by Lisa McGreevyStaff WriterWe’ve all got a story (or two) to tell. Yours could earn you money.Chicken Soup for the Soul is accepting stories and poems to include in upcoming books. If yours is chosen, you’ll get a check for $200.Back in the early 1990s, two popular motivational speakers put together a book filled with inspirational stories.“They called it Chicken Soup for the Soul because they wanted it to soothe
by Robin Hartill, CFP®Senior EditorIf you already got your first two rounds of free at-home COVID tests from the federal government, you can now order eight more free tests for your household. Tests are free regardless of whether you have health insurance.On May 16, the government reopened its website covidtests.gov to allow households to order another eight free COVID tests. When it first launched in January, the website allowed each
by Kent McDillContributorRemote working has advantages beyond being able to attend Zoom meetings in your sweatpants. You can move closer to family or friends, head to a nicer climate, or live in a cheaper state.As long as you have no in-office requirements, you can live wherever you want providing you are willing to deal with attending meetings in a different time zone.Moving to your dream location does require money. Whether
by Kristin JennyContributorSprucing up your front yard landscaping can really improve the look of your house, but it doesn’t have to cost a fortune.If you’re getting ready to sell your home, landscaping your yard can add curb appeal, which can make a home more attractive to potential buyers. And even if you don’t intend to move, some colorful flowers and a simple landscape design can offer a pleasant view from
by Robin Hartill, CFP®Senior EditorWhen I learned that the cost of my monthly parking garage pass was more than doubling to $75 a month, I balked. Seventy-five dollars a month just to babysit my car while I’m at work?So one muggy morning, I decided to give bike commuting a shot. I didn’t plan my route. Or my outfit. Or take my bike for a test ride, even though I hadn’t
Best for All-in-One LenderSoFIStarts at $5,000Loan AmountBest for Long Grace PeriodEarnestStarts at $1,000Loan AmountBest for International StudentsMPOWER$2,001 to $100,000Loan AmountBest for Lower InterestFederal Student Loans$5,500 to $12,500Loan Amountby Kathleen GarvinContributor College isn’t cheap. In the 2019-2020 school year, average tuition and fees were $9,400 for a four-year public institution, and $36,700 for a private four-year institution, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. (That dollar amount is per year,
by Jenna Limbach, Stephanie BollingBeing a parent is expensive. And exhausting.You’d think taking the little ones to a pizza and games place like Chuck E. Cheese would bring some distraction-induced reprieve. But alas, they’re coming at you every five minutes for more tokens.Not today, children.Behold the All You Can Play game option (aka the savior of parental sanity), at participating Chuck E. Cheese locations nationwide. For one flat fee, kiddos
by The Penny Hoarder Staff Getting paid to write may sound easy, but the reality is a little more complicated. Freelance writing can be hard to break into, and the pay can be low (or nonexistent) for beginners. The trick is to get your first few articles or creative pieces published and then use them to score bigger clients and better pay. And even if long-term freelancing isn’t your goal,
Real Answers for Life’s Money Challengesby Robin Hartill, CFP®Senior EditorWe have credit scores in the 500s, and we are being declined for loans to consolidate our debt to improve our credit.We understand the importance of improving our credit scores and are frustrated that the debt consolidation we have been advised to apply for is not working out — no approvals. Who can we turn to for a loan?-D.Dear D.,When you
by Nicole DowSenior WriterWho doesn’t love a relaxing dip in the swimming pool on a sweltering, hot day? And when that swimming pool is in your backyard, it’s even better.You could bring your friends together over the summer by hosting pool parties. You could teach your kids to swim right at home. If you rent out your place on Airbnb or Vrbo, you could fetch top dollar for the additional
