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Besides mortgages (something else to “look forward” to), student loans are the next largest consumer debt in the U.S.
And even though you may feel alone in your burden, there are about 43 million Americans that are dealing with the same type of debt. And with the average student loan debt of $30,000, it can take almost 20 years to pay it all off!
And the term “debt” is misleading too. It’s associated with those that may not have been financially responsible but student loans trap you from the very beginning. We can’t just say that all 43 million Americans that have student loans are “irresponsible.” Far from it. They’re wanting higher education and are paying the long-term price.
So until that system can be fixed (if ever), we’re suggesting some things you can do to earn some side cash as well as manage your money more efficiently to help out with some payments. Even better when you can get paid for doing stuff you already do!
1. Get Free Money Back on All Your Shopping Hauls
Check your pockets; check your purse. And keep receipts for your iPhone.
Just grab all your recent receipts from your coffee runs, grocery trips, restaurants, and gas station fill-ups, scan them into Fetch Rewards on iOS, and earn points for free money! Connect your email account, as well, to count DIGITAL receipts from Amazon, Instacart, and more.
Basically, snap a pic of your receipt from anywhere, and that’s it; you’ve got points for money. There’s no minimum spend, no need to select items manually, scan in any receipt from any store or gas station, and it’ll automatically reward you.
It’s free and easy to use and is a must-have iOS app for anyone who buys stuff!
2. Please Spot Me Up to $2001, So I Don’t Get an Overdraft Fee!
We got you. Or, more specifically, Chime ® has your back; the award-winning mobile financial app and debit card will have you saying goodbye to overdraft fees!
That’s because their SpotMe®️ tool can literally spot you up to $2001 without charging a fee as long as you receive qualifying direct deposits.
You need qualifying direct deposits of at least $200 a month into your Chime Checking Account to qualify, and one of the easiest methods is to route your paycheck there so you don’t have to think about it.
Other perks:
- Get paid up to 2 days early3 with direct deposit
- Get 2.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY)4 with the high-yield Chime Savings Account5
- Access to a new way to build credit history with the Secured Chime® Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card6
- FDIC-insured up to $250,000 through The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.7 (it’s safe!)
- No minimum balance, no monthly fees, and no foreign transaction/transfer fees
Sign up for Chime and say goodbye to overdraft fees and other benefits!
3. Renters: Protect Your Important Stuff Starting at $5 a Month
You have a lot more valuables than you think. Imagine if your laptop, phone, camera, bike, jewelry, etc. got swiped or accidentally destroyed in a kitchen fire, water damage, or natural disasters?
It would hurt to pay and replace everything lost. However, by having renters insurance, your policy can cover all your household items, furniture, electronics, jewelry, and clothing. It doesn’t matter if your landlord has property insurance because that won’t cover your items.
Affordable renters insurance starts at just $5 a month and you can easily get a custom price from Toggle, a Farmers Insurance® company.
“By switching to Toggle, I actually saved $2/month and doubled my coverage from my previous insurance, plus my deductible is $400 less,” said Jeff from MO. Other members also say that it’s extremely easy to set up, approve of the fantastic rates, and love having the Pet Parent coverage option.
Your items are also covered by your policy limits wherever you go, so if a thief targets you at a cafe, or something gets stolen out of your car, etc, you have peace of mind!
Toggle serves the following 25 states: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin
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