If you’ve been using your debit card for all your purchases for years — carefully tracking your checking account balance and not spending more than what you have in the bank — shifting your spending to a credit card can be a big change.
I used to be one of those people who pay for everything with their debit card because they’re afraid of racking up debt. I thought debit cards were the safe spending option since you can’t spend more money than what you have in your account. I thought that was what financial responsibility looked like. But my perspective changed as my interest in travel grew and I learned that I could earn big rewards by signing up for and using credit cards.
Related: Credit vs. debit cards: Which is the smarter choice?
Maybe you already have a rewards credit card or two but are hesitant to shift all of your spending to credit cards. You’ve possibly signed up for a credit card and charged enough to meet the minimum spending requirement for a bonus, but after that, you always return to using your debit card. If you’ve been on the fence about switching your spending from debit to credit, here are a few tips to help you make the change.
Adjust your mindset
When I first decided to shift my spending to credit cards, I knew I wanted to be a responsible credit card user. I didn’t view a credit card as free money or a long-term loan to pay back over time through minimum payments. I didn’t want to pay interest, which meant not charging more than I could pay back each month.
Related: The best way to pay your credit card bills
One thing that helped me is that I treated my credit card just like my debit card. That meant not spending more than I had in the bank. Even though my credit card did not withdraw directly from my checking account for every purchase (as my debit card did), I acted as it did.
Maybe you made only minimum payments on credit cards in the past. If so, paying it in full will require adjusting your mindset. View your credit card just like a debit card. Don’t spend more than you can pay back every month.
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Related: TPG’s 10 commandments of credit cards
Know your credit limit
You’ll want to avoid accidentally exceeding your credit limit on a lower-limit card. If you do, transactions may be declined, or you may be charged fees. But you also shouldn’t view cards with high limits as available money for maxing out.
Keeping your balance within a reasonable limit of your available credit can boost your credit score. Your credit utilization ratio makes up 30% of your FICO score, so keeping your balance in check is important.
Start with just one card
Maximizing your points- and miles-earning often involves strategizing which cards to use for different purchases. As many cards come with category bonuses — bonus points for different types of spending, such as restaurants or gas stations — it can be quite lucrative to use different cards for different purchase categories. That might mean using an American Express® Gold Card for 4 points per dollar at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) and switching to the Citi Premier® Card for 3 points per dollar when filling up your gas tank.
However, remembering which card to use for each purchase can feel overwhelming if you’re new to travel rewards and using your credit card for everything.
Related: 4 ways to manage your spending on multiple credit card accounts
A good way to maximize points earned using only one card at a time is through new card sign-up bonuses. Open a new credit card and use only that card until you meet the minimum spending requirement (which is required for earning the welcome bonus), being sure to pay off your balance in full every month.
Once that’s complete, apply for another card and shift all your spending to that card. You’re generating lots of points by receiving sign-up bonuses, even though you may not utilize all of the bonus categories you could maximize by juggling multiple cards. But remember that some issuers — including American Express, Chase and Bank of America — limit the number of cards you can be approved for.
Related: The ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions
Once you’re comfortable with consistently paying your balance off in full every month, you can add more complexity, like switching your spending to different cards to take advantage of category bonuses.
Shift any automatic payments
Automatic payments make life easier by knocking one more thing off the to-do list. If you have automatic transactions using your checking account or debit card and use your credit card for other purchases, tracking your finances can complicate your finances. There’s more to manage. Keep it simple by shifting as many automatic payments as possible to your credit card.
You likely can’t use your credit card to autopay everything. Your mortgage and car payment are good examples. Thus, you’ll still have to track those in your checking account. Yes, some services will accept your credit card for a fee and send a check to your loan company or other merchants, but you’ll have to weigh whether the fee is worth it for you.
For your other bills — such as cellphone, utilities, fitness club membership, streaming services — it should only take a few minutes to update your payment online, then you’ll start earning rewards for those purchases.
Review your transactions
Whether you check your credit card account daily or monthly, it’s important to take the time to ensure all your transactions post correctly. You’re not just reviewing transactions for the correct amounts, but you should review your points earned to verify you’ve earned the correct amount of points. And check for any statement credits you expect to receive, such as from Chase Offers or Amex Offers.
Set up autopay or schedule manual payments
You don’t want to forget a payment, thus incurring late fees and interest. While some card issuers may waive late charges and interest as a one-time courtesy, you shouldn’t get in the habit of paying late.
Determine a payment schedule that works best for you. Some people pay weekly; others pay monthly. If you’re afraid of overspending and not having the money in your checking account to pay the bill, don’t wait until the due date. You can make multiple payments, even paying off balances daily or weekly.
You should set up autopay for your full balance (ideal) or the minimum balance by the due date if you’re concerned you may forget to pay your bill.
Bottom line
I’m a long-time travel rewards enthusiast, and I spend significant time and energy learning how to maximize my spending and earn rewards. However, it can feel like everyone is signing up for new credit cards (and spending thousands of dollars on them) to generate points for first-class flight redemptions and luxury hotel stays.
But that’s not the case. Even still, I’m still surprised when a friend or family member pulls out a debit card to pay for a purchase. Even though they may be interested in travel rewards, moving from a debit to a credit can be nerve-wracking, and I understand that.
Switching from debit to credit is one of my best money moves. My only regret is not doing so sooner.
I am obsessed with the film Everything Everywhere All at Once. From the moment I saw the trailer, I knew the movie was meant for me. I was right. The film’s bizarre blend of action, philosophy, science fiction, taxes, and juvenile humor feels specifically targeted to me and my brain.
For those unfamiliar, here’s a quick plot synopsis.
Evelyn and Waymond Wang own a laundromat. Their business is failing, their marriage is fracturing, and so is their relationship with Joy, their daughter. During a meeting with the IRS, Evelyn is visited by a version of her husband from a parallel universe. He says that the multiverse — all of the many parallel universes — is under attack from an evil being named Jobu Tupaki, and Evelyn is the only one who can save it. The rest of the film is about Evelyn overcoming her skepticism and discovering her true power (and Waymond’s).
This trailer pretty much nails the mood and theme of the film. If this preview intrigues you, you’ll probably like it:
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Everything Everywhere All at Once is strange. Very strange. It starts mundane and boring, descends into madness, then ultimately ties everything together in some magical ways. Some people hate it. They can’t finish watching it. That’s too bad, because if you abandon the film during the boring part or the strange part, you never get to the magical part. The tedium and the madness are all part of the journey.
I’ve watched the film five times now (and will likely watch it a sixth later today), and I get something new from each viewing. The movie is rich. And detailed. And layered. In fact, it’s designed for repeat viewing (because frequently there’s no way to know something has meaning the first time through).
The reason the film hits me so hard, I think, is that its themes are aligned with things I’ve been ruminating over throughout 2022. While I was caring for my dying cousin during the spring, I reached some sort of nihilistic nadir. Like Jobu Tupaki, the movie’s “villain”, I decided that nothing matters, that life is inherently meaningless.
At heart, though, I’m a Waymond figure — and I always have been. It didn’t take me long to realize that even if life is inherently meaningless (especially if life is inherently meaningless), then it’s up to each of us to make our own meaning. And that kindness matters.
Then there’s the movie’s wild exploration of the multiverse. I’ve been exposed to this concept repeatedly in 2022, most notably in the novel The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, which has a plot similar to Everything Everywhere All at Once: a woman is trapped in a limbo state between life and death, where she explores the many alternate lives she might have lived.
It’s as if the universe is trying to beat me over the head with a message: “J.D., you bozo, you are not trapped by your current reality. If you’re dissatisfied with this timeline, it’s up to you to create a timeline you like better.”
Message received, Universe.
Designing Your Life
Last week, I re-read a book that helped me understand how to take this esoteric idea and do something practical about it. That book is Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans. Ostensibly, Designing Your Life is about finding a career that fits you. In reality, it’s about looking at the multiverse and deciding which of the many available universes you want to live in.
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Fundamentally, Designing Your Life is a career book targeted at young adults. The material here is derived from a Stanford University course taught by the two authors.
Bill Burnett is the executive director of the Stanford Design Program (and was a part of Apple’s early laptop design team). Dave Evans is the co-director of the Stanford Life Design Lab and a very early employee of Electronic Arts, the videogame company.
Burnett and Evans aim to get students (and readers) to apply principles from the world of design to the process of planning their future. While sometimes this approach (and the terminology associated with it) feels forced, most of the time it works surprisingly well. In fact, I found this book was full of aha! moments.
What does a well-designed life look like? What does that notion even mean? “A well-designed life is a life that makes sense,” the authors write. “It’s a life in which who you are, what you believe, and what you do all line up together.” They call this alignment coherence, and I think it’s an excellent concept.
To build a coherent life, the authors encourage readers to practice five disciplines:
Curiosity. Curiosity, of course, is about being open-minded, about casting a wide net. The authors want you to explore, to be open to opportunity. Doing so will help you “get good at being lucky”.
Bias to action. It’s not enough to simply read and think about things. Burnett and Evans want you to act — even if your actions are imperfect. They want you to try things. They want you to fail over and over, because failure is the foundation of success.
Reframing. People get stuck all of the time, and often this “stuckness” is a result of an inability to shift perspective. Designing Your Life urges readers to reframe problems in order to remove barriers and circumvent perceived roadblocks. (Reading this book helped me realize I do a poor job of reframing problems in my life. I allow myself to stay stuck for far too long, in most cases.)
Patience. Design, the authors say, is a process. Life design is no different. “For every step forward,” they write, “it can sometimes seem you are moving two steps back.” They advocate what they call prototyping — testing new ideas and solutions. “Life design is a journey,” they say. “Let go of the end goal and focus on the process.”
Radical collaboration. Lastly, the book urges readers to seek help. Great design requires multiple minds tackling a problem. In designing your life, you want to consult with friends and family and mentors. You want to meet people and ask questions. You want to get input from people you trust.
Because this book is based on an actual college course, it’s filled with exercises. These exercises were quite clearly homework assignments for Stanford students, but for old folks like me they’re useful tools to gain clarity.
One exercise, for instance, asks readers to write a 250-word Workview (a short statement about what you believe work is for and what constitutes good work), a 250-word Lifeview (a short statement describing what you believe makes life worth living), then explore how the Workview and Lifeview clash and/or complement one another.
But the exercise I like the most in Designing Your Life makes me think of the multiverse.
The Many Versions of You
“This life you are living is one of many lives you will live,” write Burnett and Evans. “The plain and simple truth is that you will live many different lives in this lifetime. If the life you are currently living feels a bit off, don’t worry; life design gives you endless mulligans.”
To prove their point, they ask readers to visualize three versions of the future, to create three five-year Odyssey Plans.
An Odyssey Plan is like a roadmap to an alternate universe. It’s a vision of what your life might might like five years from now. And the authors want you to draft three of these so that you can see clearly that there really is a multitude of alternate realities from which to choose.
Your first plan, they say, should be based on what you currently do.
Your second plan should be the thing you’d do if the path you’re currently on suddenly vanished.
And the third plan should be the thing you’d do if money and/or image were no object.
I love this idea. And, in fact, I think of it as a missing link in my own work.
When I’m asked to speak, I generally talk about money and meaning. I lead audiences through exercises designed to help them find purpose in life. My end goal is to help people draft a personal mission statement.
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But I’ve always felt that my presentation lacks a certain something. Now I know what that something is: Odyssey Plans (or my own version of this idea). An Odyssey Plan helps to put a personal mission statement into action.
Let me give you a real-life example of what Burnett and Evans are after. (This isn’t exactly their exercise, but it’s the same idea.) Let’s look at three possible futures for me.
Future #1: Get Rich Slowly. The authors say that your first Odyssey Plan should be built around your existing life. In my case, that means Get Rich Slowly. This works well because that’s my preferred plan, anyhow. I have a clear vision of what I want this site to be, and although my aims have been thwarted repeatedly over the past year, I have made progress toward the goal I have in mind.
In this preferred future, five years from now this site will have a clean, elegant design (which I’m currently building here) that puts the reader first. No ads. No tracking. No social media. No bullshit. The site will still feature this blog, of course, but the content will also be organized into sections that resemble “online textbooks” about specific areas of personal finance.
Meanwhile, I’d also like to build out the GRS YouTube channel to feature video versions of the most important articles. And somehow in all of this, I’d be grateful if I could earn an income. (Yes, I realize that’ll be difficult to do without ads.)
My preferred plan is to do what I’m doing now — but more of it…and more intensely.
Future #2: Preserving the Past Your second Odyssey Plan should be something you’d do if your current work suddenly vanished. In many cases, that means you’d end up doing something similar to what you already do. For me, this is and isn’t true. If Get Rich Slowly suddenly vanished, I’d still write — but not about money.
The two months I spent with my cousin Duane at the end of his life made me interested in finding a way to contribute my talents to hospice somehow. But what can a writer do to help the dying? When I phrase it like that, I suspect you might already see the answer.
For my second five-year plan, I’d explore how to help people tell their life stories. The idea excites me, actually. I think I could do a good job at it because it’d combine a lot of my interests and talents.
The way I see it, I’d sit with people and record their stories. I’d learn to ask questions that elicit memories and meaning from their past, then take these responses and somehow compile them into keepsakes for families. This is something I always wish I’d done with my father. It’s something I tried to do with my cousin Duane. And it’s something that I’ve actually been doing over the past decade with Kim’s family. I have a whole collection of stories from her father and his siblings. (I’m not joking when I say their lives would have made a fantastic Michener novel!)
So, my second possible future is helping people tell their life stories.
Future #3: A Portrait of the Artist as an Old Man Your third Odyssey plan should be a pipe dream. It’s what you’d do if money (and/or the judgment of others) were no object.
In my case, I’ve had a plan percolating in the back of my head for a year now. My Plan C would be something completely different than I’ve ever done before. I’d go to art school.
You see, I’d like to draw a webcomic about personal finance. I’ve been a comic nerd my entire life. I’ve been writing about money for 15+ years now. This seems like a fun way to combine these two passions. And, in fact, I have a concept already. It’s about a young woman named Penny Short who moves to small village inhabited by colorful characters, all of whom are anthropomorphized animals. Each of these animals is a caricature of one of my colleagues (or their ideas).
There’s Pete, the Canadian Beaver, for instance, who is super frugal and bikes around town and hates rampant consumerism. There’s Sam, the samurai duck, who slices through life’s money mysteries. There’s Marla, the bear. And Tom, the turtle. And there’s a whole bunch of folks who live in the Frugalwoods.
That’s my third five-year plan. I’d go to art school, then create a webcomic about personal finance.
The Multiverse and Me
I hope that small example gives you a glimpse of just how powerful this exercise can be. Exploring three possible versions of your future is mind-opening. And this is just one of many similar exercises in this book.
Designing Your Life is terrific. I recommend it highly. It’s one of those rare books that I’ve added to the mental library of titles I suggest to those who need help. (Other examples of books in this mental library include Your Money or Your Life, I Will Teach You to Be Rich, and The Simple Path to Wealth.)
This book is so good, in fact, that I plan to make time to work through all of the exercises. And I’m not the only one. Kim is going to do them with me, as is my buddy Craig.
Even if I didn’t plan to do the exercises, though, I feel like I would have profited from reading Designing Your Life. The book is packed with actionable advice and thought-provoking questions.
For me, though, the biggest takeaway has been that the multiverse isn’t just the stuff of science fiction. That concept can be applied to my own life today. By taking the time to think about how to align my life with my values, then drafting multiple five-year plans that fit with these coherent values, I — and anyone else — can build a well-lived, joyful life.
My biggest pet peeve with this book is the lack of an index. I never understand how books like this make it to print without a way to look things up. Designing Your Life is dense with “sticky” ideas, and I found myself wanting to reference past sections repeatedly. But it was nearly impossible to find the info I wanted because there’s no index. Instead, I had to flip through page by page until I found what I wanted. Such a terrible design decision for a book guided by design principles.
You’re in the market for a free checking account and you want the security that comes with a bigger, FDIC-insured bank. Where do you turn?
If you don’t care about bells or whistles or financial perks, the BMO Harris Smart AdvantageTM Account is a good place to begin. It’s about as simple as a checking account can get without sacrificing any of the basics.
What Is the BMO Harris Smart Advantage Account?
The BMO Harris Smart Advantage Checking Account is a free checking account from BMO Harris. It’s a simple account with no monthly maintenance fee, no ongoing minimum balance, a broad fee-free ATM network, and a sign-up bonus that’s better than most free checking accounts’.
This account has few value-added benefits or perks. For example, BMO doesn’t reimburse out-of-network ATM fees or waive overdraft fees for Smart Advantage account holders. But the account does have an excellent mobile app that basically eliminates the need to bank in-branch.
What Sets the BMO Harris Smart Advantage Checking Account Apart?
The BMO Harris Smart Advantage Checking Account has no truly unique features, but it does stand out for a few important reasons:
No monthly maintenance fee with electronic statements. As long as you opt into electronic statements, this account charges no monthly maintenance fee.
Above-average sign-up bonus for a free checking account. For a free checking account, Smart Advantage has an excellent sign-up bonus that’s worth $200 with qualifying direct deposits.
Big ATM network with no withdrawal fees. BMO Harris Bank has more than 40,000 ATMs in its fee-free network. But be forewarned that BMO doesn’t reimburse out-of-network ATM fees on this account.
Key Features of the BMO Harris Smart Advantage Checking Account
The BMO Harris Smart Advantage Checking Account is a basic checking account that stands out mostly for its generous sign-up bonus and no monthly maintenance fee.
Sign-up Bonus
Open a new BMO Harris Smart Advantage Account by July 14, 2023, and get a $200 cash bonus when you receive a total of at least $4,000 in qualifying direct deposits within the first 90 days your account is open.
Minimum Deposit and Balance
The minimum deposit to open a BMO Harris Smart Advantage Checking Account is $25. There’s no ongoing minimum balance once your account is open.
ATM Network
BMO Harris is part of the Allpoint ATM network, which means it has more than 40,000 fee-free ATMs across the United States. That includes many areas where BMO Harris doesn’t have branches.
However, Smart Advantage doesn’t reimburse out-of-network ATM fees, so avoid those to avoid surcharges.
Possible Account Fees
This account has no monthly maintenance fee when you opt into paper statements. Otherwise, your monthly fee is $3.
Other possible fees include:
A $3 out-of-network ATM fee
A $15 fee per overdraft unless you opt into Overdraft Protection, which may involve interest charges
A $3 fee per check image if you’re not enrolled in paperless statements
Mobile Features
BMO Harris has a comprehensive, user-friendly mobile app that supports:
Free mobile check deposit
Person-to-person Zelle transfers with no BMO user fees (though other fees may apply)
Budgeting and expense-tracking tools
One-dashboard view of all your BMO bank and credit card accounts
Advantages
BMO Harris Smart Advantage has no monthly maintenance fees, a generous sign-up bonus, and an unusually large fee-free ATM network.
No monthly maintenance fee with paper statements. BMO Harris Smart Advantage charges no monthly fee (or any other type of maintenance fee) as long as you opt into paper statements. Otherwise, the paper statement fee is $3 unless you meet certain other qualifying criteria.
$200 sign-up bonus with qualifying direct deposits. By the standards of the no-maintenance-fee checking space, BMO Harris Smart Advantage has an above-average sign-up bonus. The direct deposit requirement is manageable for many would-be account holders too.
More than 40,000 fee-free ATMs. BMO Harris Bank has a big fee-free ATM network that includes many more than just BMO-branded machines. This is a big advantage over banks with smaller or proprietary ATM networks, including big ones like Chase Bank.
Disadvantages
BMO Harris Smart Advantage’s downsides revolve around what it lacks: relationship benefits, out-of-network ATM rebates, ongoing bonuses for account holders, and interest on balances.
No relationship benefits. BMO Harris Smart Advantage is an entry-level checking account with no relationship benefits for account holders. By contrast, the BMO Harris Premier Account offers quarterly bonuses on credit card spending and discounts on loans originated with BMO. If you can afford that account’s maintenance fee or meet the waiver requirements, it’s a more rewarding option.
No out-of-network ATM rebates. BMO Harris Smart Advantage doesn’t reimburse out-of-network ATM surcharges. This is a disadvantage relative to BMO Harris Premier, which does, and other more generous checking accounts too.
No ongoing bonuses. Unlike the more generous BMO Harris Premier Account, Smart Advantage has no ongoing bonuses for account holders. The sign-up bonus is all you get.
No interest on balances. This account earns no interest on balances. That’s a disadvantage relative to the growing number of high-interest checking accounts on the market, a list that includes some accounts with no maintenance fees.
How the BMO Harris Smart Advantage Checking Account Stacks Up
If you’re just looking for a basic free checking account, BMO Harris Smart Advantage is perfect for you. If you’re looking for something more generous, it’s not — but the BMO Harris Premier Account could be.
BMO Harris Smart Advantage
BMO Harris Premier
Monthly Maintenance Fee
$0
$25, but can be waived
Waiver Requirements
None needed
Yes, required $10,000+ balance
ATM Fee Reimbursement
None
Up to $25 per month
Credit Card Benefits
None
Up to $75 in quarterly spending bonuses
Mortgage Benefits
None
Closing cost and interest rate discounts
Interest on Balances
None
0.01% APY
Final Word
The BMO Harris Smart AdvantageTM Account is a no-frills free checking account that’s ideal if you’re not looking for anything fancy. With only a token minimum opening deposit and no ongoing minimum balance, it’s a good starter bank account that you can easily grow into (and hopefully, eventually, grow out of). The above-average sign-up bonus and robust mobile app are nice too.
However, if you expect more from your checking account, Smart Advantage probably won’t cut it. Unlike the BMO Harris Premier Account, it offers no discounts for BMO borrowers, no bonuses on credit card spending, and no out-of-network ATM fee reimbursements. It’s your money — choose wisely.
The Verdict
Our rating
BMO Harris Smart Advantage™ Account
The BMO Harris Smart Advantage Checking Account is a solid first “adult” bank account and a fine choice for anyone else who doesn’t mind a bare-bones product. If you’re looking for more generous perks and rewards, you’re better off paying (or finding a way to waive) the monthly maintenance fee on a higher-end account.
Editorial Note:
The editorial content on this page is not provided by any bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel chain, and has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of the bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Brian Martucci writes about credit cards, banking, insurance, travel, and more. When he’s not investigating time- and money-saving strategies for Money Crashers readers, you can find him exploring his favorite trails or sampling a new cuisine. Reach him on Twitter @Brian_Martucci.
Most of us struggle with some psychological aspect of money that can impede our savings. Whether it be the lure of clothing stores, nights out with friends, or stocking a top-shelf liquor cabinet, there tends to be one thing or another that creeps from our wants category into our needs. I’ve never been a compulsive shopper and always preferred voluntary simplicity, both in the kitchen and in my closet. This means that for most of my young adult life, I had good control of my finances.
Then I Started Dating…
Dating quickly made gift giving my Achilles heel. As with other debt-inducing habits, it seemed harmless at first. Here are some things I started doing, not realizing how much money I was shelling out:
I never liked to show up at my girlfriend’s apartment empty handed so I always had her favorite Snapple or a magazine for her in hand. (Six bucks, just to say hello.)
I always wanted to pick up the check, even when we were out with a friend or two. (Could be upwards of $100, just to show I cared.)
I brought expensive bottles of wine to dinner parties, not to show off, but just to enjoy with everyone, even if I was just as happy with $7 bottle myself. ($25 to try to find community.)
I was sent to the store to get simple baking supplies, but instead of getting the normal vanilla extract, I would get the fancy packaged one for twice the price. Take that philosophy down the entire list of supplies and I’d racked up a pretty hefty bill. ($50 extra just so we could feel high society together.)
It was never about seeming rich to my friends or girlfriend. I took pride in my penny pinching in every other aspect of my life. I honestly thought it was about generosity and showing affection, nothing more.
My usual smart budgeting was out the door. If it began with my dating life, it quickly found its way into all my close friendships and relationships. If I were booking a hotel room for myself, I would find some side-of-the-road motel for $35. If it was for my parents, I’d charge a much fancier $300 room to my card. I wanted them to be comfortable, right? (I should note that my parents’ honeymoon was a nine-month camping trip in a VW bug across the United States. They’ve grown up some since their 60s hippie days, but not all that much.) Technically, I could afford it. I just wouldn’t contribute very much to savings that month.
As the gifts became a larger and more elaborate, my savings account stagnated. The want of purchasing gifts found its way into my budget as a need.
Providing the Important Stuff
If I look deep enough, I know that I have an engrained desire to be the provider in my relationships. I was stuck in a 50s mentality of the man as the breadwinner, and thinking that gift giving was my only way of showing financial muscle. I never wanted to buy the affection of my friends, but I got caught in a trap thinking that financial security was the most important thing I could provide. I ignored all the other myriad ways of showing affection, whether it be kind words, acts of service, spending quality time, or even a big hug.
I tried a spending freeze on gift giving and decided to come up with something different whenever I got the urge to spend for someone else. The experiment lead to the following new behaviors:
I accepted that showing up at her front door was hello enough, and I realized a smile and being genuinely happy to see someone went further than I’d ever expect.
I learned the fine art of the potluck dinner, and saw that people got so much joy just from sharing what they loved to make in the kitchen.
At a dinner party, I brought Apples to Apples. It was appropriate for the crowd, probably more appropriate than the bottle of wine I would’ve brought, and if you’ve never played it, it’s the best thing ever to bring a group a little closer.
Instead of worrying about how fancy the baking supplies looked, I joined her in the kitchen. I never realized how much raw dough the woman could eat. I joked that it was a much truer way to her heart.
Ignoring these other ways of showing love had been getting in the way of my friendships and relationships. I learned so much more about the people around me and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves when I stopped worrying about how much they were enjoying themselves.
Tracking Spending
Since I identified the underlying cause of my stagnating savings account, I could go about fixing it. I started tracking the dollars that left my bank account each month and realized just how much was going to small gifts. Paying for gas for my girlfriend’s SUV was an incredibly friendly gesture, but it hurt in the long run. This isn’t to say I needed to stop with my generosity, but tracking my spending allowed me to create a column just for gift giving. It stopped being a mindless act and more a conscious decision, which in turn provided me with more joy in the activity. This way, I was giving something from my daily life to be generous toward others, which to me, seems a much truer definition of generosity.
Virtues in Excess
We usually think about our financial trolls being negative. Something like greed leads us to live in excess, buying new shoes or the new electronic. It’s easy to blame. It’s much harder to point your finger at a problem that seems virtuous. I started to see that I wasn’t alone. My friend Tracy spends almost all of her disposable income spoiling her kid and yet complains about the holes in her own shoes. I had a family member almost go broke donating to the Doctors Without Borders. Such gifts of charity are easier to rationalize; they seem so nice, even if they are ruining your financial situation. It’s never easy to change patterns, especially when the emotions of not only yourself, but of others are involved. As always, it’s important to be honest with yourself and communicative with those around you.
I still have to remind myself that if someone is going to breakup with me because I don’t bring Snapple to her door each time I show up, I could probably do without the relationship. I bring myself, and that’s just fine.
What are some ways that gift giving puts you under budget? Do you have other “virtuous” that hurt you in the long run?
Inside: Do you need to make $5000 fast for ways to make extra money? This guide has dozens of ideas for earning money. When you need to know how to make 5000 fast, this list has something for you.
Are you looking for ways to make 5000 dollars fast?
You’re in the right place.
In this post, we’ll share 15 realistic ways to make money quickly.
Your first thought might be SCAM to make this much money fast, but honestly, there are plenty of ways to make extra cash without any special skills or experience.
You just have to decide what works best for you. That is how you will make the most money without feeling like you are working.
I love hustling to make extra money to afford things we couldn’t otherwise.
So if you’re ready to start making some extra cash, let’s get started!
What are the most realistic ways to make $5,000 fast?
Moreover, making $5,000 fast is possible through a combination of online and offline methods.
Selling items, offering freelance work, participating in paid surveys, trading stocks, and pet-sitting or dog-walking services are all viable options.
Set goals, track progress, and experiment with multiple gigs to find what works best for you. With dedication, effort, and a little bit of creativity, you can reach your income goal in no time.
How to double $5,000 quickly?
If you want to double $5,000 quickly, there are several realistic ways to achieve this goal. Here are five options to consider:
Invest in the stock market: The stock market can be a great way to make money quickly, but it also comes with risks. Look for companies with a strong track record and invest wisely.
Start a side hustle: Starting a side business or selling items online can be a great way to make extra money. Consider your skills and interests to find a profitable niche.
Participate in affiliate marketing: Affiliate marketing involves promoting products and earning a commission for each sale. Look for products with high commissions and a strong customer base.
Flip items for profit: Buy low and sell high by flipping items like cars, furniture, or electronics. This can be a risky business, so do your research and start small.
Play the long game: Consider living a frugal life and saving and investing your money over time to see a larger return. This may not double your money quickly, but it can lead to significant growth in the long run.
Each method comes with its own potential risks and benefits, so it’s important to do your research and choose the option that best fits your skills and financial goals.
With dedication and hard work, doubling your $5,000 is within reach.
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.
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16 realistic ways to make 5000 dollars fast
If you’ve been looking for ways to make some extra money, there are many opportunities out there.
While most won’t make you rich overnight, if you put in the effort, you can find some that will help you reach your financial goals.
Here are 16 realistic ways to make $5,000 fast.
1. Sell Unwanted Items
If you’re looking to make $5000 fast, selling unwanted items is a great way to do it.
Start by identifying valuable items in your home such as antiques, electronics, furniture, or musical instruments.
Once you’ve identified your items, choose a platform to sell on eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace are all great options.
When pricing your items, do some research to ensure you’re pricing them competitively. Use the “buy it now” feature on eBay or set a fair price on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. Don’t forget to take clear photos and provide detailed descriptions of your items.
Check out the most popular items to sell and make money. Plus you can declutter your home.
2. Take on a Part-Time Job
Part-time jobs offer a steady stream of income and opportunities for skill development. Often this is an overlooked way to make money, but there are plenty of part-time jobs available.
Popular part-time job options include retail or food service positions, which often offer the potential for tips or commission-based earnings.
Balancing a part-time job with other commitments may be challenging, but it can be done with proper planning and prioritization. Overall, a part-time job can be a reliable way to generate extra income and reach financial goals.
Many happen to be early morning jobs, too.
3. Invest in Stocks
Investing in stocks can be a realistic way to make $5000 fast. In fact, learn how fast you can make money with stocks.
Since you are interested in making money fast, you need to be an active trader, which means you are trading for income. Not a buy-and-hold investor.
Typically, most active traders prefer to trade growth stocks such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, or Tesla.
It’s important to do your research and choose the right stocks to invest in. More importantly, you have to know when to enter and exit. Here is the best course I know on learning how to trade stocks.
However, keep in mind that investing in stocks is subject to market risk, so it’s important to consult with a personal finance expert and assess your risk tolerance before making any investments.
4. Borrow Money
Remember that borrowing money should not be a long-term solution and explore other ways to make money as well.
If you need to make $5000 fast, borrowing money might be an option. You can borrow from a personal loan, credit card, or friends and family.
Personal loans are a good option if you have good credit, but they often come with high-interest rates.
Credit cards can offer cash advances, but the interest rates can be high too.
Borrowing from friends or family can be a good option, but it can also put a strain on relationships.
To secure the best possible terms, shop around for loans and compare interest rates and fees. Make sure to read and understand the terms and conditions before signing, and ensure you can make the payments on time.
5. Sell Things Online
Selling things online is a great way to make extra cash quickly. This involves buying items you know you can resell online for a higher price.
With the ability to reach a wider audience and the convenience of not having to leave your house, selling online has become increasingly popular.
Platforms like eBay, Etsy, and Amazon offer product-selling concepts that make it easy to sell a variety of items, from clothes to electronics.
To optimize product listings, take high-quality photos, write detailed descriptions, and price items competitively. When handling shipping and handling, use free shipping labels, and provide excellent customer service to ensure a positive experience for buyers.
6. Land a Job That You Can Do From Home
To land a job that you can do from home, it’s important to have the necessary skills and qualifications for the job you’re interested in.
Popular work-from-home jobs include online tutoring, virtual assistance, bookkeeping, social media management, and transcription.
Be prepared to participate in virtual interviews and demonstrate your ability to work independently. With the right skills and job search strategies, you can land a job that you can do from home.
Find the best non phone work from home jobs.
7. Make Crafts
Crafts can be a fun way to turn your hobby into a money-making side hustle.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
Choose your craft: Decide on a craft that you enjoy making and that you think will sell well. Popular options include jewelry, candles, and home decor.
Gather your materials: Depending on your craft, you’ll need to gather materials such as beads, wax, or fabric. You can find these at craft stores or online.
Develop your skills: If you’re new to your chosen craft, take some time to practice and improve your skills. Watch tutorials and read books to learn new techniques.
Create your products: Once you have your materials and skills, start creating your products. Make sure they’re high-quality and visually appealing.
Set up shop: You can sell your crafts online through platforms like Etsy or Amazon Handmade. You can also sell them in person at craft fairs or local markets.
Promote your products: Use social media and word of mouth to promote your products. Share photos and information about your crafts and encourage people to buy them.
By following these steps, you can turn your love of crafting into a profitable side hustle. Remember to be patient and persistent in your efforts to sell your crafts.
8. Rent Out a Space
Right now, your space can be a profitable side hustle.
To make $5000 fast by renting out a space, start by identifying the type of space you can rent out, such as a parking room, garage, or storage space.
You can even get creative and rent out your pool.
Clean and organize the space, then list it on online platforms like Airbnb, Turo, or Neighbor. To ensure a smooth rental process, screen potential renters, set clear rules and expectations, and maintain regular communication.
With some effort and attention to detail, renting out a space can provide a lucrative source of extra income.
9. Sell Digital Goods
This is one of the most popular ways to make money.
Digital goods are products that can be downloaded, streamed, or accessed online, such as ebooks, printables, stock photos, and online courses.
They are a viable option for making money quickly because they require little to no overhead costs and can be sold to a global audience.
The most popular is creating and selling printables. Learn how to make printables.
With dedication and effort, selling digital goods can be a lucrative way to make up to $5000 fast.
10. Join the Gig Economy
The gig economy refers to a labor market characterized by short-term contracts or freelance work, as opposed to permanent jobs.
Popular platforms in the gig economy include:
Joining the gig economy can be an effective way to make $5,000 quickly. One of the main benefits of working in the gig economy is flexibility, as you can determine your own schedules.
To maximize earnings, it’s important to treat gig work like a business and stay organized, tracking expenses and income.
11. Work as a Shopper
As a shopper, your job is to pick up and deliver items to customers using your own vehicle.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get started:
Choose a platform: There are several platforms to choose from, such as Instacart, Shipt, and DoorDash. Research each platform and choose the one that best suits your needs.
Sign up: Once you’ve chosen a platform, sign up and complete the application process. This typically involves providing personal information, a valid driver’s license, and passing a background check.
Attend orientation: Some platforms require you to attend an orientation session before you can start working. This will provide you with important information on how to use the app, how to pick up and deliver items, and how to maximize your earnings.
Start shopping: Once you’re approved, log into the app and start accepting orders. Be sure to read the instructions carefully and communicate with the customer if you have any questions.
Maximize earnings: To maximize your earnings, consider working during peak hours when there are more orders available. You can also increase your tips by providing excellent customer service and communicating with customers throughout the shopping process. Additionally, some platforms offer bonuses for completing a certain number of orders within a specified time frame.
Ensure success: To ensure success, it’s important to be organized and efficient. Plan your route ahead of time and try to group orders in the same area together. Keep track of your expenses, such as gas and vehicle maintenance, and make sure you’re earning enough to cover these costs.
With the convenience of on-demand shopping and delivery services, there’s never been a better time to get started.
12. Clean Houses
Cleaning houses can be a lucrative business, with the demand for house cleaning services always high.
To get started, you will need basic cleaning supplies such as cleaning products, mops, vacuums, and cleaning cloths. You can market your services by creating flyers, promoting on social media, and offering referral discounts.
Here are some tips to be successful:
Setting your rates depends on factors such as the size of the house and the frequency of cleaning.
Negotiating with clients can help you secure long-term contracts.
Providing excellent customer service is crucial for building a loyal client base.
As your business grows, consider expanding your services to include laundry and organizing, and hiring additional staff to take on more clients.
With dedication and hard work, you can make up to $5000 fast by cleaning houses.
13. Take Photos
If you’re looking for a side hustle that can earn you some extra cash, taking photos on your phone and selling them on stock photo sites is a great option. You don’t need to be a professional photographer, but having some experience can be helpful.
Some of the best apps to sell your photos on include Shutterstock, Deposit Photos, or iStock by Getty Images.
To get started, you’ll need to create a portfolio of your best work and start submitting them to stock photo sites. While you might need to purchase a camera and photo editing software, there’s not much else you need to get started.
It’s possible to make $1 or more per photo you sell.
14. Write Web Content for a Blog
Well-written web content is essential for making money online, as it can attract more visitors to your blog and keep them engaged.
To write effective web content, it’s important to understand your audience and their needs and to use clear and concise language.
Make sure to use headings, bullet points, and images to break up text and make it easier to read. Additionally, provide actionable advice that can help readers make money or solve a problem.
Sharing your personal experiences and stories can also help to connect with your audience and build trust. By following these tips, you can create high-quality web content that can help you make money and increase website traffic.
15. Engage in Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is promoting someone else’s product or service and receiving a commission for every sale you facilitate.
To be successful with affiliate marketing, start by finding products with high commissions and you will need a large number of followers.
Build an audience around the products you’re promoting and promote them through social media and email marketing. Focus on building a strong relationship with your audience and providing value through helpful content.
With the right strategy and persistence, you can earn your first $5000 through affiliate marketing in no time.
16. Provide Virtual Assistant Services
Virtual assistant jobs are becoming increasingly popular as a way to make money from the comfort of your own home.
As a virtual assistant, you can perform a variety of tasks such as scheduling appointments, managing social media accounts, answering emails, creating presentations, and more. The amount of money you can make will vary depending on your skills, but the average hourly rate for a virtual assistant is around $25 per hour.
Additionally, taking virtual assistant courses and learning new skills can help you specialize and earn more money.
How to use what you’ve learned to start making money quickly
Believe me, I have gone down the road of making money with MLMs or (multi-level-marketing). However, I have found the above ways to be better options for me.
Once you find your groove, you will be able to scale up how much money you make.
Step 1: Research ways to make money fast
If you need to make money quickly, there are many legitimate opportunities available.
Try multiple gigs to find what pays the most in your area and what you enjoy doing.
When researching ways to make money fast, be cautious of scams and do your due diligence before committing to anything. With a bit of creativity and determination, you can find practical and actionable steps to achieve your financial goals.
Step 2: Choose a way to make money fast
When choosing the best way to make $5000 fast, there are a few criteria to consider.
First, consider your skills and interests. If you enjoy driving, delivering for DoorDash or UberEats could be a good fit. If you’re tech-savvy, freelance work or online tutoring might be a good option.
Second, consider the time commitment. Some methods, like selling items on eBay or Facebook Marketplace, can be done in your spare time, while others, like starting a side hustle or taking on freelance work, may require more time and effort.
Finally, consider the potential earnings. Some methods, day trading stocks or selling printables, have the potential for higher earnings than others.
Step 3: Get started making money fast
If you’re looking to make money fast, it’s important to take action right away and not get bogged down by analysis paralysis.
Start with the methods that require the least amount of time and effort, such as selling items you no longer need or completing online surveys. These are easy-to-implement money-making strategies that can quickly generate extra cash.
If you need to save up for a course, then set aside your profits to make that happen.
Step 4: Sacrifice your time for money
Sacrificing your time can be a great way to make money quickly.
The best is when you start to build passive income, you are earning money without the need to work. That is when your hard work will pay off.
By dedicating your time to side hustles, you can earn a significant amount of money within a short period.
Step 5: Maximize your revenue with each step
To make $5000 fast, it’s essential to set realistic revenue goals and identify the most profitable revenue streams.
Prioritize the revenue streams that are most feasible and have the highest earning potential. Once you have identified your revenue streams, optimize your earnings by leveraging your skills and resources.
This could include networking, outsourcing, or investing in your own education to improve your earning potential.
FAQ
Flipping items on eBay is a great way to make money.
To start, you need to find items that you can buy for a low price and sell for a higher price. Look for items that are in demand, such as electronics, clothing, and collectibles. You can find these items at flea markets, garage sales, and online marketplaces like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.
Remember to reinvest your profits into buying more items to flip. With time and effort, flipping items on eBay can be a lucrative side hustle.
Becoming a content creator on YouTube might be an option for you.
You can make money from ads, affiliates, and sponsored content, as well as selling your own merch and products.
It is important to create consistent and top-quality videos to build up a following, but it can be a lucrative online side hustle.
freelance work, and more. Here are some of the most popular options:
Freelance work: Graphic design, web development, digital marketing, typing, and more.
Food delivery: DoorDash, Instacart, Uber Eats, Grubhub, and more.
Package delivery: Amazon Flex, Roadie, GoShare, Lugg, and more.
Rideshare driving: Lyft, Uber, and more.
While these jobs offer flexibility and quick payment, they may come with fees and additional costs. Nevertheless, they are great options for making extra income on the side.
There are plenty of job opportunities in the gig economy, ranging from food delivery to How to make $5,000 in a month?
There are several realistic and actionable ways to make $5,000 in a month.
Freelance jobs like virtual assistance, freelance writing, and web development are great options. If you have an established following, your YouTube channel could also make more than $5,000. Other methods to explore are selling on Amazon, affiliate marketing, and blogging.
While some methods may require more work than others, there’s no reason you can’t earn this money quickly.
Remember to think outside the box and explore all of your options.
How to Get 5000 Dollars Fast
Remember that making money fast requires dedication and persistence, but the rewards can be significant.
The potential earnings and time commitment for each option vary, but with effort and dedication, you can make $5000 within a couple of months.
Selling items can earn you a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, while freelance work and trading stocks can earn you thousands of dollars depending on the quality of your work.
Don’t be afraid to try new things and experiment with different methods until you find what works best for you.
Also, consider what works well for one person may not be the best idea for the next.
Maybe earning 5k is more than you need:
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!
Consumers aren’t the only ones getting used to the digital tipping screens that are becoming increasingly popular for in-person purchases. Behind the scenes, striking the right balance with preset tipping options is a delicate process for small-business owners. Set them too high and you could upset some customers. Too low, and you could be leaving money on the table.
The right tipping system helps encourage customers to tip generously and provides a smooth experience for people on both sides of the transaction. Small-business owners can use their point-of-sale systems’ customer-facing screens to collect other useful feedback, too.
Here’s how restaurant-industry experts are navigating new gratuity norms and getting the most out of customer-facing tipping screens.
Consider your business model
If you’re not sure where to start with preset tipping options, take your business model into account. “You have to be specific and intentional when you’re choosing what you want those percents to be,” says Sarah White, who runs multiple restaurants in Northern Virginia and is president of the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging and Travel Association’s restaurant component.
Businesses that do mostly takeout orders may choose lower tipping options since less service is required. For example, White usually chooses gratuity options of 5%, 10% and 15% for carryout orders. Full-service restaurants or professional service businesses, like a spa, on the other hand, might choose 20% and above.
Julia Kesler Imerman’s Atlanta cafe, Daily Chew, operates according to a hybrid model, meaning people order at the counter, pay upfront and then receive table service afterward. To account for this service and the fact that 10% of tips go to the kitchen, she and her staff decided gratuity presets should start at 18%, with additional options at 20% and 25%.
Do market research
Getting to know your neighborhood and customer base can go a long way if you’re not sure how to best set up your business’s tipping screen. Pay attention to how similar businesses in your area approach tipping and consider asking regular customers for their opinions on which tip amounts feel appropriate.
Your market research might also involve looking at tipping data for your area because what works in one city might not work in another. For example, Toast, a restaurant POS system provider, found the average tip percentage among quick- and full-service restaurants across 12 metro areas was highest in Cleveland at 20.6% and lowest in San Francisco at 17%.
Your front-of-house employees can be a valuable resource, too. While you’re experimenting with the default tipping options, ask employees which options stick. “If you set one and you see that tips aren’t what you want them to be, try adjusting it a little higher or a little lower,” White says.
Think twice before removing the custom tip option
In addition to fixed tip percentages, most tipping screens allow for a “custom tip” option where the customer can input a dollar amount of their choosing. While this feature may mean customers tip a smaller-than-suggested amount, taking away the custom tip option doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll choose a preset one instead. When Kesler Imerman removed the option, she noticed that people who might’ve otherwise left a custom tip were choosing not to tip at all. Eventually, she added the custom option back to the tipping screen.
Separately, White points out that some people prefer leaving tips in whole dollar amounts as opposed to dollars and cents. The custom option lets them do this.
Remember that tipping doesn’t have to be awkward
Tipping screens have certainly sparked some friction by prompting people to rethink how much they tip and where. But customers might be warming up to them. The payment processor Square reports that in the fourth quarter of 2022, full-service restaurants using its system saw a 16.50% increase in tips year over year, while quick-service restaurants saw a 15.86% increase.
As Kesler Imerman puts it, the preset options are there to guide customers. Similarly, White likens the options to a reminder. Plus, it takes pressure off employees to expressly ask for tips, White says.
Collect data points on tipping and beyond
Using a POS system to collect tips isn’t only a matter of convenience — having data on how much employees are tipped during their shifts gives you better insight into your business, too.
“There’s so much power in tracking all of that data to be able to understand, OK, this is how much an employee will typically make every night that they work, so we can plan to staff accordingly,” says Dani Zuchovicki, membership and community manager at The Hatchery, a nonprofit food and beverage incubator in Chicago.
Tipping data aside, some POS systems prompt customers to select “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” after tipping, along with a reason why. White gets notifications immediately after a customer completes this workflow and uses it to parse out, for example, who should be eligible for a management role or who might work better behind the bar as opposed to on the floor. This can lead to both higher employee satisfaction and a more efficient business.
A checking account is a deposit account held at a financial institution that allows withdrawals and deposits. Its purpose is to provide an easily accessible avenue for frequent transactions such as paying bills. As a tool in your money management kit, understanding how much money you should keep in your checking account is crucial for optimal financial health.
Factors to Consider When Determining How Much Money to Keep in Your Checking Account
Monthly Expenses
Your checking account balance should reflect your exact living expenses, plus a little extra for safety. Monthly expenses vary for everyone. They can be divided into fixed expenses (like rent and utilities) and variable expenses (like groceries, entertainment, seasonal and occasional expenses).
Income Frequency and Stability
If you have a regular income and know exactly how much money you’re getting every pay period, you can plan to keep just enough to cover a couple months worth of expenses plus your extra safety net. If your income fluctuates, it might be prudent to keep a bit more.
Personal Comfort Level and Financial Goals
Everyone’s financial situation and goals are different. Some might feel comfortable with a larger buffer in their checking accounts, while others might prefer to invest or move their excess into savings accounts to earn interest.
Emergency Expenses and Financial Buffer
Life is unpredictable. Having an emergency fund in your checking account for unexpected expenses such as medical emergencies or urgent car repairs can save you from financial distress. A rule of thumb is to have 3–6 months’ worth of living expenses set aside in your emergency savings.
General Rules of Thumb for Checking Account Balances
Covering Monthly Bills
The balance in your checking account should always be able to cover your monthly bills without resorting to overdrafts. Overdraft fees can add up and end up being a significant drain on your finances.
Overdraft Protection
It’s wise to keep a buffer against unanticipated expenses. This isn’t just an ATM transaction that went over your available balance, but also potentially a check that was cashed later than expected. An overdraft protection plan can prevent an empty or overstuffed checking account.
Extra Cushion
Even with all your expenses accounted for and a buffer for emergencies, it can be prudent to maintain an additional cushion. This can help cover seasonal and occasional expenses without the risk of an overdrawn account.
Benefits and Risks of Keeping Large Balances in Your Checking Account
Benefits
There’s convenience and flexibility in having a robust checking account. It serves as overdraft protection and ensures you have enough money for just about anything. Moreover, having that much money at hand can feel comforting.
Risks
Having too much money in your checking account comes with risks, such as missed investment opportunities. Money in a checking account typically doesn’t earn interest, or if it does, the interest rates are often significantly lower than savings or money market accounts.
There’s also the risk of exposure to fraud and theft. While financial institutions do their best to protect your checking account numbers and other data, no system is completely foolproof.
Strategies to Optimize Checking Account Use
Regular Monitoring and Rebalancing
Understanding how much cash you’re spending and keeping track of your available checking account balance is key. It allows you to adjust your balance based on your spending habits and helps keep your checking account well-funded without being overstuffed.
Use of Budgeting Tools and Apps
Budgeting tools can help you understand your monthly spending better. They can automate the tracking process and give you a clear picture of how much money you need in your checking account each month.
Automatic Transfers
Setting up automatic transfers to your savings account or emergency fund can help you grow those funds consistently. Just ensure that this doesn’t leave your checking account underfunded.
Splitting Direct Deposits
You can opt to split your direct deposit into different accounts. This can be a valuable tool for maintaining an adequate balance in your checking account while also ensuring your savings accounts and investment accounts are consistently growing.
Regularly Reviewing and Adjusting Based on Changing Financial Situations
Life changes can significantly affect how much money you need in your checking account. Regular reviews of your finances can help you adjust to changes like new monthly bills, increased living expenses, or changes in your income.
Alternatives to Keeping Excess Money in a Checking Account
Savings Accounts
Savings accounts typically offer higher interest rates than checking accounts. Transferring excess money into a savings account can help you earn more over time, making it a safer bet for your surplus funds.
Investments
Investing can offer higher returns than deposit accounts that pay interest at a bank, though it comes with more risk. If you find you have too much cash in your checking account regularly, it might be worth speaking with a financial advisor about investment opportunities.
Money Market Accounts and High-Yield Checking Accounts
Money market accounts and high-yield checking accounts can provide higher annual percentage yield than regular checking and savings accounts. These accounts can be a good place to keep excess money that’s still relatively accessible.
Bottom Line
While the average checking account balance varies by individual, a rule of thumb is to keep enough to cover a month or two of expenses. In addition, keep a cushion for emergencies and any potential bank failures.
Maintaining a balance that is too high means your money isn’t working for you, and could be better used in a high yield savings account or investment. On the flip side, you don’t want to risk overdraft fees from an empty or overdrawn account.
Ultimately, the best way to determine how much money to keep in your checking account is to monitor your finances closely. Understand your monthly expenses and personal comfort level, and regularly review your situation.
The key is balance. An overstuffed checking account means missed opportunities elsewhere, but a checking account well funded enough to cover your bills, a buffer for emergencies, and a bit extra for unexpected expenses will keep your financial life running smoothly.
No matter what, it’s your money. Understanding the ins and outs of bank accounts, especially your checking account, is key to ensuring your money works best for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my bank account balance affect my credit score?
No, the amount of money in your checking or savings account doesn’t directly impact your credit score. However, good money management habits like avoiding overdrafts, paying bills on time, and maintaining a healthy balance can indirectly contribute to your overall financial health.
Is my money safe in a checking account?
Yes, your money is typically safe in a checking account. Most checking accounts are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to a limit of $250,000. However, always verify that your bank is FDIC-insured.
What if my checking account balance goes negative?
If your account balance goes negative, you’ll likely face overdraft fees. Some banks offer overdraft protection programs that link your checking account to a savings account or credit card to cover the shortfall. However, these services often come with fees, so it’s better to avoid overdrawing your account whenever possible.
Should I have multiple checking accounts?
Having multiple checking accounts can be beneficial for managing different financial objectives or expenses. However, keep in mind that each account may have its own set of fees and minimum balance requirements.
What happens to the money in my checking account when I use my debit card?
When you use your debit card, the amount of the transaction is subtracted from your balance. So, it’s crucial to ensure that you have enough money in your account to cover any purchases made with your debit card.
What happens if I don’t meet the minimum balance requirement for my checking account?
If you don’t meet the required minimum balance, your bank may charge you a monthly maintenance fee. The specifics can vary widely from bank to bank, so it’s best to check with your financial institution about their policies.
How can I avoid monthly maintenance fees on my checking account?
Some ways to avoid monthly fees include meeting balance requirements, setting up direct deposit, or using your debit card a certain number of times per month. Each bank has different policies, so it’s important to understand what your bank requires to waive these fees.
Many people hit a period of financial hardship at some point in their lives. Maybe there’s a medical emergency and big bills, a job layoff, or a family member in serious need: These and other scenarios can put your money management in a precarious position.
Approximately 70% of Americans report feeling stressed about money, according to a CNBC/Momentive survey. This can be centered on anything from living paycheck to paycheck to worrying about saving for one’s (and one’s family’s) future.
Here, you’ll learn more about what happens when financial hardship hits and how to take steps to improve the situation, from applying for assistance to negotiating with lenders to discovering new sources of income.
What is Financial Hardship?
Everyone probably has their own definition of “economic hardship” that’s based on their own needs and wants. And the federal government has its own criteria for what counts as a “hardship” when it comes to taking an IRA distribution, looking for tax relief, or requesting a student loan deferment.
But generally, a financial hardship is when an individual or family finds they can no longer keep up with their bills or pay for the basic things they need to get by, such as food, shelter, clothing and medical care.
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Warning Signs
Sometimes financial difficulties can sneak up on a person, and catch them completely off guard. And sometimes, the warning signs have been there for a while, but were missed or ignored.
Identifying the root cause of financial distress can help give you a head start on working through your money issues. Here are some red flags that might signal a person is headed for financial distress:
Having Credit Card Balances At or Above the Credit Limit
While using credit cards may seem like a good way to get around a short-term lack of funds, the practice could lead to extra fees and a lower credit score. The percentage of available credit someone is using — known as a credit utilization ratio — can indicate to lenders how heavily they’re depending on credit cards to get by. And because it’s one of the major factors in determining a person’s overall FICO score (a credit score lenders use to determine whether to extend credit to a borrower), financial advisors typically recommend keeping card balances at or below 30% of the limit.
Juggling Which Bills Get Paid Each Month
It may be tempting to skip a payment from time to time, hoping to catch up eventually — but there can be short- and long-term consequences for juggling bills. Insurance coverage may be lost. There may be a late fee, or a bill could be turned over to a collection agency.
Utilities can also be shut off, and a deposit might be required to restart the account. Making late payments on a credit card could lead to a higher interest rate on the account. And late payments and defaults can hurt credit scores.
Only Making Minimum Payments on Their Credit Cards
It may be necessary to make minimum payments if times are especially tight, and there likely won’t be any short-term harm. But even if the cardholder stops making purchases, just the interest charged will keep the account balance growing, possibly extending the amount of time it takes to pay down that debt by months or years.
Often Paying Late Fees or Overdraft Fees
A one-time mistake may serve as an annoying reminder to be more cautious with money management, but if late fees, overdraft and non-sufficient funds fees, and overdraft protection transfers become a regular thing, they can add another layer of worry to a person’s financial burden. (Using alerts, automatic payments, and apps from your financial institution may offer a more effective method to track bills as well as deposits and withdrawals.)
Having a High Debt-to-Income Ratio
Lenders often use a person’s debt-to-income ratio — a personal finance measure that compares the amount of debt you have to your income—to determine if a borrower might have trouble making payments. If a person’s debt-to-income ratio is high, it could make it more difficult to borrow money, or to get a good interest rate on a loan.
Tapping Retirement Savings to Pay Monthly Bills
In certain cases, the IRS will allow an account holder to withdraw funds from a 401(k) or IRA to cover an immediate and heavy financial need (such as medical expenses, payment to avoid eviction or repair home damage) without paying the 10% early withdrawal penalty. But taxes will still have to be paid on those distributions. And taking that money now, instead of letting it grow through the power of compound interest, could have serious repercussions for the future.
Dealing with Financial Hardship
For those who’ve been struggling for a while, or who’ve had a sudden but substantial financial loss, it might feel as though they’ll never recover. But there are several options those who are experiencing financial trouble might consider taking to get back on track. Some they can do for themselves, while others might require getting financial hardship help from others. And while some might be temporary, others take a longer view. Here are a few:
Reducing Monthly Spending
Creating a monthly budget can help individuals and families prioritize and guide their spending decisions. This may involve prioritizing your monthly expenses, starting with the essentials and going down to the “nice to haves.” Once you’ve established which expenses are the most important, you may then be able to look for places to cut back or cut out of your budget altogether. Cutkacks may not feel fun, but they can help jump-start your recovery.
For example, could you cut costs if you cooked meals yourself more often? Are you trying too hard to keep up with what friends and family are spending on clothes, vacations, and cars? Are there monthly bills that could be reduced (could you save money on streaming services, internet, and phone services; manicures and other beauty treatments; or even rent, insurance, or car payments)? It may help to start by tracking expenses for a month or so to get an idea of where money is going, and then sit down and map out a more realistic path for the future.
Creating a Debt Reduction Plan
Along with a budget, it also may be useful to come up with a plan for paying down credit card balances, student loans and other long-term debt. It’s important to always make the minimum payment on all these bills, if possible, but a personal debt reduction plan could help with prioritizing which bill any leftover money might go toward after all the household expenses are paid each month — or the money might come from a tax refund, bonus check from work, or a gift. Knocking down debts that include high amounts of interest can eventually free up more cash to put toward short- or long-term savings goals.
Looking for Ways to Earn Extra Income
Is there a way to turn a hobby, skill, or interest into some extra funds? Maybe a favorite local business could use some part-time help. Or, if a second job is out of the question, perhaps a side hustle with flexible hours is a possibility. Writers, artists, and designers, for example, may be able to turn their talents into a side business. Babysitting the neighbor’s kids or running errands for an older person are also options. And, of course, on-demand services like Uber and DoorDash are employing drivers, delivery persons, and other workers.
Considering a Loan to Consolidate Bills
Getting a personal loan for debt consolidation won’t make money problems go away completely—but it might make managing payments a little simpler. With just one monthly payment (instead of separate bills for every credit card or loan) it can be easier to keep tabs on how much is owed and when it’s due.
Because interest rates for personal loans are typically lower than the interest rates credit card companies offer (especially if a rate went up because of late payments), the payoff process for that debt could go faster and end up costing less. (Generally, lenders offer a lower interest rate to those who have a higher credit score, borrowers who are already behind on their bills may pay a higher interest rate or have more trouble getting a loan.)
Student loan borrowers also may want to look into consolidating and refinancing with a private lender to get one manageable payment and, possibly, save money on interest with a shorter term or a lower interest rate.
Refinancing may be a solution for working graduates who have high-interest, unsubsidized Direct Loans, Graduate PLUS loans, and/or private loans.
Federal loans carry some special benefits that private loans don’t offer, including public service forgiveness and economic hardship programs, so it’s important for borrowers to be clear on what they’re getting and what they might lose if they refinance.
Notifying and Negotiating
Ignoring credit card payments and other debts won’t make them disappear. Borrowers who can clearly see they’re headed for financial trouble may wish to notify their credit card company or lender and try to work out a more manageable payment arrangement. (There are debt settlement companies that will do the negotiating, but they charge a fee for their services.)
A credit card issuer may agree to a reduced, lump-sum payment or a repayment plan based on the borrower’s current income, or it may offer a hardship program with a lower interest rate, lower minimum payments, and/or reduced penalties and fees. The options available could depend on why a customer fell behind, or if they’ve had problems before.
Financial hardship assistance is sometimes offered by mortgage lenders. Because these lenders generally don’t want their borrowers to foreclose on their homes, it’s in their best interest to work with borrowers when they get in trouble. The lender may be willing to help the borrower get caught up by forgiving late payments, or they may change the interest rate of the loan or lower the payment.
If you have federal student loans and are experiencing financial hardship, you might qualify for a special repayment plan, such as pay-as-you-earn, or an income-based repayment plan.
It can also be helpful to reach out to service providers (such as water, electricity, internet) and let them know you are experiencing financial difficulties. Providers may be willing to work with you and you may be able to come to an agreement well before any shut-off actions go into effect. This can also save you from late fees, or going into collections.
Getting Financial Help
There are also a number of government programs designed specifically to help people overcome sudden financial hardships. Those who’ve lost a job may be entitled to unemployment benefits. If that job provided health insurance, you may want to look into COBRA to see if you can maintain affordable health insurance. Those who were injured at work may be entitled to workers’ compensation.
Also, some people facing financial hardship may qualify for state or federal benefits like Medicaid or Social Security Disability.
Though not free, a financial professional who specializes in planning, saving, and investing may be a worthwhile investment. He or she may be able to offer a fresh perspective and help create a path to financial freedom. There may also be free or low-cost debt counselors available via non-profit organizations.
Preparing for Current and Future Challenges
Once you’ve developed your personal plan for overcoming financial hardship, you can begin working on your goals of becoming more financially independent. If the cause of your hardship is temporary (you were out of work but quickly found a new job, for example), it may take just a few months to get back on your feet. If the problems are more difficult to overcome (you’ve lost income through a divorce, or you or a loved one has an ongoing medical condition that requires expensive treatment), the timeline could be much longer. Once you’ve put your plan in place, you may want to review it on a regular basis, and perhaps do some fine-tuning.
The Takeaway
Many people go through periods of financial hardship, and often for reasons that are beyond their control. But that doesn’t mean they are out of options. There are many simple and effective steps people can take. Cutting monthly expenses, consolidating debt, and getting outside assistance are moves that can help them get back on the right financial track.
Ready to get your finances organized? You also may find it easier to track expenses and stay on budget by separating your money into virtual buckets or “vaults.” SoFi Checking and Savings is an online account that features Vaults to allow members to set aside money for different financial goals, track their progress, as well as set up recurring monthly deposits. What’s more, a SoFi Checking and Savings account offers a competitive annual percentage yield (APY) and charges no account fees, plus you can spend and save in one convenient place.
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SoFi members with direct deposit can earn up to 4.20% annual percentage yield (APY) interest on Savings account balances (including Vaults) and up to 1.20% APY on Checking account balances. There is no minimum direct deposit amount required to qualify for these rates. Members without direct deposit will earn 1.20% APY on all account balances in Checking and Savings (including Vaults). Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 4/25/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet. 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. 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 . Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners. Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice. SOBK0523024U
The loss was the first of its kind ever recorded since the MBA began tracking loan production income in 2008.
The average $301 loss marked a major downturn compared to the previous leader, when mortgage lenders recorded an average profit of $2,339 per home during a record boom in US housing demand.
Mortgage lenders were impacted by a surge in loan rates that caused demand for purchase and refinance applications to plummet to their lowest level in decades, according to MBA vice president of industry analysis Marina Walsh.
“The stellar profits of the previous two years dissipated because of the confluence of declining volume, lower revenues, and higher costs per loan,” Walsh said in a statement.
Firms were unable to slash their expenses fast enough to offset the major drop in demand.
“Companies could not adjust their capacity fast enough,” Walsh added. “The number of production employees declined, but not at the same pace as origination volume. As a result, productivity in 2022 fell to a low of 1.5 closed loans a month per production employee.”
Mortgage demand hit a 25-year low last October as 30-year fixed loan rates topped 7%, pushing many prospective buyers and sellers to the sidelines.
Rates have since cooled slightly, though they are still running well above 6%.
Just 32% of firms active in the mortgage lending sector were profitable last year, according to MBA’s analysis.
That was down from 98% who turned a profit just two years earlier, during a pandemic-era housing boom.
The cost of mortgage lending ballooned to $10,624 per loan last year, outpacing gains in loan servicing.
The US housing market slowdown prompted waves of layoffs and reorganizations throughout the real estate sector.
In January, Wells Fargo, a bank that once had a dominant hold on the mortgage-lending sector, revealed that it would be paring back its mortgage business as conditions in the market deteriorate.
In another shakeup, Homepoint, one of the largest mortgage lenders in the US last year, revealed last week that it would be selling of its assets to The Loan Store.
“After careful consideration, and in light of current market conditions, we have decided to sell our wholesale originations business to The Loan Store,” said Willie Newman, president and CEO of Homepoint. “We believe this is the best decision for our company to continue to deliver value to Home Point shareholders.”
Inside: Amazon is known for its impressive shipping times. But how late does amazon deliver? Find the current days and times.
I am an avid Amazon shopper. You too?
There is just something about the ease of shopping on your computer and having it delivered to your doorstep that makes a girl feel like she is getting her money’s worth.
Amazon has such great customer service, but I was wondering how long does their shipping process take?
One of my biggest fears of shopping online is my package arriving after I go to bed and then being stolen off my porch.
Amazon is great for getting your packages with quick delivery times!
Remember, when getting our Amazon packages within 2 days was super quick?!?! Now, you can sometimes get your packages within an hour!
But, the question remains how late does Amazon deliver?
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What time does amazon deliver?
Typically between 8 am and 8 pm seven days a week.
However, deliveries can be as early as 6 am or as late as 10 pm.
What is the latest time Amazon will deliver my package?
We really want to know… what time does Amazon stop delivering?
The latest time Amazon will deliver a package is 10 pm local time on weekdays and 8 pm on Saturdays.
Amazon – overnight by 8 am
If you are an Amazon Prime member, there is no charge for the Early Morning Delivery service. This service allows you to schedule a package for delivery between 6 am and 8 am.
This is extremely beneficial to avoid late deliveries of packages. Plus for many, this is a perfect early morning job!
Our Amazon Overnight Delivery Experience
We placed an order for an early morning delivery one time. We needed an item for a long baseball tournament weekend.
I was a bit hesitant about placing for early delivery. But, it was fantastic!
Our order was delivered on time and we were grateful we had it before it was time to leave.
The delivery driver was super quiet placing the package on our front porch.
Will Amazon deliver after 10 pm?
On the Amazon website, they specifically state deliveries will occur between 6 am and 10 pm local time. (source).
Personally, I have never seen a package delivered after 9:30 pm.
If a package is out from delivery by 10 pm and doesn’t arrive around 9 pm, typically we find the package to be delivered the next day.
What days of the week does Amazon deliver?
Amazon offers delivery on weekdays and weekends.
For Amazon, their standard delivery time occurs between 8 am and 8 pm Monday through Friday.
However, since the rush of online shopping Amazon has expanded to delivering 7 days per week.
It’s important to note that according to their website, Amazon delivers items from their warehouses in under two days for Amazon Prime members.
Now, Amazon commonly delivers packages seven days a week. You can get your package as early as 6 am or as late as 10 pm.
So no matter what day of the week you need something delivered, Amazon has you covered!
Does Amazon deliver on weekends?
Yes, Amazon offers weekend deliveries. In fact, they offer same-day and two-hour delivery options for certain items on the weekends.
This makes it easy to get what you need without having to wait long!
Does Amazon Deliver on Sundays
Yes!
Amazon rarely takes a day off from their deliveries. They want you to get your packages when you need them the most.
How late does Amazon deliver on Sunday? Same as a typical day. However, I noticed they are normally done by 8 pm.
What holidays does Amazon not deliver on?
Is Amazon open on Christmas?
Amazon does not deliver on certain holidays. This means when you order something from Amazon, it will not be delivered on:
Christmas Day
Thanksgiving
New Year’s Day
Memorial Day
Labor Day
Both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve have normal delivery hours.
This is one downside to ordering from Amazon–since the company does not deliver packages on certain holidays, your order may not arrive until after the holiday has passed.
Be sure to keep this in mind when placing an order!
You just need to plan ahead to have your packages delivered in time around the holidays. Everyone deserves a day off to spend with their family!
amazon Weather Delays
Amazon is careful to keep its drivers safe.
You can watch and see everything a local warehouse does to ensure safety during inclement weather conditions.
Amazon will not deliver your package during inclement weather, whether it is snow/blizzard conditions, extreme arctic cold, dangerous thunderstorms, or natural disasters.
However, what does Amazon do when delivering in inclement weather?
They quickly update your order status and delivery date to include delays during weather events. The picture above is a screenshot of my own account during a historic Christmas blizzard and arctic cold.
How Late Does Amazon Fresh Groceries Get Delivered?
Amazon Fresh is a grocery delivery service offered by Amazon. It is available to Amazon Prime customers and offers on-demand delivery of groceries.
You can get your groceries by 8 pm or 8 am, depending on the delivery option that you choose.
Amazon has one-hour delivery with a delivery fee charge. Whereas the two-hour delivery is free to Amazon Fresh customers with orders over the local free shipping threshold.
Most regions offer free shipping on orders over $25. However, the other regions require $50 or more on your Amazon Fresh order.
How do I track my Amazon delivery?
After an Amazon order has shipped, you can find the tracking information in the order details.
If your package includes multiple items, each may have a different delivery date and tracking number.
This tracking process is very simple to find on the Amazon website or Amazon app.
Learn how to track Amazon order from someone else.
What if I’m not home when Amazon delivers my package?
One of the great things about Amazon is that they offer a variety of delivery options to its customers.
If you’re not going to be home when your package arrives, you can choose from a variety of alternate delivery options.
Amazon Locker. You could have the package delivered to an Amazon Locker near you.
Delivered to Alternative Address. You can send it to another address such as your office or a friend’s house.
Amazon Key. This is a service for Prime members which allows drivers to deliver packages inside your home using a unique code and smart security camera system. Learn how to enroll.
Plan Your Amazon Days. You can choose all of your packages to be delivered on a selected day that you know you will be home. Just select my Amazon Day at checkout.
If for some reason you’re still not able to receive your package, Amazon has got you covered.
What Do I do if my Amazon package is late?
You want to know… why is my amazon package late?
Amazon is known for its fast and efficient delivery times.
We hate to get Amazon deliveries late, right?
However, if your package doesn’t arrive within the estimated time, you should contact Amazon customer service to investigate.
If your package is delayed, you must be patient and wait. The estimated delivery time is only that–an estimate. In most cases, packages arrive within that timeframe.
Many times when you see “package delayed,” it is likely to be delivered the next day.
However, if your Amazon package is over 48 hours late, try one of these solutions:
If none of the above work, contact Amazon for a refund on your order.
What is Amazon’s refund policy for late deliveries?
If you’ve been waiting for an Amazon package and it doesn’t arrive on time, you may be wondering what your options are. Don’t worry, we’re here to help!
In this article, learn exactly what Amazon’s refund policy is for late deliveries.
First of all, let’s start with a little background information. If you experience a problem with your order, then go to Your Orders and choose Problem with Order.
Typically, Amazon will refund lost packages sent through FedEx and UPS.
Gone are the days when Amazon would extend your Amazon Prime benefits for late packages. (bummer, I know)
If the delay is due to something else–for example, bad weather–then Amazon will not issue a refund.
If an item is the wrong one, Amazon will replace it or issue a full refund if the order was placed less than 30 days ago.
Finally, Amazon offers an easy-to-use interface to file complaints.
You can access this by going to Your Orders and clicking on the problem order. Then, click on Request a refund under Action. From there, you’ll be able to fill out a form with all the relevant information.
Can I schedule an Amazon delivery for a specific time?
Yes, you can change your delivery time on Amazon if it has not been shipped yet.
However, the exact time for delivery will depend on your location and warehouse logistics.
If you need to reschedule an order that has already been picked up by a driver and is en route to the customer, you cannot reschedule that order.
Orders are generally received between 8 am and 8 pm in most areas, with exceptions noted in the cart checkout process.
Learn how long does Amazon take to ship.
What are some tips for ensuring my Amazon package arrives on time?
First and foremost, be sure to check the delivery schedule so you will know when your package will be delivered.
In some cases, Amazon offers one-hour delivery in selected cities. If you are not located in a city with one-hour delivery, don’t worry!
Amazon has a vast inventory of products for sale and offers free shipping on orders over $25.
Second, be sure to have all of your contact information correct on file with Amazon. This includes your name, address, phone number, and email address. Amazon uses this information to contact you about your order or to notify you that your package has been delivered.
Third, always inspect your package for any damage before signing for it. If there is any damage present, note it on the carrier’s receipt and contact Amazon immediately.
Finally, keep in mind that orders must be placed within the time window to be delivered on your specified day and time.
Related Reading: Can you get Cash Back with Apple Pay?
How Late Does Amazon Deliver Recap
Amazon offers delivery options for customers that vary depending on the urgency of the order and what time of day you want it delivered.
You can find a time that best suits your needs from early to late at night, seven days a week.
Amazon generally provides parcels and other items between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., but this can vary depending on your location.
You can find the latest estimated delivery times for your specific zip code by placing the item in your cart.
It’s important to be aware of how late Amazon delivers in order to plan your expectations.
Also, to make sure Amazon does not deliver to the wrong address.
Delivery times vary depending on the product and the time of year, but we’ve compiled a list of the latest estimated delivery times for different types of products.
It’s important to know when your order will arrive.
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!