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Need Extra Cash? Here’s How to Make $500 Fast

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How to Make $500 Fast

Are you wondering how to make $500 fast? Maybe you have bills you’re late on or you’re dealing with a decrease in income. Or, maybe you need to buy gifts for an upcoming holiday. Whatever the reason, it is possible to put $500 in your pocket quickly. It requires a bit of diligence but, when there’s an emergency or urgent matter, it’s worth the effort.

How to Make $500 Fast

If you want to earn $500 quickly, you have to look outside of traditional opportunities. Even if you landed a new job today, your first paycheck might not arrive for weeks. For many, that just isn’t fast enough.

Luckily, there are plenty of alternative approaches. If you need to know how to make $500 fast, give these options a try.

sell old clothing to make money

Sell Unneeded Stuff

Clothes, electronics, household goods, and many other items you own today could bring in money tomorrow. You just have to be willing to part with them and list them for sale in the right places.

Often, for quick cash, Craigslist is a solid choice and so is local Facebook groups. You may be able to connect with a local buyer and get cash in hand in as little as a few hours. However, you do have to price your items fairly, first and foremost. Also, you need to include a good description and photos, if possible, so shoppers can see what you have to offer.

If you put an ad on Craigslist or Facebook, make sure to pick a safe location to complete the transaction. For example, the parking lot for your local police or fire department may be ideal, as long as they don’t mind you handling things there. Otherwise, pick a public place, preferably one with surveillance, and consider bringing a buddy with you when you meet the buyer.

Online and Direct Sales

Alternatively, you can list items for sale online or even sell directly to companies. For example, Decluttr will buy tech, gadgets, DVDs, and even Legos straight from you. Just scan the barcode for your item in the app, and you’ll receive an offer. If you accept, Decluttr sends you a shipping label, allowing you to pack up your stuff and get it one its way.

Once Decluttr has your items, they issue a payment the next day. If you opt for PayPal or direct deposit, you could complete the whole transaction in less than a week.

dog walking to earn money

Embrace the Gig Economy

If you don’t have items to sell, you might want to explore the gig economy for opportunities. You can find short jobs and side hustles that can help you increase your earnings fast.

Animal lovers may have luck on Rover. There, you can find dog walking and pet sitting opportunities, especially if you live in a big city. Depending on the services you offer and demand in your area, you could make $500 in as little as a week or two.

For those who fancy themselves as writers, errand runners, website developers, or a variety of other forms of professional, consider checking out Fiverr. The site covers over 100 niches, many of them representing short-term opportunities.

While you do have to work to land a gig, and the work must be turned in and approved before you get paid, you could make $500 in just a week or two on Fiverr, depending on what you have to offer.

TaskRabbit is another option, focusing mostly on people who need small tasks handled for them. This can include anything from errand running to handyman work, and you don’t always have to have prior experience to find opportunities. How quickly you can earn $500 depends on your skill set and the rates you set, so make sure to create enticing offers when you apply and stay within the going rate in your area, according to your level of expertise.

Become a Rideshare Driver

While technically part of the gig economy, rideshare driving has become its own monster. Both Lyft and Uber are giants in the space, and it’s pretty easy to get started if you meet the criteria.

For Lyft, you need to be at least 21 years old and have a smartphone. Plus, you’ll need a valid driver’s license, good driving record, and social security number. They also conduct a background check, and your car has to meet their standards.

Since pulling in around $21 an hour isn’t uncommon, you could make $500 in a single week if you drove for about 25 hours. However, the amount you could earn varies by location, so you might need to head to a populated area or the local airport to increase your money-making potential.

Uber has similar requirements, though you could be as young as 19 and qualify as a driver.

Rent Out a Room

If you have a spare room and live in an area frequented by tourists, you could earn $500 fast by listing on Airbnb. Almost anyone can qualify to list as a host, and signing up is completely free.

Hosts in popular locations could land a guest quick. Once you do, you can receive your payout in as little as 24 hours after the person checks in, though it may take as long as seven days for the transaction to process.

Usually, Airbnb’s fee is about 3 percent of what you earn as a host, though it can be higher under specific circumstances. If you live in a popular area, you could make $500 in a week or less, though that depends on the rate you set and if you land a guest.

All of the options above can be ideal when you need to make $500 fast. Consider trying one or all of them and see if you can bring in the cash you need quickly and efficiently.

Do you have any tips on how to make $500 fast? Share them in the comments below.

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If you enjoy reading our blog posts and would like to try your hand at blogging, we have good news for you; you can do exactly that on Saving Advice. Just click here to get started.

Reach Your Financial Goals Faster: 10 Easy Ways to Make Money on the Side

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10 ways to make money on the side

Do you need more money to take a vacation, build your emergency savings, or pay down debt? You can make extra money every month, with a side job. Try out one (or more) of these 10 easy ways to make money on the side and reach your financial goals faster.

1. Earn Extra Cash as an Uber Eats Delivery-Partner

Uber has become a great way to make extra money in recent years. The company has further expanded its services and opportunity to earn more, by offering food delivery. Fares may vary depending on where you deliver food. Learn more about becoming an Uber Eats delivery-partner and start earning before you know it.

What You Need

To become an Uber Eats delivery-partner, some requirements are to be at least 19 years old, and have a driver’s license and insurance. You’ll also need at least one year of driving experience. Uber Eats delivery-partners are also required to have a 1998 model vehicle or newer.

2. Make Money from Home with Survey Sites

Survey sites like Survey Junkie and Swagbucks are an easy way to make money without leaving home. Although most sites won’t be able to replace your full-time job, it’s a good way to supplement your income or make extra cash.

What You Need

All you have to do is sign up and start answering questions to start making money. There are no additional requirements except that most sites require you to be at least 18 years old. You’ll also need a valid email address and payment information.

make extra money driving

3. Earn Up to $25 an Hour as a Babysitter or Petsitter

Many teenagers babysit, house sit, or petsit to earn money in high school. However, it can prove to be a great side hustle later in life as well. If you have good references, you can pull in a significant amount of money.

What You Need

Care.com is a great website to browse open babysitting and petsitting jobs in your area. The site requires you be at least 18 years old to apply for babysitting positions. Each job will have specific requirements you must meet before applying. For instance, some families will require you to have CPR certifications. Other families would prefer you have 10+ years of experience with kids. Visit the site to sort through open nanny positions that fit your qualifications.

4. Invest for Income

Recent SEC changes mean its cost effective to start building up passive income flows. With a lot of newer fintech startups, you can start investing and earn extra cash without much effort. In fact, you don’t even have to have a ton of cash to get started. You can start investing with as little as $5. Many of these apps allow you to evaluate your desired risk level. Generally, the higher the risk, the more money you’ll see immediately.

Good places to start are new startups like Stockpile or Emperor Investments.

5. Make Thousands Selling Online

Since the launch of eBay, selling online has been a popular side hustle. Now, there are a number of sites where you can sell clothes, things you’ve made, or other items. Consider listing handmade items on Etsy.

What You Need

Amazon is great for selling mass-produced products as well as secondhand books. Select Amazon FBA businesses have been able to grow their monthly income to six figures. The most profitable of categories on Amazon FBA is still books (yes, real books). If you can manage to purchase a bulk number of books for a low price you can sell them on Amazon for 1000% of their original price.

You can also sell items around the house like appliances and household items on Craigslist. This platform is great for selling larger, unneeded items like furniture, old cars, electronics, outdoor items, and appliances.

eBay produces fewer million-dollar sellers than the Amazon FBA program, but if you have the right items, you can do well. Antique sellers and people with collectibles do best on eBay.

6. Get Paid to Work Out

Sites like DietBet and HealthyWage provide a way to make extra money while getting healthy. You put a certain amount of money on the line and challenge yourself to reach certain goals. Then, at the end, if you have met those goals, you’ll double your money (or more). Both of those sites require an initial investment though.

If you really want to earn cash without any money out of pocket, AchieveMint is absolutely free and pays you to go to the gym or share healthy meals on social media. For every 1,000 points, you receive $1. The app is completely free, and you don’t have to do anything but exercise and live a healthy lifestyle to get paid.

What You Need

DietBet has some requirements betters must meet to be able to participate. Everyone must be 18+ and have a BMI (body mass index) of at least 18.5%. If your BMI would fall below 18.5% after losing 4%, you will also not qualify to participate. DietBet users are also asked to refrain from binging, purging, dehydration, and any medical weight-loss surgery. HealthyWage has the same guidelines.

7. Grocery Shop for up to $25 an Hour

Shopping might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of ways to make money on the side. However, with services like Instacart, you could earn hundreds of dollars. If you sign up and are accepted, it can be a great side hustle (especially if you’re able to pick up groceries in your area without traveling too far).

What You Need

Basic requirements for becoming a shopper with Instacart are that drivers must be 18+, eligible to work in the U.S., consistent access to a vehicle and smartphone, and the ability to lift between 30 and 40 pounds. If that sounds like you, check out Instacart to get started.

8. Pick Up an Extra $50 Being a Friend

RentAFriend.com pays you to be a friend. For instance, people who are new to the city might “rent” a friend to see what the city has to offer. Or, you might be hired to attend an event.

What You Need

After you pay a small membership fee, you can earn as much as $50 an hour, just for being someone’s friend.

9. Earn as Much as $100 Testing Websites

Companies like UserTesting are always looking for people nationwide and will pay you to test websites. Depending on the site, pay may vary. Typically, testers are paid per test study, starting at around $8 per test, up to as much as $100 per test. If you pick through the offers, you may be able to land a high-paying gig for little-to-no-effort on your part.

What You Need

To start earning extra cash, you’ll need to be at least 18 years old and have access to a laptop or desktop computer. Smartphone access may be required for some testing as well.

10. Rack Up Cash Back

No matter what time of year it is, Ebates can help you earn cash back on all of your purchases. This company provides you with cash back opportunities at more than 2,500 stores. Throughout the year, you can get up to 3% cash back on eligible purchases at participating retailers by using the linked card. During the holiday season, Ebates is known to increase your cash back to 10% or more.

What You Need

To start getting money back with Ebates, simply ink a valid credit card to your account and shop. After you do that, sit back and watch your rewards stack up!

Bottom Line

Each of these options can help you make more money and get closer to reaching your financial goals. Whether you want to save more, pay off debt, or go on a nice vacation, you’ll find plenty of ways to make money on the side to get there.

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Material Connection Disclosure: Some of the links in this article are “affiliate links.” If you click on the link and make a purchase or sign-up Saving Advice will receive an affiliate commission – which will help keep the site going. I only recommend products I think will add value to savingadvice.com readers. I am disclosing this in compliance with Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

18 Clever But Easy Ways to Make Extra Money For Christmas

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ways to make extra money for christmas

The holidays can be expensive. To cover this without wiping out your savings account, you may be looking for ways to make extra money for Christmas. If an extra $100 (or five) would help you out this holiday season, keep reading.

Invest With Stockpile

Stockpile can help you earn extra cash and it also makes for a great, low-cost Christmas gift. You can start with as little as $5. Stockpile helps you invest in big-name companies like Tesla, Nike, Netflix, Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon. With this app, you can buy $50 of Amazon and instantly get 0.05 shares. Your money starts working for you almost instantly.

Become a Seasonal Customer Service Rep

During the Christmas season, retailers are busier than normal. Places like HSN, Groupon, Amazon, and high-traffic stores and websites need additional customer service help. These are typically seasonal (lasting until just after the new year) and can be worked from home. A part-time gig as a seasonal customer service rep will make you anywhere between $200 and $375 a week.

ways to make extra money for christmas

Spend Some Time With Furry Friends

Of all the ways to make extra money for Christmas, this is my favorite! Recently apps like Wag! and Rover have become popular among pet owners. If you’re headed out of town or will be away for the day, you can schedule a walker to visit with your furry friend, take them on a walk, and make sure they are fed and hydrated. Both services can help you pair your animal with overnight boarding locally as well.

Get Amazon Credit

Amazon gives out credit when you’re willing to trade in old items. If you have old books or things laying around the house, submit them to Amazon for consideration. Once you get the appraisal, you can accept. Then, send your items into Amazon and get a gift card in return. Depending on what you’re getting rid of, you can pay for your entire Christmas this way.

Driver With Uber or Lyft

Uber and Lyft have become full-time jobs for some people in the U.S., but it can also make a great part-time gig or seasonal job. Lyft drivers make around $17.50 an hour, on average. That is around $2 more than the average Uber hourly rate. However, drivers are more likely to make more in highly populated areas. For instance, Uber drivers in New York City are estimated to make around $25 an hour.

List Your Spare Room on Airbnb

Many people have begun to rent our spare rooms as a way of earning extra money. Airbnb made it possible for almost anyone to do so. Tidy up your guest bedroom and bath and post it to Airbnb. Be sure to take a look at other local listings before posting to be sure your price is competitive. If enough people express interest in your listing, you could make a few hundred or even a few thousand extra dollars before Christmas.

ways to make extra money for christmas

Get a Job as a Saucey Delivery Driver

Have you heard of Saucey? This delivery service will bring alcohol to your door in less than one hour. During the holiday season, more people will be having get-togethers and will be in need of this service. You can cash in by becoming a delivery driver for the company. Couriers get paid $5 per delivery, plus $0.50 per item. They also collect a tip. This often ends up equating to about $10 per hour. Delivery drivers can also sign up for specific shift hours so you can sign on for busier times to ensure you make more.

Make Money Writing

Freelance writing can be difficult to get into for a one-time gig. However, some individuals may be looking for single pieces of writing at this time of year. Some writers have been able to earn extra money for Christmas by writing witty, personalized jingles for Christmas cards or personalized storybooks for kids. Share on social media your willingness to do this and discuss pricing with your customer base one-on-one. You can make as much as $10 for a single card Jingle.

Earn More Cash Back

Many banks and credit cards up their cash back game around the holidays. You can earn 5x the usual amount of cash back through Ebates this holiday season. If you have a credit card with cash back rewards, you’ll want to read the fine print about what purchases and stores are included. Plan to shop at stores with higher cash back incentives and you’ll be able to restore some of your Christmas cash to your bank account.

Flip Your Stuff

Flipping things for extra money is no new concept. People have been doing it for quite some time. When it comes to flipping things for cash, many people think “cars,” but it doesn’t necessarily need to be a big-ticket item like that. Consider your skills and what you’d be able to do in a cost-effective manner. For instance, if you’re skilled at refinishing furniture, you could re-finished tables at little-to-no-cost to you. You can also repurpose old, broken items into new, reusable tools or decorations. Depending on how much you’re able to do, you could make hundreds before Christmas.

Get Paid to Get Healthy

Apps like DietBet and HealthyWage will pay you to be active, eat right, and get healthy. Christmas is a hard time on everyone’s diet and exercise routine. However, with DietBet and HealthyWage, you can bet on yourself and stay healthy through the holiday season. Not to mention, in the end, you’ll be able to win 1.5 to 2 times the amount you initially invested in the program.

Download the Dosh App

Like Ebates, Dosh offers cash back for certain purchases. At Walmart, for instance, you can get 3% cash back. On other purchases at other retailers, restaurants, or stores, you can receive as much as 10% cash back. You also get paid $5 every time you refer a friend when they sign up using your link. Some folks on Facebook have gotten as much as $300 in cash back and referrals almost instantly.

ways to make extra money for christmas

Deliver Groceries

Services like Instacart have been growing in popularity and with the holidays coming many people will need help getting groceries. Instacart delivery drivers can make between $7 and $20 an hour, depending on your travel time and tips. Most make around $11 an hour. However, there is no hourly guarantee with the company. The key to earning cash with Instacart is making yourself available for deliveries.

If delivering groceries isn’t your cup of tea, consider delivering other types of food. You can become a pizza delivery person or a driver for companies like DoorDash, UberEats, or Postmates.

House-Sit While Your Neighbors Are Away

Offer to house-sit when your neighbors head out of town for the holidays. Establish a price and any expectations they may have. You can also score house-sitting jobs by searching sites like Care.com, HouseSitter.com, or Craigslist. Typically, house-sitting pays between $25 and $35 a day. If it requires an overnight stay, prices may rise to $50 a day.

Find One-Time Gigs

Apps like Moonlighting make it easy to find and land one-time gigs like painting a bathroom or bedroom locally. In the app, you can sort through available jobs based on things you’re able to do. Tasks range from painting to yard work to website design. Pay varies by task. You can also sort jobs by the amount of the payment (just in case you have a specific number in mind).

Become an Amazon FBA Seller

Around 16.7% of Amazon sellers make over $1 million a year. Isn’t that crazy? And practically anyone can start their own Amazon FBA business. If you just need some extra cash for the holidays, you can start your own Amazon FBA store and let it sell throughout the year. Stash the extra cash away for Christmas and, who knows, maybe your business will really take off, and you can quit your day job!

Answer Surveys

There are a plethora of survey sites out there, but a few are worth a mention. Survey Junkie, Swagbucks, and InboxDollars pay between $0.50 and $5 per survey usually. If you’re dedicated to using the site and earning extra cash, you can make as much as $500 in one month. Though it will take some effort, you can do all of it from the comfort of your own home.

Babysit For Extra Cash

Care.com was mentioned above as a great place to find housesitting or pet-sitting opportunities. More often than not, it is used to match nannies to families. Whether you are needed for one night or you’re needed on a regular basis, you can earn between $20 and $25 as a babysitter. You can also solicit your babysitting services locally to neighbors and friends with kids. After all, parents need a bit of time alone to buy and wrap presents without the kids being home.

These are just a few ways to make extra money for Christmas. Do you have anything you’d add to the list?

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How to Find the Highest Paying Plasma Donation Center

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highest paying plasma donation center

When you need extra money, finding the highest paying plasma donation center in your area is an option. These facilities compensate donors for providing blood plasma. Many have a continuous need for donations. However, you do have to be eligible if you want to give plasma at one of the centers. Here’s what you should know.

Plasma Donation General Requirements

If you want to donate plasma, you have to follow the rules set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB). Regulations limit the number of donations you can make within a specific timeframe.

For example, you can only donate once in any given two-day period. Additionally, you are only able to give plasma twice over the course of a seven-day period. Since your ability to donate is restricted with respect to those rules, finding the highest paying plasma donation center helps you make as much as possible.

There are other requirements you must contend with as well. First, most centers require you to be at least 18 years of age.  You must be 19 years old in Alabama. Additionally, you must weigh a minimum of 110 lbs., not feel sick on the donation day, and typically be in good health.

Donors also have to present a valid government-issued picture ID and Social Security card. Further, you must also provide proof of residency.

Health and Medical Requirements for Donating Plasma

Along with feeling healthy on the day of the donation, donors are subject to a health and medical pre-screening evaluations. This is to ensure they are eligible to give plasma. Individuals with certain conditions – like HIV, a history of hepatitis (any infection after the age of 11), and Chagas’ disease – are automatically ineligible.

Other examples of ineligibility include:

  • Individuals with risk factors associated with Creutzfeldt-Jakob diseases (the human equivalent of mad cow disease) are effectively banned.
  • Blood transfusion recipients may or may not be eligible, depending on the date of the transfusion and the country where it took place.
  • People who take specific medications, such as those to help with blood clotting or thinning or certain acne and psoriasis treatments.
  • Traveling to certain countries.
  • Anyone who has injected drugs without a doctor’s prescription or exchanged sex for money or goods.
  • Certain sexual activities such as a man who has had sex with another man within the past year can’t donate. Additionally, a woman who has had intercourse with a man who has had sex with a man within the previous 12 months is also ineligible.
  • Getting a tattoo or piercing, depending on where you get the piercing or tattoo done.

There can be other qualifications or restrictions too. Individuals with health conditions or other questions may want to contact the center before heading over to make sure they are eligible.

How Much Can You Make Donating Plasma?

Not everyone makes the same amount donating plasma. Along with variations in compensation between centers, certain people will earn more than others at nearly every plasma donation facility.

When a plasma donation center pays you, it isn’t paying for your plasma. Instead, you are getting money in exchange for the time it takes to donate. Since some donations take longer than others, this can impact how much they earn.

For example, new and returning donors might receive different amounts. Usually, new donors have to spend more time in the facility for screening, so they earn more on their first donation to compensate for the extra time.

Additionally, higher body weight can lead to more money. Individuals who weigh more can usually donate a larger amount of plasma in each visit, so their donation also takes longer than someone who weighs less.

Finding the Highest Paying Plasma Donation Center

When you need to find the highest paying plasma donation center, you need to consider how often you intend to donate. If you only need to make a little extra cash and plan to donate just once, then you should look for facilities that provide higher compensation to new donors.

However, if you intend to keep donating, then examining how much you can earn each month and what you make after you qualify as a returning donor in the eyes of the center is a better approach. That way, you can earn the most over time.

Some of the highest paying plasma donation centers across the country are operated by companies that have facilities in multiple states. This includes:

  • BioLife Plasma Services
  • CSL Plasma
  • BPL Plasma, LLC
  • KEDPlasma, Inc.
  • Biotest Plasma Center

Each of these plasma donation centers makes it possible to earn up to $350 to $400 per month, suggesting you donate every time you are eligible. If you are only donating once, that donation can typically earn you between $20 and $50 depending on your location and body weight.

Prepaid Debit Cards for Payment

Usually, donors receive prepaid debit cards (usually Mastercard or Visa) as a means of payment. This allows the center to add additional funds to the same card after each donation. Plus, it gives donors the ability to use them anywhere the brand is accepted as well as make ATM withdrawals for cash or as a payment mechanism for shopping online.

If there are multiple facilities operating in your area, you may want to contact each of them to learn about their current compensation rates. Since each company controls how much they pay and the rates may vary by location, it’s wise to reach out before you head over to donate. That way, you can make sure you are going to the highest paying plasma donation center that is convenient to you, allowing you to make the most possible.

Have you donated plasma? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.

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If you enjoy reading our blog posts and would like to try your hand at blogging, we have good news for you; you can do exactly that on Saving Advice. Just click here to get started.

Get Up to a $1000 Cash Bonus With Ally Bank

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Ally Bank cash promo

Note: Although the cash promotion has ended, you can still get a high interest rate with an Ally Bank savings account, or you can check out other bank promotions that might be available here.

Ally Bank has long been buzzworthy in the banking arena, simply because of the convenience (and savings) that comes with online banking. Even better are the various new account promotions and bonus opportunities. For a limited time, you can earn up to a $1,000 cash bonus when you move new money to Ally Bank. But you’ll need to hurry if you want to get it. Here’s how.

Ally Bank 1% Cash Promotion – Ally Payback Time

First, sign up for the 1% cash back promotion to get started by 10/21/2018. You’ll need to do this even if you are already an Ally Bank customer.

Then, move money from your bank to a new or existing Ally account by 10/31/2018. You have to leave the transferred funds in the account until 1/15/2019 to qualify for the promotion.

You’ll get the 1% cash back bonus (up to a $1,000 bonus) on the money you’ve transferred by 2/15/2019.

Things to Keep In Mind

For this promotion, it’s important you are aware of and follow the steps properly or you won’t qualify for the bonus. For instance, make sure you transfer funds you can leave in the account until January 2019. You don’t have to transfer to a particular type of account – you can choose either a savings account, money market, interest checking, or even a CD.

Further, the minimum bonus you can earn is $10, which means you’ll need to transfer at least $1,000. You can qualify for a bonus up to a maximum of $1,000, with a $100,000 deposit. The bonus will only apply to new money you transfer. So, if you have an Ally Bank account already, you won’t earn the bonus on your total balance. Other terms and conditions you should review are here.

Why This is a Great Deal

Besides the opportunity to earn up to an extra $1,000 without doing anything but transferring your money, Ally Bank is well-known for other valuable banking benefits.

For savings accounts, the Ally Bank APY is currently a whopping 1.90%. This is one of the highest rates you’ll find with any bank account. In comparison, Chase Bank offers .01% and Bank of America offers .03%.

So, if you transfer your new funds to an Ally Bank savings account, you’ll not only earn the 1% cash back promotion, but you’ll earn one of the highest interest rates available.

Plus, there is no minimum balance required, but the minimum bonus you can earn is $10. There are many ways to earn extra money to take advantage of this promotion.

Last, the promotion isn’t limited to new customers, like so many other bank promos. If you already happen to bank with Ally Bank, you can earn the bonus by adding new money to your account. Just make sure you sign-up for the promotion before you transfer.

Are you ready to start out 2019 with some extra cash? Sign up for the Ally Bank promotion here. And, don’t forget, you only have until 10/21/2018.

Thanks to our forum members for the heads up on this promotion.

Did you sign up for the new promotion? Share your tips in the comments below.

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Consignment Shops Near Me Weren’t the Best for Money – This Is What I’ve Tried

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consignment shops near me

Consignment shops are notoriously at the top of lists of ways to earn extra money, declutter, and move toward minimal lifestyles. However, for me, that meant lugging a bag or tote full of 10-year old suits and shoes from my office days to consignment shops near me. And then, they usually didn’t even end up buying any of pre-loved belongings. (In which case, I’d end up either lugging it all back home or dropping it off at a nearby goodwill and earning exactly $0 for my time and energy.)

It was such a hassle, that I decided if I go through the trouble of transporting boxes of stuff somewhere, it’s going to be for donations only. Still, I had a lot of stuff I knew I could earn some extra cash with, so I looked into online consignment options.

What I learned is that you don’t have to search for consignment shops nearby to get rid of all of your stuff and earn some extra cash. In fact, you usually don’t even have to leave the comfort of your living room.

Consignment Shops Near Me Weren’t Always the Best Deal

So, let’s say you don’t mind packing up and toting all of your stuff to the local consignment shop. In my mind, the work was worth it if I squeezed out a few dollars.

Unfortunately, nearby consignment shops might be a good way to get rid of your stuff and make a couple of dollars, but you probably won’t get as much as you could if you sold your stuff online. Most sites allow you to post pictures of your items, at the price you want, and buyers can either purchase or send you an offer. For this reason, it allows you a better chance of getting the most money for your items.

Further, you usually have the best chances of getting rid of high-dollar, designer stuff at physical consignment shops. Most won’t touch non name brand items. And, in some cases, your only option, is donation or selling for pennies at garage sales, even if they are brand new. On my best days at a physical consignment shop, only a couple of items were returned. However, I still only earned about $10 for everything else. This was definitely not a good use of my time and energy. (Especially considering I drove 30+ miles one way to get there.)

Also, you can’t forget about reachability – your audience and potential buyers. Most consignment shops are limited to the customers who happen to enter the store. Online, you can reach buyers all over the globe.

A Better Option: How to Use Online Consignment Shops

I found selling online much easier, more valuable, and a lot less hassle than dealing with the consignment shops near me. While it might vary, the process of selling clothes and other items online are usually similar. For the most part, you’ll need to take a picture of your item and upload to the appropriate site.

You’ll also need to put together a detailed description, including sizes, measurements, colors, and brand. If you aren’t sure of measurements or sizes, you might have to research online to find them or actually measure yourself. Believe me, people will ask you and you’ll need to be able to provide that information if you want to make the sale.

Once your listing is up, you’ll also have options to share with your communities online. Whether you do this or not, is your choice. Most online consignment shops have their own communities and buyers who will likely shop with you anyway.

After you’ve posted your items for sale, you just need to wait for offers. Sometimes, they won’t happen right away, especially if you’re new to the community.

Tips for Successfully Selling Used Stuff Online

So, I’ve tried being lazy and snapping a quick pic and crossing my fingers. However, when it comes to selling online, pictures matter … a lot. Make sure you’re taking the best photo you can. You don’t need any fancy camera equipment. However, you’ll have a better chance of selling your items if you take a picture with a clean background (move the dirty laundry) and good lighting. In fact, some of the apps have filters you can use to make your pictures look better. Just make sure the filter or image isn’t deceiving and changing the quality of the actual item.

Also, when writing your descriptions, try to keep keywords in mind. Many people search for certain items, and you’ll want yours to come up when they do. This also means you need to be extra careful with spelling and typos. If you have a typo in your description, those searching for it might never find it. To get the best descriptions, look for the product online and see what the retailer has listed and write yours up accordingly.

Get Creative

Think outside of the box. For instance, do you have a bunch of no-brand kids clothing? Bundle those together and sell as a package rather than making separate dollar listings. Kids grow out of things so quickly that moms and dads are always looking for bundles of cheap onesies, tee shirts, and pants. Also, make sure you have your stuff ready according to the season. Is it almost winter? Clean up and post all of those winter coats and boots you aren’t using, at least by fall.

Things You Will Need To Sell Online

Luckily, I didn’t need much to get started selling online. I already had a ton of stuff I needed to get rid of.

Although not imperative, using a mobile phone makes selling online super convenient. It’s a good idea to have the app or at least access to your products on your phone. You will want to be able to reply to buyers and accept offers right away. If you wait until you log into your laptop in the evening, you might miss opportunities to make some cash for your used items.

You will also need some supplies – although it shouldn’t require anything complicated. For instance, many times you’ll need access to a printer so you can print out the mailing form (many of which are prepaid). You may also need large mailing envelopes or small boxes. It’s a good idea to keep a couple of them around, so you’re ready when you need to ship something out.

Selling Your Items Online: 5 Things You Should Know

After selling online for a couple of years, I’ve learned a few things. It might be super easy and convenient, but like anything on the Internet, there are some caveats and things you should know.

1. You will need to be flexible. Sure, you can get a lot more for your items online, but that doesn’t mean you’ll always get what you want. Consider how long you’ve had the item for sale and whether you’ve had any offers at all. Further, calculate how much less you’d get if you took it to a brick and mortar resell shop or sold it at a garage sale.

2. Honesty matters. Many online sites let buyers and sellers rate the transactions and leave feedback. It might be tempting to hide a small hole or describe the item as EUC (excellent used condition) when it’s really just halfway decent. However, keep in mind that it could backfire and mean the difference in whether or not a buyer trusts you later. Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes – think about the kinds of things that would lead you to leave negative feedback.

3. There is a time commitment. Although it’s more convenient, make sure you’ll have time to package up your sales and get them out in a timely manner. Don’t risk losing because you’ve dragged your feet on a sale and waited three weeks to ship it out. In fact, many sites will cancel the sale if you take too long to reply or mail the item.

4. You can sell more than clothes. This is all fairly convenient for clothing, but what about selling electronics and household items? As you might guess, there are online apps and sites where you can sell nearly anything. In fact, sometimes you’ll sell more on an app that targets those particular types of purchases. For furniture and large items, you can use LetGo or Facebook Marketplace. For electronics, household items, and other small items, you might try an app like Mercari, where you can basically sell anything imaginable.

5. There may be fees/commissions. Although you might earn more using an online consignment shop, it will also cost you. However, most of the time, it isn’t any more than what the consignment shop near you would take as their cut anyway. These fees are usually taken out directly from your sale, so make sure you price accordingly. To give you an idea, here are some of the fees or what it will cost you to sell through some of the top online selling sites.

  • Poshmark – Sales under $15, $2.95. Sales $15 or more, the fee is 20%. This includes a pre-paid shipping label.
  • eBay – varies but for items up to $50, fees range from 8% to 12%.
  • Mercari – flat rate of 10%; you do pay for your shipping label.
  • TheRealReal – Receive up to 85% commission.
  • ThredUp – Payouts vary; From $14.99 or less you receive about 5% up to items $300 or more you receive as much as 80%.
  • LetGo – Currently free.

Is Selling Online Worth It?

For me, the amount of money I’ve made selling my stuff online from my living room versus the cost, time, and trouble to maybe sell something at consignment shops near me has been worth it. For most people, the pros will outweigh the cons. Just make sure you do a little research into the best platform for your items. Then, snap some pics and upload. You’ll be well on your way to clearing out your used stuff and earning some extra cash in no time.

Have you tried any online consignment shops? Which ones were most successful?

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