Nowadays, only 78% percent of U.S. homes subscribe to a pay-TV service of some kind, down 8% percent in five years. And according to the most recent data from market tracker S&P Global Market, 1.1 million subscribers cut the cord in the third quarter of 2018._[1]

If you’re considering canceling cable TV, you may still want to use something else instead of it. If that’s the case, there are some alternatives that will help you save money and let you only pay for the channels you want to watch.

9 Cable TV Alternatives to Consider

If you’re looking to replace your cable, these are some of the best options. Note that you’ll still need to have internet service to use most of them. You will also need a way to stream the services. SmartTVs, Roku, Chromecast, or Apple TV are compatible with most of these.

These cable alternatives range from free to $50+ a month, so you can choose the ones that match your budget and channel preferences.

Related: How to Get Free Cable TV: Best Alternatives to Paying for Cable

1. Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video is a streaming service like Netflix or Hulu, but you can also add extra channels from HBO, Showtime, and Starz. Amazon’s original content is notable with shows like “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and Oscar-winning movies like “Manchester by the Sea.”

Prime Video is included with an Amazon Prime Membership, or you can purchase it separately for $8.99 per month if you purchase an annual subscription. You can also pay for an Amazon Prime membership for $12.99 per month, which will include Amazon Video. This is a good option if you just want to binge “Fleabag” and then cancel your subscription.

Going a-la-carte may not make sense when you can pay for an Amazon Prime membership for $119 a year — that’s only $11.22 more than paying monthly for Prime Video.

Related: How to Get Free Amazon Prime

2. Sling TV

Sling TV is a cable replacement service that offers more traditional channel options than other services. There are two separate Sling TV packages, Orange and Blue. They each cost $30 a month, or you can buy both for $45. Each offers different channels. For example, Sling Orange includes ESPN while Sling Blue includes Fox and FS1. Both include TNT, CNN, and AMC.

Depending on where you live, you can also stream select local channels on-demand and live. Sling also offers add-on options starting at $5 such as cloud DVR, sports channels, and kids programming. This allows you to tailor your viewing experience and pay for what you actually watch.

3. Netflix

Arguably the most well-known alternative to cable TV is Netflix. It offers lots of popular on-demand TV shows and movies, and plans start as low as $8.99 per month.

One of the great things about Netflix is that you can share it with family or friends. It offers options for multiple screens so you can split the membership and save money. The cost for two screens is $12.99 a month and you can get four screens for $15.99 a month, which also includes Ultra HD (4K) video. You can cancel at any time.

The content is constantly changing as new shows and movies are added. Netflix also produces original content such as “The Irishman,” “The Witcher,” and “Grace and Frankie.”

Related: How to Watch Netflix for Free

4. Hulu

Of all the alternatives to cable TV, Hulu offers the best of both worlds — a live TV option with cable channels and streaming service. Hulu’s basic package starts at $5.99 per month and includes all the movies and TV shows in the library. However, you’ll have to sit through commercials.

The commercial-free option is $11.99 per month. For $54.99 per month, you can get the Hulu library and live TV. For $60.99 a month, you get Hulu and live TV with no commercials. You can also add on premium channels like HBO, Cinemax, Starz, and Showtime, and those prices range from $8.99 to $14.99 extra per month.

5. Local channels

Try getting a digital converter box or an antenna if you only want to watch local or public access channels. This will allow your TV to pick up the main local channels without having to pay for cable or satellite.

Antennas have come a long way from rabbit ears. Now that local channels broadcast in HD, you won’t have to sacrifice picture quality. While you won’t get as good of a picture as you would using a cable line, it should be enough to watch local channels with minimal issues.

Before you go this route, check out antennaweb.org for a list of channels that you can pick up with an antenna in your area. The best part about this option is that once you pay for the antenna and digital converter box, there’s no additional cost or monthly charge.

6. Apps for your favorite channels

If you have a Smart TV or a streaming device like a Roku stick, you can download apps for your favorite channels such as FX or HGTV. Many apps let you stream one or two recent episodes of their most popular shows via the app for free.

The episodes tend to change regularly, in some cases every week. This could be enough if you want to watch the occasional episode of “House Hunters.”

This option can be good to pair with an antenna since you still get some of your favorite cable shows at no additional cost. You can also get the apps for the main networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, and CW) and watch episodes of popular shows after they’ve aired.

Going this route means you won’t need a DVR to catch up on shows you’re following since new episodes are available for several days after they air.

7. YouTube

There are many classic shows and movies available for free on YouTube.

YouTube has also started producing original content and offers it with a subscription option. YouTube Premium comes with a one-month free trial. After that, it costs $11.99 a month and includes YouTube originals as well as ad-free music, which is available offline.

YouTube has also joined the ranks of services that offer alternatives to cable TV. For $49.99 a month, YouTubeTV offers live TV channels including local sports and news — no box required.

You get six accounts per household so everyone can get their own login and personalize their viewing experience. It also comes with a cloud DVR with no storage limits.

Related: How and Where to Watch Movies Online for Free

8. Library

Your local library is a great place to find popular TV shows and movies. Most libraries offer a great selection of recent programming for free. The only downside is that you’ll have to wait to get them, and you need a DVD or Blu-Ray player.

If you prefer streaming, check out the Kanopy app. You need a library card to join, but the service is completely free. The selection is usually limited, but it’s a good alternative if you don’t want to pay for multiple streaming services.

9. Utilize your friends and family

You may have friends and family members who still like to buy movies and TV shows. If they’re willing to lend you their titles, and you still have a DVD or Blu-Ray player, you can forego cable and any streaming alternatives.

If there’s a current TV show you’re interested in, set up watch parties at your friend’s house. These can be a fun way to get together and watch a TV show without actually having to sign up for a subscription.

Related: How to Save Money on Your Electricity Bill

Cutting the Cable Cord Saves Money

There are many different alternatives to cable TV that let you choose what you watch without paying hundreds of dollars every month. From free options such as the local library to network apps and paid options like Amazon Video and Netflix, there are options for every budget.

You can pick one service or rotate between several. Most are on a month-to-month basis, which allows you to scale back when you need to. If these options don’t work out, the cancellation process is fairly painless with no long-term commitments. 

The post 8 Best Cable TV Alternatives for Saving Tons of Money appeared first on DollarSprout.

But making a budget can be difficult, especially if you’re not tech-savvy and don’t like updating spreadsheets.

The cash envelope method can help people who want an easy, low-tech approach to budgeting. It doesn’t require you to register for any apps or pay for software. All you need to get started are some mailing envelopes, a pen, and your cash.

Not only is it inexpensive to use, but this system can help curb your spending and keep you on track. That’s because studies show that consumers spend more when using credit cards compared to paying in cash._[1]

Using cash envelopes can be the easiest budget to use, especially if you find yourself frequently overspending.

What Is the Cash Envelope System?

The cash envelope system turns the budget you made from an abstract concept to a tangible one with the use of physical envelopes. It’s been around a while but was popularized in the last few years as an instrumental part of Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps.

The way it works is you withdraw a fixed amount of cash from your bank account and divide it into categorized envelopes based on how much you’ve budgeted for each item.

Label each envelope with budget categories such as groceries, restaurants, gas, and entertainment. The only categories you should use envelopes for are the ones where you normally pay, or could potentially pay, in cash. For example, if your utilities are usually paid online, you would continue to pay those directly from your bank account.

How to Use Money Envelopes

One of the big advantages of the cash envelope system is that you can only spend what is in your designated envelope for that month, week, or pay period. To make the system work, you stop spending money from that category when the envelope runs out.

1. Choose your cash envelope categories

There’s no right answer for which categories are best to use for your cash envelope system. It’s important that you tailor the system to your needs, and you should do whatever makes sense for your financial situation.

One practical way to get started is to pick a few categories where you have problems staying on track with your spending and use those for your cash envelopes. For instance, if you tend to go over your dining out budget, you can do a cash envelope just for that line item. Start with a couple envelopes and add more as you get the hang of the system.

2. Decide on your envelope amounts

How you budget the money in the envelopes depends on your paycheck frequency or your overall budgeting strategy. If you get paid twice a month, you can fund your cash envelopes when you get your paycheck.

For example, if you budget $400 a month for groceries and get paid twice a month, you’ll put $200 in the grocery envelope each paycheck. If you get paid weekly, you would put $100 in the envelope every week.

Base your envelope amounts on your current budget. Try to account for any extra or irregular spending such as lunch out with a friend so you have enough money available.

Related: How to Save Money on Groceries

3. Set up your envelopes

Once you’ve decided on the amounts for each category, it’s time to set up your envelope budget system. All you need are envelopes and something to write with.

You can buy a box of envelopes from the dollar store and write your categories on them. Using color-coded envelopes makes this system a little easier and more enjoyable. If you have construction paper around the house, you can try to fashion your own simple envelopes.

Since many greeting cards come with different color envelopes, you can also collect some from the next round of birthday or holiday cards and use them as your cash envelopes.

Once you have your envelopes, put the allocated amount of cash into each one. Try to keep all of the envelopes in one spot in your house, preferably near your keys or purse. This way, you remember to take them with you when you leave.

4. Spend your cash

Once you have your cash envelope system set up, you’re ready to spend the money. For many people, this is the most difficult part at first because you can only use the funds inside your envelope for their designated purpose.

You’ll need to get in the habit of planning so you can have the right envelope on hand. What happens if you head to the grocery store and forget your envelope in the car? Instead of borrowing money from a different envelope, or using your debit or credit card, go back and get the right one. This system only works if you adhere to it.

When doing an activity or buying groceries, track your expenses. Check your envelope before you leave the house to see how much cash you have left. As you’re putting items in your grocery cart, keep a tally with a calculator. Staying on top of your purchases will prevent you from having to put things back when you get to the checkout lane.

It’s also handy to keep the receipts in each envelope so you know where the money went. This is good for staying on track, and it can help you figure out where you’re spending your money and how to budget accordingly.

It’ll take practice, but once you get it down, using your cash envelopes will be second nature.

Pros of the Cash Envelope System

In addition to being simple to set up and use, there are several benefits to using the cash envelope system.

Stay on track with your budget. Because you can only spend the money inside each envelope, the cash envelope system helps you stick to your budget. You won’t go over budget unless you cheat the system.

Fewer overdraft charges. Staying within your budget also helps prevent overdraft charges. Since you’ve already planned out your spending for the month, you know you have the money in your account and envelopes to cover your bills.

Helps curb overspending. If you struggle with overspending, cash envelopes can often help this issue. You can only use what’s inside each envelope, and you can’t borrow from other envelopes, which keeps overspending in check.

Forces discipline. Only spending what’s in your envelope takes discipline and restraint. You may notice once you use cash envelopes that this translates to the rest of your finances, helping you cut back on spending in other ways.

The habits you develop from using the envelope system build on each other. If you’re looking for a way to change your behavior with your money, this is a good method to try.

Cons of Using Cash Envelopes

While there are plenty of positives to using envelope budgeting, the system is not for everyone.

Can be inconvenient. Carrying several envelopes of cash around can be awkward. You need to make sure you always have the right envelope with you. Also, there are some retailers that don’t take cash, which can be a problem.

Confusing at first. Another downside is that using cash only can be confusing when you first get started. If you have several envelopes, you will have to juggle them and make sure you’re using the cash from the correct one. That’s why it helps to make the envelopes look different. Put food stickers on the grocery one or make the entertainment one a fun color.

No credit card rewards. Using the cash envelope system means you won’t earn credit card rewards on your purchases. If you’re used to getting airline miles, hotel points, or cash back, this can be a major drawback.

Hard to keep track. While you can only spend what’s inside each envelope, you may forget to keep track of how you spent it. This means you may have a difficult time figuring out where your money went at the end of each month, especially if you’re not good at remembering to save receipts.

Everyone must be on board. If you have a significant other, they would have to agree to use the envelope system. This means that if you ask your spouse to make a grocery run, they would need to remember to bring the cash envelope to pay for the purchase. If they forget, you risk going over budget or even overdrafting your account.

If you’re looking for a convenient budgeting system that easily tracks your spending, the cash envelope method might not be for you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Cash Envelope System FAQs

Cash envelopes can be a difficult system to use, especially if you’re used to swiping your credit card everywhere you go.

What happens if I spend all my cash?

If you spend all of your cash, then it’s gone. It can be tempting to shuffle cash between envelopes if you spend more in one category over another, but for this system to work, you can’t borrow from other envelopes.

There’s also no cheating by using a debit or credit card. The point of using cash envelopes is to stay on budget. This means you’ll need to make a plan and ensure you have enough to cover your needs for that month.

If you run out of restaurant money, you don’t get to go out. Just say no and eat leftovers or invite your friends over to your house. Running out of gas money? Limit your trips, run errands on a bike, ask to go with a friend, or carpool to work. Figure out creative ways to stretch your money when you’re running low on cash.

Can I still use cash envelopes if I do everything online?

Using this system works best when you can pay cash for goods and services. If you do everything online, you can still use the concept, but it requires more discipline.

You can use envelopes to track how much you spend in each category. Write the amount you have budgeted for the month at the top of your envelope and itemize each purchase underneath. It’s like balancing a checkbook. Just subtract each purchase from your balance.

What if I have money left over at the end of the month?

Having money left over in your envelope at the end of the month is a great feeling. You can either roll the money over into next month’s budget or splurge on something fun.

It’s OK to reward yourself by going to the movies or buying a new shirt if you have money left over. This will keep you motivated to stick to your budget and only spend what you have set aside for each category.

Celebrating the little wins along the way has a positive psychological effect. It will help you keep going even when you’re frustrated and want to give up.

Related: 8 Best Budgeting Apps For Every Type of Budgeter

Money Envelopes: The Enemy of Overspending

When you use a credit card, it can be easy to swipe and forget. Looking back at your statements, you may wonder where your money went each pay period. With cash envelopes, you know that whatever you spent was already part of your monthly budget plan.

They provide a physical way to curb overspending by limiting your funds to only the budgeted amount in each category. This makes it a great way to teach yourself discipline and stay on track financially. Cash envelopes may seem like a simple idea, but they can be a powerful way to take control of your spending.

The post What Is the Cash Envelope System and How Does It Work? appeared first on DollarSprout.

While you may recycle them, you can also sell those cans to recycling facilities or scrap metal yards for cash.

There are a few start-up expenses to recycling and selling cans, but you’ll keep most of the money you earn. All you need are recycling bins, some trash bags, and a car to transport the cans.

You can maximize your earnings by collecting in a state with bottle bill laws, knowing the price of aluminum, and having a variety of places to collect the cans.

It’s an easy way to make a little extra money without special skills or equipment, and anyone can do it.

How to Make Money Recycling Cans and Bottles

If you decide to start recycling cans and bottles for extra cash, there are a few ways you can maximize your earnings and be efficient with your collection efforts.

Bottle Deposit Fee

A bottle deposit fee is the amount of money a consumer pays on a recyclable beverage container. The fee can range from $0.05 to $0.15, depending on variables like volume, container material, and beverage type. Retailers pay a fee for each can or bottle they purchase from distributors and pass the fee down to customers in the final price of the beverage.

Once the consumer consumes the beverage, the empty container can be returned to the retailer or a redemption center for a deposit refund. The distributor then reimburses the retailer or redemption center the deposit amount for each container as well as an additional handling fee.

Why the focus on bottles and cans? According to the Container Recycling Institute, beverage containers comprise 40 to 60 percent of litter._[1] Offering a deposit for each can encourages people to return these containers, keeping them off the streets, waterways, and wooded areas.

Bottle Bills in the USA

A bottle bill law is another term for a “container deposit law”, which requires a minimum refundable deposit on recyclable containers including beer bottles, soda cans, and other beverage containers. These bills implement a deposit-refund system in which the consumer pays a deposit on each recyclable container and then receives a refund for every one returned.

These laws are meant to encourage a higher rate of recycling and reuse of beverage containers. How much you get for each container depends on the state and the type and volume of the container. Deposit amounts vary between two and 15 cents each.

Currently, 10 U.S. states have bottle bills, and each state has its own fees:

Best States to Recycle Aluminum Cans

In general, it’s better to recycle aluminum cans and other containers in states with a bottle bill law since those states offer a higher price per container. However, if you don’t live near one of these states, or too far away from a recycling center, how much you earn depends on other factors, like the aluminum scrap price.

Scrap Price of Aluminum Cans

When selling aluminum cans in states without bottle bills, your earnings will depend on the current price for scrap aluminum. The price fluctuates depending on the cost and type of the metals, energy and production, supply and demand, and other variables.

Keep an eye on the price so when you bring your bottles and cans to the redemption center or recycling facility, you can negotiate a better payout. Remember that the average weight of an aluminum can is about half an ounce.

In a state without a bottle bill and assuming $.40 per pound for aluminum, you’d need 80 cans to earn $1. However, in a state with a bottle bill, you’ll earn $4 per pound for the same amount of cans.

This difference is something to keep in mind if you decide to try selling aluminum cans as a side hustle.

Related: 185+ Side Hustle Ideas for Making Extra Money in Your Spare Time

Where to Sell Aluminum Cans

There are lots of places where you can sell your aluminum cans. If you live in a state with a bottle bill, you can find recycling stations or reverse vending machines inside brick-and-mortar retailers like grocery stores. These automatically collect your empty containers and return your deposit to you. You can also search for redemption or recycling centers in your area.

For states without bottle bills, you need to take your aluminum cans to a scrap metal buyer or a recycling center. When you turn them in, the containers will be weighed, and you’ll receive a price quote for the lot. Search for local recycling centers, and make sure to read reviews to find a center that offers a fair price.

6 Places to Find Aluminum Cans

It takes a lot of cans to make decent money selling aluminum, and you might have to get creative on finding extra cans beyond just the ones you consume.

1. Your Home and Neighborhood

The first stop is your own home, especially if you and your family drink a lot of soda or beer. Just set up a separate bag or bin in the garage for everyone to deposit their empty aluminum cans.

Ask your neighbors, family and friends if they’d like you to take care of their aluminum cans. Set up a time once or twice a week to stop by and collect all of the cans to avoid a pile-up.

The easier you can make it on people, the more likely they’ll be willing to recycle. Consider setting up a system where you share part of the money you earn from recycling the aluminum cans.

2. Your Workplace

If your workplace has a soft drink vending machine, this is a great opportunity to collect more beverage containers. Talk to your company’s management and make sure they’re fine with you collecting the cans.

Most places shouldn’t have a problem since you’re helping them recycle. Once you have permission to proceed, set up a separate bin with a note that says “aluminum cans only” or something similar. Check on your bin daily, perhaps during lunch and after work each day.

Make sure you also talk to the cleaning staff and let them know you’re collecting the cans. You don’t want them to accidentally throw the cans away.

The key to making this successful is to stay on top of your can collection. Don’t let the cans pile up and keep the area clean. Set a daily collection time, like right after you get off work. This way you can continue to collect extra cans for free.

3. Local Businesses

Another option for collecting more cans is by contacting local businesses and offer to set up an aluminum can recycling bin in their break room. Collect the cans on a weekly basis to ensure the area stays clean and nothing piles up. Many businesses are happy to participate in a recycling program, especially if it’s free.

4. Local Schools

Contact local schools and offer to set up recycling bins. You might have an easier time doing this if you have a child at the school or if you work there. For safety reasons, schools might not allow random people to enter the building, especially if students are there. However, if you can arrange a pick-up time on the weekends or after school hours, they might be willing to work with you.

To get started collecting cans this way,  call the school and ask if they have vending machines that sell beverages in aluminum cans. If they do, offer to set up recycling bins for free in the cafeteria and next to the vending machine. Make sure you create a pick-up schedule with them so the bins don’t overflow.

School-based recycling will help keep the cans out of the landfill, help you easily collect more containers, and encourage students and staff to participate in recycling programs.

5. Public Parks

Public parks are a good place to search for empty cans, especially if there are outdoor concerts or festivals happening in your area. With thousands of people attending these events, you can easily collect a truck bed full of empty cans.

Make sure you check out the parking lots and areas around the park. Many people tailgate before heading to the concert, leaving empty cans behind. It’s an easy way to add to your stash.

Check out the open grass areas and picnic tables as well. People often leave their empty cans on the tables or on the ground, no dumpster diving required.

6. Roadside

Since people regularly discard aluminum cans by the side of the road, you can collect extra cans by walking along these routes. This may be a good way to get more empty cans while helping clean and save the environment.

All you need is a good pair of walking shoes, an empty trash bag, and some time. You can also make money walking as you search for empty aluminum cans to add to your pile.

Make sure you’re taking all safety precautions, like only collecting in the daylight in safe areas, and that you aren’t violating any local or state laws by collecting the cans.

You Can Make Money Selling Aluminum Cans

While you won’t get rich selling scrap aluminum cans, it can be an easy way to make some money on the side. There’s no education, startup costs, or special equipment needed. You can get started today and make money quickly and easily. If you collect enough cans or bottles, you might be able to make as much as $100 in a week.

Your profits will be higher if you live in a state with a bottle bill, but it’s still possible to earn money recycling aluminum cans no matter where you live. Just make sure to pay attention to the current price and find somewhere reputable to do business with.

In addition to earning some extra money, you’re also helping the environment by helping keep those cans from the landfill.

Related: How to Make $100 Fast When You Need Money

The post How to Make Extra Money Selling Aluminum Cans appeared first on DollarSprout.

We’ve done the digging ourselves and tested out this side hustle. The verdict? It’s legit, but it’s a very slow process to earn any meaningful amount of money. As long as your expectations are reasonable, this is an easy way to earn a few extra dollars each month.

But how exactly can you get paid to watch ads, and how much can you expect to make?

Here’s How It Works

There are a variety of money-making apps and websites that will pay you money for watching online content. Some of them also offer other ways to earn cash by taking paid online surveys, completing tasks, and redeeming coupons.

It’s not much of a time investment, and you can get paid to watch ads in short bursts of time, like during your lunch break or while the kids are napping. Another trick to earning more is to play videos on your phone or tablet and let them run in the background while you do your regular tasks –that way you’re not spending hours glued to the screen.

How much money can you make watching ads?

How much you make depends on how much time you want to invest, but it’s reasonable to expect anywhere from $5 to $20 per month in payouts and rewards. Earnings vary with the platform you use, so make sure you check out a few of the ideas below.

Some of the apps and websites from our list even offer bonus categories that can increase your payout. While the payout method varies, most offer the option to redeem your rewards for gift cards or via PayPal.

5 Top-Rated Apps for Getting Paid to Watch Ads

Here are seven ways you can get paid to watch ads.

1. InboxDollars

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to make money watching videos and ads, check out InboxDollars. You can earn rewards by watching a variety of short videos daily. Check each day for new videos and other money-making opportunities including performing web searches, completing online surveys, playing games, and signing up for promotional offers.

There are a number of ways to make money with InboxDollars, and you get $5 just for signing up.

You need to earn at least $30 before you get paid. You’ll receive your cash payout in the form of PayPal cash, ePayment (merchant gift cards, prepaid Visa card, or a charity donation), or a check in the mail. It can take between 10 and 16 business days for checks to arrive.

Related: DollarSprout’s InboxDollars Review

2. Swagbucks

Swagbucks is a free online rewards site. Earn points, or Swagbucks (SBs), for watching a variety of videos — some short and some longer. Video categories include entertainment, fashion, food, health, home and garden, news and politics, parenting, and sports.

In addition to watching videos, you can earn SBs by answering surveys, using coupons, shopping online via the cash-back portal, and more. Cash out your points for gift cards or PayPal cash.

You can redeem as few as 160 SBs for a $1 Amazon gift card. If you prefer cash, the payout threshold for PayPal is $5 or 500 points.

Related: Is Swagbucks Worth It? Here’s Our Official Swagbucks Review

3. Ibotta

One of the most popular ways to get cash back on your groceries and other items, Ibotta may require you to watch ads in order to claim your rebates. But if you do, you might be able to get up to $1 (or more) off that item when you scan your receipt.

It’s a quick and simple way to get extra money back on your purchases, with ads often lasting fewer than 30 seconds. And don’t forget that if you’re not currently using Ibotta, you can get up to $20 in bonuses when you create an account and redeem qualifying offers within 30 days of signing up.

Related: Ibotta Review 2023: Pros, Cons, and How the Grocery Cash-Back App Works

4. iRazoo

According to its site, iRazoo has paid out more than $55 million in cash rewards to its users. It’s free to join and you’ll get paid to watch ads and videos on your phone.

You can also share your opinion on the newest ads or movie trailers, watch short films, app trailers, cooking tutorials, and more. There are more than 50 channels of content, and inventory refreshes daily.

You’ll earn points for each activity you complete on iRazoo. In addition to watching videos and ads, you can earn points for entering promo codes, reading emails, and completing other offers. Once you earn 3,000 iRazoo points, you can cash them out for gift cards to retailers like Amazon or AMC theaters, or opt for cash via PayPal.

Related: 15 Legit Ways to Make Money From Your Phone

5. Nielsen TV Ratings

Nielsen is most known as the system used for TV show ratings. The company measures the number of people watching television shows and collects data that’s then sold to television and cable networks, advertisers, and the media.

Every U.S. household with a TV is eligible to be selected as a Nielsen Family. Participation is by invitation only, so you can’t sign up to join. But make sure to keep an eye on your mailbox for your invite.

If you do get an invitation and you accept, you’ll receive compensation for being part of the program. It’s not much — typically around $200 per year — but it’s still a way to get paid for watching TV.

Related: 15 Legit Paid Focus Groups You Can Sign Up for Today

Keep the Big Picture in Mind

Watching ads isn’t a replacement for your full-time job – not even close – but it is a way to earn money online to pay for a splurge. 

In the long run, there are better ways to invest your time. Learn a new skill, try out one of the higher-paying gigs, work extra hours at your day job, etc. You’ll make way more money that way and probably feel more fulfilled, too. 

That said, there is nothing wrong with spending a few minutes of downtime here and there on this. Every little bit adds up!

The post 5 Legit Ways to Get Paid to Watch Ads in Your Spare Time appeared first on DollarSprout.

If you’re among the 2021 graduating class, you may find comfort in knowing that your peers are straddled with an average $36,900 in student loan debt, according to the most recent data._[1] I graduated from college more than a decade ago, but my results were very similar.

When I walked across the graduation stage to receive my diploma, I could almost picture the tumbleweeds blowing through my bank account. On top of that, I was now the proud owner of a $26,000 student loan balance – plus the $4,000 I owed on my credit card. To say that I was financially unprepared for post-grad life financially unprepared for post-grad life was an understatement. 

With my shiny new degree in hand, I packed up my belongings and moved back into my parents’ house. Buoyed by the knowledge that I wouldn’t need to start paying back my loans for another six months, I began my job search.

I was happy to find a job in my field and was pretty sure that everything would work out just fine for me. I hadn’t told my parents about my credit card debt, but I was able to scrape together just enough to cover the monthly minimum payment.

My parents had always taught me to be responsible with credit cards and had given me one in high school so that I could build my credit. They gave me a spending limit and paid off the balance for me every month. But that lesson in responsibility obviously went in one ear and out the other.

Good Judgement Comes from Experience

There’s a saying that goes, “Good judgment comes from experience; experience comes from poor judgment.” While some people can learn from others’ mistakes, I seem to learn best by making my own. 

I was 16 when I got my first job, and I bought my first car shortly after that. My newfound freedom was intoxicating. Like most teenagers, I felt like having my own set of wheels and a little spending money meant that the world was mine for the taking.

I’m a spender by nature. Thanks to new clothes and shoes, and evenings out with friends, my money was gone as soon as it hit my bank account. Since I pretty much always had a job after turning 16, my spending wasn’t much of an issue…at first.

Although I was spending money in my late teens, my purchases were always limited by my paycheck. I put little thought into saving or investing my income. Money was meant to be enjoyed, and I tried my best to do just that.

When it was time to apply for college, I ignored the more affordable in-state schools in favor of options that would take me to new places. Although attending an out-of-state university meant a greater financial burden for both my parents and me, taking on student loan debt felt like the norm. In my mind, I would graduate with a four-year degree, get a job, and take steps to pay off debt just like everyone else.

Hitting Rock Bottom

When all was said and done, my portion of my college bill was a little more than $26,000. This was in addition to the loans that my parents had covered to fund my education. And I had also managed to rack up that $4,000 credit card debt, don’t forget.

For the first few post-college months, I was able to cover the minimum payments on my credit card bill with whatever money I had left in my bank account, but I couldn’t sustain that practice without an income. At that point, I wasn’t even thinking about my student loan debt, since I didn’t have to start repayment until the following January.

Even though I applied to open positions and sent out resumes on a daily basis, I wasn’t having any luck with my job search. While living at home was free, I didn’t have any spending money. I was just trying my hardest to keep my parents in the dark about my credit card debt.

When the next credit card statement came in the mail, I realized that there was no way I could afford the minimum payment. I finally had to face reality: I would have to ask my parents to bail me out.

After my panic faded, I got up the courage to explain the situation to my mother. It was one of the hardest conversations I have ever had with her and was a turning point in my personal finance journey.

Related: What Is Debt Relief and Is It Right for You?

Learning About Debt the Hard Way

My mother wasn’t happy about my debt, but she agreed to help me out – on the condition that I find a job as soon as possible. She wanted me to pay off my debt as quickly as I could, and to use my money troubles as a learning experience.

We also agreed that I would pay her back as soon as I started earning money. After being on my own in college for four years, crawling back to my parents was a tough pill to swallow. But looking back, I am very glad that I learned this lesson early on.

With credit card debt hanging over my head, I found a job that was semi-related to my degree. Although I didn’t particularly like it, it paid well enough for me to make a dent in my debt. During the next few months, I threw as much money as I could at my credit card bills.

In the meantime, I began researching personal finance and learning the basics of managing my money. Even though I had my college degree in hand, I was woefully unprepared for the challenges of the real world. I scoured websites, blogs, books, and personal finance podcasts to learn as much as I could about financial responsibility.

After being forced to move back in with my parents and ask them for money, I vowed to regain my independence. My debt was just the kick in the pants I needed to take charge of my finances and never look back.

Related: Should Parents Pay for Their Children’s College Education?

Four Lessons I Learned Graduating with $30,000 in Debt

Financial education is still severely lacking in both high school and college curriculums. While students learn how to solve complex math equations and write essays, most are never taught basic money skills like how to make a budget.

I was forced to change my mindset after growing up thinking that debt is normal and money is meant to be spent. This took a lot of research and hard work, but it was well worth it. Here are the lessons I learned after graduating from college with $30,000 in debt.

1. Every dollar has value

One of the first things I did was look through my old credit card statements. After racking up so much debt, I wanted to see how I had spent my money and what I had to show for it.

After inspecting one credit card statement after another, I came to a shocking conclusion: I had nothing to show for all of my spending. Most of my money had gone toward drinks, eating out with friends, and clothes that I no longer wore.

This realization made me reevaluate my money and spending habits. I didn’t particularly like the job I was working, and it was a wake-up call to realize that all of my paychecks were going to my past, frivolous spending.

Pouring my entire income into paying off debt changed how I thought about money. It fueled my newfound interest in personal finance and helped me understand how to manage my money the right way.

This turning point completely changed my life. Had I not graduated with so much debt, I would probably still be living paycheck to paycheck, struggling to pay my bills. But my experience paying off my debts taught me the value of every dollar I made and saved.

2. Money is freedom

One of the main reasons I was forced to move back home after college was a lack of funds. When I graduated, I had no money, no job, and no prospects. All I had was my degree and a significant amount of debt hanging over my head.

My parents were kind enough to let me move back home while I searched for a job, but not everyone has that option. I am deeply grateful that I had the chance to live rent-free while I figured out what to do with my life.

But after having lived on my own for four years in a different state, being back in my old bedroom was a painful and humbling experiencing. Waking up in my childhood bed was a daily reminder that I now had to answer to my parents.

The ultimate goal of paying off my debt and moving out on my own again fueled me during those long months. That freedom was the light at the end of the tunnel that motivated me as I continued sending out applications and going on interviews for jobs in my field.

After two post-college internships, I finally landed a full-time job that allowed me to move out. By this point, all of my credit card debt was finally paid off, and I was managing my student loan payments.

Learning from my past mistakes, I worked hard to build an emergency fund before moving out on my own. My new salary wasn’t very high, but I worked hard to keep my expenses – including rent – at fewer than 70 percent of my income.

One of the most important lessons you can learn as an adult is that having money means freedom and choices. A high-paying job will not provide any more freedom than a low-paying job if lifestyle inflation follows you along.

3. Having a support system is crucial

Although I hated moving back in with my parents or asking them for money, their support was invaluable. Without that safety net, I would never have been able to pay off my debts as quickly as I did.

If I had attempted to live on my own at that point, my rent, utilities, and food would have added thousands of additional dollars to my debt balance.

Not only did my parents provide me with room and board, but they also did so for free. I had taken their help for granted while I was in high school, but after moving out on my own, I was able to fully appreciate their support.

I worked a part-time job all throughout college and during the summer so I could pay my bills. Even though I still wasn’t saving money, I was learning some important life skills. That was the first time I rented an apartment on my own, paid for utilities, bought groceries, fed myself, and so on.

That experience made me appreciate my parents even more when I moved back home. While I wasn’t happy to be right back where I had started pre-college, I had a better understanding of what it would take to live on my own again.

My parents helped me get back on my feet while offering financial as well as emotional support. Once I was making enough to get my own place, I moved out with the knowledge that I was always welcome to return. Having that safety net made the transition much easier.

4. It’s possible to live well on less

As I’ve already said, I am a natural spender. When I previously worked retail, I had joked that my employers should have paid me in-store credit, since all of my money went to shopping. Despite the fact that I had a paycheck that should have been going to savings while in school, I spent all of my money – every last cent.

In my house growing up, my mother was the saver and my father was the spender. I took after my dad, with a natural inclination toward making money and spending it quickly. No matter how much I tried, I was never able to save a significant amount before giving in and spending it all.

Facing my mountain of debt without the safety net of a paycheck was a wake-up call. That was when I realized the value of spending less so I could build cash reserves. Had I not spent my entire paycheck on clothes and food, I would have been able to set aside enough to pay my bills. Better yet, I would probably not have racked up so much credit card debt in the first place.

I learned the hard way to separate my needs and wants. Knowing that my income was limited and that I had debts to pay, I made some tough choices and skipped fun experiences with friends. Many of the things that I desperately craved were just wants. There wasn’t much that I truly needed to be happy.

Related: How One Woman Paid Off $10,000 of Debt in 11 Months

The Bottom Line

Following the advice of several personal finance blogs empowered me to turn my finances around and taught me the value of living on less and saving the difference. Thanks to those important financial lessons, I finally paid off my debt and built a cash cushion.

Now that I am debt-free, I can look back on that time in my life as a valuable learning experience. While I didn’t appreciate my struggles at the time, I can see now how those difficulties shaped my worldview for the better.

These days, I love figuring out different ways to save money and build my cash cushion. My husband and I are debt-free – including our mortgage and vehicles. The lessons that I learned early on motivated me to broaden my financial knowledge, and ultimately led me to where I am today.

The post 4 Things I Learned Paying Off $30,000 in Student Loan Debt appeared first on DollarSprout.

With the proliferation of online marketplaces like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, there are now a variety of ways to unload your used goods.

Selling used furniture offers a unique and flexible way to make cash on the side while decluttering your home. Some people even turn this into a side hustle, finding underpriced furniture, sprucing it up, and reselling it for a higher price.

While going through the process of selling used furniture may seem like too much of a hassle, don’t be too quick to give up. There’s real money to be had, and choosing the right website or app can make the process easy.

NEW: Get free cash back online with DollarSprout Rewards:

Download on: Chrome | Safari

12 Places to Sell Your Used Furniture Online

There are a number of options, both online and locally, that can help turn your used furniture into cash. If you’re wondering how to sell furniture fast or looking to score some second-hand gems, consider using one of these online marketplaces.

1. Bonanza

Overview: Bonanza is an alternative to Amazon or eBay. Furniture is one of the many unique items you can sell on this platform. Because it’s integrated with Google, your products will get to your customers faster.

How to Sell: Selling on Bonanza starts with creating an online storefront. Using Bonanza is simpler than setting up your own website.

Pay and Fees: There are no listing fees or set up costs for selling used furniture with Bonanza. However, you’ll pay a commission rate based on the advertising option you select for your items. The higher the rates, the more buyer visits you’ll receive from Google Shopping.

What Else You Should Know: You’ll never pay more than the maximum commission rate you’ve selected at the time of your listing. Even if you opt out of the advertising program, sales that you drive to Bonanza through your direct referral link are free (as in, you pay no fees).

2. OfferUp

Overview: OfferUp is a simple way to sell furniture locally and can be downloaded instantly. One of the differentiating factors of this platform [from others] is that it encourages buyers to offer a counter price; hence the name OfferUp.

How to Sell: Using OfferUp to sell used furniture online is quick and easy. Simply take a photo with your phone and upload it to the app. Fill in a few details such as description and location, and you’re ready to go. The in-app chat feature lets you communicate with potential buyers easily and securely.

Pay and Fees: There are no fees to use the app and no charge to create a new listing. However, certain transactions may incur service fees or shipping costs when an item sells. All applicable costs are disclosed up front when using OfferUp.

What Else You Should Know: You can sell more than used furniture through the app. From cars to appliances, just about anything sells on this online marketplace. Buyers will see the results closest to them, but they can use keywords to search as well, pulling additional options.

Related: 8 Best Sites to Sell Clothes Online

3. Chairish

Overview: Chairish is an upscale resale site. Think of it as a cross between boho and flea market chic. It’s a great place to sell used vintage furniture as well as art and outdoor furniture.

How to Sell: The Chairish Pink Book exists to help you determine the value of your items. Add up to six photos of your item at different angles and Chairish removes the background for your listing cover.

Pay and Fees: Depending on the sale price, Chairish takes either a 20% commission on sales up to $2,500 or a 3-12% commission for bigger-ticket items. Sellers cover shipping for small items while buyers pay for big and bulky stuff that requires white-glove service. If the buyer and seller are local, free pickup can be arranged.

What Else You Should Know: Chairish is not the place to sell used furniture from Ikea. However, it’s a great platform to sell more specific and design-oriented finds such as a mid-century coffee table in excellent condition.

4. 1stdibs

Overview: Another great option to sell used furniture that’s unique or vintage is 1stdibs. It’s a global marketplace that connects furniture dealers, antique shops, and galleries with collectors, designers, and curators.

How to Sell: Start selling used furniture on 1stdibs by completing a dealer application. Once you’re approved, you can start listing your items on the site. You’ll be assigned an account manager who will schedule and monitor the shipping process for your items.

Pay and Fees: To list your items on 1stdibs, you’ll need to pay a monthly fee. Additional charges include up to a 15% commission on each sale plus a 3% transaction fee for credit card use.

What Else You Should Know: If you live in New York City, 1stdibs has a showroom displaying a number of designers who use the site to sell unique finds.

5. AptDeco

Overview: Looking to part with some used furniture in good condition? Try listing it on AptDeco. The site boasts free returns, flat rate delivery, and a money-back-guarantee policy.

How to Sell: Furniture is free to list on AptDeco, and the process only takes a few minutes. Once your listing is complete, AptDeco will work on improving the visuals and providing additional details within the first 24 hours.

Pay and Fees: AptDeco charges a fee between 19% and 29% to help you sell used furniture. The exact fee amount will be disclosed right before you list your item for sale. Payment is processed after your item has been delivered and deposits to your account within two to five business days.

What Else You Should Know: To list your items, you must live in New Jersey or New York City. Boston and Philadelphia will be launching soon.

6. Etsy

Overview: When you think of Etsy, you may think of handmade jewelry or vintage clothing. However, Etsy offers a great option to sell used furniture as well. Vintage, handmade, and antique pieces are a perfect match for Etsy shoppers, and for an entrepreneur, a great way to make money fast.

How to Sell: To start selling on Etsy, you’ll need to create a custom shop. Take photos of your items and upload them to your shop along with a description and price to begin the selling process. The standard shop option is free, and you can upgrade to the plus option for an extra $10/month at any time.

Pay and Fees: There’s a $0.20 listing fee per item and a 5% transaction fee. Expect to pay an additional 3% + a $0.25 payment processing fee. You’ll pay the commission only when you sell an item.

What Else You Should Know: Listings remain active for four months or until they sell. Use the Sell on Etsy app to manage orders, edit listings, and respond to buyers from anywhere.

Related: 13 Best Places to Sell Your Jewelry Online

7. Apartment Therapy Bazaar (Formerly Marketplace)

Overview: You can sell your used furniture items on the Apartment Therapy Bazaar from almost anywhere. It’s a community-driven marketplace for vintage designer furnishings and accessories.

How to Sell: Simply create a storefront and start listing when you’re ready to sell used furniture via the Bazaar.

Pay and Fees: Listing your items is free, so you don’t need to worry about fees. The website also says that it’s in the process of introducing on-site transactions.

What Else You Should Know: There’s an iPhone app you can use to quickly upload photos and create listings. Once a product is listed, users can share it on select social media platforms.

8. Sotheby’s Home (Formerly Viyet)

Overview: Sotheby’s Home is an online marketplace for well-maintained, quality home furnishings. You can sell used antique, vintage, new, or gently used furniture, lighting, and accessories.

How to Sell: Your item must retail at $1,000 or more, be a designer brand, and be in good condition. Sotheby’s Home team reviews each item before publishing it on its website and trying to match your furniture with potential buyers.

Pay and Fees: Sotheby’s Home takes a commission from the net proceeds of the sale of your items. If you consign 20 or fewer items, the fee is 50%. For 21 or more items, it’s 40%.

What Else You Should Know: The listing period is six months. Sotheby’s Home will also send a social media and email blast with details about your used furniture listings.

Related: 6 Ways to Sell Electronics for Cash Before They End Up in a Landfill

9. Craigslist

Overview: Craigslist is the original local marketplace where you can sell anything from a dresser to a bicycle and everything in between. Because it’s not furniture-specific, your item may get lost in the shuffle.

How to Sell: It’s free and easy to list an item on Craigslist. Just complete the details about your piece and submit it. Adding photos can help you attract more potential buyers.

Pay and Fees: Using Craigslist to sell used furniture online is free. You must make arrangements with the buyer to pick up the items in person. Craigslist is a local marketplace, so there’s no shipping option through the site. If you prefer to ship your items, you’ll have to coordinate that with the buyer and take care of all shipping arrangements and costs yourself.

What Else You Should Know: Craigslist is one of the most popular online platforms for selling just about anything. As such, potential buyers will already be searching for the types of items you’re looking to sell. Since Craigslist is a search engine, make sure you write good descriptions and use good keywords.

Related: 17 Best Places to Sell Textbooks for the Most Money

10. Facebook Marketplace

Overview: Facebook Marketplace is another great option to sell used furniture online. Potential buyers are shown items close to their location when browsing the platform.

How to Sell: It takes about 60 seconds to create a listing on the Facebook Marketplace, including details and photos for each listing. As an added bonus, posting your listing to local Facebook garage sales sites will boost your reach.

Pay and Fees: There are no fees for using Facebook Marketplace. All transactions are handled in person when you arrange for the item to be picked up.

What Else You Should Know: Facebook Marketplace is one of the best apps to sell used furniture locally while reaching your potential buyers online.

11. eBay

Overview: When selling items through eBay, you have a couple of different options.

How to Sell: You can either sell used furniture on eBay at an auction or for a fixed price. Listing items on eBay is a fairly straightforward process. Be sure to add photos to make your listing stand out.

Pay and Fees: Expect to pay a 13% commission fee on the final selling price of your furniture. You can choose local pickup for items that are too bulky and expensive to ship.

What Else You Should Know: To find relevant results, buyers can click on visual examples to make the process easier. You can sell both new and used furniture on eBay.

Related: Where Can I Sell My Phone? The Best Places to Earn the Most

How to Get the Most When You Sell Used Furniture

Looking to get the most money for the furniture you sell online? While some of the pricing for each piece is dictated by the market’s going rate, there are a few things you can do to up your profit. Here are some suggestions to help you sell your items at top dollar if you need money now.

Differentiate your used furniture

When preparing to sell your used furniture online, keep the potential buyer in mind. Make sure the furniture is clean and in good condition. If you’re selling a couch or other soft furniture, vacuum between the cushions and clean out any hair, crumbs, coins, etc.

Use good photos

Capturing good photos to showcase your item is half the battle when it comes time to selling used furniture online. Since prospective buyers can’t see the item in person and touch it for themselves, pictures are crucial.

Make sure the photos are clear and there’s good lighting. Take close-ups of important details or any potential problem areas. Include photos from all different angles: front, back, and sides. By being transparent and upfront, you have a better chance of attracting interest and getting your item sold.

Write a complete (and accurate) description

Try to be as factual and accurate as possible when writing out the description. Include important details that may be relevant such as a scratch, a special feature, or material details. Also, note if your piece was in a smoking home or a place with pets.

Since many of the websites where you can sell furniture are also search engines, use good keywords to describe each item thoroughly.

Be honest

To be successful when it comes time to sell used furniture online, you need to be honest. Don’t fudge the truth or try to gloss over any potential problems when listing your item. Sooner or later, the buyer will find out and this could jeopardize your transaction.

It could also result in bad reviews, which will harm your reputation if you plan to sell more used furniture in the future.

Research market prices

Do some high-level research for each piece of used furniture you plan to sell online. Compare prices of similar items across multiple platforms.

Sell Your Used Furniture Wisely

There’s really not one perfect platform for selling your used furniture and other goods online. For maximum success, it’s a good idea to list your furniture piece(s) on multiple online marketplaces.

This will ensure that your items reach a larger audience of potential buyers. Do your research and focus your efforts on the platforms that offer the best fit for what you’re selling.

Related: 14 Places to Get Free Replacement Furniture 

The post 11 Best Places to Sell Used Furniture for Cash (and How to Make the Most Money) appeared first on DollarSprout.

Coupon use is at an all-time high. Studies have found that as many as 96% of shoppers report having used coupons on a purchase. Thanks to free coupon websites and apps, you now have even more options for saving money on products you already buy.

Using the coupon sites below, there’s no reason to pay full price on your next shopping trip. Some of them will offer digital coupons while others will require you to print them out. Either way, the result is extra savings for you.

While in the past the majority of coupons were for grocery and department stores, the categories have expanded. Now, you can find coupons for everything from entertainment to massages and even for your next oil change.

Below are some of the best coupon sites for saving money and getting more out of your next purchase.

Before Searching Through Coupon Websites

First things first, before searching through coupon websites, you’ll want to take a few preliminary steps. Just like with anything else, preparing beforehand will ensure that you score the best deals and only buy what you actually need.

If you’ve never used coupons before, you’ll want to read up on how to start couponing. Getting the basics down will ensure couponing becomes a part of your regular routine. Before you know it, you’ll be saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars on purchases you were already planning to make.   

Related: Top 10 Best Shopping Apps for Epic Savings in 2023

Get organized

Before you start scouring coupon websites searching for deals, you need to get organized. Make a list of the items you want to buy and do some research to find the best price. If it’s an item you buy regularly, you may want to keep a price book so you know when you’re getting the best deal.

To print out your coupons, you’ll need a printer and some printer paper. It’s also good to have a way to organize your printed coupons such as with a coupon binder or a mini accordion file. Envelopes or Ziploc bags can work as well.

Make sure you go through your coupons regularly and get rid of any that have expired. Most stores won’t take coupons that are past the printed expiration date.

Learn the terminology

When you first start using coupon sites, you may encounter some unfamiliar terminology. Once you become familiar with the language of couponing, you’ll find it easier and quicker to navigate stores and choose your deals. Here are a few terms you’ll likely encounter when you first start using coupons.

“Manufacturer’s coupons”

Most coupons are either manufacturer’s coupons or store coupons. When a coupon says “manufacturer’s coupon” at the top, it’s issued by the company that makes that product. For example, if you have a manufacturer’s coupon for Cheerios, it was issued by General Mills — the company that manufactures the cereal.

Manufacturer’s coupons can be used at any store that accepts coupons. They can only be used for the products specified on the coupon, so make sure to read the fine print.

“Printable manufacturer coupons”

Printable manufacturer coupons are exactly the same as the manufacturer coupons mentioned above, only they can be printed from various websites. You’ll find printable manufacturer coupons on many of the free coupon websites we’ll be discussing below, but always note the limitation of how many of these can be printed.

Printable manufacturer coupons can also be found directly on brand websites. It’s okay to check multiple locations for the same coupon.

Never assume it’s okay to make copies of printable manufacturer coupons because they have been printed. These printable coupons are still tracked with unique numbers and have legal usage limits.

“Store coupons”

If a coupon has the words “store coupon” at the top, it’s issued by a particular store and can only be used at that retailer.

Store coupons usually have the logo of the store on the coupon and say something to the effect of, “can only be used at [insert store name].” Depending on the store’s coupon policy, store coupons can often be used in combination with manufacturer’s coupons (called coupon stacking).

“Expiration dates”

All coupons have an expiration date, which is usually found at the top. Some coupons may list it at the end of the disclaimer text, so make sure to read all the fine print.

Most stores won’t accept expired coupons or coupons without an expiration date. Review all coupons closely before using them to ensure they haven’t expired.

“Cash back”

Some coupon websites offer cash back instead of (or in addition to) an upfront discount on your purchase. This is offered as a percentage of your purchase total before taxes and after coupons.

The cash back amount is credited to the account you create on the coupon site, and you can select how to receive the payout. Every website has its own cash back rules, so make sure you read all information closely when you sign up and create an account.

“In-store cash back”

With in-store cash back, you get back a percentage of your total from in-store purchases. This is the total before tax and after any coupons.

The main difference between this and standard cash-back coupon sites is that you usually have to link your credit card through the online cash back portal to get your money. Some sites require that you select what store you’ll be shopping at before swiping your card in order to receive the cashback amount.

“Coupon code”

Similar to printed coupons, coupon codes give you a discount from your purchase total. Instead of printing a coupon, you’ll get a coupon code that you can use when you check out online.

Most websites have a field for coupon codes when you’re checking out. Put the coupon code in the designated field and just press enter to apply it to your purchase. Make sure you follow all listed requirements or the coupon code won’t work.

Related: The Best Cash Back Apps for Shopping We Use to Save Money on Everything

The Best Coupon Sites to Save the Most

Now that you have the terminology down, it’s time to go shopping. To get the best deal on your online purchases, check out the best coupon websites below. Each one may have a different deal or coupon code you can try out on your next shopping trip.

1. DollarSprout Rewards

In some camps, the best coupon website is one you never have even have to visit. You could say we were firmly in that camp when we developed DollarSprout Rewards – a desktop browser extension for Chrome or Safari that automatically finds the best coupon codes on the web.

No hunting, no searching, no visiting sketchy coupon websites, and trying a million different, non-working codes. Just automatic code application on your cart each time you check out at a participating retailer.

If we find one that works (and more specifically, the one that saves you the most money), we’ll notify you, so there’s no legwork on your end.

To boot, you can boost your savings in one of several additional ways:

1. Get free cash back at retailers in addition to any digital coupons the extension finds – double dipping for the win.
2. The Share and Earn feature allows you to earn a commission on purchases friends or family make.

The digital coupon and promo code savings are instant, but if you do earn cash back, you’ll be paid out the month after you reach a $5 balance via PayPal.

2. Swagbucks

One of the great things about coupon sites such as Swagbucks is that they give you the option to save in several different ways. You can print out physical coupons to use at grocery stores, drug stores, your favorite clothing brands outlets, and more.

For each coupon you print, you’ll earn 1 Swagbuck. However, you can earn more when you redeem deals online. As you accumulate Swagbucks, you can cash them in for gift cards to popular stores.

In addition to physical coupons, Swagbucks offers you the option for cash back when shopping online at your favorite retailers. Just make sure to click the Swagbucks link that leads to the retailer’s website. The portal also offers exclusive discounts and deals at major retailers that you won’t find on other coupon websites.

Other ways to earn cash back with Swagbucks include playing games, watching videos, taking online surveys, purchasing gift cards, and using the Swagbucks search engine. As a new user, you also get $10 for creating your Swagbucks account.

Related: Is Swagbucks Worth It? Here’s Our Official Swagbucks Review

3. Rakuten

Rakuten (formerly Ebates) is a great option for using coupons and getting cash back on your purchases. It’s completely free to sign up for Rakuten, and doing so will give you access to some of the best deals on the market. Rakuten will often give you cash back for purchases you make through other coupon sites on this list on top of your regular savings!

The site even offers a handy Chrome browser extension that alerts you if there is cash back available on a site you’re currently browsing. There are more than 2,500 stores that offer cash back through Rakuten, including major retailers such as Amazon and Walmart.

Around major holidays, Rakuten runs double and even triple cash back specials for select retailers. You can get anywhere from 4% to 12% cash back and even more during double and triple cash back events. You can also link a credit card through your account and get cash back when shopping in-store at some of your favorite stores.

Related: Rakuten Review 2023 

4. Capital One Shopping

Capital One Shopping is a browser extension that notifies consumers when there’s an available coupon or when there’s a lower price. You just have to create an account and download the Chrome browser extension. Here’s how it works: if you visit Amazon.com to look for a laptop, you can type in the model, and Capital One Shopping will show you if it finds it cheaper somewhere else.

If you see a banner that says “best price,” that means Capital One Shopping wasn’t able to find a better deal elsewhere, and you can make the purchase knowing you’re getting a good deal. Capital One Shopping also lets you add items to your watchlist and will notify you when they go on sale. You can also visit the Capital One Shopping website directly to see what deals and special promotions are happening right now.

When you’re shopping online and have the extension activated, Capital One Shopping will tell you if there are any eligible coupons for something you’re interested in buying, similar to the Honey or Rakuten apps. Capital One Shopping was purchased by online bank Capital One in 2018.

Note: Capital One Shopping compensates us when you get the Capital One Shopping extension using the links provided.

Related: DollarSprout’s Capital One Shopping Review

5. Groupon

Groupon is the best coupon site for getting deals on restaurants, entertainment, beauty and spa services, and other events in your area. It also offers discounts on travel, including hotels, vacation packages, and even tours at popular destinations around the world. Its “goods” section includes discounted merchandise on everything from necklaces to cell phones.

In addition to local deals, Groupon also offers coupons to thousands of stores on- and offline. A few places you can find discounts include Amazon, Blue Apron, The Home Depot, Kohl’s, Walmart, and Target. With all the local deals, Groupon is a great place to save on your monthly entertainment budget.

6. Living Social

Similar to Groupon, Living Social offers many different ways to save and get the most bang for your buck.

The site includes discounts and coupons for local businesses. It’s a great place to look if you live in a city, but there’s not much available for smaller towns and rural areas. Popular savings categories include activities, food and drink, beauty and spas, home goods, and kid items.

7. Amazon Coupons

Many people who use Amazon don’t even realize the site offers tons of coupons for its own products. These are often manufacturer’s coupons that you can apply directly to your next purchase with the click of a button before adding the item to your shopping cart. You can find coupons for anything from shaving cream to cereal.

One thing to note is that the coupons you find can only be used on purchases made through Amazon. In addition, some coupons are only available to Prime members. If you regularly shop on Amazon, then Amazon Coupons is a place you’ll definitely want to bookmark.

8. DontPayFull

DontPayFull’s mission is in its name — to help you pay less and save more.

Its site has over 10 million offers from more than 120,000 stores. To find deals on DontPayFull, visit its site and type in the name of the brand or offer you’re looking for. If you don’t have a particular brand or deal in mind, then you can browse by category instead.

When you find a deal you like, just click on the “get deal” button to claim the offer. You’ll be redirected to the retailer’s website where you can shop around. Once you’re ready to check out, the deal will automatically be applied to your cart.

The DontPayFull blog also has tips for how to save on everything from travel and entertainment to food and fashion.

For coupons and deals delivered straight to your inbox, consider creating a free DontPayFull account.

9. Coupons.com

When it comes to coupon websites, Coupons.com is one of the best. This site offers a wide selection of digital coupons for popular online and brick-and-mortar retailers. The coupons are updated monthly, so make sure to check back at the beginning of every month for the new set of discounts.

When you first use the site, it’ll ask you for your ZIP Code in order to locate relevant deals in your area. You can print out coupons to use at grocery stores, drugstores, and general merchandise retailers. Or, if you’d prefer, link a credit or debit card to your account for cash back on everyday shopping.

10. Save.com

Save.com is another one of the major online coupon sites where you can find coupon codes and deals at your favorite retailers. The home page features trending deals of the day, but if you look across the top navigation, you’ll find several other savings options.

In addition to traditional coupons, other ways to save include getting cash back or a discount when purchasing gift cards. Recent gift card deals included Lowes, Starbucks, and Sephora. Save also offers an RxSaver option to help you compare prices and save money at the pharmacy.

11. SmartSource

SmartSource is another brand you may recognize from your Sunday newspaper inserts.

In addition to the paper coupons you’ll find in most Sunday newspapers, the company also has a website where you can print many of the same deals. This can be useful if you’re trying to get more copies of a physical coupon you found in the paper.

When you go to the site, you’ll notice that it only offers printable coupons. However, it’s well laid out and clean, which makes it easy to find the coupons you need. There is also a coupon app you can download on your phone so you always have access to deals on the go.

12. Savings.com

This site will help you save money on everything from groceries to contacts lenses and even flights. On Savings.com, you can find both printable and online coupons for popular products and to retail outlets.

Additionally, the site offers local deals similar to Groupon. You can also find sales circulars for large retailers in your area, including grocery and department stores you probably already use. Having all of the sales ads in one place is especially helpful as you plan out your grocery shopping for the week.

Related: How to Find Cheap Flights and Save on Your Next Trip

13. SlickDeals

One of the unique things that make SlickDeals a little different from other coupon websites is the emphasis on community. In addition to the deals curated by the site’s editorial team, you can find member-sourced bargains from around the web.

The latest finds are listed on the front page. You can also check out the forums for current hot deals and freebies. There’s even a section on getting the best price on your next vacation. If you’re looking for a particular product, head over to the “help me find a deal” forum thread and members will be happy to help you find the best price.

14. The Krazy Coupon Lady

If you’re new to couponing, head over to The Krazy Coupon Lady site for expert coupon tips in addition to both printable and online coupons. The website also offers weekly deal matchups by stores, which can be especially helpful when you’re first starting out with couponing.

Deal matchups are helpful guides to the best combination of sales and coupons for a particular store. For example, if a store has General Mills cereal for sale, the coupon matchup for that store will show what available coupons can be used in combination with the sale. There’s usually even a link leading to the coupon so you can print it out.

15. Tada

Tada works similarly to Rakuten, giving you money back for online shopping. You’ll need to sign up for a free account so you can check out the deals it offers. To get cash back, log in and click on the link to the store you’re planning to shop at via the Tada website.

The site offers online coupons and discounts that can be combined with the cash back offers. It’s a great way to double your savings without much effort. Another way to earn cash back is by taking paid online surveys, which are updated daily. Once you’ve accumulated $20, you can redeem them either through PayPal, a check, or an Amazon gift card.

16. Hip2Save

In addition to its large coupon database, Hip2Save offers hot deals on everything from baby products to home and restaurant savings. There’s also a freebies section, which is a great resource for getting free products, books, food, and much more.

The site lists product discounts, store deals, and sales events. You can also find recipes, craft and DIY project ideas, as well as tips on budgeting, cooking, family, home and gardening, and more.

17. Brad’s Deals

Brad’s Deals offers the latest deals from a range of popular retailers. The home page of the site features the Editor’s Pick section, which offers hand-selected deals from the site editor. You can browse the coupons section for discounts from individual retailers.

The website also offers shopping guides on popular and seasonal items including discounts on technology and deals under $25. If you’re looking for tips on saving money and the best time to buy certain products, check out the “save money” section for the latest scoop.

18. eCoupon.io

eCoupon.io shows a list of coupons on its site for items like sunglasses, American Eagle clothes, and contact lenses. There are two ways to use eCoupon.io. First, you visit the website and can view the latest coupons by clicking “Coupons” at the top.

You can also search for specific items by clicking the Products tab. For example, if you’re interested in buying headphones, you can search for “headphones” and see which offers come up.

Related: 16 Best Apps to Help You Reach Your Savings Goals

Ready, Set, Save!

If you’re looking to save money, there are many different coupon sites that will help you find the best deals. Before your next shopping trip, check out some of the free coupon websites on this list to find discounts and coupons you can use on your purchase.

Once you discover the many different ways you can save money and get cash back, it’ll become second nature. Don’t forget to search for a coupon code before you make any online purchase. For in-store shopping trips, check out the coupon websites that offer printable coupons.

One of the best ways to save money online is by combining a sale with a coupon and going through a cash-back portal like Rakuten. This can help you maximize your savings. You’ll be amazed at how easy it can be to save money and get a better deal.

The post 18 Best Coupon Sites for Extreme Savings in 2023 appeared first on DollarSprout.

When I first found out about couponing, I was fascinated by the idea. While it can seem intimidating at first, once you figure it out, it becomes second nature. Now I make it a point to look for coupons for anything and everything I buy.

Couponing has gotten a bad reputation with the rise in T.V. shows that feature people getting 30 bags of dog food, 25 bottles of mouthwash, and 20 boxes of diapers for $3.12. Many of these people don’t even have dogs or babies.

While that’s one end of the spectrum, there’s a lot of room in the middle to save money on things you already buy. This guide to couponing for beginners will help you figure out how to apply the savings to your own specific situation. You can use coupons to save money no matter what you buy.

Couponing 101: A Step-by-Step Guide On How To Coupon

If you’ve found yourself asking “How do I start couponing?” and you’re looking forward to making it work for you, this step-by-step guide will help you figure out how to start using coupons and save money in all areas of your life.

When you first start, keep an open mind. Just like anything else, couponing has a learning curve.

Pre-couponing: get organized

One of the first lessons in couponing for beginners is getting organized. It will make your life infinitely easier if you can easily see the coupons you have and plan out your shopping trip.

You don’t need fancy equipment, just the basics: store flyers, scissors, newspaper coupon inserts, printer, and a way to organize your coupons.

A quick word on organizing your coupons: do what works for you.

Many couponers swear by the big plastic binders with dividers so you can organize and see all of your coupons. For a long time, I used a mini accordion file because I could easily throw it in my purse. I’ve also been known to use ziplock bags and envelopes.

In other words, there’s no need to spend money on fancy coupon organizers.

Get the terminology down

Before going over how to start couponing, let’s talk about some common terms you’ll encounter. Getting these down will make your life easier and your learning curve a lot smoother.

“Store coupons”

Many stores will offer store-specific coupons. That means the coupon is only valid at that particular store.

When you look at the top of a printed coupon, it should say either “store coupon” or “manufacturer’s coupon.” The store-specific coupon will have the store’s logo on it and say something to the effect of, “can only be used at [insert store name].”

“Manufacturer’s coupons”

When the top of the coupon says “manufacturer’s coupon,” it’s issued by the manufacturer of a specific brand. This type of coupon is not store-specific and can be used at any store that accepts it. Not all stores accept coupons, so it’s important to ask or check out the store’s policy before trying to use them.

“Coupon stacking”

Some stores will let you use both a store coupon and a manufacturer’s coupon together. This is called coupon stacking and can be pretty lucrative if you can also combine it with a sale.

To check if a particular store allows for coupon stacking, read that store’s coupon policy. You can also ask an associate. However, they’re not always well-informed when it comes to couponing. The store policy is always your best bet.

“Store coupon policy”

Every store that accepts coupons has a coupon policy. The easiest way to find it is by popping the name of the store and the words “coupon policy” into a search engine and see what comes up.

If you are using coupons at a particular store for the first time, keep a copy of the coupon policy open in a browser on your phone. Not all employees know the store’s coupon policy, so you may need to pull it up to support your case.

“Price match policy”

In addition to a coupon policy, many stores also have a price match policy. A price match policy means that a store will offer to sell you an item at the same price as what a competitor has it advertised.

An example of a store that does that is Walmart. One of the advantages of price-matching an item is that you can use a store coupon on top of the price match for additional savings.

“Coupon overage”

Coupon overage can be an awesome bonus that you can use toward other items in your cart for which you don’t have coupons.

Say you have a coupon for $2 off Crest toothpaste but you find some tubes on clearance for $1. Since your coupon is for $2 off, you can use the difference ($1) on something else in your cart. If you buy five tubes of toothpaste and use five $2 off coupons, you’ll have an extra $5 to use toward the rest of the items in your cart, such as meat and produce.

“Expiration dates”

The majority of coupons have expiration dates. While you may find a few that don’t have an expiration date, many stores won’t accept a coupon without one. Keep on top of expiration dates since once a coupon is expired, most stores won’t accept it.

“Double and triple coupon days”

Some stores have double or triple coupon days, which are great for increasing your savings. The store will triple or double the value of certain coupons up to a certain amount.

For example, a store in my area triples coupons up to $0.35 and doubles coupons between $0.35 and $0.50. So, if I have a $0.30 coupon for toothpaste and a $0.50 coupon for bread, those will now be worth $0.90 and $1.

“Cash back”

While not technically a coupon, digital advertisers will often offer savings in the form of actual cash back to the user.

Instead of reducing the price of an item, shoppers get a small commission — cash — in exchange for making a purchase with a specific merchant.

The shopper then receives a cash or gift card payout in the amount earned. 

The savings are the same, but it’s a psychological win for consumers because they feel like they’re being rewarded beyond just saving money. 

Find your coupons

Once you have a way to organize your coupons and you’re familiar with the basic terminology, the next step is to find deals.

There are many different ways to get coupons. Below are the most common places you can score coupons, both locally and online. Using the couponing tips below, you should be able to find coupons for many of the products your family uses regularly.

Related: 5 Places to Buy Discounted Gift Cards and Save on Everything

Where to find coupons locally

Believe it or not, coupons are all around you. As you start paying more attention to coupons and seeking them out, you’ll notice them everywhere. Getting coupons locally is a great way to get started with couponing.

Store flyers

An easy way to find coupons is in the weekly store flyers.

Many stores will have coupons in the flyer in addition to the weekly specials. This can be pretty handy since you have both the sales and coupons available to help you plan out your grocery shopping. Most coupons can be found toward the back of the flyer, but some inserts have coupons on the front page.

In-store coupon booklets

Once you start looking for these, you’ll notice them everywhere. Many stores have coupon booklets by the registers free for anyone to take. Next time you’re checking out, scout out the area where the groceries get bagged for any coupon booklets or store-branded magazines.

Related: How to Save Money on Groceries

In-store coupon printer

Some stores such as CVS have coupon printers inside the store. To get coupons, just scan your loyalty card and the printer will spit out coupons for any current deals or promotions.

Since these are usually store coupons, they can be stacked with manufacturer’s coupons and sales for even bigger savings.

In your mail

You may be getting coupons in your mail and not even realize it. Certain stores will mail out coupons for store openings or just to drive foot traffic.

I’ve gotten coupons for $10 off a $60 purchase and $5 off your next purchase in my mailbox. Sometimes those can be found on the front page of the store sales flyers mailed directly to your house.

Store aisles

Keep your eyes open for coupons when you’re walking down the store aisles. Many stores will put a coupon for a particular item attached to the shelf where the item is located. Some of the coupons I’ve found this way include cereal, cheese, pickles, yogurt, spaghetti, and much more.

Check the expiration date and grab a few if it’s for an item that you buy often. Add them to your stash to use later when the item is on sale.

Register printouts (AKA catalinas)

Certain stores will print out and give you coupons with your receipt. The coupons are usually generated based on your shopping history when using your store loyalty card.

The register printers are called Catalinas so the coupons printed at the register are also usually referred to as Catalina coupons.

Local newspapers

One of the main ways to find hard copies of coupons is through the Sunday newspaper. You can get a Sunday subscription for the local newspaper or buy it in store. The Sunday coupon inserts usually offer tens if not hundreds of manufacturers’ coupons you can use during your next shopping trip.

Food packaging in your cupboards

Believe it or not, some companies put coupons on the packaging of their products. Some of these can be found as peelies (they peel off) right on the box or can. Others may be inside the box, so don’t forget to check before recycling it. Cut those out and add them to the rest of your coupon stash.

Where to find coupons online

If you can’t find a coupon for an item locally, try searching online.

You can always search for the name of the product and the word “coupon” to see if you can find a coupon online. This can be hit or miss since it’ll likely pull up many outdated results. Alternatively, here are a few great online sources.

Your favorite stores

One of the easiest ways to find coupons online is by using the store app. Stores like Kroger, Target, and Tom Thumb have apps you can download and use to find discounts.

Pay attention when using them since they’ll often feature both store and manufacturer’s coupons. You can stack a store coupon with a manufacturer’s coupon but not two manufacturer’s coupons.

Manufacturer websites

Another great place to find coupons is the website for the manufacturer of a particular product. For example, Proctor & Gamble manufactures products such as Bounty paper towels, Charmin toilet paper, Crest toothpaste, Dawn dishwashing detergent, and other popular brands. It has a website — P&G Everyday –dedicated to helping you save money on its products.

Check out the websites for the manufacturers of your favorite products and see if they offer a way for you to get coupons. These companies want you to buy more of their products, and offering coupons is a great way to drive sales.

Couponing websites

If you’re new to couponing, you may not realize that there are online coupon aggregator websites that list printable coupons for different products and brands. The most well-known couponing aggregator site is Coupons.com. Others include CouponNetworks.com, RedPlum.com, SmartSource.com, and Swagbucks.com.

These sites offer new coupons every month (some more often) about specific products or brands. You can even find marketplace-specific coupons and then you can select or print out the coupons that you’d like to use on your next shopping trip.

There’s usually a limit to how many times you can print out a coupon (usually two times). Many of these sites will require you to install a specific program on your computer so you can print out the coupon and they can track how many times you print it.

Pro Tip: MyPoints is a great option for finding grocery coupons. You’ll earn 25 Points for each coupon you redeem at your local grocery store (in addition to the savings on the coupon of course). Furthermore, you’ll earn 1 Point just for printing out a coupon, even if you don’t use it!

Couponing apps

Did you know that you can also save money after you come home from the grocery store? There are cash-back apps that will reimburse a portion of your purchase when you scan your receipt. Others give you cash back when you click through them to the website of a store where you plan to shop.

DollarSprout Rewards – The free desktop browser extension (available on Chrome or Safari) helps you earn and save in multiple ways. 

1. Earn 10% cash back (or more) at one of 15,000 popular retailers, for free. 
2. The extension also finds and applies working promo and coupon codes it finds across the web.

There’s no catch and the app pays out in cash the following month once you reach a balance of $5 or more. It’s a no-risk, get-all-the-reward way to save money when buying online. 

Capital One Shopping – Capital One Shopping is a browser extension that offers coupons and lets you know when there’s a better price on another site. If you’re shopping for Bose headphones on Amazon, Capital One Shopping will show if there’s a better deal elsewhere.

Capital One Shopping is free to use and takes under a minute to install. You can also add items to your watchlist so you’ll be notified when they go on sale.

Note: Capital One Shopping compensates us when you get the Capital One Shopping extension using the links provided.

Related: DollarSprout’s Capital One Review

Ibotta – This app works through instant rebates. Simply choose a few products from the list inside the app and complete the required actions (watch a quick clip, answer a question, etc.).

Go to the store and purchase those items as usual. When you come home, scan your store receipt and you’ll get cash back for the items you selected and purchased.

Use coupons in store for even more savings.

Related: DollarSprout’s Ibotta Review

Rakuten  – Rakuten is a cashback website and app that pays you a percentage of your purchase as cash.

You can also link a credit card to your Rakuten account and select which stores to use it at for cash back.

When you use your credit card in store, you’ll get a percentage of your purchase credited back to your Rakuten account.

Related: DollarSprout’s Rakuten Review

Checkout 51 – This app works in a similar way to Ibotta. Products are updated every Thursday, so check the app before each shopping trip for potential rebates.

It has different products from Ibotta, so make sure you check both apps before going shopping.

Related: This Savings Pro Collected $830 from Ibotta and Rakuten Last Year. Here’s How She Did It.

Your inbox

Many companies will send exclusive coupons to their mailing list. Sign up for the email list for manufacturers of products you buy regularly. For example, I love Organic Valley products, so I signed up for its email list. It regularly sends out coupons exclusively to its email subscribers.

Make your list

Now that you know how to start couponing, it’s time to go over some couponing tips to make your shopping trip a success. The first rule of Couponing 101 is to make a list. Don’t just organize your list based on what’s for sale, but also on what coupons you have.

The magic in couponing really happens when you hit the sweet spot. What is that? It’s when you combine a really good sale with a coupon for maximum savings. Try to capitalize on a few good sale/coupon combos to bring down your grocery total. You’ll get better with practice.

Most stores operate on a 12-week sale cycle. This means that they offer a deep discount on a particular product at least once every 12 weeks. Keep an eye on the store flyers so you can plan out your couponing strategy. You’ll get the biggest savings when you combine a great sale with a high-value coupon or by coupon stacking.

Go shopping

Now that you have your list and your coupons, it’s time to go shopping. Get your coupons ready beforehand and get organized. Make a list based on the order in which you’ll go through the grocery store aisles.

On your list, make a note of any special coupon requirements (e.g. $1 off 2 items, 13.5 oz box, etc.). This will ensure you follow the rules so you get the discount at checkout. Keep an eye on the register as you’re checking out to ensure you’re getting the right price and that the computer is taking off your coupons.

The first few times you do this, it may feel a little overwhelming. But stick with it! Make it a game and see how much you can save on stuff you’re already buying.

Keep in mind that couponing is free money and you just need to learn how to do it. Just make sure to only buy things that you need and will use. Spending money on something just because you have a coupon will negate your savings.

Pro Tip: If a store is out of an item you want and it’s on a really good sale, ask for a rain check. Most stores will give you a rain check that says they will honor the sale price at a later date since the item is out of stock. Come back the following week once the item is no longer on sale. Now, you can use your rain check combined with a coupon to get big savings. Check the store’s coupon policy to make sure you can combine a rain check with a coupon.

Calculate your savings

A great way to motivate yourself to use coupons is to figure out your savings. Track how much extra time you spend clipping and organizing your coupons as well as the money saved each shopping trip.

This will help you figure out if couponing is worth your time. If you use coupons wisely and combine them with store savings, they can really help you save money on your regular, everyday purchases.

Couponing FAQs

If you’re new to couponing, you’ll probably have some questions about terms you encounter on select coupons. Here are the answers to some of those questions and examples to make it easier to understand.

Can I combine coupons?

Absolutely. Combining coupons is an excellent way to amp up your savings. You can use one manufacturer’s coupon and one store coupon per item (called coupon stacking).

If you have any Catalina coupons such as $5 off a $25 purchase, you can use that on top of the manufacturers’ and store coupons. For example, if you have a $1 off Wonderbread and $0.50 off Barilla pasta coupons, you can use both in the same transaction.

Can I use more than one coupon per item?

Make sure to check each store’s coupon policy so you know what’s allowed. Most stores will let you stack a store coupon with a manufacturer’s coupon for the same item.

For example, if you’re shopping at Target and have a manufacturer’s coupon for $1 off Kraft cheese and a Target store coupon for $0.50 off Kraft cheese, you can use both for a total savings of $1.50. However, you can’t use more than one manufacturer’s coupon for the same item.

What does “limit one coupon per purchase” mean?

When you see the verbiage “limit one coupon per purchase,” it means you can use one type of coupon for every individual item purchased.

If you buy five containers of sour cream, you can use five manufacturer’s coupons – one for each tub. This language is meant to reinforce the fact that you can’t use more than one manufacturer’s coupon for the same item.

What does “limit one coupon per purchase per transaction” mean?

This means that you can use only one coupon for this item per transaction.

For example, if you’re buying two Red Baron pizzas and you have two $1 off coupons that say “limit one coupon per purchase per transaction,” you’ll have to do two separate transactions. You’ll have to buy one pizza, use one of the $1 off coupons, pay the cashier, then do a second transaction with the second pizza using the other $1 off coupon.

Couponing Tips to Live By

Now that you know how to start couponing, let’s go over some tips to make the process easier. Keep in mind that it takes some time to learn how to coupon like a pro.

It gets easier the more you do it and, if done right, will save you hundreds of dollars every year. Wouldn’t it be great to lower your spending without sacrificing what you buy? Here are some couponing tips to help you be successful.

Set aside time to coupon each week

Set aside some time each week to find, cut out, and organize your coupons. Whatever day and time you chose, try to be consistent each week.

One of the best times to do this is Sunday using the store flyers and coupon inserts. Plan out your shopping list and match up coupons to sales. Use this list to figure out meals for the week for added savings.

Only use coupons you actually need

This is an important point to remember. When you first start couponing, it can be easy to get carried away and buy things you don’t need.

Don’t be that person who buys cat food when you don’t have a cat just because you can get it for free. Only buy what you actually need and can use before it goes bad. Don’t spend money on unnecessary things just because they’re a good deal. This can quickly add up and cost you more in the long run.

Master one store at a time

Every store has different coupon policies. Focus on learning the rules one store at a time to make your life easier.

This will prevent you from getting confused and frustrated. Once you learn one store, move on to the next one until you have the process down for each store you frequent.

Schedule your shopping trip in advance

Make sure you plan out and schedule each trip in advance. Don’t fly by the seat of your pants.

The more prepared you are, the less stressed and rushed you’ll feel. Have your list and coupons ready and follow your plan. Get a rain check if an item is out and move on. Getting stressed out or overwhelmed will increase your chances of making mistakes or giving up altogether.

Couponing Takes Practice

When you first start couponing, it can feel overwhelming. The more you use coupons, the easier it gets. The first few times I used a coupon, I was nervous thinking the cashier might laugh at me or I would do something wrong and hold up the line. However, once I used coupons a few times, I realized the amazing savings potential and never looked back.

Using coupons can be fun, especially if you turn it into a game. Try to figure out how you can lower your grocery bill more and more each week. Stock up when you can combine a good sale and coupons and plan your meals accordingly. To make the most out of your coupon savings, only buy things you need, use, and like.

The post How to Start Couponing for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know appeared first on DollarSprout.

Taking a vacation is a great way to reduce stress and improve productivity, but traveling can be costly. Making a travel budget will make a big difference while planning your next getaway.

Those who love to travel should incorporate it as a line item in their monthly budgets. Each month, set aside a certain amount for travel in its own separate account.

Earmark that money specifically as a vacation budget so that it can be spent guilt-free. Money that is put toward trip expenses can simply be reimbursed from the travel account.

With that said, if there is outstanding debt that is difficult to pay off, planning an immediate vacation may not be a good idea. In this case, the priority should be to set up an emergency fund that includes three-to-six months’ worth of living expenses.

Why Is Budgeting for a Vacation Important?

While it is good to get into the habit of setting aside vacation funds every month, it is also important to create a budget for each individual trip. This will help determine how long it will take to build up enough money in the vacation account to pay for that trip. It will also allow for logistics to be planned out, while staying on budget.

Scheduling and budgeting for vacations can be very enjoyable. Researching hotel accommodations, restaurants, and free things to do helps to build up anticipation. It can be fun for the whole family to spend time together, figuring out the different parts of an upcoming trip.

How to Budget for A Vacation in 5 Simple Steps

When it comes time to map out those vacation expenses, a few key steps will help lead to success and worry-free traveling. Begin by drafting a well-rounded vacation budget, focusing on expenses in the following five main categories. Once these are figured out, the rest of the details will fall into place.

1. Choose a destination and preferred date

Start by picking a destination and nailing down travel dates. Remember that some locations are more expensive to visit than others. The time of year can also make a difference in pricing. Traveling done at peak tourist times usually costs more than off-season trips.

Be flexible

Being flexible is one of the easiest ways to save when budgeting for a vacation. Check out multiple travel destinations and compare prices before settling on options for lodging and airfare. Since these are two of the largest expenses in any travel budget, keeping them in check will go a long way toward helping to keep the overall cost down.

Be willing to look at alternative accommodations or stay at a place that is a little farther away from the tourist areas. Remember that most vacation time is spent outside the hotel room – so there is no reason to put a large chunk of the budget toward nice accommodations that will be used only for sleep.

Also, be flexible when choosing a travel date. Many travel search engines have a “flexible dates” option that can be used to research the lowest prices for airfare and lodging. Plan around these dates for added savings in the travel budget.

Related: 11 of the Best Cheap Vacation Ideas

Consider the season

The time of year can really impact a travel budget. A lot of people have begun to plan weddings around their honeymoons, and not vise versa. For example, if the goal is to travel to Italy without spending a fortune or facing large crowds of tourists – while still enjoying nice weather – get married in early autumn, which is known as the shoulder season. It’s a great time of year to travel, because the weather is still nice, but the crowds have thinned out. Most people with children travel during the summer. Once the kids are back in school, prices for airfare and accommodations tend to drop, allowing people with more flexibility to travel cheaper.

Related: Make Money Renting Your Home with Airbnb While You’re on Vacation

2. Make a list of your major expenses (use a travel budget worksheet)

When drafting a travel budget worksheet, plan for the biggest expenses, including transportation, accommodations, and food, first. Getting those out of the way will greatly aid in putting together the overall vacation budget.

Research cheap travel deals (transportation)

Transportation costs for trips that are taken close to home will not be very high. But when airfare comes into the picture, the transportation line item will increase dramatically. Research multiple airlines for cheap travel deals, and consider taking connecting flights to cut down on the cost. If it’s feasible, check out the price of flights leaving from airports in nearby cities.

Flights on airlines to and from major airport hubs are usually lower in cost. For example, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines are both headquartered in Dallas. Flights on those airlines tend to be the cheapest travel to and from that area.

Research accommodations

Another large expense in any travel budget is lodging. There is a wide range of options to consider when it comes to picking out a place to stay, including hostels, hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, or apartments. Or, if a trip includes camping, those accommodations can include cabins and tents.

Rather than being brand-loyal to a particular hotel, utilize travel sites like Hotels.com to compare costs at different chains. After all, most travel time is spent sightseeing and exploring, not inside the room.

The closer accommodations are to major attractions, the more expensive they will be. Consider staying somewhere off the beaten path to save money.

When traveling with a group of people, split the cost of accommodations. For example, rent a house or condo with multiple rooms and divide the costs. If your destination is more remote, consider renting an RV. For as low as $175 per night, you can comfortably sleep 10 adults and still come in under $20 per person per day.

Budget for food

One of the trickiest line items in a vacation budget is food. To save some money in this area, choose a place to stay that has a kitchen – or at least a refrigerator and microwave. Eat some meals there, and then splurge a few times by going out to eat at local restaurants.

Another great way to save money on food is to stay in a bed and breakfast or a hotel that includes breakfast. Some chains like Homewood Suites or DoubleTree offer both a kitchen area and a hot breakfast, which helps in saving money. Drinks bought while eating out can quickly add to a bill, so buy wine or beer for the room to keep that travel budget in check.

When budgeting for meals, try going out for lunch instead of dinner. Lunch is usually cheaper than dinner, and many of the same options are offered for less. It is also usually not as tempting to order pricey alcoholic beverages during lunch.

Related: How to Find Cheap Gas Nearby (When You’re On the Go)

3. Make a list of smaller expenses

Once the larger expenses are planned out, figure out the extras, like sightseeing, entertainment, and gifts.

Research potential vacation activities and local places to visit. Go online to get an idea of the associated costs, and budget accordingly.

Don’t forget to plan for any necessary vaccines if traveling abroad, as well as gifts to take back home. Build a buffer into the budget to account for any surprise expenses. It’s always best to plan for more, and then spend less.

4. Determine the monthly savings

Once a rough vacation budget has been established, it’s time to figure out how to pay for it. Take the total amount and divide it by the number of months left until the trip. For example, if the vacation date is in nine months and the cost of the trip is approximately $2,700, $300 must be set aside every month.

If that amount seems too large, there are two options: adjust the timeline or make some extra money.

If necessary, push the trip out by a few months until enough money can be saved, or figure out how to bring in some extra income. There are many different ways to make money on the side, and help to reach that savings goal.

5. Vacation budgeting doesn’t end there

Those travel budgets won’t do much good if they aren’t followed. It is important to track costs and stay on top of spending while on vacation. Don’t stress out over every penny, but don’t go overboard, either. It wouldn’t be fun to see some nasty surprises on the bank or credit card statement later.

One of the easiest ways to track expenditures while traveling is with a budgeting tool like Personal Capital. Alternatively, keep on top of spending with an Excel spreadsheet or even with a pen and paper. Whatever the method, keep it updated and check it regularly.

Bonus Tip: Draft an itinerary

While it’s not necessary to create an itinerary when budgeting for a vacation, it really helps stay on track. The best way to do this is by using an Excel spreadsheet. Make a rough outline with a separate entry for each day of the vacation. Fill in all of the travel information and any scheduled activities like sightseeing tours.

Make a separate column to the side and list out all potential vacation activities. Group together any events that are in the same area of town and write down approximately how long each one would take. Now slot them in under the different day headers for either the morning or afternoon.

Try to group together activities or sightseeing that will occur in the same part of town. Food and restaurant options can be added in after the schedule is roughed out.

Itineraries are meant to be flexible, not restrictive. Move things around to find the right balance. Note the associated cost of each entry on the list.

Add all of the expenses together at the bottom of the spreadsheet to estimate the total travel budget. Remember that it’s not necessary to follow the itinerary word for word. Use it as a planning tool and focus on enjoying the trip.

Creating a Travel Budget Is Well Worth the Time

Even though it may seem like creating a travel budget can be a hassle, in the long run, it will make vacations far more enjoyable.

Having a vacation budget means not stressing about money after the trip. It allows for advanced planning and time to save up enough money. Budgeting for a vacation means that it will be easy to relax and have a good time, knowing that everything is in the budget and ready to be paid for.

The post How to Travel on a Budget for a Stress Free Vacation appeared first on DollarSprout.

But that simply isn’t true. Even if you have 20 pairs of shoes and walls filled with pictures, you can still practice minimalism. At its core, minimalism is about living intentionally with clarity and purpose. Those shoes and pictures on your wall might bring you a sense of fulfillment even if they seem unnecessary to other people.

But to effectively practice minimalism, you’ll likely still need to get rid of some stuff. But where do you start? The simplest answer is to start wherever you feel overwhelmed. That can be your closet, your wallet, or even your social media habits.

Although it seems complicated, it’s easier than you think to start practicing minimalist living.

What Are the Benefits of Living a Minimalist Lifestyle?

Joshua Becker from BecomingMinimalist.com defined minimalism this way: “At its core, minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything that distracts us from it. It is a life that forces intentionality.”

In other words, minimalism involves intentionally spending your resources such as time and money on the things we enjoy rather than the things we don’t.

American culture often values more over less, which becomes exhausting and expensive.

The self-storage industry is just one example of how costly it is to own too many possessions. The average monthly cost of a storage unit per person in 2018 was $91, which adds up to more than $1,000 annually._[1] Instead of using that money to store your things, you could use it to pay down debt, start an emergency fund, or go on vacation.

Beyond saving money, eliminating what’s not important to you has other benefits. Many have explored the idea that living a minimalist lifestyle can also help you:

• Eliminate stress caused by clutter and too many commitments
• Enjoy improved health, sleep, and overall wellness
• Create deeper and more meaningful relationships
• Be more environmentally conscious
• Improve your financial health
• Increase productivity

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A 2017 study found that when evaluating the work habits of business owners and their key executives, that time-wasting, low-value, and no-value activities accounted for more than 30% of their workweeks!!⁣ ⁣ When totaled up, that comes out to 21.8 hours!! Almost half of the work week wasted on non important emails, social media, and things that don’t matter to the business. ⁣ ⁣ So with this, challenge yourself to be aware of time wasting behavior at work! Think about how you can instead use that time to benefit the business!

A post shared by DollarSprout Personal Finance (@dollarsprout) on Sep 25, 2019 at 11:17am PDT

The benefits of minimalist living are worth giving it a try, but it can seem overwhelming to start. Rather than getting bogged down with the details, or trying to do everything at once, pick one minimalist habit to try for a few weeks. If it works for you, build on that and continue until you’ve designed your ideal minimalist lifestyle.

10 Ways to Live a More Minimalist Lifestyle

It’s not as difficult as it seems to incorporate minimalist living into your routine. Focus on one area you’d like to change and apply some of the minimalist principles to that. Change is hard so don’t beat yourself up if you don’t get it “right” the first time. Keep practicing and adjusting as needed until you find the right combination.

1. Simplify your finances.

Deciding to try living with less can not only lead to having more money in the bank, but it’s a chance to consolidate and simplify your finances, making it easier to manage your money. There are a few ways you can do this:

• Consolidate accounts. If you have multiple checking and saving accounts with different banks, try consolidating them. Having all of your money at one bank makes it easier to do transfers and institute overdraft protection. You may even save on fees. If you have multiple 401(k)s or IRAs, consider consolidating those as well.
• Use one credit card. Rather than having multiple credit cards with varying rewards programs to track, pick the card that has the best interest rate and rewards program for you. Not only is it easier to track expenses and make paying the bill quicker (and you’ll have less due dates to remember), it eliminates the potential for underutilizing your earned rewards. If you’re concerned about your credit score, don’t close the cards you’re not using. Simply take them out of your wallet and put them in a drawer so you’re not tempted to use them. To prevent the unused cards from being canceled, set up a small, recurring bill like your Netflix subscription to be paid automatically with that card. Just don’t forget to set a reminder to pay it off each month.

• Eliminate paperwork. When possible, opt for paperless options or autopay for your bills. It’s more environmentally-friendly and reduces the amount of paper clutter in your home. If you’re mailed important paperwork, like contracts or tax forms, create a filing system to hold all of the documents. You can do this with a manilla folder you keep on your desk. If you’re worried about losing the documents, you can scan them with your phone, and upload it into the Cloud.
• Pay down debt. One of the best ways to simplify your finances is to pay down your debt. Unlike some of the other strategies, paying down debt helps more with your mental and emotional clutter. Debt is time-consuming and stressful. When you no longer have to worry about it, it frees up that energy for other things. Paying off debt can take years, even if you embrace frugality. This is not a quick-fix, but the long-term benefits make it worth pursuing.

2. Turn decluttering into a challenge.

Chores and responsibilities become more fun when they become a game. And minimalist living is no different. Break the process down into smaller chunks and make it enjoyable by turning it into a challenge.

Let’s say you want to get rid of items in your house but you don’t know where to start. An easy place to begin is by getting rid of the number of items that correspond to the day of the month. So on May 1, you’ll get rid of one item, May 2, you’ll get rid of two, and so on. In one month, you’ll have removed 496 items from your home while doing it in a way that’s manageable. It’s easier to pick two items to remove than 100.

You can get your friends to do this challenge, share it on social media, or hold a yard sale when you’re done to make extra money from your clutter.

Related: 26 Best Selling Apps to Sell Stuff Online (and Locally)

3. Do a social media detox.

Studies have shown that the average person spends three hours per day just on social media._[2] If you choose to share your progress on social media, consider how social media impacts your mood and mental health. When you open up a platform like Facebook or Instagram, ask yourself why you’re doing it. Is it to alleviate boredom or check for likes on your latest picture? Do you find yourself falling into a comparison trap the longer you spend on the platform?

If so, consider taking a break from social media. Delete any unnecessary apps for a period of time, whether it’s a weekend, week, or month, and when the time frame is over, assess how you feel without them. Ask yourself:

• Has your mood improved?
• How much time did you get back in your day?
• Did you miss using the apps?
• Can you be more intentional with your usage?

How you answer those questions should govern your social media usage going forward. You don’t have to give up social media entirely, but incorporating digital minimalism is an effective way to use it intentionally.

If you struggle with limiting yourself or permanently deleting your social media apps isn’t an option, consider using external controls like setting time limits through the screen time feature on iPhones or apps like Offtime or BreakFree.

4. Eliminate toxic relationships.

Friends who make you feel bad, are constantly negative, or bring too much drama can be mentally and physically draining. Relationships are never easy, but toxic friends can be hurtful and cause constant stress. If you’re working on a more minimalist lifestyle, it’s time to consider letting go of those toxic relationships.

In many cases, especially if the toxic person is a family member, this is easier said than done. But if you’ve tried to discuss your concerns, establish boundaries, and limit your time and exposure to that person, and they’re still causing you stress, it might be time to sever ties. It will likely hurt, but your mental and emotional health (and financial health) are worth it.

5. Choose quality over quantity.

One of the basic tenets of minimalist living is having only what you need and use regularly. It doesn’t mean that you never buy anything. When considering purchasing a new item, it’s important not only that it serves a function and purpose, but that you choose quality over quantity. Buying a quality item will be more expensive in the short term, but will mean spending less over time.

Quality items last longer than cheap items so you’ll save money in the long run. For example, a quality pair of shoes will be more comfortable and will last longer than a cheaper pair. If you take good care of your quality belongings, they’ll remain usable for a long time – saving you money and reducing waste.

6. Buy one, give two.

A simple method for limiting clutter and maintaining a minimalist lifestyle is to get rid of two items for every new one you buy or bring in. For example, if you see a shirt you absolutely love and want to have, buy it and commit to selling or donating two you already own. Selling unwanted items will bring in some extra income, but there’s no harm in giving things away either.

The buy one, give two rule not only helps reduce the amount of stuff inside your home, but it also means you need to be pickier about what you buy and what you keep.

Related: 8 Best Sites to Sell Clothes Online

7. Simplify your wardrobe.

One way to ensure that you stick to the buy one, give two rule is to create a minimalist wardrobe, sometimes known as a capsule wardrobe. A capsule wardrobe means you own a curated and limited selection of clothing, usually between 30 and 40 items, that fit well, easily mix together, and that you love wearing.

If you live in a climate with four seasons, you can create four capsule wardrobes with seasonally appropriate clothing. Stephanie Samuel, blogger at Simple by Stephanie and minimalism expert, uses a year-round capsule wardrobe that accommodates all the seasons.

Another way to simplify your wardrobe is to wear mostly neutrals, like black, white, gray, navy, and tan, and less busy patterns (like stripes). Wearing a neutral palette means that all items can be worn together and you don’t have to spend time figuring which items match.

Having a capsule wardrobe is an effective way to reduce the amount of clothing you own, save money, and eliminate decision fatigue when you look in your closet. You know everything matches, fits, and you can get dressed quickly and stress-free. This also makes packing for trips much easier.

8. Consume less media.

When you consume less media, whether it’s podcasts, social media, or television, you limit your exposure to advertising. The advertising industry spends billions of dollars a year promoting gadgets, food, clothes, and everything else, so it’s almost impossible to escape product advertising. It’s everywhere.

This can be overwhelming and tempt even the most budget-conscious person to spend money and stray from minimalism. To combat this, turn off the TV, log out of social media, and close your browser. People who have a true overspending problem can try a browser extension like StayFocused, which will block particularly problematic websites.

9. Limit gift giving (and receiving).

Gift giving is a controversial topic among minimalists, especially around the holidays. About 56% of people report receiving unwanted gifts during the holidays, many of which are thrown away or donated._[3] Limiting gift giving and receiving reduces unnecessary and unwanted junk and helps save money.

Make a pact with loved ones to stop exchanging gifts. Focus instead on doing fun activities or sharing a meal. If your family is resistant to this idea, suggest switching to experience gifts instead of physical ones. Instead of buying your dad a golf club, take him to play a round of golf at a nearby club. Or instead of giving your sister a gift card, take her to a spa for a massage.

Experience gifts allow you to still give and receive presents but without the burden of extra clutter.

10. Do the spending vs. value test.

Minimalist living is not just about getting rid of stuff. It’s also about getting the most value from life and focusing on what’s important.

Do a spending vs. value test to figure out what matters the most. Make a list of the ten most expensive items that you own. This can include your house, car, jewelry, TV, etc. Then make another list with the things that add the most value to your life. This could include playing with your kids at the park, traveling, or enjoying new cuisines.

When you’re done, compare the two lists and see where there’s overlap. If there isn’t any, think if you can get rid of some items from the “stuff” list to pay for or make room for the “value” list. This list may also show what you should stop buying to make more room in your budget for your values.

Shift Your Mindset

Minimalist living is more than just purging old college T-shirts and paperback books. It requires a complete mindset shift.

It means focusing on what you value the most and scaling back the rest.  It means changing the way you think about your possessions, your money, your time, and being more intentional with how you use all of them.

And when you’re intentional with your resources, you can reduce stress, save money, and have more freedom to enjoy what’s the most meaningful to you.

The post 10 Minimalist Living Tips That’ll Have You Living Happier with Less appeared first on DollarSprout.