Parafiks - A Personal Finance

How Blogging Transformed My Life and Secured My Family’s Future

I never expected blogging to transform my family’s life so profoundly. What began as a small side hobby quickly grew into something far larger—something that changed our future in ways I never imagined. Before starting Making Sense of Cents, I worked a typical 8-to-5 job. I felt trapped in the routine of commuting, sitting in … Read more

How We Launched Our Rental Property Business: First-Year Lessons

Are you interested in learning how to start a rental property business? Today’s guest post, from Nikki of Making Sense of Cents, explains how she built a rental real estate business starting with just $30,000 — and now owns 28 rental units. When should you begin saving for retirement? Many people wait until it’s urgent, … Read more

13 Ways to Score Free Visa Gift Cards

Looking to learn how to get free Visa gift cards? Visa gift cards are valuable because they work almost anywhere Visa is accepted, making them a flexible way to redeem rewards, cover everyday purchases, or supplement extra income. These prepaid cards function like a debit card with a fixed balance, and many legitimate apps and … Read more

How Kayla Makes $10K/Month Working Remotely as a Virtual Assistant

Today I want to introduce you to my friend Kayla Sloan. Kayla is a full-time blogger, virtual assistant (VA), and project manager who earns more than $10,000 per month working from home.

Kayla began her career as a credit analyst, earning about $2,000 per month. She struggled to make ends meet while paying off debt, so she started a side hustle as a virtual assistant.

In the interview below, Kayla explains how she grew her business from a part-time side gig into a full-time career that now generates five figures each month. She discusses how virtual assistance can be an excellent side income or a full-time profession, why it’s considered one of the best online jobs, the most in-demand VA services, and typical virtual office assistant pay.

As a virtual assistant, your tasks can include administrative duties, data entry, basic bookkeeping, calendar management, copywriting, graphic design, blog post management, social media management, email response for clients, Facebook group moderation, travel planning, customer service, phone support, and more.

The exact work you do depends on the type of VA you choose to be—there are many specialties. That flexibility lets you decide which tasks you enjoy and where to focus your skills. You also get to be your own boss.

Read the interview for full details, and consider Kayla’s course, $10K VA, if you want a structured program to learn how to become a successful virtual assistant.

Want to know which businesses truly run themselves? Have you ever imagined owning a business that operates with minimal oversight? Whether you’re after extra income or a full-time replacement, the right business model can generate revenue without requiring you to be there every hour. These opportunities free up your time for family, travel, new projects, … Read more

7 Legit Ways to Get Paid to Eat at Restaurants

Do you want to learn how to get paid to eat at restaurants? Being paid to eat at restaurants may sound like a dream, but it’s a reality for many people. I’ve personally been paid to dine out several times as a mystery diner, and there are multiple ways you can earn money or get … Read more

Pay Off Debt or Invest: How to Decide What’s Right for You

Should you pay off debt or invest? This is a frequent question I receive, and it can be hard to answer because every situation is unique.

You might be carrying student loans, a mortgage, an auto loan, credit card balances, furniture financing, medical debt, or something else. Whatever type of debt you have, it’s important to think through a payoff plan that fits your circumstances.

Paying down debt is a smart goal. But where does investing fit into your overall financial plan? Paying off debt can take a long time, and you may not want to completely neglect retirement saving or other investments while repaying what you owe.

That’s the hard question: should you prioritize paying off debt or investing? Should you do both at the same time, or focus more heavily on one than the other?

Want to sell custom products online without buying inventory, packing boxes, or handling shipping yourself? Gelato is a print-on-demand platform that lets you design and sell items like T-shirts, mugs, wall art, cards, calendars, photo books, and more. When a customer places an order, Gelato prints and ships the product on your behalf. That means … Read more

13 Places to Sell Jewelry for Quick Cash

Are you wondering where to sell jewelry you no longer need? Below are the best places—both online and in-person—to sell jewelry, whether you want extra cash quickly or hope to maximize the return on valuable pieces. You can sell engagement rings, necklaces, bracelets, watches, loose diamonds, and costume jewelry. Different buyers and platforms suit different … Read more

World of Books Review: Should You Sell Your Used Books?

Looking for a quick way to sell used books without listing each one online? In this World of Books review, I explain how I scanned books around my house, saw instant offers, and decided which ones were worth sending in. If you’re anything like me, you likely have more books than you realize—children’s picture books … Read more