Smart Money Links 4U

Car insurance is a necessary evil: Premiums can be costly, and when you’re in an accident, you still have to pay a deductible before coverage kicks in. That said, some level of car insurance is legally required in all but two states, and, despite the monthly cost, it can save you tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars should the worst happen. But you’re here because you’re a Penny Hoarder — and that means you like finding ways to save. That’s where Root car insurance truly shines. What Is Root Car Insurance? In a market dominated by Australian geckos and overbearing yet upbeat saleswomen, Root stands out not because of its quirky ads but because of its approach to coverage. Rather than rely on your demographics data and credit score, Root provides a quote based on your actual driving patterns. This concept is called usage-based insurance, or UBI. So if you’re a safe driver with a good driving history, you’ll save money with Root. The Root Insurance company is in Columbus, ...

My obsession with selling my old junk online started with a bit of spring cleaning. I needed to get rid of some larger items — namely, a few sheds and some old appliances — and I didn’t want to pay for that service. My laziness always wins out, so I decided I would list them on Nextdoor and Facebook Marketplace on a lark. If they didn’t sell, well, I hadn’t lost anything but time. My concern was unfounded. Not only did the items I posted sell, but they sold quickly and for a higher listing price than my posting. The experience proved to be a gateway to my affinity for selling old items on Facebook Marketplace and Nextdoor. In six months of selling, I made almost $600. As an added bonus, each of the items I sold were required to be picked up from the buyer, meaning that I didn’t have to move a single thing. 8 Tips for Selling Your Stuff Online What did I do right? And what lessons did I learn along the way? The following tips will help you make money off some of the oldest and see...

If you receive Social Security or SSI and you haven’t received your third stimulus check, your wait is almost over. The IRS just announced that most payments for people who receive federal benefits and aren’t required to file a tax return will be made Wednesday, April 7. The April 7 payment date applies to those who get benefits from Social Security retirement and disability, Supplemental Security Income and the Railroad Retirement System. A payment date for those who get VA benefits hasn’t yet been announced. Why Are Social Security Recipients Still Waiting? If you file a tax return and receive benefits, chances are good that you’re among the 127 million Americans who have already gotten their $1,400 stimulus checks . But about 30 million recipients of Social Security and other benefits are still waiting on stimulus money . That’s because the IRS is processing stimulus payments using 2019 and 2020 tax returns. But just as with the first two rounds of payments, the IRS didn’t requi...

A third round of stimulus checks is making its way to millions of Americans’ bank accounts, and this time it’s a nice chunk of change. Individuals making up to $75,000 per year (or $150,000 per year for couples) will receive $1,400 — plus $1,400 for each dependent regardless of age. The payments phase out completely for individuals making $80,000 or more, and couples who earn over $160,000. That means a middle-income family of four will see a $5,600 windfall. Get all your questions answered about the third round of stimulus checks here . Before you see that boost to your bank account though, get prepared by planning how you can put the money to best use. Of course, everyone’s financial situation is different, but here are four key things to consider when deciding how to spend your stimulus check. 4 Considerations for How to Spend Your Stimulus Check 1. Cover Your Needs First If you’re having trouble paying bills or putting food on the table, you should use your stimulus money ...

Looking for ways to make money remotely ? How about a socially-distant side hustle that could turn into a full-time business? You might want to consider reselling sneakers. Not used sneakers from the dark reaches of your closet but new or gently used shoes that you buy for a bargain and then sell for more using handy apps. During the pandemic, demand in the sneaker market hasn’t gone down. Instead, almost everything has moved online, making it ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to make money with a potentially lucrative side hustle. How One Hustler Makes $100,000 a Year Flipping Sneakers Bryson Honjo is a sneaker reseller, owner of United Hawaii and star of a prospering YouTube channel that teaches viewers how to start reselling shoes . Honjo started his journey in the sneaker business in 2016, and now makes anywhere between $50,000 and $100,000 per year. “I do attribute a lot of that to the fact that I have a social media presence,” says Honjo, referencing the higher end of...

Since 1988, March has been celebrated as Women’s History Month, a time to reflect on the trials and triumphs of women. Throughout the course of time, regardless of our differences, there has been one thing that most women have shared: We get our periods for about one week each month. And when we get our periods, we need ways to keep ourselves and our clothes clean. This need has fostered a female hygiene industry which in recent years has branched out from pads and tampons to absorbent underwear like Thinx and Knix . But at $25 and more for one pair, the cost of these innovations are out of reach for many women. Still, the global market for femine hygiene products was nearly $22 billion  in 2020. In the United States, there is wide availability of countless varieties of menstrual products. Even in gas station vending machines, there are different sizes, shapes, textures and even colors of products from pads to tampons. Cost is an issue for some women and in places around the wo...

A COVID-19 vaccine is our best hope of returning to normalcy — which is a pretty sweet reason to get your shot. Now Krispy Kreme is sweetening the deal. If you show proof of vaccination, Krispy Kreme will give you a free Original Glazed donut. No purchase is required. But why stop at one? Your COVID-19 vaccination card can get you a free donut every day through Dec. 31 at participating locations. How Do I Get My Free Krispy Kreme Donut? If you’ve had at least one of your two shots of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or you’ve gotten the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, bring your vaccination card to a Krispy Kreme to prove you’ve been jabbed. You just need to flash your card. Staff won’t photograph the card or record any personal information. You can redeem the offer in-store or at the drive-thru. However, the freebie is not available if you’re ordering online or getting delivery. What if you and all your newly vaccinated friends are craving a donut? No problem. Load ‘em u...

If you’re on Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and you aren’t required to file a tax return, you’ll almost certainly qualify for the third stimulus check. But there’s a good chance you’re still waiting on that money. The third round of stimulus checks began hitting bank accounts two weeks ago. But about 30 million Social Security and SSI recipients have yet to receive those $1,400 payments, according to a March 24 letter to Social Security Commissioner Andrew M. Saul from the Democrat-led House Ways and Means Committee. So why are so many of the people who need stimulus checks most still waiting? Why Haven’t 30 Million Social Security, SSI Recipients Gotten Stimulus Checks? In the past two weeks, the IRS has sent out about 127 million stimulus checks. But the payments that have already gone out were based on 2019 or 2020 tax returns. If you receive Social Security or SSI and you also file a tax return, you may have already gotten your third stimulus check . But...