Okay – your flight’s booked, you’ve requested time off from work, and your family knows you’re going. The bare essentials for going on your trip are done.
Even so, you have this nagging feeling like there’s some more… adulting to do before you leave.
Indeed, there are definitely a few additional steps you’ll want to take before your big trip to ensure your personal finances stay taught and tidy while you’re adventuring abroad.
(P.S. I traveled to 41 countries in my 20s, so please enjoy learning from my mistakes!)
What’s Ahead:
1. Let your bank and credit card company know that you’re traveling
Setting a “travel notice” with your bank is a quick win and can be done in a single phone call. Some banks will even let you do it from your online dashboard.
When you set a travel notice, you’re essentially telling your bank: “hey, I’ll be in Bolivia in August – so if you see a charge from a hostel in La Paz, that’s not fraud – that’s just me.”
Without a travel notice, your bank will typically block your account until they hear confirmation that it’s just you. This could leave you in a sticky situation – you may be unable to withdraw cash, buy food, or check into your accommodations until you call your bank.
So, be sure to set a travel notice so your bank doesn’t flip out when you try to buy your first cuñape.
2. Download banking and payment apps
After visiting 41 countries, I’ve learned one universal truth about group travel: money changes hands between you like the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange.
Restaurant tabs and outdoor market negotiations quickly devolve into a humbling frenzy of open wallets, wads of cash, and grown adults counting on their fingers.
“Oh, shoot – can anyone spot me twenty Euros?”
“I’ve got plenty of pesos if anyone needs any.”
“Does anyone have an extra 5,000 Yen for the tip?”
At the end of the day, sipping Sopporo at the hostel, you’ll need to settle your tab with your cohorts – and that’s when having your banking and payment apps pre-installed is a godsend. Not only do Zelle and PayPal automatically convert to the recipient’s currency, but they also save you a nighttime trip to the ATM – which can be expensive and dangerous.
Read more: Make Paying Easier With The 10 Best Payment Apps
3. Get a budgeting app to help you stay on track
In addition to a payment app, it’s helpful to have a budgeting app while you travel so you can stay on track with your financial goals.
On a more personal note, establishing a budget before your trip and sticking to it takes a ton of the stress and guilt out of travel. Take it from me, when you’re traveling on a budget, without a budget, every nonessential expense can come with a heaping side of guilt.
Another five euro beer in Bavaria? I probably shouldn’t.
This beautiful painting of Ha Long Bay that’s only $30? Ehhh…. not when I’m between jobs.
Not knowing how much you’re allowed to spend when you’re traveling can be a huge buzzkill. But conversely, once you set a budget, your mindset shifts and you feel much more confident and relaxed in your spending:
I can safely afford three craft beers tonight.
Even if I buy this beautiful painting, I’ll still have $220 left in my art budget!
So I passionately suggest establishing a budget before you head overseas – it’s low-key the #1 stress reliever before a big journey!
Read more:9 Best Budgeting Apps To Take Control Of Your Finances
4. See what travel perks and insurance you already get with your rewards card
Sure, 2% cash back rewards are great – but did you know that your credit card might also include up to $25,000 worth of trip insurance?
It’s a lesser-known perk of many rewards cards, but yes – many credit cards these days include travel-related insurance and coverage including:
Trip Delay Reimbursement. Delay coverage would reimburse you for extra expenses due to a delay, like hotels/meals after a canceled flight.
Trip Cancellation/Interruption. This is the big one; if you or even just someone in your family misses a trip due to sickness, a death in the family, severe weather, or even jury duty, your card could cover your trip for up to $25,000.
Baggage Delay.If your bag is delayed by at least 12 hours, your credit card company will actually reimburse you for typically around $150 of clothes and toiletries to get through the day.
Lost Luggage Reimbursement.If your bag never arrives, your card company could cover the replacement cost of your luggage plus contents, usually up to $500 or $1,000. You should know, however, that by law airlines are required to reimburse you for up to $3,500 for lost, damaged, or delayed luggage.
Travel and Emergency Assistance Services.Stuck in a foreign country with a canceled flight? It may not be your first impulse, but calling your card issuer can actually save the day. Many credit card companies have 24/7 travel concierges that can help you make emergency travel plans.
Emergency Evacuation and Transportation Coverage.Finally, and this one became more common during the pandemic, if you incur hotel/transportation costs during an emergency evacuation, your credit card may cover it.
Head online and read your credit card’s cardholder agreement, top to bottom. That’ll give you an idea of the perks included, which could save you tens of thousands of dollars under the right (unfortunate) circumstances.
5. Get traveler’s insurance
Whether or not your card includes some trip insurance, you’ll still want to consider plugging any sensitive gaps. Travel insurance is cheap, relieves a ton of stress, and some consider it to be essential.
There are three types of travel insurance:
Financial travel insurance covers your trip itself, and may already be covered by your credit card. It includes trip cancellation/interruption coverage, baggage delay reimbursement, and more.
Medical travel insurance covers you during your trip and includes your medical bills for emergency evacuation, basic healthcare, etc. Even if you’re traveling to a country with affordable out-of-pocket healthcare, the U.S. State Department reminds us that medical transportation costs can reach $100,000 alone.
Comprehensive travel insurance quite simply includes both Financial and Medical travel insurance.
I know, when you’re budgeting for a trip, purchasing $50 to $300 or so worth of insurance that you might not even use feels like a frustrating tax.
But think of it this way – even if you never end up using it, travel insurance still has a tangible benefit – every day, it removes stress from your trip. For a couple of hundred bucks, it prevents any interruption in your goal to achieve financial freedom.
6. Bring a travel rewards card
Depending on where you’re going and for how long, you might consider applying for a travel rewards card to bring with you.
Now, the credit card companies would have you believe that getting a new credit card is as simple and straightforward as ordering a burrito.
It’s not, and there are some hidden caveats/drawbacks for you to seriously consider before applying:
Credit card applications hurt your credit score. When you apply for a new credit card, the company will make a hard pull of your credit, causing an immediate drop of five to seven points.
Travel rewards cards typically require excellent credit. Because travel cards are “lifestyle cards” that encourage high spending, the card companies want to know that they can trust you to pay your bill when you’re back home. Therefore, they typically require a credit score of 750 or higher
The best travel cards charge an annual fee.The best travel cards almost always charge a $95 annual fee (or higher). Granted, they also tend to have generous signup bonuses ($500+) if you spend enough within your first three months.
The best time to get a travel rewards card is before you book your trip. That way, you can put your trip on your new card for extra cash back and to make progress on earning your signup bonus.
Aside from getting trip insurance, better cash back on travel expenses, and a signup bonus, the final perk to bring a travel rewards card is zero foreign transaction fees. Most non-travel cards will charge a 3% fee on every purchase you make overseas, making your cash back rewards null and void.
If you plan to go shopping abroad, a travel card (or at least one with no foreign transaction fees) is an excellent companion.
Read more: Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards
7. Turn on notifications for every single transaction
Circling back to my very first point, you definitely should still give your bank a travel notice so they don’t immediately freeze your account as soon as you try to make a purchase overseas.
That being said, I recommend you still set up alerts for every single transaction made on your card while you’re traveling.
What if you’re in Bolivia, but that charge at the hostel in La Paz wasn’t you? Now, the roles have reversed – your bank probably thinks it’s OK, but you obviously don’t.
That’s why it’s a good idea to have your bank ping a notification to your phone every time there’s a transaction on your account. Yes, you may get eleven pings a day, but I promise – it’s all worth it for that one ping that makes you go: hol’ up.
8. Prepare to use card lock
Let’s say you do get an alert for a fraudulent charge. Or maybe, you’ve simply lost your credit card and want to prevent any bad guys from using it.
What now? Do you call up Chase and cancel your card?
Hold the phone, because canceling a credit card could have seriously negative consequences on your personal finances. To start, every merchant you have on autopay will experience a missed payment, which could lead to a disruption in subscription services and even a dip in your credit score.
Plus, and I’m pulling from personal experience here, canceling a credit card abroad means that card is donezo. Six feet under. In most circumstances, your card issuer won’t be able to get you another physical card until you’re back home.
Besides, what if you find your card behind the hostel bar right after you cancel it?
That’s why card lock is such an essential feature for travelers. Card lock is a simple toggle in your banking app that lets you block any new transactions on your card. Pre-authorized transactions are allowed, but the bad guys won’t be able to charge anything new. They’ll probably assume you already canceled it and toss it in the trash.
Card lock is also a no-brainer if you’re searching for a lost card, or you do know where it is and just need a few hours to retrieve it.
9. Automate your bills
Speaking of pre-authorized transactions, another key step in ensuring a smooth trip (financially speaking) is to ensure that you won’t come home to any delinquent bills.
You’ll be glad you set up autopay for your rent, utilities, etc. if you haven’t already. It’s not just decidedly unfun to return from Bali to a pile of bills – it can also be expensive and hurt your credit score.
Some less patient merchants (notably utility providers) keep their fingers on the trigger, and as soon as you miss a payment they’ll ambush you with late fees and report your delinquent payment to the credit bureaus.
So, be sure that all of your bills, rent, etc. are set on autopay so you don’t get in trouble while you’re gone. And TBH, just keep everything on autopay so you don’t miss any payments in the future!
Read more:Automatic Payments Explained – Everything You Need To Know About AutoPay
10. Suspend your paid subscriptions
Conversely, if you’ll be gone for more than a month, you might even consider canceling some of your subscriptions until you’re back. This is a frugal life hack that I’ve used to save hundreds during my overseas adventures.
For example, you may want to consider canceling the following services (and more) if you won’t be using them while overseas:
Hulu.
Disney+.
Peloton.
HBO Max.
Spotify.
Netflix.
After all, these services let you reactivate on a whim, so you might as well suspend your subscription and save $20, $40, even $100 during each month you’re gone.
Not only is it effortless to re-subscribe – they’ll often give you promos for it (e.g. reactivate now to save 20% off your next three months).
Now, if it’s a subscription to a small business, like a local gym or a life coach, I’d encourage you to continue supporting them even while you’re overseas.
But Disney? They’ll be fine.
11. Remember to skip your meal deliveries
I’m giving this one its own header because it caused me a surprising amount of stress on my recent jaunt to the Bahamas.
While I was checking my email in Nassau, I got a notification that my Freshly box was out for delivery.
Oops.
Now, if it were just a regular package I could’ve rolled the dice and let it sit on my porch. If I were feeling paranoid, I probably could’ve gotten a pal to swing by within a few days and hide it.
But fresh meals? They had hours before they expired and I lost $100 worth of meal prep (and created tons of food waste).
For an undisclosed amount of bribery, I finally got my up-the-street neighbor to rescue my meals and keep them in her fridge for five days, but lesson learned – skip any fresh meal deliveries while you’re overseas.
12. Have a plan for your mail and packages
On a similar note, it pays (literally) to have your mail and packages taken care of while you’re gone.
If you go online, you can typically redirect UPS and FedEx packages for delivery to the nearest brick-and-mortar store for complimentary safe-keeping – even if the package is already in transit.
USPS offers a service called USPS Hold Mail® that, as the name subtly implies, will hold your mail at the nearest post office for up to 30 days. You can set it up online by creating a USPS account.
(Fun fact – you can also opt-out of junk mail for $2).
13. Freeze your credit report
This is a newer travel tip that some would consider extreme, while others consider it 100% necessary. I’ll let you be the judge.
Remember card lock, which prevents your credit card from being used? Well, there’s a more intense version of that where you can actually prevent your entire credit report from being used.
When you travel abroad and use your credit card in more places, the threat of identity theft naturally rises. Then, the usual first step in identity theft is that the bad guy will start applying for loans in your name.
At this stage, the lender sends a request to the credit bureaus to release your credit report, and when they see you have good credit, they give the bad guy whatever he wants.
But if you freeze your credit report, it stops the bad guy right in his tracks.
To freeze your credit report, you have to call up each of the three credit bureaus:
Equifax (1-800-349-9960).
TransUnion (1-888-909-8872).
Experian (1-888-397-3742).
They’ll ask you for a password to release it again – be sure to get it tattooed on your arm (or your friend’s arm) because you won’t want to lose it. Then, all you have to do is unfreeze it again when you apply for your next loan or line of credit.
14. Sublet your apartment
If your lease allows it, subletting your apartment while you’re gone could cover the cost of your trip!
When you sublet, you’re essentially letting a renter stay in your space while you’re gone. You’re effectively a landlord for a few weeks/months during your trip, and you’ll have to issue a lease of your own and collect rent.
You’ll likely want to collect a security deposit, too, to cover any potential theft or damages to your property.
Subletting makes the most sense if your renter is someone you trust – a friend, colleague, family member, etc. A total stranger might squat in your space, refuse to pay rent, and simply disappear before you return (with your stuff).
For that reason, subletting isn’t for everyone; but if you have a renter in mind and could get a lot for your space, it’s definitely worth investigating!
Read more: How to Sublet Your Apartment Safely
15. Make sure you don’t pay for data roaming
There’s a scene from An Idiot Abroad where Ricky Gervais knows Karl gets charged 70 pence every time he receives a text message in Egypt so he keeps texting him this:
Even if your data carrier says they include data roaming in your monthly bill, don’t believe them. T-Mobile claims they include unlimited data roaming and a “low rate ceiling” for global travelers, and yet felt justified charged a family $13,470.19 while they traveled – $1 per megabyte.
Here’s the crazy thing – the family’s phones were on airplane mode the entire time – but apparently, certain apps these days can shrug off airplane mode and vampire data regardless.
So, the key to avoiding roaming charges is to either:
Go into Airplane Mode Settings and ensure that Cellular Data is disabled.
Prepay for roaming data, if it’s essential.
Only then will you ensure that you never pay 70p for a text from Ricky Gervais again (actually, that might be worth it).
Read more: Should You Buy An International SIM Card For Your Next Trip?
16. Download a VPN
My final travel tip for safeguarding your finances is to download and start using a virtual private network, or VPN.
VPNs are essential travel tools because, among other things, they scramble your data while you browse the web. You’re going to be using a lot of public WiFi while you’re traveling, especially in airports, and that’s precisely when you’re the most vulnerable to having your data stolen (ID, bank passcodes, etc.)
Thankfully, even the cheapest VPN (~$3 a month) can protect you and ensure your sensitive financial data stays invisible.
Plus, VPNs can also help you circumvent national firewalls and download region-locked content. Want to download a movie only available on Netflix Canada? Want to visit Western social media while you’re in China? VPN.
Even if you’re unfamiliar with VPNs, they’re super easy to download and use – so be sure to pick one and tinker with it before you depart!
Summary
Money is a serious consideration for every big trip, but if you plan it well and implement a few key travel hacks, I guarantee you’ll have a less stressful (and more lucrative) adventure overseas.
Chances are life insurance can provide some kind of benefit to your life. At age 57 you most likely have different priorities than that of a person who is younger, but there is still a valid reason for having a quality insurance policy
When it comes to insurance, there are multiple factors that must be brought into consideration before deciding on a particular type of life insurance.
What Do you Need?
As a 57 year old you are hopefully either already retired or are close to retirement. Additionally, your family most likely isn’t as dependent on you as your children are (hopefully) out of the house. If you have fewer people, or nobody, dependent on your annual salary, you may think that you don’t need life insurance anymore, but this isn’t the only purpose for life insurance. Even if your kids have finally moved out of the basement, you still need protection for your family
Regardless, you probably still have liabilities and most likely still have the desire to provide for your family.
It provides the peace of mind that your family will be cared for in the event of some kind of misfortune.
What are the going rates of life insurance at age 57?
The rates that are quoted depend on a number of factors aside from your health. Most likely though if you are a non-smoker, you have a clean bill of health, you most likely will be eligible for a Preferred Plus rate.
Many life insurance providers will perform a medical exam as well as obtain a history of your medical records before offering final quote.
Sex
10 Year
20 Year
30 Year
Male
Protective – $46.26/month
SBLI – $80.91/month
Transamerica – $180.69/month
Female
Protective – $34.30/month
SBLI – $59.60/month
Transamerica – $126.88/month
At age 57 you hopefully have no medical ailments, but this most likely will not be the case forever. It is easy to fall in the mindset that you will always be healthy, but life happens, and it is not always in pleasant form.
Life insurance comes into play by offsetting these misfortunes and offering peace of mind.
What Type of Insurance Does a 57 Year Old Need?
When you’re over 50, your life insurance needs are very different. There are several kinds of plans still available to you, but not each of them is a good purchase.
In most cases, a term life insurance policy is going to be the best option, because they allow you to decide how much longer you’ll need coverage. There might be a time in the next 10 or 20 years where you no longer need life insurance, which is why term insurance is so handy.
Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.Ad
What is Term Life Insurance?
A cheap term life insurance policy is appealing for many ages, but particularly for someone at age 57. In addition to being affordable, it offers a large degree of protection against of number of different scenarios.
Unlike a traditional insurance agent, independent agents don’t just represent one single company, we represent dozens of the most highly rated insurance companies across the United States. Don’t waste time calling all of the companies yourself, we can bring all of the lowest quotes directly to you. Contact our agents or simply fill out the quote form with your information, and you can get the best rates from reputable companies.
Working with an independent agent isn’t the only way that you can get cheap term life insurance. There are several other things that you can do to keep some extra cash in your pocket.
The first is to improve your health and start using that dusty gym membership that you’ve had for years. Unless you choose a no medical exam policy, you’ll be required to complete a short health physical before you are accepted for coverage. The medical exam is going to impact how much you pay for coverage. Put simply, the better health you’re in, the less you pay for life insurance. If you want to save money, cut back on the junk food and start hitting the gym. Your doctor and bank account will both thank you.
Similarly, you’ll need to quit smoking or using chewing tobacco. Being listed as a smoker on your insurance application is going to cause your premiums to double automatically, regardless of how the rest of your health is. If you want to save as much money as possible on your coverage, you’ll need to kick the cigarettes. Smoking is one of the worst things that you can do for your insurance rates.
The last thing you should do is make sure that you’re getting the right amount of coverage. It’s a delicate balance trying to get the perfect amount of coverage, but if you purchase too much life insurance, you’ll be tossing away money. Sure, it’s better to have too much than too little, but it could also mean you’re spending way more on monthly premiums.
Bottom Line
If you are getting standard life insurance quotes over 50 then you will see some wide variance in the premium costs. The key is to work with an agent that knows the market and can shop for the best life insurance for your needs.
One of the worst things that you can do for your family is to not have life insurance. Your loved ones will be responsible for thousands and thousands of dollars of debt, and not have the money they need to pay those bills. It can make a difficult situation that much worse.
Timeshares may be a fun vacation option for a while, but sometimes people want to end the arrangement. Those time share contracts, however, can seem pretty ironclad.
Whether you want out due to buyer’s remorse, a shift in your financial situation or health, or any other reason, here’s some good news: You’re not necessarily stuck.
If you change your mind soon after the purchase, for instance, you might be able to opt out during the “rescission period.”
Those who have had their timeshare for years can have alternatives, including having the resort take it back or perhaps re-selling it.
There are also what are known as “exit” companies that help timeshare owners get released from their agreements (though it’s important to vet those companies before signing an agreement).
If you’re ready to say goodbye to your vacation place, read on to learn steps for legally getting out of a timeshare contract.
5 Steps to Escaping a Timeshare
If you’re thinking about getting out of a timeshare or know you’re ready to make a change, here are five options to consider.
1. Checking the Rescission Period
If your second thoughts occur within several days of your purchase, you may be able to rescind the transaction if you’re still within the “rescission period.”
If you are, you should be able to get your money back and go on your merry way.
Keep in mind, however, that the rules vary from one state to the next.
Depending on the state where the timeshare is located, rescission periods can be anywhere from three days (the minimum required by the Federal Trade Commission) to two weeks.
In some cases, the rescission period may kick in as soon as you buy the timeshare. In others, it might start when you receive the public offering statement that includes general information about the timeshare.
For a timeshare on an exotic isle somewhere outside the U.S., you’ll need to find out what the laws are there.
If you’re eligible for rescission, you’ll want to follow the instructions in the documents you received when you purchased your timeshare.
Most likely you’ll need to send the resort a letter telling them you want out via rescission for a full refund.
It’s a good idea to send this letter using certified or registered mail.
💡 Quick Tip: Typically, checking accounts don’t earn interest. However, some accounts do, and online banks are more likely than brick-and-mortar banks to offer you the best rates.
2. Contacting the Timeshare Resort
If rescission isn’t possible because too much time has passed, another option you may be able to take advantage of is a “deed back” program.
Also known as “take-back” and “surrender” programs, these programs allow distressed owners to give their timeshares back to the resort developer, often for a fee of a couple of hundred dollars or so.
To find out if your developer offers this type of program, you may want to contact them directly and ask to speak with someone who handles “deed-backs” or “surrenders.”
You can also check online resources like ResponsibleExit.com for information about return programs.
Generally, developers will only go for this if the timeshare is fully paid for, and you’re up to date on your maintenance fees.
Some developers that accept returns may require owners to pay annual fees for a year or two while the resort finds another buyer.
In some cases, you may have to prove financial or medical hardship in order to qualify for a take-back program.
Even if your resort doesn’t have an official take-back program, you have nothing to lose by asking. Who knows; they might go for it.
Recommended: How to Automate Your Finances
3. Reselling The Timeshare Yourself
If you’re considering reselling your timeshare, it’s probably best if you don’t go into it with hopes of making a killing.
There are typically many people looking to unload their timeshares and demand isn’t generally high, unless your property is in a hot destination.
As a result, reselling can often be a losing proposition.
The best approach might be to think of reselling as someone taking the timeshare off your hands and becoming responsible for the fees moving forward, rather than making a profit.
You can list your timeshare on a general resale marketplace site, such as eBay and Craigslist. There are also sites just for timeshares, such as TUG (the website for the Timeshare Users Group) and RedWeek .
💡 Quick Tip: When you feel the urge to buy something that isn’t in your budget, try the 30-day rule. Make a note of the item in your calendar for 30 days into the future. When the date rolls around, there’s a good chance the “gotta have it” feeling will have subsided.
4. Reselling the Timeshare Through a Broker
If you opt to resell your timeshare, another option is to hire a real estate broker or agent who specializes in reselling timeshares.
If you choose this route, however, you’ll want to pick your broker carefully, cautions the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) .
Some real estate brokers and agents who specialize in reselling timeshares may falsely claim the market in your area is hot and that they’re overwhelmed with buyer requests.
They may even tell you that they already have buyers ready to purchase your timeshare, or promise to sell your timeshare within a specific time.
It’s wise to be skeptical of all such claims, says the FTC, and also to vet the reseller before agreeing to anything on the phone or in writing.
A good safeguard is to contact the state Attorney General and local consumer protection agencies in the state where the reseller is located, and ask if any complaints are on file. You also can search online for complaints.
You may also want to ask the reselling agency if their agents are licensed to sell real estate where your timeshare is located. If they say they are, you may want to verify it with the state’s Real Estate Commission.
Recommended: How to Manage Your Money Better
Other questions you may want to ask before hiring a reselling agent:
• How do you plan to advertise and promote the timeshare unit?
• Will I get progress reports and, if so, how often?
• What fees do you charge, and when do they have to be paid?
It’s generally preferable to do business with a reseller that takes its fee (or commission) only after the timeshare is sold.
If you must pay a fee in advance, however, it’s wise to ask about refunds, and to get all refund policies and promises in writing.
💡 Quick Tip: If you’re creating a budget, try the 50/30/20 budget rule. Allocate 50% of your after-tax income to the “needs” of life, like living expenses and debt. Spend 30% on wants, and then save the remaining 20% towards saving for your long-term goals.
5. Hiring a Timeshare Exit Company
The concept is good. With a timeshare exit company you often get a small army to handle your business.
A good one knows the inner workings of the timeshare industry, which could be advantageous to you.
One major caveat is that these services generally don’t come cheap–prices vary considerably, but can be as high as $4,500.
It’s also important to be aware that there are many bad apples out there. There have been numerous lawsuits against timeshare exit companies that backed out of their payment agreements with customers.
To help ensure that an exit company you’re thinking about hiring is reputable, you may want to check with the Better Business Bureau, and also search online, to see if there have been complaints about the company and (most importantly) how they have handled those complaints.
You can also protect yourself by refusing to make any payments before a contract has been signed by both parties.
Recommended: 5 Reasons to Switch Banks
The Takeaway
Unloading a timeshare property isn’t always easy, but some of your exit options include: backing out during the “rescission period,” reselling it yourself, hiring a broker to resell it for you, and hiring a timeshare exit company to take care of the whole separation process.
It’s important to understand all of your options (and the potential pitfalls of each) in order to choose the best solution for your situation.
Better banking is here with up to 4.20% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.
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.
SoFi members with direct deposit can earn up to 4.20% annual percentage yield (APY) interest on Savings account balances (including Vaults) and up to 1.20% APY on Checking account balances. There is no minimum direct deposit amount required to qualify for these rates. Members without direct deposit will earn 1.20% APY on all account balances in Checking and Savings (including Vaults). Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 4/25/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet. Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances. 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. This article is not intended to be legal advice. Please consult an attorney for advice. SOBK0523039U
Compared to banks, credit unions offer more individualized service. Plus, many of them also provide lower fees and higher rates on certain accounts. However, you must become a member of a credit union to utilize its services. In most cases, credit union membership is reserved for people who live, work, and worship in a certain area.
Some credit unions are also geared toward those in specific professions, like education or law or anyone who makes a donation or joins an organization. You’ll be pleased to learn that most credit unions have made their membership criteria more lenient and opened up their offerings to more types of people. In fact, many of them are quite easy to join.
14 Best Nationwide Credit Unions
While many credit unions are small and can only be found in select local areas, there are quite a few that are nationwide. If you travel frequently for work or pleasure, you might be in the market for nationwide credit unions.
Fortunately, most credit unions that have a nationwide presence are easy to join and offer a variety of benefits. To make your search for the best federal credit unions a bit easier, we’ve compiled this handy list.
1. Connexus Credit Union
Headquartered in Wisconsin, Connexus Credit Union is known as one of the largest credit unions in the U.S. It has over 400,000 credit union members across all 50 states. This is no surprise as it partners with well-known companies, such as Liberty Mutual Insurance, Kraft, Honeywell, and BMW.
To join, you’ll need to qualify through your employer that’s one of the credit union’s partner companies or donate at least $5 and open an account. As a credit union member, you can enjoy high APYs on checking accounts and other deposit accounts as well as low rates on mortgages, personal loans, and car loans.
The Xtraordinary Checking Account offers an APY of up to 1.75% on certain balances so you can make the most out of your hard earned money. White you don’t have to pay any fees, Connexus does require that you spend a certain amount on your debit card and sign up for eStatements to take advantage of the interest.
Furthermore, if you don’t use your checking account for more than 90 days and have a balance of $100 or less, you may have to pay an inactivity fee. Connexus has more than 5,600 shared branches and over 67,000 fee-free ATMs. Plus, the credit union offers higher rates and exclusive discounts throughout the year.
2. Navy Federal Credit Union
If you’re part of the military community, Navy Federal Credit Union should be on your radar. You can become a member if you have an active duty or reservist military member, worked for the Department of Defense, or are the immediate family member of someone eligible for membership. You’ll also be required to open a Navy Federal savings account and make a minimum deposit of $5.
The credit union has about 350 physical branches worldwide and many of them are near military bases in Maryland, Virginia, and California. There are also more than 30,000 fee-free ATMs. If you like to do your banking on your mobile device, you’ll be pleased to know that there is a highly rated app.
If you join Navy Federal Credit Union, you can enjoy no monthly fees or minimal fees on basic savings or youth savings accounts. NFCU also offers several checking accounts as well as competitive rates for share certificates, which are basically certificates of deposits (CDs).
3. Consumers Credit Union
Based in Illinois, Consumers Credit Union has 11 branches in the Chicago suburbs but opens its membership to anyone in the country. All members get access to more than 5,000 shared credit union branches and over 30,000 ATMs.
To join, simply pay $5 and fill out a short application form. Consumers offers some of the highest annual percentage yields or APYs on its rewards checking accounts. However, it requires that you make at least 12 debit card purchases per month, enroll in eDocuments, and have a monthly minimum of $500 in ACH deposits, direct deposits, and mobile check deposits.
If you prefer, you can choose from a no-frills checking account that doesn’t earn any interest. Other product offerings include four savings accounts, IRA certificates, and money market accounts.
4. Pentagon Federal Credit Union
Founded in 1935, PenFed Credit Union is known as one of the largest credit unions in the country. It serves more than 2.8 million members and has over $36.6 billion in assets. While this best credit union was originally only available to military members and their families, it eventually opened the doors to anyone. You can join as long as you deposit $5 into a savings account.
As a PenFed member, you can reap numerous benefits, including great rates on checking accounts, savings accounts, and money market certificates. In addition, you can sign up for early direct deposit and access more than 85,000 fee – free ATMs across the nation.
Even though PenFed is not part of a shared branch network, like other credit unions, it pays high rates, and has about 40 of its own branches throughout the U.S. There’s also a solid mobile app and customer phone support with evening and weekend hours.
5. SkyOne Federal Credit Union
SkyOne Federal Credit Union is one of the best credit unions and has a mission to help families become financially stable. It serves more than 40,000 members with $600 million in assets. Since its inception in 1949, SkyOne has offered a robust lineup of financial products, like interest-bearing checking accounts, money market accounts, credit cards, mortgages, and car loans.
Its share certificates come with exceptional rates that you might not find at other credit unions. SkyOne also has a free mobile banking app, a plethora of free educational tools, and a network of thousands of credit union branches for easy access.
The main downfall of this credit union is that it’s geared toward those who work in the air transportation industry so you might have a difficult time qualifying. Fortunately, membership has recently become a bit more lenient to accommodate more people.
6. Alliant Credit Union
Illinois-based Alliant Credit Union has more than 700,000 members across the country. Unlike other credit unions on this list, Alliant operates strictly online. If you like the idea of online and mobile banking, this credit union should definitely be on your radar. Its online accounts pay highly competitive interest rates that can be as much as 22X the national average.
Plus, you don’t have to worry about overdraft or ATM fees. You can also score up to $200 per month in ATM rebates. While its checking and savings accounts are the most popular products, Alliant also provides mortgages, auto loans, personal loans, and credit cards. At this time, Alliant does not offer any no-penalty or specialty CDs.
Customer service is available 24/7 and there’s also an online contact form you can use for less pressing questions or concerns. To become a member, join Foster Care to Success (FC2S). Once you do, Alliant will pay the $5 membership fee to the organization for you.
7. First Tech Federal Credit Union
First Tech Federal Credit Union made its debut in 1952 when it was first founded by employees of Hewlett-Packard and Tektronix. Today, the credit union partners with large companies, like Hewlett-Packard, Amazon, Microsoft, and Nike. You can join as long as you work at one of its partner firms or become a member of the Computer History Museum or Financial Fitness Association.
There are 33 branches, mainly in California, Washington and Oregon, but with several locations across Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Massachusetts and Texas. As a member, you can enjoy in-person service at more than 5,600 Co-op Shared Branch locations in the U.S.and access your money at over 30,000 free ATMs.
It offers a long list of financial products, like checking accounts, savings accounts, credit cards, loans and investment accounts. Most of these offerings come with low minimum opening balance requirements and no monthly maintenance fees. First Tech Federal Credit Union is unique in that there are many business banking services that are rarely seen at other credit unions.
9. Bethpage Credit Union
While it is located in New York, Bethpage Credit Union opens its membership to anyone who makes a $5 payment, regardless of where they live. The credit union partners with hundreds of other credit unions to offer access to more than 5,000 branches and over 30,000 fee free ATMs. Virtual visits by phone and video appointment are also available.
Bethpage’s product lineup includes three checking accounts, four savings accounts, share certificates, and money market accounts. Believe it or not, even the free checking accounts pay interest. In addition to deposit accounts, the credit union provides mortgages, home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), car loans, auto refinancing, personal loans, retirement planning, health savings accounts, IRAs, and insurance.
You can access your accounts on the go with the handy mobile app, which includes convenient features, such as budgeting tools, online bill pay, and budgeting tools. Bethpage also offers access to a digital wallet and Zelle money transfers.
10. Latino Community Credit Union
Headquartered in North Carolina, Latino Community Credit Union has 15 branches in the state as well as 1,300 free ATMs through the CashPoints network. While it was originally built for the Latino community, you don’t have to be Hispanic or live in North Carolina to join. All you have to do is submit an application and pay a $10 membership fee.
Latino Community Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and offers 24/7 customer service via phone. Compared to brick-and-mortar banks, it provides competitive interest rates and accounts with low minimum opening balance requirements.
If you’re part of the Hispanic community, you may also benefit from services in both Spanish and English as well as a financial literacy education program that’s focused on low-income Latino families and immigrants.
11. Boeing Employees’ Credit Union
If you’re a Boeing employee or live or work in Washington, Boeing Employees’ Credit Union can be a good fit. Just keep in mind that you’ll be required to open the Member Advantage Savings account, Member Share Savings account or Early Saver account.
You can enjoy nationwide access to more than 30,000 free ATMs, discounts on local events, such as sporting games and fairs and impressive rates on CDs, money markets and IRAs. Plus, there are no monthly service fees or minimum balance requirements.
Other noteworthy perks include free credit score monitoring, Zelle payments, online bill pay, and budgeting tools. You can find more than 50 physical branches in Washington as well as one location in North Charleston, South Carolina, for in-person banking.
12. Blue Federal Credit Union
Blue Federal Credit Union began as Warren Federal Credit Union and has been in business for more than 70 years. It offers more products than most credit unions, including checking accounts, savings accounts, credit cards, home loans, personal loans, and investment banking. This is great news if you’d like the diverse offerings that are widely seen at banks at lower price points.
In addition to a vast selection of financial products, Blue Federal Credit Union provides rates as high as 2x to 5x higher than the national average and access to thousands of partner credit unions across the nation. Thanks to the tiered membership rewards program, you can earn great rewards.
To join, donate to the Blue Foundation and open a Blue FCU Membership Share Savings account. Once you’re a member, you can bank online, visit branches in Colorado or Wyoming, or go to shared branches across the U.S.
13. Wings Financial Credit Union
Wings Financial Credit Union is worth exploring, even if you don’t work in the aviation industry. It has more than 26 branches in Minnesota, Michigan, Florida, Georgia, and Washington. Not only is it NCUA insured, it’s part of the Allpoint, CO-Op, and MoneyPass ATM networks that offer access to more than 80,000 free ATMs.
To become a member, you should live in work in an eligible location, work in the aviation industry, or make a $5 donation to Wings Financial Foundation, a non-profit organization that offers financial education programs and college scholarships.
The credit union pays high interest rates on many of its accounts and doesn’t charge monthly service fees. Depending on your goals, you can open the Wings Financial High-Yield Savings Account, Wings Financial Credit Union High-Yield Checking Account, Wings Financial Investment Money Market Account.
14. NASA Federal Credit Union
NASA Federal Credit Union dates back to 1949 when it first launched to serve NASA employees. Over time, the credit union has expanded and has more than 140,000 members to date. You can join even if you’re not affiliated with NASA as long as you become a member of the National Space Society.
Popular product offerings at NASA Federal Credit Union include the Premier Checking, Premier eChecking, Premier Preferred Checking, Shared and Special Savings account or Education Savings Account.
We can’t forget the Star Trek credit cards which offer 2x points for gas station purchases, and 3x points for purchases at StarTrek.com. Furthermore, if you spend $3,000 in the first 90 days, you get a bonus of 30,000 points. You may redeem your points for merchandise, gift cards, and more.
Credit Unions vs. Banks
If you’re used to banks or unfamiliar with credit unions, you might wonder how credit unions and banks compare. The truth is both types of financial institutions offers similar products, but there are several differences between them, including:
Financial Products
In general, banks offer more financial products and services than credit unions, especially large banks with a national presence. Credit unions primarily focus on checking accounts, savings accounts, and credit accounts. While loans and investment products are less common, they can still be found at some credit unions.
Rates and Fees
Banks tend to charge higher rates and fees than credit unions. However, online banks are usually more affordable and comparable to credit unions as they have lower overhead costs. It’s a good idea to shop around so you can compare rates and fees at a variety of financial institutions and hone in on the best option.
Technology
Credit unions typically are less technologically advanced than banks. The good news is more and more credit unions, especially those with a nationwide presence, are improving their technical offerings. Many of them offer mobile apps, online bill pay, and other advanced banking tools that were unheard of in the past.
Bottom Line
With this list of the best credit unions nationwide, you’re sure to find a credit union or two that checks all your boxes. Whether you’re new to credit unions or have used them for a while, these types of financial institutions can help you meet (or even exceed) your personal finance goals.
Credit Union FAQs
What is the difference between a bank and a credit union?
While a credit union is a member-owned, non-profit institution, a bank is a for-profit financial institution that is owned by shareholders or individuals. Credit unions are known for more personal service and flexibility. Whether you use a bank or credit union depends on your unique goals and priorities.
Do I have to join a credit union?
All credit unions may have certain membership requirements. Fortunately, many are lenient and let you join if you make a donation or pay a fee. Some credit unions will pay for you once you make a deposit into an account. Of course, some credit unions limit membership to people in certain geographical locations or professions.
Do credit unions have ATMs?
Yes! In many cases, credit unions partner with a large network of ATMs. This makes it easy for you to access your money regardless of where you are.
Are credit unions insured?
Reputable credit unions are insured by the National Credit Union Administration or NCUA, which is similar to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or Federal Deposit Insurance Corp of traditional banks. This means if the credit union fails because of bankruptcy, for example, you’ll get your money back.
Are credit unions online?
While credit unions have a reputation for in-person branches with individualized service, online credit unions do exist. Several examples include Alliant Credit Union, Connexus Credit Union, and Quorum Federal Credit Union. If you like the idea of online banking, an online credit union might make sense.
What is the best nationwide credit union?
Not all nationwide credit unions are created equal. In fact, there are many options available with various pros and cons. To pinpoint the ideal online or local credit union for you, explore the institutions on this list and consider your priorities. Remember, you can join multiple credit unions if you’d like.
According to a new survey from NerdWallet, 84% of Americans with a monthly budget say they’ve sometimes exceeded their budget. The survey, conducted online by The Harris Poll on March 31-April 4, 2023, among more than 2,000 U.S. adults ages 18 and older, found that around three-quarters (74%) of Americans have a monthly budget.
Key findings
Most Americans overspend, and many use credit cards to cover it. The survey found that 83% of Americans say they overspend, and a similar proportion who have a monthly budget (84%) say they exceed it. Of those who’ve ever gone over their monthly budget, 44% say they usually use a credit card to pay for the additional purchases they make when going over budget.
Youngest U.S. adults are more likely to say their generation has it worse. Nearly 1 in 5 Americans (18%) think their generation is bad at managing money and nearly 3 in 5 Americans (57%) think their generation has had a harder time making ends meet than any other generation, the survey finds. Younger Americans are more likely to make each of these assertions.
Emergency savings is a financial priority for many. Close to half of Americans (48%) say they want to prioritize emergency savings, according to the survey. Other popular financial priorities for Americans are investments (36%) and retirement planning (35%).
“Savings accounts offer a buffer against life’s unexpected twists, from job loss to unplanned expenses,” says Kimberly Palmer, a personal finance expert at NerdWallet. “Funding one can make the difference between relative financial stability or being unable to pay for everyday essentials.”
An emergency fund is a top priority for nearly half of Americans
Most Americans (92%) have one or more financial areas they want to prioritize. The most common of these priorities is emergency savings (48%), followed by investments (36%) and retirement planning (35%).
Millennials (ages 27-42) and Generation Xers (ages 43-58) are the most likely to say they want to prioritize emergency savings, with 56% and 52%, respectively, saying it is a desired area of focus. That’s compared with 38% of Generation Zers (ages 18-26) and 44% of baby boomers (ages 59-77).
Many Americans have very little emergency savings socked away. According to 2022 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau data, 24% of Americans have no emergency savings, and an additional 39% have less than one month’s income saved.
After emergency savings, investments (36%), retirement planning (35%), budgeting (34%) and travel savings (34%) rounded out the top five financial priorities. Americans with an annual household income of $100,000 or more want to prioritize investments (48%) and retirement planning (47%) at a much higher rate.
For parents of children under 18, priorities vary, perhaps to account for their children. For instance, holiday savings is a focus for 37% of those parents, compared with 18% of those without children under 18. Similar differences appeared for saving for a home (38% versus 17%) and saving for education expenses (29% versus 8%).
Many common educational savings plans can help savers by giving them some tax advantage. Parents and grandparents can make their educational dollars go further by taking advantage of these plans.
Millennials (36%) and Gen Xers (37%) are more likely to say they want to prioritize paying off credit card debt. Just 29% of boomers and 22% of Gen Zers want to prioritize credit card payments.
What you can do: Set a financial goal or priority if you haven’t yet
If you’re in the 8% of Americans who don’t have a financial area they want to prioritize, now is the time to set your financial goals. Think of it as a spring cleaning for your finances and a way to get yourself set up not just for the rest of the year, but also for the rest of your life.
“Setting clear financial goals makes it easier to determine the small action steps we need to take in order to make them a reality. That could include opening up a new savings account or contributing more to retirement,” Palmer says.
Overspending is common, despite monthly budgeting
Nearly three-quarters of Americans (74%) have a monthly budget. Millennials are most likely to say this — 83%, versus 76% of Gen Zers, 74% of Gen Xers and 67% of baby boomers.
Some Americans are willing to go without a budget. Just 23% of Americans say they feel like they need a budget to get by every month. Boomers are the least likely to need that support. Only 13% feel they need a budget to get by compared with 32% of Gen Zers, 29% of millennials, and 26% of Gen Xers.
A budget isn’t necessarily the solution to overspending. While close to a third of Americans (32%) say they review their budget and spending on a regular basis, 16% say they often spend more than they budget for each month. And when the money isn’t in the budget, it still has to come from somewhere.
Going over budget is nearly universal
According to the survey, of Americans who have a monthly budget, 84% say they’ve gone over budget at some point. More than 2 in 5 of those who have gone over budget (44%) say they usually pay for additional purchases they make with a credit card.
A majority of Americans (83%) say they overspend, at least sometimes. Food is a major reason for overspending — nearly half of Americans (47%) say groceries are among the spending categories they find themselves overspending on most often each month, while 34% say the same about dining out.
Inflation is likely a contributing factor. Over the past year, the cost of food at home has increased by 8.4% and food away from home has increased by 8.8%, as of March 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Holding on to the budgetary reins
About 1 in 6 Americans (17%) say they don’t overspend on any products or services each month. Baby boomers are most likely to make this assertion — 31%, versus 14% of Gen Xers and 7% each of millennials and Gen Zers. Interestingly, baby boomers (67%) are least likely to have a monthly budget, and millennials (83%), who are in their peak earning years, are the most likely to have a budget (compared with 76% of Gen Zers and 74% of Gen Xers).
There’s also a subset of Americans who plan to overspend and set savings aside for it. One in 5 Americans (20%) who have gone over their monthly budget say they’ve dipped into savings specifically earmarked for overspending to pay for additional expenses.
What you can do: Take steps to avoid overspending
There are expenses where many could find themselves with no choice but to overspend, such as for medical costs, food when prices jump, or any number of necessities when a breadwinner gets laid off or switches jobs.
That just means it’s even more important to plan for the things you can control. Almost 1 in 4 Americans (24%) say they’ve often overspent on entertainment streaming services. There are plenty of ways to resist the urge to overspend on those products and services, which will hopefully leave more in the bank for unavoidable events.
Generational beliefs about finances differ
Every generation has its challenges, but not every generation agrees on what those challenges are. Just over half of Americans (57%) say their generation has had a harder time making ends meet compared with any other. Millennials (72%) and Gen Zers (68%) are more likely to agree with that sentiment compared with Gen Xers (56%) and boomers (39%).
About a third of Gen Zers (36%) also say their generation is bad at managing money (compared with 25% of millennials, 14% of Gen Xers and 10% of boomers). Education may play a role in that outlook. Roughly 1 in 5 Gen Zers (21%) think they learned all they needed to know about budgeting when they were a kid. (Millennials, at 18%, feel similarly.)
Baby boomers keep income details to themselves
Overall, 69% of Americans say it’s rude for a person to talk about how much money they make. Baby boomers are the most likely to agree with that sentiment. About 8 in 10 (81%) are put off by the idea of talking about income. Just about half of Gen Zers (47%) think talking about income is rude, and 65% of millennials and 71% of Gen Xers feel the same.
Boomers are also less likely to say they feel societal pressure to spend money. Just about 1 in 5 boomers (18%) say they often spend more than they budget for because of societal pressure from, for example, family, friends or social media. Conversely, 57% of Gen Zers and half of millennials (50%) say the same thing. Gen Xers fall between the poles at 35%.
Thoughts on tipping and fees
About a third of Americans (32%) say sellers’ fees have gone up in the past year. These are the fees companies or individuals add to a purchase that often aren’t reflected in the base price. Fuel surcharges at the airport, airport fees for a ride-sharing app and order processing fees from ticketing companies are examples.
When it comes to tipping, the generations are in agreement. Overall, about a third of Americans (34%) say tipping, when the option is present, is mandatory (35% of Gen Z, 35% of millennials, 31% of Gen X and 35% of baby boomers). About the same proportion of Americans (29%) feel like the pressure to tip more has increased for them over the past year.
Boomers are most likely to want the option to tip as opposed to facing increased fixed costs. About 2 in 5 boomers (41%) say, when dining out, they would prefer to tip versus seeing restaurants increase menu prices so tipping isn’t required (compared with 25% of Gen Zers, 31% of millennials, and 29% of Gen Xers).
Baby boomers (4%) are also the least likely to say they judge their friends based on how much they tip. Gen Zers (11%), millennials (15%) and Gen Xers (7%) are all more likely to be judgmental of friends when it comes to tipping.
Baby boomers feeling pinched
Boomers may be more likely to feel the pinch of inflation. Just 5% of baby boomers say their dollar goes farther now than it did a year ago. About 1 in 5 Gen Zers (19%) say the same thing, followed by 16% of millennials and 10% of Gen Xers.
Baby boomers and Gen Xers are also more likely to say portions at restaurants are getting smaller (42% and 39%, respectively) compared with Gen Zers (29%) and millennials (33%).
Part of that may be boomers having a better understanding of the realities of inflation. When we asked Americans if the annual U.S. inflation rate was above 10% (at the time it was 5%), 44% of boomers correctly identified that it wasn’t. Just about 1 in 5 Gen Zers (19%) and millennials (18%), and roughly 1 in 4 Gen Xers (24%), got it right.
What you can do: Find ways to save, even when times are tight
Managing your money is much more difficult when you don’t have a buffer. Finding a way to save, no matter what generation you belong to, can help you cope when prices increase or attitudes toward costs shift.
“Cutting back on recurring costs such as subscriptions, shopping around when insurance and phone contracts come up for renewal, and timing necessary big-ticket purchases to sales can all help free up money for additional savings,” Palmer says.
You can also take a look at your tipping to better understand what you can and should control. Tipping often feels mandatory because some people rely on tips for a living wage. Knowing what you’re providing and what it means to opt out can help you make better-informed decisions, and can have a positive impact on your spending.
Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the U.S. by The Harris Poll on behalf of NerdWallet from March 31-April 4, 2023, among 2,070 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this survey, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.8 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, contact Sarah Borland at [email protected]
Disclaimer
NerdWallet disclaims, expressly and impliedly, all warranties of any kind, including those of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose or whether the article’s information is accurate, reliable or free of errors. Use or reliance on this information is at your own risk, and its completeness and accuracy are not guaranteed. The contents in this article should not be relied upon or associated with the future performance of NerdWallet or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties as indicated by words such as “believes,” “expects,” “estimates,” “may,” “will,” “should” or “anticipates” or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements may materially differ from NerdWallet’s presentation of information to analysts and its actual operational and financial results.
Over the weekend while attending my town’s Friday night football game, I struck up a conversation with an acquaintance of mine, and we started talking about the market. The fellow I was talking about was a believer in the market, and knew that the current crisis that we are in would eventually pass, and the market would continue to strive as it usually does. What he found most peculiar was with some of the sediments of his fellow co-workers, who were participating in the 401k. His co-worker’s belief was that with the market being as bad as they were, they were going to no longer defer to their 401k, and refrain from taking advantage of the pre-tax contributions into their retirement plan. They were giving up free money! He was stunned by his co-worker’s remarks, and as equally as I, and compared that to a conversation that I had, with some other workers from another local employer. It prompted me to write this blog in regards in to things you should not do when it comes to your 401k.
1. Do not stop contributing to your 401k no matter what.
Just because the markets are down does not mean you should not contribute. In fact if there was a time ever to contribute, this would be the time. The simplest reasons is that right now despite the market’s turmoils, currently the market is at a discount, and what that means is that there are a lot of great companies that exist out there, that are currently “on sale”. This is a time to buy stocks, at a cheap price in hopes to benefit from the appreciation in later years. This strategy can also be called dollar cost averaging, which means as long as you are contributing on a consistent or periodic basis, you’ll take advantage of buying shares at a lower price in down markets, and compare that to buying shares at a higher price in up markets, which should then all balance out for a dollar cost average.
If the market has you completely terrified, then consider changing all future contributions to short or intermediate bonds. At least that way you’re money is making a little interest while the market tries to figure itself out.
2. Do not put all of your 401k into the money market.
While I understand the disbelief in the markets right now to where you want to shift all of your money into the money market, by doing this would be a great mistake. If you believe that making money in the market is to buy low and sell high, then by shifting your money into the money market from your other investments, it would be the exact opposite; buying high and selling low. If you’ve seen your 401k depreciate in the last several months, the only way to get that back is by staying exactly where you’re at. Now, I understand for those nearing retirement, that this can be a compromising situation, but if you visit the rule of 72, meaning that you take 72 divided by the interest rate on your investments, and that will tell you how long it will take to double your money. That also, too, will give you an indicator how long it will take you to recoup the losses that you have incurred. By shifting to the money market, chances are, you are making somewhere in the 2% interest rate, which means it would take you almost 20 to 30 years just to double your money, and to recoup your other money that you’ve lost, would be a great time.
3. Do not borrow against your 401k.
This can be said in an up market or down market, but I had to throw it in there. Borrowing against your 401k is never advisable, especially in a down market. Look to start an emergency fund of some kind so that you can have that to fall back on in case of an emergency. If you don’t have an emergency fund, start one now. There’s no sense in contributing to your 401k if you have to pull it out just pay the bills.
Save more, spend smarter, and make your money go further
Ever buy a Groupon or other daily deal voucher you never used? You have several options: write off the money you spent as a loss, try to sell the coupon on eBay or Craigslist, or take a more targetted approach, thanks to a handful of websites that have recently sprung up to act as a secondary market for those vouchers.
Some charge fees sell your coupons, while others act as free services similar to Craigslist. In many cases you can end up getting face value for your voucher – it would be as if you never bought it in the first place.
“A lot of times people miss out on a deal or bought something they didn’t use,” so creating a secondary market made sense, says Yael Gavish, the chief executive officer of San Francisco, Calif.-based Lifesta.
Lifesta, which launched in July, charges sellers $0.99 and 8% of the sale price on any voucher that gets sold. The process is simple: You upload your coupon and Lifesta sells it for you. You get paid through Amazon Payments, a service similar to PayPal. The money is deposited into your Amazon account as soon as Lifesta is paid. You can then either get the money transferred to your banking account or use it toward Amazon.com purchases.
Lifesta doesn’t impose any restrictions on how you price the voucher, but Gavish says that most sellers post the amount they paid for it, or less if it’s about to expire.
Buyers on Lifesta are also protected. The company offers a sixty-day money back guarantee in case the voucher is fake or has already been used. (It is largely thanks to that guarantee, Gavish says, that Lifesta resells a lot of pricey deals, like sky diving coupons and expensive hair treatments.)
So far, tens of thousands of dollars worth of deals have been uploaded to and sold on Lifesta. The website operates nationwide.
Pay for protection
Chicago, Ill.-based DealsGoRound started out as a free service similar Craigslist, simply connecting buyers and sellers online, but leaving them to make all arrangements of the actual sale. Recently, the website switched to a model in which it facilitates the sale.
“You see something on the site, you buy it and get the email certificate in seconds,” says Kris Petersen, the founder and chief executive officer of DealsGoRound. “There’s no real communications between the buyer and the seller. Once you post you don’t even know who buys it.”
DealsGoRound, which uses PayPal to pay sellers, takes a 10% commission from each sale and has a sixty-day refund policy, but Peterson says in the ten months it has acted as a reseller it has not had even one problem with a voucher. The company has more than 1,000 users and is available nationwide. According to Petersen, vouchers are posted from about 50 different daily deal websites.
While the resellers don’t need the permission of the daily deal websites to resell the vouchers, Petersen says he did contact them when he first launched the service in response to being stuck with unused vouchers for a Segway tour. The result: nothing.
“The most common response was no response,” says Petersen. “The smaller daily deal websites were excited about it.”
CoupRecoup lets you sell for free
CoupRecoup, out of San Francisco, Calif., doesn’t charge users a fee to sell their vouchers, but it also doesn’t provide a money back guarantee or get involved in the sale process at all. Katherine Woo, co-founder of CoupRecoup, says the website was started after she tried to sell a daily deal on Craigslist and got no response.
Unlike the other websites in that space, CoupRecoup doesn’t generate profits. “It’s a public service,” says Woo. “It’s free.” Sellers list their vouchers and then make their own arrangements to meet an interested buyer and complete the transaction. You can set your own price, but there is also an option to accept the best offer.
CoupRecoup is currently available in 62 cities and will add additional ones if there is demand. Woo says the company doesn’t charge money because users haven’t been clamoring for buyer protection. “It’s a pretty low-key model that’s working well,” she says.
Save more, spend smarter, and make your money go further
Previous Post
The Solution to Your Parking Frustrations: Market-Rate Pricing?
Next Post
For Restaurant Deals, Tap Your Phone Screen: 7 Apps for…
Browse Related Articles
Are Groupons Really a Great Deal?
Saving 101
How To Save on Halloween Costumes
Financial Planning
Don’t Let Companies Cheat You: 5 Steps to Keeping…
As Daily Deals Go National, Will They Get Less Generous…
Saving 101
Next Stop For Daily Deals: Social Networking and Custom…
Saving 101
Power of The Masses: Your Guide to Group Buying Website…
Social Buying Sites: Altering the Holiday Shopping Dyna…
Saving 101
Finding Deals at the Farmers’ Market
Zeroing In On Niche Daily Deal Websites: Adventure Trav…
The More, the Merrier: The Power of Group-Buying Websit…
In my previous post, I listed three things you need to start investing. Number three was opportunities. Sometimes those opportunities are unique, one-off types of things; however, they can just as easily be something that’s always been out there but you just weren’t aware of them because you weren’t paying attention to investing.
Let’s explore one of those little-known opportunities — one that’s legit, good, and yet often overlooked because it’s a little, well, boring. It’s name, DRIP, doesn’t help either.
DRIP stands for Dividend Reinvestment Program. Simply put, participating companies (and there are hundreds) allow you to use the dividends you earn from them to buy stock directly from the company for little or no commission. (That’s how you reinvest your dividends.)
Actually, it’s not only the companies that offer DRIPs. DRIPs can be run by their stock transfer agents or brokerages. In my case, I use the Etrade’s DRIP program. A DRIP is a set-it-and-forget-it kind of operation, so it doesn’t matter too much who does it.
Related >> How to Get Started Investing
The DRIP Keeps Good Company
DRIPs share a unique corner of the investing space with a few other concepts. The cornerstone of this space is blue-chip stocks. Who hasn’t heard of blue-chip stocks? But what exactly is a blue-chip stock? Can you name, say, five of them off the top of your head? Tricky, isn’t it?
Here is arguably the best investment of all, and most of us simply don’t know all that much about it! That’s because there isn’t a definitive list of the 23 or 57 stocks that make up the “official blue-chip list.”
The closest approximation, and the one probably used most often, is the Dividend Aristocrats. Most blue-chip stocks pay dividends. And only the cream can sustain growing their dividend each year for 25 years or more, through no less than three stock market crashes. (Where were you 25 years ago? That long.) Those few are the Dividend Aristocrats. At the time of writing, there are 51, listed here. Even when the stock market crashes, the dividends keep growing. And, with a DRIP in place, the only effect of a crash is you get more shares. And when the market recovers, like it always does, that puts you in the pound seats, as they say in the Colonies.
Most blue-chip (and other) companies offer a program called a DSPP, which stands for a Direct Stock Purchase Program. A DSPP allows you to buy a few shares from the company itself, not through a broker. That’s right — if you want to invest $25 per month, for example, you can buy shares directly from blue-chip companies like Walmart, for way less in commissions than you would have paid a broker. Most companies’ DRIPs are part of their DSPPs. While DSPP stock purchases typically carry a small fee, most companies do DRIPs for free.
So here’s how all those concepts fit together: The safest stock investments (as a group) are the blue-chip companies called Dividend Aristocrats. If you sign up for their DSPP programs, you can buy into those companies with small amounts each month, for next to nothing in commissions/fees. And if you sign up for their DRIP, you can turn your cash dividends into more shares for no fees or commissions.
Why Do It?
1. You can save money
The low/no commission thing is not trivial. Most discount brokerages will do a purchase for nothing under about $7. If you want to invest, say, $50 a month, the commission alone will eat up 14 percent of your investment. Ghastly. Sign up with, say, Becton, Dickinson (amazing how unknown some blue-chip Dividend Aristocrats are, huh?) and they will charge you zero fees to buy with a DSPP or DRIP. They will charge you $15 per transaction when you sell, though. Almost all DSPP/DRIP companies are linked to Computershare, so that’s a good place to get started. (Good news: They cover many countries besides the U.S.)
2. You can start small
Many people say they’ll begin investing when they get windfalls. The smart ones, however, don’t wait; they start early. Problem with that is the amounts they have to work with are usually small — young-people money. As I wrote earlier, that was my big problem (at least, that’s what I told myself at the time). I would have been a lot better off had I known about DRIPs, because this is where they shine: you can invest as little as $25 per month. And if the company’s stock is, say, $40 a share, they will sell you a fraction of a share — and pay dividends on that fraction! I’m an avid DRIPper, which is why I now have exactly 606.08274 shares of one of my DRIP stocks. That will change in a few weeks as the first quarter’s dividends come in and add a few more shares (and a few more fractions) to that total.
3. It’s automatic
All the smart personal finance coaches tell you to automate. Have the money deducted out of your account, preferably before you even know it’s there. The human brain has an amazing knack to adjust to what’s there. That’s why most people who say they’ll save “what’s left over” never save anything. Most DSPP and/or DRIP plans require an automated, regularly recurring purchase in order to qualify for the low fees. That’s because computers are cheaper than humans — if they can automate the whole thing, they save money and pass it on to you.
And the long-term benefit is all yours.
What Holds People Back?
1. Ignorance.
It’s amazing how many people simply don’t know about DRIPs.
2. It’s not diversified.
Unlike a mutual fund or ETF, you only invest in one company at a time. However, you don’t pay mutual fund or ETF fees, and you can buy smaller amounts that many of those places require. That means you get most of the benefits with none of the cost. Moreover, because you can buy small amounts at each company, you can make up a portfolio of, say, five to 10 companies.
3. It takes time to set up.
And no two companies’ plans are identical. I opted for a brokerage DRIP because they did everything. All I had to do was say, “Yes, please.”
Where Do You Begin?
1. Decide if you even want to do this. DRIP investing is a long-haul thing. If you buy and sell stocks all the time, the savings won’t be worth it for you. DRIPs are perfect for those want to let their dividends be part of the growth of the stock they invest in.
2. Research. Because you’re picking a handful of companies, you want to spend at least 20 or 30 minutes looking at the company itself. Blue chips may be the best investment out there, but they’re still not perfect. Nothing is. A little homework goes a long way.
Google the search terms DRIP, and Dividend Aristocrat, and browse through the Computershare website (link above).
In closing, I’ve been a DRIPper for quite a while now, and I can recommend it as a solid, long-term investment strategy to anyone. Those dividends come in, and the number of shares you own just grows and grows and grows.
What has your experience been with DRIP investing? Would you recommend it too?
Six of the highest-selling prescription medications in the United States will be “off-patent” before the end of 2012. The costs associated with those currently pricey meds will drop faster than the Dow on a bad day.
Here’s one example: The generic form of Lipitor might cost as little as $10 per month, compared to the $150 it can cost now. Yowza!
It’s a very big deal even if you have health insurance. The average co-pay for a generic formula in the U.S. is $6, as opposed to $24 for non-generics with “preferred status” and $35 for non-preferred brand. That doesn’t help much if you use a medication not afforded rock-star status by your insurer — or, worse, if you can’t afford insurance.
As welcome as these new generic formulas will be, you needn’t wait around for prices to tumble. There’s more than one way to cut the cost of medications.
Start With the Cheap Stuff
Plenty of generics already exist. Doctors sometimes prescribe the designer drugs out of habit, but maybe 10 days’ worth of penicillin would vanquish that upper-respiratory infection just as well as a pricier antibiotic. Speak up, already: Explain that you’re on a tight budget and in the market for a just-as-good-but-cheaper formula.
Taking maintenance meds? You can pay as little as $4 for a month’s worth of pills at places like Target, Wal-Mart and Safeway. Visit store websites to find which drugs are available, then ask your doctor which ones will work for what ails you.
Note that while generics generally perform as well as the pricier pills, a few of them might not. If your doctor is adamant about your staying with the name-brand stuff, there might be a good reason. Of course, it wouldn’t hurt to seek a second opinion.
Walgreens has a “Prescription Savings Club” whose $35 annual fee gets you and your immediate family discounts on more than 8,000 different meds. Of those, more than 400 generics are available for $12 for a 90-day supply.
Once you’ve gotten a prescription established, either by bringing it in or having your doctor phone/fax it in, you can refill over the phone or online. The store might even offer free shipping. Ask.
And speaking of the Internet: Sites like Drugstore.com sell prescription medications, as do online pharmacies such as Caremark and Medco Health Solutions Inc.
Caution: The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy recently issued a public health alert about fake online pharmacies, noting that 96% did not comply with U.S. pharmacy laws. The organization recommends buying only from verified internet pharmacy practice sites.
Drugs that Are Free
You might not have to pay for meds at all. Once that strep throat is diagnosed, ask if the doc has any drug samples. Pharmaceutical reps drop off boxes of free meds along with those fabulous calendars, pens and tote bags. Your doctor might reserve these drugs for desperately broke patients — but maybe that’s you. It can’t hurt to ask.
Tip: Some drugs, such as prenatal vitamins and certain antibiotics, are free at Top Foods, Meijer and Publix supermarkets.
If you’re living on a very low income, you might qualify for free medications through patient assistance programs offered by most pharmaceutical companies. Groups such as NeedyMeds, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, the Chronic Disease Fund and HealthFinder.gov can tell you more.
Several drug companies also joined forces to create the Together Rx Access Program, designed for people under the age of 65 who have no prescription drug coverage. This free, income-based program makes it possible to save 25% to 40% on more than 300 medicines and medical products, and is accepted in most major pharmacies in the United States and Puerto Rico.
Using Less, Buying Big
If the subject is painkillers, you might not need the 20-count dose on the prescription. Ask if you can fill only a few tablets’ worth at a time. Use good judgment on this one, obviously, but I’ve filled pain prescriptions in the past and used only one or two tabs. Infuriating.
You can cut the price of certain meds in half quite literally, by splitting the pills. For example, if you have a 10-mg drug prescription request a 20-mg tablet (the cost is often about the same) and then use a pill splitter to halve the dose. The gadget can be had for as little as $3 on Amazon.com, which means it’ll probably pay for itself the first time you use it.
Caution: Do not cut pills with a paring knife. The dose has to be exact, not almost half. Spring for the pill-splitter now or for an ambulance co-pay later. Your choice.
Again, splitting works only on certain medications.
Or what about bulk discounts? No, you won’t be asking for 50 pounds of Percodan — you’ll be using the power of group buying by getting your meds at Costco or Sam’s Club. You don’t need to be a member to use the pharmacies in those warehouse clubs.
Make ’em Beg
Pharmacies now bid for your business the way travel agencies and insurance companies do. In his new book, Living Large in Lean Times: 250+ Ways to Buy Smarter, Spend Smarter and Save Money, frugal dude Clark Howard suggests a service called BidRx.com. You register and post the drug you need, and independent pharmacies will instantly throw bids at you.
The site is free but you need a referral code to register. The author has his own code, clark, but stresses that he receives zero compensation. BidRx simply set it up after Howard’s mention of the site caused a leap in business.
Brick-and-mortar pharmacies often lure us with gift cards cards for new or transferred prescriptions. Any time you see such offers, clip them out and put them in your wallet. When your spouse gets bronchitis or your daughter breaks her arm during hockey practice, head for the pharmacy with the best signing bonus.
Obviously it’s important to tell the new place about any other meds being taken. One would hope the pharmacist would ask, but maybe s/he won’t. I’ve dropped off ‘scripts and been asked only if I were allergic to any medications, not whether I was on another pill that would clash with the new meds. That’s why some people don’t think it’s safe to hop from pharmacy to pharmacy.
If this makes you uncomfortable, then don’t do it. But back when my health insurance didn’t include discounted drugs, I filled and transferred prescriptions whenever I could get a gift card. It was a nice budget-booster, whether I used the cards for groceries or gewgaws.
Here’s my favorite example. Before a minor health procedure I needed to get two tablets of a tranquilizer (pre-surgery) and an antibiotic (post-procedure). Both were generic and therefore super-cheap, and they earned me a $10 from Target and a $20 gift card from Walgreens. I used part of the Walgreens card for a special offer: Buy four 12-packs of Diet Pepsi for $10 and then get a $10 rebate.
At that time I happened to have coupons for two free 12-packs, which I’d received after calling Pepsi to complain about the tabs snapping off some cans of soda. Thus I wound up paying just $5 for the soft drinks but still getting the $10 rebate.
And in fact, I didn’t even pay the $5. I had the gift card, remember?
Please refer to me by my Latin name, illegitimus frugalis. And yes, I know that diet soda isn’t good for me. But I didn’t care — I was on Valium!
Inside: Learn how much your 80k salary is hourly. Plus find tips to make more money and live the lifestyle you want.
Retirement can be a scary word to those who are not wealthy or afraid of having too much time on their hands.
People in the workforce often don’t know what they will do when their retirement comes around, but it doesn’t have to be that way after all.
For most retirees, there are many reasons they want to work after retirement. And that is 100% okay!
Low stress jobs after retirement make for great part-time careers while still providing enough flexibility to enjoy your personal life. Plus a little extra money is always helpful!
While there is no one “right” answer on which job for you, we compiled a list of 30 great options to consider. All of these jobs offer relatively low stress levels and plenty of opportunities for relaxation and enjoyment.
But before you jump on the first one that comes along, you want to consider which will work best and help ease your transition into the world of retirement.
When you retire, you want to find a job that is low stress and enjoyable. That’s why finding a good retirement job is so important!
The benefits of having a low stress job after retirement
After years of hard work, retirement is a time to relax and enjoy life.
However, for some retirees, working part-time or as a side job can provide additional earnings and a sense of purpose. The following jobs are perfect for seniors over 55, or those post-retirement. They have lower stress levels than the average job and offer many opportunities for growth.
Many retirees below starting a second career after retirement would be difficult and are looking for a job that has fewer strings attached. This may be due to the fact that many retirees feel they have reached the pinnacle of their careers and want more time freedom.
This post may contain affiliate links, which helps us to continue providing relevant content and we receive a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the full disclosure here.
Fortunately, there are many available jobs with increasing demand and most even have lower stress levels than average.
Retirement is a good time to consider additional earnings. This can provide a stream of money for people who want to enjoy life longer and need an additional income. In addition, working can help retirees stay mentally and physically healthy.
Jobs to Do after Retirement
The list is composed of jobs that are perfect for seniors over 55, or even post-retirement. They have lower stress levels than the average job and offer many opportunities for growth.
Some retirees prefer to work part time or as a side job; others want to find a full-time position that will keep them busy and engaged in their community. Whatever your preference, know that there are plenty of great options out there!
Retiring means starting a new life, so it is important to consider this change as the beginning of a new life and not the end of an old one.
So go ahead and take the plunge into retirement! It’s a new beginning full of endless possibilities.
There are plenty of good jobs for retirees!
What are fun jobs after retirement?
There are many fun retirement jobs that pay a small fortune! And what your personality prefers!
Some people choose to continue working in the same field, but in a more relaxed or part-time capacity. Other people choose to use their retirement to try something new and exciting, such as starting their own business, traveling, or taking up a new hobby.
What can I do after retirement to make money?
Now that you’re retired, you may be looking for ways to make some extra money. Luckily, there are plenty of options to make money in retirement available to you!
You could start a business, become a consultant, or tutor students. In addition, you could also look into working from home opportunities or start a blog.
Maybe you want one of the best part time jobs in retirement.
Whatever you choose, make sure you do your research and find something you enjoy so you don’t get bored!
Tips to Making Money in Retirement
The best fun jobs after retirement include working at a theme park, house sitting permanently on a beach or something crazy you never dreamed yourself to do!
One great way to make some money is by selling your skills and experience. For example, interior decorating is a low-stress field that often requires past experience. Alternatively, you could become a real estate agent. Both of these opportunities allow you to use the skills and knowledge you’ve acquired over the years.
Another great option for retirees is to take advantage of the growing gig economy. There are a host of jobs available through online platforms like Uber or Lyft that don’t require a lot of physical activity or travel time. Plus, they typically offer higher pay rates than traditional employment opportunities.
If you’re looking for something a little more relaxing, consider joining one of the many survey sites out there. These sites reward you with a small amount of money for each survey you complete. It may not be much, but it can add up over time!
Finally, if you’re looking for an easy way to make some money, consider something easy like greeting people. This is a great option because it’s so easy and doesn’t require any special skills or knowledge.
Which job is stress free and high paying?
There is no such job that is stress free and high paying. All jobs have their own unique stressors and rewards. It is important to find a job that is rewarding to you and that you find manageable levels of stress.
There are many jobs that are considered “stress free” after retirement.
For example, many seniors are now looking into jobs such as being a consultant or working in customer service. These positions offer a more relaxed work schedule and usually don’t require extensive training.
In addition, the amount of money one earns from a job is directly related to how much work one put into it. If you’re willing to put in the extra effort, you can make significantly more money than those who don’t.
Really Focused on less stress?
Many seniors are also looking for jobs that don’t involve stress or concern. Proofreading is one such position that meets these qualifications. The job requires native-level English proficiency and an excellent understanding of grammar to succeed. In order to be successful in this field, you have to proofread documents that contain no grammatical errors, punctuation mistakes, or syntactic flubs.
You need to find a job that feeds your soul and doesn’t seem like work.
Plus it is fun to tell others what do you do for a living.
Best low stress jobs after retirement
Some people want to use their retirement as a vehicle to start their side hustle and be more relaxed than they were during work hours. This is a great way to spend your retirement! Most cool retirement jobs require little-to-no experience, but some do.
At the end of the day, you must decide if you want to work for yourself and start your own company with a higher earning potential. Or work for someone else with less strings attached and lower pay.
In many cases, you might be stuck working because you didn’t save for retirement, so here are a few jobs that are perfect for seniors over 55 years old, or even after retirement:
1. Freelance writing
Freelance writing can be a good source of income when one has the skills and experience to do so. The best part? You get to set your own hours and take on as much or as little work as you want!
This may not sound like a low-stress job at first, but it’s actually an excellent low-stress job! Being your own boss offers incredible benefits. Best of all, you can do it in a completely stress-free environment by deciding in advance exactly how many hours you want to work.
In fact, my friend over at More Time to Travel does freelance writing for Forbes.
Freelance writing is a great way to make money from home. Be sure to have a strong portfolio and excellent writing skills to land quality freelance writing jobs. Here is a great freelance writing course.
2. Tour guide
This is perfect for someone who loves people and to discuss their worldly knowledge.
A tour guide is someone who accompanies tourists and provides information about the areas they are visiting. They are usually seniors because no special certifications or degrees are required. However, it can be a fun job for anyone who loves meeting people and has a lot of knowledge about their area. Some tour guide jobs offer tips and the opportunity to travel.
A good tour guide will have a deep knowledge of the areas they are touring and will be able to answer any questions the tourists may have. Plus cash tips are always a perk!
3. House Sitter
You can house sit for someone you know, or use a site like Mind My House to find paying gigs. Rates vary depending on the city, but typically you can expect to earn $25-50/day as a house sitter.
It allows you to live in new places without having to commit to long-term leases, and it gives you an opportunity to meet new people and explore new neighborhoods. Plus, it’s a great way to make some extra money on the side as well as lowering your monthly expenses!
If this is something you are seriously considering, then check out this book to learn how to housesit from an expert.
4. Librarian
Librarians are responsible for organizing and managing library collections, helping patrons find information and materials, and providing instruction on how to use library resources. They typically work regular hours in a library setting, and their work is relatively active.
They also need excellent research skills and the ability to stay up-to-date on new technologies.
However, job prospects are good to work in this quiet environment.
5. Customer Service Representative
Jobs in customer service usually don’t require a lot of experience or special training, so they can be a great way to ease into retirement. And since most customer service positions are in the service industry, you’ll likely get to meet new people and help them solve problems every day.
They may work in call centers, retail stores, banks, or insurance companies. In some cases, they may also work remotely from their homes. Customer service reps typically need strong communication and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to stay calm under pressure.
6. Craft seller
Many people don’t have time for their crafts like they wanted when working full-time and raising kids. So, retirement is a perfect time to become an artisans who make and sell their own products.
You can set your own hours, work from home and sell whatever you like. There are many online marketplaces that cater to craft sellers, so you can find a platform that fits your style and interests. In addition, you can attend craft fairs and other events to sell their work in person.
Make sure to price your items competitively and take the time to create an attractive product listing. Plus ship quickly and provide excellent customer service to keep buyers coming back for more!
7. Crossing Guard
It only requires a few hours of work per day, and the pay is decent around $15 an hour.
The job does not require any special skills or training, so it is an ideal way to spend your golden years. Plus you can keep youthful by staying around all of the school-aged children.
8. Blogging
This is a form of expression for most retirees or those thinking about retiring.
It can be a low stress job after retirement, as you can do it from the comfort of your own home and set your own schedule. You don’t need any special qualifications or training to start blogging – all you need is a computer, an internet connection, and something to write about.
Blogging is a great way to create fresh, new content on a regular basis for your website. In fact, my friend over at Tuppennys Fireplace uses blogging to drive extra money to their retirement budget each month.
You can sell advertising space on your blog, use affiliate marketing to promote products and services, or even launch your own product or service. The sky’s the limit when it comes to making money from blogging – so if you have something interesting to say, go for it!
9. Elder Care Services
Services can range from in-home help to full-time nursing care, and each has its own benefits and drawbacks.
While this may seem odd as a low stress job in retirement, it is a good reminder that you are still youthful in others’ eyes.
These may be simple jobs such as picking up groceries, light cleaning, cooking meals, or companionship during the day. Given the cost of nursing homes and certified nursing assistance, this is an affordable option for families who want extra eyes on their loved ones.
10. Private Island Caretaker
Okay, this is the one I want!
If you are reading this and need a caretaker, I am happy to be the right person for your estate.
A lot of caretaker jobs are in private areas, such as private islands, ski resorts, large estates, and other remote or private areas. This is often because employers need someone they can trust to be on-site full time and take care of things.1) Private Island Caretaker
Caretaker jobs are a great way for retirees to stay engaged and active in their golden years. They can provide a sense of purpose and routine, as well as an opportunity to explore new places and meet new people.
11. Docent or Usher
One low-stress job that retirees can consider is becoming an usher at their local theater or sporting area. This job does not require much training and typically pays minimum wage, but it can be a great way to meet people and see new shows and watch sports.
A docent is someone who has expert knowledge about a certain subject and can teach people about it through guided tours and lectures. They are often found in museums, art galleries, and other places where people can learn about the arts.
For many retirees, these are the perfect jobs to get paid for enjoying their hobbies and events they didn’t have time to see when working full-time.
12. Work at Disney
Jobs at Disney parks can be both fun and challenging, with plenty of opportunities to make new friends and help guests have a great time. You’ll need to be able to work hard and stay cheerful under pressure, but the rewards are many.
If you’re interested in working at one of the happiest places on earth, visit the Walt Disney Company website to learn more about current openings and how to apply.
Perfect for the retiree to stay youthful!
13. Invest in Various Intiatvies through Crowdfunding
When it comes to investments, there are many options to choose from that can fit any personality type.
Crowdfunding was created to help more people invest in various businesses by pooling resources together. This makes it more affordable and less risky for everyone involved.
For many retirees, this is a great way to impact start-up businesses and maybe even have a great ROI on their money.
14. Tutoring
Tutoring can help students learn in a one-on-one environment, and help them to focus on the material. Tutoring can also help build a student’s confidence, and help them to ask questions they may be too embarrassed to ask in a classroom setting.
It’s a great way to help students who are struggling and give them the support they need to succeed. You also get the satisfaction of knowing that you’re helping young people achieve their goals. Tutoring can be done in person or online, so it’s a flexible job that you can fit around your schedule.
In today’s society, there are plenty of opportunities to help students achieve faster with tutoring. Most tutors are paid at least $30 an hour.
15. Virtual assistant
There are many low stress jobs that can be found online and Virtual Assistants are one of those jobs.
A virtual assistant is a professional who provides administrative, technical, or creative assistance to clients from a remote location. Often, virtual assistants work for multiple clients simultaneously, providing a wide range of services including social media management, email management, bookkeeping, and more.
They provide a service to their client through the internet and This is a great way for someone with retirement to start making money fast because most VAs make between $35 and $50 an hour.
Take free training for becoming a virtual assistant!
16. Personal shopper
A personal shopper may work in a store, helping customers find what they need, or they may work remotely for a customer who gives them a list of items to purchase. Either way, personal shoppers usually charge by the hour.
It also pays well, especially if you work for a high-end retailer. And since you’re working with customers one-on-one, this is a great job for someone who enjoys helping others. Perfect for a retiree to get out and about.
17. Personal organizer
They may work with individuals or groups, in both business and personal settings. Personal organizers usually have excellent time management skills, as well as a thorough understanding of the principles of organization.
This type of position is great to keep you moving as well as help others.
18. Animal shelter worker
They may feed, groom, and exercise the animals, as well as administer medication and vaccinations. They also clean cages and kennels, and may handle adoptions. The work can be physically demanding, but it is also very rewarding to help homeless animals find new homes.
For someone who loves animals, this is a perfect opportunity to make money and help neglected animals.
19. Book store assistant
The work is relatively easy, and there are usually no major deadlines to worry about. Plus, bookstores are typically quiet and calming environments, which can be a nice break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
If you’re looking for a relaxed job after retirement, this could be it!
20. Photographer
Some people take up photography as a hobby, some as an art form, and some as a profession. The beauty of photography is that it can be whatever you want it to be. There are so many different types of photography, based on your taste and choice you can choose which area to focus on first.
In addition, photography is a great low stress job after retirement!
It can be done freelance to supplement your income or on a full-time basis. There are many opportunities for photographers, and the work is generally enjoyable.
21. Life coach
After retirement, there are many low stress jobs that a person can take on. One such option is becoming a life coach.
This job involves helping people work through their problems and achieve their goals.
By becoming a mentor for the next generation, you are able to have a lasting impact and legacy. This allows you to share your wisdom and knowledge while also helping someone else in their career path.
As a life coach, it’s important to be a good listener and have strong communication skills. Additionally, new graduates might be able to offer you fresh perspectives on life that you may not have considered before. It’s easy to become a mentor to coworkers or people in your field; all it takes is some time and effort.
22. Consultant
Consulting is a broad term used to describe an area of work. It encompasses a wide range of activities and can be done by anyone with the appropriate skills and experience.
Many retirees choose to focus on the areas they enjoyed at work and avoid stressful parts, becoming consultants in those fields.
Often, retirees are a great resource for companies looking for short-term or project-based work. If you let your network know that you are available for consulting opportunities, they may be more likely to reach out to you when they have a need. Additionally, the average consultant salary is between $50 and $150 per hour, depending on experience level.
23. Walmart Greeter
Greeters welcome customers, help them find what they need, and provide general information about the store. They may also monitor security cameras and alarms in the store. The position requires little training, and most Walmart greeters are given on-the-job training.
However, greeters must be able to handle stress well, as they are often the first point of contact for customers who are angry or upset. The position also requires being able to work weekends and holidays.
24. Dog walker
Dog walking is a great job for people who love dogs and want to make a difference in the lives of animals. It is also perfect for retirees who want to stay busy and have flexible hours. The work can be enjoyable and rewarding, and it is a low-stress profession.
Dog walkers are typically paid by how many dogs they are watching at any given time, rather than by the hour. There are specific websites where you can find work as a dog walker like Rover and the average pay is $14 an hour.
25. Pet sitter
A pet sitter is a professional who is hired to take care of pets while their owners are away. Pet sitters typically visit the home of the pet owner to feed, water, and exercise the pet. They may also provide additional services such as grooming and medication administration.
For example, many retirees enjoy pet sitting because it allows them to form close relationships with animals while also providing a service to their community.
Find plenty of pet sitting gigs on Rover.
26. Camp Host
After retirement, many people are looking for a low stress job that will allow them to travel, get outside, and see new places. Campground jobs are perfect for this because you can work during the day and explore at night.
Camp hosts are people who work at a campground to provide information and assistance to guests.
Campsites allow for some flexibility in terms of location – you may be able to choose the state or national park you’d like to work in, as well as the dates of your stay. Additionally, many camp hosts have a good deal of control over their schedules, which can be a perk.
They usually work for minimum wage, but can often receive tips from guests.
27. Adjunct Professor
Many retirees take on part-time work as adjunct professors. The position offers a high level of flexibility, good pay, and opportunities for professional development. In addition, adjunct professors often have the opportunity to work with students from diverse backgrounds and help them grow academically.
This can be a great way to share your knowledge and expertise with the next generation of students. Contact your local college and see if they have any openings. Adjunct professors typically earn around $3,000 per class taught.
28. Author
Becoming an author can be a great way to enjoy your retirement years while still earning some extra money on the side. The job doesn’t involve a lot of pressure, and you get to set your own deadlines.
There are a few different ways to get your book published. One option is to work with an agent. However, this may not always be possible, especially if you are writing a non-fiction book. Another option is to self-publish your book. This can be a great way to get your book out there without having to go through a publishing house.
You will finally have time to tell your story from your perspective.
29. Focus group participant
Focus groups are gatherings of people who are brought together to discuss a certain topic. The participants can range from 6 to 12 people, and they are typically held in local hotels or conference centers. During the focus group, the participants will discuss upcoming products, services, trends, and issues.
Focus group participants are typically reimbursed for their time and participation in the discussion. This can be done in a variety of ways but is usually either through cash or gift cards.
30. Furniture flipper
Furniture flipping is a great business for those who want to make some extra money with little stress and no formal education needed. You can do it from the comfort of your own home, as long as you have the necessary tools and space. With a bit of hard work, you could be on your way to making some serious cash.
Furniture flippers are people who buy furniture at a low price and resell it for a profit. They usually start as furniture buyers who love hunting for deals at garage sales or estate auctions. This is a low-stress job that’s also profitable.
For many retirees, it may have been a hobby turned profitable.
31. Delivery driver
Delivery driver is a great job for retirees because it keeps them active and socially engaged. It can be difficult to sit at home all day, so this job is perfect for those who want to be out in the world meeting new people.
Delivering food is a great way to make some extra money in your spare time. It’s a low-stress job because you’re only out of the car for deliveries, and many companies offer drivers up to $20 per hour.
I love Doordash because their sign-up process is so easy–you can be up and running in minutes!
32. Rideshare driver
Ridesharing is a great way for seniors to make some extra money on the side while still having plenty of time for themselves. It’s very flexible, so they can work as much or as little as they want, and it doesn’t require them to take too much time out of their day.
Both Uber and Lyft require relatively little startup capital, and retirees can often make money driving for these companies.
Just make sure you have the proper auto insurance for ridesharing.
33. Taxi Driver
Taxis are in high demand in most cities, so there is always work to be found. In addition, the hours are flexible, so drivers can work as much or as little as they want.
And since driving a taxi is not very demanding physically, it is a good job for those who are no longer able to do strenuous work.
Many people who move to a foreign country find being a taxi driver a highly rewarding and lucrative way to make money.
34. School Bus Driver
There is a severe shortage of school bus drivers across the country.
This may not be a low stress job to many, but you can have a long lasting impact on the students. Right now, our students need positive influences in their lives.
What does the job entail? You must have a valid commercial driver’s license (or find someone who will provide the training) and be clear from moving violations in the last 3 years. In addition, you must pass a background check to work with students.
Many districts are desperate for school bus drivers and providing a signing bonus.
35. Chat moderator
Chat moderators are responsible for monitoring chat rooms and helping to ensure that the conversation remains on topic and respectful. They also work to resolve any disputes that may arise.
They work in a variety of settings, from social media to online gaming platforms.
But for the most part, the job is relatively low-stress, thanks to the ability to take breaks and work flexible hours. Chat moderators also often have the opportunity to learn new technologies and hone their customer service skills.
36. Babysitter & Nanny
Babysitting and nannying is a great way to make some extra money in your spare time. It’s perfect for people who love kids and have a few hours in the afternoon after school lets out. You can help out your neighbors by babysitting their kids or finding families near you who are looking for a nanny.
They offer a lot of flexibility, they’re relatively low stress, and they often come with a set schedule so you know what you’re doing each week. Plus, you can usually work from home, which is a big perk if you want to stay active in your golden years.
The average babysitter in the United States earns a bit less than $15 per hour, but some earn at least $20 an hour. It is easy to find work.
37. Event Staff
Event planning can be a very stressful job, but it can also be a very rewarding one. After retirement, many people look for a flexible job that they can do mostly on the weekends and in the evening. Event staff is a great option for those people.
They may work in a variety of industries, including entertainment, hospitality, marketing or nonprofit organizations.
Event staff often have to wear many hats during an event, handling duties such as coordinating with vendors, setting up event spaces, managing attendees, and serving as liaisons between organizers and other staffers.
This may not be the situation for everyone, but great for someone who likes to be in the action.
38. Research Assistant
After retirement, many people feel lost and without a sense of purpose. A research assistant helps others find information and discover problems to solve. They work with teams or individuals to locate the best information possible and help them use it effectively.
Research assistants are in high demand because they help other people find information and solve problems. They work on a variety of tasks, such as conducting research, organizing data, and writing reports. Their skills are in high demand by companies, governments, and individuals who need help conducting research.
The job is relatively low stress and pays between $18 and $22 per hour. It requires patience, communication skills, and a range of computer skills.
39. Substitute Teacher
A substitute teacher is someone who fills in for a permanent teacher when they are absent. This can be for a variety of reasons, such as paid vacation, maternity leave, or sick leave. It is a great option for retirees because it is one of the most respected and low-stress jobs after retirement.
This is one of the best retirement jobs because you can substitute teach any position within a school.
Substitute teaching can be extremely rewarding, as you are able to help students in need and fill in for teachers who are absent. You may also have the opportunity to work with different age groups and learn new things.
It is now possible to earn around $20 per hour on average as a substitute teacher. In order to become a substitute teacher, you need to have a bachelor’s degree in any academic discipline from an accredited college or university. With the right qualifications, you can enjoy a great deal of flexibility and earning potential while working with children.
40. Airbnb Host
You can earn up to $1,000 per month by listing your home on the site.
It’s also a low-stress job since you don’t have to worry about meeting deadlines or dealing with customers. And, since you’re working from home, you can easily take care of any last-minute changes or emergencies.
If you’re interested in becoming an Airbnb host, check out this guide on how to get started.
41. Proofreading
In this career, you would be reading documents or manuscripts and looking for mistakes in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and syntax. You would then mark the errors with a correction symbol and provide a note to the author about the mistake. Proofreading can be done independently or as part of a team.
It is also important to be able to meet deadlines because many publishers require that manuscripts be returned within a certain timeframe.
42. Park Ranger
They enforce park rules, help visitors enjoy their visit, and provide information about the areas they patrol. Park rangers may also conduct educational programs, research projects, and archaeological surveys.
The growing popularity of outdoor recreational activities will lead to more demand for these workers.
Rangers must be able to hike long distances in difficult terrain, often carrying heavy equipment. They also may need to work extended hours, including weekends and holidays, during peak visitor seasons.
43. Voiceover artist
Voiceover artists are people who provide the voice for a character or commercial. They must be able to understand and interpret the script, and then deliver the lines in a way that sounds natural and believable.
Voiceover artists are in high demand for their unique ability to provide a voice for various multimedia productions that requires no formal training. This work can be done from anywhere with a good internet connection, making it an ideal job for retirees or those with flexible hours.
44. Real Estate Agent
The work is often exciting, and you can set your own hours. However, it can also be demanding and require long hours during busy times.
They must be knowledgeable about the current market conditions and have strong negotiating skills. In order to succeed in this career, you’ll need to be able to work well independently and be comfortable networking with potential clients.
You’ll also need to develop a strong marketing strategy to attract new clients.
45. Sports Coach
They may also instruct athletes on the rules and regulations of a sport. Sports coaches typically have a college degree in physical education, kinesiology, or a related field.
Coaches often work long hours during the season and must be able to handle criticism from players and parents. However, for those who love sports and enjoy working with people, sports coaching can be an enjoyable and low-stress job after retirement.
46. Artist
Being an artist is a great job to have after retirement because it doesn’t require a lot of stress and you’re free to create whatever you like. The only requirement for the job is that you have some artistic ability, which most people do.
Working as an artist can be perfect for people who are looking to have more flexibility with their hours and want to work on the go. There are many different types of artist jobs that one can find, and the best way to find out what’s available is to do some research online or talk to other artists in your area.
47. Translator
Translation is a great option for those who want to use their second or third language skills in a professional setting.
Many retirees find themselves with time on their hands after retirement and may enjoy doing something that they are good at and can be successful at. Speaking another language can lead to many opportunities, including working as a translator or in a translation services company, or becoming a consultant in foreign affairs.
Translators must be able to understand the source material fully and then accurately convert it into the target language.
48. Interior decorator
Interior decorators are in high demand because they have an eye for design and can help people make their homes look beautiful. This is a low-stress career choice that allows retirees to work anywhere, which is why it is becoming increasingly popular.
Interior decorators are often retirees who have a wealth of knowledge and experience in interior design. They must build up a portfolio of their clients’ homes before they can become an interior designer and be able to charge more for their services.
Interior decorating is a creative line of work that can earn great money, and it’s often a side hustle for people who want to make more money while still having free time. Satisfying customers is another perk of this career!
49. Handyman Services
If you’re looking for a way to make some money after retirement, and enjoy doing hands-on home repair projects, consider working as a handyman. Handyman work can be done on your own schedule, so it’s a great option if you want more flexibility in your life.
Handyman services are becoming more popular because they allow you to set your own rates and work on your own schedule.
This is beneficial for both the worker and the customer, as it allows the worker to charge a fair price for their services and customers can get work done on their time. Additionally, handymen have a variety of skills and can fix many problems around the home, which makes them a valuable asset.
50. Professional cuddler
Cuddling has become a popular service in recent years. Companies like Cuddle Comfort offer professional cuddlers that will come to your house and provide you with a compassionate, understanding listening ear as well as some quality cuddle time.
Some people make a living from professional cuddling. These cuddlers can earn approximately $40 per hour for just being themselves and giving bear hugs. This is a growing industry with many people finding comfort and satisfaction in human touch.
51. Mediator
To become a mediator, you need to have either legal training or a bachelor’s degree in mediation. This gives you the skills needed to mediate and resolve disputes between two or more parties. Mediators usually have a low-stress job because of their flexibility and freedom to work from anywhere.
Mediators come from a variety of professional backgrounds, but the majority have some form of legal background. More than half of certified mediators work as general mediators, charging $100 to $250 per hour.
52. Data entry specialist
A data entry specialist is somebody who enters data into a computer system. This can be a very low stress job, especially if you have basic computer skills and typing speed and accuracy. The work is relatively easy to find and usually does not require any specific qualifications.
Data entry specialists are paid a modest wage for their work, but the pay is reliable and predictable. The job is also relatively easy to find, making it a great option for people who are looking for additional work during retirement or in their spare time.
Being able to type quickly and accurately in order to be successful in this role.
53. Waiter/ Waitress
If you have a gift of gab and service, then this might be the perfect industry for you. Especially as a bar back!
The work hours are flexible, the tips are usually good, and you get to meet new people all the time. Plus this type of job is fun, as it’s not high-stress and it allows someone who just retired or wants a job with flexible hours to stay active socially while they make money.
If you’re looking for an alternative after retirement, waiter or waitress work is definitely a good option.
54. Cook
Many families are looking for healthy options for dinner. What is better than a home-cooked meal?
While working as a cook for a restaurant, you may often work long hours in a hot, noisy kitchen. However, cooking for local families on a small scale may be the perfect scenario.
55. Become a Transcriber
Transcription is a great way to make some money after retirement. You can typically make around $18-$25/hour, depending on your skill level and experience.
The work is relatively low stress, so it’s a great option for those looking for a relaxing way to make some extra income.
56. Retirement planner
Some retirement planners offer training and certification for their employees. The employer might pay for your training and certificate if they feel confident enough in hiring you as an employee after seeing how well you do these tasks.
This may not be the ideal situation for many, but it pays well.
57. Flip Items
Flipping items for profit is a great way to make some extra cash. You can find deals at garage sales and online, and then turn around and sell them for more.
Be sure to look out for scams, however, as there are many people who try to take advantage of those looking to flip items.
To learn how to flip for a side hustle, check out Flea Market Flippers.
58. Professional Volunteer
Charity work is a great way to give back to the community and help those in need. There are many charities that need help, and by donating your time or money, you can make a big difference in someone’s life.
It can also be a great way to ease into retirement. Many charities are always in need of volunteers, and you can often find opportunities that fit your schedule. You may also be able to find paid positions with certain charities.
You will have the opportunity to help others and make a real difference in their lives. You may also find new friendships and learn new skills.
It keeps you social and busy, and it lets you help out in your community. Plus, many organizations offer volunteer opportunities tailored to retirees’ skills and interests.
In fact, many volunteer opportunities turn into paid jobs.
How to find a job that is low stress and matches your skills?
Which best jobs for retirees do you want?
When you’re looking for a job that is low stress and matches your skills, it’s important to consider a variety of factors. For example, employers want employees who can work independently and are well-organized. They also want employees who can communicate clearly. You should have a basic understanding of the job duties as well.
If you have specific skills, you may not need these things as much.
However, employers still want employees who can complete tasks without any help from others. There are a variety of ways to find out about such jobs, including using search engines or social media sites like Facebook and LinkedIn.
Also, whoever says you have to wait for retirement?? Find low-stress jobs that pay well without a degree now.
It’s also important to be aware of the pay structure. Often, employers want employees who will be able to work for them on a long-term basis. The pay structure is often predictable and employers know exactly how much work there will be available for each project. This makes it easier for both parties involved.
One way to find a job that is low stress and matches your skills is by using online platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr. These platforms offer many data entry jobs that are perfect for those looking for an easy way to make some money after retirement. In order to take advantage of these jobs, you’ll have to learn how to type fast.
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!