Every year you resolve to end the year richer than you began it. And every year, it doesn’t seem to work out.
Let’s make this the year it actually happens. And while we’re at it, let’s make your life less stressful at the same time.
Here are several quick ideas that will do just that.
1. Go for the gold
If a large part of your savings is in the stock market — as it should be — you’re already aware that what goes up can also go down; sometimes by a lot.
You can’t control the stock market, interest rates or the world economy. But you can hedge against uncertainty by having other types of investments.
The oldest and most ubiquitous hedge against uncertainty is gold. It’s been used for thousands of years to protect against everything from inflation to currency devaluation to political risk.
Don’t go overboard; most pros advise putting only about 10% of your portfolio into the Midas metal.
And keep in mind that not everyone in the gold business is on the up-and-up. Be careful whom you deal with.
Goldco is one company to consider. They offer just about everything, from precious metal IRAs to direct purchases of precious metal coins and bars.
Goldco has been around for more than a decade and has been recommended by celebrities like actor Chuck Norris and even former presidential candidate Ron Paul.
They have an A+ BBB Rating, AAA Rating from Business Consumers Alliance and 4.8 to 5 stars on Trustpilot, Trustlink, Google Reviews and Consumer Affairs.
You’ll even receive up to $10,000 in free silver on qualified purchases.
Maybe gold is right for you; maybe it isn’t. But if you’ve ever wondered, why not take a quick look? Click here right now and get your free information kit.
2. Pick up an extra million
Even if you’ve been a successful investor for decades, there comes a time in life when it makes sense to get a second opinion from a professional.
A Vanguard study found that, on average, a hypothetical $500,000 investment over 25 years would grow to $1.7 million if you manage it yourself, but more than $3.4 million if you work with a professional.
There are no guarantees a professional will do better than you, of course. But getting a second opinion from a pro certainly can’t hurt. Even if you don’t need help with investments, they can assist in creating a plan, maximizing your Social Security, protecting your assets and offering you peace of mind by ensuring you’re on the right track.
They can also be there in case one day you’re not.
But some pros are better than others. How do you find the right one?
Easy. Use a no-cost online service that makes it easy to find vetted financial advisers in your area. One of the most popular: SmartAsset. You fill out a short questionnaire and are instantly matched with up to three local fiduciary financial advisers, all legally bound to work in your best interests.
The process only takes a few minutes, and in many cases you’ll be offered a free consultation. Take a minute and check it out right now.
Please carefully review the methodologies employed in the Vanguard white paper, “Putting a Value on your Value: Quantifying Vanguard Advisor’s Alpha.”
3. Destroy your debts
Every dollar you pay in interest makes you a dollar poorer. So make this the year you pay less to your lenders and keep more for yourself.
If you’re capable of paying off your debts on your own, do it. But if you’d like some help from a professional, get it. Especially since you can talk to a pro for nothing!
Example? National Debt Relief is one of the most respected providers of debt relief in the country. They’ve helped more than 400,000 people, are A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau and also top-rated by Top Consumer Reviews, Trustpilot, ConsumersAdvocate and ConsumerAffairs.
How it works: You fill out a form on the company website, then a debt coach will call you to learn more about your situation. If they can help you, they’ll set you up with an affordable plan that works for you — and give you an estimate of when you can expect to be debt-free! There’s also no upfront fee and no obligation to get started.
National Debt Relief can help you with almost any unsecured debt, like credit cards, personal loans, medical bills, repossessions and even some student loan debt.
Ready to start a new, happier chapter of your life? Click here and see what National Debt Relief can do for you!
4. Eliminate home and car repair bills
Having homeowners insurance is essential – but maybe it’s not enough.
Your house is full of systems and appliances that can (and will!) break down, and they’re normally not covered by homeowners insurance. Finding a reputable repair company on short notice can be challenging, and the costs can be terrifying – especially if two or three things break down in the same year.
Don’t struggle to pay for repairs. Protect yourself against them, with American Home Shield. This company is ConsumersAdvocate’s No. 1 choice for home warranties. Depending on the plan, they cover almost everything that can go wrong: heating and cooling systems, electrical systems, plumbing systems, kitchen appliances, laundry appliances and more.
When something goes wrong, you just call American Home Shield, day or night. The company has a wide network of reputable repair folks who will fix it.
AHS protects your stuff no matter the age. Their plans cover up to 23 appliances and systems, and if they can’t repair it, they’ll replace it. That’s why American Home Shield is America’s top home warranty company with more than 17,000 contractors and two million members.
Want the same protection for your car? Test-drive CarChex.
A CarChex vehicle protection plan works at any licensed repair facility in the United States, from independent shops to dealers. The shop diagnoses your car, gets approval from CarChex, does the repair and then gets paid directly from the company.
I know. Extended car warranties are the poster child of ripoffs. But CarChex is the real deal. They have an A+ Rating by the Better Business Bureau and are recommended by companies like Carfax, Kelley Blue Book and CarBuyingTips.com. It only takes a few seconds to get a free, no-obligation quote. Click here and check it out.
5. Protect yourself from scammers
People who rip off other people deserve a special place in hell. But while waiting for judgment day, don’t let anyone steal from you.
Protect yourself by following simple rules like not clicking links in emails from strangers, not answering calls or texts requesting personal information, and protecting your identity.
One of the easiest ways to stop identity theft is with a monitoring service like McAfee. It only takes a few minutes to enroll, then they’ll constantly scan for threats to your identity. If they find something shady, they alert you by text, email, phone or mobile app.
McAfee is confident: should you become a victim, you’ll get a free specialist who will help you fix it, and you’ll be reimbursed funds stolen due to identity theft up the limit of your plan.
The cost? As low as $7.50 monthly. That’s pretty cheap peace of mind.
Identity theft protection won’t stop every crook and every scam. But it’s a good place to start. Go to their site right now, check it out and see if it makes sense for you.
6. Make money while playing games
Here’s something you probably haven’t tried before: making a buck or two while playing your favorite games! Grab your Apple phone or iPad, download these free apps, and you may end up making some extra funds while having some extra fun!
You’re not going to get rich playing these games, but hey, a little something is better than a lot of nothing! Note: These games are only available in the U.S. and aren’t available on Android. Only Apple iOS version 12 and higher.
- With Bubble Cash, you compete in real-money tournaments against other players to see who can get the highest score from shooting and matching bubbles. As of December 2022, Bubble Cash had an overall rating of 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store with nearly 76,000 ratings and reviews. This game isn’t available in Arizona, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, South Carolina and Delaware
- Solitaire Smash is a free app that lets you compete with other players at the same skill level for the opportunity to earn cash prizes. It’s the number one iOS app in the “Casino” category and has an average rating of 4.6 stars.
- Love Bingo? Test your skills in Bingo Clash! Play classic bingo, compete with other players of your same skill level and win great prizes. Not available in Arizona, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, South Carolina and Delaware.
- Another bingo game to try: Bingo Tour. This one is rated 4.9 out of 5 stars in the App store. Download for free to compete in Multiplayer Tournaments and win REAL CASH among other prizes!
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