How to Build Experience When You Have None

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Many job listings ask for prior experience, creating a frustrating catch-22 for people trying to break into a new role or industry. Whether you’re applying for an entry-level position, launching a new career, or shifting into a different field, job descriptions often emphasize that candidates need to demonstrate relevant experience. Seeing “experience required” causes some … Read more

Teach English From Home: Earn $14–$26 Per Hour Online

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Hello! Today I’m sharing an excellent piece by Janice Cook about teaching English from home through online tutoring with VIPKID. Many people have told me great things about VIPKID, and I’ve been curious about how online English teaching works. Janice is a reader of Making Sense of Cents who has been a school teacher for … Read more

From Minimum-Wage Waitress to Full-Time Blogger in 9 Months

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Hello! Today I have a wonderful guest post from Carly. Carly describes herself as a “completely computer-clueless stay-at-home mom, which is made possible by the fact that she’s also a full-time blogger—writing mostly about parenting and blogging tips” at Mommyonpurpose.com.

I used to see headlines like these and roll my eyes.

For most of my life I’ve been something of a skeptic—actually, I don’t like that word. Let’s call it realist.

I’ve always been realistic. I understand that nothing extraordinary simply falls into your lap. Life tends to reflect what you make of it, influenced, of course, by your circumstances. That’s not pessimism; it’s just reality—and I’m okay with that.

I figured it was better to stay grounded: work hard, make the most of your situation, and avoid chasing unrealistic pipe dreams.

So I have to laugh when I tell you that the “waitress to blogger in nine months” story is true—because it’s my story.

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Keep or Sell Your Home? How to Decide What’s Right for You

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For the past few weeks we’ve been debating what to do with the house we still own in Missouri. I’m naturally indecisive, and this choice has been unusually difficult — some days we lean toward selling, other days toward renting. There are several reasons we’re torn. Below I outline the main factors that keep pulling … Read more

13 Real Ways to Earn $5,000 a Month

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Do you want to learn how to make $5,000 a month? I’ve earned more than $5,000 a month for over a decade, and reaching that level changed my life. I still remember the excitement of hitting that milestone for the first time. If it feels out of reach, know it’s achievable with consistent effort and … Read more

How We Earn $12,000 a Year Dog Sitting From Home

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Today I’m pleased to share a guest post from Brooks, a solopreneur who builds multiple income streams. In this piece, he explains how a single Facebook post from his wife turned into a profitable side hustle—bringing in about $12,000 to $15,000 per year—just from watching other people’s dogs. If you want a low-cost, flexible way … Read more

Find $13,000+ in Savings: 6 Practical Steps to Start Today

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This guest post is from Empower, the free savings app. Empower has helped more than 250,000 users move beyond living paycheck-to-paycheck by analyzing accounts and identifying opportunities to save. They reviewed a large set of anonymized data to spotlight common places people often leave money on the table. Here are practical, realistic ways to find … Read more

10 Printable Products to Sell on Etsy for Profit

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Are you curious which printables you can create and sell to earn money? Selling printables on Etsy is one of the most beginner-friendly ways to make extra income from home. Whether you want a side hustle or hope to grow a full-time business over time, digital products like printables are an easy place to start. … Read more

How to Pay Off Your Mortgage Early: Complete Guide and Strategies

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Are you interested in learning how to pay off your mortgage early? Have you ever imagined life without a monthly mortgage payment? Picture what you could do with that extra cash each month. Getting out of mortgage debt is a realistic goal for many homeowners, and it brings clear benefits: You will no longer have … Read more

Top Paying Jobs for 17-Year-Olds to Earn Money

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Are you wondering what the best jobs for 17-year-olds are? Searching for a job as a teenager can feel exciting and a bit overwhelming. Fortunately, there are many opportunities that suit 17-year-olds—roles that help you earn money, build useful skills, and gain real-world experience. When I was a teen I wanted to earn and manage … Read more