Budget Archives - Making Sense Of Cents

30+ Small Business Ideas To Become Your Own Boss In 2023!

Last Updated: May 22, 2023 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 2 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read my disclosure for more info.

Are you looking for the best small business ideas?

Whether you are looking for an online business that you can start and do from home, an in-person business, or something else, there are many different businesses that you can start.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are 31.7 million small businesses in the U.S. And 81% of these small businesses (25.7 million) have no employees.

If you’ve dreamed of being one of those 30 million plus people who work for themselves, then this list of small business ideas is for you!

Many of the businesses on this list are affordable to start and require minimal equipment. And you will probably be surprised that you already have what you need to start many of these top small business ideas.

I have been running my business (this blog!) for a little over 10 years now, and I am extremely grateful for it. Even though I’ve made seven figures from my blog over the years, it’s still a very small business overall.

What I love about my business is that I don’t have to commute, I get to be my own boss, I can decide how I earn a living, I am able to create a flexible schedule, and I can travel whenever I want.

There are many other small business ideas on this list that offer the same positives I have experienced from blogging.

Many small business owners I talk to will tell you about benefits!

Today, I am going to talk about the many different small business ideas that you can start this year. I hope you are able to find the perfect one for you and your liking and needs. [Read more…]

My Honest Fetch Rewards Review (Is This App Legit?)

Last Updated: May 8, 2023 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 2 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read my disclosure for more info.

Have you heard about Fetch Rewards? My Fetch Rewards Review will show you how to earn free gift cards by simply snapping a picture of your receipts with your phone. That’s it – Fetch is really that easy!

Fetch Rewards is a cash back and gift card cell phone app that rewards you for purchases that you’ve already made.

With this app, you can scan your grocery receipts (from any grocery store or wholesale club, any time) and earn free gift cards.

Plus, Fetch Rewards is free. You don’t have to pay money to sign up or to use the app.

I will explain more in my Fetch rewards app review, but with Fetch, you earn points when you submit your receipts to the Fetch Rewards app from any grocery store, clothing store, restaurant, gas station, and more. Yes, ANY!

Then, you redeem your points for gift cards (to places such as Target, Amazon, or Apple) and other rewards.

All you have to do is take a picture of your receipt with your cell phone and easily earn points.

Here’s how Fetch Rewards works:

Shop like you normally would
Scan your receipt after you’re done
Earn points on Fetch Rewards

You can sign up for Fetch Rewards here. [Read more…]

What Is Net Worth? How To Calculate Your Net Worth

Last Updated: April 24, 2023 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 5 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read my disclosure for more info.

What is net worth?

You’ve probably heard people talk about net worth, but what is net worth? And do you know your net worth?

When people talk about their net worth they are usually talking about how much money they have, but it’s not as simple as how much money you have in the bank. It’s a calculation based on your assets and debt.

Net worth is an important measure of your financial situation, and it is something that you can easily be made aware of.

Like knowing your credit score, knowing your net worth will help you decide which steps you need to take to improve your financial situation.

We often hear wealthy people talk about net worth, but it’s important for everyone to understand what the concept is, whether your net worth is positive or negative. Fortunately, discovering your net worth is fairly easy to do!

Today, I will explain the simple steps it takes to calculate and track your net worth. Remember, it’s just one more way to gauge your financial health and progress.

There have been many times when someone has told me that they have no idea how much debt they have, how much money they have saved, what their assets are worth, and so on.

While you don’t always need to know an exact number, it’s usually wise to have a general idea.

Understanding what net worth means and how it affects you is important.

If you’ve never calculated your net worth, it might be negative or lower than you expect, but the key is knowing what it is and to note how it changes over the months and years. Knowing it is one of the first steps to improving your financial situation! [Read more…]

Want To Get Paid To Watch Movies? Here Are 15 Legit Ways

Last Updated: May 19, 2023 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 5 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read my disclosure for more info.

Do you want to learn how to get paid to watch movies?

Did you know that you can get paid to watch movies? Yes, you can actually get paid to do something that you probably do all the time.

Watching TV and movies might be something you do to relax or be entertained, but the reality is that there are ways to make money doing something you enjoy.

And if you are someone who spends a lot of time watching movies, then finding ways to make money too only makes sense.

According to Statista, the average person spends 153 minutes a day watching TV. That’s at least one movie or several TV shows a day. Now imagine getting paid for that time!

If you find yourself spending a lot of time watching movies and TV, then this could be an easy way to make some extra money.

What most people don’t realize is that there are legitimate websites that will pay you for watching movies, videos, ads, and more.

There is a wide range of options if you want to get paid to watch movies. Some can become a full-time job, while others are just an easy way to make a little extra money.

This article will explain how you can get paid to watch movies, list legitimate websites that pay you to watch short videos, and answer some questions that you may have about this topic. [Read more…]

10 Budget Potluck Ideas And Recipes For Your Next Party

Last Updated: May 24, 2023 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 3 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read my disclosure for more info.

Are you hosting a dinner and looking for potluck ideas and recipes?

Potlucks are when everyone who is invited brings a dish to share, and you can host a potluck breakfast, brunch, dinner, and more.

Sometimes there is a theme to the potluck, or you can bring anything you want. The idea of a potluck is for everyone to get involved in the cooking and planning part of the meal.

I love potlucks – they are such a fun way to get together and eat with friends and family. One of my favorite things about them is that you can try delicious recipes that you may not have tried. Then you can even share the recipes with your guests.

Another great thing is that potlucks make it much easier on the host. You don’t have to spend the entire day in the kitchen cooking, and you save money because you’re not buying all of the food.

Potlucks are great any time of the year too. It’s an easy way to host a holiday party, picnic, graduation party, BBQ, birthday party, board game night, and so on.

Or, you can always host a potluck simply because you want to get together with your friends and family.

No matter the reason, there are so many delicious and easy potluck ideas and recipes, and I’m excited to share some with you today. [Read more…]

9 Best Ways To Find Free Gas Cards

Last Updated: May 19, 2023 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 4 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read my disclosure for more info.

Are you interested in finding free gas cards and saving money on fuel?

Your monthly gas spending is probably one of your biggest expenses each month. And if the increasing price of gas is getting you down, there are ways to save money on gas and find free gas cards!

Gas prices are higher than normal these days, so you are probably paying more than usual.

Despite rising prices, gas is something most people need to get to work, school, run errands, socialize with others, and more. It’s not a luxury that you can completely cut out of your life.

There are ways to save on gas, like bulking your errands together or carpooling, but as I said, buying gas is essential for most people.

Fortunately, even though filling up your car’s gas tank can get pretty expensive, there are plenty of ways to save money.

Learning how to save money on gas and knowing how to get free gas cards online can help low-income families and those who need financial assistance. This can help you and your family get to work, school, medical appointments, and to live life.

In today’s article, I have put together a list of resources for you that includes places and websites where you can find free gas cards, apply for free gas vouchers, and sign up for assistance programs for gas expenses.

There are a surprising number of ways to find free gas cards, and I look forward to sharing them with you today!

I’ve also included simple ideas for saving money on gas. You may have tried some of them before, but I hope you find even more tips to try. [Read more…]

9 Most Important Money Numbers You Should Know

Last Updated: May 25, 2023 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 3 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read my disclosure for more info.

If you want to manage your money better, there are some money numbers you should know and know how to find, and these money numbers can be quite important for varying reasons.

In the article below, I’m going to explain the most important money numbers you should know about and how they affect your financial life.

Whether you’ve been avoiding some of these important money numbers or if you simply did not realize they were important, today’s article is a great place to start getting on track.

Many people are unaware of parts or even their whole financial situation, and today’s article will help.

However, while simply reading this article will help, I highly recommend that you become more aware of your financial situation.

Being aware of your money situation can help you:

Manage your money better
Reach your goals
Better approach financial situations
Be proactive about your life and finances
Help you keep a budget
Prevent everything from falling on one person
Stop financial infidelity

Without being aware of your money numbers and your overall financial situation, it would be difficult to ever change your financial life for the better.

Because of what I do, I have talked to a lot of people who want to improve their lives but are unaware of some of the money numbers I’m going to discuss today. [Read more…]