We’ve analyzed key factors like product offerings, flexibility, fees, and customer protections to help you make an informed decision.

Each provider on this list has been selected based on their reputation, experience, and ability to meet the needs of homeowners aged 55 and above. 

Whether you’re looking for fee-free advice, flexible repayment options, or access to a wide range of lenders, we’ve got you covered with reliable, straightforward choices for securing your later-life finances.

TL;DR:

• KIS Finance offers flexible, fee-free lifetime mortgage advice with a range of product options.
• Lifetime mortgages in 2026 include no-negative-equity guarantees and voluntary repayment options.
• The market is stabilizing with competitive interest rates ranging from 4.73% to 7%.
• All recommended providers adhere to FCA regulations and Equity Release Council standards.

Why can you trust us

To ensure we’re recommending only the most reliable lifetime mortgage providers, we evaluated each option based on the following criteria:

• Regulatory Compliance: All providers are FCA-regulated and align with Equity Release Council standards to ensure consumer protection.
• Customer Feedback: We assessed independent customer reviews from platforms like Trustpilot and Reviews.io for consistent satisfaction.
• Product Flexibility: We looked at the range of mortgage options, including drawdown, lump sum, and repayment terms, ensuring they offer flexible solutions.
• Fees & Costs: Transparent fee structures, including broker fees and any additional costs, were thoroughly examined to avoid hidden charges.
• Protections: We ensured all providers offer essential protections like no-negative-equity guarantees and inheritance options.

10 best lifetime mortgages in 2026

KIS Finance

Rating: 4.96 / 5
Headquarters: Cullompton
Founded: 2008
CEO: Holly Andrews

KIS Finance is an independent lifetime mortgage broker renowned for offering whole-of-market advice without broker fees.

Since its inception in 2008, KIS Finance has helped thousands of clients access tailored equity release and mortgage solutions by working with a wide range of lenders.

In 2026, KIS lifetime mortgages are considered one of the best in the industry due to their flexibility and comprehensive protections.

The broker’s success is rooted in their independent approach, ensuring clients receive products that best meet their needs. 

As Holly Andrews, Managing Director of KIS Finance, says, “With all our business generated ourselves and with no reliance on introducers, this represented an amazing success for KIS Finance and the culmination of nearly 14 years in the bridging sector.”

Key Features:

• Inheritance protection available on selected plans
• Independent, whole-of-market lifetime mortgage advice
• Typically no broker fees
• Flexible options: lump-sum, drawdown, and voluntary repayments
• No-negative-equity guarantee included

2. Pure Retirement

Rating: 4.8 / 5
Headquarters: Leeds (Thorpe Park development)
Founded: 2013
CEO: Paul Carter

Pure Retirement, based in Leeds, focuses on later-life lending and equity release.

They specialize in connecting clients with lifetime mortgage products from a range of providers, rather than offering loans directly.

The company works as a broker, helping clients find products that suit their financial needs.

As CEO, Paul Carter notes, “It’s been heartening to see encouraging Q3 figures emerge from the Equity Release Council recently, confirming that the market has once again hit pre-pandemic levels.”

Key Features:

• FCA-regulated lifetime mortgage products
• No-negative-equity guarantee
• Flexible repayment options (up to 10% annually)
• Access to a wide range of lenders

3. Equity Release Council

Rating: 4.5 / 5
Headquarters: Thornby, Northants
Founded: 1991
CEO: Jim Boyd

The Equity Release Council, founded in 1991, serves as the industry body for equity release in the UK.

They do not offer loans directly but instead focus on connecting consumers with reputable providers, ensuring high standards and consumer protection across the sector.

CEO Jim Boyd explains their approach: “Making sure the sector is focused on consumer good has led to a discernible shift in emphasis towards outcomes rather than products.”

Key Features:

• Promotes consumer protection and transparency
• Sets industry standards for equity release products
• No-negative-equity guarantee on compliant products

4. Royal London

Rating: 4.7 / 5
Headquarters: London, 55 Gracechurch Street
Founded: 1861
Employee Count: 5,000 employees
CEO: Barry O’Dwyer

Royal London is a mutual broker that provides a broad range of mortgage and financial solutions.

They do not offer loans directly but act as an intermediary, helping clients navigate the market by sourcing products from a variety of lenders.

Their services focus on providing flexible, customer-oriented solutions, particularly for later-life lending needs.

Key Features:

• Offers flexible repayment options and a no-negative-equity guarantee on lifetime mortgages
• Provides a broad range of mortgage and financial solutions
• Sourcing products from a wide panel of lenders
• Specializes in intermediary services, guiding clients to the best product fit
• FCA-regulated with a strong focus on customer protection

5. More2life

Rating: 4.6 / 5
Headquarters: Preston (4 Midgery Court, Fulwood)
Founded: 2008
CEO: Dave Harris

More2life is a specialist broker focusing on providing lifetime mortgage products.

They work with a panel of lenders to offer a wide variety of later-life lending options, ensuring that clients have access to the most suitable products based on their needs and financial situation.

Since its founding in 2008, More2life has prioritized flexible, customer-centric mortgage solutions.

Key Features:

• FCA-regulated and committed to high customer protection standards
• Specializes in lifetime mortgage products and later-life lending
• Access to a wide range of products from a panel of lenders
• Flexible options for voluntary repayments and lump-sum or drawdown plans
• No-negative-equity guarantee and inheritance protection available

6. Clifton Private Finance

Rating: 4.5 / 5
Headquarters: Bristol (2 Portland Street, Clifton)
Founded: 2016
Co-Founder & Director: James Caldwell

Clifton Private Finance is a boutique broker based in Bristol, specializing in personalized property finance solutions. They offer tailored advice for a wide range of financial products, including lifetime mortgages and bridging finance. The firm works with a variety of lenders to ensure that clients receive bespoke solutions suited to their specific needs.

Key Features:

• FCA-regulated with strong emphasis on client protection
• Specializes in property finance, including lifetime mortgages and bridging finance
• Provides personalized, bespoke advice for clients
• Access to a range of lenders for flexible solutions
• Focuses on customer service and tailored financial strategies

7. Lifetime Mortgage Market

Rating: 4.4 / 5
Headquarters: Ferndown, Dorset
Founded: Information not available
Principal: Bob Ducker

Lifetime Mortgage Market is an independent broker offering whole-of-market advice on equity release and lifetime mortgages.

Run by Bob Ducker, the firm leverages over 40 years of financial services experience to connect clients with the most suitable products across the market.

Bob Ducker’s expertise ensures that clients receive personalized advice for their specific financial needs.

Key Features:

• FCA-regulated with a focus on providing transparent, reliable advice
• Independent, whole-of-market lifetime mortgage advice
• Specializes in matching clients with suitable equity release products
• Over 40 years of financial services experience
• No fees for clients, offers tailored product solutions

8. Liverpool Victoria (LV=)

Rating: 4.3 / 5
Headquarters: Bournemouth, County Gates
Founded: 1843
CEO: David Hynam

Liverpool Victoria (LV=) offers intermediary services for mortgages and equity release, helping clients access a variety of products from multiple lenders.

They focus on providing competitive solutions by working closely with clients to understand their needs and match them with the most suitable lending products.

Key Features:

• Provides regular reviews and advice to clients to ensure financial goals are met
• Specializes in mortgages and equity release, sourced from a variety of lenders
• Acts as an intermediary, providing access to competitive products
• Offers flexible terms and protections, including no-negative-equity guarantees
• FCA-regulated with a strong focus on customer protection and suitability

9. Norton Finance

Rating: 4.2 / 5
Headquarters: Rotherham, South Yorkshire
Founded: 1974
Managing Director: Paul Stringer

Norton Finance is a family-run broker with a broad panel of lenders offering mortgages, loans, and equity release products.

They focus on providing flexible, tailored solutions to meet the financial needs of clients, leveraging over 45 years of experience in sourcing the right products.

Key Features:

• Experienced in matching clients to the most suitable financial solutions based on individual needs
• Sourcing mortgages, loans, and equity release products from a wide network of lenders
• Specializes in flexible, customer-focused financial solutions
• Access to products with competitive rates and terms
• FCA-regulated, ensuring all products meet high standards of customer protection

10. OceanFinance

Rating: 4.0 / 5
Headquarters: Salford
Founded: 1991
CEO: Paul Newey

Ocean Finance connects clients with lenders for a variety of financial products, including personal loans, mortgages, and credit solutions.

As an intermediary, Ocean Finance focuses on simplifying the process of finding the right loan, ensuring customers access the best available deals for their needs.

Key Features:

• FCA-regulated, ensuring that all solutions are compliant with customer protection standards
• Provides intermediary services for personal loans, mortgages, and credit products
• Specializes in simplifying the loan application and approval process
• Works with a wide range of lenders to offer tailored solutions
• No direct lending, focusing instead on matching clients to appropriate lenders

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a lifetime mortgage?

A lifetime mortgage allows homeowners aged 55 or older to release equity from their property, typically without the need for monthly repayments.

The loan, plus interest, is repaid when the borrower passes away or moves into long-term care.

It is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and often includes features like a no-negative-equity guarantee, ensuring the borrower never owes more than the value of their home.

What are the different types of lifetime mortgages available in 2025?

In 2025, the main types of lifetime mortgages include lump-sum, drawdown, and enhanced plans.

Lump-sum mortgages provide a one-off payment, while drawdown allows borrowers to release funds as needed.

Enhanced plans are available for those with health conditions, offering higher loan amounts based on life expectancy.

How much can I borrow with a lifetime mortgage in 2025?

The amount you can borrow with a lifetime mortgage in 2025 typically depends on your age, the value of your property, and your health.

As a general rule, older borrowers with more valuable properties can access higher loan amounts.

Loan-to-value (LTV) ratios can range from 20% to 60% depending on these factors.

What fees are associated with lifetime mortgages?

Lifetime mortgages may involve various fees, including broker fees, application fees, and legal costs.

Some brokers offer fee-free advice, while others may charge an advisory fee or a flat-rate fee based on the loan size.

It’s essential to clarify all fees upfront to avoid unexpected costs.

Can I make repayments on a lifetime mortgage?

Yes, many lifetime mortgages allow for voluntary repayments, either to reduce the loan balance or to cover interest.

Some plans also offer options for paying interest-only, which can help reduce the overall debt.

However, these repayments are not mandatory, and the loan is typically repaid when the borrower passes away or moves into care.

How does a lifetime mortgage impact inheritance?

A lifetime mortgage can affect the amount of inheritance left to beneficiaries.

The loan and accrued interest are typically repaid from the sale of the property after the borrower’s death or move to long-term care.

Some plans offer inheritance protection, allowing a portion of the property’s value to be reserved for heirs.

Are lifetime mortgages safe?

Lifetime mortgages are considered safe if taken out with FCA-regulated providers and under Equity Release Council standards.

These protections ensure that borrowers won’t owe more than their home is worth, and they have the right to live in their home for life.

However, like any financial product, it’s essential to understand the terms, fees, and impact on inheritance.

Final Thoughts

After reviewing the top lifetime mortgage providers for 2026, KIS Finance stands out as the best option due to its fee-free service, whole-of-market access, and strong consumer protections, including a no-negative-equity guarantee. 

Whether you’re looking for flexible repayment options or a wide range of products, KIS Finance offers tailored solutions that suit a variety of needs.

The 10 providers listed above have built strong reputations for transparency, customer support, and flexibility.

Before moving forward, be sure to speak with a qualified financial adviser who specializes in equity release.

They can help you weigh your options, understand the long-term implications, and ensure this path fits your overall financial goals.

With the right guidance and provider, a lifetime mortgage can offer both financial relief and peace of mind.

• Read now: Here are the creative ways to buy a house without a mortgage
• Read now: Discover the best ways to pay off your mortgage early
• Read now: Learn the pros and cons of a 15 year mortgage

The post 10 Best Lifetime Mortgage Providers You Can Rely On In 2026 appeared first on Money Smart Guides.

Whether you’re buying at auction, bridging a chain break, or funding a refurbishment, the speed, structure, and reliability of your financing depend heavily on who arranges it.

That’s where experienced bridging loan brokers come in.

These firms act as the link between borrowers and lenders, negotiating terms, managing paperwork, and keeping timelines tight.

In this guide, we’ve selected some of the best bridging loan brokers in 2026 — firms known for getting deals done without unnecessary delays or complications.

TL;DR:

• Bridging loan brokers in 2026 operate in a high-demand UK market shaped around speed, second charge lending, and complex exits.
• Monthly rates cluster around 0.6 to 1.2 percent, with longer terms and specialist products gaining traction.
• Second charge bridging loans now serve homeowners who want liquidity without replacing low-rate mortgages.
• KIS Finance ranked first, as it delivers fast completions, high-value cases, and lender access across residential, commercial, and development deals.

Why Should You Trust Us?

Our rankings follow a practical methodology focused on how bridging loans perform under real transaction pressure.

• FCA oversight: We favour brokers operating under Financial Conduct Authority supervision where regulation applies.
• Lender coverage: Each broker must show access to multiple residential, commercial, and development bridging lenders.
• Deal flexibility: We assess support for complex exits, adverse credit, non-standard assets, and varied interest structures.
• Execution quality: Communication, case handling, and reliability under tight timelines factor heavily.
• Loan metrics: Loan size, term range, leverage limits, and realistic affordability assumptions matter.
• Speed and tools: Fast decisions, short completion times, and transparent online case tracking score higher.

1. KIS Finance

Fastest Bridging Broker for Rapid Completions

KIS Finance is a national broker with direct access to a wide panel of lenders.

They specialize in high-value bridging loans for both residential and commercial use.

Loan decisions often happen within 24 hours, and completions are pushed through in under a week when needed.

KIS Finance offers loan structures that accept borrowers with poor credit, no income verification, or complex exits like open-market sales, which makes them one of the best bridging loan brokers in 2026.

Joint legal representation is available on many plans, and desktop valuations are frequently used to reduce timescales.

• Loans from: £50,000 to £5 million (select lenders offer up to £20 million)
• Loan term: 1–12 months (up to 24 months on some deals)
• LTV: Up to 75%, based on open market value
• Key takeaway: Fastest bridging loan providers with minimal processing delays

2. Scottish Bridging Loans

Regional Broker with Property-First Lending Logic

Scottish Bridging Loans is the only lender founded and operating solely in Scotland.

Their entire operation is tailored to the Scottish property market, including support for both urban and rural transactions.

Loans are available on a first or second charge basis and can be secured on residential, commercial, or land with planning permission.

Desktop valuations are accepted up to 70% LTV, and their lending model is geared toward asset value over borrower profile.

• Loans from: £30,000 to £1 million
• Loan term: Up to 12 months
• LTV: Up to 75%
• Key takeaway: Precision-built for Scottish properties

3. Black Book Finance

High-Yield Bridging Structuring Broker for Specialist Assets

Black Book Finance operates as a whole-of-market brokerage focused on property professionals, developers, and landlords with unusual or high-stakes requirements.

They structure first and second charge bridging loans for residential, commercial, and multi-unit properties including HMOs and MUFBs.

Specialist deals such as VAT bridging, auction finance, and development exits are part of their standard portfolio.

• Loans from: Based on asset and case; flexible upper limits
• Loan term: Up to 18 months
• LTV: Up to 85% for refurbishment deals
• Key takeaway: High adaptability for structured property finance

4. Vast Commercial Finance

Institutional Broker with a Nationwide Lender Network

Vast Commercial Finance works with over 100 funding sources, including high street banks, challenger lenders, and niche private institutions.

They handle bridging finance for commercial buildings, buy-to-let portfolios, office-to-resi conversions, and land acquisitions.

The firm’s client base ranges from first-time commercial borrowers to experienced developers handling multi-million-pound portfolios.

• Loans from: £50,000 to £25 million+
• Loan term: Deal-dependent, often 3–18 months
• LTV: Varies across lenders; often up to 75%
• Key takeaway: Broad lending spectrum, especially for business borrowers

5. Wharf Financial Services

Development-Focused Bridging Broker for Real Asset Projects

Wharf Financial Services focuses on development-led finance.

Run by ex-corporate bankers, the team is experienced in structuring bridge loans tied to auctions, conversions, light-to-heavy refurbishments, and chain breaks.

Most of their business comes from referrals or repeat clients.

They support short-term loans for trading premises, lease extensions, and bridging-to-sale or refinance strategies.

• Loans from: Deal-specific, often £100,000+
• Loan term: Typically 6–18 months
• LTV: Calculated on gross development or purchase value
• Key takeaway: Property-led funding backed by real commercial insight

6. Propertyze

Capital Broker for High-Net-Worth and Investor-Backed Transactions

Propertyze specializes in matching high-net-worth individuals and developers with the right funding partner.

Their brokerage network includes over 70 active bridging lenders, with additional support from 50 development finance providers and 20 commercial finance firms.

The firm offers direct funding for high-value assets, often with bespoke loan conditions and minimal standardisation.

• Loans from: Deal-specific; often above £250,000
• Loan term: Negotiable
• LTV: Up to 70%
• Key takeaway: Ideal for investors and bespoke asset finance

7. Positive Lending

Distribution-Driven Bridging Broker for Quick Underwriting

Positive Lending has one of the strongest distribution networks among bridging loan brokers, having originated over £1 billion in finance.

Their in-house team of 40+ specialists works closely with lenders to secure quick agreements in principle (AIPs) and progress from inquiry to funding in under two weeks.

The firm supports regulated and unregulated bridging loans, with a special focus on property chains, debt settlements, and equity releases.

• Loans from: Case-dependent
• Loan term: Usually 3 to 12 months
• LTV: Determined per lender; commonly 70–75%
• Key takeaway: Strong lender connections for broker-introduced cases

8. Fox Davidson

Bridging Loan Broker for Property Investors and Developers

Fox Davidson is a UK-based finance brokerage headquartered in Bristol, with a focus on residential and commercial property lending.

The firm provides non-regulated bridging loans secured on various property types including buy-to-let, mixed-use, and owner-occupied buildings.

The company states typical decision-in-principle timelines range from 24 to 48 hours, with funding released within 7 to 10 working days following valuation and legal review.

Fox Davidson accepts up to 75% loan-to-value (LTV), though up to 100% financing is considered where additional security is provided.

• Loans from: Deal-dependent
• Loan term: 1 to 12 months
• LTV: 65%–75%, up to 100% with extra collateral
• Key takeaway: Standard and high-leverage property bridging

9. Best Financial Services

Greater Manchester Bridging Broker with Multi-Sector Support

Best Financial Services is a finance and mortgage brokerage based in Greater Manchester.

The firm provides short-term bridging loans for residential and commercial property transactions, as well as secured loans, remortgages, and equity release.

Best Financial works with a range of mainstream and specialist lenders, supporting clients across property investment, estate planning, and capital-raising use cases.

• Loans from: Undisclosed
• Loan term: Case-specific
• LTV: Typically up to 75%
• Key takeaway: Broad local broker with diverse service portfolio

10. JW Private Finance

Bridging Loan Broker for Auction, Refurbishment, and Development

JW Private Finance is a UK-based finance firm specialising in bespoke bridging loans for residential, commercial, and investment property transactions.

Loan purposes include auction purchases, chain breaks, light and heavy refurbishments, below-market-value acquisitions, and capital raising.

The company supports short-term property finance secured against UK-based real estate, offering deal structuring with retained, rolled-up, or serviced interest formats.

• Loans from: Based on project scope
• Loan term: Typically 1 to 18 months
• LTV: Varies based on security and purpose
• Key takeaway: Bridging finance across diverse borrower profiles

11. Cornerstone Finance

Multi-Discipline Bridging Broker with Advisory Integration

Cornerstone Finance is a financial services firm offering bridging loans alongside mortgage, commercial finance, and investment products.

The firm operates with a specialist advisory team, arranging both regulated and unregulated bridging finance for residential and commercial property.

Bridging loans offered through Cornerstone typically range from 1 to 24 months and may include up to 100% loan funding where additional security is provided.

• Loans from: Not specified
• Loan term: 1 to 24 months
• LTV: Up to 100% with secondary security
• Key takeaway: Bridging broker with end-to-end financial planning capabilities

12. Charleston Financial

High-Capacity Broker with 200+ Lender Network

Charleston Financial is a bridging loan broker offering access to over 200 lenders across residential and commercial lending markets.

Bridging products include both regulated and unregulated options, with terms from one to 24 months.

Rates start at 0.55% per month, and the firm supports a range of interest structures including rolled-up, retained, and serviced payments.

Loan purposes include property acquisition, development exit, chain breaks, and refinance.

• Loans from: Undisclosed
• Loan term: 1 to 24 months
• LTV: Up to 80%; 100% available with additional assets
• Key takeaway: Fast-response brokerage with broad lender access

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does It Take to Get a Bridging Loan?

It depends on the broker, lender, and how prepared you are.

A decision in principle can often be issued within 1-2 days.

The full drawdown of funds usually takes 5 to 14 working days, though some deals complete in under a week when all documents and valuations are ready.

Delays typically come from slow legal work, missing documents, or complex property titles.

Can You Get a Bridging Loan with Bad Credit?

Yes, it’s possible to get a bridging loan even with a poor credit history, but the terms and structure of the loan will depend heavily on the asset, not the applicant’s credit score.

Bridging lenders tend to focus on the property being used as security and the viability of the exit strategy.

That means defaults, CCJs, or past arrears won’t automatically disqualify you.

Why use a broker instead of going directly to a lender?

A broker compares multiple lenders rather than a single credit policy.

Access to specialist lenders improves outcomes for non-standard assets, higher leverage, or time-critical deals.

Market coverage also helps secure terms when lender appetite shifts.

What fees and rates apply to bridging loans in 2026?

Typical costs include a 1–2 percent arrangement fee, valuation and legal fees, and interest ranging from 0.7 to 1.2 percent per month.

Broker fees usually sit between 0.5 and 1 percent, though some brokers operate on lender commission.

Pricing reflects loan-to-value, asset quality, and exit clarity.

Final Thoughts

Bridging finance offers speed and flexibility, but it only works when structured correctly.

Choosing any of these bridging loan brokers can help you access competitive terms and avoid common delays.

Always verify the total cost of borrowing, including fees and exit charges, before signing.

Rushing into the wrong deal can cost more than waiting a few days for the right one.

Before You Go…

Getting a loan can be a challenging process. Here are some additional resources to help you better navigate this financial transaction.

• Read now: How to buy a house without a mortgage
• Read now: Use these tips to boost your credit score
• Read now: Discover the power of personal loans

The post Best Bridging Loan Brokers – Our Picks For 2026 appeared first on Money Smart Guides.

As one of the pillars of Canadian retirement planning, Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) are designed to offer significant tax benefits, provided you follow the right strategies.

Navigating RRSP withdrawal rules and taxes is crucial, as improper withdrawals can lead to hefty tax bills that erode your hard-earned nest egg.

Withdrawals from your RRSP are considered part of your taxable income for the year, making it essential to plan each withdrawal in line with your broader financial picture.

Beyond simply minimizing income tax, strategic withdrawals can enable you to maximize the benefits of government programs, support major life milestones, or take advantage of lower tax rates during specific periods of your life.

A lack of planning can quickly turn tax deferral into tax disappointment.

Fortunately, there are proven approaches and government programs that allow you to access your RRSP for key needs—such as buying your first home or pursuing higher education—without triggering immediate tax consequences.

This guide explores these tactics as well as general guidelines for reducing taxes on RRSP withdrawals and safeguarding your retirement goals.

For more in-depth information on tax ramifications, visit trusted resources like the Canada Revenue Agency’s RRSP section or consult major Canadian financial institutions’ advisory articles tailored to retirement planning.

Understanding RRSP Withdrawals

RRSP withdrawals are classified as taxable income for the year in which the funds are accessed.

Payment providers withhold tax at the source: 10% for amounts up to $5,000, 20% for amounts between $5,001 and $15,000, and 30% for amounts exceeding $15,000 (outside of Quebec).

However, this withheld tax is only a prepayment—your actual tax liability may be higher or lower, depending on your entire income and deductions for the year.

Withdrawing large amounts at once can cause you to be bumped into a higher tax bracket, resulting in increased overall taxes owed.

Careful timing and strategic withdrawal sizing can reduce the likelihood of facing a steep tax bill at year’s end.

The Government of Canada offers a helpful guide on retirement income and tax implications for those planning RRSP withdrawals.

Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP)

For Canadians entering the real estate market, the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) is a valuable tool.

The HBP allows you, as a first-time homebuyer, to withdraw up to $60,000 from your RRSP—tax-free at the time of withdrawal—for the purchase or construction of a qualifying home.

Repayments must begin the second year after withdrawal and be completed within 15 years to avoid taxes on the withdrawn amount.

This program allows you to access substantial funds for a down payment, but it’s essential to adhere to the repayment schedule to maintain the tax-advantaged status.

To learn more about qualification criteria and repayment mechanics, visit the CRA website for HBP details.

Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP)

The Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) is designed for individuals who aim to return to school.

It allows withdrawals of up to $10,000 per year (maximum of $20,000 total) from your RRSP to cover full-time education or training expenses for you or your spouse, also without immediate tax consequences as long as withdrawals are repaid within 10 years.

Similar to the HBP, missing repayments reclassify the withdrawn amounts as taxable income.

The LLP offers an excellent opportunity for mid-career retraining or supporting a spouse’s return to education while minimizing tax consequences.

For program details and repayment stipulations, refer to reliable finance blogs and government publications on the LLP.

Strategic Withdrawals During Low-Income Years

Planning withdrawals for years when your overall income is lower can be a highly effective tax reduction strategy.

For example, during a career gap, sabbatical, or early retirement—when earned income is minimal—any RRSP withdrawals added to your income may attract less tax compared to periods of high earnings.

Aligning withdrawals with low-income years requires forecasting expenses and income sources, but it helps ensure you pay the lowest possible marginal tax rates.

Converting RRSP to RRIF

Government rules require you to convert your RRSP to a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) by the end of the year you turn 71.

Once in a RRIF, you’re mandated to withdraw minimum annual amounts, which are taxable.

Timing this conversion, making any final contributions before the deadline, and planning how much to withdraw annually can help control your tax burden and support a stable retirement income.

For more about RRIF rules, see financial publications like The Globe and Mail’s RRIF guide.

Avoiding Overcontributions

It’s easy to accidentally exceed your allowable RRSP contribution room, especially if you’re making lump-sum or catch-up contributions.

Overcontributing by more than $2,000 results in a penalty tax of 1% per month on the excess.

Promptly withdrawing excess contributions and notifying the CRA can reduce or eliminate further penalties.

Regularly monitoring your contribution limit and coordinating with your payroll or other registered plan contributions is essential to avoid unnecessary tax.

Detailed steps are available in several financial institution guides and the CRA’s site.

Consulting with Financial Advisors

The intricacies of RRSP withdrawals, tax planning, and retirement income require up-to-date knowledge and a broad view of your financial landscape.

Financial advisors can help formulate a plan tailored to your needs, ensuring efficient drawdown strategies and optimal tax treatment.

Whether you prefer online calculators, a good advisor, or doing your own research, external expert insight can make a measurable difference in your net retirement income.

Final Thoughts

RRSPs remain one of the most effective vehicles for building retirement savings in Canada, but thoughtful withdrawal strategies are essential for maximizing their benefits.

By using programs like the HBP and LLP, planning withdrawals for low-income years, carefully converting to a RRIF, and avoiding overcontributions, you ensure both growth and preservation of your retirement funds.

For tailored advice suited to your unique financial situation, consulting a qualified professional or utilizing nationally recognized resources can put you on the path to a secure

The post Innovative Strategies for Tax-Efficient RRSP Withdrawals appeared first on Money Smart Guides.

Monarch Money aims to fix that by bringing everything together in one clean, powerful dashboard.

In this Monarch Money review, I’ll walk you through how the app helps you track spending, manage budgets, and stay on top of your goals.

It does this all while giving you a clear, real-time picture of your financial life.

I use Monarch Money myself and love it, but I’ll also share where it falls short and how it compares to competitors like YNAB, Copilot, Simplifi, and Quicken Classic.

I’ve tried most budgeting apps over the years, so I have a good idea of the advantages and drawbacks of them.

By the end, you’ll know whether Monarch Money truly fits your financial style, or if another tool might be a better match.

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Monarch Money Review

What is Monarch Money?

Monarch Money is an all-in-one money management app that makes managing you finances simple.

You can connect your financial accounts, see where your money’s going, and set goals that actually motivate you.

It’s built for real life: flexible enough for solo users, yet perfect for couples and families managing shared finances.

It supports two main budgeting styles:

• Category budgeting – assign spending limits by category
• Flex budgeting – organize costs into fixed, flexible, and non-monthly groups

You can also upload receipts, split transactions, keep tabs on your investments, and track your net worth over time.

The dashboard is customizable, letting you see your most important data first.

This budgeting tool works on the web, iOS, and Android, syncing across devices for easy access.

I manage my money mostly on my desktop (and I recommend you do too, simply because of how powerful the web-based platform is), but love having the app on my iPhone so I can see where things stand when I’m on the go.

Who Is Monarch Money For?

You’ll find Monarch Money useful if you want to manage finances with someone else or prefer a flexible budgeting system.

It’s popular among couples, families, and former Mint users who want a shared view of income, expenses, and goals.

That doesn’t mean you won’t find it valuable if you are single.

It’s just that it was designed for couples to manage their finances as a team.

If you like detailed tracking, you can set savings targets, monitor investments, and review reports showing spending patterns.

The app’s sharing feature lets multiple users log in under one subscription, so everyone sees the same numbers in real time.

Because Monarch doesn’t sell your data or store account passwords, it’s also a good choice if you care about privacy and security.

They even offer a seven day free trial before paying for a monthly or yearly plan.

The service operates on a monthly subscription model, allowing users the flexibility to choose between monthly and annual billing.

Best Budgeting Tool

Monarch Money

Track your spending, set goals, and grow your net worth—all in one place. Try Monarch Money free for 7 days, and when you’re ready to upgrade, use code MONARCHVIP to save 50% off your first year.

Try Monarch Money for Free!

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Key Features and Tools

Comprehensive Financial Dashboard

You can see all your financial details in one place through Monarch Money’s dashboard.

It shows your balances, budgets, and spending trends in simple charts and tables, providing a visual breakdown of your finances.

This helps you understand where your money goes and what you can adjust.

The dashboard updates automatically, so you always have current information.

You can view your net worth, cash flow, and category breakdowns as well, without switching screens.

What I love is that you can also customize the layout to highlight what matters most.

If you want to focus on household spending, savings goals, or investment performance, you can set up the dashboard to only show this information.

This makes it easier to stay focused on your priorities.

With other budgeting apps, the ability to customize the dashboard is limited or in some cases, non-existent.

Account Integration and Data Aggregators

Monarch connects to your bank accounts, credit cards, and investment platforms through secure data aggregators.

These connections let you see all your financial activity in one app without manual entry.

Once linked, the app automatically imports transactions and updates balances.

You can tag expenses, create custom categories, and track recurring payments.

If you have accounts at multiple financial institutions, Monarch’s integration saves you time.

It consolidates transactions from different bank websites, so you no longer need to log into each bank website separately to track your finances.

You can link popular banks like Chase, Capital One, and USAA, as well as smaller regional banks and credit unions.

The app uses encryption and read-only access to keep your information protected.

Collaboration Features for Couples and Families

Monarch Money includes collaboration tools that make it easier to manage shared accounts and budgets with others.

You can invite a partner or family member to view and edit your financial roadmap.

Each person can track expenses, set goals, and manage shared expenses in real time.

This helps you stay on the same page about bills, savings, and financial priorities.

You can assign roles and permissions, so everyone has the right level of access.

For example, maybe you want your accountant or financial advisors to see your budget, but you don’t want them to have the ability to make changes.

In this case, you can give them a lower access level to see the information they need and nothing more.

These collaboration features make it simple to plan together without sharing passwords or switching devices.

Budgeting Methods and Flexibility

Monarch gives you control over how you plan and track your spending.

It also emphasizes goal setting, allowing users to create and manage financial goals alongside their budgets.

You can assign transactions to detailed categories, adjust flexible spending limits, and manage both monthly and irregular expenses in one place.

In fact, this platform offers you two different way to budget – category and flexible budgeting.

Category Budgeting Explained

Category budgeting helps you see exactly where your money goes each month.

It’s very similar to zero based budgeting systems.

You divide your expenses into categories such as groceries, transportation, dining, and entertainment.

Each category has a set budget, which helps you stay aware of your habits.

Monarch automatically sorts activity into these categories.

You can edit or rename them to match your lifestyle.

For example, you can have a “Food” category to track all things food related.

Or if you want to get more detailed, you can create additional categories like “Dining Out” and “Coffee” to see exactly what you purchased on what category.

You can view your account data in charts or tables, making it easy to compare actual expenses to your projected amounts.

Over time, this method helps you identify areas to cut back or reallocate funds.

Flex Budgeting System

Flex budgeting gives you more freedom than fixed monthly limits.

Instead of assigning every dollar to a specific category, you group expenses into fixed, flexible, and non-monthly types.

It is a modern day twist on the popular 50/30/20 rule of budgeting.

Fixed costs include rent or loan payments.

Flexible costs cover things like dining or shopping, where spending can vary.

Non-monthly costs include annual fees or holiday gifts.

This system works well if your income or expenses change from month to month.

You can shift money between flexible categories without breaking your overall budget.

Monarch then tracks these changes automatically, so you can see how adjustments affect your total expenses.

Flex budgeting helps you stay realistic while still maintaining structure.

You decide where to tighten or loosen based on your goals.

Handling Non-Monthly and Recurring Expenses

Monarch helps you manage non-monthly and recurring bills and expenses so they don’t surprise you later.

You can mark bills or subscriptions as recurring, and the app adds them to a monthly calendar view.

• Read now: Learn how to budget for irregular expenses

This feature shows upcoming charges and helps you prepare ahead of time.

For example, if your annual insurance payment is due in June, you can spread savings across earlier months.

You can also track subscriptions like streaming services or gym memberships.

It lists these in one place, making it simple to cancel unused ones.

By planning for irregular costs, you avoid gaps and keep your expenses consistent throughout the year.

Tracking Spending and Financial Progress

Customizable Spending Categories

Monarch Money lets you create and adjust expense categories that fit your lifestyle.

You can start with default groups like groceries, transportation, or entertainment, then rename, add, or delete them as needed.

You can even assign emojis for each category, for those who like visuals.

The software also allows you to set up individual savings goals for specific purposes, making it easy to track progress toward each goal separately.

Smart Transaction Management

The app automatically imports your transactions once you link your financial accounts.

Then it uses your transaction history to help you identify patterns and improve your money decisions.

You can then review, edit, or split them into multiple categories if a purchase covers more than one type of expense.

You can add notes, upload receipts, or hide specific transactions to keep your records clean.

Monarch also learns from your edits, improving how it categorizes future expenses.

This feature has come in handy for me.

We belong to Plant Fitness and Monarch put this expense into the fees category since the name of the transaction is “iclub fees”.

Once I updated the category to “Gym”, all future Planet Fitness charges go under this category.

Another example is with our cell phone.

This one the software has not figured out how to properly categorize, but I am OK with that.

While we do have a cell phone bill, the bill itself is not 100% cell phone.

We subscribe to some streaming services through our phone plan to save money.

Each month I have to go into this charge and split it between cell phone and TV.

While I would love for the software to categorize this correctly, it can’t know or do everything, so I just know it’s a small update I need to make.

Finally, I love the ability to add notes to transactions so in the future, I can click to remind myself of the expense.

For example, we had some tree work done. I put this in the “Home Maintenance” category and then made a note, “tree work”.

I didn’t want to create a category for something that happens once every few years and the note helps me to find the expense in the future.

Cash Flow and Net Worth Tracking

Monarch combines data from your checking, savings, credit cards, loans, and investment accounts to show your complete financial picture.

You can view your cash flow – income versus expenses – through charts that highlight trends over time.

Your net worth updates automatically as account balances change.

This includes assets like investments and liabilities such as loans or credit card debt.

You can also create custom reports to analyze spending or progress toward savings goals.

These insights help you see if you’re moving closer to financial stability or need to adjust your budget.

Having all this information in one dashboard makes it easier to measure your growth and make informed decisions about your finances.

Setting and Managing Financial Goals

Monarch lets you create custom financial goals that fit your needs, such as saving for a vacation, paying off debt, or building an emergency fund.

You can assign each goal to one or more savings accounts and track progress automatically as your balances change.

A wide range of account types are supported for goal tracking, making it easy to manage all your financial objectives in one place.

You can view your goals in a clear dashboard that shows how close you are to reaching each target.

The app updates your progress as new transactions occur, so you always see real-time results.

To help you stay on track, you can set it up to send reminders and visual progress bars.

You can adjust your goals anytime, whether you want to increase your savings rate or change deadlines.

This flexibility makes it easier to adapt your strategy as your financial situation changes.

Investment Tracking Capabilities

Monarch connects to thousands of brokerages and investment accounts, giving you a full picture of your portfolio.

You can see your net worth, track performance over time, and review asset allocation in one place.

The app automatically pulls in balances and account activity from your linked accounts.

You can categorize by type, like stocks, bonds, or retirement funds, to better understand where your money is going.

Monarch’s reports help you spot trends and compare your growth with your goals.

You can also hide or filter accounts to focus on specific assets.

This feature helps you make informed decisions without switching between multiple platforms.

The biggest downside for me when it comes to investments is that you can’t see dividend income or detailed gain/loss information.

But, the investment tracking was recently introduced, so it is still in beta.

I am confident with future updates, this section of the platform will see improvements.

Credit Card Management

Monarch Money makes managing your credit cards as simple and stress-free as possible.

With its robust credit card management system, you can connect all your credit card accounts, no matter which financial institutions you use.

This means you get real-time updates on all your transactions, balances, and payments, all in one place.

To help you stay on top of your credit card payments, it offers customizable alerts and notifications.

You’ll get reminders when bills are due, and you can set up alerts for specific activities or categories.

This helps you avoid late fees, interest charges, and the stress of missed payments.

Plus, by tracking all your accounts in one place, you’re less likely to overlook a payment or let your spending get away from you.

Credit Score Monitoring

While Monarch Money focuses on managing your finances and investments, it also supports credit score monitoring.

You can view your credit information alongside your expenses and savings data, giving you a more complete financial overview.

Seeing your credit score next to your budget helps you understand how your borrowing habits affect your overall financial health.

• Read now: Here is how to quickly increase your credit score

You can track changes in your score over time and identify areas for improvement.

Pricing, Plans, and User Experience

Now let’s talk cost.

Monarch Money charges a subscription fee for full access but includes a short trial so you can test its features first.

It is available and highly rated on the Google Play Store, highlighting its popularity and user satisfaction among Android users.

It’s also available for download on the Apple App Store, making it easily accessible to iOS users.

The app focuses on a clean, ad-free experience with strong syncing, customizable dashboards, and tools for both individuals and couples who want to manage all their finances in one place.

With that said, I’ve found that using the web version is the best.

Not that there is anything wrong with the app version, I just prefer working on my desktop/laptop over a tablet or phone.

And Monarch’s internal research shows people who use the desktop version are more likely to be long term users and see more results.

Subscription Costs and Free Trial

Monarch Money offers one premium plan that unlocks every feature.

You can pay $99.99 per year (about $8.33 per month) or choose to pay $14.99 monthly.

Both options include the same tools, so the annual option simply saves you money.

You get a 7-day free trial, regardless if you choose monthly or annual, which gives you full access to test the software before paying.

During this trial, you have complete access to all the budgeting features, allowing you to link accounts, track expenses, create savings goals, and more.

Understand there is no permanent free version, which may be a drawback if you prefer free tools.

However, the pricing reflects its focus on privacy and reliability—there are no ads, upsells, or data sales.

For many users, this makes the subscription worthwhile.

If you have any issues with your subscription or during the free trial, you can contact support for assistance or to cancel your trial before you are charged.

Additionally, if you sign up using my link and use the code MONARCHVIP, you get free access for 7 days and save 50% off the annual plan.

Best Budgeting Tool

Monarch Money

Track your spending, set goals, and grow your net worth—all in one place. Try Monarch Money free for 7 days, and when you’re ready to upgrade, use code MONARCHVIP to save 50% off your first year.

Try Monarch Money for Free!

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Pros and Cons of Monarch Money

Pros of Monarch

• Ad-free and private experience
• Works for both individuals and couples
• Connects with over 13,000 financial institutions
• Customizable dashboard and budgeting options
• Reliable syncing and cross-device access

Cons of Monarch

• No free plan after the trial
• Slightly higher cost than some competitors
• Investment tracker lacks detailed information

Why I’m A Fan of Monarch

I’ve been using Monarch for a little over a year now.

I love it because it makes it easy for my wife and me to budget.

Before Monarch, I was the “owner” of managing our household finances and would update her on where we stand.

But now, she is an active participant.

I took the time to set things up and invited her with a link inside the app.

She has her own login and can see everything, even make notes, add categories, etc.

I also love that I don’t have to reauthorize our bank accounts all the time.

Unlike Mint, where I would have to reauthorize our multiple bank accounts all the time, I’ve never had to do this with Monarch.

There is nothing more frustrating than wanting to see where you stand financially and having to log back into your accounts and then wait for them to sync.

Now, as much as I hype this software, there is one issue I have and that is with investments.

I want a detailed look at my investments and Monarch doesn’t do this….yet.

The investment tracker is in beta, so I am hoping that with future updates, this issue gets resolved.

Still, it is good enough for an accurate net worth number.

Monarch Money vs You Need A Budget

Both Monarch Money and You Need A Budget (YNAB) help you manage your spending, but they take different approaches.

You’ll notice Monarch focuses on flexibility, and lets you link all your financial accounts, credit cards, loans, and even investments.

You can view your entire financial picture in one place.

YNAB on the other hand sticks to a strict zero-based budgeting method.

It focuses only on this and doesn’t include investment tracking.

You might prefer Monarch if you want a broader financial overview and tools for goal tracking or net worth monitoring.

It also allows you to invite partners or family members at no extra cost.

YNAB works best if you like structure and want to assign every dollar a job.

It offers strong educational support, including guides and workshops, to help you stick to your plan.

Both apps charge a subscription fee, but each offers a short trial so you can test which one fits your situation better for free.

Monarch Money vs Copilot Money

When comparing Monarch Money and Copilot Money, you’ll notice that both help you manage your finances, but they take different approaches.

Monarch focuses on detailed budgeting and planning tools, while Copilot Money emphasizes simplicity and personalized insights.

You can connect multiple accounts in the app to see your entire financial picture in one place.

Copilot Money also links your accounts but highlights spending patterns and gives you quick, actionable tips.

If you like hands-on control, Monarch gives you more ways to plan, track, and adjust your goals.

You can even invite others to collaborate on shared budgets.

If you prefer a guided experience, Copilot Money’s AI-driven insights and easy navigation make it simpler to stay on track without much setup.

It’s important to note that Copilot Money only works on Apple devices, whereas Monarch works on Windows and Apple devices.

For me, I really like Copilot Money, but I work on a PC, so I would have to do all my budgeting on my iPad, which was a deal breaker for me.

Both apps allow you to try them out for free, so you can test which one fits your style of managing money best.

Monarch Money vs Simplifi

When you compare Monarch Money and Quicken Simplifi, you’ll notice that both help you manage your finances, but they focus on different things.

Simplifi aims to make budgeting simple and quick, while Monarch gives you a deeper look at your full financial picture.

You’ll find Simplifi easier if you want a clean layout and straightforward tools.

It’s built for daily expense tracking and setting short-term goals.

Some users mention minor syncing bugs, but it’s still user-friendly and backed by Quicken’s long history.

Monarch, on the other hand, gives you more control over customization.

You can track your net worth, investments, and cash flow in one place.

It also supports shared household budgets, which can help if you manage finances with a partner.

If you like detailed insights and long-term planning, you may prefer Monarch.

But if you want a lighter, easier app to start budgeting fast, Simplifi might suit you better.

Both offer free trials, so you can test which one fits your style.

Monarch Money vs Quicken Classic

When you compare Monarch Money and Quicken Classic, you’ll notice they serve different kinds of users.

Monarch focuses on a modern, cloud-based experience, so you can access your data anywhere.

Quicken Classic offers a more traditional desktop setup with deeper financial tools.

It also stores data locally, though it now includes cloud sync options for backup and mobile access.

You’ll find Monarch easier to set up and more visually appealing.

It automatically imports transactions, categorizes spending, and tracks goals.

Quicken Classic gives you more control over details like custom reports, tax planning, and rental property management.

It’s great if you like to dig into financial data or manage multiple accounts in one place.

If you prefer a clean, simple dashboard and mobile convenience, Monarch fits better.

But if you want detailed analysis and offline control, Quicken Classic might feel more comfortable.

Monarch Money vs Rocket Money

When comparing Monarch Money and Rocket Money, the biggest difference comes down to control versus automation.

Rocket Money (formerly Truebill) focuses on automatically managing your finances, identifying subscriptions, negotiating bills, and tracking expenses with minimal effort.

It’s perfect if you want quick insights without diving too deep.

However, some of its best features, like subscription cancellation and bill negotiation, require a premium plan or commission-based fees.

Monarch, on the other hand, gives you more flexibility and depth.

You can build a custom budget, set financial goals, and track your net worth and investments in one dashboard.

However, it doesn’t negotiate bills or cancel subscriptions, but it gives you cleaner data, better organization, and stronger tools for long-term financial planning.

If you want a hands-off app that finds ways to save money automatically, Rocket Money might be your pick.

But if you prefer to take an active role in your finances, like planning, tracking, and building wealth over time, Monarch gives you far more control.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are users saying about Monarch Money on Reddit?

You’ll find that many Reddit users like Monarch Money for its clean design and ability to link multiple accounts.

They often mention that it’s a good option for couples or families who want to manage shared budgets.

Some users also say it helps them stay organized after switching from Mint.

Are there any common complaints about Monarch Money?

The most common complaints involve the lack of a free plan and occasional syncing delays with certain banks.

A few users also mention that setup takes time, especially when customizing categories.

However, most agree that once it’s set up, the app runs smoothly.

Is Monarch Money worth it?

If you want an ad-free budgeting tool with detailed tracking and strong customization, you may find it worth the cost.

It’s especially helpful if you manage multiple accounts or share finances.

Is Monarch Money Legit?

Yes, Monarch Money is a legitimate financial app.

It’s been reviewed by major outlets like Forbes Advisor and NerdWallet, both of which confirm that it’s a real company offering secure, paid financial management services.

Can Monarch Money be trusted with personal financial information?

You can trust Monarch Money with your data because it doesn’t store your banking passwords or move money between accounts.

It uses third-party data providers with strong encryption and security standards.

Your information stays private and protected.

You can learn more about the security Monarch takes here.

How much does Monarch Money cost?

Monarch Money offers two paid options.

The monthly plan costs $14.99 per month, and the yearly plan costs $99.99 per year (about $8.33 per month).

You can try it free for seven days before subscribing.

Who are the creators of Monarch Money, and what is their background?

Monarch Money was founded by former Mint and Intuit employees who wanted to build a more flexible, user-focused budgeting app.

Their background in financial technology helped them design a tool centered on privacy, customization, and collaboration for individuals and families.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, Monarch Money just makes managing my finances easier.

It’s simple enough to use every day, yet powerful enough to handle everything from tracking investments to building long-term goals.

I’ve tried a lot of budgeting apps, and Monarch is the one I actually stuck with because it helps me see where my money’s going and feel confident about the future.

If you want to test it out for yourself, grab the free trial and use the code MONARCHVIP to save 50% off your first year.

It might just become the last budgeting app you ever need.

Best Budgeting Tool

Monarch Money

Track your spending, set goals, and grow your net worth—all in one place. Try Monarch Money free for 7 days, and when you’re ready to upgrade, use code MONARCHVIP to save 50% off your first year.

Try Monarch Money for Free!

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

The post Monarch Money Review: Is This the Best Budgeting App? appeared first on Money Smart Guides.

You have a market available to you every day and if you sell the right things, you can have a steady stream of income.

This list of things to sell at school gives you a lot of options, spanning multiple categories and niches.

As a rule, to make the most money, you should look for items that are high in demand, but low in cost.

With that said, let’s look at the list of 87 best things to sell at school.

87 Best Things To Sell At School

Things To Consider Before Selling

Before we get into the list of items to sell, you need to make a few important decisions first.

To begin, you have to take into account how old your potential customers are.

Are you a teenager in high school?

A tween in middle school?

Or a kid in elementary school?

• Related: Discover 53 great ways for teens to make money

For example, chances are you will have more success selling clothing items to older teens compared to a kid in second grade.

Next, are you going to create a product or service to sell to students or are you going to resell items?

For example, you could make bracelets and earn money by selling them for a profit.

Or you might stumble upon an item at a store that isn’t local, buy the items, and sell them to classmates for a higher price than you bought them for.

Other questions to ask yourself include:

• If you’re buying products, will you purchase in bulk?
• If you are making products, can you keep your costs low so you can make money?
• Do you have space for storage?
• Can you source them on an as needed basis and will this cost you more?

If you’re new to entrepreneurship, don’t worry.

You can learn as you go and the lessons you learn will benefit you for the rest of your life.

Next, you need to know the rules as to what you can sell vs. what you cannot.

In some schools you can sell clothing with your school logo on it.

Other schools don’t allow this.

So before you decide on something to sell, make sure you are allowed to sell it in the first place.

Finally, as any successful entrepreneur will tell you, pay attention.

Listen to what other students are talking about.

This will clue you into popular items to sell or give you creative ideas into problems you can create solutions for.

With that said, here are things you can start selling at school.

Food And Beverages

When it comes to what to sell at school food items and drinks are profitable things because this is what most students spend their money on.

As such you have a lot of options to pick from.

• Candy
• Chocolate bars
• Gummies
• Gum
• Chips
• Pretzels
• Popcorn
• Soda
• Iced tea
• Lemonade
• Energy Drinks
• Iced coffee

Sweets of all types are definitely high in demand in a school setting.

However, your school may have policies against these so make sure you check before making any purchases.

For example, gum is definitely a student favorite.

While teachers may ban it in classrooms that doesn’t stop children from keeping a pack or two on them at all times.

When it comes to snacks, like chips and pretzels, you can easily buy large quantities in bulk at warehouse clubs.

The bulk packages have smaller snack size portions with different varieties, which are great for a school setting.

The same goes with beverages.

You can buy a lot more at a cheaper price at warehouse clubs than at the grocery store.

With that said, you probably want to start off paying more for smaller quantities until you know you can sell the items on a regular basis.

• Pizza
• Burgers
• Sandwich boxes
• Waffles
• Ice cream
• Popsicles
• Cup of Noodles
• Fruit bowls
• Baked goods

A lunch option is something that many students will be happy to spend their money on.

Especially if it is something they can’t get in the cafeteria.

Dessert options are a desperate need in most schools.

If you can deliver a low cost product that students love, your waffles, cakes, and ice cream will sell out by the end of the day.

Of course, many of these are going to be more difficult to sell than the snack options listed.

But if you can think outside the box, you can be more successful.

For example, you might not be able to sell frozen treats in school, but you could do this after school at sporting events.

And for baked goods like brownies and cookies, you could either buy packaged boxed recipes or use your own if you have a great recipe.

When it comes to selling them, could sell these both in school and at after school events.

Stationary Supplies

If you’re looking for things to sell at school other than food, there’s one thing students need it’s a consistent supply of: stationery items.

There’s a reason every teen high school show has a scene with students borrowing pens.

And if you don’t have the proper tools during an exam it can even affect your GPA.

Here are some different things you can sell for good money.

• Pencils
• Erasers
• Sharpeners
• Glue
• Stapler with staples
• Scissors
• Paper clips
• Rubber bands
• Protractors and rulers
• Highlighters
• Note pads
• Sticky notes
• Folders
• Notebooks
• Colored pencils
• Markers
• Old books
• Small bags with a complete set of supplies

Selling school supplies is a great way to earn extra cash.

Bonus points if you sell small bags filled with a variety of small items.

This idea is sure to offer a big profit margin as you will get more money than if you sold individual items.

Clothing

While a school may not seem like the best place to sell clothes and shoes there is actually a market here.

By tailoring clothes to fit current trends, rep the school spirit, support sport’s teams, or even social causes, you can establish a profitable clothing business.

• T-shirts with slogans and quotes
• Customized hoodies
• Sneakers
• Flip flops
• Leggings
• Windpants for track and other sports
• Pants

By taking advantage of print on demand companies, you can easily turn your graphics and designs into clothing.

And if you don’t have any artistic skills, maybe you can partner up with a friend who does have these skills and either pay them a portion of the profits or partner up with them.

Clothing Accessories

Clothes are definitely a hit with students, but don’t overlook clothing accessories.

In many cases you can buy these for cheap and make a nice profit or you can easily make your own bead jewelry as well.

• Bracelets
• Necklaces
• Anklets
• Shoelaces
• Sunglasses
• Tote bags
• Makeup items like lip gloss, chap stick, and nail polish
• Handmade soaps
• Homemade Candles
• Perfumes and deodorants
• Bath bombs
• Caps with logos
• Wallets

Craft ideas like these always tend to be a good way to make money since the items are unique and teens love to stand out and make statements.

• Related: Learn if you can make money selling Paparazzi jewelry

Services

When it comes to selling products you’ll have to put in an initial investment.

However, with services you are offering your skill set so there’s no funds needed.

• Related: Learn how to make money selling memes

This is a great opportunity to make some money while also helping other students.

Tutoring

If you are good in certain subjects, tutoring is definitely an easy way to make consistent cash.

Test Prep

Do you score well on standardized tests? Get paid to help other students learn how to prep.

Homework Service

Whether it’s writing essays or solving math problems, there is always a market for this service.

Study Notes

If you are good at note taking, sell class notes, extra reading materials, study packs with flash cards, and bulleted points.

Vintage Photos

Polaroids are making a comeback and if you have a camera you can start offering your photography services to the masses.

Phone Charging

All it takes is a large power bank.

You can buy these for cheap on Amazon and they have a fast charge feature to quickly recharge devices. Here is my favorite.

Shoe Cleaning

Everyone loves the look of brand new shoes. Offer a basic service to keep sneakers clean for your fellow classmates.

Streaming Accounts

Buy a Netflix family package and start renting out spaces. You can easily make a profit with this one. And you aren’t limited to just Netflix either.

Photo Printing

Everyone has digital photos but some teenagers like to stand out with printed photos in their locker or on their school supplies. Offer to print the images and make money in the process.

Fix Cracked Smartphone Screens

Everyone shatters their phone screen. Instead of dealing with the hassle of going to the mall to get the screen replaced, offer this service.

Watch a few videos to learn how to make the repair.

Taxi Service

If you can drive, offer to drive students around. Maybe they need to get home or to work. For a small fee, you can drive them and make money while doing so.

Bully protection

You can help some kids not be intimidated by bullies by offering to walk around with them or eat lunch with them.

One word of caution here.

Some students might try to sell old tests.

This is a big no and can get you into hot water.

Instead of selling the test, use it to help you create study guides that you can sell.

Just don’t market it as a way to pass the next test.

Extras

Finally, try to think outside the box for unique things to sell at school.

One great example is there are a lot of accessories and knickknacks that are popular among students.

Of all the ideas, these are the ones that will have a lot of interest.

This isn’t to say you should avoid the other ideas, it’s just that these tend to be most popular.

• Decorative phone cases
• Head phones
• Videos games
• Laptop stickers
• Phone stickers
• Bumper stickers
• Locker magnets
• Locker organizers
• Concert tickets
• Sports accessories like bats, balls and helmets
• Skateboards with customized designs
• Trading cards
• Sell screen protectors
• Phone pop sockets
• Stress balls

A creative way to market these ideas is by setting up a gift service where you wrap low priced items for students.

Birthday gifts are a huge market and definitely one you should capitalize on.

If you are a younger kid, selling popular toys could be the best way to make a lot of money.

You could sell putty, slime, and fidget spinners as examples.

Final Thoughts

Overall, there are a lot of options for things to sell in school.

The only point you should keep in mind is to avoid spreading yourself too thin.

Don’t start multiple product lines at the same time.

Instead pick one niche and build on it.

You’ll start out making a little extra money, but if you stick with it, you can create a profitable business.

Especially if you find items to resell that are in high demand.

Just be patient and keep working at it and before you know it, you will be earning some extra cash.

• Related: Click here to learn how to make money flying drones
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The post 87 Best Things To Sell At School appeared first on Money Smart Guides.

Not sure what to do with the spare change you get after buying something?

Instead of doing nothing with these coins, you can turn coins into cash, or even deposit them into your bank account.

There are many benefits for doing this, but your first question is probably where to cash in coins?

In this article, I share with you 11 of the best places to turn coins into cash.

I’ll also share with you the many reasons why you want to do this sooner rather than later.

11 Best Places To Turn Coins Into Cash

#1. Coin Counting Machines

When most people think about exchanging their coins for cash, they generally think about coin to cash machine like Coinstar.

Using a Coinstar kiosk is one of the easiest ways to change coins into cash.

All you have to do is find one in your area, dump your pile of coins into the basket and feed them into the machine, and let the machine do the work of counting your money and organizing all of your coins.

That being said, the cost of convenience is one that will eat up some of your profits.

The Coinstar fee is roughly 12% of your cash total.

Once you’ve agreed, you’ll get a printed ticket you can take to a cashier to turn coins into paper money.

Coinstar kiosks also offer other cash out options like Bitcoin or an e-gift card to popular retailer stores as well.

If you choose the gift card option, there is no fee taken.

They also offer charitable donations, but they do take a fee here as well.

Where can you find a Coinstar Machine?

You can find them in the front of grocery stores, usually near the Redbox machine or customer service desk.

You can also check the Coinstar website for locations near you.

Because of the popularity of these machines, they are in most grocery stores, drug stores, and other popular retailers, including the following:

• Walmart
• Krogers
• CVS
• Target

#2. Your Local Bank

In years past, you could walk into any bank and find a free coin counting machine.

But then banks needed to increase profits and started to charge a service fee for coin counting.

People then stopped using them and now very few banks have coin counting machines.

If you are lucky enough to find one, most times they are only for customers.

But going to your local bank (assuming you are a customer) is the best way to exchange coins for cash.

To save you time, if you bank with Chase, Citibank, Bank of America, Capital One, TD Bank, PNC Bank, or BB&T, they no longer offer coin machines.

If you are an account holder with these large banks, you should still call your local branch as they might accept a small number of coins, most likely rolled.

And if you have a Wells Fargo in your area, give them a call.

They used to accept wrapped coins from both account holders and non-customers with no fee.

But they have been changing this policy recently.

#3. Local Credit Union

Credit unions also offered coin counters for members as well.

Today, they treat coin counting like traditional banks do.

Some might have a machine and they might charge a fee.

Your best bet is to call ahead and ask.

#4. Roll Your Coins

If you have a bit of extra time and don’t want to pay some of the hefty fees demanded by your local coin kiosk, you should consider taking your coins directly to the bank.

You can then deposit them into your bank account or get cash for coins.

The most important thing to do before you pursue this course of action is to call your local bank before you walk in with your change jar.

Surprisingly, local banks may not always accept them this way.

If they do, it’s important to ask if there are any fees associated with your transaction or if you can get your cash deposited or directly in your hands without any extra charges.

With that in mind, you will typically have to have your coins in rolls before your bank will accept them.

If you don’t have a ton of coins you want to cash in, you can always purchase affordable paper wrappers on Amazon and do the wrapping on your own.

This is the option I take.

I collect my coins all year long and then at the end of the year, I spend an hour counting them and putting them into coin rolls.

Then I take them to my local bank and deposit them into my checking account.

• Read now: Here is how much money you should have in your checking account

If you’ve been saving coins for a while and you have tubs and tubs of change, however, you may need some help to get this done.

If you don’t mind spending a little money to make some money, you can purchase an automatic coin counter and sorter.

This helps you get the most difficult part of the job done without having to count and stack all of the coins on your own.

Then, all you have to do is wrap your coins and take them down to the bank.

• Read now: Learn the pros and cons of online banks

Whether you have some coins you want to cash out on or bottles and bottles of coins stored away, taking the task on yourself and converting them at your bank can help you cut down on fees required by coin-counting kiosks and services.

#5. Use Your Kids

Another option is to get your kids to help you with your coins.

Just dump out your coin jar and they can help you sort, count, and wrap the coins.

Not only will this save you time, but it can be a bonding experience as you all work together to organize the coins.

It’s also a great time to teach them about money too.

When it comes time to deposit your rolls of coins, you could get cash for some of it and take your kids out for a small treat for helping you.

One final note, you might want to pay attention to see if you have any rare coins worth much more than you think.

#6. Use Them To Pay For Items

The next time you go out shopping, use your loose change as a form a payment.

Just know there are drawbacks with this idea.

First, is the time it will take you to count out the right amount of money.

Depending on the total of your purchase, you could spend a few minutes counting.

This could anger the customers in line behind you.

Next, there is a chance that you or the cashier counts wrong and you have to repeat the process all over again.

Finally, many stores actually put limits on the amount of loose coins you can use to pay for purchases.

In all, this option is best used for smaller transactions and at times when the store isn’t busy.

#7. Self Checkout Lanes

Another option to the idea above is to go to the self checkout line.

Here you can avoid the hassle of recounting as the register will count them for you.

But you just can’t dump all your coins into the slot.

You have to do it slowly and here too, many retailers will limit the amount of coins you can use.

#8. QuikTrip

If you live near a QuikTrip convenience store, then you can cash coins for free.

Because of the coin shortage, many retailers are in need of coins.

In fact, many places limit cash purchases because they are having a hard time making change.

You can put yours in coin wrappers, but QuikTrip will take your loose change too.

#9. Local Convenience Stores

If you don’t have a QuikTrip near you, fear not.

Many convenience stores are also accepting coins.

To save yourself time, be sure to call ahead and ask if they turn coins into cash.

Also ask if they accept loose coins or if they need to be rolled and if they charge a fee or not.

#10. Gas Stations

For the same reasons as convenience stores are taking, so too are gas stations.

Follow the same advice as above, calling ahead to ensure they accept coins, if they need to be rolled, and if there are any fees.

• Read now: Find out the best places to get money orders
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You might be surprised at how many gas stations will take your loose coins.

#11. Coin Collectors

In most cases, coin collectors won’t take a lot of coins from you.

But they may be willing to look through your coins to see if you have anything of value.

And if you do, they may be willing to buy it from you for cash.

Of course, you don’t have to sell it to them.

You could see if another collector would offer you more money.

Or you could try to sell it on eBay as well.

Reasons To Turn Your Coins Into Cash

I get asked a lot why I take the time to roll my coins and deposit them into my checking account.

Here are the main reasons.

Inflation

First is inflation.

Leaving money idle means it loses value over time.

By cashing in coins, you can spend or invest that money now before inflation erodes its value.

Over time, prices rise and cost more. If you keep your money under your mattress, it is becoming less valuable every year.

The $10 you have in your pocket bought a lot more things 20 years ago than it does today.

By taking my loose change and putting it into my bank account, I can spend or save this money, making the most out of it today.

Compound Interest

The next reason is related to the first and is compound interest.

If I leave my change sit in a jar, it does nothing for me.

But if I deposit coins into a savings account or invest it, it earns interest and grows over time.

• Read now: Here are the many benefits of saving money

Now, a lot of people think spare change doesn’t add up.

But they would be wrong.

I average about $125 a year when I roll and deposit my coins.

I take this money and invest it into the stock market.

Here I earn on average 8% annually.

Over the past 20 years, my spare change has grown to be worth close to $6,200.

If I had just kept the coins in a jar, I’d have $2,500.

And that $2,500 would buy a lot less because of inflation.

The Trick To Making The Most Of Your Spare Change

Here is the secret trick I started using and have many others using as well.

It takes the idea above and puts it on steroids.

Since most of us no longer use cash as form of payment, we limit the amount of coins we have.

But you can use a service like Acorns to still make use of your spare change.

With Acorns, they will round up your purchases and take the difference from your checking account and invest it for you.

So if you spend $54.73 at the grocery store, Acorns will round up $0.27 and invest it for you.

Over the course of a year, I’ve invested $750 worth of spare change.

Take this amount each year for 20 years, plus my physical coins of $125, and I end up with over $43,000 all from spare change.

As you can see, saving your spare change does make difference.

Best For Investing Small Amounts Of Money

Acorns

​Acorns changed the game when they allowed you to start investing your spare change. With a simple to use app and effortless ways to invest, Acorns is a solid choice for many investors just starting out without a lot of money to invest. New users get $10 when signing up!

LEARN MORE READ MY REVIEW

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit coins at any bank?

Not every bank will accept loose change, so it’s best to call ahead.

Some banks will let you deposit coins only if they’re rolled, while others may still have a coin to cash machine available for customers.

Local or regional banks are more likely to cash in coins without fees than large national ones.

Does Coinstar take pennies?

Yes, Coinstar accepts all U.S. coins, including pennies.

You can turn change into cash easily by pouring your mixed coins—including pennies—into the coin counting machine, which will total your amount and give you a cash voucher.

How much does Coinstar charge?

Coinstar typically charges around 12% of your total amount when you exchange coins for cash.

However, if you opt for a digital gift card instead of cash, there’s no fee, making it a smart alternative if you want to convert coins to cash without losing money.

What is the best way to cash in coins without fees?

The best way to cash in coins without fees is by visiting your local bank or credit union.

Many will allow members to turn coins into cash or deposit them directly into a checking or savings account at no cost—especially if you roll your coins ahead of time.

Where can I turn change into cash?

You can turn change into cash at banks, credit unions, Coinstar kiosks, and some grocery or convenience stores.

Look for a coin to cash machine near you or check if your local retailer offers free coin-counting or store credit for coins.

Can you deposit coins at an ATM?

Most ATMs don’t accept coins, even if they accept cash deposits.

To cash in coins, you’ll typically need to visit a bank branch in person or use a coin counting machine.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, there are not a lot of places to turn coins into cash.

These are your best options, and your very best choice is to reach out to the bank you have accounts with.

Not only will they most likely take your coins, but they won’t charge you a fee for doing so.

• Read now: Learn how to grow your own money tree
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The post 11 Best Places To Turn Coins Into Cash appeared first on Money Smart Guides.

I knew that by having a large pile of savings, I would cover myself if emergencies happened.

And having this savings would also allow me to focus on investing my money and growing it faster.

Thanks to my finance background, I understood the power of compound interest and wanted to find a savings account that offered me a high yield.

This is because the higher the interest rate, the more interest I would earn.

Today, many online banks try to be the one stop shop for all your banking needs.

As a result, they don’t offer competitive interest rates, thus taking longer to grow your savings.

Luckily, CIT Bank is here.

They offer one of the highest yields in the country so your savings will grow as fast as possible.

In this post, I am going to show you why I keep my savings with CIT Bank and why you should too.

CIT Bank Review | The Best Place To Grow Your Savings

What Is CIT Bank?

Founded more than 100 years ago, CIT Bank began as a brick and mortar bank specializing in helping businesses and individuals with their money.

Today, CIT Bank is primarily an internet bank, but it does have a few physical branches in California under the OneWest Bank division.

As a banking institution in the US, it is regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

CIT Bank Products

CIT Bank offers a variety of products and services that helps you in meeting your financial goals and improving your finances.

These products include:

• eChecking
• Money markets
• Savings builder
• Jumbo CD
• Term CD
• No-penalty CD

Here is a detailed look at each one.

eChecking

Recently, CIT Bank introduced a checking account to customers. This makes CIT a one stop banking solution.

The checking account follows the same premise as other accounts, meaning no fees and a competitive interest rate.

They also offer up to $15 in ATM reimbursement fees a month and work with many digital payment solutions including Zell, Bill Pay, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay.

Money Market Accounts

A CIT Bank money market account is particularly advantageous for customers who can maintain a $25,000 balance.

At that level, you’ll unlock their highest earning potential, often surpassing what many traditional banks offer on similar accounts.

Savings Builder

CIT Bank’s Savings Builder account is designed for consistent savers. It offers many of the same advantages as the money market account—without requiring a large minimum balance.

Check out the short video below to learn more about how it works.

Start with a $100 opening deposit, then continue adding $100 or more each month to keep earning their top rate.

If you miss a monthly deposit, your rate will dip temporarily, but it’ll bounce back as soon as you resume your regular savings habit.

Best Bank Account

CIT Bank

With some of the highest paying interest rates in the U.S. CIT Bank stands out as offering the best savings accounts, specifically the Savings Connect Account. Add in ease of use and great customer service, and you have a clear winner.

LEARN MORE CIT Bank Personal Account Disclosures

For complete list of account details and fees, see CIT Bank Personal Account disclosures.

Jumbo CD

CIT Bank has some of the best CD options available.

The jumbo CD will maximize your return on investment without any stress on your part.

Terms range from 2 to 5 years and have various rates.

There are no account opening fees, interest is compounded daily, and your CD is FDIC insured.

Term CD

With an opening deposit of $1,000 you can open a high-yield CD for terms ranging from 6 months to 5 years, and rates with various rates as well.

There is no fee to open an account, your interest compounds daily, and your CD is FDIC insured.

No-penalty CD

Open a no-penalty, 11-month CD with only $1,000 and have access to your funds without fear of penalties if you need to make an early withdrawal.

Interest is compounded daily and funds are insured by the FDIC.

Opening An Account With CIT Bank

Opening an account with CIT Bank is simple and can be done in less than 10 minutes.

In fact, there are just 3 simple steps to opening an account, regardless of the bank product you want.

That is all there is to it.

Of course, if you are opening a Savings Builder account, I recommend you set up a monthly transfer of $100 so you guarantee yourself the highest yield possible.

Best Bank Account

CIT Bank

With some of the highest paying interest rates in the U.S. CIT Bank stands out as offering the best savings accounts, specifically the Savings Connect Account. Add in ease of use and great customer service, and you have a clear winner.

LEARN MORE CIT Bank Personal Account Disclosures

For complete list of account details and fees, see CIT Bank Personal Account disclosures.

CIT Bank Fees

This is another area where CIT Bank shines.

They don’t charge any of the typical fees most banks charge.

For instance, you won’t see any of these fees:

• No account opening fees
• No monthly maintenance fees
• No inactivity fees
• No account closure fees

And with a minimum deposit of $25,000, there no wire transfer fees either.

But if your balance drops below this, there may be a fee for outgoing wire transfers.

Note the fee is only on outgoing wire transfers. There are no fees for incoming wire transfers.

For Savings Builder accounts, instead of charging a fee, you earn a lower interest rate if your balance falls below the minimum amount or you don’t make the required monthly deposit.

• Read now: Click here to learn the simplest way to grow your wealth

However, once your balance is higher than the minimum or you complete the required monthly deposit, you earn the highest interest rate again.

Advantages And Drawbacks

Advantages

Here is a quick summary of the things that makes CIT Bank stand out from other banks.

• Competitive interest potential
• No monthly maintenance or service fees
• Low opening deposit requirement

Drawbacks

There are a few wish-list items I would like to see improved upon or implemented with CIT Bank.

• No physical branches / online-only model
• Tiered / conditional qualification for best rates
• Slower transfers / fund access wait times

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the most common questions I get asked about CIT Bank.

This is a great place to focus on if you are short on time.

Is CIT Bank legit?

Yes, CIT Bank is a legitimate bank.

CIT Bank has been in business for over 100 years and is regulated by the United States Treasury.

In addition to offering online banking to customers, they have roughly 60 physical branches in California under the name OneWest Bank.

Finally, FinTech Breakthrough rated CIT Bank the best personal financial company for 2019.

Is CIT Bank secure?

CIT Bank does everything it can to keep itself and customers data secure.

For starters, they use state of the art 188-bit SSL encryption to have a secure browser.

In addition, they automatically sign you out of your account after a period of inactivity as well as layered security so only you can access your account information.

For a complete run down of the security measures CIT Bank takes to keep secure, see below.

Who is CIT Bank owned by?

CIT Bank is owned by CIT Group.

CIT Group offers banking services through CIT Bank and also offers financing, leasing, and other services to small business in the United States.

Is CIT Bank and Citibank the same?

No.

They are two completely different companies.

Many people falsely believe they are the same since the parent companies sound the same.

CIT Bank is owned by CIT Group and Citibank is owned by Citigroup.

Does CIT Bank offer a high interest rate?

CIT Bank consistently offers some of the highest interest rates on all of the products they offer.

And they don’t make you jump through hoops to earn this premier interest rate.

Just deposit a certain amount or set up a monthly deposit of $100 and you are set.

How long does it take to transfer money to CIT Bank?

Transfers to and from CIT Bank take on average 3-5 business days to complete.

This is typical for the banking industry, though some now offer faster transfer times.

What products does CIT Bank offer?

CIT Bank offers a handful of high interest bank products for consumers.

These include:

• Savings Builder
• Money Market Accounts
• Certificates of Deposit
• Premier High Yield Savings

The interest rates on these products varies. To get the most current rates, click here.

Is my money with CIT Bank safe?

The money you deposit with CIT Bank is covered by FDIC Insurance.

This insurance protects up to $250,000 worth of deposits.

This means that if CIT Bank goes bankrupt or out of business, you will get your money back.

What fees does CIT Bank charge?

CIT Bank charges very little fees.

In fact, the fees are only related to certain activities and not on the accounts themselves.

With CIT Bank, you are not charged any account opening fees or monthly service fees.

The few fees they do charge are on outgoing wire fees and overdraft fees on their money market account.

Is CIT Bank Good?

Yes, CIT Bank is a solid choice for savers who want competitive interest rates and low fees.

It’s an online-only bank, so it’s best suited for people comfortable managing their money digitally.

While transfers can take a bit longer than at some banks, CIT offers strong value overall for those focused on growing their savings.

Why does a high interest rate matter?

The higher the interest rate on your savings, the faster your money compounds and grows.

Here is a simple example for you.

Let’s say you have $5,000 and can put it into a savings account that earns 0.50% interest or one that earns 2.25% interest.

Here is how much interest you earn in 5 years in each account.

As you can see, the higher interest paying account grows your money faster.

This is why you want to make sure when you open your savings account with CIT Bank, you set up a monthly transfer of $100 so you earn the highest interest rate they offer.

Best Bank Account

CIT Bank

With some of the highest paying interest rates in the U.S. CIT Bank stands out as offering the best savings accounts, specifically the Savings Connect Account. Add in ease of use and great customer service, and you have a clear winner.

LEARN MORE CIT Bank Personal Account Disclosures

For complete list of account details and fees, see CIT Bank Personal Account disclosures.

CIT Bank Alternatives

There are a lot of online banks out there, but not all are created equal.

Here are two alternates to CIT Bank that compete well.

CIT Bank vs. Ally

What makes Ally stand out vs. CIT Bank is they offer checking accounts. Because of this, they could be you only bank you use.

In addition to this, they pay competitive interest rates on their savings products. However, their rate is not as high as CIT Bank.

You can click here to learn more about Ally Bank.

CIT Bank vs. Capital One 360

Capital One 360 also offers a complete banking experience like Ally Bank does.

The difference with Capital One 360 is the interest they pay on their savings accounts is considerably lower than CIT Bank and Ally Bank.

Still, they are easy to use and many customers are happy with them.

CIT Bank vs. Betterment Everyday

Betterment offers a checking and savings product as well, called Betterment Everyday.

The main difference between these accounts and CIT Bank is Betterment is not a bank. It partners with banks to offer you a banking product. 

Betterment does not charge any fees on their checking or savings accounts and both earn interest.

And like CIT Bank, Betterment Everyday offers FDIC insurance on your money.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, CIT Bank offers savings products to help you save money. And it does an amazing job at this.

It doesn’t have any frills or bells and whistles, which allows them to offer one of the highest interest rates in the country.

While some people might see the lack of extras as a drawback, I see it as a strength.

Your savings is there to grow and to be used for specific goals. By not having the extras, your money grows faster and stays in your account to grow.

And when I was first starting to work on building wealth, this is what I wanted.

So I opened up an online bank account and I shredded the ATM card. I didn’t want easy access to the money.

I wanted it to grow and compound.

And that is what it did.

If you want to start improving your finances you need to build a savings cushion and CIT Bank helps you do this efficiently and effectively.

• Read now: Here are the pros and cons of online banking
• Read now: Discover how to withdraw money without your ATM card
• Read now: Learn how to start budgeting to build wealth

The post CIT Bank Review | Make Money On Your Savings appeared first on Money Smart Guides.

That’s right, you can make money recycling paper — and yes, you can sell shredded paper too.

Now you aren’t going to become an overnight millionaire shredding paper, but you can make more money that you might think.

If you have shredded paper, unused paper and cardboard products sitting around, or have access to getting paper on a regular basis, here are a few ideas on how to make money from shredded paper and turn it into a profitable business. 

How To Make Money From Shredded Paper

#1. Stock Up And Recycle Paper For Cash

The easiest way to make money from shredded paper is to collect your paper waste.

Then, find a local recycling center that accepts paper and pays for it.

Not all facilities accept shredded paper, so call ahead and ask who buys shredded paper in your area.

If you run a home business or go through a lot of paper, don’t toss it out.

Save it up and you could earn some decent extra cash each year.

• Related: Here is how to make money with a truck and trailer

One important note is to not shred the paper before you go to the recycling center.

The shredded strips of paper tend to jam the recycling machines, so more recycling centers prefer waste paper to be in its original form.

If you do have papers that are already shredded, a simple solution is to staple these papers between two pieces of waste paper so the machine won’t get jammed.

Just know that you might earn a little less cash this way too.

#2. Turn Shredded Paper Into Firestarters or Logs

Another easy way to shred newspaper for profit is by turning it into fire logs or kindling.

Shredded paper is the perfect kindling for those who live in areas where they may not be able to get their hands on other fire-starting tools.

This is especially true if you live in a rural area where campers and hunters may have forgotten certain items that they would be happy to buy from you at a massive discount. 

Creating paper bricks, for example, is relatively easy and would sell easily if you can find the right market in your area.

All you have to do to start making logs out of shredded paper is follow a few steps.

First, soak your paper in water, then find a mold or a frame to press the paper together and squeeze the excess moisture out.

Finally, leave your paper bricks out in the sun until they dry.

Then, all you have to do is find some safe place to store them until you find a buyer for some of your inventory.

Another easy option is to take shredded newspaper and other papers and stuff them inside and empty roll of toilet paper to make a kindling log.

When you think creatively, there’s almost always a way to make extra money off of anything, including paper.

#3. Make Paper Starter Pots

Along the same lines as the above comes starter pots.

Many farmers use plastic starter pots when first planting seeds.

But more and more are turning to paper pots as they are more friendly for the environment.

In fact, you can simply plant the paper pot in the ground, making zero waste in the process.

Here is a great tutorial on making them out of newspapers.

#4. Sell Your Shredded Paper To Local Vendors

There are some local vendors who rely on shredded paper and similar items to keep their goods safe as they travel to their buyers.

For example, those who are selling homemade ceramics or glass items may use shredded paper to pad the bottom of the box.

Or they might use the paper to create space between items so that they don’t bang together during the shipping journey and break in the process.

They might even resort to buying the plastic bags that are filled with air to protect their items during shipping.

You can approach these companies with your shredded newspaper that they can use to stuff their packages to protect the items they are shipping.

It may take a great pitch, but the chances are high that there’s no one in your area currently cornering this market. 

#5. Turn Your Shredded Paper Into Crafts

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

Put simply, your shredded paper doesn’t have to go to waste if you have some creative ideas about what to do with it.

In fact, there are so many ways that you can turn your paper waste and shredded paper into artwork that someone may buy for their own crafts or homes.

Some ideas worth considering include: 

• Using your shredded paper for decoupage. Here you use various patterns and colors on canvas or wooden pieces in order to create unique new products that will appeal to certain individuals. 
• Make paper-mache. It can be a bit more difficult to pull off this kind of artwork and find a buyer. However, if you can make wonderful creations that won’t break easily or don’t look too cheesy, there’s always a market for everything. In fact, a great business idea is to make pinatas. Many parents have these for their children’s birthday parties. By using recycled paper, t’s a way to make decrease the amount of new paper needed.
• Abstract art. Producing new works of art by combining both hand-drawn items as well as layering with bits of paper or combining the two for something super cool and fun. Your brain is really the only limit when it comes to figuring out how to make money with shredded paper while using your artistic talents. 
• Origami. Taking the whole bits of paper and using them to make origami creations that others may use for their own craft projects. With a little bit of patience and some paper that hasn’t been crinkled or ruined, you can turn your paper into flowers, clothing, moving animals, and other things that people would love to own. 
• Scarecrows. You can use waste paper and other shredded papers to fill a scarecrow for gardens or any other place you want to keep birds away.
• Chairs. Bean bag chairs are very popular. Instead of stuffing with the plastic foam balls that make up the chair, use paper that has been shredded instead. Just add more paper until you get the support you need.

Shredded paper and scrap paper can be made into a wide variety of new creations that are friendly to the environment.

In addition to helping the environment, you get to make money in the process if you really apply yourself. 

#6. Make Recycled Paper To Sell Online

For those who are eco-friendly and want to make paper for journals and other items, there’s a demand for recycled paper.

As long as you have a blender, some shredded paper, a tub, a screen, a rolling pin, and a place in the sun, it’s more than possible to turn your paper into pulp and reform it into whole paper.

You then use it for your own creations or sell online as-is.

Adding a variety of colors and designs can help you vary your options for buyers interested in your wares. 

Take some cardboard products to make the cover of your journal and you are set.

Even better, some vendors are now offering completely unique items like papers that are decorated with quotes and cutouts to use for scrapbook or journal pages.

With more and more people looking to buy from sustainable usage businesses, you could make a good profit with this business idea.

And the best part is you can start this business for less than $1,000.

#7. Collect Paper From Local Businesses

Visit local businesses, including retail stores and collect their used paper.

In some cases, they might have to pay to recycle paper and by having you take the paper, it’s a win-win.

They can save money by getting rid of it for free and you can earn extra cash.

And chances are they will have various paper types, helping to you maximize the extra cash you earn.

#8. Collect Magazines

Magazines are a great way to increase the amount of money you make recycling paper.

This is because they tend to weigh a lot when you have many issues.

The easiest thing to do is to set your old magazines aside until you have enough to recycle.

Then reach out to friends, co-workers, and neighbors as well.

In fact, you should let everyone you know you collect magazines.

A lot of times people will try to sell old issues at yard sales.

When they don’t sell, the issues go in the trash.

By picking them up, you have another source of inventory for your business.

You could even offer to collect newspapers as well, but with fewer people buying them, you might not have a large base to collect from.

#9. Talk To Local Businesses For Shipping Boxes

Most businesses get a lot of packages on a daily basis.

As a result they have large quantities of cardboard.

You can set a pickup schedule to be weekly or on a monthly basis to pick up and collect the cardboard.

Once you collect enough, you can take it to the recycling center and cash in.

• Related: Learn how to start an Amazon FBA retail arbitrage business

#10. Post Online For Paper Products

Take the above one step further by posting you need for paper online.

Chances are you see people post on local groups about collecting scrap metal.

You can do the same with paper products.

List that you will collect old newspapers, cardboard, and other paper products for free.

This can put your recycling paper business on a large scale.

#11. Offer Mobile Shredding Services

Another side hustle idea is to offer mobile shredding services.

You can go around and offer to shred old bills and other papers for both consumers and businesses.

What you do with the shredded papers is up to you.

You can drop them off at the recycling center or just offer the shredding service and have the user handle disposal of the paper.

#12. Make Compost and Mulch from Shredded Paper

If you garden or have access to composters, shredded paper can be a valuable resource.

It breaks down easily and helps balance nitrogen-rich materials in compost piles.

You can mix it with leaves and grass clippings to create organic compost or use it as mulch to retain soil moisture and prevent weeds.

Bag it and market it as “eco-friendly garden mulch” or “compost starter” to local gardeners and small farms.

It’s a simple, green way to turn shredded paper into profit.

#13. Sell Shredded Paper as Animal Bedding

Shredded paper makes excellent animal bedding for small pets like rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters.

It’s soft, absorbent, and much cheaper than store-bought bedding.

You can bag it up and sell it locally through Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or community farm groups.

Many pet owners are looking for affordable, eco-friendly options—so this is an easy way to make money from shredded paper that would otherwise go to waste.

If you’re wondering can I sell shredded paper, this is one of the easiest ways to start.

#14. Sell Recycled Paper to Farmers

Many farmers use shredded paper for livestock bedding, especially for chickens and goats.

It’s lightweight, easy to clean, and biodegradable.

Reach out to local farms or feed stores and ask if they buy shredded paper.

You can offer to supply paper bedding at a discount compared to traditional materials like hay or wood shavings.

You’ll help farmers cut costs while finding a consistent buyer for your shredded paper.

#15. Sell to Moving Companies

Moving companies and shipping services often need packing material to protect fragile items.

Shredded paper is an inexpensive and eco-friendly alternative to Styrofoam or bubble wrap.

Offer it as packing filler for fragile boxes or furniture padding.

Contact local movers, storage facilities, or even small online retailers who ship handmade products.

This is a great idea for anyone wondering where can I sell shredded paper locally.

Selling shredded paper in bulk to these businesses is one of the most practical ways to make extra money recycling paper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you sell shredded paper?

Yes, you can sell shredded paper for multiple uses such as animal bedding, compost material, packaging filler, or craft supplies.

Many small businesses and pet owners are willing to buy shredded paper locally.

Who buys shredded paper?

Local recycling centers, farmers, moving companies, and craft sellers often buy shredded paper in bulk.

You can also find buyers through Facebook Marketplace or community swap groups.

Can you sell paper for recycling?

Absolutely. Many recycling centers accept and pay for large amounts of paper, cardboard, and magazines.

Check your area for centers that specifically handle selling waste paper and pay by weight.

Where can I sell shredded paper?

You can sell shredded paper to recycling facilities, farmers, pet owners, or small businesses that use it for packaging.

Local listings and online marketplaces are also great places to start.

What’s an easy way to shred newspaper for recycling or crafts?

The easy way to shred newspaper is by using a cross-cut paper shredder or tearing it by hand for small batches.

You can also partner with offices that already shred large volumes of paper to save time and effort.

How Much Money Can You Make From Shredding Paper?

The amount of money recycling paper you make depends on a few factors.

First is your location.

Recycling centers in some parts of the country will pay more than others.

You can call up two different recycling centers in your town and find very different prices.

On top of this, there are recycling centers that don’t even pay cash for paper.

So make sure you find recycling centers that pay.

The last thing you want to do is go to a recycling center only to find out you aren’t going to be making money for recycling paper.

From there, know that different types of paper command different recycling rates.

Cardboard boxes and corrugated cardboard tend to have a lower price than heavy paper used in printing.

Glossy paper, like magazines, as well as newspapers also have lower prices too.

As a general rule, you can expect to make around $75 per ton of recycled paper.

This rate varies but is in line with what you can expect to earn with recycling aluminum and some other scrap metal.

Now that you have an idea of the amount of money you can make, let’s look at how you can start earning it.

Final Thoughts

As strange as it might sound, you can make money from shredded paper.

The biggest hurdle is figuring out the best way to get started with paper recycling.

I’ve laid out a bunch of ideas, but you might think of more.

As long as you have a large space to store the paper, you can make a steady income with this side hustle.

• Related: Here is how to make money with a van
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The post 15 Great Ways To Make Money From Shredded Paper appeared first on Money Smart Guides.

As you fill your gas tank, you see your bill increasing at warp speed.

Add into the mix rising gas prices, and the pain only increases.

The good news is you don’t have to settle paying a lot for gas.

There are many things you can do to save money on gas.

For example, you can change your driving habits or use apps to cut down on costs.

In this post, I share with you 25 ways for how to save money on gas.

By the end, you will have a handful of actionable tips you can put into use to start saving money both on the price you pay and by filling your gas tank less often.

How To Save Money On Gas

How To Get Cheap Gas

If you want to know how to earn cash back on gas, look no further than the free Upside app.

It is by far the best way to get more gas for your dollar.

This app partners with gas stations, offering you cash back on every gallon you buy.

For example, a local station near me offers $0.15 cash back.

A few days after I fill up, Upside deposits my cash back into the app. I can then transfer the cash back to my bank account.

The amount of cash back changes all the time, so you can earn a higher cash back amount.

And if you get your friends to sign up, you earn cash back every time they buy gas.

I started using the app less than a year ago and have earned over $300.

When you download the app, be sure to enter the promo code MONEYSMART to get a $5 cash back bonus on your first $10 minimum qualified order.

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25 Best Ways To Save On Fuel

In addition to using the Upside app, you can do many other things to lower your fuel costs.

Here are your options, in no particular order.

The great thing with these options is combining as many as you want to increase your fuel savings.

#1. Compare Gas Prices

The easiest thing you can do to save money on gas is to compare fuel prices.

There are a few ways you can do this.

First, pay attention along your commute.

After a few weeks of watching prices, you will get an idea of where the cheapest gas prices are.

Another option is to use an app like GasBuddy or Gas Guru. 

Both are free to use and help you monitor local gas prices.

Use the apps for a few weeks and note the cheapest gas stations in town.

Then make it a point to purchase gas from these stations as often as possible.

Try to do so on a Monday when it comes time to fill up.

GasBuddy has done detailed research into this topic, and since 2017, Monday is when you typically find the lowest gas prices. 

#2. Get Free Gas Using Gift Cards

If the high price of gas annoys you, consider getting free gas using gift cards.

To make this solution work, you need to sign up to sites like Swagbucks and MyPoints, where you can do various tasks to earn points.

Then you turn those points into free gift cards.

You can do fun tasks, including watching videos, playing games, completing surveys, and more.

The sites are free to use, so there is zero cost to you.

When searching online for these sites, you will find a lot.

While you might want to sign up for a few, I suggest you stick to one or two. 

This is because if you focus on playing games on one site, you will accumulate points faster than if you split your time between two sites.

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#3. Scan Receipts For Gas Savings

Related to the idea above is scanning receipts.

Here you scan your grocery receipts into an app to earn points.

Earn enough points and redeem them for cash through PayPal or get free gift cards.

My favorite receipt apps are Fetch Rewards, Receipt Hog, and CoinOut. 

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And I use all three of them!

If I go shopping at Wegman’s, I scan the same receipt into each app to triple my rewards.

Over the years of scanning receipts, I’ve earned a more than $500.

#4. Earn Supermarket Rewards

Some grocery stores’ loyalty programs allow you to redeem your rewards for discounted gas.

At my local grocery store, I can redeem the points I earn for $0.05 off per gallon.

They usually offer promotions where I can earn double, triple, or quadruple points for buying certain products.

The catch here is that these points do expire and are usually only redeemable at a specific gas station.

• Read now: Here is how to spend less money on groceries
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#5. Join Warehouse Clubs

Sam’s Club, BJs, and Costco all offer discounted gas for their members. 

These clubs tend to have the cheapest gas prices, anywhere from $0.05 to $0.25 lower than other stations in the area.

And Consumer Reports found when prices rise, the warehouse clubs are the last to raise prices too.

If you are a member of any of these places, purchasing your gas from them makes sense.

And if you aren’t a member, consider joining, not just for the cheaper gas, but also the grocery savings.

For Costco members, here are their typical hours of operation.

#6. Keep An Eye On Tire Pressure

Did you know that not keeping the proper tire pressure increases your fuel costs?

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, your gas mileage decreases by 0.2% for every one psi drop.

So if you have underinflated tires by 5 pounds, you are paying an extra $0.06 per gallon if gas costs $3.

Talk about wasted gas!

Not only does keeping your tires properly inflated help you get the best fuel economy, but it also helps your tires last longer, saving you even more money.

#7. Don’t Buy Premium Gas

Some might think that buying premium gas or mid-level gas offers better gas mileage because it is higher octane.

Unless your car calls explicitly for premium, you are wasting money.

The manufacturer designed the vehicle to run on regular gas, so that is what you should be filling up with at the gas station.

Finally, if your car does require the premium grade, you can offset soaring gas prices by filling up with a lower grade from time to time.

Your vehicle’s computers will adjust to the lower octane, and you won’t harm your car if you do this occasionally.

• Read now: Use these hacks to get free gas

#8. Get Routine Maintenance

Paying for regular car maintenance can be annoying, and many people put it off for as long as possible.

Some people even skip it.

But this is doing more harm than good.

By not keeping your car operating at peak performance, fuel efficiency suffers, costing you money.

Also, minor problems can turn into more significant, more costly problems.

That check engine light could be as simple as a gas cap not screwed on tight enough, which won’t cost any money to fix.

But you wouldn’t know unless you get it looked at.

So as frustrating as it can be to take your car in for service, it is vital to do so, as most cars with regular maintenance can run smoothly for 200K miles or more.

Open up your owner’s manual and review the service schedule.

For most vehicles, the major service intervals are every 30,000 miles.

The only maintenance required between these is oil changes and tire rotations.

And don’t think you have to go to the dealer either.

Spend some time searching for local independent mechanics, as they will have a lower labor cost and may be able to get aftermarket parts to lower the service cost.

#9. Combine Errands

You get higher miles per gallon when driving on the highway because frequent stops, starts, idling, and changing speeds are inefficient. 

To help you limit stop-and-go driving, try to run all of your errands at the same time. 

While you won’t realize huge fuel savings doing this, this option is more fuel efficient than taking many short-distance trips over different days.

Additionally, if you can order things online and have them delivered, this can help you reduce the number of short trips you need to take.

#10. Change Your Drive Time

If you drive in rush hour traffic, odds are you face more stop-and-go traffic on your commute. 

These delays add up over time, costing you money on gas.

One solution is to drive at different times to help avoid these delays.

This doesn’t mean you need to drive to work at 5 am instead of 6 am.

But even leaving ten minutes earlier can make a big difference.

When I left my house just five minutes earlier, a few places where traffic used to be congested were free moving.

Take a couple of days, play around with the time you leave, and see if you can avoid some of the typical traffic.

#11. Change Your Route

If changing your commute time doesn’t result in less congestion, consider taking a different route to work.

To make this easy, you can use an app like Waze, Apple Maps, or Google Maps to plan an alternate route.

Or you could explore and see if you can find a route on your own.

I found the back way into my old job allowed me to avoid all the traffic completely.

The drive was a longer distance, but because I was on back roads driving at a steady speed with very few stops, I was getting improved fuel economy.

#12. Drive Less

I touched on this earlier, but the less you drive, the less you will spend on gas.

Try to figure out how you can drive as little as possible.

This could mean doing more shopping online and having goods delivered to you at home.

Maybe you have a co-worker that lives nearby that you can carpool with from time to time.

If you have a hybrid schedule where you work from home some days and are in the office on other days, see if you can work from home an extra day.

Finally, if you live in an area with public transportation, see if you can take advantage of this more often to reduce your gas consumption.

• Read now: Learn how to save money on transportation costs

The more ways you can find to drive less, the higher your savings will be.

#13. Stop Wasting Gas Warming Up Or Idling

When the temperature drops, most people instinctively turn their cars on in the morning to warm them up.

Some people do this to help get the fluids running in the car, thinking it will help the car last longer.

Others do it so they can have a warm car for the drive.

Either way, you waste gas doing this, as idling costs money.

For those thinking you need to warm your car first, this is no longer the case. 

Today’s cars use computers that help them regulate fluids.

At most, you need to let your car sit for 30 seconds before you begin driving.

If you want a warm car to get into, consider just getting in when it is still cold and pressing the recirculate button along with the heat on high and the temperature at its max setting.

Doing this will heat the air inside the car and warm it up faster.

The only downside to this is you need to turn off recirculate after a while. Otherwise, your windows will fog up.

Finally, try to avoid driving as much when it is cold outside.

Cold air reduces your car’s efficiency, and as a result, you get worse mileage from every tank of gas you buy.

Save money by limiting how much you drive when it is frigid outside.

If you must drive, pay extra attention to your speed and coast as much as possible to conserve fuel.

#14. Buy An Electric Vehicle

While buying an electric vehicle will cost you a lot of money upfront, it will reduce your gas expenses.

The reason is that, in most cases, the cost of charging your car will be less than the cost of purchasing gas.

But as with any purchase, it will take time to realize the savings since you are paying a lot of money upfront to buy the car.

So unless you are in the market for a new car, you are best served using the other tips on this list.

Once you get to the point of needing a new vehicle, then consider an electric car.

While they tend to cost more than gas-only cars, you can bring the price down a considerable amount with tax credits.

If the price of an electric car is too much for your budget, you can save gas by buying a traditional gas-powered vehicle. 

• Read now: Here are the best values in beater cars

As technology improves, these vehicles are becoming more and more fuel efficient, helping you to save money.

Finally, don’t make the mistake of buying a hybrid.

While they are more fuel efficient, helping you to reduce your fuel cost, you will save a lot more money buying an electric car.

You can see my analysis detailing why I advise against a hybrid by reading my post, are hybrids worth it.

#15. Join Rewards Programs

Want to know how to get cheaper gas?

Look no further than your local supermarket.

Many grocery stores offer loyalty programs that allow you to earn points for shopping there.

You can convert your points to discounts on grocery items or, in many cases, on savings at the local gas station.

Depending on the number of points you redeem, you could save anywhere from $0.05 to $0.50 per gallon of gas.

Additionally, many gas stations now have gas rewards programs as well.

Most offer between $0.03 and $0.05 off per gallon of gas every time you fill up.

Some of the more popular programs include the following:

• Sunoco Go Rewards: Save $0.03 per gallon
• Shell Fuel Rewards: Save $0.05 per gallon
• BPme Rewards: Save $0.05 per gallon

If you regularly purchase gas at the same station or brand, consider joining the rewards program to save money.

#16. Learn The Ideal Way To Drive

Speeding up quickly after a red light or applying the brakes hard destroys your fuel efficiency and costs you added wear and tear on your car.

Learn to anticipate red lights by taking your foot off the gas pedal and allowing your car to coast to a stop.

When stepping on the gas after the light turns green, apply light pressure to the pedal and slowly increase your speed.

When you aggressively brake and speed up, you reduce your gas mileage between 10% and 40%. 

With the price of gas at $3, this comes to between $0.31 and $1.25 per gallon.

This means instead of paying $3 at the gas pump, you are paying between $3.31 and $4.25 based on how much gas you are wasting.

#17. Slow Down To Improve Fuel Economy

Driving fast also uses more fuel due to rolling and wind resistance.

For every five mph over 50 mph that you drive, you are paying an additional $0.22 per gallon on gas.

Using an example, let’s say you drive at 75 mph.

That is 25 mph more than the recommended speed, meaning you are paying an additional $1.10 per gallon.

With the price of gas at $3, this means you are effectively paying $4.10 every time you fill up.

I realize that in some cases, driving 50 mph is not possible because of the flow of traffic. 

You can still improve fuel consumption in these cases by slowing down from 75 mph to 65 mph.

Paying attention to the posted speed limit is a good gauge for how fast you should be driving. 

#18. Use Cruise Control

Next time you go for a long drive, consider setting the cruise control.

When your vehicle maintains a constant speed, you improve your gas mileage compared to you controlling the speed.

This is because you are unlikely to be able to maintain a constant speed.

As you drive, your foot constantly pushes harder or lighter on the gas pedal.

And while this might not seem like a big deal, studies show it can reduce consumption by 5-7%.

There are caveats, however.

Cruise control is best when driving on mostly flat highways or highways where you go uphill or downhill for a prolonged period.

If you are driving on hilly terrain, constantly going up and down, you are better off taking control yourself.

In this driving environment, you want to allow your vehicle to slow down when going up hills by reducing the pressure on the gas pedal.

When going down hills, also take your foot off the gas and allow the car’s momentum to increase your speed.

I have a Chrysler Pacifica and found that on my main highway drive on hilly terrain, I achieved better fuel economy than when I set my cruise control.

#19. Reduce Weight As Much As Possible

There is a law of physics that says force equals mass times acceleration. 

Your car consumes more gas when it needs more power.

And it needs more energy when there is excess weight.

So take an hour this weekend and clean your trunk and back seat of everything you don’t need.

Doing so will instantly improve your gas mileage.

#20. Use Aerodynamics To Improve Fuel Efficiency

Car manufacturers spend tens of thousands of dollars in research to improve the fuel efficiency of their vehicles. 

The shape of the car is because of this research.

When you add things like roof racks and trunk spoilers, you reduce the efficiency of your vehicle as the air cannot flow as smoothly around it.

More wind resistance means your car has to work harder to move, which means you spend more on gas.

While you need a bike rack or roof rack for your big family vacation, removing these items is critical once your trip is over.

It might be a hassle to have to remove them, but the convenience of keeping them installed costs you a fortune in the long run.

#21. Use Air Conditioning

There has been great debate over the years as to whether using the air conditioner or rolling down your windows saves money.

The thinking was that rolling your windows down was the smarter option since the air conditioner uses gas.

If you have an older car, chances are keeping your windows down will result in better fuel economy.

However, using AC is the smarter choice if you have a modern car.

First, as mentioned above, car manufacturers spend money to reduce drag.

When your windows are open, you increase drag, resulting in poor fuel mileage at highway speeds.

Second, climate control systems today are advanced. 

You set a temperature, and the system cycles on and off based on that number.

In the past, when you put the AC on ice cold at full blast, it stayed there until you turned it down.

When you set the temperature at 65 degrees in a newer car, it turns off or down once it reaches that temperature.

So if you have a newer car, use the air conditioning to save gas.

#22. Pay With Cash

Next time you buy gas, see if the gas station offers a discount when you pay cash.

This discount can amount to $0.05 or more per gallon.

Before you fill up, be sure to ask if they offer a cash discount.

On a 10-gallon fill-up, that savings comes to $0.50. If you get gas weekly for a year, you save $26.

Combine this with some of the other tips listed, and these savings add up to even more.

#23. Use A Cash Back Rewards Credit Card

If paying in cash is too much trouble, there is another option.

You can use a cash back credit card.

The one I use gets me a 3% reward. 

For every dollar I spend on gas, I save $0.03.

My average fill-up is around $65, so I save $1.95 each time using my credit card to pay.

You can click the link below to find the best card to use on gas purchases.

Alternatively, if you always buy the same brand of gas, consider getting that brand’s gas credit card, as this will allow you to achieve the most significant savings. 

For example, with the Sunoco credit card, you save $0.50 per gallon for 30 days, then $0.05 on every gallon.

Combine this with their free rewards program, and you can save $0.08 per gallon.

If you decide to use a rewards credit card, make sure you pick on that doesn’t charge an annual fee, as this will eat away at any of your gas savings.

Finally, I advise against using a debit card to pay for gas.

The reason is that thieves are increasingly using gas pumps to steal your identity.

They install a credit card reader, and when you insert your card, they capture your information and can begin spending.

With a credit card, any unauthorized charges will get removed, costing you nothing.

But with a debit card, that money is gone from your checking account until the bank completes its investigation.

This could take months.

Because of this, I recommend either paying cash or using a credit card when buying gas.

#24. Pay Attention

When you are out running errands, be on the lookout for who has the best prices.

You may find that a station not along your regular route has cheaper gas.

Also, when traveling, know that gas stations near highway exits tend to charge more for gas.

Take an extra 10 minutes and drive into town for a lower gas price.

#25. Get Gas Assistance

If you have a low income, you can reach out to local charities to get free gas.

You can reach out to local churches, the Salvation Army, United Way, and more.

Some of these charities will offer you a gas voucher so you can afford to purchase gas.

If they don’t have vouchers to offer, most can point you in the direction of where to go for help.

Final Thoughts

There are many things you can do to save money on gas.

The key is to start with the easy things first and add more ideas over time.

Don’t rush out and buy a new car if you don’t need one, as you will be paying a lot to save a smaller amount.

Instead, use the Upside app, take better care of your vehicle, and drive with better mileage in mind and you will see your monthly gas bill shrink.

• Read now: Use these tips to save $7,000 on your monthly expenses
• Read now: Here is the ultimate guide to getting a great price on a new car
• Read now: See the benefits of becoming a one car family

The post How To Save Money On Gas | The Best Tips For Cheap Gas appeared first on Money Smart Guides.

While cryptocurrency can be looked at as an umbrella term, it actually includes tens of thousands of tokens at any given time.

These tokens can be broadly categorized for simplicity.

If you plan to get involved in the crypto industry as an investor, you must know about the different types of cryptos and how they function.

These will help you know which crypto to buy, as well as the pros and cons of the different token classes.

In this article, we will list some of these for your consideration:

Traditional Tokens

Although cryptocurrencies themselves are not necessarily traditional assets, there are certain tokens that fit the general industry standard.

Think of tokens like Bitcoin and Ethereum, which are attached to specific blockchains and are typically used for either payments or speculative trading.

The value of these tokens is based on the forces of demand and supply, and they can be applied in a variety of ways.

Utility Tokens

Utility tokens are unique because they are attached to a specific project and are used to access functions within it.

An example of this would be the tokens like MANA, which are attached to a gaming project.

In this sense, the fortunes of the token are tied not just to the blockchain itself but to the specific project. 

Utility tokens can be used to access services, be traded within universes, unlock rewards, and much more.

Utility tokens are more closely associated with projects of all types, and this is how they differ from traditional tokens.

Bitcoin, for example, is not associated with a specific game, movement, or so on, while tokens like MANA or TON are.

Meme Coins

These are cryptocurrencies that are based on specific memes or internet lore.

Meme coins are different from other tokens in that a lot of their recognizability and value is based on the community that enjoys the lore and the token for the sake of it.

In fact, many meme coins are explicitly stated not to have any practical function but are essentially bought for the sake of it.

Think of tokens like Pepe, BONK, Dogwifhat, and so on.

Some meme coins have actual use cases and proper tokenomics behind them, but if a token is based primarily on an instantly recognizable meme or pop culture lore, it falls under this category.

Fan Tokens

Cryptocurrency has proven itself to be a great way to bring people together, and various public entities have taken advantage of this.

Specifically, there has been a rise in fan tokens. These are tokens released by specific projects to connect their fans.

Examples of this include popular singers and even football clubs that have put out fan tokens.

These tokens typically have some sort of utility attached to them, and customers are encouraged to buy them for this reason.

Examples of fan tokens include PSG and Santos, and as time goes on, they only seem to grow in value.

Stablecoins

Stablecoins are cryptos whose value is pegged to that of a traditional fiat or asset.

Earlier, we noted how traditional cryptos see their value based on the forces of demand and supply.

Stablecoins, however, see their value rise and fall according to their pegged asset.

If a token is pegged to the US dollar, for example,  its value will be whatever the US dollar is at any given time.

Stablecoins have gained a lot of use from investors who don’t want to deal with the high rates of volatility often reported with traditional cryptos. 

Investment Tokens

One interesting application of cryptocurrency has been in the tokenization space.

This essentially sees investment vehicles like real estate, high-end art, and much more tokenized for investment.

In this sense, ownership of the project is divided into micro units and sold as cryptocurrency.

This means that rather than spending a million dollars investing in a piece of art, you can buy a cryptocurrency representing a fraction of ownership.

As these assets make money, the profits are distributed among investors who now have access to them.

Privacy Coins

Privacy tokens are based on privacy-preserving blockchains, which conceal the transaction history.

Unlike tokens like Bitcoin and Ethereum, you cannot see the transactions carried out using a privacy token on a blockchain.

Tokens like Monero fall under this category, and they have been somewhat controversial in the past for this reason.

While privacy tokens have been used for nefarious reasons, they are also a go-to for crypto users who value their privacy.

Final Thoughts

The crypto industry sees tens of thousands of tokens in existence at any given time, and these can become confusing.

But as we’ve noted in this article, there are a few broad categories that can aid in your understanding of the asset class.

Whether it’s privacy-preserving tokens like Monero or meme coins like Pepe, the crypto industry has a token and a token class that can serve every type of consumer and their needs. 

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