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Making Money

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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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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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 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?

Read More

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Is the Kinfo App the Best Trading App On the Market?

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Kinfo, the Social Investing App, isn’t like other investment-oriented apps. Instead of functioning as a roboadvisor, one of the more popular app-based approaches to managing portfolios, or a traditional broker, Kinfo more closely resembles a social media platform. However, instead of filling your feed with photos from friends and cat videos, Kinfo touts its ability to help you make smarter trades. Is Kinfo the best trading app? Let’s take a look.

What is Kinfo?

Kinfo is an investment analysis app that lets you find an answer to a common question: how does your portfolio stack up against someone else’s?

The app is comprised of a community, not unlike a social media platform. On it, people can share non-sensitive details about their investments, giving people the ability to compare and contrast their portfolios to the holdings of others.

Additionally, Kinfo gives users the ability to receive news alerts that may impact their investments. You can review insights and analysis through the app, as well as stay on top of relevant information.

However, Kinfo is not a brokerage. While the free service lets you connect to your current brokerage account, you can’t create one through the Kinfo App. Similarly, you can’t buy or sell investments directly through the app. Instead, it’s sole function is to give you a better understanding of your portfolio and investing strategy as well as serve as a platform to help you learn from others.

How Can Kinfo Help Your Investment Success?

Kinfo users have access to information that helps them analyze the performance of their investments. Not only do you have access to analytical information through the app, but you can also compare your portfolio to other users.

With Kinfo, you can examine your investments and see how they stack up to other users. When making comparisons, you aren’t limited to just your friends and family. Instead, you can see what community members, finance and investment bloggers, and even professional investors are doing. By reviewing the portfolios of others, you have a unique opportunity to improve your performance by increasing your knowledge and refining your long-term strategy.

Additionally, the app analyzes your portfolio and provides information about your holdings. This allows you to educate yourself on your investments, which is something that can serve you well when you consider adding or selling assets.

A unique feature of Kinfo is you have options when it comes to overseeing your portfolio. If you have multiple brokerage accounts, you can choose to create separate portfolios in the app for each one.

However, you can also combine the data into a single portfolio in the app, making it easier to have a holistic view of your investments. This alone can be beneficial as it makes it easier to see the big picture.

How Does Kinfo Work?

Not unlike a social media network, Kinfo allows you to create a public profile. You can add a picture, general location, as well as a summary, similar to Twitter and Facebook. Additionally, you can share on your “wall,” giving you a place to post information or share your thoughts about investments.

As a user, you have the ability to “follow” other users, and members of the community can also follow you. You can gain insights from the information they share, potentially giving you a path for improving your strategies or identifying new investments with potential.

The app also provides users with access to a wide variety of analysis, including hedge fund results, something that is fairly rare in the investment-oriented app world. Stock ratings from a variety of sources are available through the app as well, which can be incredibly convenient.

There is also an option to set up notifications, allowing you to receive alerts for relevant new activity that relates to your investments.

Another unique offering is a page dedicated to news about insider trading. Some investors believe that activity in that area can help predict the performance of a stock, though that isn’t a guarantee.

Is Kinfo Secure?

Understandably, many people may hesitate to allow an app to access information from their brokerage account. When it comes to personal financial information, being security-conscious is wise, so Kinfo has security features to put your mind at ease.

Kinfo, itself, is secure. The company uses TradeIt, a third-party aggregator, to connect to your account and download your data securely. Further, your account login information isn’t stored by Kinfo, reducing the level of risk even more.

Additionally, when it connects to your brokerage account, it uses a similar process as some of the country’s most popular budgeting apps. Kinfo’s access to always read-only, so executing trades using the connection is impossible.

What Does Kinfo Cost?

Kinfo is completely free to use. There is no cost to join the community or download the app, so you don’t lose anything by signing up.

Are There Any Drawbacks?

Currently, one of the only drawbacks to Kinfo is that the app only supports a limited number of brokerages. However, it does connect with many big names in the industry, so many investors won’t find this to be a problem.

While Kinfo says they support most US brokers, they only list the following as compatible:

  • Fidelity
  • E-Trade
  • Robinhood
  • TD Ameritrade
  • Schwab
  • Interactive Brokers
  • Scottrade
  • OptionsHouse
  • Vanguard
  • Tradier
  • Ally
  • TradeStation

Additionally, if you are looking for a brokerage and not just a source of information, Kinfo can’t meet that need. They are not a broker, so you need an account elsewhere to make use of the app.

Otherwise, since the app provides access to free information and doesn’t cost you a dime, it can be a great resource. Just keep in mind that users aren’t all financial experts, so community-based advice may or may not be reliable. Instead of assuming that a recommendation for a user is worthwhile automatically, consider doing additional research before making any trades. That way, you can make sure that their opinion has validity before you stake your financial future on it.

Have you tried the Kinfo App? What do you think is the best trading app? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.

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100 Ways to Make An Extra $100 This Month

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Sure, it doesn’t seem like much these days, but you can still do quite a bit with an extra $100. In fact, if you earn and save $100 each month for a year, you’ll end up with $1,200, which can go toward your dream vacation, retirement, or emergency fund. Unfortunately, money doesn’t just fall out of the sky. However, it could be a little easier than you think. We have 100 easy ways to make extra money this month.

100 Ways to Make Extra Money

1. Become a Fitness Trainer or Coach – Do you like working out? You can help others meet their fitness goals either online or in person as a trainer or coach.
2. Pet Sitting – Petsitters can earn hundreds of dollars in just one day, with many charging at least $35/night. Sign up for services like Rover.com and PetSitter.com to start building your client base.
3. Dog Walking – Like petsitting, you can make a bunch of extra cash just walking other people’s dogs.
4. Run Errands – Many people need help running errands. Depending on the service, you can make hundreds of dollars in just one day.
5. Housecleaning – Do you enjoy vacuuming floors or making beds? Then a housecleaning gig could be perfect for you. This is another task that allows you to earn hundreds of dollars in just one day.
6. Earn Cash Back – Sites like Ebates allow you to earn money every time you shop, in the form of cash back. Depending on how much you shop, you can make at least $100 per month.
7. Organizer – Do you have a knack for organization? You can earn money and help those of us who are not, by organizing closets, garages, and other areas of the house.
8. Online Surveys – Get paid to answer questions and take surveys online with sites like Survey Junkie.
9. Virtual Assistant – Help businesses by providing virtual assistant services such as email and appointment management.
10. Writing – You can earn hundreds of dollars every month providing a wide variety of writing services from technical writing to copy writing and even creative writing.
11. Sell Your Creations – You can create decorations and design t-shirts and then sell them online through sites like Etsy.com and TeeSpring.com.
12. Sell Photos – If you enjoy photography, you can sell your pictures on sites like Shutterstock.com
13. Test Products – Many sites will pay you to test products. ProductTestingUSA.com will pay you to test products and mystery shop.
14. Sell Old Clothing and Shoes – Get rid of the clothing and shoes you don’t wear. You can do this either with consignment stores, or with apps online like Poshmark.com
15. Become a Driver – Although there are options like Uber and Lyft for earning money while driving; you can also earn money driving for friends, family members, and people in your community.
16. Babysit – Babysitting is always an easy way to earn money, especially if you love kids. It’s also an easy way to meet your goal of at least $100 per month.
17. Watch Videos – You can earn money watching videos and providing feedback with companies like Vindale Research.
18. Tutor – There is always a high demand for tutors online for a variety of topics and areas.
19. Participate in Mock Trials – Read over details, share your thoughts, and participate in mock trials. These can pay anywhere from $8 to $100, so it’s worth checking out and signing up with sites like Jury Talk and eJury.
20. Rent Your Home – You can earn hundreds, even thousands of dollars per month renting your home or a room in your house with Airbnb.
21. Become a Bookkeeper – Provide business owners with bookkeeping services.
22. Rent Your Car – You can rent out your car to earn extra money each month.
23. Join a Focus Group – Focus groups basically pay you for your opinion, review, or research on anything from products to political campaigns. Some of the online focus groups to check out include FocusGroup.com and Engage Studies.
24. Rent Your Clothing – If you have specialty or designer clothing, you don’t have to sell it, you can rent it out instead.
25. Fix Computers – If you can repair computers, you’ll be able to earn extra money and help people out when they’re in a jam.
26. Give Advice – If you are an expert in any of the 175+ categories on JustAnswer, you can get paid to answer questions and give advice.
27. Have a Garage or Yard Sale – It’s easy to make at least $100 a month with a small garage or yard sale. Plus, it’s a good way to declutter.
28. Peer to Peer Lending – If you have as little as $25, you can get started investing in peer-to-peer lending with sites like Prosper and Lending Club.
29. Invest – Sure, you have to have money to invest, but it’s certainly possible to make at least $100 even with a small amount (even as much as 300% returns).
30. Do Yard Work – No matter what the season or weather, there’s always some kind of yard work you can get paid for.
31. Offer Moving and Packing Services – Lots of people need assistance packing up their belongings and transporting them to new locations.
32. Set Up Holiday Decorations – Yard decorations especially during the holidays is big business. Many people will pay for help getting their homes prepared for Christmas, Halloween, and even Easter.
33. Make Baked Goods – There’s a reason bake sales are so popular. Who doesn’t love baked goods? If you enjoy baking, start selling your pies, cakes, and cookies and make some extra money.
34. Make Meals – It isn’t just baked goods that people want to buy. You can sell ready-made meals for families who are too busy to cook in the evenings, or for handy lunches.
35. Detail Cars – Cleaning and detailing cars can net well over $100 per month. Consider becoming a mobile car detailer who drives to the car rather than having them drive to you.
36. Donate Plasma – Donating plasma is always a great thing to do. It not only helps you earn money, but may also help save someone’s life.
37. Participate in Medical Studies – Participate in a medical study and you not only earn money, but you also help medical research. Sign up with sites like Covance Clinical Trials.
38. Affiliate Marketing – This isn’t an option if you need money quickly, but you can certainly make at least $100 a month in affiliate marketing. If you have a blog, this is definitely something to look into for earning extra money.
39. Sell on Amazon – By buying products at a discount and reselling them on Amazon, you can make a significant amount of money.
40. Resell Unused Gift Cards – Do you have a stack of gift cards laying around that you won’t use? Resell them and earn money with sites like Giftcards.com and Raise.com
41. Return or Resell Technology – Don’t let your old laptops, tablets, and smartphones continue to collect dust in your closet. Resell them through companies like Apple’s Buyback program, Best Buy, and Gazelle.com.
42. Teach English or Another Language – There is a huge demand for English teachers online, and many don’t require a teaching degree. Check out Teachaway.com and International TEFL Academy.
43. Prepare Taxes – You can earn extra money managing and preparing taxes all year – not just at tax time.
44. Fix Cars – Do you know how to repair cars and carry out basic maintenance? Offer your knowledge and services to people who need repairs and oil changes.
45. Help People with Technology – Many people have a difficult time managing their smartphones and computers. You can not only teach them the basics, but you can also help them when they are stuck and unsure of how to operate their devices.
46. Personal Shopping – You can shop for and deliver all kinds of items from groceries to gifts.
47. Offer Services on Fiverr – In order to make an extra $100 a month, you only need 20 gigs. Check it out and see what kinds of services you can provide.
48. Mystery Shopping – Believe it or not, mystery shopping is legit. You can earn money as a mystery shopper with a couple of different companies, including Market Force and BestMark.
49. Couch Surfing – Travelers and digital nomads are always looking for a couch to sleep on, and you can earn money when you rent yours out.
50. Sell CDs and DVDs – Everyone has a stash of CDs and DVDs they don’t listen to or watch. Instead, get rid of them and earn some money. Check out Decluttr.com as well as your local pawn shops and game shops.
51. Search Engine Evaluator – Companies like Appen pay people to evaluate websites and social media pages.
52. Sell for Other People – Don’t have anything left to sell? Why not sell other people’s stuff. Many people have old clothes, shoes, and electronics around the house but they don’t have time to sell it all.
53. Nanny – Like babysitting, you can provide nanny services. It’s similar, but you might also be required to cook, take the children to appointments, and perform other duties.
54. Sell Sperm or Eggs – You may want to check clinics locally, but you can also sign up with companies like NWCryoBank.com if you’re interested in selling sperm or eggs.
55. Resell Books and Textbooks – Get rid of your old books and earn money, especially if you have college textbooks lying around.
56. Do Handywork – Are you handy around the house? Earn money repairing items and even hanging pictures.
57. Assemble and Disassemble Furniture – Not everyone can assemble or disassemble furniture, which is where you come in.
58. Paint – Painting is one of those things that usually needs to be done, but no one has time for. This is something you can do to earn money and help out homeowners.
59. Haul Away Junk – Especially in spring, hauling away junk is big business. Help people get rid of the stuff they’re storing in their attics and garages.
60. Provide Laundry Services – You can either pick up or have clients drop off their laundry. Either way, it’s an easy opportunity to earn extra cash.
61. Search the Internet – Sites like Swagbucks will pay you to search the internet. This is one way to earn money doing something you’d typically be doing anyway.
62. Shopping In-Store – Shopkick pays you with gift cards to shop in-store and online.
63. Online Consulting – Become a consultant with sites like Clarity.fm. You can cover a wide variety of areas from entrepreneurship to social media and SEO.
64. Sell Nude Pics – This isn’t for everyone, but you can definitely get paid to sell your nude pics if you want.
65. Test Websites – Have a couple of extra minutes to test out some websites? UserTesting will pay you.
66. Create an Online Course – There are a number of sites like Udemy, which will allow you to create an online course and earn money.
67. Rent Out Garage – Do you have garage space you aren’t using? Rent it out to someone who doesn’t.
68. Rent Parking Spot or Driveway – Like garage spaces, parking spots and driveways might be rare, depending on where you live. You can earn money renting out these spaces as well.
69. Write and Update Resumes – Are you pretty good with words? Offer your services to write and edit or update resumes.
70. Catering Service – Offer to cater meals for organizations and businesses.
71. Recycle for Yourself and Others – You might not be able to collect enough aluminum to earn enough from recycling. However, you can collect yours and your family and friends’ and be well on your way to an extra $100 this month.
72. Be Someone’s Friend – Believe it or not, with Rent a Friend, you can be paid to be someone’s friend.
73. Surf the Internet – Microsoft Rewards pays you to use your Microsoft Edge as your browser and Bing as your search engine.
74. Download Free Apps – Feature Points allows you to make money downloading free apps and trying them for two minutes.
75. Earn from Ads On Your Phone – You can earn money with apps like Fronto and Slidejoy when you add them to your Android phone lock screen.
76. Let People Watch You Game – Are you a gamer? Twitch allows you to actually make money from your video game footage.
77. Sell Your Hair – Sites like HairSellOn buy hair for people who need it for wigs, extensions, and other things.
78. Watch Video Ads – With App Trailers, you can make extra money just watching video ads for different apps.
79. Editing and Proofreading – Like writing, there is a huge demand for editing and proofreading, especially if you live in a college town.
80. Test Drive Cars – Check with dealerships in your area. Hyundai and Subaru have both had programs where you can earn money for test driving vehicles.
81. Sell Lesson Plans – Teachers and parents who are homeschooling need lesson plans. If you happen to have them or can create them, you can earn extra money.
82. Use Your Voice – Voice over work is used in many places, including audiobooks. Check out sites like Voice Bunny for more information.
83. Use Your Apps – AppKarma will pay you for using your apps.
84. Handwriting and Calligraphy – There are still companies and organizations that will pay you to hand write notes. If you have a specialty like calligraphy you can get paid more. You can find these kinds of opportunities on job boards like Upwork.
85. Deliver for Amazon – You can get paid to deliver Amazon packages.
86. Pooper Scooper – It’s a dirty job, but people will pay you for pet waste removal services. Check the job boards like Indeed.com in your area.
87. Get Healthy – Join challenges that pay you to lose weight and get healthy.
88. Photo Editing – Are you good with filters and photo editing? You can earn extra money just fixing other people’s selfies. Sometimes, stock photo sites will pay you to edit and review images. Otherwise, you can advertise your services yourself.
89. Write Reviews – Swagbucks and InBoxDollars both pay you to write reviews.
90. Data Entry – You can check for data entry opportunities on job boards like Upwork and Indeed. You can also ask business owners in your area if they need any data entry help.
91. Manage Social Media – Are you already on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram? You can get paid to manage these accounts for brands and businesses.
92. Brand Ambassador/Influencer – Check social media, businesses, and your favorite brands to see if they are looking for a brand ambassador or influencer.
93. Online Dating Consultant – There are many ways to make money in the dating world, including providing matchmaking services, online dating consulting, and even assistance writing and creating profiles.
94. Watch TV and Movies – Viggle is an app that will pay you money and rewards for watching your favorite TV shows and movies.
95. Data Analysis for Companies – This is also work you can find by checking with local businesses and job boards. If you’re a numbers person, it’s worth looking into.
96. Customer Service Rep/Call Center – Call center jobs are plentiful and allow you to work from home. Plus, if you’re not into sales, you can also work in customer service just answering questions.
97. Show Off Your City – Visitors can always use a tour guide. If you’re familiar with the greatest spots in your city, you can earn money showing people around town.
98. Rent Out Your Camera Gear – You can rent out nearly anything, including camera gear. There are many sites like Kitsplit, that you can work with, or you can branch out on your own.
99. Umpire – Check the schools and sports organizations in your area to earn money as an umpire or other sports official.
100. Sign Up for Credit Cards – You probably don’t want to do this every month, but you can sign up for a new credit card and earn cash when you meet the spending requirement. For instance, the Capital One Quicksilver Rewards card offers a $150 bonus if you use your card to spend $500 in the first three months. If you make sure you only use your card for purchases you’d make anyway, and pay off your balance in full, you’ll end up with an extra $150.

Be Aware of The Costs

There’s no shortage of information and services available claiming to help you make money fast. Unfortunately, they aren’t always legit. Sometimes, these “opportunities” can even end up costing you more than you make.

First, make sure you are fully aware of the costs to get started with any opportunity. Furthermore, it’s a good idea to compare the costs and expenses of supplies and other equipment you will need. Also, keep in mind that if you’re looking for ways to make an extra $100 a month, there are plenty available that won’t cost you anything.

Read the Fine Print Before Signing Up

Second, be careful of what you are giving up in exchange for the opportunity to make money. Are you okay with the company selling your personal information? Are there privacy concerns? Read the fine print to get a clear idea of whether or not it’s something you are comfortable with.

Taking Time to Earn Extra Money

Most importantly, don’t forget that your time is valuable. Sure, there are multitudes of opportunities out there that will put a couple of dollars in your pocket. However, if it takes you two days of walking the streets in the cold to make $20, you might want to look for something more efficient. At the same time, consider and weigh how much time you are willing to spend away from your family and the things you enjoy doing.

Have you tried any of these? Do you have any tips for making extra money? Share with us in the comments below!

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