2016 Wasn’t All Bad. Here are the Stories You Liked Best This Year
Without a doubt, 2016 has been a banner year for The Penny Hoarder.
As we wrap up, we’re remembering some of its best moments. We saw incredible growth, built a staff of more than 50, celebrated our sixth birthday and connected with more than 12 million readers a month.
We’re inspired by the stories you share with us every day — like this stay-at-home mom we met through a Facebook comment, this crazy-talented 9-year-old and the incredible families we met on Purple Friday.
We can’t wait to share another year with you! But first, let’s take a moment to remember the posts, videos and photos you liked best this year.
The 20 Most Popular Posts of 2016
Staff writers and freelance contributors work hard every day to bring you the latest deals and job openings, smart money tips, career advice and frugal tricks for your family, as well as one-of-a-kind stories of creative Penny Hoarders making and saving money, paying off debt, launching creative businesses and more.
Some of your favorite posts featured open jobs and daily deals. Since they’re no longer available, we didn’t include them on this list. To stay on top of the latest opportunities, follow our Facebook pages for Jobs, Deals and Food!
These are some of the most-read articles of 2016:
1. 8 Genius Ways to Save Even More Money Next Time You Shop at Aldi by Kelly Smith
2. This SAHM of 4 Reveals Her Exact Budget for Living Richly on $36,000 a Year by Susan Shain
3. 125 Innovative Companies That Let You Work From Home by Susan Shain
Social Media Video Producer, rolls her way to savings at the Aldi’s in Seminole, Fla. Samantha Dunscombe/The Penny Hoarder
4. 6 Companies Where You Can Work Your Way Up To a Six-Figure Job by Sarah Kuta
5. I Only Spend $50 per Month on Meat for My Family of 6. Here’s How by Shannon Quinn
6. 13 Deals You Should Never Pass Up at Trader Joe’s — and 9 You Should by Jamie Cattanach
7. 12 College Majors That Pretty Much Guarantee You’ll Land a Baller Job by Susan Shain
8. Work Part Time at These 10 Companies and You’ll Get Amazing Benefits by Lisa Rowan
9. Costco, Sam’s Club or BJ’s: We Figured Out Who’s Actually Cheapest by Jamie Cattanach
10. 10 Money-Saving Secrets Every Bath & Body Works Shopper Needs to Know by Susan Shain
11. 9 Reasons We Always Check Totally Target Before Heading to the Store by Dana Sitar
12. These 43 Brands Will Fix or Replace Anything You Buy From Them — Forever by Sarah Kuta
13. Planning to Move to Canada if Trump Wins? Here’s What It’ll Cost by Dana Sitar
14. 7 Weird Discounts You Can Get With a Costco Membership by Dana Sitar
15. This Woman Hasn’t Used Money in 17 Years. Here’s How She Lives by Jamie Cattanach
16. Want to Work from Home? These 12 Sites Will Help You Find Legit Jobs by Carson Kohler
17. I Have $58,423 of Debt. Here’s What I’m Doing About My 528 Credit Score… by Dana Sitar
18. Here’s How I Make a Good Living Without Working Full Time by Steve Gillman
19. 6 Jobs for People Who Want to Work From Home — But Hate Customer Service by Carson Kohler
20. I Made $40K From My Side Hustle While Working Full Time. Here’s How by Jessica Lawlor
Staff Favorites: The Stories We Can’t Stop Talking About
These are the most unforgettable pieces we published this year, according to the people who made them happen:
You’re Wasting Your Money on Cage-Free Eggs. Here’s What to Buy Instead
This post changed the way most of us shop! Cage-free eggs cost extra, but are you really doing the chickens any good?
Senior writer Susan Shain dug into this complicated issue to find a surprising answer.
How I Started a Business, Quit My Job and Now Make More Than My Old Salary
In January 2016, contributor Jessica Lawlor quit a full-time job and left behind a thriving public relations career to pursue a unique range of side hustles.
Within six months, she surpassed her old salary — and she told us exactly how she did it.
The Brilliant System This Mother of 3 Uses to Save Money on Groceries
In our most popular April Fool’s Day post, staff writer Dana Sitar wove the plot of Shari Thompson, a stay-at-home mother of three who manages to get groceries for her family — for free!
This Guy Turned a Stranger’s Sweet Suggestion into a Popsicle Empire
With a keen eye for a local business with a great story, junior writer Carson Kohler spotted Stephen DiMare.
He makes a living running The Hyppo, a gourmet popsicle shop with eight locations around Florida.
My Family Lives Off One Income After I Had to Leave My Job. Here’s How We Budget on a $25,000 Salary
Contributor Stephanie Stewart explains how her family weathered a $10,000 budget cut after she left her job and became a stay-at-home mom.
Bet You Didn’t Own a Business and Make $1,600 a Month When You Were 16. This Girl Does.
Sydney Englund is one of the most inspiring business owners we’ve been lucky enough to meet.
Staff writer Jamie Cattanach talked to Englund at age 16 — when she’d been successfully running her online business for eight years!
Two Years Ago, She was Homeless. Now She’s About to Graduate From College
Sadie Rivera inspires us all to get sh*t done.
Contributor Jamie Cattanach told the 20-year-old’s story of working her way up from homelessness to graduating college.
My Parents Taught Me Absolutely Nothing About Money. Here’s What Happened
What is it like to grow up rich? If you can believe it, it comes with surprising challenges.
Staff writer Jamie Cattanach explains how growing up with rich parents set her up for financial failure as an adult.
Here’s Who Won The Penny Hoarder’s Purple Friday Giveaway
Did you hear about our new holiday this year? Through our Purple Friday giveaway and celebration, we encouraged everyone to spend time, not money, the day after Thanksgiving.
We gave away 50 prizes worth up to $10,000 to help fellow Penny Hoarders spend time with their family over the holiday weekend — and met some incredible people along the way.
Worth Another Watch: Our Top Videos
Do you follow The Penny Hoarder on Facebook?
If not, you’re missing out on these incredible original videos from our video and social media teams!
The Best Leggings for Women Under $20 by Susan Shain
Holiday Pudding Shots Under $10 by Teyonna Edwards
This Artist Makes $10,000 a Year With Dog Hair by Christie Post
We Made Thanksgiving Dinner for $12 People for Under $85 by Michael House
Visual Editor & Photographer, enjoys the fun at TPH’s Thanksgiving dinner gathering. Samantha Dunscombe/The Penny Hoarder
The Penny Drop With Chewbacca Mom by Christie Post
Honorable mentions: Don’t miss our #MannequinChallenge and this video we dug out of the archives of Kyle’s Dubsmash from our 2015 Black Friday 48-hour live blog sesh!
Your Turn: What were your favorite Penny Hoarder moments of the year?
