Budget Babble

Your computer can help you make more money! You can use the internet to supplement your income in your spare time, or you can start a full-fledged business. If you're a creator or have expertise in any subject,  you can cash in on it!  Millions of potential customers are only a click away, you just have to learn how to reach them.  F irst Things First If you are simply hoping to supplement your income, check out free platforms, such as Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist . If you want to start a full-time business , then paying a small fee  for an eCommerce website or storefront, would be worth it.  Here are some examples of different sites for different products/niches: Antiques and Collectibles Collectibles such as s ports memorabilia refurbished antique furniture, and gold and silver coins, are hot commodities right now. eBay , Ruby Lane , ArtFire , and Zibbet are a few of the favored platforms for sellers. Handcrafted Goods Artisan jewelry, unique pottery, ...

Ways to save: Read personal finance blogs such as these to get started : coupons in the news ( search for savings on any product or brand in their coupon database) From Frugal To Free (offers budgeting tools and insight into starting side hustles) ChooseFI (teaches financial freedom, offers several online courses) Coupon savings Resources Rich sources of Printable and digital coupons, discount codes, flash deals and more. coupons.com smartsource.com redplum.com Ibotta -scan receipts Savingstar.com Amazon Cash-Back/Rebate sites   Earn up to 100% cash back. Some sites require you to leave a review, while others offer instant discounts. Either way, it’s a no-brainer for larger purchases and gift shopping! Try: Cashbackbase Vipon  Rebate Key Organize and Keep Track of Savings with Apps  Packed with multiple ways to save, apps provide the easiest way to save and earn. Savings are rewarded upon receipt scan, or automatically applied at checkout. Check: iBotta- An all-time...

 The value of gold is climbing and more and more people are selling their gold for cash. If you’re tempted to part with your gold jewelry, you’re not alone. Here are 10 ways to make the most of it.                                     Gold Prices Keep Rising The value of gold is climbing and more and more people are selling their gold for cash. If you’re tempted to part with your gold jewelry, you’re not alone. The price of gold has risen steadily over the last few years and today is fetching a little over $1700 per ounce. There are many ways to sell your gold. Gold parties (where you can have your gold appraised and receive cash right then), jewelry stores and even online gold buyers are all looking for scrap gold. Scrap gold simply means that you will be paid only for the weight of the gold-not the price of the original piece. Scrap gold is just melted down, not re-sold as is. The BBB suggest...

Searching for deals on Amazon is like being on a treasure hunt.  Tucked away among pages of their website are all kinds of money-saving hacks. The more you look, the more you find. Here are five ways to shop Amazon for less. 1) Go directly to Amazon Outlet in the drop-down menu. There you will find huge discounts on marked down, clearance, overstocked and returned merchandise. You can search for “under $10” products, or check the coupons and last-minute deals.    2) If you scroll all the way down to the very bottom of any Amazon page, you can browse some of Amazon’s other sites for great finds, like Woot for electronics and gadgets or 6pm for fashion and home goods.   3) Sign up with a cash-back site such as Raise or Rakuten. Connect to Amazon through them for  cash back, rebates, promo codes and coupons  on your purchases.    4) Spend some spare time doing micro-tasks on Mturk. You can literally do hundreds of quick, low-paying tasks in a short a...

If you are a small business owner, you’re bound to experience cash flow problems at one time or another. Whether it is paying employees, purchasing inventory or repairing broken equipment, you are going to need some extra cash that you may not have yet. That is why it is important to establish a business line of credit. What is a business line of credit? A business line of credit is not a loan. It is structured like a credit card which does not rely on your personal credit information, but rather that of your business itself. Credit of this type helps small businesses get started, and it helps them grow. So even if your personal credit is poor, it still may be possible to get a line of credit through your business instead. When you take out a line of credit, you use the money for business related expenses such as payroll, utilities, equipment and so on. Like a credit card, your limit will stay the same and you can use and pay off what you need each month. As you make monthly payments t...

If you think you're too broke to make a donation, THINK AGAIN! Animal shelters are struggling with an ever-growing number of homeless dogs and cats. The Shelter's  need for cash AND supplies is dire! Now more than ever donations can do a world of good for our lost and homeless pet population!                 Want to Hear a Sad Story? I once worked in a city animal shelter. The number of pets that ended up in just that one shelter was heartbreaking! It was an absolutely gut-wrenching and tragic reality.  Because our, like most shelters, was not-for-profit, we had few supplies to work with. Feeding bowls, toys, collars & leashes, blankets to lay on , cleaning & bathing supplies, just to name a few! Each of these items cost only a few dollars, yet-it wasn't in our budget.  I saw firsthand the enormous impact a single donation can make, no matter how big or small.  And If you  can't  donate  cash, consider do...

When you are strug gling to make ends meet, saving can seem an impossible goal. Even on the barest of budgets, there are ways to keep your money in your pocket longer. Start by saving money shopping. Coupons, deals and discounts are widely available and can save you time and effort, too! Here are 5 easy, but often overlooked budget tweaks for starters: 1) Shop at your local $1 dollar store                                                                         Dollar stores can be a goldmine of bargains for everyday items. Sandwich bags, paper towels, trash bags, toiletries, and even groceries can be purchased for only $1 a piece. You’ll just have to skip the brand name items…you don’t need to stock your shelves with expensive stuff when the cheaper version will do just fine. Many of your cleaning product...