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Apache is functioning normally

May 26, 2023 by Brett Tams

saving for retirement too late Today millions of Americans are entering retirement age without enough funds to allow them to live the lifestyle they once did.

While we are told to start investing early in life, many of us do not for one reason or another.

Over the years I’ve talked to many individuals that “wished they would have saved more” and “wished they would started earlier”.

There’s a sinking feeling when retirement is approaching and all you have is regret for your past financial misdoings.

If you find yourself approaching retirement age and have not yet looked at your retirement needs or started saving for later in life, it’s not too late.

But….you need to take action NOW.

The longer you wait, the harder it will be.

Read on for some great tips to help you get started.

Know It Is Never Too Late

Many people who did not start saving when they were younger ignore the situation thinking that it is now too late to get started.

This is not true.

While it certainly may be more of a challenge to save all the funds you will need, it can still be done.

I’ve had many people contact me in their 50’s and, some well into their 60’s, that have realized that they haven’t saved nearly enough. They fear that they will never be able to retire.

I’m quick to encourage them that retirement can become a reality, but they have to make changes immediately. They also have to realize that an early retirement is not a reality. They’ll have to work work well into their late 60’s and maybe 70’s to make up for the shortfall.

Look At Your current Situation

The first step you will want to take is to look at your current situation and determine how much money you will need to have saved to live a comfortable retirement. You can find retirement calculators on the Internet or work with a financial advisor to determine a figure. Once you come to a number you now need to take action immediately and create a savings plan.

If you’re a chronic spender, it’s imperative to stop buying crap. Think you need the latest iPhone? Think again! You’ve lost that priviledge when you failed to starting an adequate savings plan.

Look At Savings Options

It will critical for you to start saving as fast as you can. If you already have retirement accounts you will want to make sure you are maxing out your yearly contributions. No exceptions. You may be able to take advantage of pre-tax catch up contributions so be sure to check your account for details. Most accounts allow you to do this once you reach age 50.

You may also need to open additional accounts in order to save what you need. Many investors suggest looking at Roth IRA’s as a retirement savings options. No matter where you decide to invest your money make sure you have a diversified portfolio that will guarantee a steady return on your contributions.

Look At Money Saving Options

If you are getting a late start at saving you may struggle to save the amount you need to each month. Here are some tips that might be helpful.

Look at ways to make some extra money. Do you have a hobby or interest that you could turn into a part time job or do you have a skill that others are looking for. Be creative and see what you can come up with.
Can you downsize? Look at your current living situation and determine whether or not you might be able to downsize. If you have kids who are now older and moved out, you may not need to stay in such a large home.
Do you have large ticket items that you no longer need or use? If for example you have a boat, a camper or other big ticket item that is not being used, now may be a good time to sell. Take the money and invest it in your retirement account.

It’s Not Too Late

No matter your situation, it’s never too late to take charge of your financial future. But only YOU can make it happen.

Source: goodfinancialcents.com

Apache is functioning normally

May 26, 2023 by Brett Tams

This post may contain affiliate links, which helps us to continue providing relevant content and we receive a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the full disclosure here.

When you are trying to tighten down the hatches on your spending, you are doing everything possible to stick to your budget.

You are determined to stick to your budget this time around. But, you always hear that budgeting can be hard.

Well, here are some quick budgeting tips that will make sure to stick to your budget.

As most new budgeters learn, they struggle to stick to a budget for their monthly expenses. It is a natural process everyone goes through.

Budget, if you are looking for an easy button, then learn which payment type is best if you are trying to stick to a budget.

Especially if you spend a lot of time on social media, studies have shown you are more likely to overspend. So, you must learn which payment type will have you stick to a budget.

Then, you may be wondering and wanting help deciding which payment type is best for you.

Which payment types is best if you are trying to stick to a budget? Do you want to stick to a budget but find it difficult in choosing which of the many options available including budget debit cards? This guide will help you decide among the different types of payments on the market.

The Optimal Solution Payment Type Solution

The most efficient payment type is something that is instantaneous and there are no fees associated with the transaction.

Cash is the most efficient payment type: Cash payments are usually the most efficient and convenient way to pay for goods or services.
Credit cards can be a less favorable option: Credit cards tend to have high-interest rates and can lead to financial disaster if used irresponsibly.
Debit cards are a great way to keep your spending within your budget: Debit cards should be considered a top priority for budgeting because they keep you within your spending limits.
Developing a budget will help you avoid financial disaster: A budget helps you stay organized and make informed decisions about which payment method works best for you.

Today, there are so many options on which payment type to use in today’s online world.

1. Cash

Cash is a payment type that can be used to reduce debt spending. It is versatile and can be used for a variety of expenses, such as groceries, medical bills, and gym memberships.

Cash is an excellent choice for people just starting to budget and save.

It is more restrained than credit or debit cards. The envelope method of cash budgeting can be used to train your brain to reduce spending. Cash is the most traditional payment method and has the fewest drawbacks. However, you need a safe place to store your cash, and some stores may not accept it.

Benefits of Cash:

Cash is an excellent payment type when your financial goals are to reduce debt spending.
Cash is a finite payment method that prevents you from overspending.
You have a set amount of money to spend each month, so there’s no chance of overspending.
Easy to track with the envelope method: Utilizing the envelope method ensures that you are tracking your spending (i.e groceries, gas, medical bills) and making sure that you aren’t overspending.
Cash is a quick and easy way to pay for goods and services.
No Fees. No maintenance fees or interest rates as credit cards. Cash is just plain cash – printed paper of currency.
You can avoid high fees associated with card transactions: There are no associated fees when paying with cash, making it the cheapest option overall.
Cash discounts may be available. Since you are paying with cash many small businesses offer a cash discount of 2-5%.
You can use cash at any store: No need to carry around extra cards or checks.
It’s easy to get cash: You can easily get cash and make extra cash.
There’s no need for bank account details: No need for bank account details means you’re free from identity theft risks and other inconveniences that come with having a bank account.
Cash allows you to skirt some financial regulations: Because cash payments don’t fall under the purview of many financial regulations, businesses can take advantage of loopholes in the law that allow them to charge higher interest rates on loans or engage in shady business practices. (highly recommended to stay above book)

Cons of Cash:

Possibility of losing or stolen cash: Keep your cash in a safe place!
You need a safe place to store your money: Another disadvantage of using cash is that you may need a safe place in which to keep it – some stores don’t accept it as a payment method.

Why Choose Cash?

Total control over your money, so there’s little chance of unexpectedly running out of funds.
Cash is a great way to stay on budget, as you can easily track your spending and see where you need to cut back.
Unpleasant to spend money with cash, which can help train your brain to reduce spending.
Cash is a quick and easy way to pay: Using cash eliminates the need for banks, credit cards, or other forms of payment.

Verdict: Paying with cash is the best method for budgeting and saving.

Overall, cash is a great payment type when it comes to budgeting. You can immediately see how much money you’ve spent and what needs to be cut back.

You can’t make impulsive buying decisions with debit cards or credit cards.

With a finite amount you can spend, cash is an excellent choice to prevent overspending. According to research, paying with cash can feel unpleasant, which can train your brain to reduce spending as much as possible.

2. Credit cards

Credit cards offer a number of benefits, including convenience, cash back, and the ability to make large purchases or pay bills in case of emergency. However, credit cards also come with credit card debt and can lead to overspending and financial problems if not used carefully.

For many, credit cards are the easiest way to blow your budget because you don’t have control over how much money you spend.

It is possible to overspend with credit cards if you are not mindful of what you charge.

On the flip side, this is a preferred method as many credit cards also offer rewards programs that give you cash back or points for purchases. If you make the conscious decision to use credit cards, you must make payments on time to avoid penalties.

Benefits of Credit Cards

Credit cards are convenient: Convenient to use and don’t have to worry about losing cash.
Use a credit card if you are disciplined and have strict spending habits: If you are disciplined and have strict spending habits, then using a credit card can work well for budgeting purposes.
Flexibility on larger purchases: Some benefits that come with having a credit card include more cash flow as well as being able to make larger purchases.
Credit cards provide support in times of crisis: Many credit cards offer extended services that can help like 24-hour fraud protection, lost wallet services, traveler’s insurance, and many other benefits – check each issuer for details.
$0 Liability on Unauthorized charges: Your credit card company will not be held responsible for any charges that were not authorized by you. This means that if you did not authorize a charge in person, online, or otherwise, you will not be responsible for it.
Fraud protection: Check your credit card issuer, but many offer fraud protection.
New card introductory APR is helpful to pay down debt: The introductory APR for the new card may not last long.
Payments on balance transfer should be manageable: Make sure that the payments on your balance transfer are manageable.
Points: You can accrue points along with your spending which can be a great perk.
Credit card interest rates are significantly lower than payday loans: Interest rates on credit cards are usually much lower than payday loans.
Due Date is After your statement closes. Since your bill cycle is at least another 21 days between the closing date for your statement and the due date, it gives you flexibility. Personally, I still account for the credit card bill in the same month that it was accrued.

Cons of Credit Cards

Potential for credit card debt: When using a credit card, be aware of your credit limit and the interest rate that you will have to pay on your debt. Also one of the categories of debt.
Credit limit often leads people to spend money: The credit limit often leads people to spend money by giving them a false sense of security, when they should stick to a budget and pay attention to their credit card statement and the billing cycle.
Credit card overspending can lead to debt: Consider the purchase if it is essential or delay it if possible.
Ability to easily purchase something you cannot afford. Buying something that you don’t have the money saved up for will cost you interest fees associated and maybe even with a credit card balance transfer.
There are a number of fees associated with a balance transfer: Transfer fee, interest on new purchases charged to the card.
Your introductory APR may not be valid if you make too many payments late: If you fall more than 60 days behind on payments your introductory APR might be canceled and you may face higher interest rates.
Credit score can suffer from debt: When you carry a credit card balance or don’t pay your monthly bills on time, you will lower your credit score.
Avoid carrying a balance: Pay your statement in full each month to avoid paying interest and maximize your grace period.

Key Takeaways on Credit Cards

Make sure to pay attention to the dates: Don’t spend more than you can afford, and make sure you’re making your minimum monthly payments on time so that your debt doesn’t increase over time.
A credit card can be used for budgeting only if you’re very disciplined: If you know that overspending is NOT an issue and you pay the credit card’s monthly balance in full, then using a credit card is fine.
Credit card transactions usually take several days to register in the feedback system: Something to look out for!
You can step back into debit cards or cash if needed: If credit cards are not for you, there are other options available such as debit cards or cash

3. Debit cards

Debit cards are a good option if you want to stick to a budget because the predetermined amount of funds can help you stay within your means. Additionally, debit cards are more convenient than cash and just as accepted as credit cards in most places.

A debit card works more similarly to cash than to credit cards.

They provide an easier way to track your spending and avoid having to carry a lot of cash.

Pros of Debit Cards:

No Need to Carry Cash: A debit card is better than cash because you don’t have to carry a lot of paper money and change around, and they’re also safer.
Debit cards are faster and easier to use: Debit cards work just like credit cards – withdrawing cash, making purchases, and paying bills – but they are linked directly to your bank account, so there is no need to carry around a separate cash envelope wallet or purse for them.
A debit card is a good option if you want to stick to a budget: Debit cards come with a predetermined amount of funds that you can spend from your bank account just like cash.
Tracking payments is easy with debit cards: Your debit payments will appear on your issuer’s dashboard, which you can monitor anytime from any location.
Convenience: Debit cards are more convenient to use and faster than needing to write a check or carry around cash. Plus they don’t add to your debt.
Shopping online is easy. You can use your debit card to make online purchases with your bank account, and digital banking tools make tracking your spending easy.
Points: Some debit cardholders can earn points for spending on their cards, which can be redeemable for rewards such as cash back or gift cards. This is new to compete with credit cards.
Fraud protection is typically offered for free with most debit cards—meaning if your card is stolen or used without your permission, you can get your money back.
No impact on your credit report. When you use a debit card, the funds are actually withdrawn from checking or savings accounts so there is no credit reporting occurring.

Cons of Debit Cards:

An overdraft on a debit card can happen when a purchase exceeds the amount of money in the checking account, leading to overdraft fees.
Funds on hold with fraudulent charges. If your account gets hacked, your losses will be limited since most banks protect their users against fraudulent charges and online purchases with their accounts. However, those funds will be held while they investigate and you may be liable for $50.
No chance to improve your credit score. Since you are not borrowing money, you are unable to improve your credit score.

Debit cards are a great way to keep your spending within your budget and avoid overspending which can lead to many detrimental issues.

Regardless of the overdraft fee, debit cards are still better than cash because they’re safer and easier to carry around.

4. Checks

Checks… do people still write checks? Why yes they do!

Checks offer a few benefits as a payment method, even though they are slowly being replaced by more modern options.

This can help you keep track of your spending and make sure you do not overspend. Additionally, if you ever need to dispute a charge, having a check can be helpful in proving what you paid for.

What is a check?

A check is a written, dated, and signed instrument that directs a bank to pay a specific sum of money to the bearer from the check writer’s account. The date is usually written in month/day/year format. The signature of the check writer is usually on the line below “Pay to the order of.”

There are three main types of checks:

A cashier’s check is a check guaranteed by a bank, drawn on the bank’s own funds, and signed by a cashier.
A certified check is a personal check for which the bank has verified that there are sufficient funds to cover the payment.
A personal check is one that you write yourself and that is not guaranteed by the bank.

Pros of Checks

Checks are still a payment option: Checks are one of the traditional payment methods, but it is slowly dying out because of modernization.
Physical written record. It can be helpful to have physical copies of checks in addition to digital records through the bank.
You need to make both digital and physical copies of the check: Save check stubs but also transfer the information to a budgeting system.

Cons of Checks

Saving check stubs is helpful, but you still need to transfer the information to a budgeting system: Useful for tracking spending, but you’ll likely want more detailed records than just check stubs.
Not as convenient as credit or debit cards.

5. Apple Pay or Apple Cash

Apple Pay is easy to use and convenient since you only need to connect your smartphone to your cards and bank accounts via the app.

It is easy to use since you just hold your phone up to the reader and wait for the payment screen to appear.

You can even get cash back with apple pay.

Pros of Apple Pay:

Apple Pay is easy to use and convenient: You only need to connect your iPhone to your cards and bank accounts via the app.
You don’t need to carry any extra cards or cash: No need for additional cards or cash when you’re out and about
You can use Apple Pay on different devices: You can use Apple Pay on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Transactions are secure: Your transactions are secured with Touch ID or a passcode.
Set up Spending Limits for each user. This way you can make sure you (or others with authorized access) are not spending more than you intended. Learn how.
Protection of Data during transactions. Your actual credit card number is changed to a different digital number, which allows limits your card number’s exposure.

Cons of Apple Pay:

Not widely accepted (yet). This method of payment is 100 percent guaranteed. While many stores offer apple pay, not all do quite yet.
The same rules apply if you load apple pay with a debit or credit card drawbacks include late fees, interest rates, and overspending: Keep that in mind when choosing Apple Pay as your payment method.

6. Mobile wallets like Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Venmo, or Zelle

Mobile wallets are digital payment systems that allow you to pay for items with your smartphone. Many people find mobile wallets are very convenient and becoming a traditional method of payment (such as credit cards).

With mobile wallets, you are making digital payments without having to carry around cash or cards using just your smartphone.

Mobile wallets are easy to use and provide instant payment convenience, making them perfect for shopping online.

Pros of Mobile Wallets:

Mobile wallets use credit cards and debit cards: Connect your smartphone to your bank accounts and use it for digital payments.
Mobile wallets are easy to use and convenient: Instant payment convenience makes them perfect for shopping online as well.
No need for cash or cards: No need for cash or cards.
Strong secuirity features provide privacy and security features that ensure your personal information is safe from data breaches and unwanted charges.
You can make purchases without having to show your identification: You can make purchases without having to show your identification.
Additional Layer of Security. Additionally, mobile wallet data is protected with verification, such as fingerprints.

Cons of Mobile Wallets:

With Zelle and Venmo, it is easy to send money to the wrong person or add an extra zero and send more money from planned. More often than not, it is difficult to recover your money.
You need to be disciplined when using a mobile wallet: Pay attention to late fees and interest rates, as well as the amount you spend in a month.

7. Prepaid Cards or Gift Cards

A prepaid card or a gift card could be right for you. The advantage of these is the mere fact that you reached the limit is enough to deter overspending.

It can make you think twice about whether you need to purchase an item or not.

Pros of Prepaid Cards and Gift Cards

Easy to use: Prepaid and gift cards are easy to use and manage your finances with.
The mere fact that you reached the limit is enough to deter overspending: It can make you think twice about whether you need to purchase an item or not.
No strings attached: No need to worry about any fees associated with the prepaid card once activated.
Privacy: The prepaid card does not track your spending or use any personally identifiable information.
Credit Score Doesn’t Matter: Your credit score does not matter when obtaining a prepaid card.

Cons of Prepaid Cards or Gift Cards

Losing a prepaid card is not a fun experience. Contact the prepaid card issuer right away to protect the funds on the prepaid card.
Fraud protection: Consider whether your prepaid card issuer offers any theft or fraud protection, as not all providers offer this feature.
Prepaid cards have limits on how much money you can load onto them, which can be frustrating if you need to make a large purchase.

8. PayPal

PayPal is a very convenient way to pay for items online or in person. It is widely accepted and used by many people.

PayPal is a digital payment service that offers convenience and ease of use. You can use them to send money to people or pay for online purchases.

However, because these services can only be used online, they should not be relied on as your sole method of budgeting and tracking expenses. Instead, consider Paypal in combination with another budgeting tool, like a spreadsheet or app, to get a fuller picture of your spending.

Pros of PayPal:

PayPal is one of the most popular online payment methods: Widely accepted and used by many people.
You can use them to send money to people or pay for online purchases: Help you review your spending prior to purchase.

Cons of Paypal:

Easy Target for phishing scams. A phishing scam is when someone tries to trick you into giving them your personal information, like your password or credit card number. They might do this by sending you an email that looks like it’s from PayPal, but it’s not. Or they might create a fake website that looks like PayPal. If you enter your information on these sites, the scammers can then use your account to make purchases or send money to themselves.
Reputation for poor customer service. This is evident in their customer service ratings, which are some of the lowest in the industry. The majority of complaints against PayPal revolve around poor service received when asking for assistance with fund freezes and account holds.

9. Cryptocurrency (ie: Bitcoin)

Cryptocurrencies offer a new and innovative way of handling payments. They’re not yet widely accepted, so there’s potential for businesses to get in on the ground floor with this new technology.

However, because cryptocurrencies are so new, it’s uncertain if they will be regulated or not. This could pose a challenge for businesses down the road.

Pros of Crypto

Not subject to the same regulations as traditional currency, which makes them appealing to those who want to avoid government intervention.
The valuation of Crypto changes rapidly. If you are smart with crtyple this is a great way to spend your crypto coins.

Cons of Crypto

Cryptocurrencies are not accepted everywhere: Cryptocurrencies are not accepted by most organizations yet, which it makes it difficult to use them in day-to-day life.
It’s unclear if cryptocurrencies will be regulated: It’s uncertain if cryptocurrencies will be strictly regulated or not. This poses a challenge for those who want to use them as a payment method.
Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are still in their infancy: Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have only been around for a few years, so they may still face challenges in the future.

Here are the most popular budget apps today:

Other Payment Methods:

ACH payments

ACH Payments is an excellent way to pay bills and other financial obligations: You can easily set up a billing cycle for recurring payments, making it safe and convenient.

Fewer people are aware of your transactions when using ACH payments, reducing the chances of fraud or theft.

Key Facts:

Fewer people know about your transactions when using ACH payments, reducing the chances of fraud or theft.
Your checking account information is not shared or accessed by the system in any way.
You can quickly pay bills and other expenses with ACH payment: Financial institutions offer this as part of their deals.
When setting up recurring bills with ACH payment, you are aying your bills on time is important for maintaining a good credit score.
Pay attention to your check account balances: Make sure you have enough funds in your check account to avoid paying overdraft fees.

Money orders

A money order is a document that orders the payment of a specified amount of money. Money orders are convenient because they can be bought at many locations, including post offices, banks, and convenience stores.

To get a money order, you will need to fill out a form with the payee’s name, the amount of the payment, and your contact information. You will then need to purchase the money order with cash or a debit card.

To cash a money order, you will need to take it to a bank or post office. You will need to show identification and sign the back of the money order. The teller will then give you the cash for the payment.

More secure than cash: Money orders are more secure than cash because they don’t require a bank to make the transaction.
Less convenient: money orders are less convenient because you must purchase them in person.
Able to trace. They are also more secure than cash because they can be traced if lost or stolen.

Wire Transfers

Wire transfers are a more secure way to transfer money than traditional methods like checks and cash. These are sent through the banking system and are usually processed within two business days.

Typically, wire transfers are used when sending and receiving large sums of money (over $10000).

More secure than cash: Wire transfers are more secure than cash as the bank verifies there is enough money to make the wire transfer.
Fees involved with using a wire transfer. Most institutions charge for handling a wire transfer.

What method of payment is best?

Cash is the most widely accepted form of payment, but debit and credit cards are very popular.

The payment method that is best for you depends on which one helps you to stick to your budget and spend less money. The goal is to be financially stable.

What method is best for sticking to a budget?

There are several different types of budgeting methods that people use in order to manage their finances. Many people focus on using the 50/30/20 method, in which each percent corresponds to a different category of expenses.

There are plenty of budgeting tools available today to make sure you stick to your budget.

You need to find what works best for you. At the end of the month, you want to spend less than you make. That is the winning combo!

1. Budgeting App

There are many budgeting tools available online, which can be helpful as it can be easier to track your progress and budget over time.

You can use various popular budgeting apps like Quicken, Qube Money, or Simplifi.

These apps can help you track your spending, set goals, and stay on track with your budget.

2. Paper and Pen or Simple Spreadsheet

Some people find that they prefer using a simple spreadsheet or paper budget. This may be due to personal preference or because they find it easier to understand and use.

Additionally, using a paper budget may help you stay more organized as you can physically see where your money is going.

Options to get you started include our own budgeting spreadsheets or using an automated system like Tiller.

3. Envelope budgeting method

The cash envelope system is a good way to stick to a budget because it is rigid and based on envelopes and cash. You can’t get more money until your cash payday. So, this system helps you track your spending and budget better.

However, using only cash can have drawbacks as having large amounts of cash on hand can be risky.

The envelope method gives you a sense of control over your spending and makes it more tedious to write down your transactions. If you find writing down your transactions tedious, the envelope method may be too much for you.

4. Know Your Budget Categories and Track expenses

Tracking expenses is essential to move ahead financially: Knowing what you have spent in each category will help you make better financial decisions.

Be specific with your budgeting categories. Don’t make it too complicated. Always remember to include household items, clothing, and groceries when tracking expenses.

5. Prioritize your Budget Plan

A budget can provide a realistic picture of your finances, help reduce stress related to money matters, and guide you toward achieving your goals.

Creating a budget can help ensure that you are able to meet your financial obligations and still have money left over for savings and other goals. A budget can also help you track your spending so that you can make adjustments if necessary.

Make a budget plan: This will help you stay on track and make sure that you are spending your money wisely.
You decide where to spend money: A budget helps you set future goals and achieve your financial goals.
Creating a budget can help reduce stress: If you tend to get stressed about money matters, creating a budget can give you peace of mind.
A budget has other benefits beyond financial ones: If you want to achieve something in life, creating a budget can help guide you in the right direction.
See where to cut back spending. You can also look at your past spending habits to see where you can cut back. Sometimes it may be necessary to save more in order to achieve long-term goals, like buying a house or having a wedding. Always be mindful of your budget when making payments and spending money.
It’s a three-step process that involves basic math: Making a budget is simple and requires only basic math skills.
Stay on track: Making a budget plan will help you stay organized and keep track of your expenses.

A budget plan will help you stay on track and make sure that you are using the best payment type for your budget.

Making a budget is an easy way to save money. By following a few simple steps, you can keep track of your expenses and make sure that you are spending your money wisely.

Which type of payment is best for sticking to a budget?

One of the main pros of using cash as a method of payment is that it is the most efficient way to keep track of your finances. This is because it is very easy to budget when you are only dealing with cash.

However, many people prefer debit or credit cards are the best type of payment. They are more convenient than cash and can help you keep track of your spending. However, if you have a bad credit history or a low credit score, credit cards may not be the best option for you.

Cash payments are the most efficient: Most convenient and easiest to keep track with cash envelopes.
Credit cards allow you to accrue points along with your spending: These are a great benefit and one that can be a perk if handled well as part of your budgeting process. As long as pay them off in full each month to avoid credit card debt, high-interest rates, and other negative consequences.
Debit cards are also a good option for sticking to a budget. They can be used like credit cards but with less risk of debt.
Cash-based payments are a newer option and are more reliable: May not have as many negative consequences as other payment methods such as credit cards or loans.

What Not to Use when you are Trying to Stick to a Budget

You need to steer clear of these types of payments if you want to be financially stable person.

Personal loans

Personal loans are a risky way to budget. However, if you need the money for an emergency or unexpected expense, a personal loan can be a lifesaver.

There are many risks to consider and other ways to lower your spending before resorting to a personal loan.

Loans can cause budgeting problems: Loans can mess up your budget and make it difficult to stick to spending plans.
Taking out a personal loan just for the sake of having money can disrupt your budgeting: Consumers often borrow money in order to pretend they’re doing better financially than they really are.
Borrowing money is usually not a good idea: When you borrow money, you may find that you cannot handle seeing low checking account balance, which can lead to deeper debt problems.

Payday Loans

Payday loans are a bad option for someone looking for a long-term solution. They are expensive, and there is a high chance that the person will not be able to pay back the loan.

The interest that is charged is also high, and it can add up quickly.

Write bullet points about what happens with a payday loan

Payday loans can trap people in a cycle of debt, as they are often unable to pay back the loan in full on the due date.
When someone takes out a payday loan, they are borrowing money from a lender in a short amount of time, usually two or three days.
Payday loans are often expensive, with interest rates that can be above 300%.

Debt Consolidation Loans

Debt consolidation can be a good way to manage your debt because it can result in a lower monthly payment and extended payments may impact your financial plan. You can use a debt consolidation calculator to estimate how much debt you can afford before taking out a consolidation loan.

Debt consolidation loans also provide convenience because they have lower interest rates than payday loans. However, be careful when consolidating your debt because it is possible to overspend and lose your introductory APR.

You may be able to pay off your debt with one monthly payment: A consolidation loan often results in a much lower monthly payment than all of your previous monthly payments combined.
Extended payments may impact your financial plan: Take a look at how these extended payments will impact your financial planning.
You can estimate how much debt you can comfortably afford: use this tool – Tally .
It is possible to overspend with debt consolidation: If you spend more money than you planned on your day-to-day expenses, this could increase your debt. Consider if the purchase is necessary or if it can be delayed.
You may lose your introductory APR: If you fall more than 60 days behind on payments, you will likely lose your introductory APR and may even trigger a penalty interest rate.
You need to be careful when transferring a balance: Transferring a balance can also forfeit your grace period and you’ll need to pay interest on new purchases charged to the new card.

What type of payment method is best for sticking to a budget?

There are a variety of payment methods available, and each has its own benefits and drawbacks. It’s important to choose the payment method that’s best suited for your business and budget.

A payment method that allows you to stick to a budget is the best option.

FAQs

There are three main types of payment methods: cash, debit cards, credit cards, and cash-based payments.

The envelope budgeting method is a simple way to create a budget. You will need envelopes and divide your money up into the different categories that you spend money on. You will then put the corresponding amount of money into each envelope. This method can be helpful if you have a hard time sticking to a budget.

The zero-based budgeting method is a more methodical way to create a budget. With this method, you track every penny that you earn and spend. This can help you to see where your money is going and make adjustments accordingly.

A debit card is a plastic card that is linked to a checking account. Customers can spend money by drawing on funds they have already deposited. An overdraft on a debit card can lead to overdraft fees, which have high-interest rates.

A credit card is a plastic card that allows customers to borrow money up to a certain limit in order to purchase items or withdraw cash. Using a credit card can help build credit or improve your credit score.

There are a few different ways to use a credit card. You can use it to check your balance and review your spending history, which can be helpful in staying accountable.

Credit cards also offer online tools which make the analysis of your spending easier which can be helpful in tracking your budget.

Finally, you can use a credit card to rebuild your credit score by using it responsibly and paying off the balance in full each month.

Which payment type can help you stick to a budget?

When it comes to choosing a payment type that will help you stick to a budget, there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

The best payment method for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

When you are creating a budget, it is important to consider which payment type will help you stay on budget. Different payment types work better for different people, so it is important to experiment and find the one that works best for you.

As I stated for me, I have learned how to use credit cards to maximize cash back. But, I learned how to budget with cash when first starting.

Please pay attention to your budget and how it changes over time, as different payment types may work better at different stages of your life.

Consequently, I hope that this guide has given you a better understanding of the different payment types available and helped you narrow down your options. There are a variety of payment types that can help you stick to a budget, so it’s important to research each one carefully.

I highly recommend using an app to track your expenses and know where you spend your money. By developing a budget and choosing the right payment type, you can stick to your financial goals.

Source: moneybliss.org

Apache is functioning normally

May 26, 2023 by Brett Tams

I‘ve been finding ways to cut back our monthly expenses lately, and I shared some of those tips in a recent post titled, “How To Save Money On All Your Regular Monthly Bills“. One of the places I thought that most people could end up saving on their regular monthly expenses was in their phone bills.

Many people pay way more than they have to for expensive smartphone plans and landline phone service. The average cell phone bill runs close to $100 every month, and if you have a landline as well that can add on another $30-60 depending on where you live, how many features you have and how many state, local and federal taxes are being levied on your monthly bill.

A couple of years ago we addressed our overly expensive cell phone plans by dumping our regular contract service, and buying prepaid cell phones from Virgin Mobile. We now pay no more than $40-50/month for two cell phones, one of them a smartphone.

We’ve been saving a lot of money on our cell phones for the past couple of years, but we’ve still been paying for an expensive landline phone. The cost for the phone line keeps going up, and the only reason why we hadn’t dropped it yet was because we needed it for our home security system. Now that there are other options for that (cell and internet based security systems), we’ve finally decided to take the plunge and switch from a landline to VOIP service.

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Cutting The Phone Cord, Going To VOIP

When we decided to switch to a cheaper VOIP provider we looked around to find some of the better devices out there. Among the options we found were service from Vonage (still has monthly bill), Magic Jack Plus, Google Voice and Skype.

After searching around for reviews of the different services I found quite a few favorable reviews of the Ooma phone service using the Ooma Telo device. Ryan from CashMoneyLife mentioned that he had signed up for Ooma and had been happy with it. G.E. Miller at 20somethingfinance.com talked about how he’s been using the Ooma service for years. Both were saving hundreds of dollars by using Ooma. The reason? There are no regular monthly phone bills if you sign up for their basic service. All you pay for is the hardware which you connect to an existing internet connection.

Save On Your Phone Bill: Ooma Review

Almost all of the recent reviews that I read of Ooma were very positive. The only negatives I saw were from people having issues with their particular router or modem not working with the Ooma device, or a few people complaining about short outages. With all that in mind we decided to jump in and purchase the Ooma Telo pictured above.

Save Hundreds By Using Ooma

So just how much money can you save by switching from traditional phone service to a device like the ones available from Ooma? Hundreds of dollars if our situation is any indication.

Cost of our old phone service

Centurylink landline – $43.38/month: We pay $43.38/month after service fees, taxes, or $520.56/year. Included on that phone is voicemail, call waiting and caller ID.

It was actually more expensive than I realized. For quite a while I had thought we were paying somewhere closer to $30. Taxes really bump the price up a notch!

So how much will we save by moving to Ooma – where we’ll have more features available than our old phone line?

Costs of Ooma VOIP phone service

Ooma Telo device – $76.25: The device itself used to cost $299.99 when they originally launched, but it has dropped in the last year or two. As of this writing, the normal everyday price on Amazon is currently $76.25. We got a referral code and when we bought it the cost was $139.99 for us direct from Ooma. (You can find it for less than $100 reliably now)
Fees, service charges and taxes – $4.53/month: The only monthly fees you’ll ever pay are the fees associated with having 911 service on the device, and then state and local taxes. For our zip code it came out to only $4.53/month or about $54/year. Find out how much you’d pay a month here: Ooma Tax Calculator.

Save On Your Phone Bill: Ooma Review

So for us with the initial up front cost of $139.99, plus the monthly taxes and fees of less than $5/month, we’ll have paid for our unit in less than 4 months of service. After that we’ll be saving around $40/month. That adds up quick!

Ooma has a savings calculator on their site that gives you an approximate amount you’ll be saving if you switch to them. It showed that by the end of the first year we will have saved over $288. By the end of the second year we’ll have saved over $756!

How Ooma Works

Setting up the Ooma service sounds pretty simple according to what I’ve read. For most people it takes around 15-20 minutes to setup their new Ooma Telo device.

Save On Your Phone Bill: Ooma Review

Since I haven’t received and installed my Ooma yet, I can’t vouch for just how simple it truly is in practice, but it certainly sounds easy.

Activate your device online using the activation code found on the bottom of your Ooma Telo device.
Choose a phone number. You can port your old phone number later on if you’d like.
Enter your contact information, including a second phone number and a physical address for 911 purposes.
Enter billing information to pay for fees and taxes, or for premier service if you sign up for that.
Account registration.

After you’ve done all that it’s just a matter of plugging in the device and running an ethernet cable to the device from your modem or router. Once you plug it in it may need to download any necessary updates, but after that you should be set to go. Just plugin your regular old phone and go to town!

Read my post talking about setting up Ooma here. It really is easy!

Ooma Features

So what are some of the features that you get with an Ooma account and the Telo device? With the basic free service, you can get all that you’d expect from your regular landline service, and more.

Basic Ooma Service Features

Free U.S. calling.
Voicemail that you can access from any phone or web browser.
Caller ID and call waiting.
Great HD call clarity.
911 service (despite it not being a landline) and 911 email and text alerts when someone calls for emergency help.
Porting of your landline phone number.
Online account where you can check call logs, listen to voicemail and set preferences.
Low cost international calls. (I would probably just use Skype if I had to do this)

So we’ll be getting everything we had with the old service on the basic plan with Ooma, and more like the online voicemail. With the premier service with Ooma, which costs $9.99/month, you get a whole lot of other features included with your account.

Premier Ooma Service Features

Three way conferencing.
Do not disturb setting so calls roll into voicemail without the phone ringing.
Community blacklist access to block known telemarketers and solicitors.
Personal blacklist to block calls from numbers you don’t want to talk to.
Call forwarding so you can even forward your calls to your cell phone or another phone.
Ooma mobile app access to make wi-fi calls on the go with the Iphone app.
Voicemail to email forwarding so that you can listen to your messages in your email.
Instant second line so that you can make a second call without missing a beat.
Backup number to forward calls to in case your phone goes down.
Call screening to listen to a message and pickup if you decide you want to talk to the person.
Anonymous call blocking.
Multi-ring so that your phone system rings your cell phone and home phone simultaneously.

Having A Smooth Transition – Keeping Your Old Phone Number

One thing I love about Ooma is that we’re able to port our old home phone number to the new Ooma Telo device. All you have to do once you setup your system is request that they port the number over from the old phone company. There is a $39.99 charge if you decide to do this, although it’s free if you opt for a year of the paid $10/month premium service. It can take 3-4 weeks or more depending on how quick your old provider moves making the change.

To check if your phone number can be ported to Ooma, go here.

Once you’ve got an Ooma home phone system your phone number can then be portable wherever you go. If you move, like we plan on doing in the next year, you just take your Ooma with you and plug it in at the new house and you’re all set to go. No turning service on and off. You can also take it with you on vacation, or on a long trip. Anywhere you can plug it into an internet connection you should be able to make calls. Just make sure to change your 911 service address on your online account if you do move.

Where Can You Get The Best Deal On Ooma?

So where can you find the best deal on Ooma?

For me the best deal that I found on the Ooma right now was by buying it from Amazon.com has the unit available everyday for a price of $76.25. Costco also sells the unit and members can sometimes find specials on the Ooma system. Some people have reported getting it for as little as $50 for refurbished units.

The key is to do your homework when buying the device, find out what specials and promotions are currently available, and find the best possible deal!

Are you already using Ooma at your house? Tell us what your experience has been in the comments!

Source: biblemoneymatters.com

Apache is functioning normally

May 25, 2023 by Brett Tams

Are you wondering “How do I get rid of cable and still watch TV?” or “How can I get cable channels without cable?” Are you looking for the best alternatives to cable TV?

More than five years ago, we decided to cut the cord. We have never watched a lot of TV, but we researched some cable TV alternatives anyway. With the best cable alternatives, we knew we could still watch our favorite shows if we wanted to while saving money.

16 Alternatives To Cable TV That WILL Save You Money

Like many people who are looking for alternatives to cable TV, we decided to go with Netflix. Now that we travel full-time, we often cancel and restart our subscription depending on whether or not we’ll have reliable internet.

Also because we travel full-time, we have met many, many people over the years who go to great lengths to keep their cable/satellite channels. Luckily, in today’s world, there are so many great alternatives to cable TV.

There are options for people who love sports, people who want lots of movies, people who want to watch current seasons of shows, those who prefer premium channels, and more.

We cut the cord and got rid of cable, and we haven’t missed it one bit. Seriously, we haven’t even thought about it!

If you want to save yourself money and cut the cable TV cord, then I want to let you know that it is definitely possible.

Out of all of the ways you can watch TV shows and movies, cable is definitely the most expensive option out there. And, according to USA Today, the average monthly cable bill in 2017 was $100.98.

If you have cable right now, then you are likely spending around $1,200 a year on cable alone.

I know of many people who spend even more on cable TV, many over $150 a month, and I even had someone tell me that they spend over $300 a MONTH on their cable bill. While that may seem crazy to you, I know there are many people who spend that much on cable TV.

If you are paying for cable TV, just think of what else you could do with that money if you found one of the many best cable TV alternatives!

By learning how to cut the cord and get rid of cable, you can learn how to save money (a lot, in fact!) over your lifetime. That money could be better spent on retirement, traveling, family, and more. All you really need is an internet connection.

Even though getting rid of cable seems like an obvious way to save some money, it can still be hard for many people.

But today, I’m going to help you cut the cord and finally get rid of cable so you can start saving money immediately. If you’re wondering “What is the least expensive way to watch TV?” then today you will see many of the different options, such as streaming services, available to you!

Here are 16 alternatives to cable TV.

1. Cutting cable is easy with a digital antenna.

There are many TV options without cable, and one is by using a digital antenna.

When you think about antennas, you probably think about the classic rabbit ears that are big and ugly. You probably also think about how the picture is never perfect and how channels can get blurry and almost completely fade away.

These days, antennas are all digital, and that means they are sleek and allow you to watch your favorite TV shows, even local channels, with crystal clear reception.

This is one of the least expensive alternatives to cable TV because there is no monthly cost – just a small upfront cost to buy the antenna. You pay for the antenna once and then watch local channels as much as you want.

Before we sold our house and started traveling full-time, we bought a digital antenna, like this one. It’s an indoor one that sat behind our TV, it wasn’t ugly, and we sometimes forgot that it was there (and made it one of the great cord cutting options!). Now, that is an affiliate link, but I didn’t even find out that I could be an affiliate until after we had bought and started using the antenna.

For around $20 (just a one-time fee!), you can get all of the local channels plus some extras you didn’t know existed, and they all come in with great picture quality.

We no longer have the antenna, as we now have a smart TV that has an antenna built in and finds local channels for us – at picture perfect quality, for no additional cost. This is probably the cheapest tv service.

So, if you are wondering how to watch TV without cable or internet, it is definitely possible.

With a digital antenna, you may be able to get local channels and airings such as CBS, NBC, ABC, broadcast channels, MLB, and more.

Other options for devices include:

Roku – This is quite affordable and there are many different Roku devices, some starting as low as around $30. There are no monthly fees for watching free channels or for using a Roku device. You simply just have to pay for what subscription (such as Netflix) that you are wanting to use.
Apple TV – This is similar to a Roku device, but it costs more.
Amazon Fire Stick – This is similar to the others. The Amazon fire stick allows you to watch your subscriptions and download apps straight to your TV.

And more! There are many different devices that you can get so that you can watch TV without paying for an expensive cable TV bill.

2. Netflix – The best cord cutting service.

Netflix is probably one of the most popular options to cable TV as you can watch both movies and TV shows. Netflix makes it easy to get rid of cable or satellite as it is also ad free.

Netflix is what we’ve been using to watch TV mostly, and it’s one of my favorite alternatives to cable TV on this list. It’s probably one of the most popular and best tv service. That’s because Netflix has some of our favorite TV shows that we could watch over and over again.

Netflix has been putting a lot of money into creating their own content, including popular favorites like Stranger Things, Black Mirror, Orange Is the New Black, House of Cards, Arrested Development, and more.

They constantly adds more titles too, which keeps this alternative feeling fresh. It’s also very good at learning the types of shows you watch and making recommendations.

There are three different Netflix plans:

Basic with ads: $6.99 per month
Basic $9.99 per month- You can watch unlimited movies and shows on one streaming device only. You receive unlimited movies, TV shows, and mobile games, get to watch in HD, and there are no ads.
Standard $15.49 per month- Same as Basic, with HD level picture quality, and you can watch on up to two screens at a time. There are no ads.
Premium $19.99 per month- This has HD and Ultra HD and you can watch unlimited Netflix on up to four devices at a time. There are no ads.

They also have a DVD plan which is separate.

Netflix also offers your first month free. The monthly price is quite affordable with Netflix. There is no contract or any other fees, so you can change your Netflix plan whenever you need to.

3. Hulu – The best streaming cable service.

If you want to watch the current season of your favorite network shows, Hulu is one of the best alternatives to cable TV for you. Plus, Hulu has been releasing their own content with Hulu Original series like The Path, The Handmaid’s Tale, and Casual. They also has a growing movie library that they change pretty regularly. Plus, they have HGTV, CNN, MTV, A&E, and other channel lineups.

And, while some of the best streaming services are starting to increase their monthly costs, Hulu has actually lowered the cost of their lowest level of service from $7.99/month to $5.99/month.

Here are Hulu’s plan options and pricing:

Hulu $7.99 per month (or $79.99 per year) – You can stream over 85,000 episode of your favorite shows, movies, and Hulu Originals.
Hulu (No Ads) $14.99/month- Same as the above, but you get a completely ad-free experience.
Hulu + Live TV $69.99/month- You get access to everything in Hulu’s library and streaming live TV.
Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV now with Disney+ and ESPN+: $75.99 per month
Hulu Premium Networks $8.99-$14.99/month- You can pay for premium cable channels when you want them, including HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, and Starz.
If you are a student, you may be able to sign up for Hulu (with ads) for just $1.99 per month.

You can also get premium add-ons, which you can add to any plan, such as HBO Max for $14.99, Cinemax for $9.99 per month, Showtime for $10.99 per month, and Starz for $8.99 per month.

Hulu also lets you customize your plan even more with add-ons like unlimited screens, enhanced cloud DVR, espanol add-on, and more.

Hulu gives new users a 30-day free trial.

4. Sling TV for alternative cable TV options.

The way Sling TV works is by giving you access to shows on some of the most popular networks, including live TV. On Sling, you can watch Disney, AMC, TNT, TBS, Comedy Central, and more.

And, I have been hearing more and more people talking about Sling TV as one of the best alternatives to cable TV for sports lovers because Sling TV has ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, NFL Network, and add-ons like SEC Network, NHL Network, and NBA TV. I know that it can be hard to get rid of satellite TV due to sports, but there are options these days!

Sling TV also regularly runs promotions for free streaming devices when you sign up and pay for a couple of months of service.

Sling TV has three plan levels:

Sling Orange $35/month (first month of Sling Orange is $25) comes with channels like Disney, Food Network, Comedy Central, and more.
Sling Blue $35/month (first month is $25) comes with channels like Bravo, E!, TLC, and more.
Sling Blue and Orange $50/month (first month is $40) comes with all the channels in Blue and Orange.

If you have Sling TV and are looking for Sling TV alternatives, below is a good, low cost option.

5. Philo

Philo offers simple pricing and gives you access to over 60 channels for live and on-demand TV, unlimited recording, and there is a Philo app to watch it on any of your devices. And, it has some of the most popular channels, like AMC, TLC, HGTV, A&E, History Channel, BET, Nickelodeon, Food Network, and more.

Philo is only $25 a month. There is a 7-day free trial, and you don’t have to enter any billing information for the first 48 hours of your free trial.

Also, if you’re a 90 Day Fiance fan, you can watch it on Philo! That’s what we have done in the past. Another great show available on Philo is Yellowstone.

With a Philo subscription, you also get unlimited DVR, so that you can record an unlimited amount of live TV to your DVR for up to one year.

Supported devices for Philo include Roku, Amazon fire tv, Android tv, Apple TV, Samsung, Web, iPhone & iPad, Android phones & tablets, Roku, Fire TV, Samsung TV, Apple TV, Android TV, and Chromecast via Android.

Also, you can stream on up to three devices at the same time.

6. Amazon Prime Video

If you currently have an Amazon Prime subscription, then you already have access to Amazon Prime Video.

This makes watching through Amazon Prime Video a good way to reduce your number of monthly subscriptions, and is one of the great cable tv alternatives as you can watch both movies and TV shows!

Amazon Prime Video has new releases and classics of your favorite movies and shows, and they continue building their own collection of Amazon Original Series.

Some of the channels that you get with an Amazon prime membership include Paramount+, Starz, Showtime, AMC, Discovery channel, Epix, HBOMax, and more.

You also get Thursday Night Football on Prime Video with your Prime membership.

Amazon Prime Video is included with an Amazon Prime Subscription, which is $139 per year or $14.99 per month. There are also premium channel add-ons like HBO, Showtime, and more. Or, you can get Prime Video membership for $8.99 per month.

7. HBO Now

HBO Now is available through many other streaming services, like Hulu and Amazon Prime, but HBO Now is available on its own if you only want to pay for HBO shows and movies.

The cost is the same whether you purchase it as an add-on or on it’s own, and there is a student discount available:

HBO Now is $14.99 per month.
Comes with a 7-day free trial.
You can cancel and restart whenever you want.
HBO Now can be streamed on multiple devices.

8. YouTube

One of the ways Wes and I watch TV is by going to YouTube and watching sailing or traveling videos. We always end up watching funny, random ones too. And even though you may have to watch ads now and then, those ads keep YouTube free and support the creators who are making entertaining videos.

Due to this, YouTube is one of the best cutting the cord options. It is a great way to cut the cable and watch tv for free!

YouTube has a wide variety of content, and you can find things from your favorite YouTubers, web only content from your favorite TV channels, and clips from comedy series (like SNL) and interviews.

9. YouTube TV for cable alternatives

YouTube now has their own live YouTube TV service, and you can watch shows from 70+ different networks – including ESPN, Bravo, Animal Planet, TLC, National Geographic, FX, and more.

You can watch over 100 live channels, sports (MLB, NFL, and NBA Networks), and many different shows and movies.

YouTube TV costs $64.99 a month, and there are some add-ons available, like:

Showtime $7 month
Fox Soccer Plus $15 month
AMC $5 a month
Starz $9 a month
NBA League Pass $40 a month

While YouTube TV alone is nearly half the cost of the average cable bill, adding too many extras on YouTube TV can easily make this alternative cost almost the same as cable.

Plus, you get unlimited DVR space and it includes 3 streams.

10. The library for best cable TV alternatives

Your local library is my favorite on this list of alternatives to cable TV because it’s completely free!

Libraries have a huge selection of movies (even new releases, blu-ray, and more), complete series of TV shows, and more. Many libraries have partnerships with other libraries in the area, so if you can’t find what you want to watch at one library, it’s probably available at another.

Many libraries now give you digital access with your library card to TV and movies through free services like:

Kanopy
Hoopla

There may be some restrictions on how many shows and movies you can watch a month, but free is a great thing if you’re cutting the cord to save money.

11. ESPN+

Here is another alternative for sports lovers – ESPN+ is one of the lowest cost alternatives to cable TV.

It’s $9.99 per month and you can watch live sporting events, sports networks, live streams, and ESPN+ Originals.

You can watch football, basketball, hockey, soccer, cricket, boxing, and so many other sports. There are also series, shows, and replays that you can enjoy too.

12. fuboTV

fuboTV looks very similar to traditional cable with a heavy focus on sports. You get access to live sports and top TV channels, cloud DVR, and can share your account across multiple devices.

There are also shows you can watch such as Yellowstone, The Voice, The Walking Dead, and more.

fuboTV has four different plans that allows you to watch sports:

fubo Pro $69.99/month. 100+ channels, 100 hours of cloud DVR, sharing on ten devices.
fubo Elite $79.99/month. 200+ channels, 1000 hours of cloud DVR, sharing on ten devices.
fubo Ultimate $99.99/month. 200+ channels, 35 more entertainment channels, Showtime, 1000 hours of cloud DVR, sharing on ten devices, and more
fubo Latino $24.99/month. 46 channels, 250 hours of cloud DVR, and sharing on two devices.

13. Disney+

Disney+ is a new streaming service that is one of the favorite cable TV alternatives. It offers classic Disney movies, original series, short-form content, and documentaries. Because Disney owns a number of franchises and networks, you’ll be able to watch the following things on Disney Plus:

Pixar
Marvel
Star Wars
National Geographic
Fox classics like the Sound of Music and 30 seasons of the Simpsons

This is a great option for families and the cost is relatively low – Disney+ with ads is $7.99 per month and includes unlimited downloads, access across devices, and more.

There is also Disney+ Premium with no ads which is $10.99 per month or $109.99 per year.

14. Go straight to the source for tv options.

For some cable and network channels, you can go straight to their website online and watch their TV shows right there for free.

So, all you need is internet in order to do this! Depending on the channel, you might only be able to watch the most recent episodes or ones that are a little older.

15. Watch Vudu for movies.

Vudu is owned by Fandango, and is a great website to watch movies. This is what we use when we want to watch movies.

They have free movies that come with commercials, but for the most part, you would most likely be paying to watch a movie. Think of it like Blockbuster Video, but you are able to choose exactly what movie you want to watch right from your TV, and you will pay to rent each movie.

According to Vudu, they have over 24,000 titles in their catalog and over 8,000 TV shows that you can watch. That means that there are a ton of options, and probably anything you want to watch can be found on Vudu.

Movie rentals for one time are typically around $0.99 to $5.99. TV show episodes are around $1.99 to $2.99 (for each episode). A season of a TV show is usually around $16.99 to $43.99.

16. Peacock

Peacock TV offers live sports, news, TV shows, movies, and more. If you want to save money and get by with no cable TV, this is a great option.

The price for a Peacock TV plan starts at free and comes with ads. Or, you can pay $4.99 for a limited ads package or $9.99 for the advertising free plan.

Some of the things you can watch include Yellowstone, Below Deck, Parks and Recreation. The Office, and Modern Family. They have 40,000 hours of movies, TV shows, and more on their platform. Plus, you can watch live sports and events, such as the Olympics, Super Bowl, WWE, and more.

17. Paramount+/ Showtime

The Paramount+/Showtime bundle starts at $11.99 per month and you can cancel at anytime.

This is one of the best cable alternatives!

You can stream live TV, sports, and news. You can also watch shows and movies such as Top Gun Maverick, 1923, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Dexter, and more

You can sign up for Paramount+/ Showtime by clicking here.

18. Do anything else for cable TV alternatives!

This might be the best alternative to cable TV, but that’s just my opinion.

And here’s why, the average person watches over 30 hours of TV a week. If you used just half of those hours finding things to do instead of watching TV, you could probably accomplish something great!

Now, I’m not completely hating on TV.

I have my favorite TV shows and can sit in front of a TV for hours on end.

However, for the most part, the average person probably spends way too much time just flipping through channels or watching something that they probably don’t even like.

If you feel like you aren’t accomplishing your goals in life or that you are always pressed for time, then you should first analyze how much time you’re wasting each day, especially when it comes to how much TV you watch.

You may not even realize how much time you spend in front of the TV!

Once you realize how much time you are probably wasting in front of the TV, I want you to start taking back some of that time, stop watching as much TV, and put your time to better use by finding things to do instead of watching TV!

Other things you could do with your time that are alternatives to cable TV include:

Read a book, blog, etc.
Get a book from the library.
Go to a museum.
Do yoga.
Go for a bike ride.
Go for a walk.
Play with your pet.
Go for a swim.
Look at the stars.
Go fishing.
Go camping.
Find free attractions in your city.
Train for a marathon.
Start a garden. Fresh food is the best!
Find a way to make extra money.

Read further at 59 Things To Do Instead of Watching TV So That You Can Take Your Life Back.

What is the best streaming service?

How much money are we saving by cutting cable TV?

Like many people, when we had cable, we weren’t watching enough TV enough to get our money’s worth. So, that money was just being wasted on cheap cable tv. It was actually rare for us to watch something that wasn’t on a local channel or Netflix. This was the main reason for why we decided to cut the cord and learn how to watch TV without cable or satellite, and I can’t imagine that we will ever pay for cable again.

The other thing about paying for cable and streaming cable is that our cable company seemed to have a $10 to $20 increase multiple times throughout the year – that’s just insane! I used to have to talk to our cable company once every six months so that I could negotiate our cable bill down. If we would have never negotiated, I’m sure our monthly cable bill would have been well over $100 and near the $200 range.

Now that we have cut the cord and only have Netflix, we are saving over $1,200 per year.

All we pay for now is $15.49 to Netflix each month, and we often turn that off when we feel like there’s nothing good to watch (which is often, haha!).

I can’t believe we ever paid that much for TV when there are so many good cable TV alternatives that exist. Plus, it just keeps getting better and better as more services are being created all the time.

Related: Get Paid To Watch Movies

What is the best alternative to cable? How do I get rid of cable and still watch TV? What is the best streaming service?

The best alternative to cable TV will depend on what you like to watch best. For us, we simply like having Netflix when there is something on there that we like to watch.

We’ll also occasionally pay for Philo and Starz as well when there is a TV show that we want to watch, such as 90 Day Fiance, Outlander, or want live TV streaming services.

There’s no right or wrong answer – simply choose what has the shows and movies that you want to watch. There are many, many different options for cable TV alternatives, as you probably have noticed in the list above. Not everything will fit everyone, so it is all about finding what suits you the best.

What are the worst cable TV alternatives?

The worst cable TV alternatives are simply what you will not use. No need to waste your money even further!

Signing up for each and every single streaming service and option above will end up costing you a lot of money, which will make you go backwards. I know some people who spend hundreds of dollars a month on monthly streaming services because they thought it would be better than cable.

However, that’s a lot of money to spend, and there’s probably some overlap on the various streaming options anyways. You may want to start with just one or two in order to find what is best for you and your family.

Do I need an internet connection for cable TV alternatives?

For many of the options above, you will need an internet connection in order to watch your favorite TV shows and movies.

With a digital antenna, you do not need an internet connection.

But, for streaming services, you will need to have internet.

What is the least expensive way to watch TV? What is the cheapest way to watch TV without cable?

The least expensive way to watch TV is to probably by visiting your library and seeing what services that they offer. Other options may include:

If you already pay for and use Amazon Prime for other reasons (such as quicker shipping), then watching TV through Amazon may be an affordable option for you because it is a service that you are already using.
Netflix is a very popular option due to its low cost and wide selection of movies, documentaries, TV shows, and more. If you are going to go with just one option, then Netflix may be a low cost and easy choice for you.
If you’re looking to spend nearly no money over the years, then finding a digital antenna may be a good option for you. This is because you can spend money by simply buying a digital antenna upfront, and then having to spend no additional money in future months to watch TV.

There are many other great options to save the most money and watch TV without cable or satellite as well.

What equipment do I need to get rid of cable TV?

The equipment that you need will vary depending on what TV service you want to use.

If you just want to use a digital antenna, then that is all that you will need. This is how you can cut the cable and watch TV for free.

For some subscription services, you may need some sort of device. For example, an Amazon FIRE stick, Google Chromecast, a Roku box, a Smart TV, or something else.

For us, we have a Smart TV, so we are able to watch Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, and so on, right from our TV with no issues and no additional devices needed. If you do not have a Smart TV, then simply getting something such as a Roku box or Apple TV can help you get what you need at an affordable price without having to upgrade your TV (because that can be expensive, especially if you do not need one).

Why getting rid of cable and finding cord cutting options will change your life.

As you can see, there are tons of tv options other than cable so that you can find cheap tv service! There are options like going to the library and watching series straight from the source that are completely free. You can also find less expensive options like Hulu, Netflix, and Disney+ and still have on-demand access to the shows you want.

Finding ways to replace cable is easy!

That means that if you want to get rid of cable to save money, it’s very easy to do. No more excuses! There are dozens of channels and hundreds of movies you can save money on.

Paying for one year of cable can easily cost $1,200 or more – this is so much money!

You can find an alternative and use your savings to put towards debt, invest it for retirement, or it can be used to pursue your passions. Putting your money towards these things can cause less stress, and that’s something we all need to reduce.

Or, if you really want to change your life, what if you got rid of TV and cable streaming services altogether?

You can spend more time outside, visit more with friends and family, get more sleep at night, and live healthier both mind and body.

Now, you can still rent a movie or pay for a month of Hulu here and there, but living without TV for longer periods is something you can try if you want to find a way to change your life.

What is best option to replace cable TV?

I hope you enjoyed today’s article on the best alternatives to cable TV and best cable replacement service. As you have learned, there are many, many different options depending on what you are looking for. If you want to learn how to get rid of cable and still watch tv, then it is definitely possible!

There are alternatives to cable TV for sports, ways to watch TV without cable or satellite, and more. Now, there are worst cable TV alternatives, but this just depends on who you are and what you like to typically watch.

Your different options may include things such as Netflix, YouTube TV, Philo, Roku, Sling TV, Hulu, fuboTV, HBO, DirecTV Stream (used to be called AT&T TV), Paramount+, Disney+, HBO Max, Discovery, channels for sports fans, DVDs, and so much more.

Luckily, in today’s world, there are many, many different options for getting rid of cable or satellite and saving money.

Are you thinking about getting rid of cable? What alternatives to cable TV do you have?

Apache is functioning normally

May 24, 2023 by Brett Tams

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*This article may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

One of the topics I keep coming back to on Bible Money Matters is the idea of finding ways to cut your regular recurring expenses. One of the big ways that we’ve saved was by cutting our mobile phone costs and home phone costs.

Republic Wireless Review

Republic Wireless Review We cut our mobile phone bills substantially by moving to a no-contract cell phone provider several years ago. My wife and I both switched to Virgin Mobile pre-paid cell service. We’ve saved hundreds over the years by making the switch from our old traditional contract provider.

My wife has recently been complaining about how her old smartphone just isn’t working very well anymore. The GPS never seems to work despite being on, it’s always running out of storage and it’s just too slow and old to run some of the newest apps.

Since she isn’t on a contract I decided to see if we could find a better deal on a phone and plan than the one we’re on with Virgin Mobile – a $35/month plan that gets her basically all she needs. One provider that keeps coming up when I research low cost no contract cell providers is Republic Wireless. They have plans as low as $15/month! Today I thought I’d do a quick post talking about Republic Wireless, who they are, what they have to offer and how you can use them to save.

Save With Republic Wireless

Republic Wireless History

Republic Wireless is a wireless communications service provider and subsidiary of Bandwidth. Bandwidth is an internet and telephone service provider co-founded in 1999 by CEO David Morken in his spare bedroom. Morken is an avowed capitalist, but also is outspoken about his Christian faith, and he talks about how his Christian values help to inform the company’s focus on integrity and service:

It’s amazing when you can have an economic alignment with a service orientation and a service heart. You don’t just tell the truth because it’s going to have an economic benefit, you have to tell the truth when it’s going to cause economic harm as well.

Bandwidth’s expertise is in telephony and VOIP services, so a consumer focused VOIP cell service like Republic Wireless was a natural outgrowth of the company.

Republic Wireless was created in January of 2010 and first launched as a private beta service in November of 2011 with 2 available smartphones. A year later in 2012 they launched an open public beta. Finally in November of 2013 they came out of their beta testing period and began offering several calling plans ranging anywhere from $5/month to $40/month depending on the level of service you buy. As of September of 2017 they will have 8 smartphone options available to purchase on their store. They range from the high end Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge ($599) to the mid level Moto G4 ($179) all the way to the entry-level Moto E ($99).

Republic Wireless is an MVNO for the Sprint and T-Mobile networks depending on which plan you’re on, so they’ll have the same coverage as Sprint or T-Mobile. What sets them apart, however, is their new “Hybrid Calling” techonology that allows you to make phone calls over WiFi, or if WiFi isn’t available, via the cell networks as normal phones do. You’re even able to do mid-call handoff from calls started in WiFi, and pass it over to the cell networks with no call interruption.

Republic Wireless carriers

Republic’s idea is to use WiFi data whenever possible to make cell service more affordable, since cellular data costs so much more to use. Here’s how they describe their service.

Our mission at Republic Wireless is simple: to make enjoying the features of a smartphone more affordable and accessible for everyone. Through Hybrid Calling technology (that’s WiFi + cellular), we’re able to offer our customers remarkable mobile service plans at unheard of rates. You see, WiFi is cheap and plentiful while cellular (especially data) is more scarce and much more expensive. By relying on our members to use the cheap and plentiful WiFi wherever it’s available, we’re making great progress on our mission—delivering a mind blowing total cost of ownership that’s leaving a lot of folks scratching their heads (happily!).

When the service first started I heard a lot of complaints about call quality, and problems handing off calls from WiFi to cell networks. Most of the more recent reviews I’ve read, however, have been much more positive about the quality of service.

Republic Wireless – How It Works

Republic Wireless WiFi Calling

Republic Wireless WiFi Calling Making calls over WiFi is much more affordable for the wireless communications provider, so what Republic Wireless has created is a more affordable way to have cell service.

Their Hybrid Calling technology allows them to offer more affordable plans than many other providers just by giving WiFi calling priority over the cell calling. So if WiFi is available where you are, your call will be routed over the WiFi networks, and if it’s not, then calls will go over the Sprint or T-Mobile cell network (or Verizon’s network if Sprint is not available).

The more prevalent WiFi is where you typically go, the more likely you will be to choose one of their WiFi only plans, and save a ton of money!

What Phones Can I Get?

Currently there are 8 phones available for Republic Wireless, The Moto E4, Moto E4 Plus, Moto G5 plus, Huawei AScend 5W, Moto G4, Moto Z Play, Moto Z and Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. Available phones are always subject to change, and often do. Go to the Republic Wireless site via the link below to see current options.

View Current Phones @ Republic Wireless

So what do you get with each of the phones?

Motorola Moto E4 – $99: This phone sports a 5″ HD display, with 16 GB of internal memory, 2 GB of RAM, 2800 mAh removable battery and a MicroSD slot.
Motorola Moto E4 Plus – $199: This phone has a 5.5″ HD display, with 32 GB of internal memory, 2 GB of RAM, 5000 mAh rapid charging battery and a MicroSD slot.
Motorola Moto G5 plus – $299: This phone has a 5.2″ HD display, with 32/64 GB of internal memory, 2/4 GB of RAM, 3000 mAh rapid charging battery and a MicroSD slot.
Huawei AScend 5W – $149: This phone has a 5.5″ HD display, with 16 GB of internal memory, 2 GB of RAM, 3000 mAh battery and a MicroSD slot.
Motorola Moto G4 – $179: This phone has a 5.5″ HD display, with 16/32 GB of internal memory, 2 GB of RAM, 3000 mAh Turbo Charge battery and a MicroSD slot.
Motorola Moto Z Play – $349: This phone has a 5.5″ AMOLED HD display, with 32 GB of internal memory, 3 GB of RAM, 3510 mAh 50 hr battery and a MicroSD slot expandable up to 200GB.
Motorola Moto Z – $499: This phone has a 5.5″ HD display, with 64 GB of internal memory, 4 GB of RAM, 2600 mAh battery and a MicroSD slot expandable up to 200GB.
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge – $599: This phone has a 5.5″ Quad HD display, with 32 GB of internal memory, 4 GB of RAM, 3600 mAh 33 hr battery with wireless charging and a MicroSD slot expandable up to 200GB.

Here is an unboxing video of our older Moto X that we received a while back (which is no longer sold, but you can still find used).

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View this video on YouTube

When it comes down to it, all of their phones are going to be good phones, it just comes down to how much speed, memory and other bells and whistles that you want. The faster the processor, the more memory and better display, the more the phone will cost.

Available Monthly Plans

So what are the plans that are currently available on the Republic Wireless network?

Here are the new calling plans on the new Republic Wireless 3.0 plans:

The plan that most people use is the unlimited talk & text + 1GB of LTE data for just $20.

It is an amazing deal, and $5 cheaper than their old Republic Wireless 2.0 1GB data plan!

They do have a bunch of other calling plans, however. The plans start at a $15/month for a plan with no data, all the way up to a $90/month 10GB plan:

$15 Unlimited Talk, Text, and WiFi Data
$20 Unlimited Talk, Text, and WiFi Data + 1GB of Cell Data
$30 Unlimited Talk, Text, and WiFi Data + 2GB of Cell Data
$45 Unlimited Talk, Text, and WiFi Data + 4GB of Cell Data
$60 Unlimited Talk, Text, and WiFi Data + 6GB of Cell Data
$90 Unlimited Talk, Text, and WiFi Data + 10GB of Cell Data

Depending on how much data you use in a typical month, or if you use data at all, the service can be extremely affordable. I know some people that don’t really use data that go with the $15/month plan, while others like me who use a small amount of data can go with the $20/month plan.

Switch Your Plan Up To 2X Per Month At No Extra Charge

One nice feature that Republic Wireless offers is the ability to switch your monthly plan up to twice per month. This will come in handy, for example, if you’re traveling one month and want to have more 4G LTE data access available on your phone.

So let’s say you’re on the $15/month plan with no cell data, and you want to switch your plan (right from your phone if you want!) to the $30/month 2GB data plan while you travel. You can switch it while you’re traveling, and then when you come back switch it back to the more affordable plan again.

How is it charged? You’ll pay the daily rate for each plan, for the days that you use it. So for the $15 plan you’d pay about $.50 a day, while the $30/month plan would be about $1 a day. Just figure out how many days of the month on each plan you used and you’ll figure out what your charges for that month will be. Piece of cake, and a great way to save!

Check Out Plans @ Republic Wireless

Pros & Cons

What are the pros and cons of cell service with Republic Wireless? Here are a few:

Pros

Low cost – affordable: Depending on your needs your service will be anywhere from $15-$45/month. Much cheaper than the average $96/month phone bill (according to J.D. Power).
Ability to switch plans up to 2x per month: If you want to switch your plan with Republic, for example, if you’re traveling and want to have 4G data access, you can do that up to 2x per month. So you can be on the $5 plan, and switch to the $40/month plan for the month – and then switch back.
Good phones available: The Samsung Galaxy S7 has received rave reviews and by all accounts it’s a great phone. The other phones that are available are good mid and entry level smartphones as well.
Roaming on other networks available: If you don’t have a T-Mobile tower in your area, the service will roam on another network for voice calls at no added cost.
Make calls on WiFi – even in your basement!: If you typically can’t make cell phone calls in your basement, or at your job – as long as you’ve got a WiFi signal you can now make calls!
Unlimited talk, text, data: All of the plans will give you unlimited talk, text and data if you’re on WiFi. You can also get unlimited talk and text via cell networks on the $15-45/month plans. No worries about going over your minutes or text limit!
Make international calls, as long as you have good WiFi: I remember paying through the nose for calling cards when my family took a cruise a few years back. Now, as long as you have WiFi you can make calls to the U.S., even if you’re overseas.
Port your existing number: You can port your existing phone number to the service as long as it’s compatible. Be sure to check beforehand, I did and my number is available to port.
30 day trial: You can try the phone for a no risk 30 day trial. Just be sure to read the caveats (like not opening accessories if you’re not sure you want to keep the phone, and that you’ll have to pay a $10 shipping charge).

Cons

Limited phone choices: There are currently only a limited number of phones you can buy on the Republic Wireless site. They are all great phones, but if you want something different like an iPhone for an example, you’re out of luck. Thankfully they do have some “bring your own phone” options as well.
Occasional phone service hiccups in WiFi/cell handoffs: Some people have noticed hiccups when moving from a WiFi connection to cell connection. This seems to have improved, however, and most people don’t have issues with this.
No short code support: As of this writing there is no support for short code messaging – in other words sending messages to 4-6 digit numbers services. (Example: text 32456 for a listing of movies) This is being changed however, and they anticipate support for short codes to be added soon. UPDATE: Republic Wireless announced on October 10th, 2014 that there is now support for short codes. One more thing to scratch off the cons list!

Overall Republic Wireless is a great non contract cell service option. It ends up being cheaper than most of the other services that I’ve looked into, and if you have good WiFi coverage like I do, it can be considerably cheaper. I’d definitely recommend checking it out if you’re looking to cut an out of control cell phone bill.

Are you using Republic Wireless? How has the service worked for you? How much are you saving?

Find out more about the service and sign up via the link below.

More Details About Republic Wireless

Moble Virtual Network Operator (MVNO)	Mobile Network	Minimum Plan Price	Free Tethering	Review
Gen Mobile	Sprint	$5 (Unlimited Text – No Talk, No Data) $10 (300 Min Talk & Unlimited Text – 1GB Data) Discounts if prepaid for 3 months.	Yes	Review
Tello	Sprint	$5 (100 Min Talk & Unlimited Text – No Data)	Yes	Review
Twigby	Sprint, Verizon Wireless	$9 (300 Min Talk & Unlimited Text – No Data)	Yes	Review
Ting	Sprint, T-Mobile	$9 (100 Min Talk & No Text – No Data)	Yes	Review
Red Pocket Mobile	Verizon Wireless, AT&T, T-Mobile US, Sprint	$10 (500 Min Talk & 500 Text – 500 MB Data)	Yes
Republic Wireless	Sprint, T-Mobile	$15 (Unlimited Talk & Text – No Data)	Yes	Review
Mint Mobile	T-Mobile	$15 (Unlimited Talk & Text – 3GB Data) If prepaid for 1 year. Prepay in 3,6, 12 month increments. Buy 3 Months, Get 3 Free)	Yes	Review
Unreal Mobile	AT&T	$15 (Unlimited Talk & Text – 3GB Data). Prepay in 3,6, 12 month increments.	Yes	Review
TracFone	Verizon Wireless, AT&T, T-Mobile US, Sprint, U.S. Cellular	$15 (200 Min Talk & 500 Text – 500 MB Data) If put on auto-renew save 5%.	No
Google FI	T-Mobile, Sprint, U.S. Cellular	$20 (Unlimited Talk & Text – No Data)	Yes
Total Wireless	Verizon Wireless	$23.70 (Unlimited Talk & Text – No Data) $25 without auto-pay.	Yes
Cricket Wireless	AT&T	$25 (Unlimited Talk & Text – No Data)	No
Boost	Sprint	$35 (Unlimited Talk & Text – 3GB Data)	No
Straight Talk Wireless	AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon	$35 (Unlimited Talk & Text – 2GB Data)	No
Visible	Verizon	$40 (Unlimited Talk & Text – Unlimited Data)	Yes	Review

Republic Wireless

Rating

8.7/10

Pros

Low monthly cost
Seamless WiFi calling
High quality phones
Unlimited talk/text
International calls on WiFi

Cons

Limited phones available
Unsubsidized phone price

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Source: biblemoneymatters.com

Apache is functioning normally

May 23, 2023 by Brett Tams

Looking for the best money saving apps and websites?

When it comes to using technology to save money, there are a variety of money saving apps and websites to choose from. I’ve sifted through the best personal finance apps to find which ones will help you save the most money, and I’m sharing a list and summary of your best options. 20 Best Money Saving Apps

What I love about these kinds of apps is that you can easily keep track of your savings. You can simply pull out your phone and see what’s happening with your finances.

Whether they make managing your money easier, allow you to make or save more money, simplify financial tasks, cut your expenses, or something else, there are many benefits to the apps I’m sharing today.

Saving money is so important, but it can be difficult to do with the rising cost of things. That’s why every little bit counts when it comes to saving money!

The money saving apps and websites below will help you:

Save money from your phone
Save/earn money when shopping online
Manage your money online
Side hustle online
Save when you grocery shop
Set and reaching savings goals
Invest for your future
Improve your spending habits
Cut your expenses

And more.

The apps I’m sharing will work on Apple iOS, Android, laptop, and/or tablet. You should be able to sign up for them through your phone’s app store or by visiting the company’s website.

In today’s article, I am going to explain the top money saving apps and answer frequently asked questions, such as if money saving apps are safe, why these apps are willing to pay you cash, and more.

20 Best Money Saving Apps

Before we begin, I want to quickly list out all of the best money saving apps below:

Personal Capital
Capital One Shopping
Upside
Fetch Rewards
Ibotta
Qapital
Yotta Savings
Swagbucks
Rakuten
Acorns
American Consumer Opinion
Neighbor
Survey Junkie
InboxDollars
Decluttr
Bestmark
RVshare
Get Jerry
Chime®
Albert

1. Personal Capital

Personal Capital is a very popular personal finance and investment portfolio tool.

With Personal Capital, you can see your net worth, see if you’re saving enough for retirement, set a monthly spending target (and organize your spending and savings), analyze your cash flow, check up on your investments, and more.

There’s even a feature that analyzes your investment fees. It helps you identify places you can save on fees, which will help you put more of your money to work for you.

Personal Capital also has a high-interest rate savings account. This is a fee-free, FDIC-insured account, and it currently offers a savings APY of 3.35%!

Plus, it’s a free personal finance app that you can access right from your phone.

You can learn more about Personal Capital here.

2. Capital One Shopping – Automatically apply coupon codes

Capital One Shopping is one of the best money saving apps because it automatically applies coupon codes when you’re shopping online. That means you don’t have to search for coupon codes, which can save you time and money.

This is one of the best automatic savings apps because you don’t have to do anything extra. The Capital One Shopping app does the work for you by running through a variety of coupon codes as you check out, and then it automatically applies the best digital coupons for you and your purchase.

It’s free to use Capital One Shopping, and it is a browser extension that works with all major browsers.

You simply just shop as you normally do, and the Capital One Shopping app works in the background. I have it installed on my laptop, it works great, and I am always able to find the best deals with no extra time spent on my end.

You can sign up for Capital One Shopping here.

3. Upside – Save at gas stations

Upside helps you find gas stations, groceries, and restaurants where you can earn cash back on your purchases. You simply sign up for a free account, and then look at the Upside app to find places near you.

You can earn up to $0.25/gallon cash back at gas stations, up to 30% back on grocery purchases, and up to 45% back at restaurants. This app can help you offset the cost of inflation by helping you save money on everyday purchases.

App users can earn cash back at more than 50,000 locations nationwide, such as Shell gas station, Phillips 66, Burger King, Dunkin Donuts, Piggly Wiggly, and so much more.

One of my favorite Upside features is the map that tells you how much each gas station in your area is charging for a tank of gas. This helps you find the lowest price possible, while also giving you cash back.

You can check out Upside here to learn more.

4. Fetch Rewards – Scan your grocery receipts

If you’re looking for the best money saving app for groceries, I’ve been using Fetch Rewards the last few months, and it is so easy to save on groceries and other daily purchases!

Fetch Rewards is a cashback and gift card app that rewards you for purchases that you’ve already made.

With Fetch Rewards, you can earn points by submitting your receipts to the Fetch Rewards app from any grocery store, clothing store, restaurant, gas station, and more. Yes, ANY!

Then, you can redeem the points that you have earned for gift cards (to places such as Target or Amazon) and other rewards.

All you have to do is take a picture of your receipt with your cell phone, and you can easily earn points. I scan any and all receipts into my Fetch Rewards app and can easily earn rewards.

Here’s how Fetch Rewards works:

Shop like you normally would
Scan your receipt after you’re done
Earn points on Fetch Rewards

You can sign up for Fetch Rewards here.

5. Ibotta – Submit your receipts on your everyday purchases

With Ibotta, you simply create an Ibotta account, unlock rebates and rewards, go shopping, verify your purchases, and then get cash.

This is a great daily savings app. You can redeem rebates from over hundreds of stores, such as The Home Depot, Walmart, Chewy, and Best Buy.

You can earn cash back online as well as in-store, which is where Ibotta really stands apart from other companies. Plus, you can connect your favorite loyalty cards to your Ibotta account as well, and then Ibotta automatically applies loyalty discounts.

Ibotta is one of the easiest and best money saving apps because you’re making money shopping like you normally do. Ibotta then pays you in cash or gift cards to Amazon, Starbucks, and other stores.

6. Qapital – Save with minimal effort

Qapital is an app that can help you to save, invest, and spend with money better. This award-winning savings app has over 2 million users who have saved over $3 billion!

You can set triggers for saving, like when you post a status update to Facebook, every time you go for a run, when the space station flies over your house, etc. You can also set automatic deposits, do round-ups, and more. This can be a great way to get into automatic savings.

Qapital also has goal-based savings features, making it a great app for saving money for a trip, your wedding, emergency fund, and more. You simply set a savings goal, and Qapital automatically moves money into that account to help you realize your goal by your deadline.

There is a small monthly fee to use Qapital, but you can get a 30-day free trial. After that, they have three pricing tiers from $3 a month to $12 a month.

You can sign up for Qapital by clicking here.

7. Yotta Savings – Win up to $10 million weekly

The Yotta Savings app gives you the chance to win up to $10,000,000 weekly.

Yotta Savings uses the psychology that drives Americans to play the lottery to instead motivate Americans to save money.

For every $25 that you save with Yotta, you have the chance to win $0.10 all the way up to $10,000,000, every week.

If you don’t win, the cash you’ve saved still has a 0.20% savings rate, which is twice as high as the national average.

I personally signed up for Yotta Savings, and I think it’s a fun way to get people into saving more money. So many people enjoy playing the lottery, and this can be a great way to motivate people to save their hard-earned income.

There is even a Yotta debit card where you can earn 10% back and the chance to get any item you buy for free with the Yotta Debit Card. Plus, your savings accounts with Yotta are FDIC insured.

You can click here to download the Yotta Savings app. You can also learn more in my Yotta Savings Review.

8. Swagbucks – Complete simple tasks online

I started using Swagbucks years ago, and it has helped me easily earn extra cash on the side, and all you need is an internet connection.

There are many ways you can earn money on Swagbucks, such as:

Watching videos on their website
Playing free games online
Scanning your receipts
Installing the Swagbutton
Printing coupons
Answering daily polls
Searching the web and using their search engine

And much more.

Here’s how Swagbucks works:

You can join Swagbucks through my referral link, and receive a $10 bonus.
You can then earn points by taking online surveys, searching the web like you normally do, watching videos on Swagbucks, and shopping online.
Then, you can redeem your points for PayPal cash or gift cards (such as to Amazon or Walmart).

As you can see, Swagbucks is very easy to use!

9. Rakuten – Get cash back at online retailers

Rakuten (used to be called Ebates) is one of the best apps for saving money, and it allows you to earn free money for spending how you normally would online.

All you do is click on a store that you want to shop through (they have tons of stores such as Walmart, Target, Old Navy, etc.) and shop just like how you normally would shop online.

Rakuten makes a commission for referring you to the store you just shopped at, and they give you some of that money back as a reward. This can help you to trim your expenses and put a little more money back in your pocket. Who doesn’t love putting their money to work?

When you sign up through my link, you’ll receive a free $10 cash sign-up bonus.

10. Acorns – Invest your spare change

Is there an app that saves your spare change? Yes, and it’s called Acorns!

Founded in 2012, Acorns is the original micro-investment app. Micro-investing means you’re investing in fractional shares of stocks. So instead of buying a full stock share, you can invest with smaller amounts of money, which makes investing more accessible than ever before.

Acorns allows users to link and round up transactions to the nearest dollar from both debit and credit cards and essentially invest their spare change. Acorns also does 2x, 3x, and 10x multipliers on round-ups so you can maximize your investments.

For example: If you use a linked card to buy a $4.58 coffee, Acorns will round it up (to the nearest dollar) to $5 and invest the $0.42 difference.

Acorns also has many other features within their app, such as the ability to earn money while you shop, find jobs, and more.

You can click here to sign up for Acorns.

11. American Consumer Opinion – Paid online surveys

American Consumer Opinion is a survey company that I recommend, and it is free to sign up.

You can earn anywhere from $1 to $50 per survey taken through American Consumer Opinion, but $50 for surveys is pretty rare. It all depends on the length of the survey, and I would say the average is probably more around $1 to $5 per survey taken.

American Consumer Opinion also sometimes gives you free items to test out and give your feedback on.

They have paid out over $35,000,000 to survey takers and have posted over 20 million surveys. There are also over 7,000,000 active members.

You can sign up for American Consumer Opinion here.

12. Neighbor – Rent out your garage

Do you have unused storage space? If so, you may be able to earn money with it.

Neighbor is the Airbnb of storage space.

You can use this website to list your unused space for rent and earn up to $15,000 per year. With Neighbor, you can rent out your garage, driveway, basement, or even an unused closet.

You can set your own prices and decide for yourself what storage reservations you want to approve. You can even talk with renters in advance before deciding if they’re a good fit.

You can sign up for Neighbor for free here.

13. Survey Junkie – Share your feedback

Survey Junkie is a top survey company that provides online surveys that pay cash. You simply build a profile with them, and they match you to paid online surveys that fit your information.

They pay either cash through PayPal or with gift cards to places such as Amazon, Target, and more.

Survey Junkie accepts members from the United States, Canada, and Australia.

You can take surveys for cash by signing up for Survey Junkie here.

14. Inbox Dollars – Play games online and use coupons

InboxDollars is an online rewards website that rewards its members for watching videos, taking surveys, redeeming grocery coupons, playing games online, and more.

It is free to sign up and free to become a member.

Most of the paid online surveys on Inbox Dollars pay from $0.50 to $5.00 and take 3 to 25 minutes to complete.

Sign up for InboxDollars here and receive a free $5.

15. Decluttr – Sell your old phone

Decluttr is a website where you can sell your old cell phones, CDs, DVDs, games, and books.

It is one of the most popular buy-and-sell electronic/tech websites, and for good reason: They pay well and quickly.

Here’s how to make money on Decluttr:

Open Decluttr’s app and get a free instant valuation for the items that you want to sell.
Tell them the make, model, and condition of your cell phone. If you’re selling CDs, DVDs, or games, then you just enter your barcode or take a picture of the barcode with the Decluttr cell phone app.
If you’re happy with the amount that they are offering you for your item, then you simply get a box (any box that you think will keep it safe while it’s in the mail) and pack it up safely to ship to Decluttr. Decluttr sends you a free shipping label, and all you have to do is print out and tape it to your mailing box.
Once your item arrives at Decluttr and it’s been looked over and verified, you will receive payment the next day by direct deposit to your bank account or PayPal.

As you can see, it is easy to use this website. If you have items around your home that you are no longer using, then this can be an easy way to make money. I also recommend shopping through Decluttr if you want to save money on electronics!

You can check out Decluttr here.

16. Bestmark – Mystery shopping

Companies hire mystery shoppers because they want to get a better idea of what the customer experience is actually like. This could be a clothing shop, a car dealership, a movie theater, and more. Basically, any business that’s selling something to customers can benefit from mystery shoppers because they want to see their business through their customers’ eyes.

Mystery shopping can be an interesting way to make extra money online, while shopping in-store, over the phone, and so on.

In the past, I have done mystery shops that paid me actual money, and others paid me in free items too, such as a nice dinner out and makeup. After using Bestmark for mystery shopping, I highly recommend them.

There is no monthly fee with Bestmark, and it is free to sign up!

You can learn more at Want To Make An Extra $100 A Month? Learn How To Become A Mystery Shopper.

17. RVshare – Rent out your RV

If you have an RV that you aren’t currently using, then you may be able to earn $100 to $300 a day or more by renting it out to others through RVShare.

Think of RVshare as Airbnb for RVs.

You can rent all kinds of RV on RVShare, such as:

Camper vans
Travel trailers
Pop-ups
Class C Motorhome
Class A Motorhome
Toy hauler

RVshare also securely handles all payments and releases funds to your bank account one business day after the start of each rental.

Related: Have an RV that you want to rent out? Check out How To Make Extra Money By Renting Out Your RV.

18. Get Jerry – Save money on car insurance

When was the last time you shopped around for car insurance?

Even though it’s very easy, shopping around for insurance is something that most people avoid because it takes time. The problem is that not shopping around can cost you tens of thousands of dollars over your lifetime.

Jerry is an insurance comparison company that will help you get the best value car insurance.

With Jerry:

You can sign up in just 45 seconds
Compare quotes from over 45 companies
Save an average of $879 per year

You can shop car insurance rates through Get Jerry here.

19. Chime® – Round-up savings app

Chime is an award winning financial app that will help you save money and make the most of your spending. One of their most exciting features are automatic round-ups when you make a purchase. Chime will automatically round up your purchase to the next dollar amount and save the rest for you.*

Here are even more Chime features:

Get paid up to two days early^ when you set up direct deposit
No monthly fees and fee-free overdraft
Send fee-free payments to friends and family
Higher-than-average APY*

You can sign up for Chime here.

Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.

*Round Ups automatically round up debit card purchases to the nearest dollar and transfer the round up from your Chime Checking Account to your savings account.

*The average national savings account interest rate of 2.00% is determined by FDIC as of November 17, 2022 based on a simple average of rates paid (uses annual percentage yield) by all insured depository institutions and branches for which data are available. Visit National Rates and Rate Caps to learn more.

^Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.

20. Albert – Simple saving and investing app

Albert is an app designed to make it easier to save and invest all in one place. This app has features for saving, investing, and budgeting.

They even have a Genius feature, which is an in-app chat where you can ask one of their Geniuses anything related to money, from credit cards, buying a car, student loans, and more.

You can learn more about Albert here.

Do money saving apps actually work?

Yes, money saving apps and websites actually work. They exist for a reason!

Now, not every single one will work for everyone, but there are many options that you may be able to try out.

I have personally used many money saving apps and websites over the years, from online savings accounts, to cash back websites to paid online surveys, and more.

Are money saving apps safe?

The money saving apps and websites included in this article are safe and legitimate.

I did thorough research on each company, and I use many of them myself.

Where do money saving apps get money from? Why would they pay me?

Many of the money saving apps and websites listed above make money in ways such as:

They may get paid a commission when a customer buys something from one of the company’s partner sites.
Selling market research data, which is what survey sites pay you for.
Display advertising – which means getting eyeballs to their website, app, etc. – may earn them money through advertising on their website/platform/app.
Some of these apps make money because you are selling something to them, and then they resell it, such as with Decluttr.
Mystery shopping companies make money from the company that is hiring them to have the mystery shop done. For example, a clothing store may pay them to find mystery shoppers and conduct the mystery shop.

They all make money in some way, which is why they do what they do.

They are all legitimate, and many people earn money with each of the ways listed in this article.

What are the best money saving apps for iPhone? And what are the best money saving apps for Android?

Out of this list of apps, Acorns and Ibotta are two of the top-rated iPhone and Android apps. But that doesn’t mean those are the only ones you should check out. These companies all have very user-friendly and safe apps.

What are the best money saving apps?

To quickly recap the above, the best money saving apps include:

Personal Capital
Capital One Shopping
Upside
Fetch Rewards
Ibotta
Qapital
Yotta Savings
Swagbucks
Rakuten
Acorns
American Consumer Opinion
Neighbor
Survey Junkie
InboxDollars
Decluttr
Bestmark
RVshare
Get Jerry
Chime
Albert

The money saving apps above may help you to save money, cut your expenses, reduce your fees, build larger savings accounts, improve your spending habits, get rewards, make money, and more.

What are your favorite money savings apps?

Apache is functioning normally

May 15, 2023 by Brett Tams

Inside: Did you know that you can get cash back when paying with Apple Pay? If not, there are plenty of rewards and perks to be had.

Apple Pay is the newest way to make payments. It’s the easiest, most secure way for you to pay with your iPhone or iPad anywhere credit and debit cards are accepted.

But how does it work? And what can you get back if you use Apple Pay?

Here is everything that we know about using Apple Pay:

Apple Pay is a digital wallet that allows you to pay with your phone for purchases.

It’s an easy way to spend less, save more, and shop responsibly.

In fact, new trends show that 82% of Americans use digital payment methods; a significant increase over previous years (source).

But what if I told you there was a hidden perk of Apple Pay? You can get cash back on every purchase!

Did you know that you can get cash back when paying with Apple Pay? If not, there are plenty of rewards and perks to be had. This article will go over how it works as well as offer some suggestions on how to take advantage of this new feature.

What is Apple Pay?

Apple Pay is a digital payment system that was introduced by Apple in 2014. With the mobile wallet, Apple Pay allows users to make payments with their iPhones.

You can pay for products and services in person or online using your iOS device. With Apple Pay, you no longer need physical cards as transactions can be made by scanning your fingerprint, iris scan, or Face ID on your device.

Transactions are more secure than traditional methods. In addition, cashback and credit card rewards programs are available for those who use Apple Pay.

Can you get Cash Back with Apple Pay?

Yes, you can get cash back with Apple Pay!

All you need to do is make sure the store takes Apple Pay and have a card linked with your account. Then, make your purchase as usual and earn cash back just like before.

It’s that easy!

Way #1 – Link Your Cash Back Credit Card to Apple Pay

There are a few ways to add your credit or debit card to Apple Pay. One way is to use the Wallet app on your iPhone and follow the steps below:

Tap the plus sign in the upper-right corner of the app.
Enter your card information manually or scan it with your camera.
Verify your details and tap Next.
Choose how you want to use Apple Pay: With Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode.
Tap Done and wait for a confirmation message that your card has been added.

You earn cash back according to your credit card used with Apple Pay. Also, some credit cards offer additional cash back when using Apple Pay.

Almost all credit card issuers work with Apple Pay.

This post may contain affiliate links, which helps us to continue providing relevant content and we receive a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the full disclosure here.

Way #2 – Apply for the Apple Card

The card is a new electronic cash back card that gives you 3% back on all purchases from Apple and when using Apple Card with Apple Pay at selected merchants. Plus 2% back on all purchases everywhere else.

Given Apple Pay is accepted by over 85% of U.S. merchants it is easy to maximize your Daily Cash.

You can apply for the Apple Card on the Apple website or in the Wallet app.

Way #3 – Get Debit Card Cash Back with Apple Pay

There are a few different requirements to get cash back when using your debit card with Apple Pay.

First, you must link a debit card to your Apple Pay account. The store accepts Apple Pay and the store must offer cash back on the purchases.

For many people, this is easier than going to ATM.

How does Apple Pay work?

Apple Pay was designed to move consumers away from physical wallets into a world where their card is on their iPhone or Apple Watch.

This is done through contactless payment technology which allows users to make payments by holding their device near a contactless reader. The reader will communicate with the device and complete the payment.

Apple Pay is very simple to use.

What are the benefits of using Apple Pay?

Picture of a phone that says I love shopping with a credit card for the benefits of using apple pay.

When you use Apple Pay, there are a number of benefits that come along with it.

#1 – More Secure

Using Apple Pay is more secure than using a traditional credit card.

#2 – Cash Back

You can earn “cash back” rewards on your purchases. Just like you normally would.

#3 – Promotions and Deals

Apple Pay also offers a number of promotions and deals that can help you get the most out of your purchases. For example, right now Apple is offering bonus points for those who use their service to pay for their holiday gifts. This allows you to earn rewards like statement credits and real cash back on your routine purchases.

These promos are emailed to their Apple pay users.

#4 – Convenience

Plus, as more companies begin to accept Apple Pay as a form of payment, it’s becoming easier and more convenient to use this mobile wallet instead of carrying around a bunch of cards in your wallet or purse.

So if you’re looking for an easy way to make payments and rack up some rewards at the same time, then Apple Pay is definitely the way to go!

Is Apple Pay secure?

Apple Pay is a digital payment service that allows users to make payments using their iPhone, Apple Watch, Mac, and iPad. One of the main benefits of using Apple Pay is that it is much more secure than using a physical card.

Your card details are not stored on your device or on Apple’s servers, instead, they are encrypted and stored in the Secure Element on your device. In order to make a purchase with Apple Pay, you need to use your Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode.

When you make a purchase, a one-time payment number and code are created so that the merchant can’t access your credit card information. This makes Apple Pay more secure than traditional methods of paying with a credit card.

How do I know if a store accepts Apple Pay?

Apple Pay is a mobile payment system that allows users to make payments with their iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch. It’s accepted at many stores and restaurants and can be linked with any other card you have.

To know if a store accepts Apple Pay, look for one of these symbols at the payment counter:

where can i get cash back with apple pay

When using Apply Pay, select merchants offer 3% Daily Cash back.

You need to check with app to see what each store offers.

Also, many stores offer BONUS daily cash!

What happens if I lose my iPhone with Apple Pay?

If you lose your iPhone with Apple Pay, you can use the Find My iPhone app to suspend or remove your card from Apple Pay.

You can also call Apple Support at 1-800-MY-APPLE (1-800-692-7753) if you need help suspending or removing your card from Apple Pay.

Cash Back with Apple Pay

There are a variety of reasons you may want cash back with Apple Pay. Some just want to earn more money when shopping; others want to skip going to ATM for cash back.

Apple Pay is the company’s contactless payment system that allows customers to make purchases by holding their iPhone near a point-of-sale terminal. Apple has been promoting its cash back program for quite a while now, but many customers have been asking how it works because it is a newer cashless digital payment method.

Yes, you can get cash back with Apple Pay.

You need to learn which payment type is best if you are trying to stick to a budget.

Source: moneybliss.org

Apache is functioning normally

May 13, 2023 by Brett Tams

By Peter Anderson Leave a Comment – The content of this website often contains affiliate links and I may be compensated if you buy through those links (at no cost to you!). Learn more about how we make money. Last edited November 18, 2021.

Earlier this year I happened upon a new online brokerage called Betterment.com that was advertised as an easier way to invest for people who are either too busy to handle their own investments, too intimidated by other brokerages being too complicated, or who just wanted an easy hands off way to invest their money with no fuss.

How does Betterment work?

It marries the simplicity of an high yield savings account with what on average are the higher long term returns of investing in stocks and bonds. It is a simple account where you can add or withdraw funds to or from your linked bank account, and then tell Betterment your risk tolerance, and you’re done. Once you set your allocations Betterment will then invest money for you on a scheduled basis, re-allocating your funds when your allocations get out of whack.

It’s a simple investment account that will help people invest for the long term without a lot of hassle.

I Signed Up For Betterment

I really like the theory behind Betterment, and liked what they had to offer, and decided to jump in and give Betterment a try. In April I signed up for the site and began depositing money every month.

While my returns have been negative so far, that’s to be expected with the stock market showing a downward trend since April when I signed up.

When you are invested mainly in index funds, your returns will go down in the short term when the market is down. In the long term you should be ok.

Betterment Gets A New Look

So far I’ve been pretty happy with what Betterment has to offer, but this past month Betterment decided to make some changes to their look and feel and make things even better than before.

For now the changes are mainly just changes to the design with some subtle color changes, and a change to the site layout. The core functionality of the site has remained essentially the same.

So what you’ll get is a cleaner design for the site. While I think the changes look nice, they’re also being done in preparation for some other bigger changes that the Betterment team has coming. On the company’s blog, they mention that they’re getting the site ready for a variety of new features and tools that will be coming down the pipe in the coming weeks. Apparently they wouldn’t all work very well with the old design.

The new look is just the start of a plethora of new features we’ll soon be rolling out. In the coming weeks, we’ll be launching more tools to help you reach your goals. It’s all part of our dedication to providing a smarter, simpler, better way for busy people to invest.

So Betterment is continuously trying to get better, updating the design, adding new tools and features, and making Betterment a one stop shop.

What Investments Do You Get With Betterment?

So when you sign up with Betterment what kind of investments do you have available, and how does the investment process work? After you signup (get a $25 signup bonus here), There are only a couple of steps you’ll need to take. You’ll tell the site:

How much to invest.
How much of your investment you want in equities (Stock Market).
How much you want in Treasury bonds (TIPs).

After you set up your allocations Betterment will buy stocks in a variety of Index Fund ETFs so that you are diversified. Here is what you get on the stocks side:

10% SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF (DIA)
20% iShares S&P 500 Value Index ETF (IVE)
20% iShares S&P 1000 Value Index ETF (IWD)
15% iShares Russell 2000 Value Index ETF (IWN)
15% iShares Russell Midcap Value Index ETF (IWS)
20% Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI)

For Treasury bonds, you get

50% iShares Barclays 1-3 Year Treasury Bond Fund (SHY)
50% iShares Barclays TIPS Bond Fund (TIP).

So once you set your allocations you’ll get a nice diversified set of stocks and bonds to add to your portfolio.

Betterment Iphone App

With a lot of companies the Iphone app won’t be able to do as much as you’d like, it feels like an underpowered version of the main site. With Betterment, since their site is so simple to begin with – you can do just about everything you can on their site – on the app as well.

You can use a simple slider to change your asset allocation, add or withdraw funds, check your balances and account activity. It’s simple and effective.

Conclusion

I’ve been using Betterment.com for the past few months and it is what it says it is.

A simple way to invest and save for retirement. It’ll take your invested money, put it in index funds, and reallocate when necessary. You don’t have a lot of complicated things to worry about.

The new site changes should give the site an fresher look, and according to Betterment, prepare the site for some future enhancements and feature upgrades. I look forward to them.

Have you signed up for Betterment? Are there things holding you back? If you have signed up, how do you like it so far? Do you like the design changes?

Source: biblemoneymatters.com

Apache is functioning normally

April 30, 2023 by Brett Tams

Digital wallets, also called electronic wallets or e-wallets, offer consumers a convenient way to make payments from their financial accounts using devices such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, and even wearables. Digital wallets store payment information securely, typically allowing for safe, efficient, and fast transactions in person and online.

Read on to learn more, including:

• What is a digital wallet?

• How do digital wallets work?

• What are examples of digital wallets?

• What are the pros and cons of digital wallets?

What Is a Digital Wallet?

A digital wallet is typically a safe and convenient way to store your payment information electronically. Here are some key points to know:

• While often used interchangeably with the term “mobile wallet,” a mobile wallet is actually a form of a digital wallet — on a mobile phone. You can also use digital wallets on a desktop computer, tablet, and even internet-connected devices like a smartwatch or a smart fridge.

• If you’re shopping at a store that accepts digital wallets, you can pay using your smartphone, with no physical credit cards, debit cards, or cash necessary. You can also keep payment information online on sites like Amazon or Walmart and quickly pay using that stored information the next time you shop.

• Some digital wallets also enable peer-to-peer transfers (P2P transfers). You can send money to friends and family and receive money when they send it to you. Some popular P2P services are Venmo and PayPal.

Digital wallets can store more than just your payment information. Consumers often use digital wallets to store:

• Airline tickets

• Events tickets

• Loyalty cards

• Gift cards

• Membership cards

• Coupons

• Hotel reservations

• Digital car keys

• Driver’s licenses or state IDs

• Health information, such as COVID-19 vaccination cards

How Do Digital Wallets Work?

To use a digital wallet, you’ll need to follow a couple of relatively simple steps:

• First, download an app to your phone or access a digital wallet online. You’ll then enter in any payment information you’d like to link to the digital wallet to make it easy to spend and send your money.

• When shopping in person with a digital wallet, your mobile device will interact with a point of sale reader or terminal, using technologies like QR codes, near field communication (NFC), and magnetic secure transmission (MSC).

• You’ll have to hold your device close to the terminal, where indicated. During this contactless payment, the merchant receives your encrypted payment information to process the transaction.

• You can also use digital wallets to send money to peers. For this to work, you usually need to know their account name. You can often “friend” them or connect with them before sending funds, which can help make sure the money will go to the right person.

Recommended: How to Send Money to Someone Without a Bank Account

Ready for a Better Banking Experience?

Open a SoFi Checking and Savings Account and start earning up to 4.20% APY on your cash!

What Are the Different Types of Digital Wallets?

There are a few different types of digital wallets. Understanding the options can impact what you decide to use since it informs how and when you can use them.

Closed Wallet

Retailers and restaurant chains can develop their own digital wallets that allow you to store payment information, loyalty cards, and rewards program information for use at that specific merchant.

For example, Target, Walmart, Amazon, and Starbucks all have their own proprietary digital wallets. These make the checkout experience faster and easier online and in the store. Such wallets also make it easier to track refunds and returns.

Semi-Closed Wallet

A semi-closed wallet enables users to make payments at select merchants and retailers. To be compatible with such wallets, merchants must sign an agreement with the wallet issuer.

Open Wallet

Open wallets are the most common because they’re the most widely accepted. Think Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, Venmo, and PayPal. Consumers can use these wallets at a wide range of merchants and even withdraw money at banks and ATMs, as well as transfer money between bank accounts.

Different Types of Mobile Wallets

Other types of online digital wallets include IoT wallets. (IoT stands for internet of things.) IoT wallets allow you to make payments from wearables like smart watches and even smart appliances.

Recommended: 15 Causes of Overspending

Digital Wallet Examples

Here are some examples of the digital wallets you might use in your day-to-day finances:

• Apple Wallet

• Google Wallet

• Samsung Pay

• PayPal

• Venmo

• Cash App

• Zelle

• Amazon Pay

• Walmart Pay

Pros and Cons of Digital Wallets

Are digital wallets worth using? Let’s break down the pros and cons.

Pros

Here are the upsides of using a digital wallet:

• Safety: Digital wallets use encryption and tokenization to protect your data, which makes it harder for hackers to access your financial information. If you lose your physical wallet, a criminal immediately has access to your cash and cards; with a digital wallet, your money can be further protected by passwords, multi-factor authentication, and biometric screening — and card numbers aren’t actually stored on your phone.

• Convenience: When shopping online, having your information already stored via digital wallet can make the checkout process much easier. And when you have your information stored in a mobile wallet, paying for groceries or a cup of coffee is as easy as tapping with your phone.

• Flexibility: When you have a digital wallet, you have an additional payment method at your disposal. No more panicking in the checkout aisle if you realize you left your physical wallet at home.

• Budgeting: Some digital wallets make it easy to track your spending, even across various payment methods. This can make it simpler to monitor your personal budget and ensure you aren’t overspending. You may even be able to set spending limits within the wallet, which can help if you have trouble talking yourself out of unnecessary purchases.

Quick Money Tip: Most savings accounts only earn a fraction of a percentage in interest. Not at SoFi. Our high-yield savings account can help you make meaningful progress towards your financial goals.

Cons

Next, consider the potential downsides of digital wallets:

• Security: While digital wallets are largely safer than physical wallets, there are some security concerns. For example, it’s not a good idea to use public WiFi when accessing your digital wallet. In addition, keeping your phone and digital wallet safe entails setting good passwords and enabling fingerprint or facial recognition; if you don’t take these safety precautions on your phone, your wallet won’t be as safe as it could be.

• Charging your device: If you rely on your phone for your wallet, you’ll have to keep it charged throughout the day. If your phone dies — or you lose it, break it, or leave it at home — you’ll still need a physical wallet for any transactions.

• Acceptance: Though acceptance of digital wallets is growing, you probably still can’t use digital wallets for payments everywhere you go.

• Overspending: Though digital wallets may have cool budgeting features built in, they might also encourage poor spending habits. Why? Because it’s so easy to pay for things online and in person, you may be tempted to buy things more often than you would otherwise. The barriers to purchase may be lower.

Here’s a look at how these upsides and downsides stack up in chart form:

Pros of Digital Wallets	Cons of Digital Wallets
Safety	Some security vulnerabilities
Convenience	Must keep your device charged
An additional payment option	Not yet accepted everywhere
Can help with budgeting	May allow overspending to happen more easily

Recommended: Why Do People Feel Guilty About Spending Money?

Using a Digital Wallet

Ready to start using a digital wallet? Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Using smart safety precautions: Having a strong password and enabling facial recognition on your smartphone are good ways to increase the security of digital wallets. It’s also a good idea to avoid public WiFi when accessing your payment methods.

• Adding additional information: Digital wallets can store more than just payment info. For improved convenience, consider adding things like boarding passes for flights, loyalty cards, and even your driver’s license.

• Carrying a backup payment method: Things happen. A merchant may not accept your digital wallet, or your phone could run out of juice (or fall and break!). It’s always smart to have a backup payment method available, just in case.

• Updating payment methods: Credit cards expire. If you get a new card in the mail, don’t forget to update it in your digital wallet.

• Monitoring your spending: If you’re on a tight budget, you’ll want to monitor your digital wallet spending the same way you would any other payment method.

The Takeaway

Digital wallets offer consumers a safe, convenient way of making payments electronically. Your payment information is securely stored so you can use your mobile device, tablet, and smart watch, among other options, to shop. As long as you practice good smartphone safety, you’ll likely find digital wallets to be more secure than a physical wallet.

Better banking is here with up to 4.20% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.

FAQ

What is the best digital wallet?

The best digital wallet depends on your needs from such a technology. For example, Apple Wallet is one of the more popular options, but if you’re not an iPhone user, it’s not available to you. Think about your needs from a digital wallet — and where each wallet is accepted — to determine the best digital wallet for your lifestyle.

And remember: You can always have more than one digital wallet!

Are digital wallets safer than traditional wallets?

Digital wallets can be safer than a traditional wallet because they encrypt your data and can be password-protected. If a criminal steals your physical wallet, they just have to reach inside to grab your cards and cash, but with a digital wallet, you can keep them locked out of the phone with passwords and biometric screening, like facial recognition. Some digital wallets even require fingerprint scans or facial recognition to complete a contactless transaction.

What is the most common type of digital wallet?

Open wallets are the most common type of digital wallet simply because they have the widest use case. You can use open wallets like Apple Wallet and Google Wallet at a wide variety of merchants.

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Apache is functioning normally

April 29, 2023 by Brett Tams

Last Updated on February 24, 2022 by Mark Ferguson

Rental properties can be a great investment if they bring in cash flow and are bought below market value. I bought 16 rental properties from the end of 2010 to the middle of 2015. I stopped buying rentals in my market because prices increased so much that it became very tough to cash flow. I bought my properties well below market value, and prices in my area (Colorado) increased tremendously. I put a lot of thought into whether I should sell the properties, keep them, or refinance them. So when does it make sense to sell your rental?

I decided to sell a couple of properties, refinance a few more, and keep the rest as they were. The reason I decided to sell some of my properties was I had $100,000 of equity in some of them but was only making $500 per month. That means I was making about 6% cash-on-cash returns on my equity (I was making much more on my initial investment since it took around $30,000 to buy each house). Even though I was making close to 20% on the money I had initially invested, I could make much more by taking my equity out and buying more houses.

Should you sell your rental properties if they are not making you any money?

My readers and podcast listeners constantly ask me when or if they should sell their properties. Many people are not making very much money on their rentals but have a lot of equity. Here is an example:

The house is worth $200,000
The house rents for $1,500 per month
The investor has a loan of $125,000 against the house
The payments are $1,100 per month

On the surface, it looks like this rental is making $400 per month, which is great. However, the investor has not accounted for any maintenance or vacancy expenses. Those expenses usually add up to 10 to 20% of the rents every month, which would equal another $150 to $300 in expenses. The investor is only making a couple of hundred dollars per month on this rental but has $75,000 of equity in the property. That is only a 3% return on your money. There are other advantages to rental properties, like depreciating the property, equity pay down, and increasing rents. However, which opportunities are the investor missing by keeping the property and all that money tied up? I think the investor should sell the property and invest the money in more houses or apartments.

If you sold this property, you would not be able to keep all the equity. There would be selling costs and taxes you have to pay unless you do a 1031 exchange. The selling costs could end up being 6 to 10% of the cost of the house. If the house sells for $200,000, that would be $12,000 to $20,000. Taxes on the sale of a rental property would most likely be 15 or 20% depending on which tax bracket you are in. You only pay the taxes on the profit you made on the property and any recaptured depreciation. We will assume the investor bought the property for $150,000 a few years ago, which means they would pay around $6,000 in taxes. That leaves the investor with about $50,000 in cash to play with if they do not do a 1031 exchange, which could reduce the taxes to nothing.

How much more money could an investor make?

Rental properties can be expensive, which is one of their downfalls. With $50,000, you could buy a better-performing rental property that generates more money. Not only could you buy a rental that generates more money, but you could also buy the property below market value, which will make up for all that money you lost selling the other property. Here is an example:

Buy a property for $100,000 that needs $10,000 in work
Put $20,000 down on the property, with a house payment around $600
Repair the property and rent it out for $1,200 per month
If you bought the property correctly, it should be worth at least $140,000

You now have a house with $60,000 in equity (almost as much as you had before). You are making more money every month. You even have $15,000 in cash leftover ($20,000 down payment, $10,000 in repairs, $5,000 for miscellaneous costs).

Some of you may not think this is an awesome deal, but you have more cash in your pocket that can be used to buy additional rentals in the future. You also have a property that generates much better income every month. If you have some extra money to buy a second property right away, the equity and cash flow would double, and the investor would be much better off. If you have a property with more equity than my example, you would buy more rentals right off the bat without using any extra cash and be way better off as well. If you are trying to decide whether you should keep or sell some of your rental properties, analyze how much cash you could get from them and how much you could make with that money.

What did I do with my rental properties?

I got really good deals on all of my rentals, and our market took off in Colorado. I had properties that I bought for $100,000, put $20,000 of work into, rented out for $1,3000 a month, and are now worth $220,000. I had properties with $120,000 in equity but were only generating $7,000 per year. I was making 6% on my money, which is good for some investors but not what I am used to from investing in real estate. I always wanted to make at least 15% cash-on-cash return on my rentals. I knew I wanted to make more money, but I was not sure how. I ended up refinancing some properties, selling a couple and keeping others as they were.

I refinanced properties because I could take cash out of them and still make money. In the example I first used for the investor with a $200,000 house, he could have refinanced as well. You can usually refinance a house at 75% of what it is worth. The investor could have taken a loan out for $150,000 on the $200,000 house and had payments around $1,100 per month after taxes and insurance. If you are wondering why that payment is the same as the payment I used for the $125,000 loan balance above, I assumed the investor had the loan for a while and the original balance was $150,000 at a higher interest rate than we have now. When you refinance a house, you have to pay closing costs again, which can add up to 3% of the loan amount, or $4,500 in this example. By refinancing, the investor would get $20,000 back in cash with a similar payment as he had before. That is not a bad deal, but I do not know if $20,000 is enough to buy another rental. If so, the investor may be better off refinancing than selling.

I had more equity in my properties than in the example we used. I was able to take out anywhere from $25,000 to $50,000 in cash from many of my rentals and still make decent cash flow. By refinancing my properties and selling a couple of other ones, I was able to get all the money back out that I had used to buy my 16 properties, and I was still making $7,000 per month from them. I sold the properties that were the least desirable to me and kept the ones I liked.

How do you buy new rental properties if there are no good rentals in your area?

commercial rental property

The problem I ran into when I wanted to sell my properties and buy more rentals was I could not find good rentals in my market. Prices had increased, but rents had not increased nearly as much. I had to use much more cash to buy houses because prices were high, but I made less money on that cash. I decided to stop buying properties in my area and look in other markets. I went to Florida and found good rentals, but I ended up not buying any properties there. Instead, I started to flip more houses, and that is where I invested my money. I have historically flipped from 5 to 10 houses per year, but in the last three years, I flipped 12 and 18, and this year I will come close to flipping 30 houses. I want to buy more rentals. In fact, I have a goal to buy 100 properties. I am not going to buy bad investments to reach that goal, so I have switched directions with my investing. If I find the ideal place to buy rentals or my market changes, I will be set up to invest a lot of money into rentals thanks to the flipping business. You can watch the video below to hear more about investing in expensive markets.

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I have not bought any residential rental properties since 2015, but I bought two commercial properties this year and have two more under contract to buy. Commercial properties are completely different from residential ones but can be great investments as well. I bought a small shop for my flipping supplies earlier this year, and I just bought a 7,500-square-foot commercial property that I will write about later this week. Not only can you buy different types of rentals when prices are too high in your area, but you can also buy out-of-state rentals or even turn-key rentals.

Should you sell your rental property if you are not making any money on it?

Many people buy rental properties without any cash flow, hoping to make money through appreciation. Some people end up being accidental landlords when they turn a property into a rental because they could not sell it. I think, in both instances, owning a rental that does not generate any money is very risky. Betting on appreciation is tough because of all the selling costs we talked about, and if you are not making any money, it makes it tough to get a new loan on properties. I would suggest getting rid of rentals that don’t make any money and focusing on investments that do. This advice assumes you are not ultra rich and have so much money that you do not care if a property makes money or not.

Conclusion

Many investors have seen their properties go up in value over the last few years. It is tough to know what to do with all that equity. Should you leave it and let it earn a small return? Should you refinance? Should you sell? I chose to do all three, and it has worked out well. I do not want to max out the loans on every property I own because it would hurt cash flow and be risky. I also do not want to leave unused equity in my properties. I sold some properties to take advantage of the hot market and clean out some of my poorly performing assets. If you are thinking of selling some rentals, run the numbers to see how much money you would get, see what properties or other investments you could put that money in, and maybe selling will make sense. If you would like me to look over the numbers of your rental property for you, you can post them on the InvestFourMore Insider.

Build a Rental Property Empire

Source: investfourmore.com

Know It Is Never Too Late

Look At Your current Situation

Look At Savings Options

Look At Money Saving Options

It’s Not Too Late

The Optimal Solution Payment Type Solution

1. Cash

Benefits of Cash:

Cons of Cash:

Why Choose Cash?

Verdict: Paying with cash is the best method for budgeting and saving.

2. Credit cards

Benefits of Credit Cards

Cons of Credit Cards

Key Takeaways on Credit Cards

3. Debit cards

Pros of Debit Cards:

Cons of Debit Cards:

4. Checks

What is a check?

Pros of Checks

Cons of Checks

5. Apple Pay or Apple Cash

Pros of Apple Pay:

Cons of Apple Pay:

6. Mobile wallets like Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Venmo, or Zelle

Pros of Mobile Wallets:

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8. PayPal

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9. Cryptocurrency (ie: Bitcoin)

Pros of Crypto

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Other Payment Methods:

ACH payments

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Wire Transfers

What method of payment is best?

What method is best for sticking to a budget?

1. Budgeting App

2. Paper and Pen or Simple Spreadsheet

3. Envelope budgeting method

4. Know Your Budget Categories and Track expenses

5. Prioritize your Budget Plan

Which type of payment is best for sticking to a budget?

What Not to Use when you are Trying to Stick to a Budget

Personal loans

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What type of payment method is best for sticking to a budget?

FAQs

Which payment type can help you stick to a budget?

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