A post-occupancy agreement, also known as a post-closing possession agreement, allows the seller to remain in the property they just sold to the buyer for a set period after closing. This can be a win-win for both parties in some situations, but it comes with major risks for the buyers. I have personally bought many houses with post-occupancy agreements and some worked out great while others ended in a costly eviction. A post-occupancy agreement may be needed in some cases but as a regular home buyer, I would be very careful ever accepting one.
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What is a post-occupancy agreement?
In a typical home sale transaction, the seller and buyer agree to a closing date and time, and possession of the home transfers when that closing takes place. The sellers bring the keys and hand them to the buyers if they are both at closing. Or the buyers can pick up the keys or their agent can give them the keys if both parties are not at the closing table (my preference).
In some cases, a seller may want extra time to move out after closing. They may be waiting for their new house to close, or for a house to be built, or they might just want more time to move. This sounds like a reasonable request for the seller but it can come with major risks for the buyer. This is why I try to avoid post-occupancy agreements if possible.
The video below was a nightmare after a post-occupancy agreement went bad:
What are the risks of a post-occupancy agreement?
Many people have heard the stories on the news of a seller who will not move out of their home are they sell. Almost all of these situations come from post-occupancy agreements. During a typical sale, the buyer does a walk-through of the home to make sure it is clean, all the seller’s stuff is moved out, and the property is in the same condition as when they put a contract on it (unless the contract says otherwise). If there is anything wrong, the buyer can delay or even not buy the home.
When the seller is still living in the home and the buyer closes on it (completes the purchase), they cannot make sure it is clean, all the seller’s stuff is gone, or the seller is out. Some sellers want the money that is in their home but want to stay! If the seller does not leave after a post-occupancy agreement, the buyer cannot simply kick them out, they must go to court and evict them.
An eviction can take months or even years in some states like New York.
Why do I agree to post-occupancy agreements?
I am a real estate investor who works hard to get the best deals I can. I buy a lot of distressed properties that need work and many sellers have unique situations. I also buy from many wholesalers who make deals with sellers that I must agree to. In a perfect world, I would never do a post-occupancy agreement but in some cases, it is a take-it-or-leave-it situation and the deal is good enough for me to take the risk.
I would estimate I have some kind of problem with 30 percent of the post-occupancy agreements I do. For me, it is not as big of a problem as it can be for inexperienced homeowners or people who need to move into the home. I also have a YouTube channel that helps me recoup some of my losses with the crazy situations that occur. I also know how to handle evictions, squatters, and other situations where someone not as experienced could be completely lost on what to do.
How should a post-occupancy agreement be structured
There are also risks with how post-occupancy agreements are structured. Some people just agree to let the seller stay and maybe pay a little rent. The problem with this is there is no motivation for them to move out. When we do a post-occupancy agreement we try to make it painful if the seller does not hold up to their obligations and move.
The post-occupancy agreement should always be in writing and money should be held back in escrow from the seller proceeds. I like to hold back at least $10,000 on houses below $400k and if they do not move by a certain date, I get that $10,000 as the buyer. That may seem like a lot but an eviction and a few months of house payments can eat through that very fast. If you are buying a more expensive home, I would hold back much more.
I have seen many agreements that can be wishy-washy and not work out for either party. Some will charge a per diem if the seller does not move like $200 a day. It can be confusing when they are officially out, and when the dates officially start and proving when they are out. I have seen some people create a lease with rent charged and a deposit. You have to be very careful with this as many states have laws on how much the deposit can be compared to rent, how a deposit is paid back or kept, and the rights of the tenant after the lease is started. It is usually easier to evict a seller who does not move than a tenant with a lease.
Another crazy situation:
Should you agree to a post-occupancy agreement?
If you are a regular home buyer looking for a place to move into, be very careful agreeing to a post-occupancy agreement. I would make sure you love that house and have no other options. If you do agree, make sure there is a large enough penalty to make it worthwhile to you if the seller does not move. You also need to make sure your insurance is set up correctly, there is an agreement for who pays for utilities and there is recourse if the house is damaged during the extra time the seller lives there. It also helps if you have a YouTube channel where you can post crazy stories if something goes bad.
Conclusion
I am okay doing post-occupancy agreements if everything is set up correctly and that is my only option. But even as an experienced investor, I try to avoid them if at all possible. If you happen to live in a state with long eviction timelines I would be really careful agreeing to any post-occupancy agreement.
Refinancing a rental property can allow you to change the mortgage term, rate or both or take out equity for financial needs.
To refinance your rental property, be sure you’re up on lender requirements, know your equity and are ready to shop around to find the best rate.
Refinancing isn’t just for a primary residency. Owners of secondary residences or other real estate can save money if they can find the right deal. Knowing when to refinance your rental property comes down to factors like your current mortgage interest rate and remaining term years.
7 reasons to refinance a rental property
Whether you need to make your property expenses more manageable or access cash, refinancing your rentals has clear benefits. Some common reasons to consider a rental refinance include:
Lower your interest rate
Who wouldn’t like to pay less interest on their loan each month? If you see rates dropping and have many years left on your mortgage, refinancing can save you thousands of dollars over the long term.
Lower monthly mortgage payments
You can lower your payment by lowering your interest rate or extending the terms of your mortgage or both. This could increase your monthly take-home earnings from the rental property.
Alter the mortgage term
Refinancing allows you to change the length of your mortgage term. By selecting a 15-year mortgage instead of a 30-year one, you’ll save money on interest over the long run.
Eliminate mortgage insurance
If you have a conventional loan and made less than a 20 percent down payment when you bought the property, you’re probably paying private mortgage insurance. Assuming you now have enough equity, you can eliminate this monthly fee by refinancing. Also assuming you have enough equity, you can refinance an FHA loan to a conventional one to get rid of FHA mortgage insurance premiums.
Get cash for home improvements
If you want to make home improvements, add an addition or expand amenities on the rental property to up the rent or lease, a cash-out refinance may be a good way to pay for it.
Consolidate debt
If there is equity in the home, you can use the cash from a refinance to pay down credit cards or other debt with higher interest rates.
Tap into your home equity
By using the equity in a rental home, you could purchase more rentals or upgrade the ones you own. You could also finance other investments or improve your own home.
How to refinance a rental or investment property
If you’ve decided it’s the right move for you, here’s a breakdown of how to refinance a rental property:
Step 1: Check your equity
Knowing how much equity you need to have in the home before you begin the application process could spare you a rejection. (Equity is your ownership stake — the percentage of the home you own outright.) For most conventional and FHA loans, lenders ask that you have at least 20 percent equity in the property. They may want you to have at least 25 percent equity for a rental refinance.
Step 2: Know the requirements
Lenders generally tend to be less lenient with refinancing requirements on investment properties. Some requirements might include:
DTI ratio: For a primary residence, lenders may allow you to have a debt-to-income ratio of up to 50 percent if you have savings and good credit. Because lenders may see an investment property as a riskier loan, you may be capped at about 43 percent.
LTV ratio: The loan-to-value ratio represents how much equity you have in your home. It measures your current loan balance against the current property value. As mentioned above, you may need as much as 25 percent equity in a rental property to refinance it, meaning an LTV ratio no greater than 75 percent.
Limited number of properties: If you’ve got a large portfolio of rental properties, you may not be able to refinance at your local retail bank or get as good of a loan. Instead, you might do better with an investment property-oriented outfit that offers asset-based lending. “At the bank, not only are you going to have the same property requirements, but you’ll also have personal income requirements,” says Jason Haye, VP national sales manager at Velocity Commercial Capital, which specializes in loans for multi-family and small commercial properties. “We’ll look at the property alone.”
Appraisal: Your lender will want proof that your property is worth what you say. You can get a broker price opinion in some cases, but the lender will probably insist on an actual appraiser (it’ll arrange it, but you pay for it).
Tenants: Having tenants is crucial to a rental refinance. “It’s supposed to be an income-based property, and if it’s vacant, it’s generating zero. That’s not good,” says Haye. “It seems basic, but make sure you have a renter in there.”
Step 3: Compare refinance rates and lenders
As with all loans and financial products, it’s a good idea to shop around and talk to a few refinance lenders before you move ahead. By comparing terms, you can determine which offer works best in your situation.
Many lenders who offer lower interest rates have higher origination fees, and vice versa. Be sure to ask about origination fees and other closing costs before you apply and measure that against your interest rate. Getting pre-approved by at least three lenders gives you an idea about your range of choices.
Lenders generally consider rental properties riskier investments than primary residences. As a result, your new rental mortgage rate will probably be higher than what you could get on your main home, says Tom Schneider, VP of product management at Pathway Homes. He explains, “They’re not as great as you might be able to get for your personal property, but there’s not a huge delta.”
The average rental mortgage rate at traditional lenders is usually about 50 basis points higher than that for a primary mortgage, says Schneider. Specialized lenders may charge even higher rates — at least a full percentage point higher — because they cater to a niche market, but they often work fast.
Step 4: Gather your documentation
Refinancing typically requires submitting a lot of documents. Streamlined refinancing is the only exception. Your lender will want to see not only your personal finances and obligations but also reports relating to your rental property’s income. Prepare your documents in advance, including:
Proof of income: You’ll likely need to provide copies of recent paystubs to confirm your employment and income.
Tax returns: The lender will also likely ask for copies of tax returns to verify employment history and income.
Personal details needed for credit check: This includes your consent, full name, address, social security number and date of birth.
Explanatory letters: If you have any gaps in income or a negative mark on your credit history that needs explaining, you might need to provide the lender with a letter.
Homeowners insurance policy: You must show the lender you have enough insurance coverage to protect the home and property it is lending a mortgage to.
Recorded deed: This document shows you have a legal claim to the property.
If your property has been rented in the past, many lenders will allow you to apply 75 percent of the current agreement as part of your income. In other words, if your tenant pays $10,000 annually, you can add $7,500 to your income.
Step 5: Submit your refinance application
If you have your documents ready, you can often submit your application quickly. You may even be able to complete the application online. Most major lenders will need to evaluate and then underwrite your loan in-house, which can take between 30 and 60 days.
Step 6: Close on your new loan
You will need to sign the final documents when the loan is approved.
Should you refinance your rental property?
Before heading to your local lender for a refinance on your rental, take time to consider the benefits and drawbacks of doing so:
Benefits of refinancing a rental property
Cash for updates. A refinance can provide funds for updating or renovating the property, which could justify raising rent on your asset.
It provides an opportunity for new terms. You could change your 30-year mortgage to a 15-year mortgage with a refinance.
You can pay off debt. Using a cash-out refinance could allow you to pay off or down accumulated debts.
Drawbacks of refinancing a rental property
You’ll have to pay some money upfront. Like any other mortgage, you’ll have to cover closing costs and lender fees. Plus, if you need a property survey or appraisal, you might have to pay for those, too.
It may not be as affordable as you think. Be sure to factor in all the costs of refinancing a loan, including a change in interest rates, and make sure it’ll save you money.
You might initially lose equity. If you have been building equity and take a chunk out of it to refinance, your rental property will temporarily lose value as an asset. It will take time to build back up the equity you used.
FAQ about refinancing a rental property
Yes, you can refinance a rental property if you have tenants. In fact, it may be easier to refinance a property with tenants than a property that is sitting empty.
Yes. You can use rental income to help qualify for a refinance as long as you can prove that it’s a stable source of income.
If your mortgage lender doesn’t handle rental property refinancing, it may make sense to consult with a mortgage broker or specialized lender who does to see what options you have. A mortgage broker can shop your information around to various lenders and find you the best deals.
You likely agree that saving money is a good idea. Putting extra cash aside every month can help you reach your financial goals, whether that’s building an emergency fund, going on vacation, or putting a down payment on a car or home.
But wanting to save money and actually doing it are two very different things. It’s easy to get caught up in day-to-day needs (and wants), and never gain any traction on savings. But don’t give up. We’ve got 33 tricks and tips that can make saving simple and pain-free. The best part — you can get started as soon as today.
Saving Money Doesn’t Have to Be Overwhelming
While spending less and saving more admittedly sounds painful, it doesn’t have to be that hard. You don’t have to go to the extremes like never shopping or having fun. Just making a few small changes in your day-to-day spending habits can actually add up to a big difference in how much you save each month.
Getting better with money is like any type of behavior modification — the key to lasting change is to make small, incremental changes that stick.
💡 Quick Tip: Help your money earn more money! Opening a bank account online often gets you higher-than-average rates.
33 Easy Ways to Save Money
What follows are 33 simple money-saving tips you can start working on right now.
1. Tracking Your Spending
One of the best ways to spend less and save more is to take a close look at where your money is currently going. You can track your spending by scanning your checking account and credit card statements over the last few months. But a simpler way is to use a budgeting app that syncs with your accounts and keeps track of what you spend in different categories in real time.
Once you have a big-picture idea of your cash flow, you can make adjustments. Spending a lot more on takeout than you thought? Commit to cooking one or two more nights per week. Is keeping up with fashion killing your budget? You may want to focus on spending less on clothing.
2. Selling Items You Never Use
An simple way to earn some extra cash is to periodically sell gently used items you no longer want or need. You might organize a yard sale or resell your items piecemeal via online marketplaces like OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace, or eBay. If you have extra clothes, shoes, or accessories in good condition, consider listing them on Poshmark or thredUP. Selling your unwanted stuff is essentially getting paid for clearing out clutter.
3. Limiting Time Spent on Social Media
Watching influencers take luxury vacations and promote their favorite products can prompt you to spend more and live beyond your means. In fact, recent research finds that social media can significantly impact your finances — and not in a good way.
Putting a time limit on daily phone scrolling, on the other hand, can automatically lead to less spending and more saving. It also frees up time for activities that can truly enhance your life, like reading, exercising, seeing (real) friends, even taking up side hustle (and earning more money).
4. Setting Goals for Saving
When we do things with focus, intention, and a clear goal in mind, we usually have an easier time making it happen. Instead of saving for the sake of saving, consider setting specific savings goals with target dates and amounts. For instance, maybe you want to save $5,000 for a summer vacation or $2,000 for a new computer.
By setting a target date, you can work backward and figure out exactly how much you need to set aside regularly. For example, if you want a new laptop in eight months, and it will cost you about $2,000, you’ll need to save $250 a month or about $60 a week.
5. Buying Generic Brands
Generic brands typically have the same ingredients and offer comparable quality to name brands but for a fraction of the price. For example, generic drugs usually cost 80% to 85% less than their brand-name counterparts. During your next supermarket or drugstore visit, try to go generic whenever it’s offered. Chances are, the only difference you’ll notice is less money draining out of your checking account.
6. Comparison Shopping
Spending a bit of extra time comparison shopping can help you scoop up the best deals and avoid paying full price. You can do it on your phone while you shop in-store. For online shopping, consider installing a browser extension that helps you find the lowest prices and automatically applies coupons and cash-back options at checkout. Many of these tools will also alert you when the price of an item you intend to purchase drops.
7. Automating Your Savings
Rather than transfer money to your savings account whenever you think of it, consider putting your savings on autopilot. Simply set up a recurring transfer from your checking account to your savings account for the same day each month (perhaps right after you get paid). It’s fine to start small. Even $50 can add up to a sizable sum over time, since the transfer happens every month without fail.
8. Making Monthly Debt Payments
While it’s not directly putting money into your bank account, making on-time, consistent payments on your debt means you’ll pay it off quicker. Once your debt is paid off, the money you are currently spending on principal/interest can go towards savings. In addition to your monthly minimum payments, try to put extra payments towards high-interest debt each month. You’ll whittle those balances down faster and save on interest.
9. Delaying Gratification
If you see something you want to buy but don’t actually need, consider putting off the purchase for at least one week (or ideally 30 days). Tell yourself that if you still want the item and can afford it after the waiting period, you can go ahead and buy it. Chances are good that once that waiting period is over, you’ll no longer have a burning need to purchase the item and simply move on.
10. Meal Planning
If it’s 6pm, you’re tired from a full day of work, and have no food in the house, you’ll probably seek out the path of least resistance — getting takeout or eating out. Your best defense against overspending on food is to sit down every Sunday to scan recipes and come up with a meal plan for the week (including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks). You can then make a shopping list and hit the store.
Recommended: Examining the Price of Eating at Home Versus Eating Out
11. Avoiding the Daily Coffee
While it’s fine to occasionally splurge on a fancy coffee, getting your daily coffee out can add up, especially if you sometimes throw in a tempting pastry at the last minute. Even cutting back your coffee shop visits to just two or three times a week and brewing at home the other days can help you save a lot on coffee.
12. Making Repairs Instead of Buying New
While it is easier to replace items than fix them, the latter approach is better for both your wallet and the environment. Depending on the item, a repair could end up costing significantly less expensive than a replacement. Call around for quotes or ask for help from a tech-savvy or handy friend. Also see if there are “repair cafes” in your community. These are volunteer-run events where you can get items mended or fixed for free.
13. Using Cash Instead of Credit Cards
While credit cards are convenient, they make it all too easy to spend money. When you tap or swipe to make a purchase, you don’t really have a sense that you are giving up physical money. Switching to cash-only, even for just a month or so, can help you become more mindful about your spending. You might even try the envelope system. This involves labeling envelopes for each spending category, dividing your available cash for the month into the envelopes, and then only spending what’s in each envelope.
14. Switch to a New Cell Phone Carrier
When it comes to cell service, you don’t have to stick with the big names. Mobile virtual network operators (such as Mint Mobile, Consumer Cellular or Republic Wireless) typically offer the same quality of service at a much lower price tag. It’s also a good idea to look at your last cell phone bill to see how much data you actually use. You may be able to get a smaller plan to save even more.
15. Doing it Yourself Instead of Hiring Someone
Before you hire someone for a home repair or improvement job, like painting a room, re-caulking your tub or shower, or installing a water filter under your sink, consider whether or not you could do it yourself. Often, the cost of materials and a simple YouTube search will lead to significant savings.
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16. Stacking Coupons
There are two major types of coupons: Store coupons, which are issued by a specific retailer and can only be used at those locations (you can find these in the paper and through a retailer’s app or mailer); and manufacturer’s coupons, which are found on manufacturer’s and coupon sites. By stacking them, you get an even deeper discount. Stacking coupons for an item that is on sale is a triple whammy that can bring you back to pre-inflation prices.
17. Canceling Some Subscriptions
Dropping subscriptions that you hardly use or are redundant is a simple money-saving move with a potentially big payoff, since these debits occur monthly. It’s worth scanning your checking account and credit card statements for recurring charges to see if there are any items you can cut. If you primarily watch one streaming service but pay for four, for example, canceling three can save you significant cash.
18. Using a Refillable Water Bottle
While keeping bottled water (and seltzers or sodas) on hand is convenient, the cost can add up, especially if you have a family. A simple way to spend less at the grocery store each week is to give each person in your household their own reusable water bottle. You can then take bottled drinks off your shopping list. This will not only save money but also reduce plastic waste.
19. Taking Advantage of Free Resources
You might be surprised at how many things you can actually get for free. For example, your library can grant you access to movies, books, activities, and in some cases, passes to state parks and other nearby attractions. You might also join a Buy Nothing group. These are hyper-local virtual communities where neighbors can give and receive essentially anything for free.
20. Canceling Your Gym Membership
If you’re becoming a stranger to your gym, consider canceling your membership. Even if you got a great deal, gyms debit money out of your bank account every month, whether you go or not. You might look for alternative, low-cost ways to get physically fit, such as walking/jogging/biking around your neighborhood, lifting free weights at home, and taking hikes.
21. Saving Change
A nickel here and a quarter there might not seem like much, but if you start dropping all your spare change into a jar every day, you’ll be surprised at how much you’ll accumulate. If you rarely carry or pay in cash, consider collecting digital change. Many money-saving apps automatically round up your purchase to the nearest dollar, then transfer the difference into your savings account.
💡 Quick Tip: Want a simple way to save more everyday? When you turn on Roundups, all of your debit card purchases are automatically rounded up to the next dollar and deposited into your online savings account.
22. Skipping Alcohol at Restaurants
Ordering a cocktail or a glass of wine (or three) when out to dinner can significantly inflate your bill. Consider getting water or a non-alcoholic beverage instead, then perhaps having a glass of wine when you get home. If you must drink, local beer, “house wine” options, and happy hour cocktails are usually the cheapest options.
23. Finding Free Family Entertainment
Taking the family to concerts, movies, and immersive art exhibits can add up quickly. Instead, look for free or low-cost community activities. These offerings typically spike during the summer months and around holidays. To stay abreast of upcoming goings-on, you can sign up for newsletters or follow social media accounts of your local community, recreation centers, and libraries.
24. Doing a No-Spend Challenge
A simple way to save (potentially hundreds) is to do a no-spend month. This involves spending money only on essentials for 30 days. Before you begin, it’s a good idea to set parameters for what you will and won’t spend money on and then commit to the plan. It’s only a month! By the end of the challenge, you may realize there were certain things you didn’t really miss and rethink your approach to spending.
25. Reducing Your Energy Use
You may be able to significantly lower your utility bills with just a few tweaks to your habits and home. Try taking shorter showers, fixing any drippy faucets or constantly running toilets, turning off lights whenever you leave a room, and washing your clothes in cold water. Once you see a difference in your monthly bills, you’ll be encouraged to carry on and find more ways to cut energy use.
26. Adjusting Your Tax Withholdings.
If you typically get a refund after doing your taxes, you’re essentially giving the government an interest-free loan. That’s money that could be working for you by earning interest in a high-yield savings account. Revisit your withholdings and put that extra money into your own bank account.
27. Taking a Staycation Instead of a Vacation
It may sound boring, but you’d be surprised how much a staycation can feel like a fun and luxurious getaway. The key is to take a complete break from your daily routine, change up the scenery, and spend time doing things you truly enjoy. This can provide the respite you’ve been longing for — minus the headaches of travel — and for a fraction of the price.
28. Finding Cheap Ways to Reward Yourself
If you focus too hard on saving and never on fun, you might end up feeling deprived and give up on the whole project. Instead, allow yourself to celebrate small money wins and life events on the cheap. For instance, for every X amount you’ve put away into your emergency fund, you might reward yourself with a fancy coffee, a $5 “spree” at the dollar store, or getting a treat at your favorite ice cream shop.
29. Avoiding Bank Fees
Overdraft fees, ATM fees, and monthly maintenance fees can make your bank account balance move in the wrong direction — down instead of up. To ditch costly overdraft fees, keep regular tabs on your checking account to make sure you have enough to cover your debits and checks. To eliminate other fees, you may want to look for a bank account that doesn’t charge monthly maintenance fees and ATM fees.
30. Haggling
Negotiating prices isn’t just for buying cars or houses. You can haggle for just about any product or service — your cable and cell phone bills, things you buy in stores, and even your rent. The key to success is to come to the negotiation prepared (do all the research you may need in advance), speak with confidence, and start off the conversation with the question, “What flexibility do you have?”
Recommended: 15 Creative Ways to Save Money
31. Saving Your Windfalls
It can be tempting to go hog wild and spend your windfalls. But next time you get a work bonus, cash gift, or tax refund (which you actually want to avoid, see tip #26), consider spending a small percentage of it on something frivolous and fun, then putting the rest into your savings account. This can help you reach your savings goals significantly faster.
Recommended: The Fastest Ways to Get a Tax Refund
32. Timing Your Purchases Right
If you want to buy something that you don’t need right away, it’s worth researching the best times of the year for deals and sales. For example, you can often find great deals on cars in May, October, November and December; clothes are typically cheapest at the end of any season; and the end and the very beginning of the year are generally the best times to buy appliances.
33. Switching to a High-Yield Savings Account
If your extra cash is sitting in a traditional savings account, you’re missing out on a free source of extra cash. A high-yield savings account is a type of savings that you can open at many banks and credit unions. But it differs from a traditional savings account in that it offers an annual percentage yield (APY) that’s 10 to 20 times higher. If, for example, you put $25,000 into a savings account with a 4.60% APY, you’ll earn an extra $177.78 by the end of the year — just for letting the money sit in the bank.
Saving Money with SoFi
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FAQ
Why is saving money important?
Saving money enables you to build an emergency fund that protects you against the unexpected. It also allows you to work towards — and achieve — future goals, such as buying a car or home, sending your kids to college, and being able to one day retire.
How can I find the motivation to save money?
To find the motivation to save money, it helps to set specific goals. Think about the things you want to buy or do in the next year or two and how much these things will cost. You can then determine how much you need to set aside each month to reach your goals. Watching your savings account balance go up can also help keep you motivated.
What are the consequences of not saving money?
When you don’t have a cushion of savings, any bump in the road (such as a car or home repair, trip to the ER, or loss of income) can force you to run up credit card debt. This can lead to a debt spiral that can take months, if not years, to recover from. Not saving also means you won’t make any progress towards your financial goals and simply continue living paycheck to paycheck.
Photo credit: iStock/Chaninan Boongate
SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.60% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a deposit to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate.
SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant.
SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.
SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.
Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.
Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 10/24/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.
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Want to learn how to make money online without paying anything? Here are ways to earn money online for free. Making money online without putting in money up front is doable for many people. Thanks to the growth of online jobs and businesses, you can make extra money or create a full-time job from home….
Want to learn how to make money online without paying anything? Here are ways to earn money online for free.
Making money online without putting in money up front is doable for many people. Thanks to the growth of online jobs and businesses, you can make extra money or create a full-time job from home.
It doesn’t matter if you’re skilled or just getting started – there are ways to make money without paying anything at the beginning. You can use your creativity and skills in things like making content, providing digital services, and selling stuff online to make a steady income.
I personally have made money online in many different ways without paying anything to get started, so I know that this truly does exist.
Best Ways To Make Money Online Without Paying Anything
Here’s a quick summary of my favorite ways to make money without investment:
Best way to make money online freelancing – Proofreading
My favorite way to make money online for free – Blogging
Best way to make money online for passive income – Selling printables
Best way to make money online for those who like numbers – Bookkeeping
Below are the best ways to make money online without paying anything.
1. Blogging
Blogging is exactly what I started years ago, and I didn’t pay any money in the beginning to get started.
If you want to make money with a laptop, then this is what I recommend.
I began Making Sense of Cents in 2011, and it has helped me earn over $5,000,000 since then. I started my blog on a whim to share my own money journey, not even knowing that people could make money from blogs or how to make a successful one.
Now, it’s my full-time job!
Eventually, you will have costs with a blog, just like with most of the businesses listed below, if you want to grow and make more money. But, the expenses are low compared to how much money you may be able to make.
So, what’s a blog? A blog is like this content you’re reading now – it’s writing on a website. You can blog about something you’re passionate about, something you know a lot about, or even something you want to learn more about (people enjoy following firsthand journeys!).
There are many different niches (topics) that you can write about too, such as travel, personal finance, home, lifestyle, family, food, and more.
You can learn how to start a blog with my free How To Start a Blog Course (sign up by clicking here).
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Want to see how I built a $5,000,000 blog?
In this free course, I show you how to create a blog, from the technical side to earning your first income and attracting readers.
2. Printables
Selling printables is a way to make passive income from home without upfront costs.
This is because printables are digital files that you can download and print at home. You only need to make one digital file for each product, and then you can sell it multiple times.
They can be things like grocery shopping lists, invites, thank you cards, digital art, or gift tags.
I have bought many printables myself, and many others do too. Recently, I purchased a printable to help teach my daughter the alphabet. It was a useful tool, and I could easily print it at home.
You can learn more about this at How I Make Money Selling Printables On Etsy.
Do you want to make money selling printables online? This free training will give you great ideas on what you can sell, how to get started, the costs, and how to make sales.
3. Proofreading
If you like finding mistakes in written content and want to start a business without spending a lot of money, then proofreading might be a good choice for you. This can be a part-time job or a full-time career working from home.
Many proofreaders earn around $40,000 a year or even more.
Proofreaders look for errors in articles, ads, books, student papers, emails, transcripts, and more.
To become a proofreader, all you need is a laptop or tablet, an internet connection, and the ability to spot mistakes and errors. So, you probably already have everything you need to get started.
I recommend signing up for a free 76-minute workshop, where you can learn more about becoming a proofreader. You can sign up for the free How To Become a Proofreader workshop here.
Recommended reading: How To Become A Proofreader And Work From Anywhere
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This free 76-minute workshop answers all of the most common questions about how to become a proofreader, and even talks about the 5 signs that proofreading could be a perfect fit for you.
4. Freelance writing
Freelance writing is a great way to make money online without any upfront costs, as you don’t need any expensive equipment to get started.
A freelance writer is someone who writes for different places like websites, blogs, magazines, ads, books, and other things.
I have been a freelance writer for many years now, all from my laptop. I really enjoy being a freelance writer, and I have many friends who do this as well. I started this job because I wanted to make money from home and not spend money trying to figure it out. And, it worked!
This job can earn you more than $50,000 a year. Some of my friends who are freelance writers make over $200,000 a year.
Recommended reading: 14 Places To Find Freelance Writing Jobs
5. Opening an online store
Starting an online store is a way to make money without upfront costs, and sites like Etsy and Shopify make this possible.
On Etsy, you can sell things like handmade or vintage items and craft supplies. This online marketplace is great if you’re creative and want to sell unique, one-of-a-kind products. Shopify, on the other hand, has more flexibility in what you can sell and allows you to build your personal storefront.
There are many different types of things you can sell, such as digital products like ebooks or web design templates, which don’t require inventory and can be sold repeatedly without additional cost. Physical products, on the other hand, can also be sold but keep in mind that you’ll need a plan for shipping, and you may have to spend money in order to have them as inventory to list on your store.
Another idea is dropshipping. This is a business model where you don’t need to keep inventory or ship products yourself. Instead, you work with suppliers who take care of inventory and shipping for you.
Below are some ideas for things you could sell through an online dropshipping store:
Travel items such as portable luggage scales, neck pillows, or travel cubes
Fitness equipment like yoga mats, weights, or resistance bands
Sustainable products such as reusable utensils, bamboo toothbrushes, tote bags, or eco-friendly cleaning supplies
Camping-related items like hammocks, lanterns, cookware sets, and survival kits
Jewelry such as stackable rings, layered bracelets, anklets, and statement earrings
6. Print-on-demand
Similar to the above, print-on-demand (POD) is a business model where you sell your custom designs on products like T-shirts, mugs, and books, but only print them once an order is placed.
It’s a popular way to start an online business with minimal upfront costs because you don’t have to worry about inventory. Your job is to create the designs and set up your online store.
Once a customer buys a product, the order goes straight to your POD supplier who prints and ships it under your brand name.
7. Stock photography
Stock photography is a way to make money online without any cash up front. If you already have a camera or even just a cell phone, you can get started selling stock photographs.
You are simply taking photos, putting them on a stock photo website, and selling them to people and companies.
People buy stock images from websites like Shutterstock, Getty Images, or Adobe Stock for many reasons, such as adding them to their websites, articles, blog posts, advertisements, and social media.
You can sell many types of pictures, including travel, business, people, food, animals, health, fashion, sports, and more.
For example, if I write a blog post about making money with a laptop, I might buy a stock photo of a laptop. Or, if I need a picture related to making money while traveling, I’d find a picture of a vacation to include in my blog post. Stock images can make a blog post more enjoyable to read.
Recommended reading: 18 Ways You Can Get Paid To Take Pictures
8. Affiliate marketing
Affiliate marketing is a way for you to earn money by promoting products or services online, and you don’t need anything special to get started.
With affiliate marketing, if your friend or follower buys a product through a referral link you share, you get paid a commission – it’s as simple as that.
First, pick products you love and are sure others will benefit from. Then, sign up for their affiliate program. Each program gives you an affiliate link. This link tracks who clicks and buys from your recommendation.
Your job is to share your affiliate link with as many interested people as possible. You could write about it on your blog, make videos, or even just share it on social media.
I recommend signing up for Affiliate Marketing Tips For Bloggers – Free eBook to learn more.
9. Playing games and watching videos for money
There are lots of money-making apps that let you earn cash by playing games or watching videos on your phone.
These apps pay you real money because they make money from ads and in-app purchases. To get you to keep playing, they give you a share of their earnings. For watching videos, the sites reward you with points for watching sponsored videos, and these videos can range from ads to short clips.
Now, these won’t make you rich, but it is a way to make money from your phone without upfront costs.
Here’s a quick list of the top video and game apps that pay real cash:
KashKick
Swagbucks
InboxDollars
Recommended reading: 15 Ways To Make Money From Your Phone
10. Market research and focus groups
If you love sharing your opinions, market research and focus groups are great ways for you to earn cash online without paying anything. This kind of work connects you with companies seeking feedback on their products or services. It’s all about understanding what you think as a consumer.
Lots of companies want to hear from people like you and me, and you can share your opinions with them using just a laptop or phone, some free time, and a good internet connection.
When I was paying off my student loans, I took online surveys almost every day. I did them before work, during lunch, or after work. Even though they didn’t make me a lot of money, they were flexible because I could do them whenever I had time. Plus, they were really easy and didn’t require much thinking!
Here are some survey companies I suggest:
American Consumer Opinion
Survey Junkie
Swagbucks
InboxDollars
Branded Surveys
PrizeRebel
User Interviews – This one pays on average around $60 per assignment (much higher than the rest, but it is a little more work for participants as these are usually video calls or on the phone)
Signing up for these survey sites is free, and typically, they pay about $1 to $3 for each survey you finish.
11. Online tutoring
As an online tutor, you get to teach students from the comfort of your home. Your job is to share your knowledge and help in a subject you know well. You don’t have to worry about traveling or a strict schedule; you can choose when to do your online tutoring gig.
You can make between $30 and $60 per hour or more, depending on the subject’s difficulty and your expertise. And you don’t need to spend any money up front, so it’s a way to earn online without extra costs.
As a tutor, you might spend 30 minutes to an hour giving a lesson, answering questions online, or working one-on-one with a student in a video lesson.
12. Virtual assistant job
You can make money from home as a virtual assistant by doing administrative tasks for clients online. You don’t need anything to get started other than a computer or laptop.
Virtual assistants, or VAs, do tasks similar to administrative assistants, but they work from home or anywhere with internet.
Virtual assistants do things like:
Email management – Answering and organizing emails
Calendar management – Scheduling appointments, meetings, and events
Administrative support – Preparing reports, presentations, and documents
Travel arrangements – Booking flights, hotels, and transportation for business trips
Internet research – Doing online research on topics to write about, competitors, products, etc.
Personal tasks – Booking appointments or making dinner reservations
I’ve been a virtual assistant before (it was actually one of my first online jobs, and I liked how I didn’t have to spend money to become a VA), and I also have one who works for me, so I know how useful they can be! Plus, you don’t need anything expensive to get started.
13. Social media influencer
Being a social media influencer is a real way to make money online without any initial cost, and plenty of people have started their social media accounts by spending absolutely $0. In fact, I think most people start as just a hobby!
You can start with just your phone, by taking pictures and sharing your thoughts on social media accounts like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
You can earn money as a social media influencer through sponsored posts, where brands pay you to promote their products or services in your posts. You can also make money through affiliate marketing, where you earn commissions from sales made through your referral links. Plus, you can sell digital products like ebooks or online courses.
I’ve been a social media influencer for years, monetizing my Instagram and Facebook accounts. It’s allowed me to collaborate with brands I love and promote products I already use.
14. Transcriptionist
Becoming a transcriptionist can be a good choice to make money online without upfront costs. This is something that you can learn to do, and transcriptionists usually make around $15 per hour.
As a transcriptionist, you can earn money from home by turning audio files or video files into written documents. Clients can include marketers, authors, filmmakers, academics, speakers, and conferences.
To find transcription jobs, some places to start include:
Rev – Transcribers on Rev earn an average of $245 per month, with top earners making up to $1,495.
CrowdSurf – CrowdSurf pays for short transcription tasks, which are great for those looking for quick, manageable projects.
TranscribeMe – This platform is good for beginners as they give training and only require a reliable internet connection and computer.
Recommended reading: 18 Top Online Transcription Jobs For Beginners
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In this free training, you will learn what transcription is, why it’s a highly in-demand skill, who hires transcriptionists, how to become a transcriptionist, and more.
15. Video gaming livestreams
Yes, you can make money online with no upfront costs by live streaming (such as a video game that you like to play). Eventually, you may want to upgrade to higher-quality equipment, but you can start right away with what you already have – your computer and phone.
Twitch is a website where you can make money by playing video games, talking with viewers in real time through live streams, and more.
As your viewer count grows, you can start making money. Streamers can earn through ways such as:
Subscriptions – Your fans can pay a monthly fee to support you as subscribers.
Donations – Viewers can send you tips if they enjoy your stream.
Advertisements – You can get paid from ads that run on your live stream.
Sponsorships – Companies may pay you to promote their products.
Recommended reading: How Much Do Twitch Streamers Make?
16. YouTube
Starting a YouTube channel is a popular way to make money online without any initial investment. You can record videos from your phone or camera, and you don’t really need anything else to get started in the beginning.
You can start a YouTube channel about many different topics like finance, home, travel, toys, pets, and more. There’s a YouTube channel for almost anything nowadays, and there’s still space for more!
In your YouTube videos, you can include links to products you recommend, earn money from ads that play during your videos, get paid by brands to feature their products, and even sell your own stuff.
17. Freelance graphic design
As a graphic designer, you can earn money online without investing any money up front. You can create designs such as logos, social media graphics, and branding materials for clients.
To start, you will most likely want to create a simple but impactful portfolio to display your work. This is your opportunity to show your abilities to potential clients, so you will want to include your favorite projects and what reflects your design style.
You can also sign up on freelance sites like Fiverr where businesses look for designers like you.
18. Virtual bookkeeping
Bookkeepers manage financial records, track expenses, and generate financial reports; it requires attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
This job typically pays more than $40,000 a year. Plus, many types of businesses require bookkeepers, making it a great career choice with opportunities for growth.
Even better, you can do this job from home using your computer and the internet.
Yes, you don’t need a degree to be a bookkeeper. You can start by learning basic bookkeeping and the software most businesses use.
If you want to become a bookkeeper, there is a free workshop all about finding a virtual bookkeeping job, and you can sign up for free here.
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This free training will teach you what you need to know to become a virtual bookkeeper and make money from home.
19. Write an ebook
Writing an ebook can be a way to make money without needing upfront investment, other than your time and effort. This is something you can do yourself too, such as through the self-publishing route on Amazon.
Ebooks are digital books that you can download and read on devices like tablets, phones, e-readers, or laptops. They’ve become very popular because they’re affordable and easy to access.
I’ve purchased many ebooks myself, ranging from nonfiction to fiction, and many, many other people have as well.
Recommended reading: How this person is making $200 a day in book sales passively.
20. Online travel agent
A travel agent is a professional who helps people plan and book trips, vacations, and other travel arrangements. They give their expertise and support in finding the best deals on transportation, accommodations, and activities, considering their clients’ preferences, budgets, and needs.
Travel agents also give helpful advice on destinations, suggest itineraries, arrange tours and excursions, and handle logistics such as flights, hotels, car rentals, and travel insurance.
There are many different kinds of niches you can sell vacations and trips in, such as luxury travel, cruises, Disney, budget travel, and adventure holidays.
21. Write book reviews
If you enjoy reading and talking about books, you can make money by writing reviews at home. Authors and publishers want to hear your honest opinions because they help other readers choose their next book. Readers also like these reviews, so it benefits everyone involved.
You don’t need anything other than your computer (or even just your cell phone) to write the reviews. Many times, the book is given to you to review, so you don’t even have to pay for that.
This is typically more of a side gig for spare cash and free books.
Here are some websites where you can make money online by writing book reviews:
OnlineBookClub.org – They give free books for your first book review (and no other payment). After your first review, you can earn cash for each review, usually between $5 and $60.
Kirkus Media – They look for reviewers for both English and Spanish books, particularly in the Kirkus indie section. Reviews involve around 350-word summaries due two weeks after receiving the book. They cover all genres, with over 10,000 books reviewed annually.
Upwork – Create a profile as a book reviewer on this freelance platform. You can choose projects that interest you and set your own rates.
The US Review of Books – They hire freelance writers for 250- to 300-word reviews that go beyond summarizing to provide insights into the book. To join, submit a resume, writing samples, and a couple of references.
Reedsy Discovery – Review books before they are published and get paid through tips from readers, ranging from $1 to $5. It’s an exciting way to influence which books become popular.
Learn more at 16 Best Ways To Get Paid To Read Books.
22. Online job opportunities
There are many more ways to make money online that won’t cost you money to get started, and these include:
Finding remote part-time or full-time jobs – If you want a full-time income or are interested in part-time work, popular job search platforms like Indeed can help. They help you find jobs that fit your schedule where you work for someone else as an employee, such as software engineer, developer, human resources manager, IT manager, and more.
Customer service and support jobs – As an at-home customer service rep, you would work for companies, answering customer questions and issues that they may be having.
Data entry and administrative jobs – Data entry jobs are ideal for you if you have a good eye for detail and can work independently.
These are all jobs where you would be working for someone else, but online from home. The company would normally provide you everything you need to get started, such as any software and possibly even the laptop as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about how to make money online without paying anything.
How can I make money online completely for free?
There are many ways to make money online completely for free. You can start a blog, freelance write, bookkeep, write book reviews, sell stock photography, or become a virtual assistant.
How can students earn money online without any investment?
Students can make money online without any investment by answering online surveys, tutoring online, freelance writing, proofreading, blogging, and more. Whether you want to make extra cash or a full-time income, there are many options for students.
How to Make Money Online Without Paying Anything – Summary
I hope you enjoyed this article on how to make money online without paying anything.
Getting started with making money online might feel overwhelming and impossible, but it’s not impossible if you do it right.
The internet has many places where you can show off your skills as a writer, artist, or tutor. You can also sell items online, or even play games and give your opinion in surveys.
What other ways are there to make money online for free without investment?
Unstable borrowing conditions and a lack of affordable properties kept homeownership out of reach for many Americans in 2023. However, as the spring buying season approaches and signs that the market is recovering emerge, buyer sentiment is shifting. According to the National Association of Realtors®, national existing home sales in January 2024 were up year-over-year by 1.3%. Housing supply is also improving, with national inventory up by 3.1% year-over-year and 2% month-over-month.
These positive changes are setting the stage for an active spring market in the US. But as competition increases, so do home prices. The national median price for a single-family home in the US increased by 5.1% year-over-year in January to $379,100. This begs the question: where can prospective homebuyers find the best deals this spring?
To better understand where homebuyers can find pockets of affordability, Zoocasa analyzed home prices in 50 metropolitan statistical areas across the country to determine which are below the national median and where the most growth is happening. Median single-family home prices were sourced from the National Association of REALTORS® and are from Q4 2023, except the national median home price which is from January 2024.
Enjoying our content? Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to get real estate market insights, news, and reports straight to your inbox.
It’s usually said that the further outside of an urban center you go, the more affordable the home price. But of the 33 metropolitan statistical areas with a median home price below the national median, 15 have populations above 2 million, and five have populations above 5 million. The largest urban center with a median home price below the national median is Chicago, IL with a median home price of $343,300 in Q4 of 2023. Despite the city experiencing year-over-year price growth of 6.2%, Chicago’s median home price is still $35,800 below the national median.
Of the 50 markets we analyzed, Cleveland, OH came out on top for affordability. Cleveland’s median home price of $190,700 is an impressive $188,400 below the national median and is one of the few areas on our list where the median home price dropped from last year. Other markets where the median home price fell from last year include Myrtle Beach, SC, Houston, TX, San Antonio, TX, and Memphis, TN. Alabama’s capital, Montgomery, was the only other market on our list besides Cleveland with a median home price below $200,000. Homebuyers here can snag a home for approximately $185,700 below the national median.
It’s worth noting that five out of the six markets that experienced year-over-year price growth of more than 9% have home prices below the national median. These markets include Rochester, NY, Hartford, CT, New Haven, CT, Oklahoma City, OK, and Cincinnati, OH. This means that homebuyers of all price ranges, including those purchasing lower-priced homes, can still expect to build a significant amount of equity.
Markets that have experienced significant year-over-year price growth also present good investment opportunities. For instance, single-family homes in Philadelphia, PA have experienced year-over-year price growth of 7.2% and are still $20,100 below the national median price, making this sought-after city a good option for first-time investors. Kansas City, MO is an emerging market that would make a great first-time investment location. The city garnered a lot of media attention last year thanks to the city’s football team and frequent Taylor Swift visits, resulting in the median home price rising by 5.9% year-over-year. Despite its growing popularity, the median home price in Kansas City remains one of the lowest on our list at $315,800.
Homebuyers with their hearts set on a particular destination, especially one of the largest and most sought-after cities in the US, would benefit from considering smaller markets relatively close to their dream location. While the Big Apple might be out of reach for the average buyer, with a median home price of $659,200, New York’s second and third-largest cities still maintain affordable prices. Buffalo and Rochester have median home prices of $243,500 and $230,500 respectively. This is nearly $150,000 less than the national median, compared to New York City, where the median home price is more than $280,000 above the national median.
Though San Francisco, CA, and Los Angeles, CA have notoriously high home prices, at $1,251,000 and $884,400 respectively, California homebuyers still have affordable options. At just $26,600 above the national median, Fresno’s median home price is one of the more affordable options in California. But for savvy buyers looking for a deal in California, Bakersfield presents the best option with a median home price of $11,800 below the national median.
In Florida, motivated buyers on the hunt for affordable prices will have to look outside of the vibrant Miami market, which has a median home price more than $200,000 above the national median. Tampa’s median home price exceeds the national median by just $30,900, while Daytona Beach and Tallahassee offer more affordable housing, with median prices $16,700 and $57,100 below the national median, respectively.
Planning to enter one of these markets this spring? It’s important to speak with a local realtor who is familiar with your local real estate market. Give us a call today to discuss your home-buying plans.
Do you shop online? If so, then you will want to use Capital One Shopping and read my Capital One Shopping Review. Capital One Shopping is one of the best coupon apps. This is a browser extension that finds coupon codes for you when you shop online. This is one of the best automatic savings…
Do you shop online? If so, then you will want to use Capital One Shopping and read my Capital One Shopping Review.
Capital One Shopping is one of the best coupon apps. This is a browser extension that finds coupon codes for you when you shop online.
This is one of the best automatic savings apps because you don’t have to do anything extra. The Capital One Shopping app does the work for you by running through available coupon codes as you check out, and then it automatically applies the best digital coupons for you and your purchase.
It’s free to use Capital One Shopping, and it is a browser extension that works with all major browsers.
You simply just shop as you normally do, and the Capital One Shopping app works in the background. I have it installed on my laptop; it works great and I am always able to find the best deals with no extra time spent on my end.
You can sign up for Capital One Shopping here.
Key Takeaways
Capital One Shopping has coupon finding, price comparison, and gives you rewards across a wide network of online retailers.
The tool is easily accessible as a browser extension or through the Capital One Shopping mobile app.
Rewards earned through the platform can be redeemed for gift cards at many popular stores.
Capital One Shopping Review
Below is my Capital One Shopping Review.
What is Capital One Shopping? How does Capital One Shopping work?
Capital One Shopping is your go-to tool for smart and easy online shopping.
Formally known as Wikibuy, this tool is a browser extension and a mobile app. You can add it to browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Microsoft Edge, and Apple Safari. For when you’re shopping from your phone, the Capital One Shopping app is available for iOS and Android devices, so that you can make sure you’re saving money no matter where you are.
Here’s how it fits into your shopping routine: as you shop online, the extension automatically looks for lower prices and applicable coupon codes. If you’re thinking about buying a particular item, Capital One Shopping will let you know if it finds the same item at a better price elsewhere.
Capital One Shopping is even more rewarding too because you earn points for your purchases. These points can be redeemed for gift cards at many different retailers. So, you save money and get rewarded – it’s a win-win!
Capital One Shopping is designed to be easy for everyone, whether you’re good with technology or not. All you have to do is install it, shop, and you’ll save money. It’s that easy!
How do you download Capital One Shopping?
To start saving money with Capital One Shopping, you just need to download the browser extension or mobile app.
For your desktop, visit the Capital One Shopping website and click on the option to add the extension to your browser. If you’re on a smartphone, download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store by searching “Capital One Shopping.”
You can download Capital One Shopping here.
7 Ways To Save Money With Capital One Shopping
Capital One Shopping has several different tools to make sure that you save the most money when shopping online. These tools include:
1. Automatically apply coupon codes
While shopping online, Capital One Shopping’s browser extension can automatically apply coupon codes at checkout.
This means you don’t have to look around the internet for coupons, as the tool seamlessly searches for and applies the best available codes for your purchases.
This is my favorite thing about Capital One Shopping. I love that I don’t have to look on a bunch of websites to find coupon codes. Instead, the Capital One Shopping browser extension does everything for me and helps me save money. This way, I don’t forget to enter coupon codes either, as it automatically does it for me!
According to my Capital One Shopping dashboard, this tool has saved me $1,047.26 since I started using it over 32 shopping transactions!
2. Earn rewards points
As you shop with participating retailers, you can earn rewards points in your Capital One Shopping account.
You can then redeem these points for gift cards at different stores, giving you sort of like cash back on purchases you would be making anyway.
You simply just go to the Rewards & Savings tab when you are logged in on Capital One Shopping to see how much money you have available in shopping rewards. You can then exchange this for a gift card to places such as Adidas, American Eagle, Hotels.com, Kohl’s, Chewy, and so much more.
I recently redeemed my points for a $50 gift card to T.J.Maxx – couldn’t have been easier, as you don’t have to do anything extra.
3. Price comparison tool
Capital One Shopping’s price comparison tool helps shoppers find lower prices across different online stores.
Before you buy an item, this feature shows you where it may be available for less, sometimes including the costs of tax and shipping to give you a good idea of how much money you can save overall.
I really like this feature as sometimes the price can vary by a lot between different stores and even on Amazon. In fact, I was recently looking at furniture online, and the price difference from one store and another was nearly $500.
4. Price Protection
Note: This part of the program just ended. Here’s what they have said: “What happened to Price Protection? Capital One Shopping is no longer offering our Active Savings Monitoring/Price Protection product. We have updated our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy to reflect this change. We will still be offering many other opportunities for you to save with Capital One Shopping via our browser extension and emails.”
If you purchase an item and the price drops shortly after, Capital One Shopping tracks and alerts you to the price drops. It can help you request a refund for the difference without needing to monitor prices after you’ve made your purchase manually.
This is a nice feature, as it can save you a lot of money. I know I can’t be the only one who gets a little annoyed when I notice that something has dropped a lot in price right after I buy it. This feature can help you keep track of price drops so that you can maybe try to ask for a refund for the difference in price of an item.
For example, if you buy something for $50, but then the next week it drops to $25, you may be able to ask the online store for a refund of $25.
5. Capital One Shopping watchlist
Another great feature that Capital One Shopping offers is a watchlist.
You can add items to your Capital One Shopping watchlist and receive notifications if prices drop. It helps you be smart about when to buy things. When there’s a sale, it lets you know right away, so you can get the best deals.
To keep an eye on specific products, add them to your watchlist. When you view an item online that you’re interested in, click the Capital One Shopping icon or button to add it. You’ll get notifications, such as email alerts, if there’s a price drop or if a coupon code becomes available for that item.
6. Universal product search engine
This feature acts as a centralized search engine, comparing prices of a product across many different online stores. You can find where your desired item is selling for the least amount of money with minimum effort.
For example – if you are interested in a blender, you can simply just go straight to Capital One Shopping’s website and type in “blender” in their search bar.
It will then list out all of the deals and prices on blenders that the tool knows about. This way, you can just search for the best price on a blender on one site, instead of having to go to multiple sites to find the best deal.
7. Capital One Shopping hotels and travel
When planning travel, Capital One Shopping helps you find the lowest rates on hotels. Just like with products, it compares prices across a number of travel sites to help make sure that you’re getting a good deal on your accommodations.
You can find this feature when you are logged in on their website and heading to the Hotels tab. Then, just enter the location of where you want to travel to, the dates, and the amount of people you are traveling with.
How To Earn Gift Cards With Capital One Shopping
Capital One Shopping has a unique way for you to earn rewards that you can convert to gift cards. By using this service, your regular shopping activities can lead to even more easy savings.
With Capital One Shopping, earning gift cards is tied to the use of shopping credits. When you shop online with Capital One Shopping tools, you can earn shopping credits (also known as points or rewards) on your purchases.
Here’s how you can earn points with Capital One Shopping:
Automatic coupons – As you shop, the free browser extension automatically finds and applies coupons, which earns you shopping rewards.
Price comparison – If you buy a recommended deal, you can earn shopping credits.
Price drop alerts – When items you’ve looked at drop in price, purchasing them can also reward you with credits.
Redeeming points for gift cards
Redeeming your Capital One Shopping credits for gift cards is pretty easy. Once you’ve earned enough credits, you can exchange them for gift cards at places like Macy’s, Nike, Gap, DoorDash, T.J.Maxx, Lowe’s, and more.
To get a free gift card with Capital One Shopping:
Check your balance – You can see how many points you have on the Capital One Shopping app under the Rewards & Savings tab.
Choose your gift card – Select from the list of available gift cards within the Capital One Shopping portal.
Confirm your redemption – Follow the prompts to exchange your credits for the gift card that you want.
I honestly didn’t even know that this was a feature of Capital One Shopping until recently. I was mainly just using this site for the promo code search feature (because it is soooo nice and easy to use!) for my online purchases. One day, I logged in and realized that I had enough points for a free gift card. It’s like a nice little bonus!
Capital One Shopping Alternatives
When you’re looking for the best deals online, you have several options other than Capital One Shopping. Each alternative has unique features that might fit your shopping habits differently.
Below, you can see how Capital One Shopping stacks up against other popular sites – Honey, Rakuten, and Fetch.
Capital One Shopping vs Honey
Capital One Shopping and Honey (also known as PayPal Honey) are very similar.
Honey also has a web browser extension that automatically finds and applies coupon codes at checkout. Honey does not compare prices between different online stores, which is the main difference between the two apps.
You can sign up for PayPal Honey here.
Recommended reading: PayPal Honey Review
Capital One Shopping vs Rakuten
Rakuten, formerly known as Ebates, is a popular cash back and shopping rewards program. It differs from Capital One Shopping mainly in its cash back model. Rakuten gives you a percentage of cash back on your purchases, depending on the store. Your earnings with Rakuten are distributed quarterly, whereas Capital One Shopping provides reward points that can be redeemed for gift cards.
All you do is click on a store that you want to shop through (they have tons of stores such as Walmart, Target, Old Navy, etc.) and shop just like how you normally would shop online.
When you sign up for Rakuten through my referral link, you can get a free $10 cash sign-up bonus.
Capital One Shopping vs Fetch
Fetch Rewards is a phone app that rewards you for grocery shopping (yes, just the normal grocery shopping that you do all the time!). With Fetch, you earn points by uploading shopping receipts, which can be exchanged for gift cards.
Capital One Shopping is more versatile since it works across different online retailers and automatically applies savings at checkout, not just on groceries.
But, Fetch is great for in-person shopping. If you’re looking for the best money-saving app for groceries, I’ve been using Fetch Rewards the last few months, and it is so easy to save on groceries and other daily purchases! All you have to do is take a picture of your receipt with your cell phone, and you can easily earn points. I scan any and all receipts into my Fetch Rewards app and can easily earn rewards. You can sign up for Fetch Rewards here.
Recommended reading: Fetch Rewards Review (Is This App Legit?)
Capital One Shopping pros and cons
Knowing the pros and cons about the different sites can help you pick the right one. Capital One Shopping is great for finding coupon codes that actually work, comparing prices, and earning rewards that turn into gift cards. But maybe you like Rakuten for simple cash back, Honey for instant coupons, or Fetch for rewards on groceries.
Think about what matters most to you – getting discounts right away, having rewards, or sticking to a specific loyalty program. This way, you can choose the shopping rewards that suit you best.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about Capital One Shopping.
Is Capital One Shopping safe and legit?
Yes, Capital One Shopping is both safe and legitimate. It’s a browser extension and app provided by a reputable financial services company (Capital One), endorsed by many different trusted websites, and has great user reviews. I personally have Capital One Shopping downloaded on my laptop and it has saved me a ton of money.
Is there a fee for Capital One Shopping? Do I have to pay with Capital One for Capital One Shopping?
Capital One Shopping is free to use, with no hidden fees. You don’t need to have a Capital One account or pay with a Capital One credit card to use this service. It’s a completely separate and free service.
How long does it take to get cash back from Capital One Shopping?
The time it takes to receive cash back from Capital One Shopping can vary. Once you’ve earned enough rewards, processing for cash back typically takes a few days to a few weeks.
How does Capital One Shopping make money?
I get it – this app has a ton of really nice features that can save you a lot of money. So, what’s the catch? The Capital One Shopping extension earns money through affiliate marketing. When you buy something through the extension, the store pays Capital One Shopping a commission.
Which is better for saving money: Capital One Shopping or Honey?
It’s hard to definitively say which is better, Capital One Shopping or Honey, as both offer similar features. Your choice might depend on which platform provides better deals or rewards for the stores you shop at.
Do I need a Capital One account to use Capital One Shopping?
No, a Capital One account isn’t necessary to use the Capital One Shopping browser extension. The service is available to anyone looking to save money online.
Is there a downside to Capital One Shopping?
Some users have noted limited cash-out options and shared concerns about privacy due to the data Capital One Shopping collects for personalized deals and offers.
Capital One Shopping Review – Summary
I hope you enjoyed my Capital One Shopping Review.
So, is Capital One Shopping worth it?
Capital One Shopping is one of the best money saving apps because it automatically applies coupon c odes when you’re shopping online at both popular retailers and smaller local ones. That means you don’t have to search for coupon codes, which can save you time and money.
Capital One Shopping can be a great tool for you if you love shopping online and want to save money. Here’s what you might like about it:
Automatic coupons – As you shop, the tool searches for and applies coupons to your purchases.
Reward credits – You earn them as you shop and can swap them for free gift cards.
Price comparison – You can see if another retailer has a better price on the items you want.
Price drop alerts – You get notifications if something you watch gets cheaper.
The tool is free and works as a browser extension or a mobile app. Your shopping becomes more efficient because you don’t have to look for deals or compare prices manually – Capital One Shopping does it for you.
So, is it worth it for you to use Capital One Shopping?
For me, the answer is yes – Capital One Shopping is definitely worth it. I have had Capital One Shopping downloaded on my laptop for a couple of years now, and this browser extension makes it so easy to save money when shopping online.
You can sign up for Capital One Shopping for free here.
What is your favorite money-saving browser extension?
Ahem, Presidents’ Day is amongst us, and so are your favorite clothing, beauty, and lifestyle brands’ major sales. But perhaps the most popular category would be the Presidents’ Day furniture and decor sales—and I’ve gathered up all the best deals worth shopping for this year. I’m talking up to 75% off (!!) mattresses, couches, bed frames, chairs, rugs, wall decor, throw pillows, and more.
Because I love you (and I love shopping, because, ya know, it’s what I do for a living), I’ve put together a handy list of all the best Presidents’ Day furniture and decor sales worthy of your hard-earned coin. IDK about you, but this would be the perfect time to do that home revamp you’ve been planning for 2024!
The Best Presidents’ Day Furniture and Decor Sales 2024
Take up to 40% off all rugs and carpets from February 15 to February 25.
Save on hundreds of furniture, home decor, appliances, and more for a limited time.
Arhaus Aimee Dining Arm Chair
Now 33% Off
Credit: Arhaus
Arhaus Merritt Cabinet
Now 39% Off
Credit: Arhaus
Arhaus Malone Round Plinth End Table
Now 31% Off
Credit: Arhaus
Arhaus Astin Arc Lamp
Credit: Arhaus
Enjoy discounts on select items, including Arhaus favorites across several categories from now to February 19.
Take up to 30% off select items from now to February 19.
Take 20% off sitewide from now to February 19.
Brooklinen Down Comforter
Credit: Brooklinen
Brooklinen Luxe Hardcore Sheet Bundle
Credit: Brooklinen
Marlow Marlow Pillow
Credit: Brooklinen
Brooklinen Super-Plush Robe
Credit: Brooklinen
Take 20% off sitewide from February 13 to February 20.
Burrow Arch Nomad Sofa Sectional
Now 20% Off
Credit: Burrow
Burrow Pica Chair
Now 20% Off
Credit: Burrow
Burrow Carta Credenza
Now 22% Off
Credit: Burrow
Burrow Chorus Bed with Wood Headboard
Now 17% Off
Credit: Burrow
Take up to 75% off sitewide as well as 25% off seating from now to February 25.
Take $100 off orders of $1,500, $200 off $2,500, and $450 off $4,500 from now to February 25.
Take up to 70% off bedding, sheets, rugs, and home décor from February 15 to February 20.
Take 20% sitewide from now to February 19.
Take up to 20% Off Sactionals and StealthTech, 20% off Sacs, and 30% Off Sac Bundles from February 21 to February 25.
Take 20% off sitewide from February 16 to February 20.
Take up to 25% off sitewide from February 13 to February 19.
Rugs USA Stone Keyara Spill Proof Washable Area Rug
Credit: Rugs USA
Rugs USA Beige Native Collage Area Rug
Credit: Rugs USA
Beige Bettie Retro Checkered Shag Area Rug
Credit: Rugs USA
Rugs USA Light Pink Ava Vintage Persian Washable Area Rug
Credit: Rugs USA
Take an extra 20% off everything (excludes custom rugs, custom rug pads, and samples) with code USA for a limited time only.
Take 10% off sitewide and up to 60% off final sale from February 18 to February 22.
Take up to 40% off select items for a limited time only.
Take up to 30% off sitewide and free ground shipping on orders over $50 from February 16 to February 19.
Instagram to get some BTS of the editor life and chaotic NYC content. Also, feel free to hit her up if you ever wanna discuss the madness that is TikTok.
Looking for the best jobs for single moms? Being a single mom can be hard because you have to manage both your job and taking care of your kids. There are not many hours in a day, so it’s probably important to you to find a job that pays you a good income and lets…
Looking for the best jobs for single moms?
Being a single mom can be hard because you have to manage both your job and taking care of your kids. There are not many hours in a day, so it’s probably important to you to find a job that pays you a good income and lets you take care of your children.
The good news is that nowadays, there are many stay at home jobs for moms. This means you don’t have to follow a strict 9-to-5 schedule, making it easier to balance work and family. There are also many in-person jobs that allow you to have a better schedule to match your children’s schedule (such as when they are in school!).
Whatever you may be looking for, there are many flexible jobs for single moms. Continue reading below to learn more!
Best Jobs for Single Moms
Below is a quick summary of some of the best jobs for single moms.
Bookkeeper – You can organize the finances for businesses and have flexible working hours. With quick training, entry-level bookkeeping jobs might start at around $20 per hour, but with experience, you could earn a lot more.
Blogger – Bloggers get to work from home and make their own schedule, which is great for anyone, including single moms.
Teacher – Teaching probably aligns well with your child’s school schedule. Whether full-time, substitute, or part-time, teaching can be a good choice.
Virtual Assistant – This job involves helping businesses with tasks online, and you can typically make your own schedule.
Childcare provider – If you enjoy taking care of children, providing childcare for others while watching your own can, at the same time, be a way to earn money.
Below, you can learn about each of these, as well as many more of the best jobs for single moms.
1. Blogger
Blogging is one of the best jobs for single moms, and this is because you can work from home, make your own flexible schedule, and be your own boss; these are all reasons why I think it’s one of the best jobs for single moms who stay at home.
Plus, to start, you don’t need a lot of stuff – just a computer and internet.
I do this myself while taking care of my daughter, Marlowe. Blogging lets me travel whenever I want, make my own work schedule, earn good money, write about topics I like, and I really enjoy having a blogging business.
I started Making Sense of Cents in 2011, and since then, I’ve earned over $5,000,000 with my blog. When I began, I didn’t know it would become one of the best jobs for stay-at-home moms. Now, blogging lets me have a flexible schedule and spend lots of time with my daughter. It’s been a great way to balance work and family for me.
You can learn how to start a blog with my free How To Start a Blog Course (sign up by clicking here).
In this free course, you will learn:
Why you should start a blog today
How to decide what you should write about
How to create a blog (this will go over the actual step-by-step process)
How to make income from your blog
How to get people to read your blog
And more!
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Want to see how I built a $5,000,000 blog?
In this free course, I show you how to create a blog, from the technical side to earning your first income and attracting readers.
2. Day care (and bring your kid)
Finding a job that lets you bring your child along can save you childcare costs and watching other people’s kids is one way to do it.
You could start your own day care or find a job at a day care.
If you want to start a home day care, then you will want to check your state’s rules for home day cares, such as if you need a license. You’ll also need a safe space for children, as well as toys and games.
You could also try to find a job at a day care in your local area. Many day care centers allow you to bring your child, or they will give you a discounted rate to have your child attend the day care as well while you work.
Another option is to become a nanny or babysitter for a family that allows you to have your child there as well.
Starting a day care, working in one, or becoming a nanny/babysitter can be a win-win. You earn money and don’t worry about finding someone to watch your kid. Plus, your child gets to play and learn with other children.
Recommended reading: How to Make Money on Maternity Leave: 27 Real Ways
3. Sell printables
Selling printables is a great work-from-home business idea for single moms. This is because you can do this while your kids are sleeping or at school and earn passive income too!
Printables are digital files that people buy, download, and print themselves. These can include planners, calendars, wall art, grocery shopping checklists, weekly meal plans that someone puts on their fridge, and educational worksheets for kids.
You can sell your printables on websites like Etsy. This is a way to make money from home because you only need to make one digital file for each product, and you can sell it many times. You don’t have to print or send anything to your customers. You make the digital file; your customer buys it, downloads it, and takes care of the rest.
I recommend reading about this further at How I Make Money Selling Printables On Etsy to learn more about one of the best jobs for stay-at-home moms.
Do you want to make money selling printables online? This free training will give you great ideas on what you can sell, how to get started, the costs, and how to make sales.
4. Virtual assistant
As a single mom, you may be looking for a job that fits into your schedule. Working as a virtual assistant (VA) could be your answer, as you get to work from home and choose hours that work for you.
I’ve worked as a virtual assistant before, and I also have virtual assistants who help me with my business. Many parents have told me that a virtual assistant job is one of the best jobs for stay-at-home moms because it’s very flexible, and I agree!
A VA is someone who works from home as an assistant for someone else. Nowadays, many businesses can be operated from home, so it makes sense that an assistant can also work from home.
A virtual assistant can do tasks like managing social media accounts, formatting and editing content, scheduling appointments, handling travel plans, managing emails, and overseeing Facebook groups, among other things.
You can learn more at How Kayla Earns $10,000 Each Month From Home as a Virtual Assistant.
5. Freelance writer
If you’re a single mom looking for a job you can do from home, freelance writing might be a good fit for you. It’s a job where you write articles, blog posts, and sometimes even books for money. You don’t have to work in an office; you can write from anywhere, even your own kitchen table.
I have been a freelance writer for years, and it can be a great career choice for someone who wants to work from home.
When you’re just starting as a freelance writer, you might begin by writing articles that pay around $50 each or even more. However, the amount of money you can earn can vary a lot. You may be able to earn around $50,000 a year, and I know several freelance writers who are moms who make over $200,000 per year.
Many people are searching for freelance writers, and this job has a lot of opportunities for growth. It could be a great career to begin with.
Learn more at 14 Places To Find Freelance Writing Jobs – (Start With No Experience!).
6. Book author
If you love telling stories or sharing your knowledge, writing books could be an ideal job for you as a single mom. You get to create your own schedule and work from anywhere, even your home. Writing can be done at times that fit your schedule best, such as when your kids are at school or asleep.
For publishing your book, there are two options:
Traditional Publishing – You submit your manuscript to publishers. If a publisher likes your work, they will print, distribute, and market your book for you. In return, you’ll earn royalties from sales.
Self-Publishing – Platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing allow you to publish your book yourself. You control every aspect and get a higher percentage of the sales, but you also handle marketing and distribution.
The amount of money that you can make as a book author can vary by a lot. As a first-time author, getting published can be challenging, and earning substantial income takes time. If you self-publish and your book becomes popular, you could make a significant amount. But, this isn’t guaranteed.
Recommended reading: How Alyssa is making $200 a DAY in book sales passively
7. Graphic designer
Graphic design is a creative job that involves making artwork and visual designs. You might create designs for websites (like logos), advertisements, or printed materials like brochures and magazines.
Your work helps companies communicate with their customers through eye-catching and effective visuals.
This can be a great job for single mothers, as you may be able to find a work-from-home job as a graphic designer, or even start your own business where you can make your own flexible schedule.
Recommended reading: How To Make Money As A Digital Designer
8. Social media manager
Becoming a social media manager can be a great fit for single moms looking for remote work jobs.
Social media managers are in charge of social media accounts for businesses or people. Their job is to post on social media, reply to comments, and keep everyone interested.
This can include TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, X (formally known as Twitter), and more.
I have been a social media manager for companies, and it’s a great job that allows you to have a flexible schedule. That means you can work when it suits you – such as when the kids are at school or asleep.
9. Real estate agent
If you’re a single mom looking to balance work and family, becoming a real estate agent might be a great fit. As a real estate agent, you help people buy and sell homes.
To be a real estate agent, you just need a high school diploma and a license.
In 2021, the average pay for this job was $23.45 per hour, which is about $48,770 per year. But, there are many real estate agents who earn much more than this.
10. Proofreader
Proofreaders read documents and check for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors, and they make sure everything is perfect before it gets printed or published online. They review books, articles, blog posts, social media content, newsletters, advertisements, and more.
If you want flexible work hours, proofreading is a good choice. Depending on your experience and the job’s complexity, you can earn between $20 and $50 per hour and more.
As a single mom, this job lets you balance work with looking after your kids. You can usually set your own schedule and work from home, which can make life a little easier.
You can read more at How To Become A Proofreader And Work From Anywhere.
There is also a FREE 76-minute workshop where you will learn more about how to become a proofreader with Proofread Anywhere. You can sign up for free here.
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This free 76-minute workshop answers all of the most common questions about how to become a proofreader, and even talks about the 5 signs that proofreading could be a perfect fit for you.
11. Bookkeeper
If you’re a single mom, becoming a bookkeeper might be a good option for you. Bookkeepers manage money records for businesses by keeping track of all the money that comes in and goes out.
If you work as an online bookkeeper, you could make about $40,000 or more per year. Typically, this involves managing finances for around 12 to 16 clients.
Being an online bookkeeper is great because you don’t need to be an accountant or have any prior experience. Also, virtual bookkeeping is a service that many people are looking for, so there’s a demand for it.
Recommended reading: Online Bookkeeping Jobs: Learn How To Get Started Today
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This free training will teach you what you need to know to become a virtual bookkeeper and make money from home.
12. Transcriptionist
As a transcriptionist, your job is to listen to audio or video files and type out what you hear into text. This is a task that you can do from home, making it a good option if you’re a single mom looking for flexible work.
One of the biggest benefits of this job is flexibility. You can usually choose when and how much you want to work (such as when your kids are sleeping or when they are at school). This can make balancing work and family much easier.
You need to be able to type quickly and accurately and attention to detail is important because you need to catch every single word.
Recommended reading: 18 Best Online Transcription Jobs For Beginners To Make $2,000 Monthly
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In this free training, you will learn what transcription is, why it’s a highly in-demand skill, who hires transcriptionists, how to become a transcriptionist, and more.
13. Customer service representative
Customer service representatives help people by answering questions and solving problems on the phone or online, which means they can sometimes work from home.
On average, customer service representatives earn around $35,868 a year as an average salary. This will change depending on where you work and how much experience you have.
Some large companies like Apple, Progressive, U.S. Bank, American Express, and U-Haul hire customer service representatives who can work from home. This means you can do the job from the comfort of your own house.
14. Data entry clerk
Data entry clerks enter information into databases or spreadsheets. They type things like numbers and names into computers to keep everything organized and make sure records are correct.
Jobs in data entry usually pay about $15 to $20 per hour.
Recommended reading: 15 Places To Find Data Entry Jobs From Home
15. Dog walker or pet sitter
If you’re a single mom looking for a job that fits around your schedule, you may want to look into becoming a dog walker or pet sitter. This type of job lets you choose when you work, which is great for making sure you have time for your kids.
As a dog walker, you walk dogs for people who are busy or away from home. You might take them around the neighborhood or to a park. If you’re a pet sitter, you take care of pets while their owners are out of town or at work.
The money you make can vary. Some jobs might pay you each day, like $15 to $25 an hour or a flat rate per day like $75. How much you make could depend on how many pets you care for and how long you spend with them.
Rover is a great company that you can sign up with in order to become a dog walker and pet sitter.
16. BabyQuip
If you’re a mom looking for a flexible side hustle, BabyQuip might be worth looking into. It’s a service where you can rent out baby gear like strollers and car seats to traveling parents – starting is simple: apply online, and BabyQuip will guide you through the process.
As a mom after all, you probably already have a lot of baby gear that you can rent out to make money with.
With BabyQuip, you make money by renting out items you already own or plan to invest in for rentals. Because parents travel, the demand for clean and safe baby gear is always there.
People using BabyQuip can make about $1,000 a month on average, and some even earn more than $10,000 each month.
On BabyQuip, you can rent items like cribs, strollers, car seats, high chairs, toys, bouncers, books, hiking packs, and many other things.
17. Teacher
As a single mom, teaching can be a great career for you. As a teacher, you typically work while your children are in school as well, after all.
Most teaching jobs follow a traditional school year calendar. This means you usually have summers off, along with school holidays, which can help you spend time with your kids.
18. Doula
If you’re a single mom looking for a job, you may want to become a doula. A doula supports women during childbirth, but your work can also extend to helping moms after the baby is born.
They are there to give comfort, encouragement, and knowledge during the pregnancy journey, labor, and the postpartum period.
19. Tutor
If you’re looking for part-time jobs for single moms, then tutoring may be an option to look into.
If you’re a single mom who knows a lot about a specific subject like math, science, or a language, becoming an online tutor could be a smart choice. You can schedule sessions around your life and help students learn. You pick when you work, which is perfect when you have kids at home. You might teach early mornings, afternoons, or even nights.
You will need a quiet place to work, a computer, and a good internet connection.
Income as a tutor ranges, and you may be able to earn $20+ an hour. And, if you specialize in something more advanced, like SAT prep or college courses, you could make more, even up to $50 per hour or more.
20. Photographer
As a single mom, becoming a photographer can be a rewarding job choice for you. With a camera and some practice, you can start taking photos that people will enjoy.
To begin, you need a decent camera. Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be the most expensive one. You also need to learn about lighting and how to frame a good picture. There are lots of free tutorials online, such as on YouTube, if you want to learn more.
One of the best parts about photography is that you can make your own schedule. You decide when to book photo shoots, which can be great for balancing time with your kids. It’s possible to do photo shoots on weekends or during special events like weddings.
You can earn money by selling your photos online or by working with clients directly. Graduations, weddings, family portraits, and even pet photos can be great opportunities. Pricing varies depending on the job, but as you gain experience, you can charge more for your work.
As you grow, you can invest in better equipment and editing software to enhance the quality of your photos. This helps you stand out and can lead to more jobs and higher pay.
I know many moms who are successful photographers, and they love having a photography business.
Recommended reading: 18 Ways You Can Get Paid To Take Pictures
21. Instacart shopper
If you’re a single mom looking for a job that fits around your schedule, becoming an Instacart shopper might be a good choice. Instacart is a service that lets people order groceries online, and shoppers like you do the shopping and deliver the orders to their homes.
When you’re an Instacart shopper, you can set your own hours. This means you can work when it’s best for you, like when your kids are at school or sleeping. As a shopper, you get a payment card from Instacart to buy the groceries at the store.
Shoppers usually earn about $11 to $20 per hour. It’s important to remember that as an independent contractor, you will have extra costs like gas and vehicle maintenance that you need to think about when figuring out your earnings.
You can learn more at Instacart Shopper Review: How much do Instacart Shoppers earn?
22. Paralegal
As a single mom, you might find the role of a paralegal interesting. It’s a job where you work in a law firm or legal department, helping lawyers by preparing legal documents and doing research.
Your typical work hours are most likely Monday to Friday, fitting well with a school-week schedule.
Paralegals earn around $30,000 to $35,000 a year.
23. Dental assistant
As a single mom, if you’re looking for a job that lets you help people and have regular hours, you might like being a dental assistant. In this job, you work in a dentist’s office and help the dentist with patients.
Your tasks could include getting the tools ready, making sure patients are comfortable, and teaching them how to care for their teeth.
Your week would be busy, but you usually wouldn’t have to work nights or weekends. This is great because it matches up with your kids’ school schedule.
24. Travel agent
As a single mom, you may find that being a travel agent is a job that fits well with your life. It’s a job where you get to plan and book trips for others. You could work from home or an office.
Travel agents plan vacations, business trips, and getaways for clients and they find the best deals on flights, hotels, and fun activities.
The money you earn can vary because some agents get paid hourly and others get a commission, which is a part of the trip cost.
25. Nurse
As a single mom, you might worry about balancing work with taking care of your kids. As a nurse, there are jobs that can fit your life.
Some examples include:
School nurse – You can work the same hours your kids are in school. You’ll care for sick children, keep track of health records, and help with health checks.
Doctor’s office nurse – Working here can be less stressful. Usually, the hours are regular, Monday to Friday, so you can be home with your kids in the evenings and on weekends.
Home health care nurse – You’ll visit patients in their homes, which can give you a flexible schedule.
Public health clinics – These places look after the community’s health. Hours can be more regular, meaning you won’t have to do lots of night shifts.
Nurse educator – If you love teaching, this lets you work in a classroom instead of a hospital. You’ll have a steady schedule, perfect for family time.
26. Speech pathologist
A speech pathologist helps people with speech and language issues. You would work to improve their communication skills, which can be very rewarding.
You need a master’s degree in speech-language pathology and certifications vary by state.
Your work may take place in schools, hospitals, or private clinics. Some speech pathologists work from home providing virtual sessions.
27. Sleep consultant
Sleep is really important for the growth and well-being of babies, and it’s important for parents too. But sometimes, parents find it hard to make sure their child gets the sleep they need.
Pediatric sleep consultants are very helpful in solving children’s sleep problems, making it easier for families to have peaceful nights. If you really enjoy working with kids and want to make a positive difference in their lives, becoming a sleep coach could be a great career option.
I have personally learned from sleep consultants in the past, and I know many others who have hired a sleep consultant as well. These are typically moms who have firsthand experience with improving a baby’s sleep.
Learn more at How To Become A Sleep Consultant And Make $10,000 Each Month.
28. Run a dog treat bakery
If you enjoy cooking, starting a home bakery could be a way to make money from home. It allows you to use your cooking skills to create dog treats and earn some income.
You can make dog treats, cupcakes, cookies, cakes, and more.
Starting a dog treat bakery business could potentially help you earn an extra $500 to $1,000 a month or even more. It’s a niche small business idea that taps into the love people have for their pets.
I also recommend reading How I Earned Up to $4,000 Per Month Baking Dog Treats (With Zero Baking Experience!).
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about how to find jobs for single moms.
What should a single mom do to handle financial stress?
I get it – as a single mom, you may have a lot of financial stress. It is hard to be a single mom and manage everything all on your own after all. To manage financial stress, I recommend trying to find jobs that pay well but also have flexible hours or work hours that match up with your children’s school schedule. Jobs that allow you to work remotely can also help lower your childcare expenses as you can work from home.
How to work as a single mom without help or childcare?
If you don’t have help or childcare, then you may want to work during hours when your kids are at school or asleep. This may include looking for jobs or employers who understand your situation and have flexible schedules or the ability to work from home.
What are the best work from home jobs for single moms?
I think one of the best ways for a single mom to make money is to work from home. This is because you may be able to make your own schedule, and you may be able to find a job that allows you to take care of your kids at the same time.
The best work-from-home jobs include jobs like virtual assistants, freelance writers, and bloggers.
What are jobs for single moms without a degree?
Jobs for single moms without a degree include administrative support, customer service positions, and sales roles as these jobs usually give on-the-job training.
How can a single mom go back to college and what degrees are best?
You can go back to college by looking for online degree programs, or classes when your children are at school, that fit your schedule. Popular degrees that balance well with being a single mom could be in fields like education, business, or healthcare, which have the potential for career growth.
Best Jobs for Single Moms – Summary
I hope you enjoyed this article on how to find the best jobs for single moms.
Whether you are looking for full-time or part-time jobs for single moms, there are many options that may fit what you need.
As you probably noticed above, jobs for single moms vary and include different types of work. Some jobs are creative, like writing or graphic design, while others are more regular, such as customer service or bookkeeping.
If you enjoy telling stories and writing, you could be a blogger or a freelance writer. If you’re good with organizing and numbers, you might like being a virtual assistant or a bookkeeper.
If you prefer doing your own thing, you could start a home day care or sell printables online.
As you can see, this is a long list of the best jobs for single mothers! There are many different job ideas that you could try that have a good work-life balance.
What do you think are the best jobs for single parents?
When it comes to purchasing furniture, you want good pieces that’ll last for years. The issue is, good furniture can be expensive unless you find a deal or two. Seasonal sales are usually a great way to find what you need at budget-friendly prices. Whether you’ve just purchased your first adult space and you’re looking to decor or you’re just looking to spruce up an old spot, these retailers have got you covered with holiday and end-of-year discounts. Right now, you can pick up everything from dressers and couches to home storage baskets and everything in between while stocks last.
Ashley Furniture
Ashley Furniture has everything you need for your home, and right now, the retailer is offering an extra 15% off during its end-of-year sale. Featured products are all “clear out” items that are already on sale and are going fast. This Charlang dresser is available for $45 off its original retail price.
Wayfair/CNET
Wayfair is closing out 2023 on a high with up to 60% off its catalog. Right now, you can get 54% off this Bridget hall tree with open storage from Sand & Stable. It typically retails for close to $500 but can be yours for just $217. It comes in five colors, including black, midnight cherry and Fairfax oak.
Carraway
Target is offering up to 30% off select furniture, including this Carraway glassware and wine storage bar cabinet. This would be the perfect addition to any space, especially if you’re a wine lover. Or you could even gift this to someone special on your Christmas gift list.
Home Depot
Home Depot has all your home essentials at already affordable prices. But right now, the retailer is kicking things up a notch by taking up to 25% off its home storage solutions. That includes this shoe storage cabinet, available for $15 off. It has three drawers and can fit up to 30 pairs of shoes. Another perfect gift option for someone in your life.
Welcome to CNET Coupons, the first stop before you shop, featuring a multitude of deals and discounts from top online retailers. Simply head over to our coupon page and type in your favorite store or brands to find all the deals available for the week.
Looking for the best coupon sites? Coupon sites can help you save money, get free gift cards, and even allow you to get free stuff. Everyone likes getting a good deal. Using coupons is a great way to save money on things you buy every day. Now, with online shopping becoming more popular, there are…
Looking for the best coupon sites?
Coupon sites can help you save money, get free gift cards, and even allow you to get free stuff.
Everyone likes getting a good deal. Using coupons is a great way to save money on things you buy every day. Now, with online shopping becoming more popular, there are websites that give you a lot of good deals. These sites not only have discounts and codes to save money but also share useful tips to help you save even more.
Key Takeaways
Coupon sites are an easy way to save while shopping online.
The best coupon sites have a variety of money-saving options including cash back, promo codes, and even price checking.
My favorite for cash back is Rakuten.
My favorite promo code browser extension is Capital One Shopping.
My favorite for saving money on gas is Upside.
Recommended reading: Is Couponing Worth It?
15 Best Coupon Sites To Save Money Every Day
Below are the top coupon sites that I recommend trying out.
1. Rakuten
Rakuten (formerly known as Ebates) is a popular cash back site that gives you cash back on a wide range of items that you can buy online, and you can earn free money for spending how you normally would online.
I have been using Rakuten for years and it is so easy to use, plus it’s free! In fact, I just received my most recent Rakuten payment yesterday for $60.
You simply choose a store where you want to buy things, like Walmart, Target, Sephora, Chewy, or Old Navy on the Rakuten website. (You will start at Rakuten’s homepage, their app, or via their browser extension). Then, you click on the store through Rakuten’s platform, and you shop online there just like you usually do.
The cash back is activated automatically, and it will be added to your account without any extra work needed from you.
Rakuten earns a commission for directing you to the store where you shopped, and they share some of that money with you as a reward. This helps you save money and adds a little extra to your pocket.
Please click here to sign up for Rakuten for free.
2. Capital One Shopping
Capital One Shopping automatically applies coupon codes for many different online stores. Using Capital One Shopping is free, and it’s a browser extension that works with all the main web browsers.
I personally have this browser extension installed on my laptop, and it’s been a no-brainer.
Capital One Shopping is a great promo code site because it automatically adds coupon codes while you shop online. This saves you time and money since you don’t have to search for coupon codes yourself.
This is one of the best automatic savings sites because you don’t need to do anything extra. The Capital One Shopping browser extension does all of the work for you. It checks different coupon codes when you’re checking out and automatically uses the best coupon codes for your purchase.
It’s free to use Capital One Shopping, and it is a browser extension that works with all major browsers.
You shop as you normally do, and the Capital One Shopping app works quietly in the background. I have it on my laptop, and it’s amazing. It helps me find the best deals without any extra effort on my part.
You can sign up for Capital One Shopping here.
3. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is a rewards site where you can get cash back when shopping online and find coupons and promo codes to use.
Some sites listed on Swagbucks where you can get cash back or use promo codes include Kohl’s, Macy’s, Walmart, Amazon, and more.
I personally have been a member of Swagbucks for around 10 years now, and I have earned over 110 free gift cards by using their rewards platform. So, I definitely believe in this site!
Plus, there are also many other ways you can earn points on Swagbucks such as watching videos on their website, scanning your receipts, answering polls, and even searching the web using their search engine.
Here’s how Swagbucks works:
You join Swagbucks through my referral link, and receive a $10 bonus.
Earn points by using their coupon codes or cash back links.
Then, you can redeem your points for PayPal cash or gift cards (such as to Amazon or Walmart).
And, that’s it! It’s very easy.
4. Upside
Upside gives cash back on gas that you buy for your car at gas stations, giving you even more ways to save on your everyday expenses.
Upside helps you find gas stations where you can get cash back on your purchases. Just sign up for a free account, and then use the Upside app to find nearby gas stations.
You can get up to $0.25 cash back per gallon at gas stations, which can add up quickly for doing something that you already have to do (filling up your gas tank).
Plus, there are more than 50,000 locations nationwide, such as Shell, Phillips 66, BP, Casey’s, and more.
You can check out Upside here to learn more.
5. Fetch Rewards
Fetch Rewards isn’t exactly a coupon site, but you do get to earn points for your normal everyday shopping. I use it each time I go grocery shopping!
With Fetch Rewards, you get points by taking pictures of your receipts and submitting them through the Fetch Rewards app. This works for receipts from any store, whether it’s a grocery store, clothing store, restaurant, gas station, and more.
Afterward, you can exchange the points you’ve earned for gift cards.
Here’s how Fetch Rewards works:
Shop like you normally would.
Scan your receipt with your cell phone after you’re done shopping.
Earn points on Fetch Rewards automatically.
You can sign up for Fetch Rewards here.
6. RetailMeNot
RetailMeNot is a site that has coupons, promo codes, and cash back offers.
They have a deal finder extension which automatically applies coupon codes as well as gives you cash back up to 10% when you shop online.
Popular stores available through RetailMeNot include Amazon, Target, Ulta, Lowe’s, Zales, American Eagle, and more. There are over 30,000 stores available on this site, so I’m sure you’ll find some easy savings by using this platform.
7. Honey
Honey (also known as PayPal Honey) is a browser extension that finds coupon codes for you when you shop online.
You simply just install the Honey browser extension, and then it automatically finds and applies available coupon codes and promo codes to your shopping cart so that you can save money. It works with over 30,000 stores, such as restaurants, clothing stores, travel booking, and more.
You can then redeem your points for cash, gift cards, or PayPal shopping credits.
You can learn more about Honey by clicking here.
8. Groupon
Groupon has deals on experiences, products, and services in your local area, and you can find discounts on dining, entertainment, travel, and more, all designed to help you save while supporting local businesses.
You’ve probably heard of Groupon before, but perhaps you haven’t used it in a while. Yes, it is still around and my sister actually uses Groupon all the time! I haven’t used it in forever, but I plan on changing that – I simply just forgot about how great this platform is.
You can use Groupon to get deals where you live, such as for restaurants or spas near you. Or, you can also use them when you’re on vacation to get deals on activities (such as tours), admissions to museums, discounted restaurant meals, and more.
For example, here are some deals on Groupon that I found:
A massage for $46.75 (full price is $75)
A meal at a restaurant for $21.38 (full price is normally $35)
Admission to an aquarium for $14.96 (normal price is $24.99)
Here’s how Groupon works: You simply browse on the Groupon site for a deal you’re interested in. You then buy it directly on Groupon. Then, to use it, you simply go to the business and present your Groupon to get your deal (make sure to follow any terms too).
Please click here to find Groupon deals near you.
9. Ibotta
Ibotta is an app that gives you cash back on your grocery purchases (as well as many other stores). You can check out offers, upload your receipt, and receive cash back credited to your account.
You can get cash back at places such as Home Depot, Best Buy, Walmart, Sam’s Club, and your local grocery stores.
You can earn cash back both online and in-store with Ibotta, making it unique compared to other companies. Additionally, you can link your preferred loyalty cards to your Ibotta account, and Ibotta will automatically use loyalty discounts for you.
Please click here to sign up for Ibotta.
10. Coupons.com
Coupons.com has both printable and digital coupons for groceries, household items, baby items, pet care, and personal care products. So, whether you are looking to use coupons for your online shopping or if you want to use them in person at the store, this is a great site to start using.
Plus, it is free!
Coupons.com is used by over 2,000,000 people each year, and they share over 2,000 working coupons each month.
For their free printable coupons, you simply can browse on their site for the coupons that you want to use, print them out, and bring them to the store with you.
11. SlickDeals
SlickDeals is a deal-sharing community where users post and vote on the best deals they find online, with categories ranging from tech to clothing. This is also what sets SlickDeals apart from other coupon sites – the deals are found and shared by people like you and me.
They share coupons, promo codes, and discounts available for you to use.
Over 12,000,000 shoppers use SlickDeals each month, and they have saved over $10 BILLION since the site was started.
12. Amazon Coupons
Amazon Coupons are discounts and deals on products sold on Amazon’s website.
They are super simple to use too!
When you’re shopping for something on Amazon, sometimes it will show you a coupon next to the price. You simply “clip” the coupon before adding the item to your cart, and the discount will be applied at checkout.
I see these all the time and recently used one to save $2.25 on a train set for my daughter. All I had to do was click on the green coupon button next to the price when on the sales page for the train set on Amazon. It couldn’t be any easier!
Another way to use coupons on Amazon is to go to the Amazon Coupons homepage, and see what coupons are available to you.
Some coupons that I see on Amazon Coupons right now include $15 off a pair of walking shoes, 50% off a toaster, and more. There are a ton of coupons available in many different categories such as health, grocery, beauty, electronics, home, toys, and more.
13. Hip2Save
Hip2Save is a blog-style coupon site that shares the latest deals, coupons, and money-saving tips.
This site shares coupons and deals information on many different stores such as Amazon, Aldi, Walmart, Target, Walgreens, and more.
In my opinion, this is one of the best coupon websites, because they help you in so many areas related to saving money and finding the best deals on stuff.
What I love about Hip2Save is that this site shares where you can find the best deals (such as for specific toys or gaming systems) as well as the best deals at a specific store (such as Aldi Weekly Finds Under $10). It’s nice to see what items are currently at a low price and where to buy them.
So, instead of just sharing coupon codes, this platform shares so much more so that you can save the most money and not miss out.
14. The Krazy Coupon Lady
The Krazy Coupon Lady has deal alerts, coupon matchups, discount codes, and money-saving tips for popular stores. They share up-to-date information on the best deals and teach you how to become a smarter shopper.
Some of the stores that you can find deals for include Amazon, Target, CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens, Barnes & Noble, Kroger, and more.
This is a great all-around website that will help you to save more money.
15. Brad’s Deals
Brad’s Deals is a site that shares deals, coupons, and even has shopping guides. Over 5,500,000 people use Brad’s Deals each month, and over $200,000,000 is typically saved each year by their readers.
When Brad’s Deals comes across a good deal, they share it as a blog post so that people don’t miss out. For example, they may share a quick blog post on how you can get luggage for cheap or a good deal on leather gloves that they recently came across.
These deals are all handpicked personally by their team, so you know that these deals are real and not a waste of time.
What Makes A Good Coupon Site?
So, after reading about all of the different top coupon sites above, what actually makes a good coupon site?
As you read above, there are many different coupon sites, so where should you start?
Different things work for different people, so here are some things to look for when choosing a coupon site:
Wide range of coupons – It’s easiest when a coupon site has coupons for many different stores so that you can use just one coupon platform.
Up-to-date coupons that aren’t expired – A good coupon site should regularly update its coupon database to make sure that you always have access to the latest deals and discounts.
Easy to use – The easier to use, the better. I really like browser extensions because they are set-it-and-forget-it; they will automatically apply coupon codes for you. Other things to think about related to this include if the site is available on your cell phone, such as for Android devices or iOS.
Reliability – One thing I dislike about some coupon sites is that they give you coupon codes that don’t work. So, it’s a waste of time. Some coupon sites are much better than others and give you real coupon codes (such as the sites above).
You may also want to think about if you are looking for a site that has mainly online retailers or if you are looking to find deals on in-store purchases as well.
The Different Kinds Of Coupons
Another area to think about is the different kinds of coupons and discounts that you may come across.
Manufacturer’s coupons
Manufacturer’s coupons come from the product manufacturer, giving you a discount on their item at any store selling it. These coupons usually last longer and can be found in newspapers, magazines, or online. You can also combine them with store coupons for more savings. Examples include coupons from companies like Procter & Gamble, General Mills, Tide, and Colgate.
Store coupon
Store coupons are meant for a specific store, like Target or Walmart, and can only be used there. You can find store coupons in weekly flyers or on the store’s website, and they are usually designed to get customers to shop at their particular store. For example, you may see a store coupon where a grocery store is giving $5 off any purchase over $100.
Cash back
Cash back offers give you back a part of your purchase as savings. So, you may get 5% back on a purchase at an online clothing store for simply shopping on a cash back rewards site. Unlike coupons, you need to join a cash back website or app, such as Rakuten, Swagbucks, or Ibotta. What’s great about cash back sites is that you can also combine them with other coupons or discounts so that you can save even more money. For example, you can use coupon codes and a cash back website on the same exact purchase.
Coupon code
Coupon codes are combinations of letters and numbers used online to get discounts during checkout (for example, a coupon code could be BLACKFRIDAY123). They are usually tied to a particular product or retailer and can sometimes be used alongside other promotions. You can discover coupon codes on coupon websites, retailer sites, or in promotional emails. Coupon codes are a quick and convenient way to save money on your online purchases, making them a valuable tool for smart shoppers.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Best Coupon Sites
Below are common questions about coupons and how to find the best coupon sites.
What is the best website to get coupons?
My favorite sites to get coupons and discounts include Rakuten, Capital One Shopping, and Upside.
Where do extreme couponers get their coupons?
Extreme couponers get their coupons from many different places, such as newspaper inserts, store sale flyers, online coupon websites like SmartSource, and even by searching on a company’s social media or their website. By using these different sources, extreme couponers can find the most coupons available to them and even build up stockpiles of items at a much lower cost than the retail price.
Recommended reading: 8 Ways To Be An Extreme Cheapskate
Where can I find the best printable coupons?
Websites such as Coupons.com, SmartSource, and RetailMeNot have a lot of different printable coupons for use in stores. To find the best printable coupons, you will want to visit these printable coupon websites and search for the products or brands that you want to buy. Of course, always make sure to check the expiration dates and any specific terms and conditions before printing.
What browser extensions can I use to find coupons?
My favorite coupon code browser extension is Capital One Shopping. This type of tool automatically searches for and applies the best coupon codes to your purchase during the checkout process (and then chooses the highest dollar discount), which makes it easy to save money without spending time manually searching for deals and coupon codes (which can be quite annoying and time consuming). Coupon code browser extensions are available to download on different browsers such as Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and more.
Best Free Coupon Websites – Summary
I hope you enjoyed this article on how to find the best coupon sites.
Just like online stores have changed how we shop, coupon websites have also made saving money different. We don’t need to cut out paper coupons anymore (but, you definitely can if you want to as there are printable coupon sites listed above as well!).
Now, we can find lots of online coupons and digital discounts with just a few clicks.
The best coupon sites give us different ways to save money, like getting cash back or using promo codes. They have options for almost every kind of shopper.
Do you use any of these top free coupon sites? Why or why not?