Every situation is different. It may be best for you to file chapter 7 or chapter 13 to relieve your financial hardship. However, there are other options.

If you are facing difficult financial circumstances, this guide shares some of the best alternatives to bankruptcy so that you can get back on your feet.

If you have gone through these alternatives, and realize that bankruptcy may be the best option. You could do one final check by taking a free bankruptcy calculator online. Ascend’s Chapter 7 means test bankruptcy calculator is top notch and even helps you estimate how much it costs to file bankruptcy both Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 in your city, including the filing fees and the attorney fees.

What Are the Best Alternatives to the Bankruptcy Process?

While declaring bankruptcy is a legitimate way to manage financial hardship, it’s not always the best option. It can help you eliminate unsecured debt, but it will impact your creditworthiness.

Your goal should not be short-term relief. Instead, you should focus on getting your finances back on track and improving the likelihood of achieving long-term financial goals.

Here are the top bankruptcy alternatives to help you manage your financial obligations.

1. Debt Consolidation

Debt consolidation can be one of the more popular ways to avoid filing for bankruptcy. Keep in mind that the devil is in the details, so you’ll want to read the fine print.

The first option is a debt consolidation loan. With this solution, you work with an agency that puts all of your indebtedness except for student loans into one loan.

This can negatively impact your credit as it adds another new account to your profile and increases your credit utilization. The agency may also charge high fees to extend the loan.

You want to avoid these loans, if possible.

The second option is to work with a credit counseling agency that acts on your behalf with creditors.

This is the route I took when repaying my $25,000 in credit card debt. The agency charged a minimal fee, and they negotiated with creditors to lower the interest rates on my credit cards.

They were able to get two banks to lower their rate to zero and the highest one to five percent. This allowed me to speed up the repayment process because so little was going to interest.

If you can commit to not getting into debt again, this is a fantastic way to avoid bankruptcy. Just make sure to find a not-for-profit agency that won’t charge exorbitant fees.

It’s also a fantastic option if you’re on a fixed income. Read our guide on how to save money fast on a low income to identify other ways to reduce spending.

2. Earn Extra Income

A side hustle is a perfect alternative to bankruptcy, especially if the issue is a lack of funds to repay debt. When I was repaying debt, I used various side gigs to earn funds to reduce what I owed.

A second job might not be desirable, but the extra income can help get your head above water.

There are countless ways to make money on the side, and many require minimal skills. Find one or two choices that work for you and devote all of the cash you earn to paying off debt.

If you have the time, choosing an on-demand gig job is a fantastic way to earn cash on the side.

Delivery driver jobs are a popular way to make extra money. Most gigs are flexible, allow you to earn tips, and pay weekly.

DoorDash is our favorite platform to deliver restaurant meals. You can work on your own schedule and even request instant payouts if you need funds immediately.

Driver compensation varies on numerous factors. This can be an immense help in attacking your debt. It can even help you build a small emergency fund to help for future needs.

3. Attack Your Debt

Too much debt can cause bankruptcy. It’s easy to allow it to incapacitate you, but creating a debt management plan is a fantastic way to avoid insolvency.

Each situation is different, so you want to come up with a plan that works for your situation. Plus, it will likely involve using several of the options in this post.

You will hear terms like debt avalanche and debt snowball to attack your indebtedness. Both work, so you need to choose the strategy that is best for you.

Here is how the debt avalanche works:

Here is how the debt snowball works:

It doesn’t matter which method you choose. Making timely payments is what matters most. Given that bankruptcy filings were up 13 percent in 2023 vs. 2022, according to US Courts.gov, it’s essential to take action.

You may experience pain in the beginning, but it will lead to long-term financial health.

4. Negotiate With Your Creditors

Negotiating your debt is one of the best alternatives to bankruptcy. Creditors would rather receive something instead of you paying them nothing. Remember you can do this yourself or you can hire a firm to do this for you.

Here are a few different firms available:

1. Ascend Debt Relief (one of the most cost effective reputable firms in the US)
2. National Debt Relief (one of the largest debt relief firms in the US)
3. Pacific Debt Relief (one of the oldest debt relief firms in the US)

If you decide to do it yourself, the first step is to call all of your creditors to see what compromises they are willing to make.

Make a spreadsheet of every debt that you owe, the contact information for each creditor, and the interest rate. Then, call each one to see if they are willing to negotiate.

Remind them of your history with them and be courteous. If the first representative won’t work with you, don’t be afraid to call the following day and speak with another representative.

Not all creditors will offer the same thing. Some may lower your interest rate for good, others for several months, and some may require you to agree to a repayment plan.

Work with each one to come up with steps that work best for you. Remind them that it’s also in their best interest to work with you.

Any reduction in rates will help you save money on interest and kill your debt quicker.

5. Get on A Budget

A budget is the best tool to manage your personal finances. I was introduced to budgeting by the debt counseling agency I worked with.

It may seem impossible to start a budget, but it’s quite simple. You want to write down everything you earn and all of your expenses.

This will help you identify where your money goes each month and improve your chances of reaching financial stability. You can even do this with free budget software tools.

Many of these programs connect with your bank account, so much of the process is automated.

Empower is our favorite resource to manage your finances. It helps you budget and even includes a net worth tracker so that you can visualize your progress. Better yet, it’s free to use.

If the app isn’t for you, read our guide on the top Personal Capital alternatives to manage your money.

Keep in mind budgeting is not just a one-time endeavor. Managing it through financial hardship and beyond will help you in the long run and go beyond merely making ends meet.

Read our guide on how to stop living paycheck to paycheck to learn where to start.

6. Cut Spending

Reducing expenses is the natural progression of budgeting. When I first got on a budget, I was shocked at how much I was spending on needless things.

You may experience the same thing. It’s important to enjoy life, but you also want to amass funds to knock down debt and build your credit back over time.

Go through every expense and determine if you truly need it. If you do, look for ways to reduce the cost. If you don’t, cancel the service or spending and use it to repay debt.

Consult our guide on ways to lower your monthly bills for ideas to cut costs to throw at your debt.

As you progress in repaying your debt, put some of the recouped funds in your savings account to start a small emergency fund.

If you need an option to open a savings account, CIT Bank is an excellent choice. The online bank offers competitive rates and has minimal balance requirements.

7. Refinance Your Mortgage

Refinancing your mortgage is another potential bankruptcy alternative to free up funds. You can go in one of two directions with this choice.

The first one is a cash-out refinance to gain extra breathing room.

A cash-out refinance uses the equity in your house to get access to money. Typically, refinancing is promoted as an option for money to use for home renovations.

*Related: Need to rebuild your credit? Check out our guide on where to get a credit builder loan to see if they’re a viable option.*

However, they don’t tell you what you actually have to use it for. In this case, you use the money to pay off your debts.

This does come with risk since it shifts the debt from other lenders to your mortgage. It could be worth it for you, but make sure to do the math.

On the other hand, a traditional refinance lets you potentially lower your interest rate and free up more funds to go towards debt repayment.

You don’t have to stay with your original loan servicer. Instead, you can shop around to refinance.

During times of a rising interest rate climate, this likely won’t be one of the better debt relief options. Only pursue it if you have a higher rate than what’s currently available.

8. Personal Loan

Are you asking yourself, “How can I get out of debt without filing bankruptcy?” If so, a personal loan might work for you.

But, it doesn’t come without its hurdles or impact on your credit history.

If you’re struggling with debt, you likely won’t be able to secure loans from a traditional bank. You will need to use a website like SoFi.

SoFi may allow you to get funds via an unsecured loan. They have no fees and competitive rates.

If you can’t get a loan via SoFi, you may want to consider a website like Prosper to take advantage of peer-to-peer lending.

This will allow you to borrow funds from people, and you repay them at a specific interest rate.

Regardless of the path you choose, the lender will look at your credit report to make a decision.

9. Do Nothing

A final alternative to filing bankruptcy is to do nothing. This should be the absolute last option since it doesn’t come without significant risk.

It will be ruinous to your credit score, and you may surrender any goodwill you might receive from creditors.

A few things may happen if you choose to do nothing, including:

• Wage garnishment of a paycheck
• The creditor may sue you or try to reclaim any property backed by secured debt
• Levy against your bank accounts
• Lien on your property or eligible assets

Doing nothing can be a tempting option, especially when the situation looks dire. However, it typically only makes the situation worse and results in more harassing calls from creditors.

It’s better to take the situation head-on and act. While this will hurt in the beginning, it will lead to success and help in preserving your credit score in the long run.

Is Debt Management Better than Bankruptcy?

A debt management plan is often better than opting for a liquidation bankruptcy (chapter 7) or chapter 13. But, it largely depends on how the repayment plan is classified.

A bankruptcy is disastrous to your financial life. It stays on your credit report for at least seven years, if not closer to a decade.

Worse, it will harm your credit score tremendously, hindering you from achieving other financial goals.

A debt management plan that is utilized correctly can avoid many of these risks. Your credit score will decline in the short term, but it will rebound as you make timely payments.

If you avoid additional debt in the future, you won’t experience the same dire circumstances vs. filing for bankruptcy.

But, you must ensure a debt management plan isn’t too costly. You should also make sure it isn’t reported as a loan. Otherwise, it can harm your credit.

As with anything in personal finance, due diligence is essential before choosing debt management.

Bottom Line

Filing for bankruptcy is a huge, life-altering decision. Before making the decision to do so, exhausting every other avenue to avoid it is in your best interest.

Ultimately, none of us want to be in debt. However, we don’t ruin our credit either. As a result, you should research other options first.

Dealing with significant indebtedness is overwhelming. Take things one step at a time, and you will greatly increase your chances of success in eliminating your debt.

What are your first steps when dealing with a large debt?

*Earning more on certain types of orders (ex. alcohol): Earn more per order as compared to restaurant orders. Actual earnings may differ and depend on factors like number of deliveries you accept and complete, time of day, location, and any costs. Hourly pay is calculated using average Dasher payouts while on a delivery (from the time you accept an order until the time you drop it off) over a 90 day period and includes compensation from tips, peak pay, and other incentives.

*Get paid instantly (DasherDirect): Subject to approval

*Cash out daily (Fast Pay): Fees apply

*Start Dashing today: Subject to background check and availability

*Dash anytime: Subject to availability

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However, it isn’t the right budgeting tool for everyone.

The service costs $109 per year or $14.99 per month. Some people also find the system too hands-on, want better investment tracking, or simply prefer a free budgeting app.

I reviewed the most useful YNAB alternatives available in 2026. Some follow a similar zero-based or envelope budgeting method. Others are better for couples, spreadsheets, forecasting, or getting a broad view of your finances.

There isn’t one perfect replacement for everyone. The best choice depends on what you like about YNAB and what you want to change.

What Is the Best Alternative to YNAB?

Monarch Money is the best overall YNAB alternative for most households. It combines budgeting, account tracking, financial goals, investments, and household sharing in one app.

However, Monarch costs nearly as much as YNAB. If price is your main concern, Quicken Simplifi, EveryDollar, Goodbudget, and PocketGuard are worth considering.

Prices were checked in July 2026. Introductory offers and app-store prices may differ.

Best YNAB Alternatives

1. Monarch Money: Best Overall YNAB Alternative

Monarch Money is the strongest all-around replacement for YNAB if you want more than a monthly budget.

You can connect bank accounts, credit cards, loans, investments, and real estate. Monarch then gives you one dashboard for your spending, net worth, recurring bills, financial goals, and investments.

One reason Monarch stands out is flexibility. You can use traditional category budgeting or its simpler Flex Budgeting system. Flex Budgeting divides spending into fixed expenses, non-monthly costs, and flexible spending rather than forcing you to manage dozens of individual limits.

It is also a good budgeting app for couples. You can invite a partner into the same household without paying for a second subscription. Both people can connect accounts and review shared transactions.

The main downside is price. Monarch’s Core plan costs $99.99 per year or $14.99 monthly, so it is only slightly cheaper than YNAB when you pay annually.

• Best for: Couples and households that want budgeting plus a complete financial dashboard
• Cost: $99.99 annually or $14.99 monthly
• Main advantage over YNAB: Better household sharing, investment tracking, and net-worth tools
• Main drawback: It does not save much money compared with YNAB

2. Quicken Simplifi: Best for Easy Cash-Flow Planning

Quicken Simplifi is a better fit if YNAB feels like too much work.

Instead of asking you to assign every dollar before you spend it, Simplifi builds a spending plan around your income, bills, subscriptions, savings goals, and expected spending.

The result is a clearer estimate of what you can safely spend during the month. You can still create watchlists for particular categories, set savings goals, review transactions, and monitor investments.

Simplifi is usually less expensive than YNAB, although Quicken frequently changes its introductory price. Check the renewal price before subscribing, since the first-year promotion may not reflect what you will pay later.

• Best for: People who want an automated spending plan instead of strict zero-based budgeting
• Cost: Promotional and renewal pricing vary; billed annually
• Main advantage over YNAB: Easier setup and a broader financial overview
• Main drawback: It offers less control for people who enjoy assigning every dollar manually

Read our Simplifi review to learn more about how the service works.

3. EveryDollar: Best Zero-Based Budgeting Alternative

EveryDollar is one of the closest alternatives to YNAB because both apps encourage you to give every dollar a purpose.

The free version lets you create a monthly budget, add unlimited categories, track transactions manually, set up sinking funds, and split purchases between categories.

That makes it a legitimate free YNAB alternative if you do not mind entering purchases yourself.

EveryDollar Premium adds bank connections, automatic transaction imports, reports, debt tracking, goal planning, and coaching features. It costs $79.99 per year or $17.99 when billed monthly after the trial.

The app is closely tied to the Ramsey approach, including the debt snowball. That can be helpful if you already follow that system, but it may feel restrictive if you prefer a different debt-payoff strategy.

• Best for: Zero-based budgeting and Ramsey followers
• Cost: Free; Premium is $79.99 annually or $17.99 monthly
• Main advantage over YNAB: A useful free plan
• Main drawback: Automatic bank transactions require Premium

Our YNAB vs. EveryDollar comparison explains the differences in more detail.

4. Tiller: Best for Spreadsheet Users

Tiller is a good choice if you want the control of a spreadsheet without manually downloading every transaction.

The service automatically sends financial data into Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel. Its Foundation Template includes transactions, account balances, monthly and yearly budgets, spending trends, and net-worth tracking.

You can customize the spreadsheet, add formulas, or use templates created by the Tiller community. This makes it much more flexible than a traditional budgeting app.

The tradeoff is that Tiller feels like a spreadsheet because it is one. Someone who wants a polished mobile-first app may find it less convenient than YNAB or Monarch.

Tiller costs $99 per year following a 30-day free trial.

• Best for: People who already like Google Sheets or Excel
• Cost: $99 per year
• Main advantage over YNAB: Nearly unlimited customization and control of your data
• Main drawback: Less convenient for quick mobile budgeting

5. Goodbudget: Best Free Envelope Budget App

Goodbudget takes the traditional cash-envelope method and moves it to your phone and computer.

You divide your income among digital envelopes for groceries, transportation, entertainment, utilities, and other spending categories. As you record purchases, the available amount in each envelope decreases.

The free plan works well for a simple household budget, although it has limits on envelopes, accounts, devices, and history. Goodbudget Premium costs $10 per month or $80 annually and adds automatic bank synchronization for U.S. banks, unlimited envelopes, unlimited accounts, five devices, and seven years of history.

Goodbudget is easier to understand than many full-featured finance apps. However, its free version depends heavily on manual entry, and it does not provide the same complete financial picture as Monarch or Empower.

• Best for: Couples and families who like envelope budgeting
• Cost: Free; Premium is $80 annually or $10 monthly
• Main advantage over YNAB: Easier envelope system with a free tier
• Main drawback: The free plan requires more manual work

6. PocketGuard: Best Hands-Off Budgeting App

PocketGuard is built for people who want an immediate answer to a simple question: How much money can I safely spend?

The app connects to your financial accounts and organizes income, bills, subscriptions, debts, and everyday spending. Its budgeting tools then help you understand what remains after your obligations and goals are considered.

PocketGuard also includes subscription tracking, transaction rules, debt-payoff tools, savings goals, net-worth tracking, and data importing and exporting.

Premium costs $74.99 annually, which works out to $6.25 per month, or $12.99 when billed monthly. A seven-day trial is available.

• Best for: People who want budgeting to require less maintenance
• Cost: $74.99 annually or $12.99 monthly
• Main advantage over YNAB: Simpler spending guidance and subscription tracking
• Main drawback: Less detailed control over every dollar

7. PocketSmith: Best for Financial Forecasting

PocketSmith is the most interesting option on this list if you want to look beyond the current month.

The app uses a calendar and cash-flow forecasts to show how today’s decisions may affect your future balances. Depending on the plan, you can project your finances from six months to as far as 60 years.

It also supports flexible budget periods, rollover budgeting, custom dashboards, net-worth tracking, multi-currency accounts, category rules, and collaborator access.

PocketSmith has a free plan with two accounts, 12 budgets, and six months of projections. Paid plans start at $9.99 per month when billed annually.

This amount of flexibility can be useful for households with irregular income, multiple side hustles, or international accounts. It can also make the service feel more complicated than a straightforward monthly budget.

• Best for: Forecasting, irregular income, and international finances
• Cost: Free; paid plans start at $9.99 per month when billed annually
• Main advantage over YNAB: Far stronger long-term forecasts
• Main drawback: More complex and potentially more expensive

8. Empower: Best Free Net-Worth Tracker

Empower Personal Dashboard is free and gives you a broad view of your finances.

You can connect checking, savings, credit cards, loans, mortgages, retirement accounts, and investments. Empower then provides tools for cash flow, budgeting, net worth, retirement planning, investment fees, savings, and debt payoff.

However, Empower is not a direct YNAB replacement. Its budgeting features are better for reviewing where money went than planning exactly where every dollar should go before the month begins.

Choose Empower when your priority is tracking wealth and investments rather than maintaining a detailed category budget.

• Best for: Net-worth tracking, retirement planning, and investments
• Cost: Free for the dashboard and financial tools
• Main advantage over YNAB: Better investment and retirement tools at no cost
• Main drawback: It is not a true zero-based budgeting app

Read our Empower review to learn more.

9. Copilot Money: Best for Apple Users

Copilot Money is designed for people who want a clean, modern finance app and primarily use Apple devices.

It tracks spending, budgets, recurring charges, investments, and net worth. The app uses automation to categorize transactions and learn from corrections, which can reduce the amount of maintenance required over time.

Copilot is available on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and the web. Android support is the important limitation for households that do not use Apple products.

The service costs $95 per year or $13 per month after its trial.

• Best for: Apple users who value design and automation
• Cost: $95 annually or $13 monthly
• Main advantage over YNAB: Cleaner interface and stronger automatic categorization
• Main drawback: No Android app and no meaningful savings over YNAB

Why Look for an Alternative to YNAB?

YNAB is a useful service, but there are several reasons you may prefer something else.

The Price

YNAB costs $109 annually or $14.99 monthly after its 34-day trial. That is difficult to justify if you only want basic expense tracking or are trying to reduce every unnecessary subscription.

EveryDollar and Goodbudget provide useful free plans. Empower is also free, although it is better for tracking than detailed budgeting.

The Learning Curve

YNAB has its own budgeting philosophy. Many users love that structure, but it requires time to understand categories, targets, assigned money, and how to handle overspending.

Simplifi and PocketGuard are easier choices when you want the app to do more of the organizing for you.

Limited Investment Tracking

YNAB focuses on spending and short-term planning. It is not intended to be a complete investment, net-worth, and retirement-planning platform.

Monarch, Empower, Simplifi, Copilot, and PocketSmith provide a broader view of your finances.

Too Much Manual Attention

Even with connected accounts, YNAB works best when you regularly review transactions and actively manage categories. That is part of its appeal, but not everyone wants budgeting to become a weekly project.

PocketGuard or Simplifi may be better if you want a more hands-off approach.

How to Choose a YNAB Replacement

Start by identifying why you want to leave YNAB. That usually makes the decision much easier.

• You want a free app: Start with EveryDollar or Goodbudget.
• You want something easier: Consider Simplifi or PocketGuard.
• You budget with a spouse: Monarch is one of the strongest household options.
• You want to keep zero-based budgeting: EveryDollar is the closest fit.
• You prefer spreadsheets: Tiller offers the most control.
• You care about long-term forecasting: PocketSmith is the clear winner.
• You mainly want investment and net-worth tracking: Use Empower.
• You use Apple products and value design: Copilot is worth considering.

Do not move your entire financial life into the first app that looks attractive. Use a free trial or free plan, create a realistic monthly budget, connect a few accounts, and see how the service handles actual transactions.

The best budgeting app is the one you will continue using after the excitement of setting it up wears off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a free alternative to YNAB?

EveryDollar and Goodbudget both offer free budgeting plans. PocketSmith also has a limited free plan. Empower is free, but it works better as a financial dashboard and net-worth tracker than as a direct YNAB replacement.

What budgeting app is most similar to YNAB?

EveryDollar is one of the closest options because it also uses zero-based budgeting. Goodbudget is another good choice if the envelope aspect of YNAB is what you like most.

Is Monarch better than YNAB?

Monarch is better for couples, investment tracking, net worth, recurring bills, and seeing your entire financial life in one place. YNAB is better for people who want a structured, hands-on system focused specifically on assigning and spending money intentionally.

Is YNAB worth $109 per year?

YNAB can be worth the price when its method helps you avoid overspending, build savings, or plan irregular expenses. It is harder to justify when you only need basic transaction tracking or rarely update your budget.

Can I use a spreadsheet instead of YNAB?

Yes. A basic Google Sheet or Excel workbook can provide a free budget. Tiller is a paid option that automatically imports financial transactions into your spreadsheets, which reduces manual work while preserving flexibility.

Bottom Line

YNAB remains a strong budgeting tool, but you have plenty of other choices in 2026.

Monarch Money is the best overall alternative for households that want budgeting, goals, investments, and shared access. EveryDollar is the closest free zero-based option, while Simplifi and PocketGuard require less ongoing work.

Tiller is best for spreadsheet fans, PocketSmith excels at forecasting, and Empower is the top free option for tracking investments and net worth.

Take advantage of a free trial before canceling YNAB. A lower price does not help if the replacement makes budgeting confusing or becomes another app you stop opening after two weeks.

Which budgeting feature matters most to you?

The post 9 Best YNAB Alternatives in 2026: Cheaper and Free Budget Apps appeared first on Frugal Rules.

That said, I don’t just want a cheap paddle, but I want a paddle that plays really good at a low price, thus saving money. It’s all about the best value for your buck. For example, a $30 paddle is not a good deal if it has a tiny sweet spot, loses its grit quickly or becomes difficult to control.

These are the six best budget pickleball paddles I have tested in 2026, starting with my number-one overall choice.

1. Luzz Glider 2026

The Luzz Glider 2026 is my number-one budget pickleball paddle in 2026.

I really enjoyed the original Glider, so I was excited to see what Luzz changed with the updated model. Visually, the Glider 2026 looks very similar to the previous version. It retains the hybrid shape and polypropylene honeycomb core, but Luzz upgraded the playing surface.

The Glider 2026 now uses what the company calls its 984-Aero Face Grit. The coating is designed to create more uniform friction, better wear resistance and greater long-term consistency.

In simpler terms, the surface is supposed to maintain its spin and texture longer while helping the paddle grab the ball.

Control is the biggest reason the Glider ranks first.

The paddle has a soft, cushiony response that works extremely well on drops, dinks and resets. I felt like I could shape the ball and place it where I wanted without having to fight the paddle.

In fact, I continued using the Glider instead of switching back to one of my normal control paddles that costs almost twice as much.

The sweet spot also feels forgiving. When I missed slightly toward the edge of the paddle, the ball did not completely die or shoot unpredictably off the face. That consistency makes the Glider a strong option for beginners, intermediate players and anyone who values control.

Spin is also very solid.

The updated surface helped me roll the ball, create topspin and shape serves more effectively than I could with a smoother budget paddle. It may not produce the most extreme spin on this list, but there is more than enough texture for most players.

Power is present, but it is controlled power.

You are not getting the same trampoline-like response found in the Enhance MPP Turbo. Instead, the Glider gives you enough pace to drive the ball and finish points while remaining predictable around the kitchen.

That combination is why I have it in first place. It does not dominate one category while struggling everywhere else. It feels balanced, forgiving and easy to trust.

The Glider 2026 costs $119 before a discount, but the best Luzz discount code BEPICKLEBALLER saves 15%, bringing the price to approximately $101.15.

15% Off Discount Code: BePickleBaller

Check Price on Luzz

It technically lands just above $100 after the discount, but its control, forgiveness and premium feel still make it my top budget paddle of 2026.

2. Friday Aura Pickleball Paddle

The Friday Aura comes in second place and is one of my favorite options for someone who wants a softer, more controlled playing experience.

Where the Enhance MPP Turbo leans heavily toward power, the Friday Aura leans toward control.

The difference was noticeable as soon as I switched paddles. Drops, dinks and resets felt easier with the Aura. I could slow down the game without feeling like the ball was constantly jumping off the face.

The response is more muted than the Enhance Turbo. That may not sound exciting, but it can be extremely helpful for players who tend to pop up resets or send attacks beyond the baseline.

The Friday Aura gives you more time to control the ball. One reviewer even preferred the Aura over the new Aura Pro which is priced higher.

That softer response also makes it a great doubles paddle. When exchanges became fast, I felt like I could block the ball, reset the point and wait for a better attacking opportunity.

The sweet spot felt forgiving, and the paddle remained stable when I was defending harder drives at the kitchen line.

There is still enough power to finish points. It is simply more controlled and predictable.

I would not call the Aura a pure power paddle, but I never felt like I was unable to generate pace. I could still hit aggressive serves, speed up the ball and put away shots when the opportunity was there.

Spin is also competitive.

I would give some of the more aggressive paddles on this list a slight edge in raw spin and explosiveness, but the Aura still produces more than enough movement for serves, rolls and topspin drives.

The main downside is the price.

The Friday Aura costs $129.99, and discount code BEPICKLEBALLER takes $10 off. That brings it to around $120, making it the most expensive option on this list.

Check Price on Friday

However, it still costs less than many premium paddles. For a player who values touch, forgiveness and consistency, I think it earns its second-place ranking.

3. Enhance MPP Turbo Pickleball Paddle

The Enhance MPP Turbo comes in third place and may be the best power option on this entire list.

I honestly did not expect it to feel this good for the price.

The MPP Turbo is a full-foam Gen 4 paddle that plays much closer to paddles in the $150 to $200 range. The first thing I noticed was the power.

This paddle has legitimate pop.

Some of my first serves went long because I was not prepared for the trampoline-like response off the face. Once I adjusted, that power became a major advantage.

The MPP Turbo is excellent for deep serves, aggressive drives, speedups and singles. It helps you put pressure on opponents without requiring an enormous swing.

I also liked it on counters. When an opponent sped up the ball, the Turbo gave me enough stability and pop to send the ball back with pace.

What surprised me is that it is not just a one-dimensional power paddle.

The face provides enough dwell time to shape the ball, and the textured surface generates very good spin. Topspin rolls, slices and dipping drives all felt natural once I became comfortable with the response.

Control requires a little more work than it does with the Friday Aura or Glider 2026.

You need softer hands on resets and dinks because the ball can jump off the face. Players coming from a plush control paddle may need a few sessions to adjust.

However, I never felt like the paddle was uncontrollable. Once I became used to the power, I could still play the soft game and handle faster exchanges at the kitchen.

The MPP Turbo ranks third because of the overall package. You get excellent power, strong spin, full-foam construction and modern performance for around $99 after using discount code BEPICKLEBALLER.

Check Price on Enhance

For aggressive players or anyone who wants help generating more pace, this is one of the best budget pickleball paddles in 2026.

4. Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro

The Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro takes fourth place and is another excellent control-focused option around the $100 price point.

Vatic Pro offers both the V-Sol Pro and V-Sol Power. I have played with both, and the difference between them is noticeable.

The Power model is clearly more explosive, but I preferred the V-Sol Pro because of its touch, spin and consistency.

During my first session with the Pro, I played a singles-style game against two players around the 4.0 to 4.5 level. I won 11–5, and the paddle’s control stood out immediately.

Drops felt natural. Dinks stayed low. I could place serves without constantly worrying about sending them beyond the baseline.

At one point, I hit a drop so well that my partner said he was admiring the shot and forgot to return the next ball. That was obviously funny, but it also shows how confident I felt with the paddle.

The V-Sol Pro also creates very good spin.

My knuckle serve had plenty of movement, and I could consistently produce topspin and slice. The textured surface felt like it grabbed the ball without becoming overly harsh.

It does not have the raw finishing power of the V-Sol Power or Enhance MPP Turbo. However, there is still enough pace to attack balls and finish points when you create the opportunity.

The V-Sol Pro feels best when you are constructing points rather than trying to overpower everyone.

The paddle costs $109.99, and discount code BEPICKLEBALLER takes $10 off. It also comes with a matching paddle cover.

Check Price on Vatic

Choose the V-Sol Pro if control, spin and shot placement matter more to you than maximum power.

5. Warping Point Neon 3

The Warping Point Neon 3 comes in fifth place and is one of the better options for someone who wants an all-court paddle under $100.

Many Gen 3 paddles still cost between $150 and $200. That is why the Neon 3 immediately caught my attention. It gives you a modern, powerful playing experience without entering premium-paddle pricing.

The sweet spot feels large, and the face has plenty of pop. That combination made the paddle especially enjoyable on serves, drives and attacking shots.

Power is not the only thing the Neon does well, though.

The textured surface produces very good spin. I felt like I could control where the ball landed while still adding aggressive topspin or slice.

The combination of spin, power and forgiveness makes it a strong option for players who do not want a paddle that falls completely into one category.

The Neon 3 also has a distinctive design. It is available in two colors, and both versions look much more premium than I expected.

My biggest takeaway is that this does not feel like a basic beginner paddle.

It is powerful enough for an aggressive intermediate player but still manageable for someone trying to improve consistency.

The Neon 3 is especially appealing if you want a larger sweet spot and a little extra help generating pace. It may take some adjustment if you are coming from a very soft control paddle, but it is an impressive all-court option for the price.

The paddle starts at $99.99, but with the discount code BEPICKLEBALLER, this paddle gets reduced to $90, which is a great value for the quality.

Check Price Warping Point

6. Roore Full-Foam Gen 4 Pickleball Paddle

The Roore Gen 4 paddle comes in sixth place, but it may offer the best pure value on this entire list.

Roore is based in San Diego and has released several impressive budget-friendly paddles. Its full-foam Gen 4 model is especially interesting because this type of construction is normally found in much more expensive paddles.

The paddle has a T700 carbon fiber face, a simple black design and an elongated handle that works well for two-handed backhands.

It also includes a paddle cover, which is a nice addition at this price.

On the court, the first thing I noticed was the power on my serves. I was consistently able to drive the ball deep toward the baseline without feeling like I had to overswing.

The spin was even more surprising.

I like putting side spin on my serves, and there were a few shots where the ball hit the ground and moved around a foot to the side. That is pretty crazy for a paddle that costs around $50.

Control was also above average for the price.

I could reset the ball, place returns and hit drops without the face feeling overly bouncy. I did notice a slight dead area toward the bottom of the paddle, but it was not enough to ruin the overall experience.

The paddle normally costs $54.95. You can use discount code BEPICKLEBALLER to save 10%, bringing the price to approximately $49.99.

Check Price on Roore

For around $50, getting a full-foam Gen 4 paddle with T700 carbon fiber and this much spin is an excellent deal.

What Makes a Good Budget Pickleball Paddle?

Before getting into the rankings, there are a few things I look for in an affordable paddle.

The first is a playable sweet spot. A budget paddle should not punish you every time you miss the exact center of the face.

I also want enough texture to create spin. You do not necessarily need record-breaking spin, but the paddle should let you shape serves, roll the ball and hit topspin drives.

Finally, I look for balance. Some inexpensive paddles create power by becoming extremely bouncy. That can be fun on serves and drives, but it becomes a problem when every reset flies into the air.

The best budget pickleball paddles give you usable power without making the soft game unnecessarily difficult.

Which Budget Pickleball Paddle Should You Choose?

The Luzz Glider 2026 is my top overall choice because it gives you the best combination of control, forgiveness, spin and usable power.

Choose the Friday Aura if you want an even softer feel and easy resets during doubles.

Go with the Enhance MPP Turbo if power is your main priority. It is the best option here for aggressive drives, deep serves and speedups.

The Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro is a great choice for control and placement, while the Warping Point Neon 3 offers a larger sweet spot and a balanced Gen 3 playing experience.

Finally, the Roore Gen 4 is the easy choice for players trying to stay close to $50.

Budget no longer has to mean basic. Each of these paddles offers legitimate performance, and several can compete with paddles costing considerably more.

The post 6 Best Budget Pickleball Paddles in 2026 appeared first on Frugal Rules.

Thankfully, a quick internet search helped me find where I could get keys made near me.

I found there’s more than one option for key duplication near me. It turned out there were a number of places I could get keys made. There was even a cheap locksmith near me.

If you are like me and need to know where to get keys made close to your home, keep reading! First, I’ll cover where to get auto keys made near you and then I’ll cover 23 places that you can get regular keys made.

Places to Get Regular Keys Made Near Me

There is more than one choice to get copies of a key made.

If you live in or near a larger city, you’ll find multiple selections and often not that far from your residence or work.

Home Improvement Stores

The first type of place to get keys made is at a home improvement store. In my opinion, they are the best place for key duplication.

You’ll be familiar with many of the names on this list.

1. The Home Depot

The Home Depot is my favorite place to have keys made nearby because they’re a one stop shop. If you lose your house key, bike key or car key, The Home Depot can replace it for you.

They’re quick and cheap, which makes them great. While my local Home Depot is perfect for getting car keys made near me, yours may not be.

Not every Home Depot offers the service, so call before you go.

2. Lowe’s

Like Home Depot, Lowe’s is a national hardware and home improvement store chain. It’s also an excellent answer to the question of “where can I get keys made near me?”

If you live closer to a Lowes than a Home Depot, try them.

Call before driving over, especially if you need replacement car keys made, to make sure your Lowe’s offers this service.

3. Ace Hardware

Ace Hardware was one of my father-in-law’s go to stores. Any time we needed a nut, washer, or screw, he’d take us there and help us find the part or tool we needed to complete our home improvement job.

The first time I lost my keys, Ace Hardware is where we went to replace them.

They have a number of options for color and style, and replace car keys, standard house keys and brass door keys.

4. True Value Hardware

If you have a True Value Hardware in town, it may be an excellent option for key duplication.

Much like Ace Hardware, they offer a variety of key replacement services, including car and home keys.

As with the other home improvement stores listed here, call before heading over to make sure your local store before visiting.

5. Menards

If you live in the Midwest, Menards is another option for key replacement. They offer self-serve kiosks, or key making stations, that you can use to get a new key made.

Unfortunately, not every Menards offers this service, so call before going.

6. Sears

While Sears stores aren’t as common as they used to be, there are still a few around. Known for quality tools and appliances, they also offer key cutting services at an affordable price.

Grocery Stores

Many grocery stores aim to be one-stop-shops today. Banks, vision outlets, and quick care health clinics are common additions to grocery stores.

Many also offer key services, making them a great choice for key duplication.

7. Walmart

What doesn’t Walmart sell? This giant of grocery stores and retailers is also a cheap locksmith. That’s because, like so many of the hardware store options mentioned, Walmart also sells keys.

What is different about Walmart and many other grocery stores as far as getting keys made, is that it is usually done through a self-service kiosk.

So, the one downside is you will probably have to fumble your way through the key making yourself.

Using a self-service kiosk isn’t difficult. Just follow the instructions on the screen and you should be fine.

8. Kroger

A national grocery chain, Kroger is another good option for getting keys made near me. Call before you go to make sure your local Kroger offers key duplicating services.

Many Kroger locations help you make replacement keys for brass keys, standard house keys and custom keys. It will likely be at a self-service key kiosk.

9. Safeway

Do you have a Safeway store near you? If so, give them a call and then head over to get your key replaced. Safeway is a national grocery chain that offers key making services.

Many Safeway locations have KeyMe and other self-service key making kiosks where you can conveniently replace your lost key.

10. Dillions

Like the other grocers listed, Dillions is another option for getting keys made nearby.

Whether you’ve lost an office key, padlock key or house key, self-service kiosks at Dillions locations will help you replace it.

11. Giant Eagle

Have you lost a key fob? Or an access card? You may be able to replace it at Giant Eagle.

Their kiosks can help you replace lost brass keys, home keys, padlock keys, office keys and other common types of keys.

As with so many options already mentioned, call before heading over to make sure your local Giant Eagle location has a key station available.

12. Vons

Located primarily in California and the American southwest, Vons is another grocery chain aiming to take care of all your needs.

If you’ve lost your key, give your local Vons a call to see if they have a key station you can use.

Many locations offer key copying services for your car keys as well, so try them out.

13. Meijer

Another grocery chain, Meijer is a great spot to get help. If you have some grocery shopping to do, stop by your local Meijer for assistance.

Located primarily in the Midwest in states that include Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin, if you live near a Meijer, try them for key services.

14. Save Mart

Save Mart is a smart choice for key replacement. If you’ve lost a key fob or even a car key, you may be able to replace it at Save Mart.

This grocery chain makes it easy to copy your house key, office key or other common kind of key. What makes Save Mart stand out from other common grocers is that some locations also copy access cards.

Give yours a call before heading over.

15. H-E-B

Do you live in Texas? Have you lost a key? Head over to your local H-E-B to get a new one made.

Many H-E-B locations offer kiosks where you can get car keys made, house keys and other types of keys.

Give your local H-E-B a call before heading over to make sure they offer these services.

Automotive Stores

Auto parts stores sell more than just car parts. They’re also great places to get car keys made.

They can also be a good place to find oil change specials if they do perform them there, or they may also provide coupons to local places that do.

Here are some common automotive stores that may be in your area where you can get keys made.

16. Advance Auto Parts

There’s an Advance Auto Parts near me, which isn’t surprising since they operate in 43 states. If you’ve lost a car key, this is a great option.

Note that some manufacturers will not allow their car keys to be copied.

If that’s your case, you’ll need to go to the dealer to replace your car key. Otherwise, head on over to Advance Auto Parts.

17. Napa Auto Parts

You may know NAPA Auto Parts for car batteries, but they sell a lot more than just that.

They are an excellent place to get keys made.

Whether you need a new car key, house key or other kind of key, let NAPA apply their “know how” to your key job.

18. Pep Boys

Like the other automotive store chains mentioned, Pep Boys is another solid option for key duplication. They have self-serve kiosks you can use to take care of your needs.

Plus, if you need an oil change, you can take care of both at once and save yourself some time.

19. O’Reilly Auto Parts

O’Reilly Auto Parts has more than just a catchy jingle. They also offer self-service key stations that you can use to make a copy of a house key, brass key, car key or other kind of key.

With stores spread out across America, there’s likely an O’Reilly Auto Parts store near you. Give them a call before heading over to make sure their kiosk is operational.

Other Options to Get Duplicate Keys Made

Beyond retailers, hardware stores and auto parts shops, there are a few more solid places to get keys made.

20. Locksmith

Even with all the home improvement stores and self-service key stations, there are still locksmiths in most cities. These key geniuses are another option for getting keys made.

The downside with locksmiths is that they tend to be more expensive than any of the other options mentioned.

You’re paying for expertise, however, so if you have a key that is unique or you haven’t been able to copy, a local locksmith may be your best bet.

After performing an internet search for ‘cheap locksmith near me,’ make sure to read reviews of local locksmiths on Yelp or another review service so you can pick someone with a solid reputation.

21. Mobile Locksmith Near Me

If you typed the above into an internet search, you may have been surprised at how many options your search returned. Where we live, there are nearly half a dozen mobile locksmiths.

Some mobile locksmiths will be local while others will be affiliates of a national chain, such as Carl Jarl or Keymasters.

As with locksmiths that aren’t local, make sure to read reviews about them to help you select someone who will get the job done right and not overcharge you.

While you will pay more for a mobile locksmith, the convenience of having someone come to you is nice. If you have a harder to replace key, this may be a good bet for you.

22. KeyMe App

Are you tech savvy? If so, KeyMe may be the perfect option for you. Download the app to your smartphone, take a picture of your key and KeyMe will mail you a key.

You’ll have to wait a few days, but you won’t have to go anywhere. Plus, KeyMe replaces non-standard keys and offers custom designs.

KeyME also offers self-service key kiosks inside a number of stores. These stations replace car keys, house keys, key fobs and access cards!

23. MinuteKEY

This national chain of self-service key stations may be in one or more of your local grocery or retail stores.

What’s worth calling out about MinuteKEY is the sports team designs they offer. If you need to replace a key, why not get a new key with your favorite college or professional team’s colors and logo on it?

Places to Get Automobile Keys Made Near Me in 2026

With so much automation and security built into modern cars, auto keys are more complicated to copy. Depending on what type of car you need to replace a key for, you may need to visit an auto parts store to have your key duplicated.

A best practice to follow when trying to copy a car key is to contact your local hardware store and an auto parts store.

Professional Automobile Key Lock Smiths

Unfortunately, the only place I could find that makes automobile keys are professional lock smiths.

When I contacted lock smiths, what I wanted to know is how much they were to travel to me, and what was the cost, and what was their time frame. I got around 3 quotes and the quotes ranged from $95 to $130, and some were much more welcoming than others.

Look for reviews as well. There’s huge variances in terms of the user customer reviews.

Here’s an example text that I received.

Explain the make and model of your car and ask if they can duplicate your key.

What was amazing about the one that I ultimately chose was that he spent extra time fixing one of my other keys. It was incredible.

Places That Don’t Make Keys

Given all the places that make it easy to have keys made, I was surprised to find common retailers that don’t make keys.

All of the following are store you might expect to offer key duplication, but don’t.

• Auto-Zone
• CVS
• Magic Mart
• Sam’s Club
• Target

This list shows it is always a good idea to call wherever you plan to go before showing up.

What to Know About Getting Key Copies

Now that you have a fair number of options for key duplication, it’s worth covering a few basics about getting keys copied.

Keys are copied in two main ways:

• A key-copying kiosk or machine
• Personal service from a key specialist

At kiosks, personal service is not typically involved. Insert your key into the machine, choose a design and follow the instructions.

This option tends to be less expensive and quicker.

It is more common to have the option for a person to help you duplicate your key at a home improvement or hardware store. This is helpful if you haven’t copied a key before.

How Much Does it Cost to Get a Key Copied?

The answer depends on what type of key you need to copy and where you get it duplicated. A local or mobile locksmith will be the most expensive option, yet will offer the most specialized service.

A hardware store or auto parts store with a person able to assist you in copying your key will cost more than a self-service kiosk.

If you only need to copy a standard home or office key, try a kiosk first. If you have a high performance, auto or more complex key, try one of the other options.

What Are the Different Types of Keys?

You’ve probably gathered by now that there are multiple kinds of keys. Common types include:

• House and office keys
• Auto keys
• High performance keys
• Keys that say “do not duplicate”

More on each type of key is covered below.

House and Office

The most common type of key, house and office keys are exactly what they sound like. They are generally easy to make copies of at kiosks and in person at hardware and home improvement stores.

High Performance Keys

Another kind of key is commonly called a high performance key. Auto keys often fall into this category. Office keys can also be high performance keys.

These keys are more accurate and complex than a standard home or office key. They are designed to glide in and out of locks.

Because of this, they may require more elaborate duplication services.

If you have a high performance key you want to duplicate, try an in-person key replacement service at a nearby hardware or auto parts store first.

Where Can I Get Car Keys Made Near Me?

As you might expect, the best place to get car keys copied is at an auto parts store. If you don’t have one near you, try your local home improvement or hardware store.

Select a location with personal service, as a self-service kiosk may not work.

Can I Get Copies of Do Not Duplicate keys?

Yes, you can copy a key that says “do not duplicate” on it, but not in every circumstance. Do Not Duplicate, or DND keys, are often to apartment complex entries and other more public areas.

It’s understandable that owners of community areas do not want those keys duplicated. The best tactic is to visit the original store or locksmith that produced the key to ask for a copy.

They will likely have a record of the original purchase, which will allow the key to be duplicated.

If that does not work, approach the landlord or rental office with your key duplication request.

Another option is to tell the maker of the key that you own the property and have the right to duplicate the key. This may satisfy some, but not all, key cutters.

Some companies will require proof of ownership, so be prepared to provide it.

Bottom Line

Perhaps you were overwhelmed, as I was when I searched for places to get keys made. There is no lack of options. As you can see from this review, there are plenty of places to use.

Remember, the best choice depends on the type of key you need to copy and the closest option to you. Select the choice that provides the best service at the best cost.

The post 23 Best Places to Get Keys Made Near Me in 2026 appeared first on Frugal Rules.

Thankfully, it’s possible to save money on these purchases.

There are numerous platforms that let you earn Google Play credits for free. This guide shares the top options to get free codes.

What Are the Top Ways to Earn Free Google Play Codes?

Earning free Google Play points is possible by completing a variety of short activities. These activities include online surveys, playing games, and shopping on get-paid-to sites.

As a preview, these are the top options based on our testing.

Here are the best platforms to earn free codes to make in-app purchases in the Play store.

1. Swagbucks

Swagbucks is a rewards site that pays you to do various tasks. You can earn rewards points by:

• Using their search engine
• Completing surveys
• Using their shopping portal
• Watching sponsored videos
• Downloading apps
• Trying free product offers

This enables you to earn points quickly. As an added bonus, you receive $10 for opening a new account and making a qualifying purchase.

You can redeem your points for gift cards to popular retailers or free Google Play gift cards.

If you have a gamer in your home, you can even earn credits to use on Roblox. Read our guide on ways to get free Robux to learn more.

You can also take earnings via free Shein gift cards if you wish.

It takes roughly 1,000 Swagbucks points to redeem a $10 gift card, 2,500 to redeem a $25 gift card, and 5,000 to redeem a $50 gift card.

Many other gift cards and PayPal Cash rewards require 500 points for a $5 payout.

Consult our Swagbucks review to learn more.

2. Survey Junkie

Survey Junkie is one of the best-paid survey sites as you can attempt multiple surveys each day. They also have a low payout minimum of $10 (1,000 points) for gift cards and PayPal.

Most surveys for money take up to 20 minutes to complete, and they pay between $1 and $3. Depending on your background and the survey topic, you may qualify for follow-up online focus groups that offer higher pay.

In addition to taking surveys, you can use the SJ Pulse extension with your web browser or mobile app to share which ads you see when surfing the web.

This lets you effortlessly earn a few extra dollars each month.

You may also qualify for additional survey invitations as an SJ Pulse community member.

Since you can use this service either on your phone or desktop, it is one of the best money making apps you can use.

Read our Survey Junkie review to learn more.

3. Fetch Rewards

Fetch Rewards is one of the top apps you can use to scan grocery receipts for money. The platform partners with over 200 brands to offer rebates.

When you scan a receipt, the app calculates the points you receive based on the price of the products you bought. Usually, you earn ten points per dollar.

Sometimes participating stores will release special offers as well. These can be worth several dollars and may offset the full item price.

Unlike other receipt scanning apps, you don’t have to activate offers to receive points. As long as you submit the receipt, the app automatically matches your purchases with active offers.

Then, you’ll receive the offer and accompanying points.

You will earn at least 25 points per receipt when you don’t purchase any participating items. The app issues points for merchandise and gas station receipts as well. Read our guide on other ways to get free gas at the pump to further reduce fuel expenses.

Points can be redeemed for gift cards or Google Play credits. It just takes 5,000 points to be able to redeem them for a gift card worth $5.

Read our Fetch Rewards review to learn more.

4. LifePoints

LifePoints is another exciting survey site that gives you rewards points for completing surveys. Most surveys require up to 20 minutes, and you can answer several per day.

This site may allow you to watch ads and provide feedback. You can also receive invitations for online focus groups and month-long daily diary studies.

Read our guide on other choices to get paid to watch ads on your phone to identify the top opportunities to earn.

Anticipate earning between $0.50 and $1.50 per survey. The redemption minimum is $5 (550 points) for gift cards to popular retailers.

However, you need at least 1,100 points for Google Play rewards to get a $10 gift code.

The platform gives new panelists ten bonus points as a signup bonus.

5. Honey

Honey by PayPal is a browser extension and mobile app that helps you save money shopping online by automatically applying discount codes.

When you use its “Gold” shopping portal feature, you also earn points you can redeem for gift cards, including Google Play points with a $10 account balance.

Cash and PayPal shopping credits are your additional redemption options.

You can earn up to 20 percent back at more than 4,500 stores. However, most stores only provide rebates between one and five percent back.

Read our Honey review to learn more.

6. Ibotta

Ibotta lets you earn cash back on your grocery shopping using their mobile app. After you download the app to your phone, you can search for featured items and activate offers when you are at the supermarket.

When you’re done with your shopping, you take a picture of the receipt with your phone. Next, the app gives you cash rewards for your successful offers.

Most grocery offers are worth between $0.50 and $3 on participating brand names.

While this cash back app can be best for buying groceries, it also works at over 2,000 retailers.

You can activate an online shopping session through the mobile app or your web browser and receive up to ten percent back.

Some of the 2,000+ popular retailers include:

• Amazon
• Costco
• Sam’s Club
• Target
• Walmart

Ibotta gives you $5 upon redeeming your first offer, so it doesn’t take that long to cash out your earnings.

You can redeem earnings via PayPal, direct bank deposit, and gift cards with a $20 balance. Free Google Play credits are one of the multiple withdrawal options.

Read our Ibotta review to learn more.

7. Toluna

Toluna is an online survey site you can use to earn point that you can convert to free Google Play points. The platform is one of the largest survey providers in the space and has ten million active members.

You can receive 3,000 to 6,000 points for each survey. Longer surveys can pay as much as 50,000 points.

New members can earn 500 bonus points by opening an account.

When it comes to redeeming your credits, you can convert your rewards into gift cards with 30,000 points. This balance is worth $10 in free credits.

8. InboxDollars

InboxDollars is a get-paid-to site that offers various ways to earn points doing small tasks. Popular ways to earn include:

• Answering online surveys
• Watching videos
• Playing games
• Shopping online
• Redeeming coupons
• Reading sponsored emails

Most activities pay between $0.50 and $3 for a time commitment of 20 minutes or less. You also have the opportunity to win real cash when you play games or search the web.

You receive a $5 signup bonus when joining, and the redemption minimum is $30 for cash and gift cards.

Read our InboxDollars review to learn more.

9. InstaGC

InstaGC stands for Instant Gift Cards. It is a rewards site that pays you to answer surveys, watch videos, shop online, and search the web.

Every 100 points you earn is worth $1 that can go toward a gift card.

Another feature of InstaGC is that they frequently offer ways to earn bonus points by letting you test products or listen to music, giving you plenty of options to earn points.

The low redemption minimum can make it easier to request frequent payments. However, most tasks only earn a few points, making the pay competitive with other platforms.

Some of the best surveys can pay up to 105 points. This is enough for a $1 gift card.

Google Play rewards require at least 500 points, allowing you to get a $5 gift code. This is a higher minimum than other prize options but still lower than many get-paid-to-sites.

New members receive ten bonus points when joining.

10. PointClub

One of the great things about PointClub is that you can join as young as 13 as long as you have a parent’s consent.

Signing up to complete surveys, also known as “missions,” is fast and easy. Each mission you finish gives you a certain amount of points.

Completing your profile and participating in Daily Streaks will grow your points balance even faster.

Points are easy to understand as every 1,000 points = $1. You can redeem rewards for PayPal cash or various gift cards.

Most tasks have an average payout between 500 and 5,000 points. The cashout minimum is 25,000 points for $25 gift codes and PayPal Cash.

To help you redeem your first award sooner, you receive five bonus dollars when you open an account.

11. Mistplay

Do you spend time on your phone playing games? If so, Mistplay is an excellent choice to turn your gameplay into free Google Play points.

After downloading this app to your Android smartphone, you earn rewards points (units) by playing games. While no purchase is necessary to earn units, you can receive bonus rewards by making in-app purchases.

Your earning potential depends on the game. Anticipate earning approximately $1 per hour by playing free games and having fun at the same time. This may not seem like a lot, but Mistplay is one of the top apps that pay you to play games online.

Gift card redemptions start at $5 (1,800 units) for most brands, including Google Play.

You can also redeem Mistplay units for retailers like:

• Amazon
• Nintendo
• Playstation
• Steam
• Xbox

If you prefer cash, you can redeem points for Visa gift cards. Mistplay is free to use, and you can start earning points immediately.

12. Join Costco

An awesome perk Costco offers its members is discounted gift cards. For example, you can often find a $50 gift card for $40.

Throughout the year, Costco will offer specials for deeply discounted gift cards. It’s not uncommon to find the same $50 option for $30 or $25.

You can find these both in-store and online.

If you don’t have a membership, ask a friend to see if they can help you out. You can also purchase a basic annual membership for $60.

13. AppNana

You’re probably using apps regularly and trying new ones all the time. With AppNana, you can earn rewards for doing this.

AppNana is terrific for anyone who’s interested in playing games online, although it’s useful even if you don’t and want an easy way to discover new lifestyle apps.

You earn points for each minute of playtime and by reaching specific levels. It’s possible to earn as many as 15,000 points per game, and you need approximately 45,000 points for a $2 gift card reward.

Most games are free to play. However, some premium games require in-app purchases to earn rewards. One example is a casino game.

Online shopping and paid surveys are two additional ways you can accumulate points. Logging into your account daily lets you earn 400 points.

Your earning can be redeemed for Google Play, Xbox, and Amazon gift credits in addition to other brands. The redemption minimum is 45,000 points for a $2 gift card.

You will receive 10,000 bonus points when you join.

14. Google Opinion Rewards

Google Opinion Rewards is an app that you can use to take quick surveys and only pays out in credits to the Play Store or free PayPal money.

The survey topics range from opinion polls and hotel reviews to merchant satisfaction and consumer feedback surveys.

These surveys tend to be a little different from a market research company, which can make this an exciting opportunity.

You will earn up to $1 per survey, but many have a lower payout. While the earning potential isn’t the highest, there isn’t a redemption minimum.

It’s possible to earn up to $20 per month with regular participation. That income can be enough money to try out a few new games or apps in the Play Store each month.

15. S’more

S’more is a fun app you can use to earn prizes, including gift card codes, by viewing ads.

The platform displays ads on your lock screen, and you earn points whether you interact with the ad or ignore it.

Some of the additional ways you can earn points include:

• Downloading apps
• Referring friends
• Watching sponsored videos
• Playing online games
• Completing shopping offers

Simply visit the app each day, play games, or try some of the above options to earn coins that can be redeemed for gift cards.

Each activity earns between one and 25 points. The gift card redemption minimum is 500 points for $5.

How to Redeem Google Play Credits

It is fairly simple to redeem your Google promo codes. You will need to access your account to do it.

Sign in to your Google Play account or create one here. Then do the following:

• Find the app or game you want and click on the link
• Click the “buy” button on the next page
• Select “Google Play credit” or enter your gift card balance to complete the purchase

Your current credit balance should be updated with your purchase.

Most of the apps mentioned above will apply directly to your account, although some may require additional information to redeem gift cards.

How Can I Get Free Google Play Codes?

It is possible to earn free Google Play points by completing a variety of micro-tasks like surveys, games, and watching videos.

Other activities require a purchase, including online shopping offers, redeeming coupons for in-app purchases, and scanning your shopping receipts.

How to Avoid Google Play Code Scams

The most common scam comes from credit generators promising free credits simply by giving them your email address.

This often results in an email being sent to you that may include an attachment. Don’t download it since these attachments are often used to install malware on your device.

You should also only use rewards platforms that you trust, such as the ones that we mention.

Can Apple Users Get Google Play Credits?

While Android device users are able to earn free Google Play credits easily, that’s not the case for iOS users since they’re unable to download the Google Play store.

That does not mean Apple users can’t earn Google Play codes. Although Apple users can’t download the Google Play store to their devices, they can download books, music, and movies in the store.

Downloading these apps onto an iOS device affords Apple users the ability to earn free credits just like Android users.

Bottom Line

There are many ways to get Google Play points for free. While you may find different hacks online to earn gift card codes, they’re often a scam. The only way to receive real credits is to use one of the above options.

With a little effort, you can save money on mobile purchases you want to make.

What’s your favorite hack to save money on entertainment?

The post How to Get Free Google Play Points appeared first on Frugal Rules.

InboxDollars is a fantastic way to make money online or from your phone. The site provides a variety of ways to earn rewards by completing short tasks.

This InboxDollars review covers how you can make money and maximize your free time.

What is InboxDollars?

InboxDollars is a get-paid-to site (GPT) that rewards you for doing numerous online tasks. Most activities are less than 30 minutes, and you can redeem your earnings for cash rewards and gift cards.

The site launched roughly 20 years ago, and members have earned over $80 million in rewards.

Some of the ways to make money include:

• Online surveys
• Watching videos
• Reading email
• Shopping online
• Playing games
• Redeeming coupons

Creating a free account is easy. It takes several minutes to open an account, and you can start earning immediately.

You only need to be 18 years old to join InboxDollars.

Thanks to the multiple ways to earn, it’s one of the best Swagbucks alternatives to earn cash in your spare time.

How Does the App Work?

When you open an account, you fill out a profile survey by providing information about yourself. Then, the platform matches your details with relevant surveys and side hustle offers.

After you register and confirm your email, you receive a $5 sign-up bonus.

Once you finish the initial registration process, you can start completing online tasks to earn money. A to-do list highlights activities that can earn bonus rewards.

Tasks can be done using the InboxDollars mobile app, which operates on Android and Apple devices, or by accessing the website on your computer.

You can redeem rewards for the first time once your earnings balance reaches a $15 balance. After that, the minimum redemption is $30 for all subsequent payouts.

Your redemption options include:

• PayPal Cash
• eGift Cards
• Prepaid Visa Card

Your gift card options may include Amazon, Applebee’s, Google Play, Nike, Target, and Walmart. There are approximately 35 participating restaurants, stores, and travel brands.

If you have a gamer in your home, you can even earn credits to use on Roblox. Read our guide on ways to get free Roblox gift card codes to learn more.

You can also take earnings via a free Shein gift card if you wish.

Features

There are numerous ways to make extra money with InboxDollars. Not every opportunity pays the same, so know that before getting started with the service.

You can try each option to decide which task works best for you.

Paid Surveys

Completing market research surveys online can be one of the easiest ways to make money on the side since no special skills or purchases are needed.

If you want to take surveys for money, you can attempt several each day with the site.

The platform is one of the best survey sites on the web because it offers many choices and competitive payouts for getting paid to answer questions.

Before you start, each opportunity tells you the topic and the amount you’ll receive. Most surveys pay between $0.50 and $5. Longer surveys tend to have higher payouts.

You will need to answer several profile questions to qualify for the full survey. If you aren’t eligible for the survey, you can earn a few points for each attempt.

Apex Focus Group is a similar option that focuses solely on focus groups. Read our review of Apex Focus Group to learn more.

Games

It’s possible to get paid to play games online for money with InboxDollars. Depending on the opportunity, you can receive cash earnings or Scratch & Win sweepstakes entries.

These virtual scratch-off tickets can win cash prizes.

You can play games on the computer, including classics like Mahjongg or Solitaire. The options in the “Games” tab earn sweepstakes entries based on your playtime.

However, these free games are not guaranteed to earn extra cash like the other micro-tasks.

Downloading new cell phone games and earning points by reaching a specific level is another option to make money with InboxDollars. You can find these games in the “Offers” section.

Some of the recent examples include Bejeweled or Plinko.

Many games are free to play. You can earn several dollars for your effort after reaching a certain level in the game.

Playing games online may sometimes require in-game purchases. In these situations, you earn rewards based on your purchase amount.

Watch Sponsored Videos

Instead of spending time on YouTube, you can get paid to watch videos with InboxDollars.

You can get paid to watch videos about these topics:

• Current events
• Cooking
• Sports news
• Health videos

Most videos only pay a small amount, such as $0.01 per video. Fortunately, these videos require minimal effort and time.

Look for sponsored videos from a market research company when possible. These are usually short TV commercials that you can watch and review. They tend to include a short survey and have higher payouts than the daily videos.

Shopping Portal

If you do a lot of online shopping, the site has a portal that lets you earn cash on the items you buy from your favorite online stores.

This can be one of the best ways to get extra money since you may receive cash back on your regular purchases.

You can earn up to four percent back at some of the following vendors:

• Kohl’s
• Priceline
• Walmart

Select retailers award up to 15 percent back, but these stores are usually specialty stores.

The cashback site also lets you earn rewards by purchasing gift cards and signing up for product offers.

Coupons

What helps make this rewards site unique is the ability to earn shopping rewards from in-store purchases. You can print coupons and earn up to $0.10 on redemptions in addition to the instant savings.

Plus, you can enjoy discounts at the cash register by scanning your grocery store loyalty card. There are over 200 coupons to select from.

It’s also possible to double-dip by using Fetch Rewards to save even more money. Read our Fetch Rewards review to learn more about that app.

Read Sponsored Emails

Taking a few minutes each day to read emails is another easy way to make money on the platform. It’s as simple as it sounds. All you have to do is open emails and read the content.

You must opt-in to take advantage of this opportunity, and you can receive up to four sponsored emails per day.

Some of the more lucrative emails pay up to $25. The highest-paying emails typically require completing some sort of task.

To avoid clogging up your inbox, it’s best to use a secondary email address for these sponsored emails.

Uploading Your Receipts

You can earn from $0.50 to $10.00 back by activating Magic Receipts digital coupons and purchasing participating items.

Most offers earn several dollars, but they are store-specific. The higher-paying offers require buying name brands.

Make sure you add a coupon to your shopping list before uploading your store receipt with your phone camera.

You may consider some of the other best apps for scanning grocery receipts to potentially earn more with participating name-brand items.

Some apps may accept online grocery delivery orders or not require you to activate offers before uploading your receipt.

Using Their Search Engine

The InboxDollars search engine helps you earn Scratch & Win tickets when you’re surfing the web.

Instead of typing a search query into your mobile browser bar, you can receive rewards for these search results:

• Web
• Images
• Video
• News

Your sweepstakes entries progress bar advances after four qualifying searches. Additionally, you can receive $0.05 by completing eligible searches on four consecutive days.

Read our guide on ways to get paid to search the web to learn about other opportunities.

How Much Can You Make With InboxDollars?

Earning cash on InboxDollars is simple, but you won’t become wealthy. On average, you can earn several dollars a day. This assumes you’re active on the platform and take advantage of multiple opportunities.

Most tasks require 20 minutes or less to complete and pay between $0.01 and $5. Additionally, many don’t require you to spend money.

Some tasks can pay up to $30. However, these may require a purchase in order to test new products and services. They can also require more time and may not be worth the effort.

While you won’t get rich, you can earn small amounts of money in your free time. Once your balance reaches $30, you can redeem your earnings.

Cash-out options include PayPal, gift cards for popular retailers (such as an Amazon gift card), or prepaid Visa debit cards. Remember that your first redemption threshold is only $15. Subsequent redemptions are $30.

How Long Does it Take to Get Money from InboxDollars?

It takes approximately three days for most gift card and PayPal payments to complete. However, some gift card redemptions can require up to ten business days.

Members can have one pending redemption request at a time. Therefore, you must wait for an open request to close before cashing out again.

Since the minimum redemption is relatively high, frequent payouts aren’t a problem for most users.

In addition to the payment processing times, paid shopping offers may have a waiting period to verify your purchase and allow time for returns or refunds.

For example, it can take up to 60 days to receive cashback from online shopping trips.

Do You Have to Pay Taxes on InboxDollars?

Earnings you receive from any online survey platform or small-task site are taxable. InboxDollars will file a 1099 tax form for any user if they make over $600 in a calendar year.

If you do not earn that much, you’re responsible for keeping track of what you earn and reporting it on your taxes. It’s best to track the income you earn so you can refer back to it when you file taxes.

Is InboxDollars Safe?

Yes, this paid survey site is a legitimate app to make money in your spare time. The platform is a safe cash rewards website with over 20 years of experience.

InboxDollars has a 4.2 out of 5 Trustpilot score. This is proof that people make real money.

While you won’t share personal details like your bank account information or Social Security number, the platform learns about your daily habits and basic background to provide personalized offers.

The company doesn’t sell, use, or rent your personal information to third parties.

Pros and Cons

As with all side hustles, you should keep some things in mind when it comes to using survey sites. Here are some of the pros and cons of InboxDollars.

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Free to join
• Multiple, short tasks to make money
• Cash and gift card payment options
• An extra $5 just for signing up

Cons:

• $30 payout threshold ($15 on your first time)
• Some tasks require a purchase
• Won’t qualify for every survey
• May receive lots of promotional emails

You won’t become wealthy using this rewards site, but it’s a simple way to earn a little extra spending money with minimal effort.

Top Sites Like InboxDollars

Overall, this side gig opportunity is a user-friendly get-paid-to site that pays in cash. Other paid survey sites might be better if you want to focus on a specific activity or need a lower payout minimum.

Here is a preview of the top apps like InboxDollars.

These are some alternatives to consider.

Survey Junkie

Survey Junkie is one of the leading online survey sites in the space. You can take multiple surveys daily and get PayPal or gift card payments with a $10 rewards balance.

Users can be as young as 16 years to join and need to live in the United States, Canada, or Australia.

Depending on your profile, you may also qualify for online focus groups and extended studies, which pay more. Installing the SJ Pulse app lets you make money by anonymously sharing your internet usage data.

Counsult our Survey Junkie review for more.

Swagbucks

Swagbucks is a competing short-task site that pays you to answer surveys, shop online, play games, and redeem in-store coupons for points.

Amazon gift cards start at $1, while PayPal payouts start at $5. Other gift card redemptions start at $5 as well.

Furthermore, new members only need to be 13 years old to join. It’s also possible to earn a $10 sign-up bonus after completing qualifying activities.

Read our Swagbucks review for more.

Branded Surveys

You can earn points by answering opinion surveys and daily polls through Branded Surveys. Active panelists can earn bonus points after receiving Branded Elite loyalty program badges.

Gift card, PayPal, and Branded Pay direct deposit redemptions start at $5 (500 points). The minimum age requirement is 16 years.

Summary

InboxDollars is a legit way to make money in your free time. As with any rewards site, it’s important to determine if it’s worth your effort.

If you want to make extra money on the side, InboxDollars is worth trying. Join today and receive $5 to start.

How do you earn cash in your free time?

The post InboxDollars Review: Is It a Scam or Legit? appeared first on Frugal Rules.

There are many similarities between both apps, including bank account syncing and customizable plans. However, each platform has its unique strengths that can make one a better match for your goals and needs than the other.

Our YNAB vs. EveryDollar comparison takes a closer look at both apps to help you decide which one can make it easier for you to achieve financial freedom.

What is the Difference Between YNAB and EveryDollar?

You Need a Budget (YNAB) utilizes the zero-based budgeting method to assign a job for every dollar you earn. Its goal is to help you stop living paycheck to paycheck and pay this month’s bills with last month’s income. 

The YNAB budget software is more in-depth than its competitor and provides more hands-on features. 

While setting up your monthly budget can take longer, the automated features can make it easier to manage your money in the long run. It’s free to try for 34 days. 

EveryDollar helps you create a zero-based budget with custom categories, but the planning isn’t as extensive. You may prefer this platform if you can get by with fewer details.

The free version is sufficient for a basic budget to track your spending, but it doesn’t link to your financial accounts. Upgrading to the paid version provides benefits like account syncing, personalized suggestions, and access to Dave Ramsey material.

What is You Need a Budget?

YNAB is one of the most in-depth personal finance tools for budgeting. It practices four money management rules:

1. Give every dollar a job: Know precisely how much you want to allocate for expenses and savings goals.
2. Embrace your true expenses: Compare your planned and actual spending.
3. Roll with the punches: Be flexible and make changes to improve your spending.
4. Age your money: Stop living paycheck to paycheck and pay your bills from your savings.

You stand to gain the most from this service if you have a tight budget and are struggling to pay the bills. 

After joining, the app connects to your banking accounts to track your income and expenses. Plus, it walks you through a category-based budget to allocate how much you want to spend on your core expenses and upcoming goals. 

After setting up your initial plan, the program looks for ways to save money every month by reducing your spending habits. 

New users may also appreciate the live question-and-answer sessions discussing different budgeting topics. These online events are daily, and you can watch video recordings to learn more about improving your money skills.

YNAB is accessible via a mobile app, wearable devices, and web browsers. 

YNAB Features

You Need A Budget is a robust budgeting platform you can use to pursue multiple financial goals. Here are some of the top tools that help track your progress.

Import Transactions

Connecting to your bank account to view your real-time account balances and sync your transactions is easy with this budgeting tool. Additionally, you can link your credit cards and investment accounts for total control of your finances.

The service will sync transactions between multiple devices, such as when spouses access their accounts. You can even manually assign a budget category or create auto-categorization rules as new transactions download. 

Easy-to-Use Interface

Despite processing lots of data and providing a highly-detailed spending plan, this budgeting and saving app is easy to navigate from your phone, tablet, or computer.

It’s effortless to view your deposits, payments, and goal progress. The app also uses color-coded progress bars, and you can tap on a specific item to find out more.

Compared to most online management software, YNAB has one of the most helpful account setup experiences. It walks you through multiple common and overlooked budget categories, including groceries, debt payments, car repairs, and travel.

This detailed analysis helps you quickly pinpoint budgeting mistakes where you might be spending more than you estimated. 

Additionally, the service lets you evaluate if you’re not saving as much as you need to accomplish your savings goals by the target date. 

Goal Creation

Along with reviewing how much you spend each month, YNAB helps you create a savings plan to save money for future expenses. You can decide how much you want to save and the target deadline to estimate your monthly savings goal.

It’s easy to set goals and track your progress from your account summary. The app summary lists your total savings balance and your monthly funding progress.

In addition to tracking your savings progress, this online budgeting service produces spending and net worth reports that simplify evaluating your full financial picture.

Age of Money

The final YNAB budgeting rule is to pay your current bills with money that has been in the bank for at least 30 days. In addition to tracking your spending progress, your budget also measures the age of your money.

For example, if the money’s age is 15 days, your paycheck must remain in your spending account for approximately two weeks before it pays a bill. This number will increase as you lower your spending and pay off debt.

How Much Does YNAB Cost?

All new users can try You Need a Budget free for 34 days and receive full access to every feature. After the trial period, you will pay $14.99 month-to-month or $99 when paid annually ($8.25 per month).

College students can enjoy one free year of membership.

*Related: Starting a budget can be difficult if you’re just out of school and a novice. Consult our printable budget worksheet for recent college graduates to learn where to begin.

Read our guide on the top YNAB alternatives if you prefer a different budgeting strategy or need a lower annual cost.

What is EveryDollar?

EveryDollar can be an excellent option for fans of Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps who want to get out of debt since it’s produced by Ramsey Solutions. 

It adopts the zero-based monthly budget approach where you assign each dollar a job, but the platform also works well with envelope budgeting and value-based spending as you can create high-level categories. 

A premium subscription is necessary for account syncing, automated tracking, advanced planning tools, and custom budget reports. Additionally, paid members can access group coaching to get financial questions answered by a money expert.

When registering, you can try the paid subscription free for 14 days to compare the extra tools to the free version. You will need to choose a Ramsey+ subscription to access the network’s other premium resources, including Financial Peace University.

However, the free budgeting software is best if you’re comfortable manually tracking your income and expenses since you cannot download your transactions. This is ideal if you want to quickly compare your actual spending to your planned amount. 

You can access your EveryDollar budget using a mobile app or an online browser. 

Consult our guide on how to create a budget if you prefer to choose the free option and manage it yourself.

Import Transactions

The premium budget app helps you save time by downloading transactions from linked financial accounts. This automation also means you won’t forget to record a transaction, which would adversely impact your ability to accurately track your spending.

Paid users can connect an unlimited number of accounts and categorize them accordingly. The app shows your current account balances along with the spending comparison to the budget targets.

Unfortunately, this service doesn’t auto-categorize your transactions, which can be frustrating if you want to put in less work monitoring your finances. Simultaneously, you don’t run the risk of miscategorizing a purchase, which can skew your spending reports.

Customizable Spending Categories

All users can create customizable budget categories that can be as in-depth or basic as they choose. Within each category, there are line items to plan for specific expenses.

For example, you can create a housing expenses category with line items for your mortgage payment, utilities, and repairs. Users can split transactions between multiple items.

This flexibility can make EveryDollar a worthy replacement for YNAB if you want a simple budget since it tracks your spending while quickly letting you know when you are living beyond your means. 

According to the app developer, you can create your first budget within 30 minutes. The budget walkthrough process is basic, and incorporating these recommended budget percentages can help you decide how to allocate your paycheck effectively.

Create Sinking Funds

In addition to making a spending plan, free and premium members can build sinking funds to track their savings progress for upcoming purchases and financial goals.

Sinking funds are separate from emergency funds, which you can also create in this budgeting and saving app.

As with most features, premium members have more tracking and estimation tools.

Budget Harmony

Listing your monthly income and spending targets is an excellent start, and several budgeting features make it easier to manage your money with this app.

Free subscribers can enjoy these benefits:

• Customize budget items and categories
• Receive monthly articles and budgeting tips
• Set due dates
• Sync budget data across all devices in real-time

Experienced budgeters and those wanting a barebones app will enjoy the simplicity of these features along with the ability to track transactions manually.

A premium membership’s best hands-on tools include:

• Customized budget reports: Receive in-depth income and spending reports along with a downloadable .CSV file for other online money management software. 
• Group financial coaching calls: Online sessions about budgeting, investing, spending, and other financial topics like your credit score.
• One-click tracking: The app monitors your spending activity and recommends ways to save more money.
• Paycheck planning: This cash flow forecast tool lets you visualize your financial progress after including upcoming paychecks and expenses, making it easier to predict overspending.

These advanced tools make it simple to accurately track your progress and plan your future because you have more hands-on control.

How Much Does EveryDollar Cost?

EveryDollar has two tiers to choose from. These tiers are:

• Free: No service fees
• Premium: Free 14-day trial and then $12.99 per month or $79.99 annually ($6.67 per month)

This service is cheaper than YNAB, but the paid plan doesn’t provide as many in-depth tools. If you don’t need the extra features, you can have similar transaction syncing and zero-based budgeting at a more affordable price.

Unlike some free budgeting apps, there are no advertisements for products or services if you stick with the entry-level plan.

How Are EveryDollar and YNAB Similar?

There is a lot to like about EveryDollar and You Need A Budget. The popular budgeting apps share many similarities that make them worth using. 

Here are several of the overlapping features between the two platforms:

• Easy to use
• Built on zero-based budgeting
• Customizable categories
• Link to bank and investment accounts
• Can make budgeting recommendations
• In-depth spending reports
• Work on multiple devices simultaneously
• Two-factor authentication (2FA) to secure your accounts
• No in-app advertisements

Both apps have you start by making a spending plan based on your monthly income. Either one can help compare your actual and planned spending. 

You can make adjustments on-demand when necessary to help you achieve your financial goals on time.

How Are YNAB and EveryDollar Different?

The winner of this EveryDollar vs. YNAB comparison depends on your financial goals and budgeting needs. Here is a summary of the notable differences between both services:

• App layout: Both apps are easy to navigate, but YNAB does an excellent job of having a functional layout and including more features overall. 
• Budget setup: Both let you create a detailed budget, but EveryDollar tends to be more hands-off with the walkthrough process. This can be better if you’re in a hurry and don’t want a super-detailed budget. 
• Categorization: You can have YNAB auto-categorize transactions to save time managing your budget. However, it’s a good idea to review your activity for errors.
• Ease of Use: EveryDollar Premium can be easier to set up since its planning tools are less extensive and let you create in-depth line items to track your spending. However, YNAB still provides more data and hands-on planning tools overall. 
• Financial coaching: EveryDollar provides group financial coaching, which can make it easier to have your budgeting questions answered in real-time. In fairness, YNAB also offers live discussions but can be restricted to a particular topic.
• Price: YNAB is more expensive overall and doesn’t have a free plan, with the exception of a 365-day free membership for college students.
• Savings potential: EveryDollar reports an average first-month savings of nine percent, which results in approximately $332 in savings. In comparison, YNAB reports an average of $600 in savings during the first two months and $6,000 in the first year.

Overall, YNAB provides more hands-on features that are valuable to serious budgeters and those who want automated tracking. In comparison, EveryDollar can be better for stable financial situations and casual budgets that don’t require as much ongoing attention.

Bottom Line

If you need substantial budgeting help, YNAB is typically the better choice because it provides more hands-on support. The extra tools are beneficial when you’re living paycheck-to-paycheck or are new to making a budget.

EveryDollar is better if you want to spend less money while creating a personalized budget or need a cleaner interface with fewer optional features. The paid version lets you sync transactions and receive customized budgeting insights.

If you don’t know which one to choose, try the free trial for each to determine which is best for you.

What’s most important to you when choosing a money management app?

The post YNAB vs. EveryDollar: Which is the Best Budgeting App? appeared first on Frugal Rules.

But should you choose this budget-friendly phone service?

This Mint Mobile review covers the carrier’s plan, price, and features.

What is Mint Mobile?

Like other discount cell carriers, Mint Mobile is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO). These providers use the towers of larger, legacy carriers.

They offer prepaid plans at a fraction of the cost. Read our review of the top cheap cell phone plans to learn how they compare.

Mint Mobile uses the T-Mobile network. If the T-Mobile network has good service quality in your community, you’ll be able to get a comparable level of voice and data reliability at a lower price.

All Mint Mobile plans include unlimited talk and text. They also provide an unlimited data plan for as low as $30 per month.

Like other MVNOs, the carrier is an online-only company, so you can’t visit them at a physical location in your area. You can handle most matters via instant chat or by calling their customer service hotline.

How Much Does Mint Mobile Cost

Mint Mobile is contract free, but does not sell single-month plans.

Instead, you buy plans in three, six, or 12-month increments. There are no cancellation penalties, but you don’t get a refund for the unused months.

Your monthly price depends on your plan length and monthly data allowance. Taxes aren’t included so your total will likely be several dollars more.

Additionally, Mint Mobile doesn’t have hidden fees unless you buy optional services like international calls.

Current monthly data plans include:

*Data speeds for the Unlimited Plan begin slowing after 40GB of monthly usage.

You pay for the total amount of the plan upfront to start, and there is a seven-day free trial period.

The first plan you choose is a three-month trial period that costs the same as if you purchase a 12-month plan. It’s best to use the first three months as a trial before committing to a longer term.

Twelve-month plans are the best value, and three-month plans can be the priciest. You can let your plan expire penalty-free if you choose not to renew.

This arrangement may cause some confusion in the beginning. However, cell phone plans start at a low $15 per month, and they also offer one of the cheapest unlimited data plans.

These are some of the most affordable data plans available and can be half of the cost of other prepaid cell phone plans.

If you need a family plan, that is an option as of May 3, 2022. You can get multi-line pricing with as little as two lines.

Each member gets to select their own personal plan. Called the Modern Family Plan, users can now get the lowest available price and still get to pay every three months.

Each Mint Mobile plan includes these standard features:

• Unlimited talk and text
• Free calls to Canada and Mexico
• High speed data
• Free mobile hotspot (5 GB mobile hotspot for Unlimited plans)
• 5G and 4G LTE data speeds for all plans
• Complimentary 3-in-1 SIM Card

Free calls to Canada and Mexico can be nice. Rates for international calls to over 160 countries are reasonable as well. You can compare rates on their website.

One way to reduce your monthly bill is by referring friends and earning renewal rewards. Referring five friends lets you get one year of free service with a 10 GB data plan ($240 value).

There are typically no other Mint offers to lower your rate, but the referral perk is a nice bonus.

Why is Mint Mobile So Cheap?

Mint is one of the cheapest prepaid carriers because they buy excess capacity from the T-Mobile network. Other prepaid wireless networks also use T-Mobile as it can be cheaper than Verizon and AT&T.

If you want to use an affordable carrier on the Verizon network, consider Visible. Read our Visible Wireless review to learn more.

Mint Mobile doesn’t maintain towers or local stores. This also keeps costs low.

This allows Mint to pass on savings to customers without sacrificing reliability.

Furthermore, if you need an affordable plan for your child, Mint Mobile is one of the best cell phone plans for kids available.

Activation Process

Activating with Mint Mobile is pretty simple. You receive a free activation kit by mail that includes a free SIM card and ejector tool.

It’s not uncommon for other prepaid cell phone providers to charge a small fee for a SIM card when bringing your current unlocked GSM phone.

You have 45 days after ordering your activation kit to activate your account. Wait until the end of the month if you must cancel a contract with another provider.

You can keep your number and unlocked GSM phone if you switch to Mint Mobile. The carrier also sells phones and can assign you a new number.

Below is a step-by-step process to activate a Mint wireless plan:

1. Receive activation kit in the mail
2. Go to mintmobile.com/activate
3. Enter 11-digit SIM card code
4. Follow on-screen directions to finish activation

If you ever have additional questions, you have several choices to receive help. You can use instant chat to talk with a customer service representative. Customer service is also available by calling 800-683-7392.

Once you finish the process you’re able to make and receive calls and texts as well as access the internet.

Wireless Coverage

All plans operate on the T-Mobile network with nationwide coverage.

You can enter your address into the Mint Mobile coverage map to see your potential data speeds. This map estimates the coverage quality in these settings:

• Outdoors
• In-vehicle
• Indoor residential
• Indoor commercial

You can also scroll the map to see coverage quality in nearby cities and your recurring travel destinations.

Here is the Mobile Mobile coverage map.

Unless you live in a heavily remote area, you can expect solid coverage.

Is Mint Mobile Coverage Reliable?

This carrier can be reliable if you live in an area where the T-Mobile network is strong. Cities tend to have good coverage, but service quality can be spotty in rural areas.

Since the carrier uses excess capacity from T-Mobile, service quality can worsen during peak periods or network outages. T-Mobile is one of the best networks in the country.

While you may be deprioritized at times, reliability is excellent and you should not expect any hiccups in service.

Depriorization is a reality of using a MVNO, and not unique to Mint Mobile.

Does Mint Mobile Have 5G?

Yes, 5G is available in many cities across the United States. The coverage map shows the areas that currently have 5G.

5G data is automatic for all plans without hidden fees when you have a 5G-compatible phone.

Mint Mobile also has the largest 5G network, according to its site, and there is no charge for it.

Phone Selection

One of the key selling points of an MVNO is that you can bring your own unlocked phone or purchase one from the provider. Mint Mobile is no different as long as you already have a GSM phone.

You can enter the model information or your phone’s IMEI number to see if it’s compatible. If it’s not, you can easily buy one from them.

Below are a few of the phones you can purchase from the carrier:

• Google Pixel 7
• iPhone 15
• Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Prices vary widely, up to over $1,000. Monthly payment plans are available, or you can buy used phones online to save money.

If cost is a concern to you, it’s best to either buy a used phone or bring one with you before signing up for service.

After you sign up for service, the company mails you a Mint SIM card. You will receive it within three business days. Upon installing it, and following the prompts, you should have service.

Customer Service

The easiest way to contact customer service is by live chat on the Mobile Mobile app or website. You can also call the toll-free phone number at 800-683-7392 to reach a live person.

Pros and Cons

Is this cheap phone plan worth it? Here are some positives and negatives for Mint Mobile.

Pros:

• Plans start at $15 per month
• Unlimited data plan for $30 per month
• Free international calling to Mexico and Canada
• Free personal hotspot for all plans
• 5G coverage for all plans

Cons:

• Can’t change your plan until after your current one ends
• No monthly pay-as-you-go plan options

Mint Mobile offers reliable service at an affordable price. Besides having to buy a minimum three-month plan, the provider offers a terrific way to save money on your cell phone bill each month.

How Mint Mobile Stacks Up Against the Competition

There is a lot of competition in the prepaid phone space. While Mint Mobile offers the cheapest unlimited plan available, it doesn’t always come down to price.

For example, if international calling is important to you Tello is a better choice. The provider lets customers call over 60 countries for free.

Most low-cost cell phone providers allow new users a money-back guarantee or free trial. You can take advantage of those to see which one works best for your needs before making a final decision.

Additionally, Mint Mobile’s unlimited data plan slows speeds once you reach 40GB in a month. If that is a concern, Visible may be a better choice.

Read our Visible vs. Mint Mobile analysis to learn how the two carriers compare.

Bottom Line

Overall, Mint Mobile is an excellent option for cell phone customers who want to spend less on their monthly phone service.

Not only do they have affordable data plans, but you can bring your own device. The free mobile hotspot and international calls to Canada and Mexico are nice as well.

How much do you pay for your phone bill?

The post Mint Mobile Review: Get Cell Service Under $25 Per Month appeared first on Frugal Rules.

While there are many ways to make extra money, Swagbucks is one of the most popular side hustle apps. This review will cover how the platform works and if it’s worth your time.

What is Swagbucks?

Swagbucks is a loyalty rewards website and mobile app, also known as a “get-paid-to” (GPT) site. You can earn rewards points by completing short online tasks. Then, you redeem the points for gift cards and cash rewards.

Since its inception, they have distributed over $503 million in awards.

You must be at least 13 years old to join the platform, making it a legitimate online job for teens, and it’s available in many countries around the world.

If you prefer earning cash rewards, the site can be one of the best ways to get free PayPal money.

There are many opportunities to make money with Swagbucks. They even start you out with a $10 bonus when you open an account and make a qualifying purchase through its portal.

How Does the App Work?

The app is free to use. All you need is an email address or Facebook account.

After creating a Swagbucks account, you will be able to browse the available activities to earn money. You can start earning points right away.

Once you earn the minimum number of points needed to cash out, you can redeem them for gift cards and cash rewards. You will receive your rewards within minutes.

Gift card rewards start at $1 (140 points). Your points can be worth a little more if you’re willing to wait for gift cards worth $3 (300 points) or $5 (500 points).

Cash rewards via PayPal and Visa gift cards can be redeemed starting at $5 (500 points).

You can also earn free Google Play credits. The credits let you buy apps, games, movies, and more in the Google Play store at no cost.

Read our guide on other ways to earn free Google Play points to use at the Play store.

If you have a gamer in your home, you can even earn credits to use on Roblox. Read our guide on how to get free Robux to learn more.

You can also take earnings via free Shein gift cards if you wish.

How Much Money Can You Make on Swagbucks?

Swagbucks lets you make money online, but you won’t get rich. Most tasks award between $0.50 and $5 each. You can earn several dollars per day.

If you use the platform regularly, you may earn between $30 and $50 per month.

Points are known as ‘Swagbucks’ or ‘SB points’ for short. The minimum payout for any action is 1 SB point. 100 SB points equal $1.

Payouts vary by activity. Higher values get as many as 4,000 SB points. Tasks that pay more generally require more time or a small purchase.

Fortunately, most tasks are free, take 20 minutes or less, and pay up to 250 SB. For example, you might earn 50 points for a ten-minute survey and 100 points for downloading an app.

You typically earn the specified number of points immediately after completing a task.

Some tasks that require spending, like online shopping, can take several weeks to receive credit.

If you have a tight schedule, Swagbucks is a fantastic choice to earn spending cash.

Features

You can make money with Swagbucks in many ways, including:

• Answering paid online surveys
• Using their online shopping portal
• Watching sponsored videos
• Using their search engine
• Reading emails
• Testing new products
• Playing online games
• Completing various online tasks
• Referring friends

You can also get paid to watch ads on your device with Swagbucks. While there are numerous ways to earn, they don’t all provide the same payout.

Shopping Online

Swagbucks has an extensive cash back shopping portal with many retail partners. Most stores award roughly eight percent back.

The best stores award up to 40 percent cash back. Many of these higher payout stores are “specialty” stores.

The app works with several popular retailers, including:

• Amazon
• Best Buy
• Kohl’s
• Old Navy
• Target
• Walmart

If you already shop at any popular stores, it makes sense to get cash back or redeem coupon codes on your shopping.

It’s also possible to earn SB points with in-store shopping deals. You can activate shopping offers and pay with a linked card.

Another way to save money on in-store purchases is by using digital coupons. You can add coupons to your shopping list and scan your store receipt with the app to receive credit.

Read our guide on the top coupon apps to use to save money on shopping.

While you have to spend money to earn rewards points, the Swagbucks shopping portal can be one of the easiest ways to consistently earn points.

Installing the browser extension or shopping through the app lets you quickly activate a shopping session. You must activate a shopping session to earn cash back.

Watching Videos

The platform offers many opportunities to make money watching videos.

Some of the video topics include:

• Financial news
• Lifestyle
• News and politics
• Sports

Most videos earn one or two points each. Even though this activity earns minimal points, it requires little effort.

When possible, look for sponsored videos that have higher payouts. Most sponsored videos are a 30-second commercial that you can watch and review.

Swagbucks is a legit way to get paid to watch videos online in your free time and earn a little extra money.

Buying Gift Cards

If you like to buy gift cards to give to friends and family, use Swagbucks. You might also buy gift cards for yourself and earn cash back.

Each gift card you purchase through the app earns cash back. Most gift card purchases earn up to six percent back.

Playing Games Online

You can get paid to play games on your phone or device.

Several game categories include:

• Adventure
• Card games
• Casino and slots
• Puzzle
• Strategy

Many games are free. Keep in mind that you may need to reach a certain level to earn the rewards. The highest-paying offers award up to 5,500 SB points.

These paid tasks can be a fun way to test new mobile games.

It’s important to note that some games require a purchase to play. The amount of points you earn depends on how much money you spend on in-game credits.

Swagbucks Search

You can use the Swagbucks search feature on your desktop or your mobile device to make money browsing the web.

Instead of using Google to look up an answer you need, the Swagbucks search engine can be a nice alternative. It uses the Yahoo search engine.

Unfortunately, you won’t earn points for each search. However, when you earn points, you can earn up to five points per search term.

You will receive a notification when you get points for searching online through Swagbucks.

Paid Surveys

Another popular way to earn cash or gift cards is by taking surveys online. Swagbucks is one of the best surveys for money sites and lets you answer multiple surveys each day.

Most surveys require up to 20 minutes and award a maximum of 100 points.

Each survey has an estimated time frame it will take you to complete the survey and how many SB points you will earn. Having this information up front is nice so you can decide if completing the survey is worth your time.

However, you won’t know the survey topic until you attempt the survey.

After asking a few background and personal questions to see if you are the best fit for the survey, you will receive the survey-specific questions.

If you don’t pass the initial screening process, you earn one point for your effort.

Besides the cash back shopping portal, surveys can be the quickest way to earn points each day.

Apex Focus Group is a similar option that focuses largely on focus groups. Read our Apex Focus Group review to learn more.

Swagbucks Discover

You can also get paid to test products or services. The “Swagbucks Discover” section lists free and paid offers.

Many offers are free and do not require a purchase. You might be able to download an app and earn between 100 and 750 points.

Other offers require a small purchase or cancellation before the free trial period ends. These offers award more points.

Some of the paid offers can include signing up for a meal delivery kit or trying an investing app. It’s possible to earn up to 6,000 points with the best offers.

For any offer, make sure you read the terms and conditions before enrolling. You will see the necessary steps to earn points and if a purchase is necessary.

Swag Code

A fun way to earn cash is by entering a Swag Code. Each code is a random set of numbers and letters that can be found in various places online and within the app.

Swagbucks sends a push notification in its app when a code is active. Browser extension users see a notification as well.

All codes are case sensitive and will not have spaces. The number of SB points you get for entering the code varies. Codes are time-sensitive and should be used immediately to earn points.

Once you find a code, you can enter it on the mobile app or the website.

Referring Friends

Another effortless way to maximize the Swagbucks rewards program is by referring friends.

You and your friend can each earn 300 SB points ($3) when your friend earns 300 points in the first 30 days. That’s enough points for a free gift card.

In addition to this one-time bonus, you earn ten percent of all the lifetime points your referrals earn.

Is Swagbucks Worth It?

Swagbucks is worth it if you enjoy short tasks that let you get free money fast. If you like taking surveys, playing games, and shopping online, the service can help you earn cash.

Even if you don’t use it for surveys or the other get-paid-to tasks, its online shopping portal and in-store cash back offers are some of the best out there.

The low redemption minimums for cash and gift cards also make Swagbucks one of the best side hustle apps. Similar apps may require a $10 or even a $50 rewards balance before you can request payment.

You may decide to avoid the platform if you have difficulty qualifying for the online surveys or you don’t use their shopping portal, Discover offers, or mobile games.

Is Swagbucks Legit?

Yes, Swagbucks is a real way to make money online or redeem points for gift cards. Like other survey sites, it’s free to join and most activities don’t require a purchase.

The company has a Trustpilot score of 4.3 out of 5 with many positive reviews.

Swagbucks is also one of the most popular get-paid-to apps with many online proof of payment verifications from members.

Read our guide on other top apps that pay you if you want to supplement your earnings from the platform.

Pros and Cons

There’s a lot of information in this review of Swagbucks. Let’s quickly recap the benefits and downsides of the app.

Pros

• Variety of tasks that make money
• Can sign up for free as long as you’re at least 13 years old
• Cash and gift card redemption options
• Amazon gift card offers start at $1 (140 points)
• Earn bonus points by referring friends

Cons

• Some tasks require you to spend money to earn points
• Online surveys can be difficult to qualify for
• Tasks only earn small amounts of money

Swagbucks is one of the best micro task sites to use if you want to earn extra money because it offers multiple ways to make money.

Alternatives to Swagbucks

It can be challenging to choose a small task site to utilize in your free time. Here are the top apps like Swagbucks to make money on the side:

• Survey Junkie: Take multiple, daily online surveys for PayPal and gift cards that you can redeem with a $10 balance.
• Pinecone Research: Take paid surveys and complete product tests at home.
• Mistplay: Play mobile games to unlock cash and gift card rewards.

There are plenty of options for survey and short-task sites. Pick the one that works best for you to minimize effort and maximize earnings.

Summary

Before considering any money-making opportunity, it’s important to evaluate if it’s worth the effort. The Swagbucks app gives you multiple ways to make money in your free time by doing online tasks that you enjoy.

You won’t replace your full-time job, but Swagbucks can help you achieve your money goals. You can also use it to save money each time you shop.

What cashback apps or services do you use? 

The post Swagbucks Review: How Does it Work and is it Worth it? appeared first on Frugal Rules.