Got Wandering Feet? 10 Places That Will Pay You to Move There
How about some free money to relocate to a new city? Check out these places that will pay you to move there. 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.
If you could use a change of scenery, why not get free money to move somewhere? In the face of declining or slowing population growth, some cities have decided to get aggressive about their survival. Despite soaring real estate prices in the past few years, there are still cities giving away free land while others are handing out major financial incentives to folks who agree to move to their metropolitan area. Most of the incentives are offered to people already in the workforce, maybe working remotely, and earning at least $50k or more a year. Here are 10 places that really, really want you to move there. 10 Places That Will Pay You to Move There If you’re looking for a new place to call home, but you don’t have your heart set on a specific area or major cities, we’ve found 10 places — both states overall and specific cities — that are offering deals worth thousands of dollars to entice you to make their communities your home sweet home. Places that will pay you to move there include: Tulsa, Oklahoma Kentucky Baltimore, Maryland Newton, Iowa Hamilton, Ohio West Virginia Kansas Indiana Alaska Michigan An added incentive is that several of the programs work with Airbnb so people can come sample the city before deciding to move. 1. Tulsa, Oklahoma Oklahoma’s second-largest city is offering to pay remote workers $10,000 cash to relocate there through its Tulsa Remote program. You’ll get $10,000 cash in the form of relocation expenses, a monthly stipend and the rest at the end of the year. And they’ll throw in a 36-month membership at a coworking space so you don’t have to work all by your lonesome. The only requirements are that you must: Be 18 years old; Eligible to work in the U.S.; Be a full-time remote employee or self-employed full time outside of Oklahoma; Move within the next 12 months; Have not lived in Oklahoma in the previous 12 months; And, you know, want to live in Tulsa. Apply here. 2. Kentucky Red River Gorge is about 90 minutes from Lexington and an outdoor adventurer’s dream with soaring cliffs and underground rivers. It offers a $5,000 relocation bonus and other incentives. Other Kentucky municipalities offer incentives as well. Mayfield and Graves County have a fun bonus with their cash and other incentives — a dozen fresh locally sourced eggs every month. Paducah is designated a world class creative city by The United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization (UNESCO). <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="1200" height="800" src="https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/pay_you_to_move-final.jpg" alt="A woman jogs with the Baltimore skyline behind her." class="wp-image-161512" srcset="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/24153804/pay_you_to_move-final.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/24153804/pay_you_to_move-final-360x240.jpg 360w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/24153804/pay_you_to_move-final-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/24153804/pay_you_to_move-final-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/24153804/pay_you_to_move-final-100x67.jpg 100w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/24153804/pay_you_to_move-final-222x148.jpg 222w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/24153804/pay_you_to_move-final-314x209.jpg 314w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/24153804/pay_you_to_move-final-363x242.jpg 363w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/24153804/pay_you_to_move-final-467x311.jpg 467w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/24153804/pay_you_to_move-final-649x433.jpg 649w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/24153804/pay_you_to_move-final-750x500.jpg 750w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/24153804/pay_you_to_move-final-793x529.jpg 793w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/24153804/pay_you_to_move-final-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> A woman trots against gusty wind the day after an overnight storm, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, in Baltimore. Julio Cortez/AP Photo 3. Baltimore, Maryland Ready to give a little love to an underloved property — and get paid for it? Baltimore’s Vacants to Value Booster relocation incentive gives $10,000 to buyers of Vacants to Value properties in an effort to address the blight caused by abandonment in the area. The home must be your primary residence, and you must be willing to invest at least $1,000 of your own resources. Also, the $10,000 must go toward your down payment and closing costs. If that’s not enough reason to move to Old Bay country, the city also has a Buying Into Baltimore program that offers a $5,000 incentive to use toward buying a home anywhere in Baltimore. You must attend a Trolley Tour event to be eligible; 20 individuals are selected on a lottery basis. Baltimore also has a partnership with over 100 employers with its Live Near Your Work incentive program. The program matches employer grants, providing mostly between $1,000-5,000 toward a down payment or closing costs to buy a home in Baltimore (though some are more). Still not convinced? We have one word for you: crabcakes. 4. Newton, Iowa The Newton Housing Initiative began in 2014 and will last through 2026. It offers individuals who build single-family homes, valued at $240,000 or more, within the city limits of Newton a $10,000 cash incentive plus a “Get to Know Newton” welcome package. The Newton government’s goal is to create momentum for housing development within the community and to develop and ensure a stable and growing population by having affordable housing readily available. 5. Hamilton, Ohio If you have student loan debt and have graduated in the last seven years — preferably from a STEAM program (science, technology, engineering, arts or mathematics) — Hamilton, Ohio, wants you! It’s just about 20 miles north of Cincinnati, so a big city is close by. They want you so much that they’re willing to pay you a “reverse scholarship,” a program where recent graduates receive assistance with student loan debt. The Talent Attraction Program scholarship offers up to $15,000 to recent grads who move to Butler County for employment or are full-time remote workers in a professional role. 6. West Virginia Through West Virginia’s Ascend program, the state will pay you $12,000 to move there for two years and work remotely. You’ll also get free access to outdoor recreation, free coworking space and other resources. You can choose from communities in the beautiful Greenbrier Valley, the lively Morgantown area, the Eastern Panhandle, Greater Elkins or New River Gorge. <img decoding="async" width="1200" height="800" src="https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Minnesota-final.jpg" alt="A canoe sits on a lake in Minnesota. " class="wp-image-179499" srcset="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/10125323/Minnesota-final.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/10125323/Minnesota-final-360x240.jpg 360w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/10125323/Minnesota-final-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/10125323/Minnesota-final-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/10125323/Minnesota-final-100x67.jpg 100w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/10125323/Minnesota-final-222x148.jpg 222w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/10125323/Minnesota-final-314x209.jpg 314w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/10125323/Minnesota-final-363x242.jpg 363w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/10125323/Minnesota-final-467x311.jpg 467w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/10125323/Minnesota-final-649x433.jpg 649w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/10125323/Minnesota-final-750x500.jpg 750w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/10125323/Minnesota-final-793x529.jpg 793w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/10125323/Minnesota-final-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> Getty Images 7. Kansas Kansas has many cities that would love to show you what they have to offer. Salina offers $5,000 cash for relocation. Move there, and they’ll send out the welcome wagon (yes, a literal wagon). Meanwhile, Ottawa will give out $6,000 cash for relocation plus a pet adoption fee or spay/neuter gift certificate. There are some small, rural Kansas towns offering free home sites, too. If you’re interested in calling Kansas home, check out: Mankato (pop. >900) Osborne (pop. 1,274) 8. Indiana The Hoosier State also has many cities that would love to be your home. There are programs encouraging people to move to Indiana in cities such as South Bend, Noblesville and many more. Muncie hopes to attract new remote workers through its relocation program. Fully employed individuals who move to the city using the program will receive a $5,000 stipend. Those who move to Muncie will also gain access to a coworking space, the Ball State University library and a semester-long Rec Fit pass at Ball State University. <img decoding="async" width="1200" height="800" src="https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/alaska-final.jpg" alt="A road shows a view of mountains in Alaska." class="wp-image-122245" srcset="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/15020010/alaska-final.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/15020010/alaska-final-360x240.jpg 360w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/15020010/alaska-final-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/15020010/alaska-final-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/15020010/alaska-final-100x67.jpg 100w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/15020010/alaska-final-222x148.jpg 222w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/15020010/alaska-final-314x209.jpg 314w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/15020010/alaska-final-363x242.jpg 363w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/15020010/alaska-final-467x311.jpg 467w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/15020010/alaska-final-649x433.jpg 649w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/15020010/alaska-final-750x500.jpg 750w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/15020010/alaska-final-793x529.jpg 793w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/15020010/alaska-final-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> A view of Chena Hot Springs Road in Fairbanks, Alaska. Tina Russell/The Penny Hoarder 9. Alaska Why limit yourself to just one city when Alaska will pay you to live anywhere in the state? Since 1976, Alaska has paid its residents to live there via its Permanent Fund Dividend. The payouts are funded by Alaska’s oil royalties and are divided up evenly among residents. The online application for the the 2026 season is available until March 31, 2026. Yearly payouts vary, but the 2025 dividend was $1,000. Not too shabby just for being there! To be eligible for the rebate, you cannot claim residency in any other state or country. Check out the full details here. 10. Michigan Muskegon County, on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, northwest of Grand Rapids, offers a lifestyle package of relocation incentives for people. Jackson County, west of Ann Arbor, also has lifestyle incentives and an option for $25,000 in downpayment assistance. The Move to Michigan program offers quite a few sweet perks for remote workers who are willing to move to southwest Michigan, a beautiful coastal area only 90 miles from Chicago. Be sure to check the details on this one, as there are a lot of restrictions. They’ll pay you up to $15,000 toward a new home, plus you can pick two other bonus perks from a list of eight, which includes one year of car service to and from regional airports, an annual membership to Renaissance Athletic Club and a free coworking space for one year. But That’s Not All… If none of these cities or states strike your fancy and you’re still itching to make a move, check out Make My Move, a website that lists offers from communities willing to pay for new residents. As the site says, “Do what you love, from a place that you love.” Robert Bruce is a former senior staff writer at The Penny Hoarder. Freelancer Dennis Lynch contributed. Senior Managing Editor Tiffany Wendeln Connors updated this post for March 2026. 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.
Banks That Pay Early: The 12 Best Early Deposit Banks for 2026
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. If you depend heavily on the timing of your paycheck, you know that just a day or two can make a huge difference in getting […] 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.
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. If you depend heavily on the timing of your paycheck, you know that just a day or two can make a huge difference in getting your bills paid on time. Early direct deposit in your bank account can reduce your financial stress and give you an extra cushion to plan your spending and bills. Once a unique feature of neobanks, early direct deposit is now a common feature among online and traditional banks. It gives you access to funds as soon as a payer files payment information, so you could get your paycheck up to two days before your regularly scheduled payday. In this guide, we’ll compare traditional banks, online banks and fintech accounts that offer early pay. We looked at timing of pay, fees, savings APY, overdraft protection and usability to help you decide which account is right for you. Our List: The Best Banks That Pay Early in 2026 The best account for you depends on your financial circumstances. Lots of banks offer early pay features. They’re often paired with a wide variety of other features, from online banking to fee-free overdraft to savings or credit-building tools. Consider all the features and fees of a bank account to choose the one that’s right for you. Traditional Banks That Pay 2 Days Early 1. Fifth Third Momentum Checking With a Momentum Checking account at Fifth Third Bank, you can get access to a direct deposit up to two days early with its Early Pay feature. Momentum Checking is a rare checking account with a brick-and-mortar bank that comes with no monthly service fee and no minimum balance to maintain. You can open the account with no minimum deposit amount. Fifth Third Bank comes with the legitimacy of a long-standing traditional bank, operating since 1858. It offers online and mobile banking as well as more than 1,000 in-person branches in 12 states in the southeast and Midwest. You’ll also have access to a nationwide network of Fifth Third and partner ATMs. With its Extra Time feature, you get an extra day to bring your account balance up to $0 if you overdraft. Plus, you can qualify for a cash advance from $50 to $1,000 (depending on your deposit history, not a credit check) through the MyAdvance feature. MyAdvance comes with a fee of 5% for the first 18 months and 3% after that. (Fifth Third Bank only recommends this feature for customers who need cash fast and don’t have access to lower-cost credit like a credit card. Best for: In-person banking with early pay. 2. TD Bank Early Pay With TD Early Pay, you can get paid up to two days early with any personal checking or savings account at TD Bank. Sign up for TD Alerts to get notified when any direct deposit hits your account. TD Bank has hundreds of in-person branches in 16 east-coast states. TD Bank monthly fees depend on which account you open. The lowest-cost account is TD Essential Banking, which has no minimum balance and no overdraft fees or service. It comes with a $4.95 monthly fee, which is waived only if you’re under age 18. For accounts with more perks, consider: TD Complete Checking: Added Overdraft Relief gives you an extra day to right your account if you overdraft, and there’s no fee if you overdraft by $50 or less. The monthly fee is $15, but it’s waived if you have at least $500 in direct deposits each month, a minimum balance of $500 or other TD Bank accounts with a combined balance of $5,000 or more. TD Beyond Checking: Earn APY of 0.01%, and get two overdraft fees per year reversed with Overdraft Payback. The monthly fee is $25, but it’s waived if you have at least $5,000 in deposits each month, a minimum balance of $2,500 or other TD Bank accounts with a combined balance of $25,000 or more. New customers to TD Bank can earn a bonus up to $300 by opening a TD Bank checking account. With a TD Complete Checking account, you can earn a $200 bonus when you receive at least $500 in direct deposits. With a TD Beyond Checking account, you can earn a $300 bonus when you receive at least $2,500 in direct deposits. (In both cases, deposits have to be at least $250 at a time.) Best for: East-coast branch access. 3. Citizens Bank Paid Early Through Citizens Paid Early, you can get your paycheck up to two days early with any Citizens Bank personal checking account. Citizens Bank offers several checking accounts, and we recommend these fee-free options: One Deposit Checking: There’s no monthly minimum balance, and you can waive the $9.99 monthly fee with a single deposit of any amount each month. Student Checking: Account holders must be under 25 years old. There are no monthly maintenance fees and no overdraft fees or service. With One Deposit Checking, you’ll get an extra day to cover an overdraft with no fee, and no fee will be charged on an overdraft of $5 or less. Citizens Bank has hundreds of in-person branches in 15 states on the east coast and Midwest. Best for: Students and those opening their first bank account. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23103628/early-check-deposit-2-final-1024x683.jpg" alt="A woman works from her laptop while lounging on the couch. He has a prosthetic leg. " class="wp-image-221507" srcset="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23103628/early-check-deposit-2-final-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23103628/early-check-deposit-2-final-360x240.jpg 360w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23103628/early-check-deposit-2-final-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23103628/early-check-deposit-2-final-222x148.jpg 222w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23103628/early-check-deposit-2-final-314x209.jpg 314w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23103628/early-check-deposit-2-final-363x242.jpg 363w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23103628/early-check-deposit-2-final-467x311.jpg 467w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23103628/early-check-deposit-2-final-649x433.jpg 649w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23103628/early-check-deposit-2-final-750x500.jpg 750w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23103628/early-check-deposit-2-final-793x529.jpg 793w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23103628/early-check-deposit-2-final.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> Pexels Online Banks With 2 Days Early Direct Deposit 4. SoFi Checking & Savings SoFi is a full-service online bank and lender that offers a checking and savings account as well as student banking. You’ll get paid up to two days early with direct deposit into your checking account. None of SoFi’s bank accounts charge a monthly maintenance fee or have a minimum balance requirement. When you open a checking account, SoFi will also automatically open a savings account for you. You’ll earn up to 3.30% APY on money in savings and 0.50% on checking funds. And for a limited time, earn an extra .70% Boost on Savings APY for 6 months on new accounts with Direct Deposit. Terms apply. SoFi gives you the option for either Overdraft Protection, which covers overdrafts with an automatic transfer from your savings account, or fee-free Overdraft Coverage for overdrafts up to $50 when you have direct deposits of $1,000 or more each month. Best for: Full-service banking and loans in one online platform. 5. Axos Bank Axos offers multiple checking accounts with various benefits. We recommend these options: Axos ONE Checking and Savings: You can earn 4.21% APY on your savings and 0.51% APY on your checking with no monthly maintenance fee and no minimum balance. Essential Checking: This basic checking account comes with no monthly maintenance fee or minimum balance. You can get paid up to two days early with either account. Axos also eschews overdraft fees and service. Both accounts connect you to a network of tens of thousands of fee-free ATMs, and the Essential Checking account comes with unlimited ATM fee reimbursements — so you never have to pay to access your own money. Best for: Nationwide access. 6. Ally Interest Checking With Ally Interest Checking, you can get paid up to two days early when you set up direct deposit. The account comes with no monthly maintenance fee and no minimum balance to sustain. The account offers overdraft protection via a transfer from a connected Ally savings account if you opt into Overdraft Transfer Service. You could also opt into CoverDraft Service, which covers an overdraft up to $250 and gives you two weeks to repay it. The latter comes with more requirements based on your deposit history, so read those carefully before deciding whether to opt in. (If a purchase isn’t covered by one of these services, it’ll be rejected, so you won’t face any overdraft fees.) Ally is best known for its stellar online banking and mobile experience, which makes it easy to cover your basic banking needs without leaving home. Customers tout a positive customer service experience, so you don’t have to sacrifice service when you give up the local branch. An Ally account also lets you tap into a nationwide network of fee-free ATMs, plus $10 in out-of-network ATM fees reimbursed each month. You can deposit cash over the counter at any Walmart. Best for: Online banking with cash deposit. 7. nbkc Everything Account With an nbkc Everything Account, you can get paid up to two days early when you set up direct deposit. The online account comes with no monthly fees and no minimum balance requirements. The bank connects you with a nationwide network of 90,000 fee-free ATMs, plus nbkc will reimburse up to $12 per month in out-of-network ATM fees. Customers love the easy-to-use app to deposit checks and manage your account. A Financial Snapshot tool helps with money management and savings goals. Best for: No-frills banking with money management features <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23104115/early-check-deposit-3-final-1024x683.jpg" alt="A woman uses an ATM machine. " class="wp-image-221509" srcset="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23104115/early-check-deposit-3-final-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23104115/early-check-deposit-3-final-360x240.jpg 360w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23104115/early-check-deposit-3-final-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23104115/early-check-deposit-3-final-222x148.jpg 222w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23104115/early-check-deposit-3-final-314x209.jpg 314w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23104115/early-check-deposit-3-final-363x242.jpg 363w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23104115/early-check-deposit-3-final-467x311.jpg 467w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23104115/early-check-deposit-3-final-649x433.jpg 649w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23104115/early-check-deposit-3-final-750x500.jpg 750w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23104115/early-check-deposit-3-final-793x529.jpg 793w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23104115/early-check-deposit-3-final-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23104115/early-check-deposit-3-final.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> Pexels Fintech & App-Based Accounts That Pay Up to 2 Days Early 8. Chime Checking Account Chime is a popular, go-to mobile-first banking app. A Chime checking account gets you paid up to two days early with direct deposit. It has no monthly maintenance fees or minimum balance requirements. Chime lets you tap into a nationwide network of more than 47,000 fee-free ATMs, and you can deposit cash into your account through a network of more than 75,000 retail locations, including Walgreens, Walmart, 7-Eleven and CVS. Standout features of signing up with Chime include credit-building tools, high-yield savings and SpotMe® overdraft protection, which covers overdrafts up to $200 with no fees. To be eligible, you have to receive at least $200 in direct deposits each month. You can also get a paycheck advance up to $500 with Chime’s MyPay® after you’ve established your income with a couple of direct deposits. Best for: Mobile-first banking. 9. Current Account A Current deposit account comes with several perks to help you stretch your finances from paycheck to paycheck, including: Access to direct deposit funds up to two days early. Fee-free overdraft coverage when you receive at least $200 per month in direct deposits. Paycheck Advance up to $750 (depending on your deposit history). Plus, the account comes with no monthly maintenance fees or minimum balance. It offers mobile-first banking, but with access to a network of more than 40,000 fee-free ATMs and the ability to deposit cash over the counter at nationwide retail locations including CVS, Walgreens and McDonalds. Current offers a less straightforward banking experience than traditional banks or even earlier online and mobile banking fintechs. It focuses on a range of financial services — a debt card or a Builder Card for spending and building credit, budgeting, saving and crypto trading. It offers a specially designed Teen Account with basic money management features and parental controls to block chosen merchants. Best for: Teens and gig workers with inconsistent income. 10. Varo Bank Account An FDIC-insured Varo Bank account lets you get paid up to two days early with direct deposit. It comes with no monthly maintenance fees and no minimum balance requirements. Varo is best-known for its high-yield savings account and credit builder features. A Varo Savings account can earn you 5.00% APY on your balance up to $5,000 (2.5% on higher balances). You’ll also have access to a flat-fee cash advance between $20 and $500 with no credit check. Best for: Savings and credit building 11. Cash App Cash App is well known as a peer-to-peer payments app you can connect to any existing bank account. But it offers banking features of its own right within the app. With direct deposit into your Cash balance, you can get paid up to two days early and spend directly from your Cash balance with a prepaid debit card. (Note that this app functions largely like a mobile bank account, but you might run into some limitations using the card for things such as hotels, rental cars or subscription services that don’t accept prepaid cards.) You won’t pay a monthly maintenance fee or face minimum balance requirements to use the app. You’ll get a Cash App Card to pay for purchases from your Cash App balance. If you receive at least $300 in direct deposits or spend $500 with your card per month, you’ll be eligible for banking benefits including fee-free overdraft coverage, free ATM access and savings APY up to 3.25%. Best for: Low-income and unbanked folks who lack access to a traditional bank account. 12. Discover Cashback Debit With a Discover Cashback Debit account, you can get paid up to two days early with direct deposit. This online checking account comes with no monthly maintenance fee or minimum balance requirements. As its name suggests, the standout feature of this account is cash back. You can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases per month. You’ll also get access to a network of 60,000 fee-free ATMs, and you can add cash to your account using your debit card at any Walmart in the United States. If you also have a savings or money market account with Discover, you can add overdraft protection to automatically transfer money when you overdraw your checking account. There are no fees for overdraft protection. (However, debit card purchases aren’t covered. This service only covers checks, online bill payments and ACH transfers initiated at another bank.) Best for: Cash back rewards. What Early Direct Deposit Is — and How Banks Pay 2 Days Early When banks tout “early direct deposit” or “early payday,” they mean you’ll have access to your money ahead of your scheduled payday. That can be a huge boost when you’re living paycheck-to-paycheck. Early direct deposit is always limited to one to two days ahead of the scheduled payday, and it’s just a result of the mechanics of ACH deposits, the main mode of transit for electronic paychecks. How Early Direct Deposit Works Early pay always depends on how your employer or other payer submits a payment. (This can apply to a paycheck from an employer, Social Security payments or other government benefits, and state and federal tax refunds.) Payers and payroll processors typically submit information about a payment at least two days before payment is scheduled to reach you. For example, if your payday is scheduled for every other Friday, your employer would submit details to your bank electronically every other Wednesday. Typical ACH transfers take about two days to process; that’s why early direct deposit tends to come up to two days early. A bank that offers early direct deposit gives you access to funds as soon as they have the payment information from the payer. However, your payer might pay an added fee for one-day or same-day direct deposit processing, in which case they wouldn’t need to submit payment information until one day before or the day of payday. Early pay features are automatic, so you don’t have to sign up or opt in if your bank account offers it. The service doesn’t cost the bank anything, so it shouldn’t come with a fee for you, either! Why Some Banks Release Paychecks Early Banks that pay early do it because they know the money is coming. An ACH isn’t easy to reverse once it’s initiated, so it’s safe for banks to give you access to the funds even before they’re technically in your account. Banks have always traditionally waited until electronic funds transfers are completely final to release the funds to you in order to avoid the slightest risk of a transaction being reversed. But online banks and fintechs started offering early payday as a perk, and now many traditional banks have followed suit to compete. When Early Pay Doesn’t Happen You might not receive direct deposits ahead of schedule, depending on when your payer submits payment information. Sometimes holidays or weekends might pose processing delays, as well. Some banks stipulate that you won’t get your first one or two direct deposits early. That’s likely a measure to protect against risk; once your account and the payer are established and payments consistently go through, it’s safe for them to float you the funds until payday. Finally, not all electronic deposits qualify for early access. You typically have the option for instant access to an ACH transfer from an employer or government entity, or an OCT/push-to-card payment (like the daily payments made by gig apps). But these types of deposits don’t tend to qualify for early access: ACH transfers if the payment information isn’t submitted until the day of payday. Peer-to-peer transfers, like those through Zelle. Check deposits. Other online transfers. Note that many of these might be set up for instant access, anyway, but your bank might stipulate that they’re not part of the early pay feature. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23104427/early-deposit-4-final-1024x683.jpg" alt="A man looks out a window while sitting near a laptop pondering a question. " class="wp-image-221511" srcset="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23104427/early-deposit-4-final-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23104427/early-deposit-4-final-360x240.jpg 360w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23104427/early-deposit-4-final-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23104427/early-deposit-4-final-222x148.jpg 222w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23104427/early-deposit-4-final-314x209.jpg 314w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23104427/early-deposit-4-final-363x242.jpg 363w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23104427/early-deposit-4-final-467x311.jpg 467w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23104427/early-deposit-4-final-649x433.jpg 649w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23104427/early-deposit-4-final-750x500.jpg 750w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23104427/early-deposit-4-final-793x529.jpg 793w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23104427/early-deposit-4-final-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23104427/early-deposit-4-final.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> Pexels Pros and Cons of Using Early Deposit Banks Early direct deposit is an attractive feature when you live paycheck to paycheck. But it might not be the most important feature for your financial circumstances or goals. Be sure to weigh that alongside other account features to choose the bank account that’s right for you. Pros: Access to pay up to two days before scheduled payday. Helps avoid late bill payments. Useful for variable or inconsistent income. Accounts often skip maintenance or overdraft fees. Cons: Early pay isn’t always guaranteed, so you can’t plan around it. Ongoing early payday doesn’t fix the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle; it just shifts the timing. Most common with online or app-based accounts, which often lack customer support. How to Choose the Right Bank That Pays Early Early access to direct deposit is a shiny feature banks like to tout. But it shouldn’t be the only deciding factor when you choose a bank account. Also consider these other bank account features. Monthly Fees and Waiver Requirements So many bank accounts are available without any monthly fee that you should never find yourself paying to keep your money with a bank. Most online and app-based bank accounts come with no monthly maintenance fees, but they might lack customer service, branch access and a range of financial services. Traditional institutions still often charge a monthly fee of anywhere between $5 and $25, but they offer ways to waive the fee — so the fee is less of a charge to have the account and more of a penalty if you don’t meet the bank’s requirements. Waiver requirements tend to include: Your age. Many banks offer accounts that waive the monthly fee if you’re under age 25 or 18, to make accounts accessible to college students and teens. Minimum daily balance. These requirements vary wildly, but most accounts with fees will waive the fee if you keep your balance at a certain level. Minimum direct deposits. Regardless of your balance, you might get fees waived if you receive enough money in direct deposits each month. Debit card purchases. Less common, this requirement waives the monthly fee if you make a certain number or spend a certain amount in debit card purchases each month. Other accounts or services. Banks that offer multiple accounts or other services (like lending) often waive the fee if you use multiple services or sign up for a special kind of membership. If your income is inconsistent or you’re opening a secondary bank account, meeting these requirements could be challenging. Consider an online or app-based account with no fees instead. Overdraft Policies and Other Safety Nets A friendly overdraft protection policy could be significant in helping you float between paychecks or manage your spending. Overdraft features vary wildly from bank to bank. Traditional banks tend to allow overdraft protection — i.e. they’ll cover a purchase when there’s not enough money in your account — but they charge outrageous fees for it. Online banks and fintech apps tend to instead skip most overdraft protection — when the money isn’t in your account, a transaction is rejected. That keeps you from dealing with a negative balance and unexpected fees, but it could also mean not being able to pay for dinner or having a subscription canceled. To make up for that, they offer more careful overdraft features for no or low fees, such as savings account transfers or limited coverage based on your deposit history. APY and Bonus Offers A higher-than-average annual percentage yield (APY), the amount of interest you can earn on a bank account balance, could be a major factor if you keep a high savings account balance. (Some banks offer high APYs on checking accounts, too. But the amount you tend to hold in a checking account isn’t usually significant enough for that to matter — so don’t be swayed by that detail.) If you have a robust rainy-day fund of tens of thousands of dollars, for example, a difference of one or two percentage points in APY could mean hundreds of dollars per year in added return. But a 5% annual return on $1,000 is only $50. A bank promotion might also be tempting depending on your circumstances. A few hundred dollars is a nice bonus. But these promotions usually come with spending requirements, so check those against your typical or expected spending to make sure you don’t end up missing out on the bonus or spending extra just to get it. Additional Banking Features The banks that pay early are most often online and fintech apps. These are fantastic platforms for many people, and they offer lots of features you won’t find with traditional financial institutions. But many of them are missing some major financial services, too. Having an account with a bank can be helpful down the line if you need to take out a loan, open a credit card or get a mortgage, for example. Fintech accounts typically don’t offer these services, so you could miss out on establishing that valuable banking relationship if you go that route. (However, Varo and SoFi are both chartered, FDIC-member banks that offer a full suite of financial services, so keep an eye out for more like this in the future.) Consider going with a traditional bank account if you want to set you expect to use these services in the next few years: Joint bank account with a partner or spouse. Youth or teen banking with parental oversight. Lending, including personal loans, auto loans and mortgages. Investment accounts, including an IRA. Business banking and loans. Credit cards. Customer Support and Mobile Tools One of the biggest complaints about online- or mobile-first banking is a lack of customer support. These apps are run by fintech companies, which operate very differently from your local bank branch. They tend to be focused on building features and acquiring users, and less on building customer relationships. This isn’t true across the board — Ally customers have very nice things to say about their experiences, for example. But if you have complex banking needs, you’re new to banking or you just like to be able to speak to a human when you have a question, read reviews carefully to make sure the bank you choose offers quality customer service. On the flip side, many people prefer the customer interface of mobile-first banking, because they don’t like to visit branches in person or get on the phone with customer service to resolve an issue. If your banking needs are pretty straightforward, you might do just fine with a robust FAQ and an efficient chatbot. Are Early Pay Banks Worth It? The early pay feature of a bank account should never come with an added cost. If a bank account offers it, it should be automatic and free. Whether this feature weighs heavily in your decision about opening a bank account depends on your financial circumstances. Early pay could be valuable if you’re managing tight resources from paycheck to paycheck. Just consider other account features and fees before letting this one feature sway you. FAQ: Banks That Pay Early Dana Miranda is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance® and author of YOU DON’T NEED A BUDGET. She writes Healthy Rich, a newsletter about money for misfits. Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. The Chime Visa® Debit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A. pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. The secured Chime Visa® Credit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A. pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see the back of your Card for its issuing bank. MyPay® line of credit provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A. MyPay services provided by Chime Capital, LLC (NMLS ID 2316451). Chime is recommended by more of its users in the 2024 Qualtrics® NPS study when compared to top national banks and select fintechs. THE #1 MOST LOVED BANKING APP is a Registered Trademark of Chime Financial, Inc. * Terms apply. Limited time only, must open the new account and complete qualifying activities to earn 3 individual rewards, up to a max of $350.00, as described at https://www.chime.com/policies/newmemberofferv3. 1 Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date. 2 Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and over the counter advance fees may apply except at FCTI® ATMs in a 7-Eleven® or Speedway, or any Allpoint® or Visa® Plus Alliance ATM participating in the Allpoint network. 3 SpotMe® on Credit is an optional, no interest/no fee overdraft line of credit tied to the Secured Deposit Account. SpotMe on Debit is an optional, no fee service attached to your Chime Checking Account (individually or collectively, “SpotMe”). Eligibility for SpotMe requires $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account each month. Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Chime Checking Account and/or their Secured Deposit Account up to $20 in total, but may be later eligible for a higher combined limit of up to $200 or more based on member’s Chime account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. Your SpotMe Limit will be displayed to you within the Chime mobile app. You will receive notice of any changes to your SpotMe Limit. SpotMe for Credit and SpotMe on Debit share a single SpotMe limit. Your SpotMe Limit may change at any time, at Chime or its banking partners’ discretion. Although there are no overdraft fees, there may be out-of-network or third-party fees associated with ATM transactions or OTC cash withdrawal fees at retailers. SpotMe won’t cover non-card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. SpotMe Terms and Conditions. 4 With a qualifying direct deposit, earn 1.5% cash back on eligible secured Chime Visa® Credit Card purchases. Please refer to the Secured Chime Visa® Credit Card – Cash Rewards Program Addendum for details and more information on rotating cash back categories. 5 On-time payment history may have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score. Chime will report your activities to Transunion®, Experian®, and Equifax®. Impact on your credit may vary, as Credit scores are independently determined by credit bureaus based on a number of factors including the financial decisions you make with other financial services organizations. 6 Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and OTC advance fees may apply. View The Bancorp agreement or Stride agreement for details; see back of card for issuer. 7 Money added to Chime Card™ will be held in a secured deposit account as collateral for your Chime Card, and you can spend up to this amount. You can use money deposited in your Secured Deposit Account to pay off your charges at the end of every month. 8 You must notify your financial institution immediately of any unauthorized use. For specific restrictions, limitations and other details, please consult your issuer. 9 To be eligible for Chime+™ status, you must receive a qualifying direct deposit to your Chime Checking Account in the preceding 34 days. Certain products marketed as Chime+ benefits have additional eligibility requirements. While some Chime+ benefits may have associated fees, none of these fees are mandatory to access Chime+ benefits or to maintain Chime+ status. See Chime+ Terms and Conditions for details. 10 To be eligible for MyPay, you must receive qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account in the preceding 36 days as set forth in the MyPay Agreement. A qualifying direct deposit is a deposit from an employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, government benefits payer, or other permitted source of income by Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) or Original Credit Transaction (“OCT”). Your MyPay Credit Limit and Maximum Available Advance may change at any time. MyPay is a line of credit and available limits are based on estimated income and risk-based criteria. Eligible members may be offered a $20 – $500 Credit Limit per pay period. Your Credit Limit and Maximum Available Advance will be displayed to you within the Chime app. MyPay is currently only available to eligible Chime members in certain states. Other restrictions may apply. See Bancorp MyPay Agreement or Stride MyPay Agreement for details. 11 Top three national bank ranking according to the Federal Reserve Statistical Release based on domestic assets; number of ATMs self-reported by Chase, Bank of America and Wells Fargo – June 2025. 12 To apply for a Chime Card, you must also open a Chime Checking Account. 13 Chime Visa® Credit Card holders – Deposits and debit refunds go to your Checking Account, then transfer to your Chime Card Secured Deposit Account – other than Chime Card cash deposits at retailers, which go to your Chime Card Account, then transfer to your Secured Deposit Account. Funds are moved from your Secured Deposit Account to your Checking Account to facilitate outbound transfers and debit purchases. Your Available balance is the money you can spend with your Chime Card or Checking Account. See account agreements and statements for details. 14 Chime will report the following activities, as applicable, to TransUnion®, Experian®, and Equifax®: amount past due; payment status of the last paid-off balance; how long you’ve had your card; current statement balance; last balance payment date; and highest balance before paying it off. 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.
Our 7 Top Banks With No Credit Check for 2026
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. Not having access to a basic checking account makes everything about money management harder — from receiving your paycheck to paying bills to dealing with […] 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.
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. Not having access to a basic checking account makes everything about money management harder — from receiving your paycheck to paying bills to dealing with cash. Having negative marks in your credit or banking history has traditionally made many bank accounts out of reach. But that’s changing. Second-chance bank accounts and online banks with no credit check make it much easier to get banked regardless of your financial history. You don’t have to rely on prepaid cards or check-cashing stores forever. No-credit-check banks make full-service banking accessible, even if you have a history of unpaid fees, overdrafts or a low credit score. In this guide, we’ll review some options for no-credit-check banks and second-chance accounts. We’ll help you choose the account that’s right for you based on features, fees, online and mobile access, branch access and other tools to help you rebuild your finances. Our List: The Best Banks with No Credit Check in 2026 The best bank account for you depends on your needs and financial goals. Compare your options to determine which best fits your situation — whether you have bad credit, negative ChexSystems marks or just need an accessible online bank account with no credit check. All of the accounts in our list are FDIC-insured, full-service checking accounts available throughout the United States. We’ve included a mix of online banks, banking apps and traditional banks to help you see your range of options and figure out what might be the best fit for you. Online Banks and Fintech Accounts with No Credit Check Many options are offered through financial technology (fintech) companies. These accounts tend to skip both the credit check and consumer banking reports from ChexSystems and Early Warning Services (EWS). It makes them deliberately welcoming to users who’ve had trouble opening bank accounts elsewhere. These accounts come with added perks that are less common with traditional financial institutions. This might include early direct deposit access, low or no fees, accessible overdraft protection and easy-to-use mobile apps. 1. SoFi Checking and Savings SoFi is one of few fintech companies that are also FDIC-member banks. In addition to a standard checking account, the company offers a full suite of financial services including joint bank accounts, private student loan refinancing, personal loans, mortgages, investing, insurance and credit cards. SoFi does require a credit check to open a bank account, but it doesn’t run a hard credit pull (the kind that affects your credit score). It runs a soft credit pull, according to its FAQ, “to obtain information for your account.” SoFi is known for its high-yield savings account. But it also has one of the highest new customer bank bonus offers: up to $400. You’ll earn up to 3.30% APY on money in savings and 0.50% on checking funds. The bonus is tiered; to get the full $400, make sure your qualifying direct deposits total $5,000 or more. And for a limited time, earn an extra .70% Boost on Savings APY for 6 months on new accounts with Direct Deposit. Terms apply. And for big savers, it partners with a network of banks to offer you the option for a whopping $3 million in FDIC insurance (way above the standard $250,000). Key features: Soft credit check to open an account (no impact on credit score). High-yield savings account. Earn 0.50% APY on checking account balance. No monthly maintenance fee or minimum balance. No minimum opening deposit. Fee-free overdraft protection up to $50 when you have direct deposit of $1,000 or more. Automated savings tools including vaults for dedicated saving and debit card round ups. Best for: Fee-free, feature-rich checking and savings accounts with full suite of financial services. 2. Chime® Chime is a bank with no credit check and no ChexSystems check. The online bank account positions itself as a strong second chance banking option for anyone with a negative banking history ready to start over. Chime* is a fintech company that offers online and mobile banking in its app through its FDIC-insured banking partners The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A. Chime is best known for its early direct deposit feature — depending on how your employer processes payroll, you get access to your paycheck up to two days ahead of payday. Plus, through Chime’s SpotMe® feature, you can overdraft up to $200 with no fees as long as you have monthly direct deposits into the account of $200 or more. Key features No credit check or ChexSystems. No monthly maintenance fees or minimum balance. No minimum opening deposit. Fee-free ATM network. Get your paycheck up to two days early. Overdraft up to $200 with no fees. Bill-pay and checks available through the mobile app. Best for: No-fee banking with no ChexSystems check 3. Current Current is popular with adults and teens who want to open a bank account without a credit check. It’s a fintech platform that offers banking in partnership with FDIC-insured institutions Choice Financial Group and Cross River Bank. Though it doesn’t tout second-chance banking explicitly, Current doesn’t require a credit check to sign up. That includes for its credit builder card. Current offers a less straightforward banking experience than some competitors. It instead focuses on a range of financial services. You can get a debit card or a so-called Builder Card for spending and building credit. And you’ll have access to features that support budgeting, saving, paycheck advance and fee-free crypto trading (through partner Zero Hash). Key features: No credit check. No monthly maintenance fees or minimum balance. No minimum opening deposit. Adult or teen accounts. Fee-free overdraft starting at $25. Cash deposits through retailers like CVS and Walmart. High-yield Savings Pods with bonuses up to 4.00% APY. Automatic savings with round ups. Best for: No-credit-check banking for savings and credit building for teens. 4. GO2bank GO2bank is mobile banking from FDIC-member Green Dot Bank designed explicitly with disadvantaged folks and second-chance banking in mind. You can open a secured credit card with no credit check, and users report GO2bank doesn’t use ChexSystems when you open a checking account (but you should confirm the current process before opening an account). This no-credit-check bank includes features to help you rebuild your finances, including early direct deposit, cash-back when you buy eGift cards through the app and overdraft protection up to $300. Key features: No credit check to open a secured credit card. Users report no ChexSystems. $5 monthly fee waived if you receive direct deposit. Paychecks up to two days early, government benefits up to four days early Cash-back rewards for purchasing eGift cards in the app. Opt-in overdraft protection. $15 fee waived if you replenish within 24 hours. Open an account in the app or by purchasing a card at a retail store. Fee-free cash deposit at Walgreens, deposit with fee at other retail locations. Best for: Rebuilding finances with no-credit-check bank. 5. Varo Bank Varo Bank is a unique fintech company that’s also a nationally chartered bank with FDIC insurance. It touts its second-chance banking through several products that help you build credit and save money, and there’s no ChexSystems and no credit check to open an account. Varo is best known for its credit and savings building features, including a credit-builder credit card with no credit check, high-yield savings account and auto-savings tools. Key features: No credit check or ChexSystems. No monthly maintenance fees or minimum balance. No minimum opening deposit. Get your paycheck up to two days early. Flat-fee cash advance between $20 and $500. High-yield savings account with APY from 2.5% to 5.00%. Credit builder account with no credit check. Best for: FDIC-insured bank with savings and credit-building tools Second-Chance and Traditional Bank Accounts With Easier Approval Although shiny fintech platforms are attractive to some folks, you might prefer a familiar institution with physical locations where you can speak with a teller. In that case, turn to established banks that offer second-chance banking accounts or other accounts designed with a negative or nonexistent banking history in mind. These institutions tend to use ChexSystems, credit checks and/or EWS for all accounts. If you absolutely need a bank account with no credit check, look for a fintech. But the accounts below might be easier to qualify for, even if you’ve had trouble opening other accounts. Bonus: Traditional banks tend to beat out fintechs for offering the best bank promotions, so keep an eye out for cash-back perks you could claim. 6. Chase Secure Banking℠ Chase Secure Banking checking account is widely framed as a second-chance banking option. Many people report being approved for this bank account after being denied for another Chase checking account, so this could be an option if you otherwise have trouble qualifying for a bank account. The account comes with built-in credit-building and budgeting features, as well as early direct deposit. There’s no overdraft service, so no need to fear overdraft fees. Account holders report they were able to open a Chase Secure Banking account without a ChexSystems check. Some sources, however, say that, while Chase will run a ChexSystems check, your record won’t affect your eligibility for an account. Sources also report Chase might run a soft credit check and a check with Early Warning Services (EWS), a fraud-detection service. This account might not be a guaranteed option, but it could be something to look into if you have negative marks in your banking history. Chase Secure Checking doesn’t match the convenience and simplicity of many online banks or fintech companies, but it’s a solid option if you want the familiarity and longevity of a well-known, brick-and-mortar financial institution. Key features: $4.95 monthly fee, waived if you have $250 or more in monthly direct deposits. No overdraft service and no overdraft fees. Access to Chase’s ATM network, bill pay, money orders and bank branches. Best for: Brick-and-mortar branch access and ATM network. 7. Bank of America Advantage SafeBalance Banking® Bank of America offers SafeBalance accounts for individuals or families, both designed to help children and young adults get started with banking. The Advantage SafeBalance account is a digital bank account targeted for people under age 25. As long as you’re younger than 25, the account comes with no monthly maintenance fee. Once you reach age 25, you’ll have to maintain a minimum balance of $500 or join BoA’s Preferred Rewards program to avoid a $4.95 monthly maintenance fee. The account mitigates the risk of overspending and overdraft fees by offering no overdraft service. Banking is entirely digital; you won’t get a paper checkbook. SafeBalance Banking is designed for young adults with little or no banking history, rather than those who want to rebuild their finances. If you have negative marks in your banking history, or a limited credit or work history in the U.S., BoA says you could be required to provide additional forms to verify your ID. Key features: No monthly maintenance fee if you’re under age 25. No overdraft service and no overdraft fees. ChexSystems and credit check are likely, but lack of history can be overcome. Access to Bank of America’s ATM network, financial services and bank branches. Best for: Young adults who want secure digital checking with branch access. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/19111604/banking-no-credit-check-2-final-1024x683.jpg" alt="A woman closes her eyes and looks up into the sky." class="wp-image-221419" srcset="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/19111604/banking-no-credit-check-2-final-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/19111604/banking-no-credit-check-2-final-360x240.jpg 360w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/19111604/banking-no-credit-check-2-final-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/19111604/banking-no-credit-check-2-final-222x148.jpg 222w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/19111604/banking-no-credit-check-2-final-314x209.jpg 314w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/19111604/banking-no-credit-check-2-final-363x242.jpg 363w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/19111604/banking-no-credit-check-2-final-467x311.jpg 467w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/19111604/banking-no-credit-check-2-final-649x433.jpg 649w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/19111604/banking-no-credit-check-2-final-750x500.jpg 750w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/19111604/banking-no-credit-check-2-final-793x529.jpg 793w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/19111604/banking-no-credit-check-2-final-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/19111604/banking-no-credit-check-2-final.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> Pexels The Truth about Banks with No Credit Check When you’re looking for a no credit check checking account, you might assume “no credit check” means automatic approval. But that’s not necessarily true. Banks might overlook your credit history, but they rely much more heavily on your banking history to determine whether to give you an account. Credit Checks vs. Banking History Checks Banks report your account activity to consumer reporting agencies much like credit card companies report to credit bureaus. The most common reporting agencies for banks are: ChexSystems, which is owned by the fintech and payment processing company FNIS and keeps a record of overdrafts, unpaid fees and involuntary account closures. Early Warning Services (EWS), which is co-owned by major national banks and keeps a record of potential fraudulent activity. Lack of banking history doesn’t tend to hurt you as significantly as lack of credit history does in lending, but negative marks can make it tough to get a bank account. If you have unpaid fees or overdraft debt, or if your history is flagged for opening multiple bank accounts in a short period, or there’s any indication of fraud, you could be denied a bank account. That’s all regardless of your credit score. Traditional banks tend to report to and pull from a combination of your credit history (with reporting agencies Equifax, TransUnion and/or Experian), ChexSystems, and EWS. Fintechs might do the same, but are less likely to pull a ChexSystems or EWS report. When a bank does a credit check to open a bank account, it will always do what’s known as a “soft credit check” or “soft credit pull,” as opposed to a “hard credit check.” A soft pull means it looks at your credit history, but it doesn’t report the check, because it wasn’t used to request credit. A hard pull, in contrast, is used when you apply for a credit card or loan; it makes a mark in your credit history noting that you’ve applied for new credit. Banks most often use a soft credit pull as a method of verifying your identity, and this has no effect on your credit score. Banks rely most heavily on ChexSystems to determine your eligibility for a bank account. They don’t want to take on customers with a history of overspending, unpaid fees or frequent account closures. If you’re being denied for new bank accounts, it’s most likely due to your ChexSystems history, not your credit history. You can request a copy of your ChexSystems report every 12 months through the ChexSystems website to see what’s on your report and dispute any inaccuracies. ‘No Credit Check’ Can Mean Different Things When individuals or publications offer recommendations for “no credit check” banks, they might mean different things. Banks with no credit check could mean: No background check at all. These banks explicitly skip a credit check, ChexSystems and EWS to offer truly accessible banking. No credit check, but they use ChexSystems or EWS. Many traditional financial institutions rely on ChexSystems and EWS to approve or deny bank account applications. But they don’t run a credit check unless you apply for a credit product. No hard credit check. Some fintechs skip ChexSystems and EWS, but they use a soft credit check to verify your identity and might use the information in your credit history to determine your eligibility for an account. Before you go through the trouble to apply, double check a bank’s fine print and FAQs, and chat with a customer service rep to find out what kind of background check they’ll do when you apply. If you consistently have trouble opening a bank account, explicitly ask about second-chance bank accounts for people with negative ChexSystems history. Pros and Cons of Banks with No Credit Checks Finding a bank that’ll approve your application might be your main objective right now, but it’s important to understand potential drawbacks of no-check-check banks, too. Compare the features of accounts you can qualify for to make sure you’re getting the best bank account for your circumstances. Benefits Easier approval if you have negative credit or banking history. Often include low-cost savings and credit-building features. Often include no-fee overdraft protection or no overdraft service to avoid fees. Less likely to have monthly maintenance fees. More likely to have mobile and online banking and early direct deposit. Drawbacks More likely to be a fintech company with money held by a third-party bank. More likely to be digital-first, with no paper checks and limited options for cash deposits. Must have stable income, direct deposit or minimum balance to avoid monthly fees. Approval is never guaranteed. How to Choose the Right Bank Account with No Credit Check Avoid disappointment by vetting bank accounts before you apply. Here’s how to choose the best bank account for your circumstances. Step 1. Check Your Banking History Check your reported banking history with ChexSystems and Early Warning Services to see what a bank will see about you. You’re entitled to a copy of these reports once every 12 months under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) in the U.S. Get your ChexSystems report. Get your EWS report. Depending on the kind of information, negative marks on ChexSystems or EWS can stay on your report for between five and seven years, based on the FCRA. To clean up your reported history: Repay negative balances and fees if you can. Confirm with the bank that they’ll report the payment to ChexSystems to eliminate the negative mark. Dispute errors on your report. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recommends filing a dispute with the reporting agency (ChexSystems and/or EWS) and with the bank that provided the incorrect information. You can also request your credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion once every 12 months through AnnualCreditReport.com and take the same steps to clean up any negative marks there. Step 2. Match Your Situation to the Right Account Type Once you know how your credit and banking history will look if they’re checked, you can figure out what you’re looking for in a “no-credit-check” bank. If you have poor credit but a fine banking history, most accounts should be available to you. If you’re a recent immigrant with no U.S. banking or credit history, ask about bank accounts for immigrants or non-citizens at local banks and credit unions, or look for online options such as Remitly or Zolve. If you have negative ChexSystems marks, stick with accounts that don’t do a ChexSystems check, including Chime and Varo, or accounts with traditional institutions explicitly defined as “second-chance” accounts. If your history is flagged for fraud, even second-chance accounts might deny your application. Work to get the fraud marks removed. In the meantime, you might have to rely on prepaid card services and online lenders as alternatives to banking. Step 3. Compare Fees and Everyday Features After you’ve narrowed your account options, compare what’s available to you. Even with limited approval options, you might have access to a variety of features with different banks. Consider these common banking features and fees: Monthly maintenance fees (and options for waiving it). Overdraft protection and fees. Credit-building, saving and budgeting features. Mobile, online and branch banking options and quality (depending on your preference). ATM networks for withdrawing and depositing cash. ATM fees (in-network versus out of network). Fees for money transfers, bill pay, checks and other services you’ll use. Other options for handling cash, such as retail locations or bank branches. Check mailing, checkbooks and bill pay options. Early paycheck access. Integration with Zelle, PayPal, Plaid and other common financial services. Joint account options. Parent-owned/monitored account options. Pro tip: Compare no-credit-check banks to the features found in The Penny Hoarder’s lists of best checking accounts and best savings accounts. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/19111918/banking-no-credit-3-final-1024x683.jpg" alt="A man thinks about something with a pen up to his mouth. " class="wp-image-221421" srcset="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/19111918/banking-no-credit-3-final-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/19111918/banking-no-credit-3-final-360x240.jpg 360w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/19111918/banking-no-credit-3-final-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/19111918/banking-no-credit-3-final-222x148.jpg 222w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/19111918/banking-no-credit-3-final-314x209.jpg 314w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/19111918/banking-no-credit-3-final-363x242.jpg 363w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/19111918/banking-no-credit-3-final-467x311.jpg 467w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/19111918/banking-no-credit-3-final-649x433.jpg 649w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/19111918/banking-no-credit-3-final-750x500.jpg 750w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/19111918/banking-no-credit-3-final-793x529.jpg 793w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/19111918/banking-no-credit-3-final-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/19111918/banking-no-credit-3-final.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> Pexels Are No-Credit-Check Bank Accounts Worth It? Bank accounts that skip the credit check or ChexSystems are an important option for anyone who’s had trouble opening a bank account elsewhere. Second-chance bank accounts are typically full-service checking accounts with low fees that cover all of your basic banking needs. They’re a step up from prepaid cards or check-cashing stores that often fill in when you’re unable to access a bank account. Digital banks that offer no-credit-check accounts tend to offer unique features that aren’t common at traditional institutions. This includes early direct deposit, fee-free overdraft protection, credit-building tools and easy-to-use mobile apps. If you need more banking tools, such as credit cards, loans, insurance and investing, a no-credit-check account can offer a bridge to build your banking history and help you qualify for an account with more features in the future. FAQ: Banks with No Credit Check Dana Miranda is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance® and author of YOU DON’T NEED A BUDGET. She writes Healthy Rich, a newsletter about money for misfits. *Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. The Chime Visa® Debit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A. pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. The secured Chime Visa® Credit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A. pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see the back of your Card for its issuing bank. MyPay® line of credit provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A. MyPay services provided by Chime Capital, LLC (NMLS ID 2316451). Chime is recommended by more of its users in the 2024 Qualtrics® NPS study when compared to top national banks and select fintechs. THE #1 MOST LOVED BANKING APP is a Registered Trademark of Chime Financial, Inc. * Terms apply. Limited time only, must open the new account and complete qualifying activities to earn 3 individual rewards, up to a max of $350.00, as described at https://www.chime.com/policies/newmemberofferv3. 1 Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date. 2 Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and over the counter advance fees may apply except at FCTI® ATMs in a 7-Eleven® or Speedway, or any Allpoint® or Visa® Plus Alliance ATM participating in the Allpoint network. 3 SpotMe® on Credit is an optional, no interest/no fee overdraft line of credit tied to the Secured Deposit Account. SpotMe on Debit is an optional, no fee service attached to your Chime Checking Account (individually or collectively, “SpotMe”). Eligibility for SpotMe requires $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account each month. Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Chime Checking Account and/or their Secured Deposit Account up to $20 in total, but may be later eligible for a higher combined limit of up to $200 or more based on member’s Chime account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. Your SpotMe Limit will be displayed to you within the Chime mobile app. You will receive notice of any changes to your SpotMe Limit. SpotMe for Credit and SpotMe on Debit share a single SpotMe limit. Your SpotMe Limit may change at any time, at Chime or its banking partners’ discretion. Although there are no overdraft fees, there may be out-of-network or third-party fees associated with ATM transactions or OTC cash withdrawal fees at retailers. SpotMe won’t cover non-card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. SpotMe Terms and Conditions. 4 With a qualifying direct deposit, earn 1.5% cash back on eligible secured Chime Visa® Credit Card purchases. Please refer to the Secured Chime Visa® Credit Card – Cash Rewards Program Addendum for details and more information on rotating cash back categories. 5 On-time payment history may have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score. Chime will report your activities to Transunion®, Experian®, and Equifax®. Impact on your credit may vary, as Credit scores are independently determined by credit bureaus based on a number of factors including the financial decisions you make with other financial services organizations. 6 Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and OTC advance fees may apply. View The Bancorp agreement or Stride agreement for details; see back of card for issuer. 7 Money added to Chime Card™ will be held in a secured deposit account as collateral for your Chime Card, and you can spend up to this amount. You can use money deposited in your Secured Deposit Account to pay off your charges at the end of every month. 8 You must notify your financial institution immediately of any unauthorized use. For specific restrictions, limitations and other details, please consult your issuer. 9 To be eligible for Chime+™ status, you must receive a qualifying direct deposit to your Chime Checking Account in the preceding 34 days. Certain products marketed as Chime+ benefits have additional eligibility requirements. While some Chime+ benefits may have associated fees, none of these fees are mandatory to access Chime+ benefits or to maintain Chime+ status. See Chime+ Terms and Conditions for details. 10 To be eligible for MyPay, you must receive qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account in the preceding 36 days as set forth in the MyPay Agreement. A qualifying direct deposit is a deposit from an employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, government benefits payer, or other permitted source of income by Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) or Original Credit Transaction (“OCT”). Your MyPay Credit Limit and Maximum Available Advance may change at any time. MyPay is a line of credit and available limits are based on estimated income and risk-based criteria. Eligible members may be offered a $20 – $500 Credit Limit per pay period. Your Credit Limit and Maximum Available Advance will be displayed to you within the Chime app. MyPay is currently only available to eligible Chime members in certain states. Other restrictions may apply. See Bancorp MyPay Agreement or Stride MyPay Agreement for details. 11 Top three national bank ranking according to the Federal Reserve Statistical Release based on domestic assets; number of ATMs self-reported by Chase, Bank of America and Wells Fargo – June 2025. 12 To apply for a Chime Card, you must also open a Chime Checking Account. 13 Chime Visa® Credit Card holders – Deposits and debit refunds go to your Checking Account, then transfer to your Chime Card Secured Deposit Account – other than Chime Card cash deposits at retailers, which go to your Chime Card Account, then transfer to your Secured Deposit Account. Funds are moved from your Secured Deposit Account to your Checking Account to facilitate outbound transfers and debit purchases. Your Available balance is the money you can spend with your Chime Card or Checking Account. See account agreements and statements for details. 14 Chime will report the following activities, as applicable, to TransUnion®, Experian®, and Equifax®: amount past due; payment status of the last paid-off balance; how long you’ve had your card; current statement balance; last balance payment date; and highest balance before paying it off. 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.
The Tax-Time Reality Check: More Than Half of Americans Depend on Tax Refunds for Basic Expenses
For many Americans, a tax refund isn’t a windfall or splurge money — it’s a critical lifeline for covering essential expenses. In fact, nearly 6 in 10 Americans view their tax refund as essential to their financial health — not discretionary spending — according to a new Tax-Time Reality Check survey from The Penny Hoarder. […] 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.
For many Americans, a tax refund isn’t a windfall or splurge money — it’s a critical lifeline for covering essential expenses. In fact, nearly 6 in 10 Americans view their tax refund as essential to their financial health — not discretionary spending — according to a new Tax-Time Reality Check survey from The Penny Hoarder. Further, 58% of respondents said their financial situation hasn’t improved since last tax season. Conducted in January 2026, the survey asked 1,000 U.S. adults from the general population who plan to file a federal income tax return this year about financial pressures, filing habits and why tax refunds matter more than ever. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17112746/07-finances-2048x2048-1-1024x1024.jpeg" alt="Tax-time reality check - finances chart" class="wp-image-221350" srcset="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17112746/07-finances-2048x2048-1-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17112746/07-finances-2048x2048-1-360x360.jpeg 360w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17112746/07-finances-2048x2048-1-150x150.jpeg 150w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17112746/07-finances-2048x2048-1-768x768.jpeg 768w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17112746/07-finances-2048x2048-1-1536x1536.jpeg 1536w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17112746/07-finances-2048x2048-1-100x100.jpeg 100w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17112746/07-finances-2048x2048-1-300x300.jpeg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> Why Tax Refunds Are No Longer Optional For Many Most financial experts will tell you a large tax refund is a sign you’re withholding too much from your paycheck and you’re just giving an interest-free loan to the government. Instead, you should withhold less and put that money somewhere it can grow for you — like a high-yield savings account. When the tax bill comes due, you’ll pay with the money you’ve been saving and keep the extra interest you made on the money over the course of a year. That’s all great, in theory. But the reality for many of us is that any extra money in our paychecks would get eaten up by bills, higher prices and unexpected expenses. We’d end up with no tax refund and a tax bill we can’t afford. Survey respondents echoed this, highlighting the reality that a tax refund is more like an annual financial infusion that keeps them afloat. In fact, 64% of Americans say a smaller-than-expected refund would negatively affect their finances, and 1 in 5 say a smaller-than-expected tax refund would cause severe financial hardship. Because prices for everyday expenses are still high, most Americans plan to use their tax refund to stabilize their finances, according to our survey. Large shares of taxpayers plan to use their refunds to cover essential living expenses (37%), catch up on overdue bills (38%) or rebuild savings (43%). <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113004/08-tax-refund-2048x2048-1-1024x1024.jpeg" alt="Tax-time reality check - tax refund statistic " class="wp-image-221352" srcset="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113004/08-tax-refund-2048x2048-1-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113004/08-tax-refund-2048x2048-1-360x360.jpeg 360w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113004/08-tax-refund-2048x2048-1-150x150.jpeg 150w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113004/08-tax-refund-2048x2048-1-768x768.jpeg 768w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113004/08-tax-refund-2048x2048-1-1536x1536.jpeg 1536w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113004/08-tax-refund-2048x2048-1-100x100.jpeg 100w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113004/08-tax-refund-2048x2048-1-300x300.jpeg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> This also means the refund money can’t come fast enough for some; 22% of Americans have used a refund advance or refund anticipation loan to access their refund early. Most experts caution against these options because the interest charges for these loans can be exorbitant. But again, for some, that may be the only option when money is tight. The good news is, most Americans expect to receive a tax refund this year, while about 1 in 10 expect to owe money and another 1 in 10 are unsure. Why Taxes Stress Us Out Although a tax refund is essential for many Americans’ finances, filing taxes is still stressful, our survey found. Most Americans do not feel confident heading into tax season, with one in four feeling anxious and another quarter procrastinating or confused. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113231/06-emotion-scale-2048x2048-1-1024x1024.jpeg" alt="Tax-time reality check - emotion scale " class="wp-image-221353" srcset="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113231/06-emotion-scale-2048x2048-1-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113231/06-emotion-scale-2048x2048-1-360x360.jpeg 360w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113231/06-emotion-scale-2048x2048-1-150x150.jpeg 150w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113231/06-emotion-scale-2048x2048-1-768x768.jpeg 768w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113231/06-emotion-scale-2048x2048-1-1536x1536.jpeg 1536w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113231/06-emotion-scale-2048x2048-1-100x100.jpeg 100w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113231/06-emotion-scale-2048x2048-1-300x300.jpeg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> The biggest sources of tax season stress are owing money, fear of making a mistake and the hassle of gathering documents: Fear of making a mistake (27%) Owing money (26%) Gathering documents (14%) To help reduce your stress over taxes, we recommend collecting necessary documents well ahead of the April 15 tax deadline, understanding the basics about how to file taxes and turning to a tax professional for advice on your specific tax situation. It’s also important to note that procrastinating too long on your taxes gives scammers more time to steal your tax-related identity info. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113349/10-stresses-2048x2048-1-1024x1024.jpeg" alt="Tax-time reality check - stresses " class="wp-image-221354" srcset="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113349/10-stresses-2048x2048-1-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113349/10-stresses-2048x2048-1-360x360.jpeg 360w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113349/10-stresses-2048x2048-1-150x150.jpeg 150w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113349/10-stresses-2048x2048-1-768x768.jpeg 768w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113349/10-stresses-2048x2048-1-1536x1536.jpeg 1536w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113349/10-stresses-2048x2048-1-100x100.jpeg 100w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113349/10-stresses-2048x2048-1-300x300.jpeg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> How Non-Traditional Income Complicates Taxes Most Americans who plan to file a federal income tax return this year get at least some of their income from a “regular” job — aka a W-2 job. Our survey found that more than two-thirds (70%) of workers earn income from one. However, the growth of side hustles in recent years means not everyone gets all their money this way. In fact, nearly three in ten Americans earn income outside of a traditional W-2 job, and more than one in five rely on side hustles or supplemental income (22%). Even more workers are earning from self-employment, freelance and gig work (27%). This can all add a layer of complexity to tax filing. That’s because with a W-2 job, the employer withholds taxes from people’s paychecks and pays it to the IRS on the employee’s behalf. If you earned money from sources like contract work or freelancing, you’re responsible for making sure those taxes get paid, including the employer’s share of taxes for things like Social Security and Medicare, plus self-employment taxes. There are even more sources of income to consider outside of W-2 jobs, self-employment and side hustles. Survey respondents said they also earn money from investments (23%) and retirement earnings (14%). Investments (23%) Retirement (14%) Respondents said they also received income affected by changes in the tax law this year, including tips (9%) and tax-exempt overtime pay (10%). We’ll get into that in a bit. Only 2% of our survey respondents say they make no taxable income at all. Sources like child support and (most) alimony payments tend to fall into this category. Anything considered taxable must be reported, which is why it’s important to research filing rules around all sources of income or consult a tax professional. Is Filing Yourself a Smart Move or Frugality Fail? Having a professional prepare your taxes can take some stress off of you, but it can cost hundreds of dollars (or more), depending on your return’s complexity. It’s a cost most Americans either don’t want to or can’t pay. More than half of survey respondents said they file their taxes themselves using tax software rather than pay someone else to do them. This cost-saving measure saves on a fee in the short term. However, making a mistake could prove even more expensive in the end than paying a professional. This is a risk a lot of taxpayers take. About three-quarters of Americans (74%) say they understand how taxes work for their personal situation at least fairly well — but roughly one in four admit they only understand the basics or find taxes confusing. Figuring it all out on their own takes time, too. Between gathering documents and filing, Americans spend roughly three hours actively preparing their taxes each year. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113613/05-march-3-hours-2048x2048-1-1024x1024.jpeg" alt="Tax-time reality check - time spent on taxes" class="wp-image-221355" srcset="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113613/05-march-3-hours-2048x2048-1-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113613/05-march-3-hours-2048x2048-1-360x360.jpeg 360w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113613/05-march-3-hours-2048x2048-1-150x150.jpeg 150w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113613/05-march-3-hours-2048x2048-1-768x768.jpeg 768w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113613/05-march-3-hours-2048x2048-1-1536x1536.jpeg 1536w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113613/05-march-3-hours-2048x2048-1-100x100.jpeg 100w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113613/05-march-3-hours-2048x2048-1-300x300.jpeg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> The increase in side hustles and multiple income streams makes taxes more complicated for more Americans. But most still prepare and file their taxes on their own using software rather than professional help. Fewer than one in four rely on a paid tax professional. Only about one in eight use free filing services. If you’re stressed or confused about certain concepts in your taxes — or you simply don’t have the time — it might be worth looking into finding a professional who fits your budget. If you qualify, there are many free tax filing options that will answer your questions throughout the process. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113814/02-filing-2048x2048-1-1024x1024.jpeg" alt="Tax-time reality check - how Americans file " class="wp-image-221357" srcset="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113814/02-filing-2048x2048-1-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113814/02-filing-2048x2048-1-360x360.jpeg 360w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113814/02-filing-2048x2048-1-150x150.jpeg 150w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113814/02-filing-2048x2048-1-768x768.jpeg 768w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113814/02-filing-2048x2048-1-1536x1536.jpeg 1536w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113814/02-filing-2048x2048-1-100x100.jpeg 100w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113814/02-filing-2048x2048-1-300x300.jpeg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> AI as Your Tax Adviser People are turning to AI for just about everything these days, even taxes. In fact, nearly two-thirds — 63% — of Americans are open to using AI for tax help while 37% say they don’t trust AI for taxes. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113941/09-ai-2048x2048-1-1024x1024.jpeg" alt="Tax-time reality check - AI" class="wp-image-221358" srcset="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113941/09-ai-2048x2048-1-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113941/09-ai-2048x2048-1-360x360.jpeg 360w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113941/09-ai-2048x2048-1-150x150.jpeg 150w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113941/09-ai-2048x2048-1-768x768.jpeg 768w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113941/09-ai-2048x2048-1-1536x1536.jpeg 1536w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113941/09-ai-2048x2048-1-100x100.jpeg 100w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17113941/09-ai-2048x2048-1-300x300.jpeg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> We fall into the latter camp. AI can be a useful tool, and tax software and filing services likely use proprietary AI, but asking a chat bot to do your taxes is risky. Any information you give to a public large language model platform (like ChatGPT) may be stored, analyzed or reviewed. So if you ask AI to prepare your return, things like your W2, total annual income and your Social Security number may be put at risk. Additionally, public AI chatbots may not be properly trained to accurately interpret complicated tax laws, including state and local rules, that may change annually. Americans are most comfortable using AI as a second set of eyes or an educational tool. Our survey results showed: 25% would use AI to double-check their work 22% would use it to explain tax jargon 20% would use it to save money on professional fees 12% would use it to find “hidden” deductions 21% say they wouldn’t use AI for taxes at all Things To Remember When You’re Filing Tax time can be confusing for many of us, especially when it comes to deductions to reduce our tax bill. Although two-thirds of Americans take the standard deduction, one in eight say they aren’t confident they’re claiming all the deductions they qualify for. Tax deductions, also known as tax write-offs, lower your taxable income so you’ll pay less overall. Some new deductions come from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which passed last year. Notably, the bill introduced two attractive tax deductions for tipped workers and employees eligible for overtime: Deductions for tips: Employees and self-employed individuals may deduct the first $25,000 of tipped wages for qualified jobs, including wait staff, bartenders, salon workers and personal trainers. Married couples who file together and both receive tips can claim the deduction for each filer; those who are married filing separately are not eligible. Nine percent of our survey respondents say they earn income from tips. Deductions for overtime: Eligible single filers can deduct up to $12,500 in overtime wages. Married couples filing jointly can deduct up to $25,000. According to our survey, 10% of people earn from tax-exempt overtime pay. There are also new deductions for seniors and for those who financed a new car last year. Deductions for car loan interest: The deduction applies to new made-in-America vehicles purchased after Dec. 31, 2024. This deduction is for those who make less than $100,000 in gross income, $200,000 for joint filers, and is applicable whether you use the standard deduction or itemize deductions. It has a maximum $10,000 deduction and expires in 2028. Deductions for seniors: Those over 65 can claim an additional deduction of $6,000, $12,000 for married couples so long as they’re both 65 and make less than $75,000 each in gross income. This deduction also expires in 2028. Only about half of Americans say they’re aware of new tax changes that could affect their filing this year. That means many taxpayers are heading into tax season without knowing if key tax changes apply to them. 52% say they’re aware of tax changes related to recent legislation 56% are aware of changes affecting tips or gratuities 53% are aware of changes to overtime pay 33% are aware of new deductions for seniors — meaning two-thirds are not 50% say they understand how their own tax situation has changed In addition to understanding deductions available to you, there are a few things you should know before filing. There are many tools you can use to file your taxes, including tax software. Some are free and best suited for basic filers. Others can cost up to hundreds of dollars, depending on the complexity of your tax situation. Here’s our roundup of the best options out there. Some income is taxable and some isn’t. For instance, things like your salary, tips, gambling winnings and hobby income, among others, are all taxable. Meanwhile, crowdsourced money, child support, alimony and disaster relief aren’t. Understand how your income is classified by using our guide on taxable income. If you work from home, you may be able to deduct your home office, but only under certain circumstances. Here’s the rundown. Do you freelance? Or work for yourself? Your taxes are going to be a little different. Here’s how to navigate independent contractor taxes. If you do get a refund this year and you don’t have an emergency fund, consider stashing at least some the money in a high-yield savings account. The higher interest rates offered by these accounts can help your fund grow, but you’ll still have easy, quick access in case of an emergency. Once you’ve filed, you should start thinking ahead about taxes next year. Here are the tax brackets for 2026 and our list of ways to keep more money in your pocket at tax time. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17114141/04-unaware-2048x2048-1-1024x1024.jpeg" alt="Tax-time reality check - Americans unaware of key tax changes. " class="wp-image-221359" srcset="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17114141/04-unaware-2048x2048-1-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17114141/04-unaware-2048x2048-1-360x360.jpeg 360w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17114141/04-unaware-2048x2048-1-150x150.jpeg 150w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17114141/04-unaware-2048x2048-1-768x768.jpeg 768w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17114141/04-unaware-2048x2048-1-1536x1536.jpeg 1536w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17114141/04-unaware-2048x2048-1-100x100.jpeg 100w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/17114141/04-unaware-2048x2048-1-300x300.jpeg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> What if You Owe? Last year, the IRS processed nearly 166 million returns and issued nearly 104 million refunds, according to the agency’s 2025 tax statistics. The average refund was $3,167. Because of the One Big Beautiful Bill, that’s expected to be higher this year. Still, many people owe the government money in taxes — one in 10 Americans say they expect to owe money and another one in 10 are unsure, according to our survey results. Should they owe, nearly half of our survey respondents say they would dip into savings to pay a tax bill, while many would rely on payment plans or credit cards to cover the cost: 48% say they’d use savings to cover their taxes 28% say they’d set up a payment plan with the IRS 25% say they’d use a credit card, according to our survey If you have an unexpected bill, here are eight options for paying it. Tiffany Wendeln Connors is senior managing editor of The Penny Hoarder. Katie Sartoris is managing editor. Mackenzie Raetz is senior editor of freelance. Methodology This survey was conducted by The Penny Hoarder using Pollfish in January 2026. The survey included 1,000 U.S. adults from the general population who plan to file a federal income tax return this year. All results are post-stratified to reflect the U.S. adult population, ensuring the findings are nationally representative. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding or because some questions allowed multiple responses. <div id="mediavine-settings" data-blocklist-leaderboard="1" data-blocklist-sidebar-atf="1" data-blocklist-sidebar-btf="1" data-blocklist-content-desktop="1" data-blocklist-content-mobile="1" data-blocklist-adhesion-mobile="1" data-blocklist-adhesion-tablet="1" data-blocklist-adhesion-desktop="1" data-blocklist-recipe="1" data-blocklist-auto-insert-sticky="1" data-blocklist-in-image="1" data-blocklist-chicory="1" data-blocklist-zergnet="1" data-expires-at="2026-04-16"> 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.
Looking to Rake in Extra Dough? This App Will Pay You for Shoveling Snow
This *cool* Shoveler app will help you make money shoveling snow this winter. 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.
If you’re seeking to earn extra income during the colder months, consider shoveling snow. Many folks are unable to or just don’t want to shovel snow off their driveways and walkways. Being in the 21st century, you don’t need to worry about going door to door and soliciting your services. Thanks to the smartphone app Shovler, you can see those in your immediate area looking to hire someone just like you. What Is Shovler? The Shovler app uses GPS to connect people in need of snow removal with nearby users willing to do the shoveling. Registered snow shovelers can use the app to quickly view and accept jobs within 20 miles of their current location — no haggling or in-person contact required. Daniel Miller, who lives in New York City, created Shovler in 2016 after a winter storm buried his car in snow — and he didn’t own a shovel. He spoke to others in the same situation and came up with the idea for the snow shoveling app. “I used to shovel snow as a kid in the ’90s,” Miller said. “I always had a great sense of satisfaction after completing a large driveway for a neighbor.” How Do You Get Started On Shovler? Before you can put your snow shoveling skills to the test, you’ll need about 10-15 minutes to sign up (including connecting the required payment platform). Download the Shovler app, select “Become a Shoveler” and fill out your information to get started. You will also need to connect a Stripe payment system account to get paid. After creating your account, the app makes it super easy to find snow shoveling jobs in your area. You can search for nearby jobs within the Shovler app or select “go on duty” to be notified when new snow shoveling jobs are added. There are different types of snow removal jobs to choose from. You can make money shoveling driveways and walkways, or digging out cars parked on a city street. Business owners can also hire shovelers to clear the snow in front of their businesses or small parking lots. What You Can Expect as a Snow Shoveler Nathan Simondet, a Shovler user in Minneapolis, joined the app in 2019 to make some extra cash. “The main problem is there is only work when it snows, and there is competition with other shovelers to accept jobs before they do,” Simondet said. “But the work is usually pretty easy.” According to Simondet, a typical snow removal job takes 20 to 30 minutes, more if there’s a lot of snow. “My last job only took five minutes,” Simondet said. “There was only an inch of snow, and all I had to do was the front sidewalks.” And since you get paid by the job, not the time it takes, a quicker job is really worth more money. Snow shovelers bring their own equipment, including a shovel, brush, salt and any other tools they might need to remove snow. Investing in the right snow removal gear and equipment can also help boost profits. “Last year I did 70 jobs and made about $3,000,” Simondet said. “I already had a snow shovel and a snowblower, but I ended up investing in a bigger shovel to do jobs faster.” You should arrive at a job within 45 minutes of accepting it. Once you’re done, you’ll upload a picture of your work to the Shovler app for evaluation. How Much Money Can You Make as a Shoveler? A Shovler shoveler can expect to make between $35 and $75 for small jobs, while bigger gigs like clearing small business parking lots bring in more cash. The Shovler app factors in the size of the job, the type of area to be shoveled and current weather conditions to determine the price. For example, you’ll make more money during a snowstorm than after a light snowfall. If demand is surging, the price increases. The person creating the job also has the option to increase the price. Like many side gig apps, Shovler takes a cut from each completed job, and in this case, it’s 20%. However, that won’t impact your expected earnings. The fee is taken out before the job is listed as available. You’ll need to bring your A game too. If a job is rated lower than four stars, the Shovler app reduces your pay. You’ll get docked 5% for each missing star, so a two-star rating equals a 10% reduction in your pay. A Holiday Side Gig Jayson Abro, a Northeast shoveler, said the app makes it easy to earn extra money around the holidays. “I made more on Shovler in two days than I did trying to do Uber for a month,” Abro told The Penny Hoarder. Abro said he can quickly find jobs by simply opening the app after a big snowfall. “We get a few big snowstorms a year so I just log on during those days and see hundreds of jobs and work through the ones that are close,” he said. Like Simondet, Abro said he made about $3,000 during winter 2020-21 using Shovler. Another cool perk: Snow shovelers get to keep all the tips they receive. Shovler noted that “over 75% of users tipped their shoveler and the tip amount to shoveler’s pay was an average over 30%!” — that’s quite a hefty bit of extra change coming from tips. During a 2020 winter snowstorm, Shovler reported that users tipped their shovelers an average of 44%. All Shovler transactions are completed through the app using credit card information. Shovelers receive payment once the job is reviewed by the customer or 13 hours later, whichever is sooner. Stripe will transfer money into your account every two to three business days. How Busy Will You Be Shoveling Snow? If you’re looking to make Shovler a lucrative job, it’s wise to keep an eye on the local weather forecast. The app is available everywhere in the United States and parts of Canada, but snowier parts of the country draw more business. In 2020, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts and Michigan were the busiest states on Shovler, due to record snowfall in the Northeast. During a typical year, Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin and Illinois take the top spots, according to Miller. “In order to fill every job on the platform we need shovelers everywhere in North America — at least the places that get snow,” Miller said. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Contributor Jenna Limbach writes on financial literacy and lifestyle topics for The Penny Hoarder. Michael Archambault is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder. Information from former Penny Hoarder writer Carson Kohler is included in this report. 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.
What to Buy on GovDeals: The Best Categories for Real Savings
When government agencies need to get rid of stuff, they put it up for auction. That’s what makes government auction sites, like GovDeals.com, a great place to find truly unique finds at a steep discount. GovDeals lets you search thousands of listings in just about every category, from heavy equipment and real estate to fine […] 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.
When government agencies need to get rid of stuff, they put it up for auction. That’s what makes government auction sites, like GovDeals.com, a great place to find truly unique finds at a steep discount. GovDeals lets you search thousands of listings in just about every category, from heavy equipment and real estate to fine art and jewelry. This guide breaks down how GovDeals works, why prices are often so low, the best categories to shop for savings, and where you should slow down or skip entirely. What Is GovDeals and Why Prices Are So Low Think of GovDeals like eBay but for governments. It’s an online auction platform where government agencies sell surplus, seized or outdated items directly to the public. Back in the day, many agencies placed ads in the local newspaper when they wanted to sell off old equipment or seized property. But now, cities, counties, school districts, police departments, utilities and other public agencies use GovDeals and other auction sites, where they can reach a bigger audience, to clear out items they no longer need. Because the goal is disposal and cost recovery, not retail profit, many listings start with low opening bids. Prices are often low for a few practical reasons: Items are sold as-is, with limited buyer protections Buyers may have to handle local pickup and transport Listings can be inconsistent because agencies post their own photos and notes Some items are bulky, specialized or expensive to move, which reduces competition <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="760" src="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/11144141/govdeals-screenshot-1024x760.png" alt="Online auction listing showing item photos and bidding details" class="wp-image-221281" srcset="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/11144141/govdeals-screenshot-1024x760.png 1024w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/11144141/govdeals-screenshot-360x267.png 360w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/11144141/govdeals-screenshot-768x570.png 768w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/11144141/govdeals-screenshot-1536x1140.png 1536w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/11144141/govdeals-screenshot-2048x1521.png 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> An auction on GovDeals for a minivan is shown on February 11, 2026. Best Categories to Save Money on GovDeals You can find just about anything on GovDeals, including exercise equipment, school projectors, laptops, food storage items, jewelry, kitchen equipment, trucks, trading cards, RVs and hunting knives. However, the best categories to save money on GovDeals include vehicles, heavy equipment, office furniture, electronics and bulk maintenance supplies. The categories below tend to offer the most consistent savings because agencies replace these items regularly and the resale market is often smaller than you’d expect. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/08160012/Vehicles-final-1024x683.jpg" alt="A parking lot full of cars." class="wp-image-122915" srcset="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/08160012/Vehicles-final-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/08160012/Vehicles-final-360x240.jpg 360w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/08160012/Vehicles-final-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/08160012/Vehicles-final-100x67.jpg 100w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/08160012/Vehicles-final-222x148.jpg 222w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/08160012/Vehicles-final-314x209.jpg 314w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/08160012/Vehicles-final-363x242.jpg 363w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/08160012/Vehicles-final-467x311.jpg 467w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/08160012/Vehicles-final-649x433.jpg 649w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/08160012/Vehicles-final-750x500.jpg 750w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/08160012/Vehicles-final-793x529.jpg 793w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/08160012/Vehicles-final-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/08160012/Vehicles-final.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> Getty Images Vehicles and Transportation Equipment You can often find GovDeals listings for vehicles and transportation equipment at steep discounts because many agencies retire their vehicles due to age or high mileage, and some rotate fleets on a fixed schedule. Common listings include sedans, pickups, vans, buses, trailers and specialty vehicles like firetrucks. Some get retired due to age or high mileage, while others are replaced as part of routine fleet updates. If you’re considering buying a vehicle off of GovDeals, you should keep a few things in mind. Consider mileage and maintenance history when it’s available Factor in towing or transport if the vehicle isn’t drivable Plan for registration, taxes, and any buyer fees Heavy Equipment and Industrial Tools Utilities and public works departments may list generators, compressors, forklifts, skid steers and other industrial-grade tools when they refresh equipment or clear storage. These items often sell for cheap on GovDeals because fewer bidders can inspect, move or repair them. But even when an item needs work, the discount can be significant enough to make sense for experienced buyers. This category tends to work best for buyers who: Can assess condition from listings and photo Have access to transport or hauling Know what repairs and parts typically cost Office Furniture and Fixtures Office furniture is one of the most dependable GovDeals categories for everyday savings. Desks, office chairs, file cabinets, shelving and conference tables show up frequently when agencies renovate, downsize or replace worn pieces. These items often stay inexpensive because pickup is local and the items can be bulky. This category is usually a good fit if you’re furnishing: A home office on a budget A small business workspace A school, nonprofit or community space <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="600" src="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/12161251/office-furniture.jpeg" alt="A photo of numerous old office chairs." class="wp-image-170362" srcset="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/12161251/office-furniture.jpeg 800w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/12161251/office-furniture-360x270.jpeg 360w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/12161251/office-furniture-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/12161251/office-furniture-100x75.jpeg 100w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/12161251/office-furniture-632x474.jpeg 632w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/12161251/office-furniture-536x402.jpeg 536w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/12161251/office-furniture-300x225.jpeg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /> Photo courtesy of GovDeals Electronics and IT Equipment Agencies often sell monitors, desktops, laptops, printers and networking gear after upgrades. While these items’ performance may be dated, some items are business-grade and can still handle basic tasks. So, electronics and IT equipment can be a solid value when you expect older models and limited guarantees. This category is easiest to shop when you: Treat listings as unknown condition, unless stated otherwise Assume accessories like cables or chargers may be missing Plan to wipe, reset, or refurbish devices before use Maintenance, Safety and Utility Supplies Maintenance, safety and utility supplies, like tools, signage, lighting, storage bins, shop supplies, safety gear and facility maintenance items, are often in better shape because they’re surplus inventory rather than worn-out equipment. And because agencies often purchase in bulk, leftover stock can be sold off at steep discounts. This category is often best for: Homeowners working through ongoing projects Landlords and property managers Small facilities that need practical supplies Categories That Offer the Biggest Discounts (and Why) To recap, you’ll find the biggest discounts on GovDeals for items that are hard to ship, hard to move or difficult for casual buyers to evaluate. Why? Government agencies replace items based on schedules, policies and budgets — not only when something breaks. That predictable turnover creates a steady inventory, while logistics and inspection barriers keep bidding competition lower than it would be in retail marketplaces. So, if your goal is savings, shopping by category is usually more reliable than chasing one-off “wow” deals. Categories to Be Careful With on GovDeals Some GovDeals categories can look like a bargain but become expensive once you account for risk, missing parts, or pickup challenges. Categories that often require extra caution include: Consumer electronics with vague testing notes Items missing key parts or proprietary components Specialized equipment without documentation Anything that’s hard to inspect or expensive to transport If you can’t confirm items’ condition or easily absorb repair costs, bidding conservatively or skipping entirely is often the smartest move. How to Buy on GovDeals Without Overpaying You can avoid overpaying on GovDeals by setting a firm price limit and factoring total costs into every bid. Because auctions can trigger last-minute bidding pressure, it helps to decide your maximum before the final minutes. A practical checklist before bidding: Read the full listing terms and pickup requirements Look for condition notes like “untested,” “powers on” or “no keys” Estimate total cost, including transport and buyer fees Check comparable used prices for context Bid based on risk, not just best-case scenarios The best GovDeals savings usually go to buyers who stay patient, bid deliberately and treat unknowns as real costs. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/23115702/uhaul-1024x683.jpg" alt="A sofa is moved into a Uhaul trailer." class="wp-image-194981" srcset="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/23115702/uhaul-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/23115702/uhaul-360x240.jpg 360w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/23115702/uhaul-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/23115702/uhaul-222x148.jpg 222w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/23115702/uhaul-314x209.jpg 314w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/23115702/uhaul-363x242.jpg 363w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/23115702/uhaul-467x311.jpg 467w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/23115702/uhaul-649x433.jpg 649w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/23115702/uhaul-750x500.jpg 750w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/23115702/uhaul-793x529.jpg 793w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/23115702/uhaul-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/23115702/uhaul.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> AP Photo GovDeals FAQs Final Verdict: Is GovDeals a Smart Way to Save Money? GovDeals can be a smart way to save money when you shop by category, set a firm bidding limit and treat auctions as as-is purchases — not retail deals. Vehicles, office furniture, heavy equipment and bulk maintenance supplies tend to offer the most repeatable value, while categories with uncertain condition or missing components carry higher risk. Savings are never guaranteed, but focusing on categories instead of individual listings helps reduce risk, avoid overbidding and make GovDeals savings more consistent over time. 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.
HELOC vs. Home Equity Loan: How to Tap Into Your Home’s Equity
If you’re on the fence about whether to take a HELOC or a home equity loan, here’s what to consider. 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.
Thinking about tapping into your home equity? If you’re looking for ways to finance a home renovation, consolidate debts (hello, student loans!) or fund a big purchase, you might be on the right track. Your home equity could give you quick access to large sums of money, often at a lower interest rate than a credit card or personal loan. But there are several ways to leverage your home equity, including a home equity line of credit (HELOC) and a home equity loan. So which option is right for you? And how do a HELOC vs. home equity loan compare? In this article we’re sharing everything you need to know about the most popular ways to tap into your home equity, including pros, cons and common use cases. What Is a Home Equity Loan? A home equity loan is a type of loan that allows you to borrow money against the value of your home. Your equity, or the difference between your home’s value and the amount you own on your mortgage, acts as collateral for the lender. Home equity loans give you a lump sum of money, then you repay it over time with fixed monthly payments at a fixed interest rate. Home equity loans are often used for home improvements, education costs, business investments and more. What Is a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)? A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is a loan that lets you borrow money against the equity of your home on a revolving basis, similar to a credit card. You can use funds as needed up to a set limit of time, which is usually between 5 to 10 years. You’ll make interest-only payments during this period then be required to pay back principal and interest over the repayment term. HELOCs are most commonly used for large, ongoing expenses, such as home renovations, emergency needs, medical bills or real estate investments. Home Equity Line of Credit vs. Home Equity Loan A HELOC vs. home equity loan may sound similar, but they’re two distinct options with unique pros and cons. To determine the best fit for you, first consider what you’ll be using the equity for. And remember: If you can, it’s always better to save for big expenses rather than tap into your home equity. When you wait to make home upgrades until you can afford to pay cash for them, you’re guaranteed to pay less than using a HELOC or home equity loan. Home Equity Loan Also referred to as a second mortgage, a home equity loan is given to you from the lender all upfront. Then you repay it at a fixed interest rate over a set period of time, referred to as a “term.” Because a home equity loan is paid in a lump sum, you should be ready to start paying interest on the entire balance. “Unless you’re using the loan to make repairs or improvements to your home, it is usually not a great idea,” said Randall Yates, CEO of The Lenders Network. Investing that money back into your home will help increase its market value, but Yates cautions people against using it to repay debt. “Using the funds to pay off unsecured credit card debt is risky, because if you face financial problems, your home is in jeopardy of being foreclosed on,” he said. Ultimately, if you’re using your equity for a one-time expense or if you know exactly how much you’ll need to take out, a home equity loan could be a good option. Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) If you don’t know how much money you need or how long you’ll need it for, a HELOC might be a better option. Your lender gives you a borrowing limit, and then you can take as little or as much as you need whenever you want. “The advantages to it are you only pay on the money you borrow,” said Ralph DiBugnara, president of Home Qualified. “Think of it like having a low-interest credit card on your home.” The downside: Interest rates for HELOCs are typically adjustable and are often higher than rates for a home equity loan. Other Options to Tap Into Your Home Equity If a home equity loan and a HELOC don’t seem like the right fit, you may want to consider other options, like a cash-out refinance or reverse mortgage. Refinancing With a cash-out refinance, you refinance your first mortgage with a mortgage that’s slightly more money than your current one, and then pocket the difference. You can usually get lower interest rates and monthly payments, but because the cash is rolled into the term of your entire mortgage, in the long run you’ll pay more in interest over the life of the loan unless you pay off your home early. Reverse Mortgage Another option you may be familiar with (from its robust advertising budget) is a reverse mortgage. The majority of reverse mortgages are actually home equity conversion mortgages, or HECMs. These are federally insured mortgages, similar to home equity loans. They allow homeowners 62 or older to tap into a portion of their equity and usually don’t need to be paid back while the person lives in their home. Advertisements make a reverse mortgage look like a great option for seniors, but the reality is less sweet. Because homeowners aren’t required to make payments toward the loan, interest compiles and the loan balance can balloon quickly. This often makes them the most expensive way to access home equity. Many people think a reverse mortgage will cover them until they die, but depending on the age of the homeowner and value of the home, someone can easily outlive their equity. Should You Tap Into Your Home Equity? Tapping into your home equity is a big decision — one that should be considered carefully and responsibly. If you’re deciding between a HELOC vs. home equity loan, be sure to talk to a financial advisor to help determine the best route for your situation. Remember that defaulting on the loan could lead to foreclosure, so it’s important to understand the terms and risks before proceeding. Jen Smith is a former staff writer at The Penny Hoarder. She gives money-saving and debt-payoff tips on Instagram at @savingwithspunk. Senior editor of freelancer Mackenzie Raetz updated this post for 2026. 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.
Do You Have Unexpected Bills and No Emergency Fund? These Are Alternatives
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. One morning, you head out to your car and it doesn’t start. Or, you have a medical emergency that requires major surgery. Maybe a pipe […] 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.
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. One morning, you head out to your car and it doesn’t start. Or, you have a medical emergency that requires major surgery. Maybe a pipe bursts in your master bathroom and does extensive damage. But you have no emergency fund, so how do you get emergency money? Emergencies can strike at any time. An emergency fund can help, but 37% of respondents for The Penny Hoarder’s State of Savings survey don’t have one. That means for two in five U.S. consumers, when something goes wrong, they need a way to get emergency money. We have five avenues for you to consider. Make Quick Cash to Cover Emergency Expenses Expensive emergencies are hard — both emotionally and financially. There are ways to get the money you need if you don’t have an emergency fund, but what about when you have to pay that money back? Or, what if you’re more committed to starting that emergency fund now? We have some ways you can make quick cash below to help with both. 1. Put It on a Credit Card Pros: Immediate access to funds Repay over time No additional application required Cons: High interest rates Unpaid balances can add up Possible credit score impact If you already have a credit card, it can be one of the easiest options in an emergency. But if you can’t afford to pay off the balance in full, you’ll be saddled with the payments for a while. On top of that, credit cards typically come with higher interest rates, and those extra fees can add up over time. Bobbi Rebell, CFP® and personal finance expert at CardRates.com, recommends paying close attention to interest you’ll have to pay. If you have more affordable options available, it makes sense to consider them. “If you do find yourself adding credit card debt to an already bad financial situation, try to negotiate a lower interest rate with the issuer if possible,” Rebell adds. She also suggests applying for a credit card with a zero-interest introductory period. Check out our list of the best 0% APR credit cards for that. “Some of those can be as long as 18 months, which can give you some extra breathing room to work through your financial challenges.” 2. Take Out a Personal Loan Pros: Competitive interest rates Predictable payments Flexibility in how funds are used Cons: Stringent approval processes Origination fees and prepayment penalties Possible credit score impact Personal loans are easier to find than ever. You don’t even have to go through a local bank or credit union to get the funds you need quickly. Online lending marketplaces like AmOne make it easy to quickly compare pre-qualified offers from lenders side-by-side. That said, a personal loan does come with interest and fees, so it’s important to consider the cost before you borrow. Kathy Gilchrist, founder and chief financial officer at Cardinal Bookkeeping & Advisory, said loans can come with downsides. However, she has an alternative solution that could save some money. “Check on whether there’s a local nonprofit in your area with a program that could help with your situation,” Gilchrist advises. “I served on the board of a local nonprofit that had a program to provide short-term loans for people with emergency needs when all other resources have been depleted.” 3. Borrow From Your 401(k) Pros: Repayment goes back into your account No credit check required Low interest rates Cons: Not available to everyone Loans come with limits Potential tax consequences You may be able to get emergency money if you have a 401(k). However, before you go this route, it’s important to understand what’s involved. First, you’ll be limited to the lesser of these two options: 50% of your vested account balance or $10,000, whichever is greater OR $50,000 The best thing about borrowing from your 401(k) is you’re repaying the money to yourself. You’ll only need to pay interest, and interest rates are typically lower with a 401(k) loan. However, you will need to pay a 10% penalty unless you qualify for a hardship withdrawal or you’re 59½ or older. “Taking money from your retirement fund means that although you are avoiding paying interest to a credit card company, you also are taking away from your own wealth building,” Rebell cautions. “The money you take out is no longer compounding and growing, and in most cases, you will have to pay income tax on the money taken out. It’s also important to look at your specific plan details because some funds impose restrictions on contributions for some time, which can hurt your ability to build up that nest egg for even longer.” 4. Get a Home Equity Loan Pros: Low interest rates Consistent monthly payments Larger amounts available Cons: Longer approval process Risk of losing your home Closing costs and fees Do you have equity in your home? If so, it could be used as collateral for a loan. Home equity loans and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) can be a low-interest alternative to credit card debt. With a home equity loan, you borrow the funds and pay them back, with interest. HELOCs, on the other hand, extend a loan amount that you can use as needed during a fixed period of time, known as the draw period. You can compare your options with online lending marketplaces like Lending Tree. But Kyle Enright, president of lending at Achieve, said borrowing on your home’s equity comes with some downsides. Primarily, you’ll be adding another monthly payment to your debt. You’ll also risk foreclosure if you miss payments. “While some HELOCs are fixed rate, most are variable rate, meaning the rate — and therefore the monthly payment — can change throughout the term of the loan,” Enright warns. “Finally, qualification for HELOCs and home equity loans vary by lender, but can be challenging.” 5. Borrow from Friends or Family Pros: Flexible terms Low or no interest No credit check required Cons: Strained relationships Legal trickiness Tax implications for lender Borrowing from loved ones seems like a great idea on the surface. You won’t endure a credit check, and your personal lender can even make a little income by charging interest. But this type of financial transaction can negatively impact relationships, so it’s important to consider the drawbacks first. “Depending on the relationship with your family, this could actually be the best option available to you,” said Adem Selita, CEO and co-founder at The Debt Relief Company. “Family are a lot more likely to help you out in a bind and won’t require any forms or credit checks. However, make sure you do right by them. Write the terms down on paper, if possible. The last thing you want to do is to lose family members over money.” While it’s possible to get emergency money in a pinch, it’s important to earmark part of your budget for building an emergency fund. At first, make sure you have enough to cover car repairs or small medical bills. Then, over time, strive to cover at least a few months of essential expenses in case you’re unemployed. It takes time, but it will be well worth it when you’re earning interest on your funds rather than paying interest on money you borrowed. Stephanie Faris is a professional finance writer with more than a decade of experience. Her work has been featured on a variety of top finance sites, including Money Under 30, GoBankingRates, Retirable, Sapling and Sifter. 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.
11 Pantry Essentials for Whipping Up Easy Low-Cost Meals
Keeping these pantry essentials in your kitchen allows you to whip up quick meals and minimize your takeout spending. 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.
Saving money on food comes down to one thing: working smarter, not harder. And that starts with keeping some basic pantry (and freezer) essentials on hand at all times, so you can whip up tasty meals with minimal effort. Saving money in the kitchen is always important, but even more so as food prices rise. The price of food increased 3.1% over the last 12 months, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. There are a number of factors that drive up prices, including rising energy and transportation costs, tariffs and higher labor costs. Why Is It a Good Idea to Have a Well-Stocked Pantry? If you have a well-stocked pantry it makes it easier and cheaper to cook at home and not resort to takeout. A stocked pantry allows you to smartly take advantage of store sales to make meals for your family because you don’t have to buy every ingredient for something you may want to prepare. For example, if there’s a good deal on ground beef at the grocery store and you already have dried breadcrumbs, jarred red sauce and dried spaghetti in your pantry, you’ve got most of what you need for easy spaghetti and meatballs. Pick up a few fresh veggies and make black bean soup with the canned beans and broth you’ve got in the pantry. And how lucky that you have a loaf of French bread in the freezer. The Budget Cook’s 11 Kitchen Pantry Essentials Whole grains and breads Pasta Beans and legumes Baking Nuts and seeds Oils and vinegars Condiments and sauces Dried herbs and spices Shelf-stable foods Frozen fruits and veggies In the fridge If you’re trying to cut down on takeout and looking to stock your cabinets on the cheap, grab these healthy pantry essentials to build quick and easy low-cost meals. Keep an eye out for sales. Also, there is a lot on this list, and you don’t need it all. If your family won’t eat peas, no need to buy that frozen bag of them. Same with pickles and olives, though for some folks, these items are the perfect flavor boosts for salads and sandwiches. 1. Grains and Breads Rolled oats Quinoa Rice (long grain, short grain, brown) Breads Muffins Bagels Corn and flour tortillas Cereals Quinoa and rice are standard bases for veggie bowls, taco bowls and fried rice. They also make it easy to whip up your very own quinoa curry. Rolled oats are also versatile and worthy of a place in your pantry. In addition to overnight oats and baked goods, you can toss oats into a smoothie or even make your own granola. A variety of bread is another great staple to have on hand. You can put just about anything between two slices of bread and call it a sandwich, or add some cheese and veggies in a tortilla to make a quesadilla. You’ve got tuna and bagels? Think about an open-face tuna melt sandwich. By having some standard whole grains around as a base, you can also cut down on food waste and reheat your leftovers or use up produce to create entirely new dishes. If you see bread on sale, grab a few loaves and stash them in the freezer. 2. Pasta Spaghetti Penne Shells Couscous Rice noodles Egg noodles You don’t necessarily need these specific noodles, but a long noodle and a short noodle will do all the things you need noodles to do. Say that 10 times fast. Your short noodle (elbows, shells) can make mac and cheese or a great pasta primavera with leftover veggies. Long noodles (spaghetti, fettuccine, angel hair) are made for sauces like Alfredo, pesto or marinara. You can make your pantry even more versatile by stocking it with rice noodles or egg noodles to whip up a homemade pad thai or ramen. 3. Beans and Legumes Chickpeas (garbanzo beans) Lentils Black beans Kidney beans Refried beans Lima beans Black-eyed peas Beans and legumes cost a fraction of the price of meat, making them an affordable way to add protein to soups, chilis and tacos. Roasted chickpeas make a healthy salad topper, while lentils are great for curry. You can buy these canned, but buying them dry is even cheaper. Bonus: Ditch the bag and store them in decorative jars for a whimsical kitchen counter storage solution. Another perk to buying dried beans? Dried chickpeas make it super easy to blend your own delicious hummus. It is hard to beat the convenience of canned beans, and store brands are usually cheaper than big-name brands. Consider rinsing them before using to get rid of excess sodium. 4. Baking All-purpose flour Granulated sugar Brown sugar Baking powder Baking soda Powdered sugar Vanilla extract All-purpose or whole-wheat flour is essential for more than just cakes and breads. You can use it to make your own pancakes, biscuits or even fresh egg pasta. Flour is also used as a thickener in homemade sauces and soups. A little sugar can make a yummy sweet-and-savory sauce or quick fruit crisp in the microwave. Sugar shouldn’t be a staple in your diet, but it’s necessary in your kitchen. You’re likely to consume less sugar when you make your sweets at home instead of buying them at the store. And some homemade sauces actually call for a bit of sugar to offset the spiciness (like this teriyaki sauce). 5. Nuts and Seeds Almonds Peanuts Cashews Pecans Pumpkin seeds (pepitas) Shelled sunflower seeds Basic nuts and seeds have a dual purpose: They’re a great snack on their own, and they give a nice crunchy texture to salads, oatmeal and baked goods. They also work really well with certain meat dishes — like this cashew chicken. Watch for them on sale because they can be pricy. Nuts are also just super healthy. Pumpkin seeds are chock-full of nutrients — just 1 ounce has 7 grams of protein. Nuts also contain a hefty dose of healthy fats and nutrients, so skip the chips and keep these tiny gems on hand. Save money on your nuts and seeds by ordering them in bulk from companies like Nutstop. 6. Oils and Vinegars Olive oil Vegetable oil Sesame oil White vinegar Apple cider vinegar Balsamic vinegar Coconut oil You can make some awesome marinades and salad dressings with this classic combo. Apple cider vinegar makes a tasty vinaigrette, while adding sesame oil to peanut butter and soy sauce creates an amazing peanut sauce. If you want to expand your oil and vinegar inventory, balsamic and rice vinegars add a lot of options to your pantry arsenal. Plus if you end up with more vinegar than you know what to do with, you can always try your hand at canning garden vegetables. And we found plenty of uses for coconut oil beyond cooking to make this a pantry superstar. 7. Condiments and Sauces Mayonnaise Dijon mustard Soy sauce Hot sauce Honey Worcestershire sauce BBQ sauce Much like oil and vinegar, condiments and sauces give new life to bland meats and veggies. They can also be the glue that holds creative dishes together — like this easy egg salad recipe. A little hot sauce corrects all recipe mistakes. If you’ve already got a lot of condiments to work with, don’t let them die in your fridge. There are several ways to put them to good use. 8. Dried Herbs and Spices Salt Pepper Garlic powder Onion powder Ground cumin Italian seasoning Crushed red pepper Cinnamon powder Salt and pepper are a given. But buying pre-minced garlic saves time — and allows you to add fresh garlic to anything. It also brings you one step closer to this delicious homemade garlic bread. Cumin is another good spice to have since it’s a staple in many Mexican dishes. Italian seasoning is a frugal life hack. It includes all the seasonings you want in the ratio you want them, without having to buy seven different bottles. And crushed red pepper is an easy one to have on hand because you can always refill your container with the packets that come with your pizza. 9. Shelf-Stable Foods Tomatoes (whole peeled, crushed, diced, pureed) Peanut butter Nut butters Pasta sauces Coconut milk Stock or broth Corn Canned tuna Canned chicken Salsa (red and green) Olives Capers Pickles Raisins/dried cranberries We often think of this category as canned goods, but some of these foods will come in jars, resealable bags or cartons. Watch labels because some items may need to be refrigerated after opening. Coconut milk, stock and tomatoes are necessary bases for many soups, chilis and curries (coconut curry, anyone?). You can also cook rice and quinoa in stock or coconut milk to add some extra flavor. It’s always nice to have a fancy pasta sauce on hand if you don’t have time to make your own — even though it’s really easy. And if you’re embarking on a pantry challenge by eating what’s on hand before buying additional groceries, having ample canned goods will help you tie together some delicious meals. 10. Frozen Fruits and Veggies Spinach Peas Mixed veggies Berries Mixed fruits Veggie patties or nuggets Edamame While it’s not exactly your “pantry,” having a stocked freezer is one of the easiest ways to ensure you always have prepped veggies, vegetarian protein alternatives and a variety of fruits on hand. Toss frozen veggies into the oven for an easy baked veggie side, or add frozen berries to your favorite baked goods, like these blueberry muffins. (Plus, you’ve got the baking essentials in your pantry so you may not have to buy anything!) If you have a hankering for more of the “junk food” frozen items like dumplings or frozen pizza, don’t go crazy trying to deprive yourself. Remember, satisfying your food needs (even those sneaky cravings) at home will always be cheaper than paying for takeout. 11. In the Fridge Butter Eggs Milk Nut “milks” Cheeses (cream cheese, Parmesan, cheddar) Yogurt Just like the freezer, you might not think of the refrigerator as your pantry, but some essentials there will make cooking from scratch so much easier. Take eggs. Even though the price has gone up, eggs can still be the base of an economical meal. Look for store brands, which continue to be a better buy than bigger name brands. We especially like this huevos rancheros recipe, and since you already have beans, salsa and tortillas in your pantry, dinner will not only be a snap, it will be cheap. Contributor Larissa Runkle frequently writes on finance, real estate, and lifestyle topics for The Penny Hoarder. Jen Smith is a former staff writer at The Penny Hoarder. Assigning Editor Karen Grigsby updated this post. 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.
13 Second Jobs That Will Help You Pay the Bills
If you’re hunting for a second job to help make ends meet, make sure it’s a good fit. Check out these possible gigs and know what to look for. 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.
Are you thinking about taking on a second job? Second jobs can be a great way to make extra money, pay off bills, grow savings and have some extra cash in your wallet. Also, these second jobs might lead to opportunities to develop new skills, find more job options and explore your passions. But before you sign up for a part-time job or dive head first into a side hustle, you have to think about which second jobs are best for you. With that in mind, here are 13 gigs to consider and some questions to help you find the right second job. Make Even More Extra Money Outside a Second Job Extra cash is more than just extra for a lot of people these days — it’s a necessity to get by. If you’re looking to increase your cash flow and you’re not ready to take on a whole other job, we have some tips to help. We compiled a list of some of our favorite ways to make easy money, whether it’s instead of — or in addition to — a second job. The 13 Best Second Jobs for Anyone If you don’t already have a specific job in mind, here are some second job ideas to consider. These jobs are broken down into categories, including jobs that are app-based, in the service industry and remote. Ride-share driver Meal delivery Doing odd jobs Restaurant server Bartender Fast-food worker Transcriptionist Customer service associate Freelance and creative writing Teaching English as a second language Online tutoring Fitness instructor E-commerce seller App-Based Jobs Thanks to smartphones, app-based gigs have risen in popularity in recent years. Companies such as Uber and Lyft, Rover and GrubHub make it easier for people to find part-time jobs on the fly and work a flexible schedule. Here is a breakdown of some of the more popular job ideas involving smartphone apps. 1. Ride-Share Driver Of course, ride-share driving has to top this list. Over the last several years, it’s become one of the most popular ways to earn extra income. It’s not just a trend anymore. It’s a full blown industry with no sign of slowing down. Eligibility requirements — related to the minimum age of the driver and age of the car — for Lyft and Uber vary based on the part of the country you live in. The average Lyft and Uber driver makes in the neighborhood of $30,000 per year, according to Indeed. The best part of the whole deal is you can do all the driving whenever you want. Work days, nights, weekends, odd hours — it’s up to you. 2. Meal Delivery Food delivery services have also exploded in recent years on the heels of ride-share service success. With meal-delivery services like Uber Eats, Grubhub and DoorDash, drivers pick up customers’ take-out orders from restaurants and deliver the items to them. The amount of money drivers earn depends on several factors, such as when they work, demand for deliveries and tips. Drivers can earn pickup, drop-off and trip mileage fees and may keep 100% of their tips, depending on the company. Delivering during peak hours and being smart about which orders you accept can boost your pay. At the end of the day or throughout, you can access your earnings immediately for a small fee. 3. Odd Jobs For those who are a little more handy around the house and don’t want to be stuck in a car all day, think about putting your odd-job skills to good use. TaskRabbit — a service that connects workers with people who need help at home — lists a variety of tasks that people can accept, including assembling furniture, mounting TVs, cleaning and more. On average, taskers earn $48 an hour and keep 100% of their earnings and tips. Check out our overview of how to make money on TaskRabbit. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/16151821/side-jobs-final-1024x683.jpg" alt="A restaurant server speaks to a customer at their table." class="wp-image-167854" srcset="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/16151821/side-jobs-final-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/16151821/side-jobs-final-360x240.jpg 360w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/16151821/side-jobs-final-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/16151821/side-jobs-final-100x67.jpg 100w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/16151821/side-jobs-final-222x148.jpg 222w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/16151821/side-jobs-final-314x209.jpg 314w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/16151821/side-jobs-final-363x242.jpg 363w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/16151821/side-jobs-final-467x311.jpg 467w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/16151821/side-jobs-final-649x433.jpg 649w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/16151821/side-jobs-final-750x500.jpg 750w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/16151821/side-jobs-final-793x529.jpg 793w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/16151821/side-jobs-final-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/16151821/side-jobs-final.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> Adobe Stock Service Industry The service industry depends on people looking for extra work as servers and bartenders in their free time — and wages have risen with staffing shortages. The hours and pay can vary, so make sure these shifts will not interfere with your day job. 4. Restaurant Server Since most servers rely on tips, do your best to find busy restaurants that have expensive food and drink. That way, you have a better chance to get a more lucrative tip at the bottom of the receipt. Restaurant servers earn about $16 per hour, including tips, according to Zip Recruiter. 5. Bartender You may need some previous experience behind a bar before getting a gig serving cocktails. Bartenders earn around $16 per hour, including tips, according to Zip Recruiter. However, you can make a lot more extra money, up to $50 per hour, by taking on freelance bartending gigs. 6. Fast-Food Worker Working in a fast-food restaurant is a common first job for high schoolers, but now may be the time to give it another shot. Wages have gone up as the labor market changed and shifts may fit well with a 9-to-5 job. Some of the biggest fast-food chains have added more benefits for their employees and offered hiring perks, such as signing bonuses, paid interviews and tuition assistance. Work From Home Work-from-home jobs are a great option if leaving your day job and going straight to another gig doesn’t sound appealing. These jobs offer the flexibility to do your duties during off hours from the comfort of your home office. 7. Transcriptionist If you like solitude, transcribing might be the perfect second job for you. A transcriptionist primarily listens to recordings and converts them into text. Doctors and lawyers frequently use them, but there are many other industries that transcriptionists work in as well — journalism being one. Many reporters may use transcriptionists to convert their interviews into text so they can include accurate quotes in their articles. According to Indeed, transcriptionists make, on average, just around $25 per hour. 8. Customer Service Associate These gigs come in many forms, requiring reps to resolve issues for customers on the phone and by chat and email. Fields include technology, health care and finance. Customer service jobs require patience, a desire to help people and a proper computer setup. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/07134255/freelance-writer-final-1024x683.jpg" alt="A woman types on her computer next to a bookshelf. " class="wp-image-184354" srcset="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/07134255/freelance-writer-final-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/07134255/freelance-writer-final-360x240.jpg 360w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/07134255/freelance-writer-final-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/07134255/freelance-writer-final-100x67.jpg 100w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/07134255/freelance-writer-final-222x148.jpg 222w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/07134255/freelance-writer-final-314x209.jpg 314w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/07134255/freelance-writer-final-363x242.jpg 363w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/07134255/freelance-writer-final-467x311.jpg 467w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/07134255/freelance-writer-final-649x433.jpg 649w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/07134255/freelance-writer-final-750x500.jpg 750w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/07134255/freelance-writer-final-793x529.jpg 793w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/07134255/freelance-writer-final-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/07134255/freelance-writer-final.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> Getty Images 9. Freelance and Creative Writing So you have a way with words. Why not get paid to use them? You can find freelance work opportunities and get paid to write copy and original creative writing pieces. One of the ways to make your writing more in-demand and earn more is to focus on a specific niche or topic, such as finance or technology. Also, stay away from writing for sites and services that pay little per article. Those articles usually need to be written in a hurry and are not worthy to be clips in your professional portfolio. If you’re interested in getting paid for your original creative writing pieces, then sign up for a submission-management website such as Duotrope. Here’s a breakdown on how to get started as a freelance writer and a list of sites that are willing to pay for your services. 10. Teaching English as a Second Language If you’re a former teacher looking to make some money from home, you should check out VIPKid, Qkids or Italki. These companies connect U.S. instructors with students who want to learn English. According to the Qkids website, most online teachers work part time and earn between $16 and $20 per hour, including loyalty bonuses. The average lesson length is 30 minutes. 11. Online Tutoring Another teaching opportunity available outside the classroom is online tutoring. Several companies give educators a chance to help students while working from the comfort of home. Tutors with Chegg, for example, earn $20 or more per hour teaching grades 6-12, college and working professionals in topics such as calculus, computer science, zoology and more. Most companies require teachers to have a bachelor’s degree or be working toward one. But not all companies, like Tutor.com, require previous teaching experience. Here’s a roundup of work-from-home online tutoring companies. 12. Fitness Instructor If your primary job is later in the day, a fitness instructor position — either online or in-person — might work perfectly as a second job for you. Many fitness instructors schedule sessions in the morning with their clients, allowing them to get some cardio or strength training in before the work day begins. Fitness instructors come in all different types — from gym trainers to performance trainers to physique and group instructors. The average fitness instructor makes around $50,000 per year, according to Salary.com. 13. E-Commerce Seller Maybe you’re not interested in working in a service-industry gig and want to explore your crafty side. Thanks to the popularity of platforms like Etsy, eBay and Facebook Marketplace, craft merchants and small business owners have an outlet to sell their goods. In addition to Etsy, craft sellers can open up online stores using Amazon and Shopify. One of the benefits of selling on Amazon is the sheer number of people who use the site every day. The downside is that there’s increased competition from people selling similar products. An upside is that sellers have access to features such as Prime and Fulfillment by Amazon. Shopify is another option for sellers who prefer control over their online store to merely listing their goods on a large aggregate like Etsy. Shopify is user-friendly for sellers who aren’t especially tech-savvy, offering more than 100 free, customizable online store templates. Find out more about different e-commerce services here. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/07134605/second-job-final-1024x683.jpg" alt="A woman puts earrings on before leaving the house. " class="wp-image-184357" srcset="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/07134605/second-job-final-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/07134605/second-job-final-360x240.jpg 360w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/07134605/second-job-final-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/07134605/second-job-final-100x67.jpg 100w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/07134605/second-job-final-222x148.jpg 222w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/07134605/second-job-final-314x209.jpg 314w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/07134605/second-job-final-363x242.jpg 363w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/07134605/second-job-final-467x311.jpg 467w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/07134605/second-job-final-649x433.jpg 649w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/07134605/second-job-final-750x500.jpg 750w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/07134605/second-job-final-793x529.jpg 793w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/07134605/second-job-final-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/07134605/second-job-final.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> Getty Images How to Find the Right Second Job Here are some specific questions to ask yourself about a gig and your situation when hunting for a second job. Will This Gig Interfere With My Day Job? When searching for the best second job for yourself, make sure it will not cause conflicts with your regular job. The last thing you want to do is get fired from your full-time job in pursuit of a second job. Every company is different, and some may have strict guidelines on what you can and can’t do regarding side hustles. Take some time to look through your company’s employee handbook or schedule a meeting with your human resources manager to find out for sure. Once you figure out that you’re OK getting a second job, look for ones that can be done during your free time. How Flexible Is Your Schedule? Although you may be able to find a second job that has some schedule flexibility, you also need to be willing to make changes to your personal schedule. This means being willing to do your side gig before or after work or eliminating non-essential activities. McKinzie Bean, who runs the website Moms Make Cents, recommends recording your schedule for one week to find which events, like binging on Netflix on a Tuesday night, you can cut. “Just see which pieces you’re willing to give up because it is going to take some sacrifice to get to that point where your business is growing,” she says. Will You Need Additional Training? When narrowing down your list of potential second jobs, keep in mind that not all gigs will be available right away. Some jobs may require a specific skill certification. Some industries have official certifying bodies that conduct competency tests that allow people to work within a field for a period of time. If you don’t have a certification needed in your field, factor in some extra schooling or studying before opening up shop. “They’re looking for reasons to hire candidates,” says Tim Gates, former senior regional vice president at Adecco Staffing. “So if they see anything that’s relevant to their industry, to their company, to the specific position, it’s definitely going to help to make that candidate more attractive.” One way to learn additional skills is by signing up for massive open online courses. These 100% online courses can be completed at your own pace, offering online certifications in personal branding and social media literacy. Having these certifications shows employers that you have ambition, says Robin Colner, director of Fordham University’s certificate program in digital and social media. “It shows a desire and an understanding of the marketplace, which every employer wants,” she says. Where Do You Want to Work? So, where do you want to work your second job? Are you interested in being an assistant in an office job, a sales associate in a store, a server in a restaurant or a ride-share driver in your car? If going to another business after work to do your second job doesn’t sound appealing, then consider looking for remote jobs. What Are You Looking For in This Job? Ask yourself what you’re trying to get out of your side gig. Are you trying to find a second job that expands your skills or explores a passion? How much extra money do you want to make? Do you need health insurance with your part-time job? What if you don’t know what job is best for you? If you don’t know where to begin, write down your strengths on a piece of paper and what you’re looking for in a second job. This piece of paper can be a reference point to help with your search to find your marketable skill. Don’t forget about transferable skills. In addition, consult your friends and coworkers to find out what skills they think you excel at. Their observations may help you figure out which job is best for you. “Until someone else sees that [skill] in you, you don’t realize it’s a unique skill or a skill [other] people are having trouble with,” says Sol Rosenbaum, who runs The Engineering Mentor, a website that helps engineers develop interpersonal skills such as communicating and collaborating. If financial goals are your motivation for getting a second job, identify why you want to boost your income. Are you building an emergency fund? Paying off credit card debt? Putting the extra money toward a retirement fund or your child’s education? Having a clear goal or dollar amount you’re working toward can make juggling a side hustle worthwhile. Matt Reinstetle is a former staff writer at The Penny Hoarder. Senior writer Robert Bruce contributed to this article. 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.