TheUniversity of Michigan’s Index of Consumer Sentiment registered at 77.2 in April, down from 79.4 in March. The university’s index of Current Economic Conditions also fell in April, to 79.0, from 82.5 in March.
The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index fell for the third consecutive month in April, hitting 97.0 after reaching 103.1 in March.
What is consumer sentiment?
Consumer sentiment, also known as consumer confidence, is an index of how U.S. consumers are feeling about the current and future state of the economy, and all that folds in to the economy: the job market, wages, business conditions and their personal finances. It’s a valuable tool for economists, as consumer sentiment can be used as an early predictor of economic changes.
How people feel about the economy can directly impact the economy, because consumers’ attitudes often affect how much they spend on things like food, transportation, household goods, entertainment and more. In 2023, consumers’ personal spending made up 67.9% of the U.S. GDP, or gross domestic product, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. That’s a significant majority of the nation’s GDP, so keeping a close eye on consumer sentiment is key in foreseeing potential economic slumps or rallies.
When the economy is in a recession, consumer sentiment falls. On the flip side, when the economy is expanding, consumer sentiment rises. The index does typically peak before a recession, though. Unlike other indexes, such as the Consumer Price Index (CPI), consumer sentiment isn’t calculated using spending data or hard figures. Instead, economists rely on two major surveys of consumer confidence: The University of Michigan’s Surveys of Consumers and the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Survey. Each survey collects the general attitudes and opinions of hundreds of U.S. consumers. Then, those opinions are assigned numeric values and aggregated into one number, or index.
The University of Michigan’s Index of Consumer Sentiment
The Index of Consumer Sentiment is one of three indexes derived from the University of Michigan’s Surveys of Consumers, which started in 1946. Originally conducted annually, the surveys switched to a monthly cadence in 1978. The surveys have a sample size of roughly 600 people selected randomly from the 48 adjoining U.S. states and the District of Columbia.
The surveys include roughly 50 questions covering personal finances, business conditions and buying conditions. From those surveyed, three indexes are produced: the Index of Consumer Sentiment, the Index of Consumer Expectations and the Index of Current Economic Conditions.
The Index of Consumer Sentiment is the most commonly cited index of the bunch. It’s derived from these five questions:
“We are interested in how people are getting along financially these days. Would you say that you (and your family living there) are better off or worse off financially than you were a year ago?”
“Now, looking ahead: Do you think that a year from now you (and your family living there) will be better off financially, or worse off, or just about the same as now?”
“Now, turning to business conditions in the country as a whole. Do you think that during the next twelve months we’ll have good times financially, or bad times, or what?”
“Looking ahead, which would you say is more likely: that in the country as a whole we’ll have continuous good times during the next five years or so, or that we will have periods of widespread unemployment or depression, or what?”
“About the big things people buy for their homes, such as furniture, a refrigerator, stove, television, and things like that. Generally speaking, do you think now is a good or bad time for people to buy major household items?”
Historically, the surveys have been conducted by phone. Starting in July 2024, they’ll be conducted online, with researchers aiming for 900 to 1,000 respondents.
The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index
Meanwhile, the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Survey was launched in 1967 as a mail survey conducted every other month. Today, the survey is conducted online, on a monthly basis, with a sample size of roughly 3,000 respondents.
The Conference Board issues a five-question survey to calculate three distinct indexes: the Consumer Confidence Index, the Present Situation Index and the Expectations Index. Once the surveys have been completed, each question is given a relative value. Then, those values are compared against their relative values from 1985 — the survey’s benchmark year, with an index set at 100.
The Consumer Confidence Index is the average index for all five questions. The Present Situation Index is calculated using the average indexes for the first two questions, and the remaining three questions determine the Expectations Index.
Present Situation Index
Respondents’ appraisal of current business conditions.
Respondents’ appraisal of current employment conditions.
Expectations Index
Respondents’ expectations regarding business conditions six months hence.
Respondents’ expectations regarding employment conditions six months hence.
Respondents’ expectations regarding their total family income six months hence.
Consumer Confidence Index
This is the average index for all five questions above.
What is consumer sentiment like right now?
The University of Michigan’s Index of Consumer Sentiment, released on April 5, dipped only slightly from its March reading, making for the third month in a row of relatively stable results. It registered at 77.2, which is a 2.8% decrease from the previous month.
The index measuring Current Economic Conditions was at 79.0 in April, compared to 82.5 in March. And the Index of Consumer Expectations was at 76.0 — a 1.8% decrease from March, when it was at 77.4.
Meanwhile, the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index declined for the third month in a row. The index fell to 97.0 in April, compared to 103.1 in March. Its Present Situation Index fell to 142.9 in April, compared to 146.8 in March. And the Expectations Index registered at 66.4, compared to 74.0 in the previous month.
When does the next report come out?
The University of Michigan’s next Surveys of Consumers will be released on Friday, May 10. The Conference Board will release its next Consumer Confidence Survey on Tuesday, May 28.
Just a couple of months after it graced the pages of the Wall Street Journal, Oscar De La Hoya’s Las Vegas-area home popped up on the market as a glam $20 million listing.
The championship boxer’s custom-built pad, a triple-gated mansion in the exclusive Strata community in Henderson, Nevada packs almost 9,000 square feet of living space, 2,409 square feet of outdoor living area, and amenities galore. Not to mention plenty of gold accents that hint at the owner’s illustrious career.
After heavily customizing the one-story modern home, De La Hoya moved in late last year with plans to boost boxing’s popularity in Vegas.
And while we don’t know how the rest of his plans are going, the boxer now seems ready to part ways with the Las Vegas mansion — nicknamed Casa de Oro or House of Gold — listing it for $20 million with Zar Zanganeh of The Agency Las Vegas.
Home to a boxing great
Photo credit: Theo Ayala / Indigo Marketing
For those newer to the boxing game, Oscar De La Hoya is an American boxing promoter and former professional boxer who competed professionally from 1992 to 2008.
De La Hoya was nicknamed “The Golden Boy of boxing” by the media when he represented the United States at the 1992 Summer Olympics and won a gold medal in the lightweight division shortly after graduating high school.
During his prolific boxing career, De La Hoya won 11 world titles in six different weight classes, including the lineal championship in three divisions. His long list of accolades cemented his status as one of the most accomplished boxers of his era. However, he has also been a controversial figure at times, with issues like substance abuse and domestic violence allegations surfacing over the years.
Casa de Oro
Photo credit: Theo Ayala / Indigo Marketing
Oscar De La Hoya’s Las Vegas mansion, nicknamed Casa de Oro or House of Gold, was recently featured in the Wall Street Journal (paywalled article), with the 51-year-old retired boxer giving fans the tour of his sprawling abode alongside his girlfriend, Holly Sonders, and their microminiature French bulldog, Vida.
After buying the property in 2022 for $14.6 million, De La Hoya spent millions more customizing the modern one-story home over nearly two years before moving in around Thanksgiving 2023.
The 8,954-square-foot house sits on nearly an acre and has a custom tribute room celebrating De La Hoya’s prolific boxing career.
Photo credit: Theo Ayala / Indigo Marketing
Home specs
De La Hoya’s home sits on nearly an acre and encompasses a spacious 8,954 square feet of living space. The single-level modern mansion contains five bedrooms and seven bathrooms.
It also has approximately 2,400 square feet dedicated to luxury outdoor living areas. Some highlights of the home’s specs include:
8,954 total square footage
5 bedrooms
7 bathrooms
2,409 square feet of outdoor living space
Located on a nearly one-acre cul-de-sac lot
Triple gated property
Custom design by architect T. Jones
Single level floorplan
Photo credit: Theo Ayala / Indigo Marketing
Luxury amenities abound
The newly built home, completed in 2023, is packed with luxury amenities and standout features fit for a champion. Some of the indulgent details include:
A statement modern entrance with water feature and porte-cochere
An elevated home office with panoramic views
A fully equipped gym and separate wet bar perfect for entertaining
A game and sports room complete with golf simulator
Hair salon for pampering and glam sessions
Media room with cinema-style seating
Gourmet kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances
Butler’s kitchen for convenient catering
Temperature-controlled wine room to store prized bottles
Sprawling primary suite with retreat, massive closet, spa bath and outdoor shower
All bedrooms feature en-suite bathrooms and walk-in closets
Poolside outdoor kitchen and multiple lounge areas
Private spa and sun deck for soaking up the Vegas sun
Automated pocket doors and glass walls for an indoor-outdoor feel
Photo credit: Theo Ayala / Indigo MarketingPhoto credit: Theo Ayala / Indigo MarketingPhoto credit: Theo Ayala / Indigo Marketing
Design and decor
From the generously sized living areas to the bedrooms, kitchens, and dining spaces, every single room of the house screams luxury — and is adorned with gold touches that hint at its famous owner’s stellar career.
Photo credit: Theo Ayala / Indigo MarketingPhoto credit: Theo Ayala / Indigo MarketingPhoto credit: Theo Ayala / Indigo Marketing
A tribute to Oscar De La Hoya’s career
The standout room is undoubtedly the custom tribute room honoring De La Hoya’s prolific boxing career.
This one-of-a-kind space features boxing memorabilia, championship belts, photos, and other cherished artifacts from De La Hoya’s days in the ring, showcasing his legacy as one of boxing’s all-time greats.
Photo credit: Theo Ayala / Indigo Marketing
More standout rooms
Other notable rooms include the elevated home office with panoramic views, the luxurious primary suite with spa bath and private garden lanai, and the over-the-top gourmet kitchen decked out with top-of-the-line appliances and amenities.
Photo credit: Theo Ayala / Indigo Marketing
Clearly, De La Hoya spared no expense in appointing the home for luxurious yet comfortable living.
Indoor-outdoor living
The home’s design is a stunning showcase of modern luxury, with an open floor plan that seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor living spaces. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls and automated pocket doors open onto expansive outdoor patios, creating a bright and airy atmosphere.
Photo credit: Theo Ayala / Indigo Marketing
Part of the Strata community
The Strata community in Henderson, Nevada was developed by luxury homebuilder Blue Heron. This exclusive neighborhood features just 19 homesites, providing the privacy and seclusion desired by its elite residents.
Strata homes are perched on a mountainside overlooking the picturesque Lake Las Vegas, providing unparalleled views. Like Oscar De La Hoya’s house, each home at the Strata takes advantage of the stunning natural surroundings with floor-to-ceiling windows and expansive outdoor living spaces.
Photo credit: Theo Ayala / Indigo Marketing
Residents enjoy easy access to the charming Village at Lake Las Vegas. This quaint area along the shores of the lake offers al fresco dining at local restaurants and pubs, community events, concerts, and a neighborhood grocery store.
A Blue Heron home
Blue Heron, the name behind both the house and the Strata gated community, is a design-led development firm that specializes in aspirational living experiences through personalized home design.
The company was founded with the goal of enhancing natural beauty through thoughtfully crafted architecture and interiors. Every Blue Heron home is designed to accentuate its surroundings, with a focus on seamless indoor-outdoor living. Their team handles architectural design, interior design, and construction, allowing for a fully integrated vision.
Photo credit: Theo Ayala / Indigo Marketing
The company has developed a reputation for luxurious, environmentally attuned communities in desirable locations like Lake Las Vegas and Ascaya. Their homes range from modern to Mediterranean in style, united by a commitment to quality, sustainability and community.
Nearby Ascaya Canyon community
One of Blue Heron’s newest launched communities is also set in Henderson, Nevada, in the private mountainside community of Ascaya.
Photo credit: Bowen Studios
Dubbed The Canyon at Ascaya, the new luxury enclave was announced earlier this spring, consisting of modern desert abodes ranging in size from 3,391 to 4,407 square feet, with configurations that include three and four bedrooms.
The residences boast dual primary suites, spacious great rooms, and a layout that promotes seamless flow from indoor to outdoor living areas.
Final words
Photo credit: Theo Ayala / Indigo Marketing
Oscar De La Hoya’s luxury Las Vegas home in the exclusive Strata community certainly lives up to its “Golden Boy” nickname. With its triple-gated privacy, polished interiors, custom tribute room, and sweeping Strip views, it’s one of the finest sports celebrity cribs we’ve seen come to market this year.
And with so many celebrities flocking to the Las Vegas area, we can’t wait to see if another A-lister decides to take off De La Hoya’s hands.
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Meanwhile, Hispanic buyers accounted for 14% of new mortgages in 2023, up from 12.6% in 2022 and 11% in 2018. Black buyers represented 8.7% last year, barely changed from 8.6% in 2022 but higher than 7.1% in 2018. Asian buyers took 8.2% of new mortgages, the same as in 2022 but up from 6.4% five … [Read more…]
BELLEVUE, Wash., May 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Evergreen Home Loans, a comprehensive home loan provider offering origination, funding, and servicing in the Western U.S., as well as being licensed in 11 states, has been recognized at the 2024 Puget Sound Business Journal’s Corporate Philanthropy Awards. This marks the fourth consecutive year that Evergreen Home Loans has received this honor.
The Corporate Philanthropy Awards celebrate top corporate citizens who have significantly contributed to their communities through philanthropic efforts. This prestigious event highlights the impactful work accomplished by all honorees in supporting various causes across the region.
“Our commitment to enriching our local community is extremely important to us,” said Don Burton, Founder and CEO of Evergreen Home Loans. “Receiving this recognition honors our team’s efforts and our belief that even small acts of kindness can create ripple effects of change.”
The company rankings were unveiled on May 10th, 2024, and featured in the print edition of the Puget Sound Business Journal.
To discover more about Evergreen Home Loans or explore career opportunities, please visit www.evergreenhomeloans.com and www.evergreenhomeloans.com/why-evergreen/mortgage-jobs.
About Evergreen Home Loans With offices across seven Western states—Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington—Evergreen Home Loans also holds licensing to originate loans in Colorado, Texas, and Wyoming. For over three decades, Evergreen has provided the local communities with affordable home financing solutions, focusing solely on home lending. An A+ rated entity by the Better Business Bureau and a proud affiliate of the Washington Mortgage Bankers Association and Mortgage Bankers Association, Evergreen Home Loans offers a diverse portfolio of loan products including FHA and VA, Conventional, Jumbo, USDA loans, refinancing, and construction financing options. Further details are available at www.evergreenhomeloans.com. Evergreen Home Loans is a registered trade name of Evergreen Moneysource Mortgage Company® NMLS ID 3182. Visit www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org for individual and company license information.
PIERCETON – The Pierceton Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting for Kelly Jo’s, 105 N. First St., Pierceton, on Thursday. Kelly Jo Jost, who owns Kelly Jo’s with husband David, said Kelly Jo’s started about two years ago. The business started at The Shops at the Sanctuary in Columbia City. The business moved to the Pierceton location in August. Kelly Jo’s offers home furnishings, bath items, rugs, candles and home decor. Kelly Jo said she’s always loved flipping furniture, so it’s been a passion of hers and owning her own business has always been a dream of hers. David said Kelly Jo has been in retail her whole life and got into consignment work out of the house and that led to everything else. Kelly Jo said she couldn’t do it without God, David, her children and her friends. David said they used to come to Pierceton a lot to do shopping and fell in love with Beyond The Barn, which was housed in the store Kelly Jo’s is now at. The owner sold the business and it was at the same time David was retiring and “it just worked out.” David said the couple have fallen in love with Pierceton, the people and the businesses, “it’s just a good vibe.” They hope to integrate into the community and be a positive part of it. Hours of business are Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Do you want to learn how to get free PayPal money? Yes, there are actually many ways to get cash straight in your own PayPal account. Receiving PayPal cash for the extra income you make is great because PayPal cash can be used for almost all online shopping. If you want to increase your budget…
Do you want to learn how to get free PayPal money?
Yes, there are actually many ways to get cash straight in your own PayPal account.
Receiving PayPal cash for the extra income you make is great because PayPal cash can be used for almost all online shopping.
If you want to increase your budget without working extra hours, earning free PayPal money could be the solution. Many legitimate platforms offer tasks like surveys, watching videos, or trying new apps in exchange for cash directly deposited into your PayPal account.
I have personally used many of the apps below on a regular basis and have earned a lot of free PayPal money over the years.
Recommended reading: How To Get $20 PayPal Now
How To Get Free PayPal Money
Here are some places where you can start earning free PayPal money:
Below is more detailed information about each method for getting free PayPal cash in your PayPal account.
Here’s a screenshot of how you can redeem your points for free PayPal money on Swagbucks.
1. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is a well-known rewards website that gives you PayPal cash as a reward. It has been downloaded over 5 million times and has paid out over $500 million in rewards.
On Swagbucks, you can earn points called “SB” by answering surveys, getting cash back when you shop through their platform, and watching short videos.
With the points you earn on Swagbucks, you can put money directly into your PayPal account. You can redeem your points starting at $5 (this is 500 points) all the way up to $250 (25,000 points).
I began using Swagbucks about 10 years ago, and since then, I’ve earned over 110 free gift cards for myself, including a lot of PayPal cash. I don’t spend a lot of time on it – just every now and then.
Sign up for Swagbucks here and get up to a free $10 bonus.
2. User Interviews
User Interviews is a company that pays for online studies. These are more in depth than paid online surveys, and you can earn around $50 to $100 per hour or more for sharing your opinions and feedback.
They launch over 2,000 studies monthly, and they have paid over 85,000 people in the last year.
These are typically completed over the phone or in a video call where an interviewer is asking you questions.
The average study pays over $60. When you participate in User Interviews, you can receive payments in various forms such as cash, a check, PayPal, Amazon gift cards, Visa gift cards, and more.
You can click here to sign up for User Interviews.
Recommended reading: User Interviews Review – Make $50 To $100 An Hour Sharing Your Opinion
3. KashKick
KashKick is a rewards platform where you can get rewards for doing things like answering questions and playing games online. You can then turn these rewards into free PayPal money.
They have games like Monopoly GO, Yahtzee, Bingo Blitz, Scrabble Go, and others where you can earn $100 or more per game.
You need just $10 to cash out.
Sign up for KashKick here.
4. Ibotta
Ibotta is an app that gives you money back when you buy groceries. Just upload your receipts after you shop to earn cash that you can use as free PayPal cash.
Here’s how Ibotta works:
Browse offers – Check the Ibotta app to see what cash back offers are available before you go shopping (like for granola bars or toothpaste).
Shop in store – Go to the store and make your purchases.
Upload your receipt – Take a picture of your grocery receipt using the Ibotta app on your phone to earn cash back.
Some examples of the cash back you might be able to earn include: $0.50 cash back for buying body wash, $3.00 cash back for buying laundry detergent, and $1.00 cash back for buying cereal.
You need $20.00 to cash out to PayPal in the Ibotta app.
You can join Ibotta here.
5. Upside
Upside is an app that gives you cash back when you buy gas at certain gas stations. You can earn about $150 per year in cash back. Not all gas stations nearby are part of the app, but many are, so you’ll likely find some that qualify near you.
When you use the app for the first time, you can get a higher cash back amount to help you get familiar with it. In my first experience with the app, I received $0.74 back per gallon. I bought 12.62 gallons of gas and saved $9.33 just by using the app for the first time. It’s super easy and was a no-brainer to use.
Getting cash back on your gas is nice, especially with how expensive gas is these days!
To complete a PayPal cash-out on Upside, you need just $1.00 in your account.
You can sign up for Upside here.
6. Sell your old phones on Decluttr
Decluttr is a website where you can sell your old phones, CDs, DVDs, books, video game consoles, and more. It’s one of the most popular places to buy and sell electronics and tech items because they pay well and quickly.
Here’s how Decluttr works:
Open the Decluttr app and get a free valuation for the items you want to sell. It takes just a few moments to see what your item is worth.
Tell them the make, model, and condition of what you are selling. If you’re selling DVDs, CDs, or games, then you just enter your barcode or take a picture of the barcode with the Decluttr cell phone app.
If you’re satisfied with the offer for your item from Decluttr, just find a box that will keep it safe during shipping. Pack the item in the box, and Decluttr will provide a free shipping label. Simply print out the label and tape it to your box to send it off.
Finally, once Decluttr receives and checks your item, you’ll get paid the next day through direct deposit to your bank account or PayPal.
You can check out Decluttr here.
7. American Consumer Opinion
American Consumer Opinion is a site where you can take online surveys and earn points.
Their surveys pay around $1 to $5 each and once you earn enough points, you can redeem them for free PayPal money.
You need at least 1,000 points before you can withdraw and get free PayPal cash.
Click here to join American Consumer Opinion.
8. Survey Junkie
Survey Junkie is a paid online survey site where you can earn free PayPal cash for answering paid online surveys.
You can earn around $40 in free PayPal cash each month by completing around three short surveys each day.
You can redeem your points for free PayPal money starting at just $5 or 500 points.
Please click here to sign up for Survey Junkie.
9. Branded Surveys
Branded Surveys rewards you with points for answering survey questions. Surveys typically take 5 to 15 minutes and pay between $0.50 and $5.00 each. You can redeem these points for free PayPal cash.
You might have noticed there are several survey sites listed here. Companies pay you to answer questions because they want to improve their products and advertising. By understanding more about you, they can make better decisions. The best part is that these surveys are simple to answer, and you can join as many survey sites as you like.
You can click here to join Branded Surveys for free.
10. PrizeRebel
PrizeRebel is a website where you earn points by taking surveys, watching videos, and referring new members. You can redeem these points for free PayPal cash.
Just a few days ago I logged in to PrizeRebel, and I realized that I had enough points for around $150 in free PayPal cash. I redeemed them all at once, and now I have some nice extra spending money!
On PrizeRebel, you can get free $5 PayPal cash for 500 points. You can also choose any custom amount to redeem as well in PayPal cash.
Click here to sign up for PrizeRebel.
11. PayPal Honey
PayPal Honey is a free browser extension that automatically finds and applies coupon codes for you when you shop online. By using it, you earn points that you can redeem for extra money.
You can redeem your points for cash, gift cards, or free PayPal shopping credits.
Sign up for PayPal Honey by clicking here.
12. Rakuten
Rakuten lets you earn cash back on your everyday purchases from over 3,500 stores like Target, Walmart, Lululemon, Macy’s, Lowe’s, and Best Buy. When you make a purchase, you get a percentage of your spending back in cash.
When you shop through Rakuten, you get cash back as a percentage of what you spend. For example, if a store offers 5% cash back and you spend $200 there, you’d earn $10.00 in rewards in your Rakuten account.
You can receive your earnings via a check or PayPal once every quarter.
I have received over $1,000 in PayPal cash from Rakuten over the years. It’s a no-brainer if you want to easily save money when shopping online.
You can sign up for a free account on Rakuten here.
13. Find free PayPal money giveaways
If you’re looking to earn free PayPal money, entering sweepstakes and giveaways can be a fun way to try your luck. Companies host giveaways to attract new followers and keep existing followers and customers excited about their brand.
You can find free PayPal money giveaways by searching and/or following related hashtags on social media, such as #freepaypalmoney, #giveaway, #giveawayalert, and #freebie.
You can also follow online sweepstakes websites that list current giveaways.
Entering giveaways doesn’t guarantee free PayPal cash since they’re contests, but it’s quick and easy. I used to spend about an hour a week entering giveaways and have won gift cards and cash prizes.
14. Honeygain
The Honeygain app pays you up to $30 a month to share your internet connection with companies that use it as a tower.
You’re paid based on the amount of traffic that goes through your connection, earning $1 for every 10 GB of traffic.
Please click here to sign up for the Honeygain app.
Here’s a screenshot of how you can redeem your points for free PayPal money on Prime Opinion.
15. Prime Opinion
If you want to learn how to get free money on PayPal, then Prime Opinion makes that possible with easy minimum threshold payout amounts to reach. You can get free PayPal cash starting at just 500 points, which is $5.
Prime Opinion is a survey website where you can earn money by sharing your opinions from home. They have lots of surveys available, and when I logged in recently, I had almost 50 surveys that I could take right away.
Please click here to join Prime Opinion and get up to a $5 free bonus.
16. Five Surveys
Five Surveys is a market research company that pays you to complete surveys. You just need to complete five surveys and then you can earn $5.
I signed up for Five Surveys myself to test it out for you. One thing I really like about Five Surveys is the number of available surveys. On the first day, there were 42 surveys I could start with, and more are being added all the time.
To withdraw from your Five Surveys account, just choose your preferred method. Options include PayPal cash, bank transfer, Venmo, and gift cards.
Please click here to sign up for Five Surveys.
17. Dosh
Dosh is a quick and simple app that automatically gives you cash back when you shop at certain stores like Costco, Sam’s Club, AT&T, American Eagle, and over 10,000 other companies.
Just link your debit or credit card (or even your Venmo or bank account) to the app, and everything else is handled for you. When you shop and pay with your linked card, you’ll automatically receive cash back into your Dosh account, which you can then transfer to your bank or PayPal account.
Once you accumulate $15 in your Dosh account (this is the minimum payout threshold), you can transfer it to your bank, PayPal, or Venmo. Alternatively, you can choose to donate your cash back to charity.
Recommended reading: 14 Best Apps To Scan Receipts for Money
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about how to get free PayPal money.
How do I get money from PayPal for free?
You can earn free money on PayPal by completing online surveys, watching videos, selling your old stuff, and getting cash back when shopping online.
How do gamers receive PayPal funds by playing online games?
Apps like KashKick will pay you in points to play their online games. The points that you earn can then be redeemed for free PayPal funds straight in your personal PayPal account. YouTubers can also get paid to play online games and stream what they are doing.
What methods are available to secure a quick $10 on PayPal?
You can quickly earn $10 on PayPal by completing tasks such as taking surveys, reading emails, or shopping online through websites like Rakuten. These sites allow you to cash out once you reach a minimum amount. You can also become a freelancer on Fiverr and get paid in PayPal cash for hard or simple tasks. This wouldn’t be free money because you would have to work for it, but it is another option.
How do I check my PayPal balance?
To check your PayPal balance, you will have to log in to your PayPal account. Right after you log in, your PayPal balance will be listed for you to easily see.
Can you get PayPal money right away?
Some platforms may pay instant payouts to your PayPal account, while others may have a processing time or a minimum threshold before you can cash out. Always check the payout terms of the website or app you’re using to understand how and when you can access your earnings. Sometimes, it may take a couple of days before it lands in your personal PayPal account.
If you really need money right away, then another option may be to ask someone that you know for help or to ask for donations.
Best Ways To Get Free PayPal Money
I hope you enjoyed this article on how to get free money on PayPal.
Getting free PayPal money is great because it is just like extra cash. You can pay for your online purchases with it at almost all stores, and PayPal also has the PayPal Debit Card (so, this is kind of like getting a free PayPal gift card), so that you can buy things in-store too. Or you can also transfer it to your bank account and withdraw it just like cash.
Now, there are PayPal cash scams out there, so I do recommend that you be careful. If you are ever suspicious, do as much research as you can.
I have personally used many of the sites above and have earned well over $1,000 in free PayPal money over the years for doing things just in my spare time.
It is a starkly data-free week for all intents and purposes, but some economic reports are with us as always on a weekly basis. Thursday’s initial jobless claims data is the most notable weekly report even though it rarely causes a reaction in the bond market. Today is a clear exception owing to the much larger than normal deviation from the forecast consensus (231k vs 210k prev).
Even though several analysts and trade desks have attempted to explain away the increase, bonds are unfazed. After starting the day slightly weaker, we’re now slightly stronger (no impact on the bigger picture and nothing significant… just a nicer start).
The chart above may make today look like a bigger deal, so let’s take a moment to zoom out and include the past month of market movement to see how today stacks up:
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We may get some more clarity on how mortgage rates will trend this year when the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases April’s Consumer Price Index data on Wednesday.
Over the last week, 30-year mortgage rates have hovered in the upper 6% range, according to Zillow data. But if this latest inflation report shows that prices rose faster than expected last month, rates could jump back up above 7%. Rates have been very sensitive to economic data this year, so however the report turns out, be prepared for rates to move up or down.
Most forecasters expect mortgage rates to go down this year, but they’re unlikely to fall until inflation slows further and the Federal Reserve starts lowering the federal funds rate.
According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland’s inflation nowcast, core CPI may show some signs of slowing in April’s report, which would be good news for mortgage rates.
Mortgage Rates Today
Mortgage type
Average rate today
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Mortgage Calculator
Use our free mortgage calculator to see how today’s mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments.
Mortgage Calculator
$1,161 Your estimated monthly payment
Total paid$418,177
Principal paid$275,520
Interest paid$42,657
Paying a 25% higher down payment would save you $8,916.08 on interest charges
Lowering the interest rate by 1% would save you $51,562.03
Paying an additional $500 each month would reduce the loan length by 146 months
By plugging in different term lengths and interest rates, you’ll see how your monthly payment could change.
30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates
The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 7.09% last week, according to Freddie Mac. This is 13 basis points lower than it was the week before.
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is the most common type of home loan. With this type of mortgage, you’ll pay back what you borrowed over 30 years, and your interest rate won’t change for the life of the loan.
The lengthy 30-year term allows you to spread out your payments over a long period of time, meaning you can keep your monthly payments lower and more manageable. The trade-off is that you’ll have a higher rate than you would with shorter terms or adjustable rates.
15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates
Average 15-year mortgage rates were 6.38% last week, according to Freddie Mac data, which is a nine-basis-point decrease from the previous week.
If you want the predictability that comes with a fixed rate but are looking to spend less on interest over the life of your loan, a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage might be a good fit for you. Because these terms are shorter and have lower rates than 30-year fixed-rate mortgages, you could potentially save tens of thousands of dollars in interest. However, you’ll have a higher monthly payment than you would with a longer term.
Are Mortgage Rates Going Down?
Mortgage rates increased throughout most of 2023. But mortgage rates are expected to trend down in the coming months and years.
In the last 12 months, the Consumer Price Index rose by 3.5%. As inflation comes down and the Federal Reserve is able to start cutting the federal funds rate, mortgage rates should fall further as well.
For homeowners looking to leverage their home’s value to cover a big purchase — such as a home renovation — a home equity line of credit (HELOC) may be a good option while we wait for mortgage rates to ease. Check out some of our best HELOC lenders to start your search for the right loan for you.
A HELOC is a line of credit that lets you borrow against the equity in your home. It works similarly to a credit card in that you borrow what you need rather than getting the full amount you’re borrowing in a lump sum. It also lets you tap into the money you have in your home without replacing your entire mortgage, like you’d do with a cash-out refinance.
Current HELOC rates are relatively low compared to other loan options, including credit cards and personal loans.
How Do Fed Rate Hikes Affect Mortgages?
The Fed aggressively raised the federal funds rate in 2022 and 2023 to slow economic growth and get inflation under control. As a result, mortgage rates spiked.
Mortgage rates aren’t directly impacted by changes to the federal funds rate, but they often trend up or down ahead of Fed policy moves. This is because mortgage rates change based on investor demand for mortgage-backed securities, and this demand is often impacted by how investors expect Fed hikes to affect the broader economy.
Now that the Fed has paused hiking rates, mortgage rates have come down a bit. Once the Fed starts cutting rates, which is likely to happen this year, mortgage rates should fall even further.
Mortgage tech firm Blend Labs reported another loss in the first quarter of 2024, but its executives remain confident the company will deliver profits by the end of this year.
To reach this goal, the company recently received a $150 million injection from private equity firm Haveli Investments and paid down the balance of its outstanding debt.
The San Francisco-based company reported a non-GAAP net loss of $15.1 million from January to March, lower than the $17.6 million loss in the previous quarter and $35.6 million in the same period of 2023.
The company’s GAAP net loss in Q1 was $20.7 million, per filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Wednesday.
To analysts, Nima Ghamsari, head of Blend, said that the deal with Haveli has “several strategic outcomes” for the company, including the “elimination of interest costs and improvement of the balance sheet, which for the first time as a public company is debt-free.”
As of March 31, Blend had cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities, including restricted cash, totaling $135.3 million. Meanwhile, at the end of the first quarter, the company had a total debt outstanding of $135.5 million.
However, Haveli invested in Blend in April, which came as convertible preferred equity. The proceeds were used to pay down the company’s debt, eliminating costs with interest and servicing to improve profitability and cash generation.
In the quarter, Blend’s cash burn — resulting in unlevered free cash flow—was $1.3 million, compared to $14.4 million in the previous quarter and $40 million in the same period of 2023.
The company posted revenues of $34.9 million in Q1, near the high end of the guidance, compared to $36.1 million in the previous quarter and $37.4 million in the same period of 2023.
Most revenues came from the platform segment ($23.8 million), compared to a smaller share from the title segment ($11.1 million).
Blend’s platform segment includes the mortgage banking suite, which experienced a revenue decrease of 15% year over year to $15.1 million in Q1. Meanwhile, consumer banking suite revenue rose by 29% over a year ago to $6.7 million. Professional services revenue increased by 21% to $2.1 million during the same period.
On the expenses side, non-GAAP operating costs in Q1 totaled $29.5 million compared to $47 million in the same period the year prior.
Ghamsari told analysts that the company grew its product suite and customer base in the first quarter, including two of the top 10 credit unions in the country.
“Looking ahead, our pipeline now has 35 opportunities for new mortgage customers, up from 30 last quarter, including a couple of the largest financial institutions in the country,” Ghamsari said.
In addition, the company added functionalities to its platforms, such as an automated loan estimate and an updated Spanish language intake form with additional capabilities.
Blend executives estimate the company’s market share was 20.2% in the second half of 2023, considering funded loans via its platform.
The mortgage tech firm forecasts non-GAAP net operating loss between $7.5 million and $10.5 million in the second quarter.
Online and mobile banking are now woven into many people’s daily lives. With just a few clicks or taps, you can check your balances, pay bills, and make other financial transactions from virtually anywhere, at any time.
Banks are not only convenient, they also implement numerous security measures to help safeguard your accounts. With hackers finding increasingly sophisticated ways to try to access your information, however, it’s also important to be aware of steps you can take on your own to keep your financial and personal details out of the hands of cyber thieves and hackers. Here’s what you need to know.
Tips on Securing Your Bank Account from Hackers
These days cyber thieves are getting increasingly savvy, even setting up fake bank websites and banking apps designed to steal your personal information — and, in turn, the contents of your checking or savings account.
There are a few simple things you can do, however, to help secure your accounts. What follows are six easy strategies that can help you stay ahead of scammers and hackers and protect your hard-earned cash. 💡 Quick Tip: Are you paying pointless bank fees? Open a checking account with no account fees and avoid monthly charges (and likely earn a higher rate, too).
Choose Trustworthy Financial Apps
Whether it’s your bank’s mobile app or any other type of financial app (like a budgeting app), be sure to only download verified apps from a trusted platform, like the App Store for iPhone or iOS users or the Google Play Store for Android users. Fraudulent activity can often occur through fake apps or those downloaded from unofficial sources.
Before downloading a third-party money management app, it’s also a good idea to look up online reviews of the providers from reliable sources, research the app’s security policies, and look for any past data breaches.
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Choose Strong and Unique Passwords
It’s wise to choose a unique password for every bank account, and avoid repeating any ones you use for other online accounts, even non-financial ones. That way, if a fraudster is able to uncover your Facebook password, they won’t be able to access your savings account.
To create a secure password, try to combine uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. You generally want to avoid using easily guessable information such as birthdates, kids’ names, or sequential numbers. To keep the login information for all of your accounts organized, you might want to use a physical or online password manager.
Use Multi-Factor ID
Whenever possible, it’s a good idea to enable two- or multi-factor authentication. This adds another layer of security by requiring one or more forms of verification in addition to a password, such as a pin sent to your mobile device via email or SMS. If hackers are able to access your bank account login credentials, it would be difficult for them to log in without your second verification.
You may also want to take advantage of biometric authentication methods, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, if offered by your bank. Biometrics protect your account by using unique physical characteristics to verify your identity, making it harder for hackers to gain unauthorized access.
Recommended: Avoiding Mobile Deposit Scams, Fakes, and Hacks
Set Up Account Alerts
You can typically set up banking alerts via email, text, or your bank’s app to monitor unusual activity, such as large withdrawals, a profile/password update, new linked external account, or an unusual login attempt. This allows you to identify suspicious activity quickly and report any unusual or unauthorized transactions to your bank right away. You can then work with the bank to swiftly resolve the issue. 💡 Quick Tip: Help your money earn more money! Opening a bank account online often gets you higher-than-average rates.
Watch Out for Phishing Attempts
Phishing scams are ever more prevalent and sophisticated. These scams trick you into providing your personal and banking information that can then be used for fraudulent activity.
For example, you could receive an email, supposedly from your bank, saying there’s been a problem with your account and sharing a link where you are asked to login and update your information. The website you are led to could look just like your bank’s website. If you input your details, hackers will have access to your login information. A few ways to avoid online bank scams:
• If you get a communication that says it’s from your bank and asks you to click a link, don’t. Log into your banking website or app, and check messages there to see what’s going on. Or call your bank to ask if the message is legitimate.
• Hover over the email sender’s address. You may be surprised to see the message is coming from a different identity than the one it’s pretending to be. If that’s the case, don’t click on anything; mark the email as spam.
• Never download attachments from unknown sources, as they may contain malware designed to steal your login credentials.
Recommended: Are Online Savings Accounts Safe?
Be Wary When Using Public Wifi
The public wifi at your favorite coffee shop or local library can help you stay connected when you’re out and about, but you can’t count on it to be entirely secure. While it’s generally fine to use public wifi for browsing the web, it’s best to avoid using it for any activities that require login information, such as signing in to your bank account. The open connection could potentially give cyber thieves a chance to grab your username and password as they move between you and your bank’s website.
To make public wifi more secure, consider putting a virtual private network (VPN) app on your device. A VPN encrypts your data as it passes to and from your device and acts as a protective pathway so that your data is not visible as it passes through a network.
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The Takeaway
Online banking is generally safe and convenient, but it’s also important to take precautions to minimize the risk of getting hacked or scammed. Luckily, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of your bank account being compromised. These include using strong passwords and multi-factor authentication, only downloading apps from reputable platforms, never clicking on links in communications that are (supposedly) from your bank, and never logging into your bank account using public wifi.
Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.
Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall. Enjoy up to 4.60% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.
FAQ
Can hackers steal money from a bank account?
Hackers may be able to steal money from a bank account if they gain access to your account credentials. They might be able to do this by using deceptive emails and websites to trick you into revealing your bank details or exploiting vulnerabilities in a bank’s security systems to access sensitive data.
Fortunately, banks implement numerous security measures to safeguard your accounts. You can also help keep your accounts safe by using strong passwords, enabling multi-factor identification, and being wise to phishing scams.
Who pays if your bank account is hacked?
If your bank account is hacked and unauthorized transactions occur, the bank will likely reimburse the stolen funds, provided you report the incident quickly.
As soon as you see something suspicious, you’ll want to call the number on the back of your bank card and go through the fraud department’s recovery process.
Am I protected if my bank account is hacked?
Yes, you are usually protected if your bank account is hacked, as long as you let the bank know about the fraudulent transaction in a timely manner.
Generally, if you report an unauthorized bank transaction within 48 hours, your liability will be limited to no more than $50. However, if you wait months to report an incident, you might have difficulty recovering any of your lost funds.
Can someone hack your bank account with a routing number and an account number?
Having access to your routing number and account number can potentially lead to some negative outcomes, such as fraudulent payments, the creation of checks for your account, and possibly online shopping with retailers that only require bank account information.
However, a routing number and account number is typically not sufficient on its own for hackers to gain direct access to your bank account. Most banks employ multiple layers of security measures, including authentication protocols and monitoring systems, to prevent unauthorized access to customer accounts.
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SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.60% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a deposit to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate.
SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant.
SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.
SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.
Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.
Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 10/24/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.
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.
Our account fee policy is subject to change at any time. 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.