Cars are integral to our daily lives: We drive them to and from work and school. We use them to get groceries and go to the doctor. And, when our budget allows, we use them to get out of the house and treat ourselves to an evening of fun.
But what happens when your car breaks down and you don’t have the money saved up to fix it? That’s a reality for more than half of Americans, according to Bankrate’s 2023 Emergency Savings Report, an annual survey done in partnership with the survey and market research firm SSRS. Almost 60% of Americans say they wouldn’t use cash from emergency savings to pay for an unexpected car repair. Instead, they’d turn to credit cards, friends and family, or personal loans.
Using personal loans for car repairs can be a good solution when you don’t have the cash on hand, and it may be more affordable than paying with a high-interest credit card. Below, we’ll explore the pros and cons of using personal loans for car repair as well as some alternative options.
What Personal Loans Are and How They Work
A personal loan is a loan from a financial institution that borrowers can use for a wide range of purposes, from weddings and vacations to debt consolidation and medical costs to home renovations and, yes, car repairs. You’ll repay your personal loan, plus interest, over a set number of months.
As you start to explore your options, it helps to understand how personal loans work and the different types of personal loans available.
Pros and Cons of Personal Loans for Car Repairs
Taking out a personal loan to cover the cost of car repair can be helpful, but are there drawbacks to consider? Let’s review the pros and cons:
Pros
Cons
Get fast funding to cover repairs
Increased debt
Prioritize your family’s safety on the road
Upfront fees
Ensure you can still drive to and from work to generate income
Temporary drop in credit score
Avoid high-interest credit card debt to cover repairs
Less room in monthly budget
Pros
• Get fast funding to cover repairs: Many personal loans offer same- or next-day funding, which means you can pay for car repairs quickly and get back on the road.
• Prioritize your family’s safety on the road: Without access to cash, some drivers may be tempted to forego necessary repairs and put themselves, their families, and other drivers in danger by driving with a damaged vehicle. A personal loan allows you to pay for damage now at a potentially lower cost before the issue grows and becomes more expensive to fix.
• Ensure you can still drive to and from work to generate income: Despite the advent of remote working, many people still rely on their vehicle to get to and from their job. Without it, you’ll need to pay for rideshare or a car rental or depend on the kindness of a coworker to give you a lift. Otherwise, you may need to skip work and miss out on that pay. Repairing your car quickly with a personal loan helps ensure you can get yourself to and from work on time.
• Avoid high-interest credit card debt to cover repairs: Many Americans reach for their credit card to cover the cost of emergency car repair. According to Bankrate’s 2023 survey, 25% of respondents said they’d swipe their card to pay for repairs. The problem? More than a third of Americans have more credit card debt than emergency savings — and such debt can be hard to overcome when you don’t have funds set aside for unexpected expenses.
Cons
• Increased debt: The biggest drawback of taking out a personal loan is the increased debt. Sometimes debt is necessary, like taking out a mortgage to buy a home or getting a student loan to pay for college. However, if it’s possible to avoid debt for small expenses like car repair, you typically should. That said, fixed-rate personal loans may be a more manageable form of debt for borrowers than a variable-rate credit card.
• Upfront fees: Many personal loans come with origination fees at the start, especially for borrowers without great credit. These fees, plus the interest on the loan, mean you’ll end up spending much more for the car repair than you would if you paid out of pocket.
• Temporary drop in credit score: While many lenders allow you to prequalify for a personal loan without an impact on your credit score, there will be a hard inquiry on your credit report when you officially apply. Such hard inquiries temporarily lower your credit score, but don’t worry: Your score will likely rebound over time, and if you responsibly manage your personal loan, you may even see it grow higher than when you started.
• Less room in monthly budget: When you take out a personal loan, you’ll have fixed payments for a set number of years. It’s crucial that you make these payments every month and on time. That means you’ll have a little less room in your budget until it’s paid off. If you’re living paycheck to paycheck or struggling to build your emergency savings, this tighter budget can be problematic.
Recommended: What Are Daily Simple Interest Loans?
How to Use a Personal Loan for Auto Repairs
Personal loans are straightforward. Aside from a few restrictions that vary by lender, you can use personal loans for almost anything. You’ll apply and, upon approval, have the funds deposited in your checking account. Then you can take that money and pay the mechanic directly to repair your car.
Applying for a Personal Loan
So how do you get a personal loan for car repairs? First, make sure you meet a lender’s requirements, and then you can go through the application process.
Requirements
These are the typical personal loan requirements you’ll need to meet to get approval:
• Credit score: Each lender will have its own personal loan credit score requirements. If you have bad credit, don’t sweat it: There are lenders out there with personal loans for poor-credit borrowers. Just expect to pay higher fees and interest.
• Collateral: Many personal loans are unsecured, meaning you don’t have to put up any collateral. However, if you are struggling with your credit score, you may have an easier time getting approved (and at a lower rate) if you’re willing to put up collateral, such as your car.
• Proof of income and employment: Lenders want to know that you have a means of repaying the loan. To that end, you may need to prove that you’re employed — and that you make enough to cover the monthly payment.
• Debt-to-income ratio: Lenders commonly analyze your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, which compares your monthly debt payments vs. the amount of money you make in a month. The lower the ratio, the more likely you are to be approved.
• Origination fee: Some personal loans may include an origination fee to be paid up front, often expressed as a percentage of the loan amount (somewhere between 1% and 10%). You may be able to pay this out of pocket, but often lenders roll it into the loan’s total cost or even deduct it from the loan amount you receive.
Recommended: Compare Personal Loan Rates and Terms
Application Process
When you’re ready, you can apply online, over the phone, or in person (it’ll vary by lender). You’ll usually hear back about approval quickly — and may even receive the loan funds on the same day.
Many lenders let you check your personal loan rates and eligibility online before you apply. There’s no hard credit inquiry for this, so it’s a nice way to see if you qualify and compare lenders.
Alternatives to Personal Loans for Auto Repairs
The ideal alternative to getting a personal loan to fix a car is paying with cash from your emergency fund. But if you don’t have an emergency fund — or don’t have enough saved up yet — paying with credit is your main option.
Personal loans are a top option, but there are some alternatives to personal loans for auto repairs:
Credit Cards
Many mechanics will let you pay for auto repair with a credit card. This can be an attractive option if you have a rewards credit card that pays cash back.
The problem is that many borrowers have variable-rate credit cards with high APRs. If you don’t pay off the debt quickly, the interest charges will start to rack up.
Title Loans
Title loans allow you to use your car as collateral to secure funding. It’s a common option for bad-credit borrowers who can’t afford car repair, but be cautious: These loans are short-term, and if you don’t repay yours, the lender will take your vehicle from you.
This is a last-resort loan. For most borrowers, there’s likely a better, safer option.
Payday Loans
Payday loans are convenient for borrowers who need cash now, because there’s usually no credit check or collateral, and you can get the money right away.
The catch? These predatory loans can have high fees and interest rates reaching more than 600%. When it’s time to repay the loan (your next payday), you might find that you can’t afford to repay it — and you’ll have to take out a bigger loan to pay off the first one.
If you’re thinking about a payday loan for car repair, it’s a good idea to reconsider. Payday loans can lead to mounting debt and bankruptcy. And even if you pay yours off, it typically won’t help build your credit score (most lenders don’t report on-time payments to credit bureaus).
Instead, you might want to consider other alternatives, like secured personal loans or even a loan from friends and family. 💡 Quick Tip: Just as there are no free lunches, there are no guaranteed loans. So beware lenders who advertise them. If they are legitimate, they need to know your creditworthiness before offering you a loan.
The Takeaway
Personal loans for car repairs may be a smart option when you don’t have the cash on hand. With a personal loan, you can get fast funding to pay for the repairs within a day or two, and the small available loan amounts mean you don’t have to borrow more than you need. There are some alternatives to personal loans for auto repairs, including credit cards. However, if you’re unable to pay off what you owe quickly, the interest charges will begin to pile up.
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.
FAQ
Can personal loans be used for car repairs?
Yes, you can use personal loans for car repairs. In fact, unexpected emergencies such as car repairs are a very common use case for personal loans. You can use personal loans for almost anything.
What sorts of financing can you get for a vehicle repair?
Drivers who can’t afford vehicle repair with their own emergency savings can consider a number of financing options, including personal loans and credit cards.
While title loans and payday loans are alternatives, they’re generally a risky solution that could lead to car repossession, major debt, or even bankruptcy. Similarly, some mechanics may offer their own financing, but Consumer Reports warns that these loans can be predatory, with interest rates up to 189%.
Is getting a personal loan to repair a car a good idea?
If you can’t afford to repair your car out of pocket, a personal loan can be a good idea. Personal loans may have lower rates than a credit card, and making on-time payments on your loan could even help boost your credit score.
And if the alternative is not fixing your car, you’ll either have to drive an unsafe, damaged vehicle or get around without an automobile — which can be inconvenient and lead to lost wages if you miss work.
Photo credit: iStock/demaerre
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 .
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.
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, The Hollywood Reporter may receive an affiliate commission.
This story was created in paid partnership with Urban Outfitters.
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Whether you’re decorating your first dorm room or giving your home a style overhaul, one of our most surprising sources for statement pieces is Urban Outfitters. From bohemian-chic rattan furniture and artful storage pieces to minimalist shelving and charming bathroom essentials, the retailer is home to some of the coolest finds for every type of interior design style.
Some of the top design trends of 2023 are also the most enduring ones. Sustainability continues to be top of mind, as natural and eco-conscious materials continue to be favored choices. We can also thank Succession for ushering in the “quiet luxury” trend, an understated high-end aesthetic spilling out of fashion wardrobes and into the rest of the home: think cozy textiles and upholstery made from plush fabrics. On the flip side, surrealist shapes and playing with scale will be on the rise as people go for Schiaparelli-esque interior style over minimalism.
Ultimately, consider designing around your own personality and lifestyle, regardless of whether or not something fits a trend. As one study recently found, homeowners are decorating their homes with “professionalization,” not “personalization,” in mind — so whether you love a lived-in look, or feel more at home in a ‘grammable hotel-like space, we suggest going with items that spark joy.
With all of that in mind, we’re sharing our favorite furniture and home decor to shop from Urban Outfitters. Whether your vibe is bohemian or modern, see 10 of our top picks for a range of styles, including some pieces on sale for up to 30 percent off.
Levi Storage Shelf
This three-tiered bamboo storage shelf brings a natural touch while giving you more shelf space.
Levi Storage Shelf
Price: $79
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Mushroom Wall Hook
Mushroom motifs are among the nature-inspired design trends that are expected to be big in 2023 and beyond. These playful wall hooks are sure to bring the fun to your fungus decor.
Mushroom Wall Hook
Price: $18
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Honey & Ivy Table Lamp
Urban Outfitters is also home to the UO MRKT, a curated marketplace of one-of-a-kind fashion, home and decor finds. One of our favorite lighting pieces is this one from Portland’s Honey & Ivy Studio, which features a 3D-printed shade inspired by pleated fabric.
Honey & Ivy Table Lamp
Price: $49
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Grayson Credenza (50 percent off)
On sale for 50 percent off, this sturdy oak credenza is farmhouse-meets-minimalist and features pre-cut holes for cables. We like the adjustable shelves and removable legs for customization, too.
Grayson Credenza (reg. $999)
Price: $500
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Westie Mirror Shelf
For when you need a handy place for your keys or a convenient beauty station before you run out of the house, this mirror shelf is perfect for holding your daily essentials.
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Gillian Coffee Table
Stow away your mess in the minimalist Gillian coffee table that features two drawers for all of your books, controllers and anything else that ends up on your tabletops.
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Cup Noodles Bowl
A college student staple, instant noodles get their own dedicated vessel in this fun ceramic bowl that’s dishwasher- and microwave-safe. (Extra credit for upgrading your basic ramen.)
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Cozy Crinkle Duvet Set
Available in twin to king sizes, this crinkled-to-perfection duvet set is ideal for refreshing your bedding ahead of fall. It’s made of soft, gauzy cotton that’s perfect for transitioning from the heat of summer to cooler autumn days.
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Checkerboard Hilo Tufted Rug (30% off)
Rugs are a design hack for dorms, rentals and other home spaces where you’ve got to make do with the existing floor. Cover up stains or brighten up your room with a textured checkerboard rug like this one that comes in other sizes and colors.
Checkerboard Hilo Tufted Rug 3×5 (reg. $89)
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Mason Storage Cabinet
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Three months ago I wrote about the high cost of being fat. I had spent $4500 over four years because of my weight. The problem wasn’t just costing me money — it had caused sleep apnea, a torn ACL, and mild depression, three conditions which eroded my quality of life.
Then a reader issued a challenge. Lauren Muney wrote to provide her services as a wellness coach free for one month: “I’m offering this to you because I’ve been reading your blog daily and I want to give back,” she said. She continued:
Most people think that coaching is bull. It’s amazing how much money people will spend on diet books, fad equipment, diet pills, and the like — and never budge an inch. I just talk to my clients. They drop 10, 20, even more pounds of weight, plus they retain the weight loss and make life changes they never thought possible. But it is they who do the work and they who take the glory. I know you understand the value of getting rich slowly but carefully. It’s the same with fitness and lifestyle changes — the good stuff is slow, but it sticks.
For years I’ve complained about being fat. People are sympathetic, but nobody had ever laid it on the line like this before. It felt strange. Lauren was offering to help me, but only if I were willing to take responsibility for my actions. I was scared. I realized that an impartial third-party — an expert third party — was exactly the sort of motivation I needed to succeed. (I’ve always worked best under supervision.) I decided I’d be a fool to refuse her offer.
Lauren had me begin by keeping track of everything I ate. (This is similar to my admonition to track everything you spend.) I knew my diet was poor, but I never realized how poor until I began to keep a food journal: donuts for breakfast, candy bars for lunch, Safeway Chinese food for dinner. I recorded everything in gory detail. After Lauren looked at the data, we spent an hour by phone discussing my habits, exploring ways I could change them. Among other steps, she had me:
Eliminate excess sugar. It was clear that I’d become a sugar junkie. Eating donuts and candy bars and sucking down soda was giving me more refined sugar than my body could handle.
Reduce alcohol consumption. I’d been having a drink or two most nights. On Lauren’s advice, I cut back to almost nothing. (I still have a drink at parties or on special occasions.)
Reduce caffeine consumption. So long, soda. So long, tea. I used to be a Diet Pepsi junkie. I had a weakness lapsang souchong. Now caffeine is a rarity.
Eliminate processed foods. Most of my meals were from one of two food groups: canned or frozen. Canned soup, canned chili, canned pasta, canned vegetables. Frozen pizza, frozen lasagna, frozen chicken patties, frozen fish. Lauren had me purge processed foods from the house. (This was difficult for a frugal person like me — each discarded TV dinner was like throwing away money.)
Introduce whole foods into my diet. I’ve always struggled to eat enough fruits and vegetables. Even with this program, I’m not getting as much as I should, but I’ve gone from eating a couple a week to eating a couple a day. That’s a huge improvement.
Drink water. Humans are ugly bags of mostly water. I wasn’t getting enough of it. By drinking more water, my hunger subsided.
Eat balanced meals. Lauren emphasized the importance of having a protein, a carbohydrate, and a fat with every meal. I thought this change would be pointless, but have been surprised at how effective it has been at satisfying my hunger.
Exercise portion control. I have a natural tendency to eat huge portions. Lauren coached me to reduce my portion sizes so that I’m not overeating.
Lauren’s advice wasn’t all about food, though. She stressed the importance of physical activity. She had me do the following:
Obtain a complete physical. We were particularly curious if I showed signs of diabetes. (My addiction to sugar, and my reaction to it, are worrying.) I don’t. My cholesterol is borderline, but other than that things look fine.
Buy a pair of running shoes. I’d been walking and jogging in a pair of fashionable sneakers. Lauren had me actually get fitted for shoes that matched my stride.
Meet with a running expert. I made an appointment with the owner of the running store. He spent time demonstrating proper form, showing me how to improve my stride.
Practice mindfulness. A lot of my behavior was reflexive. I was just eating whatever I felt like, or whatever was in front of me. Lauren urged me to slow down, to question my actions.
Over the course of one month Lauren and I spoke weekly about my progress. During each session she praised my success and helped me to learn from my failures. After each conversation, she drafted an e-mail that summarized the goals we’d set for the coming week. This process worked wonders.
Lauren helped me see the barriers I had created: “I can’t eat breakfast because I don’t have time”, “I need to eat all of the leftovers”, “It’s too cold and wet to exercise”. These barriers still exist, but now I recognize them for what they are. And I’ve learned something: 80% of wellness is mental. Just as with personal finance, physical fitness is about overcoming mental barriers.
I learned not to bring temptations into the house. I’m good about saying “no” to the big things — a package of cookies at the grocery store — but I’m terrible at saying “no” to the little things. A single cookie at home becomes two, which becomes three, which becomes an entire plate. I have the discipline to resist an entire package of cookies, but not to resist them individually, so I keep them out of the house completely.
I’ve stuck to the plan for three months now. I had a ten-day lapse around Christmas — all the cookies from friends were too much to resist — and I need to ramp up my exercise, but things are going well. I’ve lost thirteen pounds. I have more energy. I’m not foggy-headed from sugar. Best of all, I’m no longer suffering from the depression that has dogged me for the past two years.
I couldn’t have done this without the help of a wellness coach. Because Lauren exists outside my daily life, outside my family, outside my circle of friends, she’s able to point out problems without the baggage of other relationships. There’s still a lot of work to be done. In early March, when spring begins to peek its head through the Oregon rain, I’ll contact Lauren to set up another month of coaching, but this time as a paying customer!
As the proprietor of Physical Mind, Lauren Muney specializes in lifestyle improvement and increasing human performance for personal, professional, and business endeavors. She’s also a crack whip artist! And a fire-eater!
When it comes time to move, hiring movers is a convenient option that allows for a quick, stress-free experience. Not only can they move your items from one house to another, but they often provide additional services like boxing up your items and even unpacking them in your new place so you don’t have to lift a finger.
As a general rule, you shouldn’t skip tipping movers. They work in the service industry and should receive a tip based on overall service, similar to restaurant workers. Building a tipping budget into your moving expenses can help you show appreciation for the service provided. Here’s everything you need to know about tipping movers.
How much to tip movers
We’re used to tipping between 15 and 25 percent at restaurants, but tipping your waiter is different than tipping movers. Moving companies don’t operate the same way as restaurants and workers don’t rely mostly on their tips to make money. Movers are usually paid by the hour already, making tipping a nice gesture, though not required. However, they’re also working in the service industry like restaurant workers, and it’s generally acknowledged that you should tip service industry workers.
A good rule to keep in mind for general reference is $5 per mover per hour. Or, if you want to use the total moving cost, you can tip between 5 to 10 percent of the total bill for the entire team of movers to split.
Things to consider when tipping movers
Various factors will affect how much to tip movers. Not every move is equal and, therefore, tipping will vary. A half-day move is a lot less work than a two- or three-day ordeal. Here are a few factors that can help you decide how much to tip movers.
How many professional movers are working with you
If there are only a couple of movers that come to help you move an entire house, that means they’ll each be doing a lot of heavy lifting. On the other hand, if you’ve got a big professional moving team with lots of movers to help out, it’s likely their individual workload will be a little lighter and less strenuous.
If you’re looking at it from an individual view, it would be more appropriate to tip the smaller group of movers each a little more than if there’s a large group. You may even want to decide upfront that you’ll tip a certain percentage for the entire move, then divide that amount by the number of movers.
If the movers pack boxes for you
You might hire a professional moving company to do everything for you from beginning to end, including packing all of your things into boxes. This is a time-consuming and strategic process since it requires good organization and additional time to wrap fragile items, place them into boxes in a way that won’t break them and get boxes labeled so they’re easy to unpack.
If movers are packing boxes for you, it’s best to tip them for the extra work! Keep in mind that if you’re moving far away, there are possibly separate crews for packing your belongings into boxes and loading and unloading the truck. You’ll want to check with the moving company to make sure you’re tipping each crew accordingly.
Large or heavy objects
Movers that take care of really big or heavy items have a risky job — they’re careful and strong to make sure they don’t do any damage to the items or to the home as they move things in and out.
When you’re tipping a crew that moves large, heavy furniture, remember that they have a stressful and important task. If they do it well, it will save you from paying for a new item or repairing your home. After all, if piano movers drop a grand piano on the floor, it’s going to do some damage all around. But, a good mover will ensure that doesn’t happen and you can show your gratitude for a job well-done with a tip amount that reflects your gratitude.
Size and number of boxes
No matter how many or how few boxes and belongings you’re planning on moving, it’s going to take at least a few trips in and out of the house to get it all. However, the size and number of boxes can make a difference. Lots of big boxes might seem like it will be quicker and you can take fewer trips in and out to get them loaded. But, if they’re too bulky or heavy, it will take longer to move them as they might require moving slowly or more than one person to lift them.
Opposite that scenario, you might have a lot of little boxes to avoid things being too heavy, and lots of boxes mean lots of trips, even if they’re small and you take a few at a time. You need to find the sweet spot between the size of boxes and the weight of the objects they hold to ensure the movers are efficient.
Distance of the move
A quick local move is very different from a cross-country move. Usually, local moves will take much less time than a long-distance move. And, you’ll likely have the same crew helping you load your stuff from your old place and unload at your new home.
But, if you’re moving across the country, there’s a good chance you’ll work with multiple crews. One crew might pack your items into boxes, another will load your stuff into the truck. A separate crew may transport your items, with a different crew unloading the truck when you reach your destination. That’s a lot of long-distance movers and a lot of time spent helping you. Make sure you factor that in when deciding how much to tip movers.
Length of the move
You can typically expect long-distance moves to take more time. But, there are cases when shorter distances actually take more time. This is dependent on the number of items or boxes you’re moving or if you end up waiting around for one reason or another.
Being unorganized as a customer and not planning anything out can end up taking longer, especially if you have a partner or roommate that you’re moving with. If you constantly have to ask your partner or roommate where something is going and then relaying that information to the movers, it’s going to take a long time to get things settled.
And, if you do end up waiting around at any point, don’t assume you shouldn’t tip your movers for that time — although they may do much, they’re still spending their time there and it keeps them from working on other potential moving jobs that they could make money from. Be considerate of not just the effort, but the total time movers spend helping with your move. They don’t want to stand around for a half day just as much as you don’t.
The overall difficulty of the move
There are other elements to think about when considering how much to tip movers. Keep in mind the difficulty involved for your entire move when you tip movers. The number of rooms, size of the house, flights of stairs and even the weather conditions.
Going up and down multiple flights of stairs in hot weather is not ideal. Even the most hardworking movers will have difficulty with it. Movers expect to deal with some hard scenarios on moving day. But, getting a good tip for extra hard work and great service is greatly appreciated.
How to tip movers
The method of tipping will depend on what you have on hand and the movers. Tipping etiquette is very casual and flexible. Whether you carry cash or keep it electronic, there’s a way for you to tip movers.
Cash tip
Cash tips are almost always the easiest way to make sure the people actually helping with your move get the exact amount you want. When you’re handing the money directly to each crew member, you’re guaranteed that they’re getting the appropriate amount.
Credit card tip
Many companies will allow you to add a tip when you pay for your move with a credit card. Most moving companies will pass the tip along to each moving crew member in some way. But, it also might mean that the company takes a shared percentage.
Cash apps
As we continually move away from cash in our society, cash apps work just as well! You’ll need to see if the movers have accounts on the cash apps you use so you can tip directly. But, most people use the same cash apps, so it’s probably not too big of a barrier.
Contact the moving company
If your move went well, but you pre-paid or forgot to tip your movers, you can contact the moving company. They’ll give you the best option for tipping. And, they should have a record of which crew members moved you so you can ensure the right people are getting a tip from you.
Food
It’s not quite the same as giving money, but most movers appreciate any food you provide! You can provide food as an extra “thank you,” though you should give it in addition to a monetary tip. You can offer smaller snacks and sports drinks. Or, if you’re ready to really good the extra mile, hold a crew lunch and give a meal like pizza or another takeout.
When to tip movers
The best time to tip movers can depend on a few factors. There’s not one “most appropriate” time to tip movers. You’ll have to decide when is the best time for you to tip your movers.
Before you move
If you want to make sure your moving crew does a great job, you can give a tip upfront to motivate the moving team. However, they might provide poor service and you may feel like you gave a larger tip than necessary. Or, they might have done better than you expected and you feel you haven’t tipped enough.
During the move
Especially if your move is long and far and you know you’ll be working with multiple teams, you can opt to tip long-distance movers throughout the process. You’re showing appreciation for the work that’s already been done. And, you’re giving a little extra motivation for the movers to keep doing good work.
You’re also making sure that you tip the right people for the time they work. Some might only work for a few hours, while others are there the entire day. You don’t want to miss the chance to tip if someone leaves earlier than anticipated.
After the move
Tipping after the move is a safe bet because you’ve seen the work from beginning to end. You can gauge how well every part of the process went and tip accordingly.
Tipping is appreciated for a job well done
Tipping isn’t mandatory in the moving industry. But it’s a nice gesture to acknowledge that the moving company did an exceptional job and that you’re grateful for their work. After all, moving is strenuous. And, moving crews a nervous as they handle belongings that aren’t theirs and do a lot of heavy lifting. It’s nice to give them some extra appreciation for helping you through the moving process.
New Year’s resolutions don’t have to be reserved for diets and exercise. Sometimes the area of your life that really needs attention is your finances. As 2022 ends and 2023 begins, this is your opportunity to reset and reevaluate.
The new year is the perfect time to give your finances a boost. Here are my top 15 financial New Year’s resolutions that can help improve your financial health.
I’m jumping in with the big ones first…
What’s Ahead:
1. Start investing
While it may not be the easiest resolution on this list, investing is one of the best ways to build your wealth. If you don’t think that you have time to start investing, I get it. Investing can take time to understand. We’ve done our best to lay out the different investing methods in our article: How To Invest: Essential Advice To Help You Start Investing.
While it’s totally possible to invest without the help of an advisor, many of us are choosing the advisor route because, let’s be honest, it’s just so much easier. Remember that advisors also includerobo-advisors, which can help you decide what to invest in including when to buy and sell.
Read more: The Best Robo-Advisors
2. Build your emergency fund
When emergencies happen, you don’t want to be stuck without anemergency fund. Emergency funds can be lifesavers when unexpected challenges make their way into your life, like losing your job or getting into an accident, or a global pandemic.
So, if your emergency fund is non-existent at the start of the new year, it is time to change that!
To start, decide how much money you need in your emergency fund by calculating your monthly expenses. This should include not only your rent or mortgage but also your utilities and your basic expenses. Many financial experts agree that this should be at least three to six months’ worth of expenses, but it can’t hurt to overestimate how much money you would need in times of emergency.
If you need help calculating how much money you should save in your emergency fund, check out MU30’s handyemergency fund calculator to help you find your perfect number.
My husband and I like to keep our emergency fund in ahigh-yield savings account. These accounts allow us to access our savings quickly. Even better, high-yield savings accounts accrue interest at a higher rate than a traditional savings account, letting our money grow while it lies in wait.
Read more: Best High Yield Savings Accounts Compared
3. Pay off your credit card debt
If credit card debt is bogging down your financial success, why not make it a goal to tackle it in the new year?
Paying off your credit card debt is an important step in becoming financially healthy. If you don’t pay it off, you are doing a serious disservice to your credit score.
When searching for ways to pay off your debt, I recommend opening abalance transfer credit card. While it may sound counterproductive on one hand, these cards can help you consolidate your debt and even stop it from collecting interest for some time. That’s a big incentive right there!
Read more: How To Pay Off Credit Card Debt Fast – The Smart Way
4. Start a budget and track your expenses
If you don’t already have one, you need a budget. Creating and sticking to one could be the single best thing that you do for your finances in the new year. Budgets force you to take a hard look at the money that you bring in, the money that you shell out, and the money that you may owe.
If you have never followed a budget before, the thought of starting one can be daunting. The truth is, budgets can be incredibly freeing. Once you get used to following your budget, you can begin finding ways to free up cash to put towards your future.
Read more: How To Make A Budget: Our Step-By-Step Guide To Managing Your Money
5. Pay off your student loans
Student loan debt is one of the nation’s largest consumer debts and if you have it, you know just how painful it can be. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could get rid of your student loan debt altogether? Well, depending on how much you have, 2023 could be the year that you make it possible!
Making a plan to pay off your student loans is all aboutgetting organized. Knowing who you owe, how much you owe, and how you will afford to pay off your loans should be your first priority.
If you are having trouble trying to fit your student loan payment into your budget, it’s worth it to give your lender a call. Often, you can work outincome-driven repayment plans or deferments that can lessen the financial blow of your current loan payments.
Read more: Income-Based Repayment: Should You Do It?
6. Open a retirement account or fine-tune your existing one
When you are young,saving for your retirement probably sounds like the least exciting thing that you can do with your money. The truth is, the sooner that you start, the more secure you will be when your retirement comes. Investing in your retirement means that you are investing in your future.
If you’re employed, a quick conversation with your boss or human resources department can help you find out if your employer offers retirement accounts like 401(k)s or 403(b)s. Often, employers who have them will match a percentage of your annual contributions. This match is like an extra bonus from your employer that you don’t collect until retirement.
If your employer does not offer retirement accounts or you’re self-employed, you still have options for saving for your retirement.IRAs, or Individual Retirement Accounts can be opened by anyone.
Read more: The Beginner’s Guide To Saving For Retirement
7. Build your credit
If you are going into 2023 without any credit, it’s time to start building some. The credit system was put in place as a way to give future lenders and creditors information about potential borrowers. This allows them to make an informed decision and weigh the risks of loaning money to you.
If you haven’t built your credit, you could find yourself regretting it when you want to finance a car or even buy a house. Most lenders will not give out loans to people with poor credit and if you’re lucky enough to find one that does, your interest rates are often through the roof!
Taking out a loan with acosigner or becoming anauthorized user on your parent’s credit card can help you get started. Personally, I began building my credit with asecured credit card. When you get a secured credit card, you’ll need to put down a deposit, which then becomes your line of credit.
The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card is unique among secured cards in that they won’t run your credit when you apply, giving even those with no credit the ability to qualify.
Read more: Best Secured Credit Cards
8. Create a will
Don’t be fooled into thinking that having a will is just for old people. If you don’t have a will already, making it one of your New Year’s resolutions could benefit you and your family. Without one, in the event of your death, yourstate’s laws will determine who takes ownership of your assets and property.
If you’re wondering if you really need a will, the answer is probably a resounding yes. Most importantly,wills are strongly recommended for those who have children, have a spouse, or have a positive net worth. Having a will protects your family and your assets, something that all of us can agree is important.
If you don’t have a will, don’t put it off!
Read more: Do I Need A Will? Who Needs A Will (And When)
9. Spend less money
Everyone wants to save money, right? One of the best ways to do that is toconsciously spend less of it. While it is easier said than done, spending less money in 2023 is doable with a few tweaks to your spending habits.
To begin spending less money, I recommend this: take a hard look at your budget and try to find spending categories that you can cut back on. Lessening, or even getting rid of, spending categories allocated towards things like coffee runs and eating out could save you a significant amount of money each month.
Here are a couple more of my favorite ways to save:
Find a better deal on cell phone service. Cell phone services can be expensive. If you haven’t shopped around lately, give it a try. Many cell phone service companies will work hard to beat their competitors and will often beat your current rate!
Learn how to clip coupons. Clipping coupons is an easy way to save money at the grocery store and beyond. Often found in local circulars and newspapers, using coupons can add up to some significant savings.
Make a grocery list. Grocery lists can keep you on track financially in the midst of temptation, saving you from overspending on snacks and unneeded ingredients.
Make coffee at home. Coffee runs add up quickly, but it would be hard to get through the workweek without it. Instead of running to the coffee shop, try making coffee at home and bringing it to work in an insulated thermos.
Bring lunch to work. If you areeating out for lunch every day, your finances are more than likely feeling the pressure. Why not try giving them a break and pack last night’s leftovers instead?
Have date nights at home. Date nights can be an important part of staying connected with your partner and you shouldn’t have to sacrifice them. Finding alternative date night ideas, like cooking dinner together at home, can help you rack in the savings.
Try a meal delivery service.Meal delivery services will deliver pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes straight to your door. Home Chef is just one option, offering meals that take as little as five minutes to prepare. Plus, whether you’re looking to cut back on meat, carbs, calories, or more, Home Chef has options for you.
Cut back on subscriptions – We live in a world overrun by subscription services. It can be easy to sign up for a bunch and then never use half of them.
10. Save money on insurance
Protecting the ones you love is always a priority. In 2023, why not make it a goal to do so, while also keeping more of your hard-earned money in your bank account? I’ve found that one of the best ways to do this is by saving money on insurance.
11. Define your long-term financial goals
Sometimes you get so caught up in your present financial situation that you forget to plan for the future. Setting long-termfinancial goals is an exciting way to keep yourself on track and to ensure that your money is working for you.
Long-term financial goals vary depending on the person and the state of their finances. These goals could include saving for retirement, a downpayment on your future home, or even saving for that trip that you have always wanted to take. After you have defined your financial goals, it is time to start planning for how and when you will reach them.
I like to organize my long-term financial goals into my monthly and yearly household budget. This allows me and my husband to aggressively work towards our goals.
12. Track your expenses
Implementing this habit in my household was easy. My husband and I decided to ask for receipts with every purchase, ensuring that we don’t miss any expenses. After making a purchase and returning home, we began recording the totals on our receipts into monthly spending categories. These include areas of spending like groceries, entertainment, and gas.
Knowing how much we spend each month allows us to not only make a more accurate budget but also plan for the future. Keeping track of your expenses gives you a reference to look back at when creating a budget, including utility bills that may change due to the seasons.
If you have a mortgage, chances are that you would like to get rid of it. Well,making extra principal mortgage payments in 2023 could help you be free from it faster!
Those who can afford to put extra money towards their mortgage, but don’t, are missing out on some major savings. If you pay your mortgage for the life of your original loan, you could end up paying nearly as much in interest as you do for your home itself.
For example:
A $150,000, 30-year mortgage with an interest rate of 4.5% will cost a total of $273,610 by the end of thirty years. This means that $123,610 of your payments have been made towards interest.
If you take the same mortgage, but pay an extra $100 monthly, you would save $29,723.18 and shorten your loan by six years and four months.
If you want to make paying down your mortgage a priority in 2023, simpleloan pay-off calculators can help you figure out how much extra money you would like to put towards your mortgage.
You could also consider refinancing your mortgage, which can provide you with a much better interest rate, which, in turn, can lower the total cost of your loan.
14. Save money with money-making and reward apps
What if I told you that you are throwing money out the window every time that you shop online? If you are shopping without a cash back app, this is most definitely true for you! And since most of us have resolved to online shopping, this extra money could be adding up quickly!
To remedy this, I like to use a cash back app. Not only do cash back apps help you save money, but they can help you make money, too!
If you are looking to save, or make, money, Swagbucks may be a great choice for you. In fact, it is the internet’s leading rewards site! For users who are hoping to save money, I recommend installing Swagbucks browser extension, the “SwagButton.”
15. Get your taxes done early
Tax season is coming and there is no need to stress about it. Getting yourtaxes done early in 2023 can help put your mind at ease and save you from taking an extra trip out of the house. You may even find yourself with your return in hand faster than if you wait until closer to the deadline!
Filing taxes can be complicated. Luckily, there are great tax preparation companies that can help make filing a breeze and answer many of your tax questions – you can find a list of our favorites here.
Summary
The end of 2021 is fast approaching and it’s time to start thinking about the resolutions that you’ll make for 2023. While many of us – myself included – typically resolve to follow a healthier lifestyle, we sometimes forget to think about our financial health.
As 2021 comes to a close, start thinking about what you can do to make your finances stronger, because we never know when a financially challenging year will hit again.
A reverse mortgage may help older Americans who find they need more money in retirement. It’s common for inflation and rising medical costs to be issues. A reverse mortgage allows them to convert some of their home’s equity into cash, which can benefit their financial situation.
Protections established over the past few years by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) focus on lowering the risk previously associated with reverse mortgages. What’s more, the federal and state governments have taken aim at deceptive marketing practices that can minimize the complex aspects of reverse mortgage agreements.
That said, it’s wise to proceed with caution. There are still considerable cons to reverse mortgages, and borrowers may be unaware of the finer points. One important fact: It is possible to lose one’s home if you don’t comply with all the loan terms. Take a closer look at this topic here.
Why Do People Choose a Reverse Mortgage?
A reverse mortgage allows qualifying homeowners age 62 and older to convert part of the equity they’ve built up in their primary residence into money they can use to pay off their existing mortgage or for any other expenses that come up in retirement (from health-care costs to home repairs).
The big selling point for reverse mortgages is that the loan usually doesn’t have to be paid back until the last borrower, co-borrower, or eligible non-borrowing spouse dies, moves away, or sells the home. And when it is time to repay the loan, neither the borrower nor any of the borrower’s heirs will be expected to pay back more than the home is worth.
Main Types of Reverse Mortgages
There are three basic types of reverse mortgages. The most common is a home equity conversion mortgage (HECM), which is the only reverse mortgage insured by the U.S. government and is available only through an FHA-approved lender. An HECM can be used for anything, but there are limits on how much a homeowner can borrow.
There are also proprietary reverse mortgages, which are private loans that may have fewer restrictions than HECMs — including how much a homeowner can borrow.
And there are single-purpose reverse mortgages, which are typically offered by nonprofit organizations or state or local government agencies that may limit how the funds can be used. Most of the time, when someone refers to a reverse mortgage, though, they’re talking about an HECM.
Reverse Mortgage Terms to Know
There are safeguards in the reverse mortgage process that protect borrowers, but there are also loan terms borrowers are required to uphold or risk defaulting and potentially triggering a mortgage foreclosure. They include:
Staying Current With Ongoing Costs
Borrowers must stay up to date on property taxes, homeowners insurance, homeowners association fees, and other costs, or they could risk defaulting on the loan. An assessment of a borrower’s ability to pay for those ongoing expenses is part of the reverse mortgage application process, and if it looks as though money might be tight, a lender may require a borrower to set up a reserve fund, called a “set-aside,” for those costs. (In this way, it’s akin to an emergency fund, which is there to cover expenses if needed.)
Maintaining Full-Time Residency
Borrowers (and eligible non-borrowers) must use the home as their primary residence — the home they occupy for most of the year. If they move out of the house or leave the home for more than six months, or receive care at a nursing home or assisted living facility for more than 12 consecutive months, it could result in the lender calling the loan due and payable.
The lender also may choose to accelerate the loan if the borrower sells the home or transfers the title to someone else, or if the borrower dies and the property isn’t the principal residence of a surviving borrower.
Keeping the Home in Good Repair
Because the home is collateral and may have to be sold to repay the loan, lenders may require borrowers to do basic maintenance that will help the property keep its value (e.g., repairing a leaky roof or fixing a problem with the electrical system). If an inspector feels the home is not being properly maintained, the lender could take action.
What Happens If a Reverse Mortgage Borrower Defaults?
If the homeowners default, the first thing that could happen is that future loan payments may be stopped. And if the problem isn’t corrected within the lender’s stated timeline, the loan may become due and payable, which means the money the lender has distributed to the borrower, plus any interest and fees that have accrued, must be repaid. In that case, the borrower typically has four options:
• They can pay the balance in full and keep their home.
• They can sell the home for the lesser of the balance or 95% of the appraised value and use the proceeds to pay off the loan.
• They can sign the property back to the lender.
• They can allow the lender to begin foreclosure.
No matter what the homeowners decide to do, the process could take months to complete. HECM lenders may offer borrowers additional time to fix the problem that put them into default, or the borrowers may qualify for extensions or a repayment plan.
But in the meantime, there could be other implications — if the homeowners are no longer getting money they need to pay their bills or if the lender reports the default to credit monitoring agencies — that could affect the homeowners’ credit scores.
A Few Alternatives to Consider
The advertisements some lenders use to sell their reverse mortgages can be convincing, and some seniors may see these loans as a convenient way to get some extra cash or as a much-needed lifeline.
But, as with any financial decision, there are advantages and disadvantages — and alternatives — to be considered. There are other ways homeowners may be able to get help that could be less complicated and less limiting than a reverse mortgage.
Here are a few options:
• Borrowers may wish to tap into their home’s equity with a traditional home equity loan or home equity line of credit. They’ll have to make monthly payments, and their income and credit history will be considered when they apply, but the terms may be more flexible and the overall cost may be lower than a reverse mortgage. Because the home is used as collateral, there’s still a risk of foreclosure.
• Low interest-rate personal loans might be another option for homeowners who qualify for a competitive interest rate based on their income and credit. Borrowers who don’t have much equity in their home may choose to look into this type of loan, which is unsecured and is paid out in a lump sum. While foreclosure is not a worry with a personal loan, there still may be consequences to the borrower’s credit rating if they don’t uphold the loan terms.
• Borrowers who are struggling to keep up with their bills in retirement may find that refinancing a mortgage with a new, lower-cost mortgage might be an option to help them lower their monthly payments and stay on track with their budget.
Or, if they need extra cash right away and can get a low enough interest rate, they may want to look into a “cash-out refinance,” which would involve taking out a new loan for a larger amount based on the equity they’ve built up during the years they’ve lived in the home.
Unfortunately, no matter which type of loan homeowners might choose, there could be risks.
The government requires a counseling session for reverse mortgage borrowers for a reason: They’re complex, and it can be helpful to have someone cover all the rules and costs involved.
Homeowners also may want to pay a financial advisor and tap their expertise about what type of loan, if any, fits with their needs, goals, and where they are in their retirement.
Though reverse mortgages are available to homeowners starting at age 62, borrowers who expect to have a long retirement may choose to wait until they’re older to tap into their home equity, so they don’t risk running out of money in their later years.
How SoFi Can Help
For many retirees, the equity they have in their home is their biggest asset. Armed with knowledge about the pros and cons of each type of loan and a long-term plan, borrowers can better protect that asset and their financial security.
Looking for an affordable option for a home mortgage loan? SoFi can help: We offer low down payments (as little as 3% – 5%*) with our competitive and flexible home mortgage loans. Plus, applying is extra convenient: It’s online, with access to one-on-one help.
SoFi Mortgages: Simple, smart, and so affordable.
SoFi Mortgages Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information.
SoFi Loan Products SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.
*SoFi requires PMI for conforming home loans with a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio greater than 80%. As little as 3% down payments are for qualifying first-time homebuyers only. 5% minimum applies to other borrowers. Minimum down payment varies by loan type.
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.
External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.
Inside: Working mothers face many challenges when balancing work and family life. This guide offers the best jobs for moms. Find out how to maximize your career opportunities while raising children.
Moms often feel like they can’t have a successful career and be a good moms at the same time.
I completely feel that way too. I struggled to be a stay-at-home mom when my kids were little because I wanted to help out financially to help pay down debt. It took me a few years, but I soon realized there are great ways to make a mom and be a great mom!
I have uncovered plenty of jobs for moms with no degree that offers flexible hours, good pay, and satisfying work.
The best jobs for moms with no degree are ones that offer flexibility, good pay, and room for growth.
It can be tough to balance family and career, but it is possible to find a job that fits your lifestyle.
Here are the best jobs for moms with no degree or with a degree.
What jobs are good as a mom?
As a mom, finding a job that allows for flexibility and growth can be challenging, especially if you don’t have a college degree.
However, there are still plenty of opportunities out there that can help you balance your family and career.
Most importantly, you need to find a job that you LOVE! An environment that you thrive in!
With flexible schedules, remote work options, and potential for growth, these jobs can provide the stability and income moms need while still being able to prioritize their families.
Whether you’re looking for a part-time job or a full-time career, there are plenty of opportunities out there for moms.
This post may contain affiliate links, which helps us to continue providing relevant content and we receive a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the full disclosure here.
Are you passionate about words and reading?
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What are the best careers for current stay-at-home moms?
Stay-at-home moms face the challenge of balancing their family responsibilities with the desire to pursue a career.
With the high cost of child care, you need to find a job that allows you to take your kids or one that offers flexibility to work around your kid’s schedules.
Hello- that is me! I am a blogger and day trader when I’m not taxing my kids around.
Your best bet is to check out how to make money online for beginners. That is where you will find the most job options that can be done from home or offer flexible schedules, making it possible to have the best of both worlds.
What are the best careers for former stay-at-home moms?
Returning to the workforce after being a stay-at-home mom can be a daunting task, but there are many careers that are best suited for moms.
You still want careers that offer flexibility, high earning potential, and a good work-life balance.
You need to consider your previous employment, any education or certificates you hold, or skills and/or interests.
As such, the answer will vary for each person reading this post. So, consider any one of these past ideas.
Best Jobs for Moms
There are plenty of great jobs for working moms.
The key is to find a position that offers the right mix of income, hours, and flexibility.
Preferably, you want a low-stress job that pays well without a degree.
Here are jobs to consider if you’re a working mom with no degree.
1. Web developer
Web development is a highly flexible and lucrative career option that is ideal for working moms who may not have a college degree. With the ability to work remotely or part-time, web development is a perfect fit for moms who need a flexible schedule.
This field is rapidly growing and in high demand, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a career change.
To become a successful web developer, proficiency in programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is essential. Additionally, knowledge of website design and development tools is crucial to create visually appealing and functional websites.
The skills required for web development can be learned through online courses or boot camps, making it accessible to anyone with an interest in technology and design.
Benefits:
Many web developers work from home or have flexible schedules, making it easier for moms to balance work and family life.
The demand for web developers is expected to grow, making it a stable and secure career option.
Web development is a field that allows for creativity and self-expression.
Pay: The salary for a web developer varies greatly on experience, but it is possible to make six figures.
2. Customer Service Representative
Customer service representative is an excellent career option for working moms who do not hold a college degree.
As a customer service representative, you will be the primary point of contact between customers and the organization, providing information about products and services, taking orders, responding to customer complaints, and processing returns.
You can work from home part-time or full-time, and many times the work takes place remotely. To succeed in this role, you will need to have strong communication and negotiation skills, patience, and the ability to multitask.
Benefits:
The work environment is flexible, and you can work from the comfort of your home.
Job offers great work-life balance and schedule options, making it an ideal choice for working moms.
Pay: As a customer service representative, you can expect to make from minimum wage to $20 an hour.
3. Proofreader
Being a proofreader can be a rewarding and fulfilling career for individuals who have a way with words and a keen eye for grammar. As a proofreader, your primary responsibility would be to review and correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors in various types of written content, such as books, websites, and social media posts.
Moreover, the earning potential as a proofreader can be quite lucrative. For instance, Caitlin Pyle, a successful proofreader, made $43,000 in one year working part-time.
To get started as a proofreader, it is important to develop the necessary skills. You can start by attending a free introductory workshop or enrolling in a course that teaches the skills needed to become a freelance proofreader.
Benefits:
Great flexibility as you work on a project basis.
The significant earning potential in the field of proofreading, especially for those who are dedicated and skilled in their craft.
Rewarding career path for individuals with a passion for language and a meticulous eye for detail.
Pay: In terms of salary, the median pay for a proofreader ranges from $15.22 to $26 an hour, depending on experience and the project you are working on. Many other proofreaders earn between $1,000 to $4,000 per month.
4. Flight Attendant
A flight attendant is a career that does not require a college degree but extensive training and certification. It is an ideal job for working moms due to its non-traditional scheduling that allows them to work part-time, take extended periods off, and get out of the house.
Flight attendants can take on trips when they know they have child care covered, and stay at home for days at a time.
Benefits:
Enjoy the perks of travel.
Flexible schedules.
Great health benefits.
Pay: The pay ranges by airline, but the median salary is $65000 per year.
5. Blogger
For moms who are looking for a flexible work-from-home job that doesn’t require a degree, becoming a blogger could be the perfect fit.
With the rise of the internet, there is an increasing demand for content writers and bloggers. These jobs allow you to work from home, set your own schedule, and choose the topics you want to write about. Additionally, these jobs don’t require a degree, making them accessible to anyone who has a passion for writing and a way with words.
Blogging is another option for those who want to write about specific topics they are passionate about and share their insights with others.
Benefits:
Be your own boss.
Flexibility blogging offers – work as much or as little as you want.
Work from home.
Choose the topics you want to write about.
Pay: As a blogger, you are creating passive income through ads, affiliating marketing, and paid sponsorships.
6. Engineer
Returning to work as a mom can be a challenging transition, but leveraging your engineering degree can open up a range of opportunities for you. With your technical skills and problem-solving abilities, there are several career paths that can offer a healthy work-life balance and flexibility to accommodate your family responsibilities.
Here are ways to utilize your degree and still have the flexibility you crave:
Pursue freelance work in your field. As a freelance engineer, you have the freedom to determine your own schedule and take on projects that align with your interests and availability. Platforms like Upwork provide a space for engineers to connect with clients and offer their services on a project basis. This allows you to work on engineering projects from the comfort of your own home, giving you the flexibility to balance work and family life.
Explore part-time or remote positions with engineering firms or companies that value work-life balance. Many engineering firms recognize the importance of accommodating working parents and offer flexible work arrangements. With your engineering background, you can contribute to projects and collaborate with teams remotely, allowing you to work from home and adjust your schedule to meet the needs of your family.
Pursue a career in technical writing or content creation. Many companies and organizations require technical documentation, manuals, and instructional materials to accompany their products or services. With your engineering background, you can leverage your expertise to create clear and concise technical content.
Work as an engineering consultant. As a consultant, you can offer your specialized knowledge and expertise to clients on a project basis. Consulting also provides the opportunity to work remotely or have a flexible work arrangement, making it an ideal option for moms returning to work.
By expanding your knowledge and skill set, you can position yourself for more opportunities and increase your marketability in the engineering field.
Benefits:
This can be done on a freelance basis or as a remote employee, allowing you to work from home and have more control over your schedule.
Take on projects that align with your skills and interests.
Have a fulfilling career that allows you to balance work and motherhood successfully.
Pay: Additionally, engineering offers high earning potential, which can help support a family and provide financial stability. Most engineers earn over $100000 a year.
7. Virtual Assistant
For working moms with no degree, finding a job that balances well with their family life can be a challenge. However, virtual assistant jobs can be the perfect solution.
As a virtual assistant with no experience, you can work from home, set your own schedule, and earn a good income.
A virtual assistant provides administrative support remotely, handling tasks such as email and social media management, scheduling appointments, data collection, customer service, and event planning. The skills required for this job include strong multi-tasking, organizational, and time-management skills, as well as basic computer skills.
Here is a virtual assistant checklist to see if you would enjoy this job possibility.
Benefits:
Be the boss of your own schedule.
Build your own small business if you desire.
Earn significant income
Pay: Most virtual assistants can earn $21 an hour or more pending experience.
8. Teacher
Teaching can be an excellent option for moms who want to work in a field that values education and have the same schedule as their kids.
Plus you can take on one of these summer jobs for teachers to extra cash.
Another option is to become a teacher’s aide that assists teachers in the classroom, helping with tasks such as grading papers, supervising students, and preparing materials. To become a teacher’s aide, you need to have a high school diploma or GED.
Benefits:
Same work hours as your children.
Work in a field that values empathy and care for children, while also providing financial stability and work-life balance.
Most teacher retirement plans are well worth working your full 30 years for that ongoing income post-retirement.
Pay: Unfortunately, teachers are one of the lowest paid salaries for the fantastic work they do. Find out if teachers get paid in the summer.
9. Substitute teacher
Substitute teaching can be an excellent job option for working moms who don’t have a degree. It offers flexibility, a chance to get teaching experience, and a decent daily rate of pay.
A substitute teacher fills in for full-time teachers when they are absent.
This experience can be helpful if you decide to pursue a permanent teaching position in the future.
Benefits:
Allows you to work when your schedule permits. You can note your availability and work as much or as little as you like.
Gain teaching experience without committing to a full school year.
Rewarding job option for some.
Pay: As of right now, there is a shortage of teachers, so the pay for substitute teachers has increased immensely. Substitute teachers can earn a daily rate ranging from $60 to $200, depending on the school district and the region with most substitutes making $22 an hour or more.
10. Consultant
As a consultant, you can use your prior work or life experience to offer solutions and advice to clients in a wide range of areas, including sales, marketing, operations, and management.
Furthermore, consulting can be an ideal way to transition your prior work or life experience into a new career and shorten the time spent in school, making it a great option.
To become a successful consultant, you need to have strong communication skills, the ability to work independently, and experience in your field to run a successful business.
Benefits:
As a consultant, you can enjoy flexible work hours.
The potential to work from home.
Ability to control your schedule.
Pay: The hourly rate for consultants varies depending on the type of consultant and the industry, with some earning high salaries.
11. Day Trader
Swing or day trading is a popular option for individuals who want to work from home and make a living from the stock market. Day traders buy and sell securities within the same day, aiming to make a profit from small price movements.
This job requires a certain set of skills and investing knowledge, as well as specific equipment and software.
It is possible to make money with stocks fast.
Day trading can be a good option for working moms with no degree because it offers flexibility and the potential for high earnings. Personally, I love trading stocks and options. I learned from Teri Ijeoma.
Benefits:
Unlike traditional jobs, day trading allows individuals to work from home and set their own schedules.
Successful traders can make a significant amount of money, with some earning six-figure or seven-figure incomes.
While a degree is not required for day trading, I highly recommend taking this investing course to jumpstart your learning.
Pay: Widely variable as it depends on your risk. You can lose money or make $1000 a day.
12. Claims adjuster
As a claims adjuster, you will be responsible for investigating insurance claims, negotiating settlements, and collaborating with other professionals such as lawyers and medical experts. To become a claims adjuster, you will need to possess relevant experience, strong communication abilities, and proficiency in data analysis.
The work environment can be fast-paced and stressful, but the potential for career growth and the flexibility to work remotely make this an attractive option for many working moms.
Claims adjusters must also maintain accurate records and documentation of all claims activities.
Benefits:
While the work environment can be fast-paced and stressful, the potential for career growth is likely.
Flexibility to work remotely make this an attractive option for many working moms.
Pay: Claims adjusters can advance to higher positions within the insurance industry, such as senior claims adjuster or claims manager. Additionally, many claims adjusters work as independent contractors or consultants, providing even more flexibility and potential for career growth.
13. Bookkeeper
As a bookkeeper, one is responsible for monitoring a company’s cash flow by keeping track of transactions and preserving copies of receipts. The job requires great attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and an ability to analyze and interpret financial data.
This job can be done virtually, making it an excellent position for moms who want to improve their work-life balance.
Bookkeeping does not require a degree and one can earn a decent hourly pay or salary. To become a bookkeeper, one must have bookkeeping skills, which can be learned from online courses.
Benefits:
Flexible working hours, allowing them to work whenever suits them.
Great for someone who loves analytics.
Pay: Most bookkeepers enjoy relatively high hourly salaries. They can work as independent contractors or be paid as a salaried employee.
14. Nanny
Being a nanny is an excellent option for moms who want to balance work and family life.
As a nanny, you would be responsible for taking care of children, cooking, cleaning, and running errands. The best part about being a nanny is the flexible hours, which allow you to work part-time or full-time while still being present for your family.
Finding a job that allows moms to work while still being present for their families is crucial, and being a nanny provides the perfect solution.
Benefits:
Be able to care for your own children at the same time.
Find a nanny job that works for your circumstances.
Stay young and playful while working with kids!
Pay: The pay varies widely for a nanny, but once you have experience and great references, you can earn good money.
15. Marketing Specialist
Marketing can be an excellent job choice for moms looking for flexibility, potential job growth, and the opportunity to work remotely. With the advancement of digital marketing, moms can now pursue a career in marketing without having to leave their homes or work in a traditional office setting.
As a digital marketer, there are various specializations and skills that can be honed to advance in the field. These include SEO (search engine optimization), web development, content creation, and marketing strategies.
By continuously learning and improving these skills, moms can enhance their professional reputation and open doors to new opportunities within the marketing industry.
Benefits:
Ability to work from home.
Work flexible work hours that can be adjusted to fit their family’s needs.
Digital marketing also offers potential job growth and career development.
Pay: As a marketing specialist, the pay can vary greatly if you work as a freelancer or a bigger corporation.
16. Financial Advisor
Financial advising can be an excellent career path for working moms without a degree, offering flexibility and opportunities for growth.
Honestly, I know many people who have successfully entered the workforce as financial advisors.
The first step towards becoming a financial advisor is to obtain relevant certifications and licenses, such as the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation. Once certified, financial advisors can work for a firm or start their own business, providing financial advice to clients.
Pursuing a career as a financial advisor can offer a good salary and work-life balance, making it a great option for working moms.
Benefits:
Help others pursue a life of financial independence.
Perfect for someone who loves numbers!
Pay: The pay for a financial advisor varies greatly, but the median salary is $75000 a year.
17. Writer
Becoming a writer can be a great career choice for moms who want to work from home and have a passion for writing. With flexibility, the potential for a decent income, and no degree required, it’s an accessible and rewarding career path.
Highly recommended to take this writing course to jumpstart your networking opportunities.
As a writer, you can work as a content writer, staff writer, or freelance writer.
Content writers produce content for websites, such as blogs, news aggregators, and e-commerce sites.
Staff writers write articles for publications, such as magazines or newspapers.
Freelance writers write for clients without being permanent employees.
What’s more important is having a way with words, strong research skills, and a passion for writing.
Benefits:
Flexibility to work on a story when you are able to.
For those with a love of English, this is a great way to express yourself.
Pay: While the average hourly rate for writers and bloggers varies, it’s possible to earn a decent income in these fields.
17. Social Media Specialist
As a social media specialist, you will manage social media accounts, create and post content, increase engagement, analyze data, and monitor social media. This role requires skills such as graphic design, writing appealing content, an eye for design, and flexibility.
Moms possess many of these skills naturally, such as multitasking, creativity, and communication. These skills can be applied to social media management, including content creation, scheduling, and community management.
Social media management is also a growing field. As a result, this job can provide moms with a stable income and career growth opportunities while allowing them to prioritize their family life.
Benefits:
Great for those who personally love social media.
Easy to work anywhere.
Pay: With an average salary of $52000 a year, this job can be done from home, making it a perfect fit for moms.
18. Human resources manager
Work-life balance is crucial for working moms, and a career as a human resources manager can provide just that.
Human resources managers are responsible for managing employee benefits, overseeing hiring processes, and handling employee relations. This job offers flexibility, including the ability to work remotely or part-time.
A career in human resources management can positively impact a working mom’s family life by providing a consistent schedule that doesn’t involve weekends or holidays.
Benefits:
HR managers are in high demand in many industries, as every organization requires HR expertise to manage its workforce effectively.
Opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Make a positive impact on employees’ lives.
Ample networking opportunities with employees, upper management, and external stakeholders.
Pay: Human resource managers often receive competitive salaries, with average annual earnings exceeding $120,000.
19. Sell on Printables on Etsy
In recent years, the demand for printable products has grown tremendously, making Etsy a great platform for working moms without a degree to earn a steady income from home.
Printables are digital files that customers can download and print at home, such as wall art, planners, calendars, and invitations.
The best part is that once you create a printable, you can sell it repeatedly without having to invest more time or money.
Check out the list of the most popular printables you can create.
Benefits:
A flexible job that allows you to work from home and set your own hours.
Earn a steady income from a single printable, which means you can focus on creating new products and growing your business.
Able to start s small business.
Pay: This is a passive income. Learn how much these sellers have made.
20. Retail associate
Many moms become retail associates to get a discount from the retailer!
Working in retail can be a rewarding and dynamic career choice. Retail jobs are generally physically demanding, as employees are often on their feet for long periods and may need to lift and move heavy items.
The nature of retail work can also be stressful, especially during busy periods such as holidays or sales events. However, it can also be an opportunity to develop and utilize various skills, particularly when interacting with customers.
Benefits:
Working part-time hours while your children are at school.
Discounts to the retailer you work.
Flexible scheduling hours.
Pay: This is a minimum wage job earning $13 an hour to $18 an hour.
21. Nursing
Nursing is a fulfilling career for moms who enjoy taking care of others.
While most nursing positions require a degree, there are also entry-level jobs available for those without a degree. Certified nursing assistant (CNA) and licensed practical nurse (LPN) are two such positions.
Both positions require certification and training, which can be completed in a matter of months. Pursuing a career in nursing as a working mom without a degree offers the flexibility to balance work and family while also providing the opportunity for career advancement.
Benefits:
Flexible scheduling around what works best for your family.
Ability to work part-time or full-time.
Great career option to take fewer hours while your children are little and more hours when they are in school.
Pay: The average hourly rate for nursing varies depending on where you work. Most certified nurses make between $32 an hour to $50 an hour.
22. Transcriber
As a transcriber, you will listen to audio files and create a document that contains an accurate record of what was said. This is one of the best jobs for moms with no degree, as most transcription companies just require you to pass their test before they give you work.
To become a successful transcriber, you will need fast typing skills, attention to detail, and the ability to sit for long periods of time. You may also need to purchase special transcribing equipment, depending on the company you work for. Most transcription jobs will require the ability to type 75 WPM or more.
This is a great non phone work from home job.
With the right skills and tools, you can become a successful transcriber and earn a decent income. So if you are a fast typer with an eye for detail, consider taking a free mini-course to find out if this is the right job for you.
Benefits:
Transcription jobs from home are available remotely and work as many hours as you want.
Set your own schedule.
Make money by meeting deadlines.
Pay: Generally, transcriptionists earn around $19 per hour in the US, but this can be more depending on your employer.
23. Graphic Designer
Graphic design is an excellent job for working moms with no degree, as it allows for significant flexibility in working hours and can be done from home.
As a graphic designer, you will be responsible for creating logos, designing websites, and developing marketing materials such as brochures and flyers. To succeed in this field, you’ll need to be creative, detail-oriented, and able to work with clients to meet their specific needs.
Benefits:
Balance their family responsibilities with a fulfilling and rewarding career.
Perfect to showcase your creative side.
Pay: With a median annual wage of $48000 per year, graphic design is a lucrative career that offers plenty of room for growth and advancement.
24. Online Coach
Being an online coach is a great job for individuals who are looking to earn money online without a degree. While some online coaches do gain certifications, it is not always necessary.
There are several types of coaching fields to enter, including career coaching, life coaching, health coaching, family coaching, and fitness coaching. It is advisable to choose a field that you have experience in or feel comfortable handling.
As a life coach, for example, you can assist clients in achieving their goals, dealing with self-esteem issues, or working on relationships.
Benefits:
Freedom to set your own schedule and work from home, which allows you to balance work and family responsibilities.
Potential to earn a good income, especially if you specialize in a high-demand niche and build a strong client base.
Viable career option for working moms without a degree.
Work remotely from their computers and communicate with clients online.
Pay: Most coaches make between $30 an hour – 100 an hour pending experience.
25. Counselor
Counseling is indeed a vital service that plays a crucial role in helping individuals and families overcome difficult challenges.
As a counselor, you work closely with clients to address various issues and support them in achieving their personal and professional goals.
Counselors can work in diverse settings, including private practices, mental health centers, schools, substance abuse centers, or government institutions. This allows for a wide range of opportunities and flexibility in terms of work environment and schedule. Additionally, advancements in technology have made it possible for counselors to provide their services online, further expanding the accessibility and convenience of counseling.
Benefits:
Flexibility to work part-time or full-time.
Making a positive impact on the lives of others and contributing to their well-being is a significant aspect of counseling that attracts many individuals, including moms, to pursue this profession.
Offers a fulfilling and financially rewarding career path.
Pay: The average hourly rate for counselors is $39 an hour.
Other Jobs Options to Consider:
Home Health Aide: Care for patients in their own homes. Many opportunities for part-time work.
Personal Care Aide: Assist clients with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and grooming. Flexible schedules are available.
Event Planner: Plan and organize events such as weddings, conferences, and parties. Can often work on a freelance or contract basis.
Photographer: Take photographs for a variety of purposes such as weddings, events, or marketing materials. Can often work on a freelance basis.
Personal Trainer: Help clients achieve fitness goals through exercise and nutrition coaching. Can often work on a freelance or contract basis.
House Cleaner: Clean homes or businesses on a regular basis. Offers flexibility in terms of schedule and workload.
Online Tutor: This job involves teaching students online in various subjects. Skills required include teaching ability, subject expertise, and communication. To balance work and family life, set a schedule and prioritize family time.
Translator: This job involves translating written or spoken content from one language to another. Skills required include fluency in multiple languages, attention to detail, and communication. To balance work and family life, set a schedule and prioritize family time.
Pet Sitter/Dog Walker: This job involves caring for pets while their owners are away. Skills required include love for animals, responsibility, and time management. To balance work and family life, set a schedule and communicate with clients to ensure availability.
Personal Shopper: This job involves shopping for clients and delivering their purchases. Skills required include organization, communication, and time management. To balance work and family life, set a schedule and communicate with clients to ensure availability.
What to consider when choosing a job for working moms without a degree?
Working mothers without a degree face many challenges when it comes to finding a job.
They need to find a balance between their family and career commitments, and they also need to find a job that is flexible enough to accommodate their schedule. Here are the things to consider when looking for a new job.
1. Hours and Shiftwork
For working moms being able to control their own schedules allows them to be present for their children’s needs while also earning an income is extremely important. It is important to consider the hours you have available to dedicate to a job along with the shiftwork necessary when choosing a job.
Think about whether you want to go part-time or full-time.
Also, weekend shifts are also an option for those who need to work around their family’s schedule. Even better, remote work has become increasingly popular and offers even more flexibility.
2. Salary
Salary considerations play a significant role in achieving this stability a mom desires.
It is essential to explore different salary options and negotiate to ensure that you are being fairly compensated for your skills and experience.
Consider starting salary, the potential for growth, benefits packages, and negotiation when exploring job options.
3. Responsibility and Stress
As any working mom can tell you, being a working mom can be an incredibly stressful experience. Mothers often have to balance their work responsibilities with household chores and childcare, which can be overwhelming.
Finding a job that balances responsibility and stress is crucial for working moms to maintain their mental and physical health, and to be able to provide for their families.
4. Level of Education Required
As a working mom, it is important to consider the level of education required when choosing a job.
Plus, it is crucial to research job requirements and considers personal interests and skills when selecting a job. By doing so, working moms can find a job that offers flexibility, decent pay, and job satisfaction.
5. Professional Licenses and Certifications
Obtaining, professional licenses and certifications is an excellent way for working moms without a degree to increase their job opportunities, earn higher salaries, and improve job security.
These certifications and licenses are often required for specific industries, such as healthcare, education, and law enforcement.
With so many options available, it’s important for working moms to explore the various certifications and licenses that are relevant to their industry and career goals.
6. Work-Life Balance
Balancing work and family life is a challenge for anyone, but it can be particularly daunting for working moms.
However, there are several factors to consider when choosing a job that can help achieve a work-life balance:
Flexible Work Hours: A job with flexible work hours can help working moms without a degree balance their work and family responsibilities. This can include part-time work, remote work, or jobs that allow for flexible scheduling.
Remote Work Options: Remote work can be an excellent option for working moms without a degree who need to work from home.
Company Culture: A supportive company culture can make all the difference for working moms. Look for companies that offer family-friendly policies such as paid time off, flexible work schedules, and on-site childcare.
By prioritizing work-life balance, working moms can achieve success in both their personal and professional lives.
7. Vacation and Time Off
For working moms without a degree, vacation and time off are crucial benefits to consider when evaluating a potential job offer.
Here are three factors to consider when reviewing a company’s vacation and time off policy:
The number of vacation days offered, including paid time off for sick days and personal days.
The flexibility of the policy, such as the ability to take time off for family emergencies or unexpected events.
The potential for extended leave, such as maternity or paternity leave.
8. Career Advancement
When considering a job as a mom, career advancement is an important consideration. It is essential to choose an employer and a job that offers opportunities for growth and progression in your chosen field.
Advancing in your career not only allows you to achieve personal and professional goals but also provides financial stability and job satisfaction.
Don’t underestimate the power of setting clear career goals and actively working towards them.
By investing in your skills, building a strong network, and setting clear career goals, you can pave the way for a successful and fulfilling career as a mom.
9. Job Security
Job security is especially significant for working moms, who may face more challenges in finding and keeping a job.
Typically, working moms are limited in their job options.
So, look for careers that provide financial security as well as companies with a solid track history.
This is the perfect side hustle if you don’t have much time, experience, or money.
Many earn over $10,000 in a year selling printables on Etsy. Learn how to get started by watching this free workshop.
If you’ve ever wanted to make a full-time income while working from home, you’re in the right place!
This intensive training combines thousands of hours of research, years of experience in growing a virtual assistant business, and the power of a coach who has helped thousands of students launch and grow their own business from scratch.
FAQ
You can search for remote jobs, part-time jobs, or freelance gigs.
You can also look for companies that have flexible policies in place. Also, reach out to your network and ask if anyone knows of any openings that are flexible.
Stay-at-home moms can find a variety of jobs that can be done from home and offer flexibility to work around their schedule. Here are some of the options available:
Working from home offers the benefit of having a better work-life balance and the ability to be present for their families while still earning an income.
Which Job for Moms will You Choose?
For moms who want to balance family and career, finding a job that offers work-life balance and career growth is crucial.
Not only can working increase income, but it can also lead to career advancement and personal fulfillment.
Above, we listed many great jobs for moms. You can choose a job that allows you to work from home, or one that provides flexible hours. Also, many moms like me prefer one of these early morning jobs.
Whatever you choose, make sure you find a job that you enjoy and that allows you to spend time with your family.
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!
When you’re a smoker, there is such a wide range of insurance company attitudes toward smoking that it pays to find out which ones have good rates for smokers.
For cigar smokers, there are additional criteria that you can meet in order to get a better rate on life insurance.
Occasional Cigar Smoking
To get life insurance for cigar smokers, it certainly pays to look into as many life insurance companies, like Banner Life Insurance, to find one that makes a distinction between cigar and cigarette smoking. Though there is generally little difference between the rates for cigarette and cigar smoker rates if you smoke cigars daily, there are many companies that look at the occasional cigar differently than regular cigar smoking.
Being labeled as a tobacco user is a general label that many insurance companies will give you no matter how often you smoke. However, there are some companies that consider the occasional cigar, such as one per week or per month, in a different category. With this type of life insurance for smokers, you aren’t given the standard tobacco rate that is generally double the non-smoker rate.
When you smoke the occasional cigar, your medical test can still show that you are free from nicotine. If you smoke cigars occasionally, you may be subject to urine or blood testing to ensure that you test nicotine free. You must also disclose that you occasionally smoke cigars when you fill out the application as well as other conditions affecting you health. When applying for life insurance, honestly is always the best policy, even if you only smoke a couple cigars a year, telling the agent will save you time and frustration later.
Some insurance companies offer non-tobacco rates for applicants who smoke the occasional cigar.
Others have special rates just for people who don’t smoke cigarettes and who smoke cigars. Whether that means the occasional cigar or regular cigar smoking will vary with the individual company. However, applicants must generally test negative for nicotine when they are given a urine test in order to get these special rates on life insurance for cigar smokers.
If you’re an occasional cigar smoker (only on special occasions or a couple a month), you may have received unreasonably high monthly premiums. If you’ve received a life insurance quote that made your jaw drop, but it doesn’t have to be this way. You probably just contacted the wrong company.
You need to find an insurance carrier who has a lot of experience working with cigar smokers. Each company is going to use different standards for cigar smokers. It’s important to find the perfect company that works for you.
Aside from finding experienced agents, it’s important that you receive quotes from several companies before you decide on one. More than likely the first quote that you receive from a company isn’t going to be the lowest. Make sure to get several before you pick one. While you could spend hours on the phone answering the same questions over and over, we can do all the work for you. Fill out the simple quote form and we can compile the lowest rates possible.
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A Life Insurance Policy can benefit everyone in the family.
A life insurance policy is the safety net your family deserves. You never want to use it, but better to have it just in case. Just imagine if it wasn’t there. Your family would be falling into a mount of debt.
Once you decide which company is going to fit your needs the best, the next decision is determining how much life insurance you need. It’s important to find the perfect balance of having enough money to cover your family, and not paying too much in monthly premiums. Your plan size is going to be a significant factor in calculating your monthly payments. So, how do you figure out how much you need? There are several different things for you to consider that can help you decide how much life insurance you need. You’ll need to look at how much debt you have and how many people rely on your annual income.
Before you buy a high risk life insurance plan, sit down at look at your debts you would leave behind if you were to die tomorrow (cheery thought, right?). You would add all of it up since the total is a great starting point. A very important point is to make sure to calculate mortgage, car payments, student loans (or student loans you could have in the future), credit card payments, and funeral expenses into your total.
The other thing that you have to look at is how much people rely on your annual income to meet their basic necessities. If you have a spouse and children that use your salary as their main source of support, then losing it can have devastating effects on the family or those who benefit from the policy. If you don’t have anyone other than yourself that uses your income, then you can consider taking out a smaller policy and saving money every month. For example, if your spouse works and your children have already moved out of the house, then a smaller policy is probably a better idea.
You know there is really no magic number regarding how much whole or term life insurance you should purchase, but most experts suggest getting at least ten times your annual salary. This might seem like a little much, but it will give your family enough money.
Everyone has at least one dresser in their apartment. You’ve got to put your clothes somewhere. Typically, like most bedroom furniture, dressers are both large and heavy. You have these two elements working against it when you decide it’s time to move them yourself.
Yes, the more hands-on an item the easier to move, but grabbing a friend to hold up one end while you handle the other isn’t always possible. Neither is the luxury of hiring professional movers to do the job for you.
Simply sliding an entire dresser across the floor isn’t usually a good idea, so you need to know how to handle large or heavy furniture safely. This goes beyond the basics of always making sure you can see where you’re going, lifting with your legs and keeping your body straight.
Assuming you can’t hire experienced furniture movers to handle heavy furniture, here’s how to move a heavy dresser all by yourself.
Prepare yourself for moving heavy furniture
Before you even think of moving that bedroom furniture around, you need to prepare yourself and your home. Start by ensuring there’s a path from where your dresser is now to where it needs to end up. If there’s anything in the way, clear that out first. You need enough space to safely maneuver.
Next, measure any doorways your heavy load will have to get through. Make sure the dresser will fit. If you’re heading to a moving truck, don’t forget to measure the front door as well.
Lastly, pick your clothes carefully. You’ll need closed-toe shoes for sure to protect your feet, but you also want shoes with a no-slip grip on the bottom to keep you sturdy for dealing with heavy objects of any kind. Your outfit should consist of light and loose clothing; anything less is likely to get ripped, torn or stretched when in the throes of heavy lifting.
Adding work gloves to your furniture moving ensemble will not only protect your hands but prevent any sweat from weakening your grip on your furniture.
Protect your furniture and your home
It’s relatively easy for heavy furniture to do some serious damage to your home, and that’s why professional movers will typically wrap large furniture with furniture blankets and lay thick plastic wrap on the floor when moving you out.
You may not have the right moving equipment, but you can improvise.
To protect your furniture, floors and walls from bumps, scratches and other damage, take the time to cover your dresser in a sheet or blanket before you move it. Secure the cover with packing tape.
To protect your hardwood floors, you can look into getting furniture pads to go under your dresser or simply use a flat piece of cardboard. You should have a lot of that laying around if you’re about to move to a new house anyway.
When confronting tight spaces, or maneuvering on a delicate surface, go slowly. Make frequent stops to check nothing is scraping against a wall, you still have a barrier between the furniture and the floor and you’re still in control of where the dresser is going.
Review the proper lifting technique
One more piece to consider before moving a heavy dresser is whether you know how to properly lift it. Hopefully, your strategy for moving it solo means you aren’t actually picking it up, but even lifting one corner to adjust it requires a good form.
Proper lifting technique protects your back and keeps your body safe while you’re holding something heavy. Key points to remember include:
Start with your feet facing the heavy object
Squat to lift rather than kneeling down
Use your legs to do the work as you stand
Maintain the natural curve of your back as you lift
Avoid any twisting movements while holding the heavy item
This is a good practice to remember when dealing with any furniture items that sit on the heavier side of the scale. It’s also important when moving individual boxes around.
How to move a heavy dresser
Carrying furniture, when it’s smaller and lighter, is easy. You can safely lift a furniture piece like this and walk it out to the moving truck all on your own. Heavy furniture is more complicated and requires some additional moving tools, but moving it doesn’t mean you need the help of another set of hands.
1. Begin by taking it apart (sort of)
While you’ll never make a dresser feel light, anything you can remove from it does make it lighter and easier to deal with. This is true for any heavy furniture piece, so breaking down what you can is always a good tip.
For a dresser, this could mean taking off the dresser top if that’s possible, separating a large mirror from the furniture piece if there is one or taking those dresser drawers out completely. You can leave all your clothes inside dresser drawers but carry them separately to wherever the rest of the dresser will end up. You can then slide them back into the dresser and seal them closed with painter’s tape so they don’t accidentally slide out while on the moving truck.
Don’t put anything else back onto the dresser though. Instead, use the proper packing materials to keep it all separate. For example, a dresser mirror should get wrapped up with bubble wrap, placed between two pieces of cardboard then wrapped like a present in packing paper. Use packing tape to keep your mirror secure and make sure you label it as fragile.
2. Create a little give with furniture sliders
One of the best tricks for moving furniture is to give it the ability to glide across the floor. Furniture sliders let you do this, using plastic or rubber squares. Putting the sliders underneath the corners of a heavy piece of furniture lets you push the piece with ease.
You can find furniture sliders at your local hardware store, and there are different types for both hardwood floors and carpets, so this strategy works on all flooring types.
If you do end up needing an alternative to sliders and are only moving objects on an actual floor, bedspreads, towels and even plastic container covers will work the same way. The only caveat here is you’ll need to push the furniture, you can’t pull it.
3. Move the heavy dresser using a furniture dolly
Furniture dollies are different than hand trucks. The latter is what you’ll often see when hiring movers. They’ll pull it out of the moving truck, stack a pile of boxes on it and wheel it right up the truck’s ramp.
A moving dolly is actually a flat platform of wood or metal. It has four wheels on the bottom that swivel for easy maneuvering around tight corners. For all its simplicity, a dolly can move up to 1,000 pounds of heavy furniture.
To load a furniture item onto a moving dolly on your own, first, make sure all the wheels are locked. You don’t want it to accidentally roll away from you mid-lift. Next, lift one side of the dresser and angle it onto the dolly. Go to the other side next, lift, and make sure the piece is balanced. If you’re dealing with a longer dresser, you might need two dollies, one under each end. Once secure, push it slowly so the furniture doesn’t slip off.
Although you can buy a furniture dolly from any hardware store, some moving companies will rent the equipment to you. This is probably more cost-effective since it’s not a tool you’ll use very often on average.
4. Add some wheels
Another useful piece of moving equipment designed for heavy furniture is furniture wheels. These only work for solid pieces of furniture so don’t use them with a floppy mattress or anything that doesn’t have a firm bottom.
Instead of being an entire platform, you have to lift your dresser onto, furniture moving wheels consist of a set of casters you attach to your furniture. This does require some hardware and the use of your tools, but once attached, you can quietly roll your dresser right out of the house.
In order to attach your own sliders to your dresser, start by tilting it on its side. Then, attach the wheels to the bottom and set them upright. Leave the wheels on if you’ll need them again to situate your dresser in your new home, but make sure to put the dresser back on its side within the moving vehicle. That way it won’t accidentally roll into anything else in transit.
Since this strategy also has you shifting the dresser’s position so much, it’s a good idea to wrap the piece up with furniture blankets and secure some bubble wrap on the fragile edges at each corner.
5. Try an uplifting strategy
Perhaps the coolest device to move heavy furniture has the low-key name of furniture lifter. It almost looks like a tire jack, but for your stuff. The reason it looks like this is because it’s essentially how it functions.
A furniture lifter typically comes with four sliders, a jack and lever. The jack raises the furniture enough to slide the pads underneath and then you can push the dresser where it needs to go. With this option, you never even have to partially lift the furniture to get the sliders under it.
If there are stairs
If you find that it’s up to you to move a heavy dresser downstairs to the ground floor of your home, don’t stress. You can do this too, but you will absolutely need a second person to manage this safely.
Ideal positioning down a flight of stairs puts one person below the furniture and one person above. The stronger one of the two of you belongs at the bottom, but without both people, you risk dangerously sliding a very heavy object down a flight of stairs. That’s not good for anyone or anything.
Take it nice and slow and make sure you’ve wrapped things up with moving blankets. You can even put an extra one directly on the stairs to make the sliding process easier. All furniture should be taken down on its side to ensure nothing catches on the steps.
Moving other heavy furniture
While all the strategies that make it possible for your to move a dresser alone will work with any piece of heavy furniture, there are a few other things to know.
When moving a chair, turn it sideways into an ‘L’ so you can hook the chair through any doorways or around corners. Point the back of the chair toward the opening first then you can curl it through.
When moving a heavy couch, you won’t be able to carry it horizontally through a doorway yourself. To make it work, stand couches on their end so it faces up (after you’re sure it will clear the door) and push through the door. You can lay a rug underneath to protect the floor.
Ideally a two-person device, you may also see a mattress sling advertised as a way to move your mattress. The great thing about this is it gives your mattress handles which transforms an item notoriously hard to move into something you can actually hold onto.
There are also additional pieces of moving equipment you can use to make lifting possible.
Moving straps
To move heavy furniture and keep it hands-free, look for moving straps or a shoulder dolly. They’re most likely the same thing, but these straps work to distribute the weight of lifting heavy objects across your body. so you can protect the large muscle groups in your back and legs.
There are two types of moving straps. Bigger ones hook over your shoulders, but you hold the heavy item in front. For smaller items, that still have a lot of weight, there’s also a backpack-style set of straps.
To use, you simply slide the strap under the furniture and make sure it’s securely in place.
Hand dolly
This dolly is the kind most people use to stack boxes on. However, you can also lean heavier furniture against it to wheel around as long as the furniture isn’t too tall. The height must stay below your neck so you can see where you’re going at all times.
To use, slide the bottom of the dolly underneath the furniture as far as it will go and tilt the dolly back slowly until you’ve successfully picked up the furniture. Make sure the piece won’t shift side to side as you’re moving it and consider strapping it to the dolly to keep it secure. This is a perfect time to use moving blankets since the furniture can scratch against the dolly as well as your walls.
You can move it
Getting all your heavy furniture to that new house is completely possible, and more affordable than buying new. This is true whether you’re flying solo, have enlisted a few friends or are getting things handled by a professional. All it takes is time, focus and a little extra care so you, your furniture and your old apartment stay safe and in good condition. Here’s to a happy experience moving that heavy dresser!
Some people are just impossible to shop for. Maybe they already have everything, or maybe they have everything they need.
I take minimalism to new heights, and it drives my family crazy come Christmastime. Bad news for my family; good news for you. That makes me the perfect person to walk you through this.
It’s true that hard-to-shop-for people require some extra creativity during gift-giving season. Fortunately, it’s easier than ever to buy outstanding gifts for even the most challenging recipients.
Unique Gift Ideas for Someone Who Has Everything
Forget the usual humdrum gifts. These gift ideas are customizable to your budget and recipient’s hobbies and interests. This time around, give them something they actually want, no matter their age or how difficult they are to shop for.
1. An Educational Project Subscription
There are loads of education projects available on the internet if you’d like to try your hand at DIY. But those without the time nor inclination can sign up for a one-time box or subscription service.
For example, KiwiCo is a parent- and kid-friendly subscription service that delivers enriching art and science projects right to your door each month. Simply choose an age group-based project line, pick your plan, and expect the first crate within days. You can pause or cancel anytime.
Project lines range from Panda (0 to 24 months) and Kiwi (2 to 4 years) all the way up to Eureka (12 to 100 years) and Maker (14 to 100 years). And if you don’t want a monthly commitment, you can order a one-off project crate.
2. A Fun Membership or Subscription
You can give your loved one access to a year’s worth of entertainment through a video streaming service like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, or Amazon Prime Video. If they’re a book or music lover, give them an audiobook service like Audible, or a music service like Spotify or Sirius XM.
For friends with kids, opt for a membership to a local children’s museum, kid-centered gymnasium, zoo, or aquarium. Really, you can give a membership to anything from Costco to AAA to magazine subscriptions.
A subscription box membership is an irresistible gift that keeps on giving. My Subscription Addiction is the place to find boxes for just about any interest and budget.
Not sure where to start? Choose a club or association that would mean something to your recipient, and then contact them to ask if they offer gift memberships for purchase. Every time the recipient accesses their membership benefits, they’ll think of you.
3. A Virtual Assistant
Money is a renewable resource, but time is not.
A virtual assistant can help take a wide range of chores off your recipient’s plate: repetitive work tasks, contacting customer service departments, managing their inbox, bookkeeping, scheduling, travel planning — the list goes on.
A VA can give them back their time by doing whatever scutwork your recipient was planning to do next Saturday morning while the kids were watching cartoons. They can then spend it with their family, doing their favorite hobby, or just catching up on much-needed sleep.
Best of all, once they get over the initial awkwardness of delegating their personal chores to a virtual assistant, they can start regaining time for themselves every single week by continuing to work with their VA.
BELAY and WoodBows are full-service VA placement companies, or you can hire a virtual assistant directly through a freelance website like Fiverr or Upwork. It’s the perfect last-minute gift to buy and print instantly.
4. An Experience
Those of us who have enough stuff don’t need (or want) another knickknack to clutter up our living rooms or another toy to play with for a day or two and then set aside.
Think beyond the physical and give an experience instead. When you prepay for an event or experience, your loved one gets a fun adventure to remember and possibly gains new skills and memories — all of which are much more valuable than a new iPhone speaker or pair of shoes. It’s also a more thoughtful gift, showing you took the time to plan something for them rather than buying them another bland gift set.
Experience gifts can include:
Check out Groupon and LivingSocial for experience-based gifts for any budget. If you’ve got something specific in mind, looking for a site dedicated to those experiences opens up a world of possibilities. For example, Traveling Spoon has delectable food experiences and Context Travel lets you in on one-of-a-kind local-led walking tours in your favorite cities. And for some people, that last one can be a fun way to see the city where you live in a whole new way, through someone else’s eyes.
5. Gift Cards
Some people think gift cards are a cop-out, but consider this: People who have everything clearly know what they want. Why force a gift on them now? With a gift card, they can treat themselves whenever they’re ready.
There’s no shame in buying someone a gift card or gift certificate for their favorite store or activity. It shows you pay attention to their preferences while acknowledging they prefer to shop for themselves. Whether it’s for their favorite clothing store or a new restaurant, a gift card tells the recipient the gift is truly about them and not your need to show off your creativity.
Stop thinking about the kind of gift you’d rather give, and buy them the kind of gift they’d rather receive.
6. A Night Out
Everyone needs a night out sometimes — single people, coupled people, rather-be-with-their-pet people. There are only so many nights in a row you can stay in and watch Netflix.
Plan a date night or night out for your recipient, from start to finish. It could include a dinner reservation and gift card, pre- or post-dinner cocktails at a swanky bar, movie tickets, theater or sporting event tickets, transportation, even tickets to a fundraiser gala. The important point is you do all the logistical planning for them so all they have to do is gussy themselves up and stroll out the door.
Finally, if your recipient has young children, don’t forget to plan for babysitting with someone they already know and trust. Hint, hint.
7. Babysitter Service
Parents of young children need nights — and days — out more than anyone. Give them the gift of breathing room and time to just worry about themselves for once. You can hire a sitter you know and trust or go through a service like Sittercity.com or Care.com.
Just remember that many parents feel anxious about leaving their kids with anyone other than sitters they’ve used before. So you may need to do a little sleuthing to find those people and arrange their services. Or you can offer your own services.
Even if you don’t plan anything else for their day or night out, hiring a sitter can give your loved one the excuse they were looking for to get out of the house for some me-time.
8. Home Cleaning Service
The last thing most of us want to do when we’re not working is scrub our toilets and shower tiles. A home cleaning service offers one more option for helping your recipient reclaim lost time.
You can hire a local or nationwide cleaning service. Your recipient gets a cleaner home, a happier relationship, and their weekend back to spend however they like. Win, win, win.
9. Meal Kit Delivery Service
Meal kit delivery services provide all the ingredients for meals with easy-to-follow recipes. They’re convenient, they’re easy, they save trips to the grocery store, and they can help dieters make healthier food choices without the headache of calorie-counting apps.
Due to their meteoric rise in popularity, you have plenty of meal kit delivery services to choose from, from Hello Fresh to Blue Apron to Hungryroot.
10. Cooking Classes
Alternatively, some people would cook more at home if they felt more confident in the kitchen.
Cooking classes from places like Sur La Table cover a wide range of cooking skills. They cover basics like meal prep and how to use kitchen utensils. For intermediate cooks, there are lessons on how to cook quickly and efficiently with appliances like pressure cookers and air fryers. Advanced cooks to opt for lessons like pairing wines with food.
Or look for a specialty class, such as King Arthur Baking’s school, where they have a class or three almost every day in subjects like pizza, bread-making, and cookies.
Besides being a fun experience gift for foodies, cooking classes can truly transform your recipient’s and their family’s lives. I confess I wish someone had given my mother a cooking class or two when I was growing up.
11. A Personalized Gift
When someone already has everything, a personal touch can mean the difference between just another gift and something truly meaningful. When you order something engraved, embroidered, or otherwise designed specifically for your recipient, you show you’ve put real thought and effort into finding the perfect gift.
Personalized gifts don’t need to be flashy or expensive. A few ideas to get your creativity flowing include:
Photo socks
A keychain with important dates (such as anniversaries or birthdays) listed on it
A leather journal with an embossed name or message
Personalized jewelry
An engraved flask
Engraved wine glasses
A personalized wooden cutting board
12. Name a Star After Them
This gift idea nears the red zone between sweet and hokey. Yet you’d be surprised how many people find it romantic. After all, who doesn’t love the idea of being immortalized?
Several services enable you to exclusively name stars after your loved ones. Check out the Online Star Register and CosmoNova for two reputable options.
Be prepared to break out a star map and a telescope to point out the exact star to your recipient. Mark the occasion with a glass of Champagne to up the romance factor.
13. A Bluetooth Record Player
For the audiophile or hipster on your gift list, it’s hard to go wrong with a vintage vinyl player.
Modern record players make a fun gift for people who enjoy gadgets. You can opt for a vintage-style Bluetooth turntable or go a little higher-end with a fully automatic modern record player. The choice is yours.
Add to the gift by including a vinyl version of your recipient’s favorite album.
14. Noise-Canceling Headphones
One Christmas, I splurged and bought myself a pair of quality noise-canceling headphones.
I don’t know how I lived without them in the loud shared office where I work. It’s like wrapping myself in my own personal sound bubble. Sometimes, I turn them on with no music playing just to enjoy the relative silence.
And the good news is you can buy noise-canceling headphones on any budget.
15. A Scratch Map
My wife is an international educator, as are most of our friends overseas. We all love international travel, and most of us keep scratch maps to visually track our journeys.
Like scratch-off lottery tickets, scratch maps come with all countries coated with silver or gold scratch ink. As you visit a country, you scratch it off the map. For the travel lover on your list, it makes a fun and inexpensive gift.
I like a vintage-looking scratch map that looks like it fell off a museum’s shelf. Scratch maps that distinguish between states in countries like the US, Brazil, and China help you be more specific about your travels.
You can’t go wrong with a scratch map as one of the best travel gifts for men or women.
16. Airline Tickets
If you have a more sizable budget, book airline tickets or a dream trip to help your wanderlust recipient widen their horizons and push past their comfort zone.
Unlike the sweater you gave them last year, it will make for a gift they’ll never forget. But this is one time you’ll want to involve them in the process to ensure the dates work for them and you book a destination they want to visit.
17. Travel Accommodations
If someone’s already handled the travel, book them one or more nights’ accommodations.
There are plenty of affordable alternatives to hotels, many of which prove far more authentic and memorable. I don’t remember most of the corporate hotel stays in my life, but I can remember every guest house in Eastern Europe, every bed and breakfast in South America, and every Airbnb stay in South Africa.
If your recipient would rather choose their accommodations themselves, you can buy gift cards for Airbnb or a major hotel chain.
18. A National Parks Pass
Give the rugged, outdoorsy recipient unlimited access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites, including national parks and forests.
An annual pass from the National Park Service is surprisingly affordable and makes particular sense for recipients who live near a park they love to visit. But it also serves as an excuse to travel the country and see more of its natural attractions.
For hikers, campers, backpackers, and nature lovers, an annual park pass makes a perfect gift.
19. A Lens Kit for Their Phone Camera
Mobile phone cameras have come a long way since the mid-2000s, rivaling the image quality of full digital cameras a decade ago. But they come with one major limitation: the lens. You can’t extend it to zoom, and you can’t swap it out for wide-angle shots.
Fortunately, you can now buy mobile phone lens kits. In seconds, you can snap on a zoom, wide-angle, or fish-eye lens to your phone’s camera. They’re tiny and light, making them perfect for travel photography when you’re traveling light.
Amazon has loads of lens kits to convert almost any smartphone into a versatile digital camera.
20. A 23andMe Genetic Test
You can learn a lot from a genetic test: useful insight such as health risks and predispositions, information about your family’s roots, and even amusing information such as celebrities with tenuous genetic links to you.
The person who already has all the stuff they want could still use a glimpse into their family’s past through 23andMe’s genetic testing kit.
It may spark a deep curiosity about their roots and kick off a journey of discovery.
21. A New Way to Clean Up
Toilet paper is yesterday’s news. Bidets are the wave — or stream — of the future. And assuming they use it regularly, your lucky recipient’s new post-business cleaning system will almost certainly cost less in the long run than the traditional method.
That’s especially true if you invest in the Tushy Classic 3.0, a built-to-last bidet that’s an absolute steal at just over $100. If you think your friend will wholeheartedly embrace a new way to clean up down there, consider going all-out and outfitting them with a comprehensive Tushy system featuring the Tushy Classic 3.0, Tushy Stand and eco-friendly bamboo tissues, Tushy Brush, and Tushy Ottoman (for better-angled business).
22. Headspace
Every week, it seems like a new study comes out with fresh data reaffirming the physical and emotional benefits of meditation. As someone who practices — or at least tries to practice — daily, I can attest that it helps you manage stress and maintain better control over your emotions and mindset.
But not everyone is ready to hop into a lotus position and start saying mantras. For many people, guided meditation helps them focus. The app stores overflow with guided meditation apps, but few can rival Headspace.
Headspace offers a wide range of guided meditation sessions at varying lengths. They also offer extras like courses, progress tracking, and exercise.
23. A Kitchen Herb Garden
There’s nothing better than fresh herbs in your cooking. But as an apartment dweller, I can’t just nip out back to pluck some fresh basil or thyme from my garden. And even if I had a backyard, I doubt I’d have the time to keep a proper herb garden.
The solution: a miniature kitchen herb garden. If your recipient doesn’t have the proper window orientation for natural light or doesn’t have the attention span to water herbs every day, they can use a small indoor garden kit that provides timed light and watering on automation. You can start them off with a down and dirty DIY herb garden kit or opt for a fully automated hydroponic model.
24. Food & Drink
Nowadays, I mostly give my family and friends consumables. They just don’t want more stuff. So I give upscale cheeses, wine, beer, cigars, and homemade foods. Choose consumable gifts well, and you know they’ll be appreciated and won’t go to waste.
25. A Brewing Kit
Give someone a beer, and you sate them for a day. Teach them how to make their own beer, and you sate them for life.
When you brew your own beer, you get to make fun and creative styles that suit your palette, whether that’s honey red ales, mouth-puckering sours, or vanilla bourbon barrel-aged imperial stouts.
Buy your recipient a beginner brewing kit if they’ve never brewed before, and give them the gift of a new hobby.
26. Stocks, Shares, or Crowdfunding Investments
Everyone needs investments if they ever hope to retire. For the person who has everything, consider the gift of an appreciating or passive income-producing asset.
That could include shares of individual stocks or exchange-traded funds, real estate investment trusts, or even real estate crowdfunding investments through Fundrise. If they’re new to investing and just need a bit of help, start them off with their own brokerage account by sitting down with them in person to help them open one with a company like SoFi Invest or Robinhood. Then, show them how buy their first shares.
27. A Charitable Donation
Donating to charity in lieu of a gift has come a long way in recent years thanks to services like GoFundMe and IndieGogo.
The trick to making a thoughtful donation lies in a single question: What would your friend donate to if they were choosing the organization? A recipient passionate about cancer research would probably love a donation to the American Cancer Society or Make-A-Wish Foundation. You can also use crowdfunding sites to find causes that hit closer to home, like giving money for a friend’s medical treatment or giving to a veteran via the Wounded Warrior Project.
You can opt to take the charitable donation tax deduction on your own tax return by dedicating the gift in your recipient’s honor. Or you can make the gift legally in the recipient’s name so they get the tax deduction if they itemize their deductions.
Your recipient may not need anything for themselves, but there are plenty of people in this world who do. Check out JustGive.org for a list of organizations perfect for gift donations.
Final Word
When someone already has everything they want and need, the real challenge lies in finding a way to show your love and appreciation rather than finding the perfect gift. After all, if it’s the thought that counts, then putting extra consideration into services, experiences, and gifts that show you care is much more valuable than the priciest present. So think outside the mall or gift baskets and come up with a gift that’s truly meaningful.
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G. Brian Davis is a real estate investor, personal finance writer, and travel addict mildly obsessed with FIRE. He spends nine months of the year in Abu Dhabi, and splits the rest of the year between his hometown of Baltimore and traveling the world.