News

[ad_1] In the past year, there’s been an upturn in home improvement projects. According to a survey completed by Bid-On-Equipment, 89% of American homeowners made some sort of improvement to their homes during the pandemic. 58% of those individuals did the work themselves. With so many American’s spending time at home, this really shouldn’t come as a surprise. After all, what else are people supposed to do if not DIY? But DIY projects aren’t just a way to kill time, they can also drastically increase a home’s property value. Bid-On-Equipment analyzed over 2,700 Google search terms to find exactly what types of home improvement projects were the most popular. Here’s what they discovered: 86% of projects focused on the exterior 45% of projects focused on the bathroom(s) 43% of projects focused on the kitchen 38% of projects focused on the living room 21% of projects focused on the dining room Taking the leap: The benefits of buying vs. renting a home 6 things you should do after moving into your new home How much house can you afford to buy? Buying a house that needs work? Projects to avoid But out of these DIY projects, which ones will actually increase a home’s value?  Sure, home improvement projects like adding an extra room and completely refurbishing the interior will increase the price tag. But you might not have the budget, or know-how, to pull that off. Don’t worry, these few projects are easy, budget-friendly and will increase your home’s value so that when you’re ready to sell, you’ll get more bang for your buck:  Add Storage One of the most desirable home features is storage. Chances are, even if your home has an ample amount of storage, it could use more. Installing extra shelves in the bedroom, creating new storage spaces in the garage or adding a cabinet in the kitchen are cost-effective ways to increase home value.  Update Primary Bedroom and Bathroom The primary bedroom and bathroom are big-ticket items for potential buyers. This bedroom is usually the largest bedroom in the house and is typically connected to a full bathroom. To update this part of the house, consider adding extra seating in the bedroom. For example, a bench or chair. You could also paint the ceiling or create a two-tone wall for a more dramatic effect. Adding a custom vanity in your bathroom could also increase desirability.  Paint the Cabinets Cabinets typically dull over time. Not to mention, styles evolve as the years go by. Repainting your cabinets is an easy way to modernize your kitchen, without breaking the bank. In addition to painting the cabinets, you might also want to consider swapping outdated cabinet handles with new ones.  By choosing the right DIY project, you can make your home more alluring so that when it’s time to sell, you walk away with a good chunk of change. The post DIY projects to increase your home value appeared first on HousingWire. [ad_2] Source link

[ad_1] The post Get Paid to Search the Web appeared first on Millennial Money. If you’ve spent time on any cashback rewards sites, chances are you’ve seen advertisements offering to pay you to search the web and make money online. This post explores search engine rewards programs, including how they work and how they reward participants. What does it mean to get paid to search the web? This strategy involves working with third-party organizations offering to compensate you for doing things you already do online. You may get paid to use a search engine, watch videos, or do some other activity (e.g., user testing). Most of the time, you don’t have to change your viewing behavior or take on any additional responsibilities to earn cash. It’s mainly centered around market research, and companies are more interested in viewing your regular habits.  However, programs tend to vary from provider to provider. Before deciding to try your hand at this, shop around and do your due diligence. Top ways to get paid searching the web Microsoft Rewards Swagbucks Qmee InboxDollars Nielsen Ask Wonder iRazoo MobileXpression 1. Microsoft Rewards (formerly Bing Rewards) A few years back, Microsoft rolled their Bing Rewards program into Microsoft Rewards, a free program that offers incentives for completing daily tasks, like buying things from the Microsoft Store online.  One way to get compensated through Microsoft Rewards is to search on Bing.com. All you have to do is make sure you’re logged in on your PC, mobile, or tablet. The more you search for items on Bing, the more points you’ll rack up.  Microsoft rewards users based on levels, with Level 1 members earning up to 5 points per day and 150 points per month. Level 2 members earn up to 20 points per day or 600 points per month. Of course, the catch is you have to use Bing a lot. So if you’re used to using Google, this option may not be for you. 2. Swagbucks   Swagbucks is one of the leading consumer rewards sites, offering compensation for activities like taking surveys and participating in focus groups. The survey site also offers rewards for searching the internet.  Here’s how it works: You make Swagbucks your default search engine. Swagbucks then acts as an overlay for whatever browser you’re using (i.e., Firefox, Chrome, or Internet Explorer).  Once that’s done, you earn points for using the Swagbucks search engine. You then redeem those points for cash rewards or a gift card from a leading retailer like Amazon or Walmart.  Swagbucks – Easy Online Reward & Surveys FREE Swagbucks is a legit money-making app where you can make money taking surveys, watching videos, and more. Sign Up ($5 bonus) 3. Qmee Qmee offers a similar search option to Swagbucks. With Qmee, you can earn cash by installing the Qmee browser app and surfing the internet as you normally would. By clicking on specific results, you can collect rewards. Qmee works on a variety of sites like Google, eBay, and Amazon.  Learn more: Best Survey Apps for 2021 65 Apps That Pay You Top 33 Ways to Make Extra Money 4. InboxDollars  InboxDollars is another company that pays you to ditch Google and use their search engine.  In addition to using their search feature, InboxDollars pays members to take surveys, watch videos, and redeem coupons, among other things. When it’s time to collect your funds, you can simply request a transfer to your PayPal account.  FREE With InboxDollars, you take paid surveys, earn cash, it’s that simple! Claim Your $5 Welcome Bonus 5. Nielsen  Nielsen is a global market research firm that helps its business partners understand consumer trends and insights.  One way to make money through Nielsen is to use their Computer and Mobile Panel service. All you have to do is sign up and install the app on all your registered devices and then use the internet. The app works silently in the background, collecting data on your internet and mobile usage and reporting back to Nielsen, which then shares it with clients. You’ll start earning immediately after downloading and installing the app. The company also offers automatic sweepstakes entries and loyalty rewards. Not bad! 6. Ask Wonder If you’re looking for more of a hands-on and value-driven approach, then look into Ask Wonder. Using this service, you can get paid to research questions clients post and then deliver answers to their email addresses.  Ask Wonder is a great way to put your research skills to the test. Topics span all categories, including technology, finance, and health and nutrition.  Another benefit to Ask Wonder is there’s no limit to how many questions you can answer. The amount you work and bring in is up to you. 7. iRazoo  Cashback provider iRazoo offers iRazoo Search, which lets you earn bonus points by simply searching their website.  The company pays points for each unique search that you make. To capitalize on this service, you’ll need to make iRazoo your default search engine.  8. MobileXpression  There’s no shortage of competitors offering to compensate you just for searching online.  One you may not have heard of is MobileXpression, which is a market research firm that pays customers for sharing mobile browsing activity.  The company guarantees rewards for participating. You can also receive weekly credits that you can redeem for a gift card from participating retailers.  If you spend a lot of time browsing on your mobile device, MobileXpression might just be the service you’re looking for.  Tips for making money surfing the web Be very careful about what you install Stick with the above-mentioned search engine rewards providers, as they are all reputable vendors. Make sure to thoroughly research and vet providers when expanding your search, as there are many scams. Be careful about using a search engine program as an overlay for your web browser, and analyze how much visibility the program has. Consider disabling it when using online banking or providing any sensitive information over the internet. It’s also a

[ad_1] Wow! You can get some fantastic deals at The Children’s Place right now! The Children’s Place is offering some great deals right now! Here are some things we spotted… Get Girl’s Bike Shorts (2 pack) for just $5.99! Get these Toddler Girls Skater Dress 2-Pack for just $9.99 shipped! Get Boy’s Shorts for just $4.99 shipped! Get Girl’s Tank Dresses for just $4.99 shipped! [ad_2] Source link

[ad_1] Exclusive: U.S. Justice Department probing Kabbage, fintechs over PPP loan calculations – sources [ad_2] Source link

[ad_1] he Union government will need to make larger allocations to MGNREGA while PDS and Jan-Dhan can be used to mitigate immediate pain. [ad_2] Source link

[ad_1] April was supposed to be the month that proved America’s economy had definitively kicked back into full gear. After all, roughly one million jobs were added in March, roughly 40% of the population had achieved vaccination, and key sectors of the economy planned large-scale reopenings. Instead, the U.S. Labor Department reported that a mere 266,000 new jobs were created in April, far below projections. HousingWire spoke to housing market economists and mortgage industry veterans to get their take on how they believe the jobs report will impact the mortgage and housing industries. April’s jobs numbers were so disappointing that the U.S Chamber of Commerce, the nation’s largest lobbying group, even called for an end to the $300-a-week federal unemployment benefits, claiming that people being paid not to work were keeping consumers from returning to the labor force. While some on Capitol Hill scratched their heads over the lackluster numbers that kicked off the second quarter, economists within the housing industry noted that the economy that was still poised for significant growth. Some speculated that the previous month’s report was impacted by seasonal adjustments. April is typically a robust month for job gains, but the normal seasonal pattern of employment has been greatly disrupted over the past year. Regardless, a gain is a gain, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported nearly eight million jobs are open for those seeking to reenter the market. The difficulty is getting the right people to find the right job. “Recent weeks have seen increasing reports that employers are having difficulties filling open positions,” said Mike Fratantoni, senior vice president and chief economist of the Mortgage Bankers Association. “Additionally, supply chain challenges across the economy are likely impeding the pace of activity and pushing up input costs for many employers. We continue to expect robust job growth and housing demand through the remainder of the year, but this report suggests that the rate of improvement in the job market is going to be much less consistent than other indicators would suggest.” The rest of this content is for HW+ members. Join today with an HW+ Membership! Already a member? log in HW+ includes weekly long-form digital content, HousingWire Magazine, access to HousingStack, and free admission to all HousingWire virtual events. The post What a dismal jobs report means for the housing market appeared first on HousingWire. [ad_2] Source link

[ad_1] The post What Should I Do With My Money? appeared first on Millennial Money. Money is difficult to obtain — and far too easy to lose.  The world is full of people who had money and squandered it away by making poor decisions. To avoid that fate and preserve and grow your wealth, you need to have a solid money management strategy in place. Ok, so what should I do with my money? Disclaimer: Everyone’s financial circumstances are unique, and everyone has different financial goals.  I’ll start off by saying that it’s important to think about your timeframe: Are you trying to make money in the short term, or are you more focused on securing long-term financial freedom? Keep your big-picture money goal in mind as you make decisions. Regardless of your goal, know that your money is worth more today than its equal sum tomorrow because it has the power to grow. So one of the best things you can do is act with a sense of urgency with your money. Stop delaying things like funding your retirement account. Instead, put a plan in motion today that can help you achieve your goals. The sooner you act, the better. Here are the steps you should take as you get started. Step 1: Form a budget  The more money you make, the easier it is to spend it. To keep more of your hard-earned dollars in your wallet, you need to start budgeting. You can do this on your own using a free budgeting template or do it with the help of an app like You Need a Budget (YNAB). To form a budget, first figure out how much money you make each month. Then, figure out where you’re spending it! You have regular, fixed expenses like rent or student loans. You can’t change the minimum amount you owe on those things. But you do have control over how much you spend each month on groceries, eating out, travel and other variable expenses. See how your actual spending aligns with your money goal. Maybe you’ll realize that you need to cut back on entertainment to be able to put money into an investment account. In any case, figure out what you want to spend money on each month, and how much.  Once you have a plan, the next step is to stick to it on a daily basis. Keep a running track of your spending so that you know where every dollar is going.  By taking this approach, you can keep yourself in check and eliminate wasteful spending. Learn more: Why You Need a Personal Budget YNAB vs. Mint Expense Calculator The 6 Best Budgeting Apps for 2021 Step 2: Pay down debt  Now that you have a budget, you’re ready to act. You’re motivated to be in better financial shape, and you have a solid management plan to get there.  And the first thing to do is pay down debt.  Take a look at your overall debt load and determine which accounts have the highest interest rates. Consider starting with the account with the highest rate and putting as much money into paying it down as your budget allows. If you have a significant amount of money sitting around checking or savings and your budget allows for it, you may want to consider putting the majority of it toward paying off your high interest debt. Paying off a credit card or student loan with a lump sum can get you out of debt much faster. Plus, you’ll pay less money overall this way. Step 3: Save The next step is to develop savings goals and put money into a bank account. Consider opening a high-yield savings account (HYSA) from an online bank, which offers a much higher interest rate than you’ll find at a traditional retail bank. You might also want to open up a money market account, which has higher returns than regular savings accounts with more flexibility. Whatever you decide, start by building a six-month emergency fund. You’ll need emergency savings to cover any unexpected expenses that may arise — like losing your job or getting stuck with medical bills.  Once you have at least six months of expenses socked away in the bank, set that money aside and don’t touch it. Then continue following a savings plan that aligns with your budget.  Step 4: Invest  As important as saving is, you have to go above and beyond that if achieving true financial independence is your goal. Savings interest rates are simply too low to make substantial gains.  That’s why you should also consider investing in the stock market. Investing is riskier than putting your money into a bank account because the bank account is insured by the federal government, so you can’t lose the money in it. With investing, you can lose money if a stock drops and you sell it. But on the upside, you can potentially generate much stronger returns while benefiting from tax advantages.  Before you can start investing in the stock market, you’ll need to open an investment account at a brokerage firm like Schwab or Fidelity. Taxable investing As you begin researching your options, you will quickly see that there are many types of investment accounts you can open. One option is a taxable brokerage account. These accounts can provide access to a range of investments like stocks, mutual funds, index funds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).  Just as the name suggests, taxable accounts require you to pay taxes on your earnings (your capital gains and dividends). As such, these accounts are better for short- to medium-term investing.  Learn more: How to Get Into Stocks What is an ETF? Index Funds for Beginners Index Funds vs. ETFs Tax-advantaged investing By opening a tax-advantaged retirement account, you can obtain tax-free or tax-deferred advantages.  Some of the most popular tax-advantaged accounts include employer-sponsored 401(k) plans and individual retirement accounts (IRAs).  Tip: You can’t open a 401(k) account yourself, but if your employer

[ad_1] Need a new coffee maker? Get this Keurig K-Mini Basic Jonathan Adler Limited Edition Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker for a GREAT price! Target has this Keurig K-Mini Basic Jonathan Adler Limited Edition Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker for just $49.99 shipped right now! This is regularly $99.99 and this is a fantastic price. It is less than 5 inches wide, making it small enough to fit anywhere, with the personality to fill the room. Thanks, Hip2Save! [ad_2] Source link

[ad_1] Analysis: Fund managers see value, cyclical stocks running further despite slow U.S. jobs recovery [ad_2] Source link

[ad_1] Stress on B/S moderated; RoEs are likely to remain subdued over FY22-23e; ‘Reduce’ retained with unchanged TP of Rs 1,450 [ad_2] Source link