"Money can't buy you happiness, but it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery." - Spike Milligan

SavingAdvice.com Blog

Bridging the gap between saving money and investing

Making Money

Companies That Offer Free Stock

By Leave a Comment

Companies That Offer Free Stock

Are you looking for a chance at a free stock or two? If so, you are in the right place. Silicon Valley has revolutionized investing, making it possible for the everyday individual to trade like an online Wolf of Wall Street. While the idea of digital investing platforms is still catching on, many of these firms are offering free stocks in exchange for member sign-ups or refer-a-friend promotions.

Why Are Companies Offering Free Stocks?

For starters, there is no such thing as a “free stock.” These companies are offering you a trade. They want to build an investor base and are willing to pay you for it. So, you exchange your willingness to do business for the firm’s free stock incentive and access to capital markets.

How To Approach This Article

Good quality companies tend to increase in value, especially if you reinvest in dividends. Our recommendation is to sign up for ALL of these companies, get the free stocks, and let the value compound. They’ll be worth significantly more in the future.

Another consideration is how a free stock is a great way to branch out without assuming any risk. Taking advantage of these opportunities means learning about different companies and industries that you might never have on your own.

Robinhood

Robinhood is an investing app popular among active traders because it allows them to make equity and options trades for free. The app doesn’t charge a maintenance fee or require a minimum investment, making it a low-cost way to start investing.

Robinhood will give one free stock when a user signs up and links a bank account as a bonus. It’s likely the stock on offer will be worth between $4 and $10. Most of the shares given away are in companies that are not performing, such as Limelight Networks or Ayro, Inc. Things change quickly, so don’t discount your little starter stock.

Robinhood’s reputation took a hit during the recent Gamestop craze after small investors rallied together across online forums such as Facebook and Reddit to drive up the price of Gamestop. The move caused hedge funds planning on short-selling the stock to incur huge losses — a situation known as a “short squeeze.”

About two days after this occurred, Robinhood stopped trading in Gamestop. It’s unclear why, but the firm may be trying to salvage its relationships with the hedge funds involved in the Gamestop debacle. So, while its model relies on small investors, the company may have competing priorities.

On the other hand, Robinhood has lightning-fast transfers and trade execution. If you did spot an opportunity and wanted in on it right away, Robinhood is best of breed.

Robinhood free stock

Firstrade

Firstrade is another discount broker that allows you to trade stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and options for free. It also offers complimentary trade ideas and access to research by trusted firms such as Morningstar and Briefing.com at no cost.

Firstrade is a privately held New York-based brokerage firm. Founded by John Liu in 1985, it was initially started to serve the needs of the Chinese American community in Queens, New York. Since Firstrade is privately held, it maintains a lower profile than some of its competition. It’s rated well for account set-up, research capability, and trade execution. However, the firm’s customer service leaves something to be desired.

On another front, Firstrade has had several run-ins with FINRA. Regulators took a dim view of the fintech’s lack of internal controls, leading to potential stock price manipulation. Despite the intrigue of insider machinations, FINRA’s investigation found that the failure was due to technical limitations in Firstrade’s internal reporting. The firm has since upgraded its computing resources and control systems.

Firstrade is following a similar model as Robinhood. It wants to expand its investor base by offering free stocks for sign-ups. What’s nice about it is giving you a free share for signing up custodial and joint accounts. If you have children, this will help them get started investing.

firstrade free stock

 

Dough

Dough LLC claims that it is what investing should be — unlimited commission-free stock trading, zero account minimums, and an easy-to-use mobile app filled with smart ideas. The platform is a compelling combination of a trading platform and a media company.

Founded in 2018, the company is the brainchild of TD Ameritrade Alumni Tom Sosnoff. The main idea behind this company is to build a stock/options trading platform and marry it with Tastytrade, a financial-focused media network. What makes it different from the others on this list is the multimedia in its app — it offers a wide variety of videos and commentary.

Dough is for smartphones only, and users can download the trading app on iPhone or Android phones. You’ll be asked some basic brokerage questions such as your name, address, Social Security number, net worth, and market knowledge for sign-up. Accounts approval occurs in three days or less. Your free stock comes a few days after that.

The quality of the stock you get for a free sign-up is somewhat better than Robinhood. I picked up shares of a utility and a European bank. Both are worth about $10 and have good long-term potential.

Its FINRA profile is clean and doesn’t have any regulatory issues.

Public

Public fashions itself as an investing social network. Originally named Matador, the firm was the brainchild of entrepreneurs Matt Kennedy and Jannick Malling. The platform takes a slightly different approach by offering members fractional shares from top-flight companies and popular ETFs. The site also boasts a community space for members to support each other, trade ideas, and learn more about the stock market.

Public’s sign-up is pretty straightforward. You download the app and answer a bunch of standard questions. As part of the sign-up process, you are required to link your bank account and move some money into its brokerage platform.

You’ll also get to select which company you want to have a chunk of — there are about ten options to look over. The good news is all the options are good. It will likely give you about $10 bucks worth of the company — a fractional share.

Public also has a clean regulatory bill of health.

public free stock

Honorable Mention #1: Coinbase

Coinbase is a popular cryptocurrency exchange in the United States. It’s a one-stop-shop for all your digital currency needs, and trading is as easy as one, two, *fee*.  It’s true, this platform does cost something to use. However, a wallet app option enables you to securely store your holdings and shop at stores that accept crypto.

The way to maximize the value here is by signing up, collecting your $5 in bitcoin, and fulfilling the conditions of the promotional offer. There are a few things that make Coinbase’s rewards program attractive to customers. First, it’s a nice chunk of crypto-change at about $20 to $30.  Second, it’s an introduction to the world of cryptocurrency.

Crypto is fun because it’s like the wild west of investing. You can trade 24/7 and is not subject to the same regulations as the stock market. Some of the concepts such as tokenization, blockchains, and distributed computing are amazingly energetic and fresh.

Digital currency is mysterious to many and prone to dramatic highs and lows. It may strike fear into the heart of the uninitiated investor, but there is potential for a savvy individual willing to bet low and learn as they go.

The companies featured in Coinbase rewards are often already part of its portfolio via the firm’s investment arm. But the platform is not offering rewards out of the goodness of its investing heart; it’s about building up demand and marketing awareness for its crypto-ventures. As with anything, caveat emptor.

Coinbase free stock

Honorable Mention #2: Webull

Webull

Webull is an investing app that allows you to trade stocks, ETFs, and options for free. Users can even buy and sell cryptocurrencies on the platform, making it an excellent choice for traders who want to dabble in alternative investments. Despite the impressive array of investing options, the app has a few service gaps due to a lack of mutual fund or fractional share offerings.

If you’re interested in signing up for Webull, you can get one free stock worth anywhere from $2.50 to $250 when you open an account. You can also earn a second stock worth up to $1,600 when you fund your account with at least $100. Realistically, you’ll get shares worth between $3 and $15.

You’ll also get two stocks for your first successful referral and six stocks when your second friend signs up. For every referral you make after that, you’ll get an additional two free stocks.

Webull makes the honorable mention list because it has recently tightened up its offer. It is asking for a deposit of $100 before you get your two shares of stock. It used to issue shares for signing up, but our guess is its market position has improved, so it is less aggressive about courting users.  Now the offer is, you sign up, and you get a single free share of stock. Then you have to deposit $100 to get your second share.  It might be worth your time.

On the downside, Webull’s desktop interface isn’t amazing, and its customer service sometimes leaves much to be desired.

Sign up for all of these

All of these options allow you to get friends to sign up. Usually, the offer is if you get a friend to sign up, you’ll get another share of stock, and your friend will get one too. If you have a spouse or partner who is interested in personal finance, this is generally a good way to double the value proposition.

Do you know any additional sites where you can get free stocks? If so, please let us know in the comments below.

Read More

Ten Frugal Lessons From The Amish

Seventeen Bills In Your Wallet Worth More Than Face Value

Need To Save Money? Take the 365 Day Money Challenge

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.

Check out these helpful tools to help you save more. For investing advice, visit The Motley Fool.

5 of My Favorite Personal Finance Books

By Leave a Comment

People sometimes ask how I got into personal finance. The simple answer is by reading. Admittedly, I didn’t know much about money as a young adult. It wasn’t until I graduated college and found myself struggling to pay off my student loan debt that i decided to pick up my first personal finance book. Since then, I’ve been hooked! Here are 5 of my favorite personal finance books.

 

 

1) Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

Rich Dad, Poor Dad is unique for its conceptual descriptions. If you’re interested in wealth building versus simply earning more money, then this is the book for you.

Kiyosaki describes growing up with his father (the Poor Dad) and his friend’s father who was a business owner and mentor (the Rich Dad). In his book, he compares the thinking of his Poor Dad versus his Rich Dad and the lessons he has learned from both.

What I like the most about this book is the story behind it. It’s not a book that spews advice and facts to you. It’s concepts are very simple, but they are effective, and it’s an enjoyable read.

 

2) Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey

Although he can be controversial, there’s no doubting Dave Ramsey knows his stuff when it comes to money. Total Money Makeover was one of the first books I read when I was paying off debt, and I used most of his tactics to pay off my student loans.

If you’re struggling financially and aren’t sure where to start, this is a great book. Ramsey’s “baby-steps” map out the exact next step to take. His snowball method for paying off debt has helped thousands of people become debt-free. Defi8nitely worth the read!

 

 

3) Hustle Away Debt by David Carlson

Looking to make more money? Or, start a business in your spare time? Then read Hustle Away Debt by David Carlson.

Carlson, who runs the popular personal finance site Young Adult Money, has been a side-hustler for years. In his book, he talks about how to leverage a side hustle along with your day-job to pay off debt.

Personally, I was inspired by the site Young Adult Money to start my freelance writing side hustle in order to pay off debt. Eventually, I actually started writing for Young Adult Money as part of my side hustle! Without Carlson’s site and book, I wouldn’t have been able to pay off my student loans as soon as I did!

 

4) The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel

Most people think about the math behind the money, but what about the psychology? The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel discusses the behaviors associated with personal finance.

If you understand the basics of money, but are interested in why we spend the way we do, then this is a must-read for your list. It’s fascinating to understand the behaviors behind our relationship with money.

 

 

 

5) You are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero

Jen Sincero has a few books in this series, but You are a Badass at Making Money is one of my favorites. If you are looking to increase your income but aren’t sure you can, Sincero’s book is for you. It’s an easy and fun read, and Sincero is genuine and approachable. If you doubt your ability to make more money, then give this book a chance!

[Read more…] about 5 of My Favorite Personal Finance Books

Tips to Find the Money You Need to Make Rent

By Leave a Comment

Find the Money You Need to Make Rent

 

If you can’t find the money you need to make rent, you’re not alone. Millions of people have lost their jobs or had their hours cut due to the pandemic and are struggling to make ends meet. Here are some tips to help you earn enough cash to cover your bills until things turn around. 

Sell Unwanted Belongings

We all have clothes, books, and electronics lying around that we’re not using. Turn your unwanted belongings into extra cash by selling them on Ebay, Facebook Marketplace, or Mercari. Although you probably won’t earn enough from this to cover your entire rent payment, it will still make a dent in what you owe. 

Pick Up Some Freelance Work

Freelancing is a great way to find the money you need to make rent without leaving your house. If you have a skill like writing or graphic design, you can advertise your services and find gigs on social media sites like Reddit and Facebook. Here are a few of my favorite places to find jobs as a freelance writer. 

You can also cold email businesses to let them know about what you do and see if they need your services. But before you start looking for work, make sure you have a few examples of past projects that you can show to potential clients. If you don’t have any portfolio pieces, you can make a few and put them on a simple website to attract clients. 

Deliver Takeout and Groceries

Many people have been getting groceries and takeout delivered to their homes because they don’t feel safe going out due to the pandemic. As a result, lots of grocery stores are looking for in-store shoppers and restaurants are hiring delivery drivers. You can also pick up delivery work on your schedule by signing up for apps like Uber Eats, Instacart, DoorDash, Postmates, and Grubhub. 

Teach English Online

Many people in countries where English isn’t the primary language hire online tutors to help them improve their diction. You can create a profile on sites like Italki and Preply to find students who need your assistance and will pay you well for it. 

There are also lots of language learning companies that hire native English speakers to tutor kids and adults, including VIPKid, Palfish, and Qkids. They usually pay $15 to $20 per hour, so you’ll definitely find the money you need to make rent if you get the job. 

Additionally, you can find freelance jobs from these marketplaces.

PlatformsBest For: 
FiverrFinding Freelancers
BarkFinding Unique Freelancers
AppjobsGig Economy Professionals

Apply to Be a Focus Group Participant

Companies that are performing market research often look for focus group participants online. If you land one of these gigs, you’ll get paid $50 or more for a short interview, which will help you find the money you need to make rent. 

One month I made nearly $500 just for giving companies my opinions. Below are a few of the websites I use to apply for focus groups. 

  • Respondent 
  • User Interviews 
  • UserTesting 
  • PingPong 

Donate Plasma

Do you want to get paid and help others at the same time? Scientists are using plasma to try to develop a treatment for the coronavirus, so they need people to donate. You can earn $300 per month or more by donating plasma while helping advance COVID-19 research. It’s a win-win!

If you don’t have stable employment, it’s difficult to find the money you need to make rent. Hopefully, these tips will help you earn enough side income to cover all of your bills. 

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.
Check out these helpful tools to help you save more. For investing advice, visit The Motley Fool.

What is the Minimum Wage in Georgia?

By Leave a Comment

What is the Minimum Wage in Georgia?

 

If you’re job hunting in the Peach State, you may be wondering, what is the current minimum wage in Georgia? 

Wages in the South tend to be on the lower end of the spectrum, and unfortunately, Georgia is no exception. If you have kids or extra expenses like medical debt, an entry-level job that pays the minimum amount may not be enough to keep you financially comfortable. 

To help you determine if an entry-level job will be enough to meet your needs or if you’ll need to pick up some side work, here’s an overview of the minimum wage in Georgia. 

What is a Minimum Wage?

The minimum wage is the lowest hourly rate businesses can pay covered nonexempt employees without breaking the law. Most hourly workers are considered covered nonexempt, except for certain types of employees like trainees and people who make tips.

Currently, the federal minimum wage is set at $7.25 per hour. States, cities, and counties can also pass their own minimum wage laws. Nearly 30 states have decided to raise the minimum wage in their jurisdiction above the federal standard. 

But two states, Georgia and Wyoming, actually have a lower minimum wage of $5.15 per hour. That doesn’t mean businesses can pay their employees less than the federal minimum of $7.25, however.

What is the Minimum Wage in Georgia?

Although the minimum wage in Georgia is technically $5.15 per hour, employers are required to pay their employees a minimum of $7.25 an hour per the federal standard. However, certain employees may be paid less. 

Employers are allowed to pay workers who are in training $4.25 per hour during the first 90 days of employment. Tipped workers can also be paid at a lower rate of $2.13 per hour as long as their tips bring them up to the federal minimum wage. 

Higher Minimum Wages

Some cities in Georgia have a higher cost of living and have raised their minimum wage to ensure that workers can afford their bills. In 2017, Clarkston raised its minimum wage to $15 per hour. Employers in Atlanta also have to pay their workers at least $15 per hour.

Many politicians have been trying to raise the minimum wage in Georgia to $15 per hour for several years. Unfortunately, nothing has come of it so far. But Georgia workers will see their wages increase if President Biden’s plan to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour is successful. 

Is It a Living Wage?

The living wage for each state is the amount of income it takes to cover basic expenses like housing, food, and healthcare. It doesn’t include any extra money for savings, travel, or entertainment. 

According to MIT, the living wage for one adult without kids in Georgia is $15.36 per hour. The current minimum wage falls short of that by $8.11.

Because the minimum wage hasn’t kept pace with the cost of living in the state, you may find it hard to get by with an entry-level job. You might have to live with roommates or pick up side hustles like delivering pizzas to afford your bills. 

PlatformsFees and Minimum:Best for:
ExpediaFree sign-upDiscounted flights
Booking.comFree sign-upCheap flights
E-dreamsFree sign-upOnline travel agency

Do you think the minimum wage in Georgia is high enough? Why or why not? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Read More: 

What is the Minimum Wage in Indiana? 

Side Hustles That Might Make You $100 in a Day 

Do You Know the Minimum Wage in Hartford, Connecticut? 

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. Check out these helpful tools to help you save more. For investing advice, visit The Motley Fool.

What is The Minimum Wage for Florida?

By Leave a Comment

minimum wage for florida

I live in California which has a relatively high minimum wage. Moreover, I live in San Francisco where the city’s minimum wage is even higher than the rest of the state. It’s still a low amount that’s not easy to live off of. Nevertheless, it’s higher than the rest of the country. Which got me wondering, “what is the minimum wage for Florida and other states?”

What Is Minimum Wage?

Minimum wage is part of a set of rules that govern employment in the United States. We didn’t always have fair labor laws. Over time, however, the country established them. Part of those laws was to make sure that there was a base minimum hourly pay – or a minimum wage.

The federal government sets a minimum wage that all states must meet. Furthermore, states also have their own labor laws and employment guidelines. Therefore, while states must meet the mandatory federal minimum wage, they can also set their own (higher) minimum wage guidelines. That’s why the minimum wage for Florida is different from that of California, for example.

Federal Minimum Wage

The federal minimum wage is $7.25. This amount was set in 2009 and has not been updated. It’s a very controversial topic. Research indicates that a full-time employee earning $7.25 per hour can’t pay their bills in any state on this income alone. Therefore, there’s a big push to raise the federal minimum wage.

As of early 2021, many people want to see the wage raised to $15. This is even higher than California’s minimum wage (although some individual California cities have a rate slightly higher than this. However, as of right now, that $15 federal minimum wage isn’t going to happen. It was potentially going to be part of a COVID relief bill but has since been deleted from that plan, perhaps to be revisited later. So, for the time being, the federal minimum wage stands at $7.25.

What is The Minimum Wage for Florida?

Since the federal minimum wage doesn’t provide enough livable income in any state, it’s up to each state to do their best to set a better minimum wage. They have to take into consideration cost of living and other factors. So each state comes up with their own number.

About half of the states in the country set a minimum wage higher than that of the federal minimum wage. The other half set theirs the same as or even less than the federal amount. Of course, if it’s less than then the federal amount takes precedes. So what is the minimum federal wage for Florida?

Florida is one of the states that sets a higher minimum wage than the base federal rate of $7.25 per hour. The minimum wage for Florida is $8.65. The state reviews the amount annually and adjusts it according to an established formula.

Minimum Wage for Florida: 2021 Changes

Last year, the minimum wage for Florida was $8.56. As you can see, it went up slightly as of January 2021 to the current rate of $8.65 per hour. However, much bigger changes are on the horizon in Florida, starting later this year. That’s because last year the state’s voters approved a $15 minimum wage. It will take time to reach that, but the state has a plan.

Starting at the end of September 2021, the minimum wage in Florida will rise to $10 per hour. Then each September, it will increase by $1 per hour. At the end of September 2026, the Florida minimum wage will be $15 per hour according to this schedule. Therefore, even though the federal government hasn’t moved forward with a plan for a $15 minimum wage, the state of Florida is on track to make that happen for its citizens.

In fact, this makes Florida right on par with California in terms of a $15 minimum wage. Six other states have also agreed to this rate: Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York. Whether or not the federal government raises the minimum wage anytime soon, states are taking action to do so.

Minimum Wage for Florida Tipped Employees

In many states, employees who receive tips have a special, reduced, minimum wage. For example, wait staff at restaurants often earn a very low base pay that’s less than the typical minimum wage for the state. The idea is that they get their money in tips so it adds up. This legal allows for a different minimum wage for tipped staff than for other workers. This is true in Florida as well.

Basically, the law about this in Florida is that employers may reduce a tipped employee’s base pay by $3.02 per hour. So, right now, the minimum wage for Florida is $8.65. But for tipped employees it’s $5.63. They earn $3.02 less per hour but then get to keep tips on top of that amount.

As the state’s minimum wage rises, so will the tipped minimum wage. In September 2021, when minimum wage rises to $10, tipped minimum wage will rise to $6.98 per hour plus tips. That will increase by $1 per year each September in accordance with the changing regular minimum wage for the state. In September 2026, tipped employees in Florida will begin to earn $11.98 per hour (plus tips.)

No Other Restrictions on Florida Minimum Wage

It’s important to note that besides the different rate for tipped employees, there are few other restrictions or exemptions from minimum wage for Florida. In some states, for example, businesses smaller than a certain number can pay less per hour than the state minimum wage. For example, a business with fewer than ten employees might have a slightly lower state minimum wage than the norm. However, that’s not the case with Florida. The minimum wage for Florida applies regardless of business size or type of business.

The only other exemption is for youth under the age of 18. Youth minimum wage laws are different, as are the labor laws. For example, teens are restricted from working in certain jobs. Moreover, they can’t work too late or too many hours. The federal minimum wage for youth is $4.25 per hour. In Florida, employers may pay teens this low hourly amount for their first ninety days of employment. However, after the ninety day period, teen minimum wage goes up to the regular minimum wage for the state.

Florida Annual Salary on Minimum Wage

If you do the math, then you’ll realize that an individual person working 40 hours per week at the current minimum wage in Florida will earn $17,804 per year before taxes. Once the minimum wage increases to $15 per hour in 2025, that same person will earn $31,200 per year before taxes. Obviously, that makes a huge difference in a person’s ability to pay their bills and sustain a good quality of life.

Read More:

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. 


Check out these helpful tools to help you save more. For investing advice, visit The Motley Fool.

How Do You Get Paid to Go to College?

By Leave a Comment

Get Paid to Go to College

College education is expensive. Everyone talks about the burden of debt that it brings along with it, often wondering if the cost is worth it. However, a college education can be truly invaluable on so many levels. Moreover, there are many different ways to hack the system. You can even get paid to go to college.

It’s Worth It to Try to Get Paid to Go To College

It’s relatively easy for many young people to get student loans. In fact, older people returning to college also often have easy access to large loans for higher education. Despite the availability of loans, it’s worth it to take the extra time to try to get paid to go to college. After all, college costs tens of thousands of dollars. Why would you burden yourself with that amount of debt when you could potentially get paid to go to college instead?

Chime gets you paid up to 2 days early with direct depositˆ- Make the switch today

Fill Out Your FAFSA

The first step planning out the financial side of your college education is filling out your FAFSA. Through this application, you provide the federal government with information about your financial status. They reply with information about the loans, work-study opportunities, and grants that are available to you based on financial need. Look first at the grants and work-study opportunities. Loans should be your final resort.

Apply for Grants and Scholarships

FAFSA tells you about the need-based federal aid that you’re qualified to receive. Therefore, it’s the first step if you want to get paid to go to college. The grants are “free money” that you can use to pay for college. Work-study allows you to earn money on campus to pay for college. In both cases, you reduce your college expenses by earning money.

However, these are only a handful of the grants and scholarships available to you. Take the time to seek out and apply for as many grants and scholarships as possible. In addition to need-based financial assistance, you can apply for grants and scholarships based on varying criteria including grades, family status, gender and other demographic factors, age, area of study, sports and community involvements, and essay-based applications. The more grants and scholarships that you apply for, the more money you might be able to make to go to college.

In addition to grants and scholarships, ask your college about tuition waivers. In many cases, colleges actually reduce or waive tuition fees. Each school is different but some of the qualifications for tuition waiver include financial need, cultural diversity needs of the school, status as a foster child or adopted child, disability, nontraditional student status (such as over age 60) and more.

Get Paid to Go To School Through Work or Military Service

You don’t have to go to college right out of high school. In fact, waiting until later can often open up opportunities to get paid to go to college.

Military Members Get Paid to Go to School

One of the most common routes historically has been to sign up for military service. The GI Bill helps pay military members to go to college. There are also other military tuition benefits, including some for family members.

Members of any branch of the military can get paid to go to school. However, each branch has its own rules and regulations around the terms of service. For example, according to Military.com, most branches offer assistance to both active duty and reserves members; however, the Marines only offer help to active duty members.

In addition to the GI bill and other military tuition assistance, military members as well as their family members have access to a variety of different grants and scholarships particular to their unique circumstances.

Corporate Jobs Pay You to Go to School

But the military isn’t the only career path that will send you to school. Sometimes you can get a corporate job that pays for you to go to college. For example, you might start out as an admin at a large company. After a certain period of employment, they pay you to get a degree in an area study that corresponds to the company’s job opportunities. Typically, you commit to a certain amount of work with them. Then you get paid to go to college to qualify to do that work.

There are some companies that will pay tuition for nearly all employees up to a certain amount per year. For example, according to eStudentLoan by Unigo, UPS employees are eligible to receive over $5000 per year in tuition reimbursement starting on their first day as a part-time or full-time employee. They list three dozen companies that offer corporate tuition assistance including Wells Fargo, Starbucks, Home Depot, Verizon, McDonalds, Chipotle, CVS, and JetBlue. If you’re looking to start a job now that will allow you to get paid to go to college, then check out this list.

Student Loan Forgiveness Programs

If you do end up taking out student loans, then consider studying in a field that offers student loan forgiveness. Teachers qualify for student loan forgiveness. You might also consider social work or another opportunity to qualify for public service loan forgiveness. In either case, you do have to pay your tuition up front using loan money. Then you have to make your student loan payments (with varied options depending on your salary.)

However, over time, if you provide enough service in one of the qualifying post-graduation job positions, then some or all of your student loans will be forgiven without penalty. This provides a long-term way to get paid to go to college if you don’t qualify for up-front payment opportunities.

In addition to federal student loan forgiveness programs, you can find funding to forgive loans from other career-specific organizations. For example, The Balance recommends checking out Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program and National Institute of Mental Health Loan Repayment Program if you work in either of those fields after graduation.

Read More:

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.

Check out these helpful tools to help you save more. For investing advice, visit The Motley Fool.