11 Recession-Proof Side Hustles to Help You Make Money

by Robert BruceSenior WriterA recession may be on the way.One tell-tale sign: The U.S. economy declined by an annualized rate of 1.4% in the first quarter of 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.While unemployment is historically low and job growth is strong, gas prices are historically high and inflation is at 8.6% — the highest it’s been in 40 years. If that’s not enough, the stock market fell

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Here’s How to Earn an Extra $1,000 This Month from Your Smartphone

by Quinten PlummerStaff WriterPeople say lots of things that used to be true, like “There’s no such thing as easy money,” or “You have to spend money to make money.” Yeah, not true.Companies are willing to pay you real money for some pretty basic tasks, such as testing apps, reviewing websites and completing surveys.If you know your way around an app or a website, you can find all sorts of

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What Is an Annuity? How These Tricky Contracts Really Work

by Tiffani Sherman, Rachel Christian, CEPF®Guaranteed income for life sounds like a great deal. It’s what many annuities promise, yet nothing is ever as good — or as easy — as it seems.If you’re considering purchasing an annuity to supplement your retirement income, it’s important to understand the risks, fees and restrictions involved.Let’s get started. An annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company where in exchange for

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Best Savings Accounts for July 2022

Best for High-Yield SavingsHigh-Yield Savings0.85%APYBest for Users Who Want to Save SmarterOnline Savings AccountUp to 0.90%APYBest for Connecting to Multiple Accounts360 Performance Savings 0.90% APYBest for Access to a Cash-Back Debit CardSavings Account0.90%APYby Kathleen GarvinContributor When it comes to savings accounts, where do you even begin? Do a quick search, and you’ll find many savings accounts with different options with varying percentages, monthly fees and minimum requirements. Not to mention

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Best Business Checking Accounts of July 2022

Best for Simple, Fee-Free BankingU.S. Bank$100 Minimum initial depositBest for Business Interest CheckingAxos Bank$1,000Minimum initial depositBest for Fee-Free, Online-Only BankingBlueVine$0Minimum initial depositBest for New Small Business Owners Wells Fargo$25Minimum initial depositby Kathleen GarvinContributorStarting a business is an opportunity to be your own boss, make money and grow your skill set.There are also the not-so-great, somewhat messy and complicated parts about operating a business. If you start off solo or small,

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The 7 Best Running Shoes For Every Runner Type

by Larissa RunkleContributor Whether you’re a would-be runner, a casual jogger or even a competitive runner, chances are you’ve contemplated spending big bucks to find the best running shoes. Maybe you have existing problems with your feet or knees that could be alleviated by a good pair of stability shoes, or you might be looking for running shoes to take your pavement pounding to the next level. Whatever your reasons

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Do You Qualify for Any of July’s Class-Action Settlements?

by Top Class Actions Consumers could collect payments from multimillion-dollar settlements with claim deadlines in July.These settlements with companies such as Google, Mylan, Volkswagen and Johnson & Johnson resolve a range of claims such as false advertising, wage-and-hour violations, privacy breaches and more.You could participate in a number of settlements and get paid. Continue reading to see if you qualify to take action this month. Check the deadlines carefully because

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What Really Shows Up on a Credit Check for Employment

by Robin Hartill, CFP®Senior EditorYou survived the interviews. You deftly explained where you see yourself in five years. You managed to sparkle even when you talked about your greatest weakness.Now there’s just one thing standing between you and your dream job: a credit check.But what happens when you have a lackluster credit score? Will past missteps haunt your career prospects for years to come? First the good news: Employers don’t

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