In school, you’ll learn all the algebra you can handle. You’ll cover geometry and trigonometry. They might even introduce you to calculus.
But what they won’t teach you is anything useful about money. Nope. All the differential equations in the world won’t teach you how to manage cash like a responsible adult.
Despite our formal education, financial know-how across the population is alarmingly low. In fact, only about a third of U.S. states require high schoolers to take any form of personal finance course.
Let’s refresh our money smarts with these financial tips you didn’t get in school. Putting them into practice could save you thousands this year.
1. Spend $1 to Own a Slice of Amazon, Google or Other Firms
Here’s something to consider: glance at Forbes’ list of the richest people, and you’ll notice a common thread — most billionaires own a business.
If you earn a paycheck and don’t have millions stashed away, that might feel completely unattainable.
That’s why many people turn to automated micro-investing platforms like Stash. It allows you to take part in something that used to be reserved for the ultra-wealthy — buying fractional shares of companies for as little as $1.*
Yep — you can own fractions of big-name companies such as Amazon, Google or Apple for as little as $1. The best part? When those companies earn profits, you do too. Some companies even distribute a portion of their earnings to shareholders every quarter, called dividends.
Signing up takes two minutes, and Stash will even give you a $5 welcome bonus after you deposit $5 into your account. Monthly subscription plans begin at $1 a month.**
2. Reconsider Your Car Insurance
The reality: your current auto insurer is likely charging you too much. But don’t waste hours contacting individual companies looking for a better rate.
Use a site called EverQuote to compare all your options quickly.
EverQuote is the largest online insurance marketplace in the U.S., so you’ll get leading offers from more than 175 carriers delivered to you.
Spend a couple minutes answering questions about yourself and your driving history. With that info, EverQuote will show you the best car insurance recommendations. In just a few minutes, you could slash your bill by up to $610 a year.
3. Win Up to $83 Each Time You Beat This Viral Game
Many of us already play Solitaire on our phones for entertainment. Want to try winning money while you play?
A free app named Solitaire Cash lets you compete for real money — as much as $83 per victory.
In each Solitaire match, you’ll face at least five other players. Everyone gets the same deck, so it’s a contest of skill. The top three performers can win actual cash.
You can practice for free or enter tournaments with buy-ins starting at $1. At the moment, Solitaire Cash will give you a $5 tournament bonus when you deposit $10 into your account.
This isn’t one of those sketchy apps — there aren’t obnoxious ads. On the App Store it’s been downloaded over a million times and has more than 15,000 ratings, averaging 4.7 out of 5 stars.
Curious what you could win? Download the free app and claim your $5 bonus when you add $10.
4. Earn up to $140/Month Just for Giving Your Honest Feedback
It sounds odd, but companies want your viewpoint. That input helps shape their business choices, so they’ll pay for it — up to $140 a month.
A free platform called Branded Surveys will compensate you up to $5 per survey for sharing your opinions with brands. Completing three short surveys a day could net you as much as $140 each month.
Creating a free account takes a minute, and you’ll immediately be able to earn by answering surveys. Most surveys require five to 15 minutes, and you can see the estimated time before you start.
You don’t need a large balance to withdraw — once you reach $5, you can cash out to PayPal, your bank account, a gift card or Amazon. Payouts are processed within 48 hours after your request is approved.
They’ve already distributed over $20 million to users since 2012, and the most engaged members can earn several hundred dollars monthly. They also hold an “excellent” rating on Trustpilot.
It’s quick to set up an account and begin getting paid for surveys. Right now, you’ll also receive a free 100-point welcome bonus just for joining.
5. Win Up to $83 Every Time You Play Bingo
We all have favorite time-wasters on our phones. But this particular one gives you the opportunity to win up to $83 with each play.
The free app Bingo Cash currently lets you octuple your deposit — 8x — when you participate. If you add $10 to your account, Bingo Cash will credit you with a $5 bonus to use in tournaments, where top prizes can reach $83.
You’ll compete against players at your level, all using the same board, and the top three finishers can earn real cash — anywhere from $1 up to $83.
This isn’t a spammy app either — no intrusive ads. On the App Store it has more than a million downloads and over 15,000 ratings with an average of 4.7 stars.
Want to see if you can turn a $10 deposit into $83? Download the free app and start your first match right away.
6. Stop Making Your Credit Card Companies Rich
If you’re carrying credit card balances, you know the stress. The interest rates, the worry you’ll never escape…
The truth is, your credit card issuer isn’t on your side. It profits from steep interest — sometimes as high as 36%. A service called AmOne can help.
If your total credit card debt is $100,000 or less, AmOne will pair you with a lower-interest personal loan you can use to pay off all your cards.
The upside: you’ll have a single monthly payment. And because personal loans typically carry lower interest (AmOne rates begin at 6.40% APR), you’ll pay down debt much faster. Plus: no credit card bill this month.
You don’t need flawless credit to qualify — and shopping for rates won’t hurt your score. AmOne also keeps your details private and secure, which helps explain its A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau after two decades in business.
It takes under a minute and just 10 questions to see the loans you may qualify for — you don’t even need to provide your Social Security number. You will need to give a valid phone number to qualify, but they won’t bombard you with calls.
Out of the Classroom
We’re well beyond trigonometry now, and school rules no longer apply. So, how much could you save by trying these strategies? It’s hard to give a precise figure. It all depends on how aggressively you act.
But between cashback, investment returns, other savings opportunities, and lower rates on auto and home insurance, you should notice a sizable improvement in your finances this year.
Evan Harwood ([email protected]) is a senior writer at Savinly.
*For securities priced over $1,000, fractional share purchases start at $0.05.
**You’ll also incur the usual fees and expenses reflected in ETF pricing in your account, along with fees for various ancillary services charged by Stash and the custodian.
Savinly is a paid affiliate/partner of Stash. Investment advisory services offered by Stash Investments LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This material is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, accounting, or tax advice. Investing involves risk.
*Bestow: Policies are issued by Bestow Life Insurance Company, Dallas, TX on policy form series BLI-ITPOL. Bestow Life Insurance products may not be available in all states. Policy limitations or restrictions may apply. Not available in New York. Our application asks lifestyle and health questions to determine eligibility in order to avoid requiring a medical exam. Prices start at $10/month based on an 18-year-old male rated Preferred Plus NT for a $100k policy for a 10-year term. Rates will vary based on underwriting review.
