever I want to announce new blog posts and details to my IG fam.

Convert Kit – $50

If you’re a blogger, you’re going to need an email list. When I first got started, I used MailChimp to send out my email newsletter because it was free for the first 2,000 subscribers.

However, ConvertKit is a much better tool. It’s more user-friendly in my opinion and better for marketing. You can set up automatic email sequences tag your subscribers based on their interests, and ConvertKit even has landing pages and integrates with other programs pretty easily.

Contractors – $300 – $400 (on average)

This is only an estimate of my contractor expenses because it does vary sometimes. I work with two VAs who help me manage various tasks to run my blog. This includes things like creating Pinterest images, helping me with social media, editing content/videos, and more.

Ivory Mix – $10 (Stock Photos)

I use professional stock images within my blog posts and for my Pinterest graphics. There are lots of free stock photo sites (mentioned below) but sometimes I’m not able to find exactly what I’m looking for.

So I signed up for IvoryMix.com and only pay $20 every 2 months for a wide variety of stock images.

Web Hosting – $13.60

I recently changed my hosting over to Siteground and I paid for my hosting annually but this is how much it breaks down to if I were to pay on a monthly basis. I had Bluehost for about 3 years but wanted to test out something different for now. However, I still use Bluehost for my other site ChonceMaddox.com.

Both hosting companies are pretty good and affordable in my eyes, although it was a little challenging to make the switch to Siteground because I feel Bluehost’s customer service and tools are easier to use and access.

Total: $527.59

Related: How to Start a Blog

How to Make Money with a Blog or Niche Site

What I’m Investing In:

These are just my basic monthly expenses (on the low end) that I need to pay in order to keep the blog running. Sometimes I invest in courses, training, and even coaching to help me.

In the past, I’ve worked with a one-on-one coach and took a few blogging courses. This year, I’m talking an SEO course and learning so much valuable information.

Whenever I consider buying a course or paying for coaching, I always look at ROI. My budget is important too, but I try to consider where I’m at and where I want to be.

If I consider spending money on something, I like to map out how and well I’ll see a return on my investment.

I also like to be honest with myself about what I can handle and where my motivation lies. Recently, I had to pass on a course that seemed super valuable because I knew I wouldn’t have enough time to dedicate to it.

Information overload is real when it comes to this business so it’s important to be conscious of your goals and how much time and energy you wish to dedicate to certain things.

How I’m Saving

While I do believe it’s important to invest in your blog, I still think it’s always best to spend wisely and intentionally. That said, there are things I decided to insource while I grow my blog.

In the beginning, you will probably find yourself doing most of the work. Still, it’s best to set expectations that you will have legitimate expenses that can contribute to your growth and that’s okay – dare I say, great!

Here are a few things I choose to do/keep in-house to keep blog expenses controlled.

Free Stock Photos

Like I mentioned earlier, you don’t have to pay for stock photos, especially as a new blogger. Some of my favorite free stock photo sites are Unsplash and Pexels. I used both of these sites for blog post images and still use them occasionally today.

Pinterest Management

My husband actually does my Pinterest management for now, and it’s working out great. He schedules things in Tailwind for me and also helps create boards and pin them to my group boards. Since I started blogging, I have hired someone to help me with Pinterest because I’m not very good at it.

My last Pinterest VA resigned because she wanted to do more work with local clients, which was understandable. I was paying her $225 per month and wanted to see if my husband and I could pick up her strategy and do the Pinterest management on our own. So far so good!

I also recently paid another Pinterest VA for an audit of my account. The audit turned out great and we have a ton of things to work on now to improve my Pinterest profile, but we can save money by doing the work ourselves.

Related: How This Pinterest VA Earns $1,200/month

Listening to Podcasts and Reading Books

You can learn so much from reading books and listening to podcasts. I’ve decided to use these resources to learn more about marketing, sales, content, etc. as it’s not costly at all.

I personally love Bobby Hoyt’s podcast that he hosts with his business partner Mike. It’s called Laptop Empires. I’ve been following Bobby ever since he started his blog and paid off his student loans. Since then, he has created an impressive blogging business due to his advanced marketing skills, so this podcast always has some great stuff.

I’m sure there are other amazing ones as well, I just haven’t discovered them yet!

Signing Up For Other Blogger’s Newsletters

Speaking of email lists, joining other bloggers’ email lists can definitely help you as well. I am on a few people’s email lists and enjoy reading about their tips, advice, and resources. If you are interested in receiving my blogging tips on a regular basis, you can join the email list by signing up for free here.

Did any of my expenses surprise you? If you have a blog, what do your expenses look like?

The post How Much Does it Cost to Run a Blog? first appeared on My Debt Epiphany.

The post How Much Does it Cost to Run a Blog? appeared first on My Debt Epiphany.

Generally, all you need is a computer, an internet connection, and a strong desire to help others with daily tasks to get started. But there’s also much more to becoming a virtual assistant to be aware of.

Let’s dive into the topic of how to become a virtual assistant and how to set yourself up for success.

What is a Virtual Assistant?

A virtual assistant or VA may have been a term you’ve heard before. It basically refers to an online personal assistant who helps individuals and businesses manage and operate various tasks.

The range of work a VA can do is so wide (I will cover some main tasks later). You can also start this as a side hustle or grow to launch your own successful full-time VA business. There’s plenty of work out there for either option.

Quite a few people in my personal life ask me how they can earn extra money on the side, and I almost always recommend VA work if they can use a computer well. Unlike other side hustles, VA work often doesn’t involve complex or specialized skills and anyone with organizational skills and basic computer skills can take a stab at it.

How Much Can you Make?

According to Payscale, virtual assistants can make around $15 to $30 per hour depending on experience. Some people even go on to earn more. But at that point, it all depends on:

• Who your client is
• The type of work you’re doing
• What their budget is like

On the bright side, it’s not hard to find a client who will pay you $20 per hour and you don’t even need a degree.

Being a virtual assistant comes with great earning potential, but I do want to point out that VAs who work as freelancers and choose their clients will probably earn more than a virtual assistant who is hired to work for a company.

This is because when you get to pick your clients, you can choose your rates and offer custom quotes. When you work for a company that hires VAs, you have to settle for their hourly rate, their projects, and their schedule.

There are pros and cons to both situations. But in this post, I’m mainly going to be discussing how you can become a virtual assistant who’s self-employed and find your own clients.

Virtual Assistant Salary

Payscale shows that the average virtual assistant will make between $11-$27 an hour. And ZipRecruiter shows that the average salary is between $31k-$75k a year.

Of course, these are just averages, and there is no cap on how much you could make as a virtual assistant when you work for yourself.

What Does a Virtual Assistant Do Every Day?

Virtual assistants can do a wide variety of tasks. If you’re considering trying out this side hustle, my advice to you would be to narrow down your specialties and interest. Then, offer those services so you are doing work that you enjoy and are good at.

For example, I narrowed down my VA specialties to social media scheduling, blog commenting, managing comments, blog management, and SEO work.

Other tasks that VAs perform include, but are not limited to:

• Creating graphics and pictures for blog posts
• Editing content
• Scheduling blog posts
• Managing email inboxes
• Organizing and scheduling newsletters
• Creating and sending out invoices
• Bookkeeping
• Managing multiple social media channels
• Coming up with a content strategy to implement
• Dealing with customer issues or processing returns
• Updating SEO on websites for pages and blog posts
• Scheduling meetings and conference calls
• Booking speaking engagements
• Performing market research
• Live chat support
• Managing affiliate programs
• And more!

As you can see, the possibilities are practically limitless when you work as a VA.

You don’t just have to work with only bloggers either. Many entrepreneurs and start-ups need VAs desperately, so there is a big need to fill.

My Love – Dislike Experience with Becoming a VA

I first heard about becoming a VA in 2015, and decided to give it a try in addition to freelance writing.  My initial intention was to diversify my income and mix up my workload to relieve myself from writing all the time.

Becoming a VA allowed me to mix things up, choose my rates, and earn a steadier income aside from freelance writing. When I first attempted to break into the VA world, I felt like a newbie all over again just like when I started freelance writing.

I didn’t know who to pitch or what type of rates to set. Whenever I did pitch someone, they always seemed more interested in my writing services or not even interested at all. I was feeling a bit down about it at first and didn’t think VA work was for me.

Fast forward to the present day and I’ve landed a few great clients with work I love. I earn around $2,000 per month as a VA and work very part-time with it.

My point is that some great things take time. In a society that glorifies instant gratification, it’s okay to not see a ton of success right away.

It takes time to build up your confidence, narrow down your skills, and find awesome clients. But you will! There is plenty of work out there.

I had to implement a few strategies to obtain my first few VA clients and you can do this as well.

How to Become a Virtual Assistant in 4 Basic Steps

1. Decide who you are Targeting

Just like with any side hustle, you need to determine who your service will help. That’s how you will reassure yourself and others that it’s valuable.

Whether you choose to help overwhelmed mommy bloggers, established business owners, or professionals who just don’t have time to manage their social media, knowing exactly who your target market is will help you narrow down your search and only put your time and effort into promising leads.

Try to avoid being a jack of all trades and trying to offer every service under the sun. Odds are, you may not be good at or like doing everything.

2. Learn the Basics

If you know little about the virtual assistant industry as I did but want to get yourself established quickly, you need to turn to learn the basics.

When it comes to learning the basics, there are a few skills and tools you might need to get started, including:

• A task management system — This includes sites like Asana, Trello, and ClickUp.
• A way to invoice — (So you can get paid for your work!) — Wave, Quickbooks, and Freshbooks are all great options.
• A contract system — You can use a site like HelloSign or use an all-in-one tool like Dubsado for invoicing and contracts.
• Zoom — For client calls, unless you handle everything via email or phone.
• Some skills would include communication, bookkeeping, time management, organization, basic IT knowledge, and self-motivation

Also, you can learn specific skills, like social media and simple graphic design, simply by practicing! You can ask friends and family if they’ll let you help them for free or a discounted rate.

That way, you can build your portfolio for future clients.

Just a few examples of this include:

• Practicing managing someone’s Facebook group or page, Instagram account, or Twitter account
• Simple editing of someone’s YouTube videos
• Learning tools like Tailwind (for Pinterest), Smarterqueue (social media scheduling), and Canva (graphic design)
• Learning social media ads for Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, etc.
• Learn SEO for writing and editing
• And so much more!

Luckily, there are TONS of skills you can learn and implement as a VA. The hardest part is figuring out what you want to specialize in.

3. Perfect your Pitch

A perfect pitch is a must if you want to land jobs. Pitching used to be my least favorite thing to do, but now I love it because I’ve figured out a great strategy that helps me get clients.

Once you have your basic pitch down, you can use it as a foundation to send out custom pitches to potential clients.

For example, if someone is looking for blog management help, your pitch should be different than the one you’re sending to a client for email management assistance.

Here is a sample pitch template I’ve created that you might find helpful.

I underlined the two services I mentioned in this pitch because you can change these to any of the services you’re specifically looking to offer.

“Hello,

My name is____________ I follow you on ___________ and really like the way you (insert a genuine compliment about their work or business to set the tone for a friendly relationship and smooth out any awkwardness).

It seems as if you are quite busy on a day-to-day basis with all that you do. I am writing you to see if you are interested in bringing on a reliable person to help perform tedious tasks and manage certain aspects of your business/blog/website to free up more of your time.

I provide content management and social media management services for businesses, companies, organizations and other busy professionals. I specialize in working behind the scenes in order to help you increase productivity, improve your work-life balance, and take your business to the next level.

I’d love to learn more about your needs and discuss how I can assist you. For examples of my work, references, or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask!

I look forward to hearing from you.”

4. Establish your Website and Optimize It

While most people recommend having a network to build your VA hustle, I didn’t have much of a network, to begin with, and had no idea where to look.

I found Facebook groups to be very helpful in landing gigs and finding leads.

Where to Find VA Jobs (As a Beginner)

If you’re not ready to set up your own website yet, there are a few reliable places to find VA jobs and establish an online portfolio to market your services.

Just keep in mind that while some of these sites are great for beginners and helping you find work, you may eventually want to seek out your own clients as you gain experience to get paid a higher rate.

• Zirtual.com
• People Per Hour
• Upwork
• Linkedin
• FancyHands
• Fiverr

These sites are quite competitive, so your best bet is to set up a website or a ‘Hire Me’ page and optimize it for search engines.

SEO (search engine optimization) does take a while to start working, but I optimize every post on this blog and every page of my website for search engines. While SEO has brought readers to my site, it’s also brought potential clients.

Starting your own website or blog is highly recommended and can even help you increase your income since you can monetize your blog and treat it like a side hustle.

Setting up a professional website is easier than it sounds. Here is my step-by-step tutorial guide that walks you through how to set up a website/blog with Bluehost in just minutes.

Wrapping It Up: How to Become a Virtual Assitant ASAP

If you’re looking to become a virtual assistant and work flexibly from home, there is plenty of demand. Use these tips to help yourself get started and know that you can always reach out to me with any questions.

Just remember to stay motivated and visualize where you could be in just a few months if you take the initial steps to get started today.

The post How to Become a Virtual Assistant first appeared on My Debt Epiphany.

The post How to Become a Virtual Assistant appeared first on My Debt Epiphany.

I wondered how certain successful people could multiply their income in such a short amount of time, build successful businesses, retire early, and become millionaires next door. Then, I read an article online that stated how the average millionaire has 7 streams of income. Bingo.

I leaned that having one job would never help me really get to where I needed to go with my finances and my life.

So, I decided to start my pursuit of having 7 streams of income, with many being passive income streams.

Realizing You May Need More Money (& The Importance Of Passive Income Streams)

Your health and quality of life should always come first. There’s no argument about that. I understand how some people would rather take a pay cut to be happy and fulfilled in their lives than work a ton of hours. I can respect that.

However, I don’t think it’s realistic or fair to assume that everyone can live comfortably and meet their goals after cutting their pay.

If you’re making $120,000 per year at your job, then yes, you may be able to survive if you take a pay cut. But if you don’t earn $100,000+ annually or even close to that, you probably can’t afford to take a pay cut and may need to be earning more.

It’s important to consider establishing some additional streams of income, including passive income streams. Here’s why.

• Working two jobs or having a side hustle is great, but it can really burn you out over time.
• There’s only so much time in the day, so if you want to increase your income, you’ll need to think outside of the box (Ie. stop trading time for money)
• Passive income streams require a lot of time and effort to create, but you’ll be building something that lasts and brings in money when you’re not actively working.

So how do you start building passive income streams on a low budget? Below are some of my favorite ideas to help you get started.

Keep in mind the word ‘passive’ is subjective. Realistically, you will have to do some work upfront and perhaps even maintenance or ongoing work to ensure the success of your passive income stream.

1. Start a Blog

Blogs are very easy to monetize, but I wouldn’t say it’s particularly easy actually to start earning a regular profit. Full-time bloggers have put in countless hours working on their content, marketing it, building credibility, and securing partnerships with others.

To earn an income blogging, first, you need to have a decent amount of traffic. In order to get traffic, you need to post quality content that is not only interesting and engaging but actually helps your readers solve a problem.

You can earn money off your blog by:

• Posting ads through networks like Google Adsense, Media Net, the Blogger Network, etc.
• Referring your readers to try products and services that can actually help them through affiliate marketing – Michelle is a blogger who earns an average of $50,000 per month from affiliate marketing and it’s all legit. Check out her affiliate marketing course if you’re serious about earning more passive income with your blog or website.
• Partnering with brands you like and support to share sponsored content on your platform
• Selling your own products and services from your blog

Monetizing a blog can take a while, and it’s not ideal for someone who wants fast money.

But over time, it can start to become a passive source of extra income even if you aren’t earning much money at first.

I’m definitely no expert on blogging income, but almost every month, my blog itself generates some form of income.

It pays for the initial set-up fees I had to cover itself while leaving me with some extra profit too. My progress has clearly proved that you can monetize a blog even with little experience.

I’m still learning how to grow my blogging income, but why not learn with me and start your own blog to create content you’re passionate about on a platform that you can monetize?

My step-by-step tutorial guide will help walk you through how to start a professional blog that you can monetize in just minutes.

Related: Start a Money-Making Blog in 10 Days

2. Sell a Product on Etsy

Etsy is a great place to sell your handmade or custom creations and products. I do not doubt that some people make a full-time living selling on Etsy.

If you already have a job, though, you probably aren’t interested in working on Etsy full-time.

This is why you should consider creating or selling a product you can resell repeatedly with little maintenance. One of the easiest ways to do this is to sell printables on Etsy.

It’s easy to start, requires little to no equipment and supplies, and can be done right from home. While getting started might be slow, many people make a decent part-time (and even full-time) income creating printables!

Related: Seasonal Printable Products to Sell Online (Free eBook)

3. Write an eBook

Writing an eBook is easier than ever these days. I’ve published one before, and I’m currently working on a new project right now.

Do you have any special credentials or interesting experiences to share? Can you explain a complex topic in a way that is easiest for others to understand?

Writing an ebook and sharing your unique knowledge, information, and resources with others is a great way to diversify your income without spending too much money upfront.

First, you need to find a topic that actually offers a solution to someone’s problem. You need to make sure your content is valuable enough that it will prompt others actually to spend money to receive it.

You could also take this a step further and self-publish novels or fiction works. If you really enjoy writing and want to be an author, there are so many free and paid resources out there that can help you get started!

Just be sure you’re in the right mindset and can focus on writing books during your free time.

Related: How to Create Passive Streams of Income on a Budget

4. Start Freelancing

Freelancing is one of my favorite ways to diversify your income. I wouldn’t have been able to make as much progress with my financial goals if I hadn’t started freelance writing as an additional stream of income.

It didn’t cost much to start earning money, either. I basically started this blog and got a coach to help prepare me to pitch my services to clients. I made back my initial investment in weeks and now I write for about 13+ different websites. In reality, that’s 13 different streams of income! 

With freelancing, you may need to put in more time and effort than these other opportunities I mentioned.

But you can put the extra money to good use by saving or investing it to build wealth.

Plus, you can control how often you work and who you work with as a freelancer. And, to make it a little easier, I’ve included some sites that pay and are looking for freelance writers!

5. Sell Photos Online

If you don’t like to write, there are plenty of other things you can do online and it all depends on what you’re interested in.

For example, I have a friend who loves photography as a hobby but he recently landed a gig taking photos at a local horse racing track.

Freelance photographers can also sell their photos online for cash to earn money as well. And the best part about selling photos online is that you can do it as stock photography and earn passive income. Talk about one of the easiest passive income streams, especially if it’s something you love to do!

6. Dividend Investing

Yes, you can even set up investing as one of your passive income streams. What better way to prepare for your future while getting paid right now? Dividend investing is when you invest in a stock that issues dividends to you on a regular basis.

One of the ways that you can start doing this (without a lot of money) is to set up a robo-advisor. Betterment is my favorite because there isn’t a minimum, fees are extremely low, and you can start seeing growth with just a few dollars a month. While it may not seem much right away, it adds up!

Related: How to Start Investing in Stocks with No Regrets

7. Airbnb

You don’t have to spend thousands on real estate to start earning money from it. If you have a spare room or space that isn’t getting much use, you can start renting it out through a site like Airbnb.

Not only does this mean income in your pocket, but it can also help you pay off your home faster, or at the very least, make use of space you wouldn’t use otherwise.

Related: How to Make Extra Money Renting Out Space in Your Home

Side Hustles Explored: Make Money By Renting Your Car Out

The post How to Create Passive Income Streams on a Low Budget first appeared on My Debt Epiphany.

The post How to Create Passive Income Streams on a Low Budget appeared first on My Debt Epiphany.

Being a stay-at-home mom is one of the most rewarding jobs and it’s something I longed for when my son was young. I wanted to be there when he came home from school at be able to attend field trips. Living on one income has always been a financial challenge for us so while I never got to be a stay-at-home mom, I found ways to start working from home full time and enjoyed a flexible schedule when my son was in first grade.

Over the years, I’ve researched and written about tons of legitimate work at home jobs for moms or dads. In the blog post, I’ve narrowed down some of the best stay at home mom jobs for 2023 and how to get started.

1. Virtual Assistant

A virtual assistant job is perfect for stay at home moms who need flexible hours and want to make an income from home. A virtual assistant or VA is someone who performs tasks that help support a small business, blogger, or entrepreneur in various ways. All your work can be done from a computer whether it’s:

• Scheduling appointments
• Conducting research
• Responding to emails
• Data entry
• Blog management
• Social media management
• And more

You don’t need a lot of training or a degree to find success as a VA. This is an in-demand job since people are always looking for help completing various tasks for their business. I’ve been doing VA work since 2015 and find that a lot of my clients are willing to train me to complete certain tasks. They just want and need someone who’s willing to help and learn new things.

It’s important to narrow down your niche and figure out who your ideal clients are and which services you want to specialize in. Niching down will help you find paying work with good clients quicker. This also helps you get better at a particular skill and specialize in something.

How to Find Virtual Assistant Jobs:

Believe it or not, social media is a great place to start. You can market your services and reach out to small businesses or bloggers who may need help. Also, consider using some of these job boards and sites to get started:

• Upwork
• Fiverr
• Zirtual
• Fancy Hands

Check out my resource below with more tips for getting started as a VA.

Related: Side Hustles Explored: How to Become a Virtual Assistant

How to Become a Virtual Assistant From Scratch (Interview With a Real VA)

2. Freelance Writer

If you’re looking for stay at home mom jobs and have writing skills, why not put those skills to use and make money as a freelance writer? All you need is a computer and internet access. Then, you’ll be able to write articles, blog posts, press releases, or even books from the comfort of your own home.

As many people already know, I became a freelance writer shortly after starting this blog. I’ve always loved writing and thought I’d give it a try since I saw so many bloggers had become successful with freelance writing.

I hired a coach and set a goal to earn $1,000 per month. At first, it seemed nearly impossible to earn this much. But, I focused on improving my writing, narrowing down my niche, and pitching the right people. In just a few months, I reached that $1,000 per month goal (see my income report).

It wasn’t long until I started earning $3,500+ per month as a freelance writer – all while still working my FT job. I’m September 2016, I left my FT job to work from home as a freelance writer and 7 years later…. I’m still going strong.

How to Find Freelance Writing Jobs

Whether you’re waning to want to earn $1,000 per month or more, you can definitely reach these goals as a freelance writer. I have tons of resources and tips to help you. Below are some of my favorite places to find writing jobs along with proven strategies I’ve used.

• Problogger Job Board 
• FreelanceWritingGigs.com
• MediaBistro
• Indeed
• Start your own blog – Yes! If you enjoy writing, there are so many benefits to starting your own blog to leverage for paid freelance writing gigs. I honestly believe the that fact I had a blog helped me land more gigs in the beginning when I didn’t have a ton of experience. People could easily see that I was writing online and my blog posts served as writing samples.

Related: How to Become a Freelance Writer

4 Common Misconceptions About Freelance Writers

22+ Websites That Pay For Guest Posts

Is Freelance Writing Sustainable? Interview with a Writer of 15+ Years

3. Tutor

If you have an academic background, tutoring might be right up your alley. You can work with students of different ages online or in person and help them achieve better grades in their classes. This job requires patience and knowledge, but can be very rewarding (and lucrative!)

I recently just hired a tutor for my son actually. He needed help with math, and we found someone to tutor him weekly for $35 per hour. He accomplishes a lot with that tutor in 1 hour. This made me think how lucrative and flexible this income stream could be for a stay ay home parent.

How to Find Tutoring Jobs

The internet is going to be your best friend when trying to find tutoring jobs. You don’t have to offer tutoring sessions solely online. Rather, use the internet to connect with people in your local area and book gigs.

If you prefer to tutor online or in person, clearly state this or just leave the option up to the client. Either way, once you connect with someone willing to hire you, it’s easy to set up an appointment at a local library or coffee shop.

• Tutor.com
• Preply
• Care.com
• Tutors.com

4. Customer Service Representative

A customer service representative job is perfect for stay at home moms who want flexible hours and don’t need a lot of experience. You’ll be responsible for answering customer calls and helping them with their inquiries or complaints.

Customer service jobs are not as flexible as other work from home options. Still, you may be able to choose your own shift or be able to work early mornings, evenings, or weekends. Most jobs also provide paid training as well as equipment. All you need is a solid WiFi connection and a phone if the job requires it.

How to Find Remote Customer Service Jobs

Not all customer service jobs require you to talk on the phone. Some jobs invole live chat or email support so you don’t have to worry about having a quiet home all the time which can be touch with kids around. Here are some leads on virtual customer service job opportunities as well as companies that often hire for this position.

• Alorica
• TTEC
• Concentrix
• Amazon
• Progressive
• UHaul

5. Social Media Manager

Social media management work is one of the best stay at home mom jobs if you have an eye for design and love to stay on top of social media marketing trends. As a social media manager, you’ll be responsible for managing a company’s social media accounts, creating posts and engaging with followers.

You can consider taking a social media management course on Udemy or a similar platform for training. However, some of your most valuable experience will be learned on the job. If you have a blog, you can create a case study by trying to grow your own social media platform for your blog.

Or, reach out to other bloggers or creators to help them with social media. Local businesses in your area may even be willing to hire you for social media help as well.

Other Places to Find Social Media Management Jobs

• Upwork
• Fiverr
• Guru
• Hubstaff
• People Per Hour

6. Do Laundry with SudShare

Most people I know don’t like to do laundry or put it off until the last minute. But, what if you could get paid to do laundry? SudShare is a national laundry service that pays you to do other people’s laundry.

You’ll be responsible for washing, drying, and folding the laundry. It’s really what simple. How it works is you sign up and watch some of the short videos. Then, you can start accepting jobs in your local area.

You’ll need transportation to pick the laundry up and drop it back off to the customer the following day. If you have your own washer and dryer, you can clean the clothing at home. You can also drop the clothes off at a local laundromat but paying to wash can eat into your earnings.

Expect to earn around $20 per hour with SudShare. SudShare also allows you to cash out your earnings two days but some people can qualify for an instant payout. This concept really intrigued me and I found out some people are earning around $2,000 per month doing laundry.

The minimum order amount is $15 so you’ll earn at least this much per order plus tips and bonuses. This is such a flexible “job” that you can do while you’re spending time with your kids, cooking, or doing other tasks around the house.

7. Resell Items

One of the easiest ways to earn extra money is by reselling items from your home. Most Americans have way too much stuff to begin with. Once you start combing through all your unused or unwanted items, you may be able to earn a few hundred extra dollars.

Try selling some of your furniture or larger items locally on the Facebook Marketplace or Offer Up. For electronics, consider getting bids from buyback sites like Decluttr and Buyback Boss. Buyback Boss is a site that will purchases old smartphone devices.

Once you’re done selling items from your home, you can start flipping used items you find at thrift stores, garage stores, and other sales. Flipping gently used items to sell for a profit can be a great flexible side hustle. Research which items seem to be most popular to resell and start testing out different strategies to learn what works best for you.

Also, utilize this article below as a resource if you’re looking to sell things on Amazon or eBay.

Related: Side Hustles Explored: Selling Items on Amazon and eBay

Summary

These stay at home mom jobs are perfect for moms who want to make money without sacrificing quality time with their families. With no prior experience required, you can get started right away on launching your own flexible income stream from home.

Which one of these stay at home mom jobs is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!

The post Best Stay at Home Mom Jobs For 2023 first appeared on My Debt Epiphany.

The post Best Stay at Home Mom Jobs For 2023 appeared first on My Debt Epiphany.

As I return back to my more ‘frugal by necessity’ roots, I’m super interested in trying out new apps and tools that can help me meet my goals. Shopkick is just one of these apps.

Shopkick is really a must whether you’re making online purchases or going to physical stores to buy groceries or items for your household. So how does Shopkick work and how can it help you as much as it’s helped me? It’s super easy, but first, let’s start with the basics

What Is Shopkick?

Shopkick is a fun and easy way to score free gift cards for the shopping you already do. Need to run to the store for cleaning products or garbage bags? Shopping online for electronics? Or, are you doing your weekly grocery run?

Using Shopkick can help you earn rewards for all these daily store runs or the online shopping you do. Shopkick doesn’t disrupt your daily schedule at all which is what I appreciate.

The app uses its own currency called “kicks”. You can earn kicks by performing in store actions which include:

• Simply walking into the store
• Scanning items with your phone
• Purchasing products and uploading your receipt

When you’re shopping online, you earn kicks for every $1 spent. How Shopkick works is similar to other rewards apps that pay you rebates to shop. Or, you can compare it to a typically cash back credit card that rewards users for purchases in specific categories.

But with Shopkick, you can visit your favorite stores locally and online and earn kicks. Some of these retailers include (but aren’t limited to):

• CVS
• Walgreens
• Sam’s Club
• Walmart
• Target
• Ulta Beauty
• Bed Bath and Beyond
• Dollar General
• Kroger
• Publix

***Start off with an instant reward of $5 in free kicks when you sign up and enter my promo code: EPIPHANY

How to Use Shopkick

Shopkick has two main features: Nearby and Online.

The Nearby feature lets you earn rewards when you visit local stores. You’ll earn kicks by just walking into the store, scanning certain products, and even by uploading your receipt.

You’ll need to turn on your location settings to earn kicks this way. I just allow location tracking while I’m using the app only and not when I don’t have the app open and this does the trick.

In order to earn kicks with your receipts, you can claim kicks for certain products found in the app under the store you’re visiting. Then, just upload your receipt to verify that you made those purchases.

The online feature awards you with kicks per $1 spent. Just open the app and click on your store of choice to see the kicks reward offer. Then, just click ‘Shop Online’ and it will redirect you to the online store to do your normal shopping.

There’s no need to add any special codes or do anything else. Once you’ve made your purchase, your kicks earned will be reflected in you Shopkick balance.

Additional Ways to Earn

You can also earn kicks by linking a credit or debit card in the app. Just use your linked card to pay for purchases at participating retailers and you’ll get kids for every dollar your spend. Just be sure to choose the ‘credit’ option if you’re checking out with a debit card.

Another option to earn kicks is to use the Discover tab in the app which allows you to browse more offers and watch short videos to earn kicks.

How Much Are Kicks Worth?

Kicks add up to actual cash rewards. About 250 kicks = $1 and you can start redeeming your kicks for gift cards once you have 500 kicks. Keep in mind that the minimum amount required to redeem may vary per retailer though.

There are 40+ gift card options to choose from including PayPal, Target, Walmart, Starbucks, and Amazon. When you earn kicks through retailers, you may see them pending but Shopkick will let you know when they’re available to be added to your account. This is usually within 24 hours.

Shopkick Codes

I have a promo code for Shopkick that gives you your first $5 in kicks for free. Just download the Shopkick app, login, and add the promo code: EPIPHANY to get your $5 reward.

Is Shopkick Legit?

Yes, Shopkick has been around since 2009 and paid out rewards to millions of people across the country. In 2019, Shopkick was acquired by Trax, the world’s leading provider of computer vision solutions and analytics for retail.

Shopkick is headquartered in San Mateo, California and has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

How to Get Started with Shopkick

Thinking of giving Shopkick a try? It’s pretty easy.

1. Just start by downloading the app in the Google Play or App Store.
2. Then, you’ll be prompted to create a log in via email, Facebook, or Gmail.

3. Be sure to make sure your settings allow you to use the Nearby feature to earn kicks. You also may want to opt in to receiving notifications about deals and offers so you boost your kicks.

4. Start shopping and earning kicks!

Don’t forget to earn your free $5 in kicks!

Once you’re logged in. Click on the blue box that says ‘Friend referral’ and add my promo code: EPIPHANY to earn your free bonus.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, if you’re not using Shopkick, you’re missing out. You’re already shopping at local stores or making purchases online. Shopkick makes it easy to earn rewards for your everyday spending.

Plus, I find this app to come in really handy around the holidays to help me earn kicks on all of my shopping so I can earn gift cards and cash via PayPal.

But I encourage you to try it out for yourself to see how it works. Be sure to use my promo code, EPIPHANY, when signing up to get your $5 bonus. Don’t forget to let me know what you think!

The post How Does Shopkick Work? Save Money and Earn Rewards first appeared on My Debt Epiphany.

The post How Does Shopkick Work? Save Money and Earn Rewards appeared first on My Debt Epiphany.

Don’t worry, there is still time to make extra cash before Christmas. How?

We can’t make any guarantees and you’ll need to act fast, but you can definitely get out and hustle yourself up some cash for the holidays. Don’t resort to credit cards and loans as a solution. Check out our list of last minute ways to make cash fast.

Focus Groups

Short on cash but not on time? Focus Groups are a great way to earn cash at any time during the year. For a little of your time and your honest feedback, a focus group can be the answer to your money woes.

The average pay can range from $60-$140, but you can earn more than that with the right group. Our very own Chonce earned $500 for participating in a focus group for a few hours. You can even receive payment the same day you participate, so sign up today. Check out Focus Group and Respondent to get started and apply for opportunities.

Related: How to Make Money With Focus Groups

10 Legitimate Best Paying Focus Group Websites

Sell Gigs on Fiverr

Have a special skill or talent?  Do you draw or know calligraphy? Are you a writer or graphic designer? Pick up a few gigs on Fiverr and earn money fast.

You set your own rates and can request payment once your task is complete.

Drive for Uber Eats or DoorDash

People have only increased their ordering out, and both Uber Eats and DoorDash need more gig workers. Both delivery services pay weekly, plus you get to keep all tips and choose your shifts to fit in your schedule. This helps you get your cash fast.

As long as your at least 21 years of age and licensed for at least one year, you could get started today. If you just want to ride a bike, you’ll be limited to where you can go, but you could also bike for the delivery services. You only need to be 18 for that. Both also offer sign-on bonuses for new drivers or referral rates, so try to grab one if you can.

I’ve tried DoorDash before and you can easily earn $100 – $150 per week working just a few hours each week, and I’m sure it’s even busier around the holidays.

Related: 5 Reasons Why You Should Start Driving for Uber

An Uber Driver’s Story: How to Make More Money Driving With Uber

Sell Old Items and Toys Online

Raid your closet for buried treasure. Whether it’s clothes or shoes, it may have value.  I once searched the internet far and wide for a pair of boots that were no longer in stores. Poshmark was the answer to my prayers.

Are you a parent? Then you more than likely have toys that your kids no longer play with collecting dust in your home.  Turn those toys into cash by selling them on eBay or Amazon. Buyers will be motivated to buy as soon as possible thanks to the holiday. Ship their items quickly and collect your cash.

Related: Side Hustles Explored: Selling Items on Amazon and eBay

Babysit

Remember those holiday parties I mentioned above? Well, that’s one of the great reasons people need babysitters this season.  Parents want to take part in holiday festivities too and will pay good money for the night out.

Offer babysitting services and use your network to spread the word.  You will get paid the same day, so you can add it to your holiday haul.

Dog-walk or Pet Sit

Much like kids, fur babies also need attention.  Become a dog walker or pet sit.  Dog walking allows you to get in a little exercise while earning money. Whether it’s just for a night out or travelling for the holidays, you can give pet owners peace of mind in exchange for some cash.

Rover connects you with thousands of pet owners in need of your services.  Users can earn up to $1000 per month.  Sign up and get started with your cash.

Sell your Plasma

Blood and plasma donations not only benefits those in need but can benefit you as well. There is always a need for these donations and plasma centers pay the same day in cash.

The FDA allows up to two donations per week, although the American Red Cross recommends once every 28 days.

Be a Task Rabbit

Pick up a quick gig on Task Rabbit. Are you handy around the house? Do you have time to run errands? For a few hours or less, you could help move furniture, mount a TV, or run someone’s errands for cash.

The project rates are available, so you can decide which ones are worth your time.

Go Shopping

No money for Christmas doesn’t mean that you just stop shopping altogether. By simply making your regular household purchases, you can earn cash. If you haven’t already, download the Ibotta app and start earning money today. You can earn cashback for items purchased in-store and online, and cash out via Paypal or Venmo once you’ve earned $20 or more.

Shopkick used to be my default app to earn gift cards, but they are now offering cash too.  The great thing about Shopkick is that you don’t always need to make purchases to earn kicks.

Once you’ve downloaded the app, you can earn kicks by just walking into your favorite stores.  You can also do the “scans” and earn kicks by just scanning items for the list available.  When you reach your kick limit, you can cash out via Paypal.

Rent your Space or Car

Do you have an extra room in your home?  Perhaps you plan to go away for the weekend. Turn that space into cash by renting out your room on Airbnb.  You can even rent out your car using the Getaround app. You can set your own rates and collect your money.

Turo is another site you can use to rent out your car.

Become a Delivery Driver

This has been a go-to for many who need to earn extra cash.  Whether it’s Pizza Hut or Domino’s or UberEats and Postmates, the need for delivery drivers is on the rise. You can even shop for others via Instacart. With Instacart, you get to set your own schedule a week in advance so you get guaranteed work and pay.

Delivery drivers get paid weekly and set their own schedule, making it convenient for you as well.

Decorate

Many people love Christmas and the festive feel it brings. But not everyone has the time (or tools!) to hang up their decorations, decorate outside, decorate their trees, and so on. If you’re handy, don’t mind using ladders, or have an eye for decorating, you can add this to your resume. You could also wrap gifts for a small fee if you’re good at that.

This is a great seasonal option to make more money fast before Christmas. Start by asking around in your neighborhood. After you’ve done a few jobs, ask for referrals, or send out a blast on a social media site like Facebook or Instagram to advertise your services!

Related: 20 Ways to Make Extra Money Today

Guide: How to Start Side Hustling and Making Extra Money

15 Side Income Ideas You Can Start (With No Special Skills)

Have you ever needed cash on the fly? What are your favorite ways to quickly earn money?

The post No Money For Christmas? Last Minute Ways to Make Cash FAST first appeared on My Debt Epiphany.

The post No Money For Christmas? Last Minute Ways to Make Cash FAST appeared first on My Debt Epiphany.