The Frugal Prof

11 of The Best Side Hustle Ideas for 2019

Coupons.com

Pampers Coupons — Turn Dirty Diapers Into Rewards

Parents, let’s get real for a second. You funnel a ton of money into diapers, and you don’t get crap in return. OK, well, that’s a poor choice of words, but you get where we’re going with this… They all end up in the trash.

It’s time to change that. (No pun intended on that one.)

Sign up for Pampers Rewards, and earn points each time you buy a new batch of diapers.

Here’s how it works:

Register for Pampers Rewards here. You’ll earn 100 bonus points just for registering and signing into the mobile app.

In the packs of diapers you buy, you’ll find a code. Scan the code with the app, and earn more points. You’ll get another 50 bonus points for the first code you scan.

Exchange points for rewards, like $5 off Pampers diapers or pants (700 points). Or $30 off your first order of Hello Fresh (30 points). You can even enter sweepstakes, like a chance to win a $250 gift card to Lowe’s (30 points) or free Cheerios for a year (30 points).

You’ll also receive weekly customized emails with tips and coupons that are tailored to each stage of your pregnancy or your baby’s development.

Go ahead and sign up for a Pampers rewards account for free coupons and chances to win awesome prizes.

Enfamil coupons — Get up to $400 in Free Baby Gifts and Coupons

Expecting — or already have — a little one at home?

Join Enfamil Family Beginnings to get up to $400 in free gifts and a chance to win a $25,000 college scholarship for your baby*.

Your gifts will include things like coupons for baby necessities, free samples of Enfamil formula and other goodies.

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11 Legitimate Survey Sites

9 Employers Who Pay for College Even for Part time Jobs

January 2, 2020 by Frugal Prof

9 Employers Who Pay for College even for Part time Jobs

Most people go to college to land a good job, but thanks to a tight labor market, several major employers are flipping the script by offering jobs that lead to college.

Disney, Starbucks and Walmart have all announced education programs that will not just reimburse a capped amount of tuition but directly pay for their employees’ degrees at select universities.

Why would companies do this?

Well, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. economy is continuing to add jobs in record numbers, which creates more openings than there are workers to fill them.

This situation forces employers to compete with each other for new applicants and to retain current employees.

The result is good news for workers and job seekers alike — usually in the form of better wages and benefits.

Or, in this case, a free college degree.

Jobs That Pay for College

Before you go and quit your current gig to become a barista or a Disney cast member, you need to know the particulars of each program.

1. Disney – All Hourly Workers

The Disney Aspire program will cover 100% of the tuition costs for hourly U.S. workers who want a bachelor’s or master’s degree from one of Disney’s partner universities.

“Disney will pay for tuition upfront, making it even easier for cast members to take the first step,” said Thomas Smith, an editorial content director at Disney Parks, in an announcement from August 2018, when the program launched.

Disney Aspire universities include the University of Florida and the University of Central Florida. All hourly cast members, regardless of location, can enroll in UF’s online programs. UCF is limited to Florida residents.

Disney employs more than 80,000 hourly workers, all of whom are eligible for the Aspire program after their first 90 days of employment. Disney will also cover the cost of textbooks and high school diploma programs.

2. Starbucks – All Employees

Starbucks has been ahead of the pack, offering its U.S. employees access to Arizona State University’s online bachelor’s degrees for years.

The landmarkStarbucks College Achievement Plan(SCAP) launched in 2015 and is available to all benefits-eligible employees in the U.S., which is to say all employees after a certain amount of time.

Employees are considered benefits-eligible after “the first day of the second month after receiving a minimum of 240 total hours over three full, consecutive months.”

That means part-time employees must be working at Starbucks or Starbucks-owned businesses for at least five months and have been scheduled to work at least 240 hours in the first three months. Benefits for full-time employees kick in sooner.

Arizona State University offers 80 different degrees online, and Starbucks will cover 100% of the tuition costs after scholarships and financial aid kick in. ASU first gives SCAP students a 42% scholarship, then the students

get additional aid by filling out the FAFSA as part of the program. Starbucks covers the remaining tuition costs.

Military service members and veterans can extend these benefits to certain family members.

SCAP doesn’t cover the cost of books or supplies.

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3. WalMart

Walmart is the largest employer in the U.S., with an estimated 1.4 million employees.

Through its Live Better Uprogram, all of them are eligible for specific degrees at six partner universities.

Current partner universities include Bellevue University, Brandman University, Purdue University Global, Southern New Hampshire University, University of Florida and Wilmington University — with each university offering fully online programs.

Employees who live near a partner university may attend in-person, but the vast majority choose to attend online, a Walmart spokesperson said.

For bachelor’s degree seekers, the program is not 100% free, however. Employees pay $1 per day toward college tuition and Walmart covers the rest. Workers are limited to degrees in fields related to business, supply-chain management, computer science or cyber security.

College tuition is only one facet of Walmart’s education program. For high school student-employees, Walmart will cover the full cost of ACT or SAT prep classes, plus seven hours of college credit. Walmart also pays the costs of a high school diploma or GED program for employees who didn’t finish high school.

Additional perks through Live Better U include discounted master’s degrees and free foreign language classes. Eligible workers can also pass on these benefits to family members.

4. UPS

Part-time employees of UPS are eligible to receive up to $5,250 in tuition assistance per year, up to a lifetime maximum of $25,000. Eligibility begins on the date of hire. Also, most full-time UPS employees started at the company as part-time or non-manager employees, including managers and executives!

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5. Publix

According to the company’s website, employees may be reimbursed for not only traditional degree programs, but also some individual courses and online programs. Any associate with at least six months of continuous service, who works an average of 10 hours per week is eligible. Associates enrolled in a four-year college or university, may be reimbursed up to $3,200 annually, with a lifetime limit of $12,800.

Associates enrolled in undergraduate courses at a two-year community college, technical program or individual course program may be reimbursed up to $1,700 annually, with a lifetime limit of $3,400.

6. Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo offers several scholarships to children of employees, ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 each. In addition, they offer their employees up to $5,000 in tuition reimbursement annually, for eligible tuition expenses.

7. Smuckers

Employees may be eligible for up to 100% reimbursement of tuition costs for Company-approved college courses. In addition to that, they offer a scholarship program for children of employees valued at $3,000 per year to 10 recipients – and, its renewable! And also a lifetime supply of delicious strawberry jam! (ok we made up that last part…)

8. Chipotle offers up to $5,250 per year in tuition assistance

9. McDonald’s is not to be left out with it’s ‘Archways to Opportunity^TM‘ program. McOpCo full-time Store Manager Trainees, Certified Swing Managers, Department Managers, or General Managers are eligible for $5,250 in tuition assistance as long they have and maintain a performance rating of “significant performance” throughout the course/program. McOpCo restaurant Crew, Floor Supervisors, Shift Manager Trainees, Primary Maintenance, or other part-time employees are eligible for $700 in assistance each year. This also comes with some additional eligibility requirements

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Bonus:

10. Fidelity

Full-time employees with at least six months of service may apply for tuition reimbursement for up to 90% of of certain costs, up to $10,000 per year

Eligibility is subject to manager approval and the coursework must be at an accredited college or university and be work-related.

7 Impressive Alternatives to Uber and Lyft as a Money Making Side Hustle

December 30, 2019 by Frugal Prof

7 Better Alternatives to Uber and Lyft as a Side Hustle

You have a vehicle. You need to supplement your income.

So, Driving for Uber or Lyft may seem like a no-brainer.

Since Uber’s 2009 launch rideshare driving has become almost synonymous with side hustles and the gig economy.

Lyft self-reports 1.5 million drivers in the U.S.

But is ridesharing all it’s cracked up to be?

Before you sign up, take some time to answer these sobering questions.

How Much Will I Really Be Making?

Uber and Lyft drivers are considered independent contractors, not employees.

So earnings can get a little tricky.

First of all, the companies don’t pay by the hour. They pay per fare.

But technically, as an independent contractor, you’re only getting paid if you’re en-route or already chauffeuring a passenger. The time you spend waiting for a fare or returning to a populated area after you’ve dropped off a passenger doesn’t count.

All the while, you’re racking up mileage and burning gas, another expense that should be subtracted from your earnings.

John Brown, a library tech and former rideshare driver from Louisiana, started picking up on these “invisible expenses” when his bank account balance wasn’t what he expected.

“I did a cost-benefit analysis,” he said.

“The profit only ended up being $10 an hour when we broke down all the other expenses… I didn’t really think of that going in.”

This is consistent with other analysis’ that I have seen of people who include all of the costs including depreciation i.e. wear and tear on your car.

Reports claim that Uber drivers earn between $12 and $16 per hour and about the same for Lyft drivers, but I am a bit skeptical.

Can My Vehicle Handle It?

The first thing you need to determine is if you’re vehicle is eligible for ride sharing.

The biggest one being: Your car, truck or SUV needs to be a 2002 model or newer to drive for Uber and a 2006 model or newer to drive for Lyft.

Your vehicle must be able to fit at least four passengers for both services. It needs to be in good working condition, too.

But just because it’s in good condition at first doesn’t mean it’s going to stay that way.

Besides gas, maintenance costs piled up quickly.

“I put almost 30,000 miles on my car,” Brown said.

Those miles cost more than just gas and oil changes. They depreciate your car’s value, too.

“Many drivers decide to pivot away from Uber as a side hustle because it was too much wear and tear on their cars and not profitable enough.

Disclaimer; I believe in transparency and want to disclose this page has links to products that I may earn an affiliate commission for purchases you make. The reader pays nothing.

Some Better Alternatives:

Loan Signing Agent:

In the viedo below, Dylan went from driving for Uber to making $10,000 a month as a loan signing agent.

You can make $75 to $200 in a single signing, and a signing takes about an hour.

Total work time including preparing and driving to the signing is about an hour and a half to two hours when you’re starting out. And a lot less as you become more experienced.

Part time loan signing agents generally do one to three signings per week, – about $300 to $500 dollars extra a week. while full time agents can do 3-8 signings in a day which is about $400 to over $1,000 dollars in a day.

• You can get started with absolutely zero experience. There’s no resume checking prior to a loan signing. You are hired simply based on your location in proximity to the loan signing.

• You can work from home and be your own boss.

• You have the ability to make money almost immediately.

It pays nearly 9X more than driving for Uber.

However, it requires you to take a class and invest time and money.

If you can do that, then you can start making up to $200 per signing.

In the viedo below, Dylan went from driving for Uber to making $10,000 a month as a loan signing agent.

Learn More about the Loan Signing System here.

Take Part in Consumer Surveys:

Survey Junkie: (Great Surveys, Little Time, Great Payout)

You can earn anywhere from $12 – $18 per hour from Survey Junkie!

Survey Junkie has one of the strongest reputations on the web, and they’ve always paid on-time and the right amount. Not only that, but they have excellent customer service if you ever have an issue.

Taking surveys in your spare time can be a great way to earn some extra dough fast. Check out Survey Junkie which will pay you instantly with cash via Paypal. They have over 6,000,000 members and they have an 8.9/10 rating on Trust Pilot.

American Consumer Opinion: Easy to sign up. And they have 6 Million Members.

Reviews of American Consumer Opinion:

“American Consumer Opinion Panel has been one of the best, and probably THE best, panel that I have worked with in some time…” J.D., Texas –

“I do surveys for several different companies and, I have to say, American Consumer Opinion ranks at the top as they have a very good site with no junk [that] seems to be well managed.” H.B., Tennessee –

Begin earning at American Consumer Opinion:

Vindale Research $2 Registration Bonus Plus Up to $75 Per Survey

Focus Group Cash Saved Me.

Learn more Here

Electric Scooter Charging: A New Side Hustle from Bird Pays $30/ Hour

Mike Wisell, 33, a tattoo artist who lives in Santa Monica, started a new gig a few weeks ago. He charges scooters and he makes pretty good money doing it.

Bird is among a handful of companies that rent out electric scooters to get around big cities. The site uses a team of “chargers” to pick up the scooters when they’re running out of juice, bring them home, charge them and return to a “nest.”

Training was simple:

sign up, (No affiliate relationship)
take an online video course,
receive a set of tools in the mail,
then get to work.

He even picks his own hours.

“The pay is pretty good if you hustle,” he says.

More info about Scooter charging here.

Referee local youth soccer games

If you’re a soccer fan, you can become a part-time referee and make anywhere from $14-$26 per hour, according to Glassdoor data.

Anyone can sign up to become a trained and certified soccer referee. To start, find your State Referee Association through the U.S. Soccer website and get in contact with them about next season’s registration. The cost, process, and registration deadlines vary depending on your state.

Start your soccer referee journey by officiating local youth games, and work your way up to high school and college games. The more games you work, the more experience you’ll get. This gives you the opportunity to move up a grade, which means more money!

Babysitter

If you love kids, then babysitting on nights and weekends is a good way to beef up your bank account. Depending on where you live and the job in question, you might earn up to $20 an hour watching other people’s children.

Granted, you’ll need to be willing to give up a decent chunk of your personal downtime to hit the $1,000 mark on a monthly basis, but think about it this way: Babysitting often means sitting on somebody else’s couch while children are asleep.

And really, that’s not so hard. Just be aware that some families will want you to become CRP-certified before hiring you. If so, you’ll need to complete a brief course, but a non-expensive one at that.

Sell on Ebay:

This might be the fastest way for most people to generate quick cash. I wrote a post detailing how I made $493 in a few weeks and made money on Ebay.

Details and tips here.

Officiate games as an amateur umpire

Baseball and softball fans can become an umpire for local games by taking advantage of local umpire certification programs.

According to Umpire School HQ, pay starts at around $15-$30 per youth game. This increases to $30-$50 for Babe Ruth leagues, $40-$70 for high school games, and $150 per college game. It’s important to note these numbers vary by location, but this is the general amount an umpire can expect to make.

To get started, become a member of the Amateur Baseball Umpires’ Association (ABUA). You’ll be connected with other local amateur umpires, get information about their local organizations, and learn how to become certified.

The ABUA is a paid membership, with annual fees ranging from $30-$75 depending on which membership type you choose. If you’d rather join a local association, find your state’s organization.

Some states might require you attend an umpire school or clinic. And don’t forget to factor in the cost of official umpire gear; you’ll need special shoes, a chest protector, shin guards, and a mask. If your budget is tight, these costs can add up quickly. Look into making extra money so these costs don’t have to come out of your regular paychecks.

Start a Blog

Forbes: How This 27-Year-Old Made $1 Million Last Year

One never knows what can happen when a blogger finds just the right niche. Take Michelle from the blog Making Sense of Cents. She was recently featured in Forbes magazine and makes over $1M a year from a side blog that became very popular. You never know what a blog could become.

The 7 Rules to a Profitable Blog here.

Focus Group Cash Saved Me.

Learn more Here

7 Smart Money Moves to Crush your Finances in 2020

December 29, 2019 by Frugal Prof

7 Smart Money Moves to Crush your Finances in 2020

It’s time to celebrate the previous year, but it’s also the perfect time for some reflection about the year ahead.

Read on for some smart money moves you should start making Now to set you up to crush 2020.

1. Set Your Financial Goals for the Coming Year

When you think ahead to the end of 2020, what would make you feel super accomplished?

What if you cut your credit card debt by half?

What if you were able to boost your savings account to four — or even five — figures?

What if you saved enough to make some long-overdue improvements to your house?

Or build up that emergency fund you know you need to have?

Think about what you want to celebrate at the end of 2020, and then set some goals to help you get there.

We’re fans of the SMART method of goal-setting. A SMART goal is:

Specific
Measureable
Attainable
Realistic
Timely

For instance, “become financially secure” isn’t considered a SMART goal because it’s ambiguous.

On the other hand, “pay off $5,000 in student debt by the end of 2020” would be considered SMART because it’s specific, measurable and timely.

By thinking through your financial goals in this way, you’ll have more clarity about what you’re actually trying to do,

and that will give you a better sense of how to allocate your resources and energy in the year to come.

1. Make An Extra $1,000 Per Month.

I’ve saved you the trouble by putting together a list of 11 of the Best Side Hustles to earn an Extra $1,000 per month.

Find them HERE.

If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it.” –Peter Drucker, Author and Business Consultant

2. Get Organized

Here is the playbook I used to get out of Debt.

It’s simple and straightforward.

Take Action:

I negotiated discounts on all of my recurring charges.
I switched to a less expensive gym,
I sold nearly $500 of my things on Ebay.
I stopped using a storage locker.
I started writing this blog.

Coming to terms with my spending habits: I tried to understand where my money was going. I tried to slow down and learn why I wanted the stuff I was buying. I learned to budget. I set small financial goals and I hit them.

I cut back. And I cut back even more. I paid attention to every single penny. I paid attention to purchases that created true value in my life. And those that added minimal value, I cut out.

3. Make a Budget

Get organized: Creating a budget. I created a budget using a free app, Everydollar.com.

It’s a very good app, but I didn’t keep using it. What worked well for me was old school: keeping a notepad next to my credit card bills. And keeping track of the good, the bad, and the unexpected in my monthly bills. I was also keeping track of my bills in my head because I became VERY focused.

Read my post, 7 Tips To Help you Create a Budget here.

The Stupid stuff I spent money on here

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4. Pull Your Credit Reports and Examine Them for Errors

This is another task that should be part of your regular financial maintenance, but a lot of us either forget or we don’t really see the point.

But when you go over your credit reports with a magnifying glass, here’s what you might find:

1. Accounts that aren’t yours. It’s possible you have accounts on your credit report that actually belong to someone with a similar name. Do you, Karen Smith, really want to have the overdue Dillards’ charge card belonging to a Karen Smythe on your credit report?

2. Accounts you didn’t realize were delinquent. Maybe your dentist’s office repeatedly sent the bill to the wrong address until the unpaid bill wound up in collections, leaving a giant black mark on your credit report, and you weren’t aware of any of this until your application for a car loan or mortgage was turned down.

3. Outdated or incorrect information about your accounts. Perhaps you paid off a loan last year that’s still showing up as unpaid, or your credit card balance is listed as being much higher than it’s ever been. These could significantly ding your credit score, and those three little numbers hold a lot of power over your ability to access credit in the future.

Freezing your credit is now Free here

5. Make sure you have Insurance

There are the eight types of insurance worth having:

Auto Insurance
Homeowners/Renters Insurance
Umbrella Policy
Health Insurance
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Term Life Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance
Identity Theft Protection

I’ve laid out all the details – Eight types of Insurance you need in 2020 Here

6. Celebrate Your Progress

We know this post has been all about how to do better going forward,

but we also know you’ve probably accomplished some pretty good stuff in 2019 too.

Maybe you’ve started looking for ways to bring in more income through a side hustle, or you’ve steadily chipped away at your student debt. Maybe you started educating yourself about personal finance — after all, you’re here, aren’t you?

Take a few minutes to think about what you’ve done in the past year that you’re proud of, and give yourself some time to really let that feeling of pride sink in.

And now remember that feeling throughout the coming year, especially when things get hard and you encounter setbacks (because you inevitably will). Trust that if you stick to your plan, you’ll get to experience that feeling of satisfaction again this time next year.

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Seven Proven Books on Personal Finance to Take Control of Your Money in 2020

December 26, 2019 by Frugal Prof

Seven Proven Books on Personal Finance to Take Control of Your Finances in 2020

1. The Wealthy Gardener

A relatively new book that is destined to be a classic.

Its a simple book with a powerful impact on how to create abundance. A heartwarming series of stories and practical wisdom on entrepreneurship and wealth in the vein of Rich Dad, Poor Dad, written by a financially independent father for his ambitious son.

More about the Wealthy Gardener Here

2. The Little Book that Beats the Market by Joel Greenblatt

In a straightforward and accessible style, the book explores the basic principles of successful stock market investing and then reveals the author’s time-tested formula that makes buying above-average companies at below-average prices automatic.

Though the formula has been extensively tested and is a breakthrough in the academic and professional world, Greenblatt explains it using sixth-grade math, plain language, and humor.

He shows how to use his method to beat both the market and professional managers by a wide margin.

More about the little book that beats the market Here

3. The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey

The Book provides a simple and straightforward game plan for completely making over your money habits.

And it’s based on results.

Read How I paid off $17K in Debt last year here.

Design a plan for paying off all debt—meaning cars, houses, everything
Recognize the 10 most dangerous money myths
Secure a big, fat nest egg for emergencies and retirement

The book provides a game plan that’s worked for Millions of people to become financially free. Also, it’s really inspiring and motivational.

I recommend it all the time.

4. Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

In Rich Dad Poor Dad, the #1 Personal Finance book of all time, Robert Kiyosaki shares the story of his two dads:

Rich Dad’s education was “street smarts” over traditional classroom education and he took the path of entrepreneurship… a road that led him to become one of the wealthiest men in Hawaii.

Robert’s poor dad struggled financially all his life, and these two dads—these very different points of view of money, investing, and employment—shaped Robert’s thinking about money.”

Kiyosaki reflects on a mindset that many wealthy people adopt: Financial success isn’t just about saving money, it is about putting money to work to actively grow.

He compares the approaches his two father figures took toward earning and saving money. While both had successful careers, his poor dad “left bills to be paid,” while the rich dad “died with tens of millions of dollars for his family, charities and his church,”

5. The Millionaire Next Door:

The Surprising Secrets of America’s Wealthy by Thomas J. Staley

The investment classic that explores the seven traits necessary to become a Millionaire. This is an in depth exploration of the ordinary people who have achieved an extraordinary level of wealth and how they did it.

Truly inspirational for those on a debt free journey.

Notable Reviews of The Millionaire Next Door:
… nearly anybody with a steady job can amass a tidy fortune. (Forbes)
A primer for amassing wealth through frugality. (The Boston Globe)

Imagine being able to sit down with 50 millionaires who made their wealth from a normal job.

And ask them how they did it.
What were their habits?
What was their mindset?
That’s what this book is.

How did you do it? If you want to be wealthy, this book is the answer to most of your questions.

Learn more here

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6. The Richest Man in Babylon by George Clason

“The most inspiring guide to wealth ever written.”

“Hailed as the greatest of all inspirational works on the subject of debt, financial planning, and personal wealth.

At some point in all of our lives we realize that we’re making money, but our money never lasts. We have no control of our money. This book is about the conversation between fathers and sons (or daughters) about money.

How to succeed financially.

The principles are timeless. Our money problems are the same. The answers are straight forward and timeless. More on The Richest Man in Babylon here.

These are the Best Personal finance books of all time. Each one offers a practical guide to help you take control of your money. The reason they still sell millions of copies each year is because they work.

7. Think and Grow Rich

Think and Grow Rich has been called the “Granddaddy of All Motivational Literature.”

It was the first book to boldly ask, “What makes a winner?” The man who asked and listened for the answer, Napoleon Hill, is now counted in the top ranks of the world’s winners himself.

The most famous of all teachers of success spent “a fortune and the better part of a lifetime of effort” to produce the “Law of Success” philosophy that forms the basis of his books and that is so powerfully summarized in this one.

In the original Think and Grow Rich, published in 1937, Hill draws on stories of Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and other millionaires of his generation to illustrate his principles.

In the updated version, Arthur R. Pell, Ph.D., a nationally known author, lecturer, and consultant in human resources management and an expert in applying Hill’s thought, deftly interweaves anecdotes of how contemporary millionaires and billionaires, such as Bill Gates, Mary Kay Ash, Dave Thomas, and Sir John Templeton, achieved their wealth.

Outmoded or arcane terminology and examples are faithfully refreshed to preclude any stumbling blocks to a new generation of readers.

More here

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Seven Types of Insurance you Definitely Need in 2020

December 25, 2019 by Frugal Prof

Seven Types of Insurance you Definitely Need in 2020

Insurance is like a life jacket. It’s a bit of a nuisance when you don’t need it, but when you do need it, you’re more than thankful to have it.

Without it, you could be one car wreck, illness or house fire away from drowning—not in the ocean, but in debt.

But for something so essential to our financial well-being, insurance is a complicated—even uncomfortable—topic. So I’ve boiled your options down to the seven types of insurance policies you can’t go without in 2020.

While each one is a must-have, you should consult an independent insurance agent to help you find the right types of insurance customized to fit your needs.

Here are the eight types of insurance worth having:

Auto Insurance
Homeowners/Renters Insurance
Umbrella Policy
Health Insurance
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Term Life Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance
Identity Theft Protection

Find out more about how each of these can help you and your family below!

1. Auto Insurance

Never drive around uninsured—not just because it’s against the law, but also because the average loss per claim on cars is around $4,900.

Imagine having to pay that kind of money out of pocket.

There are several options to choose from when it comes to auto insurance, so there’s no reason to go without it:

- Liability coverage. If you’re responsible for an accident, your liability coverage will cover the costs of any injuries or property damage caused in the collision. Most states require you to carry a minimum amount of coverage, so check with your insurance agent to understand your basic requirement.

- Collision coverage. This covers the cost to repair or replace your car if it’s damaged or destroyed in a wreck.

Comprehensive coverage. This level of insurance covers your losses that aren’t caused by a wreck such as theft, vandalism, flood, fire and hail.

Again, an insurance agent is a good resource to help you determine the level of protection

you need based on the type of car you drive.

2. Homeowners/Renters Insurance

Be sure your homeowners policy includes extended dwelling coverage.

Extended dwelling coverage adds an extra layer of protection above your policy limits.

With extended dwelling coverage, the insurance company will replace or rebuild your property even if the cost exceeds your policy’s coverage. There is a limit to how much they’ll pay, however—usually 20–25% above the amount you’re insured for unless you opt for more coverage.

Keep in mind, the higher your home’s value, the higher the need for extended dwelling coverage.

Another note about homeowners insurance: Check with your agent about what your policy covers and what it doesn’t.

- Flood Insurance. Most homeowners don’t know that flood insurance is excluded from their policies. Flood insurance is also different from water backup protection. Ask your agent to go over the details with you.

Earthquake Coverage. Depending on where you live in the country, earthquake coverage might not be included. If you need it, check with your agent to include it.

If you’re a renter, you’re not off the hook for insurance.

Without renters insurance, it’s up to you to replace your belongings if they are lost in a fire, flood, burglary or some other disaster.

A good independent insurance agent can walk you through the steps of covering the basics of both homeowners and renters insurance.

Remember, if your full emergency fund is in place, you can take a higher deductible and lower the premium on your policy to save money.

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3. Health Insurance

Medical debt contributes to nearly half of all bankruptcies in America according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

If you’re uninsured, you’re leaving yourself vulnerable to potential financial catastrophe.

One unexpected major medical emergency could amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars of expenses.

Don’t put yourself in that situation.

The high cost of medical insurance isn’t an excuse to go without coverage—even if you don’t go to the doctor often. One option is a high-deductible health insurance plan combined with a Health Savings Account (HSA). With a high-deductible plan, you’re responsible for more of your up-front healthcare costs, but you’ll pay a lower monthly premium.

4. Long-Term Disability Insurance

Long-term disability insurance protects you from loss of income if you are unable to work for a long period of time due to an illness or injury.

Don’t think a permanent disability could sideline you and your ability to work?

According to the Social Security Administration, just over one in four of today’s 20-year-olds will become disabled before reaching age 67.

Those odds are too high for you to skimp on long-term disability insurance. If you’re in your prime wage-earning years, a permanent disability could potentially derail your dreams of home ownership or paying for your kid’s college.

Bottom line: make sure you’re covered.

Many companies offer long-term disability insurance to their employees, so start there.

As you look into your options, you’ll also find short-term disability insurance designed to fill in income gaps caused by an illness or injury that keeps you out of work for three to six months. That’s insurance you can skip—especially when you have a fully funded emergency fund to cover your needs.

5. Term Life Insurance

Many of us take life insurance too lightly.

The Insurance Information Institute reports that 30% of Americans carry no life insurance.

Think about it: If you were to pass away unexpectedly, how would your spouse pay for monthly expenses without your income? In the dark moments of grief, the last thing your spouse should worry about is surviving financially in your absence.

With a term life insurance policy for 10–12 times your yearly income, your family won’t have to worry about making ends meet, losing their home or changing their college plans if you’re not there to provide for them.

Make this a priority. Talk to an independent insurance agent about term life insurance today. It’s affordable and will provide priceless security for your family. When you shop for life insurance, don’t forget, term life insurance is always a much better deal than whole life insurance.

What about singles with no dependents? If you have a ton of debt and no savings, consider a small term life insurance policy. A healthy 30-year-old can easily find an affordable policy that will at least pay off your debt and cover your burial expenses.

If you’re debt-free and have enough cash to pay for your burial, you can hold off on life insurance, but why would you? The younger you are, the more affordable term life insurance is, so there’s no reason to wait until you have a family to get insured.

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6. Long-Term Care Insurance

Long-term care insurance covers a range of services like nursing home care and in-home help with basic personal tasks like bathing, grooming and eating.

Usually, long-term care refers to any ongoing assistance for those who have a chronic illness or disability. It’s expensive, and long-term care costs are not generally covered by Medicare.

So who really needs long-term care? To protect your retirement savings from the expenses of long-term care, get long-term care coverage no later than age 60. Remember that while you’re not likely to need long-term care before then, many factors—like your health and family history—go into your decision when to buy long-term care insurance—and how much you’ll pay for it.

7. Identity Theft Protection

According to a 2017 Identity Fraud Study released by Javelin Strategy and Research, identity thieves stole $16 billion from 15.4 million US consumers last year. Cybercrime and identity fraud are real threats—even if you’re careful about protecting your personal information. National retail stores are under constant attack by industrious hackers who break into their payment systems, leaving millions of people vulnerable to theft.

Think about it: With a few important bits of information about you, criminals have all they need to ruin your finances by taking out a mortgage in your name, receiving medical care or filing a false tax return.

Cleaning up an identity fraud situation could take years to handle on your own, so make sure your insurance includes restoration services that assign a qualified counselor to clean up the mess for you.

One Final Point to Remember

One word of caution: Stay away from gimmick policies like cancer insurance, accidental death or anything that packages your coverage with investments like whole life or universal life.

These types of insurance policies are just a way for the seller to make extra money off you. You need an agent who’s on your side—not the side of the insurance company.

11 Amazing High Paying Jobs you can get with a college Degree

December 23, 2019 by Frugal Prof

Americans owe an estimated $1.6 Trillion in student debt. So a college degree is a serious investment. With that being said, here are some of the Best high paying jobs you can get with a college degree.

Disclaimer; I believe in transparency and want to disclose this page has links to products that I may earn an affiliate commission for purchases you make. The reader pays nothing.

Petroleum Engineer

Average Salary: $102,300 to $176,300

Petroleum engineers work to design methods and equipment for the extraction of oil and gas located in reservoirs below the Earth’s surface. These skilled professionals first work alongside specialists and scientists to understand the reservoir formations, before beginning research and development of drilling equipments, plans, and other operations. Petroleum engineers may specialize in different areas, including completions, working on building wells; drilling, determining the safest and most efficient drilling procedures; production, monitoring the production of built wells; and reservoir, determining how much gas or oil can be extracted from a deposit. Work may require frequent travel to drilling sites.

11 Great Work at Home Jobs Here

Dental Hygienist

Dental hygienists clean patients’ teeth, examine them for oral diseases and provide other preventative dental care. They are often the first people patients see during a visit and help guide a busy dentist in the needs of each patient.

Dental hygienists don’t need a four-year college degree, but they do typically need an associate’s degree in dental hygiene. Every state requires dental hygienists to be certified as well.

Given the nature of the job, hygienists should have strong communication and be willing to work very closely with all types of people (and teeth). An attention to detail and a caring touch is also important because many patients fear dental work.

Salary and Job Outlook

Median Salary: $74,820 (2018)
Job Outlook: Much faster than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 20% increase in jobs from by 2026.

Computer Science Engineer

Average Salary: $66,700 to $112,600

Computer science engineering may refer to either computer hardware engineers or software engineers. Each of these occupations pay well but require different specialized training and education. Hardware engineers primarily focus on the design and development of physical components and equipment that make up a computer system, while software engineers work on the applications that control the functions and output of these components. Both forms of engineering involve evaluating user needs, performing tests and analyzing results, creating modifications and updates as necessary. Hardware and software engineers commonly collaborate with one another and with other computer programmers.

Medical Records and Health Information Technician $40,000 – $65,000

The still booming health industry means that medical records and health information technicians are in demand. With the same growth outlook as dental hygienists, becoming a medical records technician is a good job choice if you’re interested in the health field, but would prefer less hands-on work and less direct interaction with patients.

Medical records technicians ensure that patients’ files are up-to-date and accurately coded for insurance billing. They manage healthcare information on computers and on paper, ensuring its accuracy.

An associate’s degree or certification is required for this position. Strong organizational skills and an extreme attention to detail are good qualities to have in this field.

Salary and Job Outlook

Median Salary: $40,350 (2018)
Job Outlook: Above average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 13% increase in jobs by 2026.

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Paralegal and Legal Assistant

Paralegals and legal assistants do a variety of work to support lawyers, including maintaining and organizing files, conducting legal research, and drafting documents.

An associate’s degree or a certificate in paralegal studies is typically required for entry-level candidates. If you have excellent communication skills, are detail-oriented and enjoy an ever-changing and always challenging work environment, a paralegal career may be a good choice.

Salary and Job Outlook

Median Salary: $50,940 (2018)
Job Outlook: Above average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 15% increase in jobs by 2026.

Statistician

Average Salary: $54,900 to $103,100

Statistics involves using mathematical principles to collect, analyze, and present numerical data. Statisticians may work either in the public or private sector, often finding employment in government, education, healthcare, or research and development. They use their skills in a variety of ways, including designing surveys and experiments, analyzing and processing collected data, drawing conclusions, and presenting final results in a logical manner. This data is often used to support and improve policy or business decisions. Statisticians most commonly work in an office environment, and they may occasionally collaborate on teams with engineers, scientists, or other professionals, depending on the nature of their work.

Web Developer

Web developers design, develop, and maintain websites. Some web developers are self-employed, working for a variety of companies and individuals. Others work in computer systems design, information services, finance, or education for large and small companies.

This is a good career choice for individuals who are both technical and creative and if one of those is not your strong suit, you can concentrate on the other. Web developers are needed for various projects and many become specialists in a few specific skills with a general understanding.

Web developers typically need an associate’s degree in web design or a related field, such as programming or graphic design. Be ready to continue learning throughout your career because technology changes fast and you need to keep up with the latest trends on the web.

Tips to make money from a blog here

Computer Information Systems Management

Average Salary: $52,400 to $89,900

Often holding formal job titles like IT manager or IT project manager, computer information systems management professionals plan, coordinate, and direct all of the computer-related activities that take place within an organization. Specific duties may include ensuring network security, planning installation and maintenance, negotiating with vendors, and researching potential technology projects. IT managers work in company offices, schools, healthcare facilities — any location that requires a large number of computers to complete daily operations. This job requires supervisory skills, as IT managers frequently direct and oversee the work of other department professionals like systems analysts, software developers, and support specialists.

Salary and Job Outlook

Median Salary: $69,430 (2018)
Job Outlook: Above average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 15% increase in jobs by 2026.

Nurse

Nursing can be a wonderful career choice, and not only because of the healthy starting salaries available. Nurses are nearly always in high demand, and that demand is expected to continue in the future as the population ages. Starting salaries for nurses vary widely depending on the level of education (a 2-year or 4-year program) and on the area of specialization. A career in nursing can be very rewarding, and not just financially. You will have the opportunity to help care for and heal people. On the flip side, though, you also have to deal with their bodily fluids. So you may be well-paid, but you will be earning every penny!

What you can expect to make: $47,000
from $39,000 (perioperative nurse) to $64,000 (nurse trainer)

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Pharmaceutical Representative
See the Jobs Rated Ranking for Pharmaceutical Sales Rep

Pharmaceutical representatives (also known as drug reps) stand to make good money right off the bat. In addition, pharmaceutical reps also often benefit from perks like the use of company cars. However, working as a pharmaceutical rep can be quite demanding. Lots of travel is usually required; a typical day might see you going to several doctors’ offices discussing the benefits of a particular drug. While pharmaceutical reps must be well versed in science, they also must be good with people and have excellent communication skills, as this is essentially a sales job. For those willing to put in the work, the pay is very good. And you can rest easy knowing that you’ll probably always have a steady supply of pens and pads of sticky notes!

What you can expect to make: $59,000
from $55,000 (pharmaceutical sales representative) to $73,000 (pharmaceutical specialty sales representative)

Looking for great work at home Jobs? More Here

The Best Paid Survey Sites for Fast Money in 2023

December 17, 2019 by Frugal Prof

The Best Paid Survey Sites for Fast Money in 2023

There’s a certain appeal to paid online surveys.

Prop up in bed and click, click, click — cash out.

Heck, you can even earn money while binging on Netflix.

That’s why you might want to flip on Netflix in the background.

Still, there’s something thrilling about making extra money from your bed.

I’ve combed through dozens of platforms to hand-pick the most legitimate online survey sites that pay and to help you avoid the scams.

These are the Best sites based on user experience, the ease of cashing out and the actual potential to earn money.

Disclaimer; I believe in transparency and want to disclose this page has links to products that I may earn an affiliate commission for purchases you make. The reader pays nothing.

The Best Paid Survey Sites — That Are Actually Legit

I suggest signing up for these paying survey sites all at once. Check into each a few times a week to find at least one or two surveys you qualify for.

Remember: Every little bit adds up.

1. InboxDollars

InboxDollars, owned by CotterWeb Enterprises, Inc., is a survey site that actually pays you in dollars — not points — so you can see exactly how much you earn.

BBB rating: A+

Payment method: Check via mail

Amount paid per survey: Surveys pay up to $5 each, though it’s more likely you’ll earn 10 to 50 cents.

Minimum amount required to cash out: $30, though there’s a $3 transaction fee to cash out.

Time to get paid: 10 to 16 business days

Pros: With InboxDollars, you earn cash, so you don’t have to worry about exchanging points.

It also offers more ways to earn, such as watching videos, playing scratch-off games and searching the internet.

Cons: You have to earn $30 to cash out, which is a bit high compared to other sites on this list. Also remember you’ll have to pay that $3 transaction fee. You’ll probably want to unsubscribe from its frequent emails, which you can do under your account settings.

Join Inbox Dollars Here

2. Survey Junkie

A screenshot of Survey Junkie's homepage.

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