Finance

Save Money. Live Better.

It’s no secret-raising a family can be a heavy strain on your wallets. With a plan and great tools, financial freedom is more than possible.

I WILL SHOW YOU HOW TO:

Plan Your Meals
Create a meal plans you and your family look forward to! No more mindless take-out spending. 

Go From SAHM To WAHM

Discover how to leverage our digital era to make money from anywhere in the world. Start a blog, website or store and grow that bank account!

Save Money, Budget Well

Learn how to use different methods to save money and budget better. Find the best system for you and your family!

Rid Debt For Good
Learn how to pay down your debt in easy, simple, do-able ways that aren’t overwhelming.

  • 17 Ways You’re Losing Money

    If you’re like most people, you probably don’t always recognize the ways you waste your money. No matter what kind of life you lead or career you have, you probably throw away at least some of your precious green.

    Maybe you tell yourself it’s okay that you pay the extra bank fees or that the cable bill increased. You think to yourself, “It’s too much trouble to unplug the laptop,” or “The charger’s not really using any power unless I have the cell phone plugged into it.”

    You may have some money-wasting habits that you don’t even realize you’re doing.

    I want to give you all the ways you can hold onto YOUR moola instead of losing it. Why waste your money when you could put it to good use?

    You’ll discover a variety of alternatives to ensure you make your money extend as far as possible, ranging from bargaining with the department store clerk to buying items for lower than advertised costs or phasing down expenditures for costly and unhealthy habits.

    Top 17 Ways You’re Throwing Money Away And What To Do About It

    1. Practicing Pricey and Unhealthy Habits

    Buying expensive coffee drinks four or five days a week can cost you enough money to buy two or even three meats for dinners at home

    If you’re in the habit of stopping by your local watering hole for a couple of beers on your way home from work, you could be spending anywhere from $4.00 to $7.00 per beer or mixed drink.

    The costs of unhealthy habits add up and cramp your budget big time. These habits are not only pricey – they take a toll on your physical health as well, which can cost you even more in medical bills and missed time at work.

    What You Can Do Instead:

    ‣ Make your own coffee at home and place it in a travel mug for your commute to work. If you like more than one cup of coffee or iced coffee drink a day, take a thermos of your favorite beverage to the office. Keep straws in your car or bag for quick sipping.

    ‣ If you smoke, limit the number of cigarettes you smoke each day. You could allow more time between each cigarette. One way to cut back is to smoke only one cigarette per hour. After a week, extend the time to one and one-quarter hours. The third week, make it one and one-half hours. Work up to waiting as long as possible between cigarettes.

    ‣ Yes, it’s best to quit, but cutting way back on what you smoke will at least get you started in the right direction and save you some money. If you’re not ready to stop smoking completely, strive to save half the amount of cash you now spend monthly on cigarettes.

    ‣ Although there are plenty of reasons to avoid alcohol, you can, at least, save money by limiting how much you drink when you’re out. Better yet, drive straight home and have a beer in your favorite chair with your feet up. You’ll save a decent amount of green when you buy alcohol by the 6-pack or fifth and drink it at home.

    2. Giving Your Money to a Bank for Monthly Fees or Credit Card Charges

    If your bank is taking one cent of your money for your checking account (other than to charge you for printing new checks), that’s one cent too much.

    These days, many banks are looking for any excuse possible to tack on extraneous fees, like charging you for your monthly statement or making you pay ridiculously high monthly balance fees.
    What You Can Do Instead:

    ‣ Go talk to your local credit union. Many credit unions have free checking accounts where they only charge for bounced checks or ordering new checkbooks from the printer. Find out in advance what fees you’ll be billed for before you put your money in any financial institution.

    ‣ Ask your current bank manager to reduce or remove the fees they’re charging you. Sometimes, they will.

    ‣ Ensure you don’t carry any credit card balances from month to month. Pay off all credit card balances each month – otherwise, you’re wasting your money paying extravagant interest fees.

    3. Phone Plans

    Do you really know what you’re paying for on your cell phone bill? If you’re getting charged for 750 minutes per month during business hours and only using about 100 a month, it’s wise to know. Also, unlimited texting or data plans can add an additional $20 to $30 to your monthly bill.

    Unless you use your cell phone for work, the company’s best “package deal” might be full of charges for services you don’t even need – at a higher cost than what you would pay by only ordering the size plan that’s best for your own circumstances.

    What You Can Do Instead:

    ‣ Re-read your cell phone plan to determine whether it’s the lowest and most cost-effective plan to fit your specific needs.

    ‣ Know your approximate minutes used each month. Find out the quick way to access your usage statistics on your cell phone. All cell phone companies have this feature available to their customers. Once you have this knowledge, you can ask informed questions about the types of plans to fit your needs.

    ‣ Have a clear idea of the approximate number of texts you send and receive in any given month. Otherwise, you’ll end up paying the $20 or $30 extra for unlimited texts when you may save way more cash by merely paying the 20- or 30-cent per text charge.

    ‣ In the event, you have an atypical month with a huge number of texts and don’t have the unlimited plan, call your cell phone company right away. Some will change your rate plan right then to the unlimited plan for that month and the next two months.

    ‣ Then, if by the fourth month your texts are back to normal, you can call the company to switch back to paying per text.

    I have enough money to last me the rest of my life unless I buy something

    Jackie Mason

    4. Not Asking Enough Questions

    When you aren’t asking questions, you may be spending more cash than is necessary.

    What You Can Do Instead:

    ‣ When you’re shopping, ask for an extra 10% off or inquire if they have a coupon you can use for bigger savings. And be ready to walk without any items if you can’t get an extra percentage off. Why? Because there are department stores willing to give you extra dollars off your total amount spent. You just need to find out which stores will do it.

    ‣ Call your credit card account carriers and ask for a lower interest rate on your credit purchases. If they want to keep your business, they’ll lower it. If they don’t agree to reduce the fees, stop using the card, and take your business elsewhere.

    ‣ Before starting a new banking or credit card account anywhere, ask these questions:

    ‣ How much interest will you charge me?

    ‣ Will the rate change? When? Under what circumstances?

    ‣ What extra fees will be on my bill, including taxes?

    ‣ In sum, ask questions of everyone you can think of who has anything to do with your money. Step up to get the answers you need.

    5. Ignoring the Coupons in the Newspaper and Mailed Brochures

    Most people simply don’t look at the coupons that come in the newspaper. And what do you do with those leaflets you receive in snail mail – do they just go into the recycling bin?

    You’re throwing your money away when you ignore the special offers that local and national companies are making an effort to tell you about.

    What You Can Do Instead:

    ‣ Rather than ignore these two simple ways to save a few bucks, why not take 15 minutes a week to look through the coupons that are delivered right to your door? Save the coupon leaflets before you throw your newspaper out for recycling. There’s free money in them!

    ‣ Challenge yourself to use at least three or four coupons a week for items you normally use or want to try. You’ll see that you spend less by doing so.

    6. Not Being Informed About Your Finances

    If you’re used to spending your money first and then later trying to figure out what happened to it, you’ll find that you invariably move to a more secure financial position if you pay attention to the details of your cash flow before spending that paycheck.

    What You Can Do Instead:

    ‣ When you get paid, really think about what you’ll be using the money for. Pay yourself first – put 10% of your funds into savings. Then budget the rest. You’ll avoid wasting money on items that really make no difference to you in the long term.

    ‣ Spread out your expenditures over time, so you’re not over-spending when you get paid. For example, if you buy that new electronic tablet you’ve been wanting, plan not to spend for extras for the next three to six months.

    ‣ Keep orderly records on what you spend so that you can look back through your documents or financial software program to see how you’re doing.

    ‣ Knowledge is power! Use it to help you achieve your financial goals.

    Money talks, but all it ever says is good-bye

    American Proverb

    7. Paying Extra Fees because You Missed Bill Deadlines

    You’re pretty much guaranteed to be charged extra fees if you don’t pay your bills on time. Banking institutions just love to add on these fees, and a huge portion of their income comes from late payments – possibly yours included!

    You’re giving money away if you’re paying bills late. Firstly, you’re likely paying an inflated interest rate on the unpaid balance, and secondly, you’re likely being charged a late fee as well. Thirdly, you’re building a financial reputation with the company that you may not be proud of.

    What You Can Do Instead:

    ‣ The best way to be responsible about your money and to save some money is to always (yes, always) pay your bills on time. Develop and use a system that helps you pay before bills are due.

    ‣ Whether it’s the old-fashioned “envelope method” with separate envelopes of cash for each of your monthly payments, or a bank account designated just for paying the house bills, establish an efficient system you can use.

    ‣ Get a calendar to record the dates that each of your monthly bills are due. Use highlighter color-coding or whatever will help you to pay bills 7 days before they’re due. Endeavor now to never miss a payment. You can be successful if you focus your efforts.

    8. Not Paying Attention

    When you talk to your local cable company, banking institution, or another merchant about their products or services, do you fall for the hard-sell tricks they use to get you to sign on for more services?

    Keep in mind that the phone representatives you’re speaking with might be getting paid on a commission basis. Their goal is to convince you you’re getting a good deal if you allow them to bump up your bill a bit.

    What You Can Do Instead:

    ‣ Focus your attention on what the company representative is saying. If you’re unsure about any offer they’re pushing, decline it. Be proactive when it comes to the businesses you work with.

    ‣ Before agreeing to any additional fees, re-state what you believe the rep is telling you so you can clarify and ensure you understand the situation. Ask questions and listen carefully to their responses.

    ‣ Paying attention when talking to representatives of the companies you do business with can put you on the path to financial success.

    9. Faulty Vacation Planning

    If you’re planning your vacation when most other vacationers will be visiting the locale, you’ll pay top dollar for flights and hotels.

    What You Can Do Instead:

    ‣ Schedule your vacations, so they’re during the off-season. This way, hotels will cost less, plus you’ll enjoy the added benefits of no waiting in restaurants or at local tourist attractions. And you’ll likely get the flight you want at a reduced rate as well.

    Never spend your money before you have it

    Thomas Jefferson

    10. Eating in Restaurants Too Often

    In the evening after a long day, you might often feel too tired or busy to cook and serve a meal for your family. It’s so tempting to pick up fast food or take the family out for dinner. But one dinner out can sometimes cost as much as groceries for several days or even a whole week.

    Here are some ways you can save money and have the time to serve cheap tasty meals.

    What You Can Do Instead:

    ‣ Plan your evening meals for the following week on Saturdays or Sundays. Choose meals that are simple to prepare, healthy, and that most family members like.

    ‣ Develop your store list from the meals you planned. Shop on Saturday or Sunday for the following week.

    ‣ Place meats in the freezer if you won’t be cooking them for 4 or 5 days. Learn to use the “Defrost” function on your microwave or move frozen meats from the freezer to the refrigerator one or two days before you plan to cook them.

    ‣ Make your own “fast food.” When you cook, make larger quantities and freeze the leftovers. This way, you’ll always have nutritious, heat-and-serve meals available for fast, easy dinners. Just think of the money you’ll save by being able to pass up the fast-food joints.

    ‣ Make at least one meal a week in your slow cooker to save both time and money.

    ‣ Talk to your partner for assistance with meal preparation. Also, make meal preparation a positive family affair by assigning each child a task to do to get ready for the meal.

    11. Keeping Your Business with the Same Company for Too Long

    You know how it is: you get comfortable with your cell phone or cable company, pest control business, or other merchant. You stop asking questions, and your rate gradually increases over time.

    You recognize the cost of doing business rises so you just go along with it. You simply accept the fact that “things are getting more expensive.”

    What You Can Do Instead:

    ‣ When you notice a rate increase, call the company and inquire about it. “What is the charge for?” “Why did the price go up?” “What can I do to get a lower rate?”

    ‣ If the company isn’t willing to lower their rate, tell them you plan to check the rates of their competitors and then make some calls to other companies who offer the same services.

    ‣ Make an effort to bargain for only the services you want.

    ‣ Contact the competitors of businesses you regularly use to check on their fees and service offerings. Strive to get a better deal. Confidently make a switch if you need to.

    12. Not Thinking About the Number of Electrical Items You Have Plugged in

    Electronics and appliances use power and cost you money even if the item isn’t turned on. So, too, do your chargers for your cell phone, tablet, and laptop.

    Even when you aren’t charging the devices, if the charger is plugged in, it still raises your electric bill.

    What You Can Do Instead:

    ‣ Unplug chargers when you’re not actually charging an electronic device.

    ‣ Unplug your morning appliances like toasters and coffee brewers after you use them.

    ‣ Always turn off your laptop and unplug it when you’re finished using it. Even though it has a “sleep” function, “off” and unplugged cost you absolutely zero.

    If you make a habit of unplugging as many of your electronics and small appliances as possible when you’re not using them, it will become just an automatic move for you, and you’ll not even notice the effort. However, you’ll notice the savings on your electric bill!

    My problem lies in reconciling my gross habits with my net income

    Errol Flynn

    13. Spending Too Much On Your Car

    Of course, it’s important to take care of your cars. But maybe you’re getting your oil checked more often than you really need to.

    Plus, do you pay attention to how much you’re spending per gallon on gasoline? Or do you just pull into the closest gas station? Many times, another station that’s only a block away could be charging much less per gallon!

    What You Can Do Instead:

    ‣ Read your manufacturers’ manual for your vehicle. You’ve probably stored it in your glove box. Look up what the recommendations are for when to get your oil changed and the grade level of gasoline to use to get the best gas mileage and motor performance.

    ‣ These days, most of the newer car manuals state it’s appropriate to change your oil every 6,000 to 7,000 miles. So, even if your mechanic says it’s every 3,000 miles, follow what your manual says.

    ‣ Smartphone users can download apps that tell them where they can go nearby for the cheapest gas. For example, try the free app, GasBuddy. You’re just a few clicks away from finding the lowest cost gas near you.

    ‣ Before you pump, double-check the price you’ll be paying for fuel. Stations often post their cash only prices on their billboards. You’ll pull up to the pump, thinking you’re about to get a good deal. But then if you pay with a credit card, you could get slammed with four to eight cents more per gallon.

    ‣ Carry enough cash for gas, just in case. Rather than paying a higher price per gallon, have a secret stash of cash to pay the lowest rate for fuel.

    14. Purchasing Books, CDs, and DVDs at Full Price

    Reading books, listening to music, and watching movies are wonderful pastimes. But they can also cost a lot of money.

    Books can cost $15 or more. The world of music is so vast that if you’re a music lover, buying many CDs to have a varied collection can be expensive.

    You’ll also put down a healthy chunk of change to indulge your viewing habits if you buy at full price.

    What You Can Do Instead:

    ‣ Rather than pay full price, why not check out your local second-hand book trade shops? It’s likely you’ll pay just half the cost of a new book, CD, or DVD.

    ‣ Better yet, visit your local library! That’s right – don’t spend a dime to indulge your reading habit. The library also carries a plethora of CDs and DVDs you can check out for free.

    ‣ Also, for free music, try downloading the free Pandora Radio Smartphone app. You can choose the music genre you want to listen to and then groove to all the tunes you want for free.
    Strive to enjoy your favorite habits without paying out hard-earned money.

    15. Impulsively Buying the Latest Thing

    Are you an impulse buyer? If so, you’re no doubt wasting your money!

    Grabbing what you want at the moment and then spending your money frivolously is a good way to kiss your money good-bye.

    What You Can Do Instead:

    ‣ Jot down the name of something you see that you want. Then, go home to research it online. What does it do exactly? How does it work? Educate yourself about what you think you want to buy. Otherwise, you may impulsively buy an item and get it home to find it doesn’t do what you thought it would.

    ‣ Find reviews online of products you’re interested in. You might find a different brand for half the price of what you were about to buy that works just as well.

    Perform comparison-shopping online to ensure you get the best deal possible for the item you want or to discover a similar item for less cost. For online items, remember to include shipping in your cost. You’ll save money and still get what you want. Now, that’s living the good life!

    Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like

    Will Smith

    16. Avoiding Generic Brands for Food, Household Goods, and Clothing

    Do you consistently prefer name brands? If so, you’re spending a lot more money on food items and clothing than you have to.

    For example, if you prefer Tide Liquid HE Laundry Detergent for your energy-efficient washer, you’ll pay $7.54 for a 50-ounce bottle. And when it comes to clothing, a Polo Classic Fit Mesh Shirt for men costs $85.00.

    Thankfully, you can spend much less for a similar quality and look!

    What You Can Do Instead:

    ‣ If you’re willing to switch to the lesser-known laundry detergent brand, Wisk 2X Laundry Detergent, it costs only $9.97 for 100 ounces. Therefore, you’d save $5.11 over what you would have spent on an equal amount of Tide.

    ‣ For men’s short sleeve shirts, you can buy a Lands’ End Peruvian Polo Shirt very similar to the Ralph Lauren Polo for $35.00 to $40.00. That’s less than half the cost!

    ‣ Open up your mind to the idea that you don’t have to purchase expensive name brands to feel better about yourself. After all, how good will you feel when you have extra money in your pocket at the end of the week? Strengthen your resolve to avoid pricey brands.

    17. Using Credit Cards with No Rewards Programs

    Many card companies are all about charging extravagant interest rates, high late payment fees, and even monthly costs to carry the card. You could be carrying a credit card now that doesn’t offer you much in the way of benefits.

    However, when you’re savvy about the world of credit cards, you’ll save a lot of money and enjoy valuable perks as well!

    What You Can Do Instead:

    ‣ Know everything about your credit cards: how much interest you pay for balances carried from month to month, any late fees you could be charged, and anything else pertinent to using the card.

    ‣ Never pay monthly or annual fees to have a credit card. That’s money you could be banking or paying toward your monthly bills.

    ‣ Only use credit cards that offer you rewards for using the card. Whether you earn mileage for your flights, credits to trade for gifts of all types, or a check for cash at the end of the year for 1-2% of your annual charges, ensure you’re getting something tangible back for using the credit card.

    ‣ No matter what type of credit card you use, avoid charging more than you can pay off at the end of the month. In other words, refrain from carrying month to month balances. This can save you more than you imagine. Think positive – you can do it!

    18. Using the Hospital Emergency Room When It’s Not an Emergency

    When you think you have the flu and can’t get into your doctor’s office, what do you do? If someone in your immediate family has a minor accident at home and sustains an injury, where do you take him to get quick medical care?

    The fact is that many Americans use hospital emergency rooms for all types of medical issues, especially those that occur after normal daytime business hours. Unfortunately, emergency room patients wait excessive amounts of time and then get charged incredibly high fees.

    But there are alternatives!

    What You Can Do Instead:

    ‣ Go to a local walk-in clinic, minor emergency care provider, or 24-hour medical care facility if you can’t get into your doctor quickly enough or someone in your family experiences an accident in the evening or on the weekend.

    ‣ Such facilities are set up to expedite medical assessments, cost less money, and may not even charge you a co-payment.

    ‣ Like emergency rooms, they often have an x-ray and other diagnostic equipment. So, even after business hours, you can still get the care you need and save hours of time and perhaps hundreds of dollars by visiting one of these clinics. Of course, use your best judgement and go to a hospital when it is, indeed, an emergency!

    The waste of money cures itself, for soon, there is no more to waste

    M.W. Harrison

    Once you accept the fact that you waste at least some of your money, you can then change some of your money-managing behaviors to keep more cash in your bank account.

    Regardless of whether you spend more money than you should, pay more in monthly fees and payments than necessary, or use expensive ERs to get medical care, make a firm decision to alter your financial habits, and discover a whole new way of living.

    Let’s strive to live a more financially responsible, less wasteful life. After all, you deserve it!

    Waste not want not

    American Proverb

  • 6 Hacks to Save on Back-to-School Shopping

    Pencils, crayons, pens, and notebooks mean it’s that time again! All parents know that back-to-school shopping can burn a hole in your pocket quickly. However, there are so many things you can do to minimize the cost. This school year, save yourself some money with the following tips.

    Stick To Necessities

    Stick to the schools (or your own if homeschooling) list!nAny item not on the list provided by your child’s teacher probably isn’t needed. This is crucial, so please don’t get carried away by the colorful distractions! LOL Although kids may beg for extra supplies, make a rule that if something isn’t on the list, you won’t buy it. They can have fun picking out the items that are actually needed.

    • If a list wasn’t given out before the first day of school, there’s no need to get carried away and purchase a bunch of stuff your child might not ever use. Get the list as soon as possible; you’ll be in a position to pick up items when they’re on sale.
    • Contact the school or look at the school’s website if you haven’t received a copy of the list. Many schools now provide a downloadable version on their website.

    Shop At Home First

    You likely have several things at home that can be used. Look in your office for pencils, pens, unused notebooks, notebook paper, and more. Remember to check your child’s book bag, crayons, lunch box, and anything else that comes to mind.

    • Items like pencil boxes, pencil sharpeners, and scissors can probably be used for years before they need replacement.

    Consider The Source

    Many parents immediately think of large super-stores as the best source of school supplies. Remember to consider the offerings of drug stores and even grocery stores.

    • Frequently, these less-considered stores can have spectacular sales on many back-to-school supplies just to get shoppers in the door. Check out newspaper inserts and mailed circulars to find out about drugstore sales.

    Watch For The Sales

    As the calendar closes in on the beginning of the school year, keep your eyes open. Sales abound, and the smart shopper will be on the lookout for the best deals. Often a store will have notebooks on sale for one cent, while another will have a great sale on pencils.

    • Using coupons wisely can save you a ton of money.
    • Even if a coupon comes out after you’ve made a purchase, stores will typically honor them. Take your receipt and the coupon back to the store and get that better price.

    Related:

    Tax-Free Week?

    Many states have tax-free holidays around the start of school. Make sure to check whether your state has a tax free holiday and only go shopping during those times.

    Team Up With Another Parent

    By joining forces with another parent, you have the opportunity to purchase items in bulk at reduced prices. Then divide up the supplies and the savings.

    Back-to-school time is exciting for everyone, but for parents, it can also be a financially stressful time of the year.

    But school starting doesn’t have to break the bank. Get your supply list, stick to it, and focus on saving money by following these tips. This school year might cost you less than any other.

    6 Hacks to Save on Back-to-School Shopping 2

  • 15 Ways To Make An Extra $1000 Each Month

    While most of us dream about making a million dollars a year, the truth is that many of us would be thrilled to make another $1,000 each month. Wouldn’t an extra $12,000 a year make a huge difference?

    There’s so many different things you can do to supplement your income. And it’s not that difficult. It’s a matter of commitment more than anything else. 

    Getting off on the right foot will help to ensure your success as you take on a new money-making venture. But before making your first dollar, remember to do the necessary preliminary work. That way, you’re more likely to do well and make much more money in the future.

    Here are some factors you want to consider FIRST before diving into a side gig.

    1. Create a list of your unique skills and knowledge.

    It’s not necessary to know or be able to do anything special to make an extra $1,000 each month, but it doesn’t hurt. Having a unique skill-set can allow you to charge more for your time. 

    2. How much free time do you have?

    Do you have to earn money outside of a regular job? Are your weekends free? What about your weekday evenings? How many hours are you willing to work?

    3. Do you have any friends or family that you can help with?

    Maybe you have a friend with a construction business that needs help on the weekends. Think about everyone, you know. They might have something that would be perfect for you.

    4. Are you willing to try something new?

    It’s possible to force your will on the marketplace, but it’s a lot easier to provide what it needs. What do you hear people complaining about in your area? Find a need and fill it!

    5. Prepare to become a marketing machine.

    Many of the methods I’m going to suggest require finding clients. The work itself is quite simple, but finding the clients is the harder part.

    6. Have fun.

    It’s one thing to make yourself miserable for a few months to reach a goal, but it’s quite another to do it long-term. Find something that you enjoy doing.

    Anyone can make another $1,000 each month. You might even be able to do a few different side jobs and eventually replace your full-time income. Even one successful venture might be enough in some cases.

    The Money-Making Methods

    Depending on where you live, all of the ideas in this guide could be viable options. However, some are more suited for certain areas than others. Hopefully, you’ll find a method that appeals to you.

    Create A Website And Sell Something

    With WordPress, it’s never been easier to set up your own website. Gone are the days of needing to be a programmer to create a great looking site.

    Selling something on a website is fairly simple:

    1. When people come to your website, sell them something. Find a topic that interests you, and then capitalize on that interest. 

    • For example, there was recently a story of a woman that started her own blog about lighthouses and now makes a full-time living selling lighthouse related items and lighthouse travel tours. 
    • You can also sell a service. Think of something you can do better than the average person. There’s no need to be an expert. You only need to be one.step.ahead.
    • You can also have Google Ads or something similar on your website and get paid when people click on them. The “pay-per-click” market is huge!
    • Affiliate marketing can be lucrative. There are websites with thousands of digital products that you can sell. 
    • On these affiliate sites, you earn a commission every time you make a sale. Commissions are commonly 20-70%. The product creator even provides a sales page where you send your customers. 

    2. The real key is doing the marketing to get customers to your webpage. There are plenty of resources available to help you market your website. 

    • Write some articles related to the topic of your website and post them in the appropriate places. Posting to article directories would be good start. Article marketing has always been a great way to drive web traffic.
    • Write excellent content. Some of the most popular websites were never intentionally marketed in any way. If your content is unique, people will come to read it.
    • Social media such as Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, and Pinterest are additional ways of creating a buzz.

    Even if you’re not technologically inclined, a website can be a great way to boost your income in your spare time. 

    Sell A Technical Service

    I know many people are intimidated by internet technology. But there are many easy and simple services you could offer to people and businesses that they might not think they can do themselves.

    Selling technical services can could look like:

    1. Create websites for businesses.

    A reasonable website can be created in just a couple of hours, and it wouldn’t be difficult to find someone willing to pay at least a few hundred dollars for a website. 

    • One website a week would easily be an additional $1,000 each month. It could even be much, much more.

    2. Create Facebook pages for small businesses.

    Smaller businesses often have no designated marketing employees. Many of those businesses are also too small to justify hiring a full-blown marketing firm. 

    • Templates are available that would allow you to create a Facebook page for a business in a just a few minutes.
    • These Facebook pages can easily be sold for $100 or more. Two or three a week would meet the magical $1,000 mark.

    3. Create YouTube videos for small businesses.

    A few simple shots with a digital camera can be made in to a slideshow with free software and a little bit of time.

    4. Create and operate Twitter accounts for businesses.

    Many small businesses would love to have a Twitter account, but they are unsure how to go about setting it up. (This applies to any social network as well. Hence, “social media manager!”)

    The common methods for finding customers (in order of effectiveness) are in-person visit, phone call, email, and snail-mail. You might be surprised how easy it is to find a client if you can muster the courage and stop by or pick up the phone.

    These services are all much easier than you probably realize. You can teach yourself everything you need to know very quickly.

    It is not the creation of wealth that is wrong, but the love of money for its own sake

    Margaret Thatcher

    Do Taxes For Others 

    With the software that’s now available, nearly anyone can do some else’s taxes. You won’t require a degree in accounting to put some numbers into a software program.

    Many of the people working for the big tax firms each spring are just regular people working part-time.

    In the rare event that someone’s taxes are too complicated once you start doing them, simply tell them the truth. Just as all lawyers aren’t qualified to handle all cases, it’s okay to admit you can’t do the taxes of a multi-millionaire with extensive offshore investments.

    This method won’t work all year. It’s going to be limited to a couple of months, but you can easily make more than $1,000 each month during that time. 

    Think about other services you can offer to the same clients. If they’re happy with your tax preparation services, maybe they’ll give you the opportunity to do something else for them during other times of the year. 

    Remember to ask for referrals. The easiest way to find new clients is by receiving a recommendation from other clients you’ve worked with. 

     All I ask is the chance to prove that money can’t make me happy

    Spike Milligan

    Rent Out Your Extra Room On Airbnb

    Airbnb.com is a unique website that allows people to rent out space they own. It can be space in a tree house, a walk-in closet with an air mattress, an entire vacation home, or a room in your home. If you have a livable space, someone would probably be interested in renting it from you. If the space isn’t currently being used, it’s really just a wasted resource. Make the most of it!

    Here’s a couple of tips:

    1. Have a proper lease in place.

    Laws and customs can vary from state to state. Contact an attorney or your local real estate investors club for assistance.

    2. Do a thorough background check before letting a stranger move into your home.

    There are services available to run background checks, credit checks, and every other type of check you can imagine. At the very least be sure to scope out their Airbnb profile!

    • Before letting anyone move in, you’ll probably want to require a security deposit or rent up front. Everyone seems to have a story about getting the ‘money next week.’

    3. Ensure you’re comfortable with someone new living in your space.

    If you’re uncomfortable, there’s not a lot that can be done, depending on the terms of the lease.

    • If you’re interested in providing space in your home, think about how you want to handle the common areas. These would include the kitchen, bathroom, and living room. Also, figure out where they’ll park their car. 

    Why waste space you’re not using? Monetize it instead!

    Helpful: darlingsteps.com/how-working-moms-manage-time-like-a-pro

    Write for Extra Money

    Are you good with words? Do you like to write as a hobby? If so, capitalize on those writing skills. With all the content available online, there’s a tremendous need for people to write that content. 

    Try these options:

    1. Freelance.

    Approach website owners and offer to write some content for them. Pay rates can vary dramatically. Some writers can make a few hundred dollars per article.

    2. Join a content providing service.

    There are many websites that are always looking for writers. Two of the more popular ones are Textbroker.com and iWriter.com. Fiverr and Upwork are other great alternatives as well.

    • You can search through jobs and choose ones that appeal to you. 
    • You’ll have to write quickly to really earn some money, but this is something you can do in the comfort of your own home.

    3. Write an eBook and sell it on your own website.

    Many people have made millions of dollars by selling information. We’ll cover more about writing and selling books on Amazon later.

    4. Offer to write ads for eBay sellers.

    Contact the sellers of high-ticket items such as homes, cars, motorcycles, and boats. Offer to write a top-notch ad for them, in exchange for 1% of the selling price. You won’t get paid unless it sells. 

    • For example, if you wrote an ad selling a $20,000 car, you’d be looking at getting paid $200.

    Writing can be hard work, but it has very flexible work hours. You can easily work it into your busy schedule.

    There are people who have money and people who are rich

    Coco Chanel

    Tutor Or Give Lessons 

    Some tutors are making over $100 an hour! If you’re good at piano, golf, tennis, painting, or anything else that’s marketable, consider giving lessons.

    The best tutoring jobs tend to be in the nicer neighborhoods since mom and dad are likely to have more disposable income. 

    Get in touch with schools and even post an ad on Craigslist.com. Research the average fees for the service you’re providing and offer a competitive price. 

    He that is of the opinion money will do everything may well be suspected of doing everything for money

    Benjamin Franklin

    Mow Lawns or Offer Other Home Maintenance Services

    This could go along well with taxes. You could do the taxes in the late winter and early spring and then move into basic landscaping. It’s not difficult or uncommon to make $20 or more per hour mowing lawns.

    These things will make everything easier:

    1. Stick close to home.

    You want to avoid having your profits eaten up by gas and other traveling costs.

    2. It requires minimal equipment.

    All that’s really required is a lawnmower, trimmer, and transportation. The mower and trimmer can be purchased used for very little money. However, you might be able to use the ones you already own. 

    3. Create flyers and pass them out around your target neighborhoods.

    As you are passing out your flyers, be friendly. Also, offer a fair price. 

    4. You can also offer to do other “outside” services.

    Other than mowing lawns, there are other services you could offer. For example, you could do edging, planting flowers, picking up dog poop, washing cars, or cleaning out gutters. 

    • People who are elderly or that live very busy lives are often looking for someone to help maintain the outside of their homes. 

    After a certain point, money is meaningless. It ceases to be the goal. The game is what counts

    Aristotle Onassis

    Provide Pet-Sitting Services

    Many individuals work all day, and their pets need to be let outside for obvious reasons. Some people go out of town and prefer to leave their pets at home instead of boarding them at a kennel.

    If you like caring for pets, consider: 

    1. Offer additional services.

    Since you’re already at the house, think about other things you can do that would be helpful. Some examples would be dog training, picking up dog poop, housecleaning, or mowing the lawn.

    2. Be the vacation solution.

    If your customers leave town, offer to take care of their pets. Remember that you’ll have to let the dog out at least 3 times each day. Consider keeping the pets in your home or charge for each of the 3 visits. Even offer to get the mail.

    3. Stick with clients that are close to home.

    It’s not worth driving 20 miles each way to make $11 for letting the dog out.

    4. Expand your animal services.

    Try not to limit yourself to just dogs. With a little reading, you could easily learn how to care for cats, birds, hamsters, an iguana, and just about anything else.

    Taking care of other’s pets is a low stress way to spend your time. Call around and find the rates of other pet-sitters before you decide on your own rates. Advertise everywhere you can think of. It makes the most sense to advertise at dog parks, pet stores, and veterinarians. 

    Related:

    • darlingsteps.com/household-hacks-to-save-time-and-money
    • darlingsteps.com/9-ways-to-overcome-your-spending-habit

    Flip Items on Craigslist 

    This can be a very lucrative part-time business. In a nutshell, you find items on Craigslist.com that you’re confident you can resell at a profit.

    The following items will all but guarantee a profit:

    1. Look for poorly written ads.

    Many sellers create poor ads that lack pictures. With a better ad, you can expect to resell the item at a higher price.

    2. Limit yourself to a few different types of items.

    Maybe you have some knowledge of or interest in guitars, appliances, and jewelry. If you have knowledge in a certain area, you’ll be able to spot a good deal on Craigslist when you see it.

    3. Make a lot of offers.

    Many people price their items appropriately but are in a hurry to sell. That could be good for you because many of them will take nearly any offer to make some money quickly. You’ll never know if you could’ve gotten a bargain unless you ask.

    4. Check on the free items.

    It’s competitive, but sometimes there are valuable items given away for free. Even a $20 item might be worth getting and reselling, since it’s all profit that goes straight into your pocket.

    5. Avoid getting involved with lower-priced items.

    There’s only so much profit to be made on a $10 item, but it’s not hard to make $50 on a used refrigerator. Your time is valuable.

    6. You might need a truck. Some items, like large appliances, will require a truck. But there are plenty of other items that are suitable buys if you don’t have a truck.

    I’d like to live as a poor man with lots of money

    Pablo Picasso 

    Babysitting After School Hours

    There are many children that go into after-school programs. Many other children are forced to spend the afternoon home alone until their parents return from work. 

    If you like children, babysitting could be a profitable endeavor. You could offer to look after kids between the time they are finished at school up until their parents return from work. 

    You can either pick them up from school or meet them as they get off the bus. All you’d really have to do is fix them a snack and supervise them while they do their homework. 

    Consider these ideas:

    1. Try to watch multiple children.

    Watching two children pays better than one. Watching five pays better than two.

    2. Think about the third shift crowd.

    Many single parents work third shift and someone has to watch those children. What could be easier than putting a child to bed in your home and getting them ready for school in the morning? You could easily make $30 per night per child.

    A wise man should have money in his head, but not in his heart

    Jonathan Swift

    Give Swimming Lessons

    This is another gig that would dovetail well with the tax preparation idea. Many pools offer group lessons, but each child spends most of their time just watching while the children take turns swimming for the instructor. 

    Many parents are happy to pay for private swim lessons. It would be easy to make $20-$50 per hour. Get certified as a swim instructor and get in the pool. If you’re a parent, you can even bring your children to the pool. 

    While you’re at it, get certified as a life guard. This will give you even more job opportunities. In warmer climates, both of these can be done year-round.

    Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons

    Woody Allen

    Be A Freelancer Online

    If you already have a regular job, there’s a good chance you can get paid to do the same thing at home. Someone out there wants help doing whatever it is you do. 

    Elance.com is a great place to find clients for your services. You can do anything from writing to setting up websites, to transcribing, doing spreadsheets, or providing voiceovers. 

    Avoid selling yourself short. There are many potential clients looking for the cheapest deal. If you have something of value to offer, ensure you’re making the money you deserve. 

    There are many other comparable sites that offer similar opportunities. Odesk.com is another example of a site where freelancers can get work.

    A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove that you don’t need it

    Bob Hope

    Become A Photographer 

    Photographers can make impressive money. If you have the skill, you can photograph weddings and other formal events. Family portraits are another way to make a decent buck.

    Consider the following:

    1. Many websites utilize photographs.

    Typically, you won’t get rich selling one or two copies of individual photos. But if you think about it, if you sell 3,000 photos at $0.50, it can really add up. You can also sell each photo one time for $30 or more.

    2. Sitting fees.

    One way photographers can get paid, independent of photo sales, is by charging a sitting fee for taking the photos. Many photographers go to people’s homes for a photo shoot. You can charge an additional fee for the convenience of traveling to your clients.

    3. You can also create calendars and other items with your photographs.

    Take pictures of your travels and make a calendar.

    Becoming a photographer doesn’t have to require extra fancy equipment. If you have a decent camera, that should suffice. Depending on the type of phone you have, you might even be able to use that for some jobs.  

    Liking money like I like it, is nothing less than mysticism. Money is a glory

    Salvador Dali

    Write An eBook And Sell It On Amazon

    Some people actually write a new book every week! While you might not write a bestseller, if you pick the right topics, it’s possible to make $1,000 or more from each book.

    We already discussed writing, but this is a little different. The previous example was when you write an eBook for someone else and get paid just one time for that work. Although it is your work, you’ve been hired by someone to write it and therefore are turning over the rights. 

    In this case, you’re going to keep control and ownership of your writing. You will be selling it on Amazon.com. The best part is that you’ll have the opportunity to get paid multiple times for the same work. Once an eBook is up for sale online, you can continually capitalize on every book for years to come. 

    This is more speculative, since you’re not guaranteed to make anything. However, the potential rewards are many times greater. Also, this is a more involved job than all the other suggestions.

    Follow this process if you are interested in writing your own eBook:

    1. Fiction or non-fiction.

    First you need to decide if you’re more comfortable writing fiction or non-fiction. Non-fiction will be easier, since you can use other books as source material.

    2. Determine the best sellers in your niche.

    Think about personal areas of interest and check to see which topics are doing well in sales.

    • Now, look at Amazon and see how many books within each category are within the top 50,000 best-selling books. You’ll want to see at least three books in the top 50,000. Any less and it won’t be worth your time. In that case, find another, more popular, niche.

    3. Purchase the top three books in your chosen category and read them.

    Make some notes as you read. What you’re ultimately doing is writing your own book from what you learned from those three. However, you’ll also need to add unique ideas of your own.

    4. Start writing.

    Keep in mind that a book doesn’t necessarily have to belong. Some of the best-selling books have been very short. The best length, however, seems to be 125-175 pages. This may seem like a lot. But, keep in mind that one page in a word-processing program is almost 2 pages in a Kindle book.

    • Each Kindle page should take approximately 15 minutes to write, so a 150-page book should take approximately 35-40 hours.
    • Some Kindle book writers actually outsource the writing! Remember that sites like Odesk and Elance can be used to find writers. 

    5. Read your book.

    After your book is written, go back through and actually read it! Look for ways to enhance your work. 

    6. Hire an editor.

    You should always consider hiring someone else to edit the eBook for you, even after you’ve read it over. 

    • Customers will get really turned off if there are errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
    • Bad reviews for your first book could negatively impact your future as an eBook writer.
    • A second pair of eyes, especially those of a trained editor, is imperative to ensure that your eBook is error-free.

    7. Kindle books require specific formatting.

    There are many templates that you can find online. Information about formatting your book can also be found on Amazon.com.

    • Be careful about using images. First, always Insert the image, never Copy-Paste. 
    • Amazon charges you a download fee for each book you sell. That fee is based on the size of the book file, which is another reason to avoid too many images. 
    • Using a lot of images can increase your costs and decrease your profits. Images can also be compressed to a smaller file size, limiting your expense.
    • It would be incredibly smart to include hyperlinks in your eBook that point back to your personal website. You can then sell additional items to your customers. 
    • Hyperlinks will also let you capture email addresses for future marketing purposes. Prepare a free report and provide it in exchange for their email address.
    • A good email list is worth at least $0.50 per address per month. A list of just 2,000 email addresses should be worth $1,000 a month.
    • Numbered lists can be a good idea, but bullet points aren’t able to be displayed on older Kindle models. An asterisk or dash can be used instead.

    8. A good book cover is imperative. A book with a poor cover doesn’t sell well. Take the time to secure an attractive cover. The first option is to buy a cover.

    • The most inexpensive option for purchasing a cover is to head over to fiverr.com and search for Kindle covers. You’re only paying $5, so keep your expectations in check. However, you might be pleasantly surprised with the quality.
    • With fiverr.com, you may have to pay a few different people before you find a cover you like. However, at such an affordable price, it might be worth it to try out a few different designers.
    • An option that costs a little more is visiting http://www.goonwrite.com. The covers from this site are about $35 each, but once a cover is bought, it’s removed from circulation. There are other similar websites.
    • There are also more expensive options. One of these is http://www.99designs.com. The cost for a cover is $300 or more. It’s debatable whether or not it’s worth spending that much for an eBook cover.
    • Another source of covers is http://www.warriorforum.com. You’re sure to find someone there that can create a great book cover at a variety of price points.
    • You can also make your own cover. There are several programs and templates available online that will help you to create a great cover. 
    • If you use a photograph to make your own cover, be certain that you have the legal rights to use it. Only use high-resolution photos, so your eBook looks professional.

    9. Now, it’s time to upload your book to Amazon! Uploading a book requires an account with Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). You can set up an account at http://www.kdp.amazon.com.

    • Amazon has excellent video tutorials that will walk you through all the steps. Enroll in KDP Select, which allows you to promote your book in some unique ways. It’s free for the first 90 days.
    • You’re allowed 4,000 characters to describe your book. Use them wisely! A longer description looks more professional and gives your potential readers more information to make a good buying decision.
    • The description doesn’t have to be 4,000 characters, but be thorough enough to arouse the curiosity of the potential buyer.
    • Regarding publishing rights, choose option-2, ‘Not a public domain work.’ You probably wouldn’t want other people to be able to sell your eBook as their own, right?
    • When you ‘add categories,’ choose the two that are most closely related to your topic.
    • Keywords are critically important. You can add up to seven keywords, so always use all seven! The Google Keyword Tool is a great tool for finding keywords related to your niche.

    10. It’s advisable to set the price of your book between $2.99 and $9.99. Amazon allows you to claim 70% of the price as your commission within this price range. That commission drops to 30% if you price your book higher or lower.

    • Now buy it! You’ll get 70% of the money back anyway. Amazon is more likely to promote your book if they see buying activity occur quickly.

    11. Marketing your book is the next step. KDP will allow you to offer your book for free. Three days is long enough to get your book out there. You’re aiming for at least 2,500 downloads during that time.

    • If people aren’t downloading your free book, the cover probably needs to be changed. The next place to look is the book description. Is the description boring? People must want to learn more about your book if they’re willing to spend money to purchase it.
    • The best marketing for your eBook is good reviews. Tell all your friends and family to buy a copy and leave a good review!
    • Ask for reviews in the book itself. Put a simple blurb at the front and the end of the book requesting a review. Always thank your readers in advance for their help.
    • You can also “bribe” your readers for reviews. Offer them something for free and strongly SUGGEST they leave a review. You can’t offer the free item in exchange for a review, but you can give them something free upfront and then request a review.
    • Facebook is another great tool for advertising your book. Post the book cover on your Facebook page and tell all your friends to pick up a copy. Also remind your friends and family to leave a review.
    • Ask your friends to like and share your post on Facebook. Even if they haven’t purchased the book yet, they can still spread the word.
    • Create a Facebook Page for your book. Search around and see what other authors have done. Be shameless in mimicking the pages that appeal to you. You can even give away free chapters of your book to “hook” some readers.
    • You can also find Facebook Groups related to your book topic. Join them. Most groups will allow you to post information about your book. Join the group as part of the page for promoting your eBook. Then your post will show up as your book page instead of your real name.

    12. Have your own blog. Every author should have a website dedicated to his writing. In order to be taken seriously, an author requires a website. 

    • A central hub allows you to give away free chapters, post information about new books, and collect names for your email list. Have a separate page for each book.
    • On your website, create buying links for each of your books that point back to Amazon. Update your website once a week to keep your readers engaged. That is where content comes in again.
    • Create a social media hub on your website. Create links to your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and email accounts. We haven’t covered how to set up all of these, but there’s more than enough information out there to guide you through the process.
    • Videos can be a great way to market your book. Video reviews are great. That’s what friends are for! You can also put up a video of yourself talking about your book.

    If you’re planning to continue writing books and want to write on a variety of topics, it’s suggested that you create a pen name for each topic. It’s hard to claim to be an expert on dog training, international investing, building model boats, and tutoring math. If you were to write all those books under the same name, no one is likely to take you seriously. 

    You’ll require separate email, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn accounts for each pen name. 

    Writing and selling eBooks is a very viable way to make some real money. Remember to pick a topic that’s already selling well. There’s no reason to reinvent the wheel.

    Money is a strange business. People who haven’t got it aim it strongly. People who have are full of troubles

    Ayrton Senna  

    There are many ways to earn an extra $1,000 each month. The most important step is to commit to the method that best suits you. Consider your circumstances. If you live in a rural area, writing an eBook probably makes more sense than being a dog-sitter. If you live in a suburban area, but have a full-time job, being a dog-sitter may not be practical. 

    Committing to a method means exactly that. You’re planning to stick with that method and make it work. Most of these methods require expertise that you probably already possess. If it’s not a perfect fit, try to mold the method to your strengths.

    Remember that marketing is the key. The work itself is quite simple. The challenging part is finding clients, so you’ll want to concentrate on doing some marketing every day. Marketing needs to be done regularly if you’re looking for the most benefit.

    Use every possible form of marketing. Focus on the methods that are likely to be the most successful, but there’s no reason to be afraid to branch out into other methods over time.

    Always ask for referrals after you’ve made a customer happy. Give them a couple of extra business cards to hand out to friends, family, and colleagues.

    An extra $12,000 a year could make a huge difference in your life. How will you spend your new-found funds?

    When I was young I thought that money was the most important thing in life; now that I am old I know that it is

    Oscar Wilde
    15 Ways To Make An Extra $1000 Each Month 3
    15 Ways To Make An Extra $1000 Each Month 4
    15 Ways To Make An Extra $1000 Each Month 5

  • 8 Tricks To Save Money On Your Family Road Trip

    The family road trip can be a great experience, but it can quickly go over your budget. It’s essential to plan so you can save money on your journey.

    Road trips can be economical if you follow several important tips:

    Carefully plan everything at home

    • It’s easier to prepare than to come up with last-minute solutions on the road. You can find a variety of deals online, make phone calls, and compare rates. Book your arrangements ahead of time so you can use your vacation to relax.

    Related: darlingsteps.com/safety-tips-when-taking-a-road-trip

    Compare gas prices

    • Gas prices often fluctuate from one area to the next. Use apps and websites to see the gas prices along your route. You can compare gas stations and read reviews.

    Reduce the cost of food

    • Fast food is convenient, but the cost can quickly add up during a road trip. You may want to bring your own snacks and meals.
    • Consider getting a large cooler with ice to pack food and beverages. Your cooler may hold enough food for a couple of days, but in most cases, you’ll still want to eat out sometimes. This is another opportunity to do research ahead and find the most economical restaurants.
    • Restaurants aren’t the only option. You can also make pit stops at grocery stores to fill up your cooler with more snacks and meals.

    Related: darlingsteps.com/a-travelers-guide-to-healthy-eating-while-on-the-road

    Check twice to ensure you’ve packed essentials

    • Did you remember to bring all of your medication and other medical supplies? You can save money by avoiding a trip to a pharmacy. Do you have enough clothes and shoes for everyone? Are you prepared for emergencies?
    • Avoid having to shop for a new pair of sneakers during the road trip because your child’s feet are cold.

    Related: darlingsteps.com/travel-medicine-cabinet-essentials

    Check out free events and attractions

    • You’ll find that many museums, events, and other places have free admission. You can add these to your plan as you put together your list.

    Related: darlingsteps.com/5-traveling-essentials-you-absolutely-need-but-cant-buy

    Carefully check your car before you leave

    • Inflate your tires to the pressure that’s recommended in the car’s manual to maximize gas usage. Also, consider the car’s weight. Heavier cars burn more gas, so pack the essentials and avoid bringing unnecessary items.
    • You can avoid costly roadside assistance and towing by doing recommended maintenance that you know will be needed soon. Do you need an oil change or minor repairs? Do them before you leave on your trip!

    Flexible cancelation policies

    • Are you making reservations ahead of time? Road trips can be eventful, and the best plans cannot prevent all possible emergencies.
    • Search for hotels and restaurants with flexible cancelation policies to avoid adding extra costs to your trip. If you’re late and miss a reservation, some businesses charge you.

    Related: darlingsteps.com/read-this-before-you-take-a-road-trip-with-your-kids

    Look for coupons and additional discounts along the way

    • These money-saving items can reduce the cost of your trip.
    • Coupons and discounts may be available from hotels, restaurants, and other places. Museums and shops may also offer them along your route—stock up on additional savings.

    Related: darlingsteps.com/why-you-need-travel-insurance

    Road trips can stay under a budget with the right plans. If you consider the costs of common items that occur during a trip, you can save money.