16 Money Books That Can Transform Your Financial Life

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Are you looking for some of the best books about money? Reading personal finance books is a powerful way to improve your finances and move closer to your life goals. If you want to change your financial situation, start with a few well-chosen finance books.

What I love about financial books is the variety of perspectives and stories they offer. Like a blog, they share personal experience, but books can dive much deeper. The best money books combine motivating personal stories, practical strategies you might not have considered, and clear steps to take control of your financial life.

Below is a curated selection of the best money books for readers at any stage—just out of school, raising a family, planning for retirement, or somewhere in between. These titles make meaningful gifts and are often available at local libraries if you prefer to borrow instead of buy.

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28 Top Apps to Earn Extra Cash Quickly

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Looking for the best money making apps and websites?

If you own a smartphone or a laptop, there are many legitimate apps and websites that can help you earn extra income.

The average person spends over 4.2 hours a day using mobile apps.

If you’re going to spend that time on your phone anyway, you might as well use some of it to earn money.

As a personal finance writer, I regularly test and review apps that pay real money. I keep this list updated so readers can find reliable ways to boost their income or save while shopping.

The apps and websites below can help you:

  • Earn money from your phone
  • Save or earn cash back when shopping online
  • Find side hustles you can do online or locally

Every dollar counts. Trying several of these options can help you increase income and reduce expenses. You never know which app or platform might become a meaningful source of extra money.

Below I explain the top money-making apps and answer common questions like: Are these apps safe? How do they pay you? And which ones deliver the best results?

Before we dive in, here’s a quick list of recommended apps and sites:

  1. Freecash
  2. Fetch Rewards
  3. Rakuten
  4. Poshmark
  5. American Consumer Opinion
  6. Ibotta
  7. Survey Junkie
  8. Neighbor
  9. Swagbucks
  10. Acorns
  11. InboxDollars
  12. Branded Surveys
  13. Pinecone Research
  14. PrizeRebel
  15. Gazelle
  16. Opinion Outpost
  17. User Interviews
  18. Mystery Shopping
  19. Craigslist
  20. Rover
  21. RVshare
  22. Turo
  23. DoorDash
  24. GetUpside
  25. Facebook Marketplace
  26. Capital One Shopping
  27. Honeygain
  28. TaskRabbit

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Why I Embrace Frugality — Why Being Thrifty Isn’t Boring

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“Frugality is one of the most beautiful and joyful words in the English language, and yet one that we are culturally cut off from understanding and enjoying. The consumption society has made us feel that happiness lies in having things, and has failed to teach us the happiness of not having things.” – Elise Boulding … Read more

Grow Your Blog Fast With AppSumo Deals and Tools

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Today I’m sharing my AppSumo review. This article is sponsored by AppSumo but reflects my honest opinion. I want to tell you about a platform I use to improve Making Sense of Cents. AppSumo partners with software companies to offer exceptional, limited-time deals on tools that help entrepreneurs, small business owners, and freelancers grow and … Read more

14 Low-Maintenance Businesses You Can Start Today

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Are you wondering which businesses require minimal daily oversight yet still generate reliable income? Many people seek opportunities that earn money without demanding constant attention. Fortunately, there are numerous low-maintenance business models that can provide steady revenue with relatively little ongoing work. The key is choosing an option that fits your skills, budget, and lifestyle. … Read more

Why Normalizing Debt Is Dangerous — Stop Living Like Everyone Else

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Rather than living debt-free, many of us are facing a personal debt crisis. This isn’t about politics — it’s about ordinary people paying for both small and large purchases with money they don’t have, accumulating more and more debt as a result. What’s worrying is that a lot of people treat debt as normal, so … Read more

Free Blogging Planner Workbook: Ultimate Content & Editorial Calendar

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Looking for a practical workbook to help you launch your blog? The Blogging Planner is a free, easy-to-use workbook I created to guide new bloggers through the early stages of building a successful site. I launched my blog, Making Sense of Cents, in August 2011 and turned it into a thriving business. Blogging allowed my … Read more

14 Lucrative Side Hustles for Animal Lovers to Earn Extra Cash

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Do you love animals? If so, you might be excited to discover some of the best side hustles for animal lovers that let you earn extra income while spending time with pets and wildlife. There are many flexible, rewarding ways to turn your passion for animals into side income. From dog walking and pet sitting … Read more

Top-Paying Under-the-Table Jobs That Pay Cash

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Looking for under-the-table jobs? If you need extra cash, working for pay in cash-only arrangements can be an option. These informal jobs are often paid in cash and can be part-time side hustles or even full-time work. Keep in mind: while employers or clients may not withhold taxes when paying in cash, you are legally … Read more

7 Ways My Relationship With Money Transformed

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It’s surprising how much my life and my relationship with money have transformed in a relatively short time. I still remember, vividly, the days when I struggled financially and lived paycheck to paycheck. I would panic over a lost $25 bill, cry when I dropped food because every dollar mattered, and feel constant stress about … Read more