Grandma probably doesn’t want another scented candle, but she could very well use a ride to the store. Your underemployed nephew would likely prefer a little help filling the pantry instead of a jokey T-shirt. And the sister who’s staying home with her kids may not be able to afford any extras just now. Instead of dropping $40 on a sweater, why not put that money toward a membership to the local museum?
You’ve still got a few weeks to think about Christmas gifts. Make this the year when you pick presents that actually help.
Giving gifts that help
I’ve put together a list of items that save the recipient money or fill a specific need. Prices range from as little as $5 to upwards of $50 or more — and some of the suggestions will cost you little except time.
Warehouse club membership
If you’ve got $40 or $50 to spend, why not make it possible to buy in bulk all year long? Note that this gift isn’t suitable for folks who don’t buy much at a time or who have limited storage space — unless you offer to split some big buys with them. Frugal hack: If you’ve got a membership already then make up a gift certificate that says, “I will take you shopping once a month for 12 months.”
Greeting cards
Some of us dinosaurs still like to send snail-mail birthday, get-well or “thinking of you” cards. You can get decent ones two for a buck at some dollar stores. I got an even better deal on Hallmark assortments at Walgreens: 10 cards to a box, two boxes for $5, or a quarter apiece. Ideally, you’ll spring for at least a 10-pack of stamps along with this gift. Frugal hack: Shop thrift stores and rummage or yard sales — a lot of really nice card sets end up deeply discounted in both places.
Annual pass
A season’s membership to a local zoo, museum or theater company may cost less than you think. You’re not only giving someone a year’s worth of entertainment, you’re investing in community organizations. Frugal hacks: Social commerce sites like Groupon or Buy With Me sometimes offer annual passes; sign up for a few of these services right away and see what pops up in the next few weeks. Be sure to buy the social commerce vouchers through a cash-back site for a 6% rebate.
Pet supplies
People who have recently lost their jobs or who are living on fixed incomes could be hard-pressed to provide for Fluffy or Fido. Find out what kind of kibble the animal eats and drop off a jumbo sack of the stuff, or one of those huge buckets of kitty litter. Possible frugal hacks: Watch for loss leaders at places like Petco and PetSmart, and pay with a discounted gift card.
Yard work
Aging or chronically ill relatives might not be up to mowing, weeding, shoveling snow or cleaning out the gutters. Give a homemade gift certificate good for a certain number of hours of work each season.
Supermarket or drugstore gift card
Your giftee can shop the best sales or treat himself to an item that’s normally out of his price range. Since some supermarkets sell gasoline, that card might come in real handy during a particularly tight week — you can’t get paid if you can’t get to work, right? Frugal hacks: Some drugstores give free gift cards if you fill or transfer a prescription. Some rewards programs and rewards credit cards offer them. Discounted gift cards for merchants like Shell, Exxon, Walgreens, Jewel-Osco, Safeway and Albertsons are often available for about 3% off; see above link for how to buy them.
The Entertainment Book
It’s got discounts for food, movies, cultural attractions, sporting goods and all kinds of services. Frugal hack: Buy it through a cash-back site and you’ll get a rebate of up to 35% plus free shipping.
Transit pass
For those of us who don’t own cars, the prospect of a month’s worth of public transit sounds mighty fine. Or how about paying for a year’s membership in a car-sharing service? Frugal hack: If you’ve got a car, make your gift “I will take you to do one errand a week (with advance notice) for the next year.”
Community-supported agriculture
If money is no object, buy that special someone a CSA share. He’ll eat fresh produce from late spring until early fall, and you’ll be helping a local farmer stay in business. Go to this U.S. Department of Agriculture site and scroll down to “Find a CSA farm.”
Prepaid calling card
Not everyone has unlimited minutes on his cell phone, or a cell phone at all for that matter. The card lets the recipient talk with relatives and friends without worrying about the phone bill. Frugal hack: If you’ve got unlimited minutes on your cell, arrange to let your relative or friend use it once or twice a month.
Socks and underwear
Yes, you are turning into your mother. But these are the kinds of things we all need to replace. So if you know the person well enough to know his or her needs (and size!), then watch the clearance tables or use a price-comparison website to find the best deals. If this is a family with young kids, buy a size or two up.
Green ’em up
Make your gift a bunch of compact fluorescents, faucet aerators and low-flower showerheads to reduce the giftee’s utility bills. Offer installation if necessary. If you’ve got money to burn consider installing a water-saving toilet, too. Frugal hacks: Pay with a discounted gift card from Lowe’s or Home Depot, or buy through a cash-back site, specifying “local pickup” (i.e., order online but go get it yourself) if free delivery isn’t offered.
Car care
Buy a case of motor oil and filters and offer to do the changing if they’re unable and you’re handy. Or spring for a set of replacement wiper blades, some new floor mats and a gallon or two of windshield washer fluid. Frugal hack: Watch auto-supply store ads for sales and rebates.
Medicine cabinet
Buy that special someone any or all of the following: a year’s worth of vitamins and supplements; cold or allergy medicines, nighttime cough syrup, lip balm, throat lozenges and those tissues with the lotion in them; analgesics, antibacterial ointment, bandages and the like. Frugal hack: Many of these items can be obtained cheaply or free after rebate.
All right, dear readers, it’s your turn: What suggestions do you have for gifts that help?
My mom has a sixth sense when it comes to bargain hunting. Where I’m thrilled to get 25 percent off and free shipping, she’s finding deals of 70 percent off and getting inside scoop from the salespeople, who probably have her on speed dial should a ginormous everything-must-go-or-we-torch-it clearance sale come along.
Okay, so I’m exaggerating, but not by much. The point, however, is that the key to finding bargains is timing—off-season, end-of-season, new models bringing down prices on the old models. There’s a pattern and a perfect time to buy just about anything.
When possible, plan your purchases by using the following list to score the best deals and to keep more of your money in your high interest savings account:
House and Home
Real estate—March through August are active months for buying and selling, so a buyer looking for a deal will have better luck negotiating on an offer in autumn and winter.
Flooring—Carpet and flooring goes on sale near the end of the year due to slow sales, though discounts are possible throughout the year from independent retailers.
Furniture—January and July, when stores need to make room for new inventory.
Gas grill—Like air conditioners, the best time to buy is during winter months, when demand for outdoor grills is low.
Cookware—April and May (think graduation and wedding prime time) and October and November (holidays approaching).
Linens—January “white sales” and the end of each season (i.e. as spring approaches, winter-colored linens will go on sale). It’s common to see linens (in all colors, not just white!) on sale for up to 60 percent off retail.
Mattress—New mattresses arrive in stores in May, when you’ll find a good deal on the previous year’s models.
Vacuum cleaner—June, when new models hit the floors, and end of winter.
Hardware—Big sales occur around Father’s Day and between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Home appliances—New models arrive in September and October, when you’ll find good deals on last year’s models. Holiday weekends—Fourth of July, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Presidents Day—also are good bets for deals. If you’re willing to buy an appliance with a ding or a scratch, you can save hundreds.
Air conditioner—Winter months, when demand is low.
Flora
Flowers—Tulips are less expensive in February, peonies in May. Flowers are at their best when in season.
Shrubs, trees, etc.—Autumn is a good time to buy bulbs (store them according to directions on the packaging) and trees and shrubs (nurseries are trying to clear out inventory).
Recreation
Outdoor (general)—Swings, beach and pool toys, swimming gear, and other outdoor items go on sale in August, when retailers are trying to make room for fall and winter items.
Outdoor gear (bicycles, for example)—February and March, when new models replace last year’s models.
Boat—Boat shows, held from January through March, generally offer the best prices.
Gym membership—Membership sales soar in January as everyone resolves to lose weight, but lag in spring and summer. You’ll find lower fees and waived enrollment fees to lure you to their treadmills.
Movie tickets—Matinees are an established way to spend less at the theater (as is smuggling in your own M&Ms, not that I’d condone such behavior or ever do so myself…). A.M. Cinema (AMC Theaters) sells discounted tickets before noon from Friday to Sunday and on holidays.
Broadway tickets—Find bargains hours before the show, or try the well-known TKTS booth in Times Square.
Electronics
Blu-ray player—Black Friday sales and after-Christmas sales offer some of the best deals.
TV—Sales can be found throughout the year. Times to note include Black Friday, between Thanksgiving and Christmas, right after New Year’s Day, before the Super Bowl, and in May and June. New models hit stores in August and September, when you’ll find sales on new models and discounts on the previous year models.
Cell phone—New customers get the best deals. For new phones, wait six months if you can. Search online for coupon codes, as well.
Digital camera—The Consumer Electronics Show and Photo Marketing Association convention mean new models will arrive in stores. Shop in January and February for deals on last year’s models.
Computer—Back-to-school season yields a few sales, but the best deals can be found when a technology is outdated and retailers want to get rid of the older models. Look for a few extras (free shipping, bundled accessories, etc.) around the holidays.
Tip: In general, you’ll find a good deal when an electronic item is outdated. Wait until after technology shows like MacWorld and the International Consumer Electronics Show to see if your iWhatever will be discounted to make way for the next big thing.
Auto
New car—New models roll into the lot in fall, so shop in September for last year’s model. Shop on a weekday at the end of the month to get the undivided attention of a salesperson trying to make their monthly quota.
Used car—Dealers increase their inventory in April to start the spring selling season. You’ll find a good selection and willing negotiators.
Recreational vehicle—Dealers sometimes offer specials in winter, but generally buying an RV works like buying a car (see new cars).
Gasoline—Fuel up on a weekday, early in the morning if gas prices are rising or in the evening if gas prices are going down (prices are usually changed between 10 a.m. and noon).
Oil change—Look for early bird specials in your area.
Tires and auto parts—During April (National Car Care Month) and October (Fall Car Care Month), you are likely to find buy-three-get-one-free deals on tires, free oil changes, and other checkups.
Car wash—Early birds (before 8 or 9 a.m.) can often find deals at full-service car washes.
Travel
Airline tickets—For domestic nonholiday travel, look for the lowest fares 21 days from your departure. Fares are updated at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 8 p.m. on weekdays, and airlines file one update on Saturday and Sunday. Lowest fares are filed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and occasionally on Saturdays. Wednesday is generally the cheapest day to fly and Sunday the most expensive. (Exception: the Wednesday before Thanksgiving—the busiest travel day of the year.) For holiday travel, start looking in September to get a good price. Fares can change quickly, and much depends on the carrier and the market.
Travel (general)—The off-season or shoulder-season for your destination will offer the most savings on lodging, recreation, transportation, etc.
Food
Groceries (supermarket)—On Sunday evenings, you’ll save money through store sales (typically run Wednesday through Thursday), and by shopping in the evening, you can save even more on items that must be sold by day’s end. If you clip coupons from the Sunday newspaper, you’ll enjoy additional savings.
Coupons—While coupons are available throughout the year, the most coupons appear in the Sunday paper during November and December. The best deals on turkeys can be found two weeks before Thanksgiving to Christmas. In spring, you’ll find coupons on seasonal produce, ham, and frozen food (apparently March is National Frozen Food Month—who knew?). Summer coupons offer discounts on grilling items and ice cream. Autumn brings coupons on soup and other canned items.
Groceries (farmers market)—Vendors often lower prices near closing to avoid having to pack up perishables and take them back to the farm.
Champagne—With steep competition to be your New Year’s Eve bubbly, Champagne houses drop prices during the holidays.
Clothing and Accessories
Clothing (general)—Got your heart set on something in particular? Shop on a Thursday evening six to eight weeks after the item arrived in the store. By Thursday, the weekend sales have started and the selection will still be good. Season-end clearance sales also offer up savings.
Baby clothes—Shop during your pregnancy for end-of-season clearance items. If it’s springtime and you are due in winter, look for winter closeout sales now for infant clothing.
Jewelry—Avoid the holidays, when you are most likely to pay full price.
Weddings
Wedding (general)—The off-season can mean big discounts. If you live in a cooler climate, you’ll find savings during the winter months. Hotter climates mean likely deals in summer months.
Wedding dresses—After Thanksgiving and before Christmas. Boutiques are stocked with gowns for Christmas engagements, but it’s a slow sales period.
Other
Toys—October and November offer good bargains as retailers gear up for the holiday season.
Wrapping paper—January, of course!
I might not ever be as good as my mom at bargain hunting, but knowing when to shop might make me almost as good. If you’re one to make resolutions every new year, resolve to save money and correcting your small errors by including a check on your free credit report to make a huge difference in your purchases in 2010 by timing your purchases.
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The ripple effect of a financial mindset can be seen in every aspect of your life.
Think about it: If you are not mindful of how you spend and save money, then you will be in a constant struggle each and every month.
If you are simply someone who is struggling to make ends meet, there are many things we can do to save money. If you are trying desperately to reach financial freedom sooner, then you need these best money hacks to make it happen sooner.
Around here at Money Bliss, we spend a lot of time on our money mindset and setting goals.
Everyone is in a different season with their finances.
But, one thing is true… Most of us never learned proper money management.
Do you find yourself in a constant cycle of financial struggle? Do you feel like you are constantly trying to live up to unrealistic standards?
It is easy for people to feel that they are constantly broke, and in some cases this is true. But, it is also important to remember that there are ways in which you can make more money and start saving for your future.
Since changing money habits does not always come easy and often requires some serious changes in our mindset, we are here to support you to find the top money hacks.
Read on as we share 50+ ways you can start saving more money as well as making more money while also saving your sanity!
What are Money Hacks?
Money hacks are the ways in which people stretch their money.
These money hacks can come from a variety of sources, such as personal experience, family members or friends, and other individuals on social media.
Money hacks can come in many forms such as:
Simple money saving hacks
Ways to make money on the side
Strategies to make every dollar count
Thrifty ideas to be more frugal
Ideas to be more conscious of our waste
All in all, money hacks will help you to spend less money. Thus, saving more money.
As you will learn at Money Bliss, saving money opens up doors of opportunities
Best Money Hacks
Money hacks are ways to build long-term wealth.
Even though most of the hacks for money include quick saving wins, over the long term, you will actually start a snowball effect of more money in your bank account.
Sometimes, it can be difficult to find the motivation to save money, but these 7 best real money hacks will help you reset your financial mindset and start saving!
The best money hacks are the overarching big picture concepts that you must master for long-term success.
1. Think Big
Open up your mind.
One way to reset your financial mindset is by opening yourself up to new ways of thinking about spending and saving.
Too often, we are focused on what is directly in front of us instead of thinking about the big picture.
A great way to think big with your finances is to decide how you want to live life with intention.
2. Habit of Saving Money
Get back in the habit of saving.
If you have been beyond your means or barely scraping by, the best way to get back on track is by saving at least 20% of your income.
This may seem a little ludicrous. However, by prioritizing saving first, you will be pleasantly surprised how well you live off the rest.
In this post, there will be so many simple and easy ways to start saving today.
3. Make a Plan for Your Money
Create a spending plan (aka that dreaded word budget).
Creating an outline for what you want and need will help you to make smarter decisions about your spending.
This concept has been made too difficult over the years.
The bottom line is you want to spend less than you make. So, make a plan for that to happen today.
4. Make Money on the Side
This one is huge!
Personally, making extra money has been a priority for the last 5 years. We spent many years trying to cut our expenses and hating our inability to actually spend less as a growing family. So, we changed our focus to finding ways to make more money instead.
Start a side hustle. If you are not making enough to live comfortably, start a side hustle! Use your unique skill set to make extra cash.
Pick up a second job or ask for more hours.
There are plenty of ways to make money fast.
5. Invest in Stock Market
This means a way to make money or increase your net worth. AKA make your money work for you.
Too many times, the concept of investing is big and scary. The thought of starting is way too overwhelming. So you put it off until next week or next month. Then, a couple of years go by and you have not invested your money.
That is the biggest financial mistake you can make.
Start small by investing in an index fund. Each month consistently add more money.
If you want to learn to trade stocks, then you must enroll in the best investing course I have found.
Read my in-depth investing course review.
6. Pay Off Debt
Ugh… debt is the cash flow killer.
You are unable to make forward progress if you are straddled by debt.
Figure out how to pay off debt ASAP.
When calculating how long it will take to pay off high-interest debt, you should consider paying the highest interest rate first. Here is the best debt payoff app available.
7. Watch Your Spending
Be mindful of your spending.
This is a great practice that many people need to start doing again, regardless of how much money or how little money they have.
Every few months, you need to evaluate your spending to see if it matches up with your values.
As you can imagine there are many money hacks that can help you save, but the list above is the money hacks that will make the biggest difference the quickest. Below we have many more money hacks for you to explore.
Hacks for Saving Money
Money app hacks are small, quick, and easy ways to improve your finances.
They can range from things like automating your budget or creating a money jar that pays for itself, to more complex solutions like changing your tax withholding or moving money around to get a higher return.
Honestly, there are so many life hacks for saving money.
8. Automatic Savings
This is a practice of automatically transferring money from your checking account into your savings account on a regular basis.
It is best to set a transfer amount and stick to it.
Since it is easier to save your money before you spend it, you must save as much money as possible in order for this strategy to be effective.
9. Financial goals
A financial goal is a long-term, quantifiable expectation for how much money you want to have, or what you plan on doing with your money. Your goals can be as simple as saving for the down payment on a house or as involved as saving for retirement.
Our financial goals allow us to set specific, numerical targets that help us achieve our desired lifestyle in a more concrete way.
You must set smart financial goals.
10. What brings you joy?
At the end of the day, it is important to remember that life is all about finding what brings you joy.
The question is open-ended, but your money must line up with what brings you joy.
Spend a few minutes and stew on the question.
11. Build an emergency savings fund
Building an emergency savings fund is a great idea if you are in the habit of saving money and want to make sure that you have some money saved up when times get rough.
If you are struggling to save, there are a few ways you can increase your savings.
For example, you might be able to set up automatic transfers from your checking account into an investment account. You should also make sure that you have a way to save money outside of your checking account.
Saving cash in a jar or saving up coins are ideas for some people.
12. Invest spare change
If you go shopping and buy something, most stores will give you change. If you use a debit or credit card, you can do the same thing with help of a popular app!
Simple money hack: investing your spare change.
In order to invest your spare change in an account, you can open one for as little as $5. Acorns then automatically invest the money from your checking account and into a savings acorn account.
As the round-up feature continues to add upon each purchase, it is a good idea to invest in this app so that you can save more dollars!
13. Challenge Yourself to Save
If you are looking to save money, it is best to set up a budget that includes challenging yourself.
A great way to do this is with the no spend challenge.
A no-buy is when you decide to simply not make any purchases for a certain amount of time.
A no-spend is when someone decides to not spend any money in a certain period of time.
When you are struggling with spending too much money and want to reset your wallet, then give up spending money. Period.
14. Join a buy nothing group
The buy nothing groups are a growing movement that started in order to help people cut their ecological footprint, save money, and break free of consumerism.
This is a great way to find things you need as well as declutter your house.
15. Negotiate everything
The key to successful negotiation is preparation.
Research the company’s past sales, price changes, and discounts offered in order to get a better understanding of what you’re negotiating for.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate.
What is the worst thing that can happen when someone says no!?!
16. Refinance Your Mortgage
It is never too late to refinance your mortgage.
In fact, it might be a good idea if you’re in the market for a new home or refinancing your loan on an existing property.
You must weigh the costs of refinancing to how much you will save over the time period of the loan.
Ask around for mortgage broker recommendations and get at least two quotes.
17. Downsize your Home
Downsize your home is the term for reducing a residence in size. This can be done by either moving to an apartment or buying a smaller house. There are many benefits of downsizing, including living a more affordable lifestyle and having less upkeep.
Downsizers use their homes as investments and save money on rent or mortgage payments.
18. Cut the cord
With the internet becoming accessible to everyone, people have started cutting their cable and watching shows online. People can save up to $500 a year by cutting cable from their bills.
Cut the cable & stop watching TV!
19. Learn about Finances
Ask for help.
If you are struggling, there is no shame in asking for assistance from your friends or family members.
The goal is to get ahead with money and not keep digging further into a hole.
Check out any of our courses to help you.
20. Save for What You Want
Decide what you want most and work towards it with the money you have now, instead of waiting for a windfall or a large inheritance.
This may mean setting aside $200 a month.
For example, as a reminder of your long-term goal of buying a beach property, you may buy something you would hang in the new place. Every time you see it, you will be reminded of what you are saving towards.
Budget Hacks
Financial hacks are not unusual.
Since it is so easy to overspend, you must know a few budgeting hacks ahead of time.
21. Need vs Want
A want is a desire for something, while a need is something that fulfills the requirement of your body like food or shelter.
When you think about buying something, ask yourself if it is a want or a need.
By uncovering needs vs wants, you are quickly able to find ways to spend less and save more.
22. Avoid Temptation
To avoid temptation, it is important to maintain a healthy amount of physical and emotional distance from the things that tempt you.
Sometimes, spending triggers are easy to avoid but other times they’re not.
However, people should always be aware of their temptations and try to stay away from them because it will lead to unnecessary debt or stress in the long run.
23. Practice the 30-day rule
Many people wonder what’s the 30 day rule with money…
The 30-day rule is the principle that states that you should practice a new habit or stop an old habit for at least thirty days before expecting success.
When it comes to your money, it means to wait thirty days before making big purchases or changes.
24. Keep a Budget Binder
A budget binder is an important tool that helps people keep track of their finances.
The binder can help people plan out their finances by providing a place to record expenses and income.
Keeping a budget binder is an effective way to track your spending and keep yourself accountable.
By keeping it, you can easily plan for future expenses in advance as well as see what money could be saved or spent on different items over time.
25. Get a spend tracker and use it regularly
Track your spending for 30 days. It can be a good idea to track your spending for at least a month to get an idea of what you’re spending and where.
A spending tracker is a tool that helps people keep track of how much they are spending on a certain item. It is important to use this tool regularly in order to be able to see patterns in your spending.
Then, review your spending. Share it with a trusted friend or family member to come up with some goals to reduce expenses in order to save money.
26. Create a budget
Create a budget, and follow it.
When you schedule your spending, make sure to leave room for savings. This is the easiest way to ensure that you can stick to your budget.
Find more budgeting resources on our site.
27. Pay Bills on Time
This should be a simple statement that we all know. However, life can throw curveballs.
Try to pay your bills on time and in full every month, and make sure all of your bills are paid each month.
This will show lenders that you are responsible and that you are taking care of your credit. Plus you don’t rack up those pesky late fees and high interest rates.
28. Avoid Missed Payments
Don’t miss any payments, and pay off your balances each month to avoid paying high interest rates or fees on late or missed payments.
Read again… do not miss paying your bills.
29. Reconcile Your Checking Account
Balance your checkbook monthly. Okay, no one really uses a checkbook anymore, but you can still do this with pen and paper.
Even better, use Quicken as a simple way to balance your checking account. Read my Quicken review.
This is a great way to check for being charged too much or find a subscription you don’t use anymore.
30. Avoid Summer Budget Busters
Avoid spending money for the summer by just being conscious of your spending and reviewing what is different than the norm.
It is too easy to get into the trap of spending money because the weather is warm.
31. Review your Credit Card Statements
If you’re like most people, you probably review your credit card statements once every six months.
What’s the best way to go about reviewing them?
It depends on how often you use your credit card, how much debt you have, and what your credit score is. You should review your statements at least once a year if you’re carrying a balance on your credit cards.
If you use your credit card, then you should review your statements at least monthly.
32. Use the Cents Plan Formula
While the 50/30/20 budgeting rule is popular, our method of budgeting your money will be more helpful.
Learn how to divide your income into various categories.
Check out the Cents Plan Formula.
33. Use Cash
Use cash instead of credit cards to spend, which will make it easier to limit yourself to how much you can spend.
The envelope system helps you save money by only spending from one designated cash stash each month and withdrawing a set amount for different types of expenses (like groceries).
34. Spending Freeze
Implement a spending freeze, which helps you get used to not buying things for an allotted time so that when the freeze is over, it’s easier to buy what you want.
You will be surprised how much random online shopping you do.
Begin your spending freeze now.
35. Use a Budgeting App
Use your bank’s budgeting tools, like Quicken, which can help you track how much money is coming in and out of your account.
This is the simplest way to manage your money wisely.
Using a money app or a personal finance website can help you to stay organized and get more creative about your budgeting.
Check out this list of the best budgeting apps available.
Hacks to Make Money
Hacks to make money are a list of ways to generate income for yourself. Many ways to make money include blogging, affiliate marketing, or day trading. These money making hacks are great, but they can take more time and energy invested.
36. Use cash back apps
Cash back reward apps like Ibotta are a way to get extra money for your purchases.
They take some time getting used to and you only have access to partner stores that offer cash-back offers. It only takes a few seconds to make some extra cash.
Check out the best cash back apps available.
37. Ask for a Raise
A raise is an increase in pay for a job, labor, or service.
If you are concerned about asking for a raise, then you are missing out on lost money.
Your boss may be receptive to it, then try negotiating more money. Not only will this be good for your career, but also the relationship between you two can improve as well.
38. Get a side hustle
A side hustle is an additional job or career, usually, one that requires only a small amount of time and effort.
For example, someone who wants to work on the weekends might start a side hustle as a bartender.
Side hustles are a form of entrepreneurship that allows you to earn money and do little tasks. They are not difficult or time-consuming, but they can still help you make extra cash on the side.
Pick one of the best gig economy jobs.
39. Rent out a part of your home
A part of your home is often a room, which can be rented out on Airbnb.
Airbnb is the largest and most successful company in the world that lets people rent their extra space or properties. They are a well-known company that provides an easy way for people to make money from their extra space.
Use Neighbor to lend out your space in your home.
40. Declutter: sell your junk for cash
Decluttering is the act of getting rid of excess or unnecessary items.
In order to declutter, you must be willing to give up something that has been a part of your life for a long time. It is important to remember that decluttering does not have to be a quick or easy process.
Then, sell your stuff on Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor, eBay, etc.
Learn more at Flea Market Flippers.
41. Earn Money While Watching TV
Although it is not a fast way to get rich, this can be used as a side hustle.
It’s better to use the money earned from watching TV or something else that takes up your time for other things like bills and groceries.
Survey platforms are online sites that allow people to earn money while watching TV.
The survey platform will send surveys through the mail or email, and then they can choose whether they want to take the survey for a set reward amount or if they would like cash back on their purchase.
One of these options is MyPoints, which allows users to earn points by completing tasks such as taking surveys and shopping online at specific retailers.
Others include:
42. Maximize Your Income
Find ways to increase the amount of money you bring in, whether that’s through a side hustle, increasing hours at work, or asking for a raise.
In today’s society, there are plenty of ways to make more money.
Only you put a limit on what you are capable of earning.
43. Build Your Credit
Building your credit can be a long process, but it’s worth the effort. If you’re trying to establish or improve your credit score, here are some tips that might help:
Try to keep your credit utilization rate below 30% at all times.
Do not open too many new lines of credit in a short period of time.
Pay your bills on time.
This will help you avoid damaging your credit score.
Hacks for Free Money
Hacks for free money are a form of fraud wherein the perpetrator solicits payment via PayPal, credit card, or other methods in exchange for access to what they promise will be a legitimate business opportunity.
Hacking free money is a way to make more cash, fund your financial goals, or help you pay off debt. There are lots of ways that people hack their finances and use cash back apps for some extra income.
Other options include signing up for bank bonuses or credit card bonuses.
Honestly, real free money hacks are more likely to be scams. So, beware when searching online.
Money Hacks in the Kitchen
You can save the most money by looking at what you eat.
Typically, people waste over 25% of their grocery budget and throw out food. Would you willingly throw out $250 a month? Probably not.
So, learn how to stretch your money for food.
44. Start meal planning
Meal planning is a money-saving strategy that can help in the long run. It’s also important to eat healthily and reduce food waste when meal planning.
But planning ahead will help save on the grocery budget, and it’s not too late to start now.
Start meal planning by deciding what you want to eat for each day. Then, make a list.
45. Say no to prepackaged foods
Packing your lunch for work or school can be time-consuming, especially if you have a family.
Some people prefer to buy prepackaged foods because they save time, but this is not always the best option.
A better choice is to make your own food at home and pack it for lunch, which you can then eat in peace without worrying about what other people might be saying about the food you packed.
46. Eat at home
Eating at home is a way to save money. It may be uncomfortable for those who do not enjoy cooking as it requires extra effort and time.
Instead of getting food at restaurants, consider cooking your favorite meals at home.
You can save money and time by eating the same meal over and over again.
Learn about the frugal home must haves.
47. Grow your own herbs and food
The most common methods of gardening include container gardening, hydroponics, and both indoor and outdoor gardening.
Many people are growing their own herbs and food for the satisfaction of being able to eat something that was grown with their hands.
48. Take your lunch
If you are interested in saving money, consider taking your lunch. This will save you up to $1,000 a year on work lunches and make it easier to meet the recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables as well.
“Take your lunch” is an invitation to eat at home. There are many benefits of eating out less often, such as saving money and gaining more control over food choices.
Travel Hacks to Save Money
The following are travel hacks that can help you save money on your next trip.
Some of these hacks include traveling during weekdays, using public transportation, staying at hostels and Airbnb instead of hotels, and using a travel credit card.
49. Use foreign websites for lower prices abroad
Foreign websites are websites that have been created by people from other countries, and they sell products in the language of their country. These websites often offer lower prices on products than what is offered in the United States.
If you’re traveling abroad and need to find a place to stay, there are plenty of websites that can help. A few websites have deals on places where travelers often stay while they travel internationally.
50. Stay for free or get paid to house sit abroad
A house sitter is someone who looks after someone’s property for a certain amount of time in exchange for the promise of payment.
House sitting is typically offered by homeowners to travelers and others who are looking to stay in a particular location for an extended period of time.
The main types of house sitting include:
– full-time house sitters, who are responsible for all aspects of the house and who are typically paid a monthly salary,
– part-time house sitters, who may be responsible for taking care of one or more specific tasks such as gardening or handling the mail
51. Hide your search
To avoid being taken advantage of by airlines, it is best to open a new incognito or private window between searches.
This will make sure that you are not tricked into buying tickets that may be significantly more expensive than they need to be.
Airlines use cookies in your browser to make you believe the prices are going up and up.
Money App Hacks
Money app hacks are ways that people have figured out to make their money work for them in terms of saving and spending. These apps offer different features, such as budgeting, tracking your spending, and saving money.
If you want a simple way to save money, then any of these money apps are designed to find excessive spending.
52. Billshark
This is a legitimate way to save money on monthly bills. Billshark offers you the opportunity to save up to 25% each month (when compared with regular bill payments).
All of this can be done for you by BillShark team, and there are no fees involved!
Try Billshark for free!
53. Trim
Review your spending habits to find what you can cut out, like subscriptions.
Find other ways to save by looking for ways to reduce costly bank fees or getting a discount on your cell phone plan. By using Trim, you are saving money and improving your financial health.
Sign up with Trim now.
54. Truebill
Truebill can help you to track your spending, save money and get a clear picture of your financial life.
This helps you identify services that you are no longer using but continue to pay for. It will help save money by automatically negotiating prices with your service providers and receiving a refund of the money going to waste, which is free money.
Get started with Truebill.
Which Life Money Hacks Can You Start?
This is a lot to take in, but don’t worry.
Take the time to read through each suggestion and consider how you can implement it into your life.
The more hacks you try out, the closer you’ll get to a healthy financial mindset.
These are the life hacks to save money I have found to work for me and my family in order to reset our financial mindsets and grow our net worth.
Everyone will find their niche and what will work best for them.
Personally, you need to figure out how do I make more money. That will make the biggest impact the fastest.
What have you done with your money lately?
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!
This article started out as the individual experience of one personal finance blogger as he successfully haggled with his cable company to reduce his bill by 33% back in 2009. Unfortunately, that sinking feeling you are overpaying for services such as cable is still alive and well in 2016.
But other things have changed dramatically. In 2009, Netflix was still known by many as the company with the red and white DVD sleeves that came in the mail. Hulu didn’t launch until 2007. Was there life before Amazon Prime? Not sure.
So if you are here to find out how to cut the cord with cable entirely, take these exact steps (in 2016). If you’d like to see how you can keep cable but pay less thanks to this great post by blogger G.E. Miller, jump to Cheaper Cable TV
Cut Cable Entirely in Four Simple Steps
First, figure out if you are willing to pay to leave cable. If you don’t mind paying a fee, you don’t need four steps. Simply call customer service and ask for your service to be canceled immediately. Ignore all deals or efforts to retain your service. Return all equipment and don’t forget a receipt showing you did. Important note: If you get your Internet from your cable provider and don’t want a service interruption, make sure you have your Internet-only alternative already set up.
If you don’t want to pay an early-exit fee, memorize the end of your contract date. In future calls you may hear this date repeated back to you incorrectly and extended far into the future based on some action you probably didn’t take. Insist they note the correct date and ask for this to be repeated back anytime you talk to your cable company.
Don’t forget to purchase a streaming device. Of course you can watch TV directly from the web on your laptop or tablet, but if you want to keep watching from the TV, plan for a Roku or similar device.
Wake up on your cable-free day ready to say ‘so long’. Who loves calling 1-800 numbers? Staying on hold? Resisting enticing deals to keep my business? Me, when I’ve done all my homework and look to save potentially $100 or more per month. I recently went down to Internet only, cutting our cable subscription and phone. Monthly savings: $130 per month. (By the way, not a peep of complaint from the kids, who I suspect looked at the black cable box in the same quaint way I saw my family’s last rotary dial phone in the 1980s.)
To read another tale of wrangling with cable TV providers, see contributor Rod Kelly’s post on the topic of cutting the cable cord.
Cable TV Alternatives
Netflix, of course.
Apple TV
Hulu (Basically streaming cable at this point. See more about Hulu’s plans in The Wall Street Journal)
Amazon/Amazon Prime
Sling
These are all paid, but monthly subscriptions are significantly cheaper than cable.
For free services, check out:
Cheaper Cable TV
This is the original post by G.E. Miller who gives a real-life example of using negotiation to save money. For more from G.E., check out his personal finance blogs 20somethingfinance.com and microfrugality.com.
For the third of the country who has no choice but to turn to Comcast for cable television, the thought of price haggling is about as appealing as a root canal. Comcast has a notorious reputation for being unwilling to make their customers happy. Customers of other monopolistic cable outfits across the nation know the feeling.
However, the potential savings that can come from limiting a monthly subscription expense can be enormous – that’s money that goes straight to your online savings account. What’s a frugal person to do?
Dealing with your local cable superpower doesn’t have to be an intimidating process. And as evidenced by the ease in which I recently cut my cable/internet costs by a third during a short online chat without losing any service whatsoever, you may have similar success.
With television service competition increasing and unemployment rates still trending upward, consumers are looking to slice discretionary expenses and service providers may be feeling the pinch to keep them on board. There’s no better time to ask than now. Here’s my actual chat with a Comcast rep (whose name has been altered to Rizzo to preserve his anonymity). Afterward, we’ll discuss some universal price haggling techniques to better prepare you for your interaction.
My Comcast Chat Transcript user G.E. has entered room analyst Rizzo has entered roomRizzo: Hello G.E., Thank you for contacting Comcast Live Chat Support. My name is Rizzo. Please give me one moment to review your information. G.E.: Hi Rizzo Rizzo: Hello G.E., I will be happy to assist you today. How are you? G.E.: Fine, you? Rizzo: How may I assist you today? I’m good. Thanks for asking. G.E.: I need to lower my bill. U-Verse is much cheaper. Thinking of switching Rizzo: Alright. Let me check my resources for this. G.E.: A buddy of mine was able to get $39.99/mo. for digital preferred for a year. Rizzo: Can I have your account number please. G.E.: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Rizzo: Thank you for that. I will now check on the account. Please bear with me. Thanks. Rizzo: G.E, I have checked the account. You have our Digital Preferred package for $74.94, DVR for $9.99, Internet $42.95 and Modem Rent for $5.00. I will now check on my resources to lower your bill. Rizzo: I have checked my resources. I can offer you Digital Preffered $54.99 for 12months and Internet for $19.99 for 6 months. G.E.: Can you do $44.99 on the cable or 1/2 price DVR and extend the internet to a year? Rizzo: With this your new monthly charge will be $89.97. Thats the best promotion available G.E. G.E.: Rizzo, we’re so close! =) Rizzo: Thanks. Do you want me to process this one for you? G.E.: Can you extend the internet to a year? That way the cable and internet are both a year Rizzo: The Internet Code is only good for 6 months. That’s the best price I can offer you for internet. However, you can check back on us again next quarter to check if there’s another promotion available to you. Would that be okay? G.E.: What’s my TOTAL bill now, and what would it be after your offer? Rizzo: Your current monthly charge is $132.88. With this offer your monthly bill is $89.97. G.E.: Preferred is what I presently have, correct? Rizzo: Yes, the offer that I have is also a Digital Preferred package. Do you want me to proceed and process this one? G.E.: Yes, can you send me an email confirmation? Rizzo: Unfortunately, I cannot. The process will take effect immediately. You will see this rates adjusted on your next bill. Rizzo: Shall I process this now? G.E.: yes Rizzo: Alright. G.E.: thanks Rizzo, you’re a good man. Rizzo: You’re welcome. I’m still processing. Please bear with me. Rizzo: G.E., I already have processed the order. The new charges includes Preferred $54.99, DVR $9.99, Modem $5.00 and Internet $19.99. Your new monthly charge is $89.97. Rizzo: Do you have other concerns for today? I will be glad to assist you further. G.E.: Nope, that’s it. thanks Rizzo: You’re welcome. By the way, to properly close this chat room please click on the END SESSION button. Thank you. I hope that you can find time in answering the 3 question survey after this chat. Thanks. Rizzo: Bye for now.
So what can you take away from this chat transcript? There are a few universal haggling techniques that are applicable to just about any price haggling scenario.
1. Don’t be afraid to ask.
Asking to cut my bill worked. Amazed at how simple it was to cut more than I was aiming for from my bill immediately, I asked for an even bigger cut. That request was denied (not to my surprise or dismay). Truth be told, I’m not sure that any of the techniques I used triggered the better offer, but I do know one thing — had I been afraid to simply ask for the price break, I would have never gotten one. Rule number one is to overcome your fear and just ask.
2.Be pleasant.
Congeniality is king when interacting with CSRs. Being rude only infuses CSRs with the desire to deny your request. CSRs aren’t paid near what they should be, and probably don’t have the highest job satisfaction levels. If you can appeal to their gentler human-side, you win. Spit fire at them, and they will slam the door on you with pleasure.
3.Refer to the competition.
I had heard that Comcast was motivated to be a little more giving with the entrance of AT&T U-Verse cable into the marketplace (at lower prices). I’m not sure that it helped in this specific case, but referencing the competition specifically or generically (if its offerings are weaker) rarely will hurt you.
4.State the facts.
More than anything else, I wanted to lower my cost, and that’s what I asked for. Someone I know had received a better price than I was paying and I stated that fact.
5.Do your research.
Knowing what kind of promotions the company is offering to new or exiting customers is essential to getting the best deal. When it comes down to it, if you can quit your service and then re-start it the next day at a cheaper price, the company knows it has little incentive to let you leave without matching that offer.
6.Look for special circumstances.
I’d heard that working with Comcast online chat representatives often yielded better results because the reps weren’t actual Comcast employees, and therefore had lesser incentive to play the hard line. That’s why I chose the online chat route versus the phone.
7.Let them make the first move.
Before the chat, had I not received a cost break, I was willing to cut my service levels. I didn’t offer that right away, and it turned out that I didn’t need to. Don’t show all your cards right away.
When I need to call back in, I now have two additional pieces of information that I can take into the negotiation process based on this statement form the CSR: “The Internet Code is only good for 6 months. That’s the best price I can offer you for internet. However, you can check back on us again next quarter to check if there’s another promotion available to you.”
I now know that Comcast has promotions available on a quarterly basis. I also know that there are “codes” for both Internet and cable. Both pieces of info should help me in future negotiations. Hopefully, they’ll help you as well.
Have you had similar success haggling with your cable company or ISP? What do you attribute it to? What kind of a break did you get on your bill?
The investing information provided on this page is for educational purposes only. NerdWallet does not offer advisory or brokerage services, nor does it recommend or advise investors to buy or sell particular stocks, securities or other investments.
When University of Notre Dame sophomore Calyn “KK” Bransford takes the court this upcoming basketball season, she’ll do so with a touch of glam thanks to her false lashes. She wants to look good while hooping, but wearing the lashes is also her job.
Bransford is under contract as a brand ambassador for Opulence Lashes and earns money by promoting the company’s products. That’s possible thanks to a sea change in NCAA rules governing college athletes, who can now make money from their “NIL” — name, image and likeness.
Prompted by a Supreme Court decision that invalidated restrictions on certain payments to student-athletes, the NCAA changed its rules on NIL income in 2021. While student-athletes still can’t be paid to play their sport or attend a specific school, they can receive money for things like ad deals, endorsements and appearances. Student-athletes’ NIL earning opportunities are governed by a patchwork of state laws and school and conference rules.
Before Bransford went to college, she and her parents studied the NIL rules that apply to her. Now, her parents help her manage the money she earns. “A percentage of the money I spend, but my parents put the rest in a savings account,” Bransford says. “It’s important to have someone helping you who is older, more experienced, who knows about taxes and bills.”
Not every student-athlete has a sound financial support system like Bransford, so many of them need guidance managing NIL income. For this cohort of earners, NIL money can be used to pay for education expenses, hire professional support and invest in their future. With a prudent financial strategy, NIL income could be the foundation for generational wealth for some athletes.
Consider a marketplace
If you’re hoping to monetize your NIL, you may want to join a marketplace, a digital platform that helps match student-athletes with companies or individuals who want to work with them. Some marketplaces are affiliated with a school, and some aren’t.
Working with a marketplace isn’t required to monetize one’s NIL, but it can make the process easier. Student-athletes should report all NIL activity to their school, which evaluates every deal to ensure it’s compliant with state law and the school’s policies. College and university marketplaces automatically process NIL contracts through their compliance departments so the student doesn’t have to submit the paperwork.
Some marketplaces charge fees, so it’s important that students determine whether the cost outweighs the benefit of being promoted by the marketplace. “Do your due diligence,” says Justin Bass, sports and entertainment managing director at MAI Capital Management. “Are you getting something more for the fee?”
Pay for school
Only 1% of student-athletes receive full-ride scholarships that cover all college expenses, so it makes sense to use NIL income to pay for school. NIL compensation doesn’t affect athletic scholarships, but depending on the amount of the NIL earnings, a student-athlete may no longer qualify for need-based financial aid.
Those making NIL income should talk to their school’s financial aid office to determine how that money will affect their aid package. “If I get $50,000 via NIL activities, I might need to set aside a good portion of that to pay for my tuition next year,” says Adam Cocco, assistant professor of sport administration at the University of Louisville.
Get professional help
Managing NIL rules and income in addition to keeping up with athletics and academics can be overwhelming. Consider hiring a professional like a financial advisor, and thoroughly vet anyone before adding them to your team.
Former University of Miami track star and Olympian Lauryn Williams turned pro in 2004 when she accepted a $200,000 contract from Nike, an amount she described as “awesome but terrifying.”
She admits to making financial mistakes, which she attributes to taking the advice of others who didn’t have experience with significant sums of money. After retiring from professional sports, Williams became a certified financial planner to give others the financial help she needed as a 20-year-old college student.
Williams advises working with a fee-only certified financial planner and a certified public accountant or enrolled agent for help filing taxes. Student-athletes who earn more than $400 need to file. Taxes can be tricky, especially for those who earn NIL income in different states.
“Get a professional in your life even if it costs money,” Williams says. “This is a unique earning situation, and you don’t want to mess that up.”
‘Let the money transform your life’
According to the NCAA, fewer than 2% of student-athletes turn pro, and even for those who do, a professional athletic career usually lasts just five to seven years, according to a study from the RBC Sports Professionals group. These sobering facts make investing a way to safeguard one’s future, whether sports are a part of it or not. “Let compound interest work for you, and let the money transform your life and how it’ll look 20, 30 years from now,” Cocco says.
NIL income qualifies student-athletes to contribute to individual retirement accounts, or IRAs, and their self-employed status unlocks access to simplified employee pension IRAs and solo 401(k)s. A financial advisor can help choose the best retirement accounts for you.
Williams recommends investing in one’s financial education, too. If your school doesn’t offer personal finance education, Williams says, use some NIL income to pay for an online course.
“With the NIL money, you can have fun with it — or do something responsible with it,” she says. “This is your opportunity to get yourself on track for retirement.”
This article was written by NerdWallet and was originally published by The Associated Press.
With its discount fares, a fleet of new Airbus jets and a robust frequent flyer program, Frontier Miles can be a great value for Frontier Airlines travelers. As a Frontier Miles member, you can earn miles and elite status. Frontier elite status has many perks to make your travels more enjoyable and less expensive, including complimentary carry-on luggage, advance seat assignments and the ability to pool your miles. You can then redeem your miles for award travel.
Surprisingly, despite being one of the top low-cost carrier loyalty programs, the program often flies under the radar. You can quickly earn enough miles for a free trip even after just a few flights. And recently, the airline launched a limited-time promotion where eligible Frontier Miles members with a travel rewards credit card can secure Elite 20K status for as little as $199.
Here’s an overview of how the program works.
How to earn Frontier Miles
The Frontier Miles program is free to join. You can earn Frontier Miles by flying, through its cobranded credit card and transacting with Frontier partners.
Earn Frontier Miles by flying
Unlike many loyalty programs nowadays, you earn Frontier Miles on the length of your flight (rather than the price of your ticket). You earn 1 mile per mile flown regardless of your fare type. For example, if you fly from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA), you’d earn 950 miles.
Mid and upper-tier elite members earn the following bonuses on their flights:
Elite 20K: No bonus
Elite 50K: 1.25 miles per dollar bonus
Elite 100K: 1.5 miles per dollar bonus
Earn miles with the Frontier Airlines credit card
Frontier Airlines partners with Barclays to offer the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard®.
New card members earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $500 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full within the first three months of cardmembership.
With this card, you’ll earn 5 miles for every dollar spent directly with Frontier (including airfare, fees and onboard purchases), 3 miles per dollar spent at restaurants and 1 mile per dollar spent everywhere else. The miles you earn on this card count toward elite status.
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The card also offers valuable benefits like Zone 2 boarding on all Frontier flights and family pooling. You also earn a $100 flight voucher after spending $2,500 or more on purchases with your card during your cardmembership year (terms apply). Cardholders also get waived award redemption fees. We’ll discuss redemption fees later, but Frontier charges between $15 and $75 for close-in reservations.
Unless you place a high value on Frontier Airlines miles and elite status, we generally don’t recommend this card. Most travelers are better off with a transferable points credit card like the American Express® Green Card.
The information for the Frontier card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Earn points with Frontier’s partners
Frontier has relationships with several major rental car companies, so you can earn bonus miles and access negotiated rates when booking through their transportation partner page. While earning rates depend on the rental car company, you can generally earn between 50 and 100 miles per rental day or 1,000 miles per rental.
Frontier Airlines also partners with Marriott Bonvoy, Radisson Rewards and Wyndham Rewards. You can transfer Marriott points at a 3:1 ratio (with 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points you transfer), while Radisson Rewards transfer 10:1. You can’t transfer Wyndham points to Frontier.
These are not favorable ratios; you’re probably better off redeeming those points for hotel stays. However, it’s an option worth knowing about if you ever need to top off your Frontier Miles account.
Depending on the Marriott brand, you’ll generally earn either 1 or 2 Frontier Miles for every qualifying dollar spent. You must update your Marriott account preferences to earn Frontier miles instead of Marriott points. We don’t recommend doing this since you’ll get a maximum of 2.2% back in Frontier Miles instead of at least 4.2% back in Marriott Bonvoy points for your Marriott stays, based on our valuations.
Like Marriott, you can also opt to earn Frontier Miles instead of Wyndham points on your eligible stays:
Wyndham Blue (standard): 1 mile per dollar spent on all stays
Wyndham Gold: 1 mile per dollar spent
Wyndham Platinum: 2 miles per dollar spent
Wyndham Diamond: 2 miles per dollar spent
Again, we generally recommend earning hotel points instead of Frontier Miles.
You can also buy or gift Frontier Miles and earn on eligible Vinesse Wine and Teleflora purchases. Finally, you can book a cruise through Frontier Cruises and earn miles at a preset rate. Often, you can earn more miles by booking through other cruise programs.
One- to five-night cruise: 1,500 miles
Six to nine-night cruise: 3,000 miles
Nine to 12-night cruise: 5,000 miles
Cruises 13 nights and longer: 10,000 miles
Related: What it’s like to fly Frontier Airlines from Miami to Newark on the Airbus A320neo
How to redeem Frontier Miles
You can redeem Frontier Miles for two things: flights and magazines. As you’d expect, the best use of Frontier Miles is redeeming them for award flights. The airline publishes an award chart with starting award rates, but there are a few added fees that you should be aware of before booking. Here’s a look at the specifics.
Frontier offers three different redemption tiers: Value, Standard and Last Seat.
Value: This is the lowest redemption rate for all Frontier redemptions and can be compared to a “Saver” ticket on a traditional carrier. These are generally offered during off-peak dates and less desirable flights, but we’ve also found Value tickets when there’s low demand.
Standard: Standard awards are generally priced out at twice the cost of a Value ticket. These awards are available on more (but not all) dates.
Last Seat: As the name suggests, Last Seat awards are available for booking until the last seat on the plane is booked. Unfortunately, these awards are only bookable to Frontier elites and cost 2,500 more miles each way than Standard awards. This can be a good option if you’re booking at the last minute and paid fares are high.
Here’s a look at Frontier’s current award chart, with starting award rates:
Travel within the U.S. and Puerto Rico
Value
Standard
Last Seat
10,000
20,000
22,500
Award tickets to or from Mexico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, El Salvador, Guatemala, the Bahamas, Costa Rica and Antigua
Value
Standard
Last Seat
15,000
25,000
27,500
Fees associated with Frontier award tickets
Unfortunately, Frontier adds a booking fee to most award tickets. You’ll pay this fee when you book an award flight within 180 days of departure; the closer you get to departure, the higher the fee is.
Here’s a look at the fee structure — note that these fees are charged in addition to other taxes and fees:
At least 180 days before departure: $0
21-179 days before departure: $15
7-20 days before departure: $50
Six days or less before departure: $75
These fees are waived for Frontier elite status members and those with a Frontier Airlines credit card. If you frequently book award tickets close to departure, you may find applying for a Frontier credit card worthwhile, as this can save you considerable money. Additionally, companions booked on the same reservation as a Frontier cardmember or elite member receive waived redemption fees.
Be sure to factor these fees into the cost of your ticket when booking travel on Frontier Airlines. In some cases, booking a paid ticket instead of an award ticket may make more sense if you’re subject to a booking fee. Frontier often offers low-cost tickets at the last minute, making the cent-per-point redemption value extremely low.
Related: 7 takeaways from my first Frontier Airlines flight in over 4 years
Discount Den membership
Frontier Airlines offers a subscription service called Discount Den. While not the same as elite status, the program gives members access to discounted fares for $59.99 annually. New members have to pay a $40 enrollment fee.
Children under 15 fly for free when accompanied by the Discount Den member on select flights, offering excellent savings on certain routes.
We’ve found that Discount Den can offer pretty excellent deals, too. On a given flight from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), a Discount Den member would save $20-$30 per ticket over the standard price.
These discounts also apply to international flights. For example, you can score a $10 discount per person when flying from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Cancun International Airport (CUN).
We recommend that frequent Frontier flyers consider a Discount Den membership if they’ll get more than $59.99 annually in savings from the service. That said, a family of four may recoup the cost of a Discount Den membership from just one family vacation a year.
Related: Should you join Frontier’s Discount Den or the new Spirit Saver$ Club?
Go Wild! Pass
Frontier Airlines also offers an all-you-can-fly pass, which it calls Go Wild!
TPG tested the pass and found unexpectedly high fees and limited availability. Additionally, while it’s advertised as an all-you-can-fly pass, it doesn’t provide unlimited free travel after you buy it.
You generally can get the most value from the pass by booking last-minute flights. Here’s an example from Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Las Vegas.
Go Wild! Pass customers can get confirmed bookings the day before flight departure for domestic travel and starting 10 days before flight departure for international travel.
The annual pass costs $1,999, but you might be able to find limited-time promotions here.
Related: I bought an all-you-can-fly pass — here’s what it was like to use it
Frontier elite status
Frontier elite status has three tiers: Elite 20K, 50K and 100K. You can achieve these elite status tiers by earning 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 Frontier miles from flying on Frontier or spending on the cobranded credit card. Frontier Airlines also has a promotion where eligible cardholders can secure Elite 20K status for as little as $199.
Let’s look at each of these status tiers and their respective benefits.
Benefits
Elite 20k
Elite 50k
Elite 100k
Qualification
20,000 qualifying miles or 25 flight segments annually
50,000 qualifying miles or 50 flight segments annually
100,000 qualifying miles or 100 flight segments annually
Redeemable mileage earning on Frontier flights
1 mile per mile flown
1.25 miles per mile flown
1.5 miles per mile flown
Carry-on
✓
✓
✓
Seat assignment
✓
✓
✓
Family pooling
✓
✓
✓
Priority boarding
✓
✓
✓
Waived redemption fees
✓
✓
✓
Waived travel fees
✓
✓
✓
Last Seat availability
✓
✓
✓
Stretch seating
At check-in
✓
✓
Family seating
✓
✓
Discount Den membership
50% off
✓
Checked bag
✓
Family status (the Works bundle)
✓
Family status (the Works bundle) is the key benefit here. When you reach Elite 100K, you and your family get free checked bags, carry-on bags, priority boarding and seat selection. Plus, you can change or refund your flight for free, giving you the utmost flexibility when flying with Frontier. This can save your family hundreds of dollars per flight, making the Works one of the most impressive Frontier elite status benefits.
Related: How to get airline elite status
Bottom line
Frontier may not be the most exciting airline, but its loyalty program is worthwhile for those who fly on the airline often. Its award chart is extremely easy to understand and can provide excellent value if you avoid pesky booking fees. Furthermore, Frontier Airlines’ elite status is great for families and those who want to avoid fees when flying on a low-cost carrier.
Now, you have the background to decide if Frontier Miles is the right program for you.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
If you like flying for (much) less, want to maximize frequent flyer award chart sweet spots and have transferrable credit card points to redeem, it’s time to learn about some of the amazing deals you can book with Turkish Miles&Smiles.
Just how good of a deal are we talking?
How about a 7,500-mile award from the U.S. mainland to Hawaii on United? Perhaps you’d prefer a lie-flat seat on a cross-country journey for 15,000 miles? Or Europe in business class for 45,000 miles each way, compared to the 200,000 plus miles some programs with dynamic pricing are now charging? The Turkish Miles&Smiles program makes all this possible.
Even better? The program is a 1:1 transfer partner of three popular transferable currencies.
If you want to learn about an international frequent flyer program that’s jam-packed with redemption sweet spots, here’s what you need to know about Turkish Airlines’ Miles&Smiles.
How to earn Turkish Miles&Smiles
Transfer points from credit card programs
While there are no Turkish-branded credit cards available in the U.S., you can transfer rewards from three programs with transferable currencies directly to Miles&Smiles at a rate of 1:1: Bilt Rewards, Capital One and Citi ThankYou Rewards.
There’s only one card that allows you to earn Bilt points: the Bilt Mastercard (see rates and fees). While it doesn’t offer a welcome bonus, it does allow you to pay rent with no fees and earn 1 point per dollar (up to 100,000 points per year). You’ll also earn 3 points per dollar on dining and 2 points per dollar on travel, though note that you must have at least five eligible transactions during your billing period.
Meanwhile, here’s a list of some currently available cards that earn transferable Capital One miles:
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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card ($95 annual fee, see rates and fees): New cardmembers earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ($395 annual fee, see rates and fees): New cardmembers earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card (no annual fee, see rates and fees): New cardmembers earn 20,000 bonus miles once you spend $500 within the first three months from account opening.
Capital One VentureOne Rewards for Good Credit (no annual fee, see rates and fees).
Capital One Spark Miles for Business ($0 annual fee for the first year, then $95, see rates and fees): New card members can earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $4,500 in the first three months of account opening.
Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business (no annual fee): New cardmembers can earn 20,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in the first three months of account opening.
The information for the Capital One Spark Miles Select has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Finally, here are some of our favorite Citi cards that can earn ThankYou points:
Related: Is Citi ThankYou Rewards the most underappreciated and misunderstood program?
Transfer points from hotel programs
You can also transfer Marriott Bonvoy points at a rate of 3:1 (so 3,000 Bonvoy points would become 1,000 Turkish points).
For every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer, you’ll receive a bonus of 5,000 Miles&Smiles.
Related: 17 ways to earn lots of Marriott Bonvoy points
Earn points from flying
You can fly Turkish Airlines-operated flights, and you’ll earn reward miles based on your fare class, Miles&Smiles elite status level and the distance of the flight.
If you flew Turkish Airlines from Los Angeles to Istanbul (a 6,865-mile route) in a discounted ‘U’ economy fare, you would earn 25% of the miles flown or 1,716 redeemable miles. That’s not great, but it’s something.
Turkish Airlines is in the Star Alliance, and as a result, you can also earn miles by flying Turkish’s partner airlines and crediting those miles to your Miles&Smiles account. For many U.S.-based travelers, the most likely partner to fly and credit to Miles&Smiles would probably be United Airlines — especially given the program’s recent devaluations.
You’ll earn Turkish miles based on the fare class and distance of your United-operated flight.
There are different earning charts for each partner airline. So, be sure to check if your fare class is eligible to earn miles and how many miles you’ll earn before deciding to put your Turkish frequent flyer number on a partner reservation.
Finally, Turkish miles expire three years from the time they’re earned. You can pay a rather expensive fee of $10 for every 1,000 miles that are about to expire to extend them for another three years. However, you should plan on using your Turkish miles long before they expire.
Read more: How to keep your points and miles from expiring
How to redeem Turkish Miles&Smiles
How to book a Turkish Airlines-operated award flight
If you want to book an award ticket operated only by Turkish Airlines, you can get to the award booking engine from the Turkish home page by clicking the “Award ticket” checkbox.
This will require you to log in to your Miles&Smiles account and then bring you to the award ticket booking engine, where you can enter your origin, destination, dates, class of service and number of passengers. Pro tip: Don’t include the leading TK portion of your account number when you log in. Also, remember this first search screen is only for Turkish-operated flight itineraries.
After you select a flight option, you’ll see the flight details, aircraft type and the award space labeled as promotional pricing or regular pricing, which will match the published award charts:
The following page will give you the total flight cost, including taxes and fees, even if you don’t have the required miles in your account.
How to book a Star Alliance partner award flight
If you want to search for Star Alliance-operated award flights (such as those operated by United, Lufthansa, Air New Zealand and others), you must find the Star Alliance award search engine.
To access Star Alliance award searches, log into your Turkish Miles&Smiles account and, on the drop-down menu (below your name), select “Miles Transactions” as shown below:
On the next page, you’ll see the link that will take you to the Star Alliance award ticket booking engine:
The engine looks identical to the Turkish-operated award search engine, except it says “Star Award Ticket” at the top:
You can then follow the same process to book partner flights.
Related: The best websites for searching Star Alliance award availability
Things to know about Turkish Miles&Smiles
The best way to redeem Turkish miles is for award flights. While other options may exist in the program, booking Turkish or Star Alliance-operated flights will get you maximum value.
With that in mind, here are a few of the most important rules and nuances of Miles&Smiles:
Miles&Smiles prices award flights on region-based award charts.
There are two levels of award availability for Turkish-operated flights: regular and promotional. Regular doesn’t technically have a name. It is just “award ticket” when you see it in the search results. Promo space (still referred to as “limited space capacity” in the terms and conditions) means fewer seats are available at a much lower mileage cost than the regular “award ticket” space.
Award ticket prices for flights within the same region cost 15,000, 25,000 and 40,000 miles round trip for economy, business and first class, respectively.
You can book one-way awards for half the price of a round-trip journey.
You can redeem miles for anyone besides yourself, but you must register them in your Miles&Smiles account first.
If you need 10,000 additional miles or less to issue an award ticket, you can buy them at a rate of 25 euros (about $27) per 1,000 miles.
Fuel surcharges are not charged on United flights and are somewhat reasonable on Turkish flights, but can be problematic on some Star Alliance carriers like Lufthansa.
Award tickets can be canceled or changed for a fee of $25.
One open jaw is allowed on a round-trip ticket. An open jaw is an itinerary when you fly into one city and out of another.
One stopover is allowed in Istanbul on the outbound or return of a Turkish Airlines-operated award itinerary. A stopover is when you stay in a city along the path of your itinerary for a period of time.
Award tickets can have a maximum of eight segments: four on the inbound and four on the outbound.
You can put award tickets on hold for 72 hours, even with zero miles in your account.
Best uses of Turkish Miles&Smiles
Hawaii for 7,500 miles one-way, 15,000 miles round trip
Flights within the same region, as defined by the Turkish region chart, cost 15,000 miles round trip. Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) is specifically included in the North America region (though all other Hawaii destinations price out the same) along with the rest of the U.S. This makes one-way flights to the Aloha State just 7,500 miles each way. These awards are bookable online and carry no fuel surcharges.
Even one-stop itineraries from the East Coast cost just 7,500 miles each way.
Theoretically, you can fly in business class for just 12,500 miles each way (a tiny fraction of the more than 40,000 miles United would charge). However, know that business-class awards to Hawaii are extremely hard to find.
Alaska, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands for 7,500 miles in economy or 12,500 in first class
We’re starting to sound like a broken record at this point, but hang in there: San Juan, Puerto Rico, as well as Alaska and the U.S. Virgin Islands, are grouped in with the rest of the U.S. This means award flights are 7,500 miles each way in economy or 12,500 in first class.
While United doesn’t usually fly fancy lie-flat seats to these destinations, the flight can be long enough that doing it in domestic first class is still a bargain for just 12,500 miles. That is, if you can snag it.
U.S. to Mexico for 10,000 miles one-way in economy or 15,000 miles in business class
You can book that beach getaway from the U.S. down to Mexico for just 10,000 miles in economy or 15,000 in business class. Whether you want Cancun International Airport (CUN), Puerto Vallarta’s Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR) or Mexico City International Airport (MEX), the Turkish award price to fly United is the same awesome deal. For comparison, United would usually want at least 17,500 miles each in economy or 30,000 miles to sit up front in each direction.
U.S. to Europe for 45,000 miles one-way in business class
You can fly From North America to Europe Zone 1 and Europe Zone 2 for the same miles. Economy costs 30,000 miles one-way, and business is a fantastic 45,000 miles, flying either Turkish Airlines or Star Alliance partners (or a combination of both). This is arguably the best business-class price you will see to Europe (outside of the occasional Flying Blue Promo Awards).
North America to India for 52,500 miles in business class
One of the most common award routings we’re asked to find is a round-trip flight to India. India is included in the Central Asia zone on the Turkish chart. These tickets cost just 34,000 miles one-way in economy and 52,500 miles in business class.
Intra-Oceania for 15,000 to 25,000 miles one-way in economy or business class
Intra-Oceania is a big zone stretching from French Polynesia to Australia, New Zealand and beyond. It’s available for 25,000 miles one-way in business class. These can be tough awards to score, often on Air New Zealand, but it’s a steal when you can book one. The catch? We haven’t gotten the online search site to recognize the gateway to French Polynesia — Tahiti’s Faa’a International Airport (PPT) — so you may have to call to book those awards.
Bottom line
The game of chasing the best frequent flyer programs and redemptions is always changing. No single program is the best at everything, but the Turkish Miles&Smiles program is worth investigating. Especially for those who have access to Bilt points, Citi ThankYou points or Capital One miles and like to fly on Star Alliance airlines, there are some excellent value redemptions.
Additional reporting by Ben Smithson.
See Bilt Mastercard rates and fees here. See Bilt Mastercard rewards and benefits here.
Finding deals that work proves challenging “The hardest thing for us has been the underwriting at current interest rates,” MacDonald-Korth said. “Most buildings’ financials were not designed to withstand the 520-, 550-basis-point jump in rates from one year to the next. While we have seen our pipeline balloon, especially with banks holding back and credit … [Read more…]
Of the estimated 211,154 residential units foreclosed on in California during 2009, roughly 77,145 were rental units, according to a new report focused on tenant rights.
The foreclosures resulted in the displacement of an estimated 208,795 tenants who were living in single-family homes, condos, and multi-family apartments, despite likely making on-time mortgage payments every month.
From 2008 to 2009, there was a 70 percent increase in the foreclosure rate of apartment buildings of five units or more – single-family foreclosures fell 3.1 percent year-to-year.
An overwhelming 85 percent of the foreclosed properties went back to banks and mortgage lenders in 2009, while private investors took the rest.
During the year, banks forfeited more than $776 million in rental income, focusing on booting tenants by hiring lawyers to litigate eviction cases and having real estate agents carry out cash-for-keys deals.
“Once the properties are vacated, they become prime targets for vandalism, further contributing to plunging property values, and creating legal liability for banks as the owners of blighted vacant property,” the Tenants Together report said.
“Furthermore, banks continue to tarnish their standing in local communities by maintaining their policies to evict rent- paying tenants.”
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have implemented post-foreclosure programs to assist renters, but many banks apparently continue to see tenants as obstacles to future profits.
Tenants Together is calling for better tenant protections, including making the “Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act” (PTFA) permanent, passing local “just cause for eviction” laws, providing tenant notification when a landlord receives a foreclosure filing, and boosting legal funding for tenants in foreclosure situations.
Currently, PTFA provides tenants with the right to a 90-day notice to vacate after foreclosure and requires new owners to allow tenants with leases to continue occupying properties until the end of the lease term, unless sold to a buyer who intends to occupy the property as their primary residence.
Plenty of real estate agents make good money but never seem to get ahead. On today’s podcast, author Joan Sotkin joins Pat to discuss why so many Realtors are so bad with their finances. Joan also shares several habits, techniques, and tips for improving one’s financial fitness. Listen and learn how to build your money muscles so that you’re the strong, disciplined leader your real estate business needs to succeed.
Listen to today’s show and learn:
About Joan Sotkin [2:17]
Why real estate agents are terrible with money [4:32]
The importance of cashflow management [7:12]
Tips for tracking your money [12:19]
Why you need to track finances to make good financial decisions [14:16]
Joan’s spreadsheet for tracking earnings and expenses [15:30]
How to beat “financial vagueness syndrome” [17:34]
What all wealthy people have in common [19:20]
How to build your money muscles [21:57]
Tips for overcoming the urge to spend [23:43]
The key to confidence [32:23]
Why being overly materialistic is a bad look [37:52]
Related Links and Resources:
Thank You Rockstars! It might go without saying, but I’m going to say it anyway: We really value listeners like you. We’re constantly working to improve the show, so why not leave us a review? If you love the content and can’t stand the thought of missing the nuggets our Rockstar guests share every week, please subscribe; it’ll get you instant access to our latest episodes and is the best way to support your favorite real estate podcast. Have questions? Suggestions? Want to say hi? Shoot me a message via Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or Email. -Aaron Amuchastegui