The Penny Hoarder
type: channel
date: 2026-02-05T19:36:34Z
update period: hourly
update frequency: 1
update base: 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00
items: A Guide to Knowing Your ‘Full Retirement Age’ for Social Security
items: You Should Probably Freeze Your Credit. Here’s Why
items: How & Where To Buy Unclaimed Amazon Packages in 2026
items: 30 Cheap Organization Ideas to Help Straighten Up Your Home
items: 20 Cheap Home Decor Stores That Let You Deck Out Your Home for Less
items: 26 Tips to Spend Less When You Dine Out at Restaurants
items: How to Use the Debt Snowball Method for Effective Debt Repayment
items: What Is Credit Card Residual Interest and How Can You Skip This Sneaky Fee?
items: Why Health Insurance Premiums Are Rising — And What You Can Do About It
items: 18 Major Employers That Offer Part-Time Jobs With Great Benefits

A Guide to Knowing Your ‘Full Retirement Age’ for Social Security
type: item
creator: Kent McDill
date: 2026-02-05T19:36:31Z
subject: Retirement
subject: evergreen
subject: freelancers
subject: Has aff links
subject: repub
description: The age 65 has always carried big significance. For baby boomers and those from the previous generation, age 65 was a target. It was the unofficial age for retirement. But we need to adjust our thinking when it comes to that number. Today, many people who turn 65 are still working and, thanks to improved […] This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
encoded: The age 65 has always carried big significance. For baby boomers and those from the previous generation, age 65 was a target. It was the unofficial age for retirement. But we need to adjust our thinking when it comes to that number. Today, many people who turn 65 are still working and, thanks to improved life expectancy, can often look forward to 20 more years of good life and relatively good health. The age 65 has only one official designation; It’s when American citizens are required to sign up for Medicare. Otherwise, 65 means nothing in particular. And that includes when it comes to Social Security. It does matter how old you are when you begin to accept Social Security benefits, because that sets the amount you will receive monthly until you die. The longer you delay taking Social Security benefits, the more you will receive in monthly benefits until you pass away, up to age 70, when the increases stop. But the age 65 plays no role. Ages That Matter to Social Security There are certain ages that DO matter to Social Security, and here they are: When You Turn 62 That is when you can first claim Social Security benefits, unless you have a health factor that would allow you to receive SS benefits at an earlier age. NOTE: You do not need to be “retired’’ to receive SS benefits, but your monthly benefit amount can be reduced if you are making more than $2,040 a month from work in 2026. Claiming benefits at 62 results in a reduction — here’s a chart that shows how much. Here are more details on working and collecting Social Security benefits. When You are 66 to 67 If you were born between 1943 and 1954, your full retirement age is 66. If you were born from 1955 to 1960, your full retirement age increases gradually up to age 67. Anyone born since 1961 has a full retirement age of 67. When You Turn 70 This is the age when your monthly Social Security benefits stop increasing, unless there is a cost of living adjustment. What Is ‘Full Retirement Age?’ In the original Soc…

You Should Probably Freeze Your Credit. Here’s Why
type: item
creator: Larissa Runkle
date: 2026-02-03T17:21:23Z
subject: Credit Scores
subject: evergreen
subject: Has aff links
subject: Original
subject: repub
description: Data breaches are increasingly common in today’s interconnected world, but you have access to a free tool that can protect you. Here’s how to freeze your credit. This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
encoded: Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners. Another day, another data breach. While breaches are now commonplace, don’t write them off with a shrug and a, “What can you do, right?” That’s exactly what hackers are hoping for. In addition to checking your credit reports and financial accounts regularly for anything fishy, one of the best ways to protect yourself is with a credit freeze. That way, even if a hacker has all your information, they can’t do anything with it. You can set up a credit freeze within minutes from each of the three of major credit bureaus: Equifax, TransUnion and Experian. The best part? It’s completely free. Whether you receive a security alert from your bank or one of the various companies you’ve made purchases from, you’re going to want to know all the right steps to take to ensure your accounts are safe from fraud and identity theft. So, before you commit to going off the grid or hiding out in a bunker in New Zealand, read this. We’ve got all the details you need to keep your personal information (and financials) safe with a credit freeze. When Should You Freeze Your Credit? Many people freeze their credit after their identities have been stolen, which is fine. However, this means you’re basically in a race against the criminal: Who can get to your credit report first? Steven Weisman, a Bentley University professor and author of the fraud and identity theft blog Scamicide, suggests freezing your credit now — and always. He thinks of the tool as a “preventive medicine.” “This is the single best thing someone can do to protect themselves from being a victim of identity theft,” he said. “Even if your Social Security number was in the hands of an identity thief, you’d still be protected.” If you’d rather not put your credit on perma-freeze, then you should also consider it under the following circumstances: You’ve…

How & Where To Buy Unclaimed Amazon Packages in 2026
type: item
creator: Robert Bruce
date: 2026-02-03T17:20:16Z
subject: Make Money
subject: Side Gigs
subject: evergreen
description: Have you ever wondered what happens to packages that get lost in the mail? Most of the time, you can actually find these unclaimed or lost packages for sale online — and it’s not only failed Amazon deliveries. You can buy lost and unclaimed packages from all kinds of sources and sell what you find […] This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
encoded: Have you ever wondered what happens to packages that get lost in the mail? Most of the time, you can actually find these unclaimed or lost packages for sale online — and it’s not only failed Amazon deliveries. You can buy lost and unclaimed packages from all kinds of sources and sell what you find as a side gig. You just need to know where to look — and we’re here to help. Make Quick Money Beyond Selling Unclaimed Packages Do you want to start buying unclaimed packages and flipping those items for a profit? Or, maybe you want to keep them for yourself. Either way, you can’t get in on the action without extra cash to buy these packages. Check out some of our favorite ways to earn easy money below so you can buy up unclaimed packages. 7 Places to Buy Unclaimed Packages Here are the best places you can make a profit from buying lost and unclaimed packages. Keep in mind that you may not always find unclaimed packages on these sites, but you may find other items to resell. 1. eBay <img decoding="async" width="640" height="480" src="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/05162855/where-to-sell-clothes-online-ebay-unsplash.jpg" alt="where-to-sell-clothes-online-ebay-unsplash" class="wp-image-202436" srcset="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/05162855/where-to-sell-clothes-online-ebay-unsplash.jpg 640w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/05162855/where-to-sell-clothes-online-ebay-unsplash-360x270.jpg 360w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/05162855/where-to-sell-clothes-online-ebay-unsplash-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /> Unsplash The grandfather of online auctions, eBay, is a prime spot where you can find unclaimed packages. Currently, eBay lists several auctions with bids ranging from $15 to $40 (prices will vary daily) for anywhere between two and 10 packages. Buyer beware, though: You have no idea what you’re bidding on. (We once saw one seller who w…

30 Cheap Organization Ideas to Help Straighten Up Your Home
type: item
creator: Nicole Dow
date: 2026-02-03T16:55:04Z
subject: Save Money
subject: evergreen
subject: repub
description: Whether you’re trying to tame your junk drawer or straighten out your bedroom closet, having good organizational tools is key. You want your belongings to look nice and orderly. You want to know where everything is so you stop buying extra packs of batteries or Band-aids when you already have them… somewhere. But a trip […] This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
encoded: Whether you’re trying to tame your junk drawer or straighten out your bedroom closet, having good organizational tools is key. You want your belongings to look nice and orderly. You want to know where everything is so you stop buying extra packs of batteries or Band-aids when you already have them… somewhere. But a trip to the Container Store or Crate and Barrel for home organization supplies could end up getting pricey. Instead, there are free and low-cost ways to get organized at home without spending a bunch of money. Here are 30 cheap organization ideas that’ll give you some inspiration to tame your chaotic mess at home. Before Tackling a Home Organization Project An important thing to know before starting a home organization project: You don’t want to organize junk. Before worrying about the perfect bins, jars or storage systems, go through your stuff and determine what you really want to keep. If there are things in good condition that you no longer want, consider donating them or selling them for extra cash. Toss or recycle the stuff that’s truly junk. As you make your toss, sell and keep piles, you’ll get a better idea of what organization tools you’ll actually need. For example, if you’re giving away half of your books, you’ll need less shelving space than you may have originally thought. If you’re doing a whole home organization, break the work down into individual rooms so you don’t get overwhelmed trying to tackle everything at once. You may even want to focus on one problem area at a time — such as the kitchen pantry or the hallway closet. Keeping a master list of the items you’re keeping is helpful in two ways: You’ll know what you’ll need organizers for and you’ll clearly scee which things you have duplicates of. After you’ve done all this prep work, it’s time to find the best ways to store and display your stuff — without going over budget. 30 Cheap Organization Ideas As you look through your master list, take note of how you’d like to store certain …

20 Cheap Home Decor Stores That Let You Deck Out Your Home for Less
type: item
creator: Kaz Weida
date: 2026-02-03T16:27:32Z
subject: Home Buying
subject: Save Money
subject: evergreen
subject: Has aff links
subject: repub
description: The expense of decorating your place can come as a shock. A couple of throw pillows, an area rug and some curtains could total up to more than a month’s rent. But you shouldn’t have to drain your bank account or go into debt adorning your home. Sure, you’ve probably already thought of big-box retailers […] This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
encoded: The expense of decorating your place can come as a shock. A couple of throw pillows, an area rug and some curtains could total up to more than a month’s rent. But you shouldn’t have to drain your bank account or go into debt adorning your home. Sure, you’ve probably already thought of big-box retailers like Walmart, Target and Bed Bath & Beyond, as well as the online behemoth Amazon. But there are lots more options for finding deals on home decor. How Much Does Home Decor Cost? Did you know the average American spends up to $2,500 a year on household furnishings and equipment? That’s a lot of throw pillows and picture frames. Residents of certain states spend more than others, with Indiana leading the pack in expensive home decor. While decking out your abode in the latest home accessories and designer furniture can be a costly endeavor, the following budget-friendly stores will help you stretch your decor dollars. Top 20 Cheap Home Decor Stores Here are 20 cheap home decor stores and websites to help you save money as you outfit your place. 1. At Home At Home is a Texas-based chain that operates more than 250 stores in 40 states. According to its website, the large warehouse-like stores “enable everyone to make their house a home… for every style, every room, every season and every budget.” Sign up for At Home Insider Perks for special discounts and information on new products and markdowns. 2. Big Lots We thought we had seen the end of Big Lots when they filed for bankruptcy in September 2024. But after being acquired in bankruptcy court by Variety Wholesalers, Inc in 2025, Big Lots is making a comeback. According to its website, the “new” Big Lots will “combine the best of the treasure hunt shopping experience with closeouts and unbeatable bargains.” As of now, you won’t be able to shop online, but you can head to one of its 217 stores in 15 states to find famous name brands at everyday low prices. 3. CB2 CB2 is Crate & Barrel’s less expensive offshoot brand. Sho…

26 Tips to Spend Less When You Dine Out at Restaurants
type: item
creator: Steve Gillman
date: 2026-01-30T14:40:14Z
subject: Save Money
subject: evergreen
subject: military-page
subject: repub
description: If you find yourself dining out frequently, it pays to find ways to save money eating out. Here are 25 savvy tips to make your restaurant budget stretch. This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
encoded: Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners. It feels great to have someone else do the cooking for you, but it’s not great for a budget. Whether you’re stopping at drive throughs or sitting down at your favorite restaurant, it adds up. So we found ways you can save money on dining out at restaurants so you can still enjoy a night on the town. How Much Does it Cost to Dine Out at Restaurants? The cost of a restaurant meal in the U.S. depends on the type of restaurant, the location and the economy. Inflation and food shortages have put restaurant prices on a roller coaster ride in the last few years. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that “food away from home” rose 4.1% year over year in December 2025. Using these savvy tips, you could save money on dining out and cut the cost of lunch or dinner at a restaurant by more than half. 26 Ways to Save Money on Dining Out at Restaurants 1. Go Out to Eat During Happy Hour Restaurant bars often use happy hour discounts to attract crowds before the dinner rush begins. Take advantage of this by eating during happy hour. You’ll save on drinks (or save even more by skipping the alcohol) and find half-priced appetizers at many places, often only in the bar area. 2. Use Credit Card Special Offers Search the benefits section on your credit card account page. You’ll typically find a list of merchant offers that you can opt in for to get a percentage or cash back for purchases at specific restaurants. Be sure to check the offers regularly because they change often and you can find discounts of 15% off or more at some places. Offers are tailored to individual accounts. For example, one of my cards has 64 offers (three for restaurants) while another only has 25. 3. Buy Discounted Restaurant Gift Cards Many people don’t realize you can buy discounted gift cards for restaurants online from sites l…

How to Use the Debt Snowball Method for Effective Debt Repayment
type: item
creator: Dana Miranda, CEPF®
date: 2026-01-30T13:27:25Z
subject: Debt
subject: evergreen
subject: repub
description: The debt snowball method can help you pay down credit card debt, one low-balance account at a time. Follow these simple steps. This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
encoded: Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners. Two major methods dominate the debt repayment sphere: the debt snowball and the debt avalanche. One method prioritizes paying off debts with the highest interest rate first — minimizing interest payments over time. That’s the debt avalanche method. The other method is to prioritize paying off the smallest balances first so you can enjoy quick victories, boost motivation and build momentum. That’s the debt snowball method — a method that’s especially beneficial for folks who need visible progress to stay consistent and committed to their debt repayment journey — and here’s how to do it. What Is the Debt Snowball Method? Popularized by money guru Dave Ramsey, the debt snowball method involves paying off one credit card or loan balance at a time, starting with the smallest balance first until you’re totally debt-free. This debt snowball strategy is perfect for people who are motivated by quick wins. However, there’s a downside: You may end up paying more interest in the long term. Many people disagree with the concept of paying more interest for quicker wins. Why would you pay off smaller balances and let those interest-mongers sit? Because you’re not a robot — you’re a human being. It’s important to pick a debt management strategy that works for you and keeps you engaged. Whether you want to get rid of high-interest credit card debt or even your monthly mortgage payment, using the snowball debt repayment method can help you achieve financial freedom. The debt snowball method helps you take that difficult first step in paying off debt — and then the next step, and the one after that. How the Debt Snowball Method Works It’s a simple process. Here’s everything you need to know. 1. List All Your Debts From Smallest to Largest Start by listing all your outstanding debts. Disregard the interest rate…

What Is Credit Card Residual Interest and How Can You Skip This Sneaky Fee?
type: item
creator: Tiffany Connors
date: 2026-01-29T21:15:15Z
subject: Debt
subject: evergreen
description: Today is the day you pay off the remaining balance on your credit card. Congrats! But if you waited until you received your statement in the mail, you’ll have to fork over additional money beyond the balance listed before you’re free of the credit card company. Why? Because of a little (or not so little) […] This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
encoded: Today is the day you pay off the remaining balance on your credit card. Congrats! But if you waited until you received your statement in the mail, you’ll have to fork over additional money beyond the balance listed before you’re free of the credit card company. Why? Because of a little (or not so little) thing called residual interest. Residual interest — aka trailing interest — is the amount of additional interest you accrue between the billing date and your payment. If you’re paying off a substantial balance in one fell swoop, the interest tacked onto next month’s statement could come as a very unwelcome surprise. And it could be particularly painful if you don’t bother opening the next month’s statement because you think the balance is already paid. Here’s how you can avoid residual interest — and save yourself from handing over one more dollar than you absolutely need to. What Is Residual Interest? Read the fine print in your credit card statement, and you’ll notice a sentence that reads something like this: Paying your last statement balance may not pay your balance in full. To understand how that’s possible, we need to first learn a few terms and how they apply to your credit card account: Billing cycle: The period of time between your credit card statements — typically around 30 days, depending on the issuer. If your billing cycle starts on the 15th of the month, for instance, it would likely end on the 14th of the next month. Account closing date: The last day of the billing cycle. Due date: The day the payment for the previous billing cycle is due. If anything less than the full amount is paid off by the due date, the leftover amount is charged interest and added to the next month’s billing cycle. Full payoff amount: The total amount that you owe, including accrued interest. If you carry a balance, this number will increase daily. (P.S. It’s different than the “current balance” you’ll see on your credit card statement — unless you pay off your balance every…

Why Health Insurance Premiums Are Rising — And What You Can Do About It
type: item
creator: Brynne Conroy
date: 2026-01-29T21:09:49Z
subject: Insurance
subject: evergreen
subject: freelancers
subject: Original
description: Are you paying more for insurance in 2026? You’re not alone. Employees across the country had health insurance premiums spike this year, 7% on average according to a survey from investment company Mercer. And the Kaiser Family Foundation found that those with plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace are typically facing an even higher hike, […] This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
encoded: Are you paying more for insurance in 2026? You’re not alone. Employees across the country had health insurance premiums spike this year, 7% on average according to a survey from investment company Mercer. And the Kaiser Family Foundation found that those with plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace are typically facing an even higher hike, up to 30%. This article will cover why this is happening and what you can do about it. Why did my health insurance premiums go up? The premium increases of 2026 are in some ways a continuation of different things. First, your employer may have bought their health insurance plan through a broker instead of directly from an insurance company. Brokers, who tout their expertise, are paid on commission and can be incentivized to sell your employer more expensive plans. But brokers are only one part of the issue. Inflation is driving up the cost of everything, including medical care — the Bureau of Labor Statistic’s Consumer Price Index data show that medical costs grew faster than the average inflation rate in 2025. Prescription drug spending is up, too, which can cause premiums to rise. For instance, more employer-sponsored plans are covering GLP-1s for obesity. Diabetes medications, cancer treatments, gene therapies and others are also driving up costs. Affordable Care Act subsidies expired in 2025, driving up costs of plans offered through the marketplace. The subsidies, which are tax credits, helped lessen the monthly cost of insurance plans offered through the ACA. What are my options? If you’re struggling to make the math work with higher premiums, there are a few steps you can take to try to remedy the situation. 1. Talk With Your Company If you’re on an employer-sponsored plan, explaining the dire situation to those who have the power to change it could, if you’re lucky, get the wheels turning on a solution. “Go to HR and the CFO – not just HR,” David Contorno, founder and CEO of E Powered Benefits. “We go to HR for thes…

18 Major Employers That Offer Part-Time Jobs With Great Benefits
type: item
creator: Robert Bruce
date: 2026-01-28T19:30:41Z
subject: Make Money
subject: Side Gigs
subject: repub
description: Think you need to work long hours to qualify for company-backed retirement plans, tuition reimbursements and affordable health insurance? Actually, you don’t have to be a full-time employee to get those perks. There are many companies that offer part-time jobs with benefits. These are generous benefit packages for hourly part-time employees. These 18 companies lead […] This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
encoded: Think you need to work long hours to qualify for company-backed retirement plans, tuition reimbursements and affordable health insurance? Actually, you don’t have to be a full-time employee to get those perks. There are many companies that offer part-time jobs with benefits. These are generous benefit packages for hourly part-time employees. These 18 companies lead the way in offering part-time jobs with benefits. You could land a flexible role that also allows you to attend school, take care of family or do whatever you please. Make Quick Money Outside Your Part-Time Job with Benefits We don’t blame you if you want a part-time job with benefits or extra perks. Whether you’re in-between jobs or just need a little something extra, we have some tools that can help. Check out some of our favorite ways to make quick cash. 18 Companies That Offer Part-Time Jobs With Benefits If you’re looking for a part-time job, start your hunt with these employers. 1. JPMorgan Chase Your savings account could be just the start of earning at a bank. JPMorgan Chase offers benefits to its part-time employees who work between 20 and 40 hours per week after 90 days. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life and accident, disability, before-tax flexible spending accounts and group legal services. JPMorgan Chase also offers a 401(k) match starting at 3% annually and increasing by 1% every year up to a maximum of 5%. Other offered benefits are an employee stock purchase plan, a comprehensive health and wellness program, parental leave, backup child care options and discounts on banking services. 2. Costco Hourly part-time employees, who work at least 24 hours per week, can receive benefits from Costco once they’ve accumulated 60 days of service. Health care coverage includes medical, vision, prescription drugs and core dental coverage. All hourly employees working at least 10 hours per week can enroll in voluntary short-term disability insurance, which provides tax-free income replacement…