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The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage is 7.21%, and on a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage, it’s 6.37%. The average rate on a 30-year jumbo mortgage is 7.16%.
*Data accurate as of January 4, 2024, the latest data available.
30-year fixed mortgage rates
The average mortgage rate for 30-year fixed loans rose today to 7.21% from 7.05% last week, according to data from Curinos. This is down from last month’s 7.51% and up from a year ago when it was 5.76%.
At the current 30-year fixed rate, you’ll pay about $687 each month for every $100,000 you borrow — up from about $675 last week.
Ready to buy? Compare the best mortgage lenders
15-year fixed mortgage rates
The mortgage rates for 15-year fixed loans inched up today to 6.37% from 6.18% last week. Today’s rate is down from last month’s 6.77% and up from a year ago when it was 5.12%.
At the current 15-year fixed rate, you’ll pay about $868 each month for every $100,000 you borrow, up from about $857 last week.
30-year jumbo mortgage rates
The mortgage rates for 30-year jumbo loans rose today to 7.16% from 7.09% last week. This is down from last month’s 7.55% and up from 5.53% last year.
At the current 30-year jumbo rate, you’ll pay around $681 each month for every $100,000 you borrow, up from about $676 last week.
Methodology
To determine average mortgage rates, Curinos uses a standardized set of parameters. For conventional mortgages, the calculations are based on an owner-occupied, one-unit property with a loan amount of $350,000. For jumbo mortgages, the loan amount is $750,000. These calculations assume an 80% loan-to-value ratio, a credit score of 740 or higher and a 60-day lock period.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Mortgage rates are determined by a variety of factors, including the overall economy, inflation and the actions of the Federal Reserve. Mortgage lenders then set their loan rates based on these economic elements.
The rate you’re offered on a mortgage will also depend not only on the lender but also on your credit score, income, debt-to-income (DTI) ratio and other parts of your financial profile.
If you opt for a rate lock, you can typically do so for 30 to 60 days, depending on the lender. In some cases, you might be able to lock in your rate for up to 120 days.
Keep in mind that while some lenders allow you to lock in a mortgage rate for free, you’ll likely have to pay a fee for a longer lock period. This fee generally ranges from 0.25% to 0.5% of your loan amount. You could also be charged a fee if you want to extend the lock period — usually 0.375% of the loan amount.
There are several strategies that could help you qualify for the best mortgage rate, such as:
Checking your credit: When you apply for a mortgage, the lender will review your credit to determine your creditworthiness as well as your interest rate. In general, the higher your credit score, the lower your rate will be. So before you apply, it’s a good idea to check your credit to see where you stand. If you find any errors in your credit report, dispute them with the appropriate credit bureau to potentially boost your score.
Comparing lenders: Taking the time to shop around and compare your options from as many lenders as possible can help you find the best deal. In addition to rates, make sure to also consider each lender’s terms, fees and eligibility requirements.
Improving your credit score: If you have less-than-perfect credit and can wait to apply for a mortgage, it could be worth working to improve your credit beforehand to qualify for better rates in the future. Some possible ways to boost your credit include paying all of your bills on time and aiming to keep your credit utilization (the amount of credit you’ve used compared to your credit limits) on credit cards and lines of credit at 30% or less.
Reducing debt: Paying down debt could help lower your DTI ratio, which is how much you owe in monthly debt payments compared to your income. Having a lower DTI ratio can make you look like less of a risk in the eyes of a lender, which can result in a lower rate.
Choosing a shorter repayment term: Lenders typically offer lower rates to borrowers who opt for shorter terms. For example, you’ll likely get a lower rate on a 15-year mortgage compared to a 30-year loan.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
Jamie Young is Lead Editor of loans and mortgages at USA TODAY Blueprint. She has been writing and editing professionally for 12 years. Previously, she worked for Forbes Advisor, Credible, LendingTree, Student Loan Hero, and GOBankingRates. Her work has also appeared on some of the best-known media outlets including Yahoo, Fox Business, Time, CBS News, AOL, MSN, and more. Jamie is passionate about finance, technology, and the Oxford comma. In her free time, she likes to game, play with her two crazy cats (Detective Snoop and his girl Friday), and try to keep up with her ever-growing plant collection.
Megan Horner is editorial director at USA TODAY Blueprint. She has over 10 years of experience in online publishing, mostly focused on credit cards and banking. Previously, she was the head of publishing at Finder.com where she led the team to publish personal finance content on credit cards, banking, loans, mortgages and more. Prior to that, she was an editor at Credit Karma. Megan has been featured in CreditCards.com, American Banker, Lifehacker and news broadcasts across the country. She has a bachelor’s degree in English and editing.
Ashley is a USA TODAY Blueprint loans and mortgages deputy editor who has worked in the online finance space since 2017. She’s passionate about creating helpful content that makes complicated financial topics easy to understand. She has previously worked at Forbes Advisor, Credible, LendingTree and and Student Loan Hero. Her work has appeared on Fox Business and Yahoo. Ashley is also an artist and massive horror fan who had her short story “The Box” produced by the award-winning NoSleep Podcast. In her free time, you can find her drawing, scaring herself with spooky stories, playing video games and chasing her black cat Salem.
Another strong jobs report finished off a remarkably solid year for labor in 2023. Among the highlights:
Job growth continued. The Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows the U.S. economy once again beat expectations for jobs gains at 216,000 for December, the latest in a 36-month trend of growth. For 2023, job growth came in at 2.7 million, with an average monthly gain of 225,000. By comparison, 4.8 million jobs were added in 2022, with an average monthly gain of 399,000.
Unemployment remained low. The unemployment rate stayed steady at 3.7%, and rates are on a streak of 23 months below 4% — a stretch unseen since the late 1960s, Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows.
Wage growth remains elevated. Wage growth came in at 4.1% over the prior 12 months — that’s good news for workers, but higher than the Federal Reserve might like as it determines when it begins cutting rates in 2024.
A tight labor market, falling inflation and persisting economic growth all form a strong economic picture heading into 2024. But high interest rates remain, as do elevated prices. NerdWallet spoke with Jared Bernstein, chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers to get his take on Friday’s jobs report, consumer sentiment and the economic look ahead.
The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.
NerdWallet: In 2023, inflation fell, the labor market steadily cooled, we saw higher-than-expected GDP growth and avoided a recession. Many economists seem surprised that the Fed was able to ease inflation without tanking the job market or tipping us into a recession. Are you surprised at where we stand right now?
Jared Bernstein: I wouldn’t say I’m particularly surprised. And in fact, we’ve long argued publicly that the goal was to maintain the tight labor market while easing inflationary pressures. I think President Biden views that as a key way to both empower workers with the maintenance of the tight job market while giving families some breathing room with easing inflation and even some lower prices. Substantively, an important piece of this is recognizing that supply chain normalization and the improvement of the economy’s supply side — whether it’s logistical supply chains or the increase in labor supply — have also helped in that regard. And that’s a good way to reduce inflationary pressures without dinging the demand side of the equation.
NerdWallet: Last year, job gains were mainly in three areas: health care, government, as well as leisure and hospitality. How much of the 2023 job growth can we attribute to a rebound from the pandemic, and how much can we attribute to underlying economic growth?
Jared Bernstein: I think by the time you’re in 2023 a chunk of the rebounding is behind you. Certainly the biggest numbers. One way to think about this is that in ’21 the average monthly job gain was 600,000 a month — so that’s huge and it has some rebounding clearly embedded in it. And in ’22 the analogous number that’s the average monthly job growth was about 400,000. And in ’23 it was around 200,000 and 225,000. So there’s kind of a stepladder there that gets you more into a steady, stable growth path.
I think by the time we got into ’23, we really executed on the president’s plan to maintain a tight job market and to get wages rising. That is such a key — real wages beating prices. Look, in an economy that’s 70% consumer spending like this one, if American consumers are facing a tailwind of a strong job market and easing prices, rising real pay, that’s a pretty good forward-motion machine. I think that’s a lot of what we saw in ’23.
NerdWallet: So is there some economic vulnerability in having growth concentrated in so few sectors? Some of the more interest-rate-dependent industries, for example, have shown little to no growth. And other areas like transportation and warehousing that boomed during the pandemic are now seeing some decline.
Jared Bernstein: Well, I get paid to worry about everything, so I’ll never say, ‘Oh, nothing to see there,’ but I think that caution has been somewhat overplayed. Lots of industries created jobs. I think 70% of the industries contributed in ’23, some more than others, as you say. If you think interest rates are more likely to be down than up next year, then that should be helpful to some of the interest rate-sensitive sectors that you mentioned, upwardly speaking.
If I look at the sectors that did create the most jobs, some of them are very large and significant sectors — private services, for example. We saw some great manufacturing numbers this year, more in the first half than in the second half of the year.
We also know that we had good construction numbers, and not so much in residential buildings, but more in nonresidential. And I think some of that really links up to factories that are being built. There’s hundreds of billions of capital that’s come in from the sidelines supported by the Inflation Reduction Act and the Chips Act. We’re actively building manufacturing facilities in this country to stand up the domestic industry of chips with electric vehicles, batteries and that should lead to more manufacturing jobs once those factories come online.
“ Executing on the president’s agenda has led to a situation where things are looking a lot better than people thought they would. And I think as time goes on, we’ll see more positive reporting when it comes to consumer sentiment.”
Jared Bernstein, chair of the Council of Economic Advisers
NerdWallet: I want to shift to consumer sentiment and approval of President Biden’s economic management — both slumped for most of the year, but at least one recent poll shows that the tide may be turning in that respect. How do you understand the disparity between the economy’s many objective strengths and consumer discontent?
Jared Bernstein: Well, I think it takes some time for the dynamics that you and I have been talking about to reach into people’s lives, and there’s a consciousness deep enough that it shows up in some of these indices of confidence and sentiment. And that’s why the December numbers, as you suggest, are a positive glimmer there. It’s one month, so it’s not a new trend, but the consumer confidence survey was up 10%; the University of Michigan sentiment survey was up a whopping 14%; there was some other polling that began to show this morphing in the way you suggested.
I think one of the things that’s going on there, again, has to do with this intersection of the very strong job market while inflation is easing. So we see real wage gains; wages are beating prices now for 10 months in a row for middle-wage workers. A lot of economists and I think it was 90% of CEOs a year ago said we would be in a recession. So executing on the president’s agenda has led to a situation where things are looking a lot better than people thought they would. And I think as time goes on, we’ll see more positive reporting when it comes to consumer sentiment.
NerdWallet: Interest rates are something that’s obviously on the mind of the market and consumers. Can you comment on the effect today’s jobs report might have on the timing of Fed’s rate cuts?
Jared Bernstein: Yeah, no I can’t. We have much respect for the independence of the Federal Reserve. So I’m certainly not going to talk about that. But I can talk to you a little bit about inflation because, of course, it’s relevant.
At the end of the day, inflation is going to drive a lot of the result of that kind of question. So we know that inflation is down two-thirds from its peak. We know that the six-month annualized rate of one of the inflation gauges the Fed watches most carefully, the core PCE, is growing at just below 2%. So that’s a good sign for them.
We also know that actual prices probably get more into sentiment than the Fed. And we know that actual prices — not lower inflation, actually lower prices — are in place whether we’re talking about gas or bread, milk, eggs, toys, TVs, airfares, used cars, a lot of things that really spiked in price have come down in price. So we’ve had some deflation there. That helps with breathing room and, of course, that helps on the inflation side as well.
NerdWallet: Can you talk a little bit about the populations that fueled labor force growth in the last year, specifically women?
Jared Bernstein: When President Biden talks about empowering workers — and that’s a key pillar of Bidenomics — one of the things he’s really thinking about is the benefit of running a tight labor market, and the way they cascade to groups that have historically been underserved or even left behind.
So here’s a number you haven’t probably heard too much today, but it comes out of the report: If you look at the average Black unemployment rate for 2023, it’s 5.5% — that’s the lowest Black unemployment rate on record for an annual average going back to 1972, when the Bureau of Labor Statistics started collecting that data. If you look at the employment results for disabled workers, they’re shooting up very nicely. And, of course, women, in what we call prime age: 25 to 54. If you look at folks in their prime working years, women’s labor force participation broke records in 2023.
This is just what happens when you have a persistently tight labor market with the unemployment rate below 4% for 23 months in a row, 14.3 million jobs, 36 months in a row of job creation. It’s a great labor market. And it’s reaching folks who too often are left behind under weaker conditions.
Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images News via Getty Images
Negative marks can stay on your credit report for seven or even 10 years. But if you are having trouble managing your finances, don’t panic.
Many people hit a moment at some point when they miss a payment or pay bills late. Or perhaps they face mounting credit card debt or the prospect of foreclosure. If you are grappling with any of these situations, you may wonder how long your credit report will reflect these issues.
While seven years is a typical time period for events to stay on your report and potentially impact your credit score, the time period could be considerably shorter. And as time passes, the effect of these “bad marks” will typically diminish.
Read on to learn more about what can lower your credit score, how long it can take to bounce back, and ways to manage your money responsibly, which can help build your score.
Factors that Can Influence Your Credit Score & Report
A credit score gives a numerical value to a person’s credit history. It can help give lenders a big-picture look at a potential borrower’s creditworthiness. These scores (there isn’t just one) give lenders insight into how reliable a person might be when it comes to repaying their debt.
This can influence a lender’s decision on whether or not to loan a person money, how much money they are willing to lend, and the rates and terms for which a borrower qualifies.
Since credit scores are so widely used, it’s easy to see why some individuals may be interested in improving their credit scores. First, it might be helpful to understand the factors used to actually determine your score. Here’s a snapshot of what goes into a FICO® Score, since that is the credit score used by many lenders right now.
• Your payment history accounts for approximately 35% of your FICO Score, making it one of the most influential factors. Even just one missed or late payment could potentially lower a person’s credit score.
• Credit utilization ratio accounts for 30% of your score. Credit utilization ratio is your total revolving debt in comparison to your total available revolving credit limit. A low credit utilization ratio can indicate to lenders that you are effectively managing your credit. Typically, lenders like to see a credit utilization ratio that is less than 30%.
• The length of your credit history counts for 15%, and that may be a good reason not to close an account that you use infrequently. It might help add to the length of your history.
• Your credit mix accounts for 10% of your score. While not a good reason to go out and open a new line of credit, the bureaus do tend to prefer to see a mix of accounts vs. just one kind of credit.
• The last component, also at 10%, is new credit, meaning are you currently making a lot of requests for credit. The number of hard credit inquiries in your name could make it look as if you are at risk of financial instability and are seeking ways to pay for goods and services.
💡 Quick Tip: Some personal loan lenders can release your funds as quickly as the same day your loan is approved.
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Credit Issues: How Long Do They Linger?
Negative factors like late payments and foreclosures can hang around on your credit report for a while. Generally, the information is included for around seven years.
Bankruptcy is an exception to this seven year guideline—it can linger on your credit report for up to 10 years, depending on the type of bankruptcy filed. Bankruptcies filed under Chapter 7 can be reported for up to 10 years from the filing date. Bankruptcies filed under Chapter 13 can be reported for seven.
While a late payment will be listed on a credit report for seven years, as time passes it typically has less of an impact. So if you missed a payment last month, it will have more of an effect on your score than if you missed a payment four years ago.
These numbers are important to know when you are working to build your credit.
How Long Does It Take For Your Credit Score to Go Up?
Here’s a look, in chart form, at how long it takes for different negative factors to drop off your credit report.
Factor
Typical credit score recovery time
Bankruptcy
7-10 years
Late payment
Up to 7 years
Home foreclosure
Up to 7 years
Closing a credit card account
3 months or longer
Maxing out a credit card account
3 months or longer, depending on how quickly you repay your debt
Applying for a new credit card
3 months typically
Disputing an Error on Your Credit Report
Checking your credit report can help you stay on top of your credit. You’ll also be able to make sure the information is correct, and if needed, dispute any mistakes. There could, for instance, be a bill you paid long ago on your report as unpaid, or perhaps account details belonging to someone else with a similar name erroneously wound up on your report.
There are three major credit bureaus — Equifax®, Experian®, and TransUnion®. Once a year you can request a copy of your credit report from each of the three credit bureaus, at no cost. You can visit AnnualCreditReport.com to learn more. Checking in with each report may feel a little repetitive, but it’s possible that the credit bureaus could have slightly different information on file.
If you find that there are discrepancies or errors, you can dispute the mistake. You’ll have to write to each credit bureau individually. Generally, you’ll need to send in documentation to support your claim. Once you’ve submitted your dispute letter, the bureaus typically have 30 days to respond.
It’s possible that a bureau will require additional supporting documentation, which can lead to some back and forth within or sometimes after the 30 days. It could take anywhere from three to six months to resolve a credit dispute, though some of these situations will take more or less time depending on complexity.
Staying on Top of Efforts to Build Credit
Sometimes, resolving issues on a credit report isn’t enough to build a bad credit score. On the bright side, credit scores aren’t permanent. Here are a few ideas for helping you to build your credit.
Improve Account Management
If you’re struggling to keep up with accounts with a variety of financial institutions, it could be time to simplify. Take stock of your investments, debts, credit cards, and savings or checking accounts. Is there any opportunity to consolidate?
Having your accounts in one, easy-to-check location can make it simpler to ensure you never miss an alert or important deadline. Automating your finances and using your bank’s app to regularly check in with your accounts (say, a few times a week can be a good cadence) can make good money sense as well, helping you keep on top of payment deadlines and when your balance might be getting low. 💡 Quick Tip: Swap high-interest debt for a lower-interest loan, and save money on your monthly payments. Find out why credit card consolidation loans are so popular.
Make Payments On-Time
Did you know that your payment history (as in, do you pay on time) is the single largest factor in determining your credit score? Lenders can be hesitant to lend money to people with a history of late payments. So make sure you’re aware of each bill’s due date and make your payments on time. One idea? As mentioned above, you could set up autopay so you don’t even have to think about it.
Limit Credit Utilization Ratio
It could help to set a realistic budget that leads to a fair credit utilization ratio, meaning that your credit balances aren’t too high in relation to your credit limit. Some accounts will let you set up balance alerts that can warn you as you inch closer to the 30% guideline of the maximum you want to reach. Another option could be paying your credit card bill more frequently (for example, setting up a mid-cycle payment in addition to your regular payment).
Stratege to Destroy Debt
When it comes to paying off debt, having a plan can help. For example, using a credit card can be an effective way to build your credit history, but if not used responsibly, credit card debt can be incredibly difficult to pay off.
Not only that, it could end up impacting your credit score (say, if your credit utilization ratio creeps up above 30%, as noted above). As a part of your plan to build your credit after negative factors have occurred, you might consider putting a debt repayment plan into place.
Your finances and personal situation will be a major factor in the debt payoff plan that works best for you. If you need some inspiration, the methods below may be helpful to reference in your quest to pay off debt. If you decide that one of these options works for you, here’s how you might go about them.
The Snowball
The snowball method of paying off debt is pretty straightforward.
• To put it into action, you would organize your debts from smallest to largest, without factoring in the interest rates.
• Then you’d continue to make the minimum payments on all of your debts while paying as much as possible on your smallest debt.
• When the smallest debt is paid off, you’d then roll that money into debt payments for the next smallest debt — until all of your debt is repaid.
This strategy is all about changing behavior and building in incentives to help keep you going. Starting with the smallest debt means you’d see the reward of paying it off faster than if you had started with the larger debt. While this method can help keep you motivated and laser-focused on eliminating your debt, it isn’t always the most cost effective, since it doesn’t take into account interest rates.
The Avalanche
The debt avalanche method encourages you to focus on your highest-interest debts first.
• Prioritize debts with the highest interest rates by putting any extra cash towards them.
• Continue to make the minimum payments on all of your other debts.
This technique could help save money in interest in the long run. And it could even help you pay off your debts sooner than the snowball method.
The Fireball
The fireball method combines the snowball and avalanche methods in a hybrid approach designed to help you blaze through costly debt so you can focus on the things that matter most to you.
• The first step in this method is to go through all of your debts and categorize them as either “good” or “bad.”
• “Good” debts are those that tend to contribute to your financial growth and net worth; they also tend to have relatively lower interest rates. Good debt might be a student loan that helps you launch your career or a mortgage that allows you to own a home.
• Debts with high interest rates that don’t go towards building wealth (such as credit card debt) are often considered “bad.” With this method, you can list your “bad” debts from the smallest amount to the largest amount.
• Then you’d take a look at your budget and see how much money you have to funnel toward making extra debt payments. While making the minimum monthly payment on all outstanding debts, you’d direct the extra funds toward the bad debt with the smallest amount due.
• When that smallest balance is repaid in full, you’d apply the total amount you were paying on that debt to the next smallest debt. Then you’d continue this pattern, moving through each outstanding bad debt until they are all paid in full.
An important note: While you are moving through your higher-interest debts, you would still follow the normal payment schedule on your lower-interest debts.
By focusing on the debts with the highest interest rates first, this method could save you some change when compared with the snowball method. And, since you’re then targeting bad debt from the smallest balance to the largest, you could still benefit from the same psychological boost as you see your debt shrink, one payment at a time.
Create a Goals-Based Approach
Having financial goals could possibly help you streamline your efforts. If you’re actively working toward saving for, say, a down payment, you may feel less inclined to spend money elsewhere.
You could try setting short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals. In the short-term your goals might be as simple as tracking your spending and setting up a budget. Or perhaps saving for a big vacation that’s a year or so away. For mid-term goals, you might think about something a little further out, like buying a house or saving for a child’s education. Long-term goals are often things like (you guessed it) saving for retirement.
Writing down your goals and setting a time for when you’d like to reach them can help you set up your plan.
Consolidate Your Debt
If you are working on building your credit and want to pay down your credit card balances, one option could be a personal loan to consolidate that high-interest debt.
Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. Checking your rate takes just a minute.
SoFi’s Personal Loan was named NerdWallet’s 2023 winner for Best Online Personal Loan overall.
SoFi Loan Products SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.
Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .
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Looking for the best selling apps so that you can sell stuff? Whether you have old things around your home that you want to sell or if you want to start a reselling business, there are many apps that make it easy to sell stuff right from your phone. There are apps and sites where…
Looking for the best selling apps so that you can sell stuff?
Whether you have old things around your home that you want to sell or if you want to start a reselling business, there are many apps that make it easy to sell stuff right from your phone.
There are apps and sites where you can sell all sorts of things, too, such as clothing, furniture, electronics, collectibles, and more.
I have personally sold many items over the years on many different sites to make extra income. I even had a small reselling business at one point. So, I know how helpful these sites and apps really are!
Key Takeaways
Selling apps make it easy to find buyers for your items.
Some of my favorite selling apps are Poshmark for clothing, Worthy for jewelry, and Decluttr for electronics.
Some pay via PayPal, direct deposit, store credit, etc., so make sure you think about your options before choosing a selling site.
Also, selling apps can charge various fees. You will want to look at what they charge for a listing fee, selling fee, payment processing fee, and so on. Some are free, though, like selling to local buyers on Facebook and Craigslist!
What are selling apps?
Selling apps are sites on your phone or computer that let you sell things like clothes, toys, or even your car. You take a picture, write a little bit about it, and then other people can see it and buy it from you. Some apps help you sell to people all over the world, while others let you sell locally to people who live nearby.
The apps below can be found on iOS, Android, desktop computers, or laptops.
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This free workshop will teach you how to get into the flipping business. It will teach you how to resell furniture, electronics, appliances, and anything else you can find.
Best Selling Apps For Sellers
Below are the best selling apps.
Decluttr
If you want to sell your electronics items like phones or games, Decluttr is one of the best selling apps.
Selling with Decluttr is simple. You can scan barcodes of items like games, DVDs, and books with your phone, and after you scan your items, Decluttr will give you a price for them right away.
When you decide to sell, you send your items to Decluttr for free. They even pay for the shipping and give you a free shipping label. Once they get your stuff, they’ll inspect them and if everything looks good, you then get paid.
People like using Decluttr because it’s easy and the website is easy to understand. They have a high rating from customers on Trustpilot, which means most people have a good experience.
I have personally sold a phone on Decluttr, and I have a family member who has both bought a refurbished phone on this site as well as sold an old one. It’s very easy to use and I highly recommend Decluttr.
Here’s what you can sell on Decluttr:
Phones
Electronics
Books
Games
DVDs
CDs
Apple Watch
MacBook
Speakers
Tablets
When selling, you always get to see the price Decluttr offers before you agree to sell. If you change your mind or if Decluttr says your items aren’t quite right, they’ll send them back to you without charging you anything.
eBay
eBay is an online marketplace where you can sell all different kinds of items to buyers from around the world.
Plus, you can use either your computer or your phone to sell your items.
I have sold many, many items on eBay in the past, and I think it’s a great selling site if you are looking to reach a lot of people at once. I have mainly sold clothes on eBay, but I have family members who have sold lots of different things, even cars!
If you prefer selling directly from your phone, eBay’s app is handy. You can list items by going to the Selling page and choosing “List an item.”
EBay charges two types of fees – when you create a listing as well as a fee when your item sells. This depends on the item’s price, any listing upgrades you add, and more.
Usually, eBay gives you a number of free listings every month, which means you won’t pay to list your items. This amount can be up to 250 for regular sellers or more for eBay store owners. After the free listings, there will be a fee, so keep an eye on how many listings you’re creating. You do still have to pay a fee after the item sells, which is calculated as a percentage of the total amount of the sale, plus $0.30 per order.
Facebook Marketplace
When you’re looking to clear out your space, Facebook Marketplace is the best app to sell stuff locally. This is like a large online yard sale but from the comfort of your home and phone. You can sell almost anything here, from the couch you’re replacing to the bicycle you no longer ride.
People sell things on Facebook Marketplace all the time because it is so easy! All you need is the Facebook account that you most likely already have in order to post an ad.
To sell an item, take clear photos and write a simple description. People sell toys, furniture, electronics, household goods, and more on Facebook Marketplace.
Plus, you have the option to buy and sell locally, which means no shipping hassles, or you can reach out more broadly if you’re willing to ship items. I think that most people are selling locally, though.
OfferUp
If you have items you no longer need, like toys your kids outgrew or a bike you’ve replaced, then OfferUp is a mobile marketplace where you can sell these items quickly. It’s like having a yard sale but on your phone. You just take a photo of your item, set a price, and post it. People in your community can see what you’re selling and message you if they’re interested.
Selling collectibles can be successful on OfferUp too. If you have old video game cards or stamps, you might find collectors on the app who are looking to buy them. Just remember to price your items fairly and describe them well so buyers know what they’re getting.
Unlike some other selling platforms, OfferUp is focused on local sales. This means you often meet in person to exchange the item and payment. This local approach can make transactions fast, as you don’t have to wait for shipping.
Tip: You should always be safe when meeting. Always meet in public spaces and verify the item before paying.
Poshmark
Poshmark is one of the best reselling apps for clothes and accessories.
I love Poshmark because I can find all sorts of clothing, from adult to baby, all on this site. I can search for the exact clothing brand I am looking for and often find great deals. It’s also an easy way to list items that you want to sell, and people sell all the time on Poshmark.
You can get started selling on Poshmark by creating an account, which includes adding a profile picture and writing a biography about yourself to help potential buyers get to know you better.
Then, you will list your items for sale, which includes taking photos of what you’re selling, writing a clear title and description for each item (such as the size and brand), and setting a price.
When you sell something, Poshmark helps with shipping by giving you a shipping label, and you mail the item to the buyer.
When the buyer gets your item and everything’s good, you get paid. Poshmark takes care of payments to keep it safe for everyone.
Nextdoor
Nextdoor is your go-to app for connecting with your neighbors and tapping into your local community. Think of it like a virtual gathering place where you and others in your area can meet up online.
Nextdoor is convenient because there’s no shipping – you just meet up and make the exchange.
It uses no fees to list your items, which means more money in your pocket. Instead, Nextdoor makes money in other ways (such as advertisements) so that you don’t have to pay listing or transaction fees.
So, when you have a couch to sell or want to buy a lawn mower nearby, Nextdoor might just be the app for you.
Craigslist
Craigslist is a very popular site for buying and selling items locally.
I have bought and sold many things on Craigslist in the past, such as car tires, a white water raft, clothes, and more. As you can see, that is a wide variety of items – so I’m sure you can find something that you can sell on Craigslist as well.
Plus, there are no fees to list your items on Craigslist. And, there are no selling fees either.
It is completely free to use.
To sell your items, you need to create a post, add a description and photos, and set a price.
There are a lot of scams on Craigslist, unfortunately, so you will want to stay safe. Be careful with anyone who wants to pay via check, and always stay safe. I recommend meeting buyers in public places and think about bringing a friend along. I like to pick public places like Walmart, and I know many people who like to use police department parking lots.
thredUP
ThredUP is an online consignment and thrift store where you can sell your clothes. If you have gently used women’s or kids’ clothes, thredUP lets you clean out your closet and earn money.
You can get started by simply filling a bag with the clothing items you want to sell. Then, you’ll mail your clothes with a prepaid shipping label from thredUP, and you can drop off your package at FedEx or USPS.
When your clothes sell, you have two choices. You can either cash out or get credit to shop on thredUP.
Remember, you won’t earn money for every item you send because not everything may meet thredUP’s criteria (such as if something is stained or damaged). But it’s a straightforward way to declutter and earn some cash or credit.
Etsy
Etsy is a great place to sell items that are vintage, fun, crafty, or collectible.
You can sell items like paintings, clothing, furniture, jewelry, printables, stickers, mugs, home decor, handmade items, vintage items, and so much more.
I shop on Etsy all the time, and I love how I can find interesting items that I can’t find anywhere else, such as custom artwork or vintage furniture pieces that someone found. I shop on Etsy all the time (several times a year) for both myself as well as to find gifts to give to others.
Now, Etsy is a little different from the other selling apps on this list. This is because you would not only be creating a listing but also a whole storefront.
So, if you want to start a part-time or even a full-time selling business, then this may be more for you. But, if you’re looking to sell just one or two items, then starting a whole Etsy shop may be a little too much work (depending on what you’re selling).
Worthy
When you have jewelry like diamond rings, luxury watches, or gold necklaces that you don’t want anymore, you can sell them on Worthy.com.
At Worthy, they will check your jewelry to see how much it’s worth. Then, they will sell it for you in an auction. This means that lots of people can offer money for your piece until someone gives the best price.
Steps to sell your jewelry with Worthy:
Send your jewelry to Worthy.
Worthy checks your jewelry and helps you know how much it’s worth. If you don’t like the price, you can decide not to sell it and get your jewelry back.
Your jewelry is put up for auction.
You get money when someone buys it.
The good thing is that Worthy takes care of getting your jewelry to the buyers safely. They pay for the shipping insurance, so you don’t have to worry if something happens on the way.
Mercari
You might want to sell things you don’t need anymore like a pair of shoes you outgrew or a video game you’ve finished playing. Mercari is an app that lets you sell these items right from your phone.
You can list almost anything on Mercari as long as it can be shipped. This includes phones, gaming consoles like Xbox and PS5, clothes, shoes, and even collectibles like Squishmallows.
It’s free to list your stuff on Mercari. Instead, they earn money from fees after your item sells.
First, you take a few pictures of what you’re selling. Then, you write down details about it – like what it is, what condition it’s in, and how much you want for it.
When someone buys your item, Mercari helps with shipping. They get you a prepaid label, and you just have to package your item and send it off.
Amazon
We’ve all heard of Amazon and I’m sure most of us use this site.
I buy things on Amazon all the time, and I have a few friends who sell on Amazon as well.
Amazon FBA, which stands for Fulfillment by Amazon, means that sellers keep their items in Amazon’s storage places. Amazon takes care of sending products to customers, dealing with returns, and managing customer service for the seller. With FBA, you can sell different things without the need to store them yourself or manage shipping details.
Your business would involve finding items to sell. Even if you haven’t sold anything on Amazon before, you can make money by selling everyday things like household items, toys, books, electronics, and more.
If you want to learn more about starting an Amazon business, I recommend signing up for this free training that will teach you how to sell products on Amazon and make $100 to $500 per day.
Recommended reading: How To Work From Home Selling On Amazon FBA
Chairish
Chairish is a site where you can sell furniture.
With Chairish, your items are put in front of people who appreciate one-of-a-kind pieces. You can find buyers for antique and vintage furniture, art, and decor.
On Chairish, the process is smooth. You write about your item, set a price, and Chairish handles the rest from marketing to shipping.
Kidizen
Kidizen is a used kids’ clothing site where you can sell your kids’ outgrown clothes, shoes, toys, and more. They even accept clothing for moms and maternity wear.
There are two ways to sell on Kidizen. One is to create listings yourself and sell your used items on Kidizen directly. The other option is to have Kidizen sell the items for you, where they create the listings and do all the work.
Cash4YourBooks
Cash4YourBooks is a site where you can sell your books. They buy book collections of 500 books or more (such as from estates, personal collections, libraries, and more).
If Cash4YourBooks decides to buy your collection, they’ll pick it up; you don’t need to worry about shipping or anything like that.
Gameflip
Gameflip is a site where you can sell gaming stuff, like video games and things you use inside games.
You can sell both real and online games on Gameflip. You get to decide how much they cost, and you can chat with potential buyers. This makes it simple for you to sell your video games and other things.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Best Selling Apps
When you want to sell items online, finding the right app can save you time and make you money. Here are answers to the most common questions about selling apps.
What apps help you sell stuff quickly?
If you’re looking to sell your unwanted items fast, apps like eBay and OfferUp are great because they have a lot of people who are looking for things to buy.
What selling apps pay you instantly?
Apps like Decluttr can pay you instantly once your items are accepted. This means you get paid quickly, usually after they check your stuff and make sure the quality is what you said it was.
What are the top apps for selling things in my local area?
Nextdoor and OfferUp are easy for local sales, and they allow you to connect with nearby buyers in local neighborhoods, which can make the process faster and skip any shipping. If you have a lot of things that you want to sell but want to keep it local, then you could even post an ad on the Craigslist app announcing a yard or garage sale.
What selling app takes the least amount of money?
If you don’t want to spend any money to sell your items, then Facebook and Craigslist are two great places to start. I have gotten rid of items on both, and they are very easy to use.
What App Is Best To Sell Things? – Summary
I hope you enjoyed this article on the best selling apps.
When you use selling apps, you save time because you don’t have to have a yard sale. It’s also safe because you don’t have to meet strangers in person if you don’t want to. These apps can be free or low-cost, which means more money in your pocket.
Some apps are great for local sales, allowing you to connect with buyers in your neighborhood. These can be super helpful for large items that are difficult to ship. Other apps specialize in specific categories, like fashion or handmade goods.
Whatever you are looking to sell, I hope you see lots of success! I have sold many items over the years, both online and offline, and I think it’s a great way to make money.
During the tenant screening process, landlords often need to sift through tons of applications from potential renters. With so much competition, how do you make yours stand out?
One way is by knowing exactly what essential information to fill out so you can complete the application quickly and correctly. You don’t want to leave anything out and risk your application being delayed or rejected. There are only a few pages to give the landlord a complete picture of you and what you bring to the table as a tenant. You need to show them that you’re a responsible and honest tenant who won’t cause property damage or fall behind on rent. Knowing how to fill out an apartment application to rent an apartment lets you prepare ahead of time. The faster you get your completed, well-rounded application in, the faster you may be in your new home.
Everything you need to include on a rental application
All rental applications are going to look slightly different, from the formatting to how the different sections are organized. But all rental applications should cover the following complete information.
1. Personal and contact information
Typically, the first section on a rental application will be for personal and contact information from the prospective tenant. It’s also an easy section to complete before diving into the rest of the application.
There will likely be a section for the day’s date for you to fill in. Then you can move on the rest of the personal information about the applicant: you.
Your full name
Current address
Phone numbers (include both your home and cell phone number)
Email address
Date of birth
Social Security number
Driver’s license number
If you don’t have a driver’s license, any kind of official, government-issued ID will do.
Other occupants
Most applications give you a section to add the name, age, and contact info for the other people you’ll be living with. But each person who is going on the apartment’s lease needs to fill out their own separate application with their own personal information. If you’re signing the lease with roommates or a partner, you’ll be submitting multiple applications.
This also helps the landlord follow proper health and safety laws and regulations in your area. They can’t have five people living in a one-bedroom apartment. It’s unsafe and against the law.
Know your rights
It’s also important to know what sensitive information a potential landlord legally cannot ask you. During the rental application process and listed on the rental application itself, you cannot be asked about:
Race
National origin
Sex or sexual orientation
Religion
Disabilities
2. Apartment information
Some landlords may include sections or lines for information about the specific rental property or unit. This could include the address, unit number, size of apartment or square footage. But it also may cover monthly rent, upfront costs and pet fees (if applicable).
Oftentimes, the landlord can or will fill in this section themselves to avoid mistakes or errors. After all, they’re the landlord and know all the essential information about the unit. If you do have to fill out this section yourself, just be sure to double-check that all the details are correct. You can also ask the landlord to look it over for verification.
This way, both you and the landlord or property manager are on the same page about exactly which rental property or unit you’re interested in leasing.
3. Employment history
One of the most important sections of how to fill out an apartment application focuses on your employment history. After all, your prospective landlord wants to make sure you can pay the rent on time and in full each month.
In this section, add details about your current employer or work situation. Include information like your job title, work address and how long you’ve worked there. You’ll also want to provide contact information for your employer. Landlords and property managers typically contact employers to verify the employment of a potential applicant.
This section also includes one of the most essential pieces of info for landlords: your income. After all, you need to prove that you have a steady stream of income from some source so you can afford rent. Depending on the application, it may ask for your hourly rate, annual salary or monthly income. It may also ask if you’re part time or full time. As proof of income, you’ll need to provide recent pay stubs or bank statements as part of your application. Requesting two to three months of pay stubs or bank statements is the norm.
If you have a big savings account, you can also provide evidence of this. If you’re between jobs, just started somewhere new or are self-employed with a variable monthly income, having a good nest egg assures landlords. You can also provide more employment history by attaching your work resume. This is only a good idea if your previous work history reflects well on you. If you tend to leave jobs quickly or aren’t on good terms with former employers, it can hurt your case.
It’s also OK if you don’t have a previous employer or just started a new job. There are other ways you can prove you’d be a reliable, trustworthy tenant.
Other sources of income
If you have other sources of income apart from a routine job, you can also give that information to the landlord. Other sources of income can include:
Inheritance
Annuity
Severance payment
Unemployment
Disability
Social security
This can help bolster your claim that you make enough money each month to cover rent.
4. Rental history
Landlords want to ensure that a potential tenant is responsible and reliable. As such, nearly every rental application will have a section where you can fill out your residence history.
You usually only need to provide information about your last one or two rentals, including your current one. Add details about the address, the cost of rent and your move-in and move-out dates.
You’ll also need to list the contact information for current and previous landlords. References from past landlords are one of the best ways landlords vet potential tenants. For that reason, it’s always a good idea to stay on good terms with your previous landlord, because they become potential references once you move out. A good recommendation from a property manager or current landlord who liked you can go a long way. It shows you paid rent on time, took good care of the property and are an upstanding tenant.
If you don’t have any rental history, don’t worry. You can ask a family member or someone you trust to act as co-signer. Some applications may have a brief section where you can indicate if you’re having a co-signer or who they are. Otherwise, mention it to the landlord so they can loop the co-signer in and send them any relevant documents.
5. References
Along with the landlord references, some applications let you provide character references to vouch for you as a person. Professional and personal references from colleagues, friends or co-workers help verify that you’re a reliable person and help the landlord get a good sense of your character. Most landlords won’t accept references from family members. This section should ask for reference names and contact information.
Not every landlord requires or adds this. If they don’t, you can sometimes attach signed letters of reference directly to the application. You can also attach a rental cover letter or renter resume to add a little more depth.
6. Extra details
Not all rental applications will need these extra bits of information, as it depends on the rental property and landlord.
Emergency contact
Just in case, some landlords ask for emergency contact information upfront. If you’re approved, they’ll add it to your file later. It also comes in handy if they can’t get in touch with you during the rental application process.
List an emergency contact’s name, phone number and their relationship to you.
Pets
Lots of renters these days have pets, so you’re likely to see at least one reference to whether or not you have pets on a rental application.
If you do, the landlord usually asks for more background information about the animal such as breed and weight. That way, if they don’t allow the particular animal, they’ll let you know sooner and save you and themselves the trouble.
In addition to knowing how to fill out an apartment application, having a pet resume is a good idea for these situations. Similar to a work resume, it covers all the essential information a landlord would need to know about your pet. Add details like the pet’s name, species, breed, weight and gender. Make sure to include updated vaccine information as well.
Vehicles
If the apartment has on-site parking available and the rental unit has a parking space, you can provide your vehicle information upfront. List the make, model, color and year of each car, in addition to the license plate numbers.
Smoking
Many landlords have strict rules regarding smoking on their properties. If they do, they’ll likely have a small section asking if you smoke or not.
7. Credit and background check permission request
As part of how to fill out an apartment application, landlords need to run a background check and credit check on prospective tenants. There should be a specific section for you to sign, giving the landlord permission to run these checks.
Prior to the credit and background check section, you may also be asked if:
You’ve ever been convicted of a crime
Broken a lease
Declared bankruptcy
Been evicted
These are all potential red flags for renting, but don’t always mean an immediate “no.” Having a heads-up they’ll appear on the background check is helpful. It also shows the landlord that you’re honest about your past.
8. Bank information for the application fee
To cover the costs of running background checks and getting a credit report, most landlords and property managers charge application fees. These fees also cover any administrative costs incurred while processing the application. Within this section, list relevant information such as:
Bank name
Bank address and phone
Bank account number
Credit obligations (loans) with a monthly payment
Some applications will have a list of these fees. That way, you know what to expect.
9. Sign on the dotted line
Rounding out how to fill out an apartment application form is the signature section. Both you and the landlord should sign and date it. The signatures validate the document and serve as proof of payment.
This section wraps up the application. Congratulations, you’re done and have officially applied to a new apartment! Now comes the waiting to see if you beat out the other applicants and are the right tenant the landlord is looking for.
Completing the rental application process
After you’ve filled out rental applications with all the requested information, it’s time for you to sit back and wait to hear if your application has been accepted. During this time, the landlord does their screening reports. The tenant screening can take anywhere from two to three days. Sometimes it takes longer if it’s taking the landlord a while to verify some of your information.
Being accepted to your new apartment
Once you hear the good news that you’ve been accepted, you have a few final steps to follow before hiring movers.
Pay the security deposit and the first month of rent payments
As you finalize the rental process, you’ll need to pay for the security deposit, first month’s rent and any move-in fees.
Generally, writing personal checks is the easiest way to handle this transfer. But increasingly, modern-day renters prefer the ease and convenience of online portals. That way, they can pay rent, review the lease agreement, request maintenance repairs and more in one place.
Sign the lease
Once you’ve reviewed the lease and everything is in order, officially sign the lease to make the apartment yours (temporarily).
A rental application form template
To give you an example of what some apartment applications may look like, check out our sample template. You can also download this PDF or Word document template if you want to practice or get all the information in one place.
Know what to expect when filling out a rental application
Renting a new apartment can be a hassle. But by knowing how to fill out an apartment application, you can prepare in advance to help the process go smoothly and efficiently.
The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or financial advice. Readers are encouraged to seek professional legal or financial advice as they may deem it necessary.
Patricia Marroquin/Getty Images/Illustration by Bankrate
With home prices in California among the highest in the country, owning a piece of property here likely means you’ll need to borrow some money. You shouldn’t just borrow from the first mortgage lender you find, though. Compare mortgage lenders in California to find an option that’ll help lower your costs — and stress — on the road to closing. Here are some of the best lenders in the state that have earned high marks from Bankrate and positive feedback from borrowers.
Best mortgage lenders in California
Lender
Credit requirements
Down payment minimum
Bankrate Score
Veterans United Home Loans
620 for conventional and VA loans
3% for conventional loans, 3.5% for FHA loans, none for VA and USDA loans
4.9
Bethpage Federal Credit Union
620 for conventional loans, 500 for FHA loans
3% for conventional loans, 3.5% for FHA loans
4.9
Wells Fargo
620 for conventional loans
3% for conventional loans, 3.5% for FHA loans, none for VA and USDA loans
4.8
First Mortgage Direct
620 for conventional loans, 580 for FHA and VA loans
3% for conventional loans, 3.5% for FHA loans, none for VA and USDA loans
4.8
New American Funding
620 for conventional loans
3% for conventional loans, 3.5% for FHA loans, none for VA and USDA loans
4.8
Availability: All U.S. states
Loans offered: Conventional, jumbo, FHA, VA, USDA
Credit requirements: 620 for conventional and VA loans
Down payment minimum: 3% for conventional loans, 3.5% for FHA loans, none for VA and USDA loans
Where to find: Branch locations and online
Pros
Specializes in VA loans; 24/7 customer service over the phone; free credit counseling for service members
Cons
Doesn’t offer HELOCs or home equity loans; limited number of branches
Availability: All U.S. states except Texas
Loans offered: Conventional, jumbo, FHA
Credit requirements: 620 for conventional loans, 500 for FHA loans
Down payment minimum: 3% for conventional loans, 3.5% for FHA loans
Where to find: Branch locations and online
Pros
Displays rates online; rates tend to be lower than the national average; offers HELOCs
Cons
Must be a member; doesn’t offer USDA loans; only offers VA refinances
Availability: All U.S. states
Loans offered: Conventional, jumbo, FHA, VA, USDA
Credit requirements: 620 for conventional loans
Down payment minimum: 3% for conventional loans, 3.5% for FHA loans, none for VA and USDA loans
Where to find: Branch locations and online
Pros
Displays mortgage rates online; massive branch network; will consider non-traditional credit references in application process; offers low-down payment options to assist lower-income borrowers
Cons
Dialed back its mortgage offerings; no longer offers HELOCs; below-average customer satisfaction scores and negative past customer reviews
Availability: All U.S. states
Loans offered: Conventional, jumbo, FHA, VA, USDA
Credit requirements: 620 for conventional loans, 580 for FHA loans and VA loans
Down payment minimum: 3% for conventional loans, 3.5% for FHA loans, none for VA and USDA loans
Where to find: Online
Pros
Customized online quote tool; no origination or hidden fees
Cons
Preapprovals take slightly longer compared to other lenders
Availability: All U.S. states except Hawaii and New York
Loans offered: Conventional, jumbo, FHA, VA, USDA
Credit requirements: 620 for conventional loans
Down payment minimum: 3% for conventional loans, 3.5% for FHA loans, none for VA and USDA loans
Where to find: Branch locations and online
Pros
Displays current mortgage rates online; initiatives that focus on serving minority borrowers, including down payment grants; more than 170 branch locations
Cons
Not available in Hawaii or New York
How to find the best mortgage lender in California
While the best mortgage lender ultimately depends on individual circumstances and what feels “right” to you, it’s helpful to narrow down your options. Here are some tips:
Set your priorities. Do you want to talk to a loan officer in person? Do you need a faster closing? Want to apply for and track your mortgage status through an app? Consider these and other questions as you come up with your short list of lenders.
Get prequalified or preapproved. If you haven’t determined a homebuying budget, get prequalified for a mortgage first. This can help you understand how much a lender might allow you to borrow based on some preliminary financial information. If you’re ready to shop for homes, skip the prequalification and ask for a preapproval, which involves a credit check.
Ask about first-time buyer and down payment assistance. Many mortgage lenders in California work with the state’s housing finance agency to connect eligible borrowers with more affordable mortgages and down payment help. Some programs are available to both first-time and repeat buyers, too. Compare what different lenders offer and how that might impact your budget.
California conforming loan limits
Depending on the type of loan you use to purchase your home, it might be subject to conforming loan limits:
Conventional loan: $766,550 in most counties
FHA loan: $498,257 in most counties
Check out Bankrate’s county-by-county listing of conforming loan limits in California to see what applies to you.
California first-time homebuyer programs
If you qualify as a first-time homebuyer — meaning you haven’t owned a home in the last three years — see if you’re eligible for one of California’s programs designed to put purchasing a home within your reach. The California Housing Finance Agency, also known as CalHFA, offers a range of options geared toward buyers with low or moderate incomes for the area. You might be able to qualify for a loan with a low interest rate and/or a deferred loan to help cover a down payment and closing costs.
Certain cities might offer additional help, so be sure to search for municipal housing authority options, too. In Sacramento, for example, the Community Homeownership Initiative offers grants up to $22,000 for certain low-income first-time homebuyers.
To determine the best mortgage lenders by state, Bankrate evaluated lenders based on affordability, availability and borrower experience. The best lenders generally have a Bankrate Score of 4.8 or higher. Learn more about our methodology.
Do you need health insurance? Did you know that there are many part-time jobs with health insurance that you may be able to apply for? These types of part-time jobs are great because they not only help you to make more income but they also give you benefits like health insurance. Health benefits are usually…
Do you need health insurance?
Did you know that there are many part-time jobs with health insurance that you may be able to apply for?
These types of part-time jobs are great because they not only help you to make more income but they also give you benefits like health insurance.
Health benefits are usually associated with full-time employment, but a growing number of companies give these perks to part-time employees as well. Companies know that in order to keep good employees, giving helpful benefits like health insurance helps them with this.
You may need a part-time job with health insurance for many different reasons, such as perhaps your full-time job doesn’t come with good health insurance, or maybe you are only looking for part-time hours to make extra money.
My husband worked at UPS for many years, mainly for the health insurance. And, so did many other people who worked there. The health insurance at UPS is one of the best I’ve ever seen, and it’s available to part-time workers.
And, you may be able to find a part-time job that comes with medical insurance like this too!
Key Takeaways
UPS is known for having many valuable benefits for their part-time workers, such as health insurance.
Starbucks is another place where you can get health insurance, even working part-time. After putting in an average of 20 hours a week over three months, you can get medical, dental, and vision plans.
There are many other jobs that give you health insurance as well and even other great benefits like tuition reimbursement and parental leave.
Best Part-Time Jobs With Health Insurance
Below are the best part-time jobs with health insurance coverage.
1. UPS
If you’re looking for a part-time job with health insurance, UPS can be a great choice. At UPS, even part-time employees can get health benefits.
This is probably one of the most popular jobs ever when it comes to getting great health insurance. UPS is a very popular choice for those who are looking for health insurance.
Like I said earlier, my husband worked at UPS for years, mainly for the health insurance. And, so did many other people that we know, such as many of our personal friends, his brother, our friend’s parents, and so many more people that we personally know.
Many of the part-time jobs at UPS are for package sorters and UPS truck loaders.
Part-time UPS workers get the same healthcare benefits as full-time workers. They don’t have to pay premiums, and there is low or no co-insurance and co-pays.
Plus, part-time employees at UPS earn an average of $20 per hour after 30 days. As a part-time employee at UPS, you’re promised at least 3.5 hours of work each day you’re scheduled.
There are also other benefits you can qualify for, such as you can get a pension when you retire, help paying for college, and paid time off for vacations and holidays.
Recommended reading: 26 Best Weekly Pay Jobs To Make Money Quick
2. Starbucks
If you’re looking for part-time work and need health insurance, Starbucks might be the place for you.
Starbucks gives health, dental, and vision insurance to all part-time workers who put in at least 20 hours per week on average after working 240 hours.
Starbucks also has a generous benefits package, such as dental care, a 401(k), vacation time, college tuition reimbursement, and more.
Another nice employee benefit is Starbucks’ parental leave – workers at Starbucks who are eligible and welcoming a new child can take time off and receive pay replacement through parental leave. Additionally, Starbucks gives Family Expansion Reimbursement, giving up to $10,000 for adoption, surrogacy, or intrauterine insemination for eligible partners.
3. REI
REI has a new medical plan called the REI Access Plan, which gives medical coverage to every employee who works at REI, even part-time employees.
The REI Access Plan gives medical coverage to employees after working for only three months, no matter how many hours they work (so, if you only work one day a week, you can qualify!). This plan is in addition to the existing health care options for employees who work an average of 20 or more hours per week over a 12-month period.
The health insurance coverage includes checkups for free with in-network doctors, mental health support, hospital care, and physical therapy. It also covers pharmacy costs and provides access to virtual healthcare through Teladoc.
4. National Guard
As a National Guard member, you get to serve your country and community, and you also have access to job benefits like health insurance.
You and your family can get low-cost health insurance through a plan called Tricare Reserve Select (TRS).
In 2023, the individual monthly health insurance plan cost $48.47, and family plans cost $239.69.
You’re also eligible for low-cost life insurance that pays up to $400,000.
National Guard members respond to emergencies (such as natural disasters), serve as law enforcement, and more. Guard members have about two days of drills each month and spend two weeks on annual training every year.
5. Costco
If you’re interested in a part-time job that includes health insurance, you might want to look into working at Costco.
There are many different kinds of jobs that you can find at Costco, such as cashier, baker, forklift driver, gas station attendant, member service assistant, stocker, and so much more.
Costco gives health insurance to part-time employees who work 23 or more hours each week.
Their health insurance comes with low out-of-pocket monthly premiums and co-pays. They provide medical, dental, and vision benefits that can be used for yourself and/or your family.
I know a few people who left their day job to work at Costco due to the good pay, nice benefits, and fun work environment. So, it can be a great one to look into!
Recommended reading: 20+ Best Jobs That Pay $20 An Hour Or More
6. Chipotle
At Chipotle, you can work part-time and still get health insurance. They understand that you might be studying, have another job, or need extra time for yourself. That’s why they offer flexible schedules.
If you join their team, even part-timers can sign up for health insurance. All Chipotle crew members are eligible for the Anthem Preventive Plus, Delta Dental PPO plan, and EyeMed PPO vision plan.
They also have 100% tuition coverage for select programs. You can learn about agriculture, technology, and business. If you’re into something else, they give up to $5,250 for other study areas.
Other helpful benefits from Chipotle include paid time off, 401(k) retirement savings plans, free meals, an annual bonus, a gym membership discount, and more.
7. Walmart
At Walmart, you can find part-time jobs that come with health insurance.
Part-time jobs with health insurance at Walmart include stocking shelves, unloading trucks, customer service, cashier, and more.
If you’re working at least 30 hours per week over a 60-day period, you can become eligible for coverage.
Once you meet the hours requirement, you can choose from different health plans. These plans are not just any plans; they include options for medical, dental, and vision coverage.
8. JPMorgan Chase
JPMorgan Chase gives health insurance to part-time employees, such as for entry-level jobs like being a bank teller or in customer service.
For example, as a part-time associate banker, you’ll be helping customers with their banking needs. You will be talking to them about their accounts and showing them how to use the bank’s products and services.
To get health insurance at JPMorgan Chase, you need to work at least 20 hours a week, and their benefits include medical, vision, and dental coverage.
9. Delta Airlines
If you’re looking for part-time work and need health insurance, you might want to find a job at Delta Airlines.
There are many different jobs at Delta Airlines that could fit your needs, even if you work part-time. These can include becoming a ticket agent, gate agent, customer service, and more.
They have multiple health plans that you may be interested in, plus dental and vision plans.
Delta also gives paid long-term disability coverage, optional short-term disability insurance, and company-paid basic life insurance.
10. Amazon
If you’re looking for a part-time job with health insurance, you may want to look for a job at Amazon.
Amazon is one of the largest companies in the world, so it makes sense that they would give good health insurance.
Amazon’s medical plans cover things like prescription drugs, emergency and hospital care, mental health, X-rays, and lab work.
There are no exclusions for pre-existing conditions in any of Amazon’s medical plans. They have many different plans, so it means that you can pick the one that fits you and your family the best. Plus, all plans cover 100% of preventive care.
The benefits available to you can vary based on how many hours you work each week and where you live. For example, if you are full-time or work 40 hours a week, you get one set of benefits. If you work between 30-39 hours or 20-29 hours, your benefits may be different. And if you’re in certain states, these standard benefits might not apply.
11. Lowes
At Lowe’s, you can find many jobs that could fit your schedule, and they offer both part-time and full-time positions.
Lowe’s gives affordable health insurance plans to both part-time and full-time workers. These plans cover medical, dental, and vision, and you can get low-cost prescription drugs after 30 days.
If you head to the Lowe’s worker’s benefits website here, you can actually see a preview of your different benefit options. I thought this was really handy. I clicked on “Prospective Lowe’s Associate” which then showed me their medical plan pricing. I typed in my zip code, and it showed me that there was one available medical plan in my area for a part-time Lowe’s Associate.
This plan started at $38.60 for Employee Only. For Employee + Children, the plan then costs $106.18. For Employee + Family, the cost is $152.52 each month. This medical plan includes an annual deductible of $0 and an out-of-pocket maximum of $9,100 for an individual plan or $18,200 for a family plan.
This platform also showed me pricing for their dental coverage, which is through Delta Dental. The pricing for this started at $9.60 per month for an Employee Only plan.
Other employee benefits from Lowe’s include off-the-job accident insurance, identity protection insurance, life insurance of $20,000, short-term disability insurance, 401(k), and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).
12. Ikea
If you’re considering a part-time job, Ikea is a place you might think about. Ikea gives health benefits to its part-time workers, and you get benefits if you work at least 20 hours a week.
IKEA’s health insurance is from Anthem, and many find the premiums reasonable. Besides health coverage, IKEA also offers dental, vision, and prescription coverage. Additionally, employees enjoy benefits like paid time off, parental leave, pet insurance, and income protection.
Some examples of part-time jobs with health insurance at Ikea include retail sales associate, customer service representative, forklift operator, and food service team member.
13. Whole Foods Market
If you’re looking for a part-time job that offers health insurance, Whole Foods Market might be a place to consider. To get health insurance at Whole Foods, part-time employees need to work at least 30 hours per week.
Examples of part-time jobs at Whole Foods include sales associate, customer service representative, cashier, and more.
14. Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s is a popular place to work, especially if you want a part-time job with health insurance.
Trader Joe’s has medical, dental, and vision plans for eligible crew members, and the company covers a big part of the cost, which starts as low as $25 per month.
They also have competitive pay, a retirement plan, up to a 20% store discount, paid time off, and more.
14. Staples
If you work part-time at Staples, you can get helpful health benefits. Staples provides medical, dental, and vision plans for both full-time and part-time employees.
You become eligible for these benefits if you work at least 15 hours a week.
All part-time associates are also eligible for other employee benefits like dental, vision, life, dependent life, accidental death, and short-term disability insurance coverage.
Some examples of part-time jobs at Staples include retail sales associate, cashier, stocker, and more.
15. Home Depot
Home Depot has a generous benefits package for its employees, which includes medical coverage, dental insurance, vision coverage, short-term disability, and more.
Part-time employees can qualify for benefits if they work an average of 16 hours per week or more during a 90-day period.
Some examples of part-time jobs at Home Depot include cashier, sales associate, customer service representative, stocker, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions About Part Time Jobs With Health Insurance
Below are answers to common questions about part-time jobs with health insurance.
Which jobs have the best health insurance? What companies have the best healthcare benefits?
Jobs at larger companies like UPS and Starbucks usually have better health insurance, even for part-time employees. They have good health insurance because they want to keep and attract good employees who will stay for a long time.
Remember to check if you need to maintain a certain number of working hours to keep your health insurance active as the requirements can change. Each company is different too, so make sure to look at the details for each job.
What companies give medical insurance to part-timers?
Companies such as UPS, Staples, and Chipotle are known for giving health insurance to part-time workers. Each company has its own criteria for eligibility, so you’ll need to check if you meet their requirements.
How can I find nearby jobs that give health benefits quickly?
You can start by seeing if any of the companies mentioned above have job openings near you.
Does Starbucks give health insurance to part time employees?
Yes, Starbucks gives part-time employees the option to enroll in health insurance plans, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, as long as they meet certain eligibility criteria (such as a minimum amount of hours worked each week).
Is health insurance through work worth it?
Yes, getting health insurance through your job can be a way to save money as well as get access to health insurance. My husband did this for years, and he had great health insurance that was extremely cheap.
Part-Time Jobs With Health Insurance – Summary
I hope you enjoyed this article about how to find part-time jobs with health insurance for medical care.
Health insurance isn’t only for full-time employees.
Yes, there are jobs that will give you medical insurance for working just part-time shifts!
Finding the right part-time job with health insurance and a nice benefits package is very possible across many different industries. Companies like UPS, Starbucks, and Costco are known for giving health and medical insurance to part-time workers.
This can be a game changer for you if you are balancing multiple jobs, attending school, or have family obligations that don’t allow for a full-time position.
What other part-time jobs come with health insurance? Leave a comment below and let me know!
While it is possible to take out a Federal Housing Authority (FHA) loan to purchase a second home, it’s only allowed in a handful of specific scenarios. Many first-time homebuyers choose an Federal Housing Authority (FHA) loan because of its lower credit score and down payment requirements, so when they need to purchase a second home the natural instinct is to look at financing with a second FHA loan. Read on for more details on how FHA loans work and the few exceptions that allow borrowers to qualify for more than one at a time.
What Is an FHA Loan?
An FHA loan is a type of mortgage that’s insured by the federal government and issued by a lender. FHA loans were created in 1934 at the height of the Great Depression to make homeownership more accessible. Since the FHA assumes the risk in case of default, lenders are able to offer more favorable loan terms to borrowers who might not otherwise qualify for conventional home mortgage loans.
With an FHA loan, borrowers with credit scores of 580 or more may qualify for a down payment of 3.5% of the home purchase price. (Borrowers with credit scores between 500 and 579 will be required to put 10% down.) These FHA loan requirements are helpful for first-time homebuyers who haven’t built up their credit or borrowers with less savings to put toward a down payment. FHA loans are one of several options for low-income home loans so consider all your options, whether you are thinking about taking out a first or second FHA loan.
Borrowers must also get mortgage insurance with an FHA loan. FHA mortgage insurance involves an upfront premium and an annual payment that’s added to monthly mortgage payments. The upfront premium is equivalent to 1.75% of the loan, while the annual payment is calculated based on the loan-to-value ratio and loan terms.
Besides the purchase of a home, FHA-insured loans are also available for home renovations and refinancing an existing FHA loan.
First-time homebuyers can prequalify for a SoFi mortgage loan, with as little as 3% down.
Recommended: How Do FHA 203k Loans Work?
How You Can Get an FHA Loan for a Second Home?
It’s possible to get an FHA loan more than once. For instance, if you’ve sold a prior home and haven’t owned a home for three or more years, you’d qualify as a first-time homebuyer and be eligible for an FHA loan. (And if you have a conventional mortgage on your first home, you may be able to get an FHA loan for a second home provided your credit score is adequate and your budget can handle the cost of a second mortgage; you would also have to occupy the second home as your primary residence.)
Meanwhile, qualifying for a second FHA loan is more complicated. For one, the purchased property must become the primary residence for at least one borrower. This includes a requirement to occupy the property within 60 days and have it be their primary residence for at least one year. These occupancy requirements mean that an FHA loan can’t be used to buy vacation homes or rental properties.
Here are details on the exceptions that permit borrowers to get an FHA loan on a second home:
• Relocation: If moving for employment-related reasons, borrowers who financed their current home with an FHA loan may qualify for a second FHA loan on a new home before or without selling their first property. However, to qualify, the job must be performed on-site and the new home must be located at least 100 miles away from the primary residence that was previously purchased with FHA-backed financing.
• Increase in Family Size: Borrowers may qualify for a second FHA loan to purchase a larger home to accommodate their growing family. This is evaluated on a case-by-case basis but typically requires proof of an increase in legal dependents and having at least 25% equity in the home.
• Vacating a Jointly Owned Property: Borrowers who are getting divorced or permanently vacating a home they inhabited with a co-borrower may qualify for a second FHA loan.
• Cosigning: A borrower who cosigned an FHA loan but didn’t live in the property could qualify for another FHA loan to buy their own home.
Recommended: FHA Loan Mortgage Calculator
FHA Second-Home Requirements
For borrowers who can satisfy one of the exceptions outlined above, the next step is meeting financial eligibility requirements for a second FHA loan. With any loan, and especially a second mortgage, lenders will consider the borrower’s ability to afford monthly payments when determining if they qualify. FHA loans can allow a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio of up to 50%, meaning that half of a borrower’s income is going to debt payments. Lenders, however, may look for a lower DTI of 43%, accounting for the cost of both mortgages, to approve a second FHA loan.
Borrowers will need to meet FHA loan credit score criteria to determine whether they’ll need to put 3.5% or 10% down. Besides the down payment, lenders also factor in savings for covering closing costs and monthly payments.
Pros and Cons of Multiple FHA Loans
There are advantages and drawbacks to having FHA loans for borrowers to keep in mind.
Pros
• A smaller down payment
• No income limits
• Lower credit score requirements
• Can be used to purchase duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, or condominiums
• May have lower mortgage insurance premiums than private mortgage insurance
Cons
• Loan limits of $472,030 to $1,089,300 for a single-family home, depending on the cost of living by state
• May require an inspection and higher property standards
• Can only be used for buying a primary residence
• May require mortgage insurance for the life of the loan
Tips if You’re Considering Multiple FHA Loans
Consider these tips to be prepared to apply for a second FHA loan: To lower your DTI, you’ll either need to increase your income or lower your debt. Using your first home for rental income can demonstrate to lenders that you can afford having two mortgages. When evaluating debt, remember that established credit that’s in good standing is viewed more favorably than newer credit accounts.
Building more equity in the home you currently own is another option to help qualify for a second FHA loan. If possible, aim for at least 25% equity before applying for a second FHA loan, as this is the minimum required if you are citing an increase in family size as the exception.
The Takeaway
Can you get an FHA loan if you already have an FHA loan? Yes, but there are specific exceptions you’ll need to meet in order to qualify, and the new property must be used as a primary residence for at least one year. Not able to take out two FHA loans at once? Don’t worry. There are other options for borrowing that may suit your needs.
Looking for an affordable option for a home mortgage loan? SoFi can help: We offer low down payments (as little as 3% – 5%*) with our competitive and flexible home mortgage loans. Plus, applying is extra convenient: It’s online, with access to one-on-one help.
SoFi Mortgages: simple, smart, and so affordable.
FAQ
What will disqualify you from an FHA loan?
Borrowers could be disqualified from an FHA loan based on a high debt-to-income ratio, poor credit, or insufficient funds to cover the down payment, closing costs, and monthly mortgage payment.
Can you qualify for FHA twice?
Yes, you can get a second FHA loan if you are relocating for a new job, move at least 100 miles away, have an increase in family size, or vacate a jointly owned property. Borrowers who previously co-signed on someone else’s FHA loan may also qualify for FHA twice.
What is the 100 mile rule for FHA loans?
The 100-mile rule allows borrowers to get a second FHA loan without having to sell an existing property with a FHA-backed mortgage if they’re moving for employment-related reasons or buying a new primary residence that’s at least 100 miles away.
Photo credit: iStock/nazar_ab
*SoFi requires Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) for conforming home loans with a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio greater than 80%. As little as 3% down payments are for qualifying first-time homebuyers only. 5% minimum applies to other borrowers. Other loan types may require different fees or insurance (e.g., VA funding fee, FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums, etc.). Loan requirements may vary depending on your down payment amount, and minimum down payment varies by loan type.
¹FHA loans are subject to unique terms and conditions established by FHA and SoFi. Ask your SoFi loan officer for details about eligibility, documentation, and other requirements. FHA loans require an Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium (UFMIP), which may be financed or paid at closing, in addition to monthly Mortgage Insurance Premiums (MIP). Maximum loan amounts vary by county. The minimum FHA mortgage down payment is 3.5% for those who qualify financially for a primary purchase. SoFi is not affiliated with any government agency.
SoFi Loan Products SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.
SoFi Mortgages Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information.
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.
Welcome to NerdWallet’s Smart Money podcast, where we answer your real-world money questions. In this episode:
Wondering how to set financial goals you’ll actually follow through on? Have questions about how to avoid end-of-year financial regrets? The Nerds have you covered! Take your New Year’s Resolutions to the next level by establishing SMARTR financial goals that you can achieve in 2024.
Explore strategies for setting realistic goals in 2024 with hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Renter as they discuss “regrets and resolutions” and share ideas to help you take your 2023 experiences in stride, learn from them, and use them as stepping stones for creating a stable financial future.
They explore some of the financial regrets that haunted many Americans in 2023, including overspending and saving too little, and provide tips for avoiding common financial regrets, such as taking on too much credit card debt. Sean also explains his SMARTR framework for setting and achieving goals, which you can apply to your New Year’s Resolutions or any other goal you have in 2024.
In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: SMARTR financial goal setting, financial regrets, setting realistic goals, budgeting, saving, credit card debt, large expenses, New Year’s resolutions, goal setting framework, emergency funds, and retirement savings.
Check out this episode on your favorite podcast platform, including:
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Episode transcript
This transcript was generated from podcast audio by an AI tool.
Sean Pyles:
Happy New Year, dear listener. I hope you’re recovering from any festivities that helped you bring in 2024. Did you make any resolutions? Here at Smart Money, we’re not really into those, but goals are okay, and so is looking back at the mistakes you made last year, so you hopefully don’t make them again.
Elizabeth Renter:
I like to think of my financial goals similarly to how I think about my health goals. I can’t do this all or nothing stuff. It’s totally unsustainable and it creates this very unhealthy pattern of extreme restriction and then indulgence. So not spending anything on takeout is very unrealistic for me, and I know that, just like totally giving up pizza.
Sean Pyles:
Welcome to NerdWallet’s Smart Money Podcast. I’m Sean Pyles.
Elizabeth Renter:
And I’m Elizabeth Renter.
Sean Pyles:
This episode kicks off our Nerdy deep dive into your money in 2024. In this special series throughout the month, we’ll be looking at everything from investing to the housing market to how to manage credit as you move through this year. Elizabeth, any money, hopes and dreams for 2024?
Elizabeth Renter:
Well, I am planning a lot of travel in the coming year, so I suppose the money, hopes and dreams of that would be finding the right flights and hotels to do it in style without overpaying. I’m actually planning the strategic opening of a new credit card account to help make this happen.
Sean Pyles:
Very Nerdy, Elizabeth. Well, I’m with you. I’d say my main financial hopes and dreams are to finish up school to become a certified financial planner professional. Still about 10 months to go on that. And as ever, I’m trying to tame the internal beast that is my desire for the impulse purchase.
Elizabeth Renter:
Well, congrats in advance on the CFP, Sean. I’m actually finishing grad school this year, so we will absolutely have to toast to achieving these goals when we get there.
Sean Pyles:
Absolutely, because I am sure we will need it then.
Elizabeth Renter:
100%, Sean. I like that we’re talking about hopes and dreams here instead of resolutions. New Year’s resolutions seem to be such an overdone hoopla at the beginning of the year, and it does give you some early motivation, but that motivation fizzles out by March. So we start each year with these huge new year, new me resolutions, and then life or the economy gets in the way and falling short feels really, really bad. Life happens to all of us and we really shouldn’t beat ourselves up with these regrets. But maybe instead look at what went wrong and how to adjust moving forward on any schedule, not just the calendar year.
Sean Pyles:
Totally. I mean, I’m all for goal setting and having a well-planned approach for accomplishing goals because in fact, goal setting is one of the most important things that we need to do in our financial lives because money is just a means to an end. And if we don’t know what we want from our money or how we will accomplish it, making meaningful progress in life can be quite difficult. But that said, the resolution framing can be overly rigid or lead people to make unrealistic goals that lead to self-flagellation when you don’t accomplish them.
Elizabeth Renter:
Yes, for sure, Sean. Listen, goals are my love language, my love language to me. When I whisper sweet nothings to myself, it seriously often involves big goals.
Sean Pyles:
Whatever helps you accomplish them, I suppose. But practicing self-care and self-love is important and we are going to follow that advice today, although we are going to look back at some regrets, but only in the way that we can learn from them going forward. And we’re going to call it Regrets and Resolutions because that just scratches the alliteration itch in my brain. But really it’s all about goals this episode. All right, well listener, we want to hear what you think too. Send us your financial hopes and dreams for 2024. Leave us a voicemail or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373. That’s 901-730-NERD, or email a voice memo to [email protected]. Stay with us. We’re back in just a moment with some ways to plan a good year in money.
Elizabeth Renter:
Sean, I wish I ended the year with more in the bank, but I think that’s pretty true every year. I can’t really point to one thing and say I wish I would’ve done it differently. So maybe no true regrets. How about you?
Sean Pyles:
No “regerts.” Well, I regret that I have to pay my student loans again. But on the whole, I’m feeling pretty good about how I managed my finances last year, although I guess the real test will be when I go to file my taxes.
Elizabeth Renter:
For sure. Well, interestingly, about two thirds of Americans do have some money regrets from 2023. At NerdWallet, we commissioned a survey with The Harris Poll towards the end of last year. And one silver lining of all of those regrets is that 75% of those people say they’re going to use them to do better this year. And Sean, we had a lot of headwinds to contend with last year.
Sean Pyles:
Yeah, we started off 2023 with high inflation and then to combat that, the Fed kept hiking interest rates, and throughout the year, everything from credit cards to mortgages became more expensive. So Elizabeth, let’s talk about some of those regrets people had. What is the biggest one?
Elizabeth Renter:
Americans wish they had saved more in 2023. Almost one fourth regret not saving enough for their financial goals and 21% regret not saving more for emergencies.
Sean Pyles:
That makes sense. American’s personal savings rate or the amount of disposable income that we save went through the roof early in the pandemic, spiking as high as 32% in April 2020, but we’re saving a lot less now. In October 2023, the personal savings rate was a lot lower at nearly 4%. So is it possible to say how likely it is that people will be able to save more money this year?
Elizabeth Renter:
Well, it depends. As you said going into 2023, some households still had that excess savings from pandemic stimulus payments and student loan forbearances. So if you’re coming into 2024 with less in the bank and higher debt payments, it could be more difficult. That said, inflation is moderating. So the costs that were rising at a pretty considerable clip one year ago have slowed and wages in some cases have caught up.
Sean Pyles:
Okay, well, let’s give a few tips for fixing this regret.
Elizabeth Renter:
Sure. Well, I’d like to focus the biggest piece of advice on that one in five Americans who regret not saving for emergencies. That’s definitely where you should start. Ideally, you’ll have several months worth of living expenses set aside in case of emergencies, but that can be a very tall order, especially if you’re starting from zero. So start small, aim for a few hundred dollars and then up it to $500 and then $1,000 and so on. And whether you’re saving for emergencies or a home down payment, set specific benchmarks to help you get there. For example, that could mean setting up a direct deposit into a savings account for $100 out of every paycheck with the goal of having $1,200 by mid-year. So you’re setting specific dollar amounts and timelines and it’s automated.
Sean Pyles:
Love it. And we’ll talk later on about how important it is to take small steps when you’re trying to achieve big goals like building a solid emergency fund. So Elizabeth, what is next on the list of Americans’ money regrets from 2023?
Elizabeth Renter:
Overspending. 22% of Americans regret overspending on entertainment in 2023. So that includes dining out, going out for drinks, going to the movies and that sort of thing. Also, about 1 in 10 regret overspending on travel and 11% regret overspending on an event like a wedding or a graduation party.
Sean Pyles:
We had a lot of big events in 2023. I mean between Taylor Swift’s Eras tour and Beyonce’s Renaissance tour, there were some expensive events last year. Although I bet the folks who got tickets to those concerts do not regret spending a single penny on those experiences. Elizabeth, did you see any expensive concerts last year?
Elizabeth Renter:
Unfortunately, no. I currently live in a really small town with exactly zero venues. So had I gone to a concert, it definitely would’ve cost a pretty penny. What about you, Sean?
Sean Pyles:
Well, I did see Diana Ross when she came to town, but to be honest, I actually have no idea how much those tickets were because my partner bought them. I kind of just wanted to brag about seeing the boss on tour. Anyway, I guess the overspending regret isn’t totally surprising. Part of the reason people can’t save is that they’re potentially overspending.
Elizabeth Renter:
Yeah, for sure, Sean. Those things often go hand in hand, especially when prices are rising.
Sean Pyles:
And frankly, if you were overspending last year, you were part of the reason the economy kept humming along. So thank you, but maybe don’t do it as much this year. So Elizabeth, any ideas to make that happen or more to the point, not happen?
Elizabeth Renter:
Well, Sean, the answer to this regret is the very unsexy panacea: a budget. Listen, some people love a budget. They have spreadsheets outlining their spending limits and where all of their money is going. Here’s looking at you, Nerds. But you don’t have to go that far if you know that’s unrealistic for you. Instead, set a budget for the things you need budgeting help on. If you overspend on dining out, set a weekly limit for that. If you overspend on travel, set an annual travel budget. Sometimes the idea of a capital B budget is super off-putting, but you can benefit from these very specific targeted spending limits too.
Sean Pyles:
Yeah, people’s eyes, or I guess in the case of a podcast, people’s ears, can glaze over when you talk about budgets, but I like to think of them more as a conversation that you’re having with your finances. You are figuring out what money you have to work with, where you’re going to allocate it and determining how to live your values through your daily spending. And I find that really empowering, personally.
Elizabeth Renter:
Sean, as a Nerd, you would. That totally tracks.
Sean Pyles:
Yes. Fair enough. Well, let’s move on to regret number three.
Elizabeth Renter:
In 2023, 16% of Americans regret not reducing or paying off their credit card debt and 16% regret taking on too much credit card debt.
Sean Pyles:
And this is just perennial. I mean, this is something people struggle with and come to regret year in and year out. What would be your top things to keep in mind in 2024 if you’re struggling with this?
Elizabeth Renter:
Well, you’re absolutely right, Sean, but we did see credit card debt shrink during 2020 and 2021. So as we spent down that excess savings and embarked on revenge travel in 2023, we may have seen folks go back to relying on cards the way that they did before the pandemic, and now we have high interest to go with it. So if you’re taking on more debt, it could be more difficult to pay it off. So first off, if you’re hoping to pay down debt, I’d refer back to my earlier suggestion about making very clear targets, specific amounts and timelines. But if you’ve begun using credit cards in lieu of an emergency fund, the problem could be bigger. In that case, you may want to look into debt relief options like consolidation or debt management to help identify resources and formulate a plan to get your finances back on track.
Sean Pyles:
Well now that we’ve dealt with regret, how about some resolutions or let’s call them goals, even though I still love the alliteration of regrets and resolutions. Elizabeth, you mentioned earlier in the show that you don’t really like to make resolutions and I don’t really either, frankly. Can you talk a bit about why, especially in the realm of personal finance?
Elizabeth Renter:
Yes. So I like to think of my financial goals similarly to how I think about my health goals. I can’t do this all or nothing stuff. It’s totally unsustainable and it creates this very unhealthy pattern of extreme restriction and then indulgence. So not spending anything on takeout is very unrealistic for me, and I know that just totally giving up pizza. If I restrict myself this way, I won’t just fall off the wagon, I will absolutely crash the wagon and burn down the entire village. I’ll celebrate not having takeout for a month by splurging on takeout that costs twice as much.
Sean Pyles:
Yeah. One extreme to the other.
Elizabeth Renter:
Right, exactly. And then you’re dealing with the regret of all of it too. So I try to find balance between what’s going to get me closer to my long-term objectives while not making my life miserable.
Sean Pyles:
Yes, I am also all about going slow and steady while giving myself room to just be human and mess up every once in a while. Also, Elizabeth, something that our listeners might not know is that you’re a competitive powerlifter, so you know a thing or two about sticking to ambitious health goals.
Elizabeth Renter:
I try. I try.
Sean Pyles:
Yes. Within reason that you’re not lifting too much weight, hopefully injuring yourself. But going back to the resolution versus goal thing, I think the time box of a resolution as something that you focus on for only one year or realistically, maybe a single month before you totally forget about it, can be really limiting when it comes to financial goals. The resolution framing can lead people to expect huge and dramatic changes in their finances a lot faster than is actually possible. The truth is that it can take years to build up that solid emergency fund, not to mention how long it takes to save for retirement, but that is not to say that you can’t take steps today or tomorrow and the next day to better your finances. In fact, those steps that you do take today are in all likelihood the only things that will get you there.
Elizabeth Renter:
You’re absolutely right, Sean. Those incremental changes and growth really do build up over time, whether we’re talking about money or power lifting. You just keep plugging away and accept sometimes that that path is not going to be linear.
Sean Pyles:
Yeah, for sure. Well, we kind of went through some advice for not repeating the regrets we might’ve had in 2023. How do you think about that as different from goal setting?
Elizabeth Renter:
From my perspective, regrets and setbacks are really just things that happen on your way to a goal. You’re going to have periods of progress and periods that don’t go quite like you wanted. Sometimes those setbacks are your doing entirely and other times they’re not. But they generally don’t upend your ability to attain your goals altogether. Maybe I had to divert some of my monthly savings towards an unexpected car repair, or maybe I went over my travel budget. Does that mean I won’t hit my savings or spending goals? Not necessarily. It might set them back by a few months, but it doesn’t quash my goals. They’re still attainable.
Sean Pyles:
Yeah, it’s all about giving yourself grace and focusing on that long-term. All right, well let’s suggest a few financial goals that people could endeavor to achieve over the coming year. What would be your first suggestion?
Elizabeth Renter:
Well, Sean, I’m going to give the mom advice that we probably all need to hear, and that is try your best. Set a goal to just try your best, but don’t just give that lip service. Really try your best. And the thing I like about this goal is that it looks entirely different for different people. For some, setting aside, $50 a month for 6 months into a brand new emergency fund will be their baseline goal. And for others it might be bumping up their retirement contributions to, I don’t know, 12% of their salary. In either case, you could hit a tough month and have to adapt, but don’t in that situation just throw up your hands and exclaim, “Yeah, all bets are off. I guess I’ll try again next year.” Keep going. Just keep doing the best you can. What about you, Sean?
Sean Pyles:
Well, I touched on this earlier, but I’d recommend people spend time getting more acquainted with their relationship between their spending and their values. It can be easy to just spend in a way that’s not super thoughtful or not aligned with the values that we hope to embody each day. So going back to that budget conversation you’re having with yourself, think about what you want from your life and what kind of world you want to live in. And then ask yourself if you are directing your money accordingly. That’s a question that I try to ask myself a lot, and the answer isn’t always going to be yes, but it’s something to be mindful of. Okay, how about one more?
Elizabeth Renter:
Well, I like what you just said, Sean. Being more mindful of how you spend can help keep you from those overspending regrets. And building on that, I’d suggest taking steps to literally slow down when you’re spending. If you just loaded up a cart at an online retailer, make a practice or a goal of just walking away and coming back tomorrow. Give it a day before you check out. I do this and frequently find I’ve mindlessly thrown things in the cart that I really don’t want to spend my money on.
Sean Pyles:
Yeah, I love that. And as a person of the ADHD experience, I can sometimes get hyper fixated on a purchase that I want to make, but if I build in that buffer of a day or two, I’ll find that I actually don’t want that thing after all. And if I don’t buy it, that means I have more money for things I actually do care about. So as we make these suggestions for resolutions/goals, how about we provide some advice for how to actually make them happen? What do you do on that front? Any personal tips, Elizabeth?
Elizabeth Renter:
Yeah. Well, for the big goals, I tell somebody, I have a seriously big fear of looking like I fell short. And by telling someone what I’m trying to achieve, I build in that accountability. Sean, I know accomplishing goals is something of a pet topic of yours. So what about you?
Sean Pyles:
Yes, I do also love an accountability partner. I’ve made my life partner, Garrett, my accountability partner for my CFP coursework. I’ll tell him that I’m going to do X assignment. And even if I don’t feel like doing it, just knowing that I told him that I would do it can push me to actually get that work done and do it in a way that’s meaningful. So I’m learning what I need to learn.
Elizabeth Renter:
Exactly. Sean, so you want to give us the rundown of how to actually accomplish goals this year?
Sean Pyles:
Yes, I would love to. So we use the SMART goal setting framework here at Smart Money, perhaps not totally surprising, and I add my own twist by making them SMARTR goals. So for those who are not familiar, SMART is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. And the extra R that I add at the end is for Rewarded. And I’ll explain why in a little bit.
Elizabeth Renter:
I’m excited to hear this, Sean. So walk us through how it all works.
Sean Pyles:
Okay, starting with the S, specific, make your goal very clear and tangible. For example, maybe you have a goal of investing more this year. Okay, great, but what does that really mean? Are you going to max out your IRA or 401(k)? Or get set up with a robo-advisor account? The more precisely you can envision your goal, the easier it will be to map out the path to get there.
Elizabeth Renter:
That makes perfect sense. You can’t accomplish a goal if you don’t know what it is.
Sean Pyles:
Yeah, exactly. So now onto the M, measurable, you need a way to quantify your goals and track the progress that you’re making. So to continue that investing example, if you want to max out your IRA, the maximum you can contribute in 2024 is $7,000 or $7,500 if you’re 50 and older. Figure out how much you would need to contribute each month to hit that goal.
Elizabeth Renter:
So quick mental math. Totally not using a calculator here. If you want to hit that $7,000 amount, you’d need to contribute about $583 each month and then track your progress throughout the year, maybe on a spreadsheet or in a journal.
Sean Pyles:
Yep. Okay. And that brings me to the A in SMARTR goals, attainable. For a lot of people contributing $583 a month into a retirement account just is not feasible. So in that case, what’s a more affordable option? Look into your monthly income and expenses, that whole budgeting conversation we’ve been talking about, and see how much you could actually contribute. Maybe it’s $200 a month, so you would contribute a total of $2,400 to your IRA over the year, which is still awesome.
Elizabeth Renter:
Very awesome. Okay, Sean, we have the specific, the measurable, the attainable. What about the rest? This is testing my spelling as much as anything.
Sean Pyles:
Yes. So the R and the T stand for relevant and time-bound. You want your financial goal to be something that’s actually relevant to your life goals, your passions, and your values. If you’re contributing to a retirement account because you think it’s what you should be doing and it’s not something you actually care about, you’re not really likely to meet that goal. And with time-bound, that is when you put a time box on your goal. So to round out this example, if you want to save a certain amount for retirement in the calendar year of 2024, you’d have the monthly steps that you take to meet your annual goal. And at the end of the year, guess what? You did it. Goal accomplished.
Elizabeth Renter:
Yay. Congratulations. But wait, Sean, you mentioned that R, your finishing touch. What’s that all about?
Sean Pyles:
Yes, I’m so glad you didn’t forget that, Elizabeth. The final R is for Rewarded. As the child of behavioral psychologists, I am a big proponent of positive reinforcement and making the process of accomplishing your goals as enjoyable as possible. Because the more you like doing something, the more likely you are to keep doing it. So build in rewards as you take the small daily or monthly steps towards achieving your goal.
Elizabeth Renter:
I love that idea. So when someone makes that monthly deposit into their IRA, maybe they go out for ice cream or do a shot of tequila, whatever makes them happy.
Sean Pyles:
Exactly. Yeah, just don’t go too wild. You don’t want to blow your retirement savings budget on that top shelf tequila. So that is the SMARTR framework, and it can be really helpful as you accomplish goals over the coming year. But also as you’re working away to save for retirement or whatever, I want to encourage you, listener, to give yourself grace if you’re not able to fulfill all of those goals this year. Like Elizabeth said, life happens. You might have a big expense one month that sucks up the money you would’ve put toward retirement. That’s okay. Take a breath, regroup, and just pick up the pieces next month. No matter what, just please don’t be harsh with yourself. It is simply not worth it. Try your best. That’s all you can do.
Elizabeth Renter:
Well said, Sean, do your best and keep going. You might not see other people struggling towards their goals, but they are. Remember all those Americans who had money regrets last year? This isn’t a linear process. Sometimes things are hard and sometimes they surprise you with how well they go.
Sean Pyles:
So what we’ve learned today is that A, lot of people have money regrets from 2023. B, you can use those to change habits in 2024. And C, make some SMARTR goals instead of resolutions when it comes to your finances.
Elizabeth Renter:
I like it, Sean. So what’s next for this 2024 look ahead series?
Sean Pyles:
Well, Elizabeth, we are going to take a look at what this year might bring in investing. Not that anyone can predict the markets, but that’s kind of the point.
Alana Benson:
If you have a well diversified portfolio and you’re investing for the long-term, like for retirement, there’s no real reason to stress about the ups and downs of the market in the short term. And yes, in this instance, again, one year is the short term.
Elizabeth Renter:
For now, that’s all we have for this episode. Do you have a money question of your own? Turn to the Nerds and call or text us your questions at 901-730-6373. That’s 901-730-NERD. You can also email us at [email protected]. Also visit nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode. And remember to follow, rate and review us wherever you’re getting this podcast.
Sean Pyles:
This episode was produced by Tess Vigeland and Elizabeth. I helped with editing. Kathy Hinson helped with fact-checking. Kaely Monahan mixed our audio. And a big thank you to NerdWallet editors for all their help.
Elizabeth Renter:
And here’s our brief disclaimer. We are not financial or investment advisors. This nerdy info is provided for general educational and entertainment purposes and may not apply to your specific circumstances.
Sean Pyles:
And with that said, until next time, turn to the Nerds.
Do you want to learn how to make money in one hour? Whether it’s for an unexpected bill or you’re saving for a special purchase, the good news is that there are many real ways you can make money within an hour or less. These can be ways to make extra income or even possibly…
Do you want to learn how to make money in one hour?
Whether it’s for an unexpected bill or you’re saving for a special purchase, the good news is that there are many real ways you can make money within an hour or less.
These can be ways to make extra income or even possibly be turned into a full-time job.
Back when I had student loans, I found many different ways to make money in an hour. I did this because I wanted to squeeze in quick side hustles around my full-time job – such as before and after work and during my lunch break. There were also times when I needed money quickly, such as in less than an hour, and I had to find ways to make that happen to have cash on hand.
There may be other reasons for why you need to make money in an hour or less. If this is you, continue reading below to learn how to make money in 60 minutes or less!
Key Takeaways
If you have unwanted items (like clothes you don’t wear anymore), sell them. You can use apps or go to a thrift store, and they might give you cash right on the spot.
You could sell helpful services like tutoring or dog walking. These jobs pay you right away for the time you spend doing them.
You can make money fast by taking online surveys. Websites like Survey Junkie or Swagbucks pay you for sharing your opinions.
Recommended reading: How To Make $100 A Day
Best Ways to Make Money in One Hour
Whether you only have one hour to spare each day or if you need to make money in literally one hour from now, you do have some options.
Make money in one hour by selling items you don’t need
Got stuff at home you don’t use anymore? You can turn those things into cash, often in just an hour!
Here are some easy ways you can do this.
Clothes and jewelry – Look in your closet. Are there clothes that are no longer worn? Take them to a thrift store or a consignment store like Once Upon A Child. They buy your gently-used clothes and you leave with cash in your hand!
Toys and games – If you have toys or video games that just sit around, you can sell these too. Kids outgrow these fast, and you can find a new home for them where they’ll be loved again.
Unused gift cards – If you have gift cards that you haven’t used, you can sell them!
Other stuff – Electronics, books, or maybe some old furniture could also be sold.
You can sell items on platforms like Decluttr, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and eBay. I have sold on all these (plus a lot more!), and they are all easy to use.
You could even have a garage sale if you have lots of items to get rid of.
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This free workshop will teach you how to get into the flipping business. It will teach you how to resell furniture, electronics, appliances, and anything else you can find.
Mow lawns or shovel snow
Making money in one hour can be done if you mow lawns or shovel snow. These jobs can be done quickly, and you get paid right after you finish the work.
You’ll need a lawn mower, shovel, and/or snow blower to get started, and you can typically charge around $50+ for a yard.
Doing a good job increases the chances of people asking you to return or recommending you to their friends. Take your time to do things well. Before starting any work, make sure to ask how much they’re willing to spend because this way, both of you agree on the price!
Return a recent purchase
If you bought something you don’t need or haven’t used yet, returning it is a quick way to get cash.
Surprisingly, many people have items lying around that they’ve purchased but may have not used yet. If you really need the cash, then this can be a great option to start with.
First, find your receipt. This shows you paid for the item and when you bought it. No receipt? Look in your email or bags. Sometimes, stores send receipts to your email or put them in your shopping bag.
Next, check the store’s return policy. Some stores let you return items within a certain time, like 30 or 60 days. Be quick – if you wait too long, you can’t return it!
Before you go to the store, make sure the item is in good shape. It should look like when you bought it. Return it in its original packaging if you can. Here’s a list of what you’ll need to return a purchase:
Your receipt (or email proof)
The item (unused and not broken)
Packaging (the box or bag it came in)
At the store, go to the customer service desk and tell them you want to return the item. Be polite – it makes things smoother. If you don’t want to go to the store, some stores might let you mail the item back.
Remember, some items can’t be returned. Things like opened DVDs or personal use items like earbuds usually can’t go back to the store. It’s always a good idea to know the return rules before you buy things.
Deliver food to make money in one hour
If you want to make money fast and take advantage of the gig economy, you can deliver food, such as groceries or restaurant meals. Companies like Instacart, Uber Eats, and DoorDash let you sign up to be a delivery driver.
To get started, you’ll need a car, bike, or scooter and sign up for the company that you want to work with. You’ll then get orders on your phone through an app, go to the restaurant or grocery store, pick up the food, and drive it to the customer’s place (this may be their home or where they work).
You’ll get paid for each person or food delivery, plus get tips as well.
You get to choose the hours that you want to work, and you can work for just one hour or as much as you want.
Related to this, you can even deliver packages for retailers with Amazon Flex!
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Instacart is a popular website for people looking to earn extra money shopping for and delivering groceries. Instacart gives you the option to turn your free time into a chance to make some extra money.
Drive for rideshare companies
If you want to make money quickly, you might start driving for companies like Uber or Lyft.
You get paid for giving people rides in your car, and the more you drive, the more money you can make.
Drivers can earn about $20 per hour on average. In some cities, drivers can make more than $30 an hour.
You can increase your earnings further by concentrating on busy areas (such as before and after a concert) and driving during the busiest times (such as on a Saturday night). This way, you can make more money for each hour of your time!
Recommended reading: How To Make $1,000 In 24 Hours
Answer online surveys
If you want to make money quickly, you can try taking paid online surveys. Market research companies need your opinions to make their products better, so they pay you for your time.
Some paid survey sites where you can take surveys include:
American Consumer Opinion
Survey Junkie
Swagbucks
InboxDollars
Branded Surveys
Here’s what to do:
Sign up: Make a free account on the survey site.
Pick a survey: Choose one that looks interesting to you.
Give honest answers: Share what you really think about the questions you’re asked.
Earn rewards: After you finish, the site will give you points or money.
Earning money from answering surveys is not always fast, and it won’t make you rich. But if you have an hour, it’s a simple way to earn a little extra cash.
For me, I have answered a lot of surveys over the years. I like how I can answer surveys in little breaks I have during the day, such as before and after work, during a lunch break, while being a passenger in a car, and so on. They are easy to answer, and usually only take a few minutes.
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Branded Surveys is one of the most popular survey sites that rewards you in cash and gift cards for sharing your opinion. You can get paid anywhere from $0.50 to $5.00 per survey.
Perform odd jobs found on Craigslist
Craigslist has a jobs section on their site where you can find tasks that people need done right away. These are typically one-time gigs, but there are also part-time and full-time jobs listed here as well.
When you do a job on Craigslist, you usually get paid right after you complete the short task. That means you’ll receive your money on the same day.
To find Craigslist gigs in your town, just go to Craigslist and look for the “gigs” section.
Here are some gigs and tasks I found through a quick search on Craigslist:
House cleaner
Mover
Focus groups
Help with launching a boat
Gardening help
Help with painting a home
Lawn mowing
Participate in focus groups
Are you looking for a quick way to make money? Joining focus groups can be a fun way for you to earn extra cash and many times they take an hour or less.
A focus group is a small group of people who talk about products or services. Companies use your opinions to make their stuff better by learning more about their customers, such as you.
User Interviews is a popular site to find focus groups to take part in.
I have done a user interview in the past and got paid $400 for just one hour of work. It was simple, and everything happened online through a video call to see my opinion on a new feature for a well-known company (one of the largest companies in the world, in fact – so even large companies use these to help them improve!).
You can make $50 to $100 per hour, or even more, by sharing your thoughts and feedback.
Recommended reading: 19 Best Places To Find Paid Research Studies
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User Interviews pays very well for market research studies and these are some of the highest paying online surveys, with each paying $50 to $100 or more. The average pays over $60.
Mystery shopping
If you want to earn money quickly, like in just an hour, you can try becoming a mystery shopper. Mystery shoppers are people just like you and me who get paid to shop and give their opinion.
I’ve done a lot of mystery shopping over the years to make some extra money and to get free stuff. It’s easy work that can be done either on the phone (such as by rating their customer service when they answer the phone) or in person at a store. Most mystery shops take less than an hour too! I’ve done many that even take less than 5 minutes to complete.
The way mystery shopping works is that you’ll typically buy products or try services, pay attention to the details like how clean the store is or if the staff is nice, and then answer questions that the mystery shopping company gives you after you are done.
Donate plasma
If you’re looking for ways to make money in one hour, you can donate plasma and get paid for it.
When you go to donate, the center will check your blood to make sure you’re healthy and that your plasma can be used to help others.
Here’s what you might earn for your plasma donation:
$20 to $50 for each time you donate
Up to $300 a month if you donate regularly
Some centers might pay more money for your first time donating, like a bonus to persuade you to start. The amount you get can change depending on where you live, so make sure to confirm before you commit.
Tutor students online
If you want to learn how to make money in one hour online, then online tutoring jobs can be a good option to look into.
If you’re good at a subject, you can make money fast by tutoring students online. Lots of students need help with their schoolwork and are willing to pay for your knowledge.
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 through a video lesson.
Tutors can earn different amounts depending on what they teach (the subject) and the duration of the session (whether it’s a quick question or a full-hour session). For example, tutoring in advanced subjects like calculus usually pays more than simpler ones like first-grade math. Some tutors may earn around $20 per hour, while others can make well over $100 per hour.
Sell scrap metal
Selling scrap metal or precious metals is a quick way to make some money in just one hour.
To get started, you’ll want to find metal items from around your home. This can be old appliances, wires, and even soda cans.
Then, you’ll want to find a scrap yard nearby to take your metals. You’ll want to make sure it’s clean and to keep your metals separated and organized.
Once you get to the scrap yard, you’ll weigh your metal on their scales, and then they’ll give you a price. If it’s your first time, ask how the process works just so that you are not confused by anything.
Prices change often, so what you earn depends on the type and weight of the metal you sell.
Play online games for rewards
Have you ever thought you could make money by playing games on your phone or computer? Yes, you can! Some apps and websites let you earn rewards, like gift cards or even cash, just for playing online games in your spare time.
Apps that pay you for playing games usually make their money through ads, things you buy in the app, and paid gaming competitions. They share a bit of what they earn with you to get you to keep playing their games and spend more time on their platform.
Here’s a quick list of the top game platforms that pay real cash:
KashKick
Swagbucks
InboxDollars
Recommended reading: 23 Best Game Apps To Win Real Money
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Swagbucks is a site where you can earn points for answering surveys, shopping online, watching videos, using coupons, and more. You can use your points for gift cards and cash.
Walk dogs
If you like being around pets and want to make money fast, dog walking is a great choice. Many dog walking gigs are one hour or less per visit, so this can be a great way to make money in an hour.
To start, you just need a love for dogs and a good pair of walking shoes.
You can set your rates, usually between $10 to $20 for a 30-minute walk.
One hour of walking dogs could mean walking one dog for 60 minutes or doing two 30-minute walks for two different dogs.
Rover is a website that connects pet owners with pet sitters and dog walkers. Starting on Rover is simple. You create a profile where you talk about your experience with pets and the services you can offer, such as dog walking, pet sitting, and house sitting. After setting up your profile, you’ll get requests from customers and discuss pricing. Rover handles payment processing, and you’ll receive the payments directly into your account.
I know many people who are dog walkers, and they all really love the job. I have also used dog sitters in the past – it is a wonderful and super helpful service.
Freelance online on your own schedule
As a freelancer, you get to choose your own hours. So, you may decide to work an hour here and an hour there.
Back when I had a full-time job, this is what I loved about being able to freelance online – I could work in my spare time, even if it was just small pockets of time that I had. For example, I would complete short tasks an hour before I went to work, during my hour lunch break, and later once I got home from work.
And, there are many different types of freelance gigs that you can do, such as managing social media as a virtual assistant, data entry, proofreading, graphic design, email management, and more.
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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.
Sign up for a high yield savings account
A high-yield bank account is a low-risk method to make extra money, and it typically takes less than an hour of your time to set up.
These savings accounts earn more interest than a regular one, so your money grows faster.
You will want to make sure that you pick a trustworthy bank and check the interest rates regularly because they can go up or down. Some people move their money into high-yield savings accounts often so that they can get the highest interest rates.
I personally use Marcus by Goldman Sachs as they have a very high rate. You can get up to 5.50% (at the time of this writing through a referral link bonus). According to this high-yield savings account calculator, if you have $10,000 saved, you could earn $550 with a high-yield savings account in a year. Whereas with normal banks, your earnings would only be $46.
This is an easy way to make passive income!
Frequently Asked Questions
These answers help you find quick ways to make money when you need it fast.
How can I make money ASAP?
If you need cash right away, you can sell things you don’t use anymore, like toys or clothes. Another fast way is to do small jobs for neighbors, like walking their dogs or helping in the garden.
How can I make $100 a day?
To make $100 a day, you could do jobs like cleaning houses, pet sitting, or babysitting. You could also combine a few things like doing surveys online, delivering food, or driving people places.
How to get money in one day without a job?
Without a job, you can still make money by selling stuff online, like clothes, games, or even sports equipment. You can also collect cans or bottles to recycle, or ask friends or family if they need help with anything for some quick cash.
How to make money in one hour as a kid?
As a kid, you can make money fast by setting up a lemonade stand, doing a car wash, or even making and selling crafts to friends and family (such as bracelets or custom T-shirts!). Of course, please check with your parents and stay safe.
How can I make money in one hour at home?
To make money in an hour at home, you can do things like sell items that you already own, such as your old clothing or a cell phone. You could also walk dogs, freelance online, or even tutor.
How to Make Money in One Hour – Summary
I hope you enjoyed this article on how to make money in one hour.
As you can see, there are many things that you can do to make money – whether you’re looking for a full-time job or just want to complete short tasks that take less than an hour.
Hour or shorter gigs helped me a ton to pay off my student loans as quickly as I could. Being able to work in short amounts of time helps me to work on my own schedule and fit more side hustles in.
Why are you looking to make money in an hour? Let me know in the comments below!