Apache is functioning normally
Take advantage of major markdowns on home decor, rugs, furniture, mirrors, mattresses, bedding, cookware and more.
Adrian is a deals and updates writer on the Commerce team at CNET. With a love of books, entertainment, travel, tabletop games and, yes, even fandom, they can often be found at concerts, RenFest, Dragon Con or at home binge-watching everything from new hits to classics. After graduating from Kennesaw State with a B.A. in English and Professional Writing, Adrian had a short gig in casting, followed by a long stint teaching English lit, theater and film. Adrian enjoys sharing insights and favorite finds with their readers.
Source: cnet.com
Apache is functioning normally
If you are looking for the best online jobs for teens, then you have come to the right place. Here are the best online jobs for teenagers, even if you have no experience. There are many ways to make money online, and as a teenager, you may be interested in learning how you can as…
If you are looking for the best online jobs for teens, then you have come to the right place. Here are the best online jobs for teenagers, even if you have no experience.
There are many ways to make money online, and as a teenager, you may be interested in learning how you can as well.
Whether you are 13 years old or 19 years old, there are many different legitimate online jobs for teens that you may be interested in learning more about.
Related content:
Online Jobs For Teens
There are many online jobs for teens listed below. If you want to skip the list, here are some virtual jobs for teens that you may want to start learning more about first:
Start a website
While I was around 21 years old when I started my blog, I know of a few people who started theirs as teenagers.
A blog can be a great online job to start when you’re young, as you can decide how to build your blog, how you earn an income, and the schedule you put toward it.
Blogging has allowed me to travel full-time, work from home, have a flexible schedule, earn a high income, and love what I do.
You can easily learn how to start a blog with my free How To Create a Blog Course.
Here’s a quick outline of what you will learn:
- Day 1: Why you should start a blog today
- Day 2: What topic to blog about
- Day 3: Tutorial on how to start a blog on WordPress
- Day 4: How to make money with your blog
- Day 5: How to make passive income on your blog
- Day 6: How to get pageviews to your blog
- Day 7: Tips to see success with your blog
Out of all of these online jobs for teens, blogging is by far my favorite. It does take a little more time to start making money, but it’s very flexible and fits with any kind of schedule.
Create a TikTok account
You have most likely heard of TikTok.
There are over 1.5 billion users on TikTok, and many people are able to earn an income on this social media platform doing many different things.
From personal finance tips to comedy, day in the life to travel, and more, there are many different topics you can cover on your own TikTok account through making social media content.
If you want to learn how to make money online for teens, this is a fun one.
You can learn more at How I Make Money On TikTok – How I Grew To 350,000 Followers and Made $60,000 In 6 Weeks.
Begin a YouTube channel
Everyone has heard of YouTube, and pretty much everyone has watched at least one YouTube video in their life.
In fact, according to YouTube, there are over 2 billion people who watch at least one video on YouTube each month.
Many people have goals of starting a YouTube channel and making money, but not many people ever actually start.
You can learn more at How I Grew From 0 Subscribers To Over $100,000 On YouTube In Less Than One Year.
Resell items online
If you are looking for a flexible job as a teenager, one to look into may be reselling items online, such as on Craigslist, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace. There are many other online marketplaces as well.
Plus, it’s something that anyone can start because many of us own things that we could probably sell.
And, there are always things that you can buy for a low price and possibly resell for a profit. Or, you may even be able to find free things that people are throwing away and sell that as well.
This is such a profitable idea that my friend was able to make $133,000 in one year through buy-and-sell flipping and with working only 10-20 hours per week.
Since then, they have turned this into an even bigger and more profitable business!
Some of the best items that they’ve resold include:
- Something they bought for $10 and flipped for $200 just 6 minutes later
- A security tower they bought for $6,200 and flipped for $25,000 just one month later
- A prosthetic leg that they bought for $30 at a flea market and sold for $1,000 on eBay the very next day
- A lift that they found in the trash (and asked the owner for permission to take) that they sold online for $7,500
You can learn more at How I Made $40,000 In One Year Flipping Items.
They also have a helpful free webinar, Turn Your Passion For Visiting Thrift Stores, Yard Sales & Flea Markets Into A Profitable Reselling Business In As Little As 14 Days. I recommend checking it out.
Sell printables on Etsy
If you are looking for a way to make money at home and be your own boss, then creating printables may be for you.
A printable is a digital product that can be downloaded and printed at home. You make them once and then sell them on a website such as Etsy for people to buy. You wouldn’t have to print anything, instead, you are simply selling the download.
Items such as grocery shopping checklists, weekly meal plans that someone puts on their fridge, gift tags, and quotes to be framed are all printables.
This can be a great way to make money at home as a teenager because you create one digital file download per product, and you can then sell them an unlimited amount of times.
You can sign up for this free ebook that helps you figure out where to start when it comes to selling printables on Etsy.
I recommend reading about this further at How I Make Money Selling Printables On Etsy to learn more about one of the best jobs for stay-at-home moms.
Note: Etsy account owners must be at least 18 years of age to sell on Etsy. If you are between the ages of 13 and 17, you can sell on Etsy if you have the appropriate permission and direct supervision of your parent or legal guardian. Your Etsy account must be registered with the parent or legal guardian’s information.
Create and sell stickers
Another fun way to make money online as a teenager is to sell stickers.
My friend started with no graphic design skills and didn’t even know how to create stickers when she first started. It’s something she learned as she went, and she now earns over $100,000 each year with her sticker business.
I interviewed her here on Making Sense of Cents and she answered questions such as:
- Do I need to be a graphic designer to make and sell stickers?
- Why do people buy stickers online?
- Do stickers sell well online?
- How much money can I make selling stickers as a small business idea?
You can head over to How To Make $1,000+ A Month Selling Stickers Online to read more.
Make Canva templates
Canva is an online graphic design website. On Canva, you can sell premade designs to other Canva users so that they can edit and customize them.
Some examples of Canva templates include ebooks, workbooks, Pinterest pins, and more.
Creating Canva templates can be a great way to make extra money because you just need to create them once, and you can sell them an unlimited amount of times.
People all around the world use Canva to help with the graphic design side of their business, and templates make their lives so much easier.
Working just a few hours a week, I know someone who is able to earn $2,000 each month from selling Canva templates from home.
Do you have questions such as:
- What is a Canva template and what is Canva?
- Why would someone buy Canva templates? What is the benefit?
- I have no tech skills, can I still create and sell Canva templates?
You can head to this article to learn more at How I Make $2,000+ Monthly Selling Canva Templates.
Voice over acting
Voice-over actors are of all ages, and you probably hear them all the time!
A voice-over actor is the person you hear but usually do not see on radio ads, YouTube videos, documentaries, e-learning courses, audiobooks, TV commercials, video games, movies, and cartoons.
This job doesn’t require previous experience or special skills – you just need to have the voice the company is looking for.
You can learn more about how to become a voice-over actor at How To Become A Voice Over Actor.
Answer online surveys
Not too long ago, one of the ways I made extra money to pay off my student loan debt was by answering paid online surveys.
You will not get rich from taking surveys, but it can help you to earn a little bit of extra money in some of the spare minutes that you may have throughout the day. Plus, you may get free items occasionally to review as well.
Companies will pay you to take surveys because they want to see what people think of their product and their company. They seek out real opinions from real people.
Here are some of the survey companies that are open to teenagers (along with their minimum age requirements):
- American Consumer Opinion – Age minimum – 14 years old
- Survey Junkie – Age minimum – 12 years old
- MyPoints – Age minimum – 13 years old
- Branded Surveys – Age minimum – 16 years old
- Swagbucks – Age minimum – 13 years old
- InboxDollars – Age minimum – 12 years old
- Pinecone Research – Age minimum – 18 years old
- User Interviews – Age minimum – 16 years old
Some of the above will even pay you to review music, play video games, or test mobile apps as a part of their research.
Sell items on Amazon
We have all heard of Amazon.
It is a website full of items sold by people like you and me.
In the first year that my friend Jessica’s family ran their Amazon FBA business together, working less than 20 hours a week total, they made over $100,000 profit!
You can learn more by reading How To Make Money From Home Selling On Amazon, such as answers to questions like:
- How Jessica started selling on Amazon FBA
- What exactly Amazon FBA is
- How to choose what to buy and sell
- How much a person can expect to earn
- The positives of selling on Amazon, and more
Customer service support
If you are looking for a more traditional style of online job, such as working for someone else, then finding a customer service representative job may be something to look into. This way, you can start earning money right away, right after you get hired, instead of attempting to build a business.
There are many companies that hire for customer service support at home, even if you are young. Most will want you to be at least 16 years old or 18 years old to start.
As a customer service representative, you may be responsible for tasks such as:
- Answering questions from customers about a product
- Troubleshooting and helping with issues that a customer may have with a product
- Processing orders
- Assisting with returns
- Handling feedback and customer complaints
And so much more.
Virtual assistant
As a virtual assistant, you would be helping a person or small business owner with administrative and business tasks. You would be their assistant but working in your own home instead.
I have been a virtual assistant in the past, and I now have virtual assistants of my own. They are lifesavers!
You do not need to have previous experience in order to start as a virtual assistant, instead, you need to be willing to learn so that you can help a business run more smoothly.
Many, many people and companies are looking for virtual assistants, as they play such an important role.
As a virtual assistant, you may be able to start at around $15-$20 an hour, or even much more. This will depend on the type of work you are providing, the experience that you have, the field you will be working in, and more. As a full-time virtual assistant, you may be able to earn over $10,000 a month once you gain experience.
As a virtual assistant, you may be doing tasks such as:
- Managing a company’s social media accounts, such as by being their social media manager
- Managing a person or company’s calendar
- Scheduling appointments or travel
- Creating or assisting with slideshows or presentations
- Email management
- Communicating with clients or customers
And so much more.
Different companies and employers will need different work to be done – it simply depends on who you will be working for and what they need to be completed.
You can learn more at How I Earn $10,000 Per Month From Home as a Virtual Assistant.
Start an online store
I feel like so many young adults are starting online stores, and it completely makes sense.
It’s something you can do from home, and there are ways to do it that don’t involve storing inventory or taking up a large amount of your valuable time.
Plus, you can make extra cash or even a full-time income.
And, there are so many different things that you can sell online.
From pet items, skincare, fitness products, subscription boxes, and accessories, to clothing, crafts, and more, the list is endless.
You can learn more about this topic at How I Make Over $10,000 Monthly With My Online Store In Less Than 10 Hours Per Week.
Write an ebook
Yes, you may be able to make extra money as a teenager by writing an ebook, and you can do it all from your home.
Anyone can write an ebook, no matter how young you may be.
There are many different genres that you can choose from, such as fantasy, fiction, nonfiction, mystery, and more.
If this is one of the online jobs for teens you’d like to learn more about, read How I Make $200 Each Day In Book Sales.
Find online tutoring jobs
Are you looking for a flexible side hustle as an online tutor?
If there is a subject that you are knowledgeable in, such as math, English, science, etc., then you may want to see if you can find students that you can tutor.
To become an online tutor, you can simply create a tutor profile on a tutoring platform, create a listing on Fiverr, reach out to people that you know, and more.
Learn more at The Best Online Tutoring Jobs – A Flexible Way To Make More Money.
Freelance write
Becoming a freelance writer can be a great online job for teens because there is a growing number of jobs out there for freelance writers, and many people start with no previous experience.
A freelance writer is someone who writes for a number of different clients, such as a website, blog, magazine, and more.
You can learn more in the article How To Become A Freelance Writer.
Proofread
If you have a passion for reading and often find mistakes in written content, then you may want to learn how to become a proofreader.
Freelance proofreading is a flexible and detail-oriented job that only requires a laptop or tablet, an internet connection, grammar skills, and a good eye for finding mistakes.
Proofreaders look for punctuation mistakes, grammar, misspelled words, lack of consistency, and formatting errors.
If you want to find online proofreading jobs, I recommend watching this free 76-minute workshop all about how to get started proofreading.
Recommended reading: 20 Best Online Proofreading Jobs For Beginners (Earn $40,000+ A Year).
Tips for online jobs for teens
Below, I want to share some tips for you on how to manage an online job for high schoolers. Having an online job as a teenager means that you may have some questions, such as how to avoid scams, how to balance school and work, how to open a PayPal account when you are underage, and more.
How to avoid online job scams
While there are many, many legitimate online jobs for teens, there are scams as well. Due to that, I want to share my best tips so that you can avoid scams but still find an online gig.
Some of my tips to avoid scams:
- Research the company and the position to make sure they are real and a company that you would like to work for.
- Search on the Better Business Bureau to learn more about the company and read their reviews.
- Research the company online to see if there are any mentions of it being a scam. I like to type in “Company name + Scam” into a search engine and see what pops up.
- Always be careful if the company asks you to pay money.
- Before you give out any personal information, such as your social security number, you should make sure it is a real job that they are offering you.
- Search the Federal Trade Commission and see if they have any press releases or articles about work-from-home job scams that they may have found.
- Never click on any links or download anything in a suspicious email.
And, always trust your instincts! If something seems fishy, then trust yourself. There are always other jobs out there – do not feel like you have to take one that you are unsure about.
Simply move on and look for another opportunity that fits you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Jobs for teenagers
Below are common questions about online jobs for high schoolers.
How can a student work from home?
If you are a teenager, then you may still be in school. If you are trying to manage school and find a way to make money, then I do want to share some of my best tips.
After all, I have been in your shoes!
Working and going to school can be tough to manage.
Below is my advice for balancing both:
- Realize what your motivation is for balancing both school and having a job. This is important because at times it will be hard to manage both, and thinking about why you are making yourself so busy can help to keep you motivated. You may even want to create a vision board so that you can look at it whenever things are tough so that you can easily remember what you are working towards.
- Carefully plan out your school and work schedule. To balance school and work, then I recommend creating a carefully planned out schedule. This mainly only applies if you are in college or if you have control over the hours in your school day. This may include researching when the classes you need are offered and start trying to eliminate any gaps that may fall between your classes. Having an hour or two break between each class can quickly add up.
- Bulk up your class days. If you think you can do it without overtiring yourself, then you may want to have as many classes together as possible in one day so that you are not constantly having to drive back and forth between school, work, and home.
- Have a to-do list. I live and breathe by my to-do list. It helps me to not forget anything and to quickly realize that I have something to do (so I should stop procrastinating!).
Please head to 9 Ways To Successfully Balance School And Work to learn more.
How to open a PayPal account when you are a teenager?
If you are under the age of 18, then you will need a parent or a legal guardian to open a PayPal account. They would be the primary account holder, and you would simply be doing transactions through their account.
So, this means that you want to choose someone that you trust as they will have full access to the money that you are earning and is being transferred to your PayPal account.
How old do you have to be to work an online job? Can I work from home at 15? How can I make money at 17 without a job?
The age will vary depending on the job that you are looking to get.
How do you get paid with an online job for teens?
The way that you will get paid will depend on what you are doing.
If you are taking paid online surveys, for example, then you may get paid in rewards, a gift card, or even PayPal or check.
For more traditional jobs and gigs, you may be getting a paycheck every two weeks. If you are working for yourself, then you may be getting paid directly to your bank account.
How can I make money online as a teenager?
There are many ways to make money as a teenager, as you learned above. These include:
- Blogging
- TikTok creator
- YouTuber
- Reseller
- Printables creator
- Sticker maker
- Canva templates designer
- Voice-over actor
- Survey taker
- Amazon seller
- Customer service representative
- Virtual assistant
- Online store owner
- Author
- Tutor
- Freelance writer
- Proofreader
And the list goes on and on!
Whether you are looking to make extra cash or if you are looking for a full-time job, there are many ways for you to earn money as a teenager.
Lastly, my final piece of advice is to make sure that your parents are informed of what you are doing. For your safety, I highly recommend telling your parents about your online job and keeping them updated about what is going on and if there are any changes.
Are you looking for the best online jobs for teens?
Source: makingsenseofcents.com
Apache is functioning normally
It’s achieved not only through the alchemy of accounting, but a decidedly human approach that the most sentient AI could never muster, including “…ingenuity and common sense, instead of a narrow set of criteria,” as the company asserts on its website. Davis echoed the sentiment, noting that the changing face of America reflects the growing … [Read more…]
Apache is functioning normally
It’s never too early to start learning smart strategies for managing one’s money. Most teens don’t get a formal education in topics like budgeting, investing, and choosing the right financial institution for their money, which is a missed opportunity.
That’s why it can be especially important for young people to take steps to build their own financial insights and skills. That can mean understanding the right amount to save and spend when earning a salary; what the challenges of managing credit can be; and how to invest money wisely.
This guide covers these aspects of financial literacy and more. Consider it a smart starting point as you build your money knowledge and know-how. Whether you’re thinking about buying your first car, affording college, or starting your own business someday, you’ll learn some of the key steps to bring your financial life into focus.
Why Is Financial Literacy Important for Teens?
Sad but true: Most people are launched into adulthood without being educated on personal finance. What’s more, in many households, money isn’t a topic that’s freely discussed, so kids don’t grow up hearing about how much their parents earn, spend, or save.
These are factors that can make it a challenge to gain financial knowledge and money management skills. However, learning about how to budget, save, invest, and spend wisely when young can set you up on the path to achieve your short- and long-term goals. That’s why you’ll learn some financial tips for teenagers right here.
The sooner you understand your way around money, the earlier you can get on the path to, say, travel around Europe for a summer, manage student loan debt, or even start saving for your dream house.
💡 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.
5 Key Financial Tips for Teens
Making the most of your money as you start on the path to your independent life doesn’t need to be complicated. Here are five important financial literacy concepts for teens.
1. Opening a Bank Account
Financial planning for teens often starts with having a bank account. Not only will a bank account make it easier to cash those birthday checks from Grandma, it also provides a place to monitor money and start saving.
Most bank accounts billed as “teen accounts” are really just joint bank accounts, because teenagers under 18 typically need a parent or guardian to also be an account holder. This makes it possible to open a bank account for a minor.
Although it’s sometimes easier for teens to open an account at the same place their parents bank, it may be worth researching which banks in the area have the best benefits for teenagers specifically. Some points to know:
• The age for opening up an account varies from bank to bank, so make sure to check specifications on the bank’s website beforehand.
• Valid identification like a student ID, driver’s license, passport, birth certificate, and/or social security card is also required for account owners when opening a teen checking account.
• In some cases, a parent or guardian must be present to open the account, but some banks do offer the opportunity to open an account online. This will often require uploading the same documents to prove your identity.
• Some banks also offer parental controls, setting withdrawal and debit card limits, or even text alerts about account activity. Before opening an account, it may be worth considering what is most important and beneficial — definitely talk it over with a parent or legal guardian.
• Learning about any fees or minimum balances from the bank is also important step in personal finance for teens. Make sure to ask the right questions in person or check out the bank’s fee structure on their website. Ideally, you might want an account with no fees and the ability to earn a bit of interest (many checking accounts pay no interest). You are typically more likely to find such offers at online vs. traditional banks.
• Having a bank account means access to making deposits and withdrawals, plus online banking tools that can help with money management.
A word about debit cards: A teen checking account typically offers access to a debit card, which allows account holders to take out cash from ATMs and use the card for purchases in stores or online.
And since a debit card takes money directly out of the checking account for payments, it may help to download the bank’s mobile app, if available. This can help with checking account balances and, at some banks, setting up alerts if the account falls below a certain balance.
A bank account is a great first step in learning money management, whether it’s using a debit card, checking balances, transferring money, or setting up a direct deposit for paychecks. Especially with a new job, a weekly or bi-weekly paycheck comes with learning more financial responsibility. With a personal bank account, teens can pick up crucial financial skills before turning 18.
And, at many banks, once someone does turn 18, the account can turn into a standard checking account, which they can either choose to keep or leave for a new banking institution. (Important note: There may be new fees, so it’s important to keep an eye on what those might be.)
Recommended: What Is a Student Checking Account?
2. Budgeting For Teens
Another financial tip for teenagers involves learning how to balance income and expenses. Making a simple budget can help keep things on track. Whether it’s keeping tabs on a monthly allowance or income from a part-time job, knowing how much money is spent versus how much money gets made is a key part of money management. Plus, a budget can show how much money is available to save every month.
Many banks with mobile or online banking offer simple budgeting tools, such as categorizing money into simple buckets like “spendable” or “set aside.” One pretty practical budget suggestion is the 50/30/20 method. This helps to simplify spending categories: rather than trying to decipher every transaction and having hundreds of small budgets for individual items, the 50/30/20 method just divides monthly income into thirds.
• 50% of income would be put toward necessities, such as bills and other regular spending that’s hard to do without. For teens, this might mean car-related expenses, like insurance and gas, or a monthly cellphone bill. If 50% seems like a lot — especially if parents are still paying for big expenses like groceries and housing — consider putting an extra 10% into savings or other financial goals for now.
• 30% would be allocated for day-to-day spending, like going out to eat with friends, entertainment, shopping, and other fun activities.
• The remaining 20% would be allocated for financial goals, usually savings or debt payoff. Maybe this can be the start of a college fund, or saving up for a big purchase in the future?
3. Smart Savings
In tandem with having a budget, learning how to save money is an important part of financial planning. Opening both a checking and savings account may make it simpler to put money away.
Since a debit card is only tied to a checking account, that’s like an added buffer from the money in a savings account. Plus, learning to regularly transfer money into a savings account can help create healthy money habits.
When you have a regular paycheck, one of the simplest ways to save more is to set up direct deposit to divide the funds between a checking and savings account. If 20% automatically goes directly into savings, it requires little extra thought each pay period.
Automating your savings in this way takes away the need to manually transfer money. This can help eliminate any mental gymnastics surrounding the desire to spend money in your checking account immediately — it’s like it was never there in the first place.
Plus, in an emergency, a connected savings account can help prevent overdraft fees. If college is in the plans, saving now could mean taking out fewer loans in the future.
In fact, this thinking can be applied to any money goal, whether it’s a new phone, car, or a big post-graduation trip. Saving now can make it easier to achieve later.
💡 Quick Tip: Most savings accounts only earn a fraction of a percentage in interest. Not at SoFi. Our high-yield savings account can help you make meaningful progress towards your financial goals.
4. Being Cautious With Credit
Financial tips for teens are full of dire warnings about the perils of credit cards. But learning early on how credit cards work and how to manage credit is also part of mastering money management. Building credit now may open more doors in the long run.
For example, establishing a positive credit history can help make it more likely to successfully secure a loan for a car or rent an apartment down the road.
One way for teens to start is to get added as an authorized user on a parent’s credit card. The authorized user gets the benefits of the credit card and building credit history without the responsibility of being the primary cardholder and making payments.
However, since late payments may impact both credit scores, teens can also set up an arrangement to pay off any debt incurred using the card each month.
In fact, it’s getting harder for people under the age of 21 to get a credit card, because federal law under the Credit CARD Act of 2009 requires credit card issuers to verify that the applicant has the following before a credit card is issued:
• A cosigner’s signature. The cosigner can be a parent, guardian, etc. as long as they are able to pay the applicant’s debt from the card.
• Official financial information proving that the applicant can repay the debt on their own.
The submitted application must be written. And if a person under 21 is approved for a card, they can’t get a credit limit increase without written approval from the cosigner.
Eventually opening an individual credit card without a cosigner, of course, means a lot more financial responsibility. Paying a credit card in full each month, as opposed to carrying a balance, is an important financial habit to get the hang of, as paying in full each billing cycle means the cardholder won’t pay interest on a balance and it can help build credit score.
Until then, an authorized user receives a separate credit card in his or her name, but there may be no need to even use the card. Just having it issued can help build credit if the main cardholder is keeping up with their payments. As credit builds, it’s smart to monitor credit reports and scores for errors or fraud. It might be a good idea to start monitoring credit through a free site like FreeCreditReport.com .
5. Setting Up a Side Hustle
If a part-time job or summer gig isn’t an option just yet, whether due to age, school work, or other restrictions, there are other options for earning extra cash. One of the benefits of a side hustle is being able to bring in income. And any income, however small, could help build good personal finance habits like budgeting and saving.
For ideas, look to needs in the community, such as assisting older adults with technology, babysitting, tutoring, or lawn care. Helping on a moving day, walking dogs, or washing cars are also great ways to step up from a beginner’s lemonade stand.
You might also consider your hobbies: Do you paint landscapes in your free time? Make jewelry? You could possibly sell your work to bring in some cash.
For those nearing college and looking for a part-time or entry-level job, it may be worth considering a company that offers tuition support or reimbursement for their employees.
Building smart financial planning skills now may make it even easier down the road when starting a full-time job — with budgeting and saving.
Can You Invest as a Teenager?
Many teenagers are curious about investing and how they might build wealth that way. Here are a few things to know if you’re wondering how to invest as a teenager:
• If you are under age 18, you cannot be the sole owner of a standard brokerage account.
• With adult supervision, you may open what is known as a custodial account. This means that the adult oversees the account while you are under 18. When you turn 18, you can likely take over control of the account with the adult’s approval.
By collaborating with an adult in this way on investments, you can learn the basics and begin to experiment. The conventional wisdom is that, the younger you are, the more risk you can afford to take with investing, since you have time to recoup any losses and ride out the ups and downs of the market.
Just do keep in mind that investment does have inherent risk, as your portfolio isn’t insured the same way money in the bank is.
Once You Are Old Enough to Invest, Where Do You Start?
If you are old enough, here’s how to invest as a teenager. Keep these tips in mind:
• Do your research. There is plenty of information about investing available online, via apps and classes, in books, on podcasts, and beyond. Find reputable resources and educate yourself on how to invest money as a teen. This can include both principles of investing as well as different kinds of investments to consider.
• Set goals. When you begin investing, it’s wise to figure out your goals, and you may indeed have more than one. Perhaps you want to invest in the short-term to help generate money to pay back student loans. And maybe you also want to begin saving to start a business when you are 35. Those different goals and timeframes can influence how you invest.
• Opening a brokerage account. Once you are old enough, you will have a choice about the sort of account you open and how it is managed. Whether you want to work with a financial professional or try robo advising, spend time understanding the pros and cons of your options.
When you make a decision, you’ll be ready to invest money as a teenager, but it doesn’t have to be set in stone. You can shift gears and try other methods as well.
Making Smart Money Moves With SoFi as a Teen
While SoFi doesn’t offer bank accounts for minors, take a look at what we offer for when you are of legal age to open an account. Or, if you are age 15 or older, see if you might be added as an authorized user to an adult’s account.
Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.
Better banking is here with up to 4.50% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.
FAQ
What should high school students know about financial literacy?
It is important for high school students to learn about opening bank accounts, budgeting, saving, managing credit wisely, and bringing in income.
How can a 16-year-old invest money?
A 16-year-old typically cannot open their own brokerage account. However, they can open a custodial account with a trusted adult.
How would you invest $1,000 as a teenager?
A teenager typically cannot invest money on their own; they would have to open a custodial account with a trusted adult. Then, they would have to identify a goal for the funds (to generate income ASAP? To grow slowly for use later in life?) and select the right kind of investments.
SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2023 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
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 activity can earn 4.50% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a deposit to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate.
SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.50% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant.
SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.50% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.
SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.
Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.
Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 8/9/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet..
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.
Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .
SOBK0923006
Source: sofi.com
Apache is functioning normally
Do you want to learn how to find online typing jobs? There are many online typing jobs that may suit you well, and today’s article will help show you where to look. How to find online typing jobs What are online typing jobs? An online typing job is a job where you simply need an…
Do you want to learn how to find online typing jobs?
There are many online typing jobs that may suit you well, and today’s article will help show you where to look.
How to find online typing jobs
What are online typing jobs?
An online typing job is a job where you simply need an internet connection in order to work. You may be working for yourself as a small business owner or freelancer, or working for a company as an employee.
You can find online typing jobs in many different places, such as job boards, through recruiters, by networking, and more. Some job websites that you may be interested in include Upwork, FlexJobs, Indeed, Monster, and more.
Related content:
How much money can you make with an online typing job?
The amount of money that you can make with an online typing job varies.
This is because there are so many different types of jobs where you are typing online!
From starting your own blog to becoming a proofreader, live chat agent, transcriptionist and more, there are many, many different types of online typing jobs. And, they all pay a different amount of money. You can see below what some of them have for starting pay.
What are the pros and cons of an online typing job?
Pros of online typing jobs include:
- If you are a fast typer, then this may be an easy gig for you
- You can work from home
- You may be able to have a flexible work schedule
- You probably already have a laptop or computer, so you probably don’t need much in terms of equipment to get started
Cons of online typing jobs include:
- Some online typing jobs may be a little repetitive. While this isn’t always a con, it could be for some
- There are some scams out there, so you will need to do your research and make sure it’s a legitimate online typing job that you are looking at
What skills does an online typing job need?
The skills that you need will vary depending on the online typing job that you are interested in. But, some important ones for most will include accuracy in typing and a fast typing speed.
14 Best Online Typing Jobs
Below are the 14 best online typing jobs for beginners.
Blogger
My favorite online typing job is to start your own blog.
I spend most of my working time typing, and I really enjoy it!
Blogging allows me to travel whenever I would like, work from home, have a flexible schedule, earn an income, and more.
I created Making Sense of Cents in 2011, and since then I have earned over $5,000,000 with my blog.
My blog was created on a random day as a way to track my own personal finance progress. And when I first started my own blog, I honestly didn’t even know that people could make money blogging or how to start a successful blog!
I did not create Making Sense of Cents to earn money from home, but after only six months, I began to make money.
Blogging is quite affordable to start too, and you really just need a computer and an internet connection. I spend most of my time typing new blog posts, talking to readers and companies through email, and more.
You can sign up to learn how to start a blog with my free How To Start a Blog Course.
Proofreader
Proofreading is a flexible and detail-oriented job that only requires a laptop or tablet, an internet connection, and a good eye for finding mistakes.
Oh yeah, and accurate typing skills!
Proofreaders look for punctuation mistakes, misspelled words, lack of consistency, and formatting errors.
You might be proofreading books, articles, blog posts, student essays, lessons, scripts, emails, advertising content, medical documents, and more – anything that can be delivered electronically and be proofread on a computer or tablet.
You can learn more at How To Start A Proofreading Business And Make $4,000+ Monthly.
Sell printables on Etsy
Selling printables is an online job where you may be typing, creating graphics, and more.
Making printables on Etsy can be a great way to earn an income because you just need to create one digital file per product, which you can then sell an unlimited number of times.
So, what exactly is a printable?
Printables are digital products that customers can download and print at home. Some ideas for printables include grocery shopping checklists, gift tags, printable quotes for wall art, and more.
You can sign up for this free ebook that helps you figure out where to start when it comes to selling printables on Etsy.
You can also learn more at How I Make Money Selling Printables On Etsy.
Online bookkeeper
A bookkeeper is someone who tracks the finances of a business. As an online bookkeeper, you would be typing from home.
And, yes, you can start this even if you are brand new.
Online bookkeepers are in high demand. If you’ve been wanting to work from home and want to earn $40,000+ each year, bookkeeping could be perfect for you.
As a bookkeeper, you are responsible for helping businesses take care of their finances, such as by tracking receipts and spending.
A bookkeeper is someone who helps manage and track the financial side of a business. They will typically keep track of sales and expenses, and produce financial reports.
Those with virtual bookkeeping jobs work remotely from home, and they do not physically need to go into the office. Bookkeeping is an excellent option for remote work because all of a bookkeeper’s work can be done online or with computer software.
I recommend checking out the free How To Become An Online Bookkeeper Workshop to see if becoming a bookkeeper interests you.
Freelance writer
Freelance writing is a very popular career path, and I think it will only continue to grow!
And, you would be typing all the time. If you like to type, then this may be a great fit for you.
A freelance writer is someone who writes for a number of different clients, such as websites, blogs, magazines, news publications, and more. They don’t work for one specific company, rather they work for themselves and contract out their writing.
If you have a fast typing speed, then you can also write more blog posts and earn a higher income.
Learn more at How I Earn $200,000+ Writing Online Content.
Virtual assistant
As a virtual assistant, you would be typing from home and doing a variety of tasks.
The internet allows us to complete more daily tasks online, and more and more people also have stay-at-home jobs and businesses, such as running a website, social media, real estate, advertising, etc. That’s why virtual assistant jobs are in high demand.
Virtual assistant tasks may include:
- Managing social media
- Formatting and proofreading content
- Scheduling travel and appointments
- Managing email
- Maintaining spreadsheets
- Handling phone calls
And so much more. As a virtual assistant, you can get paid to do any task that needs to be done in someone’s business but doesn’t need to be done by them.
You can learn more at How This Virtual Assistant Earns $10,000 Month From Home as a Virtual Assistant.
Survey taker
Paid online surveys aren’t a full-time job, but if you’re looking for something that just takes up a little bit of your time each month, then this may be one to look into.
As a survey taker, you would mainly be completing surveys online from your laptop. You would be answering questions and simply just giving your feedback. Usually, you are paid via money sent to your PayPal account, gift cards, and free items.
Companies need people to take surveys so that they can see what the public thinks about their product and company, so that they know what to improve.
People typically sign up for as many survey companies as they can, as you usually won’t receive more than just a few surveys from a company each month.
Below are the companies I recommend signing up for:
- American Consumer Opinion
- Survey Junkie
- Swagbucks
- InboxDollars
- Branded Surveys
- Pinecone Research
- PrizeRebel
- User Interviews
Book reviewer
As a book reviewer, you can get paid to type from home, as you would be typing reviews for books that you have read!
There are websites that will pay you to review books, or you could even start your own book review blog. Each site varies, but you are typically paid cash via PayPal or bank transfer, or you may receive a free book in exchange for your review.
Here are some of the best websites for online typing jobs that will pay for you to review books:
- Online Book Club – With this website, you are only paid with a free book for the first review. After the first review, you will be eligible to be paid for the book review opportunities, plus the books will always be free. With this website, you can get paid around $5 to $60 for each book that you review.
- Kirkus – This platform is looking for book reviewers of English and Spanish language books. They need reviews that are about 350 words long, and they are due two weeks after you are assigned to read a book.
- Upwork – With Upwork, you would need to create your own profile and make a listing as a book reviewer. This way, clients and authors can find you and hire you directly to read their book and review it. Plus, on Upwork, you can set your own pricing and decide which clients you want to work with.
- The US Review of Books – This website uses freelance writers to review books and write reviews that are around 250 to 300 words long.
- Reedsy – Here, you can review hundreds of different books before they are published and earn money at the same time. Authors submit their books to Reedsy, specifically to be reviewed by book reviewers. You then get paid by readers (those who buy a book) as a tip for the review. These tips can be $1, $3, or $5.
- Booklist – This website pays for reviews that are around 150 to 175 words long that describe the plot, suggest an ideal audience, etc. Booklist pays $15 for each published book review.
Related content: 7 Best Ways To Get Paid To Read Books
Translator
Are you fluent in another language? If so, then you may be able to find an online typing work-from-home job where you translate content, books, articles, and more.
There are lots of places you can find translation jobs, including:
- Upwork – On Upwork, you simply create a free profile and apply for translation jobs.
- Babelcube – This is a website that sends freelance translation projects to you. You select which books you translate, translate them to one of more than 15 different languages, and partner with published authors.
- Guru – Guru is a website that lists freelance writing and translation jobs.
- Indeed – Indeed lists translation jobs that they find from job boards, staffing firms, company websites, and more.
- FlexJobs – It will cost you to join FlexJobs, but they do list translation jobs, which can be worthwhile.
- Today Translations – This is a website that is looking for translators to freelance for them.
- Fiverr – Fiverr is an online marketplace where you can find freelance jobs all over the world. You can list your translation services and pricing here.
- Ulatus – Ulatus is a website that provides translation services and they hire translators.
As you can see, there are lots of options if you want to put your translation skills to work.
Transcriptionist
Transcription work is when you turn audio or video content into a text document.
There are many businesses looking to fill positions for online transcription jobs since general transcriptionists convert audio files and video to text for virtually any industry. Some examples include marketers, authors, filmmakers, speakers, conferences, legal transcription, and more.
Online transcriptionist jobs can start around $15 an hour to begin with.
You can learn more about becoming a transcriptionist in the interview Make Money At Home By Becoming A Transcriptionist. The interview explains:
- What a transcriptionist does
- How much you can earn transcribing content
- The type of training you need
- How to find transcription jobs
And more!
Another online typing job similar to this is captioning, and I know we have all seen captions before. Captioning is when you transcribe a video and synchronize it with the video.
Live chat agent
Many large companies outsource their customer service departments to people who are working at home and they usually pay via an hourly wage.
This means you may be able to find a job as an online chat agent.
Customer service representatives may be responsible for a number of things, like:
- Working as an online chat agent
- Offering technical support
- Providing customer support
A typing job as a customer service representative may be that you respond to help/support requests online, such as through an online live chat, or email support.
Affiliate marketer
I am an affiliate marketer through this blog, Making Sense of Cents, and I spend most of my working hours typing.
I think this can be a great way to earn income if you are interested in finding an online typing career path.
Affiliate marketing is when you earn an income by placing a referral link on your website, blog, Instagram, and so on and have people purchase a product or service through your referral link.
An example would be selling a book and you link to a specific book on your blog and try to get people to purchase the book through your affiliate link.
If you get someone to sign up through your affiliate link, the company (such as Amazon) pays you for sharing the product that they sell through the affiliate link.
If you want to learn more about affiliate marketing, I recommend signing up for Affiliate Marketing Tips For Bloggers – Free eBook.
Scopist
As a scopist, you would be typing from home.
Scoping is when you are editing legal documents for court reporters. This is different from proofreading for court reporters.
Scopists who are working with a court reporter tend to earn around $30,000 to $45,000 each year working around full-time hours.
I interviewed an expert on the topic – Linda from Internet Scoping School. She has been scoping for over 35 years and has taught scoping online for around 20 years.
She has a free course that will introduce you to scoping so that you can decide if it’s one of the online business ideas you want to pursue. You can find the free course by clicking here.
You can learn more at How To Become A Scopist.
Google rater
A search engine evaluator (also known as a Google rater) is a person who rates websites based on their quality and usefulness.
You are rating websites to help Google improve its search engine results.
This can be a great online typing job for beginners because you don’t need experience in this area to start, nor do you have to know what you are doing. This is because Google wants average people rating their sites.
Another great thing – since Google operates in nearly every country around the world, you can work on sites that are in your native language.
Learn more at How To Become a Search Engine Evaluator.
Are online typing jobs legitimate?
Yes, online typing jobs are real and legitimate.
I work online and I know many, many other people who also work online and spend most of their day typing.
Many companies hire online workers, and there are many different kinds of online typing businesses that you can start as well.
There are so many online typing jobs, especially in today’s day and age. I recommend seeing which ones you are most interested in and learning more about them.
Online Typing Jobs – Summary
As you can see, there are many different online typing jobs that may interest you.
Depending on your typing speed, accuracy, skills, whether you are looking for full-time or part-time jobs, if you need entry-level work, and more, there are many different online typing jobs that may interest you.
These may include typist jobs such as:
- Blogger
- Proofreader
- Sell printables on Etsy
- Bookkeeper
- Freelance writer
- Virtual assistant
- Survey taker
- Book reviewer
- Translator
- Transcriptionist
- Live chat agent
- Affiliate marketer
- Scopist
- Google rater
What do you think are the best online typing jobs?
Source: makingsenseofcents.com
Apache is functioning normally
Are you looking for the best side jobs for teachers? Teaching is a great career choice and teachers are very much needed in the world. Unfortunately, though, it is not the highest-paying job that exists. Due to that, you may be looking to find ways to make extra money as a teacher. Side hustles for…
Are you looking for the best side jobs for teachers?
Teaching is a great career choice and teachers are very much needed in the world. Unfortunately, though, it is not the highest-paying job that exists. Due to that, you may be looking to find ways to make extra money as a teacher.
Side hustles for teachers are great because they can help you make extra income, pay off debt, save for a vacation, and more.
Teachers have many useful skills, which make them a great fit for many different side hustles alongside their main teaching job.
Quick Summary on Side Jobs For Teachers:
- Online tutoring and selling lesson plans are popular side jobs for teachers that use their existing skills
- Selling crafts, selling printables, or teaching online courses can be a nice creative outlet
- Short-term and seasonal side gigs like coaching sports or teaching summer school may be better for your schedule than year-round gigs
Best Side Jobs For Teachers
There are 36 side jobs for teachers listed below. If you want to skip the list, here are some jobs that you may want to start learning more about first:
Below are 36 side hustles for teachers.
1. Sell educational printables
Selling educational printables can be a great way for teachers to make extra income and it is great for anyone who wants to learn how to make passive income as a teacher.
An educational printable is a teaching resource, either digital or physical, that educators create to help with learning.
Other teachers buy these for their classes and so do parents.
Educational printables are things like math problems, vocabulary cards, and science experiments. They work for different grades and learning goals, making it an easy way to add to regular teaching or homeschooling. You can share these resources online or print them for in-person classes, making them a helpful tool for improving education.You can learn more at How I Make $400,000 Per Year Selling Educational Printables.
Do you want to make money selling printables online? This free training will give you great ideas on what you can sell, how to get started, the costs, and how to make sales.
2. Tutor online or in person
Tutoring services or helping kids get ready for standardized tests either online or in person can be a great side hustle for teachers.
This option can be a natural fit, as you can use your teaching skills to tutor students.
To start, check out different online tutoring websites like Tutor.com or you can also do in-person tutoring sessions. For in-person tutoring sessions, you can contact local tutoring companies or promote your services on social media or in local Facebook parent groups for your area.
3. Sell your lesson plans
As a teacher, you already make lesson plans for your classes. You can actually sell your lesson plans, earn extra money, and help other teachers.
The most popular platform for this kind of side job is Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT). Here, you can upload your lesson plans, activities, assessments, and other educational resources. Each time someone purchases one of your items, you’ll earn some income.
Lesson plans need to be well-organized, easy to understand, and tailored to specific grade levels and subjects (such as fifth grade math). You should include clear objectives and step-by-step instructions to make your lesson plans more appealing to potential buyers.
4. Coach a school sport or other after-school program
Coaching a school sport is something that you can do within your own school district as many schools are in need of help with their sports teams.
Some sports and after-school programs that can be a teacher’s side hustle include soccer, basketball, volleyball, and track-and-field, as well as clubs such as yearbook, chess, choir, and more.
5. Start a dog bakery
Starting a dog bakery can be a fun side job for teachers who love both dogs and baking.
You can make an extra $500 to $1,000, or even more, each month by making treats for dogs. You can make dog treats like cupcakes, cookies, cakes, and more.
You can learn more at How I Make $4,000 Per Month Baking Dog Treats (With Zero Baking Experience!).
6. Sell crafts on Etsy
Selling crafts on Etsy can be a great way to make extra money by being creative.
Etsy is a website where people from all over can buy and sell handmade and digital products.
Some ideas for products you can create and sell on Etsy that are teaching-related include:
- Classroom decor items
- Educational games and activities
- Customized planner pages and stickers
- Flashcards and study materials
Of course, you can create things that aren’t related to teaching at all, such as knitwear, jewelry, and more.
7. Sell on Teachers Pay Teachers
Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) is a site specifically for educators to buy and sell educational materials, and this is a popular teacher side hustle. If you’ve developed lesson plans, worksheets, or other teaching tools for your classroom, you can share and earn from them on TPT.
I know I talked about selling education printables and lesson plans above, but I want to talk more about Teachers Pay Teachers in its own section because it is such a popular teacher side hustle.
You can sell:
- Lesson plans and unit studies
- Worksheets and printable activities
- PowerPoint presentations and interactive notebooks
- Posters, charts, and visual aids
For example, I looked on Teachers Pay Teachers and searched for third grade lesson plans. There, I found over 49,000 results such as math lesson plans about rounding, substitute teacher plans for third graders, reading comprehension lesson plans, and more. Here’s an example of one that you can look at.
The average teacher on Teachers Pay Teachers can make around $300 to $500 extra, but there are some teachers that make hundreds of thousands of dollars extra each year.
8. Babysit
As a teacher, you may find that babysitting is an easy side job to pick up, and, depending on where you live, you may be able to earn around $15 to $25 an hour. Parents love hiring teachers as babysitters because they have so much experience with children.
While babysitting, you’ll find that your existing skills from teaching make a difference in providing the best care possible.
9. Teach English as a second language online
Teaching English as a second language (ESL) online is a popular side job for teachers. As an online ESL teacher, you can help students learn English and work from home.
Most jobs require you to be a fluent English speaker with a bachelor’s degree.
10. Teach summer school
One of the obvious ways for teachers to make extra money in the summer is to teach summer school.
It’s a great way to make use of your teaching skills while earning extra income. Plus, summer school takes place during summer break, so it should fit well with your schedule of already being off from school.
11. Summer camp counselor
Another great option during the summer months is to become a summer camp counselor.
As a counselor, you’ll supervise children in activities such as sports, arts, and crafts. Camps are always looking for instructors with teaching experience, making this a good side job for educators.
12. Grade papers
Grading papers as a side job may appeal to you if you’re looking for a more flexible, at-home option.
Companies such as Measurement Inc. hire teachers to grade student work, such as essays and test answers.
They are hiring evaluators to score in the subjects of English, mathematics, science, and more and pay starts at $15 per hour.
13. Work at a restaurant
If you’re looking for something completely different from teaching, you could take a part-time job at a restaurant.
Working in restaurants can be a good fit for teachers because they often offer flexible hours that can align with your teaching schedule. You can choose jobs like being a server, host, and more.
14. Proofread
As a teacher, you are probably already a great proofreader and are able to spot mistakes easily. With these skills, proofreading can be a great side job. By proofreading, you can help authors, website owners, students, and more improve their writing while earning some extra income.
Even the most skilled writers can make mistakes in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. That’s why hiring a proofreader can be very helpful for pretty much anyone and everyone.
If you want to find online proofreading jobs, I recommend watching this free 76-minute workshop all about how to get started proofreading.
Recommended reading: 20 Best Online Proofreading Jobs For Beginners (Earn $40,000+ A Year).
15. Blog
Blogging can be a fun way for you, as a teacher, to make extra money from home. Many blogs are run by teachers, and I completely get why – you can blog in your spare time and you don’t have to stick to any formal schedule.
To start your own blog, first, choose a topic that you’re interested in writing about, maybe something related to your teaching field or a hobby you enjoy.
You can make money from your blog in ways such as:
- Affiliate marketing – Share links to products or services related to the topic you are writing about, and earn a commission for sales generated from your referral links.
- Advertising – Include display ads or sponsored posts on your blog.
- Courses and ebooks – You can create courses or ebooks related to your area of expertise, and sell them through your blog.
Since I began Making Sense of Cents, I’ve made more than $5,000,000 from my blog, and it all started as a side job.
Learn more at How To Start A Blog FREE Course.
Similar to blogging, a teacher could also start a YouTube channel, a TikTok, and more.
16. Freelance write
If you are looking for side jobs for teachers from home, then becoming a freelance writer can be a great choice.
Freelance writers write content for blogs, websites, magazines, newspapers, advertising companies, and so much more.
You can find different writing jobs on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, or even find clients on your own, such as by reaching out to websites that you are interested in writing for.
Recommended reading: 14 Places To Find Freelance Writing Jobs – (Start With No Experience!)
17. Transcribe
An online transcriptionist’s job is to listen to video or audio files and then type out everything that they are hearing. There are many different types of transcriptionists, such as legal, general, and medical transcriptionists.
This job requires strong typing and listening skills, and you can work from home on your own schedule.
Transcriptionists earn around $15 to $30 per hour on average.
I recommend watching FREE Workshop: Is a Career in Transcription Right for You? You’ll learn how to get started as a transcriptionist, how you can find transcription work, and more.
Recommended reading: 18 Best Online Transcription Jobs For Beginners To Make $2,000 Monthly
18. Flip used items for resale
Flea market flippers find underpriced items at flea markets, yard sales, and thrift stores, then resell them for a profit. This job requires a good eye for finding valuable items that you believe can be sold for a higher price.
As a teacher, you could find and sell items in the evening, on the weekends, over holiday breaks, and in the summer. You get to make your own schedule, and it can be however many or few hours as you want.
Some items that you can resell include:
- Vintage furniture
- Collectibles, such as toys, coins, stamps, books, and more
- Sporting equipment
- Clothing
- Electronics
I recommend signing up for a helpful webinar on this topic, How To Turn Your Passion For Visiting Thrift Stores, Yard Sales & Flea Markets Into A Profitable Reselling Business.
19. Bookkeep
Bookkeepers are people who keep track of all the money-related things for businesses. Bookkeepers do tasks like:
- Tracking income
- Organizing expenses
- Making financial reports
This is typically a flexible job that you can do from home on your own time.
You can join the free workshop that focuses on finding virtual bookkeeping jobs and how to begin your own freelance bookkeeping business by signing up for free here.
Recommended reading: How To Find Online Bookkeeping Jobs
20. Sell Canva templates
Creating and selling Canva templates online allows you to work from home in your free time.
A Canva template is like a pre-designed layout that you can use for creating things like social media graphics, Pinterest pins, ebooks, or presentations. It is a helpful starting point if you’re not very skilled at designing from scratch. Business owners, marketing professionals, nonprofit organizations, educators, event planners, restaurants, and more buy templates all the time.
Canva templates come with blank spaces where buyers can add their own words or pictures, adjust colors and fonts, and more. They’re useful for people who want their graphics to look high quality without spending a lot of time in the process (or perhaps they don’t know how to do it so templates help them a lot!).
Making and selling Canva templates can be a great way to earn extra money as you only need to create them once, and then you can sell them as many times as you’d like.
Recommended reading: How I Make $2,000+ Monthly Selling Canva Templates
21. Rover (walk and watch pets)
Rover is a website that links pet owners with pet sitters and dog walkers. You can do this job on the weekends throughout the year, or simply only open up your schedule during the summer months. It is up to you.
Getting started is easy on Rover – you set up a profile that talks about your experience with pets and the services you can provide, like dog walking, pet sitting, and house sitting.
Then, you will receive requests from customers and talk about pricing. Rover takes care of processing payments, and you’ll receive payments directly into your account.
You can sign up for Rover here.
22. Care.com
Another platform for finding pet and house sitting side jobs is Care.com. Care.com is not limited to pet care and includes other caregiving services, such as childcare and senior care.
You can browse available jobs in your area and apply to those that match your skills and interests. Care.com also allows clients to contact you directly for your services after you’ve created a profile. Once a job is completed, you’ll receive payment through the site.
23. Be a virtual assistant
A virtual assistant provides administrative, technical, or creative support to clients from home.
Some of the tasks you might do as a virtual assistant include managing schedules, responding to emails, making travel arrangements, handling social media accounts, and even writing articles or creating presentations.
If you want to become a virtual assistant, I recommend taking the free workshop called 5 Steps To Become a Virtual Assistant.
Recommended reading: Best Ways To Find Virtual Assistant Jobs
24. Be a food photographer
Food photography can be a fun and creative way to earn extra income during your free time. Food photographers do just that – take pictures of food.
Whether you’re working directly for restaurants, magazines, or on a freelance basis, this job allows you to use your skills and interests to create beautiful images.
You can learn more at How To Become a Food Blog Photographer And Earn Over $50,000 Each Year.
25. House sit
As a teacher, you might be looking for ways to make some extra money during breaks or weekends. One option to consider is house sitting, and this is when you watch someone’s home (such as watering their plants and collecting mail) and sometimes take care of pets while their owners are away. People also hire house sitters so that their homes aren’t sitting empty because a visible presence can deter potential thefts.
To get started in house sitting, you can join house-sitting websites to find opportunities in your area, or ask friends and family for referrals (you might want to start by house sitting for people you know and then ask for references that you can use to broaden your job search).
26. Rent out an unused room in your home
If you have a room in your home that you are not using, then you may be able to rent it to someone on either a short-term (such as by becoming an Airbnb host) or long-term basis (getting a full-time roommate).
I have rented out rooms many times in the past, and it was a great way to make some extra income for space that I wasn’t using.
You can learn more at What You Need To Know About Renting A Room In Your House.
27. Rent your garage space
If you have empty storage space, such as a garage, driveway, closet, basement, or attic, you may be able to rent it out and make extra money. This can be a lucrative side hustle where you don’t have to use up much of your spare time.
You can use Neighbor to list your extra space for rent and make up to $15,000 per year by doing so. With Neighbor, you can rent out your garage, driveway, basement, or even a closet.
You can sign up at Neighbor for free here and list your space.
You can also learn more about Neighbor at Neighbor Review: Make Money Renting Your Storage Space.
28. Rent out a photo booth
Renting a photo booth can be a fun side job for teachers.
To get started, you will need to buy a photo booth as well as things like backdrops and props for people to hold in the picture (such as hats, signs, fun things to hold, etc.).
On average, photo booth rentals can range from $500 to $1,000 per event, and in some cases, even more for specialized events or packages with additional features.
I have personally rented a photo booth for an event in the past, and it was a lot of fun!
29. Online surveys and focus groups
Taking online surveys and answering questions for focus groups is very part-time and can be a way to side hustle for teachers.
You share your thoughts plus answer questions and can earn cash or free gift cards.
The survey companies I recommend signing up for are:
- American Consumer Opinion
- Survey Junkie
- Swagbucks
- InboxDollars
- Branded Surveys
- Pinecone Research
- PrizeRebel
- User Interviews – These are the highest paying surveys with the average being around $60.
Recommended reading: 18 Best Paid Survey Sites To Make $100+ Per Month
30. Voice over act
A voice-over actor is the person whose voice you hear but don’t see in YouTube videos, radio ads, educational videos, and more.
Different companies need a wide variety of voices, and that’s where you come in.
Recommended reading: How To Become A Voice Over Actor And Work From Anywhere
31. Mystery shop
I was a secret shopper in the past, and there were often mystery shops that gave me $100 to put toward a free dinner. I always looked forward to these, as I was living paycheck to paycheck, and I used these restaurant mystery shops to reward myself every now and then.
There were other mystery shops that paid me actual money, and some paid me in free items, such as makeup, movie theater tickets, and car oil changes.
Companies hire mystery shoppers to get an understanding of their customer’s experience. Companies want to know a real product opinion, how the customer felt they were treated at their business, how phone calls were handled, and more.
Basically, mystery shopping is a way to anonymously test the entire shopping experience.
You can learn more at How To Become A Mystery Shopper.
32. Fitness trainer
Fitness trainers help people reach their health goals through customized exercise plans and nutrition advice. This is typically a job where you can choose your schedule, so you can choose to work hours outside of your teaching job, such as in the evenings and on the weekends.
I actually know a few teachers who are fitness trainers on the side, so it must be a good fit!
Another positive is that you can even choose between in-person and online coaching. Online coaching can mean that you can work remotely, making it a more flexible side job for teachers looking to earn extra income.
33. Find random gigs on Craigslist
As a teacher looking for side jobs, you can look for random gigs on Craigslist to earn some extra income. To begin your search, simply go to the Craigslist website and select your city from the home page.
Here are some jobs I found through a quick search:
- Cleaning a house
- Help assembling furniture
- Taking down a shed in a backyard
- Garage cleanup
- Mover
- Handyman
- Movie extra
- Sign holder
You can even post your own services on Craigslist if you have a skill you’d like to share with others, such as giving music lessons or tutoring.
34. Deliver groceries with Instacart
Grocery delivery services are popular because there are more and more people who want someone to do their grocery shopping for them.
Services like Instacart need personal grocery shoppers, and the average shopper makes $15 to $20 an hour to deliver groceries. Drivers are paid per order, and you get to keep 100% of your tips. You also get to choose your schedule, so a teacher could choose to work in the evenings or on weekends. Or, you could choose to only deliver groceries during the summer.
You can click here to sign up to be an Instacart Shopper.
You can also learn more at Instacart Shopper Review: How much do Instacart Shoppers earn?
There are many other gig ideas that you can try out too, such as Uber Eats and DoorDash.
35. Real estate agent
Some teachers are real estate agents on the side of their full-time job as a teacher. This is because you can list and sell homes on your weekends, during breaks, at night, and over the summer.
Selling homes can be more difficult, though, as your clients may want your full attention during the day occasionally and you would be busy teaching, so this is something to think about.
36. Driver’s ed teacher
A common side hustle for teachers is teaching driving lessons to teenagers and adults. As a teacher, you may be able to check if the high school near you is in need of a teacher for this subject. Or, you can reach out to a local driving school to see if they are hiring.
Driving instructors make around $20 an hour more or less, depending on where you live.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about side hustles for teachers.
How can I make money on the side while teaching?
Some good side jobs for teachers include tutoring, freelancing, transcribing, blogging, selling lesson plans, and more.
What can teachers do to make extra money?
Teachers can do a lot of things to make extra money, such as jobs like tutoring, freelance writing, blogging, or creating educational printables.
What is a second career for teachers?
Second careers for teachers can include jobs such as educational consultants, curriculum developers, or even working in corporate training and development.
Do most teachers have 2 jobs?
Many teachers have two jobs. This is for many reasons, such as the typically low pay of a teacher as well as teachers wanting to make money while they are off in the summer.
How to make extra money on Teachers Pay Teachers?
Teachers can make extra money on Teachers Pay Teachers by selling lesson plans and printables.
How can teachers make money in the summer?
Teachers can make money when they’re off in the summer by teaching summer school, helping students with test prep, babysitting, selling lesson plans, working at a restaurant, working as a real estate agent, and more.
What to do after quitting teaching? How do you pivot out of teaching?
Quitting teaching and moving on to something else will take a few steps, and you can begin by thinking about your skills and interests. Then, start exploring different job options and connect with people in the field you’re interested in, attend industry events, and consider getting any certifications that you may need.
How can teachers earn extra income through online tutoring?
Sites like Tutor.com look for teachers to tutor students remotely, and you can even offer your services through social media.
How can a teacher make six figures by utilizing their skills?
While it’s not always easy for teachers to earn a six-figure salary, it is possible if you find ways to make extra income or by starting a business of your own.
What opportunities do music educators have for side income?
Side income ideas for music educators can include jobs like giving private music lessons or working as a weekend or evening instructor at a music school. Music educators can also sell lesson plans (I found some examples on Teachers Pay Teachers here).
What are some good side jobs for teachers?
I hope you enjoyed this article on the best side jobs for teachers.
Whether you are looking for side jobs for teachers from home, side jobs for teachers in the summer, or if you want to learn how to make passive income as a teacher, there are many ways to make extra money as a teacher.
Some of the best side hustles for teachers include:
- Sell educational printables
- Tutor online or in person
- Sell your lesson plans
- Coach a school sport
- Start a dog treat bakery
- Sell crafts on Etsy
- Sell on Teachers Pay Teachers
- Babysit
- Teach English as a second language online
- Teach summer school
- Summer camp counselor
- Grade papers
- Work at a restaurant
- Proofread
- Blog
- Freelance write
- Transcribe
- Flip used items for resale
- Bookkeep
- Sell Canva templates
- Rover (walk and watch pets)
- Virtual assistant
- Food photographer
- House sit
- Rent out an unused room in your home
- Rent your garage space
- Rent a photo booth
- Online surveys and focus groups
- Voice over act
- Mystery shop
- Fitness trainer
- Find random gigs on Craigslist
- Deliver groceries
- Real estate agent
- Driver’s ed instructor
What do you think are the best ways for teachers to make extra money?
Source: makingsenseofcents.com
Apache is functioning normally
But here’s the big takeaway: That money is yours, and those savings stay with you whenever you quit a job.
If you have less than $1,000 in your 401(k)
If your 401(k) has less than $1,000 when you quit a job, the IRS allows the plan administrator to automatically withdraw your money and send you a check, minus 20% in taxes, per the IRS.
You can also initiate a rollover: a direct transfer of your money from a 401(k) account to another tax-advantaged retirement account. (More on rollover deadlines and tax implications later.) The easiest way to roll over your money is to contact your 401(k) administrator and have them handle it.
Communicate your preferences quickly, though — if your 401(k) account has a low balance, most companies won’t delay closing the account and cutting you a check, according to CNBC.
If you have between $1,000 and $5,000 in your 401(k)
If your 401(k) has between $1,000 and $5,000 when you quit, your employer may move your money into an individual retirement account, or IRA, according to the IRS.
If you don’t have an IRA, some employers will automatically open an account for you and deposit your funds into the account. If you do have an IRA, you initiate the rollover by contacting your 401(k) administrator.
You can also withdraw your money, but you’ll pay 20% in federal income tax, as well as a 10% early withdrawal penalty (unless you’re at least 59 ½ years old), according to the IRS.
🤓Nerdy Tip
An IRA is a tax-advantaged retirement account that an individual typically sets up, unlike a 401(k) account, which an employer sets up.
If you have at least $5,000 in your 401(k)
If your 401(k) account has at least $5,000 when you quit a job, your employer isn’t allowed to move your money without your consent. What happens next is up to you. There are a few things you can do with your money, according to the investment advisor Vanguard:
-
Roll over your money into a new retirement account
-
Leave your money in your old 401(k)
-
Cash out your 401(k) — and potentially pay a 10% federal penalty tax
Let’s dig into those options.
Rolling your money into a new 401(k) or IRA
What is a rollover?
Reminder: A 401(k) rollover is the process of moving money from your 401(k) account into another retirement account.
So, say you’re leaving your job for a different position, and your new employer offers a 401(k) plan. You can roll over your old 401(k)’s funds into a new 401(k) account, if your new employer allows this, according to the IRS.
Or you can roll over your old 401(k) to an IRA. This type of account typically offers more investment options than a 401(k), says Christopher Manske, a certified financial planner and the president and founder of Manske Wealth Management in Houston.
“In your individual retirement account, you’re going to have a lot more flexibility to tailor the investments to the wide world of what’s available out there,” Manske says.
Whether you roll over your retirement savings into an IRA or new 401(k), moving your money to a single fund can make it easier to manage your money and keep track of your retirement savings.
That’s as opposed to simply keeping your old 401(k) open, which becomes one more account to manage. (We’ll dive into that option in a bit.)
How to roll over funds — and avoid tax missteps
If a rollover sounds like a solid option, contact the administrators of both your old 401(k) and the other retirement account — either your new 401(k) or an IRA. Tell them you’d like to roll over your funds.
They’ll collect information from you and initiate a direct rollover, which means one institution directly transfers funds to another institution, according to Fidelity.
This is as opposed to an indirect rollover, meaning your 401(k) plan administrator sends you a check, and you personally deposit the 401(k) funds into another retirement account. In that case, your plan administrator would likely withhold 20% of your 401(k) funds for taxes.
With this indirect rollover, you then have 60 days to deposit the complete 401(k) account balance — including the amount kept for taxes — into the new account. So to deposit the full amount, you would need to come up with the 20% portion yourself. Then you’d get a refund for that amount come tax time.
If you miss the 60-day deadline, you’d likely get penalized for early withdrawal and have to pay income taxes on the distribution, according to Capitalize, a 401(k) rollover resource.
One last important note: Whether you choose a direct or indirect rollover, if you move money from your old 401(k) account to a Roth IRA — a specific kind of IRA — you’ll have to pay income tax on that transfer, according to the IRS. (This doesn’t apply if you’re rolling over your funds from a Roth 401(k), though.)
Leaving your money in your old 401(k)
Another option? Do nothing.
Your 401(k) account isn’t going to disappear once you quit a job; that money will always be there. But once you leave the job that set up the 401(k) account, you can’t make any more deposits, per Vanguard.
While leaving your 401(k) on autopilot is the simplest option, it may not be in your best interest. Assuming you’ll continue investing in another account or have a new 401(k) at your next employer, it will be harder to track your finances in more places.
And some 401(k) plan providers may charge you fees if you’re no longer an active employee, according to Charles Schwab, the financial services firm.
“I can’t think of any pros of leaving it there,” Manske says. “You’re not really connected formally to that company anymore, so why would you keep your money there? They don’t have a reason to keep you happy.”
Cash out your 401(k) — which is rarely recommended
Yes, you can withdraw the cash from your 401(k) whenever you want. But there are significant downsides to this option.
Pulling out money from your 401(k) before retirement can trigger hefty taxes, says Joe Buhrmann, certified financial planner and senior financial planning consultant at Fidelity’s eMoney Advisor.
Any withdrawals from a 401(k) before you reach the age of 59 ½ are considered early withdrawals and are slapped with a 10% penalty tax, per the IRS. That’s in addition to federal income taxes and, depending on where you live, state income taxes.
“Hypothetically, on a $50,000 401(k), you might lose as much as $20,000 to taxes and penalties and be left with $30,000,” Buhrmann says.
If you urgently need cash, that might be a reason to withdraw some money from your 401(k). But doing so should be regarded as a last resort, Manske says.
There are other ways to get money quickly that don’t come with taxes and penalties, such as community loans, gig work, and more.
Buhrmann encourages individuals to not just consider the immediate losses that come with withdrawing your 401(k), but also the long-term earnings they’re missing out on.
“They’re not just having to pay some taxes and pay some penalties,” Manske says.
Source: nerdwallet.com
Apache is functioning normally
The Possible Card — issued by Coastal Community Bank, in partnership with Possible Finance — began slowly rolling out to the public in April 2023. As of this writing, the card is available in most states, with the exception of Hawaii, Nevada and Maryland.
While still in its early stages, the Possible Card won’t help propel your credit journey forward because it currently doesn’t report payments to major credit bureaus like TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. Even once it begins reporting payments, it still won’t be your most cost-effective option. Possible Finance touts “peace of mind” that you won’t be charged interest, but there’s a big caveat: Instead of an annual percentage rate, the card has a monthly fee.
Monthly fees on credit cards are a hot trend now, especially among young financial technology companies (fintechs). But depending on the balance you’re carrying, that fee can be more expensive than interest charges you’d find on a traditional credit card.
The Possible Card does offer predictability in terms of your monthly payment, and it also allows you to bypass a credit check and security deposit. But unlike a security deposit, which is refundable, those monthly fees won’t be. Plenty of other credit cards can jump-start your credit-building goals at a lower cost.
Here’s what you need to know about the Possible Card.
🤓Nerdy Tip
While any credit card’s rewards, benefits and fee structure can be adjusted at any time, new cards from startup financial technology companies are particularly prone to significant changes as they find their place in the market. Keep that in mind as you research your credit card options.
1. The monthly fee adds up
The monthly fee to hold the Possible Card is either:
-
$8 per month ($96 annually) for a $400 credit limit, or
-
$16 per month ($192 annually) for an $800 credit limit.
That makes the Possible Card more expensive than similar newcomers in its class. For example:
-
The Tomo Credit Card (currently waitlisted as of September 2023) charges $2.99 per month. There’s no credit check, upfront deposit or APR.
-
The Pesto Mastercard costs $3.33 a month, and while a deposit is required, it can be an asset instead of cash.
In fact, for no monthly or annual fee at all, you could consider cards like the Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card, which lets you set your own security deposit, or the Grow Credit Mastercard, which has a free membership tier. Neither card carries an APR, neither conducts a credit check, and all of these aforementioned cards report your payments to credit bureaus.
Or, you could fare even better with a traditional secured credit card. Yes, you’ll have to come up with a one-time security deposit upfront, but for many of the best secured credit cards, you need a minimum of just $200, or nearly what you’d pay — every year and nonrefundable — for the Possible Card’s higher-limit version. Plus, many traditional secured cards come with upgrade paths to better products. The Possible Card does not, nor do many newer fintech-backed cards, for that matter.
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is a good example of the kind of features to look for in a starter card. It requires a minimum security deposit of $200, but it has a $0 annual fee and earns rewards. It reports payments to all three major credit bureaus, and Discover begins automatic reviews starting at seven months to see whether you qualify to upgrade to an unsecured card and get your deposit back.
🤓Nerdy Tip
If you’re approved for the Possible Card, you can immediately start using the virtual card if you enroll in autopay. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait for the physical card to arrive in the mail.
2. There’s no credit check
The Possible Card doesn’t require a credit check and instead relies on a cash-flow-based underwriting algorithm to determine whether you qualify. But that underwriting process requires you to link an eligible account through a third party called Plaid.
This practice of skipping a credit check in exchange for linking a bank account has become a fairly common practice for certain credit cards, especially newcomers backed by fintechs. But there are better credit cards that don’t require a credit check.
The previously mentioned Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card, for instance, requires opening a Chime Spending Account, but it doesn’t charge any fees or interest. It’s a secured credit card with a flexible deposit. The amount of money that you move from the spending account to the Credit Builder secured account is the amount you have available to spend.
3. No APR or late fees apply, but don’t be fooled
Some credit cards that charge monthly fees instead of interest market the idea of being “predictable,” for budgeting purposes. Possible Finance claims on its website that the monthly fee is cheaper than the charges on a traditional credit card, but that’s misleading. For most credit cards, interest charges don’t apply at all if you pay off the balance in full every month.
With the Possible Card, you’ll owe the monthly fee whether you carry a balance or not.
Depending on the size of your balance, that monthly fee could cost more than the interest charged on a traditional credit card, especially in cases where the card’s credit limit is relatively low. You can use the sliding scales below to illustrate this:
For context, the average APR for credit cards assessed interest in May 2023 was 22.16%, according to Federal Reserve data. If you have less-than-ideal credit, that percentage may be higher.
Trying to get approved for a card?
Create a NerdWallet account for insight on your credit score and personalized recommendations for the right card for you.
4. You can carry a balance over a short term
Unlike some credit cards in its class, the Possible Card allows you to revolve a balance, up to a limit. The card’s Pay Over Time option lets you pay off the balance over four installments if you schedule automatic payments and enroll in the app. There’s no additional charge to use this option as long as the account has a balance of at least $50 and no pending payments.
The downside of the Pay Over Time feature is that the card will be locked and cannot be used for new purchases or automatic recurring expenses until the installment loan is paid off. But the benefit is that this guardrail can prevent you from taking on more debt than you can handle.
If you’re using your Possible Card to make automatic recurring payments for streaming services or other expenses, make sure to change your payment method when you opt in to the Pay Over Time feature.
5. It doesn’t report payments to credit bureaus
The Possible Card is still in its infancy and does not report payments to the credit bureaus as of this writing. The company shared in an email that it has plans to start reporting payments to one bureau in the fourth quarter of 2023.
When your goal is to build credit with a credit card, reporting payments to the three major credit bureaus is a must-have feature. Ideally, you want your credit history to be recorded by all of them so that future lenders can access that information easily.
See more from Chime
Chime says the following:
-
The Chime Credit Builder Visa® Card is issued by Stride Bank, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted.
-
To apply for Credit Builder, you must have received a single qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more to your Checking Account. The qualifying direct deposit must be from your employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, or benefits payer by Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit OR Original Credit Transaction (OCT). Bank ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, verification or trial deposits from financial institutions, peer to peer transfers from services such as PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo, mobile check deposits, cash loads or deposits, one-time direct deposits, such as tax refunds and other similar transactions, and any deposit to which Chime deems to not be a qualifying direct deposit are not qualifying direct deposits.
-
On-time payment history may have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score. Chime will report your activities to Transunion®, Experian®, and Equifax®. Impact on your credit may vary, as Credit scores are independently determined by credit bureaus based on a number of factors including the financial decisions you make with other financial services organizations.
-
Money added to Credit Builder will be held in a secured account as collateral for your Credit Builder Visa card, which means you can spend up to this amount on your card. This is money you can use to pay off your charges at the end of every month.
Source: nerdwallet.com
Apache is functioning normally
According to reports from the second quarter of 2022, the total of all household debt in the United States is a whopping $16.15 trillion. Mortgages make up the bulk of that debt, with student loan, auto loan and credit card debt trailing behind.
On average, adults in the United States carry debt loads ranging between $20,800 and $146,200. If you’re in debt and looking for a way to pay it off, making a plan is a critical step. Find out more about how to get out of debt below.
1. Collect All Your Paperwork in One Place
Before you can get out of debt, you need to know how much debt you actually have. You should also know who you owe and what the terms are, as this can help you prioritize debt payments to pay them off faster.
Start by collecting all your debt paperwork in one place and creating a master list of everything you owe. You can do this in a spreadsheet or with a pen and paper. Information to gather includes:
- Statements for all your debts. One way to do this is to spend a month saving all your financial mail and email so you have a comprehensive picture of your debt.
- Regular bills that aren’t debts. Your cell phone and utility bills, as well as your rent, should all be included when you gather this financial information.
Information about income. Look at paycheck stubs or your bank accounts so you know what, on average, you can expect in income each month. - Your credit reports. Get your free credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com to ensure you know about all the debt you owe.
Tip: Sign up for ExtraCredit to see your credit reports and 28 FICO® scores in one place.
2. Create a Budget and Determine What You Can Pay Every Month
Using the information you gathered in the above step, create a monthly budget. Make sure you cover all your bills and minimum debt payments. When possible, include an amount that can go toward building your savings. Allocate funds for essentials, such as groceries and gas.
Once you cover all the needs for the month, figure out how much money you have left. How much of that can you put toward extra debt payments so you can start getting ahead on debt?
3. Manage Your Debts in Collections
If you see that you have any debts in collections when you pull your credit reports, make sure you have a plan for taking care of them. Collection accounts have a serious negative impact on your credit score. Creditors may also sue you and try to collect on these accounts via wage garnishments or bank levies if you don’t take action to manage collections. That can throw a huge wrench into your plan for getting out of debt.
Tip: If you don’t enjoy manual calculations, check out Tally. You can use Tally to total up your expenses, pay down credit card bills, and generally figure out where you stand.
4. Consider Your Options
There are two main approaches to paying off debt as quickly as possible: the snowball method and the avalanche method.
The snowball method involves paying off accounts with the lowest balances first. You take any extra money you have—even if it’s just $50—and add it to your regular minimum monthly payment on that small balance. When that balance is paid off, you take the extra $50 plus the minimum payment and add it to the next biggest balance. You keep doing this as you work your way up to larger balances, paying your debt off faster and faster.
With the avalanche method, you tackle accounts according to interest rates. You start by paying off accounts with the highest interest rates first. The thought behind this method is that you save money in the long run by tackling high-interest debt first.
5. Try to Reduce Your Interest Rates
Interest refers to how much your debt costs. If you have a lower interest rate, your debt costs less and you can pay it off faster. Here are some ways you can try to reduce interest rates on your debts:
- Ask for a lower interest rate. If you’re a credit card account holder in good standing and your credit history and score has improved since you got the card, you may be able to get a better rate. Call customer service for your card and let them know you are looking for a better deal. They may agree to lower the rate to keep you as a cardholder.
- Look into debt consolidation or refinancing. A debt consolidation loan provides funds you can use to pay off higher-interest debts. Refinancing occurs when you get a new loan for a home or car. If you had lackluster credit when you got your auto loan, for example, you may be able to refinance it for a lower rate if your credit has improved.
- Get a balance transfer credit card. You may be able to transfer balances from a credit card with a high interest rate to one that has an introductory low APR offer. This may allow you to pay off the debt over the course of 12 to 22 months without incurring any more interest expense.
Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®
- $200 bonus after opening a Rewards Checking Plus account and making 3 debit card transactions*
- Unlimited cash back on payments: 3% on Home, Auto, and Health categories and 1% on everything else after you make payments on your purchases
- No annual fee
- Combine the flexibility of a credit card with the predictability of a personal loan
- No touch payments with contactless technology built in
- See if you qualify in minutes without hurting your credit score
- Great for large purchases with predictable payments you can budget for
- Mobile app to access your account anytime, anywhere
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud liability
- *To qualify for the welcome bonus, you must open and fund a new Rewards Checking Plus account through Upgrade and make 3 qualifying debit card transactions from your Rewards Checking Plus account within 60 days of the date the Rewards Checking Plus account is opened. If you have previously opened a checking account through Upgrade or do not open a Rewards Checking Plus account as part of this application process, you are not eligible for this welcome bonus offer. Your Upgrade Card and Rewards Checking Plus account must be open and in good standing to receive a bonus. To qualify, debit card transactions must have settled and exclude ATM transactions. Please refer to the applicable Upgrade VISA® Debit Card Agreement and Disclosures for more information. Welcome bonus offers cannot be combined, substituted, or applied retroactively. The bonus will be applied to your Rewards Checking Plus account as a one-time payout credit within 60 days after meeting the conditions.
Do Your Best to Pay More Than the Minimum
Only paying the minimum on high-interest debt, such as credit card debt, doesn’t get you out of debt fast. It can take years—dozens of them—to pay off credit card balances if you’re only making minimum payments.
Instead, put more than the minimum on your debt whenever possible. You may also want to put any additional funds you receive—such as a tax refund—on your debt to help with this process.
Consider More Options for Getting Out of Debt
Creating a budget, managing your money wisely, and making extra payments toward your debt all help you get out of debt. Here are some other ways you can deal with debt:
- Increase your income while cutting unnecessary spending. Join the gig economy with a side job to earn extra money, or sell things you don’t need via online marketplaces.
- Undergo credit education and counseling. These services can help you make the most of your monthly budget.
- Engage in debt settlement. You may be able to negotiate with creditors, especially for accounts in collections, to settle debts for less than you owe. Just make sure you understand any effects on your credit.
- Enter a debt management plan. During such a plan, you make a single payment to a trustee. They use those funds to pay your debts, hopefully in a way that gets you out of debt faster.
Declare bankruptcy. If you find you’re unable to pay your debts, much less make extra payments, you may need another option. Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy are potential considerations.
How to Avoid Getting into Debt
Paying off debt doesn’t have to be impossible, but it can be challenging. For many people, it requires altering years’ worth of financial habits. If you’re not already in debt, it may be easier to stay out of it. Create a budget and stick to it, spend wisely and avoid using credit cards for things you don’t need or can’t afford to buy with cash.
Source: credit.com
Apache is functioning normally
In our latest real estate tech entrepreneur interview, we’re speaking with Marshall Beck from BrokerAssist. He’s a recent addition to the Geek Estate Mastermind.
Who are you, and what do you do?
Marshall Beck here, Co-founder and CEO of BrokerAssist, and I do lots! Currently, my main focus is to add great value in helping real estate professionals manage and grow their businesses, with the BrokerAssist collaboration and referral network. I also write unscripted television shows and have a few projects in the works with a production company. I co-host quarterly wellness seminars and promote a vegan lifestyle; for the health and happiness of ourselves, the planet, and animals.
What problem does your product/service solve?
Think gig economy for real estate. As a real time, mobile marketplace for agents and brokers to collaborate on fractional assistance and referral needs, BrokerAssist solves the logistical problems brokers face with last minute showings, coverage while on vacation, referral needs, and more.
How do agents grow their businesses? By building teams. BrokerAssist is a cost-effective solution for the agent trying to grow their business without the budget for a full or part time assistant. It’s for the agents who would rather knock out a few more listing appointments than sit at an inspection, which could easily be covered for them by a fellow quality, licensed agent or broker. It’s also for the agents who have some free time to earn extra cash, and maybe a newer agent who’d like more experience at these tasks.
There is no industry wide platform for fractional assistance and referral networking where independent and national firms may collaborate for business growth. Agents and brokers are resorting to Facebook groups, email threads, phone/text, and other outdated and non-integrated payment options.
It’s time to move on from the expensive industry referral models that take as much as 33% of broker and agent commissions. These platforms have lengthy processes and are not on-demand as agents and broker expect, to ensure their referral opportunities are not lost. BrokerAssist solves this as the free on demand referral connection service for real estate professionals. We help keep brokers and agents at the center of their transactions.
What are you most excited about right now?
The BrokerAssist team is deep in QA, wrapping up some development features and starting the Beta testing process. These are exciting times as we move closer to our national launch to android and iOS app stores very soon! I am most excited to see how our technology is adopted and to learn from brokers and agents on how we can improve and expand our products and services as we grow.
What’s next for you?
Growth is next with a deep dive into building a robust BrokerAssist network. Our team has so many great ideas on next generation features and how to expand this platform into other real estate horizontals for additional application. To accomplish this, our next move involves fundraising among friends/family and angel investors.
What’s a cause you’re passionate about and why?
I am a vegan wellness and lifestyle advocate because I care deeply about our responsibility to sustain the happiness and health of ourselves, the planet, and the animals. It’s as simple as supply and demand. We vote with our dollars, and conscious consumption with a vegan lifestyle is a part of the future as we learn to live in harmony with Mother Nature during these modern times.
Thanks to Marshall for sharing his story. If you’d like to connect, find him on LinkedIn here.
We’re constantly looking for great real estate tech entrepreneurs to feature. If that’s you, please read this post — then drop me a line (drew @ geekestatelabs dot com).
Source: geekestateblog.com