Month: April 2019

13 Real Ways You Can Get Paid to Eat

Written By:
Last Updated:

Food lovers rejoice! You can actually get paid to eat.

Foodies are taking over the world, and all the photos on social media and all the food blogs are proof of this.

Whether you like street food, fast food, or gourmet meals prepared in Michelin-starred restaurants by the best chefs in the world, I’m sure you’ve wished someone would pay you for eating the most delicious dishes you can get your hands (and mouth) on.

Well, now you can!

Today, let’s look at some of the ways you can get paid for indulging your taste buds.

Legit Ways to Get Paid to Eat

Unfortunately, no one is going to just straight up pay you cash to eat a bowl of Cheerios, as awesome as that sounds.

Unless you become a food critic, you should treat getting paid to eat as a novel way to reduce costs while you’re out or as an opportunity to try something new and get compensated for your time.

Here’s how you can do just that.

1. Join Restaurant Mystery Shopper Agencies

Restaurants, bars, ice cream houses, and other establishments that sell food want to check from time to time if their employees are doing their jobs correctly and following the company’s standards.

These establishments then hire a mystery shopping agency to send mystery shoppers (in this case, mystery eaters) to go to the restaurant, order food for dine-in or take-out, inquire about services, or perform other tasks indicated in the assignment.

Restaurant mystery shoppers (yup, that’s you!) will have to take photos and videos, send receipts, answer a survey, or simply fill out a report form and send it to the agency, which will then forward the results to the restaurant owner.

Keep in mind that you’ll be paid directly by the agency and not by the owners of the establishments you’ve visited.

How much can you earn?

As a mystery shopper for the food business industry, you’ll get to eat out without having to pay a cent.

In some cases, this also includes all your drinks. If you’re assigned to the restaurant of a hotel, you usually get to stay at the hotel for free.

However, some mystery shopper agencies pay extra cash on top of your free food, drinks, and hotel stay.

Where to Find Restaurant Mystery Shopping Gigs

If you’re new to this industry, don’t skip MSPA Americas and absorb everything you can learn about mystery shopping.

This website also has a marketplace and job board, so check out possible assignments there.

Other popular dining-related mystery shopping sites you can try are:

Note that general Mystery Shopping websites cater to everything from retail stores to groceries, but you may also find assignments there that cater to restaurants and the food industry.

Steve’s Top Pick: Survey Junkie

Survey Junkie

At Survey Junkie, you work with brands directly as an influencer to help them shape their products while getting paid to give feedback.

Members earn bonus points for every activity completed. They can then redeem these points for gift cards or straight cash via Paypal.

Survey Junkie is free to join and the points never expire, so it’s worth creating an account just to see what offers pop up.

2. Become a Food Tester

Food tasting is a bit more technical than restaurant mystery shopping.

As a mystery shopper, you get to check how food is handled or presented, how customer service is maintained, and how the venue looks from your perspective.

Almost anyone can become a mystery shopper, as long as they’re close to the assignment location.

By contrast, food testers must have special skills in taste and odor recognition, no food allergies, and the unique ability to describe the food as clearly and precisely as possible. Food testers must also be of legal age and reside near the testing location.

How much can you earn?

Food tasting and food tester part-time gigs are rare, but if you see sites that invite people regularly, these gigs usually won’t earn you cash, but rewards that can be exchanged for gift cards.

Food tester positions are more available as full-time jobs and listed as many names such as “sensory panelist,” “food taster,” “sensory tester,” “food scientist,” “food tester,” and so on. Watch out for these positions on regular job boards such as Indeed.com.

If you do land a full-time food tester job, you can reportedly earn around $16 to $20 an hour with interesting assignments, like trying out frozen food throughout the day.

Where to Find Food Testing Jobs

Aside from regular job boards, you can check out openings from these companies:

Other food companies such as McCormick Corporation do their research in-house.

3. Get Cashback When You Eat Out

There are numerous things you can do to earn cashback.

From doing online groceries and exchanging your receipts, to dining out using cash-back cards to get back 1% of your total receipt, you’ll be amazed at the money you’ll either earn or save.

If you’re just discovering the world of cashbacks, you might get overwhelmed at just how much food-related rebates are available for you to take advantage of.

To keep things simple and organized, download a cashback app like Ibotta and check it out before choosing a place to dine out.

Here are other apps you can download to get cashback from eating out at restaurants:

4. Join Food-Based Studies

I talked about online research studies in the past, but in this scenario, I’m referring to food-related studies.

For example, Southern Californians were invited for a 6-month trial about the benefits of eating avocados per day.

These research studies are often conducted by universities, so keep updated with local news and universities near you.

5. Get Paid To Review Restaurants

If you have both a flair for writing and an adventurous palate, you can get paid to review restaurants and eat a good meal too.

As a food critic, you are assigned to visit different restaurants, order their specialties, eat them all up, and review everything about the restaurant, including food quality, atmosphere, and service.

Keep in mind that critic reviews can make or break a restaurant, so make sure to visit the restaurant multiple times and to make your review as detailed, fair, and informative.

You can do this as a freelancer; start a blog and use your blog to earn money from your reviews. As you establish your reputation, you can get noticed by bigger publishers and your work can be published by other curated blogs, newspapers, magazines, travel guides, and other media.

6. Eat Competitively

Competitive eating is not for the faint of heart.

It is a legitimate event (some might even say it’s a sport) where people train for months to increase their stomach capacities and improve their eating speeds of various foods.

On the plus side, you get truckloads of free food. On the other hand, you have to eat this truckload of food all at once.

There are annual events where people compete to eat the most bacon, jalapenos, poutine, ribs, and of course, hotdogs, and many more.

The prizes of up to $10,000 for a day or two of competing definitely make competitive eating appealing, even if the “sport” has been criticized as promoting obesity and encouraging people to join even with its known risks such as choking, weight gain, high cholesterol, etc.

7. Get Paid to Eat Healthy

And on the complete opposite side of the spectrum, this one could also be titled, “bet on yourself to not eat as much.”

There are sites like DietBet where you can join a pool of contestants in weight loss challenges.

You pay a fee to join the pool, then you set a weight loss goal. Those who achieve it get to split the total prize pool. Super simple.

You take a photo of yourself and the scale at the beginning of the bet, and then again at the end. If you hit your goal, you get paid. Simple as that.

They’ve paid out over $140 million so far and have helped their users lose over 15 million pounds.

8. Get Paid To Eat on Camera

This trend started in Korea and is called mukbang from two Korean words that mean “eating” and “broadcast.”

In a mukbang, a person eats a ton of food while interacting with an online audience and broadcasting the entire meal live.

But it’s quickly spreading around the world and if you’re interested, you can also get paid to eat on camera.

One of the most popular Korean mukbang eaters was TV Diva, real name Park Seo-Yeon, who has devoured four boxes of pizza on camera, as well as a dinner of 3 kilos of beef.

She has since retired, but when she was active, she reportedly spent more than $3k for the food she consumed but earned a whopping $10,000 or more each month for her broadcasts alone.

But if the thought of consuming this much food doesn’t appeal to you, there’s an emerging trend or sub-genre of mukbang called sosik mukbang, which involves eating smaller portions.

If you want to follow in The Diva’s footsteps, choose a livestreaming platform, such as Facebook Live, Twitch, Instagram Live, YouTube Live, or any other live streaming platform, then broadcast your meals regularly.

Every platform has different terms for earning cash, so learn how to monetize appropriately.

9. Get Paid To Test Recipes

Before a restaurant releases a new dish, or before a chef or celebrity releases a cookbook, someone needs to test out the recipes and make sure that someone who follows the recipe to the letter ends up making a delicious dish.

A recipe tester prepares the recipe as written out in the instructions: collect the ingredients, measure them exactly, and cook them according to the exact order, manner, and temperatures indicated.

They then make careful notes on preparation times, improvements to be made in the ingredients, measurements, and procedure, and provide feedback to the creator of the recipe.

First, build your portfolio by going to America’s Test Kitchen and accepting unpaid gigs to test recipes for them. Also, approach your favorite food bloggers or cookbook authors to help out.

Then, you can start finding clients who will pay for your expertise and experience, such as restaurant chefs, food scientists, and food writers.

It may take some time before you actually get paid, but once you get paying clients, you’ll be rewarded handsomely and it can blossom from a gig into an actual career.

10. Get Paid to Take Food Photography

If you’re lucky to be skilled in taking food photos, or have a partner who knows their way around the DSLR, then try your luck with food photography.

To earn from this unique skill, you can submit your work to stock photo sites like Adobe Stock and Shutterstock. You don’t even have to prove you’re a professional photographer. No other qualifications either. As long as the photos are yours, you can submit them to these sites.

Whenever other people purchase your photos for use in their own projects, you get a commission for licensing.

It’s unlikely that this would be able to replace your day job’s income, but it could probably help with paying for food you’ve eaten, so you’re basically eating for free. It’s just that you’ll be receiving the “refund” months or years after the meal.

Get Paid to Eat: Passive Income Methods

The following methods will be a lot of hard work for virtually zero pay in the beginning, but as soon as you get traction, and you build a following, you’ll be earning on a month-to-month basis in thousands of dollars.

11. Become a Food Blogger

The most basic way to get paid to eat is to write your own food blog.

Sure, you’d be investing in money for all the initial recipes you publish on your blog.

You’ll also be learning food photography and basic website publishing tasks (if this is totally new for you), but I promise you it’s going to be totally worth it.

Just ask food bloggers like Pinch of Yum (earning $50k a month in just-ads when they stopped posting income reports in 2016) and Bowl of Delicious (earning six-figures a month).

Learn how to monetize a blog from scratch here.

12. Build a Foodie YouTube Channel

Many bloggers also incorporate a YouTube Channel with their brand.

You can choose to pick just one from either a blog or a YouTube channel, but I recommend taking advantage of both.

After all, opening up a YouTube account is free.

Producing quality videos, on the other hand, could be free if you have equipment, but takes a lot of effort and man hours.

Like building a food blog, the more you upload to your YouTube channel, the more followers you’ll gain. And with videos, every viewer equals x amount of $.

YouTube can be monetized with ads (yes, the ads you see before or in the middle of YouTube videos). You have to join the YouTube partner program to be able to start earning. But many people are making money on YouTube successfully.

13. Become a Food Influencer

As a food influencer, you are invited to restaurant openings, food product launches, parties and other food-related events.

But it isn’t easy becoming a food influencer.

You should first build a following – either from your YouTube channel, blog, podcast, or social media accounts. This will take a lot of hard work before it pays off.

You’ll know when you make it though. Since you’ll be short-listed by brands looking for influencers, you’ll be invited to events, you’ll be even paid to promote food you already love.

Eat Your Way to Extra Cash!

In the past, I talked about getting paid to do nothing, to watch a movie, to read books, to sleep, to walk, to test products, to write or text, and even to house-sit someone else’s home.

Did you even get surprised that there are ways you can get paid to eat?

Of course, aside from the list above, there are plenty of other traditional, professional jobs that involve food, such as a chef, food scientist, or food buyer. You’d get paid more, but you’d have to do further studies and undergo formal training to be successful.

What are you waiting for? Go out there and start getting paid to eat!

How to Become a Notary: A Step-By-Step Guide

Written By:
Last Updated:

We don’t often think about notaries public until we need them. But some of our lives’ most important transactions and agreements will require their help and supervision.

In connection with this, few people consider becoming a notary public when they’re looking for work-from-home job opportunities, but being able to notarize documents is an in-demand capability that can easily be a side hustle.

If you’re interested in becoming a notary public, whether as a side hustle or as a necessity in your full-time job, look no further.

Today, you’ll learn all the basics on how to become a notary: the qualifications, detailed steps, how much everything will cost and how much you can potentially earn.

What Does a Notary Public Do?

A notary public is an official appointed by the state government to serve as an impartial witness to the signing of important legal documents.

They have to make sure that the documents are indeed legal, verify that those signing the documents are who they say they are (usually through ID), and make sure that they know what they’re signing and aren’t doing so under duress.

Notary publics have the freedom to choose who they work with and how; either by opting to work with signing services or getting direct business on their own.

Some notaries simply get the certification to add to their résumé, as many companies, such as banks, schools, and law firms require this type of service often.

It takes around a couple of weeks to become a notary, depending on the process of the state you live in.

After that, you’re free to offer your services to any individual or business that needs official documents signed; and there will be plenty. Notarial services are needed across almost all sectors, from banking and real estate to medical services and tech companies.

What is the Difference between a Notary Public and a Notary Signing Agent?

The main difference is the focus of their responsibilities. Notaries public handle a wide variety of documents, while notary signing agents (NSAs) specifically handle home loan documents.

Both are required to obtain their notary commission (more on this later), but NSAs are required to pass a yearly background check and a yearly exam in addition to their commission.

What Are the Qualifications Needed to Become a Notary Public?

The exact qualifications for who can become a notary differs among states.

However, in general, those wanting to be appointed as a notary public must:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Be a legal resident of the United States
  • Complete a course of study approved by the Secretary of State
  • Pass a written examination prescribed by the Secretary of State
  • Clear a background check

If you have a past criminal record or conviction, it’s still possible to become a notary in plenty of states. Most of them disregard petty crimes as long as they don’t involve fraud or dishonesty.

It’s better to declare any arrest or criminal record at the time of your application, as non-disclosure can hurt your application more that it can help.

How to Become a Notary in 6 Simple Steps

1. Apply to become a notary within your state.

The very first step is to apply to become a notary with your state. This can be done through mail or online through their respective websites; search for “apply to be a notary [your home state]” to find those websites.

You’ll be asked to pay an application fee, and this varies by state as well. Expect to pay anywhere from $20 to $120.

You can apply to become a Notary Signing Agent (NSA) in addition to your regular Notary Public responsibilities. This generally requires an extra certification and a training course to handle the extra complicated documents. But again, the requirements vary between states, so you’ll have to check up on that for your specific state.

Many states will do a background check on you. There are a few states that don’t, but it’s better to be prepared for it than not. Those applying to become an NSA will also have to go through a separate background screening.

2. Undergo training.

After applying, you’ll need to complete a training course. In most cases, this can be done online and takes anywhere from 3 to 6 hours.

Some states have only a number of approved notary training courses or providers that you can enroll in, so you’ll need to enroll in the right ones for your training to be valid.

3. Take the notary public exam.

The notary public exam isn’t the same everywhere, but some states allow an open-book exam. There is also a fee, which also varies per state.

To pass the exam, you’ll need to learn the finer details of being a notary. You’ll likely be asked about notary law, how to handle specific notarial situations, and the best way to accurately identify signers.

The full texts of notary laws are usually available on state legislature websites, and the state agencies licensing notaries normally provide notary public handbooks for your reference.

You can also ask the state agency issuing the notary public exam if they have practice tests available.

Practice tests are also available, usually with the state agency issuing the notary public exam, through the agency you trained with, or online through notary associations, such as the National Notary Association.

The results will be sent by email or by mail and usually take a minimum of 7 business days. Retake policies differ per state as well, so consult the specific state agency website.

4. Take your oath of office.

Once you’ve passed the notary public exam, you’ll get your commission certificate in the mail, usually after around 6 weeks.

Information on how and when to take your oath of office will be included in the information packet that will be sent with your commission certificate.

Oath-taking is usually done before the Secretary of State or another government official. Then, you’ll have to register your signature at your state’s notary regulating office.

Most states require you to post a surety bond, which is intended to compensate aggrieved parties in case you make a mistake that injures or costs someone. Most states require bonds of between $5,000 and $10,000, though it could be more or less than these amounts.

In addition, most notaries need to take out an Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance to protect you as well if you do make a mistake.

5. Gather the necessary materials.

Then, buy any necessary supplies before you can start your new business. Your commission certificate should also include a list of supplies that you’ll need, as well as the authorized vendors from whom you can buy these supplies.

At the barest minimum, you’ll need a notary public seal and a notary journal.

Your notary seal will include your name, the words “Notary Public,” your commission’s expiry date, and the county where you live.

Your notary journal can be any ledger or notebook, but it is recommended that you choose a hardbound one with page numbers, rather than loose-leaf, perforated, or spiral notebooks whose pages can easily be removed.

I break down all the supplies needed and the costs associated below.

6. Start networking to gain clients.

As with any other business, you’ll have to network a bit to get clients.

Check your state’s notary law to learn the allowable, legal ways to advertise your services.

Many people opt for signing up with a signing service that get the loan signing appointments for them.

But you can also print out business cards or contact businesses/realtors to offer your service as a notary.

How to Become a Remote Online Notary

If you live in a state that allows remote notarization, you can take your notary services online and work as a remote online notary.

Remote online notarization works pretty much the same way as the usual notarization but using two-way audio-video technology, digital signatures, and an electronic seal.

In some states, you’ll have to already hold a commission as a traditional Notary Public before you can apply as a remote online notary, while in other states, you can apply to be both at the same time.

If you were already commissioned as a notary public, bear in mind that applying to be a remote online notary is a separate application and thus has different fees, training, and needed supplies; you’ll need to have an electronic seal and digital certificate, again, only from approved vendors.

Your surety bond and insurance should also be amended to cover remote online notarizations.

You can work through websites such as Notarize.com connect individuals and businesses with online notaries public so documents can be signed remotely by all parties as needed.

The Cost of Becoming a Notary

There are a few costs associated with getting started as a notary, but, these fees put together still come down to a relatively low start-up cost.

Here’s what you’re likely to spend:

First off, there’s the application fee when you submit an application, which is different from one state to another but ranges between $20 to $120 as I mentioned above.

Then, there’s the cost for the training course and the exam.

You will have to supply a passport photo (and live scan fingerprints in the state of California) before you’re certified.

Most states require you to pay for the oath of office, which is in the range of $40.

The surety bond costs around $50 for a four-year bond, after which you’ll have to renew it. E&O insurance premiums cost around $50 annually.

Finally, there are the supplies.

The National Notary Association recommends the following supplies for anyone starting out:

  • Official notary public seal stamp
  • Basic journal with a notary privacy guard cling (Required in some states)
  • A 5-year hotline subscription to the NNA (not necessary, but being an NNA member is not a benefit)

Most notaries agree that it’s good practice to keep a journal even if the state doesn’t specifically require it. It’s safer for you to keep records of your notary public obligations to avoid any possible confusion or future questions about the legitimacy of your business activities.

In total, becoming a notary can cost you around $300 to $500 for the whole process.

Other expenses:

As a notary, you will likely need a computer, cellphone, car or other transportation, and a printer.

The latter is very important because you might have to print out various certificates or loan packages when you prepare for a meeting with clients. At times, there can be over 100 pages of both legal-size and letter-size pages so you’re going to be relying heavily on your printer.

Unlike most of the other work from home jobs I’ve talked about, becoming a notary requires a bit of capital to get started and a lot of paperwork to get through before you can start working.

However, it can be a very fulfilling part-time or full-time career so don’t feel disheartened at these costs.

How Much Do Notaries Earn?

This depends somewhat on the state you’re practicing in. The fees you’re allowed to charge differ between states, but this usually doesn’t include travel fees.

So most notaries can charge whatever they want for travel expenses, within reason of course.

Most notaries charge between $2 to $15 per signature, depending on the state. How much you earn depends on the need for notaries in your area and subsequently how many documents/signatures you can notarize every hour or day.

When documents are signed, there’s often a need for more than one signature and from more than one person, meaning a notary can make upwards of $50 an hour depending on the state they’re in.

Sometimes, businesses even have multiple documents that need to be signed, driving up the price even further.

From what I could gather, however, most notaries public make more money through their additional traveling fees.

There are plenty of industries that require notaries public, but some also seem to be more lucrative than others. Those that opt to specialize even further, into becoming an NSA, seem to be earning the most out of the group.

This is because signing agents in the mortgage industry usually negotiate premium rates with the title companies or signing services that hire them and they make a considerable amount of income from this one part of the industry alone.

Apply to Become a Notary Soon!

Being a notary public can be a fulfilling job as you get to meet interesting people from all over and exercise your duty as a ministerial official.

It’s a flexible option and a great choice for both those who want to make side cash and anyone who’s looking for a solid full-time job.

If the startup costs of becoming a notary feel a little steep to you, then you could always opt for these work-from-home jobs that require no financial investment on your part.

Planning to become a notary? Let us know in the comments!

How to Make the Most Money as a Mobile Bartender

Written By:
Published On:

Becoming your own boss is a dream for many people trapped in the rat race.

Freelancing gives people the freedom to work flexible hours, while enjoying what they do and hopefully earn more than enough as their former 8-to-5 jobs.

Bartending is a side hustle you can turn into a full-blown freelance career or business. If you’re looking to switch careers or have been bartending most of your adult life, read more for a comprehensive guide in turning mobile bartending into a full-time business.

How to Most the Money with Mobile Bartending

Mobile bartending involves packing your bar and bringing the drinks and party to another location. Usually, birthdays, weddings, stag parties, and other events can benefit from a portable bar.

So who can make money with a portable bar?

  • Bartender – The most obvious person who can turn mobile bartending into gold is someone who has experience bartending in the past. You’d have practice talking to people and first-hand knowledge of working the tools of the trade.
  • Owner of a Bar – Like the bartender, you know how to work the bar and communicate with your patrons. You may not know many fancy mixes as your bartender, but having a menu card for drinks can solve this problem quick. If your in-house bartender is OK with working extra hours, you can find bartending jobs on his behalf in exchange for carrying the bar’s name.
  • Caterer and Restaurant Owner – Entrepreneurs in the catering, dining and restaurant industry can also include mobile bartending packages into their regular services, hitting two birds in one stone.

The person who can make the most money with mobile bartending is the one who chooses to roll with portable bars on a full-time scale. If you do this only as a side gig, then you’ll earn less money. It’s that simple.

Pros & Cons to Bartending

Bartending isn’t something people would call a career – it’s usually a temp job while waiting for something better.

For example, working students in need of cash, actors working their way up, and so on.

Fortunately, the stigma of bartending as a temp job can now end as more and more people find success in bartending private events either as a freelancer or business owner.

However, you still have to weigh the pros and cons of mobile bartending to determine if this income-generating gig is something you’d like to pursue:

Pros of Mobile Bartending

The main advantage of bartending for events is the flexibility it gives you.

You can have a day job and work on your mobile bartending at night or during weekends, but it’s totally up to you if you want to be aggressive with your schedule or not.

You can even lie low for a while and pick up your bartending right where you left off.

Aside from the flexibility mobile bartending brings, there are several advantages to this income potential:

  • Good money – A freelance bartender can earn $25 to $50 an hour. In events like weddings that have strict hours at venues, bartending gigs may be packaged as two- or three-hour work and priced $200 to $500.
  • Free Food – You’ll be hired to cater events, so most jobs involve free food and drinks. And
  • Networking – Because the job isn’t as hectic as bartending in nightclubs and similar venues, you’ll be able to communicate with guests more properly and if you’re lucky, make connections for future business.
  • Fun – If you love every part of bartending, you’ll appreciate it more with a mobile bar since you’re not stressing about long work hours and you get to enjoy the party.

Cons of Mobile Bartending

Of course, mobile bartending isn’t for everyone.

This is especially true for people who feel their weekends are sacred days for family or church, or that you prefer working in the mornings.

Holidays are also in-demand for events, so if you want to earn as much as possible, you might have to miss a lot of holidays in exchange for mobile bartending jobs.

Another problem with this business is that it can have downtimes on certain seasons, which means the gigs you receive around Christmas time cannot match slower months such as August. This directly affects the money you earn, so you have to take note.

Bartending Gigs: Where to Find Event Bartending Jobs

If you’re already a bartender and have known the industry inside and out, you’ll probably have an easier time finding event bartending jobs than the rest. However, if you’re new to this and have no networking in place yet, here are some websites that list bartending gigs:

  • ShiftGig– Catering and restaurant businesses (tagged as “I’m a business”) post jobs to find qualified people to work in and out of the kitchen. Event bartending jobs listed here will include number of hours for shifts needed.
  • iHobNob – Looking for employment in the food and drink industry? Post your resume here or find bartending jobs with a quick search.
  • Good Food Jobs – This site supports a wide range of businesses from farms to restaurants in their search for waitresses, bartenders, and other people in the food industry.
  • FoodForce– Beginners to senior-level positions are available here, but mostly from companies offering specialty and natural foods.
  • Proven – On this site, bartenders and other skilled workers can post their skills and need for employment directly on company’s Proven profiles.
  • Poached– This staffing solution is aimed at giving jobs for bartenders, restaurant workers, baristas and so on.

These sites are just the tip of the iceberg – you can find a many more specific to the food industry.

10 Things You Need to Start Bartending Private Events

Mobile bartending isn’t a new business, but there are not enough guides around to show freelancers how to start bartending private events.

If you’re serious about bartending on-the-go, here are 10 things you should know:

1. Business plan

Even if you’re starting a mobile bartending business small, you still have to craft a plan. Do your research, compute in/out finances, and create a feasible business plan.

2. License and permits

If your bartending gig requires you to sell alcohol, you or the event venue owner should obtain a Temporary Events Notice (TEN).

For private parties like weddings, the host usually pre-pays the drinks so guests could consume them at the event.

Large-scale events obtain permits that often include alcohol license as well.

3. Insurance

Liability insurance is a part of the business permit requirement, since this insurance will help you cover expenses if any accident occurs during the event.

4. Register the business

If you have big plans for your mobile bartending, make sure to register your business before making big investments.

5. Get Equipment

Aside from obtaining the ice and drinks, you’ll also need basic equipment like coolers, bucket, trash bin, tables, knife, utensils, cutting board and glassware.

6. Build a website

The easiest way for bartenders to book gigs is to let guests find you.

Create a fully functional and engaging website, which will serve as your digital “calling card.”

7. Get a social media game

Know the ropes how to become popular for every social media profile available.

Bartending can be competitive, especially in smaller towns, so step up your game because your social media presence can even make or break your business.

If you’re not sure how to take advantage social media, here’s a more comprehensive guide to follow for Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

8. Expand your network

As a business owner and bartender, it’s your job to continuously build your network for future gigs.

9. Specialize

If the city you’re based in has plenty of competition, you can choose a niche to specialize on.

There are portable bars that cater exclusively to wines, or craft beers.

Some bartenders choose to go with cheaper drink “stalls” and on-the-go trolley bars, while others go with more expensive, motorized vans or vehicles ala-foodtrucks.

10. Be original

The easiest way for people to notice you (and recommend to other people) is to create a buzz.

Make your bartending gig fun and guests around you will notice.

Invent drinking games, create challenges, and so on.

If you’re lucky, you can even get your gimmick viral. However, make sure you’re organized enough to keep a 12-month gig calendar to accommodate them once the demand increases.

Go Freelance or Stay Employed?

Bartenders employed with a nightclub, bar, restaurant, or hotel will have no problem with income, since they are technically still working on an 8-to-5 shift.

On the other hand, a freelance bartender will more likely be able to start his/her own business.

Running a mobile bartending business is possible even if you want to just pick up gigs here and there.

Of course, it is better to set-up a legitimate business and become a business owner as well, so you don’t have to worry about licensing and permits once you decide to go big.

Whichever route you take, your bartending skills and networking will be the reason you’ll get far.

As such, make sure to practice your bartending skills regularly and improve your knowledge with cocktails, drinks and everything in between. Marketing your brand and advertising your mobile bartending business everywhere you go should be a priority.

How to Sell on Walmart: Different Ways to Get Started

Written By:
Last Updated:

Walmart has always been one of the top brick-and-mortar grocery and department store chains in the United States, but Amazon remains the undisputed leader in online shopping. Even so, Walmart is building up its ecommerce business and as a result, more people are learning how to sell on Walmart online.

Since 2016, Walmart has been making significant changes to improve its ecommerce game, starting with acquisitions of online stores Shoebuy.com, ModCloth, Jet.com, Moosejaw, Bonobos, and India-based ecommerce site Flipkart, beating Amazon’s bids.

They’ve also secured partnerships with thredUP, HGTV, and most recently with Shopify. The Shopify partnership in particular aims to open up Walmart’s marketplace to small- to medium-sized Shopify online stores to list their products on Walmart’s online store.

This is a big deal because, in the past, the company only invited online sellers with successful stores and years-long of experience in customer service. Nowadays, anyone who has an online store can apply and be considered.

Currently, there are two basic ways for small- to medium-sized online stores to sell on Walmart. Read on to find out more about them, their pros and cons, and how to start selling on Walmart.

Who Should Sell On Walmart.com?

Selling on Walmart.com isn’t for everyone, so who should consider selling on Walmart?

1. Small businesses with unique products

Application to become a Walmart seller is tough. Nobody knows the exact criteria Walmart uses when they consider applications, but many experts believe that product quality is at the top of that list.

As such, if your business creates unique products, getting the high exposure Walmart can provide will surely skyrocket sales.

2. Brands finding it hard to market their products

Walmart.com is visited by over 100 million people every month.

As a brand selling products on the Walmart site, expect better and more organic exposure without spending extra for advertising or lifting a finger for more marketing work.

It’s also important to note that Walmart attracts a different audience than Amazon, eBay, and other ecommerce platforms, so adding another platform won’t hurt.

3. Companies with hard-to-find Items

Any business, big or small, can benefit from Walmart’s massive network. But if you have hard-to-find items to sell, you have an advantage.

This is because Walmart is known as a giant retailer as it is, so offering something that cannot be found on any of its brick-and-mortar stores or its huge online collection is pretty impressive.

Just the fact that you’re not competing with any of Walmart’s own products means the company can highlight your items more than their other products.

Walmart won’t be suitable for you or your company if:

  • You’re selling crafts online. Etsy or eBay may be better options for you.
  • You’re just starting out. A functional website, an online store (even if hosted on a different platform), and other similar portfolio gives Walmart a sense of your company’s history. If your store has no online footprint yet, it’s unlikely you’d be approved as a Walmart seller.
  • You’re selling knockoffs. As part of Walmart’s quality checks, stores with knockoffs never get approved.

Two Ways To Sell on Walmart.com: Drop Ship Vendor (DSV) Program Versus Marketplace Program

Online sellers can choose between two programs to sell on Walmart.

1. Drop Ship Vendor (DSV) Program

As a dropshipper for Walmart, you sell products to Walmart at wholesale prices. Walmart then sets the price on their site, displays product descriptions, and markets your items.

When a customer orders via Walmart.com, Walmart forwards the details to you, and you ship out the order directly to the customer or to a Walmart location if they choose in-store pickup.

With this arrangement, your responsibilities are storing, packing, and shipping the items. If there are too many problems with stock, damaged items, or packages not shipping on time or not being sent, Walmart can decide to remove you from the program.

Pros and Cons of Selling on Walmart as a DSV

Pros

  • No fees — Unlike other ecommerce websites like Amazon, Walmart doesn’t charge you for monthly listing or setup fees.
  • Free shipping — Walmart covers the shipping fees.
  • Credibility — Your product’s credibility is helped by the “Sold by Walmart” label.
  • Marketing — Walmart handles marketing and promotions.
  • Ship to Store — Buyers can buy your items online and pick them up at a store if they want to.
  • Buy Box — Your products are more likely to appear in search results and have the Add to Cart button than the same products offered by other merchants because your products have the “Sold by Walmart” label.

Cons

  • Profit margin — You have to sell at wholesale prices and yet don’t move the products in bulk so you have to shoulder the cost of storing the products.
  • Returns — All returns are liquidated and you may receive chargebacks for returnless refunds.
  • Control — You don’t have much control over product descriptions, retail pricing, and their return policy.
  • No two-day shipping — Since you’re taking care of shipping items to buyers, Walmart can’t guarantee two-day shipping so your items aren’t included.

2. Walmart Marketplace Seller Program

If you’re a third-party merchant of either eBay or Amazon and you’re looking for Walmart’s counterpart, the Marketplace seller program is exactly that. All products sold by third-party sellers are labeled “Sold and Shipped by Marketplace Seller.”

Unlike the DVS program, Marketplace Sellers will take care of writing product descriptions, posting product images, providing customer support, creating promotions, setting prices, and so on.

Aside from these two, there is actually one more way to sell on Walmart, which is to become a first-party seller. This means you sell your products to Walmart for wholesale prices and send your inventory to Walmart’s fulfillment centers. Product listing, marketing, and shipping are all to be handled by Walmart.

This option is only worth it if your business can crank out thousands of products because the profit margin here is very small.

Pros and Cons of Selling on Walmart Marketplace

Pros

  • No fees — Walmart doesn’t charge you for monthly listing or setup fees.
  • Returns — Even if Walmart has downsized its brick-and-mortar stores significantly, it still has a massive family of 4,700 stores and every one of them can accept returns.
  • Credibility — Even if you’re a small company, as long as you passed Walmart’s strict pre-approval process, the approval will instantly give you the stamp of credibility as a legitimate seller.
  • Free 2-Day Shipping — Orders $35 and up placed by 2 pm in the timezone of the delivery address are eligible for free two-day shipping. Shoppers love to save and get their items fast, so this move from Walmart will definitely attract buyers.
  • FedEx Advantage Program — Sellers who choose to use FedEx can save up to 37% on shipping.

Cons

  • Listing issues — Since Walmart is still relatively new, there are plenty of kinks to iron out. You may experience listing issues every now and then, especially when it comes to the single use of UPCs or GTINs and the same products sold by different Walmart sellers.
  • Pricing needs to be competitive — Some sellers may find their products delisted if the prices sellers have set are not as competitive as Walmart would want.
  • Rules on shipping materials and branding — Walmart lets sellers choose the shipping method and carrier, as well as set the shipping fees, but they’re not allowed to use branded packaging (especially if materials come from competing companies like Amazon’s FBA).

How to Sell on the Walmart DSV Program

Here are the steps to start selling as a drop ship vendor. (If you wanted to look at the steps to start selling on Walmart Marketplace, click here instead.)

1. Apply to Become a Walmart Supplier.

Go on this page and find the supplier checklist so you’ll know what the requirements are and get them together.

2. Create a Retail Link Account.

When you have all the requirements together, you can then create an account on Walmart Retail Link to start your application and verification process.

Walmart will ask for information like contact, banking, and tax information, among many others.

When you’ve submitted the requirements, wait for Walmart’s decision for approval. Accept the Agreement terms and you’re well on your way.

3. Set Up Your Item Listings in the Supplier Center.

Once you’re approved to sell on Walmart, you can start uploading your item listings by logging in the Supplier Center.

You would also need to set up details of your distribution facilities, including where your items will ship from, schedules of pickup by couriers, how many units your facility can fulfill, etc.

4. Start Selling on Walmart and Getting Paid!

When your items are listed on Walmart.com, you’ll get a notification whenever someone orders. Fulfilling these orders should be an intuitive process for you through the Supplier Center.

Walmart will pay you for order, and your payment history will be available on your Supplier Center as well.

7 Steps to Start Selling on Walmart Marketplace

If you’re still here, and you know your store has a shot at being approved by Walmart, follow these steps:

1. Apply to Become a Walmart Seller

Visit the Marketplace Application page, gather the list of the required information, and click Start Application. Complete all required fields, including your name, address, company name, business website, category of business, annual online sales revenues (in USD), and more. The form takes less than 10 minutes to complete, so make sure you’ve got all details in. Select “Save” and “Apply Now.”

This is probably the hardest step since the information you provide here will make or break your chances of becoming a Walmart seller.

If you’re approved, you’ll be notified by e-mail with the subject “Your Walmart Seller Center account has been created.”

2. Complete Your Registration

Click the link in the e-mail you received in Step 1. This will direct you to the Registration Wizard, which guides you through five main sections:

  • Account Creation
  • Partner Registration
  • Taxes (W-9)
  • Verify Bank Account, and
  • Shipping Info

Make sure to prepare bank account information and a digital copy of your latest W-9 form. Most of the details you need to provide you already have as a business owner.

3. Fill Out Your Partner Profile

More information will be needed to complete the Partner Profile.

The Partner Profile is a public page where customers will learn all about your company, including company name, company mission/vision/description, logo, return policies, shipping fees, customer service hotline, tax information, privacy policy, and more.

You’re ready to move on to the next step once your Launch Checklist progress bar reaches 100%.

4. Verify Your Banking Information

As a Walmart seller, you need to link your bank account to your Walmart Marketplace account. To do this, you have to log in to your bank (the one you listed during registration) and check transactions for a $0.01 deposit from “WM Marketplace Penny Test.”

If you found this transaction, it means your accounts are now linked and payments can be sent to your bank.

Click “Mark as Done” on the Launch Checklist, which confirms receipt of the penny deposit. Note that this process isn’t instant – it would take up to 4 business days to appear in your account’s list of transactions.

5. Prepare Your Item Listings

This step is the most time-consuming of all since you’ll be uploading all of your content, including product photos, descriptions, videos, attributes, SKUs, and so on.

The good news is Walmart gives you several integration methods to choose from (bulk upload, API, or solution provider).

Begin this step by choosing the right category and sub-category for your product. FYI, Walmart has 24 categories and 79 sub-categories already available; You just have to pick the nearest one for your products. Use the Categorization Guide if you’re feeling lost with this step.

Make the category as specific as possible. Attributes, such as gender, age group, size, and so on, will not only help you describe each product you’re selling but also guides Walmart’s search engines to “find” your product more effectively.

In the “Main Image URL” section, fill it in with the appropriate URL where the image is hosted. You’ll have to upload these on third-party storage and get the link to it. The file size shouldn’t be bigger than 1MB.

Click “Validate Fields” if you’re done. Edit if something goes wrong, and upload the Item Feed file to the Seller Center.

If you see “Staged” status on your Launch Checklist, you’re off to the next step.

6. Place a Test Order

Before you welcome buyers into “your” Walmart store, you have to make sure everything is working properly.

To do this, you have to test the items and orders by going to the Seller Center and selecting “Preview Item” to see how customers will see the product page. Verify all the details, especially pricing and item details.

To test an order, update the item inventory to 1 and click “Update Inventory.” Go back to Seller Center and click “Publish Item” and “Purchase Item.” If everything from your “order” goes on smoothly, then you’re done with the checklist.

7. Launch Your Account and Collect Your Paychecks!

Once you’ve marked all items on your checklist as “done,” a pop-up message will ask you to confirm that you’re ready to launch.

If you are, select “confirm” to request a review and wait for Walmart representatives to check out your profile.

If everything passes Walmart’s standards, your products will go live on Walmart.com within 24 hours.

Which Option Should You Choose?

Selling as a DSV and selling on Walmart Marketplace each have their own pros and cons.

So as an online seller, how should you sell on Walmart?

Actually, if you apply to both the DSV and Marketplace programs and get approved for both, you may not have to choose. You can pick and choose which products you can sell for each program (note: you can’t sell the same item on DSV and Marketplace at the same time).

Consider your long-term strategy. If you want to build your brand but don’t want to spend too much time and effort in marketing and promoting your products, the DSV program may be a better fit for you.

However, if you’re building your own brand, want to take advantage of Walmart’s wide reach, but also want to control the branding, marketing, and pricing of your products, Walmart Marketplace is the better option.

Another consideration is your shipping system. To compete as a Walmart Marketplace seller, you’ll need to be able to offer fast shipping at low costs to your buyer. Selling as a DSV doesn’t have quite the same pressure.

Final Thoughts

Amazon is still the leader of ecommerce, but Walmart definitely knows that it’s late to the ecommerce party and is aggressively making up for its absence.

In fact, brands are aware of Walmart’s moves. Double Insight, maker of the #1 best-selling item on Amazon, “Instant Pot” (earned a whopping $17 million on Amazon Prime Day alone), has decided to launch its follow-up product exclusively at Walmart.

As you may have learned from this article, selling on Walmart isn’t easy. I hope the information here has helped you decide if you want to sell on Walmart as a DSV or as a Walmart Marketplace seller.

If you want to sell online, but feel like Walmart isn’t the right option for you, or if you want to expand your reach, read our guides on how to sell on Amazon through FBA and how to sell on Etsy.

Are you planning to sell on Walmart soon?? Tell us about your plans in the comments!

Become an Amazon Product Tester and Get Free Stuff

Written By:
Last Updated:

There aren’t many ways to get anything for free in this life, but Amazon product testers have been getting free gift cards and products sent to them since 2007.

There are several ways to make money with Amazon, but being a reviewer means you skip getting the money and go straight for what you would have bought anyway.

Want to know how to become an Amazon reviewer?

Well, then you’re in luck because I went searching for some concrete answers to find out what it takes to start reviewing Amazon products for free hauls.

Amazon isn’t the only company looking for product testers either.

These three companies are always looking for participants to share their thoughts on new products:

How to Become an Amazon Product Tester

There are two ways to get your free swag:

As an official Amazon product tester who’s part of the Vine program, you’d get access to a range of products from Amazon that you can choose to review. The prices for these products can range from anywhere between $1 to over $1000 and span every category on the seller’s website.

In addition to that, you can let companies find you and offer you free or discounted products in exchange for an Amazon review. This isn’t done via Amazon but is still a good option, as you’ll get to negotiate the deal yourself.

Feel free to go for either option or both, as I discuss the ins and outs of testing products for Amazon below.

Option 1: Join Amazon Vine

The Amazon Vine program is an invite-only initiative that was started by Amazon over 10 years ago.

It helps sellers get honest and credible reviews on their products and gives reviewers an incentive to voice their opinions.

You’ve probably seen the “Vine Voice” tag next to some reviews on the Amazon website.

Amazon Vine Voice Free Product

These are people who have been invited into the program and are receiving products from Amazon to review.

If they’ve received the product they’re reviewing for free, a “Vine Customer Review of Free Product” tag also appears along with the review. However, if they bought it on Amazon with their login account and their own payment details, a “Verified Purchase” tag appears instead.

Amazon Vine Voice Verified Purchase

You can’t apply to become part of the Amazon Vine program but you can increase your chances of getting an invite by doing certain things, which I will outline below.

How to Get an Amazon Vine Invite

It isn’t entirely clear how Amazon chooses and invites reviewers, but here are some guidelines online along with a few tips from reviewers who have been picked for the program.

To become eligible for an invite to the program, you have to already be a reviewer on Amazon. Meaning you have to start writing product reviews for the website now so that you can build up a good reviewer’s rank and a great reputation for yourself.

This is purely anecdotal, but I feel like I see the most number of Vine badges under the Books category.

It may be a callback to Amazon’s humble beginnings, or that sending a free copy of an eBook is a lot easier than mailing out a physical product. Who knows? This is just an observation I’ve had.

Just like with any sort of influencer position, the people whose opinions are valued the most get the most opportunities.

You don’t have to be one of Amazon’s top reviewers to get an invite (though this certainly helps!), but you do have to leave valuable, informative reviews that are likely to get marked as “Helpful” by other customers.

It’s also important to know that the frequency with which you leave reviews isn’t everything as that doesn’t seem to be what Amazon is focusing on.

Rather, stick to quality reviews on products that you have bought as this is a good practice among product testers.

Amazon Product Tester Insider Tips

It’s hard to find out how many Vine reviewers there are and which products Amazon gives away for reviews, as this info isn’t made public.

However, a few reviewers have shared their tips on how things work when you want to become part of this program.

Here are some important pointers that you need to keep in mind:

1. Stick to one product category.

One thing that everyone seems to agree on is that it’s important to stick to one product category.

It would be even better if the product category you focused on coincided with your day job. For instance, if you’re a chef by day, you might want to concentrate on reviewing kitchenware.

That way, you can build yourself up as an authority in that area which will make more people trust your reviews. Customers don’t want to hear from a person that knows nothing about what they’re reviewing and Amazon doesn’t want that either.

2. Fill out your Amazon profile as much as possible.

Create a great profile and make yourself available through other social channels.

As with any other influencer gig, it’s all about visibility.

People—and by extension, Amazon—won’t take notice if you don’t make them look your way. Keeping up a good presence is key to getting that invite.

3. Study your chosen category.

Amazon seems to be choosing Vine Voices according to category.

So if they need a new member in computer hardware and you’re reviewing gardening supplies, then you’re simply out of luck.

The catch is that there’s no information available anywhere on how or when Amazon chooses new members, nor whether they’re currently looking.

Essentially, you just have to stick it out in your chosen category, publish high-quality reviews, and hope that Amazon is looking for Vine Voices in your category.

4. Quality is better than quantity when it comes to Amazon Vine.

Your rank isn’t your guarantee.

Some people claimed to have gotten an Amazon Vine invitation with over 80,000 upvotes on the Amazon store, while there are others who got in with only 300 upvotes.

This is something that Amazon considers, to be sure, but it won’t be the only thing that gets you in.

5. Newer reviews get a bit of a bump.

There’s no clear indication of how Amazon structures their review system, but it is clear that more recent reviews get more screen time.

Aside from reviewing products as frequently as you can, it’s a good idea to update some of your older reviews to give yourself a better chance of getting upvotes and getting noticed by Amazon.

6. Amazon Vine wants to hear your truths.

Should you leave negative or positive reviews?

Vine reviewers say it doesn’t matter, as long as it was the truth and it adheres to their posting guidelines.

Amazon is interested in honest reviews that talk in detail about what you like or didn’t like about the product.

7. Move as much of your shopping to Amazon as you can.

Most of what you buy in stores can be bought on Amazon.

If you don’t mind waiting a day or two for a product to arrive, be sure to buy it on Amazon instead.

This will give you more opportunities to leave proper, thorough reviews, with genuine photos, details, and importantly, the “Verified Purchase” tag.

Ultimately the best advice I can give you here is to just keep at it.

There’s no guarantee that you’ll be picked to become an Amazon product tester but following the advice above is your best shot at getting that lucrative gig.

Option 2: Sign Up With Amazon Review Sites

While getting the official invite from Amazon Vine is something to strive for, there are easier ways of becoming an Amazon reviewer: namely, through Amazon review sites.

These are sites that either help sellers get in contact with Amazon reviewers in order to send them their products to test or offer products at huge discounts for Amazon product testers.

Amazon doesn’t regulate this process, but it’s completely acceptable to pick this route instead of waiting for Amazon to choose you as long as you follow Amazon’s terms of service.

It’s important to remember that even though we call them “review sites,” you CANNOT BE REQUIRED to leave a review in exchange for your free products. However, leaving high-quality reviews for items you actually did purchase may get you noticed by the Amazon Vine people and you might just be invited.

Also, NEVER indicate that you received an item in exchange for your review. This is a violation of Amazon’s TOS and there may be consequences for you and for the Amazon seller.

Another tip is to sign up for Amazon Prime so you can save on shipping as well.

Here are some Amazon product tester review sites you can consider joining:

1. Snagshout

This website offers discount vouchers with different values ranging from 25% to 90% and sometimes even 100% on various items in exchange for reviews.

The items you can get discounts on range from sports supplies to electronics.

Snagshout was one of the first websites to do this, and it’s been featured in plenty of high-ranking media outlets. It remains one of the most popular Amazon review sites out there.

2. AMZDiscover

AMZDiscover is a reviewer database created for Amazon sellers to find reviewers.

Simply sign up with AMZDiscover through the Google Form in the link, and indicate what type of products you review so that the site can hook you up with a seller who wants a review.

3. TestZon

Here’s another website where you can find free or heavily discounted items.

Once again, you’ll have to sign up and will get a coupon to redeem.

They have a wide range of products to choose from and, interestingly enough, you aren’t required to leave a review but it is certainly encouraged.

4. Cashbackbase

This site offers 100% cashback products and deeply discounted Amazon items to its buyers.

Choose a product to buy, send a request to the seller, receive a product link that you need to use to purchase, wait for the seller to verify your purchase, and get the cashback through your PayPal account.

5. Deals Juice

There are a variety of products here, some for free, and others discounted for as low as 99% off.

Electronics, kitchenware, and beauty products are the more popular product categories.

6. Giveaway Service

Giveaway Service features hundreds of pages of different products, including home products, activewear, supplements, electronics, toys, and many more.

They emphasize the need to follow Amazon’s TOS and the advantage of a complete, detailed profile to get noticed by Amazon sellers and be eligible for more promotions.

7. Jump Send

There are hundreds of Amazon products discounted at up to 90% off on Jump Send, featuring women’s jewelry, beauty products, electronics, novelty items, and travel accessories, among many other product categories.

8. Rebaid

Rebaid is an online marketplace that lets shoppers enjoy rebates, coupons, and discount codes.

Once your purchase has been verified, you’ll get your rebate through check or direct deposit.

Items on Amazon are showcased, but you can also find rebates and discounts for items on Target, Walmart, eBay, and Etsy.

Not only can you get products essentially free or with deep discounts, but you can also win free products and cash prizes through Sweepstakes.

9. Vipon (formerly AMZReviewTrader)

This is one of the oldest sites where one could become an Amazon product tester and get free products.

Nowadays, though, Vipon provides deep discounts (at least 50% and up to 90%) for Amazon products upon approval of the sellers.

10. Elite Deal Club

Elite Deal Club is a mailing list where those who sign up get up to 200 exclusive deals on their emails from their Amazon seller partners.

Deals go live at 10am, 2pm, and 8pm Eastern Time, and you can only claim one coupon between 10am and 2pm. After that, you can grab up to four more products at deep discounts.

11. Home Product Testing

If home goods and health items are your favorite items to shop for, Home Product Testing is the best place for you.

Free items are rare here, but there items priced as low as $0.01.

12. Juicer.deals

Juicer.deals is an Amazon coupons site that works a bit differently than others on this list.

Instead of posting your review on Amazon, they’ll ask you to post your honest opinions on your social media and your blog, with a few required hashtags plus the Amazon product link.

13. Tomoson

Tomoson connects influencers and product testers with brands looking for reviews and exposure.

Tomoson’s software was designed towards influencer & micro-influencer outreach.

As a member of the Tomoson community, you can use the unlimited content tool to create, curate, and post to your social accounts regularly. Plus, you get free exposure from Tomoson, too!

14. ProductTestingGroup.com

Want to test new products?

Sign up as a product tester and be among the first to test new products, which includes Amazon products.

Product testers can get free and discounted products.

15. Chick Advisor

Chick Advisor is a community of product testers, showcasing their opinions on one blog.

When you’re a reviewer, product tester and member of this club, you can get free and discounted products.

The rule here is pretty simple: “You agree to leave a review for every item purchased on our site on social media (not on Amazon).”

Consider it as a practice for real reviews on Amazon.

Join via Chick Advisor or at their official community, Butterfly.

Amazon Product Tester Warning

When you work with third-party review sites, you might be breaking official Amazon rules.

Note that Amazon has specific policies regarding product reviews and incentivized reviews.

Always check Amazon’s guidelines and disclosure requirements when participating in these programs, so you won’t be blocklisted. After all, your goal is to work towards an Amazon Vine invite, right?

Additionally, the availability and legitimacy of these third-party platforms may change over time. Even if they were legitimate at the start and you’ve read their terms back to back, they could change policies along the way.

As such, it’s essential to exercise caution and verify the credibility of the websites before participating in any product testing or review programs.

Start Becoming an Amazon Product Tester Today!

Learning how to become an Amazon product tester is the easy part.

Finding sellers that are willing to send their products to you, however, will take time as you build up your reputation as a reviewer.

If time isn’t on your side, then you could always consider becoming a product tester. You’ll still be talking about the products you get but with actual people, plus you’ll get paid too!

How to Rent Your House Out and Embrace the Airbnb Era

Written By:
Last Updated:

If you own a house, extra room, condo unit, or any other type of similar property that’s unoccupied entirely, most of the year, or even just for a few days a year, you probably want to know how to rent your house out to make some side cash.

Well, today’s your lucky day!

You can rent out this space and make some extra side cash. You can even turn this into a full-time earning machine if you go with a rental agent.

And because the Airbnb era is here, even ordinary homeowners can accommodate renters and guests short-term.

Read on for a comprehensive guide to renting out your house.

3 Options for Renting Out Your House

If you’re planning to rent your house out, you need to be armed with information about taxes, maintenance costs, as well as pros and cons for all the options available to you.

These details will help you decide if you’re ready to rent out your house to someone else either temporarily (via services like Airbnb) or long-term (advertised on your own or managed by a third-party rental agent).

1. Long-term Rentals

There are various instances wherein long-term rentals may be best suited for you. These include:

  • Getting a newly inherited property
  • Having a second property, such as a summer house, that you only visit a couple of times a year
  • You’re the only one living in a big house
  • You invested in a condo unit, but have no immediate reason for leaving your current home

Those who would benefit from long-term rentals are people with extra space or property aside from the one they currently reside in.

The main benefit of renting out your house long-term is that the extra income is definitely significant and consistent.

There are, of course, downsides to long-term rentals, including:

  • Property destruction — The longer tenants stay in your property, the higher the chances your property will get destroyed, whether it was intentional or not. Some landlords specify that no young kids and pets are allowed, since they’ve been known to mess up paint jobs, carpet, and other house features more quickly than older kids and households without pets.
  • Insurance — No matter how long you rent out your home, that space becomes an investment property. As a result, you’ll have to obtain insurance specified by the state where your property is in. Airbnb has some insurance offered to hosts renting out their properties, but it’s still better to check with your insurance provider because factors like the length of the lease can affect the premiums.
  • Local regulations — Aside from insurance, check with city hall about local condo regulations, professional lease or landlord agreements, and so on. You have to be updated with these things since breaking laws can cost you a lot in terms of fines and loss of potential income.
  • Collecting rent can be difficult — If you’re not hiring a property manager (more on this later), it means you’ll have to collect rent by yourself, which can be a challenging task.

Traditional real estate websites, such as Rent.com, Realtor.com, Homes.com, Zillow, Zumper (and so on) will let you list your homes as long-term rentals. Some of these sites come with a fee for two or more properties, while others rely on advertising for revenue so landlords can list for free.

2. Short-term Rentals

Short-term rentals would be better for homeowners who have an extra room, extra floor, a garage, or other spaces they could rent out temporarily.

The main benefit of going this route is that you can even be residing in the property for rent and only make it available during certain periods. For example, if you go on a yearly trip overseas, you can list your property on Airbnb only during those days, weeks, or months.

The downside to renting out your house on a short-term basis include:

  • Tax Responsibilities — In the eyes of the IRS, “short-term rentals” shouldn’t go beyond 14 days in a year. If it does, you’ll need to file it properly. FYI, Airbnb automatically sends tax forms documenting all income to the IRS, so if you skip your tax responsibilities, don’t be surprised if you’ll still get a letter from the federal agency.
  • Less income — Unfortunately, making your place available to guests for only a limited time also means you’d receive less income. If you’re only looking for some side cash, then this could be the solution for you, but if you need this rental space to help with expenses monthly, short-term rentals may not help that much.
  • More clean-ups — Because the turnaround for vacation rental properties like this is high, you’d have to keep the place clean for the next guest. This is especially true if you’re planning to rent out your place every weekend. The good news to this though is that platforms such as Airbnb allow you to charge a cleaning fee, and there are services like Guesty to handle cleaning for you.

A Word about Renting Your Home Furnished vs. Unfurnished

Whether you plan to rent your house short-term or long-term, you’d have to clean up your place and do a bit of sprucing up. This also means you have to remove your valuables, such as heirloom flower vases, jewelry, collector’s items, and so on.

Note that if you’re renting your house for only a few days, weeks or months, expect that tenants would prefer furnished homes. Depending on your circumstance and property, this could add costs for interior design.

People looking for homes to rent for a year or more usually look for unfurnished homes since it would make sense they’d bring in their furniture and other stuff for long-term residency.

3. Renting out Your Garage, Yard, and Other Outdoor Spaces

For those who don’t have space inside their homes or an extra property for rent, but live in a tourist destination city, you may earn some cash renting out your garage, yard, or other outdoor spaces.

Garage

Tourists traveling by car into your city (that has strict rules about parking just anywhere) will pay per day/night to avoid sky-high penalties, jail time, or getting towed. This is your chance to offer your garage for a fee. You can even choose a niche and cater to a specific vehicle type. For instance, if you have a large garage, you can advertise it as a parking space for SUVs, RVs, or even for boats.

If your garage has access to a functional bathroom, you can even deck out your garage into an extra room. It won’t be as fancy as villas and beachside properties, but if you offer fair pricing, there’s a good chance guests will bite.

Yeah, some people also need extra space for storing stuff. List your garage on websites like Stow It! and decide on your monthly rental fee.

Yard and other Outdoor Spaces

    • Weddings and other events — Depending on how spacious your garden is and how many people or tents you can accommodate, you can earn quite a substantial amount if you rent out your backyard even once a month. The downside is that even small events can have a ton of logistical issues. From problems with catering, bathroom, equipment, parking, even the weather can ruin events. Make sure you partner with an events coordinator before you list your yard for rent.
    • Campsite — With Instagram folks showing off their “glamping” (glamorous camping) adventures left and right, there’s a sudden spike for dressed up campsites. If your outdoor space has a good view of nature, try to build luxurious tents or campsites for this crowd and wait for the guests to come.

How Much Should You Charge for Rent and Security Deposit?

If you decide to rent out your house, you need to be aware that you can’t arbitrarily decide on how much rent to charge.

You’ll need to know the fair market rent for your house by doing research. Generally, your house should go for the same amount as other rental properties in the same area and are about the same size and condition.

You can start your research by looking at similar properties online.

The security deposit is a separate sum of money paid by a tenant to ensure that they fulfill the terms of their lease.

Because this is a deposit, this needs to be held in a separate bank account and returned to the tenant when they move out, minus any damages or losses that need to be repaired or replaced.

Should You Hire a Property Manager?

In contrast to rental agents, who focus on handling matters before the lease is signed, property managers take care of the property and tenants after the lease is signed.

Essentially, property managers are focused on customer service, property maintenance, rent collection, and other matters that involve the relationship between the landlord (that’s you), and the tenant.

A property manager will cost you additional in salaries, but if you don’t live on the property and/or don’t want to be bothered by these tedious yet necessary tasks, paying a property manager to do it should be worth it.

5 Ways to Rent Your House Out

Now that you know your options, if you decide that short-term leases are the best fit for you, the following is a list of sites and apps where you can list your house for rent.

Join one or all of the websites below, check out their rules, and list your property away.

1. Airbnb

Airbnb Hosting

Launched in 2008, this San Francisco-based company grew in record time thanks to how properties are shared on social media and the rise of travel bloggers seeking inexpensive yet Instagram-worthy vacation rentals.

Airbnb isn’t the oldest site like it, but with over 80 million monthly visitors, it surely leads the pack.

As the host, Airbnb lets you set the price per day and “required minimum stay,” which means you won’t have to worry about unappealing travel days (such as Sundays, or the day after a holiday).

2. Vrbo

Vrbo, short for “Vacation Rentals By Owner,” was launched in 1995 by David Clouse to rent out his condo. Since then, it has grown to list two million properties around the world and one of the best options to rent out your house.

Vrbo claims that members who list their properties receive an average of 120 inquiries per property every year, with its top members earning up to $60k annually from their Vrbo listing.

Hosts can choose from paid and free-to-list options. Paid members can further choose a subscription model ($499 per year) or pay-per-booking (pay around 5% for every property booked).

3. FlipKey

TripAdvisor is one of the most popular websites people go to when searching for reviews on hotels, beach resorts, and other rental properties from real travelers who have gone there. So when the company bought FlipKey, a platform that lets property owners list their space, it made perfect sense.

Similar to Airbnb, hosts pay FlipKey 3% on a pay-per-booking model. Unfortunately, guests suffer from the host’s low fee since they shoulder up to 18 percent more on top of the property’s fees.

This is kind of a bummer if you’re a guest. But as a host, just imagine the 448 million people visiting TripAdvisor each year that will remain untapped if you skip FlipKey and list your vacation rentals elsewhere.

4. Luxury Retreats

If you have luxury accommodation to offer, join Tripping.com’s Luxury Retreats and give guests an unforgettable experience.

Properties here come from all over the world and range from beachfront homes to vineyards, mini-mansions, and the like.

Note that since vacation rentals here are above the ordinary, the clients would expect personal concierge service, guest support, and other special services.

Plus, not everyone interested in renting out their house can list a property here (Luxury Retreats claim only 5% of applications are approved).

Homeowners don’t need to pay a sign-up or membership fee, but if your property is accepted you get to follow a pay-for-performance model.

5. VaycayHero

For homeowners with properties “on par with hotel chains,” VaycayHero may be the website to go to.

It’s a bit different from others on this list, as the San Francisco company vets all vacation properties ahead of time. It’s a win-win for guests and hosts!

Runners-up:

Final Thoughts

Everyone dreams of getting paid to do nothing. Renting out your house to other people is a legitimate and honest way to make quick money in one day (even while sleeping).

If you decided to rent out your property temporarily, you can list your property online on sites like Airbnb and its alternatives. The secret of a successful listing (aside from having an irresistible property) is effective marketing offline and online.

If you don’t have time to monitor listings across different websites, juggling upcoming guests, answering inquiries, clearing possible tenants, and handling paperwork, you can hire a rental agent who will handle almost everything for you, often for a fee or percentage of the booking. Aside from these, your rental agent will make sure that all local and state laws are followed during the process.

After the lease has been signed, it would be more convenient for you to hire a property manager so that you don’t have to be hands-on when it comes to collecting rent, scheduling repairs, and handling tenants’ concerns.

If you decide you don’t want to rent out your house, there are other things you can rent out to earn some side cash. Go over how to rent out your car, as well as this list of stuff you can rent out.

Are you planning to rent out your house? Did this article help you? Tell us in the comments!

How to Become a Fashion Stylist: A Step-By-Step Guide

Written By:
Published On:

So, you want to learn how to become a fashion stylist?

You’ve seen the glamour of the red carpet and you think to yourself “I can do that!”

The truth is:

You can!

And this guide will show you exactly what you need to do to get started.

What is a fashion stylist?

A fashion stylist is a professional who selects a look, sets of clothing, shoes, accessories and even hairstyles and makeup for a particular person.

When people hear “fashion stylist,” it’s understandable why they think fancy red carpet events and celebrities, models, politicians, and other public figures.

While many fashion stylists aim to land big-named clients, even regular people like you and me can hire these professionals to help us develop a personal style or look.

The job description of a fashion stylist varies significantly depending on the type of client, assignment, or the stylist’s specialization. Those in the magazine and fashion industries work at different seasons and with a bunch of other professionals, such as fashion designers and the press.

Fashion stylists who work on a person-to-person basis is accurately called personal stylists.

They can be hired as a consultant for one-off projects, or contractual (hourly/weekly/monthly) basis.

Those you see on beauty makeover TV shows are definitely a type of fashion stylist. Sometimes, shopping or reorganizing a client’s wardrobe is included in the job.

5 Must-Haves of a Fashion Stylist

There may be different kinds of stylists around, but if you wish to go into this career, you must work on these 5 must-have skills, characteristics and knowledge:

1. Knowledge of Fabrics, Fit and Sewing

Understanding how fabrics affect the appearance of clothes on a person’s body is important because it can make or break the fit and overall look.

Knowing the brands and their signature fabrics and style save a lot of time once you’re running around as a stylist during runway season, or you’re crafting a look for a particular client within his/her budget.

If you started your passion for clothes early, I’m sure you already know different types of fabrics just by feel.

Differences in cuts and designs are also as important.

Knowing these things can empower you to give clients the same tidbits that would help them in shopping for clothes in the future and dressing themselves.

Some fashion stylists are also good at sewing.

They have advanced knowledge of how clothes are constructed, so that they can use it if needed.

2. Up-to-date with Fashion Trends and Events

Fashion trends are probably the quickest-changing trends across all industries.

One day elephant pants are all the rage, the next day everybody was wearing skinny jeans.

And as a fashion stylist, you should be on top of these trends – differentiating which ones are hot and which ones are not because in most cases, your clients wouldn’t know which is which.

The easiest way to get to the bottom of fashion trends is by actually attending events.

It’s also the best way to see designs and fabrics up close and understand the designers’ vision live on the runway as the models move with the clothes as the designers intended.

If you don’t have access to industry events, subscribe to as much fashion magazines you can.

Or better yet, bookmark websites of fashion-centered media like Vogue, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, Who What Wear, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Teen Vogue, and so on.

Fashion brands, designers or other similar employers prefer to hire stylists who have insider knowledge and their own ideas based on trends and history.

It shows that the applicant is serious about a career in fashion.

3. Solid Portfolio

It doesn’t matter if you’re doing this career as a freelancer, or as a member of a fashion house.

You should be building your portfolio since you started this line of work.

You can do it old school and print out photos of clients you’ve helped create their own styles – a before and after of sorts, and then place it on a portfolio folder to show potential clients.

You can also create a website to post your work, testimonials, and contact information for anyone who might want to hire you.

It’s best to have both traditional portfolio that you can bring along anywhere you go and modern versions, which you can e-mail as pdf or link to a website.

You don’t have to wait for your name to go big to start placing your work in a portfolio.

You can do this even as a student, or before that.

Just make sure the photos you use are high-quality for a professional look.

4. Passion and Determination

Being a fashion stylist may seem easy, but it’s not.

The industry in itself has some of the most creative people in the world, which also mean that you’ll be dealing with a lot unique personalities.

Your heart has to be in this industry 100%, or the fast-paced fashion industry will eat you up.

This is especially true during the first few years of your career, while completing internships (often unpaid ones) with one brand to the next.

You’ll be learning everything on the job, getting connections in the industry and collecting referrals for future paid work, so internships are definitely worth it in the long run, but they’re definitely not for the faint of heart.

There’s no single path to take in becoming a fashion stylist – some take the traditional way with internships, others go straight into freelancing.

Both routes require that you love your job enough to work through the stresses, body-aching field work, and a million of day-to-day issues that will be coming your way.

5. An Ever-Expanding Network

Everything you do boils down to expanding your network.

From attending industry events to completing your internships and building your own portfolio, these things will give you all the connections and referrals you’ll need once you start working for yourself or another company.

You can also expand your network even if you’re not working.

Use social media as a tool for finding new clients or sharing your work.

Just make sure to follow online and social media etiquette (don’t spam, don’t bully, etc.) while promoting your service.

Fashion Stylist Job Requirements

There is no general requirement of formal training for fashion stylists, but there are courses available in related industries, such as fashion design, retail marketing, fashion merchandising, and visual communication.

Some schools offer fashion styling short courses, which may include lessons in marketing, photo shoots, trends, styling techniques, fashion industry history and principles, fabric construction and fit, and more.

While certificates in courses like these could help in advancing your career as a fashion stylist, most employers would look for referrals and past experience, even if it meant your experience involved an unpaid internship or two because hands-on, on-the-job training holds more value than any certificate.

How much do fashion stylists make?

Those with a fashion design background can earn up to $64,500 year. Some stylists are paid a daily rate, while some are booked per assignment or put on a monthly retainer. The salary of fashion stylists depend largely on where/who they work for. For example:

  • Editorial stylists (those who work exclusively on magazines and ezines) work by the hour with an average $17/hour rate.
  • Fashion stylists who are employed by PR and advertising agencies earn the most, with salaries ranging from range from$500and$5,000a day.
  • Interns and assistants of renowned stylists earn around $150 to $300 daily, but are rewarded with on-the-job training and industry connections

It isn’t easy to become a fashion stylist traditionally, but the job outlook for this profession as a freelancer is good.

Since companies have been gradually adapting to a global outlook where social media and online properties can work as well as old mediums (like magazine, runways, billboards, and so on), fashion stylists have better opportunities at working remotely instead of a 9-to-5 job.

Where to find Fashion Stylist Jobs Online

If you’d rather work as a virtual fashion stylist, there’s a place for you as well.

Here are several sites you should check out if you’re looking for fashion stylist jobs online:

1. FlexJobs

Start out with FlexJobs.

They currently have over 100 different remote positions available in the fashion and beauty industry with new job postings being added every day.

There are listings that feature clothing designers, fashion stylists, sales associates, and much more.

The cool thing about FlexJobs is that it indicates which positions are available as 100% work-from-home, 50% remote, and so on. It’s not just a job search platform for online opportunities either, since offline jobs are posted at FlexJobs as well.

The average fashion stylist salary of virtual positions is $15 per hour, but this can go higher for jobs that require formal education.

2.Stitch Fix

Stitch Fix Careers

This company provides a personalized styling service for men and women via a monthly subscription box.

As a virtual stylist with Stitch Fix, you help these customers pick out their clothes based on the personal styles they provided and your recommendations.

Stitch Fix then ships a box full of clothes, which the customer will sort for keeping and sending-back.

All virtual fashion stylists must complete a 6-hour training in their workshops at San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, Cleveland, Dallas, or Austin.

Once completed, stylists can now work from home initially with part-time positions (that’s about 15 to 30 hours a week).

After 90 days of work, full-time positions will be offered with an average rate of $15 an hour.

3. Dia&Co

If you have experience in fashion retail and customer service, you can apply for a stylist job with plus-size clothing company Dia & Co.

The only downside is that you’d have to begin working part-time (20 to 40 hours a week) for the first 60 days at the company’s New York headquarters.

Once you finish this initial “on-the-job training,” you’ll be given an opportunity to work as a remote visual stylist with a rate of $12 per hour.

4. Rocksbox

This company is similar to Stitch Fix, but instead of a personalized box of clothing, customers receive a monthly curated box of jewelry from well-known designers such as House of Harlow.

As a virtual fashion stylist, you mix and match jewelry pieces for customers using the Rocksbox platform.

You also need to write professional stylist notes for customers, which would help them pair pieces for a type of clothing, event (formal/casual), and so on.

You have to commit 10 to 40 hours weekly for the job, which includes some weekends.

If you’re interested, check back for openings on the site’s career page.

5. Bombfell

Like Stitch Fix, Bombfell provides a monthly subscription box of clothes personalized by a virtual stylist.

The only difference is that Bombfell caters exclusively for men.

Virtual stylists also write personal notes to customers each month and responds to inquiries about the delivered box via the platform.

Those who live near Connecticut, New Jersey and New York are lucky because they can attend the on-site, two-day training at the company’s headquarters.

After the training, remote fashion stylists can then work from home as long as they commit to 20 hours per week and a few hours every Sunday evening.

Pay rates range from $13 to $15 per hour.

The Bottom Line

The goal of many fashion stylists is to work their way from interns to assistant stylists to stylists of celebrities and other famous people.

Who wouldn’t?

Imagine earning thousands of dollars for just a day choosing clothes for a high-fashion model for a magazine shoot.

The years-long hard work, unpaid internships and non-stop networking will definitely be worth the wait once you reach celebrity stylist levels.

However, not every fashion stylist would want to become a stylist to the stars and step into the limelight.

Some prefer to work in the background.

If you’re one of these stylists and still want to use your skills and eye for fashion as a profession, your best bet is to use your connections to find work on the field or stay at the comforts of your home helping regular people make fashion choices by applying for virtual stylist positions.

The choice, ultimately, is up to you.

In the meantime, you can also see how you can get paid to wear clothes.

Follow These 30 Smart Money Saving Tips To Spend Less

Written By:
Published On:

There are more money saving tips than just putting money aside into a savings account or money market account.

Those things are important and shouldn’t be ignored, but the true essence of saving money absolutely lies in spending less.

Read on for everyday money saving tips that will help get you on track to spending less so you can save more.

There’s no denying that money is an essential tool that gets us what we want and need. Although, those wants are usually unnecessary expenditures that can easily be cut.

Not that this means you shouldn’t have fun – it’s your money and you worked hard for it. Life isn’t just about paying bills after all. But the beautiful thing about saving money is that you can tighten the coin purse a little and still have your cake too.

Here are my top money saving tips to reduce spending in every aspect of your life.

30 Money Saving Tips You Can Apply Today

I’ve broken down the top tips in a few main categories.

Check them all out. You may be surprised when you look at your finances how much money you are simply throwing away.

Saving Money Starts at Home

1. Avoid and unsubscribe

Temptations come in all forms, and online shopping is a big problem for some.

Try to unsubscribe from a few marketing newsletters and limit your visits to your favorite shopping sites. That way you’ll be less likely to buy things impulsively.

Also, remind yourself to not buy what you don’t need and can’t afford. Place a sticky note on your monitor if you must.

2. Maintain your house, car, and appliances

It’s frustrating when something breaks, especially when you have to fork over hundreds of dollars to repair or replace it.

Instead, try to keep up with regular maintenance of your car and house.

It’s much cheaper in the long run to maintain something than having to fix it.

3. Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate

My best money saving tip for the home simply involves paying less for things like bills.

Call around to get the best deals on house and car insurance, and don’t be shy about letting the company know you’ve gotten a better deal – they will try to beat it.

4. Refinance Your Mortgage

Have a look at your mortgage and interest rate.

Refinancing is a good option if you can get your interest rate reduced, which is likely to happen if you’ve been paying on time for years.

Plus, your credit score might be better now than it was back when you applied.

5. Scrimp where you can

We’re often guilty of using more of certain things than we have to.

For instance, the washing powder sold today is extremely concentrated and you only have to use a little to get your clothes clean, usually even less than the packaging suggests.

6. Turn down the heat

Water heaters are almost always warmer than they need to be. The Department of Energy recommends that a water heater should be set to 120 degrees.

Also, if things are too warm in the house, consider closing the blinds or curtains in the room (a very effective method for keeping the heat out) instead of turning on an aircon or fan.

7. Grow your own

It’s much cheaper to grow your own food and many vegetables and herbs can grow in pots so you don’t even need a big yard to do it.

Entertainment Money Saving Tips

8. Find free activities

When you’re bored, find free activities like going for a hike and bringing a picnic instead of walking around the mall aimlessly and later walking out with a bunch of stuff you didn’t need and a meal at an attached restaurant.

9. Find cheaper alternatives

Things like cable bills can be cut in favor of streaming services.

These are often cheaper and provide the same amount of entertainment.

10. Try hobbies that get cheaper over time

Boardgames, for instance, may seem relatively costly when you initially buy them, but they’re one of the cheapest forms of entertainment.

It’s a one-off expense and you and others can get dozens or even hundreds of hours of fun out of it.

11. Look for discounts

Get the early bird tickets or keep track of your favorite places and see when they have discounts. Theme parks often have seasonal discounts.

Groupon is also still running. If you haven’t heard of this company yet, I suggest you read up on them now.

Money Saving Ideas For Shopping

12. Get crafty

Shopping may be a cathartic experience for some, but getting creative can feel just as fulfilling, and it’s often cheaper too.

You can make your own soaps, gifts, art, and even furniture.

13. Do it at home

Make your own breakfast and coffee at home in the morning instead of stopping for fast food or paying for the cafeteria at work.

14. Write a shopping list

Write down a shopping list (not when you’re hungry!) and stick to it when you go to the store.

That way you won’t impulsively buy treats.

15. Try the store brand

What name brand products do you use that could be replaced with the store brand?

If you hate it, go back to name brand the next month, but if you don’t notice a difference then you can save that much every time you buy.

Start with toiletries (toilet paper, paper towels, kleenex, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.).

16. Use rewards cards

Lots of retailers and shopping centers have rewards cards that you can use to both save money and earn rewards like points or cash.

17. Quality over quantity

People usually think it’s better to buy cheap clothes or furniture but prioritizing quality can be cheaper in the long run.

It’s better to buy more expensive clothes that last for years than having to buy new pieces every season.

18. Eat out less

Cook more because it’s cheaper and you can reuse ingredients.

Instead of going out with friends, rotate who’s house you go to and make meals together or have everyone bring something.

19. Pick the cheaper option

When you do eat out at restaurants, first scan the menu for the cheapest items and see if they sound good.

You don’t always have to order the cheapest thing, but might as well check it out before jumping right to that $50 steak.

Most restaurants give you so much food that you end up with leftovers. Consider skipping an appetizer/upgraded sides.

Plus alcohol and drinks always have big markups at restaurants and you can save by opting for water (it’s healthier too).

20. Sell & Buy Cheaper Gift Cards

I talked about Cardpool a few years ago, but it’s still going strong, and a good way to save money through gift cards.

The basic premise of the site is that you can sell any gift cards you don’t want to use and, if you want, you can also buy discounted gift cards other people are selling on the site.

Saving on Transportation

21. Carpool

Do any of your co-workers live near you?

You could carpool and save money on gas and put fewer miles on your car for future car repairs.

22. Use public transportation

Public transportation is a cheaper alternative to driving yourself and you can try to find coupons or online deals that make it even cheaper.

Of course, this money-saving tip only works if there’s a reliable public transport system in your area.

23. Walk when things are nearby

Do you drive to places that are close by?

Could you walk or ride your bike?

Bonus – if you get extra exercise like this maybe you can cut your gym membership.

Saving on Healthcare

24. Use generic brands

Try the generic over-the-counter medicine and ask your doctor for generic alternatives when he/she is writing out a prescription.

25. Be healthy

Being healthy means you’ll have to spend less on your health overall through fewer visit to medical professionals.

It can also mean a reduction in your health insurance.

26. Let go of unhealthy habits

Stop smoking.

It’s expensive.

27. Exercise at home

There are plenty of ways to get a workout at home (YouTube can help, depending on what type of workout you want) and forego the expensive gym membership.

Save Money While Traveling

28. Try credit rewards cards

When used correctly, a credit card can be beneficial in more ways than one.

Many credit card companies offer travel rewards cards that collect points you can redeem for either cash or cheaper travel. There are plenty of cards to choose from these days.

29. Try backpacker hotels

Sure you’ll have to share the facilities with a few other people, but if you spend less on accommodation then you can both save and spend more on things like food and attractions.

There are plenty of tips online on how to choose a backpacker hotel and how to stay safe no matter where you are.

30. Make friends in new places

A great thing about the internet is that it’s possible to become friends with anyone anywhere in the world.

Take advantage of that and get a penpal who you can stay with when visiting a new country.

If you’re keen on saving for your next trip in addition to while you’re traveling, you can also check out these 20 ways to save for a vacation.

The Bottom Line

Changing spending habits to save money can be easy if you put your mind to it.

One final tip: Think of time worked instead of dollars spent.

That way, you’ll get a new perspective on spending money. For instance, if you want to buy something for $100, think of how many hours you had to work to afford that thing and then consider whether it’s worth it.

If you have any great money saving tips of your own, share them in the comments!

100+ Legit Alternatives to Envelope Stuffing Jobs

Written By:
Last Updated:

At some point in our lives, we’ve all come across ads for envelope stuffing jobs from home: in our mailboxes, email inboxes, and ads on our online search results.

It’s advertised as “envelope stuffing,” which supposedly can help you earn up to $1,200 per week, as long as you can meet the quota.

Sounds great, right?

Wrong!

Every single one is a scam.

Now before you hit the back button and try to find a legit envelope-stuffing job, hear me out.

I’ve been warning my readers to stay away from envelope stuffing jobs from home since I founded this site back in 2007. It wasn’t a legitimate gig then, and it will never be legit. Ever. Period. End of discussion.

In the past, companies really did pay people to stuff envelopes for them. But envelope stuffing as a job has retired once technological advancements paved the way for machines to complete the job 10 times faster than humans did.

So how do companies pull off envelope-stuffing scams?

3 Ways Envelope Stuffing Jobs Scam People

Stuffing envelopes sounds super easy to do.

You just have to fill an envelope, lick it closed, and move on to the next one. Anybody can do it, even if you don’t have special skills, a college degree, or past experience.

Unfortunately, this makes it a prime target for insane get-rich-quick schemes and has scammers placing ads left and right to trick people.

Here is how they get you:

1. Upfront Fees

The scammers will encourage you to pay a fee upfront to get a list of assignments or apply to companies looking for envelope stuffers.

When you hand over your hard-earned money (usually around $30), you’ll discover that there are no assignments to complete, and no companies looking to hire you.

And you also just gave your personal and banking information over to a scammer. Not good.

2. Refer-a-Friend

With this kind of scam, you’ll also be required to pay a fee for either a starter kit or job details.

Unfortunately, the guide you’ll receive doesn’t teach you how to stuff envelopes.

Instead, it shows you how to advertise these envelope stuffing jobs online and offline in exchange for a commission.

So you’ll be roping in other people to do the same using the exact same ad that pulled you in the first place.

Worse, the guide teaches you to recruit your friends and relatives to do the same.

In the end, none of you get to stuff envelopes and earn from that; you earn commissions for placing ads for an envelope stuffing job from home that doesn’t exist.

This vicious cycle goes on until the referrals try to get back their money.

3. Real Work, No Income

In some cases, some companies do provide envelopes to work on, but once you’ve sent it back, the job you do will never be up to their standards.

They’ll use their ridiculous standards to avoid paying you. If that doesn’t work, they’ll find other excuses to not pay you.

Both the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) and the BBB (Better Business Bureau) have mentioned envelope-stuffing scams in their respective articles detailing job scams (Read more: “Job Scams” by the FTC and “Job Scams Study” by the BBB).

If you think you’ve been scammed, report it to the FTC and report it to the BBB as well for good measure.

Envelope Stuffing Job Scam Warning Signs

Envelope stuffing scams have been around for years and have evolved continuously, with no signs of stopping. Here are some of the signs that an envelope stuffing job is a scam.

You received the offer through an unsolicited email. When someone you don’t know emails you out of the blue about an “exciting business opportunity,” just hit Delete. There’s a 99% chance this is a scam.

Googling the company offering the envelope stuffing job turns up negative reviews. In case you chance upon an offer that seems interesting but you’re doubting it, search for the company online. If the results are mostly negative reviews from TrustPilot, or worse, the BBB website, it’s best to ignore the opportunity.

You make more money when you recruit more envelope stuffers. When the income of a business depends more on signing up more people than actually selling a product or service, it’s a pyramid scheme. Stay away.

There are fantastic claims of outrageous earnings. Any legitimate business would acknowledge the inherent risks of starting one. If someone claims that a business is guaranteed to produce unlimited income is at best too optimistic and at worst, lying through their teeth.

As you’ll see below, there are hundreds of legitimate work at home opportunities for you to try and there’s absolutely no reason for you to believe empty promises and get scammed out of your hard-earned money.

Legit Work-from-Home Alternatives to Envelope Stuffing

The good news is there are plenty of legitimate work-from-home opportunities to try instead of envelope stuffing.

Legit Work from Home Jobs

Before we get too deep down the rabbit hole, check out which of these legitimate work-from-home jobs match your skills, interests, and experience perfectly.

Nearly any job that you’ve performed in a traditional setting will have a virtual version available.

For example, if you have a background in accounting, you can help people prepare tax returns, get an online bookkeeping job, and even find an employer looking for a home-based CPA accountant so you could at least keep your current rate.

The CLOSEST thing to an envelope stuffing job might be a virtual assistant job where just one tiny aspect of the job MAY include stuffing envelopes.

Other jobs worth pursuing that don’t have high barriers to entry are online transcription jobs, online customer service jobs, and data entry jobs. Although, that last one is not without its own headaches.

Sell Stuff Online

Selling preloved baby clothes and other stuff online was probably one of the earliest ways of earning side cash through the internet.

Remember the days when Craigslist used to be a go-to buy and sell site, before eBay, OfferUp, and Facebook Marketplace came into the picture?

Well, today, there are basically thousands of websites catering to various niches. For example, Etsy is a marketplace that promotes handmade items of its creative community, so you can sell various crafts here.

You don’t have to invest in expensive printers or other machines. You can learn all about running a print-on-demand business.

If you’re not very crafty, you can always sell digital products instead, such as stock photos, digital graphics, fonts, and more.

Earn Quick Cash The Right Way

You can say goodbye to fake envelope stuffing jobs from home and data entry scams.

You don’t even have to commit to a full-time job. You can still earn from multiple sources with quick side cash hustles.

Check out these resources for earning extra cash:

Skills-based Alternatives to Envelope Stuffing Jobs

You don’t have to learn something new to join the gig community, or switch to a 100% work-from-home job.

There are a TON of alternatives to envelope stuffing jobs that would only require your skills. For example:

Can’t live without your phone?

You can even work from home without using your computer these days. Yes, your smartphone is enough to collect side cash from a bunch of gigs.

Don’t believe me?

Here are a few ways to make money with your phone.

You can get paid to download apps, answer questions, share photos, or receive texts while never having to get up off the couch.

You can even earn side cash from your phone, while traveling around the world.

Tap Into Your Creativity

If you are the artistic type, I have good news for you: you can exercise your creativity from home and earn income from it!

Here are some of the jobs that turn your creative projects into money-making jobs or even lucrative home businesses:

Master Blogging

In the past, people thought about blogging as just a modern-day diary for bored teens.

Today, blogs are used as a way to disseminate information, endorse products, promote services, and many more.

The cool thing about blogging is that you are in total control of your business. You can earn from blogs directly by selling products or services, and passively by placing ads all over your blog, or affiliate links with your blog posts.

Your blog doesn’t even have to be sooo serious. You can focus on your passions, such as fashion and make your fashion blog earn real money.

Turn Social Media into a Powerful Tool

If you’re on social media, you know how powerful these tools can be.

But did you know that you can incorporate these platforms as part of your money-making machine? If not, learn more about Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and how you could use them to earn money:

Earn Passive Income with Affiliate Marketing

If you’re not in need of regular income anytime soon, passive income will be the savior of your future finances.

It has given me the freedom to take my business wherever I want, and you can do it too.

As long as you’re willing to work hard and be dedicated for the first few months or years of your affiliate marketing campaign, you’ll be on the right track. Not sure what I’m talking about? This is how you start and succeed in building an affiliate marketing business with profitable niches like these.

If you prefer to focus in the local market, I have a guide on how to start your own local affiliate marketing program.

Online Jobs by Age or other Demographic

The world wide web can offer amazing opportunities, regardless of age, gender or other demographics.

If your kid is looking for a money-making gig online, you can guide them to these age-appropriate, kid-friendly side hustles they can start instead of the traditional lemonade stand. Or online jobs for teenagers that are better than mowing lawns.

Check this guide if you’re a mom looking for work-at-home jobs. Or digital nomads in search of jobs they could do on-the-go.

If you consider yourself an introvert and is looking for alternatives to envelope-stuffing jobs, there are a lot of jobs that won’t force you out of your shell.

There are even work-from-home jobs suitable for retirees.

Of course, this list is in no way complete – these were just off the top of my head.

This entire blog is dedicated to giving you free resources for home-based jobs, so I recommend you stick around and check out more posts.

The Bottom Line

Many people have fallen hard for these scams (I’m one of them and this is actually the reason why I built IveTriedThat.com). But we’ve survived and shared the stories to warn others for years, so you wouldn’t have to be victimized as well.

I understand that working from home is a dream that many of us would like to turn into reality, but I recommend you be careful with the online jobs you plan to work on.

Paying into an online program doesn’t guarantee legitimacy. In fact, you can definitely make money with no money upfront.

There are plenty of income-generating gigs online, both for those who just need side cash and those who prefer to leave their desk jobs for a more flexible home-based job. You don’t have to subject yourself to something as mind-numbing as envelope stuffing jobs from home.

The key to your online job hunting success is to do your due diligence: research, review, and if something seems too good to be true, steer clear because it probably is.

5 Types of Apple Work-from-Home Jobs

Written By:
Last Updated:

If you’re a huge fan of Apple and you want to or have to find remote work, Apple work-from-home jobs would probably sound like a dream.

Like most tech companies, Apple provides warranty and tech support for every product they sell.

The chat and phone technical support for all Apple products is provided by AppleCare.

Whether you’ve gone through all the iconic Apple gadgets (anyone remember the iMac? Or iPods?) or you’re a recent convert, Apple fans make the best Apple employees.

After all, who better to assist with Apple products than someone who’s knowledgeable and passionate about these products, right?

Today, we’ll look at Apple work-from-home jobs you can apply to, what’s required from you, and tips for getting the job.

Everything You Need to Know about Becoming an Apple Support At-Home Advisor

Those looking for Apple work-from-home jobs should definitely look into becoming an Apple Support At-Home Advisor.

Apple at home advisor
What is an Apple Support At-Home Advisor?

As an Apple Support Advisor, your main duty is to provide answers and resolutions to customer issues within a single live chat or phone call to AppleCare. There are different positions based on your experience.

Apple Support At-Home Advisor Job Requirements

Here are some of the general job requirements for at-home advisor roles:

  • Experience with at least using iOS, Macs, iPhones, and iPads is a must.
  • Non-students should have at least 2 years of technical troubleshooting, whether with Apple products and operating systems or other tech companies like Microsoft or Dell.
  • Chat-based advisors must be able to type at least 40 words per minute.
  • All phone-based advisors need to have a quiet home office with a door to block outside noise, a desk, an ergonomic chair, and a high-speed Ethernet internet connection with a minimum of 10 MBps download speed and 3 MBps upload speed. The iMac and headset to be used for work will be provided by Apple.
  • All applicants must pass a criminal background check.

Aside from the knowledge and technical requirements, Support Advisors need to have a passion for technology and helping people. Also, advisors need to be able to motivate themselves, work independently, and multitask between different applications and systems effortlessly.

What Does an Apple Support Advisor Do?
work from home jobs at Apple

As mentioned above, an Support Advisor is responsible for answering customers’ questions and resolving their concerns about Apple products, services, and accessories, as well as their software and hardware.

Products that Support Advisors normally support include the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac and MacBooks, AirPort, Apple TV, Apple Books, Apple Music, and Apple Podcasts. You’ll also get to know about new products before they are launched so that you’re ready to answer questions about them when they go on sale.

Full-timers are required to work 40 hours a week, part-timers 20 hours, and students commit to 16 hours a week during school sessions, but go full-time during school breaks.

All advisors, whether part-time, full-time, or seasonal workers, must be available to work on holidays due to the high demand during these times.

Unlike other work-from-home jobs, the shift schedules they offer are not flexible, although there are various shifts available based on their need.

Advisors may also be required to work weekends and late nights during peak seasons.

Apple-Work-from-Home-Jobs salary

How Much Can You Earn as an Apple Support Advisor?

Work-from-home Apple employees earn between $10 and $23 per hour, depending on their position and level of experience.

Those hired in a bilingual role can expect a higher rate than English-speaking advisors.

Apple doesn’t disclose hourly pay on the website, but based on reviews from Support Advisors, the average income is around $15 per hour.

While this amount isn’t all that impressive, the perks definitely would attract anyone looking for home-based jobs.

Apple Job Benefits

Apple Benefits

  • Awesome opportunity for growth (in-house hiring for team leaders and area managers)
  • Coaching occasionally
  • 401 (k) match
  • Stock options
  • Huge discounts on Apple products
  • Education assistance
  • Childcare assistance
  • Paid vacation, sick leaves, and other time-off options
  • Gym reimbursement
  • Bicycle cost offset

Past and current Apple Support Advisors have nothing but good things to say about their job.

How to Apply for an Apple Support Advisor Position

If you’re interested in becoming an Apple Support Advisor, check out the openings on Apple’s jobs database.

Use the keywords “Apple Support Advisor,” so you can see all the jobs available for this role.

Make sure you check the ‘Home Office’ option under the Location tab like so:

Note that Apple’s virtual positions are exclusively in the customer service and support category, which means you can also check from those categories for home-based jobs.

If you don’t know this yet, you’ll need to create an AppleID to apply to Apple jobs, whether home-based or office-based.

This wouldn’t be a problem for Apple lovers who have been using this AppleID to sign in to Apple devices as well as on iCloud and the Apple App Store.

Apple Work-from-Home Jobs: Other Types of Apple At-Home Support Advisors

Aside from the general at-home advisor I discussed extensively above, there are 4 other types of Apple work-from-home jobs that fall under this category. They include:

1) Apple Support At-Home College Advisor

College students at participating universities can apply to be an Apple Support College Advisor. This role has the same basic duties as Support Advisors, except the student’s class schedule is accommodated.

Isn’t it an awesome way to earn money on the side without leaving your room? However, students living in college dormitories are not eligible to apply.

Note that only students who are studying in partner universities can apply to this position, so interested students need to check with their campus if Apple is hiring from there. If so, only those with a 2.7 GPA or better can go through the initial screening.

  • College At-home Advisor Salary: How Much do Apple College Advisors Get Paid? – According to Glassdoor.com, college advisors earn somewhere between $28 and $48 an hour (with an average of $37/hour).
  • Unfortunately, Apple Support College Advisors aren’t guaranteed positions in Apple when they graduate, but they certainly have an advantage over other newly graduated applicants.
  • How to apply as a College At-home Advisor: Go to the search button and enter the search term “college.” This should list down all the colleges that currently Apple collaborates with for the program.

Apple Work from Home Jobs for students

Apple has a more comprehensive guide about the college program, including the hours you can choose to work, the length of the program, employee benefits, job requirements and other FAQs.

2) Apple Support At-Home Team Manager

An Support Team Manager directly oversees Support Advisors, ensuring they troubleshoot customer’s problems with services and products in an efficient and pleasing manner.

Team managers also assess advisors’ performance and coach team members regularly via online meetings.

Apple Work-from-Home Jobs for managers

Apple Support At-home Advisor Team Manager Salary

How much are remote team managers paid? 

According to Glassdoor.com, managers earn between $51,000 and $83,000 per year. Managers also receive at least 25% discount on Apple products.

3) Apple Support At-Home Advisor Area Manager

An Support Area Manager supervises a bunch of team managers. This job requires a lot more reporting, performance assessments, and coaching to ensure Apple’s customer service standards are kept high at all times.

Area Managers are required to have:

  • At least 5 years of experience in a managerial role, leading a tech support team
  • Experience in mentoring executives and providing business-level consulting

Area managers at Apple earn at least $120,000 a year (according to Glassdoor).

Apple doesn’t really advertise this position a lot, since they promote in-house. If ever they do have vacancy, they list the position on their Apple LinkedIn profile instead. As such, I recommend you follow this page, or create a job alert specifically for this role so you could get first dibs.

4) Non-English Speaking Apple Support Advisor

Apple used to hire only people from specific states in the US but has since expanded globally to cater to its customers from around the world.

The cool thing about these Apple jobs from home is that they’re open for both English speakers and bilinguals.

If you check the list of Apple work from home openings available, you’d see that Apple is looking for people who can read and converse well in Cantonese, Mandarin, German, Swedish, Dutch, Spanish, French, and so on. Of course, all bilinguals must also know how to converse in English.

PAID TRAINING: If you land a job as an at-home support advisor you will have to undergo training. It doesn’t matter if you’re a college-level advisor or an area manager.

All hired Support Advisors, from entry-level to area managers, are required to undergo training.

  • The training is paid. It could last from five to nine weeks.
  • The training is home-based with a live instructor.
  • The training includes Apple product training, advanced troubleshooting, training in tools and systems specific to your job, and customer support as only Apple can deliver.

Apply to Work-from-home or Remote Jobs at Apple!

Now that you know that it’s possible to work for Apple remotely, what to expect, and where to apply, make your dreams come true and send in your application today!

how to get a remote job at Apple

How to Increase Your Chances of Getting an Interview With Apple

I’m sure you aren’t the only one who wants to land a work-from-home job with Apple.

So how do you get a leg up on your competition?

Huge employers—that is, those that process millions of applications a year—use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to find the best candidates.

ATS is software for recruitment and hiring that turns your resume into a machine-readable format so that several resumes can be processed into databases and scored according to algorithms based on how closely a resume meets the requirements of the job posting.

So how can your resume be tagged as a “Hire” instead of a “Do Not Hire”?

  • First, avoid using image-heavy templates. It’s difficult for ATS to process elements like embedded images, graphics, and charts. If you use text in images, you may lose these details as the software can’t read it.

Of course, you can still use your visually engaging templates for resumes that are sure to be reviewed by humans.

  • Second, choose the right font. Use either a sans-serif font or a serif font with understated serifs. If you don’t understand what the difference is, here’s a great explanation.

Some ATS variants have difficulty processing serif fonts, and because Apple uses an in-house ATS, there’s no way for you to know if it’s going to read your font clearly. So play it safe and make sure ATS parses and classifies your resume correctly.

  • Lastly, and most importantly, use the right keywords. By having more relevant keywords in your resume, you’re essentially telling ATS that you’re qualified, experienced, and therefore a great candidate for the position.

Read the job posting carefully and winnow out the keywords that are repeated throughout the posting and the keywords that are relevant to your industry. Doing a Google search for similar job postings will also be helpful.

Remember, once ATS floats your resume, a human will also review your resume. Synonyms and related phrases are your friends, so do your best to integrate them into your resume in a natural way.

Bonus: This should be common sense, but never lie on your resume. They will test you, call your bluff, and the best-case scenario is that you’ll be embarrassed.

Other Apple Work-from-home Jobs

Aside from the Apple Support Advisor position that seems to be available all year-round, the company also posts other work from home opportunities every now and then.

Probably the easiest way to check if there are vacant Apple jobs from home is to go to FlexJobs. This job board has up-to-date listings from companies offering flexible work, remote, telecommute, and other similar scenarios.

If you’ve tried applying to Apple and was declined, or looked over the job openings and changed your mind about wanting the job, here are plenty more work from home opportunities for those of you who are leaning toward customer service or technical support jobs:

Or browse our massive list of work from home jobs to find the right fit for you.

How to Save Money and Raise Your Bank Balance

Written By:
Published On:

Life always seems to be getting more expensive and saving up for anything can seem like a daunting task when every cent counts. Here are my tips on how to save money – whether you’re saving for a big splurge or a rainy day.

I normally talk about all the different ways there are to make money, and while there are plenty, it’s just as important to think about what you’re going to do with that money once you get it.

Not to get preachy here, but:

One of the benefits of making side-cash is that it’s easier to save that money than your regular income because it’s cash that wouldn’t have been in your pocket anyway.

Resist the urge of overspending and follow some of these savings tips. Start saving now and you too can have more than a gum wrapper and some old gift cards in your wallet when the inevitable end of the month rolls around.

The Best Way To Save Money

I could give dozens of small tips and tricks about saving money but that won’t matter to someone who isn’t committed to following them.

A big element of saving money is having the right mindset.

Truly, the best way to save money is to simply make a mind-shift towards a more frugal way of living. That’s half the battle won.

Of course, knowing how to save money is the other half. In all my research, I’ve found that the best way to save money is through a savings account.

Why choose a savings account?

It yields lower interest than some other methods like money market funds and high-yield bank accounts, but it’s also the lowest-risk option.

Money in a savings account (in the US at least) is also insured up to a certain amount by the FDIC, making it a very safe and secure method of putting away your hard-earned income.

Plus, savings accounts typically don’t allow the money to be drawn through normal methods like check-writing or they limit the number of times per month you can withdraw, which can result in less spur of the moment spending.

Top Ways to Save Money in 2019

I went digging and found some general tips as well as more in-depth methods of saving money through a savings account.

5 General Savings Tricks

1. Establish a Budget

Your budget is your first line of defense against spending what you don’t have, but it’s also the only way you’re going to know how much you can save.

You can either take pen to paper or go the digital route (there are plenty of nice budgeting apps out there) and start taking all of your expenses into account. It’s probably best to save up all your receipts for the first month to see what your spending habits are like and then set up a fixed budget from there.

Make sure there’s a savings account on the debits side of your list.

2. Save Where You Can

One of the most common benefits of setting up a budget is that it allows you to see where you can cut expenses and save more.

There are almost always places where we can scrimp a little so we can put the difference into a savings account.

3. Plan Ahead

Planning ahead is the easiest way to save money.

Say you’re going to a festival or planning a trip; the only way to know you’re not going to overspend is to plan your way through it. Things like meals, travel expenses, and buying souvenirs can all be planned ahead.

On a side note: If you’re serious about saving up for your next vacation then check out my guide on the top 20 ways to save money for your next vacation – without the stress!

4. Set Up Saving Goals

Having a goal to work towards assures success more often than not when it comes to saving money.

Short-term goals are better than long-term ones because it feels easier to aim for $50 a week, for instance, than trying to save $1000 in 3 months.

5. Find Those Discounts

There are plenty of ways to spend less and save money. Finding discounts is one of the most common ways to do just that.

Newspapers, some blogs, and supermarket fliers usually have discounts or coupons and it’s easy to stay up to date. In fact, plenty of people only buy certain stuff when they’re on discount.

Also, look out for seasonal discounts on clothes and events like Cyber Monday for big-ticket items like electronics.

Then put the difference between the item’s original price and discounted price into your savings account.

4 Easy To Follow Ways to Save Money

1. Set Up an Automatic Savings Plan

Many banks or employers allow you to auto set a portion of each paycheck to go into a retirement account or savings account.

You can discuss this with either your HR person at work or with your bank.

This way, the saving is done automatically for you every time you get a paycheck. What makes this so easy is that, after a while, you don’t even see that money as spendable income anymore since it automatically goes into your savings account.

2. Save Any Unexpected Gains

Whether it’s a present from a relative, tax returns, or a bonus at work, getting money unexpectedly is always a nice surprise.

Sometimes, that cash comes in handy for things we really need, but usually, most people just end up spending the cash because it’s there. Instead, opt to put that windfall into a savings account so you can boost your savings with cash you wouldn’t otherwise have had.

3. Throw Away Your Loose Change… Into Your Savings

Loose change might not seem like much, but you’d be surprised by how quickly it can all add up.

The next time you receive change, throw all of that into a container to take to the bank. They have change counters that can quickly count all those coins and bills so you don’t have to.

4. Get Bigger by Eating Out Less

Yeah this is a pretty common tip, but that’s because it works. Eating out can be cheap depending on where you go, but it becomes expensive when you do it a lot.

Buying and making food at home is much cheaper in the long run because you get a lot more out of the ingredients. The money you save by eating at home can then help your savings account grow instead.

Hunker Down and Try These 6 Serious Money Saving Tips

1. Limit Buyers Remorse

One way to save money is by waiting before you make any big purchases.

Impulse buying is the mortal enemy of any budget and all money experts agree that it’s good to wait a few hours before buying an item, preferably 24 hours if you can.

2. Match Up Your Spending and Saving

When you buy any non-essential items, match up your savings first. If you can’t afford to save the same amount that you want to spend, then it’s probably a good idea to forgo that purchase.

Follow-up is key here too:

If you can match your spending and saving, then it’s important to not just give yourself the go-ahead to spend that money but also put the same amount into your savings account.

3. Start a Separate Account for Big Purchases

This might seem like a pain to do, but it pays off in the end because you don’t end up accidentally spending that money on something else.

It might take a couple of months before you buy that thing you want, but you’ll know it’s something you want and you won’t be paying the interest you would have been paying if you had put it on a credit card.

4. Get an App That Rounds Up

A lot of people pay through digital methods like Samsung Pay and Zapper these days.

Apps are extremely convenient and this convenience also extends to apps that help you save.

Qapital and BoostUp are two examples of apps that “round up” your purchase and put the difference into a savings account. There are plenty of variations, including ones that invest your change or automatically save money in your debit account based on your purchasing habits.

An app can be an easy way to start saving money without even thinking about it.

5. Wait as Long as You Can Before Creating New Debt

Try to wait as long as possible to buy a new car, for instance, if your current car is already paid off. Each month without that car payment is money that can go directly into your savings account.

6. Opt for Cash Instead of a Card

People find it much easier to give away money when they don’t actually see that money going out of their pockets.

Using cash is a good way to keep track of how much you’re actually spending and usually helps keep overspending in check.

The Bottom Line

Saving money can seem just as complicated as getting it.

But just like there here are easy ways to make money, saving money can be a cinch too if you know how to do it and stick with it.

25 Different Errand Runner Jobs to Earn Side Cash

Written By:
Last Updated:

Errand runner jobs are super rewarding.

Errands are usually time-consuming and stress-inducing, but some people actually thrive with them and choose to do these jobs, If you’re one of them, you can now turn errand-running into a source of side income.

There are people willing to pay errand runners to make their lives easier.

Read on to learn how to get paid to run errands plus where to find errand runner jobs.

How to Get Paid to Run Errands

What exactly do errand runners do, then?

An errand runner, quite simply, gets paid to run errands for customers who hire them. The reasons for this vary, but the 3 most common reasons people hire others for errands are:

  • because they’re too busy to do them,
  • they can’t physically do these errands themselves, or
  • they’re willing to pay someone to do errands they don’t particularly enjoy doing.

Here are some of the things you need to put together so you can start getting paid to run errands.

1. Dependable transportation

There are errands you can do while on foot, but that’s rare and mostly only in larger cities. Most other errands require you to drive your own vehicle.

Without your own transportation, you’ll lose out on clients and profits from errand runner jobs that require you to drive, whether because of the distance or because of the urgency.

Your clients would usually request you to do errands that require a small to midsized vehicle. You’d also want to update your insurance and you’d want to be able to pass a DMV check.

2. Reliable smartphone

Most of these errand runner jobs are offered through apps and websites, and you’d need to have a smartphone to be able to access these apps and websites even when you’re out of the house.

A powerbank is also a sound investment so you never run out of power when you’re out.

3. Knowledge of your target market

To be able to do your job well and ensure client satisfaction, it pays to know who your potential clients are; that is, who are willing to pay someone else to run their errands.

  • Seniors. Because of their age or because of physical or mental illness, some seniors may not be able to get out of the house and run their own errands.

These clients usually need someone to deliver their groceries, pick up and drop off their prescriptions, pay their bills, go to the bank, sort, read, and write their mail, and sometimes just be a walking or eating companion.

  • Disabled individuals. Some disabled individuals are still able to function and run their own errands, while others are unable to.

Similar to seniors, disabled individuals need their groceries and meals delivered, prescriptions filled, and mail taken care of, aside from other personal errands.

  • New/stay-at-home parents. Being a parent taking care of young children, especially newborns, is exhausting, both physically and mentally. Plus, for both new parents and stay-at-home parents, going out with small kids to run errands can feel like a production.

These clients normally need errand runners to get them food, groceries, and their mail, go to the bank and pay bills or deposit checks, and pick up and drop off their laundry and dry-cleaning. New parents are likely to need these services more frequently than other stay-at-home parents.

  • Busy professionals. As anyone would probably tell you, time is money. A professional who earns $200 hourly (for example) wouldn’t spend an hour at the dry cleaner’s. It’s smarter for them to work during that hour and pay an errand runner a fraction of that to get them what they need.

Such professionals usually need errand runners to take care of their personal errands, such as grocery and retail shopping, laundry and dry-cleaning pick up and drop off, and various other personal errands.

  • Small businesses. Start-ups operate on a small budget for employees, so when they need small tasks done, it’s more practical for them to hire errand runners on an as-needed basis rather than hire a part-time or full-time assistant to do these tasks.

How Much do Errand Runners Make?

Errand runners make anywhere from $15 and $50 an hour, depending largely on the type of errands you complete. The average hourly rate of errand runner jobs is $25/hour. Errand runners based in major cities charge higher than those in small towns.

Graveyard errands (those completed at nighttime) are often tagged with higher rates than errands performed during the daytime.

Errand runners can get tasks assigned on a regular basis and pre-schedule the errands days ahead. Emergency errands will cost more than errands that have been scheduled and blocked off.

If driving is required, you can tack on an additional charge per hour for mileage fees.

In addition, some errand runner apps charge by task completion and not by the hour.

25 Places and Apps to Find Errand Runner Jobs

Ready to start earning quick cash for helping people out?

Check out these apps and sites today!

Food Delivery Apps

1. DoorDash

Become a Dasher - DoorDash

DoorDash is the top Food and Drink App in the US that connects the best local restaurants and convenience stores to customers through their Dashers, or delivery drivers.

Your earnings through DoorDash are composed of your base pay (based on the time, distance, and demand), tips (you get 100% of tips through the app), and driver incentives (earn more during peak hours and get a bonus for completing a certain number of deliveries in a set amount of time).

It’s available in these cities, so if you’re in or near these areas, you can apply to become a Dasher and earn up to $20 an hour.

2. Grubhub

Grubhub is the OG food delivery app available in more than 4,000 US cities and partnered with more than 320,000 restaurants.

Pay is calculated similarly to DoorDash (mileage, time spent, tips, and driver incentives).

3. Uber Eats

Unlike others on this list, the only errand Uber Eats does is deliver food from restaurants, coffee shops, and other food places that normally don’t offer delivery.

As an Uber Eats driver, you install the app and then pick up and deliver orders in your area.

You can start work anytime and while using a bike, scooter, car, or any other vehicle. If you do this regularly, you have the chance to earn around $15 hourly.

4. Favor

If you’re based in Texas, you can apply for an errand runner job with Favor.

Favor mostly delivers food from restaurants to their customers, but their personal assistants called Runners can deliver anything from food to groceries to dry-cleaning, even keys.

Runners receive 35% of the delivery fee, 100% of tips, and an average of $10 to $18 per hour during peak hours.

Drivers who apply to be Runners must be at least 18 years old, have a smartphone with the Favor app installed, reliable transportation, and a clean record.

See if you live near these locations in Texas covered by Favor.

5. Bitesquad

Bitesquad is similar to DoorDash, except the locations are a bit limited.

Currently, this food delivery service is available in cities the following states: Arkansas, Florida, Hawaii, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin.

As such, if you want to join the Bitesquad team, you must be located within these areas as well. You also have to be 18+ years old with a valid driver’s license and clean record.

As an independent contractor for Bitesquad, you would actually be hired through Delivery Logistics.

6. Delivery.com

Delivery.com is similar to Doordash. It serves as a middleman between your favorite restaurants or stores in a particular city, the buyer, and the delivery person. Probably the only difference is that delivery.com is mostly located in larger cities. People are also not charged to use the app.

To become a driver for Delivery.com, fill out this form with your personal details, and pick your city. Tick off your availability schedule and wait for a reply.

Grocery Delivery Apps

7. Shipt

Become a Shipt Shopper

Shipt is regularly filling errand runner jobs that pay up to $22/hr.

Your errands will be mostly grocery shopping.

You’ll be responsible for picking out produce, getting items off the shelves, keeping them cool, and delivering them on time.

Shipt is one of the more higher-paying jobs on this list with availability in most major cities.

8. Instacart

As its name suggests, Instacart is exclusive to grocery delivery.

As an Instacart shopper, you can buy and deliver groceries to other people for around $25/hour. You have to be living in or around the 15 major cities Instacart is available to apply.

9. Gopuff

Gopuff delivers groceries, as well as meals, snacks, alcohol, and many other consumer goods to customers in over 1,000 cities.

Gopuff drivers earn around $10 to $15 per hour, and may earn more from incentives.

Further reading: We’ve previously written about how to earn money as a personal grocery shopper, including a list of personal grocery apps that you can check out.

10. Amazon Flex

Become a driver for Amazon Flex and deliver groceries, as well as meals, snacks, alcohol, and many other consumer goods to customers in over 1,000 cities.

Most Amazon Flex drivers earn around $18 to $25 per hour, and may earn more from incentives.

Further reading: We’ve previously written about how to earn money as a personal grocery shopper, including a list of personal grocery apps that you can check out.

11. FreshDirect

FreshDirect doesn’t offer gigs, but they have full-time route driver positions earning around $17 to $20 an hour.

On top of the regular pay, FreshDirect drivers also earn an average of $300 to $500 in tips every week.

Only a high school diploma is required, but a valid driver’s license is a must. You also shouldn’t have any suspensions within the past 12 months or more than 1 suspension in the past 3 years.

12. Point Pickup

Point Pickup pffers same-day fulfillment and delivery service across 50 states, so if you decide to drive for this company, you’ll have a lot more chances getting future f

To drive for Point Pickup, you need to be 18 or older, have valid driver’s license, Social Security number and pass a background check. You also must be residing in one of the East Coast cities PointPickup operates in.

You are free to accept orders at any time and any day. Your schedule is customizable via the app. Most jobs involve delivering items from online orders (such as Walmart-based or other similar shops).

Caregiver Apps

13. Care

As a caregiver for Care.com, you’ll take care of other people’s pets, children, the elderly, or other loved ones.

Clients choose from a library of caregivers and if you’re lucky to be chosen after an interview, there’s a chance to land a regular gig.

14. Sittercity

Sittercity is an online job board primarily for babysitters and nannies, but they also list pet sitters, senior care specialists, and special needs caregivers.

Your hourly rate will differ depending on what type of care you can give and your specific location. They operate on major cities across all US states.

15. Rover

As far as enjoyable errand runner jobs go, this is probably the best one.

Rover connects dog owners with dog walkers and dog sitters. You can earn up to $20 for a half-hour walk, and even more for drop-ins to clients’ houses and pet boarding.

Further reading: Here’s a guide on how to be a professional dog walker, including other apps where you can sign up to be a dog walker.

16. Caring Senior Service

Many seniors nowadays opt to “age in place”; that is, they prefer to stay in their own homes and communities rather than move to retirement homes.

Caring Senior Services offer plenty of errand runner jobs and in-home care solutions, especially for seniors aging in place such that they get to maintain a level of independence, safety, and comfort without the need to relocate.

Their locations are scattered among 17 states, with a higher concentration in Texas.

Apps for Miscellaneous Errands

17. Gigwalk

This app allows its “gigwalkers” to choose local assignments, which last somewhere between 5 minutes and 3 hours.

Examples of gigs include verifying if products at a specific store are fully stocked, taking photos of store displays, and other market research tasks.

As a gigwalker, you can do this as a side gig or a full-time job. Payments start at $3 and are processed via PayPal.

18. Same Ole Line Dudes

Same Ole Line Dudes (SOLD) is a New York-based professional line sitting service, which charges $50 for a minimum of two hours of waiting in line and an additional $25 for every 60 minutes added to the wait.

SOLD guys will line up for your favorite food, the next Air Jordans, in-demand tickets, and other stuff.

While the company is currently operational only in NYC, Same Ole Line Dudes has plans of expanding to other major cities, so if you want to become a professional runner, e-mail your resume to jobs[at]sameolelinedudes[dot]com and indicate the city you live in as the subject.

19. WeGoLook

As a “looker” for WeGoLook, your job is to inspect, assess, and document property, vehicles, equipment, damages, risk, loss, and so on.

Other tasks include notarizing/signing documents and courier delivery services.

Payments range from $12 to $30 hourly, depending on the tasks assigned. You can receive payments via direct deposit to your bank account, checks, or PayPal every Friday.

20. TaskRabbit

As a TaskRabbit “tasker,” you are paid for doing various tasks like grocery shopping, cleaning the house, delivering food, etc. for people around your area for anywhere between $20 to $150 an hour.

If you’re in one of these locations, you can apply as a Tasker.

21. Magic

Magic is a personal assistant app targeting small businesses and busy professionals that prides itself on being a service that can get you what you need, when you need it. All you need to do is text them and they’ll take care of the rest.

They are seeking people in the San Francisco area to be a “Magician” and to fill errand runner jobs.

22. Eaze

Driving and delivering for Eaze is an unusual errand runner job in that you’ll have to pick up and deliver cannabis.

Yes, in effect, you’ll be delivering weed and weed-based products.

Eaze is a platform that connects licensed cannabis retailers to customers in their area. They are currently looking for Delivery Specialists to deliver safe, high-quality, and most importantly, legal cannabis products.

As a Delivery Specialist, you’re employed by a subsidiary of Eaze that focuses on delivery alone. They guarantee an hourly wage of between $14 and $26 per hour, as well as mileage reimbursement.

For now, Eaze delivers to select locations within California and Michigan.

23. Bark

Bark is a UK-based platform connecting professionals and small businesses with customers who need to have things delivered or jobs done.

Some of the personal services that customers have hired professionals on Bark to pick up mail, deliver food or groceries, clean their houses, shop for presents, photograph events, design websites, train them for workouts,

You can create an account in a few minutes and start getting customers immediately. Hourly rates highly depend on the errands that you run for customers.

24. Thumbtack

Thumbtack connects professionals (or “Pros”) with nearby customers to do mostly home projects, such as furniture assembly, painting, or moving.

There are other odd services as well, such as tutoring, DJing, and even notarization services.

Thumbtack allows you to set your own prices for your services, and it’s worth researching your competitors in the same platform to find out how much they price similar services.

25. Steady

At first glance, Steady is a database for side hustles and part-time gigs, custom filtered to your job preference, experience, availability, how far you’re willing to travel, and other factors.

But more than helping their members get jobs, Steady aims to increase their members’ incomes and help them make and achieve financial goals.

Their data analytics tools provide members with insights that are useful in finding the right income sources to fit their lifestyles and goals.

At the same time, they have Income Boosters available in the form of cash incentives, bonuses, and emergency cash grants.

Start Applying for Errand Runner Jobs Today!

Doing errand runner jobs is a great way to help people in need and make a difference in their lives while earning some money.

This is also one of those jobs where you’re in charge of your schedule and how much income you earn.

Also, it has good potential to become a business so you can reach more people and earn even more.