MAKE MONEY

Want your set of wheels to generate some extra income for you? 

With car sharing, you can rent your vehicle and get paid while someone else uses it. It’s like Airbnb for cars — except much less complicated.

There are several ways to make money through car sharing. For example, you can rent your vehicle for a standard daily rate and charge by the amount of mileage added to your car. Or you can rent a vehicle from a ride-sharing service and use it to make money with services like Uber or Lyft.

You can easily find car sharing opportunities near you. A quick search will reveal some of the most popular companies, such as sites like Zipcar, Getaround, Turo, RelayRides, and ReachNow.

Rent Your Car To Make Extra Money Each Month

With these various apps, you can rent a car out for under $10 a day or up to as much as you want. However, the higher you list your vehicle, the fewer people may be interested.

So if you’re looking for a side hustle, why not try renting out your vehicle?

Rent a Car and Drive for Even More Cash

If your vehicle is not in prime condition, it may be difficult to rent your car out for cash. If this is the case, the peer-to-peer vehicle lending programs offer other options to make extra money each week. For instance, you can rent a car on HyreCar and work for other companies like Uber and Lyft to make money.

Options to Rent My Car

For people who need a ride, chances are they have used significant transportation apps like Uber or Lyft after eating at a restaurant. However, more people are learning about an alternative ride-share option that involves renting a vehicle from a private individual. They could rent a car for a night and pay a private individual much less to rent a vehicle than they would from an established company like Hertz or Enterprise. As a vehicle owner, when someone rents your car, you can see who booked the car and how long they want to rent your vehicle.

Car Sharing as an Alternative To Purchasing

Car sharing is an alternative to buying a personal car. There are many different companies providing car sharing. Some even offer insurance coverage, which protects you against theft or damage to the vehicle.

Using Ride-sharing Apps to Their Full Potential

If you’re interested in renting a private individual’s car to make money on Uber or Lyft, it’s essential to know about the evolution of these ride-share services. For example, Uber announced it’s launching a new feature called Connect, which lets people and businesses request a package and delivery service in their local area.

Another unique service is Lyft’s Line which connects passengers to save money by carpooling with a single driver. The service is similar to Uber Express POOL.

Drivers use the app to find customers via GPS and set rates based on demand. They can choose to accept trips to particular destinations, like grocery stores, gyms, coffee shops, etc., or offer standard fares.

Making Money With Rent My Car Services

Renting out your car can help you save money and make some extra cash.

There are several options for renting out your car, including:

• Car sharing: This option allows you to rent your car to someone else. That might be the best way to go if you don’t want to deal with having to drive for a ride-share service and want to profit while you’re not using your vehicle.
• Private party rentals: These offer a similar experience to car sharing, but you aren’t required to give anyone access to your personal information as the popular car rental programs require.
• ShareNow: This app lets you rent your car to people within a certain radius. Once you sign up, you can pick a location and set a price range. You can also choose whether to accept credit card payments.

Top Services to Rent Out Your Car

With the popularity of crowd share services, car sharing services are increasing. Because of these advancements, renting out your car has never been easier. Here are three companies that offer this type of service:

1. Turo

Turo offers peer-to-peer car rental. You can use the app to find someone looking to rent out their vehicle. After paying a fee to Turo, the customer picks up your vehicle to use for a predetermined amount of time, and you collect the payment.

2. Getaround

Getaround is similar to Turo in that it is a peer-to-peer lending service connecting renters to rentees. Once you receive a bid, you choose whether to accept the offer or not. If you decide to accept, you can set the price you want per hour or day.

3. Hyrecar

HyreCar is one of the most popular online platforms for short-term rentals. If someone wants to rent a car for a few hours, a day, or even longer, HyreCar is the place to go. They offer vehicles from brands such as Mercedes Benz, BMW, Audi, Volvo, etc.

The process for renting out your car is straightforward. First, the applicant searches for available vehicles based on the dates they want to rent a car and their preferred price range. After booking the vehicle, the renter receives a confirmation, and you arrange the delivery of the vehicle. If you rent your car with HyreCar, they will take a fee based on the listed rental price of your vehicle. The cheapest and most basic plan starts at a 15% fee which goes to HyreCar.

Terms and Conditions

Before renting your car with a service like HyreCar, be sure to understand the terms and conditions. Many of the Terms and Conditions protect the owner and hold the renter responsible for any damage or theft associated with the vehicle.

Pros of Renting Out Your Car

Renting out your vehicle is a win-win situation for both you and the renters. If you are looking for extra cash, you can earn an additional $200-$300 each month, or even more if you increase the time people are allowed to rent your car.

Renting your car gives you flexibility and freedom. All you need to do is keep it clean and in proper working order.

What Can I Do To Protect My Vehicle if I Rent It Out?

Renting out your vehicle doesn’t mean you lose control over it. You still maintain ownership when others use it and are responsible for maintaining the car when it comes back in your possession. But there are some things you need to know about renting out your car.

1. Liability Insurance

Most rental car companies offer liability coverage. This covers damage caused to others by your rented vehicle. However, you could face severe financial consequences if you don’t have enough coverage.

2. Mileage Limits

If you’re concerned about the amount of mileage added to your vehicle, some agreements allow you to restrict how many miles can be added to the car.

3. Days Available

Shorter rental time frames also allow you to keep closer tabs on your vehicle. The more often you’re able to inspect your vehicle for damage, loss, and needed repairs, the more likely you can identify and remedy any potential issues.

Wrapping It Up

In conclusion, if you have a car and a smartphone, you have all you need to earn some extra cash. You can make money by renting your vehicle out to others or by renting a ride-share vehicle to make money with Uber or Lyft. Many apps allow you to drive around town and pick up passengers along the way. Once you have enough passengers, you can split the fare evenly among everyone. This could be a fun side hustle for anyone looking to make a little extra cash on their days off from work. This article originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks.

As the most prominent media franchise of all time, Pokémon is worth an incredible $92.121 billion.

It all began in 1996 when Satoshi Tajiri created the first video game of the franchise: Pocket Monsters: Red and Green, for Japanese audiences.

Over the next fifteen years, Pokémon became a multi-media franchise, setting records with each installment. The widely successful video game series sparked the creation of a Pokémon TV series with over one thousand episodes. On top of that, the Pokémon Trading Card Game is the most popular Collectible Card Game (CCG) worldwide.

Do you remember the good ol’ days when you’d stop in a toy shop with your parents and beg them for a pack of Pokémon cards to collect and trade with your friends? In the late 90s and early 2000s, one pack of those cards cost less than $2. Today, unopened packs can be worth hundreds of dollars, and some rare single cards can go for any price between $30 to $200,000!

If you were a Pokémon fiend back in the day, you might want to scourage through your parents’ basement to find your long-lost collection. Who knows—maybe you’re sitting on a rare Charizard that could cover the rent this month!

The Pokémon Collecting Craze

Media Factory introduced Pokémon cards to the Japanese Market in 1996. It took three more years until their release in North America. From 1999 to 2003, Wizards of the Coast owned the license for the game. In mid-2003, they handed over the license to Pokémon Company International.

Pokémon cards boasted widespread popularity ever since their initial release. But in mid-2020, at the pandemic’s height, fans of the franchise used their free time to reengage with their childhood hobby. A massive surge in popularity followed, boosting the value of increasingly rare cards.

Because Wizards of the Coast only produced the cards between 1999 to 2003, these sets are limited. The most valuable of these early cards come from the 1st Edition Base Set, followed by Shadowless and Unlimited sets.

A few factors impact the actual amount of money you can make selling your old Pokémon cards. The most valuable cards are, of course, in pristine condition and come from an exclusive set. It helps if they have received an excellent grade from a professional third-party grading service. On top of that, you must have the business and marketing skills to connect with the right buyers, avoid scammers, and present your products professionally.

We’ll cover everything you need to know to turn Pokémon card flipping into a side hustle a little later on. First, let’s fantasize about your earning potential by gaping at the top five most expensive Pokémon cards to date.

These Pokémon cards sold for crazy prices at auctions held by serious collectors. While it’s possible to make a profit flipping Pokémon cards, don’t go into it expecting to stumble upon a card worth $300,000. The number of Pokémon cards out there worth $1 or less vastly outnumber those worth even $500. 

5: Kangaskhan Family Event Trophy: $150,100

The Kangaskhan Family Event Trophy card sold for over $150,000 at an auction in October 2020. This card is so limited in quantity that its value is off the charts. The company gave this exclusive Pokémon card to a select few who competed and won events at the 1998 live ‘parent and child team’ Mega Battle in Japan.

4: Wizards Of The Coast Blastoise Prototype: $360,000

In 1998, Wizards of the Coast wooed Nintendo in an attempt to land the Pokémon Card Trading Game licensing deal for the North American market. They produced a series of Pokémon card prototypes to display to the Pokémon Company’s executives.

One of these prototypes features Blastoise, a central figure in the Pokémon Blue game. The prototype only has an image on the front because its creators never intended to distribute it for sale. Wizards of the Coast only made two copies of this prototype, which has blasted its value even higher. It went to auction in January of 2021 and sold for $360,000.

3: 1st Edition Charizard, Holographic: $369,000

Not only is this Holographic Charizard Pokémon card from the revered 1st Edition Set. The Sportscard Guaranty Corporation (SGC), one of the most trusted third-party card grading services, also rated it and gave it the highest possible condition rating: SGC Gold Label Pristine 10. A rare card in such good condition is even more unique. Plus, everyone loves Charizard! In December of 2020, this card sold for $369,000.

2: Base Set Shadowless 1st Edition Charizard: $420,000

Charizard cards are generally more sought after than others, and it’s been this way since 1999. That’s one reason why this Base Set Charizard card from 1999 is so valuable today. At the PWCC Auction in March of 2020, the card sold for a record-breaking $420,000. However, a few months later, another card would swoop in and grab the World Record title.

1: Pikachu Illustrator: $5,275,000

The Pikachu Illustrator cards were a prize for winners of the 1998 Pokémon Illustrator Artist Contest held by the CoroCoro Comic magazine. Twenty-three initial winners received the Pikachu Illustrator card as a prize, followed by sixteen winners the following year. The company never produced the card again, and only a few mint-condition Pikachu Illustrator cards exist today.

The other thing that makes this card so valuable is the Pikachu design; the original Pikachu designer, Atsuko Nishida himself, created it.

In 2022, one of these rare cards went up for sale at the Goldin Memorabilia Auctions. It sold for a whopping $900,000. But that’s not the end of the story. A few months later, YouTuber Logan Paul announced that he purchased the only PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator from Marwan Dubsy in Dubai. He spent $5,275,000 on this exclusive card, earning him the Guinness World Record for the most expensive Pokémon trading card sold at a private sale.

How to Find a Pokémon Card’s Value

Many factors contribute to the value of a Pokémon card. To ensure you’re not sitting on a rare card worth thousands of dollars, you’ll need to know how to figure out each card’s worth. Let’s get into it.

Pokémon Card Rarity

First, determine how rare the card is. There are multiple steps to this part of the process, all of which you can complete by examining the card closely and accessing the internet.

1: Determine the Card’s Set

Figuring out the set the card originated from helps you separate your cards into piles of high-value sets and lower-value sets. Typically, the older the set, the higher the value.

Type the card’s name into your favorite search engine and the card number in the bottom right-hand corner. The internet will do the rest!

2: Examine the Card’s Rarity Symbol

Each Pokémon card is marked with a symbol to display its rarity level to players. Sorting your cards by rarity is a great way to filter out the less valuable cards from your collection.

You can find the card’s rarity symbol in the bottom right corner, which is typically slightly above the card number.

• Circle: Common Card. These aren’t typically worth much unless they’re from 1999 or 2000.
• Diamond: Uncommon Card. As with the common cards, they’re not particularly valuable unless they come from 1999 or 2000.
• Star: Rare Card. Some even more rare cards have a star H or three stars. Keep an eye out for these because they can be extra valuable.

3: Check for a Shadow

Pokémon card collectors know that “Shadowless” cards are more valuable than those with a shadow because these were produced in limited quantities by Wizards of the Coast.

Take a look at the image of the Pokémon on the card. If it has a drop shadow behind it, it’s not a Shadowless card. You may have a valuable card if there is no visible shadow.

4: When Was It Made?

Generally, Wizards of the Coast cards from 1999 and 2000 are the most valuable Pokémon cards. Luckily, there’s a simple way for you to figure out whether or not your card is from this entire period.

Take a look at the very bottom of the card, slightly to the left of the card number. If it says “Wizards of the Coast” or “1999-2000 Wizards,” this card could be worth some money.

Pokémon Card Condition

The best way to determine a card’s condition is to send it off to a third-party grading service. However, those services typically charge a hefty fee, so it’s only worthwhile to rely on them for cards you know will bring in the big bucks.

You can also evaluate the condition yourself if you follow these guidelines:

Standard Card Grading Terminology

• Damaged: Cards with a damaged rating are so beaten up that they’re unplayable in tournaments. That can be due to tearing, intense creasing, staining, and more.
• Heavy Play: These cards are well-loved and typically unplayable in tournaments. It’s caused by many issues, such as tearing, creasing, staining, water damage, etc.
• Moderate Play: A card with this rating looks worse for the wear but is still playable. It will show significant staining, some tearing, creasing, and other damage.
• Light Play: You can tell a careful Pokémon collector played with these cards and treated them with the utmost care. They’ll have minor scrapes, nicks, edge wear, and stains.
• Near Mint to Mint: These cards have very few minor imperfections. These cards should be almost brand-new. They can have minimal amounts of superficial damage.

How Expensive Is This Pokémon Card?

You’ve sorted your Pokémon cards into piles, and you now have a good sense of which ones are worth a cent and which could bring in a nice chunk of change. The last step is to determine just how much your Pokémon cards are selling for today.

Examine Current Prices Online

While you’ll typically find the Pokémon cards worth hundreds of thousands of dollars for sale at auctions, you can find plenty of cards worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars online. Visit online sales platforms like:

• eBay
• Mercari
• Facebook Marketplace
• TCGPlayer

Then use the search function to determine your card’s current monetary value. Look through multiple listings on multiple sites to get a good idea of the card’s average price. Pay attention not just to price, but also the highest price that actually sold. 

Sending it to a Card Grading Service

Suppose you want to get a professional opinion on the value of your card. In that case, you can send it to a third-party grading service. Take a look at the list of the most valuable Pokémon cards above. You’ll see that they received excellent grades from agencies like PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) and SGC (Sportscard Guaranty Corporation). An exceptional rate from a grading service can increase the value dramatically.

However, these services are expensive. Depending on the value of the card and the grading service you choose, the prices can range from fifty to five-hundred dollars. So when selecting the cards you want to send for authentication, tread carefully.

Selling Pokémon Cards as a Side Hustle

Flipping Pokémon cards takes a ton of time and can be risky. However, this side hustle can be super profitable if you’re dedicated, organized, and business savvy.

Collecting the Pokémon Cards

You may already have a collection of Pokémon cards on your hands. Still, to sustain your side hustle, you’ll probably need to invest in some Pokémon cards to sell later at a higher price. Hunting for the best deals can be tricky if you don’t know some essential best practices for investing in Pokémon cards.

Set Broad Search Filters

No matter what online platform you’re browsing, it’s a good idea to set broad search filters to snag valuable cards at lower prices.

When most people search online for Pokémon cards, they’ll type in precisely what they want. Few people will be interested in these cards because the algorithm can’t include them in the buyer’s search. Sometimes, the person who posted the card on eBay doesn’t properly tag the item or misspells something in the title.

If you cast a wider net, you’ll catch more fish. You’ll probably have to sort through a long list to find the good ones, but this technique can help you snag a card that would otherwise be priced much higher.

Shop Around

Don’t limit your search to one platform. Sellers often cross-post the same card on online platforms like eBay and Mercari, and sometimes the price is lower on one platform than another.

You can find Pokémon cards in pawn shops, estate sales, specialized Facebook groups, and Craigslist. Widen your search, and you’ll find a better selection.

The High-Quality Photo Rule

If you’re buying Pokémon cards online, you must ensure the seller posts many high-quality photos. That way, you can examine the card to get a sense of the condition and reassurance that the card is authentic.

Be Wary of Scammers and Fakes

Unfortunately, Pokémon scammers are out there, and it’s essential to be careful. Watch out for fake Pokémon cards, cards that arrive in worse condition than advertised, and sellers who promise to send you a card and never do. Always go through the proper payment channels, and don’t be afraid to ask for more photos.

Selling Your Pokémon Cards

Now for the fun part: selling the cards and making money. Many of the strategies for selling Pokémon cards parallel the tricks for buying.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Suppose you learn the basics of each online marketplace’s SEO guidelines. Use the right keywords, post a great thumbnail, and promote your listings in other ways. This way, your cards will get in front of more potential buyers.

High-Quality Photos

As we already noted, high-quality photos encourage people to purchase a particular card. So it’s a no-brainer that you’d take a wide variety of great images of each card.

Posting high-quality photos on your listing can increase the card’s value because it ensures that your buyers trust you.

Sell Cards on Multiple Platforms

To sell more cards in a shorter period, it helps if you at least try posting your listings on a few different platforms. Find the right balance for you – adding too many can be overwhelming.

You can even cross-post the same card on multiple sites and keep track of which help you bring in the highest profit.

Be Wary of Buyer Scams

Buyers scam sellers just as much as sellers can scam buyers. On top of that, platforms like Mercari take the buyer’s side in a dispute more often than not.

To protect yourself, only accept money through the proper channels when you sell through online marketplaces. If you’re meeting in person, don’t take anything but cash. Make sure to document each item and sale intricately in text and photos. That way, if a buyer destroys the card and claims that you sent it in poor condition, you have proof of their scam.

The joy of playing the Pokémon Card Trading Game with friends as a kid is unlike any other. If you’re an adult who misses your old hobby, perhaps it’s time to get back in the saddle. Collecting Pokémon cards is time-consuming, let alone flipping them for profit. However, reigniting your childhood passion in a new way may be just the activity for you. This article originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks.

It can be challenging to land a job with zero experience, even if you have a sought-after degree. Finding that very first job can help you fill out your resume and gain experience for whatever your future career holds.

Luckily, many high-paying jobs require no experience. Sometimes, you don’t even need a college degree, or you can learn on the job through an apprenticeship while you get paid.

From a union electrician making $80,000 a year to a certified nurse midwife making $130,000, here are some of the highest paying jobs with no prior experience required.

1. Virtual Assistant

If you’re looking for an easy way to make a good living while working remotely, consider becoming a virtual assistant. Virtual assistants take on projects for clients ranging from scheduling meetings and responding to emails to more skills-based tasks like managing social media accounts, virtual bookkeeping, and working on web design.

Virtual assistants without much experience can charge anywhere from $15 or $20 per hour. Virtual assistants with more experience can charge $50 an hour (or more!) with in-demand specializations like SEO writing, social media management, and web design or management. You can make anywhere from $35,000 or more with little to no experience and have significant room to grow with specialization! – Carley Rojas Avila

2. Flight Attendant

If you have dreams of traveling the world, why not make it your job, and an above-average paying one at that? Driven by great demand, flight attendants make an average of $56,650 plus lucrative travel benefits, such as free flights for the employee plus their family and friends.

By 2023, airlines are looking to hire 20,000 more people for these roles, equating to 100,000 total flight attendants.

But if you’re looking to make even more for this job, apply to Southwest, regularly awarded one of the best places to work in America. Their flight attendants make on average $10,000 more plus $11,000 of profit sharing and free unlimited travel for themselves, spouses, domestic partners, and dependents. – Monica Fish

3. Freelance Writer

The pandemic increased the demand for freelance writers as more people started websites requiring continuous content creation. A quick search on Upwork shows that writers charge between $20 and $150 per hour, sometimes even more. If you are a creative person who likes variety and working from anywhere you want, then freelance writing might be just the perfect job for you.

Neither a degree nor expensive certificates are required. Sure, it helps to have good writing skills to start, but you can always improve them on the go. Additionally, many online tools are available to help you write better content. – Sylvia Silverstone

4. Real Estate Agent

If you enjoy helping people with one of the biggest purchases of their lives, consider becoming a real estate agent. Most real estate agents are independent contractors and entrepreneurs who build their business from the ground up through referrals, networking, and marketing. However, there are also opportunities for a new agent to join a team of agents that already has consistent deal flow.

The median annual pay for a real estate agent is just under $50,000, but a full-time high-performing agent can easily make $100,000 a year up to $1 million a year or more. One of the industry’s perks is growing your own business as you see fit. – Emily Herrig

5. Certified Nurse Midwife

A Certified Nurse Midwife is a specialized registered nurse. They focus on a woman’s health and well-being. Areas of care include family planning, gynecological checkups, and prenatal care.

They deliver babies with minimal or no medical interventions. A Certified Nurse Midwife also helps with postpartum care. A Certified Nurse Midwife’s salary ranges from $107,000 to $132,000. Certification and a bachelor’s degree are required, but experience is not. – Erin Wilson 

6. Sales Representative

Sales representatives can make a good living with little to no experience. According to Indeed, the average entry-level sales rep makes $68,500 per year.

Many companies are willing to invest in training sales representatives because of the importance of having a good sales team. Typically, determination and people skills are all you need to get started in this field.

Of course, the more experience you have, the better your chances of making a high commission. But don’t let that deter you from applying for sales jobs. If you’re interested in making good money and don’t have any experience, consider becoming a sales representative. – Steve Morrow

7. Insurance Claims Adjuster

Finding an insurance claims adjuster job is an excellent way to get into the insurance industry without experience. Entry-level insurance adjusters’ average salary starts at around $43,000 a year. But with experience, your salary can double to approximately $80,000 a year.

In addition, your yearly salary can exceed $100,000 if you have what it takes to become an independent insurance adjuster. Insurance adjusting is a challenging and rewarding career in high demand. You need a high school diploma or GED to become an insurance claims adjuster, but not a post-secondary degree. Many, but not all, states require an insurance claims adjuster license to work. – Lisa

8. Union Electrician

If working with your hands is appealing, joining an electrical union can be a high-paying career with zero student debt or experience. If accepted into the apprenticeship program, you work and go to school for five years.

Once you graduate, you become a journeyman electrician. The rates vary throughout the country, but in a robust unionized area with reasonable rates, you can make up to $100,000 or more (if overtime is available).

A standard rate in the Chicagoland area is $42.82 per hour ($89,000 per year) plus insurance, vacation, pension, and annuity. This same opportunity applies to many trades, including plumbing, construction, and more. – Davin 

9. Travel Agent

After the past few years of lockdowns, travel is booming, and there’s been a return for long-haul flights to far-off destinations. As a consequence, the demand for travel agents has exploded.

Pre-COVID, the average salary was around $46,500 and is in line with data published by the Bureau of Labor Stastistics. However, at the top end, some agents are reportedly earning anywhere between $250k and $500k!

In a way, it’s a sales job but any direct experience of traveling to destinations can make conversations with clients a lot more meaningful. Trusted agents can build great relations with clients and see a lot of repeat business. – Tim Thomas

10. Merchandiser

Merchandiser falls into one of those high-paying jobs with zero to little work experience required. A high school diploma or GED qualifies you for the position. The pay starts from $17 per hour and can go over $35 an hour.

As a merchandiser, you are responsible for the display of products in-store or online, and can do everything from handling inventory to setting up creative displays to move certain products.

A full-time job at a reputable company will qualify you for health, life insurance, and disability benefits, along with many other incentives that maximize your earnings. You also qualify for overtime pay; that’s where most merchandisers with low hourly rates make money. – Ram Chakradhar 

11. ESL Teacher in Hong Kong

An ESL Teacher is a teacher who specializes in teaching English as a second language to students who are non-native English speakers. Although no experience is required to become an ESL teacher in Hong Kong, many schools prefer candidates with at least a bachelor’s degree and Teaching English as a Foreign Language Certificate (TEFL).

The Education Bureau hires Native English teachers under the NET government scheme. Teachers earn from HK$31,750 to HK$61,415 (approx. US$4,045.64 to US$7,825.60) per month, subject to experience and qualifications.

An allowance of HK$20,989 (approx. US$2,674.51) per month is granted for teachers whose residence is outside of Hong Kong. Native English teachers (NETs) are eligible to apply for additional incentives, gratuities, and bonuses for performance, conduct, and continuation of service after two years. – Caitriona Maria

Start a High Paying Career Even With No Experience

Whether you are freshly graduated and seeking your first job or looking for a career change, there are many opportunities to find lucrative positions that don’t require any experience. Many of the jobs listed here can be obtained with a willingness to learn and hard work.

This article originally appeared on Wealthy Nickel.

Does the idea of early retirement sound appealing? It’s a lifelong dream for millions of Americans, but it could also become a reality when you make smart money moves at the right times.

Achieving early retirement often requires sacrifices throughout your life. In your working years, you’ll need to avoid the temptation of keeping up with the Joneses to ensure more of your money is saved for retirement than squandered on shopping sprees. And to avoid running out of money after you retire, visions of champagne and caviar on the beach of St. Tropez may need to be experienced from the comfort of your living room through a virtual reality headset and the metaverse we’re promised is just a few years away.

If you want to retire early, the most important advice you need to hear is to begin planning today. And by reading this article, you’re taking an important first step toward turning off your 6 am weekday morning alarm forever.

We asked dozens of financial professionals and educators to offer their insights and tips to help us learn what actions we should take today and in the future in order to retire early with enough money to last a lifetime. Below, you’ll find their words of wisdom covering topics ranging from saving and investing to choosing where you will live to make your money go further.

Decide What Early Retirement Means to You

Retirement is such a loaded term. It means different things to different people.

If you’re interested in retiring early, good for you. But you’ve got some work to do.

First, you need to define what “early” is for you. Is it age 55 or 65? Then you need to consider what retirement will cost for you. For example, will you really spend less in retirement as many financial advisors would lead you to believe? Will you have income from Social Security or a pension? And what savings and investments have you accumulated to supplement your retirement lifestyle?

These are important questions, and they’re best answered with a holistic retirement and financial plan. It will help determine where you are today and illuminate a path to early retirement and beyond.

Russ Thornton | Wealthcare for Women

Decide What You are Retiring “To” Not “From”

Traditionally retirement has been defined as retiring from a regular job, to do something else. A lot of people retire from a job because they don’t like it.

Redefine your idea of retirement, and get clear on what you are retiring to, not what you are retiring from. Be as specific as possible, for example, “I want to travel to XYZ country to do…”

With that clarity, you can work with a financial advisor or figure out on your own what you need to save, and what steps you need to take to get there. You have a lot of options for where (outside the US), but that’s a part of the how and the what. Don’t limit yourself. 

Jane Mepham | Elgon Financial Advisors

Use Retirement Calculators to Help Decide When You Can Retire

An important part of picking a date for early retirement is to know if you have enough money saved. Unfortunately, there is no guaranteed way of knowing exactly how much money you need.

But there are many free retirement calculators you can use. By inputting a few numbers, like your age, amount of savings, and annual spending, you can get a close estimate to see how you stand. This will give you confidence that when you do quit the rat race, you will be able to get by financially.

Jon Dulin | Money Smart Guides

Hire a Financial Advisor or Coach 

If you have your eye on retiring early in your 40s or 50s, your preparation will need to adapt to a financial reality that differs from traditional retirement. Retiring early from conventional work hours doesn’t necessarily mean that you will stop working altogether, but you may limit your hours to live more freely. When visualizing early retirement, you’ll need to bridge some gaps with a more extended retirement phase with less income and without company benefits like health insurance. There may be many moving parts, and working with a financial professional may help you overcome challenges.

Retiring in your 40s or 50s is a worthy goal. Early retirement doesn’t mean you will stop working altogether, but you may limit your hours working a side hustle to live more freely. You’ll have to get ready, or you can employ an experienced financial coach or advisor to design a comprehensive financial plan for your needs. A financial advisor can incorporate budgeting, savings, investments, and tax optimization strategies into your plan. 

Linda Meltzer | The Cents of Money

Get a Second Job

If you are not a high-net-worth individual, you most likely find yourself thinking about retirement. A way to get there faster is by obtaining a second job. Working another job will enable you to pay off debt quicker and save more money. Have you heard of overemployment?

People are secretly working multiple remote jobs and earning double their standard pay. It’s definitely something worth looking into if you want to retire early.

Isaiah Webby | Get Loot

Prep Your Meals for Physical and Financial Fitness

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, nearly $408 billion in food is thrown away yearly in the United States. Meal prepping not only helps to alleviate food wastage and helps you to make a healthier choice but also helps you save on groceries. Meal prepping entails cooking in bulk and portioning out meals ahead of time.

The main benefit of meal planning is it encourages you to eat healthier. More importantly, you can save money on takeout and alleviate food waste. The funds saved by utilizing meal prepping can go towards your retirement fund so you can retire sooner.

Charmaine | LuvMeKitchen

Find a Side Hustle

Many people have side hustles to help them make extra money. You could use the side hustle money for several things, including allowing you to retire early. The extra money earned can help you increase your savings goals. You can also use the extra money to invest. Over time, those funds will add up, thus allowing you to retire early. 

Jason Butler | My Money Chronicles

Head South of the Border to Mexico

If your idea of retirement includes a carefree lifestyle full of lazy afternoons spent walking along a world-class beach, you’re in luck. Mexico is one of the best places to retire, and many Americans are already doing it. In fact, more North Americans have moved to Mexico to retire than they have anywhere else in the world.

Many Mexican cities offer a low cost of living, beautiful weather, and a wide variety of lifestyle options. Retiring early takes strategic planning to make happen, but moving to Mexico can help you reach your goal by making your retirement funds go further than they would in America. Not to mention you’ll be able to take those lazy afternoon walks on a beautiful Mexican beach whenever you’d like.

Karee Blunt | Our Woven Journey

Move Further South of the Border to Ecuador

Relocating to a country with a lower cost of living is a great way to save money to retire early, but currency conversion fees and exchange rates can quickly eat away at your savings. Avoid these fees altogether by heading to one of a handful of foreign countries that uses the U.S. dollar as their national currency.

Ecuador is among the most popular choices, a top international destination for retirees from the United States. There are plenty of things to do in Quito to keep you busy, and this mountainous city is popular with ex-pats. Or, if you’re looking for warmer weather, you’ll find inexpensive beachfront real estate along the coast.

Carley Rojas Avila | Home to Havana

Invest in Low-Cost Index Funds

If you want to retire early or retire at all, the best tip I can give is to make sure you’re investing your money. Many people think investing is for rich people making a lot of money. But really, investing is for everyone, no matter how much you earn.

Investing most of your money in low-cost investments such as index funds is the best way to make sure you’ll grow your money over the long term. Investing as little as $100 a month in your 20s can make a HUGE difference in your net worth over time.

Jeff | Have Your Dollars Make Sense

Shop Smarter

Instead of trying to save money by always looking for the lowest price, try to spend intentionally by buying fewer but higher quality items and services. Sometimes, the cheapest price is all you need. However, focusing entirely on price and never on value can lead us to unsatisfying and low-quality purchases, causing us to spend more money on repairs and replacements in the long run.

Sam | Smarter and Harder

Use the Right Investment Accounts

An often overlooked item for those on the path to early retirement is what we call “savings location”. It’s important to save money in the correct account type and that is magnified for people retiring before age 59 and-a-half. Saving into accounts other than 401(k)’s, IRA’s, and Roth IRA’s is key – meaning that taxable accounts can still be your friend.

My clients with large taxable accounts often have more optionality than those that don’t. There are still tax-efficient ways to invest using a taxable account and they don’t have an “age padlock” with penalties like many retirement accounts do. A lot of retirement is focused on accumulating dollars for later. It’s important to accumulate those dollars in an efficient way so that the (even more important) withdrawal phase can go as smoothly as possible.

Doug Oosterhart, CFP® | LifePoint Planning

Increase Your Earnings

A lot of tips related to retiring early focus on limiting spending (bananas and saltines for dinner, anyone?). 

With my clients, I talk about how the equation to achieve early retirement has three major factors: aggressive saving, mindful spending, and increasing earnings. For many people who want to enjoy life now while also saving for financial independence, increasing earnings is one of the most powerful tools in their toolbelt.

Three ways that I help clients increase their earnings are self-advocacy, entrepreneurship, and side hustling.

Self-advocacy includes directly asking for a raise, taking on high-visibility projects, and exploring career options outside of your current employer. Entrepreneurship is about using your unique set of skills to build your own business that allows you to earn a premium wage and build equity within your business. Side hustling is more than driving for Uber Eats (although that is certainly an option!).

We talk about freelancing, consulting, and project-based work that utilizes your existing skillset and expands your network, all while YOU get paid. 

Melissa Walsh, CFP®, CFA, AIF | Clarity Financial Design

A Handful of Tips to Earn More, Spend Less, and Build Savings

5 easy things you can do right now to decrease expenses, build savings, or build income:

1) We live in a subscription society – comb through your credit cards and debit cards to determine which subscriptions can be cancelled that you no longer use.  Pay for an app you no longer use?  Online yoga subscription? Magazine/newspaper? Streaming service?  I’m certain you can find a few to trim.

2) Renegotiate or revisit any bills that may be negotiable or interchangeable (i.e. internet, cell phone, gym membership)  Is there a new deal out there you can ask for from your current provider?  Or is it time to switch providers to reduce cost?

3) Try my “Amazon challenge” – give yourself only 1 day per month you can buy items from Amazon, Target, or Walmart+ or anywhere you can click and buy in seconds.

Instead of buying everything the moment you think of it, add each item to your cart and ‘save for later’.  On your one buying day, look at that long list and divide items into 3 categories a) Items you truly want and need now – add those to cart for purchase today. b) Items that someone could gift you for your next birthday or holiday – add those to your public wish list. and c) Items you probably don’t need – delete them!

Slowing down this buying process and using the rational brain can reduce your impulse buying throughout the month and decrease your spending.

4) You own too much stuff and you have cash sitting in your closets, attic, garage.  Sell items you no longer use or need on Facebook Marketplace, LetGo, Mercari, or other sites.

5) Stop scrolling social media with your spare time and pick up online freelance gigs.  There are many different websites like Fiverr.com that post short freelance jobs with hundreds of categories.  Can you help someone edit their website? Provide a voiceover? Provide financial, legal or business consulting? 

Emily Rassam, CFP®, CRPS, AIFA, NSSA, CDAA | Archer Investment Management

Hire a “FIRE” Financial Advisor

If you plan to retire early, having a financial advisor who specializes in working with FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) clients can help catch financial mistakes that are common within the FIRE community.

Financial Planning is the process financial planners use to better understand their client’s financial situation and work together to create an effective action plan to help them reach FIRE. During the financial planning process, a financial planner will provide solutions for health care when you FIRE, help you optimize your taxes efficiently, and help reduce unnecessary fees.

For those who are planning to FIRE soon, consider hiring a financial planner to double-check your finances before making the big leap. Reaching FIRE takes accountability and resilience, having someone along your journey who can help you make the most out of every penny. 

Danielle Miura, CFP® | Spark Financials

Invest Beyond Your Retirement Accounts

Invest outside of a retirement account. Typically you need to be debt-free, be maxing out retirement sources, and still have money left over to consider this option. Be sure that you don’t want to invest money that you may need in the short run, however.

Investing outside retirement is one of the best tools to use for leaving the option open to retire early since retirement funds aren’t accessible until after age 59 ½ without penalty. Funds outside of a retirement account are accessible before then.

Cady North, MBA, CFP® | North Financial Advisors

Practice Makes Perfect

Within five years of your planned retirement date, it is important to practice retiring. We call this “pivoting.” The idea is that you participate in new hobbies, adjust your sleep schedule, and modify your budget. If possible, try to pay off all consumer debt and save one year of cash reserves heading into your retirement. 

Darryl Lyons, CFP, AIF, BFA, ChFC | Pax Financial

Get Health Insurance

Health insurance is a topic all retirees think about, and for early retirees leaving the workforce before Medicare eligibility (age 65), it’s a key concern. It should be a concern, typical medical expenses can run $300,000 per couple over the period of their retirement.

Before you leave your job, have a solid healthcare option lined up. That could be private insurance via the marketplace, a part-time job that offers health insurance as a benefit or opting into coverage through a spouse’s plan. Don’t wait to get this issue resolved – any gaps in coverage could be an issue should you come to file a claim later in life.

Dave Grant, CFP® | Retirement Matters

Optimize Your Social Security Benefits

Prepare a budget and determine how your cash flow needs will be met.  Yes, you can take Social Security as early as age 62.  However, if you’re in good health and have access to other sources of income, it usually pays to wait and let your benefit grow. 

Taking your benefit at 62 will reduce your lifetime payment, and spousal survivor benefit, by as much as 30%. On the other hand, you’ll receive an 8% increase, plus inflation increases, for every year you wait after your full retirement age, up to age 70. 

I’d consider a part-time job to bridge the gap and let your benefits grow.  Receiving a guaranteed, lifetime revenue stream, inflation-adjusted, and not subject to market volatility should not be underestimated.

Work with a CFP professional who performs Social Security optimization as part of their retirement planning process.  

Brett Tushingham, CFP® | Tushingham Wealth Strategies

Choose a Financial Advisor with Specialized Credentials

Before you hire any professional, it’s essential to consider their qualifications to ensure they have the proper education and experience for your individual circumstances. Since financial professionals have varying degrees of formal education and experience, it’s even more important to do your homework when researching financial advisors and coaches.

You’ll find that many financial advisors and coaches have chosen to earn financial certifications to demonstrate their knowledge and dedication to helping their clients achieve their financial goals.

To find a financial advisor who can help you retire early, you may want to consider hiring a Certified Financial Planner with advanced knowledge to assist with investment planning, insurance planning, estate planning, income tax planning, and retirement planning. Many advisors with a particular focus on retirement planning have also attained specialized designations like the RICP designation which places an emphasis on generating income in retirement, or the CRPC designation which focuses on holistic retirement planning strategies.

Brian Thorp | Wealthtender

Harness the Power of a Taxable Brokerage Account

401Ks and IRAs are tremendous retirement savings vehicles, especially for those that are looking to retire after age 59 ½. However, if early retirement is a goal for you, a 401K or an IRA can’t be your only investment vehicle. In fact, simply maxing your retirement vehicles with no additional dollars left over to put towards other liquid investments will likely preclude you from having the ability to retire early.

It is important to work with a planner to determine the optimal savings bucket allocation, but generally I like seeing families strive for investing at least 25% of their income. Up to the first 25% of your income, I do think it should go towards traditional retirement savings vehicles, but after that point, I am comfortable seeing investment dollars shift towards taxable brokerage accounts. One of the largest benefits of doing so is there are NO contribution limits. On top of that, there are no penalties for early withdrawals nor are there mandatory distributions.

Lastly, the tax benefits, especially for investors who are holding onto investments longer than 12 months, can take advantage of the attractive long-term capital gains rates. A quick tip, based on the standard deduction in 2022, a family that is married filing jointly can make a little over $108K and pay NO long-term capital gains tax (a little over $53,000). This is an EXTREMELY powerful tool heading into early retirement.

Joshua Lutkemuller, CFA | Strongside Asset Management

Avoid Telling Yourself Big Money Lies

To retire early, avoid telling yourself these Big Money Lies:

• I’ll be happier when I have $_______.  If you make the mistake some magic number will flip a happiness switch for you, think again.
• I deserve it, regardless of whether I can afford it.  We usually say this to ourselves after an expensive purchase we know, deep down, we don’t need.
• I have strong financial willpower.  The 374 million of us shopping with credit cards typically spend 10% more than we would if we were paying with cash.
• I’ll save more later.  Fewer than 1 in 6 of us are saving more than 15% of our income, and 1 in 5 aren’t savings at all.
• I have plenty of time to plan for my financial future (& I don’t need to think about it yet).  It’s the rationale we use when we have a hard time managing our negative feelings or uncertainties about our financial futures. And it makes us turn a blind eye to the years of interest that we lose out on when we don’t plan.
• There is good and bad debt.  Instead of focusing on whether debt is “good” or “bad,” concentrate on the total cost of the interest over time (it’s often higher than you think) and on deciding whether the loan is really helping you achieve your goals.
• Wanting more is bad.  When we frame wanting more as a positive motivator, it can be easier to take the chances or do the work needed to get to that next financial level we may want.

Richard Archer, CDAA, CFA, CFP, MBA | Archer Investment Management

Establish Multiple Sources of Income

You must generate enough money to retire early. Saving money and downsizing can only stretch your budget so much when inflation is going through the roof. The current annual increase in the inflation rate is 8.6% ending May 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The cost of living is always an upward trend. It is crucial to set up multiple sources of income that generate revenue through minimal input. 

Retiring early does not mean one will stop working. It simply means you are not trading so many hours for compensation. You’ll enjoy things you love and, at the same time, produce enough income to live comfortably. Start with a side hustle and build a business that is semi if not entirely passive.

Ram Chakradhar | Dollar for Cent

Change Zip Codes to Reduce Your Cost of Living

If you’re looking to retire sooner rather than later, you may want to consider moving to a place with a lower cost of living. By making this move, you can reduce your expenses and save more money each month, which will help you reach your retirement goals sooner.

We moved from Colorado to Oklahoma for work opportunities and a better quality of life around the cost of living. Tulsa, Oklahoma has a cost of living index of 83.2 compared to 121.1 in Colorado. In addition, in Oklahoma, the housing market is 35% lower than the national average (source).

By changing zip codes, we have been able to get rid of debt, buy a home for less money, and build wealth. In Oklahoma, our hard-earned money goes further.

On top of a lower cost of living, Oklahoma has incredible state parks and trails without the crowds and traffic!

By changing zip codes and living in a place with a lower cost of living, you can have a smaller mortgage or no mortgage, which will allow you to save money and invest in things with a higher rate of return so you can retire early.

Ashlee Fechino | The Happiness Function

Know Your Cost of Living

If you want to retire early, it’s a good idea to get clear on what your baseline cost of living is or will be. This is the amount of money you’ll need to cover your essential living expenses from housing, utilities, medical coverage, household expenses, and meals. Don’t forget to factor inflation into your calculations for the number of years you estimate living beyond your retirement date. If needed, you may want to find ways to reduce your monthly expenses in order to make your retirement goal figure more attainable. If you are able to save beyond what you actually need, you’ll be in better shape to enjoy retirement with less financial stress. 

Jessica Bishop | The Budget Savvy Bride

Focus on What You Can Control

Retiring early is a great goal to have. The biggest question is whether or not it is realistic.  If we’re not saving the right amount of money in all the right places then retiring early, pre-59 1/2 can become further from reality.

Things to consider as you strive toward retiring early:

-Save 25% or more of your annual gross income

-Make sure you have great balance between your ‘liquid’ and ‘illiquid’ investments

-Consider the extraordinary expenses you’ll incur by not having access to health insurance at early retirement

-Try to map out when you anticipate turning on Social Security Income in order to maximize your benefit and where you’ll pull income from until then, i.e., “Mind the Gap”. 

At the end of the day, retiring early can be achievable if we focus our efforts on the things we can control, such as how much we save and put back onto our balance sheet annually and making sure we’re being efficient with our asset location strategy. 

Michael R. Acosta, CFP®, ChFC® | The Dumas Team, Consolidated Planning, Inc. 

Mind Your (Financial) Behaviors

Financial behaviors will be of paramount importance to retire early. A pattern of consistency is so much more important than looking for the big windfalls. Keeping your lifestyle simple but fulfilling is another major key. To do this it would all start with reasonable spending, savings, and investing plans. As someone approaches retirement making sure they have a fully funded emergency fund will be huge.

During the wealth accumulation stage of life this fund should have about 3 months worth of expenses. Retiring early may require keeping more like 12 months of expenses on hand. This gives tremendous flexibility to endure unexpected economic shifts without tapping retirement vehicles too early or too quickly. Having a beefy fund close to retirement also sets the stage to avoid making decisions based on fear. The greatest advantage here is that adequate liquid savings can give you the ability to show patience or even ride out an unexpected storm. As retirement nears paying your mortgage down or off provides similar benefits.

Work is another thing to consider for retiring early. Figuring out a side hustle that you love can be another income stream during early retirement. If you retire early you may enjoy pursuing a passion project for pay. Taking the time to determine what that might be is time well spent. It could be consulting, teaching music or art or a whole host of things. Having a fun side hustle that you don’t need to rely on can really reduce the amount you need to retire and again serve as a form of ballast against uncertainty. 

Schuyler Lemler, AFC® | Apothecary Financial

Have a (Financial) Plan

“Those who fail to plan, plan to fail.” Benjamin Franklin’s iconic quote showcases one of the most important things you need to do if you want to retire early: plan. Your financial plan should include your assets, liabilities, assumptions, and needs. Use your plan as a framework to help guide you toward your early retirement goals. Having a plan will help you set realistic and achievable goals and show you where you may need to make changes to achieve your ultimate goal of retiring early. 

Melanie Allen | Partners in FIRE

Focus on the Personal Finance Trifecta

For those that want to retire early, we recommend a greater focus on what we call the personal finance trifecta: Cash Flow Management – Investment Management – Tax Planning. Cash Flow Management allows you to have increased control over where your money goes so that you can divert more towards investment opportunities.

We believe that your Investment Management should be nimble and tactical, in order to improve performance and reduce risk. Advanced Tax Planning may help you keep more of your money. Those are our 3 keys to building wealth. By following these principles, you can set yourself up for a bright financial future – and an earlier retirement date. So start planning today, and enjoy your golden years sooner than you thought possible.

Patrick Traverse, CFP®, EA, CEPA™ | Breakaway Financial Group

Treat Yourself to an Affordable Vacation

Just because you’re saving money for retirement doesn’t mean you can’t also go on vacation. And a nice one at that! 

For over 20 years, savvy travel bargain hunters have been booking timeshare rentals on trusted, A+ Business Bureau-rated websites to save 50% off or more at global resort chains. Today’s timeshares bring together the space and home-like conveniences of an Airbnb with the prime location, resort amenities, and cleanliness standards of worldwide hotel chains like Hilton, Westin, Hyatt, and even Disney.

If you’d like to travel to Orlando with your family, but Airbnb fees and hotel prices have gotten too high, rent a timeshare from an owner who is not using theirs.  For example, you can book a 2-bedroom condo unit at Hilton Vacation Club’s Mystic Dunes for 75% off the Priceline price by booking a timeshare rental. 

This resort is a destination in itself with a championship golf course, putt-putt, four pools, tennis & basketball courses, and a long list of family activities across 600 acres. You’d never know you are only 2 miles from Walt Disney World Theme Parks and minutes to Universal Studios at this price point!

Monica Fish | Planner at Heart

Get a Green Thumb

If you have some spare space or land, growing high-value cash crops can be an excellent side hustle to get to retirement faster. Some homeowners make up to $10,000 per month selling microgreens from their basement. 

With high-value crops, you can afford to hire help and turn it into passive income. Also, after you retire, you can continue to sell at farmer’s markets and enjoy the community aspect.  

Davin | Nature of Home

Use the Rule of 25

When you want to retire early, one of the first things to do is know how much you need to save or invest. You want to know your retirement number.

Calculate your retirement number with the rule of 25, where you multiply your expected retirement expenses by 25 to know how much you’ll spend. For example, if you expect to spend $4,000 per month in retirement, you can retire early when your investments reach $1 million.

There are plenty of things you can do to reach your retirement number and retire early. Investing in the stock market is a popular choice, like investing in total market index funds like FZROX or FSKAX.

Marjolein Dilven | Radical FIRE

Get Out of Debt

Be smart with how you pay off debt. Frequently, people delay investing entirely so they can tackle their debt first. However, it can be beneficial to hold some debt while investing to take advantage of being in the market longer and earning more compounding returns. Compare the potential return on investment (ROI) between your debt (the interest rate) and what kind of returns you expect from the stock market. By paying off high-interest debt early, then investing while only paying the minimums on your low-interest debt, you can save more and retire earlier.

Becky Neubauer | TwentyFree

Grab a Gig Economy Job

Set up multiple streams of income, such as starting a side hustle while you work your 9-5. The gig economy is huge right now, and there are plenty of flexible ways to earn more income doing something you enjoy, whether that’s writing, driving, or walking dogs. This way you’ll have more money coming in to save and invest. It can be a great strategy to put all side hustle income directly into your retirement investments to be able to retire early. 

Kelan Kline | The Savvy Couple

Live Below Your Means

Committing to living below your means for the long term is the foundation for setting yourself up for early retirement. Work towards paying off high-interest consumer debt and spend your money intentionally to avoid more debt. As your income grows, put that money to work for you by investing it instead of keeping up with the Joneses or succumbing to lifestyle creep. Look for new ways to save money on your monthly expenses. Consider starting a side hustle to increase the gap between your income and expenses so you have more money to save and invest in preparation for your early exit from the workforce.  

Lisa | Adapt Your Dollars

Become a Creator

Building up a side hustle that is passive or semi-passive is a great ticket to help you achieve independence. Building a brand and following online can be a way to tap into this. For instance, Tik Tok creators get paid when people watch their content. This decouples your effort with payout, where it takes a lot of effort to get started and build the following, but once you have it, you can reap the benefits over a long period of time.

Tyler Weaver | Relentless Finances

Fund Your Brokerage Account

Years before you step away from your job, you should be funding your brokerage account while saving for retirement. Adequately funding a brokerage account will allow you to potentially:

• Lower your taxable income in retirement
• Have the resources to be able to choose to delay Social Security
• Keep your retirement assets growing longer and uninterrupted
• Create other favorable tax planning opportunities

By getting started today, and understanding what it takes to retire early, you can increase your odds of being able to achieve early retirement.

Nick Covyeau, CFP® | Swell Financial

The Bottom Line

No matter your stage in life whether you’re 10 years away from retirement or just getting started in your career, you can improve your financial health and increase the likelihood of affording a comfortable retirement by applying any of the tips shared above that make sense based on your individual circumstances.

If all of this feels overwhelming, simply take a deep breath and remember preparing for retirement is a marathon, not a sprint. You’ll also find a wide range of resources available to help you feel more confident about your financial future, ranging from books on retirement and personal finance blogs, to money coaches and financial advisors near you who can get to know you and develop a personalized plan.

This article was originally published on Wealthtender.

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About the Author

Brian Thorp 
Brian Thorp is the founder and CEO of Wealthtender, an online marketplace helping people find the best financial advisors, coaches, and personal finance education resources for their individual needs. Brian believes everyone deserves help with money matters from someone they can trust, no matter their income or stage of life. With over 25 years in the financial services industry, Brian is applying his experience and passion at Wealthtender to help more people enjoy life with less money stress.

There are many great ways to make extra money in today’s gig and technology-heavy world. Despite the plethora of side hustles available, many don’t have time to add another significant task to their plate.

If you’re struggling to fit more into your busy schedule but still need some extra cash, fear not because there are many legitimate ways to get free money fast. This list contains websites, apps, services, and methods for getting money fast while also capitalizing on your time and energy.

If you’ve ever said, “I need money today for free,” this article is for you.

I Need Money Today for Free: 15 Best Ways to Grab That Quick Cash

1. Unclaimed Money

There are millions of dollars in unclaimed money in cash, checks, money orders, safe deposit boxes, and security deposits. While you can search your state and other various organizations using the government’s unclaimed money site, a few great places to start are MissingMoney.com and Unclaimed.org. Both sites allow you to quickly and easily search for unclaimed money by inputting your name and letting the site do the work for you.

Not all states participate with MissingMoney, but you can make a claim on any money you find directly with the site for those who do. On the other hand, Unclaimed will direct you to the appropriate place for your state, and you can search from there. Even if you don’t think you have unclaimed money, it’s worth a few minutes of your time to see what you might uncover.

2. Government Assistance

If you’ve ever thought, “I need money today for free,” chances are you may qualify for assistance from the government. These programs help people in need get back on their feet, and you might be eligible to receive significant financial assistance.

Some possible programs to check out include:

Benefits.gov – This helps you find assistance programs you’re eligible for by offering a “Benefit Finder Questionnaire.”

Child Care Development Fund – This fund is a federal program providing money to states to assist families with childcare costs.

Student Aid – If you’re a low-income student, you may qualify for Federal Loan Aid of up to $2,000, which is not a loan and does not need to be repaid. Fill out the FAFSA to find out if you’re eligible.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program – A program that assists families with energy costs.

Federal Pell Grant for Education – This grant is awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial needs who have not yet earned a degree.

3. Cash Back and Coupons

Another fantastic way to get free money fast is by earning cashback and utilizing coupons. Earning cash back on purchases you’re already making allows you to earn a little bit for each purchase. You can also stack your cashback rewards and really rack up the money. Similarly, coupons save you money and can help you earn cashback.

Below are some of the best ways and apps for earning cashback and utilizing coupons.

Credit cards – Many credit cards will offer a percentage of each purchase in cashback, usually between 1% and 5% depending on the card and spending category.

Honey – Honey is a browser extension that searches for promo codes and coupons and automatically applies them to your online shopping.

Rakuten ($10 Signup Bonus) – Rakuten users can earn cashback for shopping online and in-store.

Ibotta ($5 Signup Bonuses) – Ibotta offers coupons for everyday household items or groceries. Simply browse the app, clip the coupons before shopping, and scan your receipts to earn rewards.

RebateKey – This site offers huge discounts and freebies for products sold on Amazon and a handful of other places. Merchants share their latest products and deals, and consumers get amazing discounts.

4. Save Money on Monthly Bills

Do you know what you’re spending on subscriptions and services? Do you even use all the things you have? Even cutting back on $10 or $20 a month will put significantly more money in your pocket over time. While it can feel overwhelming going through your transactions one by one, luckily, you don’t have to.

Truebill – Truebill finds and tracks your subscriptions so that you can see everything in one convenient location and cancel any unneeded subscriptions. Truebill also gives you a breakdown of your finances to see where your money is going and offers recommendations for areas you might improve.

Trim – Trim also helps you save money on your bills. Trim analyzes spending patterns to find actionable ways to save money, then negotiates your bills and cancels unused subscriptions to help you save even more.

5. Consolidate Your Debt

Do you have several debts you’re paying? Paying multiple debts every month is difficult to manage and will likely cost you more money. Especially if you have high-interest debt, you should consider debt consolidation to save money. This process is similar to refinancing a mortgage and will allow you to roll all your debts into one monthly payment, hopefully at a much lower rate overall. The lower rate will save you money, and you’ll also have more cash in your pocket by only making one payment.

Another option for debt consolidation is to take advantage of a 0% balance transfer credit card. You may be able to consolidate your other credit cards into one payment with 0% in interest for an introductory period, which will allow you to pay down your debts without paying interest.

6. Earn a Credit Card Sign-Up Bonus

Did you know that you can get free cash to open a new credit card account and spend some money? Many credit cards offer sign-up bonuses for meeting a minimum spending requirement within the first several months of opening your account. These spending requirements generally range from $1000 to $5000, with the bonuses being worth between $150 and $500 in cashback or travel rewards. Some can be worth as much as $750 when redeemed for travel rewards!

Earn a sign-up bonus on a card that earns cash back, then stack your rewards by using cashback sites for even more free money! Just make sure that you pay your balances in full every month if you spend using a credit card. Otherwise, any rewards you earn are whipped out by interest payments.

7. Bank Bonuses

Like credit cards, many banks also offer bonuses for opening bank accounts and depositing a certain amount. You can also earn bonuses for setting up direct deposits. In addition, you can also sometimes earn bonuses for opening savings accounts.

You’ll likely need to leave the money or direct deposit set up for several months to earn the bonus, but it might be worth it for a free $150+. Check out this list of banks currently offering bonuses.

8. Get Free Money Playing Games

Many people play games on their phones or other smart devices in their free time, but did you know you can get free money for playing games?

Games like Lucktastic, Solitaire Cube, and Mistplay offer rewards, free gift cards (including Amazon gift cards), and even cash just for playing games in your free time. The money from these games won’t replace your day job, but it could give you a boost when you need money now.

Check out this article for a complete list of the best money-making games!

9. Refinance Student Loans or Mortgage

Like consolidating the debt discussed above, refinancing your student loans or mortgage might be another way to save money and put more in your pocket each month.

The idea is to refinance to a lower interest rate, thus lowering your monthly payment and increasing your cash flow. If you have multiple student loans, consolidating them into one monthly payment could also help you lower your overall payment. Check the current rates and see if refinancing student loans or a mortgage makes sense for you.

10. Survey Websites and Apps

One of the best ways to get free money fast is taking online surveys. While one survey site or app likely won’t yield life-changing money, signing up for multiple sites and apps and completing surveys and other tasks in your free time can add up.

Most survey sites offer a bonus for signing up, and you can earn points for completing tasks and taking surveys that fit your profile. Then, you can redeem your points for gift cards and cashback.

Some of the top survey sites for getting free money include:

Survey Junkie – This connects consumers to surveys based on your profile. You’ll give your opinion on products and services.

Swagbucks ($5 Signup Bonus) – Swagbucks offers rewards for completing various tasks, including taking surveys and installing apps. You can earn your first $5 just for signing up!

MyPoints ($10 Signup Bonus) – MyPoints also offers different earning options for points, which can then be redeemed for gift cards and cash.

InboxDollars ($5 Signup Bonus) – Earn cash by taking surveys, watching videos, shopping online, and more.

While the apps above are some of the most popular options for taking surveys for cash, this list is by no means exhaustive. Check out this article for a more comprehensive list of survey sites where you can earn money for giving your opinion.

11. Get Free Stocks

It can be challenging to know where to start when it comes to investing, but luckily, there are now a plethora of investing apps that make it easier than ever. Plus, many of them offer free stocks just for signing up, translating to free money for you!

Some of the best apps offering free stock are:

Public.com (Up to $300 in Free Stock) – This is an investing app offering commission-free trades on stocks and ETFs. You can also purchase fractional shares. In addition, Public will now give you a free slice of stock worth up to $300 when you create an account.

Webull (Up to $2,000 in Free Stock) – You can buy or sell stocks, options, ETFs, and cryptocurrency with Webull. You’ll also receive between $3 and $2,000 in free stock when you open a brokerage account with them.

M1 Finance ($30 Bonus) – Another popular investing platform, M1 Finance, offers commission-free trades and fractional shares. M1 offers dozens of preset portfolios to choose from, or you can create your own. In addition, you can earn a $30 welcome bonus if you refer a friend and they sign up.

Robinhood (Free Stock for Signing Up) – Robinhood is an excellent investing app for beginners. You can get a free stock worth between $3 and $225 just for downloading the app and opening a free account. You don’t even need to deposit or invest money to get the free stock!

Stash ($5 Signup Bonus) – Stash is a micro-investing platform that provides an automated investing service. You can earn $5 for signing up and depositing $5 into your account.

Acorns ($5 Signup and Referral Bonuses) – Acorns is another micro-investing app that also automatically invests your money. You link your credit or debit card, and every time you make a purchase, Acorns rounds up to the next $1 and adds that spare change to your account. Once you reach $5, Acorns invests that money. Earn $5 for signing up and an additional $5 for referring friends.

12. Other Apps with Sign Up Bonuses

Aside from surveys, cashback, and investing apps, there are a few others that offer sign-up bonuses.

Personal Capital ($20 Signup Bonus) – This is free software that helps you calculate and track your net worth, bills and spending, investments, and overall finances. Personal services are also available for a fee. When signing up, use a referral link to earn a $20 bonus for yourself and your friend.

Groundfloor ($10 Bonus) – Groundfloor is a real estate investment platform. When you sign up and invest at least $10, you’ll earn a bonus of $10.

13. Get Refunds with Capital One Shopping

Have you ever bought something and then had the price drop a week later? Capital One Shopping (formerly Paribus) can refund you the difference with no effort. This service monitors your emails from retailers and then notifies and helps you get a refund if the price drops.

14. Sell Your Stuff

Consider selling unused or unwanted items online or hosting a garage sale if you need cash now. Platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor, Craigslist, and many Craigslist alternatives make it easy to sell your stuff and quickly get the money you need.

15. Rent Your Stuff

Do you have an extra room, car, or unused space? If so, you might be able to make semi-passive income renting your stuff or space. Many apps are available like Airbnb but for renting other spaces and items.

House-hack by renting a room or basement, rent your car on Turo, your RV on Outdoorsy, your backyard on Sniffspot, and your unused space on Neighbor. If you have unused space or items, try renting them out and put some extra money in your pocket for minimal effort.

I Need Money Today for Free: Final Thoughts

Are you looking for some free money today? While there is no such thing as a free lunch, there is such a thing as free cash! Mix and match these legit ways to get free money and put some extra cash in your pocket today. This article originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks.