When considering higher education, you have options. Some might include applying to a four-year college or considering community college. Everyone’s path is different, just know that you can chart your own course.
If you’re wondering, “Should I go to community college?”, let’s take a look at some important factors to think about first.
What is Community College?
Community colleges typically offer two-year degrees known as an associate’s degree. Students often attend community colleges for two years before transferring to a four-year university to gain their bachelor’s degree.
Working with a counselor can help you solidify your academic goals and work towards them, from choosing a major to earning the right credits that can be transferred to your bachelor’s degree.
This can be an exciting time in your life, but also an overwhelming one. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of attending community college, in addition to other factors you should consider when choosing a college.
Pros and Cons of Community College
Attending community college can have some upsides, but like anything, it may not be the right option for everyone. Just remember — your own experience is going to be unique and what might be best for you might not be the same case for your classmates or friends. No need to feel pressured by what might be the “right” or “wrong” path.
Read on for more pros and cons of community college.
Pros of Going to Community College
Some benefits of attending a community college include affordability, increased flexibility in classes, and the opportunity to stay local.
Affordability
Because community college can be less expensive than their four-year counterparts, attending a community college before a university could help you cut tuition costs significantly. According to Education Data Initiative, the average cost of tuition at a two-year college in 2023 was $3,501, as compared to $9,678 at a four-year public institution with in-state tuition.
Students attending community college may also be able to live at home, which can cut down on living expenses, too. Living at home while taking community college classes can also offer you some transitional time to get accustomed to a new schedule and new academic expectations before committing to a four-year university.
Easier Admissions Requirements
It’s also relatively easy to gain admission into community college. Some community colleges even have open admission policies, which generally means that there are limited academic requirements needed for admission, so most students who apply are accepted.
Note that even if a community college has an open admission policy, certain more competitive programs, like a nursing program, might have more stringent academic requirements.
Flexibility with Classes
Another major benefit of community college is that students have flexibility with classes and the opportunity to explore a variety of academic interests before committing to a major at a four-year university. Class times also may be more suitable for students that work full-time or have other commitments outside of school.
In addition, community colleges can offer you the chance to experience smaller class sizes (instead of large lecture hall classes that can be common at universities).
Recommended: Financial Benefits of Community College
Cons of Going to Community College
While there are many pros to attending a community college before transferring to a four-year university, there are some cons to consider, as well.
Possible Limited Academic Offerings
While community college can offer the opportunity to explore courses, the academic offerings may be more limited at a community college than at a four-year institution. Consider finding out which classes are available at each community college you are interested in so you can make sure they have exactly what you need. Not all community colleges might include the classes you are interested in taking.
Generally, community colleges are limited to associate degrees, so if you are interested in obtaining a bachelor’s, you’ll need to eventually transfer to another institution. It can be helpful to talk to a counselor at the community college about what classes you might choose so that you don’t end up earning too many credits that can’t be transferred.
Missing Out on Social Benefits
Another potential downside to attending community college is that students may miss out on some of the social benefits of attending a four-year college, including friendships, extracurriculars, and enjoying campus life. While you can experience all of these things if you transfer, it can be challenging to make friends as a transfer student.
Choosing Which College to Go To
If you know for sure that you want to attend community college, now it’s time to see what options are available near you. According to The Princeton Review, 90% of the U.S. population is within commuting distance of a community college.
Due to one life situation or another, many students attend colleges as commuter students, trading a fully on-campus experience for greater flexibility. As a commuter student, you can choose to live somewhere more affordable and create a schedule that works with your work hours.
Commuter student life can also include a mix of on-campus classes and online work. Some community colleges offer a variety of online classes. Taking advantage of these resources can help if you find yourself with a complicated schedule, or if you just want more flexibility.
Other Factors to Consider When Choosing a College
Your academic goals will guide which college you choose. As you evaluate colleges, take a look at which colleges offer the major you want to pursue. If you are in the process of choosing your major, see if you can find out more about the programs that the community college near you offers. You could talk to current students or professors and evaluate whether it seems like a good school for your interests.
If you are applying for a mix of community colleges and public universities, creating a list of all your potential applications can be helpful.
You can organize this list by “match,” “reach,” and “safety” schools in order to help you consider all your options.
Thinking About the Cost of Community College
While the cost of community college is less than a four-year university, it’s still an expense that should not be taken lightly. You might consider a combination of scholarships, grants, and loans to help offset the total costs of college.
To start, students can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) each year. This application is used to determine aid including work-study, federal student loans, scholarships, and grants.
Once you start tackling the process of paying for community college, keep in mind that the financial aid offices can be a great resource if you have any questions about finding aid for college. You can find more information on whether or not the college offers its own scholarships and how to apply.
There may also be state-specific financial aid available, and it’s recommended to use a scholarship search tool to find scholarships you may qualify for.
If these resources aren’t enough, it is possible to borrow private student loans for community college. While private loans can be helpful, they’re generally considered after other options have been exhausted. That’s because they don’t have to offer the same benefits to borrowers as federal student loans do — things like income-driven repayment plans and student loan forgiveness.
Financing Your Education
Whether you decide to attend a community college first or head straight to a four-year institution, you’ll need to find a way to pay for your education. A few options may include federal student loans, scholarships, and grants.
If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.
Cover up to 100% of school-certified costs including tuition, books, supplies, room and board, and transportation with a private student loan from SoFi.
FAQ
Is going to community college worth it?
Going to community college can be a worthwhile experience, offering students an opportunity to take college-level coursework at an affordable price. Other benefits include increased flexibility in scheduling and the possibility to live at home while taking classes. Students also have the opportunity to transfer to a four-year college.
Does community college look bad on a resume?
Including your time at community college does not look bad on a resume. If you earned a professional certificate or other degree at the community college, feel free to include it.
Is it hard to get a job after community college?
The ease of finding employment after community college may be influenced by the field you studied. For example, students graduating with a certificate in a high-demand field such as nursing or dental hygiene may find it is relatively easy to secure employment.
SoFi Private Student Loans Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs.
SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.
Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.
Looking for under the table jobs? When you’re looking for ways to earn extra cash, under the table jobs can be a route to take. These jobs typically pay with cash only. These can be part-time jobs, side hustles, or even a full-time career. Now, with under the table jobs, the person paying you is…
Looking for under the table jobs?
When you’re looking for ways to earn extra cash, under the table jobs can be a route to take. These jobs typically pay with cash only.
These can be part-time jobs, side hustles, or even a full-time career.
Now, with under the table jobs, the person paying you is not paying taxes. But, you still should pay taxes, as it is the law in the U.S.
Key Takeaways
Under the table jobs are a flexible way to earn cash without formal employment.
You can tap into many different job fields, from childcare to handyman services, to make extra money.
If a person pays you in cash, it’s still important to report that income to the IRS. If you don’t, it could be tax evasion, which is illegal.
Best Under the Table Jobs
If you’re looking for ways to earn cash, there are plenty of jobs that you can do under the table.
Some popular options include:
As a handyman, you can fix things around a house, like replacing a bathroom mirror or broken doors. If you’re good with tools and fixing things, this can be a great way to make some money.
If you like sharing what you know, tutoring might be a good side gig for you. You can help kids with their schoolwork or even teach music if you play an instrument.
Babysitting is a classic way to earn cash. You watch kids while their parents are away and might even help them with homework.
Love being outside? Try landscaping or mowing lawns. You can make yards look nice and make good money.
For those who love animals, dog walking or pet sitting are fun ways to make money. Spend time with pets, take them for walks, and make sure they’re fed.
Continue reading below to see the full list and learn more about under the table jobs.
1. Reseller
Resellers buy items and sell them for a higher price to make a profit.
You can find things at low prices from garage sales, thrift stores, or online clearance deals. Then, you sell them in places like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or even to friends and family.
You can sell things like clothes, electronics, toys, and books that people want. It’s usually a good idea to choose items you know a lot about because it makes it easier for you to know a good deal when you see one.
I personally have many friends who are resellers, and I was a reseller in the past as well (before I started blogging full-time!). It can be a great way to make cash income.
Whether you’re looking to make just a little extra cash or if you want a full-time job, this is a good option to look into.
I recommend watching the free webinar Turn Your Passion For Visiting Thrift Stores, Yard Sales & Flea Markets Into A Profitable Reselling Business In As Little As 14 Days to learn how to make money by flipping items.
10
This free workshop will teach you how to get into the flipping business. It will teach you how to resell furniture, electronics, appliances, and anything else you can find.
2. Childcare
A popular cash job is babysitting. Most moms and dads need good babysitters, and they’re happy to pay a fair amount for someone to watch their kids while they go out for the evening.
Babysitters make a good income these days – typically around $20 per hour.
If you think it might be tough to earn money this way, don’t worry – it’s possible. Just posting a simple message on your Facebook page could connect you with someone who needs a babysitter.
Note: I recommend making sure you check with your city or state before you begin. Also, make sure that your home is safe (if you watch children in your own home) and that you are CPR certified.
Recommended reading: 29 Best Stay At Home Jobs
3. Home and yard maintenance
When you’re looking for a way to make some extra money, you can do home and yard maintenance jobs. These are tasks people don’t have time to do themselves (or they simply don’t like to do!).
For example, if you like being outdoors, landscaping work might be perfect for you. Jobs in this area include lawn mowing, trimming hedges, and planting flowers.
If you prefer working indoors, you might focus on home maintenance tasks instead. Tasks like house cleaning or helping to organize a garage are commonly needed.
These jobs usually pay in cash at the end of the day or after the job is done. Usually, the homeowner pays you in cash before you go home.
4. Pet groomer
Pet groomers clean pets so that they look nice and healthy (and everyone needs a regular bath!). If you like pets, then you may enjoy being a pet groomer.
Pet groomers can sometimes get paid in cash, especially when you run your own business. I have seen many pet grooming businesses that operate out of a trailer that the person pulls behind their vehicle. They go straight to the person’s home, wash their dog in their mobile dog cleaning trailer, and then collect the cash payment once they are done.
Your work will include brushing and cutting fur, trimming nails, giving baths, and maybe even brushing the pet’s teeth. You make sure pets are clean, comfortable, and looking good. Sometimes, pet owners might also ask you to style their pets’ fur in a special way as well (such as by pinning back fur out of the dog’s eyes).
5. Pet sitter
Working as a pet sitter can be a simple and enjoyable way to earn extra cash.
As a pet sitter, your job is to keep an eye on someone’s pet while they are away. This can include feeding, walking, and playing with the pet to make sure it’s happy and healthy. You may need to stay overnight at the pet owner’s home or the pet may stay with you (it simply depends on what you and the pet owner agree on).
You can find pet sitting jobs on Rover. I have personally used this site countless times to find a pet sitter for my dogs.
Another under the table job similar to this is becoming a house sitter. House sitters watch homes while the owner is away and this can be a great side hustle. I talk more about this in a section further below.
6. House cleaning
When you’re looking for work that’s paid directly in cash, without formal paperwork, you might want to start with house cleaning.
So, what does a house cleaner include? Well, you’ll do things like dusting, vacuuming floors, and cleaning bathrooms. Sometimes, you’ll wash dishes or do laundry. If the house has pets, you might need to clean up after them too. Some house cleaners may even specialize in areas like extensive deep cleans that may take a whole day or even many days (or weeks!).
House cleaners earn between $25 to $50+ an hour for cleaning for others.
To get paid in cash means that you’ll typically work for yourself and get paid once you are done with cleaning for the day or after a week or two.
Getting this kind of business going isn’t costly because you probably already have the cleaning supplies you need (like a mop and vacuum). You can let people know about your services on Facebook, tell your friends and family, or create an account on Care’s website.
7. Dog walker
Dog walkers are exactly that – they walk dogs to make money.
You can find these jobs posted on platforms like Rover or just by posting something on your personal Facebook page advertising your dog walking service.
As a dog walker, your job is to take dogs for their daily walks while their owners are busy. This may be a walk that is around 30 minutes to one hour each time, but it all depends on what you have agreed on with the owner.
Walking pets can earn you about $15 to $25 or even more for each walk per animal.
8. Snow removal
If you’re good with a snow shovel or snowblower, snow removal might be a great job for you. This work can pay cash, making it a common under the table job.
When it snows, many people need help clearing their driveways and sidewalks. Some jobs are for one-time events, while others might need you all winter right after it snows to keep their driveways and sidewalks safe for people to walk or drive on.
You can find snow removal jobs by asking your neighbors or local businesses. Sometimes people put up signs along the roads in neighborhoods or ads online looking for help when there’s a big snowstorm.
People usually pay right after you’re done with the work.
9. Makeup artist
If you enjoy using makeup and know all the latest beauty trends, being a makeup artist can be a fun way to earn money.
It’s a job where you can be creative and help people look their best for events like weddings or photo shoots.
As a makeup artist, you’ll work with different tools like brushes, sponges, and a palette of colors. Your job will be to apply makeup on clients’ faces. You could work with all sorts of people, from friends and family to clients in your area.
10. House sitting
When you house sit, you’re taking care of someone else’s home while they’re away. This could be at a house near where you already live or maybe you fly to a fun vacation destination and watch their house there.
It’s your job to make sure everything stays safe and clean and that nothing happens to the home (such as a frozen water pipe bursts).
You might need to pick up the mail, water plants, or feed pets. Sometimes, people will ask you to stay overnight to make sure the house does not stay empty.
11. Sell at farmers markets
If you’re looking to make some cash, you can start selling at a local farmers market.
Some things that you can sell include fresh produce, homemade goodies, jewelry, unique crafts, or even baking cakes are great items. You’ll want to make sure your product and booth stand out, as there will be a lot of booths around you.
Shoppers at farmers markets typically pay in cash, so you can get paid quickly!
Note: To sell at a farmers market, you might need to get a permit. You can start by checking with your county health department and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for rules. Every place has different laws, so it’s important to understand what applies to your situation.
12. Have a garage sale
Having a garage sale is a way to earn some extra cash, and you don’t need special skills to get started. Look around your home for things you no longer use or need, and these could be clothes, toys, books, or even bigger pieces like furniture.
Items sold at garage sales typically don’t sell for a ton of money, but it can be a great way to declutter while getting paid cash.
Weekends, especially Saturday mornings, are prime times for yard sales. Make sure to check your local weather forecast as a sunny day can lead to more foot traffic. Once you have your date, gather all the items you plan to sell.
Then, you’ll want to organize your items by category. For example, put all the kitchen items on one table and all the books on another. Price everything clearly – you might use colored stickers for pricing – to avoid confusion.
You can advertise your garage sale a few days before. You can do this by posting on social media (such as by sharing it in local Facebook groups), community bulletin boards, or local classified websites. Signs around your neighborhood can also help draw attention to your sale.
During the sale, you’ll want to have change ready for customers who pay with cash, and you’ll probably want to have a calculator handy if you’re not comfortable doing math in your head.
13. Tutoring
If you’re knowledgeable in a subject, tutoring can be a good job for you. This is a job where you help others, like kids or even adults, to understand things better.
As a tutor, you work one-on-one or with small groups to teach things like math, reading, specialty exams, or even foreign languages.
Harder subjects usually pay more than easier subjects, and you may be able to earn $25 or more per hour as a tutor. You may get paid after each tutoring session. Or, if you are a regular tutor for a person, it may be weekly or even monthly – it depends on the agreement that you have with the person you are tutoring.
14. Painter
As a painter, your job is to paint walls, buildings, and other surfaces.
Your job responsibilities may include preparing surfaces by cleaning and scraping, mixing paint to get the right color, and applying paint with brushes, rollers, or sprayers.
Back when we were selling our first house, we hired a solo painter to come in and paint all the walls. This is a job that you may be able to find as well.
15. Handyman
If you’re good with tools and fixing things around the house, you might think about working as a handyman.
This job involves fixing leaky faucets, patching holes in walls, or putting together furniture. People tend to need help with these small jobs and look for someone who can do them without too much fuss.
You can find handyman jobs on websites like Craigslist or by asking friends and family if they know anyone who needs help.
With the same house I mentioned in the previous section, we also hired a handyman to renovate our bathroom as well as do around 10 other smaller things around our house too. We actually found him through a family friend, and he did so much work for us. It was great!
16. Dance instructor
Being a dance instructor can be a fulfilling under the table job in some cases. You could work with students of all ages, teaching them how to dance or different dance styles.
Of course, you will want to make sure that you are a skilled dancer, as this is not a job that anyone can do.
So, do you have experience in styles like ballet, hip-hop, or salsa? Or something else?
You can start by giving classes in your community or looking for local studios in need of instructors.
17. Auto mechanic
Working as an auto mechanic could be a great under the table job for you, and there are always people who need work done on their cars.
You’ll typically charge less than if a person would be going to a car dealership or a car mechanic business. People would usually be looking to hire a cash-pay mechanic if they were wanting to save some money.
As a mechanic, you make sure cars are running smoothly. Your job might include changing oil, replacing brakes, and making sure the engine is in top shape. Of course, you need to know what you are doing, as people are trusting their expensive cars and their lives with the repairs and updates that you do.
Working like this usually means you have to find your own customers. Good places to start are local ads or online platforms like Craigslist (start by looking under the “gig” section).
18. Photographer
Becoming a photographer can be a fun way for you to earn money if you are good with photography.
As a photographer, you can decide to work as an independent contractor, which means you are your own boss. This might involve getting paid in cash or a check for your services.
The different types of photography you can get into include:
Portrait photography – You might take photos of people and families, capturing special moments. Families like to have memories of their loved ones, and they’re willing to pay you for this service.
Event photography – This includes taking photographs at events like weddings or birthday parties. People like to remember these big events and may hire you to make sure they have great photos to look back on.
Commercial photography – This is for businesses that need photos of their products, services, real estate, and more.
Recommended reading: 18 Ways You Can Get Paid To Take Pictures
19. Sell firewood
Selling firewood can be a way to make money, especially if you live in an area where wood is used for heating or camping. Homeowners in colder places are always buying wood for their wood burning fireplaces and stoves, so this can be a good way to make some extra money by selling truckloads of wood.
First, you need to get firewood. If you have trees on your land, you might be able to cut your own wood.
After you have wood to sell, think about how you will sell it. You can sell wood online on websites where people buy and sell things in your community. You can also have a place at your house where people come to buy wood from you.
If you don’t have trees of your own, look for jobs where you can gather wood. Some people will even pay you to take away old trees or wood piles they don’t want.
Note: I recommend that you always keep in mind to follow the rules about selling wood where you live. Some places have rules about moving firewood to stop bugs and diseases from spreading to other trees.
20. Junk hauler
Being a junk hauler might be a great fit for you if you don’t mind a bit of heavy lifting. People tend to hire junk haulers when they have big, heavy things that they want to get rid of after all.
As a junk hauler, you get to help people clear out unwanted items from their homes or businesses. These items could be anything from old furniture to broken appliances.
Your job will mostly involve picking up and removing junk. You’ll need to have a reliable vehicle, maybe a truck or a van, that can carry all the items. Sometimes, you’ll be recycling things or taking them to a landfill.
You can find junk hauling gigs on websites or by signing up with companies that look for contractors. These could be one-time jobs or regular work, perfect if you’re looking for a side hustle or even to grow your own junk removal business.
You’ll generally get paid after you complete a job and since it’s often under the table, payment is usually in cash. This means you get paid directly, with no checks or direct deposits.
We personally had to call a junk hauler when we had several pieces of rotten wood that we needed thrown away – it was several hundred pounds and extremely messy – not something that we wanted to mess with and we also wanted it gone right away. That same day, a junk hauler came by and took it for $125. We paid him cash and he took it to the dump for us. It was so convenient for us and good business for him.
21. Rent out a spare room
If you have an empty room at your place, you might want to think about renting it out. This can be a good way to make some money on the side without a lot of work.
I have had several roommates over the years. We would rent out our spare room to long-term renters and people that we personally knew (such as friends and my sister).
To find a roommate and make money from renting your place, you can tell people about it in different ways. You can share it on your own Facebook page, post an ad on websites like Craigslist, make a rental listing on Airbnb, and try other methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
When you’re looking into jobs that pay cash, also known as under the table jobs, you might have a lot of questions.
What are under the table jobs?
Under the table jobs are ways you can earn money that’s usually paid in cash and not recorded officially by an employer. This means no tax forms are involved and no taxes are taken out of your pay right away (but you should still pay them!).
Is under the table work legal?
Okay, this is a great question to ask. After all, this is a whole article on how to find under the table jobs. So, does that mean these types of jobs are legal?
Well, working under the table can be tricky when it comes to the law. Your employer might pay you in cash without giving you a contract. While it might seem straightforward, not reporting this cash income to the IRS is considered tax evasion. Earning cash itself isn’t illegal, but failing to report it on your taxes can lead to problems.
What are the positives of working for cash?
When you get paid under the table, you get to keep all the money you earn immediately. This kind of setup is nice for jobs like babysitting or doing yard work, and you don’t have to wait for a paycheck. But, remember, you still have to pay taxes! So, the main positive is that you are paid cash right away, instead of having to wait a couple of weeks.
What are possible risks of working under the table? Is it OK to get paid under the table? Can an employee get in trouble for working under the table?
Working under the table can be risky. If the IRS finds out you’re not reporting your income, both you and your employer could face penalties. Also, you won’t have official records of your income, which can make it tricky if you need to show how much you earn for things like loans or renting a place to live.
What jobs can be paid under the table?
You can find jobs like babysitting, pet sitting, house cleaning, or gardening that pay under the table. These jobs usually pay cash because they are informal and may not involve paperwork. There are many other jobs that I didn’t even get into in the list above, such as becoming a personal assistant (doing things like grocery shopping and setting up appointments), personal trainer, graphic designer (making logos and more), and so on.
How do I find under the table jobs? How can you find local jobs that pay in cash?
To find these jobs, you can start by asking friends or neighbors if they need help with anything. You can also look at community bulletin boards or online classifieds for local job opportunities.
How do I ask for payment under the table?
If you’re looking for cash payment for a job, be honest and up front with your employer. Tell them you prefer cash payment, but realize that it’s usually smaller gigs that will pay cash and not more regular job opportunities. Keep in mind, though, that all income should still be reported for tax purposes.
How can you find jobs that pay under the table on Craigslist?
On Craigslist, you can filter your job search by using keywords like “cash pay” or “under the table.”
Under the Table Jobs – Summary
I hope you enjoyed this article on how to find the best under the table jobs.
Getting paid cash right after you complete a job is nice – you don’t have to worry about waiting for a payment and you can pay your bills right away.
There are many ways to find under the table jobs, such as by asking people that you know or by looking at gig/job websites in your area.
Now, there are pros and cons to being paid under the table. Being paid under the table means you get cash quickly. However, there are risks like missing out on legal protections and benefits, and if not reported, it might lead to tax evasion consequences.
So, when working under the table, it’s important to keep track of how much money you make. After all, you’re responsible for your own records and taxes, even if you’re paid in cash.
So, you do still need to pay taxes on the income that you make.
When you work under the table, you’re often working part-time or full-time but without the usual job benefits. If you’re planning ahead, think about how these jobs might affect your career later on. Eventually, it may be a good idea to find a job with more regular benefits where you pay taxes straight out of your income.
What do you think are the best under the table jobs?
Lucky for you, this country features culinary gems from coast to coast. Think you know the best foodie cities in the U.S.? See if your projections match up with our top 10 list.
What makes a great foodie city?
Any serious epicure prioritizes restaurant choice and variety of cuisine on their wish list of where to live. Good news: You no longer have to guess if the city you’re considering calling home is actually one of the best foodie cities in America. We’ve done the math for you.
So what makes these the best foodie cities in the country? Restaurant options, and plenty of them. We looked at no fewer than 104 different cuisines to see how many different choices exist in any given city.
Whether you’re hungry for falafel, pho or fried chicken, the higher the city on the list, the better the chance that you’ll never meet a craving that isn’t satisfied.
But first, a quick housekeeping note. Yes, we realize that there are three No. 9s in our “Top 10″ list below, and 11 total entries. There was an unprecedented three-way tie for the No. 10 spot just to keep us on our toes. So let’s start there, with our trio of lucky number nines:
9 (tied). Portland, OR
How do you feel about street food? If you like a good food truck, it’s time to meet Portland‘s “food carts.” These culinary treasure troves stay put (unlike trucks) and organize in “pods” that make it easy — and practically required — to sample flavors from several different spots in one go.
There are no fewer than 500 food carts here, and the food rivals some of the city’s best restaurants. So what do they serve? Everything … truly. From barbecue to Vietnamese, and pretty much everything in between.
Portland’s not just about man buns and mustaches, though you’re bound to see both in a city that’s proud for being called “weird” — along with naked bike rides, vegan strip clubs and all the quirks you can handle. If that sounds like your speed, expect to spend around $1,747 per month for a one-bedroom apartment.
9 (tied). Seattle, WA
When we talk about the food in Seattle, we obviously need to start with the iconic Pike Place Market. From fishmongers and fresh oysters to specialty food shops and spicy noodles, this admittedly touristy place is ground zero for true gourmands. Like the city at large, the century-old market offers a truly tasty variety of straight-up outstanding cuisine. And yes, also flying fish photo ops.
Eat your way around the city and you could start with steaming bowls of pho, savory Chinese pastries or to-die-for smoked salmon — paired with some of the country’s best coffee.
Ready to set down roots and begin the culinary journey of a lifetime? Expect to pay around $2,214 in rent per month for a one-bedroom. Don’t worry, it’s in your budget. The median income here is a healthy $93,481.
9 (tied). Houston, TX
If you think Houston‘s culinary scene starts at brisket and ends with enchiladas, it’s time to broaden your gastronomic horizons. Yes, barbecue and Tex Mex are big here — this is, after all, one of the best cities for meat lovers — but that’s really just the beginning. From Czech kolaches (savory breakfast pastries) to Cajun crawfish, you’ll find diverse flavors to suit your every mood.
If you’re ready to hunker down in H-town, budget a reasonable $1,241 per month for your housing costs. Sure, it can get pretty steamy in these parts, but fret not. You’ll find plenty of crisp salads and frosty ice cream to cool off with here in the Lone Star State.
8. Washington, DC
If there’s one thing that can unite politicos across party lines, it’s good food. And you’ll find plenty of it here in the nation’s capital.
In the mood for Korean fried chicken? D.C.’s got you covered. Feel like cracking into Chesapeake blue crab? You’re in the right place. Oh, you want Michelin stars? Yep, D.C.’s got those, too. Find diverse flavors for any budget that will happily fill you up for years to come. And don’t sweat your waistline. With an impressive walk and bike score, it’s easy to work it all off.
Ready to find a neighborhood that’s just right for you? You’ll find ample options here when it comes to both housing and restaurants. Plan to spend around $2,406 in monthly rent — and as much or as little as your food budget allows for all the amazing flavors the city has to offer.
7. Las Vegas, NV
From all-you-can-eat buffets and tony steakhouses to celebrity chef outposts, you may think you know all there is to know about eating in Vegas. Think again. This desert city’s food scene goes well beyond the Strip, and you could spend a heck of a lot longer than one crazy weekend exploring all of the different flavors that make up this vibrant city.
People have been flocking to the Vegas suburbs in droves over the past few years. Why? In addition to the fantastic culinary scene, there’s no state income tax — not to mention 300 days of sunshine per year. Sound pretty good? Plan to spend around $1,311 a month for rent.
5 (tied). San Diego, CA
What’s not to love about sunny San Diego? Endless sandy beaches, a vibrant downtown and yes, an amazing food scene. All that sunshine powers a bounty of fresh produce, while the sea serves up uber fresh seafood.
From fish tacos and carne asada to wood-fired pizza, Southeast Asian cuisine and fabulous local wine, prepare to wow your palate. And did we mention that Mexico is just 17 miles away? Expect plenty of spillover from all those south of the border flavors.
This tasty bounty does, however, come at a cost. It’s not exactly cheap to live by the coast in California — but it could be worse (looking at you, SF and L.A.!). You’ll pay around $2,402 per month in rent, but expect to pull in a salary just shy of $80K a year.
5 (tied). Philadelphia, PA
The City of Brotherly Love loves cheesesteaks. And hoagies. And Tastykakes…are you getting hungry? Same, yo. Let’s not forget soft pretzels, crab fries and scrapple. OK, you get the picture. How are you going to get anything done when there’s all that good food to sample? At least you can keep moving — Philadelphia boasts excellent walk and bike scores.
If you don’t mind a little snow (ahem, 22 inches a year), and think you can find a healthy balance between indulging your cravings and not overdoing it, perhaps Philly is for you. The price tag? You’ll pay an above-average $2,152 per month in rent for a one-bedroom.
3 (tied). San Francisco, CA
San Francisco has changed a lot over the last decade, thanks to as a wave of tech companies that have pushed housing prices to the upper limit.
However, one crucial factor has remained constant — and probably even improved: the food scene. From crusty sourdough bread to Dungeness crab, the city offers an embarrassment of culinary riches. It’s also the best city in America for local restaurants.
Let’s address the elephant in the room … it costs a lot to live here. Rent is downright astronomical, with a one-bedroom clocking in around $3,560 per month in rent. But there is some good news! For one, rent prices are dropping. A lot.
And then there’s the job market, and the plump paychecks you can expect to cash in on. How plump? The average salary here in the City by the Bay is $112K. Rest assured, there will be plenty of those six figures left in your budget for some truly amazing meals.
3 (tied). Los Angeles, CA
Tied with its NorCal rival, Los Angeles is also the third-best foodie city in America. The culinary gems here run the gamut, from killer fish tacos and carnitas to pupusas, pork belly ramen and salmon sashimi — and, yes, plenty of top chefs and Michelin stars sprinkled into the mix.
You’ll find global eats from around the world throughout these sprawling environs, and there’s nary a flavor craving you can’t trek down.
There’s a lot more to living in Los Angeles than Hollywood and beaches. Namely, the endless neighborhoods in between, each one boasting its own foodie finds from food trucks to fine dining.
Ready to find the LA neighborhood that’s best suited for you? Budget around $2,970 per month for rent.
2. Chicago, IL
Should we start by mentioning deep dish pizza? How could we not, really? Oh, you want to talk about steak? Italian beef sandwiches? The truth is, that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Chicago‘s food scene.
There’s a reason Bon Appetit magazine named Chi-town “Best Food City in America” back in 2017. Four years later, it’s only fallen one notch in our top 10. Knowing where to start your culinary adventures is overwhelming, but this is a very good “problem” to have if you tend to let your stomach lead.
If you don’t mind the winters, Chicago’s ready to welcome you with open arms. And for those glorious sunny days, you can’t do much better than the walk and bike scores here — all the better to work off those occasional indulgences. All this flavor is yours if you pay around $2,232 per month in rent.
1. New York, NY
And the best foodie city in the U.S. is … do we even need to say it? No surprise that New York comfortably takes our top slot.
As much as some of the cities in our top five may like to debate it (looking at you, California), no city can beat the Big Apple when it comes to diverse restaurant options that draw foodies from all over the world.
Where else can you find literally whatever you want to eat — at any hour? From classic diner fare to pizza, soft pretzels and five-star cuisine that spans the globe, NYC has it all. In spades.
The city also boasts the highest walk score on our list, just shy of perfect at 99. If there is one drawback, it’s probably the rent prices. A one-bedroom here will cost you around $3,794. But just remember, a one-bedroom in the big city is practically a penthouse when a shoebox studio is an entry-level norm.
The top 50 best food cities in the U.S.
Okay, so there aren’t too many surprises on our top 10 list — we can’t dispute the data. However, we can cast a wider net to highlight the 50 best foodie cities in America (technically 51 because of ties).
And if you’re still searching, take the insider route and check out the country’s best cities for chefs.
The worst foodie cities in America
So, you’re one of those people who have to remind yourself to eat? You don’t care what it tastes like, as long as it fuels your human form? Great. We’ve got a list you may want to take a look at. Funny how fewer restaurant choices seem to correlate with lower rent costs.
Methodology
To find the best foodie cities, we looked through a database of more than 8 million business listings and identified 104 unique dining cuisines. We then looked to see how many dining establishments advertise serving at least one of these cuisines in every city in America with more than 50,000 people according to U.S. Census 2019 population estimates.
We determined the cities with the highest percentage of cuisine coverage to be the best cities for foodies. For instance, if a city has 80 percent coverage, that means diners can find restaurants serving 80 percent of all available cuisines in America.
Business listings may not reflect recent openings and closures.
Rent prices are based on a one-year rolling weighted average from Apartment Guide and Rent.’s multifamily rental property inventory of one-bedroom apartments as of April 2021. Our team uses a weighted average formula that more accurately represents price availability for each individual unit type and reduces the influence of seasonality on rent prices in specific markets.
The rent information included in this article is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein do not constitute financial advice or a pricing guarantee for any apartment.
HuffPost receives compensation from one or more retailers on this page, and HuffPost and its publishing partners may also receive a commission for purchases made via links. Every item is independently curated by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.
Enter this pared-down marble catchall tray from Target that looks beyond high-end. I could easily picture it nestled in Kardashian’s “minimal monastery” in all of its earth-toned glory. This bowl’s curved stone form, in creamy shades of warm beige, looks ready to show off a collection of matched citrus (think: heaping pile of Meyer lemons from your backyard tree, if you should be so lucky) on your otherwise spotless cement-hued kitchen counter.
Measuring about eight inches in diameter, the bowl’s sturdy shape could stand up to your daily key toss, organize your collection of pens and stash earbuds. It can even act as a landing pad for your daily Diet Coke or cold brew addiction. Or, if you’re a self care aficionado, this bowl is the perfect piece for your bathroom. Gone are the days of that one corner crammed with all your products. Snag your daily use items and stash them in this marble bowl for a seriously chic look.
Truly a multi-hyphenate – see, it really does fit in Kardashian’s house – this accent bowl can do it all, and Target customers have awarded it a 4.7-star rating for its efforts. House your multi-step skincare routine or perfume collection in the bathroom. Pull your collection of miscellaneous nightstand ephemera together. Make a new, stylish home for your olive oil, salt, pepper and the like stove side. The only thing un-Kardashian about this bowl is the price — somehow just $30, this marble tray is well worth the price.
Negative marks can stay on your credit report for seven or even 10 years. But if you are having trouble managing your finances, don’t panic.
Many people hit a moment at some point when they miss a payment or pay bills late. Or perhaps they face mounting credit card debt or the prospect of foreclosure. If you are grappling with any of these situations, you may wonder how long your credit report will reflect these issues.
While seven years is a typical time period for events to stay on your report and potentially impact your credit score, the time period could be considerably shorter. And as time passes, the effect of these “bad marks” will typically diminish.
Read on to learn more about what can lower your credit score, how long it can take to bounce back, and ways to manage your money responsibly, which can help build your score.
Factors that Can Influence Your Credit Score & Report
A credit score gives a numerical value to a person’s credit history. It can help give lenders a big-picture look at a potential borrower’s creditworthiness. These scores (there isn’t just one) give lenders insight into how reliable a person might be when it comes to repaying their debt.
This can influence a lender’s decision on whether or not to loan a person money, how much money they are willing to lend, and the rates and terms for which a borrower qualifies.
Since credit scores are so widely used, it’s easy to see why some individuals may be interested in improving their credit scores. First, it might be helpful to understand the factors used to actually determine your score. Here’s a snapshot of what goes into a FICO® Score, since that is the credit score used by many lenders right now.
• Your payment history accounts for approximately 35% of your FICO Score, making it one of the most influential factors. Even just one missed or late payment could potentially lower a person’s credit score.
• Credit utilization ratio accounts for 30% of your score. Credit utilization ratio is your total revolving debt in comparison to your total available revolving credit limit. A low credit utilization ratio can indicate to lenders that you are effectively managing your credit. Typically, lenders like to see a credit utilization ratio that is less than 30%.
• The length of your credit history counts for 15%, and that may be a good reason not to close an account that you use infrequently. It might help add to the length of your history.
• Your credit mix accounts for 10% of your score. While not a good reason to go out and open a new line of credit, the bureaus do tend to prefer to see a mix of accounts vs. just one kind of credit.
• The last component, also at 10%, is new credit, meaning are you currently making a lot of requests for credit. The number of hard credit inquiries in your name could make it look as if you are at risk of financial instability and are seeking ways to pay for goods and services.
💡 Quick Tip: Some personal loan lenders can release your funds as quickly as the same day your loan is approved.
[embedded content]
Credit Issues: How Long Do They Linger?
Negative factors like late payments and foreclosures can hang around on your credit report for a while. Generally, the information is included for around seven years.
Bankruptcy is an exception to this seven year guideline—it can linger on your credit report for up to 10 years, depending on the type of bankruptcy filed. Bankruptcies filed under Chapter 7 can be reported for up to 10 years from the filing date. Bankruptcies filed under Chapter 13 can be reported for seven.
While a late payment will be listed on a credit report for seven years, as time passes it typically has less of an impact. So if you missed a payment last month, it will have more of an effect on your score than if you missed a payment four years ago.
These numbers are important to know when you are working to build your credit.
How Long Does It Take For Your Credit Score to Go Up?
Here’s a look, in chart form, at how long it takes for different negative factors to drop off your credit report.
Factor
Typical credit score recovery time
Bankruptcy
7-10 years
Late payment
Up to 7 years
Home foreclosure
Up to 7 years
Closing a credit card account
3 months or longer
Maxing out a credit card account
3 months or longer, depending on how quickly you repay your debt
Applying for a new credit card
3 months typically
Disputing an Error on Your Credit Report
Checking your credit report can help you stay on top of your credit. You’ll also be able to make sure the information is correct, and if needed, dispute any mistakes. There could, for instance, be a bill you paid long ago on your report as unpaid, or perhaps account details belonging to someone else with a similar name erroneously wound up on your report.
There are three major credit bureaus — Equifax®, Experian®, and TransUnion®. Once a year you can request a copy of your credit report from each of the three credit bureaus, at no cost. You can visit AnnualCreditReport.com to learn more. Checking in with each report may feel a little repetitive, but it’s possible that the credit bureaus could have slightly different information on file.
If you find that there are discrepancies or errors, you can dispute the mistake. You’ll have to write to each credit bureau individually. Generally, you’ll need to send in documentation to support your claim. Once you’ve submitted your dispute letter, the bureaus typically have 30 days to respond.
It’s possible that a bureau will require additional supporting documentation, which can lead to some back and forth within or sometimes after the 30 days. It could take anywhere from three to six months to resolve a credit dispute, though some of these situations will take more or less time depending on complexity.
Staying on Top of Efforts to Build Credit
Sometimes, resolving issues on a credit report isn’t enough to build a bad credit score. On the bright side, credit scores aren’t permanent. Here are a few ideas for helping you to build your credit.
Improve Account Management
If you’re struggling to keep up with accounts with a variety of financial institutions, it could be time to simplify. Take stock of your investments, debts, credit cards, and savings or checking accounts. Is there any opportunity to consolidate?
Having your accounts in one, easy-to-check location can make it simpler to ensure you never miss an alert or important deadline. Automating your finances and using your bank’s app to regularly check in with your accounts (say, a few times a week can be a good cadence) can make good money sense as well, helping you keep on top of payment deadlines and when your balance might be getting low. 💡 Quick Tip: Swap high-interest debt for a lower-interest loan, and save money on your monthly payments. Find out why credit card consolidation loans are so popular.
Make Payments On-Time
Did you know that your payment history (as in, do you pay on time) is the single largest factor in determining your credit score? Lenders can be hesitant to lend money to people with a history of late payments. So make sure you’re aware of each bill’s due date and make your payments on time. One idea? As mentioned above, you could set up autopay so you don’t even have to think about it.
Limit Credit Utilization Ratio
It could help to set a realistic budget that leads to a fair credit utilization ratio, meaning that your credit balances aren’t too high in relation to your credit limit. Some accounts will let you set up balance alerts that can warn you as you inch closer to the 30% guideline of the maximum you want to reach. Another option could be paying your credit card bill more frequently (for example, setting up a mid-cycle payment in addition to your regular payment).
Stratege to Destroy Debt
When it comes to paying off debt, having a plan can help. For example, using a credit card can be an effective way to build your credit history, but if not used responsibly, credit card debt can be incredibly difficult to pay off.
Not only that, it could end up impacting your credit score (say, if your credit utilization ratio creeps up above 30%, as noted above). As a part of your plan to build your credit after negative factors have occurred, you might consider putting a debt repayment plan into place.
Your finances and personal situation will be a major factor in the debt payoff plan that works best for you. If you need some inspiration, the methods below may be helpful to reference in your quest to pay off debt. If you decide that one of these options works for you, here’s how you might go about them.
The Snowball
The snowball method of paying off debt is pretty straightforward.
• To put it into action, you would organize your debts from smallest to largest, without factoring in the interest rates.
• Then you’d continue to make the minimum payments on all of your debts while paying as much as possible on your smallest debt.
• When the smallest debt is paid off, you’d then roll that money into debt payments for the next smallest debt — until all of your debt is repaid.
This strategy is all about changing behavior and building in incentives to help keep you going. Starting with the smallest debt means you’d see the reward of paying it off faster than if you had started with the larger debt. While this method can help keep you motivated and laser-focused on eliminating your debt, it isn’t always the most cost effective, since it doesn’t take into account interest rates.
The Avalanche
The debt avalanche method encourages you to focus on your highest-interest debts first.
• Prioritize debts with the highest interest rates by putting any extra cash towards them.
• Continue to make the minimum payments on all of your other debts.
This technique could help save money in interest in the long run. And it could even help you pay off your debts sooner than the snowball method.
The Fireball
The fireball method combines the snowball and avalanche methods in a hybrid approach designed to help you blaze through costly debt so you can focus on the things that matter most to you.
• The first step in this method is to go through all of your debts and categorize them as either “good” or “bad.”
• “Good” debts are those that tend to contribute to your financial growth and net worth; they also tend to have relatively lower interest rates. Good debt might be a student loan that helps you launch your career or a mortgage that allows you to own a home.
• Debts with high interest rates that don’t go towards building wealth (such as credit card debt) are often considered “bad.” With this method, you can list your “bad” debts from the smallest amount to the largest amount.
• Then you’d take a look at your budget and see how much money you have to funnel toward making extra debt payments. While making the minimum monthly payment on all outstanding debts, you’d direct the extra funds toward the bad debt with the smallest amount due.
• When that smallest balance is repaid in full, you’d apply the total amount you were paying on that debt to the next smallest debt. Then you’d continue this pattern, moving through each outstanding bad debt until they are all paid in full.
An important note: While you are moving through your higher-interest debts, you would still follow the normal payment schedule on your lower-interest debts.
By focusing on the debts with the highest interest rates first, this method could save you some change when compared with the snowball method. And, since you’re then targeting bad debt from the smallest balance to the largest, you could still benefit from the same psychological boost as you see your debt shrink, one payment at a time.
Create a Goals-Based Approach
Having financial goals could possibly help you streamline your efforts. If you’re actively working toward saving for, say, a down payment, you may feel less inclined to spend money elsewhere.
You could try setting short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals. In the short-term your goals might be as simple as tracking your spending and setting up a budget. Or perhaps saving for a big vacation that’s a year or so away. For mid-term goals, you might think about something a little further out, like buying a house or saving for a child’s education. Long-term goals are often things like (you guessed it) saving for retirement.
Writing down your goals and setting a time for when you’d like to reach them can help you set up your plan.
Consolidate Your Debt
If you are working on building your credit and want to pay down your credit card balances, one option could be a personal loan to consolidate that high-interest debt.
Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. Checking your rate takes just a minute.
SoFi’s Personal Loan was named NerdWallet’s 2023 winner for Best Online Personal Loan overall.
SoFi Loan Products SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.
Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .
Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.
The bad news is the holiday season is just about over. The even worse news is that it comes with a whole lot of cleanup and decoration organization. But don’t worry, there’s some good news here, too. Right now, QVC is having a sale on a variety of storage solutions for ornaments, artificial trees, wrapping paper, and more for up to 62 percent off.
QVC’s storage deals include items for all of your holiday essentials to help you clean up faster, stay organized, and keep everything in one space-saving place. Look for collapsible wreath boxes and ornament storage in 64-piece or 72-piece options. You can also find artificial tree bags starting at $28, plus multi-purpose containers to hold lights, gift bags, and other items you won’t need until next year.
Home Reflections 7.5-Foot and Under Tree Storage Bag With Wheels, $50 (was $83)
Periea 64-Piece Collapsible Ornament Storage Box
When it’s not in use, this ornament storage box is completely collapsible, and when it is, it keeps everything tidy thanks to its sturdy design with inserted metal rods and four divided trays to hold ornaments. You can safely transport it to its permanent spot during the year using the carry handles, and if you need a larger size, grab the 72-piece version that’s also on sale. The box is available in six designs, including red berry, gold floral, and green tartan.
Tidy & Co. Three-Piece Multi-Purpose Collapsible Storage Set
Another collapsible storage set is this one from Tidy & Co. that comes with three pieces—two small and one large cube—for storing decorations like ornaments, figurines, holiday trains, candles, lights, and more. Each box has a clear window pane to easily identify what’s inside, and they can be used with or without the inserts. One shopper said the “boxes were very sturdy, and if packed right, hold lots of items.” Another reviewer has found other uses for them, including their “yarn, sewing” and “cords from [their] TVs.”
Santa’s Bags Wrapping Paper Storage Tube
If you overestimated how many rolls of wrapping paper you would need, keep the excess neat for next year in this storage tube. It has a convenient carrying handle and zip top design so nothing can escape or become unraveled. The bag can hold up to twelve 40-inch wrapping paper rolls, more if yours are half-used. One shopper noted that this is a “really inexpensive way to organize,” and that now, their closet is “no longer” filled with “ripped wrapping paper.” Another reviewer shared that it “takes up very little space.”
Whether you need to pack up your tree lights, ornaments, or holiday garland, this one-size-fits-a lot storage box is a must, and it’s 62 percent off and just $15. The durable bag is made of water-resistant material and measures 41 inches, so it can even fit your longest unused rolls of wrapping paper. Plus, when it’s not in use, you can fold it up so it takes up almost no space.
Home Reflections 7.5-Foot and Under Tree Storage Bag With Wheels
When it’s sadly time to take down the artificial tree and pack it up for next year, grab Home Reflections’ wheeled storage bag that’s 39 percent off. The mesh window provides airflow while the straps keep the tree secure and in place. The bag has wheels to make transporting it up or down stairs as smooth as possible, and it can fit trees that are 7.5 feet tall or smaller.
While few enjoy the cleanup and organization that comes with the end of the holiday season, QVC’s sale on Christmas storage bags and boxes makes the process a little easier—and less costly. Find even more items below.
Are you looking for the best books about budgeting? Learning how to budget can change your life – you may be able to improve your finances, stop living paycheck to paycheck, start living debt-free, improve your net worth, and so much more. All from learning how to budget. To get good at budgeting, I think…
Are you looking for the best books about budgeting?
Learning how to budget can change your life – you may be able to improve your finances, stop living paycheck to paycheck, start living debt-free, improve your net worth, and so much more.
All from learning how to budget.
To get good at budgeting, I think it’s a great idea to learn from people who know a lot about it, which includes reading the best money books. There are all different kinds of budgeting books out there that cater to different people and their unique financial situations, so you are sure to find one that fits what you are looking for.
Key Takeaways
Best Books About Budgeting
Below are the best books about budgeting.
1. The Millionaire Next Door
The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America’s Wealthy written by Thomas J. Stanley is a favorite personal finance book for many people and is a great first budgeting book to read.
This book helps you to better understand the habits and mindset of millionaires in an easy-to-understand way (and it’s so interesting to read as well!). You will learn about the importance of living below your means and avoiding lifestyle inflation to achieve financial success and build real wealth.
You’ll find out that many millionaires live real simple lives, spending wisely and doing things differently, like how they use their time and raise their kids. It’s surprising to see what being rich really means, and some people who seem rich might actually have a lot of debt.
This is one of the best budgeting books because it teaches you that anyone can retire with wealth.
Please click here to learn more about The Millionaire Next Door.
2. The Simple Path To Wealth
The Simple Path To Wealth was written by J.L. Collins, and it’s one of the best books on money management, especially if you want to retire early.
This highly recommended book makes building wealth easy to understand, and it’s the book to go to if you want to make your finances better but don’t want to spend a lot of time on it.
In his book, Collins talks about important money topics, like staying away from debt, building wealth, understanding the 4% rule, and much more.
Please click here to learn more about The Simple Path To Wealth.
3. Broke Millennial
Broke Millennial: Stop Scraping By and Get Your Financial Life Together was written by Erin Lowry, and is one of the must-read best money books for young adults. The author makes talking about money fun and interesting, especially for young adults.
This book is made for millennials (and young adults!) who want to manage their money well.
Erin writes about how to have a clear plan to stop being broke and gives a step-by-step guide where she covers many different topics, including tricky ones like managing student loans and talking about money with your partner.
I like to give this book as a graduation gift to those finishing high school or college. It’s one of the best personal finance books for beginners because it helps young adults better understand money.
Please click here to learn more about Broke Millennial.
4. The No-Spend Challenge Guide: How to Stop Spending Money Impulsively, Pay off Debt Fast, and Make Your Finances Fit Your Dreams
The No-Spend Challenge Guide by Jen Smith is the perfect book for those struggling with spending. This guide has actionable steps to stop impulsive spending, pay off debt, and align your financial decisions with your dreams.
Jen Smith went from struggling to stay on a budget for more than two weeks to paying off $78,000 of debt in under two years. In her book, she shares experiences and strategies, including using No-Spend Challenges to shift her money mindset and budget more effectively.
Please click here to learn more about The No-Spend Challenge Guide.
5. The One Week Budget: Learn to Create Your Money Management System in 7 Days or Less!
The One Week Budget by Tiffany Aliche (The Budgetnista) is a great book to read if you want to create a better money management system that takes less of your time. So many people are afraid to manage their money because they think it will be hard or take a lot of time, so this is a great book to read to overcome that.
In just one week, this book will help you create a budgeting system to manage your money effectively. This is a great read for anyone new to budgeting or looking for a more simple approach to managing their money.
Please click here to learn more about The One Week Budget.
6. We Should All Be Millionaires: A Woman’s Guide to Earning More, Building Wealth, and Gaining Economic Power
We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers is an inspiring book that teaches women how to build wealth and achieve financial independence.
You will learn how to make better money decisions, strategies to bring in more income, and how to change your attitude about money.
This book will also show you how to overcome obstacles in your life (such as lack of confidence or knowledge) so that you can build wealth.
Please click here to learn more about We Should All Be Millionaires.
7. How to Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck (2nd Edition): A Proven Path to Money Mastery in Only 15 Minutes a Week!
How to Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck by Avery Breyer is a practical guide that helps readers break the cycle of living paycheck to paycheck, and it gives tips on budgeting, saving, and investing.
You will learn how to build an emergency fund, get out of debt, avoid budget traps, and more.
This book teaches a complete budget system for beginners and takes only 15 minutes per week to do.
Please click here to learn more about How to Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck.
8. How To Pay Off Your Mortgage In Five Years: Slash Your Mortgage with a Proven System the Banks Don’t Want You to Know About
How To Pay Off Your Mortgage In Five Years by Clayton Morris and Natali Morris is a great book for anyone looking to pay off their mortgage fast.
This is a helpful read for homeowners looking to shorten their mortgage term and save money on interest in the long run. This is a step-by-step system with a strategic plan to pay off your mortgage fast.
Please click here to learn more about How To Pay Off Your Mortgage In Five Years.
9. You Need A Budget
You Need A Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want by Jesse Mecham is a great personal finance book that teaches you a step-by-step budgeting system for managing your money more effectively.
You will learn things such as how to pick your priorities for your money, how to not let expenses sneak up on you, how to handle an unexpected expense, and how to get your money to last.
Please click here to learn more about You Need A Budget.
10. The Automatic Millionaire
The Automatic Millionaire: A Powerful One-Step Plan to Live and Finish Rich by David Bach is a book that simplifies the process of becoming financially independent, emphasizing the power of automating your savings and investments.
The Automatic Millionaire begins with the inspiring tale of an ordinary American couple — a low-level manager and a beautician — whose combined income never surpasses $55,000 per year. Remarkably, they achieve debt-free homeownership of two houses, put both kids through college, and retire at 55 with over $1 million in savings.
Please click here to learn more about The Automatic Millionaire.
11. I Will Teach You To Be Rich
I Will Teach You To Be Rich was written by Ramit Sethi and is a great first personal finance book to read. This has been a popular money book for years and for good reason!
This book is full of very helpful lessons presented in a fun way, and he covers the basics of personal finance, including budgeting, saving money, investing, and more.
Please click here to learn more about I Will Teach You To Be Rich.
12. The One Page Financial Plan
The One-Page Financial Plan: A Simple Way to Be Smart About Your Money by Carl Richards is a book that will help you create a single-page plan based on your personal financial goals.
This book will help you figure out how much money to invest each year, how much life insurance you need, how to handle unexpected costs (or a job loss), and more.
If you are looking for more of a visual way to manage your money, then this is the book to read.
Please click here to learn more about The One Page Financial Plan.
13. Your Money or Your Life
Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez has sold more than one million copies and is one of the most popular and best money books ever.
This book has been popular for over 25 years (but don’t let that stop you from reading it!), and it’s been updated with more recent topics like side hustles, new investment options, how to track your money online, and more.
This book focuses on mindful spending and helps you reevaluate your relationship with money. This book will guide you in getting out of debt, saving money with mindfulness and good habits, building wealth, contributing to saving the planet, and so much more.
Please click here to learn more about Your Money Or Your Life.
14. The Financial Diet
The Financial Diet (same name as the very popular blog!) by Chelsea Fagan is a guide to managing money, including tips on budgeting, saving, and investing so that you can make smart financial decisions.
This book will teach you how to get good with money, how to stick to a budget, how to invest, how to save money on food, and more.
The Financial Diet is the personal finance book for someone who doesn’t care about personal finance but is looking for a beginner’s guide to improve their financial situation. The writing style of this book will keep you interested and actually want to learn about personal finance.
Please click here to learn more about The Financial Diet.
Frequently Asked Questions About Budgeting Books
Below are common questions about finding the best budgeting books.
What are the best budgeting books for young adults?
My favorite budgeting book for young adults is Broke Millennial, and I personally buy this book and give it as a gift to anyone I know who is graduating from high school or college.
There are many other budgeting books that people love such as How To Manage Your Money When You Don’t Have Any by Erik Wecks, The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey, Money Honey by Rachel Richards, Spend Well, Live Rich by Michelle Singletary, and so many others.
What’s the best budgeting book planner?
A budgeting book planner is a tool that you can use to organize your finances in one place and stick to your budget. You can find many different budgeting book planners here.
Best Budgeting Books – Summary
I hope you enjoyed this list of the best books on budgeting.
As you can see, there are many different budgeting books that can fit your personal situation.
These books talk about different parts of budgeting, like making a basic plan or handling money when you don’t have much. Whether you’re just starting or want to get better at budgeting, there is probably a book above that has something for you to learn.
Here’s a quick list of the best budgeting books listed above:
Incenter Mortgage Advisors (IMA) has rebranded and changed its leadership to reflect the offering of a broader set of capital markets services.
The company, which helped organize over $2 trillion in mortgage-servicing rights (MSRs), changed its brand name to Incenter Capital Advisors. It will emphasize corporate strategy and capital markets activities in different asset classes, institutions and balance sheet types.
Amid the changes, founder Tom Piercy will take the chief growth officer role. JB Long, who joined parent company Incenter Lender Services in July as chief revenue officer, will be the company’s president.
Before Incenter, Long spent 26 years at EverBank/TIAA Bank, where he was one of the earliest executives at the financial institution. He was also an executive vice president of capital markets at Ocwen Financial Corporation.
“Our clients are turning to the capital markets to proactively seek out broader customer offerings, pricing dislocations, higher-yielding assets, and portfolio growth,” Long said in a statement. “These markets also offer protections against today’s headwinds, including interest rate risk, capital and liquidity requirements, and stringent regulations.”
Bruno Pasceri, the president of parent company Incenter Lender Services, said Incenter Capital Advisors provides clients a “new competitive advantage.”
The company’s solutions include transactions such as structured hedging and M&As; analytics and reporting on dashboards and key performance indicators; advisory solutions on product and service development; and specialty solutions such as lending as a service.
In May, HousingWire reported that Incenter launched a new digital MSR exchange, known as eMSR Exchange, which connects buyers and sellers of co-issue flow offerings online and provides pricing 24/7.
Graduating college is a big deal. The time you spent in school has likely taught you a lot about the subjects you studied, being organized and meeting deadlines, and life in general. Once you have your degree, you’ll put those skills to good use as you embark on your career and independent life. No more dining hall, no more dorms…it’s time to launch adult life and figure out how to make your own way.
To help you deal with some of the basics (like a job and banking), read on. You’ll find valuable tips to help you through the first steps of post-grad life.
Life After College
Congrats on your degree! Now, on to the next challenge after graduating college. It’s time to tackle adulting, which can include such things as getting set up in your new living situation, finding your favorite brunch spot, and making new friends if your college pals have scattered to different places.
In addition, there are some major daily-life tasks to wrangle:
• Finding and holding a job
• Taking control of your health and your health insurance
• Keeping your brain active, which may lead to more studies
• Managing your money.
Read on to get some helpful advice on these last four topics (you can probably find the best brunch spot in your new neighborhood without too much help). 💡 Quick Tip: Enjoy no hidden fees and special member benefits when you refinance student loans with SoFi.
Getting to Work
Hopefully you enjoyed a few weeks off post-grad to travel or kick back and relax after four years of hard work. But what to do after college for many people is find work.
When you’re ready to begin your job search, it can be a lot to process. Chances are, it’s time to focus on taking steps towards building your career.
First off, don’t let job searching stress you out. New grads are in luck. Unemployment is low, and the labor market is strong. According to a recent survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, companies expected to hire almost 4% more class of 2023 grads than they did from the previous class.
Not sure where to look for work or what you should be earning? Research, network, and research some more.
• Your school’s career services office may provide job leads, and its alumni office may be able to network you with people in your field who can share insights.
• Search for jobs online. There are many job boards, such as Indeed and ZipRecruiter, to access.
• Put out the word among friends, families, past internship supervisors, and others.
• To gain intel on starting salaries, try an online salary calculator. You provide some basic info like your location and experience, and their tool tells you what the average salary for your desired role is. While this tool can only provide an estimate, it may help you determine if you should try to negotiate for a higher salary when you receive a job offer.
Taking Your Health into Your Own Hands
As part of learning how to navigate life on your own, make sure you take the reins of your healthcare. Mom and Dad likely aren’t scheduling those biannual dental checkups for you anymore.
Whether you’re still on your parent’s policy or are buying your own health insurance, getting more familiar with the resources your healthcare plan provides is never a bad idea.
It can help you stay on top of scheduling check ups, dental cleanings, and eye exams. You may also need to learn the ropes of finding in-network doctors as you move to a new place or get your own policy.
And you might want to start saving for any unexpected medical or dental bills that may arise. Having an emergency fund at the ready can be an important step to financial wellness in this new chapter of your life.
Speaking of wellness: You may feel swamped by post-grad life, but it’s such an important time to prioritize your well-being. It might be helpful to make time to go to the gym each week, meditate, cook healthy meals, and get a good night’s sleep. Getting into good health habits is an excellent adulting accomplishment. 💡 Quick Tip: Refinancing could be a great choice for working graduates who have higher-interest graduate PLUS loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and/or private loans.
Continuing Your Learning
It’s normal after college to need a little break from learning. For the first time in your life, there is no one telling you what to read or what classes you have to take. But once the dust has settled and you’ve had a rest from hitting the books, you might try to prioritize learning. Not only does it keep your brain sharp, it can also help boost your career.
For example, you could consider obtaining a professional license related to your career or industry. According to the most recent intel from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 24% of workers have some sort of professional license or certification. Having one may give you a competitive boost at work or while job searching. You can go the extra mile to develop more skills needed in your career through an online class or professional conference.
What’s more, additional learning and training could lead to a profitable side hustle or gig work. For instance, you might be able to pick up extra cash during tax season supporting professional tax preparers.
Learning-wise, not all of what you do after graduation has to go towards career advancement, of course. Take that cool history of film class at your local community college. Join a book club or just load up your bookshelf with books you’re dying to read. Exploring your passions can help you feel motivated, fulfilled, and inspired. Now is the time in your life to open doors, not close them.
Recommended: What Should I Do After My Master’s Degree?
Getting Your Finances Organized
Once you graduate from college and join the working world, it’s likely time to look at whether your current banking partner suits your needs.
It can be a wise move to look for a bank that offers a good interest rate on your deposits, convenient access, and tools that help you track your money in a quick and convenient way.
As you organize your money (and don’t forget to start that emergency fund mentioned above), you may realize that one expense that may really be bringing you down is your student loan debt payments.
The average federal student loan debt is currently $37,338, according to the Education Data Initiative. Is student loan debt weighing you down? There are a few strategies you can use to help pay off your student loan debt quicker. You might start your journey to a student loan-free life by creating a monthly budget that can help you get out of debt.
• To create a budget that can assist with paying off debt, you could start by gathering all of your bills and recent receipts. Review exactly what you need to spend on necessary living expenses (rent, food, health insurance, minimum debt payments), how much you are spending on the wants in life (travel, entertainment, clothing), and how much you can save or put toward additional debt payment.
• There are different budgeting methods, and it’s a good idea to spend a bit of time finding the one that works for you. For instance, you might like the 50/30/20 budget rule, which says to allocate 50% of your take-home pay to necessities, 30% to wants, and 20% to savings and extra debt payoff.
Whichever technique you choose, do compare the cost of your living expenses to your paystubs to see how much you can afford to pay towards debt each month. Creating a budget can help you not only pay off your debt, but avoid accumulating more debt in the future.
Recommended: Which Debt to Pay Off First: Student Loan or Credit Card?
The Takeaway
Once you have your monthly budget under control, you might be considering refinancing your student loans as part of how you navigate life post-college. You may be able to lower your interest rate, lower your monthly payments by extending your repayment term, or release a co-signer from a previous loan.
Do note that lengthening your repayment term can increase the interest you’ll pay throughout the life of your loan.
Refinancing comes with many benefits, but keep in mind that you lose federal benefits and protections when you refinance federal loans with a private lender. But if you are not planning on taking advantage of these benefits, refinancing might be for you.
Looking to lower your monthly student loan payment? Refinancing may be one way to do it — by extending your loan term, getting a lower interest rate than what you currently have, or both. (Please note that refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for federal forgiveness and protections. Also, lengthening your loan term may mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.) SoFi student loan refinancing offers flexible terms that fit your budget.
With SoFi, refinancing is fast, easy, and all online. We offer competitive fixed and variable rates.
SoFi Student Loan Refinance If you are a federal student loan borrower, you should consider all of your repayment opportunities including the opportunity to refinance your student loan debt at a lower APR or to extend your term to achieve a lower monthly payment. Please note that once you refinance federal student loans you will no longer be eligible for current or future flexible payment options available to federal loan borrowers, including but not limited to income-based repayment plans or extended repayment plans.
SoFi Loan Products SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.
Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.
Every few months over the last two years, a sea of California carpenters has clogged the state Capitol to voice their support of high-profile housing legislation, their yellow and orange vests, hard hats and work boots in stark contrast to the suits, dresses and fancy shoes more customary in the hallways and hearing rooms of Sacramento.
Their grassroots lobbying has paid off with major legislative wins, including a pair of housing construction bills that Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law Wednesday.
The laws represent more than the possibility of desperately needed new homes in a state with a 2.5-million-unit housing shortage. They also signal a shift in power dynamics among unions in California, and which ones have the greatest influence over labor standards at residential construction sites.
Advertisement
“The carpenters’ engagement on housing policy has been an absolute game changer,” said state Sen. Scott Wiener, a San Francisco Democrat who chairs his chamber’s housing committee and is the author of both laws, Senate Bills 4 and 423.
The first bill, SB 4, will make it easier for nonprofit colleges and faith organizations to build affordable homes on their land, while SB 423 will expand current law that lets developers expedite construction of multifamily projects in cities that have fallen behind on their state-mandated housing goals. The measures build on Assembly Bill 2011, a law that went into effect in July to convert buildings traditionally zoned for commercial retail and office space into affordable housing.
The new laws come after years of gridlock on housing proposals, leading to a rift between the California Conference of Carpenters, which is gaining newfound clout in the state Capitol, and the State Building and Construction Trades Council, one of the most influential players in Sacramento over the last decade.
Divisions bubbled up last year when the carpenters broke with the council and other influential unions and sponsored AB 2011, legislation the broader labor movement opposedbecause it lacked more rigorous job standards.
AB 2011 still mandates developers pay union-approved, or “prevailing,” wages and provide some healthcare benefits to workers, whether they’re union members or not. But it lacks the work standard the building trades union prefers, known as “skilled and trained,” a mandate that generally means laborers on job sites are unionized.
In the Democratic-controlled Legislature, where labor has an outsize influence, last year’s union infighting put many lawmakers in the uncomfortable position of having to choose a side.
Opponents of the skilled and trained standard argue it’s unachievable for housing developers because there aren’t enough union workers to meet the threshold. The trades union contends it’s a model that protects workers against exploitation and inadequate job safety protections.
Advertisement
“I think that prevailing wage in legislation for housing is a positive step,” said Chris Hannan, who was selected president of the State Building and Construction Trades Council this summer. “We don’t believe that that’s enough.”
Hannan succeeded Andrew Meredith, who resigned as president this year as the fight over labor standards raged in the Capitol.
Leadership at the carpenters union say they had no choice but to move forward with their own plan after discussions with the council fell apart.
Jay Bradshaw, executive secretary-treasurer of the Northern California Carpenters Union, said the new standards will help dismantle the underground construction economy and create job opportunities for union members, while safeguarding all workers against wage theft and other unfair labor practices currently happening on residential job sites.
The carpenters’ approach with the new standards is to organize members on job sites, but the trades council historically preferred requiring a unionized workforce to begin with.
“The labor standards we developed will significantly help our current membership. … And it will also pull wages out of competition for those that are not represented,” Bradshaw said. “And then it’s our job to go organize those folks, not the government’s.”
Todd David, a political advisor to Wiener who served as executive director of the Housing Action Coalition in 2022, said the increased influence of the carpenters helped clear a path for new housing legislation.
“There were lots of quiet conversations between legislators with people who knew the carpenters very well, like, can they really do this?” David said.
They did.
So began a new era for the carpenters — and their Democratic allies eager to pass more sweeping housing bills into law using the same labor language.
“They showed up, and they really planted a flag in AB 2011,” said Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, the Oakland Democrat who wrote the legislation and chairs the Assembly committee on housing. “It was a breakout moment, I think, for the carpenters, where they decided enough is enough, we’re going to build housing, we’re going to do strong labor standards, we’re going to break the juggernaut that has been preventing us from actually accomplishing stuff in California in housing policy, with regards to labor standards. And they did it.”
The building trades council and its allies see the fight as far from over.
Hannan and others still consider the dispute over the labor language an easy choice between protecting workers or leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and job safety issues that may result from a lack of training.
“Our members … are the very best at what they do. And they deserve us to fight as hard as we can for them,” Hannan said. “And we believe we are going to be the strongest, loudest voice for the construction worker.”
But the council lost its second battle this year after Wiener introduced his two bills, which largely include the same labor standards as last year’s deal.
Considered this year’s most consequential housing measure, SB 423 will extend by another decade current policy that lets developers streamline multifamily development in cities that have failed to plan for enough housing, which was set to expire in 2026. The original law passed in 2017 and has led to more than 18,000 proposed units, the majority for low-income families.
Last year’s coalition included the California Housing Consortium and other affordable housing groups and two other major unions — the California School Employees Assn. and the Service Employees International Union. This year, Wiener and the carpenters expanded support for the labor changes to add more construction unions.
“We just hung tough, and I think the nature of the crisis sort of forced people to do what they were not comfortable doing in terms of the labor issues,” said Danny Curtin, director of the carpenters conference. “Breaking ranks, or however you want to put it, is never simple or easy. And you don’t want to do it unless you really think there’s no real alternative. But it was unassailable, our bill was unassailable.”
Others don’t see it that way.
Scott Wetch, a lobbyist who represented several unions in the negotiations, described SB 423 as an undemocratic law that would come back to haunt every legislator who voted for it, a “political aneurysm” that “one day will burst.”
He criticized how housing might get built in a streamlined capacity that edges out community input, and questioned whether the healthcare requirements will withstand future legal challenges.
And while some unions were going to bat for their members fighting for more rigorous job rules, Wetch said, others, like the carpenters, “sold their members down the river.”
“The carpenters went to a handful of developers, and said to them, ‘Hey, we want to get some work, we want to work with you, and we will be the Judases that remove these worker protections that you don’t like, because we want to get some work out of you,’” Wetch said.
The carpenters have shrugged off those criticisms. They see the issue as a done deal, the new labor standards now the blueprint for housing legislation in California.
“The carpenters would rather be problem solvers than just problem fighters,” Bradshaw said.