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Dasha Kennedy, financial coach and founder of the 80,000-member Facebook group The Broke Black Girl, is no stranger to struggle. She said she didn’t have the luxury of receiving a quality financial education at a young age, nor did she come from a wealthy background. She taught herself everything she knows about money management.

“My journey involved a lot of trial and error,” said Kennedy, a St. Louis native now residing in Atlanta, in an email interview. “I had to deal with financial mistakes, learn from them, and find ways to build a stable financial future from scratch.”

A mother of two boys, Kennedy has made it a priority to break the generations-long chain of financial trauma. Having early, honest conversations about money management with her children is just one way she aims to do that.

How to start building wealth from scratch

Kennedy said some people from underrepresented communities face systemic barriers, such as limited access to financial education, fewer wealth-building opportunities, and discrimination in lending and employment.

“Many people in these communities grow up without learning basic financial skills, making it harder to manage money effectively,” Kennedy said. “These challenges mean that financial education and resources need to be tailored to address these specific barriers.”

If you want to build wealth, Kennedy said, begin with the basics — educating yourself. She recommends free online courses or workshops about personal finance.

Another essential step in the wealth-building process is understanding your current financial situation, she said. Know what you spend money on, what your budget is, and where you can find room to save even a small amount.

When considering investing for the first time, Kennedy said, start where you are. You don’t need extensive knowledge to invest, or a lot of money — a little bit can go a long way for future you, she said.

“For many people, saving can bring up feelings of anger, frustration, or fear because it highlights past financial struggles or insecurities,” she said. “I encourage people to see saving as a form of self-care and empowerment; changing the narrative from deprivation to investment in their future.”

Generational wealth can look different for everyone

Kennedy said having candid conversations about money is one way to create new norms. Something as simple as looping your kids in on a discussion about the family budget can make an impact.

“Be open and honest with your children about money. Share your financial experiences, both the successes and the mistakes,” she said. “Make these conversations a regular part of your family’s routine so that talking about money becomes normal and not something to be feared or avoided.”

To further set her children up for future financial success, Kennedy teaches them the importance of saving and budgeting by giving them allowances to manage. She guides them in achieving their goals, while stressing the importance of hard work and education in financial success.

For Kennedy, generational wealth isn’t just one person in a family having money; it requires an all-hands-on-deck approach.

It’s not just about money or assets, Kennedy said. Generational wealth can look like helping a family member build their resume or watching their kids while they attend a job interview, she said.

“Generational wealth involves generational support,” she said. “It’s guaranteeing that my children, and their children, have financial stability, access to education, and opportunities to pursue their dreams without the same financial struggles I faced.”

Source: nerdwallet.com

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Want to know what the best businesses that run themselves are? Have you ever dreamed of having a business that runs by itself? Whether you want extra income or a full-time job, these businesses make money without needing you all the time. Having a business that runs itself means more time for you to do…

Want to know what the best businesses that run themselves are?

Have you ever dreamed of having a business that runs by itself? Whether you want extra income or a full-time job, these businesses make money without needing you all the time.

Having a business that runs itself means more time for you to do what you love. This could be more family time, traveling, pursuing passions, or starting another venture. These kinds of businesses are perfect for making your dreams a reality.

Now, that doesn’t mean that all of the businesses below will require zero hours of work from you – they will need varying amounts of time dedicated to them. Maybe some time in the beginning to get it started, some time to maintain it, or even hiring an employee to keep it going or check in occasionally.

Recommended reading: 18 Passive Income Ideas To Earn $1,000+ Each Month

Businesses That Run Themselves

Below are the best businesses that run themselves.

1. Self-service laundromat

A laundromat business can be a great business idea if you want something that mostly runs itself.

With the right setup, you might only need to check in occasionally. Laundromats can give you a steady source of income because people always need clean clothes.

The day-to-day operations of a laundromat include opening the business up in the morning, maintaining machines (the washers and dryers) and keeping the business clean, stocking detergents, and having someone handle the finances. The average self-service laundromat has 2 employees or less, so this is a business where you can outsource that job even.

Running a laundromat can be rewarding and mostly hands-off, making it a popular choice among business owners. If you’re looking for a steady income with minimal daily effort, this could be the option for you.

Recommended reading: Are Laundromats Profitable? How Much Do Laundromats Make?

2. Sell printables

Digital products, such as printables, can be a great way to have a business that runs itself.

Making printables on Etsy can be a great idea because you just need to create one digital file per product, which you can then sell an unlimited number of times. This is what makes it a great passive income opportunity, plus, you can make printables without anything other than just your laptop/computer and internet connection.

Printables are digital products that customers can download and print themselves at home. Examples of printables include:

  • Grocery shopping checklists
  • Gift tags
  • Candy bar wrappers
  • Printable quotes for wall art
  • Patterns
  • Planners
  • Coloring sheets
  • Stickers

These items are designed to be easily printed from a computer or other devices, being convenient for buyers who want to customize and use them right away.

Recommended reading: How I Make Money Selling Printables On Etsy

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.

3. Blogging

Blogging can be a business that runs itself mostly, but it’s not passive, especially at the beginning. It requires a lot of hard work and can take up most of your time when you’re starting out. Over the years, I’ve automated much of my blog so that it runs with about 10 hours of maintenance from me each week.

Starting a successful blog is challenging – it’s not something everyone can easily do!

That said, learning how to start a blog has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. It’s a great way to earn semi-passive income and extra money.

I think it’s one of the best businesses that run themselves, and it’s something that I have been doing for years. I can take weeks off at a time and still earn a great income during that time.

Blogging can generate passive income because you can create a blog post (high-quality content is key) and continue to earn money from it for years. This income can come from affiliate marketing or display advertising. Unlike traditional jobs where you have to work daily to earn money, a blog allows you to make money around the clock – even while you sleep – thanks to the work you’ve already done in the past.

I have a free training that you can take – How To Start A Blog FREE Course. Want to see how I built a $5,000,000 blog? In this free course, I show you how to create a blog, from the technical side to earning your first income and attracting readers.

4. Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing is a great way to make money with a business that mostly runs itself and can make money in your sleep.

Among these businesses that practically run themselves, this one is my favorite. I’ve earned more than $2,000,000 through affiliate marketing over the years, and much of it is semi-passive. I can earn money while I’m on vacation, without internet, while I’m sleeping, and more.

Affiliate marketing is when you earn money by placing a special link on your website or social media. When people buy something through your link, you get a commission. For example, if you link to a book on Amazon (after joining the Amazon affiliate program) from your website and someone buys it through your link, you earn a commission. Companies like Amazon value good affiliates because they help promote their products and services.

You earn a commission by promoting other companies’ products or services. When someone buys through your link, you get paid.

Now, this doesn’t mean that affiliate marketing completely runs itself. You will need to write the content that draws readers in and find ways to get page views. But, once you get things started, you can earn money without always actively working for it.

Recommended reading: Affiliate Marketing Tips For Beginners – Free eBook

5. Rental real estate and rental properties

Being a property owner and managing properties can be a great way to run a business that makes money on its own.

One way to earn extra money is by listing your property on Airbnb or another short-term rental platform. You can rent out your entire house, apartment, or just a room to travelers looking for short stays.

Another way to earn money is through long-term rentals. Long-term rentals involve renting out a property for an extended period, typically six months to a year or more. For example, you might rent out an apartment or house to a family who will live there full-time.

One advantage of long-term rentals is the stable and consistent income they provide. By leasing your property to tenants for a longer duration, you establish a steady stream of rental payments. This reliability can be particularly appealing for those seeking a reliable source of passive income. Plus, managing a long-term rental is usually less demanding than a short-term rental since you don’t need to clean the property frequently or find new renters regularly.

Whether you rent out your property short-term or long-term, you can lessen your involvement by hiring a property manager to do any of the day-to-day work that may be needed. This can make your rental property business more of a hands-off business model.

Recommended reading: 23 Best Real Estate Side Hustles To Make Extra Money

6. Online courses

Creating and selling online courses can be a great way to earn passive income. Once you develop the content and put it on a platform like Teachable, it mostly takes care of itself.

With an online course, you share what you know with others. Maybe you’re good at math, photography, or playing guitar. You can turn those skills into a course.

Creating online courses is a smart way to take what you know and turn it into a business that runs almost by itself. It can be fun too, and you can help a lot of people at once.

I created Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing, my first online course, several years ago and have earned over $2,000,000 from it.

Creating a course is not the easiest way to start a business that runs itself, but it can be a great way to earn an income around the clock. Most of the work is done in the very beginning, and then there is some maintenance along the way to keep the course updated, help students, and so on.

Recommended reading: How I’ve Made Over $1,000,000 From My First Course Without a Big Launch.

7. Storage facility

Running a storage facility is a great way to have a business that can largely manage itself. Plus, this can be a steady income stream, and many storage facilities have long waiting lists and are in high demand.

Self-storage facilities are places where people store their belongings, like boxes of their keepsakes, vehicles, RVs, and more, in storage units or in a big lot.

Owning a self-storage business can be a way to earn money with low expenses. These businesses usually only need a couple of employees.

Often, when I visit a self-storage lot, it’s just the owner or one employee working, and there are very few customers around. Sometimes, no one is working and I just use a code to go in and out.

Another idea similar to this is to rent out your storage space on Neighbor.

Neighbor.com is a platform where you can rent out your space to people who need storage for their belongings such as boxes, furniture, and even cars. You can list spaces like your driveway, garage, closet, and more on Neighbor.com. It’s similar to Airbnb but for storage – no one stays overnight, just their belongings! Depending on demand in your area and the type of storage space you have, you can earn between $100 to $400 or more each month.

Recommended reading: How To Invest In Self-Storage For Beginners

8. Stock photography

Stock photography is a great way to start a business that will eventually run itself. With this type of business, you take photos and upload them to stock photo websites. When someone buys your photo, you get paid.

Once your photos are online, they can sell again and again too.

Stock photos have many different purposes for websites, companies, blogs, and more. Businesses use stock photos because they may not have the resources to photograph everything they need. Instead, they can use stock photos to improve the visual appeal of their content, website, or business.

I personally use stock photos in my blog posts, as do many others. All the photos in this article are stock photos, actually.

There are several well-known stock photo websites such as Shutterstock, iStock by Getty Images, Adobe Stock, and Dreamstime.

To sell photos on these sites, you’ll need to create a contributor account and upload your images following the site’s rules. Each time someone downloads your photos, you earn a commission.

On stock photo websites, having high-quality photos is very important, but having a larger portfolio also matters. The more pictures you have in your stock photo collection, the more potential income you can generate.

Recommended reading: 18 Ways To Get Paid To Take Pictures

9. Car washes

Running a car wash business can be a great way to earn money with minimal effort. Automatic and self-serve car washes are especially popular because they require less work to manage day-to-day.

A self-service car wash is a place where customers pay to use equipment to wash their own cars.

An automatic car wash is a place where customers drive through a tunnel where machines do all the cleaning.

Starting a car wash can be cost-effective over time. The equipment can handle many customers with little human help. You just need to check the machines and refill supplies.

10. Write ebooks

Creating ebooks can be a great way to generate passive income streams. Once you write and publish an ebook, it can keep earning you money with very little effort.

Writing a book can provide passive income because you only need to write it once, yet you can continue to earn money from it for years. While you may need to do some promotion to keep readers engaged, the writing itself is a one-time effort. This makes it possible for the income to be passive over time.

Plus, you can start by self-publishing an ebook and selling it directly on Amazon or on your own website.

11. Dropshipping

Dropshipping is a popular business model that lets you sell products without keeping any inventory. You simply partner with a supplier who ships the items directly to your customers.

Dropshipping can be a great choice because there are low start-up costs as you don’t need to buy stock or rent a warehouse. This keeps costs down at the beginning.

Plus, there’s a lot of flexibility. You can run your dropshipping business from anywhere with an internet connection. This makes it perfect for those who like to travel or work from home.

There are many different things you can sell in a dropshipping business, such as T-shirts (you could even have a print-on-demand business), home decor, mugs, kitchen tools, pet supplies, and baby items.

12. Run a membership website

Membership websites are a great way to run a business that can almost take care of itself. These are websites where people pay regularly to access exclusive content or services.

Now, these will require work and some maintenance. But, you can earn recurring income 24/7, without actively needing to work.

Plus, as more people join, your income grows without adding lots more work.

Some examples of membership sites can include running a Patreon for your YouTube channel, a stock photo membership site, a paid forum, and an online school.

13. ATM business

If you want a low-maintenance business idea that almost runs itself, you may want to look into ATMs.

ATMs can be great because they don’t need much daily work. Once set up, you just need to check them regularly and refill cash.

To start, you’ll need one or more ATM machines (these typically cost around $2,000 to $10,000), you’ll need to find locations (such as convenience stores, malls, gas stations, etc.), set up the ATM (connect it to a network), and monitor and maintain it.

You would earn money through the ATM transaction fees that people are charged when they withdraw money.

Using ATMs can be a good way to make extra money without a lot of effort. They need some work at first but can become a reliable source of income.

14. Parking lots

Parking lots can be great businesses that mostly run themselves.

People always need places to park, such as in cities, near popular venues, at airports, and at shopping centers. If you can find a good location, your parking lot can bring in steady income without much daily work from you.

To get started, all you need is a plot of land. You can set up pay stations to handle money collection. Some lots even use apps for payments, making the process easier for everyone.

And, with the right setup, you can keep things running smoothly with just occasional cleaning and repairs.

15. App development

If you have technical skills, developing and selling an app can be a way to start a business that operates autonomously.

Creating your own app, whether it’s a useful tool, a fun game, or something else, can be profitable.

Although it requires initial effort and investment, once your app is available in app stores, it can generate revenue around the clock through in-app purchases or with the initial download.

You can create mobile apps like a budget tracker, meal planner, fitness tracker, meditation guide, travel planner, and others that cater to specific needs or interests.

16. Billboards

A billboard business is a great way to make passive income. Once set up, it needs little maintenance. You can rent the advertising space to companies for their ads.

Now, building new billboards isn’t allowed everywhere, but in many places, you can still add them onto your own land or buy one that already exists. You’ll want to check local laws to know more before you begin.

Billboards require minimal upkeep, which makes it a great business that runs itself. Regular checks and occasional repairs are needed. Digital billboards need more maintenance, but they can display multiple ads and increase income.

17. Sell on Amazon

Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) allows sellers to store their products in Amazon’s warehouses. Amazon takes care of shipping to customers, handling returns, and managing customer service for the seller. This setup frees sellers from storing inventory or dealing with shipping logistics.

While you still need to find products to sell, Amazon FBA makes it possible for anyone, even without experience, to earn money selling items like household goods, toys, books, electronics, and more through their platform.

Recommended reading: How To Work From Home Selling On Amazon FBA

18. Vending machine business

A vending machine business can be a great way to earn passive income. With some initial investment and a bit of planning, you can start making money with minimal effort. Vending machines typically need minimal upkeep and the hours are low.

You can start with as little as $1,500 to $3,000, and even buy used or refurbished vending machines to save money.

Vending machines can be placed in high-traffic areas (with permission and an agreement, of course), such as schools, offices, gyms, hospitals, and more. You may need to pay 5% to 25% of your earnings to use their space.

Vending machines run on their own for the most part. You will have to refill the machines regularly and make any needed repairs.

A vending machine business can be a smart way to generate passive income while requiring little hands-on work. With the right location and products, you can see steady profits.

Recommended reading: How To Start A Vending Machine Business – How I Make $7,000 Monthly

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are thinking about having a self-running business, here are some common questions and helpful answers that might guide you in the right direction.

How can I start a business that doesn’t need me to be there all the time?

To start a business that doesn’t need you to be there all the time, I recommend finding a business model that can be easily automated. Examples include online stores using dropshipping or print-on-demand services. These models let you automate order processing and inventory management, reducing your need to be involved in daily operations. Other businesses include running a laundromat, selling printables on Etsy, blogging, rental real estate, and stock photography.

What are some top businesses known for making money while the owner sleeps?

The best businesses known for making money while the owner sleeps include rental real estate, blogging, stock photography, dropshipping, ATMs, developing an app, and selling an online course. These businesses have systems in place that handle most tasks automatically, allowing you to earn money with minimal hands-on management.

How to have a business that runs itself?

To have a business that runs itself, you need to try something like vending machines, ATMs, blogging, stock photography, dropshipping, and more. Then, you can either automate as much as you can, or outsource the hours where something needs to be done (such as refilling the vending machine).

What is the easiest business to start and run?

Among the easiest businesses to start are online stores using dropshipping, vending machines, and digital products like printables. These business ventures require low upfront investment and minimal ongoing management, making them accessible for beginners.

How do you find a self running business for sale?

To find a self-running business for sale, you can look for listings on business-for-sale websites or contact business brokers. Many websites list businesses for sale, such as BizBuySell and LoopNet. Always research and vet any business thoroughly before buying.

Businesses That Run Themselves – Summary

I hope you enjoyed this article on the best businesses that run themselves.

Self-sustaining business examples include online businesses like blogging and affiliate marketing, where you create content or promote products and enjoy passive income.

Even offline options like laundromats and car washes can be mostly self-sustaining, needing only occasional maintenance. Another good example is a vending machine business. You just put your machines in good spots and let them do the work.

Managing a rental business can be another way to have a business plan that doesn’t require a lot of active hours from you.

For me, I have a business that I work a low amount of hours and can run itself for the most part. I have automated a lot to make this possible, as well as have worked a lot of hours in the beginning. I love having a business that can run itself, as it means that I have more time for other things in life.

What do you think are the best businesses that run themselves?

Recommended reading:

Source: makingsenseofcents.com

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Categories

Real Estate

June 19, 2024
by Mark Ferguson

Finding an affordable city to buy a house can be challenging. Getting a good deal is key to my investing strategy. To help you find the best investment opportunities, here’s a list of the top ten most affordable large cities to buy houses in the US. These cities offer not only affordable housing but also promising growth prospects and quality of life.

To measure, we’ll look at housing prices and wages.

Table of Contents

Overview

Of course, a low price doesn’t necessarily mean a great deal. To learn more about finding great deals, check out my Master the Deal course.

This data is from May 2024 and comes from National Association of Realtors (NAR), the Zillow Home Value Index, U.S. Census Bureau, Local Economic Development Reports, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

There are many smaller towns that are even more affordable in many areas of the country. It may surprise many people but people making lower wages actuallty have a better shot of buying a house than many who make much more in expensive areas.

Top Ten Most Affordable Cities (Wages and House Prices)

1. Detroit, Michigan

Detroit has been making a remarkable comeback over the past decade. The city is known for its affordable housing market, with the median home price around $70,000.

The median wage in Detroit is approximately $36,000.

With ongoing revitalization projects and a growing tech scene, Detroit is becoming an attractive option for first-time homebuyers and investors alike.

2. Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland offers a blend of affordable housing and vibrant cultural life. The median home price in Cleveland is approximately $85,000.

The median wage in Cleveland is around $38,000.

The city’s diverse economy, driven by healthcare, education, and manufacturing sectors, makes it a target for real estate investment.

3. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh is another city where affordability meets opportunity, with a median home price of about $150,000.

The median wage in Pittsburgh is approximately $42,000.

Pittsburgh provides a strong job market, particularly in technology, healthcare, and education. The city’s rich history and growing infrastructure add to its appeal.

4. Indianapolis, Indiana

Indianapolis combines affordability with a high quality of life. The median home price is around $175,000.

The median wage in Indianapolis is about $44,000.

The city is known for its strong job market, excellent schools, and vibrant cultural scene. Indianapolis may be ideal for families and investors seeking long-term growth.

5. Buffalo, New York

Buffalo is experiencing a resurgence, with a median home price of approximately $130,000.

The median wage in Buffalo is around $40,000.

The city’s affordable cost of living, coupled with its robust job market in healthcare and education, makes it an attractive place for homebuyers.

6. Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis offers an affordable housing market with a median home price of about $120,000.

The median wage in Memphis is approximately $37,000.

Known for its rich musical heritage and vibrant culture, Memphis also boasts a strong economy driven by transportation, healthcare, and education sectors.

7. Birmingham, Alabama

Birmingham combines affordability with economic growth. The median home price is around $160,000.

The median wage in Birmingham is about $38,000.

The city’s economy is diverse, with strong sectors in finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. Birmingham’s southern charm and historical significance make it a desirable place to live.

8. Kansas City, Missouri

Kansas City offers affordable housing with a median home price of approximately $190,000.

The median wage in Kansas City is around $45,000.

The city is known for its robust job market, particularly in the finance, healthcare, and engineering sectors. Kansas City’s thriving arts scene and friendly community add to its appeal.

9. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Oklahoma City provides affordable housing with a median home price of about $160,000.

The median wage in Oklahoma City is approximately $40,000.

The city has a growing economy driven by energy, aerospace, and biotechnology industries. Oklahoma City’s low cost of living and family-friendly environment make it an excellent place to buy a home.

10. St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis rounds out our list with a median home price of around $150,000.

The median wage in St. Louis is about $41,000.

The city offers a diverse economy with strong healthcare, education, and manufacturing sectors. St. Louis’ rich history, cultural attractions, and affordable housing market make it an interesting place to invest.

This table summarizes the information here. The Affordability Ratio is the wages divided by home price. The higher the Affordability Ratio, the more affordable.

City Median Home Price Median Wage Affordability Ratio
Detroit, Michigan $70,000 $36,000 0.51
Cleveland, Ohio $85,000 $38,000 0.45
Buffalo, New York $130,000 $40,000 0.31
Memphis, Tennessee $120,000 $37,000 0.31
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania $150,000 $42,000 0.28
St. Louis, Missouri $150,000 $41,000 0.27
Indianapolis, Indiana $175,000 $44,000 0.25
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma $160,000 $40,000 0.25
Birmingham, Alabama $160,000 $38,000 0.24
Kansas City, Missouri $190,000 $45,000 0.24

Conclusion

These ten cities offer some of the most affordable housing markets in the US, each with its unique blend of economic opportunities, cultural attractions, and quality of life. Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or an investor looking for promising real estate markets, these cities provide a great starting point.

What do you think of this list? Let me know in the comments below.

Source: investfourmore.com

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Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations.

For many Americans, one of the best ways to get closer to their ideal annual income is to learn how to make money online. 

According to a 2024 study from Smart Asset, individual Americans need an annual salary of $96,500 to live comfortably in a major city, and families with two children need to make about $235,000.

However, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently reported that the weekly median earnings for Americans was $1,139. This makes the median annual salary a little less than $60,000—far below the annual cost of living in many cities. 

Some leverage the thriving “gig economy,” where you find contracted gigs in a virtual marketplace, and others generate passive income. Regardless of your skill set and interests, you’re sure to find something that works for you.

We put together a list of 27 different ways you can make money from home to supplement your income. You’ll also learn what it takes to get started and whether or not it’s right for you.

1. Find miscellaneous freelance jobs 

A great place to start when learning how to make money online is by looking at platforms that offer a wide range of work. Before diving into the rest of the list, it’s helpful to know about popular platforms like Upwork and Fiverr. Every day, people and companies post jobs you may be perfect for.

At these sites, you can type in some of your various skills to see if any jobs are available. You can also create a detailed profile marketing your skills so people can find you more easily and offer you work.

Best for: People with a wide range of skills.

What you need to get started: Skills will vary depending on the specific job.

2. Take online surveys

Many companies out there want to get opinions from specific demographics and will pay you to take these surveys. While these don’t pay as much as many of the other options on the list, they also don’t take that long to do, so they are a simple way to make extra money. You can sign up to take these surveys at websites like Survey Junkie or Swagbucks.

Best for: Anyone with access to the internet.

What you need to get started: Access to a web browser.

3. Perform data entry

Data entry is a skill that many people can learn if they don’t already have experience. Doing data entry typically involves inputting data from different sources into a spreadsheet. Sometimes, you can find businesses looking for long-term workers, which can offer a little more stability than finding “gig work.” In addition to sites like Upwork and Fiverr, you can find data entry work at TechSpeed and Oworkers.

Best for: Well-organized individuals.

What you need to get started: Some proficiency with spreadsheet programs like Excel and Google Sheets.

4. Become an online tutor

For teachers looking for online side hustles, becoming an online tutor is a great option. Even if you’re not a teacher, you may be able to find some subjects that you can help students with. The platforms that link tutors with students usually cover school subjects like math, English, foreign languages, writing, and more. You can sign up to tutor on websites like TutorMe, Skooli, and Preply.

Best for: Those who love to teach.

What you need to get started: Experience teaching and expertise in the subject matter.

5. Be a virtual assistant

Many businesses of all sizes need additional help, so they hire virtual assistants. Virtual assistant tasks can vary depending on the gig. Some of these opportunities may be for one day of work, but others may need help for longer stretches of time. 

These may pay you per job or per hour, and you can find these gigs on any freelance website. As of 2024, the average hourly rate for virtual assistants is $24 per hour and can be upward of almost $34 per hour.

Best for: People with a wide range of skills.

What you need to get started: Skills will vary depending on the specific job, but some skills can be helpful for many gigs like project management, organization skills, and data entry.

6. Get paid for your perspective

Focus groups are a key aspect of marketing, but it’s no longer just for new products hitting store shelves. In the digital age, companies are looking for people to review the user experience for their websites. 

Sites like UserTesting pay you to share your opinions about different products from a variety of different brands. There are also sites like Userbrain that allow you to test different websites, applications, and software.

Best for: Individuals who like sharing their opinions.

What you need to get started: Access to a web browser.

7. Rent out your stuff

Do you have things that you don’t mind renting out? Well, websites like FriendWithA connect you with people who are looking to rent various items. Some of the main items people rent include cameras and film equipment, tools, generators, bikes, and other items people may only need for a day or two.

Best for: People with items they aren’t regularly using.

What you need to get started: Items in good condition to rent.

8. Rent out a room

In addition to apps like Uber, Airbnb is one of the most popular platforms in the new “sharing economy.” Many people use Airbnb as an alternative to hotels while traveling, but some people need a room to rent for longer periods. 

Joining a platform like Airbnb allows you to make use of the extra room in your home for both travelers and long-term renters.

Best for: People with an extra room or home.

What you need to get started: A well-maintained room or home.

9. Sell used items

Selling used items is one of the best ways to make money because we all have things we no longer use. You no longer need to have a garage sale to sell your old items because there are platforms that can help you find buyers. There’s a long list of platforms that allow you to sell your used items like: 

One of the primary advantages is that you’re no longer limited to your neighborhood and can reach a larger pool of potential buyers. If you have unique novelty items you’re willing to sell, you may want to consider a platform like eBay, where people are regularly looking for hard-to-find items. This is also a great way for kids to make extra money by selling old toys.

Some of these sites are also a great way to make money fast online because they have quick payouts once an item is sold. If the buyer is local, you can get paid the same day.

Best for: Those with old items they no longer need.

What you need to get started: Supplies to ship orders or transportation to deliver locally.

10. Sell graphic design services

There’s no shortage of graphic design jobs, and you can find these jobs through freelance websites or directly with businesses. Many businesses of all sizes need people who can design advertisements, logos, and more. If you’re a graphic designer, it may be a good idea to create a website that hosts a portfolio of your work where people can contact you directly as well.

Although it’s helpful if you have a background in graphic design, you can learn many graphic design skills on your own. There are many helpful tutorials for popular programs like Photoshop on YouTube and other social media sites.

Best for: Graphic designers.

What you need to get started: Graphic design software.

11. Create online courses

Is there something you know quite a bit about that you can teach to others? If so, you can create and sell online courses. From work-related topics to yoga to parenting strategies, offering classes for something you are a subject matter expert in can help you make money while doing something you love! Some of the best websites to sell your courses include Udemy, Skillshare, and Teachable.

You may want to familiarize yourself with online course platforms because they are a great resource to broaden your skills. If you’re willing to invest some time and a little money, there are many courses to teach you new skills that you can turn into more ways to make money online.

Best for: Those who love to teach.

What you need to get started: Expertise in the subject matter you want to teach.

12. Self-publish books

There are many ways for writers to make money online, and writing books is easier than ever. You no longer need to go through a publisher to make money selling books. Today, there are many different websites that allow you to self-publish and sell your books. 

The most popular site is Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), but you can also sell your books on websites like Apple, Google Play books, Kobo, and more. If you have a microphone, you can turn your books into audiobooks as a way to make even more money from your writing.

Best for: Writers.

What you need to get started: Writing software.

13. Start a blog

Blogging became big as a way to make extra money online in the early days of the internet, and it’s still very viable. The great thing about blogging is that you can write about anything you’re interested in and just need to find others who are interested in the same topic. 

There are different ways to make money from a blog. You can create your own website and sell Google Ad space or find sponsors. You can also use platforms like Medium, which has a built-in audience, and you can earn revenue as more people read your posts.

Best for: Those who like to write.

What you need to get started: Writing skills and knowledge about a topic.

14. Do freelance writing

Although many news outlets and websites have dedicated journalists, there is also a lot of work out there for freelance writing. Some of the biggest websites out there, from the Washington Post to the New York Times, take submissions from freelance writers. 

One of the best ways to find freelance writing work is by following editors on X (formerly known as Twitter). They’ll often post asking for people who can write on a specific topic. Sometimes, these gigs will pay hundreds of dollars for a single article. If you’re a fast writer and can write articles within a couple of hours, you could earn an hourly rate of $100 an hour or more.

If there’s a specific website you’d like to write for, just check and see if they have a page that tells you how to submit pitches for articles. Keep in mind that each publication pays different rates, and sometimes, the work can be inconsistent.

Best for: Writers.
What you need to get started: Writing software.

15. Find voice-over work

There are many people looking for voice-over work in advertisements, presentations, or audiobooks. If you can read a script, there may be people out there who will hire you for your voice work. Freelance platforms like Upwork often have miscellaneous voiceover job postings, but you can make more with longer-form content.

ACX is the platform Amazon’s Audible uses for authors to find people to read their audiobooks. The prices vary, but you can sometimes make significantly more there than on the freelance websites.

Best for: Anyone with a great voice.

What you need to get started: A microphone with good quality.

16. Sell arts and crafts

There are many different marketplaces online for those who love making arts and crafts. One of the most popular marketplaces is Etsy, and there’s a market for just about anything you enjoy making. You can make your own prices, and the platform takes a small percentage of the sale. 

Best for: Creatives and artists.

What you need to get started: Materials to create items.

17. Sell stock photography and videos

Have you ever wondered where websites get their high-quality photos or videos? Many of them don’t have in-house photographers or videographers. They buy stock photos and stock video footage for a variety of projects. 

For those who love photography and videography, there are a variety of websites that will buy your photos and videos. Websites like SmugMug Pro, 500px, Getty Images, and many others will pay you for the rights to your photos and videos.

Best for: Photographers and videographers.

What you need to get started: A camera.

18. Sell royalty-free music

Similar to photography and videography, many websites will pay you for your music. This type of music goes in the background of YouTube videos, advertisements, and anywhere else people may need some background music. Websites like Epidemic Sound and Pond5 are good places to start when it comes to selling your tunes.

Best for: Musicians.

What you need to get started: Instruments and recording equipment. Royalty and licensing information is available on the websites.

19. Create an e-commerce website

There are many websites that allow you to sell your product, but each one takes a percentage of the profits for using their platform. You can keep a larger portion of your profits by creating an e-commerce website. 

When you create your own website, you’ll hold onto most of the profits. One of the most popular ways to sell is with Shopify, which easily plugs into your website. Shopify and similar services have fees as well, but it’s less than using a platform like Etsy.

The primary downside is that marketplaces like Etsy have a built-in user base, so you would have to do your own marketing to get the word out about your website.

Best for: People with something to sell who want a larger portion of the profits.

What you need to get started: The ability to create a website.

20. Utilize affiliate links

Affiliate links are a way to make additional money that work in conjunction with many of the other jobs on this list. An affiliate link is a special link that you use for a product or service from a company, and each time someone uses your link, you get a commission. This is how many stay-at-home parents popularized blogging in the 2000s. You can easily make passive income by using affiliate links with any of the following:

  • Personal blogs and websites
  • Social media profiles and content
  • Podcasts

In an interview with Business Insider, creative entrepreneur and YouTuber Roberto Blake explained how he started making $5,000 a month from affiliate marketing. “I fell into affiliate marketing from the Amazon affiliate program, but then I realized a lot of subscriptions and software I was using had programs, too,” said Blake while discussing additional ways to do affiliate marketing.

Best for: Those who also make money from creating a platform like a blog, YouTube channel, or podcast.

What you need to get started: Discussing other products and services that you can link to.

21. Edit audio or video

There are many different job postings on freelance websites for audio and video editing. Many companies find freelancers through sites like Upwork and Fiverr to help them with their marketing content.

In addition to companies hiring audio and video editors, many social media influencers on platforms like YouTube and TikTok outsource their editing. Podcasters often hire audio editors as well. 

This is another one of the skills that you can potentially learn if you don’t have experience yet.

Best for: People who enjoy editing audio and video.

What you need to get started: Software to edit audio and video.

22. Edit copy

People are always looking for editors. Whether it’s an author looking for someone to edit their next book or a company that needs an editor for something they’re publishing for the public, people need their words to look excellent. Previously mentioned websites like Upwork and Fiverr regularly have jobs for editors, but you can also find work at Reedsy and Wordvice.

Best for: Those who love language.

What you need to get started: Familiarity with the English language and various types of grammar rules, such as Chicago or AP style.

23. Become a social media influencer

Currently, it’s easier than ever to make money online through social media platforms. Platforms like YouTube and TikTok pay creators directly through their creator programs. Typically, you have to meet certain criteria to be eligible for these programs, but some people make hundreds or even thousands of dollars each month through them.

If you’re an online business owner, a writer, or anyone who sells products or services, social media is a great way to find new buyers. On these platforms, you can provide links to your products, and you can also include affiliate links as a way to earn even more.

Best for: People who don’t mind being on camera.

What you need to get started: Some or all of the following: a camera, smartphone, and editing software.

24. Start a podcast

Podcasting is an easy way to start making content that could potentially make you money. You have a lot of creative freedom with podcasts as well. You can talk about topics that you’re interested in, tell stories, or interview people. Then, you can broadcast it to thousands or even millions of potential listeners on apps like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

It can take some time to make money from podcasting. Unlike social media platforms like YouTube or TikTok, podcasting platforms don’t have a program to pay creators. Podcasters primarily make their money from advertisements and affiliate links. Once you have a dedicated audience, you can reach out to companies to sell ad space on your podcast.

Best for: People who enjoy talking.

What you need to get started: A microphone and audio-editing software.

25. Create a newsletter

Newsletters were some of the first ways for people to make money online. Services like Mailchimp and others allow you to create an email list and send a newsletter out to your subscribers. 

The newsletter can be as frequent as you’d like, you can discuss different topics that interest you, and you can put it behind a paywall on your website. Substack is a newer platform that combines blogging with newsletters, and you can charge readers a monthly or annual subscription. This is a helpful tool for those who don’t want to build their own website.

You can also use a newsletter as a way to promote your online business and alert your customers of new products or discounts.

Anne Janzer is a self-published author and discusses how she uses her newsletter to sell more books. “When I have something new going on, I can go and ask those folks, ‘Hey, can you share the word about this?’ and they’re the first ones to go out and post about my new book,” Janzer said in an interview about how her newsletter leads to more sales.

Best for: Writers and people with an online business.
What you need to get started: The ability to write.

26. Walk or board dogs

If you’re a dog lover, this may be the right option for you. There are apps like Wag and Rover that connect dog walkers with people, but you can board dogs as well. For those who rent, you may need your landlord’s approval before boarding dogs, but this is a great option for those who want to make money from home.

Both Wag and Rover offer additional dog services for those with other dog specialties. These include:

  • Drop-in visits to check on dogs while the owner is away
  • Dog training
  • Dog sitting

Best for: People who love dogs.

What you need to get started: Possibly transportation to get to clients and a home that allows pets if you choose to board them.

27. Trade stocks

This path of making money from home is on the riskier side, but it can also come with higher rewards. The difference between investing and day trading stocks is that investments are long term, whereas trading involves buying and selling stocks on a daily basis. 

To make money trading stocks, you’ll need to stay updated on all of the latest stock news and learn when to buy and sell properly. There’s a learning curve to trading stocks, but some people make full-time income trading stocks through brokerages like Charles Schwab, Vanguard, or Robinhood.

Best for: People with a high risk tolerance.

What you need to get started: Before trading, you’ll want to learn as much as you can about various stocks and how to read the market to minimize losses. Then, you need a computer to trade, or you can trade on apps like Robinhood.

Making money online can help you pay off your debts

If you have a lot of debt, allocating funds from your paycheck can be difficult. Making money online is a great way to earn extra income that you can put toward your debts and potentially improve your credit. Some people are even able to make more money online than they would in an office job.

Having a good credit score is also a way to get access to credit cards and loans. You can use these to fund your online business or better equipment. This all starts with knowing your credit health and having the right tools. 

At Credit.com, you can get your free credit report card to check your credit. Sign up for ExtraCredit for additional tools like credit monitoring and ways to report additional payments to the major credit bureaus.

Source: credit.com

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Inside: Dream about what life could be if you didn’t have a job? If you are in the boat of I don’t want to work anymore, then you must read this post.

The reality is most people have days where they absolutely have no desire to work. Yet, you know deep down that you have to make money in order to pay your bills.

You are thinking… I don’t want a job I just want a life.

So, what happens when you don’t want to work anymore?

Well, if you don’t want to go to work today, you could take a sick day and get away with it. You can do that here and there for a while, but unfortunately, your employer is going to catch up to the quality of work that you are able to do or not do.

At this point you might be saying, you know I don’t want a job, I just want a life.

And that is very understandable if you don’t want to work in a field anymore job that you don’t love.

You want time freedom in your life!!

We will dive into the reasons for not wanting to work and how to overcome them when you need the money.

What to do if I don’t want to work?

The best thing to do is to find a job that you love and want to do on a daily basis!

Something that you can’t wait to go to work to be able to do. A way to make money that doesn’t feel like a job!

Unfortunately, too many of us feel we cannot do what we want to do when we want to do it. Thus, we want more out of life.

In this post, we are going to detail. If you don’t want to work anymore, what steps can you take to quit the job and live the life that you want?

Is it normal to not want to work?

I think each and every one of us has a desire not to work. Maybe you are thinking “I hate my job.”

This desire to work may ebb and flow based on what is going on, how you are feeling, and your current situation.

Especially if you are in a situation where you do not enjoy your boss, your co-workers, the company culture, or the current assignment, it will make going to work harder.

Whatever your job entails, if you are not enjoying what you’re doing, it is harder and harder to go to work on work every day.

As you can read on Reddit personal finance threads, there are plenty of people who have shared their stories about how they don’t want to work, seeking solace from others, and looking for ways to get out of the current situation that they’re in.

Also, if you are thinking that I can never make it until I am 55 then think about retirement. You are just sick of working and you may be in your 20s, 30s, or 40s.

It is okay to dream about not working daily!

Why We Don’t Want to Work

There are several reasons for not wanting to work.

Primarily many people do not feel engaged at their jobs, which makes them less likely to want to continue working. Gallup found that only 15% of employees feel engaged at work.1

In addition, there is an increasing amount of competition in the workforce as well as a lack of clear career paths and advancement opportunities for those who desire more freedom or flexibility with their careers. This can lead someone to think about becoming self-employed or going into a different field.

There are many reasons for not wanting to work.

People on Reddit share their stories about how they don’t want to work anymore. Some are still in school, some are retired, and others have other reasons for not wanting to work.

We all have heard about the Great Resignation with people saying “enough is enough; I don’t want to go back to work.”

1. Burnout

Burnout is when an employee begins to feel exhausted and overwhelmed by their job. They do not want to be there anymore and it negatively impacts the happiness of both the individual and their work environment.

If you want to stop working, it is okay!

Just make sure you can still be financially independent.

2. Not enjoying your job

Many people wake up and say, “I don’t really want to do the work today.” If you are not enjoying your job, it is harder and harder to go in every day.

People don’t want to work because they feel like they’re working more than is necessary, or there’s no meaning behind their job anymore.

If you find yourself not enjoying your job, it might be time to leave. Many people experience dissatisfaction with their jobs and want to retire early.

Many times this is when people leave their jobs and find success is the best revenge.

3. Mental Health

Mental health issues can be caused by outside factors, such as stress and anxiety, and can lead to feelings of wanting to avoid work.

For many, the idea of going to work can feel overwhelming and lead to feelings of anxiety and dread. It is also essential to take a step back and assess the quality of your mental health.

If this is something you have been struggling with, it is important to think about why you are feeling this way and take steps to address it.

If this persists, it is important to seek professional help. Visiting a therapist or counselor can help you identify the root causes of your negative feelings and develop a plan to overcome them. In many cases, your workplace may even cover the cost of therapy, so you don’t have to worry about paying out-of-pocket.

This is one of the good excuses to miss work.

4. Lack of Interest

When you find yourself feeling like you don’t want to work anymore, it’s important to take some time to examine the reasons why and identify potential solutions.

  • It could be that you’ve been in the same job for a long time and need a change of scenery.
  • Maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed and undervalued by your current role.
  • Possibly you have other things that are taking president and you don’t have the same level of interest.

Whatever the source of your feelings, they need to be addressed.

5. Support System

Friends and family can be a great source of support, offering advice and understanding. However, if they do not believe in you, it can make it even harder to find motivation.

On top of that, if you have family obligations such as childcare, it can be difficult to make the time to work or even to access the necessary resources.

Talking to your loved ones about your feelings and concerns is a great first step in getting through this tough time.

One of these family emergency excuses could help you in a pinch.

6. Lack of Appreciation

It can be incredibly disheartening to work hard and not be appreciated.

It’s easy to become discouraged and feel like you don’t want to work anymore if you’re putting in the effort and not being recognized.

When this happens it’s important to remember that you are valuable and your work does matter. It’s also important to talk to someone about how you’re feeling, whether that be a friend, family member, or therapist.

You just want someone to say to you, “I appreciate you!”

7. Thinking of Career Change

If you find yourself in a position where you don’t want to work for weeks on end, it’s important to figure out why. Are you having a hard time at your current job or do you no longer wish to pursue a career? If it’s the latter, it can be freeing to consider all the possible career changes you can make.

Many people don’t want to work anymore because:

  • they don’t want to pursue a career in corporate America
  • tired of the same job they’ve been doing for years
  • don’t want to continue vying for raises, bonuses, or promotions

It’s okay to dream about something else, something fresh and different.

You may find yourself researching other opportunities to put your skillset to use.

9. More Interest in Hobby to Turn into Side Hustle

For many people, having a side hustle is a great way to make extra money, explore a passion, and turn a hobby into something productive and profitable.

If you find yourself no longer wanting to go to work and feeling more fulfilled in your hobbies, it may be time to pursue a side hustle.

You can monetize your hobby and create a side gig to give yourself a new source of income.

This will provide you with the freedom to pursue what you’re interested in and make a living from it. It can also give you the option to quit your job and explore other areas of your life.

10. Wanting to make money passively

Making money passively is a goal that many people desire, but it can be hard to turn into reality.

While it is possible to make money passively in the stock market, real estate, or a small business, one can also earn passive income by doing any type of side hustle.

It is better to find ways to make passive income from something you enjoy.

You need to figure out what should I do for a living that will make passive income.

How do you make a living if you don’t want to work?

If you don’t want to work, you still need to find a way to make a living.

Passive income is the most effective way of making money without working.

It allows you to work on your business or hobby full-time and then withdraw a certain amount every month that helps pay for all of your expenses, including food, rent/mortgage, etc.

So, your first step is to create a passive income source.

If you don’t, then don’t say, “I don’t want to do the work today.”

In fact, there are many good excuses to miss work.

Can I survive without working?

Well, that completely depends on your financial situation. (Since most people are not aware of where they stand financially, here are the Money Bliss Steps to help you.)

If you are lucky enough to be a trust fund baby with somebody else managing your money, you are likely fine and can survive without working.

However, if you are like most normal folk, then you may be able to survive for a little bit without working. But over time, it will catch up to you. Not working is not a long-term solution.

While you may be on unemployment and collecting unemployment benefits, or maybe even disability payments that are not enough to make ends meet. In most cities, you can survive in the short term without working. But in the long term, it is not going to work out for you.

If you are serious about not wanting to work, you need to find the FIRE movement, which means financial independence retire early.

That is a better term for not wanting to work anymore. When you want to quit the job and do something else in life, you have to do what is called FIRE.

5 Simple Steps To Quit the Job

To quit the job or the career path that you were in, you have to take steps ahead of time to make sure that your transition (financially) is as smooth as possible.

The biggest question is how can I make money if I don’t want to work ever.

You set aside money to take care of your obligations and bills while being able to live the life that you want to live. That means you have more types of income than just a paycheck.

These are the exact steps you need to take to quit the job. Obviously, it won’t happen overnight. But, you can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

1. Make an Exit Plan

First, you have to make a plan of how finances will work without a typical paycheck. You need to learn how to FI quickly.

In order to retire early or quit the job, you must be able to financially support yourself without a consistent income coming in from a regular paycheck.

Specifically, it means you need to find ways to make passive income. That could be in the stock market, real estate, small business, side hustle hobby, or driving for Uber. There are a variety of different ways to make money; it is just better to find ways to make money doing something you enjoy.

One of the things you will quickly realize is that to make money passively, you must have money on hand to invest. That is the “Catch 22” of why people get caught in the cycle of it being too difficult to change their financial position and just give up.

If you don’t like your job and you don’t want to work anymore, then you need the mindset that something is gonna change, you are gonna make it a reality.

It will be hard for a short period of time to save up the money necessary to build the steps to be able to quit working or FIRE, but you might be surprised how you can double $10k quickly when you put your mind to it.

Motivation is a great thing, especially given the right circumstances.

Related Answers:

2. Save Money

If you don’t want to work anymore, then you have to save money to cover your bills. Period.

There is no way to get around that situation.

Your friends and family are not going to pick up the slack just because you want to quit your job.

So, you have to find all of the possible ways to save money. A great place to start is with one of our money saving challenges.

Another great way to save more money is by changing your habits.

In order to “retire early,” you must save a majority of your income at an early age
to gain the benefit of compounding early. If you are thinking, “Well shoot, I missed that bucket,” then don’t worry … now is better to start than waiting too long.

Things only look up from here!

3. Cut Expenses

You have to be able to live below your means.

If you’re not interested in your job or the career that you are currently in and you don’t want to work anymore, then you need to cut your expenses in order to save more money.

One of the wisest tricks of the FIRE community is becoming a thrifty person. You know when to spend money on quality items as well as you know when to save
money on frivolous expenses.

4. Pick a date.

As with any smart financial goal, you need to put a deadline on when you want things to happen.

If you are not happy with your job and your depression isn’t worth it anymore, then you have to find a date to move on and do something else.

Obviously, you’ll need some of these FIRE calculators to learn how much you need to make your dream a reality.

that happen. Here are some of the best fire calculators that you can find, to learn, how much you need to quit your job.

5. Start Hustling

Let’s face it, 2020 changed the workplace as well as our priorities. Honestly, I think it was for the better. We all realize there is more to life than just the constant line of being busy.

In addition, many of us found the extra time that we can now put to work and start to make money.

It is easier to work when you have a target goal in mind of not working anymore. You must start saving money to put to work passively.

Below you will find ideas to help you search out the best serious ways to make more money. The last thing you want to do is learn what happens when you don’t save enough for retirement.

When You Don’t Want to Work Anymore

In this post, we answered the question of how can I make money if I don’t want to work.

The secret sauce is called passive income.

You must earn money on your investments. So, yes, now is a good time to invest in stocks.

There are many ways to make passive income; it could be in the swing trading the stock market, real estate, a business venture, a side hustle, or simply long-term investing.

Unless you are massively independently wealthy and part of the 1%, with millions of dollars that you do not know what to do with, then you will want to make some money on your nest egg that you create over time.

If you are saying, “I just want a life,” then stop waiting for the magic time for your retirement. You don’t have to wait until the retirement age of 65 years old.

You are in charge of your life and can make it happen… if you put your mind to it.

Source

  1. Gallup. “What Is Employee Engagement and How Do You Improve It?” https://www.gallup.com/workplace/285674/improve-employee-engagement-workplace.aspx#:~:text=Based%20on%20over%2050%20years,in%20the%20%22engaged%22%20category. Accessed March 11, 2024.

Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!

Did the post resonate with you?

More importantly, did I answer the questions you have about this topic? Let me know in the comments if I can help in some other way!

Your comments are not just welcomed; they’re an integral part of our community. Let’s continue the conversation and explore how these ideas align with your journey towards Money Bliss.

Source: moneybliss.org

Apache is functioning normally

You know that cool girl whose perfectly curated apartment reflects her vibe to a T? Every piece of decor goes together seamlessly, and her space feels entirely unique to her. We all strive to be that girl, but more often than not, sourcing decor that reflects your individual style and personality is more challenging than it seems. It can feel like you’re constantly removing stuff from your cart because it’s way out of budget, not totally your style, or so basic you feel like you’ve seen it a million times before. No shade to more popular retailers, but if you’re only shopping at the same few home decor stores as everyone else, you’re never going to find pieces that really feel extraordinary. If you’re ready to refresh your shopping habits, keep reading for nine under-the-radar home decor stores where cool girls are shopping.

Urban Outfitters may be a spot you usually turn to for clothes, but their home decor section shouldn’t be overlooked. From investment-worthy pieces like high-quality wood furniture to small, quirky knickknacks, there’s a huge range of home items with plenty of personality to fill your space. It’s a great place to shop if you love trying out new trends and unexpected styles.

If you want pieces that look chic and on-trend but don’t cost a fortune, H&M’s home section is the place to shop. They have tons of minimalist pieces with a high-end look but without the hefty price tag. Whether you want to refresh your bedding, invest in some new artwork, or snag some accessories to bump up your bookshelf wealth, you’re sure to find something you’re obsessed with.

You might be familiar with the Museum of Modern Art as a tourist attraction, but the MoMA Design Store is a hidden gem full of all sorts of artsy decor pieces. The MoMA’s curatorial department selects the items they sell, so you know you’re getting high-quality, well-designed pieces. This retailer is the ideal source if you like to collect unique pieces that you haven’t seen anywhere else.

You may be familiar with Chip and Joanna Gaines’s Hearth & Hand collection at Target, but their best designs are sold directly through the Magnolia brand’s site. Think less modern farmhouse and more moody cottagecore. In addition to vintage-style decor and furniture that looks like you sourced it from a flea market, you can also find authentic, one-of-a-kind antiques in their Found + Collected section. For anyone who loves a cozy, collected-over-time look, this is about to be your new go-to.

Zara has been a go-to for fashion girlies for years, but the retailer’s home decor division doesn’t get the same hype. Head to the Zara Home site to find all sorts of products ranging from kitchen and dining essentials to decorative accessories to accent furniture. Almost everything boasts an affordable price tag and a chic contemporary look that’s definitely cool girl-approved.

If you want truly individualistic pieces no one else will have, Etsy is the spot. The site has literally anything your interior design-loving heart might desire: affordable artwork, authentic vintage finds, handmade pieces from independent artists, and beyond. Plus, many sellers let you personalize their items, so you can get something completely one-of-a-kind.

You may recognize some Terrain pieces from its sister store, Anthropologie, but they have even more incredible decor to shop at their own URL. The home and garden brand has many bright, fun pieces to add a pop of color to your space. It’s one of the best home decor stores to shop if you love garden-inspired pieces with lots of florals.

If you need to find prints to fill a gallery wall, Society6 is the place to look. The online marketplace sells artwork from over 450,000 independent artists, so the odds of finding something for your space are very much in your favor. Also, if you fall in love with one design, you can often find the same artwork on prints on throw pillows, trays, blankets, and more.

9. Local small businesses

Local small businesses are arguably the best place to find high-quality decor that isn’t a dime a dozen. Your neighborhood boutiques, vintage shops, and thrift stores will have a wide selection of pieces you can’t find at larger retailers. You’ll also be supporting the local economy and often purchasing secondhand. I mean, what’s cooler than being able to answer the “Where did you get that?” question with “I thrifted it.” If you aren’t sure how to find good small businesses near you, turn to social media to do some recon. Comb through hometown influencers or bloggers to see who they tag, or simply take a Saturday to go exploring! You can also find places through Facebook Marketplace (small businesses and pop-up shops often post items there) or ask your friends and family to see if they have any recommendations.

Source: theeverygirl.com