Awesome Financial Apps, Side Hustle Companies, and Financial Services Companies
Here is a list of different apps and companies I recommend. Many of these companies I have used personally, and I have done extensive research on every company here. If you have had any negative experiences with any of the aforementioned companies, please let me know so I can look into it!
The list includes:
- Best financial apps
- Best brokers and investment services
- Best companies I have personally tried for side hustles
- Best companies helping you lower bills and sell unused gift cards
- Best student loan analysis tool and refinance companies
- Best companies for insurance
Best Financial Apps
M1 Finance
- M1 Finance is my favorite financial app. I love it because it is the first robo-advisor I have ever seen that works well with both index funds AND individual stocks! Most robo-advisors don’t offer any type of individual stock selection – M1 Finance is unique in this respect. If you want to read more about M1 Finance you can read this post I wrote: M1 Finance – The First Sexy Robo-Advisor? You can click here to learn more about M1 Finance.
- M1 Finance is my favorite financial app. I love it because it is the first robo-advisor I have ever seen that works well with both index funds AND individual stocks! Most robo-advisors don’t offer any type of individual stock selection – M1 Finance is unique in this respect. If you want to read more about M1 Finance you can read this post I wrote: M1 Finance – The First Sexy Robo-Advisor? You can click here to learn more about M1 Finance.
Acorns app
- The Acorns app has some great psychological benefits to it. I love the idea of using this app for those who have trouble sitting down and creating a plan. The app is perfect for financial slackers and novices because it takes only five minutes to setup. As you spend money at the store, this app invests your spare change. For example, if you spend $2.60, this app will round up your purchase to the next dollar. So the app will invest 40 cents for you. This way, as you spend money, you simultaneously save money! Spending never felt so good 😉 Here are some articles I wrote about the Acorns App: The Acorns App – Get Your Undisciplined Ass to Invest and Create a College Savings Account Using the Acorns App. You can click here to get the Acorns app AND $5 added to your account!
- The Acorns app has some great psychological benefits to it. I love the idea of using this app for those who have trouble sitting down and creating a plan. The app is perfect for financial slackers and novices because it takes only five minutes to setup. As you spend money at the store, this app invests your spare change. For example, if you spend $2.60, this app will round up your purchase to the next dollar. So the app will invest 40 cents for you. This way, as you spend money, you simultaneously save money! Spending never felt so good 😉 Here are some articles I wrote about the Acorns App: The Acorns App – Get Your Undisciplined Ass to Invest and Create a College Savings Account Using the Acorns App. You can click here to get the Acorns app AND $5 added to your account!
Digit
- The Digit app is not a bad financial app. The only problem is they now charge a fee for the app. I still find it a vialble way for some people who need to put things on autopilot, but only if you are having trouble saving without the aid of an app. I wrote this article on the app you may want to read: Digit App Review – A Passive Way to Create an Emergency Fund. You can click here to get the Digit app.
- The Digit app is not a bad financial app. The only problem is they now charge a fee for the app. I still find it a vialble way for some people who need to put things on autopilot, but only if you are having trouble saving without the aid of an app. I wrote this article on the app you may want to read: Digit App Review – A Passive Way to Create an Emergency Fund. You can click here to get the Digit app.
Brokers and Investment Services
TD Ameritrade
- TD Ameritrade is one of the top brokers I recommend. Brokers have been decreasing their fees as time goes on. Trading fees are becoming so low it is tough to think of them decreasing much more! TD Ameritrade charges a fee of less than $7 per trade as of when this is written. If you are an index fund investor you may also want to choose your broker by the index fund cost of the index you will invest in. You can click here to learn more about TD Ameritrade.
Charles Schwab
- Schwab is another of my favorite brokers. I have had an account with them for years and I am happy with them. They also have low fees for trades of less than $7, and they have a cheap fund SWPPX that tracks the S&P 500 that I like. You can click here to learn more about Charles Schwab.
Personal Capital
- Personal Capital is different from the brokers listed above as the company is geared specifically toward higher networth individuals. If you can place $100,000+with the robo-advisor platform, you will receive more personalized treatment and services tailored to you. For example, at a certain threshold you will be assigned a financial advisor. You can click here to learn more about Personal Capital.
Stockpile
- Stockpile is a great company when it comes to purchasing stock as a gift! I personally love the idea of buying your children stock as a present. Stockpile allows you to do this within five minutes. I wrote these articles on Stockpile 4 Steps to Teach Kids Investing with under $100 and 5 Reasons Why You Need Buy Your Kids Stock for Their Birthday You can click here to learn more about stockpile.
- Stockpile is a great company when it comes to purchasing stock as a gift! I personally love the idea of buying your children stock as a present. Stockpile allows you to do this within five minutes. I wrote these articles on Stockpile 4 Steps to Teach Kids Investing with under $100 and 5 Reasons Why You Need Buy Your Kids Stock for Their Birthday You can click here to learn more about stockpile.
The Best Side Hustles
Amazon Mechanical Turk
- Mechanical Turk (Mturk for short) is a company owned by Amazon which offers micro jobs. Microjobs are short tasks paying anywhere from 1 cent to $5+. Anything from small transcription jobs to surveys are available on Mturk. When I initially applied I was denied. It took Amazon a few months to send me an invitation; if you are interested in the platform, I suggest signing up ASAP in case that happens to you. You can sign up for Mturk here. I wrote this article on Mturk – Amazon Mechanical Turk – Is it a viable way to make extra income? You can click here to apply to Mturk.
- Mechanical Turk (Mturk for short) is a company owned by Amazon which offers micro jobs. Microjobs are short tasks paying anywhere from 1 cent to $5+. Anything from small transcription jobs to surveys are available on Mturk. When I initially applied I was denied. It took Amazon a few months to send me an invitation; if you are interested in the platform, I suggest signing up ASAP in case that happens to you. You can sign up for Mturk here. I wrote this article on Mturk – Amazon Mechanical Turk – Is it a viable way to make extra income? You can click here to apply to Mturk.
Clickworker
- Clickworker is a platform similar to Mturk in which you can perform microjobs. These are very small, short tasks, that can add up over time. Clickworker is not quite as good as Amazon’s Mturk, but it can be a reliable second if you need some extra income. I wrote this article on Clickworker – Clickworker – Is it a legitimate work from home job? You can click here to signup for Clickworker.
Survey Sites
- I have done surveys in the past as a side hustle. These are my recommended survey companies. You can read more about surveys through this arcile I wrote: Earn an Extra $2,000+ This Year with These 7 Free Survey Sites
UberX
- I drove for Uber starting 2015 and into 2016. I made over $10,000 driving for Uber and I find is to be a great source of extra income. If you are interested in reading how I made over 10k with Uber you can read that here – How I Made $11,618 Driving for Uber Last Year. I also wrote this article about driving for Uber on your work commute Uber Hack – Get Paid for Your Commute to Work. You can click here to learn more about driving for Uber.
- I drove for Uber starting 2015 and into 2016. I made over $10,000 driving for Uber and I find is to be a great source of extra income. If you are interested in reading how I made over 10k with Uber you can read that here – How I Made $11,618 Driving for Uber Last Year. I also wrote this article about driving for Uber on your work commute Uber Hack – Get Paid for Your Commute to Work. You can click here to learn more about driving for Uber.
UberEats
- In some ways, UberEats is a better sidehustle than UberX. With UberEats, there are no specific car requirements. You can drive for UberEats whether you can have an old beater or a new Mercedes. Also, you don’t have to pickup strangers. This can be a huge benefit as many people don’t like the idea of driving strangers around. Finally, stay at home moms can drive for UberEats and bring their children with them. I wrote an article about that very idea here – Are You a SAHM? Earn Extra Income with UberEats and Bring Your Kids! You can click here to read more about driving for UberEats.
Swagbucks
- Swagbucks is an interesting platform because you can earn extra income doing things that are considered fun. Those things include: surfing the web, watching videos, doing surveys, playing games, and even, shopping. I wrote this article on Swagbucks – How to Make Extra Income Today with Swagbucks! You can click here to learn more about Swagbucks.
- Swagbucks is an interesting platform because you can earn extra income doing things that are considered fun. Those things include: surfing the web, watching videos, doing surveys, playing games, and even, shopping. I wrote this article on Swagbucks – How to Make Extra Income Today with Swagbucks! You can click here to learn more about Swagbucks.
Lowering Bills and Selling Gift Cards
Movearoo
- Movearoo is a company I have used to reduce my cable and internet bill. I called Movearoo and they searched my area for the best deals. They provided me with a few different choices and I saved a nice amount of money. I wrote this article featuring Movearoo – Don’t Want to Cut the Cord? Two Companies Saving You Money on Your Cable and Internet Bills. You can click here to learn more about Movearoo.
- Movearoo is a company I have used to reduce my cable and internet bill. I called Movearoo and they searched my area for the best deals. They provided me with a few different choices and I saved a nice amount of money. I wrote this article featuring Movearoo – Don’t Want to Cut the Cord? Two Companies Saving You Money on Your Cable and Internet Bills. You can click here to learn more about Movearoo.
Billfixers
- Bill fixers will call your cable and internet provider and negotiate on your behalf. This is a great service if you dislike negotiating with your provider. They have a lot of experience and may be able to do a better job negotiating than you would. Bill Fixers was featured in this article I wrote Don’t Want to Cut the Cord? Two Companies Saving You Money on Your Cable and Internet Bills. You can click here to learn more about Bill Fixers.
- Bill fixers will call your cable and internet provider and negotiate on your behalf. This is a great service if you dislike negotiating with your provider. They have a lot of experience and may be able to do a better job negotiating than you would. Bill Fixers was featured in this article I wrote Don’t Want to Cut the Cord? Two Companies Saving You Money on Your Cable and Internet Bills. You can click here to learn more about Bill Fixers.
Credit Sesame
- Credit Sesame is a great service to help check your credit score. However, this is not the main reason I like the company. I like Credit Sesame because they offer FREE credit monitoring AND free identity protection. The site is free to signup, so you there is literally no fees for these free services. The company hopes you will purchase one of its pay for products at some point, but there are no obligations whatsoever. I wrote this article on Credit Sesame – Credit Sesame – Free Identity Protection Insurance and Credit Monitoring You can click here to read more about Credit Sesame.
- Credit Sesame is a great service to help check your credit score. However, this is not the main reason I like the company. I like Credit Sesame because they offer FREE credit monitoring AND free identity protection. The site is free to signup, so you there is literally no fees for these free services. The company hopes you will purchase one of its pay for products at some point, but there are no obligations whatsoever. I wrote this article on Credit Sesame – Credit Sesame – Free Identity Protection Insurance and Credit Monitoring You can click here to read more about Credit Sesame.
Raise.com
- This company is great for two reasons: selling your unwanted gift cards, and purchasing discounted gift cards. Buying a discounted gift card you know you will use has the same effect as increasing your bank account balance. It is just like earning cash. I wrote this article about the hack – This Gift Card Idea Can Save You over $500 per Year You can click here to read more about Raise.com
- This company is great for two reasons: selling your unwanted gift cards, and purchasing discounted gift cards. Buying a discounted gift card you know you will use has the same effect as increasing your bank account balance. It is just like earning cash. I wrote this article about the hack – This Gift Card Idea Can Save You over $500 per Year You can click here to read more about Raise.com
Cardpool.com
- Cardpool.com is very similar to Raise.com. It also allows you to buy discounted gift cards and sell unwanted gift cards. You can read this article I wrote – This Gift Card Idea Can Save You over $500 per Year You can click here to read more about Cardpool.com.
- Cardpool.com is very similar to Raise.com. It also allows you to buy discounted gift cards and sell unwanted gift cards. You can read this article I wrote – This Gift Card Idea Can Save You over $500 per Year You can click here to read more about Cardpool.com.
Gasbuddy App
- This app is awesome! It shows you all of the gas prices in your areas. Instead of stopping at a gas station and getting ripped off, you can look on the app and find the lowest price around you. It can save you a lot of money! You can click here to read more about Gasbuddy.
- This app is awesome! It shows you all of the gas prices in your areas. Instead of stopping at a gas station and getting ripped off, you can look on the app and find the lowest price around you. It can save you a lot of money! You can click here to read more about Gasbuddy.
Recommended student loan analysis and refinance services
Stock Street’s student loan analysis
- If you have student loans, you may benefit from an analysis! There are many ways you may be able to lower your monthly payments and/or apply for student loan forgiveness. This analysis will help you to that. I wrote these articles you may be interested in – Can an Online Student Loan Analysis Help Save You Thousands? and 5 Crucial Reasons NOT to Refinance Your Student Loans. I also have a student loan debt page you can read here – Stock Street’s Student Loan Debt Page. You can click here to look into the analyais.
Lendkey
- Lendkey is a company you may want to look into if you are interested in refinancing student loans. Here is an article you may want to read before you do so though – 5 Crucial Reasons NOT to Refinance Your Student Loans You can click here to read more about Lendkey.
Sofi
- Sofi is another company I recommend to research when you are looking for student loan refinancing. You can click here to read more about Sofi. Again, you may want to read this article I wrote before doing so 5 Crucial Reasons NOT to Refinance Your Student Loans.
Upstart
- What is interesting about Upstart is they will take into consideration factors that other lenders usually wont. If a borrower does not have credit history, they may consider factors such as your education and job history when approving a loan. Mark Cuban is also an investor in the company. You can click here to look into Upstart.
Insurance
Esurance
- Everyone has seen the Esurance commercial (by the way, did you know the voice for Esurance is Jim from the office!) I love Esurance for brokering insurance quotes. You should think about using Esurance next time you need a quote. You can click here to read more about Esurance.
- Everyone has seen the Esurance commercial (by the way, did you know the voice for Esurance is Jim from the office!) I love Esurance for brokering insurance quotes. You should think about using Esurance next time you need a quote. You can click here to read more about Esurance.
USAA
- USAA is a great company if you have a member of your family who has served in the military. If you do, you will likely be able to use USAA for insurance services and other financial services. I, unfortunately, don’t qualify to use USAA. But, you may be qualified! You can click here to read more about USAA.
- USAA is a great company if you have a member of your family who has served in the military. If you do, you will likely be able to use USAA for insurance services and other financial services. I, unfortunately, don’t qualify to use USAA. But, you may be qualified! You can click here to read more about USAA.
eHealth
- you may want to take a look at eHealth before you pull the trigger on your next health insurance plan. You can click here to read more about eHealth.
- you may want to take a look at eHealth before you pull the trigger on your next health insurance plan. You can click here to read more about eHealth.
Haven Life
- If you are interested in a fully underwritten offer without a medical exam within 20 minutes, Haven Life offers that ability by using algorithms. Haven Life is one of the InsureTech companies making it easier and quicker to receive underwritten life insurance online. Haven Life is also backed by a fantastically rated company, MassMutual. You can click here to learn about Haven Life.
- If you are interested in a fully underwritten offer without a medical exam within 20 minutes, Haven Life offers that ability by using algorithms. Haven Life is one of the InsureTech companies making it easier and quicker to receive underwritten life insurance online. Haven Life is also backed by a fantastically rated company, MassMutual. You can click here to learn about Haven Life.
Disclaimer: These are the ideas and opinions of the author. The author is not responsible for the actions of those who read the posts on this blog. Each individual reader has a unique situation and unique needs. This blog is not intended to solve those unique situations of the readers. This blog is not liable for decisions made by the readers of this blog.
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