When most people think of banking, they think of waiting behind other cars for their turn to stuff their deposit into a tube and having it sucked into the drive-thru bank teller or standing in long lines waiting to hear “next in line.” And that way of banking will likely always exist. As automation and innovation have progressed, starting with ATMs in the 80s and moving to online banking options offered by central banks in the early 2000s, banking’s face has changed. You can automatically deposit your paychecks and use payment platforms to receive funds to be transferred into your bank without ever having to step foot into your bank or sit waiting for your turn at the pneumatic tube.
Now, some banks fly in the face of traditional brick and mortar banks. These banks are entirely contained online and are taking the banking industry by storm. Here are four reasons you should consider online banking.
Convenience
The best thing about online banking is convenience. While both traditional brick and mortar banks and online banks both offer the same conveniences when it comes to online banking, there are some differences. Being able to do banking anytime instead of just bank hours, electronic deposits of paper checks, and ease of transfers are a few of the conveniences both offer.
Lower Fees
Because online banks don’t have the high overhead of traditional brick and mortar banks, they can minimize or even eliminate fees. Traditional banks have building maintenance and staff, while online banks have less of these costs. Most online banks have no minimum balance fees, and their overdraft fees are generally significantly lower than traditional banks’ charges. Also, many online banks offer free ATM withdrawals and reimburse fees charged by the ATM company.
Online banks are enticing new customers with lower to no fees compared to traditional banks who rely on fees as part of their profits.
Higher Interest Returns
While every bank offers savings accounts that gain interest, online banks can offer higher rates for the same reason they can offer lower to no fees, low overhead. While savings accounts are never going to be a get rich quick option no matter the banking institution, the differences in the traditional bank interest rate and the online bank interest rate will add up to a large difference in the long-term.
Traditional banks generally offer 0.01% annual percentage yield while online banks offer between 0.05 and 1.5% annual percentage yields. This adds up to more significant savings, and if you are looking for a no-risk way to grow your savings, online banks will give you the most bang for your buck.
Technology
Technology will again not be exclusive to online banks. However, the fact that an online bank is 100% based on the technology will be on the cutting-edge of innovation when it comes to banking. Their only focus is online and mobile device interaction with banking. This innovation means that online banking customers will continue to get the best services possible with a lot more control over their accounts.
The Drawbacks
There are two drawbacks to having an online bank account. There is no ability to deposit cash, and online banks don’t have other services exclusive to the traditional brick and mortar bank. These services include safe deposit boxes, notary services, and other services that require in-person interaction. Also, online banks often don’t offer brokerage accounts, CDs, and insurance products most traditional banks offer though some do.
These drawbacks can be overcome in a few ways. You can still keep a checking account free to use for cash deposits at a traditional bank or open a safe deposit box only if you need one. There are other institutions to get the other services you may need, or you can search to find an online bank that has the services you need since some do offer brokerage accounts and insurance products.
Conclusion
Online banking has some distinct advantages when it comes to the savings on fees and the higher interest savings accounts. These reasons speak strongly about choosing online banking for your primary banking needs. Though there are drawbacks, those can be overcome though you may prefer to continue to use your traditional brick and mortar bank.
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
Every taxpayer dreads tax season. Even if you are getting money back, there is so much that goes into filing taxes. The ultimate way to maximize your tax return is to hire a professional tax preparer. But, if you are looking to save money and do your taxes, here are some tips to help you maximize your tax return and, hopefully, a bigger refund.
Claim All Available Deductions
Many American taxpayers leave money on the table by not claiming all the deductions they can. The truth is some of the wealthiest among us pay next to nothing in taxes. This is because they take advantage of every deduction available. To discover all the deductions you can claim will take some research on your part, but that research can pay off BIG! Every deduction is subtracted from your adjusted gross income, which lowers your taxable income and puts money in your pocket.
Here are some common deductions to look for:
Student loan interest deduction
American Opportunity Tax Credit
Lifetime Learning Credit
Child and dependent care tax credit
Child tax credit
Adoption credit
Earned Income Tax Credit
Charitable donations deduction
Medical expenses deduction
Deduction for state and local taxes
Mortgage interest deduction
Gambling loss deduction
IRA contributions deduction
401(k) contributions deduction
Saver’s Credit
Health Savings Account contributions deduction
Self-employment expenses deduction
Home office deduction
Educator expenses deduction
Residential energy credit
Your taxable income is the amount you pay taxes on; therefore, deductions can lower your taxable income and get you a bigger refund.
Use the Best Filing Status
Choosing a filing status seems like a simple task that won’t impact your tax returns. However, how you file can make a big difference, so it is best to try each of the filing statuses you qualify to see which one is most advantageous. For instance, you may be able to file single or as head of household. The head of the household carries some tax benefits, so it might be best to file that way. The same applies to married couples. Check which is the biggest advantage between filing jointly and separately. Here are the different types of filing status:
Single
Head of household
Married, filing jointly
Married, filing separately
Qualifying widower
It is always best to try every way you can file. The extra time it takes to run through this twice can pay off in a bigger refund making it worthwhile.
Report All Your Income
Though reporting all your income won’t result in a bigger refund, it will pay off down the line. If you forget to report any income that an employer reported, it will trigger an audit, and the penalties can be harsh. Depending on how long it takes to be discovered (sometimes years) by the IRS, there could be some accrual of interest. If you realize the mistake, correct it as soon as possible, find out what forms are needed, and get it corrected. This will minimize possible penalties.
Meet the Deadlines
Meeting deadlines is imperative to maximize your tax return. The IRS has steep penalties for not reaching deadlines. Even if you get an official extension, you are still liable for late fees. The IRS charges several penalties, including one for failing to file promptly. It equates to 5% of your unpaid taxes and is charged for each month your return is late up to five months and has interest.
Check Your Math
As simple as it sounds, checking your math can save you hundreds and get you a bigger refund. Math mistakes are the most common reason Americans pay higher taxes or get fewer refunds on their tax returns. Take your time. Rushing will increase the likelihood of a mistake and use a calculator. There is also software that allows you to plug in the numbers, and it will do the math for you, which will ensure complete accuracy and maximize your tax return for a bigger refund.
Conclusion
The best way to maximize your tax return is to hire a professional tax preparer. However, if you decide to do your taxes, follow these tips to maximize your tax return and get a bigger refund.
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
The best apps to earn money fall into five practical buckets: gig platforms like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and TaskRabbit for active local work; freelance marketplaces like Upwork and Fiverr for skilled remote work; survey and task apps like Swagbucks and Survey Junkie for spare-time rewards; cash-back apps like Rakuten and Ibotta for rebates on planned purchases; and resale platforms like Poshmark and eBay for selling items you already own. The right app depends on your skills, available time, location, payout preferences, and how much of your gross earnings you keep after fees, expenses, and taxes.
After 20+ years leading Complete Controller, I’ve watched thousands of small business owners and independent earners chase “easy money” apps—and I’ve seen which ones actually move the needle. The truth? A $100 payout isn’t $100 of profit. In this guide, I’ll show you how to compare apps the way a founder would: by net earnings, not flashy promises. You’ll walk away knowing which categories match your goals, how to spot task scams before they drain your time, and how to turn scattered side-gig payments into a measurable mini-business. Let’s get into it.
What are the best apps to earn money, and which one is right for you?
The best apps to earn money fall into gig, freelance, survey, cash-back, and resale categories—your top pick depends on your skills, time, and payout goals.
Gig apps (DoorDash, Instacart, Rover) pay more per hour but require time, a vehicle, or specialized availability.
Freelance apps (Upwork, Fiverr) offer the highest long-term ceiling but take weeks to build reviews.
Survey and reward apps (Swagbucks, Survey Junkie) are easy to start but produce supplemental income only.
Before you download anything, use this quick comparison to match an app category to your goal. Signing up for ten apps at once is the fastest way to burn out and earn less.
Category
Example Apps
Best For
Key Limitation
Delivery & local gigs
DoorDash, Uber Eats, Instacart
Flexible active work
Fuel, insurance, vehicle wear
Freelancing
Upwork, Fiverr
Remote skilled work
Platform fees, slow ramp-up
Local services
TaskRabbit, Rover
Hands-on service work
Background checks, local demand
Surveys & microtasks
Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, InboxDollars
Spare-time rewards
Low rates, screenouts
Cash back
Rakuten, Ibotta
Planned shopping
Not actual income
Resale
Poshmark, eBay
Selling unused goods
Shipping, listing fees
Pick one app with a clear goal. Then test a full payout cycle before investing serious hours.
Best Apps to Earn Money Through Gigs and Freelance Work
Gig and freelance platforms consistently top the “money making apps” category because they tie earnings to real demand. The tradeoff? You absorb the operating costs—gas, equipment, platform commissions, and unpaid waiting time.
Upwork, Fiverr, and similar platforms reward specialists over generalists. If you offer bookkeeping support, writing, design, or virtual assistance, build a narrow service with two or three strong samples. For deeper strategy, see our guide to bookkeeping for freelancers.
A few rules I give every freelancer I mentor:
Price your first three jobs to earn reviews, not maximum revenue.
Track unpaid proposal time—it’s a hidden cost.
Move repeat clients off-platform only when terms allow.
Best Apps to Earn Money From Your Phone: Surveys, Tasks, and Rewards
Phone-based earning apps are the easiest entry point, but they come with the lowest ceiling. Expect supplemental dollars, not a paycheck replacement.
Survey apps and task apps for earning cash
Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, and InboxDollars pay you for sharing opinions, watching videos, or completing offers. Before signing up, confirm the minimum cash-out amount, payout methods, estimated task duration, and whether rewards come as cash, gift cards, or points.
Apps that pay instantly via PayPal
“Instant” is a loose word in this space. Separate instant approval, same-day digital delivery, and standard multi-day processing. My rule: complete one small test withdrawal before you spend real hours.
Best apps to earn money from phone
Run every phone-first app through this quick checklist:
Does it work offline or require constant Wi-Fi?
How much battery and data does it consume?
Is two-factor authentication available?
Can you close the account easily and delete your data?
Turning side hustle earnings into real profit? Discover how Complete Controllerhelps freelancersand small business owners track income, manage expenses, and simplify bookkeeping so more of what you earn staysin your pocket.
Passive Income Apps and Cash Back Apps: What They Really Do
Here’s where I challenge the hype. Most “passive income apps” require an underlying asset, investment, content library, or referral activity. True hands-off income is rare.
Cash back apps
Rakuten and Ibotta return a slice of money you were already going to spend. They aren’t earning platforms—they’re discount tools. Never buy something just to unlock a rebate, and always compare the final price against competing retailers.
Mobile payment apps
PayPal, Venmo, and Cash App move money; they don’t create it. Treat them as the plumbing that connects your earning apps to your bank account.
How to Choose the Best Apps to Earn Money Without Losing Time or Money
This is the step most roundup articles skip—and it’s where founders separate winners from time-wasters. Calculate your net hourly earnings, not your gross payout.
Never pay for “activation,” courses, or guaranteed-earnings access. Legitimate platforms are free to join.
How to Track App Income, Taxes, and Cash Flow
This is where my team at Complete Controller lives. The difference between a side gig and a side business is bookkeeping discipline.
Separate personal and side-hustle money
Open a dedicated checking account or digital wallet for app income and expenses. This single move clarifies gross receipts, fees, mileage, supplies, and refunds. For a deeper system, review our approach to expense tracking and cash flow management.
Record income the day you’re paid
Build a simple spreadsheet with columns for date, app, gross, fees, tips, business expense, net, and tax category. Future-you will thank present-you at tax time. For official guidance, the IRS Small Businesses and Self-Employed hub is the right starting point.
In my experience, the biggest mistake independent earners make is celebrating gross revenue without recording the costs that produced it. Measure net, or you’re guessing.
Any request to deposit money to unlock tasks or withdraw earnings
Cryptocurrency payment demands
Guaranteed income claims
Recruitment-based compensation
Requests for passwords or one-time codes
Payment outside the official platform
Protect your information
Use unique passwords, enable two-factor authentication, download only from official app stores, and limit permissions to what the app actually needs.
Final Thoughts: Pick One App, Measure, Improve
The best apps to earn money aren’t the ones with the loudest marketing—they’re the ones that produce acceptable net earnings after fees, expenses, taxes, and time. Gig apps give you active income. Freelance platforms build long-term skill ceilings. Survey and cash-back apps fill the margins. The winning strategy is picking one, measuring honestly, and expanding only when the numbers back it up.
Start with one app this week. Track every dollar. Run one full payout. Then decide. And when you’re ready to turn scattered side-gig payments into clean books and real financial clarity, visit Complete Controller to connect with my team.
Frequently Asked Questions About Best Apps to Earn Money
What are the best apps to earn money?
It depends on your goal—gig apps (DoorDash, TaskRabbit) for active local work, freelance platforms (Upwork, Fiverr) for skilled remote work, survey apps (Swagbucks, Survey Junkie) for spare time, resale apps (Poshmark, eBay) for unused goods, and cash-back apps (Rakuten, Ibotta) for rebates on planned purchases.
Which apps pay real money?
Commonly verified payers include Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, InboxDollars, Ibotta, Rakuten, TaskRabbit, Rover, and major freelance and delivery platforms. Always check current eligibility, fees, and payout rules before joining.
What apps pay instantly via PayPal?
Several platforms offer PayPal payouts, but “instant” depends on verification, minimum thresholds, and account status. Run a small test withdrawal before committing serious time.
Can I make $100 a day with money-making apps?
Skilled gig workers in high-demand markets can reach that gross amount, but results vary widely based on hours, local demand, expenses, and taxes. Survey apps have a much lower ceiling.
Are money-making apps safe?
Many legitimate options exist, but avoid platforms that require deposits to unlock earnings, promise guaranteed returns, or pressure you to recruit others. The FTC specifically warns about task scams that start with small payouts before requesting money for larger ones.
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
Jennifer BrazerFounder/CEO
Jennifer is the author of From Cubicle to Cloud and Founder/CEO of Complete Controller, a pioneering financial services firm that helps entrepreneurs break free of traditional constraints and scale their businesses to new heights.
Brittany McMillen is a seasoned Marketing Manager with a sharp eye for strategy and storytelling. With a background in digital marketing, brand development, and customer engagement, she brings a results-driven mindset to every project. Brittany specializes in crafting compelling content and optimizing user experiences that convert. When she’s not reviewing content, she’s exploring the latest marketing trends or championing small business success.
Businesses are consistently looking for ways to drive potential customers to their products and services. Using traditional routes such as print, tv, and sign ads are generally not done for small to mid-sized businesses. These businesses opt for more digital-based marketing strategies. One of the most popular strategies is using freelance bloggers and influencers to add relevant content to your site to boost search engines’ visibility. Here are the benefits of using bloggers and influencers in your marketing strategies.
Increase Site Traffic
Bloggers and influencers exist for the sole purpose of digital marketing. If you hire experienced writers and influencers, they will provide you with content that generates buzz and site traffic. The increase of traffic is due to the blogger or influencer using highly-searched keywords while providing well-written, relevant content that provides value to the reader. Good bloggers and influencers will also be aware of word counts as the volume of content is essential to register on popular search engines like Google. While word counts should be high, the blogger or influencer needs to keep the content readable and engaging and with the least amount of “fluff” possible to target the counts. Check with search engines to find out what the latest target word count is for an optimized blog.
Increase Customer Base
While bloggers tend to be more focused on exciting content that will land new potential customers on your site, influencers focus more on your products and services. Blog posts aim to use highly-searched keywords to boost your site on search engines than using ads and “about” sections of the blog to promote the company’s products and services. Influencers will use social media platforms to highlight and promote your products using their influence specifically. Linking your business to someone who knows how to make their voice and opinions matter to large numbers of potential customers has huge returns on increasing your customer base.
Increase Credibility
Again bloggers are more about getting traffic to your site. Influencers, however, can boost your credibility, especially if you’re in a highly-competitive business. But both bloggers and influencers can have a hand in boosting credibility though in different ways. Bloggers lend credibility to your knowledge as a company. A potential customer will feel better about making a purchase or hiring a service if they feel like they are dealing with an expert. An influencer boosts your credibility by merely sharing your product and service with their social media audience and telling them they like it and why.
Generate Leads
Getting potential customer leads is one of the most challenging tasks to master for a business. Having an influencer or blogger driving traffic to your site will help with that if you have a call to action when the person enters your website. There are also the possibilities for the potential customer to sign up for new blog post notifications or to be on an emailing list that could be used as a lead to introduce them to your products or services.
Increase Social Media Exposure
Influencers are especially useful for generating more social media exposure since that is their primary platform of influence. Most business owners have difficulty keeping up with social media platforms. At the same time, an influencer will use their sphere of influence to promote your products or services. They can also use your social media to influence others and grab potential customers. Bloggers can also use their social media platforms to promote your blog and their posts.
Conclusion
Hiring bloggers and influencers to boost your business is a great way to increase site traffic and your customer base, strengthen your credibility, generate leads, and increase social media exposure. Ultimately, hiring good bloggers and influencers will increase your profits.
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
When it comes to financial health, every financially responsible person should follow dos and don’ts. Here are six excellent financial rules of thumb that, if followed, can save you BIG!
Say NO to Credit Cards
Saying no to credit cards is a rule of thumb that every person should follow. I know some would argue that they are good for emergencies, but a better idea would be to use the money you save on credit card high-interest payments to start an emergency savings account, one that gains your interest. Credit card debt is a billion-dollar industry and mainly from the interest people pay, not the principle. Even if you have a fantastic credit score, say no to a credit card and keep it that way.
Don’t Buy an Expensive Vehicle
While many vehicles are a status symbol, paying a lot for status is not a good rule of thumb. The good rule of thumb when it comes to purchasing transportation is the final price should not be more than half of your yearly income. If you can’t afford to pay for a vehicle in cash, only buy from a dealership where you can get a decent interest rate and affordable car payment amount not to exceed a quarter of your monthly income. When negotiating, make the salesperson give you the final total cost of the car with and without interest, don’t let them only give you the price in the monthly payment amount. This way of presenting the cost of the vehicle often hides high-interest rates or vehicle price. And of course, as always, buy used if you can.
Be Choosy About Insurance
The rule of thumb on insurance is only buy what you need. Because insurance is something you pay into “just in case,” you must be smart when purchasing it. Some insurance is required by law, such as automobile insurance; therefore, get the best coverage but shop around for the best prices, I could make hundreds of dollars of difference. Health insurance, homeowners or renters insurance, and life insurance are other types of coverages you should have, but shop around for the most excellent coverage and the least expense.
10/10/80
Savings should be the number one priority of every financially responsible person. There is a rule that says save 10%, give 10%, and spend 80% as a simple means of allocating your income. While this is an excellent rule of thumb, this should be a starting point towards savings and giving. The most important thing is that you save, give, and thoughtfully spend. You can adjust the allocation percentages to fit your goals and lifestyle. But one rule of thumb that comes from the 10/10/80 method is that savings are first, not last. Warren Buffet explained that you should save first before you spend, not the other way around.
50/30/20
50/30/20 is another money allocation rule of thumb. This rule of thumb also has savings built-in, but only after debt is paid off. This rule is 50% of your income for necessities and bills, 30% towards financial goals such as paying down debt and savings, and 20% to wants, which is anything you desire to purchase that isn’t in the other two categories. This rule of thumb can be adjusted according to your lifestyle, but it does not prioritize savings like the 10/10/80 rule of thumb.
20% Down Payment
The 20% down payment rule is the idea that anything you will buy on credit should have 20% of the total cost saved before the purchase. This rule is mostly applicable to purchasing a home or a vehicle. The idea is that paying 20% of the total cost upfront will lower interest and payments, adding up to considerable savings when the final payment is made. This rule can be applied to anything you buy on credit, even if the place of purchase doesn’t accept a down payment. If you can pay down 20% of the total cost in your first payment, this will bring you to your payoff date sooner and save you money on interest.
Conclusion
Financial health and freedom should be every financially responsible person’s goal. While there are many things you can do to contribute to your financial health and freedom, using one or more of these rules of thumb will ensure you reach this goal.
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
Many people dream of owning their own business but often let that dream go due to the difficulty of successfully running a business. However, one corner of entrepreneurship is more easily obtained for those dreamers: the home-based business. Having a home-based business can be profitable and relatively easy to start. Here are the top five home-based businesses you can start TODAY!
Second-Hand Selling Online
In a once dominated market by eBay, second-hand or used selling has spread to other platforms, and in some cases, you can resell items for no fee to the hosting site. While platforms like Amazon and eBay offer a way to sell items worldwide, they come with fees and limits. These fees and limitations can be overcome easily by a savvy seller. Social media and selling apps offer the ability to sell items locally and be profitable without fees. Having a business page and using the marketplace on Facebook allows both local and worldwide selling for free. Fees only come into play if you want to boost ads. This type of selling is not for the lazy. You must obtain, refurbish (as needed), list, respond to customers, and ship items or meet for the exchange. However, some have made this type of home-based business extremely profitable, making the hustle worth it.
Photography
While it may be true that anyone with a smartphone can take amazing photographs, photographers go above and beyond in what they offer. This business is equally as quick to start but does require equipment. You can get a decent digital camera and lenses, essential lighting tools, and good photography software for under $2,000, sometimes well under if you’re a savvy shopper, and get started. Photography requires creativity and patience but can be profitable, especially if your photography is unique. But keep in mind this business is highly competitive, and you will need to stand out and offer high-quality final products.
Home Bakery
If you ask most owners of bakery shops how they got started, they will tell you they started with a home-based bakery business. The overhead is low as you only need to buy the ingredients in most cases and occasionally additional baking equipment. This home-based business does require a lot of time to be profitable, and you must love to bake. Some successful home bakeries specialize in one type of item, making it easier to keep it low overhead and a lot of product. Some baked goods can even be shipped, such as cookies and certain types of cakes and pastries that would hold up and taste great upon arrival. Since it is a food-based business, be sure you research the health department requirements for a home-based food service business.
Freelance Writing
Freelance writing is among the most popular home-based businesses because if you can write, you can easily start your business. While it is competitive, freelance sites and online classified sites such as Fiverr and Craigslist are where writers can put themselves out for hire. Several blog sites will pay for articles if accepted upon submission. Even if your writing skills are moderate, you can take free online writing courses to improve your writing and use some reasonably priced editing tools to help make your writing shine and give you a competitive edge.
Social Media Specialist
Social media is the number one way every business, large or small, uses to market. While larger corporations will have more advertising dollars to spend on print, television, and billboard ads, they will still have a strong social media presence for marketing. A social media specialist will post and promote a person or a business on social media platforms. Business owners are often so concerned with their business’s operations that they will hire a social media specialist to do it for them. The social media specialist is another business that only requires a bit of social media knowledge, and you can start it today with no overhead.
Conclusion
Though hundreds of home-based business ideas are among the top five due to ease of start-up, low overhead, and demand, the information about these five should help you decide to be your boss and start your home-based business TODAY!
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
In today’s gig economy, freelance businesses are more common than they used to be. Most people were reluctant to earn money through such a sporadic means of income. But with the digital world we live in, it is much easier to establish and maintain a freelance business that is profitable and fulfilling. Here are some tips to help you succeed in your freelance business.
Choose a Niche
Though you might be tempted to do anything and everything freelance, finding your niche and sticking to it will be more profitable. When you focus on one (or two) freelancing types, you can build your business more efficiently. It’s not to say there is not a place for a jack of all trades, but there is a well-known saying, “jack of all trades and master of none.” Having one that you can not only master but excel at will be an advantage, especially in the competitive freelance job market.
Be Clear on Service Offerings
Once you have decided on your niche, it is time to discover then determine what services you will offer. For example, for a freelance writer, writing is the niche, but they may provide services for only one kind of writing or multiple writing types. Decide on what type of services you will offer in your niche then make them clear for your potential clients. If you don’t know what services you offer, how can you expect them to be clear?
Define Your Client
Understanding who your ideal client is will help you with the direction you go on many aspects of your freelance business. Defining and having a clear picture of who will benefit most from your services will inform your approach to gaining clients and keeping them. Also, knowing the demographics of your ideal client will help with marketing strategies and pitches.
Don’t Quit Your Day Job (Yet)
Freelancing can be so freeing that it will be attractive to someone who is not working for themselves, especially if they are in a job they hate. Though the temptation may be great, start freelancing while you still have your primary source of income. Once you build your freelance income and flow to be 50-75% of your current income, you can make moves to quit and fill in that last 50-25% with more time to dedicate to it. Sometimes getting a freelance business to a healthy state can take a long time to build, depending on the type of work you are doing. Also, some types of freelance work are heavily saturated, so being competitive can be difficult. Ultimately, only you know when it is safe to quit your job because you will feel comfortable with the decision (you can always get a new job if it doesn’t work out.)
Level Up Your Skills
Higher skill levels equal higher rates. There are many ways to differentiate yourself from the competition, but an extremely effective one is having a high skill level in your niche. You can do this in several ways. You can take on smaller projects that may not pay as much but will gain you experience and skills. You can also take on projects for which you will need to learn a new skill to complete, be careful doing so. However, if you can’t master the skill, this could be disastrous to the project. Take online classes or watch videos that expand skills in your chosen niche and read books, blogs, and articles by those who have succeeded in their freelance business who share their best practices. Building skills will pay off.
Determine Your Pricing
When deciding how much to charge, you have to consider your skill level and experience. You can’t start at the highest prices with nothing to show you are worth the cost. The best advice is to set a rate that is your bare minimum you need to make to pay your bills. Having a minimum will give you a baseline to jump from when your business builds, and you can ask for higher rates. You must go in knowing what you will and won’t take.
Conclusion
Starting a freelance business can be exciting and freeing and a little scary due to the sporadic nature of the income. Having a base using these tips will ensure success in your highly rewarding freelance business.
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
Investments should be as important to an adult as savings though few people do either of those things. Investments and savings should be focused on by everyone who looks to have strong finances. When consulting a financial advisor, they will generally help you with both short-term and long-term financial goals. Here are eight long-term financial investments you should consider.
Growth stocks
Growth stocks are investments in companies with the promise of high growth. This high growth also offers high investment returns. These stocks don’t often pay dividends since most of these companies’ profits get invested back into the company. Dividends generally come once the growth begins to slow. If you are in for the long-term, this type of stock can pay off over time, as growth stocks have consistently been the best stock performers overall.
These stocks are considered higher risk because they can be vulnerable to market fluctuations but if you hold on to the stocks long-term, riding out those storms is all the investor needs to do to get a long-term payout on their investment.
Stock funds
Stock funds are mutual funds and are a great long-term investment for investors who don’t have time to study individual stocks. The fund’s return is based on the average return of all the companies in the fund. Stock funds are generally diversified, pulling in various companies, not all in the same industry. This diversification is an advantage over keeping it all in the same industry for those times certain industries will have a downturn as a whole.
Stock funds are lower-risk than growth stocks because they are a mutual fund with diversification. But they do still carry some market risks.
Bond funds
Bond funds are when the government or a company issues a bond. They then pay the bondholder a certain amount of interest each year. At the end of the bond term, the initial principal is paid back by the bond issuer. Bond funds are an excellent long-term investment due to their diversity and fairly low risk.
Bonds, while a good long-term investment, have a lower pay off so if you are looking for higher rates of return, they may not be where you want to place all of your investment dollars.
Dividend stocks
A dividend stock is a stock that has a regular cash payout. Dividend stocks are popular because they produce a regular income. They also are the best stocks to grow dividends over time. Like with all stocks, they are at higher risk because of the lack of diversification and the vulnerability of market fluctuations. But they are a great source of passive income when they are doing well as the dividends are paid out quarterly.
Real estate
Real estate is a great investment due to the passive income over time as a rental property. Real estate is a great long-term financial investment because of the control as the property can be sold at any time.
Small-cap stocks
Small-cap stocks are similar to growth stocks, the difference being that the companies are fairly small. If you stick with these stocks long-term, the pay off can be significant if the company you bought stock in grows substantially.
Robo-adviser portfolio
Robo-advisers are great if you don’t want to invest yourself. Robo-advisers leave the investing up to a professional; all you have to do is deposit money into the Robo account. A professional automatically invest it based on your goals. The Robo-adviser is another diversified portfolio, which makes it have a high return. It is also more stable because of diversification, but that contributes to its low rate of return.
IRA CD
An IRA CD is a good option if you’re risk-averse and want a guaranteed income without any chance of loss. Like the name says, this investment is just a CD inside an IRA. And inside a tax-friendly IRA, you’ll avoid taxes on the interest you accrue, as long as you stick to the plan’s rules.
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
Most responsible adults earn money through active income, which is income for services that have been performed. Active income includes salaries, wages, commissions, and tips. It also includes earnings from a business that you own and operate.
Passive income is earning money through sources in which the earner is not actively involved. This includes dividends, royalties, interest, and rental income. Passive income is a rewarding way to earn money because your money is doing all the work while reaping the benefits. Here are six ways to earn money through passive income.
Real Estate Investment
There is more than one way to earn money through real estate investments. You can purchase a property then rent it out. Once expenses are paid, such as a mortgage, taxes, and maintenance, the rest of the money earned is passive income.
Another way to earn money is through crowdfunded real estate. This type of real estate investment offers investors less money to purchase real estate as the buy-in amount ranges from $500 to $5,000. Most crowdfunded real estate options don’t allow you to choose where to invest, nor is it easily liquidated. But it is still a great option to earn money through passive income.
Dividend-Paying Stocks
Buying stocks is not a new concept when it comes to earning money through passive income. Dividend-paying stocks generally pay out dividends quarterly. Most smart investors take dividends and reinvest them. But if you are looking at it as a passive income source, you can use the money you earn to pay bills or save towards long term goals.
Peer-to-Peer Lending
Another great way to earn a passive income is through peer-to-peer lending by becoming a part of a lending club. You earn money receiving returns on interest. There is some risk though minimal, due to the possibility of the lendee defaulting on the loan. The risk is far less in lending clubs than if you directly lent money to a loved one.
High-Yield Savings
There are several types of savings accounts but opening a high-yield savings account immediately starts earning you money on dividends, earning you passive income. Similar to dividend-paying stocks, some high-yield savings account will earn you a usable income, quarterly. Check with a financial advisor to find the best high-yield savings options that will earn you the most passive income.
Royalty Earning Creations
There are multiple creative ways to earn a passive income after you complete the initial work. Writing an ebook is one way to earn money on a passive income. You can also earn royalties by selling your photos on stock photo sites. And yet another way to earn a passive income through creativity is to produce an online course. Once you do the initial work, the income from that point forward will be passive.
Use What You Have
There are several ways you can earn a passive income using what you have. You can use your car to earn money while you drive by using it to advertise. You get a percentage of the income that comes in from your efforts. You can also earn money by renting out an extra room in your home. Yet another way to earn is by shopping. Some apps offer cash for shopping in certain stores or for specific products.
Conclusion
A passive income is a great way to increase your income streams or replace your main source of income. There are many other ways to earn a passive income. The main thing to remember is you may have to put in some initial work to earn money, but the payoff will be worth it.
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
Many adults, though they may try, are in poor financial health. This is due to high debt and lack of savings and financial planning. Most would likely cite money as a significant source of stress though the principals to reach financial health are simple, don’t live beyond your means, and have some savings for the future. While this does sound easy, it proves difficult for one simple reason; financial psychology.
People fail to realize that when they get to a place of complete financial breakdown and sleep-depriving stress, money problems have as much to do with the mind as it does money management skills. You can talk yourself into and out of financial health issues by merely having the wrong mentality. Here are five mentally focused steps to psych yourself up to better financial health.
Identify Three Financial Goals
Identifying a specific number of goals helps you figure out what is most important to you. Keeping it limited makes the goals more easily attained then having several financial goals that are waiting to be reached all at once.
Name Your Financial Goals
This step is going to seem silly, but in reality, it is a highly effective technique. Instead of calling a goal “retirement” call it something more exciting like “Golden Years Goals.” This simple mental trick will help keep your goals in focus.
Time-stamp Your Goals
Once you have named your financial goals, it’s time to give them a deadline. This time-stamp can be a specific date, or simply a month or a year. What’s important to remember is that by setting the time-stamp or deadline, you will not leave the goals lingering unreached because you have an achievement goal.
Picture Your Financial Goals
Visualizing has been a form of mental goal setting used successfully for years. There are many ways you can bring out visualization, and you should do the method that is right for you and proves the most successful. Here are some methods of visualization that work.
Picture yourself succeeding If you see yourself with the things you hope to accomplish by saving towards your future, you will more likely complete it in reality
Create a vision board when most people think of a vision board; they see something arts and craftsy. In some ways, it is, but this gets you creatively involved in your goals. It doesn’t have to be a board; it could be a vision wall or whiteboard. It just needs to be interactive.
Meditate or pray towards success
Meditating or praying towards your goals connects you spiritually to your vision, which adds to the visualization and success.
Daily affirmations
These affirmations are a way of verbally claiming these goals until they are obtained in reality.
Mental rehearsal
Mental rehearsal is something athletes have used towards winning. Mental rehearsal is going into your mind and seeing yourself making the plays or taking the steps and seeing the winning outcome.
Automate to Success
Now that you have set the goals, it’s time to automate them to success. One of the best ways to trick ourselves mentally when it comes to financial health is the theory that if money is allocated to savings automatically, we get used to the lower amount of spendable income, and we “don’t miss it.” We already take part in the automation when taxes are withheld, and what we receive in our paycheck is the net income after the IRS and social security take their allotment out. Using automation for savings lowers the net income more and puts the money withheld into one or various accounts set up for savings.
Conclusion
Financial psychology is directly related to financial health, so your mind is as essential as learning money management skills. If you use these simple steps, you will say goodbye to the stress money issues have been causing you for years.
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
